MEN'S MOTIVATION

A RETURN TO LOVE
L. Benard Jenkins

I’ve given a lot of thought to this month’s theme, “Embrace Your Power.”  I meditated on how best to edify in a way that would prove inclusive for all, but specific to my black men, regardless of how we sexually, self-identify.  I’ve even considered drafting a list of my own principles and practices. 

What I found most appropriate, or more accurately, what found me when I needed it most – right on time – was the quote usually attributed (and falsely) attributed to Nelson Mandela, but is actually the words of author, Marianne Williamson, from her spiritually based book entitled, A Return to Love is this:  “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light and not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, ‘who I am to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous.’  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.  There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It’s not just in some of us it is in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

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January's Motivation

Priorities through dance…
By Algernon Campbell, Special to Preach2me.com

December 1994: New Yorkers are hurriedly bustling to get something done.  Surely they have their priorities in order. 

It’s the end of my first semester at the Ailey School, the official school of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre.  As a recent Morehouse graduate, I was in New York pursuing my passion – dance!  It was time for the end of the semester evaluations.  I was excited to hear what my teachers had to say about my continued growth.   It was my first year. 

The director of the school was my counselor.  I entered her office, closed the door and sat on the couch.  She handed me the written evaluations.  I read them.  They all said the usual and expected recommendations; improve my flexibility; my stretch; my musicality, and other aspects of my dancing ability.  As a student in her class, she also gave me her personal evaluation. 

“Algernon,” she slowly began, “you need to sit in the back of my class and not in the front until you improve upon your technique.”  I could not believe what I heard.  She contradicted everything that other teachers had advised me to do – to be in the front.  When she finished, unaware of what I was setting in motion, I politely said, “I will sit in the back of the class but I’ll be gritting my teeth the entire time.”  Albeit stunned, she smiled graciously while I gathered my belongings and exited her office.

It was not a difficult decision to pursue dance as my career.  I was determined and headstrong.  What I had not expected was the kind of dedication and work it would take for me to make the priority of dancing a reality.  I was aware of having to leave my family and friends, but was not prepared for such an arduous task.  I was willing, however, to put in the work. 

This is where many of us get lost.  We want to have and be so many things.  Whether they are our families, careers, finances or our health, we determine our priorities.  Yet, when it is time to put in the work we run.  We are unable to do what it takes.  What becomes necessary is to really focus and work diligently to make those priorities sustainable through faith. 

We all have the capacity regardless of our situation. Will we fall off the wagon?  Will we make mistakes?  The answer is a resounding, YES!  Simply get up, re-dedicate yourself and press toward the light at the end of the tunnel.  Remember, with faith comes the power to make our priorities reality.  Having done so, in no time you’ll be called from the back to the front of the class.  The distance may be short but the journey is where the well-earned change occurs and the work is done.

BRIEF BIO
Algernon Campbell
Algernon J. Campbell is originally from Savannah, GA.  He has danced with Dallas Black Dance Company, Seraphim Dance Theatre, 5 Degreez of Dance, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, and currently serves as dancer, teacher, choreographer and mentor at Full Circle Dance Company in Baltimore, MD where he resides with his partner.

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