YOUNG LIFE

Embrace Your Power!
J. Samuel Cook-Dormoh

There was something in the air--an ominous timbre that told my mother and I that something huge was about to happen. It had been several months since I had last seen my mom, and we carried on with the usual casual conversation that mother and son engage in after such a lengthy time apart. As we turned a sharp curve, an oncoming fire engine red Dodge Neon caught our eyes with its flashing emergency lights. Before we could comment, the passenger’s side door flew open. As we continued in the opposite direction, a flurry of clothes and shoes tumbled on the concrete. My chest tightened. Something within my spirit quickened.

“Turn around,” I said.

“I think that was just some clothes that fell out of someone’s car,” my mother responded. “Do we really need to turn around?”

“Turn around,” I insisted.

Reluctantly, my mother changed the direction of the vehicle, making a sharp U-turn. We slowly approached the mass of clothes, slowing to examine the damage. As we came to a stop, we saw something rustle in a distant ditch. Slowly, a broken, maimed body struggled to pull itself to its feet. A young girl barely 17-years-old had somehow fallen (or been pushed, or jumped…) from the passenger’s side of the car when the door flung open. The Dodge Neon was backing up now, as cars whizzed past on the nearby highway. We ran to the young girl’s aid. With tears in her eyes, my mother held her profusely-bleeding head with a rag as I touched to feel the broken bones in her arm and leg. As the young girl’s mother bawled and babbled incoherently, two young men stopped to offer their assistance. Having lost large amounts of blood, the young girl was rapidly going into shock. Collectively, we made a decision to carry the girl to the nearby hospital, hoisting her broken body into a van and traveling as a caravan with her mother.

As my mother and I sat in deafening silence in the car, reflecting on what had just happened, a revelation came upon me. I realized that in life there are sacred moments in which our destiny becomes clear, in which our purpose for being on this earth is made known to us by the Divine. Mankind is the ultimate expression of the eternal love of God; therefore, love is the ultimate expression of our God-consciousness. Our mission is simple: to show love to our fellow man in thought and in deed, regardless of our race, ethnic background, creed, or professional choice. Love must be our eternal aspiration and guiding principle. That day, my mother and I made a choice to express our gratitude to the Divine for His immaculate design by giving freely of ourselves to assist our sister in distress.

The Revealing Word, a dictionary of metaphysical terms, states that “of all the attributes of God, love is undoubtedly the most beautiful. In Divine Mind, love is the power that joins and binds in divine harmony the universe and everything in it; the great harmonizing principle known to man.” It is upon the foundation of love that every other virtue must stand.

return to top

December's Article

Q&A, Two Young’s Take on Priorities; In Their Own Words

Q: How do you define the word "priorities?"
A: Priorities are responsibilities and things, situations, assignments and even people who take precedence over everything else you have going on in life. They're things that are important to you and things you make time for.
 
Q: Do you believe your priorities are appropriate for you?
A: Yes, I do. But, sometimes you experience things that can be misunderstood or mistaken as a priority. If it's not something that's going to help you move forward, be successful or even happy and content with where you are mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally, then it's not an appropriate priority. It's a day-to-day struggle. But, for the majority of the time I believe my priorities are generally appropriate for me.
 
Q: What are some of your priorities?
A: A few of my priorities include being a fashion journalist for CiN Weekly Magazine, being a leader on my campus as well as a mentor to those younger than myself. I'm also a teacher and choir director at my church. I consider my priorities as a son, a brother, a cousin, a nephew and grandson to be important responsibilities as well. I pride myself on having the priority of always being a good friend to people, too. It takes balance and strategy and whole lot of common sense to prioritize each of these roles.
 
Q: How have your priorities changed in the past year?
A: They're continuing to change everyday. I've taken on so many new responsibilities and priorities. So many wonderful blessings and opportunities have come my way this year. Life throws things at you and God takes you through situations to help you become stronger at prioritizing and planning to do what's important for you and His people. I always try to remember that only what you do for Christ will last as each priority shifts and changes in my life.
 
Q: Will your priorities stay the same in 2008? Do you believe they should or should not, why?
A: I think it's only inevitable for my priorities to continue evolving; that's part of the process. As I step into the New Year, I believe many will stay the same but some will turn into other opportunities to develop and maintain new priorities. I think this is going to be another great year. Eight is the number of completion, so I'm expecting God to complete the work that He started in me and continue guiding me on this path I've begun. With His help, and His help only, will my priorities stay in line with His divine plan.

-- Terron Austin, 21, Cincinnati, Ohio

Q: How do you best define the word, priorities?
A: I define priorities as those entities or ideals that are of most importance to a person. Priorities can include a person's responsibilities, values or goals, and they can be abstract ideas or definitive, tangible benchmarks.

Q: Do you believe your priorities are appropriate for you?
A: I do. I think at my age my priorities make sense for me, and also take into account where I am at this current stage in my life.

Q: What are some of your priorities?
A: I think my overall priority is happiness, and being fulfilled in my life. Everything else works to that end. At work, I make sure I'm doing work that I enjoy and that I'm proud of. Outside of work, I make sure I pursue activities that fulfill me personally. My other priorities include advancing professionally, and growing and obtaining wisdom mentally and spiritually, allowing me to be a better friend, daughter, sister and roommate. :-)

Q: How have your priorities changed in the past year?
A: I've grown more confident in my profession, so my priorities have shifted from being noticed at work to making a difference with the work I do, whether that means contributing my expertise or looking at things from a different point of view. I've also found what truly makes me happy outside of work, and I'm now working on stretching my ability and creativity in that area.

Q: Will your priorities stay the same in 2008? Do you believe they should or should not, why?
A: I can't say right now. I don't know if they'll change so much as they'll evolve, as they have in the last year. All I know is that my one main priority -- living a happy, fulfilled life -- will most likely always remain the same.

-- Veronica Miller, 24, Washington, DC

return to top