Sunday Praise & Inspiration

-A few weeks ago, I ran into an old friend at a jazz event.
Although we often chat on social media, that day was the first day that we had actually sat down and had a conversation in years.
She explained to me that she was a newly-divorced, single-parent and was dealing with some issues and drama that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
While she was telling me some of the heart-breaking stories of what she's had to deal with over the last year, I couldn't help but look at her and think to myself;
"She doesn't look anything like the hell she's been through."

-Last week, a friend of mine (out of the blue) confided in me that she and her daughters were once homeless, and that they once had to live in the bathroom of a storage facility and sleep in her car for months before she was able to move into a homeless shelter.
After I read her story, via text message, I thought back to all the times I used to see her and her girls at church and the times we used to talk to each other.
The more thought back to those times, the more I began to think to myself:
"She didn't at the time, and she still doesn't look anything like the hell she's been through."

-Late last night, I was reading the blog of a woman who has dealt with divorce, illness, numerous surgeries, and too many other things to name.
As I was reading her story, I couldn't help but think to myself:
"She doesn't look anything like the hell she's been through."

The one thing all three of those women had in common was that they all credit GOD with getting them through their situation.

The point of this blog:
Regardless of what you've been through, what you're going through or what situation you may have to face on tomorrow, just know, that if you put GOD at the center of it, you can come out of that situation not even looking like you've been in it.
And when you come out, be thankful and grateful that you don't look like what you've been through.

Neo Soul Saturday: Adrian Marcel

Someone hipped me to this cat a few months ago, and I've been hooked ever since.

Adrian Marcel is from the Bay area and a protege' of Rapheal Saadiq.

His unique flava is something that the R& B game has been missing a long time.

Hope you enjoy!

Cousin Cledis Is At It Again

Last week, President Obama shared his thoughts on the Zimmerman verdict.
He was honest, open, and transparent about some of his personal experiences of being a black man in America before he became a public figure.
He told personal stories of how "some" white people would lock their car doors when he walked by, or clutch their purses a little tighter or become nervous when he walked into an elevator.

I think every black man in this country can relate to that.
Well, every black man that's not related to good ole' "Uncle Tom".
One of "Uncle Tom's" sons,  Cousin Cledis Allen West wasted no time dismissing President Obama's comments.
This is what Cousin Cledis  Allen West had to say;

 Newsflash to Cousin Cledis , Allen West:
Those things probably did happen to you.
You just couldn't see them happening because even at a young age, you had your head neck-deep up a white man's behind.

I'll have more on Allen West Cousin Cledis, Aunt Jemima and Uncle Tom later on in the week.

Bitter Woman Syndrome

It's official!
Dwayne Wade's ex-wife has lost her mind!
First, she claimed he gave her a sexually transmitted disease.
Then, she accused him of having sex with his girlfriend, Gabrielle Union, in front of their kids.
Now, she's claiming she's homeless!
SMH!

Last week, Siovaughn Wade (along with one of her trifling girlfriends), took to the streets of Chicago to stage this photo-op, all in an attempt to embarrass the NBA superstar and force him to agree to a financial settlement.
It worked!
A few days ago, D. Wade agreed to give her sole possession of their Chicago mansion, four cars, a check for $5 million AND $35,000/month.
This, despite the fact that HE has sole custody of their kids.
The former Mrs. Wade accpepted the settlement but vowed that the fight wasn't over.
Many may ask : What more does she want?
I can answer that!
She wants to make D. Wade's life a living hell because she has Bitter Woman Syndrome!

I'm sure you've seen it before!
Two people are in a relationship.
The relationship ends.
One person moves on, and the other one doesn't get the memo that it's over.
This appears to be the case with this crazy woman the former Mrs. Wade.
D. Wade has a beautiful, new woman in his life.
He's won two more championships.
He's raising both of their sons.
He's a philanthropist.
He's written a book.
His life hasn't skipped a beat.
Meanwhile, she's still stuck in a relationship that ended years ago!
I don't know about you, but I know women like this.
It doesn't matter how good things are going in their life, or what new person God is trying to bring into their life, they're still stuck in the past.

Bitterness is almost like a drug that eats away at your flesh.
It can make even the most beautiful woman look ugly.
It can cause people to not want to be associated with you.
And just like the former Mrs. Wade, bitterness can cause you to make a fool out of yourself.
That financial settlement might "keep her off the streets", but until she let's go of the past, she will continue to have Bitter Woman Syndrome.

The Jazz Lounge

As some of you know, I'm a huge jazz fan.
In my opinion, there's nothing like sitting outside at a park, on the beach or relaxing in a nice, quiet, intimate establishment that has a great ambiance with your significant other, listening to the smooth, smooth sounds of live jazz!
Listening to jazz has not only become one of my hobbies, but it has almost become a passion!
I want to share that passion with you.
So tonight, I'm starting a new feature here in The Board Room.
Tonight, and every Friday night, The Board Room will transform into The Jazz Lounge-a place, where an artist, and his or her music will be featured.
My hope is that you will become just as passionate about this great art form as I am.

Tonight, our first artist here in The Jazz Lounge is Chris Botti.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, this brotha has been playing the trumpet since he was 9 years old. He's been nominated for four Grammys and has enjoyed three number one albums.
Here he is with the beautiful and sexy Jill Scott, performing "Good Morning Heartache".

Hope you enjoy!