The Struggle of Forgiveness

A behavior change that I would like to take into affect is one that I've had issues with my whole entire life. This behavior has gone so far that it has caused me to ruin friendships with best friends, miss out on life-changing opportunities, and it has caused me a great amount of stress. I have recently thought about how much this behavior has impacted my life and I have decided that I am ready to give it up. I can't continue to live my life like this and I am willing to do anything to get rid of this habit that I have of holding grudges against those who I feel take me for granted or try to hurt me in any type of way. I am willing to accept the fact that everyone makes mistakes and I am willing to learn to forgive others. People say that the first step to overcoming a problem is to admit that you have one. Therefore, I am going to do just that and I am going to work on my behavior change starting now.


I am going to maintain this plan by learning to live and forgive. By doing this, I won't have to worry about the emotional distress of holding grudges against my friends, family, and loved ones. It would help me to develop a greater relationship with others. It could possibly help to further my career. It would help me to mature to become a responsible, generous, optimistic person. I am going to stop worrying about getting revenge when I feel that someone has done something wrong to me. I am willing to forgive from the heart. I am going to start putting those things that happened three and four years ago in the past. I am willing to start over now. It is not going to be easy; however, I am willing to give it a try.


This behavior has been bothering me for a very long time and I am now ready to overcome it. I am willing to overcome any barriers that get into my way. This behavior has taken over my life. Jesus forgives me for my sins, but why is it so hard for me to forgive others? That is the question that I ask myself all of the time. I am going to give it my all. I really want to climb this brick wall that is blocking my path. I am going to do it.

"It is time for a change"- President, Barack Obama

A World Full of Stereotypes

Have you ever wondered what people think when they look at you? Have you ever judged someone based off of their race, religion, ethnicity, culture, gender, etc.? Have you ever been stereotyped? How did it make you feel? I've been stereotyped a lot of times. People often think that since I'm African American, I love fried chicken and kool-aid. People think that I don't eat much because I'm skinny. I'm pretty sure that you've heard many other stereotypes, as well. Lets see, Asians are smarter than people in other races, all black people are ghetto, white girls with blond hair are dumb, only Koreans work at nail shops, all Iranians are terrorists, black kids have ADHD, white children get away with everything, all ministers were bad at one time or another, the list goes on.

How are stereotypes formed? Can they hurt others? When we stereotype other people, how does that affect ourselves? These are questions that we should ask ourselves before we point our finger and make judgments about others. Sometimes it is hard to avoid thinking a certain way about a group of people, but we all do it. Does it make it right? No! We live in a world full of stereotypes. Personally, I am tired of being stereotyped! Just because I live in Kentucky does not mean that I'm a hillbilly! I have a project that we should all do together. Get to know someone outside of your race, religion, ethnicity, culture, etc. You will be surprised that the girl who you thought was stuck up is really nice and down to earth; the college professor who you thought was mean and strict is actually outgoing and lenient; the senior citizen who you thought was bitter and old is as sweet as she can be.

We Are All Human

Singers, Chris Brown and Rihanna, who were formally dating had an altercation. The altercation resulted in Rihanna being physically abused by Chris Brown. They were both shown on the news, discussed on the radio, and several articles were published in magazines and newspapers. Furthermore, this situation became the most discussed topic globally. Although situations like this appear to happen on a daily basis, it was a shock to many when this circumstance took place. Unlike many others, I am not sure why it was surprising to hear that this situation had occurred.





Chris Brown and Rihanna are both human beings. In other words, no one is perfect. I am not saying that Chris Brown is not wrong for putting his hands on a female. However, I am saying that everyone makes mistakes: singers, actors, you name any person-they have made a mistake. I am tired of people making it seem as though celebrities are higher and more superior than those who are inconspicuous. People are abused daily. However, abuse does not become an issue until it involves those who are widely known. Think about it. There was even a movie made about Tina Turner's abuse. Whereas, when those who are obscure are being physically abused, it is like we are saying, "so what?" On the other hand, when anything happens to those who are notable to many: it is shown on the t.v, the Internet,heard about on the radio, and written about in magazines and newspapers. This part, I don't understand.

It Takes A Village

One of my favorite books is, "It Takes A Village to Raise a Child." In the book, it discusses the importance of parents working together to raise their children. Furthermore, it discusses the impact that a community can have on a child's life. Due to the hard work of a community, a child can grow to be wise and successful. The main point is that, when we work together as a team, we can get the job done more faster and efficiently; rather than working alone. This passed week has caused me to reflect back on this book.

This passed week, we had a snow storm that had caused cars to get stuck in snow, tree branches to fall in others' yards, and the sidewalks to become very slick. However, in my community, we have been working as a team to look out for one another. We've helped others' to their cars, moved tree branches from our neighbors yards, and my brother's helped to push several cars that were stuck-out of the snow. People were even getting out of their vehicles to help others push their cars. It was amazing to see the people of my community help one another. The greatest lesson that I was taught through this whole experience was that, "I am my brothers keeper."

The Reason Why I Dislike Police Officers

On my way to church this morning, I saw the scariest thing that I had ever witnessed to seeing in my life. I saw six police officers standing around a man who looked to be about 70 years old, homeless, and black. The man was handcuffed, laying on his stomach-with no coat on, and surrounded by six white police officers. I'm not a racist or anything, but I believe the way that white police officers treat blacks is ridiculous. Every time the man would move his head, a police officer would taser him, kick him, and yell-"Put your face on the ground!" I could not believe what I was seeing, and for a minute, I was hoping and praying that it was all a dream. The man was tasered at least five times. I just didn't understand-the man was lying on the ground, hand-cuffed, and understandably, cold. What was the purpose of him being tasered? This is really bothering me because no one should be treated that way-white, black, Hispanic, no one! I wonder how the police officers would feel if they were outside with a short sleeved shirt on, it is 23 degrees, they are handcuffed, lying on the ground, surrounded by six police officers, and they are being demanded to put their face on the ground. This is a memory that I will never forget and it hurts badly to know that there are people like that in the world who could be this cruel and nasty to someone else.

Keeping the Stereotype Alive

American Idol in Kentucky was shown on national television on Wednesday, January 21, 2009. I could not believe what I was seeing: hillbillies, country bumpkins, and hicks were used to represent our state. I don't understand why we are stereotyped as being hillbillies. Everyone in Kentucky doesn't own a farm. We don't wear overalls. We actually were tennis shoes, not just sandals. And more than anything- We are not backwoods idiots! I don't understand. When people in other states think about the people of Ketucky, they get the image that we are dirty, raggedy, and tooth-less. That part is understandable because the television gives people that image of Kentuckians. People in Kentucky are often shown on television as being low-class and poor farm owners. I wish that people in other states wouldn't steroetype us as being hillbillies. I also wish that television stations would stop worrying about "Keeping the Stereotype Alive" and start showing the real Kentucky. We are not hillbillies!

It Is Time for a Change

As the days leading up to the inauguration are narrowing down, I am beginning to find myself infused with excitement and joy. Personally, I am overwhelmed at the thought of having Barack Obama as our president. Not only is he dedicated to helping and serving in our country, but he is an inspiration to the future generations to come. I believe that he will generate many ideas that will help our country to become a better place. The thoughts of positivity run through my mind whenever I think about our new president. Unfortunately, there are others who feel the opposite way.

Even though I am excited about Barack Obama's inauguration, there is something that has caused me to become upset. That is the negativity. I am so tired of hearing people say things such as, "
He can't change the economy" or "He doesn't have enough experience". The negative outlooks have to stop. Throughout the whole election, I have realized how judgmental people can be. Just give him a chance! Of course everyone knows that he can't become the president one week and a week later, the country is perfect. It takes time. Before we begin to point fingers towards others, we should always look in the mirror and do a full examination of ourselves. Barack Obama is not superman. He can't perform miracles. What a lot of people fail to realize is that "Before you walk, you must learn to crawl".