Hit Song About Job Loss: New Movie "Up In the Air" Features A Song Written by Man Who Lost His Job

This was very inspiring. “Up In The Air” is critically acclaimed and poised to pick up Golden Globes in several categories, including Best Picture.It may follow with Oscar wins as well. Whatever its award rake up count come February or whatever date next year the Oscars are scheduled, it is so good to be reminded that it’s never too late to pursue dreams. It seems that in the current “spirit of the times” and as some would say “zeitgeist” if you have the determination, drive and talent you can make it to where you want to be. It appears that the doors are open for the underdog or those who are not so hooked up or linked with heavyweight connections. American Idol, America’s Got Talent and the Susan Boyle-esque rags to riches success stories seem to be the order of the day.

This experience,too, illustrates that the doors can open and true talent coupled with being “in the right place at the right time” can make all the difference. Some call it synchronicity. Some call it luck. I call it a blessing.

Congratulations to the songwriter and to the heavyweights who helped to make it happen for him.

To see a trailer of the movie, tou can also click here.

Join Alicia Keys On Her Journey Back to Africa

Join Alicia Keys On Her Journey Back To Africa.

5 People
5 Extraordinary Days
5 Life Changing Experiences

Text "Alive" to 90999

in reference to: Text Alive Contest | Keep a Child Alive (view on Google Sidewiki)

From the Archives Dec. 1, 2009-Alicia Keys World AIDS Day Concert

Tonight Alicia Keys will perform a concert to benefit her organization, Keep A Child Alive. In conjunction with World AIDS Day,it will be broadcast live from New York's Nokia Theater.

Heavier Octaves gives a special "shout out" to Alicia. We appreciate her courageous and compassionate involvement in KCA's effort to provide prescription medications and other needed medical supplies to those children suffering with the disease.

in reference to:

"A reminder...Alicia Keys will be playing a benefit concert tonight in support of World AIDS Day 2009. The concert will be taking place at the Nokia Theatre in New York City and will be streaming live over YouTube in real time. Proceeds from the New York benefit concert entitled “ALICIA KEYS Live! One night. One voice. One life at a time” will go to Key's own charity "Keep A Child Alive.""
- www.heavieroctaves.org: Alicia's State of Mind and Alicia Keys World AIDS Day Special On You Tube Tonight! (view on Google Sidewiki)

Cynthia Wilson Speaks...: Michael Jackson's Final Show

Photo Source-posted by a fan on Michael Jackson's official site

As momentum builds around Michael Jackson's upcoming release and the world works itself  into a pop icon worthy frenzy, and record and movie tickets soar, "I pray that Michael rests in peace." I also pray that his loved ones have contentment in their hearts knowing that Michael is indeed at peace.

During this time, I would also ask  that you reflect deeply on Michael Jackson's life, artistic contributions and the tragic events surrounding his untimely death. Ask in your hearts what  we can do as a society  and as individuals to prevent such tragedies in the future.Yes. Like many before, Michael is gone too soon... Yet, in the end...despite grief, shock, suspicions and misgivings, it is ultimately God who knows best. What we perceive as untimely is always a bitter pill to swallow. It sometimes takes years of  healing before hurt and disappointment can be released and replaced with trust in a greater plan and higher power.

Continue to pray for Michael and his family. Below is a trailer of the movie "This Is It".

Peace and enjoy the movie trailer. Pass it, the song, your quiet reflections and prayers on and on...

Give Them Their Flowers...

Cynthia Wilson chatting with Black Film Icon and Actress Ruby Dee at the National Newspaper Publisher's Association (NNPA) Awards Reception honoring Ms. Dee during the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Weekend-Fri. Sept. 25,2009

I was happy to be there and even happier that the National Newspaper Publisher's Association(NNPA) was honoring her with an award that night, giving her flowers while she could still enjoy them. It was a particularly special time for me. You see the last time I had the opportunity to talk with Ruby Dee was in 1983 in Detroit, Michigan at the after party for a play entitled the Ninth Hour written, produced and directed by playwright Barry Pugh.

 That very same night at the same party we also celebrated our birthdays together. Yes. Ms. Dee was gracious enough to share her birthday with me. And, I can't tell you what that did for me as a young African American woman, serving as Special Project Assistant for the first African American woman to be elected to the Detroit City Council, Erma Henderson. I was turning 29 and Ms. Dee...well, I will let her tell you that as I don't recall(smile). Her kindness that night has remained on my heart all these years. So, it felt fantastic to catch up with her briefly about that and to also let her know that she should have been the one walking home with the Oscar that night in 2008 for her portrayal of Denzel Washington's mother in the 2007 movie American Gangster. She was so gracious and humble looking at me as though she was so pleased and also a little surprised that I would think so much of her performance. She was as humble then as she was that night during the after show reception for the Ninth Hour's cast. And, as I reflected on the event of some twenty-six years ago, it became even clearer to me why the NNPA award tonight had her name on it.

 The playwright who she and her husband, Ossie Davis traveled to Detroit, taking time out of their busy schedules to portray characters in his play, was relatively new, up and coming. He was ecstatic about their involvement and I was thrilled as well, since he was a friend and client. Yet, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis saw something special in his writing and his artistic interpretation of Christ's crucifixion and his last hours on earth. It was also a project sponsored by the church where Barry was a member. "In presenting Dee a Black Press Champion award, Danny Bakewell, chair of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the Black Press of America, said she was chosen to be honored ''not because she's an actress and a writer and a producer that we honor her. It's because she's an incredible human being. She is one who stands as a model for all of us as a mother, as a wife and as somebody, who in spite of all of her achievements, never left her community.''(more...) No truer words were ever spoken. I can attest to that from life experience. God bless you Ruby Dee and NNPA for honoring you. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me and share your favorite scripture.

 Again, you deserved that Oscar... But, God had something bigger and better for you. Peace and blessings, Cynthia

...But to Do Justice, Love Kindness and Walk Humble: "Go Where the Need Is"

Pictured above: (1) Cynthia Wilson and Democratic Majority Whip, Congressman James E. Clyburn at Florida Ave. Baptist Church reception following sermon ;(2)Dr. Trent, First Lady of Florida Ave. Baptist, Congressman James E. Clyburn and Senior Pastor Trent, Dr. Earl Trent ; (3) Cynthia Wilson with friend and church member Iris Toyer at Florida Ave. Baptist Church reception for Congressman James E. Clyburn; (4) Cynthia Wilson and Dr. Earl Trent, Senior Pastor Florida Ave. Baptist Church; and (5) Cynthia Wilson looks on as Congressman James E. Clyburn greets and talks to reception guests and church members
Photos 1,2,3 and 5-Courtesy of Lonell Johnson-Founder-Director
Technology Playground

Photo-4- Courtesy of Gary A. Smith, Senior Partner,
Ivy Planning Group, LLC__________________________________________________

Today I had the opportunity to attend a special Sunday Worship service at Florida Avenue Baptist Church where the Reverend Dr. Earl D. Trent, Jr., is Senior Pastor. This morning's guest speaker was House Majority Whip for the 111th Congress, Congressman James E. Clyburn Democrat of South Carolina.

The Congressman exuded his usual statesmanship, authority and confidence, as he delivered an incisive and powerful word. He began by making a few clever remarks. He joked and easily broke the ice, warming the congregation prior to the sermon. He continued to lay a subtle foundation for the sermon and reception that would follow. When it was all said and done, the message in my opinion was clear. There are people in need of Health Care. Don't pass them up.
Start writing letters and making phone calls to your elected officials/representatives. Tell your friends to do the same. Pass the word and get the message out. Let your elected representatives and those in the media know that you support the President's Health Care Plan.

Clyburn's stern leadership qualities I have until this morning admired from a distance on the television screen or imprinted in a story on a newspaper page. I first observed his deft handling of the media during several of those politically charged incidents which transformed last year's Presidential race into one of the most grueling and challenging democratic primaries in the history of our nation. One that tested the soul of the Democratic Party and the mettle of Obama supporters. Somehow Clyburn always managed to inspire confidence and communicate in a manner that assured we were in good hands. No matter how edgy the situation got, our elected officials-- at least in the House of Representatives-- were on the job, aware of the issues and taking care of business. He was proceeding in the same manner today and I felt blessed to be in closer proximity, witnessing the commanding, yet humble presence live and in person from a church pew.

The table was set for his sermon, with a favorite Old Testament scripture Micah 6:6-8, which sets forth what God requires of man. Here is excerpted passage 6:8:

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

He also chose Luke 10:30-37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, his favorite scripture from the New Testament.

The gist of his message: Leaders have to get off of their high horses and go to where the need is. Meet people on their levels. Go into their communities and show them how to apply the word by both precept and example. Giving the word is not enough. You have to follow up by demonstrating it. This provided a segue into the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the gage for determining a good neighbor. A neighbor (1) does not have to be a member of the same church; (2) does not have to be of the same ethnicity: and (3) gets off of their "high horse" and goes to where the need is, demonstrating compassion to those needing help, as the Good Samaritan did. He emphasized that the Good Samaritan and the man in need of help were from different ethnic groups who were warring against one another.

Following the service there was an informal gathering which provided an opportunity to meet Clyburn and to listen to a brief talk about what each of us could do to assist in the Health Care Reform effort. He left the congregants with one last scripture, Hebrews 11:1. " Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." He urged everyone not to give up, assuring us all that our elected officials would get things back on track. He told us to write in to the radio, television, newspapers and other broadcast mediums and voice our views, showing our support for the President's proposed Health Care plan.
________________

My Views:

(Revised 9.29.09)

I believe that quality health care is a basic human right and as such should be provided on a scale similar to that of public education. If you can afford to go to private school great. If you can't, but you still need quality education, public school is available. Now, substitute "health care" for public education. To make a solid quality public health program available to those in need, should not be up for further debate nor should the issue be vulnerable to continuous manipulation and distortion. Making health care available to all whether by public option or through other similar means is the direction in which the country should be headed.

Because in the final analysis, it is not really about partisanship, being Republican or Democrat. It is really not, or at least, it should not be about race, nationality or national origin. I know the issues are complicated. Some don't want a public option. There is also concern that the Republican movement against it will result in a watered down version of Health Care Reform caused by the big financial interests that stand to lose most. However, Congressman Clyburn in his sermon facilitated my understanding of it to more than a political question. In my opinion, he broke it down to a question of ethics and/or morals. If you follow the scripture parable of the Good Neighbor, its about helping those in need. To some this may seem like an oversimplification. But think about it. Are you going to just pass your neighbor by? The charge has been given in the word delivered.

So friends, I say don't be confused by the misinformation which seems to be flooding the internet and other media nor be intimidated by the number of venomous protests, demonstrations, outbursts and/or Town Hall meetings. Now is the time to ban together and engage in a unified effort to establish a program that many in need will benefit from. It may even save some lives. Giving Health Care Reform the attention it deserves is part of the hard work of which we were forewarned before and after the election. President Obama is not resting on his election victory. Nor can we. He is out there working hard to make affordable coverage a reality for all. So is the House Majority Whip. Now is the time to make your voice heard...once again. Get busy doing justice and loving kindness...

Thanks to my good friend of over 30 years, Iris Toyer. She is a long time member of Florida Avenue Baptist Church. Thanks also to Pastor Trent for keeping the church relevant and engaged.

Acknowledgments to Deacon Lonell Johnson and Gary A. Smith for taking and sharing with me their photos.

Thank God for blessing with friends in high places who are busy raising the bar.


Peace,

Cynthia

Listening to: Yes We Can:Voices of a Grassroots Movement


Reading:

The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better,Cheaper and Fairer Health Care by T.R. Reid

A Creative Prayer of Trust

Photo Source

Today's reflection about trust is based on the following scripture and you may find the fuller version of it in video format on the "Chaplain of Pop" You Tube Channel:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV version)

Trust is important in building lasting relationships.The bottom line is that it is important for us to be honest and trustworthy in our dealings with one another as much as possible.

I have learned through the trials, the storms and the tests of life, and they are sure to come, to place my complete and total trust in God. That is, I rely on God working through the person or situation for my higher good. Let God place on someone's hearts what their actions and behaviors should be towards you. As the coin says "In God We Trust". It is in God we should always place our trust. With God you can't go wrong. You may not always like the outcome. But it will always be for your highest good. Human beings may fail you,but not the creator of the universe,the maker of man, woman, child,heaven and earth, the alpha and the omega.

Here's the prayer:

"God, I am trusting in you to somehow work this situation out and resolve it for the highest good of everyone concerned. I rely on you to place on each person's heart the behavior or actions to take that would be pleasing to you in this matter. Maybe the one thing I wanted was not what the other person wanted or what you would have for either of us. Please shine your light of clarity and help all concerned to see your will and your way. I surrender everything and turn it over to you god. I trust in you."

Peace and blessings,

Cynthia Wilson

The Chaplain of Pop