Citizens’ Duty

“Duty is ours. Results are God’s.”

~ John Quincy Adams,
Statesman, Diplomat, Lawyer, Diarist, Abolitionist, United States President (1825-1829) & United States Secretary of State (1817-1825)

 

All the Dominions Will Serve & Obey

“… God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,”

~ 1 Timothy 6:15 NIV
“Just as He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, He is The:
Mayor of Mayors, Governor of Governors, Senator of Senators, Representative of Representatives, Teacher of Teachers, Preacher of Preachers, Speaker of Speakers, Coder of Coders, President of Presidents, Vice President of Vice Presidents, Leader of Leaders, … and as promised in Daniel 7:27 NASB1995, “all the Dominions will serve and obey Him.”” ~ Michelle Boddie

~

Dominion Over All Dominions

Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’ ~ Daniel 7:27 NASB1995

THEY’LL be Racist, Sexist & Bigots!

“The Liberals are the ones who aren’t actually feminists, because they judge people based on politics not based off qualifications. Or even the fact that you can say feminist should mean ALL women. if they’re moving up to power that’s a good thing regardless if they’re Conservative or Liberal. They can’t go there ’cause they’re so tied to ideology. THEY’LL be racist. THEY’LL be sexist. THEY’LL be bigots.”

~ Jordan Sekulow,
Executive Director – American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), Lawyer, Radio Talk Show Co-Host – Jay Sekulow Live , Political Consultant, Author & Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Regent Journal of Law and Public Policy

~

Putting America First

“In foreign affairs, we are renewing this founding principle of sovereignty. Our government’s first duty is to its people, to our citizens – to serve their needs, to ensure their safety, to preserve their rights, and to defend their values. As President of the United States, I will always put America first … We will no longer surrender this country or its people to the false song of globalism… I am skeptical of international unions that tie us up and bring America down… and under my administration, we will never enter America into any agreement that reduces our ability to control our own affairs … The nation-state remains the true foundation of happiness and harmony.”

~ Donald John Trump,
Businessman, Politician, Television Personality, Author,
Chairman & President of The Trump Organization,
Founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts

The Equality Act Strips Rights

“It’s punishment for us. That’s what the Equality Act is. It’s punishment against people of faith.”

“It strips away our First Amendment rights & the RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act) protections are extinguished.”

~ Michele Bachmann
Politician, Minnesota Senate 52nd District (2003-2007), Minnesota Senate 56th District (2001-2003) & United States House of Representatives (2007-2015)

~

Take a Chance on Failing

“You know so many people are afraid of failing, but you’re not a failure if you fail at something. …, you’re never going to find out if you can succeed, if you’re not willing to take a chance on failing.”

~ Joyce Meyer
Author, Speaker & Philanthropist

~

Creating Emotional Barriers

“Every time we hurt another person, we create an emotional barrier and it doesn’t go away with the passing of time. It goes away with an apology and forgiveness.”

~ Dr. Gary Chapman
Author & Radio Talk Show Host.

~

Somebody Else’s Thought

“Really. What can somebody else’s thought do to you? I mean it can’t really hurt you.”

~ Joyce Meyer,
Author, Speaker & Philanthropist

Violence: Good vs. Evil

“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.”

Mahatma Gandhi,
Lawyer, Anti-Colonial Nationalist & Political Ethicist

Unlock the The Treasures Within

“Inside every human being there are treasures to unlock.”

~ Mike Huckabee
Politician, Christian Minister, 44th Governor of Arkansas (1996-2007), Author, Musician, Public Speaker & Host Huckabee Talk Show

~

Doing What You Can to Show You Care

“Do what you can to show you care about other people and you will make our world a better place.”

~ Rosalynn Carter
First Lady of the United States (1977-1981), Author, Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (1998- ), National Women’s Hall of Fame (2002), Presidential Medal of Freedom (1999), Mental Illness Foundation Dorothea Dix Award (1988), Georgia Woman of the Year Award (1996), Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged (1996), United Nations Children’s Fund International Child Survival Award (1999), Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health – Institute of Medicine (2000), United States Surgeon General’s Medallion (2000) & American Peace Award (2009)

~

The Features of Anarchy

“Laws that are not carried into effect, authorities without force and despised, crime unpunished: property attacked, the safety of the individual violated, the morality of the people corrupted, no Constitution, no government, no justice; these are the features of anarchy.”

~ Jacques Pierre Brissot,
Founder – Abolitionist Society of the Friends of the Blacks

~

Socialists Undermine Economics (Our Economy 2020 & Beyond)

“If Socialists understood Economics they wouldn’t be Socialists”

~ Friedrich August von Hayek, CH FBA
Economist, Philosopher, Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (1974), Companion of Honour (1984) & Presidential Medal of Freedom (1991)

~

Carrying His Hope to Our World

“What a glorious faith God has imparted to us. We carry His hope to our world. We give His love to people everywhere we go. We are living proof of the all-encompassing Redemption Jesus (the Christ) has provided to every person who will believe and receive it! “

~ Kenneth Copeland,
Author, Singer, Co-Founder – Kenneth Copeland Ministries
& Co-Founder – Believer’s Voice of Victory

Look

This Kind of Poverty: A Whole Different World from Our Own

“The truly poor won’t be at our church services. They won’t be at our committee meetings. They won’t be at the supermarket where we shop. And they aren’t here today. We have to reach out and find them where they are.”

“We found a whole different world from our own. We found people living without bathrooms or running water – with holes in their roofs and floors – people so poor they had no beds, no stoves, no shoes. Until that day, I had never imagined this kind of poverty – right next door to our own snug and comfortable lives.”

~Barb Mains
Founder – Help4Kids

~

One’s Eye for Another’s

“An eye for an eye makes the world blind.”

Mahatma Gandhi,
Lawyer, Anti-Colonial Nationalist & Political Ethicist

Put Yourself on That Happiness List

“As women, we’re nurturers by nature.  We want to make sure everyone is happy.  That’s a good thing, but we also have to put ourselves on that ‘Happiness List’.”

~ Victoria Osteen,
Co-Pastor, Author, Philanthropist &
Founder, Lakewood Church Women’s Ministry

Those Beautiful, Lit-up, Bejeweled ‘Christmas’ Trees

“I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish.
And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call
those beautiful, lit-up, bejeweled trees ‘Christmas’ trees.
I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel discriminated against.”

Benjamin Jeremy “Ben” Stein
Actor, Writer, Lawyer, Commentator,
& Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host

Be a Blessing

“Make it a point to be a blessing to someone today with a smile, a word of encouragement or an act of kindness.”

~ Lisa Osteen Comes,
Associate Pastor – Lakewood Church & Author

Try to Inspire People

“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”

~ Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers Basketball Player (20-Seasons), NBA Championships (5X), All-Star(18X), All-NBA Team (15X), All-Defensive Team (12X), NBA Most Valuable Player (2008), NBA Finals MVP (2X) & Summer Olympics Gold Medals (2008 & 2012) & Academy Award – Best Animated Short Film (2018)

~

The Best for You

“When people don’t want the best for you, they are not the best for you.”

~ Gayle King
Author, Broadcast Jounalisst,Television Personality

~

Your Life Influences Others

“Our life ripples out, and it has influence. That’s why it’s important that we’re at our best and that we’re influencing others for the good.”

~ Victoria Osteen,
Co-Pastor – Lakewood Church, Author, Philanthropist &
Founder – Lakewood Church Women’s Ministry

A Little Bit of Help

“Sometimes people just need a little bit of help to get going in the right direction.”

~ Frank Diaz
,
U.S. Veteran, Entrepreneur, Military Catering Specialist, Owner/Founder & Pitmaster – Tin Hut BBQ & Aloha Gourmet Food Trucks Hawaii

~

Living Respectfully

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

~ Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela,
Activist, Politician, Philanthropist, Lawyer,
1st President of South Africa, Philanthropist
Nobel Peace Prize Awardee(1993) & Presidential Medal of Freedom Awardee

Jesus Brought His Disciples to the Streets

“You only have to follow the Scriptures to understand why Jesus brought his disciples to the streets.
The best classrooms are in the streets. You get to encounter many different natural (Supernatural) & spiritual situations,
that you normally may not encounter in a church building environment.”

~ Frank Diaz
CEO/Founder/Owner – United We All Can, Inc., Founder – Pantera Records

~

Everyone is Valuable

“Everybody is valuable & everybody deserves an opportunity.”

~ Dr. Robyn Wilkerson
Co-Pastor – Trinity Church & Life Coach

~

Looting: An Injustice That Doesn’t Make Justice for Another Crime

“Looting … for people who claim to be representatives of their own people
to commit this bare-faced robbery is shameful.
Where is the rule of law?”

~ Kayode Fayemi
 Governor of Ekiti State (2018- ), (2010-2014)

~

To Represent All the People

“Donald intends to represent all the people, not just some of the people.
That includes Christians and Jews and Muslims;
it includes Hispanics and African Americans and Asians, and the poor and the middle-class.
Throughout his career, Donald has successfully worked with people of many faiths and with many nations.”

~ Melania Trump,
Model (former), Jewelry Designer &
First Lady of the United States (2017 – )

Sacred Boundaries

#ThankYouRavi
“Pleasure without God, without the sacred boundaries, will actually leave you emptier than before; and this is biblical truth, this is experiential truth. The loneliest people in the world are amongst the wealthiest and most famous who found no boundaries within which to live. That is a fact I’ve seen again and again.”

~ Ravi Zacharias,
Christian Apologist, Author, Radio Host, Scholar &
Founder & Chairman of the Board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries

Family Really is Important

“I think a lot of the problems we have as a society is because we don’t acknowledge that family is important,
and it has to be people who are present, you know, and mothers and fathers,
both are not present enough with children.”

~ James Earl Jones,
Emmy Award (3X), Tony Award (2X), Golden Globe (1970), Grammy Award (1970),
Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2008), Academy Honorary Award (2011),
Voice Arts Icon Award (2015) & Harvard University Honorary Doctor of Arts (2017)

Ordinary People Do

“God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.”

~ Joni Lamb,
Singer, Co-Founder & Vice-President – The Daystar Television Network
Co-Host – Marcus & Joni

As Long As They’re Hiring

“I’ll continue working as long as people want to hire me.”

~ Maye Musk
Model, Dietitian, Author & Entrepreneur

~

Only One Act of Kindness

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.”

~ Jackie Chan,
Actor, Martial Artist, Film Director, Producer, Stuntman,
Singer, Clothier, Restaurateur, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist,
Founder – Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation &
Founder – Dragon’s Heart Foundation

A Better Way to Live

“I like people who are working on practical things and who are working in teams.

It’s not so important to get the glory. It’s much more important to get something that works. It’s a better way to live.”

~ Freeman Dyson
Theoretical Physicist, Mathematician, Author, Fellow of the Royal Society (1952), Dannie Heineman Prize – Mathematical Physics (1965),
Lorentz Medal (1966), Max Planck Medal (1969), J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Prize (1970), University of Cambridge Honorary Fellow of Trinity College (1989),
Harvey Prize (1977), Wolf Prize (1981), University of Cambridge (1989), Duke University Fritz London Memorial Lecturer (1990),
Lewis Thomas Prize for Writing about Science (1996), Enrico Fermi Award (1993), Jerusalem-Harvard Lectures – Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1995),
Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion (2000), Telluride Tech Festival Award of Technology (2003),
Winchester College Old Wykehamists Honor (2011) & American University of Beirut Presidential Science and Humanism Award (2018)

~

Too-Small Dreams

“If your dream only includes you, it’s too small.”

~ Ava DuVernay
Filmmaker, Writer, Director, Producer, Film Distributor, Tribeca Film Institute’s Heineken Affinity Award, African-American Film Critics (2011),
Sundance Film Festival Directing Award (2012), Film Independent Spirit Awards -Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award (2012),
African-American Film Critics Association (2X), Women Film Critics Circle – Josephine Baker Award (2012), Black Reel Awards (2X), Black Film Critics Circle (2014),
Central Ohio Film Critics Association (2X), Alliance of Women Film Journalists (2X), Dorothy Arzner Directors Award (2015), Mattel “Sheros” (2015),
Smithsonian Magazine’s American Ingenuity Award (2017), 49th NAACP Image Awards Entertainer of the Year (2018),

~

Tomorrows Are Ours to Shape!

“All our yesterdays are summarized in our now, and all the tomorrows are ours to shape.”

~ Goran Persson,
Prime Minister of Sweden (1996-2006)

Who Determines Your Self-Worth?

“Your self-worth is determined by you.
You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.”

~ Beyonce Knowles,
Singer, Songwriter, Actress & Philanthropist

We Can Look Out for Other Humans

“There are people who can look out for other human beings;
there are people who can speak up when something is not right and say,
‘This is wrong, and something should be done.’”

~ Alek Wek
Model, Designer, Missionary – World Vision International & Author

~

Giving is Investing

“Giving should be entered into in just the same way as investing. Giving is investing.”

~ John D. Rockefeller, Sr.,
Business Magnate, Philanthropist,
Founder:
Standard Oil Company,
University of Chicago,
Rockefeller University,
General Education Board
& the
Rockefeller Foundation

Regarding Private Enterprise

“Some people regard private enterprise as a predatory tiger to be shot.
Others look on it as a cow they can milk.
Not enough people see it as a healthy horse, pulling a sturdy wagon.”

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchilll,
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ( 1940-1945 ) & (1951–1955),
Non-academic Historian, Writer, Artist,
Nobel Prize in Literature (1953) &
Honorary Citizen of the United States (1963)

The Church Must Be One

“The Church must be one because a fragmented Church is not much help to a fragmented world.”

~ Justo L. Gonzalez
Historian, Theologian, Author, Co-Founder – Apuntes, Co-Founder – Association for Hispanic Theological Education,
Co-Founder – Hispanic Theological Initiative & Washington Theological Consortium Ecumenism Award

~

Going After Dreams & Goals

“You have to be vigorous. That’s the only way you are going to get it because everybody has dreams
and everybody has goals, but the only people who achieve them
are the ones that go after it and don’t take no for an answer.”

~ Nick Cannon
Actor, Comedian, Rapper, Director, Writer, Producer, Television Host,
Activist, Hollywood Film Festival (2006), Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (2002) & NAACP Image Awards (2012)

~

The Combination of Action-Adventure & Love

“I love emotion. I love being in love. And showing that on screen. I think it’s wonderful.”

“I would love a combination of action/adventure and… love, and stories told with heart.
I would like people to be invigorated as well as moved; people to see the movie and see that.
I love to play, y’know, well-rounded characters.”

~ Dennis Haysbert
Actor & Voice Actor

~

The Education of Children

“I don’t think anybody anywhere can talk about the future of their people or of an organization
without talking about education. Whoever controls the education of our children controls our future.”

~ Wilma Mankiller
Activist, Social Worker, Community Developer & Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation (1985 – 1995).

~

Money Has Lot’s of Friends

“Money, you got lots of friends; they’re crowding around your door.
… when you are gone and spending ends, they don’t come no more.”

~ Billie Holiday
a.k.a Eleanora Fagan,
Jazz Musician & Singer-Songwriter

His Desire: Everybody’s Well

“My family has reaped the benefits of learning that God desires for
everybody to be well, and HE sent His Word to make sure we would know it.”

~ Dodie Osteen,
Co-Founder – Lakewood Church, Speaker & Author

A Sense of Humor Helps

“If you don’t have a sense of humor, you probably don’t have any sense at all.
A sense of humor reduces people and problems to their proper proportions.”

~ Canon J. John
Speaker, Storyteller, Evangelist, Social Activist & Author

~

The Haters

“Anyone that hates on you is always below you, because they’re just jealous of what you have.”

~ Miley Cyrus
Singer, Songwriter, Actress & Philanthropist

When Nobody Else Does

“Believe in yourself when nobody else does.”

~ Mary J. Blige,
Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer & Actress,
Grammy Awards (9x), Multi-Platinum Studio Albums (8x),
Founder – Matriarch Records, Fragrance – Melodies by MJB,
Fragrance Foundation FIFI Awards (2x), World Music Awards Legends Award (2006)
& ASCAP Voice of Music Award (2007)

Keep Your Mind & Heart Focused

“As you keep your mind and heart focused in the right direction, approaching each day with faith and gratitude,
I believe you will be empowered to live life to the fullest and enjoy the abundant life He has promised you!”

~ Victoria Osteen,
Co-Pastor – Lakewood Church, Author, Philanthropist &
Founder – Lakewood Church Women’s Ministry

The Tuesday After Thanksgiving

“You may have heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
There’s another day you might want to know about: Giving Tuesday.
The idea is pretty straightforward. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving,
shoppers take a break from their gift-buying and donate what they can to charity.”

~ Bill Gates,
a.k.a. William Henry Gates III
Business Magnate, Entrepreneur, Investor, Author,
Co-Founder –  Microsoft & Philanthropist

Something We Should All Celebrate Every Day

“We’re getting ready to sit down at the table and have Thanksgiving,
and there’s people that are not with their families.
There are people that are in dangerous areas, putting their lives on the line
to keep our country free, and I think that’s something we should all celebrate every day.”

~ Guy Fieri,
Restaurateur, Author, Television Host, Hunt & Ryde Winery Owner & Emmy Award

~ Image via NAME HERE

Coming From Little & Giving a Lot

“My parents came from little, so they made a choice to give a lot:
buying turkeys for homeless shelters at Thanksgiving,
delivering meals to people in hospices,
giving spare change to those asking for it.”

~ Meghan Markle,
Duchess of Sussex,
Actress, Model, Calligrapher,
Founder & Editor-in-Chief – The Tig (2014-2017)
& Humanitarian

Become Honest with Each Other

“The more we become honest with each other, we’re going to get past this racist mess.
You can’t just talk the talk, you gotta walk it, and it means changing the way you talk to people,
thinking about how you describe people, think about the jokes you tell.”

~ Monica Kaufman Pearson,
Television Broadcast Journalist, News Anchor (WSB-TV Atlanta, 37 yrs),
Radio Host, Guest Lecturer, College Instructor, Columnist & Emmy Awards (33X)

Humanity Can Rise

“Sometimes you see how humanity can rise above any kind of cultural ills and hate
that a person’s capacity to love and communicate and forgive can be bigger than anything else.”

~ Viola Davis,
Actress & Producer

Have Faith & Hope

“I want people to know that God is a good God.
He does want to answer prayers; all we have to do is have faith and hope.
Sometimes life is hard, but God helps us get through.”

~ Dodie Osteen,
Co-Founder – Lakewood Church, Speaker & Author

Wrong Believing & Right Believing

“If we’re honest, we all have some measure of wrong believing in our lives.
If you don’t believe this, all you need to do is ask yourself,
‘Have I often felt anxious, worried, or fearful that the worst
would happen to me and my loved ones?

What you believe is very powerful. If you have toxic emotions of fear, guilt and depression,
it is because you have wrong thinking, and you have wrong thinking because of wrong believing.

Wrong believing puts people in a prison. Even though there are no physical shackles,
wrong believing causes its inmates to behave as though they were incarcerated in a
maximum-security penitentiary. What you believe is powerful.

If you can change what you believe, you can change your life!”

~ Joseph Prince,
Author, Co-Founder & Pastor – New Creation Church

The Advice & Experiences of the Amazing, Smart Ones

“I’ve learned that while I’d be a fool not to stay open to the advice and experiences of the smart, amazing people in my life, I also need to listen to what I have to say.”

~ Alicia Keys
a.k.a. Alicia Augello Cook,
Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer & Actress

Carry Your Crown First

“You have to carry your crown before you wear it. You have to serve somebody else and be faithful there (…)”

~ DeVon Franklin,
TV Producer, Author, Speaker, Spiritual Success Coach & Founder – Franklin Entertainment

Gifts & Blessings

“If you’re given gifts or blessings in your life, it’s up to you to help the guy coming up behind you.”

~ Jimmy Smits,
Actor, Co-Founder – National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts,
Primetime Emmy Award (1990), Screen Actors Guild Awards (1995),
Golden Globe Awards (1996), Satellite Awards (1998),
ALMA Awards (2006) & Saturn Awards (2009)

When You Expect Good

“When you expect good, it’s available constantly, and it makes itself a reality in your life.”

~ Alfre Woodard,
Co-Founder – Artists for a New South Africa,
Emmy Award (4X), Golden Globe Award & Screen Actors Guild Awards (3X)

L

The Brink of Success

“I wonder how many times people give up just before a breakthrough,
when they are on the very brink of success. ”

~ Joyce Meyer,
Author, Speaker & Philanthropist

Model Mentor

“I think a role model is a mentor – someone you see on a daily basis, and you learn from them.”

~ Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr.,
Golden Globe Awards (2x), Tony Award,
Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor

Our Wisdom, Knowledge & Experience

“I think that we have a great opportunity to impart our wisdom and our knowledge and our experience to this younger generation. It may be different times, but experience transcends time and wisdom transcends time.”

 

Be Unbreakable

“If I hadn’t been told I was garbage, I wouldn’t have learned how to show people I’m talented,
and if everyone had always laughed at my jokes, I wouldn’t have figured out how to be so funny.
If they hadn’t told me I was ugly, I never would have searched for my beauty,
and if they hadn’t tried to break me down, I wouldn’t know that I’m unbreakable.”

~ Gabourey Sidibe
Actress, Director, Author,
Women Film Critics Circle Awards (2009), Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards (2009),
National Board of Review (2009), Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards (2009), Florida Film Critics Circle Awards (2009),
Hollywood Film Festival (2009), Detroit Film Critics Society Awards (2009), Chicago International Film Festival (2009),
Satellite Awards (2010), NAACP Image Awards (2010), Iowa Film Critics Awards (2010), Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards (2010),
Independent Spirit Awards (2010), Black Reel Awards (2010) & Boston Society of Film Critics Awards (2012)

Selfish Power

“The only difference between a hero and the villain is that
the villain chooses to use that power in a way that is selfish and hurts other people.”

~ Chadwick Boseman,
Actor, Director & Writer

A Well-Educated Populous

“The natural evolution of a well-educated populous is integration,
and this is not political, it’s not theoretical, it’s not even partisan. ”

~ Stacey Dash,
Actress, Talk Show Host & Author

You Don’t Have to Succumb to All of That

“I’m here to say that anybody who has doubts—because everybody has them,
doubts and despair and negative thoughts—it’s always important to realize they’re just thoughts and you can easily just say,
‘Go away, you’re not helping me.’
Failure is just succumbing to all of that and not believing in yourself and taking chances and taking risks.”

~ Marg Helgenberger,
Actress & Philanthropist

This Blessing is Global!

“To hate a nationality,
to hate a location because of its people,
to hate someone
is:
– self-destructive (the acid of hatred is destroying you from the inside out),
– self-cursing (the hatred you’re verbalizing, expressing, acting out, demonstrating and
writing are magnetizing the negativity of the same and worse to happen to you, immediately or later),
– a demonstration of a lack of a measure of intelligence about the Human Family,
and
– a demonstration of a lack of knowledge about The Blessing of Genesis 12:3

~ Michelle ‘Chaella’ Boddie

Trying to Keep Up with Others’ Goals

“People who race against other people always stumble, because you cannot run forward looking sideways.”

~ T. D. Jakes, Sr.,
Bishop/Chief Pastor of The Potter’s House,
Author & Filmmaker

Criminalized for the Lack of Bail

“Money bail is ruining the lives of literally millions of poor people
and costing the country unnecessary billions of dollars
in incarceration costs every year.
Local jail populations grew by 19.8 percent just between 2000 and 2014,
with pretrial detention accounting for 95 percent of that growth. …
… The single feature shared by almost every defendant in pretrial detention is that they are poor.
Rich people make bail; poor people don’t.
Regardless of actual guilt or innocence,
poor people are criminalized for their inability to buy their way out of jail.”

~ Peter Edelman, ,
Lawyer, Policy Maker, Law Professor, Co-Founder – New Israel Fund, Author (Not a Crime to Be Poor: The Criminalization of Poverty in America),
Former United States–Japan Leadership Program Fellow, Former J. Skelly Wright Memorial Fellow at Yale Law School, Co-Founder – Parents United

Pleading GUILTY While Innocent

“The major shortages of judges, prosecutors, and public defenders,
coupled with the number of people being held in jail awaiting trial
has led to a crisis
in which it is not possible
for every defendant who wants a day in court to get one.
So, the courts need a way to keep the trials from taking place.
By imprisoning poor people who cannot put up money for bail,
the system uses the threat or reality of extended imprisonment
to extract guilty pleas, even from people who are innocent
or have other valid defenses.
Not able to get a timely trial, they have only one option – plead guilty.
It is a Hobson’s choice, more so even than many of the defendants realize,
because the guilty please have serious collateral consequences
they may not even be aware of and which stay with them for the rest of their lives.
But, pleading guilty is what they do by the thousands, every day, all over America.”

~ Peter Edelman, ,
Lawyer, Policy Maker, Law Professor, Co-Founder – New Israel Fund, Author (Not a Crime to Be Poor: The Criminalization of Poverty in America),
Former United States–Japan Leadership Program Fellow, Former J. Skelly Wright Memorial Fellow at Yale Law School, Co-Founder – Parents United

A Yardstick of Your Success

“Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success
will be how you treat other people –
your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way.”

~ Barbara Bush,
37th First Lady of the United States (1989-1993), 33rd Second Lady of the United States (1981–1989),
Jefferson Awards Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged Award (1995),
The Miss America Woman of Achievement Award (1997)

Becoming Independent of Charity

“Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it.”

~ John D. Rockefeller, Sr.,
Business Magnate, Philanthropist,
Founder:
Standard Oil Company,
University of Chicago,
Rockefeller University,
General Education Board
& the
Rockefeller Foundation

Compassion, Friendship & Unity

“When people have compassion, friendship, and unity, they speak and think
in a constructive way to ensure national independence and prosperity.

~ Bhumibol Adulyadej
King of Thailand (June 1946 – October 2016)

 dtra

Equal Upon Principle

“I should like to know if, taking this old Declaration of Independence,
which declares that all men are equal upon principle,
you begin making exceptions to it,
where will you stop?
If one man says it does not mean a Negro,
why not another say it does not mean some other man?”

~ Abraham Lincoln,
Lawyer & 16th President of the United States

The Irrevocable Decree of Political Separation

“The Declaration of Independence pronounced the irrevocable decree of political separation,
between the United States and their people on the one part,
and the British king, government, and nation on the other.”

~ John Quincy Adams,
Statesman, Diplomat, Lawyer, Diarist, United States President (1825-1829) & United States Secretary of State (1817-1825)

 dtra

The Actions of Others

“If you focus on the actions of others and allow them to constantly upset you,
then you are handing your peace over to them and giving away your power.”

~ Victoria Osteen,
Co-Pastor – Lakewood Church, Author, Philanthropist &
Founder – Lakewood Church Women’s Ministry

Keeping Their Sex Between the Two

“God says, ‘One woman, one man,’ and everyone says, ‘Oh, that’s old hat, that’s that old Bible stuff,'” ….
“But I’m thinking, well let’s see now. A clean guy – a disease-free guy and a disease-free woman –
they marry and they keep their sex between the two of them.
They’re not going to get chlamydia, and gonorrhea, and syphilis, and AIDS. It’s safe.”

~ Phil Robertson,
Professional Hunter, Businessman, & Reality Television Star

The On-Screen Look

“There are people who expect me to look the way I do on-screen,
where I have a great director of photography and fantastic lighting.
I’m sorry to disappoint people, but I don’t look like that all the time – no actress does.”

~ Catherine Zeta-Jones,
Actress & Philanthropist

If Men Were Birthing Babies

“Let me tell you something: I salute womanhood worldwide, because women are exceptionally tough for enduring the misery of childbirth.
I’ve cleaned hogs and gutted deer, but in my experience on Earth I’ve never witnessed such a brutal event.
If men were in charge of carrying and birthing our babies, we’d have a lot fewer people on Earth,
because we’d only do it once- I can promise you that!”

~ Phil Robertson,
Professional Hunter, Businessman, & Reality Television Star

That Which We are Best Fitted For

“Every one in the world ought to do the things for which he is specially adapted.
It is the part of wisdom to recognize what each one of us is best fitted for,
and it is the part of education to perfect and utilize such predispositions,
because education can direct and aid nature but can never transform her.”

~ Maria Montessori,
Physician, Educator, Author & Founder – Montessori Method

The Impulse

“Everyone has the impulse to be elite.”

~ Alfre Woodard,
Co-Founder – Artists for a New South Africa,
Emmy Awardx (4X), Golden Globe Award & Screen Actors Guild Awards (3X)

Just Doing the Easiest Thing Possible

“Don’t ever, ever, believe anyone who tells you that you can just get by,
by doing the easiest thing possible. Because there’s always somebody behind you
who really wants to do what you’re doing.
And they’re going to work harder than you if you’re not working hard.”

~ Maria Sara Bartiromo,
Journalist, Columnist, Author(3) & News Anchor
Coalition of Italo-American Associations Excellence in Broadcast Journalism Award (1997)
Union League of Philadelphia Lincoln Statue Award (2004)
Gracie Award for Outstanding Documentary (2008)
Emmy Award for Outstanding Coverage of A Breaking News Story (2008)
Emmy Award for Outstanding Business and Economic Reporting (2009)
Financial Times 50 People Who Shaped the Decade (2009)
Cable Hall of Fame (2011)

~

Knowing & Loving Yourself

“People who deeply know and love themselves are not hateful towards others.” 

~ Yung Pueblo,
a.k.a. Diego Perez
Mediator, Writer, & Speaker

If Someone Doesn’t Like You

“The one thing I really learned, and learned well, in group therapy was that
you don’t die if someone doesn’t like you.”

~ Rita Moreno,
a.k.a. Rosa Dolores Alverio,
Actress, Dancer, Singer,
Academy Award (1961), Golden Globe Award (1961), Joseph Jefferson Award (1968)
Grammy Award (1972), Tony Award (1975), Emmy Award (1977),
Emmy Award (1978), Sarah Siddons Award (1985),
Library of Congress Living Legends Award (2000), International Latin Music Hall of Fame (2001),
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2004), Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, California Hall of Fame (2007),
National Medal of Arts (2009), Hispanic Organization of Latin Actresses – Lifetime Achievement Award (2010),
Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2013) &
Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award (2015)

The Excellence

“Envy always hates the excellence it cannot reach”

~ David Jeremiah,
Author, Founder – Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries,
& Senior Pastor – Shadow Mountain Community Church

Oppression Sowed, Oppression Reaped

“Among those who dislike oppression are many who like to oppress.”

~ Napoleon Bonaparte,
Emperor of the French (May 1804 – April 1814 and March 1815 – June 1815) &
King of Italy (March 1805 – April 1814)

Swimming in Endless Circles

“Confining marine animals to tanks and separating them from their families and their natural surroundings,
just so people can watch them swim in endless circles,
teaches us far more about humans than it does about animals –
and the lesson is not a flattering one.”

~ Pamela Anderson,
Actress, Model, Animal Rights Activist,
Philanthropist & Canada’s Walk of Fame (2006)

Respect Among Individuals & Nations

“Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.

~ Benito Juárez,
a.k.a. Benito Pablo Juárez García
Lawyer, Politician & President of Mexico (1858–1872),

Leaving Bad Situations

“A fear of the unknown keeps a lot of people from leaving bad situations.”

~ Kathie Lee Gifford,
Television Host, Singer, Songwriter, Author< Director, Producer & Philanthropist

Socialism & Other Peoples’ Money

“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples’ money.”

~ Margaret Hilda Thatcher,
(Baroness Thatcher), Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (May 1979–November 1990)
Leader of the Opposition (February 1975–May 1979)
Leader of the Conservative Party (February 1975–November 1990)
Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment (March 1974–February 1975)
Secretary of State for Education and Science (June 1970–March 1974)
Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Science (January 1967-June 1970),
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Pensions (October 1961–October 1964)
Member of Parliament for Finchley (October 1959–April 1992)

~ Image via Wikipedia

Drifting Toward Socialism & Big Nanny Government

“The reason this country continues its drift toward socialism and big nanny government is
because too many people vote in the expectation of getting something for nothing,
not because they have a concern for what is good for the country.”

~ Lyn Nofziger,
Journalist, Political Consultant, Author, Press Secretary & White House Advisor

An Amorphous ‘Collection’

“No matter how many customers you have, each is an individual.
The day you start thinking of them as this amorphous ‘collection’
and stop thinking of them as people, is the day you start going out of business.” 

~ Dharmesh Shah 
Co-Founder –HubSpot

How Other People See You

“You can’t control how other people see you or think of you.
But you have to be comfortable with that.”

~ Helen Mirren,
Actress

That Which is Right, Just & True

“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty
by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”

“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right.
A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice.
A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Pastor, Activist & Humanitarian

At Peace with Yourself

“First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.”

~ Thomas von Kempen,
Canon & Author

Precious, Valuable Treasures

“Our relationships are precious, valuable treasures from Heaven,
and we should handle them carefully, always looking for ways to build bridges to each others’ hearts.”

~ Victoria Osteen,
Co-Pastor – Lakewood Church, Author, Philanthropist &
Founder – Lakewood Church Women’s Ministry

Your Own Definition of Beautiful

“Never try to be someone else’s definition of beautiful.
You have to define beautiful for yourself.’

~ Zendaya,
a.k.a. Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman,
Fashion Model, Dancer, Actress, Singer, Author

They’re Not All Addicts

“People who are homeless, they’re not all addicts. A lot of times, they’re just people who,
through something like losing their job or losing someone in their life, ended up on the streets.
So much of our time is spent in cars that sometimes you need to look out of those windows.
And you see that a dollar, 50 cents, whatever you have, may not mean much to you,
but it means everything to people who are hungry and who are in need.”

~ George Lopez,
Comedian, Actor, Talk Show Host, Imagen Vision Award (2003),
Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television (2003),
National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Award,
& One of “The Top 25 Hispanics in America” by Time (2005)

Dreams of Success

“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.”

~ Wayne Huizenga,
Businessman, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Founder – AutoNation, Founder – Waste Management, Inc.,
Norman Vincent Peale Award (2008) & Horatio Alger Association Distinguished American Award (1992)

Like You Have an ‘S’ on Your Chest

“People love that you’re human and that we’re frail and we face the same situations.
Honesty tends to communicate with people better than standing up there like you have an ‘S’ on your chest.”

~ TobyMac,
a.k.a. Toby McKeehan
Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Author,
American Music Awards (2012), Billboard Music Awards (2X),
Grammy Awards (3X), GMA Dove Awards (19X)

Healing On a Public Stage

“Prayer and encouraging words change things. We’re all human. We all go through stuff.
The hardest part about being a celebrity is having to heal on a public stage. That’s the worst.
Imagine going through a scandal, or a divorce, or a death in the family, and running into fans on the street.
Because of where my heart is, my instinct is to put my sadness aside,
and give them a smile or a hug, no matter how bad I’m feeling.
And the appreciation of fans can refuel your spiritual tank in those situations.
But until you’re famous, people don’t realize how difficult that is.”

~ Al B. Sure!,
a.k.a Albert Joseph Brown III
Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Radio Host, Record Executive,
Sony Innovators Talent Search  (1987), American Music Award – Best New R&B Artist,
Soul Train Award Award – Best New Artist, New York Music Awards,

Challenges & Lessons

“Everyone has challenges and lessons to learn – we wouldn’t be who we are without them.”

~ Sean Combs,
Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Record Executive, Actor, Entrepreneur,
Grammy Awards (3X), MTV Video Music Awards (2X), Philanthropist,
Founder – Sean John, Founder – Daddy’s House Social Programs,
Council of Fashion Designers of America Award (2004) & NAACP Image Awards (2009),

The Ambitious Ones Haven’t Given Up

“Never fear the haters. … The ambitious are criticized by those that have given up.
Criticism’s easily avoided by saying, doing and being nothing.”

~ Grant Cardone,
Author, Entrepreneur, Producer,
& Online Sales Training Expert

Everyone Has Highs & Lows

“Everyone has highs and lows that they have to learn from,
but every morning I start off with a good head on my shoulders,
saying to myself, ‘It’s going to be a good day!’.”

~ Lindsay Lohan,
Actress, Businesswoman, Fashion Designer, Singer, Kids Choice Award (2006), Capri Awards (2007),
Teen Choice Award (4X), MTV Movie Award (3X), Hollywood Film Festival Award (2X),
Radio Disney Music Awards (2004) & 2nd SoHu Fashion Achievement Awards (2014)

Creating Wholeness

“I understood, through rehab, things about creating characters.
I understood that creating whole people means knowing where we come from,
how we can make a mistake and how we overcome things to make ourselves stronger.”

~ Samuel L. Jackson,
Actor & Film Producer

The Size of Your Battle

“The size of your battle often times determines the size of your blessing.
So many people have had battle after battle, now get ready for blessing after blessing after blessing.”

~ Taketa Williams,
Pastor & Author

The Favor and Blessing on Your Life

“They are jealous of the favor and blessing on your life. Take it as a compliment.
They don’t talk about average people. They talk about exceptional people.
They don’t talk about people that aren’t doing anything.
They talk about people who are taking new ground;
people that are making a difference — people that stand out”

~ Joel Osteen,
Pastor of Lakewood Church, Motivational Speaker & Author

Fungi: Mostly Ignored

“Fungi are the cause of many outbreaks of disease, but are mostly ignored.
Fungi can cause a number of life threatening diseases …
Many people, scientists among them, are largely unaware.”
~ American Academy of Microbiology – 2007

Because fungal diseases mimic other diseases, fungal diagnoses are delayed.
“Talk to your doctor about the possibility of a fungal infection,

if you’re not getting better.”

~ Center for Disease Control (CDC) – 2018

Doctor’s Fungal Protocol

A Magnet in Your Heart

“There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends.
That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first;
when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.”

~ Paramahansa Yogananda,
Guru

Don’t They See the Connection?

“Have you ever noticed the people who gossip the most, have the least?
Don’t they see the connection that, “You don’t have the energy to put in YOUR business
because all YOUR energy is in MINE.”

~ T. D. Jakes, Sr.,
Bishop/Chief Pastor of The Potter’s House,
Author & Filmmaker

Your Purpose & Your Unique Talent

“Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others.
When we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience
the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.”

~ Kallam Anji Reddy,
Entrepreneur, Founder-Chairman – Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Chairman – Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF),
Padma Shri Award (2001) & Padmabhushan Award (2011)

Being Good to One Another

“I don’t think Christmas is necessarily about things.
It’s about being good to one another, it’s about the Christian ethic, it’s about kindness.”

~ Carrie Fisher,
Actress, Writer, Comedian, Activist, Saturn Awards (1990),
Grammy Awards (2018) & Teen Choice Awards (2018)

Settling Down by the Fire & Enjoying the Christmas Tree

“It’s always a wonderful time to be able to settle down by the fire,
enjoy the Christmas tree and the decorations, and just spend time with the ones you love
and surround yourself with the people that you don’t get to see enough throughout the year.”

~ Jay DeMarcus,
Bassist, Vocalist, Pianist, Record Producer & Songwriter

Standing Adversity

“Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man;
but for one man who can stand prosperity,
there are a hundred that will stand adversity.”

~ Elvis Aaron Presley,
Musician, Singer & Actor

When You Dream

“Music is able to make a person dream. When you dream, you dream of something good, something beautiful,
and when you dream, you always dream of yourself better than you are.”

~ Andrea Bocelli,
Classical-Crossover Tenor, Singer,
Songwriter & Record Producer

Others Are Going Through It, Too

“Just because you don’t know if other people are experiencing the same thing as you are,
it doesn’t mean that it’s not happening. Everybody doesn’t necessarily share everything.
Just know that what you’re going through, other people are going through it, too.”

~ Tyra Lynne Banks,
Television Personality, Talk Show Host, Producer,
Author, Actress, and Model

Better Things

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”

~ Marilyn Monroe
a.k.a. Norma Jeane Mortenson,
Actress, Model, Singer, Humanitarian & Film Producer

Everyone’s Beautiful in That Zone

“I think if people are passionate about something, it could be real estate or biochemistry,
and that spark gets turned on in them, everyone’s beautiful in that zone.”

~ Cindy Crawford,
Entrepreneur, Model,
Actress, & Television Personality

~ Image via Pixabay

Being an Asset

“We all have a gift; we all have a passion – it’s just about finding it
and going into it. Being an asset to your family and community.”

~ Angela Bassett,
Actress, Author, Saturn Award, Image Awards (5x),
Golden Globe Award & Black Reel Award

When You Follow Your Heart

“When you follow your heart, you’re never supposed
to do things because of what you think people might say.”

~ will.i.am
a.k.a William James Adams,
Founder of i.am Angel,
Director of Creative Innovation for Intel (2011),
Founder of The Back-Eyed Peas,
Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur,
Actor, DJ, Record Producer, Philanthropist,

Communicating Honestly

“Honest communication is built on truth and integrity
and upon respect of the one for the other.”

“If what is communicated is false, it can hardly be called communication.”

~ Benjamin E. Mays,
President – Morehouse College (August 1940 – July 1967), Minister,
Civil Rights Icon & Schomburg Honor Roll of Race Relations Inductee,

Making Other People Shine

“I know that if I concentrate on making other people shine, I will shine.
It is really about the other person, never about you.”

~ John Schneider,
Actor, Singer, Screenwriter, Film Producer, Director,
Co-Founder – Children’s Miracle Network & Founder – FaithWorks Productions

As Fit As They Can Be

“I think everybody can be as fit as they can be
for their particular body, if they work out and eat healthily.”

~ Mel B,
a.k.a. Melanie Janine Brown,
Singer, Songwriter, Actress,
Television Personality & Author

Being Dark

“It was rough being dark. I got heat from my own people more than anyone else.
I remember going to my mom and saying, ‘Why am I so black?’ And she said,
‘Because I’m black. You just gotta always work harder than the average bear.'”

~ Bernie Mac,
a.k.a. Bernard Jeffrey “Bernie” McCullough
Stand-up Comedian, Actor & Voice Actor.