Success is releasing the genius in you
until you complete what God placed in you.
There is more to release.
We are waiting with excitement!
Unleash
annehenningbyfield
Success
Be In Un-peace
Courts will rule . Laws will pass. Governments will act. Supremacists will kill. Racists will tell you God created it this way. Your kin will tell you to adjust to it because you can’t fight it. All will try to convince you that you will always be worthless,
Don’t make peace with their assault. Be in un-peace and. continue the fight for liberation, justice, and restoration for you and others. . annehenningbyfield
GO EASY ON YOURSELF
Let me confess that Christmas is an interesting time for me. I don’t plan for Christmas. I really don’t think about the shopping, or the commercial side of Christmas until Christmas is close.
I have been trying to figure it out for years. Christmas was the season of great celebration, church activities, cooking, seasonal events, activities, going to see the lights and buying gifts for my family. My shopping list was long as it included gifts for family members, church members, friends and thank you gifts for those who had done something significant in my life.
Slowly, my list shifted because life shifted. There were too many deaths, sicknesses, family crises, pastoral moves and I was no longer a pastor. So, with Christmas programs, candlelight services and children growing up I realized I stopped shopping and going to see the Christmas tree lightings, avoiding crowds. Christmas was quiet in my household.
This year I finally decided to really process internally and through counselling, determine why. Was I in depression over losses? Yes, in part. Was being away from my circle of friends causing loneliness? Yes, in part. Was I being too busy and feeling unfilled at times? Yes, in part. Even though our wedding anniversary is on Christmas Eve, we have always celebrated quietly because it was Christmas Eve. That has not changed but the magic of Christmas is diminishing.
Let me share some of my healing thoughts as they may help you during this season or any holiday season. These are on my thoughts not from a counselling perspective.
- Go easy on yourself. You are not by yourself if holiday seasons are confusing. Don’t feel like you must do anything beyond your ability to do so. There are many ways to celebrate; find what is comfortable for you.
- Work through the reasons for your feelings and respond to some of the individual causes. If one reason is death, this may be a time to look at old pictures and reminisce. Find anything or any activity that helps with healing. If you like, put pictures of your loved ones on the tree or write about the essence of the loss.
- You may want to join a support group or seek counselling from a pastor, or even meet with other persons who do not enjoy holiday seasons.
- Often, fatigue comes because of the heaviness of the season. Try doing more in the way of exercise and physical activities and not isolate yourself eating, drinking, or gaming.
- Plan for the gatherings you must attend. Pray yourself strong, talk yourself strong and prepare to be present at the gatherings. As an introvert, I know this is important as this is important to me.
- Decide to do one or two things you used to enjoy. Begin to add
,you enjoy. While some of these may bring some confusion , others may be enjoyable. Make use of your time for healing and enjoyment. - Renew your faith. If going back to the church
,where you haven’t been in a while is challenging, go somewhere else. Try a Christmas Eve service
Try to identify the reasons for your withdrawal or anxiety. Be gentle on yourself. And, focus on living.
You are not alone. It is time to unleash and begin again.
ONCE AGAIN
I try to be careful not to compare every situation of adverse treatment of persons in similar situations as examples of racism and sexism. The attack on the Presidents of Universities regarding antisemitism in this case mostly against females raises concerns. We have watched the stated and practiced race and gender policies of some of these same universities for years. We have heard cries from those impacted and it took lawsuits, national embarrassment, and court decisions to change any policy.
The immediate call for firing seem over the top when the presidents apparently spoke in their lack of understanding of laws and perceptions, and in some cases, their knowledge of their university policy and practice. Were they speaking on the free speech practices of their schools? Where was Congress and alumni’s outrage over the treatment of women and racial minorities by these universities including the harassment, letter writing, taunting, beatings, and even denial of admission and scholarships?
The problem in this instance is not what is happening to persons of Jewish or Islamic ancestry. It is wrong and reflects the underlying hatred and treatment of these groups. What is also wrong is that, once again, others who have been mistreated and abused have no significance or respect in the wider communities. Once again.
WHEN YOU ARE THE BULLY!!!
Several years ago, I held a girls’ conference. One of the prerequisites for their participation was to have references from a teacher, a friend, and a religious or community leader. One of the best sets of references we received was for a 14-year-old. She was identified as bright, caring, kind, pretty on the inside and outside, and gracious.
In the interview, the young lady said she was mean, ugly, had a nasty attitude, unlikeable and unlovable. We were surprised at her self-loathing particularly when her references were the opposite. One of the interviewers was a mental health specialist who met with her privately. This gifted young lady expressed that her mother died when she was nine years of age. Neither her father or his parents wanted her, nor did her mother’s parents because they were too old to become her guardian. They finally did and told her how she was difficult to manage, had mean ways like her father, and that she wasn’t pretty. They said it enough that she quoted it like it was true. Everyone else saw a beautiful young lady who was self-bullying.
Some would argue that we cannot self bully. Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power through repeated verbal, physical and/or negative behavior that can cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. People can be victimized so much by bullying that they commit suicide or live a life believing these words and repeating them. This young lady did. We do the same.
How do we do so? One example is never fully appreciating your gifts and visions. You readily see them in others but diminish who you are and what you do. People give you words of encouragement or good criticism, and you don’t see it for yourself.
You create a great craft, but you only see the mistakes, a small flaw that is magnified yet others cannot see it. You keep setting higher standards for yourself so much that you cannot meet them and when you don’t meet a high and impossible standard, you decide you are a failure. While perfection is not an easy word to describe or become, self-bullies never see what they do as perfect even if it is an A-rated work.
Self-bullies become victims of childhood experiences and continued comparison. These actions can cause stress and sometimes mental health challenges that we may not recognize or characterize as having to do with mental health.
Recognize the words you say about yourself and when you say them. Hear them and how negative they sound. Stop it when you hear it. Much like in person you name the bully, name them now. Call them what they are: Mr. Perfect, or Ms. Correct, then quote 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”
We must actively fight against these words and arguments we say to ourselves. We must stop them when we say them and punish these thoughts with what God has said. While it is that simple, it is not that simple. It requires work to undo what has been.
It must be said over and over:
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
I am more than conquerors.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
We have been made to believe that affirming oneself is vanity. No, it is life, and it is a word. Today and every day when you are the bully over your own lives, stop the bully in you. Ignore it, repudiate it, and declare the truth of who you truly are.
You are a created image of God who can do all things. Nothing is impossible to those who believe. I believe in God, I believe God I believe in me, I will create; I will walk in peace, I will be able to handle the ups and downs. The vision will be realized because I am God’s child and God’s Spirit lives in me.
I AM NOT BACK, I’M BETTER A SHA’ CARRIE REFLECTION
“Failure is not the only option; it is not who I am or will be” is the mantra of Sha’Carrie Richardson. It empowers us to declare that we must take charge of our sacred space to become whom God has created us to be. Her witness over the last few years is more than an overcomer’s story. It demonstrates that the unexpected—the impact of our mistakes— or, that life occurs and we must decide if it will kill us, stop us, slow us down or make us better. Dr. Willie Jolley says a setback is a set up for a comeback. She is certainly the epitome of this. She said I’m not back. I’m better. The object is not to simply come back but to be better in coming back.
Raised by her grandmother and aunt, Ms. Richardson never knew her biological mother but her grandmother prepared her well. From an early age she excelled in track, particularly the 100 meters. In her freshmen year of college, she broke records and was named one of the ten fastest women in history. She was heading to the 2020 Summer Olympics after winning the US Olympic trials for the 100-meter dash. Then she learned of her mother’s death. To cope with the death during the win, she used marijuana. When tested after the win, her sensational victory was invalidated, and she lost her chance to go to the Summer Olympics.
The U.S. scoffed at her. Many Black people who were already embarrassed by her orange hair, long nails, and trash talking yet celebrated her win, now responded negatively in social media about her drug use. Athletes are tested regularly, and it made sense to me this was not a routine use. But I kept watching because I felt her gifts were not over. And they weren’t.
With the help of trainers, real friends, support from professionals and self-examination and correction, in April 2021, Ms. Richardson ran a new personal best of 10.72 seconds and was labeled the 6th fastest woman of all time and the 4th fastest American in history. In July 2023, she became the national champion winning a gold at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and subsequently won the world championship in Budapest with a new world record and a team relay final with a record of 41.03 seconds.
This is a message to me and many others. Bringing dreams to realities is not an easy venture. They are waylaid by racism, sexism, and misconceptions about biblical truth and your fears and actions. They are pushed aside by the busyness of life and life’s pressures and mistakes. Yet that is not a dream death sentence. There is a popular praise and worship song we sing but not as often as in the 80s.
Whose report will you believe?
Whose report will you believe?
Whose report will you believe?
We shall believe the report of the Lord. God’s report says I am healed. God’s report says I am filled. God’s report says I am free. God’s report says victory.
Life happens. Let it happen and come back better. You will need a plan.
- Do not ever forget your dream. Keep it in your heart, your head and on paper.
- Confront the challenges and decide which can be handled with little difficulty. Sha’Carrie had to face the grief of her mother and all the historical issues that came with that. Her vulnerability and pain led to a quick fix with cannabis.
- She sought help from a team of people who helped her confront her situation and move forward.
- When the time was ready, Sha’Carrie came back better. It was not the skill set to run, it was mindset, the spiritual foundation and a new understanding of herself and life.
You will never make it alone. You don’t have to do it alone. You don’t have to stop because you made a mistake. You are not alone. Spiritual power with communal power and your personal vision and work, will be in your favor. Whether you see it or know it, there is a collective resolve to actualize it.
It ain’t gone, whatever it is. It may be dormant, but it ain’t gone. You may feel humiliated but it ain’t gone. It may be for a later time but it ain’t gone. Sometimes you simply need to rebuild your perspective and your support team. Mistakes can be the best teacher of all, and restarting the race is a great indicator for victory.
Romans 8:1 says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. That verse is for you. Listen to it again. Jesus does not condemn us for our sins, or our mistakes. Don’t condemn yourself. It’s time to be better.
Unleash.
A Few Words For July 4th
DON’T WE DESERVE TO REST ON JUNETEENTH?
We just celebrated our newest American holiday, Juneteenth. It is one of two holidays in which either an African American is honored, or some historical event is recognized and remembered. Ours are Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday and Juneteenth our liberation from slavery.
A federal holiday is one recognized by Congress and government offices, most financial institutions, and other agencies, which are closed in acknowledgement. States have the right to honor the holiday and close for the day. While most states honor the day of Dr. King’s birth, they do not call it after Dr. King. Some use titles such as Civil Rights Day, or Human Rights Day. A couple of states call it Robert E. Lee and Dr. Martin Luther King’ Day. For Juneteenth, 28 states have made it a public holiday while others, a Governor’s proclamation.
The significance of having the country acknowledge Dr. King’s birthday and or the end of slavery is major in the life of American history. This is not just African American history; it is the nation’s history. It honors a man who gave his life for the cause of equality and justice. Juneteenth honors acknowledges a period in which African Americans were slaves, and even with the liberation from slavery, Texas and other states continued with free slave labor as if Blacks were not freed. These are historic events and after laborious discussions and lobbying, we have two national holidays.
The problem for me, is that many African Americans don’t actually celebrate, relax, and reflect on the holiday. We don’t get to barbeque, take the long weekend for relaxation, or sit around the house and do nothing. It is a day of work, service, and commemoration. From marches, breakfasts, dinners, worship services, seminars, and sharing with others, my holiday is a time of great service and work after which, I am tired.
Service is an honor. Serving on these significant days is also an honor. Some will argue the best way to honor these holidays is to work for freedom. To enjoy a day off, diminishes the sacrifices of our ancestors. I have found that many of the persons who sacrifice during these holidays also sacrifices during the year. We are constantly working for the betterment of our communities and honoring our ancestors.
Resting on a holiday day is not a negative thought. Actually, it is an opportunity to breathe from the daily emails, zoom planning for the next rally, or setting dates when we will send out petitions and confront our city, local and state officials.
One day off will not harm the work and could sustain the work for people who regularly sacrifice their time. One day of rest recognizes we get to redeem a day to continue the fight. Why do those who hate the persons or the reasons for the holiday get to go on vacation, and we have to work? This has similarities with slavery being abolished but the slaves kept working.
One day of rest does not refute the ugliness of slavery and the continuing treatment of Black people as if we are still chattel, a piece of property to be used for someone else’s gain and control. One day of rest does not mean we do not do anything or stop working to help African American children understand the reason for the day off.
I work almost every day for the cause of liberation and one day of rest will not change the trajectory of the movement. But next year I will be on the battlefield on these significant days, our future deserves so.. but I’m just saying.
REMEMBERING THE EMMANUEL NINE
If white supremacists and revisionist historians had their way, the massacre of the nine innocent people of Mother Emmanuel would be wiped off the history books. It would be defined as unnecessary history or rewritten to blame the church members for initiating the response by a young racist white man. If they had their way, the names of Cynthia Hurd, Susan Jackson, Ethel Lance, DePayne Middleton Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons Sr., Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Myra Thompson, and Rev. Dr. Clementa Pinckney will no longer exist.
We give thanks for the resolve and the determination of people who are fiercely determined not to forget or let others forget. It will never be wiped out of our minds, wills, and spirit. Emmanuel Nine reminds us that the followers of evil honor Romans 1:30 in inventing new ways of evil. The thought of a man going to a bible study, staying for a prayer meeting, and shooting when they began praying is beyond evil. This act is different from many of the terrorist acts against houses of worship. Many have rushed in firing shots and not listen to the prayers of the righteous or take an active participation in the worship. That kind of hatred is often religious based on some specific area of unforgiveness or thought to be. Not, this one.
The murder of the Emanual Nine demonstrates that white terrorists, out of their hatred and evil imagination, are violently determined to destroy a people. This act reminds us that this country functions on hate and racism. Rather than the country going into repentance there is a rise of unprecedented violence. This includes voter suppression, random killings, night club murders, school murders, denial of rights, book banning, police action shootings, transgender murders, and legislative changes that diminish the rights of people. How many times can we say “evil….just evil?
The slayings at Emmanuel AME Church also release a different reaction. We are no longer darkies singing while we are picking cotton under the confederate flag. Our resolve is clear. Mother Emanuel has endured torching, killings of its members during slavery, natural disasters, and now the Emmanuel Nine. Yet, Mother Emmanuel is still alive amid the challenges of living under racism. The people continue to thrive.
Like Mother Emmanuel we are made to survive and made to thrive. When you visit the church, you will see a white church with a tall steeple as if it was built to guide us to heaven. The first time I visited Mother Emanuel I could feel black slaves planning for freedom now weeping because they were betrayed by one of their own. When I visited the church after the massacre blood was still on parts of the floor, and cries for justice were thunderous. I wept and knew we could not stop fighting.
Every generation has seen and benefitted from the fruit of the justice labor of their ancestors, and every generation has to continue to fight for the continued and new evil that is before them. I did not need to give you a list of how you should fight, what issues you should fight or how to mobilize the community. Just resolve to fight at every front against the evil rhetoric we hear and the evil actions we see. If you need help in doing so, the names of Cynthia Hurd, Susan Jackson, Ethel Lance, DePayne Middleton Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons Sr., Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Myra Thompson and Rev. Dr. Clementa Pinckney-the Emmanuel Nine-ought to make you remember while it makes you angry that these murders will not disappear from the conscience (whatever is left) of this nation. The Spirits of the Emanuel Nine demand we never forget, and we never stop fighting.
annehenningbyfield 2023
Happy Father’s Day
This weekend, we celebrate Father’s Day. I decided early in my ministry that Father’s Day should be as significant as Mother’s Day. I was sure that I would not use this time to beat up men on Father’s Day. I would not speak negatively about fathers’ weaknesses but lift up their strengths, care, and leadership. The proliferation of research shows that Black men are in the lives of their children at a significantly higher level than reported and many of them are very committed to the mother of their child. They love their children, love their God and are in their lives.
I salute all men today because every father is not a biological father, but many men provide. I honor you bless you, your families, and lineage to come. I certainly salute Ainsley as being a real godly father who loves beyond imagination and takes care of us extraordinarily.
Remember some of the fun lessons from our fathers.
This is going to hurt me — more that it is going to hurt you.
Be quiet, I’m trying to watch the game.
When I send you to the store, bring me back my change.
When asked for money? “What do you think I’m made of?”
You want me to take you where…you got gas money?
Who’s that? Can’t no man do better by you than me?
You don’t understand, when I was your age, I walked five miles to and from school and it was uphill both ways.
Who told you, you could sit in my chair, you ain’t big enough.
Turn the lights off — you don’t pay no bills around here.
Alright now — if you break your leg, don’t come running to me.
Get down before you kill yourself — on second thought go ahead, one less mouth to feed.
Just wait until you have some kids of your own.
Shut up before I give you something to cry about.
Before I let the police take you out, I will get you myself.
I don’t know, go ask your mother.
I love you and I am your father, that’s why
Thank God for fathers.
Happy Father’s Day.
Anne Henning Byfield
Unleash The Genius In You 