What Do You Want To See?
with Kim Jackson

So, I’m doing some work on myself. No, I’m not getting any plastic surgery. This is more of an eye opening exercise than anything. There comes a time when you reach a point in life and you know that some people in your life don’t necessarily fit your lifestyle.

You get home, after working a 9 to 5, and you’re getting dinner ready for your husband and two children and in the midst of browning the chicken breast; your cell phone rings. It’s your friend from college with music blasting in the background…something about getting low…and she’s yelling over the music to tell you that she’s going to a party tonight and you should come. Your son sits at the kitchen table awaiting your assistance on his algebra homework, your daughter needs her hair braided, it’s a school/work night, and ‘mister’ would probably kill you. So, you politely decline, remind her that you’re a bit tied down, and go about the business of being a wife and mother.

After an interchange like this, you may think to yourself…when is she going to open her eyes? But, let’s turn the spectrum around. Sometimes people are quick to point the finger; forgetting that there are three more pointing back at themselves. When are you going to open your eyes? What is it that you need to see? As for myself, I see my life going in a specific direction and frankly; there are some people, things, and habits that I don’t need to take with me. For example; I take pride that I am the Senior Editorial Consultant for UPH. I also take pride that I can take words to express an event or emotion and that I am able to be referred to as a poet. Additionally, I am excited and take pride that I am writing a book that people are waiting to see published. (I know what the Bible says about pride, but this is a gift from my Father…so…talk mess if you want) So, when you ask what I’m doing for the weekend and I tell you that I’m writing and you say, “Oh, yeah…your extracurricular activity.” or you refer to UPH as ‘your little website’…just know, you are not on the short list. You have been voted off the island; extinguish your pole and shove it up your…okay, that’s a little harsh; but, you get my point.

So, here’s my challenge for you. Take a week. Just seven days. Pay very close attention to your surroundings and your interactions with people. You may see some things that will rock you to your core; it may even hurt your feelings. But, you may also see that crack in your future; with a light shining so bright that just the sliver that is escaping gives your life a whole new meaning.