Tuesday Thoughts by YoTrip for May 31, 2011-Graduate: The Best Is Yet To Come! (Vol 5., Iss.4)

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Graduate: The Best Is Yet To Come!

Graduate- a person who has earned a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university. http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/graduate[2]

The month of May is known for blooming and blossoming flowers and boosting and building graduates from every level of learning-kindergarten to doctoral studies. Just as the flowers bloom and blossom from the period of planting, watering and waiting, the graduate is taken through a process of  learning, studying, testing, achieving to reach the point of completion. To graduate is an accomplishment for those who earn the privilege to complete an educational goal. When you graduate, you are in the process for forward movement leaving one level and preparing for the next level. Graduation opens the doors to endless opportunities, many possibilities, and new realities for the graduate.

Graduates at all levels will find themselves wondering about one or all of these questions at some point: 

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

WHAT IS MY NEXT STEP?

 HOW WILL I MAKE IT?

WHO WILL BE THERE FOR ME?

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?

 WHEN WILL I KNOW THE ANSWER?

These loaded questions are on the pathway to your journey of moving forward. Some answers will come to you with ease and others will continue with you and lead to other questions. For the graduate, to know where you are heading requires direction. Understanding the necessary steps to take requires insight by the graduate. Having confidence, will encourage the graduate to believe they can make it to the next level. Recognition of your resources and who will be apart of your support system is critical for the graduate. Life happens and you cannot know why certain things happen to you, graduate be willing to find a way to move forward in the process. 

Graduate, congratulations on your accomplishments you have made great strides to this point in your journey. When your name is called and you take your walk to receive your diploma or degree, remember you are being called to the next level of what you can achieve. You do not have any or all of the answers about what is to come in your future, but know that you can be all that you set your heart, mind and soul to become. Now is the time for you to believe that the best is yet come!

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Thursday Thinking by YoTrip for May 26, 2011-What I Know For Sure (Vol.5, Iss.4)

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What I Know For Sure

What I know for sure is that a woman with a funny sounding name (Oprah Winfrey, “Oprah” or “O”) stepped on the national talk show scene 25 years ago and begin to leave the footprints of her legacy.  What I know for sure is that Oprah Winfrey, has found her way into the heads, hearts and households of  people all over the world. What I know for sure that if you do not recognize Oprah Winfrey or the numerous brands she has created, you have been hidden under a rock for the last quarter of  a century. What I know for sure is that Oprah has made an impact, impression, and influence on her viewers who checked in five days a week.

What I know for sure is that on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 the final chapter for Oprah as the Queen of Daytime came to a close. What I know for sure is that Oprah used her last hour to tell her viewing audience, THANK YOU for allowing her into their lives. What I know for sure is that Oprah realized that  she was where she was supposed to be everyday as she stood on the stage. What I know for sure is that Oprah realized her calling and she embraced it. What I know for sure is Oprah wants everyone to find their calling and to live it out and move forward. What I know for sure is that Oprah saw that all people want to be validated. You validate people by telling them I see you, I hear you and what you say matters.

What I know for sure is that Oprah shared that she recognizes who God is in her life. What I know for sure, Oprah found that  she had to learn to wait and listen for that voice that is bigger than hers when making decisions and seeking guidance. What I know for sure is that Oprah wonders what are the whispers in your life and what are they saying to you? Lastly what I know for sure is that Oprah has made me glad she shared her calling, her purpose and life with us. ~~YoTrip 

Here is a look back at some numbers that represent Winfrey’s impact on the TV and cultural landscape —

Jan. 2, 1984: Oprah Winfrey debuted as host of “AM Chicago,” a morning talk show produced by WLS-TV. It is the third rated talk show when Winfrey is hired in 1983 to take over hosting duties. Within just a few months, it jumped to first place in the ratings.

Sept. 8, 1986: WLS TV relaunched “AM Chicago” under the name “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and syndicated it nationally through King World Productions.

25: The number of years Winfrey’s talk show stayed on the air. Winfrey quickly laid claim to hosting the no. 1 talk show after knocking Phil Donahue from the top spot within a short time.

40 million: Average number of Americans who tuned in to view Winfrey’s show each week. 212 TV stations in the United States carry Winfrey’s show each week.

150: At the conclusion of the show’s 25-year run, it was broadcast in 150 countries worldwide.

28,000: Since 1986, Winfrey has had 28,000 guests on her show.

62 million: A 90-minute interview between Winfrey and pop icon Michael Jackson aired in February 1993 drew 62 million viewers. It was the highest-rated non-Super Bowl prime time telecast aired up to that point in time.

283: Winfrey gave away approximately 283 different items to members of her studio audience during annual installments of her favorite things episodes. Giveaways occurred in other episodes too. During the 2004 season premiere, for example, every member of the studio audience received a new car.

365: The maximum number of people who could fit in the studio audience for a taping of Winfrey’s show. In some cases, special groups of people filled out the studio audience in connection with a cause or issue Oprah focused on for that particular episode.

70: Books selected by Winfrey for her book club. The selections had an immediate effect of boosting sales for the author and driving the book to the top of many bestseller lists. It is estimated that these 70 selections combined to sell 55 million copies after Winfrey selected them.

$51 million: Winfrey has raised more than $51 million for charitable causes through her show. Notable causes include relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina and providing education for impoverished girls in South Africa.

5: The number of former or current U.S. presidents who have been interviewed on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” during its run. Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush all appeared on the show after leaving the Oval Office. Barack Obama became the first sitting president to appear on the show when he was a guest in May 2011.

4: Winfrey’s influence on daytime television is evidenced by the number of shows spun off of her own. Dr. Phil McGraw, Rachael Ray, Nate Berkus and Dr. Mehmet Oz all got their starts for their current talk shows by making regular appearances with Winfrey on her program.

Sources:

“Oprah Winfrey, by the Numbers,” Los Angeles Times, May 22, 2011.

“Oprah Winfrey Biography (1954 -),” Biography.com.

Bob Minzesheimer: “How the Oprah Effect changed publishing,” USA Today, May 22, 2011.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110523/en_ac/8522841_the_oprah_winfrey_show_by_the_numbers_1

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Thursday Thinking by YoTrip for May 19,2011- Turning the Tears to a S.M.I.L.E. (Vol.5, Iss.3)

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“Turn the Tears to a S.M.I.L.E.”

 

Following my usual Thursday routine, I was rushing to get the trash can down to the curb and talking to my Mom on the telephone when I heard the wailing of a young child. My Mom mentioned what is wrong with that child, and I told her I was looking to see where the cries where coming from. As I hung up with Mom, the crying got closer and I saw two little boys walking towards me across the street. I waited at the curb as the two boys spotted me, one boy in tears was being comforted by the boy who was a little older. I asked the older boy if the crying boy was okay and he merely shook his head and said, “oh, no”.

 

I looked into the deer shaped eyes full of streaming tears and told the little boy it was going to be alright. The little boy was trying to calm his tears and tell me what had made him cry. As he struggled to get out words his comforting friend chimed in, “Lil man can up and took his glasses”. Just the sound of what happened to him brought on a new set of tears. Finally the crying little boy said, “I closed my eyes and he took my glasses off my face and then took off running.” I asked where did the boy go with his glasses and they both spoke in unison, “to school” and pointed straight ahead. I asked few other questions: was the little boy alone? Did he know his real name? Is he in your class and is he your age or older? The boys let me know that Lil Man was with a older girl, and they did not know his real name and he was 6 years old in kindergarten at Rosemont Elementary.

 

The crying boy was now calm, and rubbing his eyes. I asked him his name and his age, to which he responded “Cordell and I am five years old”. I responded, “Glad to meet you, Cordell, I am Miss Yolanda.” I again told Cordell it was going to be okay, and asked for a SMILE. Cordell said he was mad about his glasses and wanted to find “Lil Man” and his glasses and did not want to SMILE. I began to walk with the two boys as they continued towards the fence that leads into the school and Rosemont Park. The boy who was comforting stopped at a parking barrier and said he was going to wait on his sister.

 

Cordell looked back at his friend who had stopped and proceed to tell me things that broke my heart. A sadness came back into his face, as he spoke, ” I am hungry, my Mama did not give me my snack this morning. These bugs are bothering me, just like the roaches at the house.” I listened and then asked if he would eat breakfast at school, he said, “the breakfast is over by now, but I have a dollar can will buy something.” Once Cordell spoke of his Mama, I saw this as a chance to see where was she when “Lil Man” was busy taking Cordell’s glasses. Without much thought Cordell said “My Mama’s door was locked, so she did not come out.” I wish Cordell was kidding but this was his reality and he was coping as best as his five-year-old mind would allow.

 

I looked down at Cordell and asked if he would do something for me. Shaking his head up and down, was an indicator that he was feeling better. “Cordell will you give me a SMILE, please.” As if he were posing for a camera, Cordell shared a big old cheesy SMILE. I SMILED back and asked about his missing teeth. “I keep loosing these teeth out of my mouth. I still have two teeth that are shaky.See them…” Cordell gave me a high-five, and a low five and another SMILE. I told Cordell to tell his teacher about “Lil Man” taking his glasses and ask for help to get them back. I walked with Cordell until he reached inside the fence and skipped along towards the school. I hoped that Cordell would find his glasses, get some food to eat, be given better living conditions and find a reason to SMILE.

 

I was glad I heard Cordell crying this morning, it was well worth our coming together. I could not get his glasses back, I could not find “Lil Man”, I could not bring his Mama out of the house to take care of her baby, I could not change his living conditions. I did stop Cordell’s tears, I did get him to talk and settle down. The biggest thing I received from Cordell was that huge beaming light sprinkled with those beautiful missing spaces…a SMILE.The actions of Cordell made me see SMILE in this way:Seeking Motivation Inspiration Laughter Everyday.

~~YoTrip

 

 

Check out this video by Kirk Franklin it says it all http://youtu.be/6OKXpAtX32M

**************** May is Stroke Awareness and National Mental Health Awareness Month*******************

Please keep the people of Haiti, Chile, the Gulf region, Japan, the Middle East and Alabama in your thoughts and prayers. Give to http://www.newmissions.org/
Write your Story. Join the Orlando Renaissance Writers Guild. http://www.orwriters.org/. Purchase a copy of the collaborative book an “ANTHOLOGY” at the listed website.

“Soaring Towards Heaven In 2011”
The Sky Is Limitless…

Yolanda Clay Triplett
“YoTrip”

The Orlando Renaissance Writer’s Guild, Inc.
~”2011 Writer of the Year”~

http://www.yotrip.wordpress.com
http://www.yotrip-wordsandthoughts.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter:@yotrip729
Find me on Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.c.triplett
“Words the joyful noise of my
mouth, sweet sounds to my ears. The
results of a love affair between
pen and paper, words”

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Tuesday Thoughts by YoTrip for May 17, 2011-Words and Thoughts of Thanks (Vol.2, Iss.3)

 

I am truly humbled and equally honored to have been named by The Orlando Renaissance Writer’s Guild, Inc. as the 2011 “Writer of the Year”. To be recognized for writing and sharing words, thoughts and inspiration with people let’s me know I am making a difference.

Writing is like the air I breathe, I thank God for the gift. Since my childhood, I have had a pen in my hand writing on paper, walls, and any place I could scribble or scribe. Over the years, I have been blessed to write for fun,  for show, and write for work.  I want to thank God for the gift of writing it is a blessing that I do not take lightly or for granted. I thank  my family for their encouragement and also for being a point of reference.

The faithful readers of my blogs are to be thanked for taking time to read my Words and Thoughts, you are the meter of measure that keeps me working for the masses. Special thanks to the members of The Orlando Renaissance Writer’s Guild,Inc.  for being a great resource, a great refuge, and a great frame of reference. Gathering as a group with the members of the Orlando Renaissance Writer’s Guild,Inc. and being a support drives me to reach for higher heights in my writing.

Let me offer to each of you to write your story, your family’s story or any story that impacts you to inspire others. Thank you all for being who you are and helping me celebrate writing, literacy, and those who have a love for the written word. Write on, write on, write on! ~~YoTrip

“Soaring Towards Heaven in 2011″
The Sky is Limitless…
Orlando Renaissance Writer’s Guild, Inc.
2011 *”Writer of The Year”*
Posted from WordPress for Android

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Thursday Thinking by YoTrip for May 12, 2011-A Winner’s Heart(Vol.5, Iss.2)

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Winning is always a goal that people seek in the game of life. Gaining, accomplishing, acquiring, all equals to a person  winning.  When someone  is,viewed as a winner, there is an implied belief that they have a heart for winning and a winner’s heart. When you win with a winner’s heart, you win with, style and grace.

Do you have a heart for winning? Are you operating with a winner’s heart? Is winning a goal in which you have set for yourself? If you cannot answer yes to these questions, maybe it is time to do a check of your heart. Is there a winner in you?

“Soaring Towards Heaven in 2011″
The Sky is Limitless…

Yolanda “YoTrip” Triplett

Orlando Renaissance Writer’s Guild, Inc.
2011 *”Writer of The Year”*

Posted from WordPress for Android

Tuesday Thoughts by YoTrip for May 10, 2011-National Women’s Health Month (Vol.3, Iss.2)

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Did you know that your Health is your Greatest Wealth?

Listen up women here’s a newsflash for you: Your health is your greatest wealth; it is what fuels your life and living. All too often women are too busy living to concern themselves with the centerpiece of their existence, their health. Children, husbands or significant others, family, friends, careers and whatever is being pursued comes before the health.  It appears that thinking of or focusing on your health is secondary to all the other people, places and possessions in your life. Now more than ever women need to show a greater level of care and concern for their own health. How can you be your best for others and do less for yourself?

 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services‘ Office on Women’s Health designated the week of May 8-14 as National Women’s Health Week. The promotion of women’s health during this week is a gateway for women to focus on being better and doing better for themselves. The theme of this year’s campaign is “It’s Your Time”. All over the country various organizations, groups and individuals are planning events all in the name of women’s health. Women “It’s Your Time” so honor and celebrate you, by making an investment in your health. To find out what more about National Women’s Health Week 2011, go to http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/about/ .

 Please keep the people of Haiti, Chile, the Gulf region, Japan, the Middle East and Alabama in your thoughts and prayers. Give to http://www.newmissions.org/

Write your Story. Join the Orlando Renaissance Writers Guild. http://www.orwriters.org/. Purchase a copy of the collaborative book an “ANTHOLOGY” at the listed website.

“Soaring Towards Heaven In 2011”
The Sky Is Limitless…

Yolanda Clay Triplett
“YoTrip”

The Orlando Renaissance Writer’s Guild, Inc.
~”2011 Writer of the Year”~

http://www.yotrip.wordpress.com
http://www.yotrip-wordsandthoughts.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter:@yotrip729
Find me on Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.c.triplett
“Words the joyful noise of my
mouth, sweet sounds to my ears. The
results of a love affair between
pen and paper, words”

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Thursday Thinking by YoTrip for May 5, 2011-Mother’s Deserve to be Celebrated 365 Days a Year (Vol.5, Iss.1)

 Mother’s Deserve to be Celebrated 365 Days a Year

 

Sunday, May 8th is the day designated to honor the women children young and old call Mother, Mom,Ma, Mamma, Mum, Mommy,Mummy, and of the southern favorite, Madea. No matter how you refer to the lady who gave you life, raised you, nutured you, and loves you unconditionally she has earned her title. Mother’s deserve to be celebrated 365 days a year for being our inceptor (life begin with a mother), incubator (life grew in a mother), influencer (life was nutured by a mother), and our inspiration (life lessons learned from a mother). At every stage of life you can count on Mothers to do what Mother’s do best: be there with love and support for their children.

 

Please do not wait for Sunday to tell your Mother: “Thank you”, “I love you”, “You are the best”, “Greatest Mother on the planet” or whatever phase shows the depths of your gratitude for all she has done for you. Everyday we can celebrate Mothers and it will not cover her love, care and concern for her children. Thank God for Mother’s past, present and for the promised future. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mother’s of the World.

 

A Special Happy Mother’s Day to the best of the best Mom’s, Marian A. Clay– “I am, because you are!”

 

To read more on the history of Mother’s Day see the information below:

 

Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamaition of 1870

The first North American Mother’s Day was conceptualized with Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870. Despite having penned The Battle Hymn of the Republic 12 years earlier, Howe had become so distraught by the death and carnage of the Civil War that she called on Mother’s to come together and protest what she saw as the futility of their Sons killing the Sons of other Mothers.

The Rise & Fall of Howe’s Mother’s Day

At one point Howe even proposed converting July 4th into Mother’s Day, in order to dedicate the nation’s anniversary to peace. Eventually, however, June 2nd was designated for the celebration. In 1873 women’s groups in 18 North American cities observed this new Mother’s holiday. Howe initially funded many of these celebrations, but most of them died out once she stopped footing the bill. The city of Boston, however, would continue celebrating Howe’s holiday for 10 more years.

Despite the decided failure of her holiday, Howe had nevertheless planted the seed that would blossom into what we know as Mother’s Day today. A West Virginia women’s group led by Anna Reeves Jarvis began to celebrate an adaptation of Howe’s holiday. In order to re-unite families and neighbors that had been divided between the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War, the group held a Mother’s Friendship Day.

Anna M. Jarvis’s Mother’s Day in 1908

After Anna Reeves Jarvis died, her daughter Anna M. Jarvis campaigned for the creation of an official Mother’s Day in remembrance of her mother and in honor of peace. In 1908, Anna petitioned the superintendent of the church where her Mother had spent over 20 years teaching Sunday School. Her request was honored, and on May 10, 1908, the first official Mother’s Day celebration took place at Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia and a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The West Virginia event drew a congregation of 407 and Anna Jarvis arranged for white carnations—her Mother’s favorite flower—to adorn the patrons. Two carnations were given to every Mother in attendance. Today, white carnations are used to honor deceased Mothers, while pink or red carnations pay tribute to Mothers who are still alive. Andrew’s Methodist Church exists to this day, and was incorporated into the International Mother’s Day Shrine in 1962.

US Government Adoption

In 1908 a U.S. Senator from Nebraska, Elmer Burkett, proposed making Mother’s Day a national holiday at the request of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). The proposal was defeated, but by 1909 forty-six states were holding Mother’s Day services as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.

Anna Jarvis quit working and devoted herself full time to the creation of Mother’s Day, endlessly petitioning state governments, business leaders, women groups, churches and other institutions and organizations. She finally convinced the World’s Sunday School Association to back her, a key influence over state legislators and congress. In 1912 West Virginia became the first state to officially recognize Mother’s Day, and in 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed it into national observance, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

The Fight Over Commercialization

The holiday flourished in the United States and flowers, especially white carnations, became very popular. One business journal, Florists Review, went so far as to print, “This was a holiday that could be exploited.” But the budding commercialization of Mother’s Day greatly disturbed Jarvis, so she vociferously opposed what she perceived as a misuse of the holiday. In 1923 she sued to stop a Mother’s Day event, and in the 1930’s she was arrested for disturbing the peace at the American War Mothers group. She was protesting their sale of flowers. In the 1930’s Jarvis also petitioned against the postage stamp featuring her Mother, a vase of white carnations and the word “Mother’s Day.” Jarvis was able to have the words “Mother’s Day” removed. The flowers remained. In 1938, Time Magazine ran an article about Jarvis’s fight to copyright Mother’s Day, but by then it was already too late to change the commercial trend.

In opposition to the flower industry’s exploitation of the holiday, Jarvis wrote, “What will you do to route charlatans, bandits, pirates, racketeers, kidnappers and other termites that would undermine with their greed one of the finest, noblest and truest movements and celebrations?” Despite her efforts, flower sales on Mother’s Day continued to grow. Florist’s Review wrote, “Miss Jarvis was completely squelched.”

Anna Jarvis died in 1948, blind, poor and childless. Jarvis would never know that it was, ironically, The Florist’s Exchange that had anonymously paid for her care. http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/about-mothersday/history/

 

~~May is National Mental Health Awareness Month-Exercise your MIND Daily!~~

Please Keep the people of Haiti, Chile, the Gulf region, Japan, the Middle East and Alabama in your thoughts and prayers. Give to http://www.newmissions.org/

Write your Story. Join the Orlando Renaissance Writers Guild. http://www.orwriters.org/. Purchase a copy of the collaborative book an “ANTHOLOGY” at the listed website.

“Soaring Towards Heaven In 2011”
The Sky Is Limitless…

Yolanda Clay Triplett
“YoTrip”

The Orlando Renaissance Writer’s Guild, Inc.
~”2011 Writer of the Year”~

http://www.yotrip.wordpress.com
http://www.yotrip-wordsandthoughts.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter:@yotrip729
Find me on Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.c.triplett
“Words the joyful noise of my
mouth, sweet sounds to my ears.The
results of a love affair between
pen and paper, words”

 

 

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Tuesday Thoughts for May 3, 2011-Your Mind Matters (Vol.3, Iss.1)

Image by rkeefer via Flickr

Your Mind Matters

May is recognized as Mental Health Month.  For the last 52 years Mental Health America has championed the cause  of raising awareness of the effects of mental illness and offering resources. Mental Health America has two themes they are focusing on for this years month of awareness: Do More for 1 in 4 is a call to action to help the 1 in 4 American adults who live with a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition and the fact that they can go on to live full and productive lives. Live Well! It’s Essential for Your Potential, focuses on the importance of mental wellness and the steps everyone can take to improve their well-being and resiliency in the face of difficult times and challenges. Mental Health America’s Live Your Life Well program offers ten science-based tools to manage stress and help you relax, grow and flourish. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may. As the emphasis is placed on matters of the mind, know that your mind matters.

Mental health and mental illness has a stigma that makes most people not want to address the growing needs of those carrying the burden of mental conditions. Unfortunately, Hollywood and media have made mental illnesses like Bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s Disease, Depression, Obsessive-compulsive Disorder, and, Post Tramatic Stress Disorder, and Schizophrenia just some passing phase or a reason to explain away bad behaviors or extreme activities.

Mental illness is real and has creeped into every element of our society. Now more than ever, the climate of economic recession and downturns, stress and uncertainty is causing a rise in mental health issues. As the needs of those with mental health increases,  so should the desire of others to understand and become more tolerate. Everyone can take the time to gain some knowledge on why a person is acting a bit out of sorts, or engaging in a conversation with oneself or when people appear to have “checked out”, there is an underlying reason to explain their behavior.

Do you realize that your mind matters? A well and healthy mind makes you productive, proactive, and provide a place where your mind can live, grow, and share. Your mind matters because it serves as the incubator for your hopes, dreams, and thoughts. Your mind matters because what starts in the mind, is seen through the eyes, heard in the ears, smelt in the nostrils, tasted  in your mouth, and felt in your touch. Your mind matters because it leads the way for your interaction and reaction with the world and the people around you.

Exercise your mind by finding out more about Mental Health during the month of May. Learning about the signs and symptoms of mental illness can be useful for you, family, friends and coworkers.  A long-standing slogan for the United Negro College Fund is, “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”. This slogan speaks volumes to the how you should value and hold your mind in high regard. Your mind matters so make it your goal to share your mind and all it encompasses with all people you encounter in this journey called life.

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