Faith

Today, I’m reflecting on the word’s faith the size of a mustard seed.

What is it that we believe?

It’s not so much about the various faiths we belong to. it’s about the things we put our faith in every day.

Recently, my doorbell rang, and to my surprise, there were about four other couples, all elderly black women and men, walking the neighborhood.

The opening question I was asked is “How am I dealing with the current situation in the world, with all that continues to divide us?”

It was an open question that I felt the need to ask them to come inside for a minute and offer them some water.

Little did I know my faith and knowledge were tested by what they both presented to me under Mosaic law and what I believed after going through the book of Galatians and the new covenant.

As a person of faith and somewhat familiar with the Bible, we talked about the new covenant under Jesus rather than Moses.

Although it was truly a learning experience for all, they wanted to come back and visit, which I said yes to if I were home again when they rang my doorbell.

This got me thinking about how faith can plant a seed in a ministry as they walked the neighborhood expressing their faith to others.

Today, each of us puts our faith in many different things.

We want our children to see our faith in us as we practice living a life filled with grace and mercy.

I’m aware we should all be a living letter as stated in the Bible.

“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered[a] by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God—not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

2 Corinthians 3-4 CSB – Living Letters – Are we beginning to – Bible Gateway

In life, we sometimes take things for granted and accept them as they are.

One of my responses to the Jehovah’s Witnesses team was that it’s the same God today as it was yesterday.

I was pleased to see that faith works in mysterious ways, as President Trump’s bill (the Save America Act) didn’t pass, with four Republicans voting against it.

This is not the first time we have had senators from President Donald Trump’s party join Democrats.

If you recall, it was his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which narrowly passed the upper chamber with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President J.D. Vance.

We saw this with four Republicans joining Democrats in the House vote to rein in Trump’s Iran war powers.

I often wonder what families are saying to their children, or what others are thinking out loud, when going against the norm, as we witnessed this past week.

I’m also thinking about what happened this past weekend at the Hilton Garden Inn Montgomery – East Chase in Montgomery, AL, which I couldn’t attend, based on other commitments, was our 53rd Biennial Gulf Coast District Junior Conference, sponsored by the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary.

I’m reminded of the phrase as we help our children grow in faith.  “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Many of the Junior Knights and Junior Daughters, when they reach the age of 18, officially join the Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Proverbs 22:6 – Bible Gateway

I must believe that people will do the right thing for the right reason.

I read a quote from Max Lucado that says, “Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want.  It is the belief that God will do what is right.”

That is faith within itself.

I’m sure also that many who watched the price of gas go down this week had faith it wouldn’t go any higher.

This past Friday, I also received an email from one of my Catholic Brother Knights in Georgia, stating that one of our Brother Knights was receiving his last rites from the Priest.

Four hours later, I received another call saying that he had passed away.

It’s that faith I wonder about as well when we know death is imminent.

Each of us has taken the faith when we seek employment for the right job, and the faith that we will find another job when the employer decides to let us go.

I’ll wrap this up by saying that I never relented my faith when the family hadn’t heard from my older sister, and the relief it was when she appeared two years later.

Yes, we must have faith in the size of a mustard seed in times like these.

I’m a firm believer that everything is temporary.

Finally, just like the farmer who continues to plant his corn and cotton fields around me each year, he has faith that his crops will grow.

The farmer can’t see the seed working and must have faith in the process.

When I planted my yearly Mexican Roses a month ago, I could not see the roots taking hold until two weeks later, with little green sprouts popping through the soil.

Last year, one Rose appeared; this year, there is a 100% difference this year, with everything popping through the soil.

It is faith that it’s the same God yesterday as it is tomorrow.

Faith is believing in what you cannot see and trusting in what you hope for.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37

Today, take a moment and reflect on your faith. What’s your faith story running in the background of your mind that you tell yourself today, that you are leaving to all mighty?

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/faith/

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We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude

This week, I had an epiphany about all the things I or we take for granted.

As I was standing in line at Walmart, something was unusually different.

It just so happened that all traffic for those waiting for check-out was limited, with only two check-out lanes open.

As I walked past the first group, there were at least 10 people in each line.

Finally, after about ten minutes, management decided to open the three closed kiosks and check-out lanes.

What a blessing that was.

The line disappeared within seconds, even though at least 12 kiosks were open for transactions.

Sometimes, when we’re in a hurry and think it’s going to be a quick turnaround, it isn’t.

In that moment, I thought about how automated we have become.

Even as we prepare for our Zoom meeting, we take for granted that our computers will be okay in the middle of a storm, until the power goes out.

We can’t predict the weather or what happens in grocery stores; however, we can be more cognizant about our surroundings.

I’m always amazed at how, some days, I can wake up without an ache or pain, and then the next day, something changes and reminds me that life is full of curveballs.

Speaking of curveballs, I was thrown one last Wednesday when the recycling people skipped my house.  I heard the truck at about 4 PM and noticed it was going around me.

Around 6 PM, I saw the truck return again; this time, it was across the street, and I thought it was going to turn at the corner and head to the other side.

Sometime around 9 PM, after checking to see if it was emptied to bring it in, it was still full.

It was at that moment that I said I couldn’t take the small things for granted when the recycling people skipped my house.

I know that last Monday, I couldn’t take things for granted, even though I’d bought a ticket weeks ago to attend the Moth in Birmingham.  Unfortunately, the weather warnings were telling me to stay home, which I did.

It just so happened that the city was under a Tornado watch, and I didn’t want to take things for granted.  It stormed up until 8 PM

The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition where anyone can share a true, personal 5-minute story on the night’s theme.

The Moth in Birmingham: REVENGE

I’ve learned to count my blessings and be grateful at the same time.

This past week, I’ve taken in many lessons about taking things for granted, while having a few curveballs being thrown along the way.

What about you?

I’ve learned over the years, and not just this week, that our health is something I took for granted when I was young, thinking I was 30 and bulletproof.

It’s not until we get thrown that curveball that we’re reminded we are not the same person and are now older.

Today, I challenge you to take a moment to reflect on those many lessons about taking things for granted, while having a few curveballs being thrown your way.

When you take things for granted, you diminish their importance and may even jeopardize their very existence. – Frank Sonnenberg

Happiness is a simple game of lost and found: Lose the things you take for granted, and you will feel great happiness once they are found. – Richelle E. Goodrich

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/we-often-take-for-granted-the-very-things-that-most-deserve-our-gratitude/

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Education Rankings in the United States

We are now somewhat out of school for the summer, yet I still see school buses running in my neighborhood each morning.

Have you ever thought about what your state’s educational rankings are?

As commercials continue to run for those seeking public offices, I heard this past Thursday that Alabama is 43^rd in the nation.

I had to verify the information immediately, and it’s true.

I knew that education would be a challenge this year due to the current administration’s dismantling of various education offices.

Why are those school buses still running, and what are we expecting our teachers to teach the world’s future leaders?

Today, television and social media have diminished learning.

I can remember my parents unplugging the television or not watching any television until my homework was completed and checked.

I also remember how “C’s” were not allowed in our home.

They expected us to thrive and not survive.

Today, I wonder what the Bell Curve is for receiving a B.

I’m currently in the latter part of a Toastmasters’ eight-week Youth Leadership Program.  I can visibly see how students are feeling the pressure of high school.

They were worried about finals and the end-of-year test weeks ago.

As one with a master’s in education, my thoughts are not far from the book I read titled “The Global Achievement Gap,” Why even our best schools don’t teach the new survival skills our children need and what we can do about it, by Tony Wagner.

The Global Achievement Gap was a required reading for leaders during my time as a Department of Defense Civilian training soldiers.

I’m aware that high school students are not soldiers; however, many will join the military or further their education.

The sad part is that many of these students will become parents with few skills to assist their children.

The teachers today must have a passion for their profession and not see it as just a paycheck.

A few months ago, I was also looking into visiting the Board of Education, which is another project I am working on in the background.

It’s about how I can assist teachers in passing the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification and the Modules.

National Board Certification (NBC) is the highest teaching credential in the U.S., offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). It is designed to identify, honor, and support teachers who meet rigorous standards for teaching excellence.

NBPTS Main Site Certification – NBPTS Main Site

As mentioned, Alabama is ranked 43rd in the nation.  The “Public School Rankings by State 2026” is in the link below so that you can see where your state ranks.

Public School Rankings by State 2026

I’m humbled to see New York as number one because I went to grade school at PS 104 in Brooklyn many years ago.  It was evident then that education was important and that when our family returned home to Virginia, I was ahead of my peers.

Some things never change, or do they?

Today, I challenge you to take a moment to reflect on your education and how you are helping others achieve the American Dream.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi emphasizes lifelong learning and the urgency of knowledge.

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” — Mark Twain highlights the difference between formal schooling and true learning.

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” — Aristotle reminds us that effort in learning yields lasting rewards.

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” — John Dewey stresses that learning is an ongoing, integral part of living.

“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.” — Robert Frost highlights the role of education in cultivating patience and critical thinking.

All these quotes reflect the power, purpose, and philosophy of education, inspiring both students and educators to value knowledge, critical thinking, and personal growth. Each can be used for motivation, classroom discussions, or personal reflection on the lifelong journey of learning.

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/education-rankings-in-the-united-states/

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Six Degrees of Separation

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth.

For many, that word doesn’t mean much because some don’t understand the history behind why we, as people of color, celebrate Juneteenth in June.

I only wish our younger generation had the opportunities I had in school.

I titled today’s blog “Six Degrees of Separation” after the people I met at this year’s Juneteenth celebrations.

The first was meeting a classmate of mine from the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USAMA).

I met my classmate through a conversation about our shared status as Command Sergeants Major.

It wasn’t until he asked me to validate my age by asking for my class number.

When I said Class 41, his eyes lit up because it was a connection to yes, I know you now, and validated my presence.

Class 41 was the last six-month resident class, from January 1993 to July 1993, before the class went to a nine-month resident class.

On July 27, 2026, they will welcome Class 77!

Resident Students

Not only were he and I graduates of the First Sergeant Course, but we were also graduates of the same learning institution (USAMA).

There are not many of us left who have attended both of these courses.  The First Sergeant Course helped me become a better First Sergeant and improve my writing.

I’m sure many of us know the power of a red pen.

I’m always impressed when I have a connection or make a NEXUS through six degrees of separation.

For those who read, I would recommend reading Nexus: Small Worlds and the Groundbreaking Science of Networks by Mark Buchanan. (Author).

Once you read it, you’ll understand the power of networks, weak and strong ties.

I first learned the word and its meaning behind “Nexus” during my Starfish Training in 2010, when I was required to read Nexus: Small Worlds and the Groundbreaking Science of Networks by Mark Buchanan.

Speaking of Six Degrees of Separation, I met a gentleman during the Huntsville, AL (Juneteenth Celebration) wearing a B-52 Bomber hat.   Ironically, he and I spoke about the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, which crashed on Monday (June 15, 2026) shortly after takeoff.

Little did I know he was first a Navy Sailor, then joined the Air Force, retiring as a Major and a B-52 Bomber. The connection brought him back to show me pictures in uniform for both services or branches.

I am always humbled when I meet interesting people with interesting stories about the military.

I wrote in my journal that week how grateful I was to have met him and to have taken the time to start a conversation after seeing him in his B-52 hat at the Huntsville, VA Clinic.

Finally, I attended a Juneteenth Celebration in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where I met an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader who was the granddaughter of someone with a rich legacy in Pass Christian.  Long story short, her grandfather and I have shared meals, and he has even been in my home here in Alabama.

I also have a Soldier whose daughter is also an Atlanta Falcon Cheerleader.  His daughter is in her fifth year, and the granddaughter I met is in her fourth year as an Atlanta Falcon Cheerleader.

Each year, they must try out to remain an Atlanta Falcon Cheerleader.

I connected the two of them by sharing a picture, and they connected as well.

In life, we never know the people connected to us until divine intervention occurs.

As a final piece to this blog, I was introduced to reading for pleasure this past weekend, Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.’s book on America, U.S.A.

Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.’s book on America, U.S.A., was read over Father’s Day Weekend as part of my Juneteenth Celebration. It was an interesting read and one that made me reflect deeply on my place in America.

I would never have known about this book had I not connected with a gentleman who not only reads my blogs and responses but is also a member of an organization we both support, the scholarship committee for the Jordan J. Corbett 555^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, located in Tampa, Florida, known as the “Triple Nickels.”

On March 26, 2026, we connected in Tampa, Florida, during our Scholarship program, and we continue to stay connected through different levels of intellectual conversations.  I consider him a strong tie!

We meet people every day we can add to our network. Who have you met this past week to add to yours?

Here’s something to think about, as some of you may know who Kevin Bacon is, but may not know how it’s tied to six degrees of separation.

Six degrees of separation | plus.maths.org

Today, I challenge you to take a moment to reflect on all the connections you know and the people who are both weak and strong ties.

“Six degrees of separation doesn’t mean that everyone is linked to everyone else in just six steps. It means that a very small number of people are linked to everyone else in a few steps, and the rest of us are linked to the world through those special few.”~ Malcolm Gladwell

“I read somewhere that everybody on this planet is separated by only six other people. Six degrees of separation between us and everyone else on this planet. The President of the United States, a gondolier in Venice, just fill in the names. I find it extremely comforting that we’re so close. I also find it like Chinese water torture, that we’re so close because you have to find the right six people to make the right connection… I am bound, you are bound, to everyone on this planet by a trail of six people.” ~ John Guare

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/six-degrees-of-separation/

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Meet the Best Leadership/Success Speakers Who Teach Leadership Gold, Emotional Intelligence & Strategic Planning

Ever notice how some teams just get it—they move fast, make smart calls, and people actually want to work there? Meanwhile other teams feel stuck, confused about direction, and leadership feels like everyone's just going through the motions?

The difference usually comes down to one thing: who's teaching them how to lead. Most folks grow up thinking leadership is something you're born with or happens when you get promoted. That's dead wrong. Real leaders are made—and they're made by people who know how to teach what matters.

If you're looking for someone who actually knows this stuff (not just read about it in a book), you need to pay attention here. Because what separates ordinary teams from extraordinary ones isn't luck. It's training that sticks, coaching that matters, and learning from people who've actually walked this path themselves. I've seen it transform organizations from complete messes into high-performance machines.

Finding the Right Fit: What Makes Top Speakers Stand Out?

So what's the difference between a decent speaker and someone who genuinely transforms how your team operates?

Simple. One changes how people think for a day. The other changes how they lead for years.

The speakers worth your time have real scars in their career stories. They've managed teams during absolute chaos. They've made hard calls that kept people awake at night. They know conflict intimately—not from theory or textbooks, but from actually being in the thick of it. When someone like that talks about crisis management or team dynamics, you're not hearing motivational fluff. You're getting the real deal from someone who's actually been in the trenches. That's the difference you feel instantly.

What Are the Best Leadership/Success Speakers Actually Offering?

Let's get specific. Quality speakers focus on three things that actually move the needle:

First: Real leadership development. Not the "rah-rah" stuff. We're talking about spotting talent on your team, building them up, and creating a culture where everyone wants to step up. This is what true leadership gold looks like. When you do this right, people stay. Your best talent doesn't leave for another job. Teams gel faster. Turnover drops.

Second: Emotional intelligence—which is basically understanding people (including yourself). Here's the thing most leaders miss: you can have a brilliant strategy, but if your team doesn't trust you, nothing happens. If people feel like you don't get them, they hold back. Smart speakers teach you how to read people, manage your own emotions under pressure, and actually connect rather than just dictate orders. This isn't soft stuff. It's the difference between a team that follows orders and a team that goes to war for you.

Third: Strategic planning. You need people who can see where the market's heading, not where it's been. Who can build a roadmap everyone understands and will actually execute. Who can allocate resources intelligently instead of hoping things work out. McKinley Curtis III and speakers like him teach frameworks that Fortune 500 companies use—and they work just as well for mid-size businesses trying to punch above their weight.

Why Companies Are Actually Writing Checks for This

Let me give you the reality check. When organizations invest in serious leadership development:

• Employee engagement jumps. We're talking 40-50% improvements in how much people actually care about their work.
• People stop leaving. Turnover drops by a third. That's huge because replacing someone costs 50-200% of their salary. Think about that for a second.
• Stuff gets done faster. Productivity shoots up because people aren't confused or working at cross-purposes.
• Customers notice. When your teams are solid, customers feel it. Satisfaction goes up.

None of that happens by accident. It happens because someone brought in a real expert, invested time, and actually changed how the organization operates. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is literally one of the best ROI decisions a company can make.

The difference between throwing together a generic workshop and hiring a real speaker? One costs money and wastes everyone's time. The other costs money and transforms your organization.

 

What Are You Actually Learning?

Most programs worth your time hit these areas:

You can't avoid conflict—so you might as well get good at it. Conflict resolution training teaches teams how to disagree without destroying relationships. This alone saves most companies a fortune in drama and wasted time.

How do you know if people are actually doing better work? Performance measurement systems show you what matters and keep everyone accountable. Simple, right? Yet most teams just guess.

Teams that work together beat teams that just occupy the same space. Real team development creates chemistry. It's the difference between people who tolerate each other and people who actually have each other's backs.

Here's the key: these aren't separate topics. They're woven together. You can't get emotional intelligence without understanding yourself better. You can't do strategic planning without understanding your team's strengths. It all connects.

How Do You Start?

Stop and ask yourself some hard questions. What leadership gaps are costing you right now? Is it turnover? Is your team lacking direction? Are people not talking to each other? Do conflicts keep happening?

Once you know what you're fighting, you can find the best leadership/success speakers and the right program that addresses your specific needs.

Real training isn't a day-long seminar where everyone drinks coffee and pretends to take notes. It's ongoing. Some individual coaching. Some group sessions. People learning from each other. And follow-up—because behavior change takes time.

You're not going to a feel-good event. You're making a change to how your organization operates.

The Bottom Line

Looking for proven training solutions? Here's what separates the truly transformative ones from everyone else: they're architects of change, not cheerleaders. They bring real experience, frameworks that actually work, and the ability to adapt training to your specific problems—not generic ones.

When your leaders get better at emotional intelligence, when your strategy actually makes sense to everyone, when people feel developed instead of used—yeah, everything shifts. Your culture improves. People perform better. You retain talent. You adapt faster. And your bottom line reflects all of that.

It's not mysterious. It's not magic. It's systematic development from people who know what they're doing.

Ready to Actually Do Something About This?

Look, if you're reading this far, you already get it. Leadership training works when it's done right. Curtis Leadership and Training doesn't mess around—we connect organizations with facilitators who've been there and know what they're doing.

We work with what you've got. Need a quick intensive workshop? Done. Want ongoing coaching over months? We do that too. Trying to build leadership culture across your whole organization? That's basically our specialty at this point.

Don't sit around another year watching the same problems repeat. Call (706) 627-4863 and talk to someone real about what you're dealing with. Or write an email to sitruc3@gmail.com if that's easier. We're at 256 Bob G. Hughes Blvd, Harvest, AL 35749 if you want to meet face-to-face.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

FAQ 1: What If You're in Alabama, Georgia, or Tennessee and Want Real Results Fast?

Real talk? The companies seeing fastest results use flexible programs they can fit into their actual schedule. Curtis does this because they get regional businesses—they know what you're dealing with. You focus on emotional intelligence and strategic planning for maybe 2-3 hours a week, and you'll notice the difference in 60 days or so. Your leaders make decisions faster. Conflicts don't blow up. People stop leaving. It works because it's targeted at what you actually need, not generic stuff.

FAQ 2: Should You Bring Speakers In-Person or Keep It Virtual?

Honestly? In-person wins for creating real connections. People bond, they talk in breaks, they get more out of it. But here's the thing—virtual works great too if you do it right with follow-up coaching. Lots of organizations go hybrid now (some in-person stuff early on, then virtual check-ins later). Curtis does both. The format doesn't matter as much as having real accountability and making sure people actually change, not just attend. Pick what works for your team.

FAQ 3: How Do You Actually Measure If Leadership Training Is Worth the Money?

Stop guessing. Track the real stuff: How long are people staying? What's productivity actually doing? Are conflicts getting resolved faster? Is your succession pipeline real or made up? Customer satisfaction—does that go up? Companies that work with Curtis measure before they start and then monthly after. On average they see engagement go up 25-35% in the first 90 days, way less turnover (like a third less) within six months, and actual revenue movement inside a year because teams finally execute strategy right instead of chasing their tails.

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Inconspicuous Place

Have you ever had something right in front of your eyes that was so surreal once you were able to recognize what it was?

It was placed in an inconspicuous place in the outer room of the bedroom, behind the couch, with my back to it.

This is what happened to me on May 25, 2026, which was Memorial Day 2026.

I was in a hotel, about to head home from a retirement party that I attended the night before, when it appeared.

I was as if I had seen this before, but didn’t pay attention until my spirit inside of me said look again, and this time open your eyes.

The picture was a replica of a three-panel canvas of the Lynching Memorial at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice by Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Montgomery, Alabama, hanging on the wall of my suite. No pun intended.

It represented the names of those who were lynched years ago, as I could somewhat make out the Counties of the names at the bottom.

“EJI researchers documented 4,075 racial terror lynchings of African Americans in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia between 1877 and 1950—at least 800 more lynchings of Black people in these states than previously reported in the most comprehensive work done on lynching to date.”

“The lynching of African Americans was terrorism, a widely supported campaign to enforce racial subordination and segregation. Lynching in America documents more than 4,400 racial terror lynchings in the United States during the period between Reconstruction and World War II.”

Lynching in America

I took a moment of silence to honor what I saw and reflect on it during my visit to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice (Equal Justice Initiative) in Montgomery, Alabama.

As I took a moment to ask myself why this is in the hotel, I wondered if I might be able to purchase a replica for my home to tell the story.

I’m sure many who stayed in this particular suite had no idea what the picture or the collage of the three canvases represented.

However, I knew exactly what it was based on my recent visits over the last three years.

Knowing that I was physically in Montgomery, Alabama; however, I would have loved to see literature explaining why it was in the room and where they could see the real thing.

I won’t mention the name of the hotel, as I’m sure I will stay there again at some point and request that suite if available.

The fact that I was able to see this picture, a three-part image on canvas of The National Memorial for Peace and Justice (Equal Justice Initiative), Montgomery, Alabama, still amazes me that I clearly recognized what I was seeing.

Now, after seeing that image, I wonder what else has been in front of my eyes that I was blind to see?

Knowing that this image is rarely spoken about, particularly in the day and age we live in, with lynching being so prominent in the South.

Lynchings in the South were a form of racial terror used to enforce white supremacy, primarily targeting African Americans from the post-Civil War era through the mid-20th century.

“White Americans used lynching to terrorize and control Black people in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Learn more about the history of this barbaric practice and how the NAACP worked to end lynching.”

History of Lynching in America | NAACP

If you have never visited any of the museums, memorials, or monuments associated with the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, I highly recommend you do so.  I spent hours there.

The Legacy Museum – The Legacy Sites

What the picture really represented was the ultimate form of what Dr. Koritha Mitchell calls “Know your place aggression.”

3.9 Koritha Mitchell on Coming to Terms with Know Your Place Aggression.pdf

Today, I challenge you to take a moment to reflect on the places you have visited and how well you understood what you saw.  What might you deem an “Inconspicuous Place”

“All the secrets of the world worth knowing are hiding in plain sight.”  ~ Robin Sloan

“There is an old saying: If you want to hide the treasure, put it in plain sight. Then no one will see it.”  ~ Larry Dossey

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth on them.”  ~ Ida B. Wells

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/inconspicuous-place/

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Rhetoric

This week, as many states across America continue to prepare for upcoming elections, one word keeps resonating in my mind as I watch the campaigning.

That one word is “Rhetoric.”

You might use a different word that comes to mind as we watch candidates berate each other.

Whatever happened to being kind to one another?

As one who speaks professionally and aspires to be better, if it’s one word, I know it’s “Rhetoric.”

I would rather have a meaningful conversation in all that I do!

I fully understand that I live in a Red State here in Alabama, and I have the choice to either listen to or reject what is said on television.

As someone who tries to watch it sparingly, I often wonder about the values openly expressed on television.

I hear things about a Politician “Toten” and “Still Toten” as it relates to gun laws.

We have so much gun violence that one can assume it doesn’t matter.

I hear things about blasting people and putting them in the electric chair.

What is even more interesting is how all these people reference President Trump to make sure you know which party they are endorsed by.

Granted, we have the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech, and the Second Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms.

However, some have taken it to an extreme.

I was curious about how many people involved in the January 6, 2021; insurrection have received a pardon from President Trump.

“Trump’s first action after returning to the White House was pardoning about 1,500 people who were convicted in connection with the January 6 attack that saw a mob of his supporters storm the Capitol in a bid to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory and keep Trump in power. He commuted the sentences of another 14 people, including leaders of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys.”

Full List of January 6 Prisoners Released by Trump – Newsweek

My first thought is that these are “Criminals” who have violated the Constitution of the United States.

Moreover, I know it’s only going to get worse all the way to the elections and the polls, with voter rights affected.

Maybe you enjoy all the rhetoric around you, and that’s okay.

What I don’t enjoy is seeing the fabric of America pulled apart and how the landscape has changed.

I’m still going to do my part and vote; however, I’m also aware that campaigning is not cheap.

Every commercial that runs on television costs money, and as they say, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

I know in contrast to the Japanese proverb, “The stake that sticks up gets hammered down”, or “The nail that stands out gets pounded down,”

Therefore, we are now in a culture where you can use as much rhetoric as your pocket or your conscience can afford.

Today, as you go about your business this week, I challenge you to take a moment to listen to what people are saying and how they say it.  Are the words being used kind or true?

There are many wise sayings, but here are two to think about:

“Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.” – Plato

“Rhetoric is nothing but reason well dressed and argument put in order.” – Jeremy Collier

Blog source: https://mckinleysthoughts.com/rhetoric/

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