While reading Genesis 37, I couldn’t help but think about Tyler Perry’s conversation about dreams with the Tom Joyner Morning Crew on V103 in Chicago.

Joseph was a dreamer who shared his dream with his brothers.  Not a good idea considering the content of his dreams and his position in his family. 

Joseph was his father’s favorite which automatically set him apart from his brothers.  In his dreams, not only was his family going to bow down to him but so were the sun, moon, and stars.  How heavy is that?  Well, his brothers were jealous and made plans to kill him.  One brother, Ruben, tried to save but telling the brothers to hide him instead of harming him. Ruben was going to come back for him later.  The other brothers had other ideas.  They actually sold Joseph as a slave to Egyptians, so when Ruben returned, he was gone.  The brothers told their father that an animal got him.  Their father was devastated.  They were haters who tried to kill Joseph’s dreams.

In some of Tyler Perry’s emails, he admonishes readers about haters and the sharing of dreams.  He also encourages people to move forward in spite of challenges.

My pastor, Reverend January, told us that people are always going to talk about you if you are doing something.  If you don’t want them to talk; don’t do anything.  He also said that people are sometimes hated because of position.   See, hating will never go away.

I shared all of that to say:
1. Have a dream and work it. 
2. Do not be afraid of success or failure.
3. As long as you work, you’re going to have haters.  You may as well see your dreams come to pass.  There are enough ideas buried with people in graves all around the world.  Don’t let your ideas be like those.
4. Step out on faith.  In the end, all you’ll have is your dream and GOD.

Today I learned that my tax guy, Fela, passed away in December.  He had been heavy on my mind and I was praying that he called me.  I lost his number when I lost my phone in July, and he usually called to say hello.  So, there will be no more hellos or anything else from Fela. 

I thank God for the opportunity to  have known such a smart and wise man.  And he will be missed.

Attached are the 2009 Issues of Shorty In Da House Newsletter.  I’m really proud of myself because I’m normally late with the March edition, but it is attached.  Woo hoo!  Go Shorty!  Anyway, the newsletters are attached.  Remember, all 2009 newsletters can be found at www.goshorty.net.  All 2008 newsletters are archived on this blog.

January 2009 Shorty In Da House – January 2009

February 2009 Shorty In Da House – February 2009

March 2009 Shorty In Da House – March 2009

I want to give mad love to Tyler Perry.  His movie, Madea Goes to Jail, grossed approximately $41 million dollars this past weekend.  Did you hear me?  That was $41 million in one weekend!  This was great in itself.  However, there was a bigger blessing: he only had 2,000 screens.  During his interview with Tom Joyner on V103 in Chicago, he mentioned that other movies had 3,000 screens, but he only 2,000.  Isn’t that awesome?

After he shared news of his $41 million blessings, he gave the following advice to listeners:
1. Never stop dreaming
2. Have more than one dream
3. Don’t share your dreams with too many people

It is a pleasure for me to see Tyler’s dreams come true.  It makes me know that something is going to happen for me really soon.  I’m holding tight to God and my writing.  Congratulations again, Tyler!

This was the message in bible study last week, and I believe I am at that point.  While I know this state is only temporary, I am positive I am there right now.

I don’t feel like being bothered with anybody.  All I want to do is write and play with my new electronics.  Don’t get me wrong, I am overly-giving and give freely.  But I don’t feel like it at this time.  And the message was right on time.  So, I am going to become a hermit during the month of March.  I’ll still blog because it is writing, but I’m going to be really skimpy with responses to my email messages.

A couple weeks ago, my friend, Joy, told me that I was one of the few people she knew who could hold on to $20 for over a week.  I asked her if I should be offended.  She said that that was good.  I have to laugh as think back on that conversation because I have been holding on to $20 for the past week.

THE FRANCES A. KARNES CENTER FOR GIFTED STUDIES

                                      College of Education and Psychology

2009 SUMMER PROGRAMS

LEADERSHIP STUDIES PROGRAM

JUNE 14 – 19, 2009

The Leadership Studies Program, a one-week residential program, is designed for students in grades six through 11, who have a desire to develop and enhance their leadership abilities.  Students will be housed in dormitories on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  Tuition includes room, board, recreational activities, and limited accident insurance.  Leadership I is a program with specific emphasis on leadership skills.  Training will include those areas necessary for leadership development:  fundamentals of leadership, written and oral communication, group dynamics, problem solving, planning, personal skills, and decision making.  Avenues for becoming leaders in the schools, communities, and religious affiliations will be utilized to heighten the awareness and development of leadership potential.  Leadership II is a continuation of the program, with Leadership I as a prerequisite for entry.  It is an intense study to further develop leadership concepts and qualities.  Emphasis is placed on the psychology of leadership, assertiveness training, and situational leadership.  Leadership III is an extension of the program, with Leadership II as a prerequisite for entry.  Training will focus on the legal aspects of leadership, responsibilities of various positions of leadership, developing personal power, and leadership for the future. The students also have the opportunity for informal interaction with adult leaders.  Financial aid is available based on need, on a limited basis.

SUMMER GIFTED STUDIES PROGRAM

JUNE 21 – 26, 2009

The Summer Gifted Studies Program, a one-week residential program, is designed for intellectually gifted students in grades four through eight with intelligence quotients of 120 or above on an individually administered test or the 90^th percentile or above at the national level on an achievement test.  The program enhances the cognitive abilities of gifted students through planned enrichment/acceleration activities.  Content areas are combined with processing skills to enable students to explore a wide variety of topics.  Students will be housed in dormitories on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Instructional activities will be conducted in classrooms and laboratories on the campus.  Recreational activities and cultural events will be included, based upon availability.  Tuition includes room, board, recreational and cultural activities, and limited accident insurance.  Financial aid is available based on need, on a limited basis.

SUMMER PROGRAM FOR ACADEMICALLY TALENTED YOUTH

JULY 5 – 24, 2009

The Summer Program for Academically Talented Youth, a three-week residential program, is designed for students in grades seven through 10 who qualify based on SAT or ACT results.  A variety of intensive, fast-paced courses will be offered, such as mathematics, including Algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, calculus and modern analysis; human anatomy/physiology; forensic science; polymer science; economics; psychology; criminal justice; creative writing; and debate.  The program is designed to include appropriate academic, cultural, and recreational experiences.  The University of Southern Mississippi offers the program through cooperative efforts with the Duke University Talent Identification Program.  Tuition includes the instructional program, books, room and board, recreational activities, and limited accident insurance.  Financial aid is available based on need, on a limited basis.

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Specific training for teachers is offered to those needing certification in the area of gifted education.  Advanced degree programs with an emphasis in gifted education are provided at the master’s, specialist’s, and doctoral levels.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi

118 College Drive #8207 ! Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001  Phone 601.266.5236

E-mail: gifted.studies@usm.edu                          Web site: http://www.usm.edu/gifted

Today was the last day of unemployment compensation for me.  When I heard that, I immediately thought: “What am I going to do?”  I heard the Spirit say, “Trust God.”  Then, I got a message from Lisha Sanders, Never Lose Heart, encouraging people to live a life of faith and NEVER give up on God.  Shortly thereafter, I got a video from Paul Scott, my mentor in business, Have You Been Fed Today.  A few of the messages that stood out from the video were:

1. If you are doing what you love to do, you are doing enough
2. You are smarter than you give yourself credit for being
3. Do not doubt your worth

So, that means that all I have right now is God and my writing.  I also have to start charging accordingly for my writing projects.  I am good at what I do.  Other people know it which is why they come to me for assistance.  Going forward, there will be a charge.  I am worth more than I have been selling my service for, and it’s time to get paid.

I want to give a great big thank you to Sarah Crawley, a charter member of MJM Speakers’ Circle.  She has given so much of her time to help me prepare for my next speech in March.  My speech is going to be great if only for her.

Sarah Crawley

I am still working on the event that I mentioned in an earlier message.  It’s more annoying now than when I first posted.  First of all, the person in charge appears to be a last minute person.  She is asking me to do things which would put a lot of pressure on me IF I truly cared.  I do not care as much as I could care because the leader doesn’t care.  I will not be stressed.

Let me share my thoughts on this situation.  First of all, she said that she is not a creative person.  I respect that.  However, whenever I share ideas, they are almost always rejected in some form or another.  So, I stopped giving.  Then, she is working with limited information.  She is going by what she knows even though she doesn’t have access to all of the resources needed to make it a success.  Therefore, the entire program has changed which isn’t bad, but the intended purpose of keeping the participants of the meeting “inside” has been shattered. 

What ticks me off, though, is she wants me to  work really hard at the last minute.  Lack of planning on her part does not constitute an emergency on my part. She wanted me to call a bunch of people to ask them to attend the event.  It is tomorrow!  See, if there was better marketing in the beginning, there wouldn’t be so much work now.  I’m not shirking the work; I’m knocking the lack of planning.  And I’m beginning to question the leadership abilities of the person in charge.

I was beginning to feel bad at one point, but I got over it really quickly.  If she doesn’t care about how the event turns out.  Why should I?  I will not be stressed by her lack of planning.