DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Scandal: What’s Your Story?
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© Former 4-Star General David Petraeus, Kerry Washington, Elmo, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Scandal!

Is life imitating art?
Or art imitating life?

What do you think?

Within one week, former CIA director & Retired 4-Star General David Petraeus, U.S. House of Representatives Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Elmo’s Emmy Award-winning puppeteer of 28 years Kevin Clash, all look like they could’ve originated guest-star storylines on ABC’s history-making hit drama Scandal.

– Petraeus resigned from the CIA after news hit he was having an affair with his biographer.
– Jackson is a no-show to Congress as rumors swirl that he’s negotiating a deal to resign in the midst of allegations of misuse of campaign funds on a mistress and home furnishings.
– And Clash had to take leave from Sesame Street and Elmo to combat accusations of sleeping with a 16-year old boy, which is legally underage in the state of New York.

See what I mean! Scandal!

Art imitates life?

Seems like art imitates life, right?

Why? Because I can’t imagine that the top public officials who are gracing our front pages and news feeds with the sordid details of what Petraeus calls “moral failings” are not watching ABC and saying, “I can get away with that!” Instead, screenwriters are capitalizing off the salacious stories and saying, “They didn’t get away with that! Let’s use it!”

ABC’s Scandal (the first network drama ever written by, based on, and starring African-American women) is captivating our country on Thursday nights 10PM ET and getting rave reviews because creator, executive producer, head writer and three-time Emmy-nominated Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice) is ripping story lines from real-life headlines: politicians, public figures, adulterous affairs, underage affairs, $40,000 watch affairs.

A recent article explains that “Scandal is inspired by the real-life story of Judy Smith, the noted African-American political-crisis-management expert and former White House aide. Smith’s work over the years has included cooling the fires of such high-profile controversies as Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick’s dog-fighting charges, and the disappearance of D.C. intern Chandra Levy.” Smith got her first job at the White House after advising a friend on the Iran-contra hearings. She then worked as special assistant and deputy press secretary to President George H.W. Bush before starting her own company.

Shonda Rhimes has proven that she has an incredible imagination over her stellar career as a writer and producer. But we best believe that her team is using Judy Smith’s crisis management history and real news stories as they create this world for award-winning actress Kerry Washington to play in every week.

Definitely, art is imitating life.

What’s Your Story?

Let’s have fun!

If art imitated your life and Shonda Rhimes showed up on your doorstep and wanted to write an award-winning network series about your life, what would the title be?

“Scandal” is already taken! :=)
But seriously, if you could use one word or phrase to sum up your life, what would it be?

– Petraeus’ biography is entitled All In. His series could be All Out?
– Jesse Jackson, Jr.: Like Father, Like Son?
– Kevin Clash: Sesame Alley?

Other past titles are: The Closer, Saving Grace, Breaking Bad, The Fugitive, Good Times, Grace Under Fire, Prison Break, Arrested Development, Friends, Suits, Amen Corner, Revenge, on & on.

Jesus’ story spawned several blockbuster films i.e. The Greatest Story Ever Told, Passion of the Christ. A hit series entitled The Messiah would garner much controversy and probably never make it to air. Jesus was pretty dicey. And His followers, like Him, died for others. Just saying.

Many might be tempted to call Paul’s series The Apostle; but he referred to himself often as The Prisoner (of Christ, or for the Lord) Eph 3:1, Eph 4:1, Phlm 1:1.

Would you watch The Prisoner each week? But what about the rest of Paul’s story? When challenging false apostles and what it means to truly serve Christ, Paul explains in 2 Cor 11:
I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles”… Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 5 times I received from the Jews the 40 lashes minus one. 3 times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, 3 times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

In that light, doesn’t Paul’s story sound very Die Hard?

What’s the name of your story?
Mine is Confessions of a Hollywood Christian. (Coming Soon!)
What’s yours?
Naima

What’s your story?
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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Young Men of Color Don’t Get to Mess Up
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© photo source

This message is for my future son, 7 nephews, 3 god-sons, numerous friends’ sons and young men of color all over these United States of America:

You don’t get to mess up… when it comes to the law.
You don’t get to make a mistake and think you’re going to somehow slip by the system.
You don’t get to rebel, try to find yourself through illegal means and think the same sentences will apply to you that Hollywood starlets receive.

When you stand before a judge in our courts, you are not a promising college student or attorney’s child or brilliant entrepreneur with dreams. You are one more minority statistic who is “a threat to our society” and a prime candidate to work for $0.23 per hour from a prison cell and keep the $2 billion annual prison revenue coming in. (Article: Corporate Prison Labor Is Forcing Small Businesses To Close)

Yesterday,
I witnessed a disturbing state of affairs.

I sat in court and saw my friend’s son, an 18-year old college student, called a “threat to society”, a “danger to women” and denied bail reduction for stealing an iPhone. This kid had no prior record, grew up in the church and for a month of ‘finding his way’ chose to hang with an acquaintance of questionable character. Once he realized this was not his scene, he disassociated himself, but it was too late. He’s having to jump through major hoops to try to get out of prison… for taking a phone.

Theft is WRONG, absolutely. If somebody had stolen my phone, I would report it. But if it is a first offense, I would hope the offender could get counseling and community service. Let’s get some help and find out why the teen is stealing before throwing the book at him.

Hear me: Just one mistake can land you behind bars and change your whole life forever. Then, every time you fill out an application for education or jobs, you’re denied because of your record. Your right to vote, in many states, is revoked. Life becomes exponentially harder for you, and it’s already a challenge.

Just one mistake, one bad choice. You don’t get to mess up.

Turning Things Around

Our state of California realized some alarming statistics 2 years ago and formed the Select Committee on Status of Boys and Men of Color in California, chaired by Assembly member Sandré R. Swanson. They held hearings all over the state, including Los Angeles, and recently gave the final report of their findings as well as best practices to improve opportunities for young men of color in California.

The report noted:
– More than 70% of Californians under 25 identify as people of color, (2010 Census), thus reform is absolutely necessary.

– California runs the the world’s largest and most expensive prison system, which is disproportionately filled with young men of color.

– Only 55 percent of Black boys and 54 percent of Latino boys graduated from high school in California in 2007.

– In California, “by a 36 to 27 percent ratio, young African-American men without a high school diploma are more likely to be found in prison than working a regular job. Young Latino men are roughly 40 percent more likely than white men to wind up serving time in an adult prison. And African-American kindergartners are more than three times as likely as their other playmates to believe they lack the ability to succeed in school.”

For the 19 bills submitted for approval to the state and the recommendation for improvements including help in school and penal reform, feel free to read the report above.

The good news is you do not have to become another statistic. You can make a choice.

Please hear me.

As a future mom, auntie, god-mother and God-mouthpiece to our nations, please hear me today. Please make a choice. Right now. That you will not be another statistic. That you will not willingly sell yourself back into slavery.

You must, I repeat, you MUST do whatever you can to make sound, wise decisions that steer you clear of having to stand before our skewed judicial system.

Please decide to prefer making a living for yourself and living in your own home rather than volunteering for modern-day slavery with an inmate number on your back in a jail cell. And regardless of any hip-hop artists who glorify thug life (and actually live to tell the story), I need you to know real prison is not some glamorized music video. Artists say “it’s entertainment” and sell you a lie; meanwhile, they live a rather normal, perfunctory life in suburbia, dropping off kids at daycare and coaching little league football. Some men are harmed in prison and raped and traumatized. Please decide not to give up your freedom so easily.

And if you’re already caught up in the system, decide to maximize your time, get as much of an education as you can behind those bars, and get out and never go back as an inmate. Decide to make a difference in the lives of other young men and tell your story so that they’ll learn from your mistakes. If you need resources to help you find out your purpose in life, let me know. I help people figure that all the time and you need to know why you’re here so you can be clear on what you need to be doing. There are so many ministries that yearn to assist you. Find the one that fits you best.

Under Grace

The other good news is that, even though we don’t get to mess up with our U.S. judicial system, we have all messed up under God’s judicial system. That’s why He sent His Son Jesus to stand in our stead and take on the punishment that we’d receive for our wrongdoing. We’re under God’s grace.

Romans 3:23-24 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”

We’ve all fallen short, but we, who believe in Christ, are saved freely by His grace. We repent. We’re restored. Our love motivates us towards relying on God’s Spirit to do the best we can to do right by Him and follow His laws and make Godly decisions. We grow. We mature. We walk out life in fellowship and community as a family of imperfect people who love God.

We are more than the sum of our mistakes.
We have hope.
We have purpose.
Let’s find that purpose and fulfill it to the fullest before we finish our work here.
Deal?

I’m pulling for you,
Naima

Feel free to pass this on to the young men you know.
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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Lakers Drama, Hollywood-Style
© NaimaLett.com/blog



Get ready to rumble. © photos: Hollywood Alter-Egos, Lakers LineUp

When did basketball go all ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’?

Drama!
And not just any drama.
Hollywood-style Drama.
Back-stabbing. Blind-siding. Clutching pearls drama.

Some producer somewhere is kicking herself right now for not having a reality camera crew running around taping the last 4 days in Laker Land.

The Problem

1-4.
That was the Problem.
The Lakers were off to a 1 win – 4 losses start.

This is an astronomical problem for the NBA’s most valuable team. (No, seriously, Forbes cited the Lakers as the NBA’s “Most Valuable Team” worth $900 million after securing a “new 20-year television deal with Time Warner Cable worth an average of $200 million annually beginning with the 2012–13 season.” I don’t even think that includes the franchise’s tickets, gear and paraphernalia sales.

Let’s face it. Basketball is big money. In that same Forbes article, it was reported that “NBA revenues hit a record $4 billion last season”. If the NBA stands to keep those revenues coming in, it’s #1 earning team cannot lose its first 4 games of the season.

The Solution

11.
That’s the # of championships of the most winning (and highest paid) coach in NBA History: Lakers favorite: Retired coach, Phil Jackson.

When LA fans started chanting “We want Phil!” during the games last week, even Phil had to perk up at his Playa del Rey spread and seriously consider a return. Insiders say it was the addition of Dwight Howard aka Superman to the roster along with Steve Nash, and a push for another championship before Kobe retires that got Phil to thinking he could consider it.

So, why wasn’t Phil’s answer “YES!” on Saturday when team vice president Jim Buss and General Manager Mitch Kupchak showed up, unsolicited, on his door step?

The Drama

3.
That’s the # of days Phil thought he had to come back with an answer. But just before Monday’s deadline, Phil got a call before midnight from management saying the Lakers were hiring Mike D’Antoni instead.

“Mike Who?”, one Laker fan asked reporters.

Mike D’Antoni, NBA’s Coach of the Year 2005, former coach of Phoenix Suns (when Steve Nash took them to conference titles) and New York Knicks, Assistant Coach for Olympics teams.

Wait. What happened? To Phil?
Depends on whose side of the story you hear.

Insiders from both camps have started the Real Housewives smackdowns.
Phil’s camp calls the franchise shabby, blind-sliding and slimy.
Lakers insiders say Phil asked for too much: part ownership, personnel hiring decisions, $$$. Others report there’s been bad blood between Phil and VP Jim Buss, going back years. Many say the two just don’t get along.

As the World Turns

16.
That’s the age difference between Phil Jackson and partner of 12 years, Jeanie Buss, the Lakers executive vice president-turned-Playboy-centerfold… Oh, and VP Jim’s sister.

The soap opera!

One source close to the negotiations said Phil wanted to humiliate Jim. Who knows what really went down behind closed doors? The family brawl and power struggle going on behind the scenes.

Everything else we experience from this point forward will be spin… YES, good old-fashioned Hollywood spin. We won’t ever know the real truth. We’ll know what the machine spins.

The Circus

3-4.
3 (almost 4) coaches in 4 days.

1. Mike Brown was fired after 5 games.
2. Interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff won 2 games in a week.
Uh. Phil Jackson was asked but didn’t answer quickly enough to make the cut.
3. Now, Mike D’Antoni is hired, but is recovering from knee replacement surgery and can’t travel yet from New York.

“It has been crazy, but all this stuff will just make this team stronger,” said Dwight Howard

“It’s been a zoo,” said forward Antawn Jamison, a 15-year NBA veteran.

Kobe was on board with Phil, but also idolizes D’Antoni who was a basketball star in Italy, where Kobe grew up. He supports the franchise’s decision. Self-preservation and job security are powerful motivators, I think.

Welcome to LaLa Land.

The Lesson

If nothing else, Fam, let’s try to find a silver lining in this purple and gold cloud.

If there is one thing I think we can glean is to deal with whatever drama we’ve got with another person as soon as possible and well before there’s a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract on the table.

In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus tells his disciples to quash their grievances quickly. He instructs them, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

What if Phil and Jim had squashed whatever years-long beef they’ve had before the Lakers lost 4 games in a row? What if they had reconciled when the first, second or third offense occurred? The Lakers might very well have their beloved Phil Jackson back.

What about you?
Know of a brother or sister that has something against you?
Can you go, be reconciled to them?

You never know… They could be the person holding the keys to your employment in the future.

Phil will be alright, by Hollywood standards. He’s retired with a nice pad off the ocean and an executive/model girlfriend 16 years his junior. I wonder though if he’ll think back on the last 4 days and wonder what could’ve been different. Not sure what his Zen will do at this point, but I’m sure hoping some truth will get in the mix.

In the meantime, who wants to be a fly on the wall at the Buss’ estate during Thanksgiving dinner? Who wants to bet some producer somewhere will try like the dickens to get her reality show crew around the table?

Good luck, Doll!
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
You Spoke. I’m Listening.
© NaimaLett.com/blog

THANK YOU! You Spoke. I’m listening.

A couple of months ago, I asked you to EXPRESS YOURSELF & email me to let me know what works for YOU re: my blog. Well, You Spoke, and I’m listening.

Here’s what some of you shared:

“I use your blog as a time of reflection and it’s very good for Hollywood, industry, and world scoop!” P.W., female

“I read all your blogs as mini devotionals. Your service to others serves me.” F.W., male

“I enjoy your words of wisdom. You have a keen fresh perspective that I look forward to and read almost everyday.” B.C., female

“I enjoy each blog.” J.W., male

(I like) “that the Lord takes you different places on different days.” L.P., female

“Love you! Keep serving faithfully!” K.W., male

“I am subscribed to the daily emails. I read the ones most relevant to me.” M.H.

“I use your blogs as part of my daily devotional. May God continue to bless you.”, male D.J.

“I love the topics you choose, and I love hearing your perspective on Hollywood. Keep up the good work and thank you for the daily encouragement.” A.E., male

SUMMARY

• Many of you read my blog 3-5 times per week as your daily devotional and way to keep up with Hollywood, current events and faith. Thank you. And thanks for your comments and for sharing the blog with others. I hear from folks all the time that their friend or Loved one shared this with them.

• Change is coming.
– You choose. We’re searching for the right app to allow you to choose how often you get the blog. On the way!
– Media. You’ve expressed how much you like media. So, we’ll incorporate more video, audio, etc. towards the New Year.

Thank you for helping me better serve YOU

Happy Veteran’s Day,
Naima

P.S. I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:16-19

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Blast from Past: “Good Day” by Nappy Roots
© NaimaLett.com/blog



©2008 Good Day by Nappy Roots, source

I don’t know about you, but we sure could be lifted today.
Our family received some tough news that my hubby’s aunt passed from complications after recovering favorably from open heart surgery.

So, in honor of Aunt Mary…
we’re taking a blast from the past and wishing for everyone to have a good day.

As the Nappy Roots would say:
We’re gonna have a good day
And I ain’t finna worry bout what nobody say
Cause I’m still above ground
That’s a reason to pray…

If God gave us another breath, it’s a good day.
And even if today is our last, for those in Christ, that’s a good day too.

Of course, we wish for our loved ones to be with us for years and years, and when they go before we’re ready, it’s very painful and we don’t ignore that. But when we walk with the Lord, we also have an eternal hope. Aunt Mary is no longer with us, but she’s alive and well and healed and whole. She can hear again and run in heaven like she did here as a beautiful young woman with her tresses down her back, blowing in the wind.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 that we have an eternal house in heaven to look forward to:
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling… Now the One who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight…

That’s so encouraging to us.
The One who fashioned us for the purpose of dwelling with Him is God and He has given us His Spirit as a deposit to guarantee what is to come. As good as life is here on earth, Fam, we ain’t seen nothing yet!

It’s a good day, today.
And when we cross over the glory, now that, that is an extraordinary day!

Celebrating the life of a beautiful and loved woman,
Naima

P.S. If you don’t like the song or Nappy Roots or hip hop, please don’t send emails questioning my faith.:=) You gotta know by now that I’m the real deal and straight up walk with the Lord. I’m steeped in His Word and love His creative children and love great music and know a good groove is a good groove. I don’t consume everything from every artist, but I celebrate a great variety of sounds as I know every good thing and perfect gift comes from our Father of lights. (James 1:17) Thanks a million!

You gonna have a good day?
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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Only in LaLa Land – Voting
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© Los Angeles Times, source

I’m thinking of creating a monthly segment called “Only in LaLa Land”…
to report the things I find fascinating that could only take place here.

For example:
WHERE did you vote this week?

I bet it wasn’t in a laundromat, a neighbor’s house or a swimming pool (as pictured above)!

Is that not hilarious?
One Long Beach patron is retrieving pants from the Super Suds dryer, while another is marking her ballot for President of the United States.

And what about voting in a private home in the Pasadena hills? Is that even legal? Can you turn your house into a polling station? And how confident are you that your vote will make it in? Anybody know the rules out here? Anything goes?

Genetically-modified food and Syphilis

But wait, what was even more fascinating was some of the initiatives on our State and LA County ballots. On the one hand, we the citizens of California voted to raise our sales tax, keep the death penalty, and create stiffer penalties for trafficking women.

On the other hand, we voted to NOT require labeling for genetically-modified food, but to require producers of adult films to make performers wear condoms. Yep. Only in LaLa Land.

In August, the adult industry in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley shut down for 2 weeks when a performer misrepresented his monthly test results and caused a syphilis outbreak. I started to blog about it then and thought, “Nobody else would believe this… It’s just LA.” But then the story picked up traction and folks got to fighting and spending money on PR campaigns for and against this Measure B. Folks were picketing with signs carrying the actor’s face who spread the disease. Straight circus.

Apparently, before this outbreak, several performers had passed along HIV. Who would be so reckless?

I got the arguments FOR requiring the use of protection, but I couldn’t believe the arguments AGAINST. Basically, the producers waged a campaign saying that if they had to shell out the money to provide protection on the set, it would shut the industry down as well as their viewership would drastically decrease and end. I, along with 1,171,287 other LA County voters said, “So be it.”

MAJOR PROBLEM

Producers say they’ll take their business elsewhere, like Vegas, and destroy the lives of 5,000 LA performers and 10,000 crew who “depend” on the industry. I don’t think they realize that their work is already destroying millions of lives. Folks are completely disconnecting and losing marriages, relationships and even jobs over porn addictions.

A recent article on porn addiction quoted the National Council on Sexual Addiction (now The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health) as estimating “that 6 to 8 percent of Americans – or 18 million to 24 million people – are s.e.x addicts, with 70 percent of those reporting having a problem with online addiction.” One company that measures Internet usage, reported that “more than 70 percent of men age 18 to 34 visit an adult site in a typical month.” And a poll conducted by ChristiaNet reported that 50% of Christian men are addicted, while 20 % of Christian women are affected. What got me were the statistics on about 50% of pastors being caught out there. Email me for the sources. If I put the links in this email, it will be flagged and sent to your junk boxes.

Either way, this is a major problem.
And the first step is admitting it’s a major problem.
The next step is getting help, which could involve getting pro help.

Believers can find confidence that freedom is possible. The author of Hebrews 12:1-3 encouraged, “… let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Thank goodness we don’t have to try to rely on our own will power to sustain us. As we run our race, throwing off everything that hinders, we can fix our eyes our the One who endured the cross for us and rely on His enabling. And every single one of us needs His enabling.

NO BIG DEAL?

Some may argue this is all no big deal. I disagree. I care for the souls of artists and professionals here in LaLa Land, and I’d like those souls not to be shackled to watching and/or participating in making adult films.

And if this measure is a baby step towards bringing more awareness to the craziness that goes down when folks don’t care about the lives of others, then I will keep praying that baby steps today turn into giant leaps tomorrow.

And if we can stop one more person from spreading HIV and Syphilis along the way, so be it,
Naima

Got any “Only in…” examples?
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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Most Tweeted Pic in History
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© @BarackObama

Boy, have times changed.

The headline I woke up to this morning on my news feed was:
“President Barack Obama Defeats Justin Bieber”
No lie.

In terms of full disclosure, that was just one of my news feeds… the entertainment one!

After being re-elected as America’s 44th Commander in Chief last night, President Barack Obama tweeted the above picture of him and First Lady Michelle with tag “Four more years”.

That’s when social media went all Jetsons and catapulted the President into internet history.

With 732,598 retweets (and counting) on Twitter and 3,542,924 LIKES and 462,849 SHARES (and counting) on Facebook, the President trumped Justin Bieber’s record 223,435 retweets of his message to fan Avalanna who succumbed to illness earlier in the year.

Other folks on that Top 10 re-tweet list were TJ Lang (98K), Floyd Mayweather (89K), Kim Kardashian (68K), Lady GaGa (38K), Katy Perry (33K) and Rihanna (29K).

I haven’t quite figured it out yet, but apparently, who “trends” and “tops” the social media list is a BIG deal, which means it’s a BIG deal in culture, which means it’s a BIG deal to me/us.

Whether we voted for President Barack Obama or Governor Mitt Romney, we must begin to embrace that times are changing.

TIMES ARE CHANGING

Entire elections are won and loss based on a candidate’s ability to galvanize his/her base through social media.

The President’s campaign managers figured that out 4 years ago which has resulted in amassing an impressive Twitter following of 22,758,410 people, #5 after Lady GaGa (26 yrs old), Justin Bieber (18), Katy Perry (28) and Rihanna (24). Trailing him is Britney Spears (30) and Taylor Swift (22).

Does it make sense that our 51-year old President is trending and topping the likes of this generation’s pop superstars, all but one under the age of 30?

WAKE UP CALL

This is not just a wake up call to all candidates this morning.
It’s a wake up call to me, and hopefully to you.

I don’t know about you, but I have resisted social media. Many folks of faith have.

I’m candid, by birth, and very open with my life (as you can read daily); but I’m also fiercely protective of those closest to me (especially my family) and very private. I don’t think everyone should know when and where I’m eating dinner, grocery shopping or going on vacation. I’ve been in houses that were broken into, received stalker-type emails and seen a dear friend who is a celebrity live through a horrible stalker situation. I’ve had the hardest time figuring out why I’m supposed to CHECK IN on social media when I arrive places and TWEET play-by-play pics while I’m there.

My husband had to convince me to join Facebook, which quickly maxed out my old page with over 5,400 LIKES and is now at over 4,000 LIKES on my main FACEBOOK page. Most are not the same people. If anybody knows how to get everybody onto one page, please let me know. What I like most is the dialogue and interaction. When we can get to discussing stuff, it’s great.

Kevin also persuaded me to join TWITTER and start tweeting. Why? Because his entrepreneurial gift allows him to see trends long before they’re hot. But I must confess, I haven’t really understood it, so I haven’t really known quite what to do with it…

UNTIL NOW

Whether you agree with President Barack Obama or not, you have to admit that being able to daily reach over 22 million people with a simple tweet is impressive, and it no doubt played into his re-election. It’s called influence.

Want to know what our young people are thinking, saying and wearing? Just look at the top of the Twitter feed. What are Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Rihanna and President Barack Obama thinking, saying and wearing? That’s who is influencing them.

Justin’s mom and Katy’s mom and dad recently attended a prayer event here in Hollywood and asked our family of faith to keep their children lifted up in prayer since they grew up in Christian homes and have been given such influence over an entire generation. We prayed for them and continue to pray for them because, like it or not, what they do impacts MILLIONS of others. MILLIONS.

Should we not want to influence others as well?
Where are our voices in the midst?

I’ve been mulling over John 15 lately and this concept of fruitfulness. Jesus tells His disciples to remain in Him, as branches are connected to a vine, in order to be more fruitful. Get this. In verse 8, He says, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

God’s glory is that we bear much fruit. I don’t have the space to really unpack this here, but I’d argue that the fruit has more to do with people than just deeds, especially since the following passage teaches us greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends. Are we bearing fruit? Are we making disciples? Are we influencing those in our circles?

My friend, Karen Davis, called me this morning to ask me to speak to the group of women that she leads next week about their influence. She had no idea I’ve been wrestling with this for over a week now, but it’s so right on time.

WHO ARE YOU…

So, who are you influencing?
We may not have 22 million Twitter followers, but are we finding ways to encourage whatever number we have?

Something to ponder.
Something to ponder,
Naima

Who are you influencing?
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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Voting, Avatar & The Avengers
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Titanic © Fox/Paramount, Avatar © Fox, Marvel’s The Avengers © Disney

What does voting have to do with Avatar, Titanic & The Avengers?
Roll with me for a sec.

First, it’s Election Day. You vote?

Early voting was at an all-time high this year. Pics show lines wrapped around the block. My dad went to vote early in Georgia – twice – and couldn’t find a parking space.

That’s exciting. It means we’re participating in our democratic process.

Not Vote?

I’m not sure how leaders, especially Christian, can justify telling folks to NOT VOTE. What?!

I think the leader who advocates NOT VOTING is probably not female, knows nothing of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the sacrifices made to get the 19th Amendment ratified in 1920, and/or probably not minority and didn’t personally know or lose anybody along the way of trying to enforce the 15th Amendment and getting the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed and continually extended.

When you bury a family member as a result of prejudice and injustice, as we have, you never tell others to not vote and exercise their rights as citizens. Even if you don’t like the options presented to you on the ballot, as my dear friend, singer and blogger Sharifa Stevens says, “write in a candidate for whom you can vote with a clear conscience.”

We must pass on the history, Fam. We’ve got to do more than encourage young people by showing pictures of Jay-Z and Katy Perry (though I’m glad celebrities are getting involved). Let’s tell our young people about their heritage, their family members who fought, their neighbors who died. When they know they’re apart of a movement, even as I know I’m part of a movement, they won’t so easily lay down a right that someone died to give them.

Avatar, Titanic & The Avengers

When someone gives their life for us, our own lives are transformed.

That’s why redemption stories are the biggest selling box office films of all time:
Avatar, $2.782 billion
Titanic, $2.185 billion
The Avengers, $1.511 billion

In each of these films, somebody sacrifices his/her life for another.

In Avatar, Sam sacrifices for Neytiri and the Na’vi people.
In Titanic, Jack gives his life making sure Rose will live.
In The Avengers, Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man intercepts the nuclear missile aimed at NYC and flies it into the space portal, knowing he probably won’t make it back. Don’t fret, they all have happy endings! :=)

We instinctively resonate with these stories and they move us to our core, I believe, because we yearn for redemption. We yearn to know that someone loves us so much that they’d give their very lives for us.

News Flash:
Hollywood didn’t make this up. We’re only re-telling the Great Redemption story of God through blue Na’vi aliens, a boat that sank and a rag-tag team of dysfunctional superheroes.

Jesus tells His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” John 15:13. Then He goes and lays down His life for all of us, friends and enemies, that if we believe, we can be reconciled back to God. That’s love.

That same love is demonstrated by every single protester, like my grandfather, who lost his life standing up to prejudice. That same love is demonstrated by every single soldier, like my oldest brother, who puts his/her life on the line to fight for our freedom and democratic process around the globe. That same love is demonstrated by every parent, like my father and my middle brother, who works hard and sacrifices for his/her children. That same love is demonstrated by every public servant, teacher and preacher, like my youngest brother, who gives his/her life serving the people.

Go Vote

Not that I’m trying to be all deep, but seriously, go vote, if you haven’t already. Somebody gave their life for you to be able to stand in that long line, in the cold (or not-so-cold if you’re in the LaLa) and cast a ballot today.

That’s love,
Naima

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A-Lister’s Child’s Prayers
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Halle & her daughter Nahla © People, source

Children’s prayers are the cutest.

On the press tour for her latest film Cloud Atlas, 46-year old A-Lister and Academy Award-winner Halle Berry recently revealed that her and her 4-year old daughter Nahla pray to God every night. [Halle’s VIDEO INTERVIEW cued.]

And what does little Nahla pray for?

“God, please bring me a bunk bed and a baby sister.”

Halle laughed, “I can do one of those things, I know for sure. The other one, we’ve got to keep praying on… What do you say to her when she wants that and can’t understand why God’s taken so long?”

A Child’s Prayer

It was a sweet moment in the interview. It made me think about the many prayers that God’s children all over the world have before His throne.

What do you, God’s child, say when you’re asking God for something and you can’t understand why He’s taking so long?

In Matthew 7:7-12, Jesus encourages His followers to ask and keep on asking, seeking, and knocking, with confidence that our heavenly Father hears and gives us good gifts:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

We may not understand what’s taking so long, but that shouldn’t deter us from continuing to ask. It sounds like little Nahla is pretty persistent in her supplication. She doesn’t know how long it’ll take, but that’s not stopping her.

Why are we tempted to give up so easily?
What are our prayers before our Father?

Be encouraged today, Fam.
New week. Elections are tomorrow. Recovery has started on the East Coast.

Let’s come to our heavenly Father, as His children, and ask, until we receive an answer.
Naima

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Making the Best of a Bad
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© flickr/mckinleypoodle

Nobody calls a flood good.
But I came across this photo and thought, “That’s making the best of a bad (situation)!”

I wish the photographer had noted the place and date, but from the car model, light posts and bathing suit, we know this is definitely not after Super Storm Sandy.

And while I do not recommend surfing after a flood, this image did bring a smile to my face.
It’s like our New York Fam pressing forward to Find a Power Source.
Or like encouraging you to dress up anyway in A Different Halloween.
We put one foot in front of the other and do the next thing.

Making the Best of a Bad

I’m reminded of Paul finding a way to rejoice in the midst of being imprisoned. In Philippians 1:12-19, he makes the best of a bad situation.

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me (prison) has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”

Wow, right?!
Paul says good things came out of his bad circumstances.

Making Lemonade from Lemons

I am not making light of what any of our fam has gone through this week with Sandy. I too have lived through floods, been snowed and iced in for days, been without power, etc. So, I’m incredibly sensitive to your journey ahead. It can be a long road back to normal.

What I’d like to encourage all of us to do though, on this day, is think about how we can turn our challenging situations into opportunities. How can we make lemonade from lemons? How can we look at things slightly different?

Maybe an after-flood (in warmer weather, of course) provides a reason to surf?
Maybe being unjustly imprisoned galvanizes others to take up the mantle and move the message forward?
Maybe losing the job or house or relationship has an upside waiting for us to embrace?

Got a “bad” today?
How can we make the best of it?

Have a ‘best’ weekend,
Naima

How can you make the best of your bad?
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