Realizing that life has so many journeys and hurdles, we sometimes get lost trying to stay the course and eliminate that which serves us no purpose. But, wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1).

If you're not careful, you'll find yourself carrying baggage that's way too much of a load and 95% of it won't be necessary. My honest thought is that more than half of all Americans are probably coping with some sort of dysfunction.

I believe that many families, particularly in the black community, are taught at a young age to stay strong" and keep quiet" by remaining bound with silence and secrets at all costs, while at the same time offering an image of greatness, wholeness, or complete happiness, rather than the actual truth. It may have happened, but no longer will IT happen! We have the ability to live in the grace and freedom of God without allowing our past traumas to overpower and dictate how we live the rest of our lives or even how we invite and embrace the next generation! May you live in the complete victory that our God has destined for you!.