Inspiration for Men of Color, Part 2

Reclaim Your Power!
by Terrance Dean

(Page 2 of 2)

More of us are starting and creating our own support systems and groups. Even if we have only one buddy to share with, we are creating a space for ourselves to share and open up, to allow Spirit room to move and grow. As men, we generally don't allow others to witness or experience this space within us.

This book was inspired by all the men with whom I have had the opportunity to share experiences both joyful and painful, experiences that have led me to an amazing journey with Spirit. In this journey, I have discovered some amazing things about myself. I have learned that I am fearless, worthy, valuable, and, more important, I am love. I choose love daily and in all my interactions. I choose love because love has chosen me.

While you are reading this book, be sure to perform the daily activities. They will be extremely helpful to your development throughout the month. Make sure to practice the day's inspiration, and witness the results of your behavior. Use the exercise pages to write down your experiences, how you actually feel when you incorporate the inspirations into your life. I know that when I was able to write down what was happening in my life, it was much easier to work through, because I had gotten the information out of my head and put it down on paper in front of me. I was then able to see the dialogue going on in my head and the drama that was ruling my life.

It's no accident that you have this book in your hands. You or someone you know has thought enough about you to get you started or help you remember your connection to Spirit. Know that everything is divinely created and that you are meant to be here, right now, at this time, to become aware of your greatness. I encourage you to read this book and be open to its message.

I share this book with all my fellow brothers, uncles, fathers, and grandfathers. I share this book with my ancestors, who came before me and created a path for me to be a voice and a beacon of light unto the world. I share this book with family, who so graciously loved and nurtured me. I share this book with my grandmother, mother, and brothers, who have passed on to become my spiritual guides. Finally, I share this book with all the sisters, aunts, mothers, and grandmothers who continue to love all men. RECLAIM YOUR POWER!

Day 1

Listen

The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward.

— Adeyemi Bandele, executive director, Men on the Move

As we work to further our careers, deal with family, or hang with friends, we often seem to be talking, yelling, or screaming. As men, we want to appear as if we can take charge and command an audience. We are so caught up in having people hear us that we do not take the time to listen; and thus we often miss the message or lesson that is being taught.

God speaks to us ever so gently. Listening involves being quiet, being able to still yourself to hear the voice of Spirit. The message may come from a song, e-mail, book, friend, family member, or a co-worker. In order to hear, however, you will have to learn to listen.

Start today by agreeing to listen to Spirit. You can create a private "listening" space somewhere in your office or home. Close your office door for five minutes. Step outside the office building. Find solitude in your basement or your bedroom. Find a space where you can be alone. You will be amazed at the clarity you will have when you are able to allow Spirit to speak, while you simply listen.

EXERCISE

Make a list of the times when Spirit was guiding you, but you avoided it by not listening. How will you incorporate listening into your life today?

Day 2

Be Still

There is a soul force in the universe, which, if we permit it, will flow through us and produce miraculous results.

— Mahatma Gandhi

We rush to get to the next thing - a meeting, the recording studio, or the office. We are always running, "being busy making moves." Even when we are not required to be somewhere, we find something to keep us busy. As men, we seem to think that if we are not hustling and bustling, then we are missing out on something.

To be still simply requires us not to do anything. To stop: stop moving, stop running, and stop creating things to do when we feel bored.

Spirit may be trying to guide us one way, but we move in another. Spirit may want us to simply be and enjoy the moment. When we take the time to be still, we allow Spirit to move into our lives.

Today, before you run to your next meeting, dash to the studio, or start a new project, allow yourself to be still. Relax and settle yourself in a quiet place somewhere in your office or home.

Enjoy the moment and let yourself be led in the direction of love, peace, and harmony.

EXERCISE

List the things that prevent you from being still. How can you start being still today?

Day 1

Show Kindness

Do not speak harshly to anyone; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful: blows for blows will touch thee.

— Buddha, The Dhammapada (c. 300 b.c.)

We are sometimes called upon to work long hours, go the extra mile, or clean up the mess when everyone's gone. But along the way, we tend to forget to show kindness to those around us, be they family, friends, co-workers, or especially strangers.

As men, we may feel that if we show kindness others will view us as weak or vulnerable. We expect people to excuse our rude or harsh behavior because we're men.

To show kindness allows life to bring kindness to us. When we are able to be compassionate or to say thank you for a job well done, we are allowing Spirit to be free to express itself.

Today, show kindness to someone. Tell a co-worker what a great job he or she is doing. Tell the intern in your department that you appreciate his or her help. Let your friends know you appreciate them for taking your late-night calls when you need to talk. Compliment your mate, and let her know how much you appreciate her. Tell your kids how proud you are of them in spite of your expectations of them. Remember, your children are learning life just as you once did, so be patient and loving with them.

When you show kindness, the anger and bitterness inside of you subsides. Random acts of kindness will, in fact, allow you to be seen as a compassionate and strong man.

EXERCISE

Make a list of people who can benefit from your kindness. To whom will you show kindness today?

Copyright © 2003 by Terrance Dean. Excerpted by permission of Villard, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

About the Author

Literary soul writer Terrance Dean is a motivational speaker and the creator and founder of Men’s Empowerment, Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering, encouraging, and enriching the lives of men of color. He lives in New York City. To find out more about both Dean and Reclaim Your Power!, including book events and news, visit www.terrancedean.com.