Life, Liberty, and the CONSTANT Pursuit of Happiness

The month of July is most associated with the celebration of our great country’s Independence that happened 237 years ago.  Our forefathers were proud of their commitment to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for all Americans.  In a time when colonists were dependent on Mother England for much of her needs, they sought their own independence to grow as a country of her own.  Just think of all the FAITH they had to have to make such a step? 

We are living in a time when every RIGHT that citizens of all races fought for, whether it was 237 years ago, 100 years ago, or 50 years ago, are being challenged.  Government on all levels from Federal to States is starting to undo policy and rulings that people fought and died for in this country.

Recently, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down Affirmative Action, which evens the playing ground for minorities.  Amendments 13-15 were created for a reason. Persons of color after slavery faced year after year of separate and unequal opportunities. The whole purpose of Affirmative Action was to make sure that equal opportunity truly existed. 

Another move on the part of the SCOTUS involved its ruling on the Voting Rights Act. Some may look at it as unneeded, but this takes our country back to a time where individual states can put specific criteria on whether and individual can vote or not.  Without Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, minority voters will suffer. 

Actions like these and even watching on television, a trial in the state of Florida of man( George Zimmerman) who is accused of killing a 17 year old , unarmed boy (Trayvon Martin), possibly as a result of racial profiling, affirms my belief that we are still in that constant PURSUIT of Happiness. 

Our [society] fear of others (genders, races, religions, orientations, cultures) affects our actions toward them as people.  We are all here on this earth for the same reasons: To live, love, and be happy. Let’s think back to the beginning of our country and her need to seek independence from England. What existed then was FAITH.  This faith was foremost in God, but it was also a faith in each citizen that each person wanted the same for his/her family. 

Let’s not forget the common goal. Different strokes; different folks, but we all have the same intentions: Life, Liberty, and HAPPINESS. The pursuit of it should end today if we allow it.

Dr. Sunshine 68

July 12, 2013

Instant Access, Ready in Minutes, and Quick Returns…Where Did All Our Patience Go?

Famous Movie Writer and Producer, Mr. Tyler Perry once said, “It doesn’t matter if ten million people tell you what you can’t do, or if a million people tell you NO. All you need is one YES from GOD.” That statement resonates loudly to me because I think one of our greatest vices these days is the lack of patience and waiting on that YES from God. When we lack patience, often times we lose the ability to wait on HIM for whatever HE has in store for us. We listen to others and let them predict our outcomes and future. We doubt ourselves many times because we feel like the waiting will never end. We are all so used to things happening instantly that when something takes a bit longer than we expect, we give up. Where did all of our patience go?

 In a society where everything is quick, easy access, ready-made, and has a quick return, we tend to get caught in this cycle of expecting the goals and objectives for our lives to be the same. Are you Hungry? Let’s go thru a drive thru burger joint and get a quick meal. Are you thirsty? Just stop by a convenience store and grab a cold or hot drink. Don’t feel like cooking dinner? Pop something into the microwave; it’s just as good. Or is it? How many times have we walked down the aisle at the grocery store, saw something that looked so delicious in the frozen food section, grabbed the box, wondered if it tasted as good as it looked on the box, and BOUGHT IT? Then on that night that cooking a dinner is not an option, we put that delicious entrée into the microwave. All of a sudden, what comes out of the microwave looks nothing like the picture on the box. If you are like me, you even compare the two. Then we taste it. YUCK! The bread is either tough or chewy, but definitely not good. The cheese failed to melt, is nasty, and the sauces are horrible. What we thought would be quick and good turned out to be quick and not so good.

 I am a firm believer that patience is something that we can put into our lives and make it so much more enjoyable. Just think of how the microwaveable meal would have turned out if we had just taken the time to cook a real home cooked meal. The thought of waiting for a full meal to cook is sometimes overwhelming in our busy cycle of daily routines. I often think of my Grandmother who did not have the option of this fancy ready- in -minutes type of living we have. I remember her starting dinner around 2pm each day. She would begin by getting all her ingredients for a fresh batch of homemade biscuits. My Grandmother made biscuits every day. She would get out the White Lily flour, Crisco shortening, salt, and buttermilk and put them on the counter. Then she would carefully mix the ingredients, slowly stirring by hand- not a mixer. Finally, she would take an old wooden rolling pin and roll the dough out onto a floured wooden board. Meticulously, she would cut each circular biscuit just right. Finally, placing the half inch sized circles of dough on the greased cookie sheet, she would wait PATIENTLY as the delicious morsels browned in the oven. Out would come the most beautiful, golden brown, Southern, baked biscuits that melted in your mouth.

 The biscuits were just the beginning of dinner. She would finish by preparing all of the other components of her meal (fresh vegetables and delicious meats) which typically took the next couple hours. Now, we would not think of spending that much time each day just to make supper. We don’t have the patience it takes to wait on the golden biscuit that added so much to our supper back then. My goal is to have a little more patience when it comes to my life and all the things within it. Thinking back to my Grandmother’s kitchen makes me realize that with a little more patience, the wait is always worth every minute.

 Dr. Sunshine68
June 25, 2013

On the Right Team?

I LOVE SPORTS!  In fact, each season of the year brings a different sport for me to enjoy.  Currently, as summer kicks off, I am enjoying the NBA Playoff Finals, which are in progress. My favorite NBA team, the Lakers, did not make the playoffs this year. However, the two teams playing, the Spurs and the Heat, are keeping me entertained. 

When Fall arrives, football begins, and in the Winter, I totally enjoy watching NCAA Basketball. Anyone who knows me KNOWS that I am a DIEHARD DUKE BLUE DEVILS fan.  When Duke Basketball is on, everything on my schedule stops until the game is over.

My love for sports stems way back to high school, and I have been on several teams as an athlete. I was on a basketball team, a track team, and even a cheerleader squad.  So my exposure to teamwork and team- building started pretty early in life.  In fact, I developed a belief in the concept of teams in many different areas of life from work to family. 

A team is simply defined as “a group of people who come together to achieve a common goal.”  The goal can be either simple or complex.  When we think of a sports team, the obvious goal of achievement is to WIN.  No doubt, we all love to win. Not too many people join a team with the objective to lose.  As a former high school coach, I quickly learned that winning, although it is great, is not everything that makes a team spectacular. Talent and skills can create wins, but it does not always guarantee commitment, dedication, and perseverance.  

I remember one of my own former college coaches telling us this statement every game or meet: “No one remembers 2^nd place.”  That statement hit us hard, so we always worked very hard to achieve 1^st because we thought being known as NUMBER 1 was the most important factor of our contest.  His coaching method instilled in us the need to WIN in every competition, which by the way, did not always happen.

So what happens when we don’t come in first place, or we don’t win the trophy or award for being number 1?  Do all of our efforts as a team member fail? Certainly not.  It is proven that many of us gain more benefits from being a member of team than just the victory of winning.  Although winning or being first is flattering, it is not most important. 

Many times what we do or say to each other on our teams assist us in working toward the common goal.  Words and statements that encourage one another are key on any team.  By participating on teams, we learn great character traits that last a lifetime such as commitment, achievement, dedication, development, and leadership.  There are not too many places, outside of a classroom, that we can collect all of these traits over a period of time, so teamwork is essential.

Team communication is vital as well.  I have seen some of the best teams lose or miss a critical effort when communication breaks down.  “What we say” and “How we say it” make all the difference in building relationships and the success of a team.

Coaching, cheering, mentoring, and motivating team members can often be the defining factor that helps the team reach a goal.  Philippians 3:14 states, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Oftentimes, the highest mark may be the championship title, the symbolic ring, trophy, award, or medal of victory, or even a monetary award for winning.  However, when we truly PRESS toward the mark, a Higher Mark- Jesus, we ultimately become a member of His team. By being on His Team, we never lose. We always win.  We gain everything in just being a faithful member of team that is striving for the highest goal.  There are no losers on Team Jesus!  So press toward the mark and enjoy the benefits of being a team of winners. It feels great to be on this winning team!

Dr. Sunshine68

June 14, 2013

Enjoy The Ride~

There is nothing like a nice ride in the summer time. Roll the windows down, take in the nice cool air, and just Enjoy the Ride.


This brings me to this scripture: "And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.”~ Mark 10:13-16


Every year since 2008, I have made it a point to vacation in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. The trip, of course, includes my wife, my parents, and my son who is 6 years old, by the way. My parents drive separately, but when we get settled in the first day and until we all leave, I do all the sight-seeing driving.


I enjoy driving everyone in my minivan and letting each one talk and point at various breath- taking scenes spread out among the Appalachian Mountains. My riders are laughing and talking about places to eat, various trips they have taken throughout life, and my dad, “Paw Paw” as my son calls him, is constantly goofing off with my son causing him to laugh hysterically.


During the vehicle exploration, I hear, “Michael, look at that old mountain house,”Daddy, I’m hungry; I want a cheeseburger, " or "Can we eat there”; ”look at those old trees,” ”look at that water coming out of that mountain.” The unfortunate thing about being the tour guide driver is the fact that mountain roads are very curvy, going uphill, through valleys, lots of morning fog, drizzle and did I mention curvy?


One has to be focused and know where the roads will lead. My son sits back there being comfortable and enjoying the ride with not a care in the world. He asks me where we are going and I tell him. My son knows when the van has stopped, and I inform everyone that we have arrived. Naturally, he is excited to be there.


Honestly, I think that is how we all should be as Believers. We are on this ride called Life. It is not permanent, but it can last a while. Just as a child, we may not know where the roads will take us, but we can trust that the Driver [God] will always let us arrive safely to HIS destination of choice for us [ his children]


Jesus said in the Book of John chapter 14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

 Are we excited about where Jesus is taking us? The roads are curvy, but Jesus has assured us that He has a place just for us. Jesus has created a new Heavenly home just for us, and it is personalized, fashioned just for each of us. Are we excited where Jesus is taking us? We should, because The Bible says we are sealed in Ephesians 1:13 by The Holy Spirit.

 That is just like my son when he is all buckled up in his car seat ready to go. He is assured where he is going because he trusts me. It is easy to have our lives filled with distractions similar to all the sights along the way to the mountains, but we must stay focused just like a child on a trip. We should be excited about where God is taking us and let Jesus worry about the curvy roads that go up hill. King David says it best, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me.”


That statement is enough for me to sit back and Enjoy the Ride.


Written by Mike McDonald


May 28, 2013

“Mommy...God’s Greatest Gift”

“Mom! Mama! Ma! Mommy!”   Over the last 22 years, I can recall hearing these words at least over a million times.  In fact, even when I hear other kids call their Moms, I turn around. It all sounds the same now.   As I approach the 21^st birthday of my youngest child, my daughter, LeeAnn, I reflect on so many of the years that we spent in malls, gyms, and on tracks during her childhood.  I am still wondering where the 21 years went so quickly. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was bringing her home from the hospital to meet her baby brother. 

Well, it is both bitter-sweet to approach my youngest child’s “coming of age” birthday. It is a twofold feeling of knowing that I raised a beautiful, smart adult with a bright future and knowing that my baby girl is now a woman. 

It is ironic that she was born in the month that we celebrate Mother’s Day because there is no better gift to a Mom than the precious sight of her sweet baby.  In 1992, that was by far the best gift I received all year long.  I can think of things that really make me smile about that year too. It was my first year teaching, and I was an 8^th grade Language Arts teacher. I had the best students too. Each one of them marveled at the fact that their young, “fresh out of college” teacher was pregnant. 

That year was also the year that I bought my first house, and I think I actually grew up more and took on the responsibility of finally being an adult.  My husband and I were very blessed, and I look back and am truly thankful for every blessing given to us.

The last 21 years with LeeAnn have been exciting and interesting. I had to pleasure to not only be her Mommy, but I also coached her in two sports: basketball and track.  She was quite the athlete, and she kept me on my toes as a Coach.  Those days in gyms and on tracks are some of the most memorable moments in my life as a Mother.  The love of a Mother is limitless. However, those boundaries are often tested when coaching a teenage female who just happens to be your child too.   We survived; thank God!

There are many things that I can say are special to me, but nothing compares to my role as a Mother. I think when God chose me to be a Mom, it was not for convenience nor comfort for me.  Who knows? I may have put off Motherhood for years if it were left up to me.  I am thankful that HE knew the best time for me to receive HIS greatest gifts ever.   The actress Sophia Loren stated this once: “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”  Cherish the moments, and celebrate the times. Being a Mom is a 24 hour, seven day a week, and lifetime job, but it is worth every second.

Dr. Sunshine

May 19, 2013

Unfinished Business…Pick yourself up , dust off, and do it again!

This is the first BLOG of 2013 for me.  First of all, it is not because I didn’t have anything to say, but for some reason, there have been so many distractions that have kept me from doing what I love to do, which is TO WRITE.  Well, I am BACK! Sure it is May.  It is Spring, and it is five whole months into a new year, but I am thankful that I found the time and energy to start back what I began a year ago. 

Have you ever thought about all the things we have that we take for granted?  So many people are lacking things, yet we are blessed in so many ways.  I have been reflecting on that thought for the last few days because even when I think I am at my worst, someone else may be facing something much greater.   For that reason, I am attempting to not look at things with such scrutiny and doubt in my own life.

Everything that happens to us is for reason. It may not be clear to us at that moment, but in time, we can understand the purpose. Sometimes a delay or distraction is not dismissal or denial of our goals or plans.  We, as human beings, have a natural tendency to try plan and execute things in our lives that God has already divinely planned for His purpose and glory. 

I have a lot of what I call “unfinished business” that I would like to do. I have blogged on topics that deal with time management and reaching goals, but I am guilty of starting a project and not finishing it. Guess what? I often blame it on time management.   I can recall a quote that states “What is not started today, cannot be finished tomorrow”~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  The fact that I started is most important, not the fact that it is not complete.  So the goal now becomes revisiting what was started. 

One of my favorite people in history is Booker T. Washington. Born a slave who faced so many obstacles, he still sought and received an education, despite his circumstances. He could have easily given up. He could have created his own “unfinished business”, but that was not in the plan for his life.  Mr. Washington was a true believer in perseverance and hard work. His life and teachings were able to instill attitudes of strong work ethics and excellence to a generation after slavery ended in America.  Much of what he taught was inclined to reaching goals despite the obstacles one faces in life. 

So if you have some unfinished business lurking over you right now  that you want to complete, do what I plan to do. Pick yourself up, dust off, and do it again, or better yet, finish it.  The time and energy that I personally put into talking about it can equate time and energy in finishing the final product.  Do not let the delays or distractions become a dismissal of something you want to do.  Nike said it well, JUST DO IT! GOD said it even better in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me”. Take that statement and make what was unfinished into COMPLETED.

~Dr. Sunshine

May 6, 2013

“Worry and Stress, Go Away; Don’t Come back Any Day”

This has been a hard year! I don’t know about you, but for me, my family, some of my friends, and even a few co- workers, this year has brought some of the biggest challenges in our lives. From financial issues and job situations to marriage/relationship problems, many people have had so much going on in their lives that it feels like the walls are caving in on them. None of us are exempt from problems. Life has a way of coming at us at 100 mph, and sometimes we can’t keep up. I remember my Grandmother saying that sometimes life is like a “rat race”. I have never seen rats race before, but I assume that they must move very fast for my Grandmother to use this analogy. With all of LIFE’s Happenings, many of us may tend to worry or fret about things that often we have no control. Research has shown that one of the leading causes of major diseases comes from worry or stress. What is worry anyway? Worrying is feeling uneasy or being overly concerned about a situation or problem. With excessive worrying, our mind and body go into overdrive as we constantly focus on "what might happen." In the midst of excessive worrying, you may suffer with high anxiety -- even panic -- during waking hours. Ever wondered what may be causing that InSoMnIa that you may be experiencing at night? It could be excessive worry. Then what is stress? Stress comes from the demands and pressures we experience each day. Long lines at the grocery store, rush hour traffic, getting dinner ready, working overtime, a phone ringing nonstop, or a chronic illness are all examples of things that can cause stress on a daily basis. We all experience stress at some point in our lives. The key is how we deal with stress. Health professionals give us some key ways to help us deal with worry and stress. Things such as exercise, eating healthy, relaxing, limiting caffeine intake, and meditation are all great ways to deal with stress and worry. As I have dealt with my own episodes of worry and stress in my life this year, one of the things that I learned quickly was to take these two “things” [worry and stress] to God in prayer. HE has a 100% cure rate for getting rid of both, all their symptoms, and after effects. The scripture, Philippians 4: 4-7 has been the best anecdote for me in dealing with life’s issues. It states, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Every time I read this scripture and pray, I feel a calming peace of comfort that gives me assurance that everything will be just fine. It affirms my faith in my Maker that HE has all power to work whatever situation I am facing out in HIS time. Does it make the problems go away? No, not always, but it give me the ability to trust, believe, and have peace during the storm. So as we enter this last trimester of 2012, make it a point to worry less. When those things we cannot control come at us like a “rat race”, as my dear old Grandmother would say, or at 100mph, then we can use some of the tools above to deal with them. I am learning that when I trust God more and myself less, my problems don’t seem so big. I wish that we could just click our heels three times and say “worry and stress, go away; don’t come back any day.” I think that would be just awesome! Peace and Blessings~Dr. Sunshine 9/26/12