inspirations ‘If only…’
By Derek Smith 2 Corinthians 8:10-11: “And
herein I give my advice; for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a perfor- mance also out of that which ye have.”
Have you ever noticed how
the Bible seems to cover every life situation a person can possibly face? It advises how to be a good husband or wife, and how to effectively parent. It champions the wisdom of education, the benefits of health care, and the prudence of financial restraint. It covers having respect for one’s elders, as well as the laws of the land. It also talks about today’s topic, which is learning to live life in such a way as to avoid having regrets.
The fact is we all experi-
ence regret in life, and if you haven’t, rest assured it’s only because you have yet to live long enough. Contrary to popular belief, most regrets are not the result of things we’ve done. Rather, our deep- est regrets usually tend to spring forth from things we’ve left undone. These are the “I would’ve, should’ve, could’ves’ of life.
Proverbs 13:12: “Hope de-
ferred maketh the heart sick; but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
Caring Kids, a 26-year-old Derek Smith Let’s face it. Most of us go
through the vast majority of our lives doing the things we have to do instead of the things we want to do. Now I know some of that’s part of the deal of being an adult. But when you go through an entire life having never fulfilled even one of your most ardent dreams or goals, it tends to leave a bitter taste not only in your mouth, but also your heart. Even the Bible says that a dream un- fulfilled will eventually make the heart grow ill. That’s one reason why some folks go through life with a perpetually bad attitude. They’re living a totally unfulfilled life.
If you want more out of
life, if you want the happiness that seems to allude most, if you want to quench the thirst of unrequited desire rum- bling in your spirit, you have to heed God’s advice and get about doing what’s been left undone.
What do you desire, but have
yet to start pursuing? What’s on your list of things to ac- complish before you “kick the bucket” (hence, the “bucket list”) that you just never seem to get around to doing?
There’s a reason why cer-
tain ideas remain in our spirit even though we ignore them and put them off like an unde- sired suitor. That stirring you feel, that desire you can’t seem to shake, it’s your destiny call- ing.
It’s God trying to get your
attention so that He can place you in the path of prosperity He crafted for you since before the beginning of the world. But you have to do your part. You have to get about the busi- ness of “doing.”
A successful life can be
measured in many ways, and one of them is determined by how few “If only’s” are attrib- utable to your life. “If only I’d have done this.” “If only I would have tried that.” While you can’t change your bleak yesterdays, you certainly can be the architect of your bright tomorrows. But in order to do so, you have to get rid of the “If Only’s.” Success is as close as your desire to live in such a way that ensures you never again have to utter two of the saddest words known to man. ‘If only’ you would do it.
Derek Smith is a Christian
freelance writer, speaker and columnist. He can be reached at
divine.connection@yahoo. com.
Caring Kids holding 20th annual beauty pageant For more detailed informa-
nonprofit organization, is sponsoring its 20th annual Miss Charity Rose Beauty Pag- eant Spring 2011 at the South- field Embassy Suites Hotel. All pageant proceeds feed the homeless community and Adopt-A-Family Christmas pro-
Detroit Edison
tree-trimming Detroit Edison line-clear-
ance crews worked in 45 Southeastern Michigan com- munities in May and June, continuing their year-round effort to maintain service re- liability by keeping trees and branches away from power lines.
“We trim trees for two very
important reasons – to ensure our customers have depend- able electric service and to prevent safety hazards,” said Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president of Distribution Operations. “By maintaining a 10-foot clearance between tree branches and our power lines, we can significantly reduce tree-related power outages.”
Tree interference is respon-
sible for about two-thirds of the power outages that occur during storms. That’s why Detroit Edison employs more than 500 professional tree trimmers to maintain the esti- mated 3.5 million trees in its service territory.
The company’s tree-trim-
ming crews follow Interna- tional Society of Arboriculture standards to maintain the health of trees. The company has received the National Tree Line USA Award for quality tree care for 15 consecutive years.
“Our goals are to keep cus-
tomers’ trees alive, healthy and out of harm’s way,” said Dow. “The directional prun- ing method we use removes only the branches that pose a threat to power lines, and helps ensure that future growth is directed away from power lines. After we trim, trees are less susceptible to disease and insect problems, and because they’re stronger, they’re more resistant to high winds and heavy ice.”
Detroit Edison removes
from customer property the small branches and debris that result from its tree trim- ming work. Larger trimmed branches are cut into firewood length and left behind for cus- tomer use or disposal. Detroit Edison will not, however, remove diseased tree debris.
Debris caused by a severe
storm also is not removed. In the aftermath of a storm, De- troit Edison crews must work quickly to remove downed wire hazards and restore power to thousands of customers. They will cut broken and uprooted trees in order to reach lo- cations that need repair. In such emergency situations, customers are advised to con- tact their local Department of Public Works, trash collector or a professional tree-removal company for advice on dispos- ing of debris.
Customers are responsible
for keeping tree branches away from their service drops, the lines that run from utility poles to their homes.
LADY DELORES MAY, con- ference chair.
LADY ALMA STALLWORTH, PhD, president, Cite’ d’etroit Chapter.
Top Ladies of Distinction holding Leadership conference in November
Thirteen chapters of Top
Ladies of Distinction, repre- senting Ohio, Indiana, Ken- tucky and Michigan, will con- vene at its 36th Leadership Conference at the Southfield Westin on Nov. 11. The Cite’ d’etroit Chapter will serve as host along with other local chapters — Renaissance, De- troit, and Michigan Metro.
The conference will provide
Mattie Huckaby celebrates 90 years
Mrs. Mattie B. Huckaby was
born Aug. 29,1920 in Dawson, Georgia. She has two chil- dren, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Her favorite television show is “Two and a Half Men” and she loves word fill puzzles.
Mattie B. Huckaby
‘Jazz Comes Back to Church’ The historic People’s Com-
munity Church cordially in- vites the community to join it as it proudly presents “Jazz Comes Back to Church,” a concert celebrating jazz’s roots to Black sacred music.
The event is scheduled for
Sunday, Sept. 19, 4-6 p.m., at the church.
The musical extravaganza
will feature examples of eight styles of jazz: gospel, big band (“swing”), be-bop, cool, free (avant-garde), fusion, con- temporary and smooth jazz.
Featured artists are: RYZ
(pronounced “Rise”); Gerard Gibbs, keyboards; Perry Hughes, guitar; Carl Holmes, bass; Ron Otis, drums; Darryl Duncan, trumpet; and Bruce Cobb, percussion.
Tickets are $20, children
under 12, free. People’s Community Church
is located at 8601 Woodward Ave., just north of the New Center area. For more informa- tion contact the church office, weekdays except Tuesday at (313) 871-4676.
The Rev. Dr. Martin E. Bolton is senior minister.
‘Storytellers Gone Wild’ The Detroit Association of
Black Storytellers Inc. pres- ents “Storytellers Gone Wild,” Sept. 10-12, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The week- end of storytelling and work- shops will feature a Friday night concert with Oba Wil- liam King, the poetic story- teller, and several free events on Saturday. These include
Plan A - Inside Cabin
$1099.00 Per Person/Double Occupancy Plan B Oceanview/Balcony
$1249.00 Per Person/Double Occupancy
workshops and special activi- ties for all chapter delegate members including the Top Teen Chapters. This year’s theme is “Spotlighting An Im- pressive Past...Blazing New Trails for Leadership Develop- ment.” Lady Veronica Nesbitt is Area V TLOD director.
For additional information call (313) 285-9234.
20th Annual Michigan Chronicle Join Our Exciting Cruise Getaway On Royal Caribbean’s
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Payment of $250.00 Per Person Non-Refundable Deposit Due Immediately (Checks, Money Orders for 1st Deposit) $100.00 Non-Refundable Deposit
Royal Promenade (Shops, Bars, Cafe, Men’s Salon, Photo Gallery Boardwalk (Aqua Theater, Carousel, Ice Cream Parlor, Boardwalk Bar, Tattoo Parlor, Donut & Candy shops, Seafood Shack) Pool & Sports Zone (2 flowRiders, Zip Line, Miniature Golf Course, Sports court, Rock climbing walls, Aqua park (pool by day- theater by night
Sports Pool for lap swimming, Main Pool, Solarium, 10 whirlpools Entertainment Place (Casino, Night Clubs, Theaters)
The Ship is a destination by itself
workshops, show and tell ex- hibits, open mic story swap, audience participation with instruments, and games.
Sunday will be grandpar-
ents’ day, with a concert fea- turing storytellers. There is a cost for the concerts on Friday and Sunday. For more infor- mation, call (313) 442-3227.
VIP Party On Board Plus More!!! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL
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gram assisting families with children in need.
Girls ages 2 to16 are wel-
come to participate. All partic- ipants receive a personalized trophy and gift bag. Pageant registration is Saturday, Sept. 18.
tion and to register, contact Mrs. Watkins at (313) 614- 8675. Visit online at
www.car-
ingkids.org, e-mail rwatkins@
caringkids.org or write at PO Box 23161, Detroit, MI 48223.
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
September 1-7, 2010 Page B-3 For the last few months,
I have been extremely busy. Unfortunately, I missed a few articles, and I found out how many people read “Memory Train.” It is indeed a plea- sure to have so many readers throughout this country. I am just a conduit of information that is not known by many or information that has been totally been forgotten. I will continue to try to introduce these people today’s world.
Baseball players such as
as Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Satch- el Paige are familiar to ev- eryone. Unfortunately, Josh Gibson, who was possibly the greatest hitter of all time. is not.
destroyed the Negro League as the top Black player moved on to the Major League Base- ball. Many good players were left behind because of the quota system. Or they were considered too old. Many of these so-called “too old” play- ers were better than many of the White Major League play- ers.
Surprisingly, one of
those players left behind was a woman named Mamie “Peanut” Johnson. So let’s hop on the “Memory Train going back to Ridgeway, South Carolina, Sept. 27, 1835.
As a child, Mamie had to
make her own baseballs. She did this by taking a rock and wrapping it really tight with twine, then she sewed the end and wrapped the whole thing in tape. She was discov- ered at Rosedale playground in Washington, DC, by Bish Tyson, a baseball scout who would watch her play. How- ever, he did not sign her up until she was 18 years old.
When Mamie was 19, she
signed with the Indianapolis Clowns. While playing in Bir- mingham, Alabama, one of
Unfortunately, integration Hugh Burrell
the opposing players asked her, “How do you expect to strike anybody out? You are no bigger than a peanut.” She ended up striking him out and the nickname “Peanut” stuck with her the rest of her career.
Johnson became one of
three women to play profes- sional men’s baseball in the Negro League. She loved trav- eling around the country, even though life was hard for these players. Many hotels were off- limits and many restaurants would not serve Black people. Instead of staying in hotels or barns with the men, the team arranged for her to stay in people’s homes.
While playing for the
Clowns, she became friends with the legendary Satchel Paige, who taught her how to throw “a wicked curve ball.” Due to an arm injury, John- son only played three years. Nevertheless, her record as a pitcher was 38 wins and only six defeats. She did get the opportunity to pitch at the famous ball parks like Yankee Stadium. Comiskey Park and
Mamie ‘Peanut’ Johnson The Memory Train
Griffith Stadium. In her biography, “A Strong
Right Arm,” she stated, “Ma- ma never mentioned it. but I’m sure I was born with a baseball in my hand.” John- son is keeping the legacy alive by touring the country. It is great to keep Black his- tory alive.
Thank you, Mamie “Pe-
anut” Johnson, for rid- ing “The Memory Train.”
Some of my spiritual infor-
mation is due to a long list of preachers in my family tree. My grandfather on my moth- er’s side was a preacher, my dad’s father was a preacher, my father-in-law was a Bap- tish preacher and presently, my son Caleb is a Baptist min- ister. I guess that is why none of my shoes have in holes in them — I have a lot of “sole savers” in the family.
Even though I am not a
minister, I sometimes feel a spiritual quote coming out. So here are some of my mes- sages.
• Don’t wait for the hearse to take you to church.
• Life has many choices. Eter- nity has two. What’s yours?
• Prevent “truth” decay, brush up on your Bible.”
• Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due.
• It’s hard to stumble when you are down on your knees.
• What part of “thou shalt not” don’t you understand?
• Bank One isn’t the only saving place.
• A clear conscience makes a soft pillow.”
Until next week. I’ll plant U
now and dig U later. Peace and chicken grease. Hugh Burrell can be con-
tacted at (313) 872-3437 and
Hughburrell@aol.com.
Great Lakes Chapter of The Links, Inc. hosts fundraising ‘Evening of All Stars’
The Great Lakes Chapter
of the Links, Inc. will host an “Evening of All Stars” to raise funds for the historic Cecilia- ville Athletic Center, on Sat- urday, Sept. 11, at Cobo Hall from 7 to 11 p.m. Mayor Dave
Bing will serve as honorary chair for the event. Legendary Piston announcer and former Piston standout Greg Kelser will serve as the master of ceremonies. There is a cost to attend. The event will feature
a strolling buffet, entertain- ment and dancing.
Proceeds will help renovate
the Ceciliaville Athletic Center on behalf of Detroit’s youth.
For more information, call (248) 633-2814.
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