So what now

 I've been giving the question of "so what now" going over it with a fine tooth comb.  I've heard everything from mass protest, to boycotts of services online to just resigning to the new norm.  I was trying very hard with every fiber of my being to stay away from the subject of politics but at this point there seems no getting away from it.

Politics is getting ready to touch our lives in a deeply personal way.  There's simply no getting around it.  Like many of you, I've struggled with the "hows", "whats" and "whys" of it all.  Like it or not, we are in for a turbulent, chaotic next four years.

There's no getting around that either.

I often tell folks (or anyone that would listen) that I firmly believe that we have to go through the very worst to see us at our lowest point in humanity in order to get that much needed wake up call.  Some people are perfectly content viewing themselves as the only species that exists and everyone else can take a back seat because they personally don't give a damn about you. Those people need the wake up call because like it or not, the world does not evolve around them.

Others are content to just sit back remaining in a state of shock and inaction.  We don't know what to do to go on with the life we knew when the life we once knew is subject to change and spin out of control.

Others still are poised to fight.  They know that what is happening will not just impact themselves but their children, and quite possibly their grandchildren.  They know the world that they want to leave to them.  That vision is one where we actually see one another.  We acknowledge each other and believe that we can worship and love one another without meeting the criteria of sharing the same skin tone.

Above all, we value every human life where if one is harmed, all are harmed.  It takes a village to raise a child but it takes a 'hood to take care of and nurture each other...adults included.  Especially adults.

See, many folks are still angry even though their candidate won...and they are extremely glad that he will be inflicting pain on people that don't look like them.  Many will sit idly by watching as families are ripped apart.  They will watch as trans people are going to get repressed to the point of dying.  Rights will be stripped away from the average citizen and they will sit on the sidelines until the powers that be come for them.

And this will happen.  It just hasn't happened yet.

What we can do now is love one another and I mean truly love one another in a way that we've never loved before.  We have to start there.  Before we can take action, we have to allow ourselves to mourn, grieve and get caught up in our feelings.  Only after that can we begin to strategize and begin to mobilize as a unit to help ourselves because we realize that the cavalry isn't coming.

In my walk with God, I have to learn how to walk within myself just so that I can then walk with the folks that love me...and hopefully, one day that will include people that don't love me for whatever reason.

Now to the folks that are not angry but really, deeply hurt.

Now is the time for us to feel what we feel together.  We have to lift one another up because believe me, there will be a day when I will need you to lift this big black man up.  My shoulders are only so broad.

We need to ensure that each and every one of us are okay and whatever we may need in the moment, we know that we are in a safe enough space to receive it.  This is the gift of humanity.

Humanity is not lost as long as we remember that it still exists.  For others, it may have just taken a long vacation.  For now, it's okay.  It has to be.  But to keep our emotional and mental sanity, we acknowledge what has happened, and then we wrap ourselves around the real reason why we are upset.

It isn't because Kamala Harris lost.  Not completely.  It's what she represented.  We had hope.  We had the chance for equality.  We had the chance to live in a world that we really wanted to be a part of...a world where we were free to simply be and exist in our own skin and not have to worry that somehow we were going to pay a price for it.

And it's not like we can't have that world...we just won't be having it today.

So listen folks, love one another.  Cherish one another.  Be there for one another.  Listen to one another.  Respect one another.  Because this all come back to loving one another.

Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about.

~ J.L. Whitehead

Can we be better...or is it too late?

 So, we’re at the end of the year and as usual I am reflecting on what I’ve done.  I willingly admit that I, like all of us, am deeply flawed.  I mean, since we are human, none of us are infallible.  We make mistakes and we fall short although some of us will not lay claim to that.

Instead, we will point out the mistakes and missteps someone else has made in the hopes no one will see our own defects of character.  We will look away from the mirror held up to our face so we will not have to own the times we have fallen flat, struggling to regain footing all while hiding the pain we may be in because we have been hurt or worse, caused pain to someone else.

We put on the illusion of perfection because the world demands this of us.  It demands it so we can be perceived as strong, tough and able to ride the waves life throws at us no matter how rough the seas may be.

I have an idea of what it’s going to be like as we stand on the precipice of a seismic shift in political and social norms that is all but certain to overtake us.  We will see the very worst in folks because we are imperfect.  But we will also see the very best in people.

At least this is what I hope and believe with every fiber of my being.

Trying to be the best version of ourselves is what we all should be striving to be.  And maybe most of us are.  But the road to being the best of us may take longer for some and shorter for others.  We can’t judge someone else’s journey.  We only hope that they will reach the destination of being someone that can live harmoniously with others and the universe in kind as it was meant to be.

Many are of the mindset that it’s going to be bad for some.  And no doubt it will be.  But as Harriet Tubman led slaves to freedom, there will be those willing to stand up and love their neighbor as themselves, leading them to emotional, mental and physical safety.

This is not to denigrate anyone, especially those that we can be perceived as bad because we cannot walk in anyone else’s shoes besides our own.  Everyone’s life journey is deeply personal.  We can only hope they reach the destination of peace, love and understanding…or at least enough of us so that we can coincide in the same space without fear, trepidation and suspicion.

But we have become a nation that is obsessed with power, money, possessions and physical beauty…all things that can be taken away in the blink of an eye.  We have willingly exchanged humility for arrogance, generosity for greed, and empathy for indifference.  We are consumed with having more at anyone’s expense and the most important thing to us is our personal bottom line and to be damned with how that may adversely impact someone else.

But while we cannot be perfect, we can be better…but to be better we must first acknowledge our imperfections because it is only in doing that will we be able to see where we are flawed so that we can fix the proverbial problem.  This is not to say that we will be perfect because perfection is not the end game.  The journey is just in being better.

So, here’s to being better in 2025.

~ J.L. Whitehead

 

 

 

Keep Grinding

 

I’ve been away for a minute now.  For those of you that hung around, I am grateful.  For those of you who have moved on, I do not blame you since blogs are about continuity and engagement…both of which I’ve allowed to slide between my fingers temporarily.

This is for my creative family; folks that love to write, create art, music and act.  We are a demographic that must persevere even when life hands us criticism from those who we hold dear.  While we continue to push even when we get the wind knocked out of us, our desire to obtain the recognition (which includes monetary reward) will always burn inside of us fueling our innate longing to keep grinding until we reach our goal.

 Sometimes that goal is far away and feels like you are looking up a mountain with you being at the base wondering if you have all the tools needed to climb it.  For others, we may be at the midway point and we’re wondering what’s the next step we need to take to get to the top.

And then there are the missteps that causes us to lose our footing, forcing us to take a few steps back and plot our next move forward.

I’ve given myself the pep talk which often includes the words, “Failure is not an option.”  I am still giving myself that pep talk.  It is continuous because while I am grateful for the people that came into my professional life, I have received more people that wish to pick my pockets clean in offering me services that I can only assume are the magic bullet to propel me into the next phase of my writing career.

I do not give myself enough credit for what I have achieved to date.  I entered the writing industry with nothing and continue to navigate these waters…sometimes with ease, other times with hesitancy and trepidation.  It comes with the territory.

Admittedly, sometimes I cannot see the forest through the trees.  I am extremely proud of all what I’ve accomplished in the thirteen years that I made my mark and decided that this is the industry that I want to be a part of.

My hope is to continue climbing the literary mountain until I have reached the peak where I can lay camp and just enjoy the view.  I encourage all of you to do the same as I know you will because, “Failure is not an option.”

~ J.L. Whitehead

 

The Legacy Diner

 

Everyone has a favorite place they like to eat and/or hangout at…literally.  We associate these places with pleasant memories.  Maybe you celebrated a milestone birthday, an engagement or an anniversary.  Maybe your favorite spot is a place to take the family for a night out to give mom the evening off from cooking.

The Legacy Diner

 

 

 

Whatever the reason, we all have such a place, and I am here to tell you about mine.  But before I do I want to tell you why this place is special to me.  When I came across this diner several years ago, I thought that it would be a good place to have a good meal and leave.  It was convenient and it wasn’t far from where I lived.  The people that owned the place were nice enough.  The waiters and waitresses were kind, courteous and the food was pretty good.  I normally stopped in for brunch after church and soon after started to develop relationships with the owners and the staff. 

This establishment became a place that I thoroughly enjoy coming to.  As I struck up conversations with the waitresses which almost always resulted in smiles and laughter, I became hooked.  Their    desserts are amazing with something for everyone that happens to have a sweet tooth.

Nick

 

But what exceeds the friendliness of the staff is the food.  The food is exceptional!

As a result, this Greek family-owned and operated establishment is one of my favorites.  Nestled between Audubon and Oaklyn New Jersey, this five star eatery will always be a favorite of mine.  

Beautiful Souls

 

The restaurant is located at 136 S White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ 08106.

For additional information, please go their website listed below where you can see their menu:

https://thelegacydinernj.com/

        The smiles are authentic:

Kate

Nina

 

Carol

Sammi and Carol

                                       

  The Legacy Diner

Welcome to Legacy Diner, located in Audubon, NJ, where tradition meets innovation for an unforgettable dining experience. Our diverse menu offers a range of classic comfort food and modern dishes, prepared by our talented chefs using the finest ingredients. Whether you’re craving breakfast favorites, mouthwatering burgers, succulent steaks, or fresh seafood, we have something to satisfy every palate.

Cathy

 Step into our warm and inviting ambiance, inspired by classic diners, and enjoy personalized service from our attentive staff. We cater to families and groups of all sizes, providing a family-friendly environment where everyone feels welcome. Our commitment to using local ingredients ensures that each dish bursts with fresh flavors, supporting our local farmers and producers. 

 

From the moment you arrive until you leave, we are here to ensure you feel valued and cared for. Experience the perfect blend of tradition, quality, and remarkable flavors. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time guest, we invite you to join our diner family and create cherished memories with us. Come and indulge in the magic of Legacy Diner in Audubon, NJ.

Their cheesecakes are so good!

The staff is phenomenal with genuine smiles filled with a sense that they truly enjoy working at such a fine establishment.

 

Lemon Cheese Cake

 

 

  

Sammie and Papi

Some more delicacies

Charlies Angels

Patrons Rocky and Carolyn

Sandra, Steve and Oscar

 

 

This truly is the place to go!  If you live in the vicinity (or even if you don't) this is the place to check out.

I would put their food up against any top notch restaurant in the South Jersey area.  One visit and you will be hooked!

Rachel

Lisa

Brandy

 

            

George