by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

What happens to a dream deferred? This poem has been on my mind all night. It’s meaning has been plaguing my spirit for some time now. I read some different commentary on it’s meaning but I want to share my own.

The poem does not answer the question but creates a negative visual through more questions and a maybe. And therefore answers the question for me. A dream deferred is going to do something!

It may change it’s form but the awareness does not go away.

When my dream is out in the open for all to see, and I do nothing with it, my spirit hardens and becomes infected with all sorts of maladies.

And a sick spirit is infectious like a sore that runs, so I’m affecting and infecting those around me and my attitude definitely stinks.

And as I let my dream sit, the once complimentary components begin to separate and all that is apparent is the dream no longer appears as attractive or possible.

Most times, it is a heavy load in my life because I see others pursuing their dreams and bringing them to fruition.

I believe the outcome is ambiguous depending on my perspective. The dream deferred either explodes in destruction and I am left with the pieces of what could have been, or,

The dream deferred explodes into existence, breaking through all the barriers and obstacles and thereby becoming even stronger and more resistant to trials.

I am at the explosion point and I refuse to live with the haunting thoughts that I didn’t try my best to pursue my dream.

What I have today is a choice. As a kid I remember taking the “shortcut” to get somewhere and because I practiced that for so long, I still attempt to find “shortcuts”. I’ve learned that there are no shortcuts to success. I will miss a necessary ingredient if I don’t make the choice to be thorough and consistent.

Thanks for reading and sharing in this with me.

Peace.

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I am surrounded by special people but my perspective can be clouded by my prejudice and profiling.

I work in a store and the regulars that frequent the store have seemed to change since I’ve been working there. That’s partially true, but more so, my perspective of them has changed.

The more I interact with them and let go of my preconceived notions, the more I am able to recognize and appreciate their qualities.

I am broadening my life experience by growing through the limitations of my past; most of them self-imposed.

And in doing so, I’m developing new relationships as well as the opportunity to encounter more Don’t Forget Abouts… people.

I wasn’t fully aware of how deeply ingrained my prejudice has been and how quickly I dismiss people based on their features, clothes or how they walked and talked.

Although it’s scary and uncomfortable, each time I embrace an interaction that would not have happened in the past, it is a rewarding experience.

And I am blessed with the opportunity to see how our world is full of Don’t Forget Abouts… people when I take the time and make the effort to acknowledge them as such.

Thanks for reading and sharing in this with me and remember…

Don’t Forget About Don’t Forget Abouts…for the people you will never forget.

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for the people we will never forget

At it again, working late, learning and seeking more direction in where to go with this site. I have enough Don’t Forget Abouts… people in my life to post for years. But that would limit the exposure of some wonderful people to only those that have influenced my life.

The past two posts have inspired me to open this up to everyone. Even though one of them was about my cousin, I realize there were people that knew him in a way that I never did. He is unforgettable in my life but also in many others. And I learned some things from other people’s perspective of him. And it has enhanced my outlook on life and desire to grow.

Derrion Albert’s life and death have motivated me in another way. How come it took for him to die to receive such widespread recognition? He was a young man striving to be better. Striving to rise above mediocrity and fitting in with the crowd.

Let’s also honor those that are living and allow their lives and accomplishments to be an inspiration to our lives!

We get an opportunity to see the most popular people in our various forms of media. But what about those that only a few of us may know? It’s time to expose those special people that may be labeled “common folk” to the rest of the world.

So send me your Don’t Forget Abouts…people, to be posted here. Let me know what makes them unforgettable. Share with all of us how this person has contributed to changing your life and others.

In honor of the people you will never forget, send me your Don’t Forget Abouts…people by way of my Contact page. On the subject line please put: My Don’t Forget Abouts person and in Your Message, a brief description of that person. I will reply to you and we will go from there.

It’s my hope to present as many of our Don’t Forget Abouts…people  as possible, living or passed away, so that their accomplishments, generosity, wisdom and overall humanitarianism reach just that many more people.

I look forward to hearing from you all and I’m extremely excited to see how this evolves. I don’t have a structured outline for this to fit into, it will be created and molded as we go and grow!

But like every journey I’ve ever taken, the first step is the most important! Once I take that first step, the next one presents itself.

So join me in recognizing the Don’t Forget Abouts…people of the world! Those we will never forget, and now, neither will anyone else who reads about them!

Thank you for reading and sharing in this with me. Peace.

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