Who Have You Inspired Today?

This blog is important to me.  As I took a job at a local call center here in Houston to earn money while waiting to find something better I realized that I had not been doing the job I was supposed to do and that was INSPIRE people to be better, do better, and want more.  As one of the supervisors came in and spoke with us about the upward mobility of the job the first thing he said was, "do you see the kind of car I drive?"  The reason this bothered me so much was because it was a white male speaking to a group of African Americans.   I became infuriated because I thought how dare you sit here and sell MY PEOPLE a pipe dream.  Many of these people eyes lit up because he drove the BRAND NEW BLACK CADILLAC with the rims.  Why don't you explain your financial security? 401(k) plan? Health insurance?  Is this what us African Americans have sold our souls for a NEW BLACK CADILLAC...  or a new car period or material things?  Do not misread what I am reading there is nothing wrong with material gain but why accept it now when there is something much better out there.

The comments I made to my coworkers was, "yes he has a nice car but what is his living situation.?"  "How good is his credit?"  "How much is in his bank account on reserve?"  The eyes of my co-workers lit up in amazement because someone spoke out against the BLACK CADILLAC.  Then they begin to ask me questions that would help them in the long run.  What can I do?  I don't want to be in school for four years what else can I do?  Even by doing a role play where I made them play professionals I saw the inspiration they received by knowing that it is possible.  My partner began saying after the role play I am going to do this and this and this.  It made me feel that maybe just by planting a seed someone might see their way out of the call center.  So my question to you is "Who have you inspired today?"

Many people who are reading my blog are colleagues, classmates, and friends of mine who are on their career path and who are truly blessed.  So why have you not shared your blessings, your struggle, and your story to help uplift someone else?  Many of use live inspired lives without the inspiration.  Dreams and aspirations of generations of family members who could not be in the position we are today.  And no you did not make here alone! Along with God someone helped inspire you to get where you are today, whether it was a parent, a pastor, a friend, a relative, or anyone else someone inspired you to be better, do better, and want more.  So why are we so selfish when its our turn to inspire someone?  Are we too caught up in our own success to motivate someone else to become successful.  I call it inspirational neglect because you killed the inspiration and motivation someone gave you and instead of passing it on. 

My people, my people we have come too far to accept or let someone accept the pipe dream.  As I conclude remember God blessed you to be an inspiration to others.  So make sure that everyday God allows you to be on this earth, that you inspire at least 2 people a day.  So stop loathing in your own success and find someone to inspire.  This is the challenge I pose to everyone who reads this blog.

J Kelly