The Community

As I laid in bed my mind began to seek solutions to the disconnect we have as a society. Without stating the obvious and relying only on the history of my ancestors and forefathers I sought more answers. This led me to wonder at what point did the word, "community" become heavily race based? Has social capital: one in which the individual person, rather than the group, become primary?

As an African American who grew up in a neighborhood that included other races, were they not apart of the "community". Attending schools and universities that included different races where in some I was the majority and in others I was the minority was I still not apart of the "community"? As someone who has resided in different parts of the country where other races also resided were we not a "community"? As an educator who has served on campuses full of different races were we and are we not a "community"?

This week observing a world of different races protesting together to stop social injustices that are primarily occurring to one race at a high level gives me hope. It gives me hope that the word, "community" can get back to meaning a group of people that care about each other and feel they belong together. A group of people that care about the same goal. More than anything a group of people who have trusted relationships with each other.

I feel communities should address one of the most fundamental human needs: we want to be loved, we don’t want to be lonely and we want to know that we belong somewhere. When people care about each other, they develop trust. And trust unlocks love, collaboration, sharing, support, hope, safety and much more.

I do believe communities can still have different and shared goals as well. For example, the internal purpose of a community (we take care of each other) and the external purpose (we have a collective goal) can create positive change. I believe that every community needs to have an internal purpose first, to truly function as a community. However, without strong leadership, unbiased trust and healthy relationships this connection and transformation cannot happen.

As I close I reflected on the song, "We Are One" by Frankie Beverly and Maze and the lyrics:

"We are one no matter what we do, We are one love will see us through, We are one and that's the way it is."

Praying for Us All

#BlackLivesMatter
#AllLivesMatter
#PeaceAndLove4All
#SocialJusticeForAll
#OthersWillNotice

The Tea Cup of Life by Dr. Marco Walder

As I woke this morning a thanked God for allowing me to see another day I began my morning regime. I filled my lovely stainless steel tea pot with water and placed it on the stove. I turned on the back burner and set the temperature to high.

I continued my morning regime and after a few minutes I could hear a soft whistle from the tea pot. As a few more minutes passed by the soft whistling sound from the tea pot became stronger. I ventured back into the kitchen and removed the tea pot from the heated burner and placed it on a burner that was not turned on.

I grabbed my favorite coffee cup, a healthy green tea bag, and honey for sweetener. I began to pour the hot water into my coffee cup and I could see the steam from the water escaping from the tea pot and evaporating into the air. I squeezed approximately 4 tablespoons of honey into the hot water and stirred the water until the honey mixed in. I finally dropped the green tea bag into the coffee cup and let it seep. While the tea bag seeped and released antioxidants and other nutritious elements I continued to get ready for school.

As I continued to groom myself I began to reflect on how this simple process of making tea in the morning applies to several aspects in our lives. A tea pot symbolizes us as people, the human body. God created us as human beings and gave us a body that is built to withstand the external and internal pressures of life.

God also pours inside us water which serves as our foundation and holder of the gifts and talents He has blessed us with. The desire for success, our passion and purpose, combined with our attitude, drive, and hard-work warms the gifts and talents that live inside us.

Overtime, similar to the tea pot our life whistle begins to echo louder and louder each day. However, our tea cup of life is not quite ready to be served. We need those key ingredients to give us those nutrients to help those gifts and talents God has placed within us to sweeten our tea. In life these key ingredients and nutrients are our successes and failures that we experience daily.

Just like finding the brand and flavor of tea you enjoy, along with how much honey to add, this takes time. You have to try a little more or maybe a little less in order to find the perfect combination that speaks to your taste buds. Nevertheless, these processes take time. In life finding the right career, the right person, the right car, or the right dress takes time.

You must be willing to fail just as much as you are desiring to succeed. I found the right combination and I was able to combine all the ingredients and create a delicious morning beverage that gives my body what it needs to start my day.

Do not forget, I also allowed my tea to cool before I took my first sip so I would not burn myself. In life just because something seems to “come together” as you like it, take your time and make sure you are ready to enjoy those flavorful combinations God has allowed you to birth. Just as I continued to get ready for school while my tea was seeping continue to grow in other areas of your life that will allow your tea to support you throughout your life journey.

Finally, sit with God an sip your nourishing tea cup of life daily and allow it to warm your soul and provide a nutritious boost to your faith which will allow you to believe daily that your goal in life will and can come true.

Be Alright by Dr. Marco Walder

When life brings darkness, I will have the courage to be the light, as I hear Dr. King say to me, I will be alright.

I will not be afraid to rise high like a kite, as I hear Maya Angelou say to me, I will be alright.

For peace and love I will not fear putting up a fight, as I hear Malcolm X say to me, I will be alright.

When my talent and abilities are over shadowed, and my color is the only thing in sight, as I hear Jackie Robinson say to me, I will be alright.

As present and future generations seek to appeal injustices that only offer exclusive rights, as I hear Rosa Parks say to me I, will be alright.

When thorns of hatred try to create an image that can only do wrong and no right, as I hear Barack Obama say to me, I will be alright.

No matter what comes my way I have the power to say, I will be alright.

- Click on the link below to wactch 3rd grader Braylon Scott perform this poem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIcuSqZ1hng

Safe Than Sorry

In life we have been taught it is better to be "safe than sorry" and that is true for most situations you will encounter. However, it is better to be "sorry rather than safe" for choosing to chase those dreams and goals you desire to achieve.

Always choosing to be "safe than sorry" can possibly prevent you from taking a chance on an opportunity you may never get again. Or giving a person a chance who may not look like a winner in the present, yet their potential, drive, and  ambition could prove otherwise.

This way of thinking can also prevent you from being "thankful and appreciative" for simply having the opportunity to walk in a path that God has created specifically for you. This mindset could prevent you from stepping out on faith and risking it all which could hinder you from breaking down a wall of obstacles in order to reach the outbreak God has for you on the other side.

Live life, be a risk taker, and more than anything believe what is for you will be for you no matter what man may say because He's mighty and with Him you can do all things!! - Dr. Walder

The Education World

Over the many years and stops during my instructional journey I have learned several life lessons. One thing that stands out is many in education have the desire to help kids succeed, yet they commit to doing anything possible to help another fellow educator fail.

Maybe this is because this person is able to build a relationship with kids that they cannot. Is it because they believe test scores confirm who is the best teacher? Maybe this is because this person has attained a higher level of education. It could be because this individual has a position you feel they should not have for whatever reason.

Nevertheless, wishing failure on another fellow coworker will not support the ultimate goal. Instead be the voice that helps them grow. Be the voice that shows them the right way. Be the voice that talks them up before you talk them down.

In order for the kids to learn how to love and understand one another the adults must learn how to love and understand one another and then show it. We are stronger together verses being apart. At the end of the day accolades, degrees, and treasured experiences have no value if the knowledge and information gained is not shared in a cultivating manner.

Dr. Walder

Check Your Connection

Often times connections are not made because we focus more on why it cannot and should not happen instead of why it can and should happen.

The reason why electrical power will never transfer from the same side is because electrical power needs that opposite side to create a chemical reaction that alters the chemical makeup and with the help of a few electrons it ultimately forces both sides, the negative and the positive to work together to create power also known as change.

However, if we never get that other side that is probably why certain aspects of our life will always seem like there is no power when in actuality we may just need to check our connections and also use that other side.

Dr. Marco Walder

Need Math Tutoring??...

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The Student-Athlete

Know The Rules

Calling all Summer Camps, Athletic Organizations, and Student-Athlete Educational Institutions who may be looking to learn more. I am Dr. Marco Walder and I am ready to come to a location near you absolutely FREE to share useful information.

"Know The Rules" is an impactful movement created to share valuable knowledge and current information to assist student-athletes of all ages as they continue to take those necessary steps to one day become a Collegiate Student-Athlete.

Like, Share, and Tag all Athletic Coach's, Athletic Director's, Academic Counselor's, Booster Club's or anyone who may be interested in providing me 15-30 minutes to motivate and share this FREE information. Thank you in advance for your support!!

For more information or to book Dr. Marco Walder inbox or email me at info@otherswillnotice.com

The Educator - Removing Race from the Race

Over the past 14 few years in education I have learned a few things about life, myself and the career path that I have chosen. It seems like yesterday I was an enthusiastic young man fresh out of college looking to coach and save a race by educating one “black kid” at a time. Ironically, my first teaching position led me to a school whose demographics was composed of only 13% black students. This was an instant culture shock and truly tested my desires and passion to be an educator. This also challenged my belief’s because I knew God had chosen me to be a “Black Educator” with the understanding of being a “black educator” meant that I was destined to be there for my people, to uplift my people, to be a voice of reason for my, black people.

However, over the course of those 14 years later I have learned that I am not a “Black Educator”, meaning a black teacher whose main purpose is to teach black people. I am an Educator with the understanding that my mission is to educate everyone regardless of race. This means no matter what race enters my classroom it is my duty as an educator to give my all daily to ensure that each student has the opportunity to learn and grow under my care.

Many may take the term “Black Educator” to mean you are a black individual who simply educates and that too is correct. I have just taken it upon myself to remove race and by not excluding a race from having an opportunity to win the race. All kids are not the same, all races are not the same, however we all need to be educated and even that will not be the same. As an educator smiles will come and smiles will go. Kids will transfer that will make tears come from the lids of the toughest of eyes. Each and every school year, the love you give, the time you sacrifice, and the little things you do will serve as reminders of why you do what you do. These blessing will surface as the days become long and the journey grows tiresome. However, we cannot quit because someone’s heart depends on us, someone’s mind is waiting for us, someone’s spirit cannot be uplifted by no one, but us and educator.

More than anything to be able to visualize each student as an individual you have the opportunity to mold and cultivate on a daily basis is priceless. It is natural to want more for you own kind, however become the educator who wants more for all and then you are truly an educator who is Color Blind.

LATE NIGHT THINKING ♀

Often times growing "numb" to a certain situation or to a particular person helps you more than not. Many man view this as a way of showing that you have given up, threw in the towel, or quit. However, others may view this as a sign that you have finally decided to move out of the way and let God do what God does.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble.

Remember what God has for you no on can take it away. So do all that you can and allow Him to do what you can't. Many times it is God applying that extra "pressure" that you will not apply to yourself so that you can grow, regain your focus and continue to strive to do those things Others Will Notice that will allow you to

Be Great!!

Stay Focused

Over the course of your life you will encounter situations, people, and obstacles that you just simply won't understand. These later become better known as "why's" or "how's".

Nevertheless, always remember SQUARES were not meant to fit into CIRCLES.

So don't waste time trying to convince people to want something that obviously they don't want for themselves. Avoid situations that require you to always be the "ground breaker" or the "initiator" because over time that responsibility can wear you down.

Strive to gravitate to those individuals with similar desires, mindsets, and wants and watch how you can put yourself in healthy situations that are designed to build you up instead of tearing you down.

Be Great!!

Happy Valentines Day 2016

Happy Valentines Day ♥

Valentine’s Day, the day of love, romance, passion, and heartfelt gestures. Love is something created over time which has to be birthed, nurtured, and built together with someone of a similar mindset. As we embark on another day where love will reign supreme let us remember the reason why we truly love the one we are with. 

For those of us who will be celebrating this day allow this day to help you grow closer to your mate. Allow this time to create a void in you that seeks to learn more about your mate, to care more, to give more, and more importantly to love more. Having someone to love is something many desire, yet are not truly committed to work for. I reminisce over those clichés that many use to depict being committed to a relationship. Whether it is the one about the grass not being greener on the other side or the one that reminds us that someone else’s trash may very well be someone else’s treasure. Whichever deems appropriate allow it to remind you that home is what you and yours make it and the only way your home can be destroyed is if you and your mate allow it to be.

So continue to create a loving bond that will spread across the world. No one ever said it would be easy and I haven’t read a manual that says you will not go through tough times. Nevertheless remember if it was easy everyone would be able to do it.

For those of us who will be spending this Valentine’s Day without that special person in their life don’t fret, be expectant because the love of your life is just someone you have not met. - @MRWEOWN

Excerpt from the upcoming book release - Life Lines

"Always remember TIME runs out on everyone, so make the best of yours."

Living for tomorrow, yet you are wasting precious time today. Many people spend years talking about what they want to do, yet they do not realize they will only be able to do those things that are birthed from the person they are. Opportunity does not wait for anyone and often times it is never revealed because of the lack of preparation beforehand. Make it your duty to make today your best day and tomorrow even better than today and watch how the results you create will follow you. 

#Summer2016

Embrace Your Struggle

How does one become stronger without resistance? How does an individual become better without pressure? How can you know your limits without feeling tension? 

Often times I ponder on these character revealing questions and I continue to find myself embellishing the same solution which arises from 1 Corinthians 10:13:

13 Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

Many times we can find ourselves “negatively complaining” about the trials and tribulations that we are going through in life instead of “positively embracing” those lifelong situations. Within the scripture it foreshadows that God will never leave your side or in other words He is and will continue to be your true “ride or die” no matter what life throws your way.  However, you must first do a couple of things, (1) allow him to be the source of your strength & (2) remember He is always in control and sustain until He provides you with a “way out”.

You can spend countless hours voicing reasons of why a co-worker, a friend, a job or any entity that you feel has negatively wronged you to half open ears or you can choose to spend those same amount of hours praying, listening, and seeking understanding to why God has put you in the midst of those temporary storms.

The mind, body, and soul are valuable components that add to a person’s life. Strive to govern the words that you allow to leave your mouth because they could easily destroy or enhance one’s overall being or even effect the desires and aspirations of someone else.

Often times we could possibly speak into existence those ups and downs that we deal with on a daily because it is God’s duty to provide resistance, pressure, and tension because our story is already written and He has to prepare us to be the Character who can live it, love it, and more than anything learn to embrace all that comes with it.

www.marcowalder.com

Speaking To Those Open Ears of Hers

In 2007 at a Men Are Builders Conference I listened as Dr.Myles Munroe spoke visions and life into a room full of men who desired to become better men, husbands, and fathers. The power of his words were so profound afterwards I immediately purchased the audio copy for my personal use. Some 8 years later this vision still lives in the eyes of many men worldwide. My question is in a world where the level of being independent and self-sufficient has risen to an all-time high as depicted by many of our media outlets and sources how does a man who strives to create a healthy environment for his future relationship communicate these ideas, strategies, and plans to the woman of today without being seen as controlling or trying to change her?

We all are a product of some type of relationship and one key component to each type of relationship is communication. Several authors and experts have created methods of understanding one’s “love language”,however how does one establish a healthy line of communication when love has yet to be developed? We have been taught that if you love someone that it will work. Through experiences we can prove that this theory could be possibly flawed as I’m sure those who are now divorced would not say that they did not love the person they were married too. If love is not the cement to keeping relationships together what components or strategies are key?

Proverbs 24: 3-5 states that by wisdom a house is built, through understanding it is established. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with beautiful treasures.

According to Solomon, you do not need love first to build a strong relationship, marriage, or a strong home. Now he did not say you do not need love, he only said you do not need love, FIRST. So if you do not need love first what do you need in order to build a strong relationship,marriage, or a strong home?

As I thought about Solomon’s words it led me to reverse the order in which these were given to provide a more in-depth meaning. The first thing he stated you need is knowledge.Before anything can become knowledge it is first information. With information one must be careful who and where they get their information from because you must make sure the information that you are getting is Truth. The second component he stated you need is understanding. Before a person can understand the information they must be able to comprehend it. Many people do not have the capacity to comprehend certain information for many reasons. Often times it stems from one desiring to be understood verses trying to understand. The final component is wisdom. Wisdom is the application process. This means being able to take the information that you have comprehended and apply it effectively to your situation.

A person cannot apply what they do not know and you cannot know what you do not understand.

When a man who desires a lifelong mate meets a woman he seeks to discover if she has those certain qualities to be his wife.  Once the qualities she possess are revealed he will either communicate to her that he desires to date her or that he seeks to entertain other prospective ladies. If he is a man who strives to be better and desires a healthy relationship, marriage, and strong home he may start to communicate information in the beginning to help with the maturation process him and her.

For instance, a man who witnessed his father abuse his mother may communicate to the lady he is dating that he does not care to “play fight” or pass non-violent blows as this could possibly lead to a more serious and abusive behavior in a more intense situation once they are deeper into the relationship. Another example is if a man witnessed his father being verbally abused by his mother he may seek to do away with verbal swearing during communication with his potential mate to alleviate the possibility of being verbally abused in a more intense situation once they are deeper into the relationship. A woman may choose to do the same if she experienced a prior behavior from a past relationship or living arrangement that was not considered healthy.

So my question is how does a man who is constantly getting information that could be seen as “truth” communicate this information to his potential mate without being seen as controlling or negatively trying change her so that she is able to understand it and apply it so they are able to build a healthy relationship, which leads to a healthy marriage, and a strong home? 

www.marcowalder.com

IG - @mreweown     

Bridging The Gap

I woke one morning and decided to scroll through my Facebook time line.  As I scrolled through different posts, videos, and those that had been shared by various people I noticed that as it pertains to relationships, marriage, and love many of the posts either motivated, inspired, and gave advice to the man on how to care for the woman. 

Let me first be clear in where I am going with this.  I totally appreciate and love the attention many of our high profile authors and entertainers are giving to making sure the man is better prepared and suited to love our beautiful women, however I question why isn't there a balance of motivation, inspiration, and advice given to the woman on how to care for the man??

Heartbreak isn't a feeling only experienced by the woman, it is also something men deal with as well.  So providing information on a balanced playing field could possibly bridge the gap and help with both gender's becoming more familiar with understanding what the other gender expects and desires. 

Trust me I know the underlying reason behind the 80-20 split -$$- of information being predicated on the man becoming better, however this could possibly be doing the woman a disservice as it could allow her to always feel as if she has been the victim in every failed relationship when in actuality she could have possibly altered some of her behaviors which would have sustained and enhanced a failed relationship or marriage.

To be a person who strives to create change requires a commitment to helping not only one side, but both sides because a relationship or a marriage is not one-sided.  It involves two people which means it has two sides. A circle is only a circle when it is whole, however when a line is drawn down the middle you have created a division which only allows for both sides to drift apart which can lead to possible misunderstandings or an increased desire to not work together to stay together.

I have sat in many singles meetings, singles ministries, and gatherings and it is primarily dominated by the female gender.  However, I wonder has anyone took the time to seek out why the men are not as anxious to attend these meetings? I'll give one of many reason's why the male out pour is scarce, because we take a "beating" daily whether its from social media, the next great book, or the next box office hit which could increase the revenue these "relationship experts" receive. However, are they really helping the overall cause??

I challenge every individual who speaks on relationships, love, and marriage to create of balance which will be shared for the man and the woman so that we can ultimately achieve the "goal" we desire which is to reduce the numbers of divorces and failed relationships and to increase the number of successful commitments and timeless marriages.  

Could men be at fault more often than not to why a relationship fails? Possibly, but could the woman also be at fault to why a relationship fails? Possibly, so with that in mind let us strive to help both genders understand one another so we can grow together and not apart.  

A great book once said, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another", Proverbs 27:17.

Marco Walder

www.marcowalder.com 

LIFE Goes On - Order Your Copy Today!!

Available on Ebook for $0.99 and Soft Copy for only $7.99
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A New Season of Goodness

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“The tongue can bring death or life...” - (Proverbs 18:21, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria 

God wants to do new and incredible things in your life! He has a new season of goodness in store for you today. The power to see His plan come to pass in your life is found in the power of your words. When you get in agreement with God, when you say what He says, that’s when things will change in your life.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue. No one else chooses your words but you! You can speak forth seeds of life or seeds of death. What you have in your life today is a direct result of your words in the past, and what you will see in the future is a direct result of what you are speaking today.

Why don’t you choose to bless your future? Why don’t you choose to declare that it’s a new season? Why don’t you choose to speak what God speaks and believe that He has a new season of goodness in store for you today?!

THE GAME CHANGER ~ ♫

Is it not amazing how one person can expect another person to put forth 110% effort while they give whatever level of effort that is NOT matching yours until they feel it is comfortable for them to do so. I have learned a few things as I embark on 35 years of life. There are levels to success and at EACH level you must be willing to give your all. You must be willing to sacrifice, compromise, be unselfish, and most of all you must be all in from the start.

Often times the most work is needed at the start with laying the foundation. If you are building on a shaky foundation sooner or later your house will eventually fall. Take it upon yourself to give your all at EACH LEVEL and if for some reason it does not work at least you can say you did your best, but if not was it really them or was it really you? Even the team's who don't win the championship make a commitment from Day 1 to do whatever it takes to be the best and 99% of the time it means focusing on those little things that lead to those satisfying big things.

As a former coach told me, "GO HARD EVERYDAY OR SIMPLY STAY AT HOME, BUT YOUR SUCCESS IN ANYTHING YOU DO IN LIFE FIRST DEPENDS ON THE EFFORT YOU'RE WILLING TO GIVE TO MAKE THAT SUCCESS COME TRUE". 

M. Walder

#EARLYMORNINGBREAKFAST