Black Male Mentors Needed Now --- Preferably Black Males--

Hello ILOVEMYMESS readers,

Happy Birthday shout out to my youngest son TJ 


Doggan. He is 17 years young today!!  I am his

proud papa.

The topic for Today is mentoring!  Mentoring is

important for all people. It is especially

important in these days and times for the Young

Black Male in the United States.  I do not have to

paint a picture of the plight of this particular

group of males but don't believe ONLY what you see

on TV, Cable, and the News Media as to who and what

they are capable of becoming.

The word Mentor itself probably comes from the

Greek Tales of Homer where an old man

(Mentes) guides a young man (Telemachus) to manhood.

What is fascinating about the story is the goddess

Athena actually takes on the body of Mentor. In an

unrelated way this is how most black males have

been primarily mentored.  Thank God for

compassionate, caring, and supportive female

figures.

Mentoring, from the Greek word means enduring. It is

defined as a sustained relationship between a youth

and an adult. Through continued involvement, the

adult offers support, guidance, and assistance as

the younger person goes through a difficult period,

faces new challenges, or works to correct earlier

problems.


The mentor to mentee relationship varies and is not

necessarily bound to age. The reasoning of

mentoring is to help that other person to do a job

more effectively and/or to progress in their

career, and hopefully live a life more abundantly

more easily overcoming their obstacles, and

circumstances. The good mentor is probably someone

who has "been there, done that" before. And an

effective mentor might use a variety of approaches,

coaching, training, discussion, counseling, hand in

hand and one on one caring leadership, etc.


I would like to say I am passionate about this

subject.  I have been mentored intentionally and

unintentionally throughout the course of my life. I

also have a legitimate body of work on this subject

since I have worked as a Youth Counselor, Youth

Minister, and functioned in many communities as an

Activist and Advocate worker.


I appreciate those who have put the time in to

ensure my life would be fulfilling.  Kudos to the

many MOMS, DADS, TEACHERS, YOUTH WORKERS, YOUTH

MINISTERS, SCOUT LEADERS, SCHOLARSHIP FUNDERS,

GRANNY'S, GRANDDADS, UNCLES, AUNTS, BROTHERS,

SISTERS, FRIENDS,NEIGHBORS, COACHES, BOSSES,

SUPERVISORS, MANAGERS, POLICEMAN, CIVIL

SERVANTS,SOCIAL WORKERS, DEACONS, ELDERS, LEADING

BRETHREN, SENIOR MINISTERS AND VISITING EVANGELIST,

who served my needs and are currently serving the

world even as we write. Forgive me for the Titles  I missed!!


If you are a Mentor, evaluate your effectiveness

and increase your enthusiasm. If you are the

Mentee respect and honor the time and effort people

are giving to you.  You may not always like the

method but be sure to get the point!

My Prayer and Plea IS 4 MORE BLACK MEN TO GET INVOLVED!!

Tiger Woods Mess

Hello ILOVEMYMESS Readers,

Okay, I tried to avoid this issue for as long as I could for all of the obvious reasons.  First reason, I really don't care about the personal life  of public officials or popular personalities. Second reason, He who is without sin cast the first stone. All have fallen short of the proverbial moral standard. Third reason, My Mom's and Granny's advice about public communication has always been real valuable "If you can't say anything good about a person or situation it is best not to publicly speak on it at all."

Well, I won't go into the obvious joke box.  You can google for Tiger Woods Jokes or turn on your TV and Radio for the best of the best of Tiger Woods Fiasco.  You will find more stuff than you probably should laugh about.  I am sure Tiger has found for him and his wife and kids now that this is public it is definitely not a laughing matter.  Maybe, he will be able to laugh at himself some years down the line. We all should be able to laugh at our mistakes eventually.  Somewhere down the line it will be helpful to his mental health to laugh...Somewhere down the line.

I am a man who believes very much in the institution of marriage  I consider marital fidelity a very big component in fulfilling the values of that institution.  My Granny "D" had several phrases she used to use concerning the issue. She used to say "You can be sure your sins will find you out." She would remark "Anything done in the dark will come to the light."  Comically she even retorted to me "Clarence, You know you can't dance so what makes you think you can hide skeletons in your closet!"  I am sure George Bernard Shaw himself would have to laugh at that one.

I love my mess concept essentially came out of the fact that my wife would frequently tell me that I was a mess.  I would then reply to her you are a mess!! Then, on quick forgiving occasions we would look each other in the eye, smile at each other and say in unison "I love My Mess".  Only time will tell what will become of Tiger and his wife but let me bring back to your memory the words of a famous commercial ad anyone who follows Tiger even casually should remember.  " I Am Tiger Woods!".

Now, that phrase takes on an altogether new meaning, It would behove all of us to think of the potential consequences of our decisions thoroughly!

Who will You have to Answer to Now and in the Future for your Actions?

The President Speaks

Ilovemymess Reader's,

Yes, I Voted for OBAMA. I think he is trying to make the best out of a difficult situation.  I sometimes get so upset with all the difficulty that is placed in his way.  I know it is bad enough already.  High unemployment, bad economy, health care situation in America, a war presence in two major countries.  I hope he stays encouraged in all that he has on his plate to accomplish.

I admittedly don't agree with adding more troops to Afghanistan but I am thankful that this is not my call and that I don't have to try to decipher all the information that has been prepared to help him render his decision.  He clearly makes his argument for why he believes this is the way we must go and as Commander in Chief it is his call.

I think it is courageous of him to try to change the United States and the world for the positive, knowing he won't be able to please all people.  I am equally dishearten by the fact that so many would see him fail in his endeavors to attain the goal.

Life is hard for all people. I appreciate that he  works to fix this fact tirelessly for the masses. Many people have limited understanding of how they can control their circumstances.  My view of President Obama is limited but it appears to me he is seeking to understand the needs of all.

Be encouraged Mr.President.  You got the Job you applied for it. Get it Done!!

Clarence D. AKA SeaDog

Be My Friend

to hit that number by this 12/

ILoveMyMess Reader's,

  Welcome to my new blog.  No more procrastination.

My name is Clarence Doggan.  I am writing this

because the time has come for me to get on my

mission.

  I have been trained from a young child to be kind,

and to encourage others.  As I look into the world

today this is needed just as much now as in the

beginning of the world.  I am uniquely qualified to

give this message because I have benefitted from

the encouragement of some of God's Best and

Brightest Creations.

\\\My Background...

Christian....I am a minister of God and a faithful

minister of the church of Christ....

although I don't especially believe I will be using

this venue to preach book chapter and verse to you

I do believe knowing this will help you to

understand why I think like I think.

American Black Man....I can't help it.  It has been

engraven upon my psyche that this is significant.

Maybe it's is the trials and or stygma that America

has given such a priority to this part of who I am

but it makes me see the world from a very different

perspective.  Some may applaud this vision, some

may see it as very flawed but I know my thoughts,

ideas dreams are greatly enhanced and limited

because of this perspective. I hope this will be as

interesting to you to follow as it is to me to

engage.

Conservatively Common...I am quickly approaching my

20 wedding anniversary. I have a strong black

beautiful queen who has given me two almost grown

young men for children. ( they will tell you they

are grown )  I volunteer in my community above and

beyound my church work. I dream of making the world

a better place and limited Goverment interference.

That being said I am still a Democrat in my

political heart and wish my Republican friends

would live by the statement "Compassionate

Conservatism".

Comically characteristic...If you choose to get to

know me you will find I am a little crazy. My wife

tells me all the time "You are a mess".  Hope you

enjoy my brand of humor so you can say ILOVEMYMESS.

If you choose to Journey with me I will try to

spontaneously and creatively encourage you to look

at the mess we live in and find enjoyment,

encouragement,  and enthusiasm to fulfill your

purpose in this life.

I hope you will share this experience with me.

Clarence D. AKA SeaDog

You may also follow me on....

Facebook.com/ilovemymess

Facebook says I can be personal

with up to 5000 friends..

My Goal is to achieve this by

DEC 2010..