My Heart is Black and Gold, But I Bleed Maroon

Thanksgiving weekend means many things…great food, precious moments spent with family and friends, a time to reflect on the many reasons we have to be grateful.

And, for sports fans like me, it also signifies one of the most anticipated dates on the college football schedule…rivalry weekend.

Michigan vs. Ohio State, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, Oregon vs. Oregon State, Florida vs. Florida State, Auburn vs. Alabama, Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State, Washington vs. Washington State, Arizona vs. Arizona State, South Carolina vs. Clemson…all across the country, teams will take to the gridiron to earn bragging rights against their rival schools.

But a twist of irony has me anticipating a new rivalry of sorts on Saturday…. my alma mater Missouri taking on my other alma mater, Texas A&M.

Yes, that’s right…Missouri vs. Texas A&M is a new rivalry…and I have the rare distinction of being a Tiger and an Aggie.

How Will You Use Your Platform for His Glory?

Like all of America (and the world), I’ve had Olympic fever the past two weeks.

A passionate sports fan, I have closely monitored the NBC Olympics website to learn the results of each competition as they occurred in real-time (some may call me a spoiler, but my poor nerves can’t take the suspense!), then faithfully tuned in to the primetime broadcast, staying up until the early hours of the morning each day to enjoy the visual recap of how each contest unfolded.

(I have no idea what I am going to do with myself without competitions to watch each night when the games conclude on Sunday…oh, wait, I know…get back on a regular sleep cycle!).

It’s been an emotional roller coaster as I’ve cheered on Team USA, my heart overflowing with American pride as I watch each athlete give it their all in an effort to represent our great nation well during the world’s greatest athletic competition.

The Olympics bring together everything I love most about sports, and I have been captivated by the countless inspiring stories of determination, perseverance, courage, and obstacles overcome (like double-amputee and South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius); young athletes like Gabby Douglas and Missy Franklin rocketing to stardom after historic, gold-medal performances; seasoned veterans (swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, track stars Sanya Richards-Ross, Allyson Felix, Lolo Jones, and Tyson Gay, tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams, and the beach volleyball duo Misty May-Treanor  and Kerri Walsh to name a few) seeking to add to their legacy of Olympic success or chase the medals that have eluded them; and the efforts of our heralded US national teams (including men’s and women’s basketball  and women’s soccer)  to cement our country’s place at the top of their respective sports.

But as much as I have enjoyed the thrilling competitions to reach the medal stand, what has proved to be the biggest highlight is the number of athletes – from the gymnast Douglas to track athletes Pistorius, Richards-Ross, Felix, and Jones to diver David Boudia to basketball phenoms Kevin Durant and Maya Moore – who have openly praised and given glory to God while on the Olympic stage.

Off With the Mask

Just as winter turns to spring, and summer to fall, our lives are full of various seasons.

Lately I’ve been going through a season of challenges, but I am staying prayerful and persevering, for I have hope and faith that a brighter day is coming.

But as each day passes, I realize more and more, that I must first take off my mask before ushering this new season through the door.

Going For It All

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to attend an alumni symposium hosted by LEAD Atlanta.

I was blessed and privileged to be part of the LEAD Atlanta Class of 2011 (hands down the Best. Class. Period.), and being part of the organization has truly been a life-altering experience for me regarding both the friendships I have formed and the thought-provoking, eye-opening discussions that always arise from each gathering.

The Voice and His Voice

I am a true music lover, and Whitney Houston has always been one of my favorite artists.  After watching and reading all of the coverage and tributes to her this past week, I felt compelled to share my own reflections…..

When I learned of the passing of Whitney Houston last weekend, I felt great sadness and was heartbroken for all who loved her…her fans (I myself have always been one of her biggest), friends, family, and most of all, Whitney’s mother Cissy who is now without her cherished daughter and her beloved daughter Bobbi Kristina who at such a young age must face life without the mother she so dearly loved and idolized.