Alegna Consulting

Dealey Plaza - Dallas, Texas

• JFK - learn the history of his death
• Form your opinion concerning potential conspiracy
• Understand the politics of decisions that impact you

Make it a point to visit political, historical landmarks.

It is very important to find happiness in your life.  Being happy prevents stress, increases your life expectancy and positively impacts the people around you.  My challenge for you is to, Make It Great!  Make every day great.  Our time spent on earth is very short when compared to the grand scheme of things.  I have been caught up in the hustle and bustle of full-time work, part-time work, full-time school, and self-employment and I have noticed that I have gotten away from making every day great.  I know, if I have fallen into that slump someone else has also.

At the end of March, I had the opportunity to be in New York City for the purpose of attending the AERA Conference.  As with many things I been a part of lately, it has been confirmed that I am in fulfilling my passion and purpose.  What I have come to notice is that there are so many things I want to do, I have difficulties focusing and often feel scattered.  Being among the elite of researchers in the field of education caused my wheels to spin faster.  I feel as though I am behind in the field as it relates to research.  After speaking with well established members in the field, I have been made aware that I have to simply work the process of the doctoral program and start researching.  

Making it great will result in getting rid of things and/or people in your life that are not great.

Making it great means getting rid of things and/or people in your life that prevents you from making every day great.

Making it great means taking some of the focus off you and putting it on others, the community and the future.

Making it great means picking up a hobby.

Making it great means having a relationship with a Higher Power.

Making it great means being open for new and unusual ideas.

Spring is the time of renewal. Get out of the dormant winter state!

Be Well and Make it Great!

Angela Rembert    

“DO IT ANYWAY” 

• People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; BE KIND ANYWAY.
• If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; SUCCEED ANYWAY. 
• If you are honest and frank, people may cheat on you; BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY. 
• What you spend years building some could destroy overnight; BUILD ANYWAY.
• If you find serenity and joy in your work, some may be jealous; BE JOYFUL IN YOUR WORK ANYWAY. 
• Give the world your best that you have, and they’ll kick you in the teeth; GIVE THE WORLD YOUR BEST ANYWAY. 
• You see; in the final analysis, it is between you and GOD;

IT WAS NEVER BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY.

Author Anonymous

Over the last couple days I have received comments pertaining to my blog posts.  The comments made me realize that I need to provide a more indepth explanation  about my thoughts.

• As I read the posts again, I failed to mention that Ed, my husband, was one of the two individuals that encouraged me to start ALEGNA along with Michelle, a sister friend of mine.  We often take the people who are very close to us for granted because they are always there.  Challenge:  Never work harder at your job than you do at your marriage.
• My comments are not intended to be racially bias, but to share thoughts concerning what is happening in the society that we live in from my prospective.  My thoughts are my opinions and in no way do I intend to cause harm or discomfort.  I have a high regard for African-Americans, Blacks, People of Color, etc.  and our potential to increase our standard of living if we marry within our race.  If you choose to do otherwise, that is your business and I respect your decision.  I do however, know the challenges that we face by marrying and dating individuals from another race.  Black men honor my black sisters by giving them the respect, recognition and appreciation they deserve and earned.  I have several relatives and friends that have married and date outside of their race and the relationships are great.  So, I can attest that inter-racial marriages work.  It just happens not to be my preference.

Have a Wonderful Night!

Angela

Good Morning Everyone,

You are correct….it is Wednesday.  I normally write on Sundays, but I just could not help myself.  I must express my extreme disappointment with the results of last night’s primary.  What in the world happened?  I know Ohio has a strange way of voting and it was proven last night.  I listened to Senator Clinton after the confirmed victory in Ohio and could hear that she was not sincere with many of her Thank Yous.  That bothered me.  She sounded as though she said some things because it was the “right” thing to do and not because she honestly felt that way.  I can say that her supporters were present at the polls.  What happened from a couple weeks to the present that changed things around?  In Ohio, I believe Gov. Strickland had a huge impact on the voters’ decision.  What happened to Senator Obama’s supporters? 

Reflecting on my personal life and my supporters or sometimes lack of supporters.  Question.  Can someone that is close to you support you if they have no true idea of your responsibilities or obligations? I have several individuals that are close to me, that say they support me but have no idea how to support me and simply saying you support a person is not support, allowing me time to complete projects, etc. is not support.  What I believe it comes down to is that you can only depend on God to be there for you.  When everyone has turned their backs on you, you can always seek Him for support.  Challenge:  When you tell someone that you support them, your following comment should be in the form of question and ask them how would they like you to support them.

Be well!  Listen to the Ledisi CD.  Know your position, understand your role and be willing to fulfill the responsibilities of your role.  Have a wonderful week everyone!

 Angela                       

POLITICS    

I struggled with this week’s blog topic.  I spoke with my father prior and he informed me that the topic will come to me and in fact it did.  Before I continue with the main topic this week let me share a few comments about the Ohio Primary on Tuesday.

·         Do not vote based on race or gender.  Doing so allows for your emotions to make the decision.

·         Make sure you vote.  There are two days remaining.  There are extended hours on Monday.  Please, make it a priority and vote.

·         I voted Friday Morning and there was no wait.  A friend of mine voted Friday afternoon and the wait was an hour.

·         Remember you do not have to vote with your regular party affiliation. 

·         Have a clear understanding concerning the MRDD levy.

·         Have clear understanding of the judge you vote for and what he/she supports.

·         Have a better understanding of the views of the House of Representative Candidates.

This is not the time to waver and make an ill informed decision at the last moment.  It is imperative that the entire nation has medical coverage.  It is imperative that the economy improves.  We can not continue to pay approximately the same amount for a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas.  We can no longer allow people to run the country based on what they say and not based on their previous record.  We need someone who is strong, with ethics and values, we need someone who is not caught between power struggles and we need someone that has been able to control their own home.  If your home is in shambles you do not meet the qualifications to be Commander in Chief of the United States of America.  My challenge is for you to vote during the primary.

BOBBY CUTTS

It is important that I make mention of the sentence he received.  In my opinion he never should have taken the stand in the first place.  The unwritten rule, if the suspect is the least bit guilty or has any information pertaining to the crime, DO NOT allow him to be put on the stand no matter what.  I am not an attorney, but I did learn that at my alma mater, Kent State University.  Without the coroner being able to identify the cause of death there was no physical evidence to connect him to the death.  What was judge thinking and furthermore what was the defense attorney thinking.  If I did not know any better I would have thought both of them obtained their degrees from online institutions.  There is no reason he should have received a life sentence.  I did not know the gentleman, but I have prayed for him and his children.  Bobby Cutts, keep your head up.  Here is my challenge to my black brothers, please date within your race.  What else will it take for you to understand the significance?  REAL TALK!!         

PRIDE - FAITH

There is a long history pertaining to this.  I have struggled for a couple years with starting my own business and now that I have, the challenge is great and rewarding.  Events that have taken place over the years that I deem important pertains to these two statements, one of which is my favorite, “God speaks to us through other people.” and ” There is no such thing as coincidence.” 

·         Two individuals encouraged me to start my own consulting business.

·         A fellow adjunct instructor shared with me that she quit her job without having another job and without consulting with her spouse first.  Her family has not missed a meal, missed any financial obligations and God has given her the means to do all that she desires to do because she does His work first.

·         Another colleague of mine shared with me that I should go into politics.

·         Early 2008: I had and still have several obligations on my plate, full-time work, adjunct instruction, ALEGNA, full-time doctoral studies.

·         There was no need to form a list of pros and cons because I knew what I should eliminate however my little faith still has me overextended.

·         I fasted and prayed last Sunday however I was unable to hear or see what I supposed to do.

·         I sent an email to my course manager.  I will keep you informed of the outcome.

·         I fasted again Sunday and it is so clear what I must eliminate.  Let me tell you how I know, my Pastor said it today at Church, my friend/co-worker had given me something to read on Saturday, but I just read it today and the message in the reading was clear, my father said to me today, that God speaks to us by way of other people, and I said, today, to strap up our boots because something is about to happen.  I believe the test of my faith is, will I make the appropriate decision and let my pride go.    

My challenge to you as to myself, when you ask God for something be willing to listen and accept His orders.  

Humbly Submitted,

Angela

I heard something last week that I would like to elaborate on.  “We work to have money to do what we want, but our work conflicts with what we want to do.”  There are a couple solutions to this challenge.

·          Work in a field that you honestly enjoy.

·         Do your homework and research potential employers that value the balance of business and personal.

·         Become an entrepreneur.  

We have one life to live; therefore we should live it to the fullest.  Enjoy life, make great decisions, share your experiences and wisdom and lastly think outside of the box.  Although you may have a task to meet, keep your eyes and ears open to other tasks or opportunities.

I would like to wish my girlfriend, Angel, A Happy Birthday!

Angela

As professionals we have responsibilities that are outside of our specified job description.  I have seen all too often that many of my colleagues fell to meet simple deadlines for several reasons.  What happens in those situations is others are hindered in completing their duties due to lack of preparation of someone else.  In the current state of the economy and global marketplace we have an unwritten duty to be timely, to complete tasks by the date specified, and forward reports on or before the due date.  With that being said, allocate enough time to devote to the project so the information is the best that you can deliver.

Over the last few years, I seen organizations promote events, however due to lack of planning failed to deliver on time or provided less than standard material.  Trust me, when preparing for an event or preparing documented material and the appropriate amount of time is not given, it shows.  Most importantly it is worse to cancel an event due to lack of planning.  No matter what the show must go on.  People trust you to do what you say are going to do.  So, when you tell someone that you are going to do something, you best well do it and do it in the time you tell them.  My challenge today is for you to deliver on your word.  In most situations, all we have is our word and people depend on you to do what you say.  If you have the slightest thought that you may not have the time to give quality work, decline the work.  It is okay to say, “No”.  We can not be all things to all people. 

Understand your limits!  

Angela              

 With it being Black History Month, I must mention a couple of my thoughts as they pertain to African-Americans in the field of Higher Education and the Global Marketplace.  African-Americans still lag behind as students, graduates, educators and administrators as compared to our Caucasian counterparts.  I am concerned that African-American forefathers paved the way for us; however we still have not been provided the same opportunities in many areas and in other areas we have not seized the opportunities that are available to us to increase our knowledge and marketability. Our Religion, Education, Ethics are three areas that we as individuals have control over.  The learning and experience we have concerning the abovementioned areas can not be taken away or diminished by anyone.  The more we know the better we will be.  I often have thoughts that we should be further along as a people because of the sacrifices that were made for us, despite how far we have come.  We have a responsibility to our parents, grandparents and children to make the world a better place.  We have overcome so much; it is now time to do something. 

Challenge yourself to embrace your heritage, respect yourself and others, obtain a formal education, give back to your society, increase your relationship to your higher power, speak correct grammar, be on time, present yourself in a manner that will make your parents proud, know your values and be willing to support them, be aware of your medical history and lastly do yourself a favor and tap into your creative genes (music, poetry, writing, pottery, painting, etc.)   

Live Well!

Angela Rembert 

In the current state of technology, all aspects of our lives and have been impacted to the point of everything we do is faster and our accessibility to information is easier.  This past week I had a chance to spend some quality time with my father and grandmother. The short amount of time spent with them allowed me to realize the need to get back to the basics in a couple areas of my life.  It is amazing how much we miss the opportunity of quality for the sake of wanting to do something quicker.  Due to our lack of patience and technological advancements, we live in a world of disposability.  We owe it to ourselves that in some aspect of our life to do something the “Old Fashioned Way” each week.  This is my challenge for the week. 

I often feel like we live in a very superficial place.  If we do not like our bodies, opposed to being patient and working out like the “Old Fashioned Way” we submit to surgery, disposing of our original body.  Technology enables us to desire; new cell phones every year for the sake of something better and dispose of the old one.  Let me discuss the lack of record stores.  Obtaining the music you listen to from the computer is just plain silly, in my opinion.  You miss opportunities to hear new and unique music because we often hear what is advertised which is based on finances.  Quality music is decreasing due the lack of patience.  Visit a record store the next time you are in New York, Chicago, D.C., Dallas or L.A. and retrieve some authentic music.  Visit the library, look for your own books on the shelves (do not reserve them on the internet).  Keep your brain fresh.  Omit microwave use; prepare your dinner on the stove.  We all know the benefits.  Be patient, have a 2 minute conversation with someone, skip texting.  Do not dispose your opportunity to speak.  This one will come as a surprise, relationships.  Be patient with your relationships and preserve them. No one is perfect and I mean no one is perfect.  Forgive.  Do not be so apt to dispose of a relationship.     

Doing some things the “Old Fashioned Way” has benefits.

Have a wonderful week!

Angela