Category: #RozeReflections

Random #RozeReflections – Envision Your Future

by Rozella Haydée White, posted in #RozeReflections

It’s almost 2017. I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe that 2016 is over. I must say that I’m glad it’s coming to a close. 2016 has had its share of ups and downs. From our political climate to death after death of celebrities and those who made significant contributions to our world, I feel like I’ve been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to the reset that a new year brings; to the chance to refocus and recommit to the things and people who matter most.

Earlier this week I posted about an event I host every year for my female friends. For the last three years, I have invited my friends to my home for a Ladies Visioning Brunch. This is a time for us to connect and to articulate our hopes and dreams for the new year. We create vision boards that are then displayed in prominent locations in our homes or offices as a reminder of what we want to accomplish. I love hosting this event and it’s proven to be a highlight of my year. You see, creating a vision board isn’t just about resolutions or goals. It’s about envisioning who you want to be and how you want to show up alongside a community of people who are cheering you on and holding you accountable. It’s about digging deep and uncovering what your deepest desires are so that you can make them come to life. 

Continue reading “Random #RozeReflections – Envision Your Future” →

Random #RozeReflections: Your Tribe Matters

by Rozella Haydée White, posted in #RozeReflections

Last week was a doozy. The Election and the reality of the country I live in gave way to a profound gut check. I was forced to seriously consider my beliefs and my call.

  • Am I really someone who has faith in the impossible?
  • Am I really called to accompany people as they figure out what a meaningful life looks like?
  • Do I have the where-with-all to help people embrace the fullness of who they are, when I sincerely struggle with ways of being that many people embody?
  • Do I really believe that relationships are the foundation of any and all life giving, transformative change?

I shared about how I felt last Wednesday and spent the rest of the week gathering together my thoughts and feelings. I slept. I cried. I was angry. I was despairing.

In the midst of all of these realities, I also connected with the people who matter most in my life – with my brother and my parents; with my grandmother and my aunt and uncle; with my friends and soul sisters; with my Mission Year team members and colleagues; with my LEAD family. I immersed myself in my relationships, partly because I didn’t know what else to do and partly because they were all I had. When you hit rock bottom, sometimes all you have is your tribe – the people in your life who uplift, support, convict, challenge and fiercely love you. In these moments I realized that, for me, my tribe makes all the difference.

I’ve come to recognize that I honestly believe that who we spend our time with can either lead us to live a more meaningful life or lead us to a life that’s not as full or impactful as it could be. Continue reading “Random #RozeReflections: Your Tribe Matters” →

The Morning After Election 2016

by Rozella Haydée White, posted in #RozeReflections

ida-b-wells

Today is Holy Saturday.

In the Christian tradition, Holy Saturday is the day after Good Friday, when God in the person of Jesus was crucified. It is the day before Easter Sunday, when we believe that Christ was resurrected.

It was a day when all hope was lost; when the alternative reality that people had a glimpse of was ripped from their grasp. It was a day when people saw each other for who they were. When Judas recognized his erroneous ways. When Peter came to terms with the fact that he wasn’t as committed to his Lord as he had said.

It was a day when the mother of Jesus mourned the loss of her son. There was no consolation. There was no move to hope. There was only lament and grief and wails. There was darkness. There was no light. Continue reading “The Morning After Election 2016” →

Random #RozeReflections: Come Alive

by Rozella Haydée White, posted in #RozeReflections

For a long time, I clung to the Frederick Buechner quote on vocation – “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” After what can only be called a roller coaster start to adulthood, this quote served as a guiding light for becoming clear on my call and purpose. I was led to working with youth, young adults and families as a minister in the Lutheran church. My gladness was found in helping to form faith and providing spiritual care and guidance. Those whom I encountered were seeking deeper meaning and an authentic connection with the Divine. My gladness met their hunger and life was good.

Fast forward to a few years ago… I was working with young adults and climbing the proverbial career ladder and yet something wasn’t right. I felt as though my gladness had diminished and I questioned whether or not I was meeting peoples’ hunger. Additionally, the place where I found myself was not life-giving. In fact, I felt drained and disconnected from myself. This couldn’t be what God intended. Continue reading “Random #RozeReflections: Come Alive” →