Engaged For Success

I was in the Gospel Tent during New Orleans Jazzfesr sitting next to a young lady with a tattoo of a broken heart with angels wings and RIP on top of it.

She was wearing a wedding ring on her finger.  She had a very quite demure especially as compared to her friends who happily laugh out loud.

She didn’t look in my direction so I didn’t have the opportunity to try and catch her eye or I might have struck up a conversation with her in order to ask her why.

Later in the day as my Jazz fest tradition dictates, I went out to Congo Square to listen to Maze close the festival. Strangely I found myself standing right behind the lady and her friends – they remembered me and smiled warmly. I did not however believe that it was right to ask any questions as while earlier in the day she had openly displayed her tattoo, she was now doing her uttermost to hide it.

From time to time I still pause and ponder, what could have caused someone so young so much pain that she had decided to wear such an indelible scar

Copyright 2010. This document is the specific intellectual property of Susan Popoola. Content may not be reused or reproduced without the specific permission of the owner or a reference to the source. Opinions may be generated

I really should be working – pulling together the information from today’s meetings, preparing for the next, doing some business development or some business writing.  Instead, I find myself reflecting on a conversation that I had earlier with one of my nieces during which we spoke of the black diary. That is my black diary.  If I mentioned my black diary to anyone else it would probably mean nothing and they would wonder what I’m talking about – I’m much better known for gadgets and electronic diaries. However, the black diary holds a special meaning to my niece and I – albeit for different reasons.

For me it’s a book that contains some of my most treasured childhood poetry – Although I rarely write these days, I wrote hundreds in my teens to early twenties. A few  I wrote just for a laugh, but most to a greater or less extent reflected by deeper thoughts and feelings – the ones that I rarely shared with anyone.

My niece happened to come across the black diary one day. She read the contents and began to copy and share some of the ones that she liked. I guess I should have felt honoured, but instead I felt horrified and exposed and responded harshly telling her that it was private and she should leave my things alone.

That was many years ago so in many ways its history. However when I made reference to the diary today, she stated that it was that black diary that inspired her to start writing. I felt ashamed of myself. It was wrong of my niece to use my material without my permission, but I could have responded differently appreciating that she was actually honouring my work.

Since that time, over the years that have followed my niece and I have had numerous conversations during which she more than anyone else in my family has questioned and shown a keen interest and in my views and activities around Social Justice and Young People. I remember she was highly excited about my first book and told me about her plans to write her own. Not to long ago, to the consternation of her parents, she gave up her job in banking to work on school and social projects.

I am in no way responsible for her path, but without any delusion of grandeur there is no doubt in my mind that I have been a key influence. The truth, however, is if it was down to me she would have never seen talk less of read my black diary and it’s possible that we may not have had the subsequent conversations that we’ve had

From time to time I remind myself –that it’s really not all about me.  My ‘secret’ black diary reminded me of this once more– sometimes there’s a need to go beyond oneself for the sake of others.  If we allow the light of our experiences, knowledge and capabilities to shine (no matter how limited we may think they are), we just never know whose lives we could influence or impact in some way, shape or form

Selah – now I think it’s time for me to get some work done.

Copyright 2010. This document is the specific intellectual property of Susan Popoola. Content may not be reused or reproduced without the specific permission of the owner or a reference to the source. Opinions may be generated

Earlier today I read an article in The Independent entitled Most Inspiring People in 2009 by Johann Hari.  I would like to add a name to that list or really just create my own little list.  The person that I would like to honour as the most inspiring person of 2009 is a lady named Susan Magdalane Boyle from Blackburn – a former industrial town in West Lothian in Scotland.

As there has been so much hype about her, I’m sure you’ve heard of her?  I must confess that I normally find hype of putting, but there’s just something about Susan that can’t be ignored.

Susan had a long held dream that she had been working towards for years.  Without trying to be dramatic, it’s fair to say that Susan endured a lot of ridicule along the way and I’m sure she on many occasions she must have felt like giving up. However, she did not; she continued and literally marched onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage and sang her heart out.  The rest, as they say, is history.

The facts are, however that prior to her history making performance, Susan was what typical everyday person that people typically refer to as a nobody.  However she proved that she is someone.  A message to the world that everyone is someone in their own right.  It’s not to say that everyone should find their way through X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent or the next reality show.  Rather the key is to find and nurture the talent that resides within – whatever it may be, simply being who they were born to be[i].

I therefore choose Susan Boyle as an inspiration because while those on the Independent list are undoubtedly advocates for everyday people, Susan is a direct representative of everyday people.  A true lady, with a sweet demeanour and the true voice of an angel which brings tears to my eyes.  She is truly inspiring and I whole heartedly hope that she continues to shine and inspire.

Copyright 2009 This document is the specific intellectual property of Susan Popoola. Content may not be reused or reproduced without the specific permission of the owner or a reference to the source. Opinions may be generated

---

[i] Play on the song titled “Who I Was Born to Be” from Susan’s Debut album “I Dreamed A Dream”

In view of the current Climate Change Summit taking place in Copenhagen, I thought I’d share a short poem that I wrote  many moons ago when I was 21!

POLLUTION

The sky

was blue

with silver white clouds

cruising along

at ease with the world

a detonation of peace to all mankind

The sky

became black

as fuming warish smoke fumes

exhumed warish smoke fumes

making me wonder

about the destiny of this world

(c) Susan Popoola 21:166:16:06

Tiger Woods has indeed been a naughty boy.  However, he has now apologised to all who may have been hurt or upset by his actions.  That’s it for me, after all it really has nothing to do with me.  One way or the other he will sort things out with his sponsors. Most important of all I hope he is able to resolve things with his wife and the rest of his family.

However, I must confess that I find it difficult to understand why people feel the need to “kiss and Tell” if they care at all.  I also find it difficult to understand why the media pay so much attention to those that do.

I’m normally a happy, positive, smiling person, but on Thursday I received a phone call which made me feel as if I was actually walking on sunshine. I tried to contain my excitement, but all my efforts were futile. So if you were in Central Milton Keynes on Thursday and happened to come across a lady all suited up, jiggling along as she walked with headphones in – I confess, that was probably me. Since I don’t have any teenage children to have been embarrassed by my behaviour, I think I may have got away with such behaviour.

Although the teenagers of the world are more likely to be embarrassed for me than by me, I have questioned myself as to whether my euphoria may have been a bit extreme. After all, I’ve asked myself, what will happen if my new source of excitement is withdrawn? Will I suddenly go to the opposite extreme and become a melancholic nightmare.

On reflection I have, however, concluded that I should continue to at least try and walk on sunshine, but moderate my behaviour – in public. The reality is there is always something to be happy and excited about – after all even on a dull, rainy day, the sun does still shine. I know this for a fact based on the experience of sitting in a conservatory on a cold winter’s day. So sometimes it may be harder to find the sun, but it’s always there. Even if you don’t have a conservatory and can’t locate the sun anywhere else, as sure as there is day and night the sun will shine again.

Susan Popoola

Copyright 2009 This document is the specific intellectual property of Susan Popoola. Content may not be reused or reproduced without the specific permission of the owner or a reference to the source. Opinions may be generated from content obtained from other sources and such content is referenced as appropriate.

Like some many others, I had the priviledge of listening to Susan Boyle auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent over the weekend. Beyond shadow of a doubt her singing was impressive, but as the more I read commentaries on the audition, the more I become saddened and concerned.

You see I’m increasingly reading comments where people very casually refer to her as ugly or express a desire to give her a makeover. The fact that she does not look like someone from a glossy magazine does not make her ugy – from that perspective, she’s just another everyday person.

Possibly singing in front of an audience and possibly the Queen means she will need to sharpen her image a bit, but it doesn’t necessarily mean she needs a complete makeover.

So I say well done to Susan. If she does want a makeover, then good for her, but if not then may she happily be as she is.

For the rest of us, one of the judges, Amanda said that Susan was a big wake up call. Let it truly be so as the question on my mind remains – “What Gives Us The Right?”

Selah

I doubt if will surprise anyone that knows me to hear that I am hoping and praying that Barack Obama wins the American Presidential elections.

I am not an American, neither do I live in America and as such I am not in a position to vote. Some would even say that as a consequence I shouldn’t even have an opinion. However, if the truth is that we now have a global economy and the current economic problems that we are facing here in England (as with the rest of the world) stem from or at least relate to actions taken within the US, then I believe I as everyone has the right to comment – even though we are not in a position to vote.

My support for Obama is not due to the colour of his skin or his change mantra, but because I have studied him as a person, his background and his proposals and I believe he is best positioned to serve and propel America forward.

Indeed at the beginning of the primaries I studied all the candidates and specifically listened to biographical information on each of the candidates, searching…. searching for the candidates that I believe would be best positioned to understand , support and connect to everyday people. With an awareness of the divides and growing disparities that exist within societies, this was the most crucial factor for me.

Obama’s background, work experience and policies mean that he meets the essential criteria. His campaign strategy (which I believe should be studied by every business leader, entrepreneur, community worker etc) demonstrates his ability to mobilise and involve people. This is compounded with the experience of Joe Biden who I believe is very much in touch with the people, both because of his background and because he probably interacts with them on a daily basis as he travels with them on his daily commute. On the other hand, while I believe that McCain sincerely cares, I don’t believe that he or Palin have the background experiences to fully understand.

My focus and essential criteria for the next president sounds simplistic, but I’m a simple person. I do not however deny the importance of experience, intelligence, character etc. These are also very important. Though you may choose to question Obama’s experience, he has clearly demonstrated character and intelligence in the campaign and for any experience that he is lacking I believe he will pull together a team that will effectively fill in the gaps in his experience.

I still, however, go back to the ability to connect and support the needs of everyday people because I sincerely believe that as Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Said “As long as there is poverty in the world I can never be rich, even if I have a billion dollars. As long as diseases are rampant millions of people in this world cannot expect to live more than twenty-eight or thirty years, I can never be totally healthy, even if I just got a good checkup at the Mayo Clinic. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the way our world is made. No individual or nation can stand out boasting of being independent. We are all interdependent”.

For a leader to lead on this principal he or she must be a servant leader with fortitude, compassion and understand. I believe at the very least Barack Obama will do his uttermost to be a servant to the people.