Hi Family,
Happy New Year!  I took time during the Holiday season to drive from Wisconsin to Central Texas to spend time with members of my family.  When I told people I was going to drive instead of fly, the most common response I heard was, “do you think it is safe to drive that far this time of year?”  I assured them that I would follow regional weather reports and cut my trip short if necessary.  As it turned out, I left Texas a day early to avoid projected bad weather.  When I arrived at home and pulled into my driveway, I said a silent prayer of thanks for my safe travels.
Two days later en route to the YMCA, my car stalled and the engine light came on.  I found myself getting angry and then the following question crossed my mind.  “What would have happened if the car stalled and the engine light came on during my multi-state road trip?”  That simple question shifted my attitude from anger to gratitude because I was only four blocks instead of four hundred miles from home.
How often do we think about what we do not have instead of what we have?  How many times a day does our thoughts focus on what’s lacking in our lives as opposed to the abundance that surrounds us?  How different would life be if an attitude of gratitude was cultivated and we were mindful to say thank you to others, our selves and to life?  As we settle into a new year, consider cultivating an attitude of gratitude.  I encourage you to be alert to thanking others for the significant and mundane things done for you each day.
As for my car, there was a crack in the ignition coil and it and the spark plugs needed to be replaced.  Following my own advice, I thanked the service techs, grateful that I had the resources to pay for the repairs.
I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica

Hello Family,
Happy Holidays!  In the month of December, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas and Kwanzaa will be celebrated.  However you experience the holiday season, I wish you serenity and safety in the last month of 2010.
During this final month of the year, I encourage you to make a special effort to reflect on the past year and note whether or not you achieved the goals you set, what challenges you overcame and the relationships you maintained. Then ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve in 2011?” Is there something you wanted to do this year and delayed doing? Are there things you did this year that you want to leave in the past?  Are there relationships you want to nurture or let go of in the coming the year?  I encourage you to begin creating the tomorrow (or 2010) you want to have, today.
Finally, I invite you to reach out to family and friends who may be struggling with illness, unemployment or depression during this holiday season, when the social and cultural expectation is for people to be happy.  Conversely, if you are suffering with depression, please reach out for support.  Youth and Young Adults of Color who are interested, I have a list of UU ministers and religious professionals of color who are willing to provide chaplain support during the holidays.  Please contact me for a list of their names.
You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica

Hi Family,

I write this column with a broken heart.  My heart is broken because of the number of young people who have attempted or successfully committed suicide over the past month. My heart is broken because once again cries for help were ignored until a critical mass of suicides forced the media, politicians, clergy and other adult authority figures to pay attention.
I just reread the Executive Summary of the 2009 Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) report, Shared Differences: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender Students of Color in Our Nations Schools.  The findings of the report confirm what the national media is finally reporting; many GBLT students do not experience public schools as being safe spaces for them if their sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity deviates from what has been defined as the norm.  As we have learned over the last month bullying is at an all time high, and going to school for many GBLT youth is hazardous for their health.  Many people are focused on the bullies who have created hell on earth for GBLT youth. What about the silent witnesses who are on the school buses, walking the hallways and sitting in classrooms?  What is their responsibility?
What GBLT youth and young adults need are allies.  People who will support them when they are called disrespectful names, threatened with violence and made to feel other than who they are; human beings who deserve to be treated with love and respect.  To quote Audre Lorde, “Your silence will not protect you,” because racism, classism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and heterosexism are all linked.  Until we each speak-up for someone being mistreated, bullies and bigots will continue to interpret our silence as acceptance.  If you want to be an ally, join or start a Gay Straight Alliance group at your school, tell the bully to leave your friend alone, or report abusive behavior to a responsible adult.  Finally, you can ask the person being mistreated how you can be supportive.
As always I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica