I AM INNOVATIVE

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” Psalm 46:1-3

I shake things up… that’s why it’s all falling apart.

I am a Revolutionary. The last time I heard those words was watching Judas and the Black Messiah. It was the rallying cry from Black Panther Fred Hampton and it pierced my heart and sent chills through my body. Daniel Kaluuya is an amazing actor and I appreciate him and his gift for stirring up in me (again) something I’ve always felt: the need to be radical. The Revolutionary, the Rebel, the Move maker, the Shaker upper, the Innovator… it’s a special calling. It requires nerves of steel and a fearlessness that is not common. Depending on who you are it can be down right petrifying. But it’s always inspiring. What if I told you there is an Innovator in all of us?

There’s only so far the status quo can go before it has to be shifted. As we evolve as people, as we learn new things, as we awaken new awarenesses, change becomes necessary. And we don’t always have the luxury of waiting for someone else to be the catalyst for that change. Sometimes you look around the room and see nothing but mirrors letting you know that it’s your turn. And then fear starts to set it. Fear causes your heartrate to increase and maybe your palms to sweat but something has to be done and its up to you. Yes, there are some things that require the big guns and to my big gun slingers, God’s timing is perfect and if this is it I empower you to take that chance and be who you have been called to be. But there are smaller things around us, too. That person in the office who tells the insensitive jokes, that policy the Governor is leaning towards that you know in your heart is wrong, even the way your supervisor speaks to you that makes you uncomfortable. It doesn’t take much to put those people on notice. Filing a report, getting out and voting, speaking up for yourself. Change the status quo.

Why does fear keep us from being innovative? Because we’re afraid of repercussions, afraid of being ignored, but mostly afraid that not just one thing will change but EVERYTHING will change. We’re afraid that the world as we know it will cease to exist and come crumbling down. So what if it does? Change is inevitable. Change is necessary. And sometimes the only way for that change to be effective is to break it all down to build it back up. So let’s go! I’m going to empower you today with your affirmations to be Innovative and shake things up… and let it all come crumbling down.

Affirmation #1: It’s broken, so let’s fix. You know the age old adage: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But it is broken. So fix it! Let yourself be ok with breaking out the tools and fixing the problem. Don’t run from it, don’t leave it for someone else, at the very least sound the alarm so that the crack in the foundation can be repaired and no longer ignored.

Affirmation #2: Revolution is inspiring. Remember I said that fear is what keeps you from taking a stand: the same is true for everyone else. I guarantee you that someone else sees the troubles you see and they haven’t awakened their inner Innovator to fix it. But if you start, if you take the chance, others will follow. Your tribe will reveal itself and you won’t have to take that walk alone. If you ever find yourself in a place where there is no support for necessary change, it’s time to leave. Let the loyalty complexes go and free yourself from that oppression. It’s holding you back.

Affirmation #3: Your calling is destined. If God called you to be the Innovator, He will bless the journey. And it will be hard and things will crumble. David wrote “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” (Psalm 46:1-3) David was an Innovator, he shook up the kingdom, changed everything. And his life was at risk while he was doing it. But he believed in where his strength comes from and he knew who called him forward. Keep your faith about you, and move forward knowing He is by your side.

I have a radical side, and it scares me sometimes to awaken her. But I cannot be afraid to stand up for what I believe in whether it’s small or great. I use my voice here to encourage you all to embrace your emotions and seek mental health treatment while you’re praying for peace. I know that God made therapy and it’s so beneficial, so please go! I won’t ever stop saying that. But I also use my voice to call out the wrongs I see in the world and I hope you will, too. I hope you will find the courage and the support to speak out and not be bystander to injustice. You’ve got my support. I love you, and I’m always rooting for you. Keep conquering daily, one innovation at a time.