Marshall White

01/19/2024

In Times Like These: START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH A JOYFUL PURPOSE, CONTAGIOUS PASSION, AND A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

Are you one of those grateful people who entered the new year with the mindset to sit down and count the blessings you experienced in 2023? You are relishing in thanksgiving for your life, health, sound mind, job, friends, and family, and also thankful for the trials and tribulations of 2023. Or are you one of those people who, since the new year, still hold on to anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and being unbelievably ungrateful for the last 365 days of your life? Your pain has erased the good days of 2023 and completely covered you with agony that you can't shake. Which person do you identify with?
If you find yourself in the latter category, if your heart is heavy with unresolved pain, anger, and bitterness from the past, I want to offer you a lifeline of hope. It's never too late to start afresh, to cast away the shadows of negativity clinging to you. Embrace the new year as an opportunity for transformation.

IN TIME LIKE THESE: Start by reaching deeper within yourself, beyond the pain and the hurt. Dig deep, as though you're searching for buried treasure. And you'll find beneath the layers of anguish a joyful purpose fueled with passion, unconditional love, unwavering forgiveness, and an attitude of positivity waiting to be uncovered. Choose love over bitterness, even when it's hard. Love has the power to heal wounds and mend broken hearts. It's a force that can transform your life and the lives of those around you. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness; it's a testament to your strength. Let go of grudges and resentments. Forgive, not for others, but for yourself, to free your heart from the heavy burden of anger and bitterness. Let your kindness flow like a river, washing away the stains of negativity fueled by a passion that attracts people to your kindness. Be kind to yourself and others, for kindness can erase the scars of anger. Finally, make a conscious choice to embrace a positive attitude. Focus on what you're thankful for rather than dwelling on anger and resentment. Positivity attracts more positivity, and it can transform your outlook on life. As we enter this new year, let go of the pain that has held you back. Embrace joy, love, forgiveness, kindness, and a positive attitude. In doing so, you'll discover that 2024 has the potential to be a year filled with growth, healing, and happiness.

CEO/Founder of Unity Performing Arts Foundation and Director/Life Coach for the Voices of Unity Yout

11/27/2023

In Times Like These: Don't Let the Uncertain Times Dim Your Holiday Joy

Greetings Everyone! Once again, we have swiftly moved through another year and are now in the holiday season. It is a time that brings joy for some, while others may be grappling with tragedy. However, the essence of the holidays should not be dictated by our circumstances. Regardless of what life throws at us, choosing to be thankful is a conscious decision, a manifestation of gratitude. A gratitude that echoes, "Whatever my fate, you have taught me to say, 'It is well with my soul.'" Despite the challenges you may be facing today or have encountered this year, maintaining a thankful spirit is not a typical mindset but a reflection of faith in the one who controls all things. Expressing gratitude in all situations provides comfort through life's trials.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: The disheartening events unfolding across the globe can indeed be overwhelming. BUT PLEASE, DON'T LET THESE CIRCUMSTANCES ROB YOU OF YOUR JOY! The clouds of despair may lead you to believe that tragedy is omnipresent and peace, serenity, tranquility, harmony, love, and care are nowhere to be found. This perception is far from the truth. Yes, evil exists among us, but it cannot consume us. The creator assures us, "He will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in me." This highlights that genuine peace, harmony, love, and joy stem from trusting and focusing on the creator of life. So, I urge you to find the strength to embrace joy this season, even as you face trials, tribulations, or the loss of something or someone dear to you. Remember, the true joy of life comes from the giver of life, not from material possessions or people. So, place your trust in the JOY OF THE LORD ONLY!

CEO/Founder of Unity Performing Arts Foundation and Director/Life Coach for the Voices of Unity Yout

07/19/2023

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: The Unchecked Hunger for More Can Corrupt the Good-Hearted Person

The indisputable signature of a good-hearted person is their focus on others; they pay more attention to how they can give, encourage, serve, and build up others than how much they can consume for themselves. They are careful not to become absorbed by or attached to the finances, resources, influence, fame, or position they have been given on the earth. Instead, they see these unmerited gifts in their life as blessings that must never be taken for granted nor misused but instead used to add to the GOOD on the earth for the benefit of humanity. Being good-hearted doesn't mean you are morally perfect, spiritually flawless, or have dodged earthly imperfections. It simply means your presence on the earth is to be kind and helpful to others, share when there is an opportunity, and express hope and optimism when hopelessness is present.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: The good-hearted person must guard themselves against seductive hunger and inconspicuous desire to compete for more "stuff" only to satisfy their inner ego. If these deceptive evils are not checked or dealt with once detected, they can quietly steal your heart from you to do good. Is there true happiness, joy, or fulfillment in having or chasing more to increase your assets or enlarge your bank accounts? No, because earthly wealth only gives temporal security directly connected to the tangible things in your life. However, a heart of good is wealth embedded into something much more intrinsic and eternal that supersedes the things of this world. A heart grounded in integrity, respect, generosity, and care for others can only experience prosperity. The person that doesn't possess these qualities may experience abundance but will never know true prosperity because prosperity, like joy, is not a tangible possession but an internal awareness of contentment. So, if you have been blessed with much on the earth, give, share, and do good deeds without reservation. Let your heart guide you to do the right thing, and never say no to an opportunity to do GOOD!

06/15/2023

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: The Presence of a Father Builds the Strength of the Family, Community, and Country.

Men of Valor! Where are you? The great prophet Ezekiel records in the great book of wisdom a disappointing conversation he had with the Creator in Ezekiel 22:30-31; "So, I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore, I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads, says the Lord God." What a frightening message of doom! The lack or absence of strong, reliable, loving, committed, honest, humble, and courageous men can be the ominous reason a family comes apart, a community is held hostage by destruction, and a country is dismantled and destroyed. Down through the years, the role of a man has been regarded as the defender, protector, and provider for a family, community, and country. Men have been responsible for providing security and safety that gives those around a sense of comfort and assurance that all is well. However, today's society has begun to chip away at this once honorable responsibility. Many of these roles have been left in the lap of women because, in many cases, men of valor are nowhere to be found.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: We need men who will stand and be good fathers, husbands, and leaders that can be counted on when things get tough, challenging, and difficult. We need sound-minded men with good judgment who are not easily swayed by every wind of belief but are stable, reliable, steadfast, and unmovable. Today we are watching in our country what happens when men are more focused on power, money, and position when their aspirations are wrapped around being wealthy, famous, and influential in society. Chasing stuff, buying toys, and wanting more, more and more. When men are not around to stand in the gap and stand up for what is right or even know how to distinguish right from wrong, our families, communities, and country will pay a great price for this lack of courageous men. If your life has been blessed with great men, a brother, father, husband, boyfriend, son, mentor, or coach, take the time to honor, acknowledge and cherish them while they are on this earth.
They are rare and, in many cases, endangered species. So during this season of celebrating fathers, send an email, make a call, or post a note on social media to your father or someone who has played the role of a father figure in your life. Men of VALOR, wherever you are, stand up, stand tall and stand in the gap!

CEO/Founder of Unity Performing Arts Foundation and Director/Life Coach for the Voices of Unity Yout

05/12/2023

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: The unconditional love of a virtuous mother is priceless.

What would our world be like if there weren’t any virtuous mothers? Yes, you guessed it, we wouldn’t have much of a world. No true mothers, no genuine people! That eye-opening fact is a significant bit of reality of what would happen if we didn’t have mothers on the earth who were unconditional, nurturing, loving, caring, and virtuous. Do you think our world is in chaos now? Yes, it is, but it is nowhere near the mess it would be if everyone alive on the earth were without the touch of a mother’s virtue. When mothers compromise the banner of character and give up their birthright of ethical and moral behavior, children, families, and communities began to erode. The presence and power of godly women who are upstanding, sound-minded, supportive, and display admirable behavior are priceless.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: There is a severe shortage of good, hardworking, committed, and productive people available to work in our businesses, run our governments, pastor our churches, and teach in our schools. The frightening reason behind this growing phenomenon in our country is the deterioration of the fundamental foundation of a child’s development, and that’s the dismantling of virtuous and high-standard teaching in the home. The presence of a righteous mother can speak peace to a troubled home, calm an angry father, stabilize a wandering son who’s being lured into an unsafe territory and hold the hand of an emotionally drifting daughter who is growing insecure daily. I plead with the mothers of this generation to seek out and desperately search for the key ingredient to a life of character; that ingredient is virtue. The virtuous mother brings unconditional love and a level of value to her home that is simply priceless.

03/02/2023

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Be a light of kindness in a dark world of unkindness.

In our modern society today, kindness has become a rare quality and is less taught at the most foundational level of humanity. Yet, there was a time when kindness was religiously taught to children at home, demonstrated by school teachers, preached by pastors at church, and practiced by professionals in the workplace. Unfortunately, we live in a contemporary world where nothing is off the table, and everything goes. The recipe for popularity in our social media world is to be as rude, disrespectful, and bad-mannered as possible. (Not to mention the intensity of hate running rampant in our communities at the hands of our children and many young adults not even over 25) Our culture's attitude seems to sway toward growing disdain for others and a lack of optimism for the future. My God, we are experiencing an epidemic of unkindness.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Please make a conscious decision to be KIND. It costs us nothing to be kind to one another in ways such as saying hello when you face someone, saying thank you when someone is kind to you, or responding with an upbeat and positive response when someone asks you how you are doing. But unfortunately, we are surrounded by agents of evil that spread regular acts of unkind behavior to hurt someone's feelings and cause sorrow, suffering, and anguish with passion. So, my question is, are you an agent of kindness? I hope you will say yes in your comments. But if you are, then, with a passion, use your life to spread the healing power of kindness that floods people within your vicinity with goodwill, gentleness, and consideration. Let's start a movement and take small steps daily to spread a wave of kindness. Share this post with someone, and be sure to post something kind about something or someone. Today be a light of kindness in a dark world of unkindness.

12/23/2022

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Look up, be encouraged, and move forward–It's A New Year!

Millions face this season of joy with much sorrow, pain, and deep despair in our world today. Many of these people you interact with regularly, and in many cases, are unaware that they are struggling tremendously inside. This past year has had its share of bad experiences, such as tragedies, hate crimes, devastating deceptions, destructive behavior, ominous weather, suicides, murders, unexpected death of a friend, loved ones, or family members, sickness, etc. One tragic thing after another, enough to make you downright sad, sorrowful, and depressed with a dismal view of a better day. If you are one of these people stuck in the mud of life's cycle of trials and you're reading this message. LOOK UP, BE ENCOURAGED, and COUNT IT ALL JOY!

In Times Like These: The fact of the matter is that life has always presented cloudy, sad, and down days from the beginning of the fall of man. The good book of wisdom teaches us to remember there is nothing new under the sun; what we experience today, others have before us. Therefore, you can not allow life's gloomy days to trick you into thinking less about the good, happy, and beautiful days that life also manifests. In fact, you can change your paradigm, sharpen your perspective, renew your mind, and see life more long-term instead of from the eyes of a short-term problem. Behind every dark cloud, rumbling thunder, and blinding rain, there is a glowing sun of beauty, a silver lining, and a beautiful breathtaking sky. Start this year by saying, "I must let go of my past pain, hurt, and despair and move forward." "

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." Have a blessed and prosperous new year!

11/28/2022

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Be Thankful In All Things

Are you an obsessed complainer or a casual complainer? Nevertheless, you find yourself complaining about how you feel, where you work, who you're dating or married to, what you don't have, and on and on and on. A life of complaining makes it very hard for you to be thankful for what is already in your life, and hard to value the people in and around you who bring good vibes to your personal space. Some people believe complaining makes them feel better about their situations because they often use them as a coping mechanism to help them deal with unpleasant and unwanted circumstances. For some, it's a mechanism they use to seek validation from those who take the time to listen to them. Please make no mistake; we all will encounter dissatisfaction, disappointment, and many things that will go wrong in our lives. But remember, complaining will eventually make you sick and insane; it feeds depression and self-pity like no other force.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: BE THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS. This mindset won't divinely erase your challenging circumstances but will allow you to develop a peaceful attitude while going through your circumstances. I would encourage you to check your gratitude levels because low gratitude levels tend to produce high complaining levels. Are you quick to acknowledge kindness done to you or for you? Are you passionately prepared to express appreciation when someone has given you something? Are you enthusiastic about showing someone how much you are grateful for them? These questions will get you on the path to lessening your complaining and increasing your gratitude so that your life becomes overwhelmed with thanksgiving, not because everything is going right but because you have learned to be thankful in all things.

09/15/2022

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Don't Take A Good Mind For Granted

God didn't give man the ability to fly. God didn't give man the gills to swim in water 24/7. God didn't give man the claws to climb a tree. But God did give man something very significant and a genuine part of himself when he created him, HIS MIND. The mind is the part of man connected to the eternal essence of the Creator. Through the mind, ideas are deposited into man; everything created on the earth comes from a divine idea deposited into man's mind. God didn't give man the ability to fly, but he gave him the mind to build an airplane that could fly. God didn't give man the gills to swim in water 24/7, but he gave him the mind that built a submarine that could swim underwater 24/7. God didn't give man the claws to climb a tree, but he gave him the mind to make tools for climbing trees.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Having a sound mind in a world full of misguided ideas, thoughts, information, and dysfunctional leadership is a tremendous blessing and something you should not take for granted. Your mind has unlimited capacity simply because it's an extension of the Creator, unbound and infinite in his knowledge. However, man's will is the mechanism created to control his decisions, thoughts, and actions, all produced by the mind. Your will is a mighty force; it tells the mind what you will and will not do, what you will and will not believe, and what is and isn't true. Be sure to control your will so it won't control you and hold you captive to unnecessary limitations. The famous quote, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," came out in 1972 and was used by the United Negro College Fund to drive home the point of the necessity of education. Today it can also be used as a reminder to never give your mind over for others to waste. I urge you today, please don't take a good mind for granted! Protect, cherish, and take good care of it because you only get this precious mind once in a lifetime.

08/18/2022

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Young People! Be steadfast in all your ways.

The world as we live today is advancing at unusual speeds and rapidly changing, making people more unstable and less reliable. What is producing this remarkable migration of unfaithfulness and irresponsible behavior in our current generations? A very puzzling question and tremendously terrifying for organizations, businesses, churches, and schools as they all experience a generation of young people who don’t possess the quality of steadfastness. Their words, decisions, actions, and commitments are all over the place; they no longer honor the standard or the principle; your word is your bond. Is this a result of unstable parental leadership in the home? Or could this be influenced by the anything-goes culture that has invaded our country’s moral fabric? Wherever this is coming from, and whatever is the primary reason for its existence, we must deal with this crisis before we are faced with an epidemic of unreliable future leaders. Our country’s future is in jeopardy if it cannot pass on quality principles to future generations.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: When you find a young person prepped for greatness, they are indeed a diamond in the rough. Please do whatever you can to nurture, equip, condition, and genuinely care for them during their years of development. Teach them the principles of reaching back, serving others through volunteering, honoring those who invest in their lives, and never forgetting where they came from or started. So many young people today grow up and become successful and act as if they are self-made. That is truly a misnomer. No one is self-made, especially when it pertains to achieving greatness. The process of greatness requires the support and contributions of many people giving personal hours, money, and skills to those who desire to be great one day. In closing, I leave all aspiring young people with a simple message of importance, give careful thought to the paths you decide to take and be steadfast in all your ways.

08/04/2022

IN TIMES LIKE THESE RE-POST: In a Dark World of Cynicism, Be a Light of Optimism

We live in times where people grow more and more cynical every day—despising good people who display honorable characters and do good deeds yet quickly embracing those who've demonstrated little or no ethical behavior. Cynicism is usually an expression of a person who has a pessimistic outlook on life and has very little confidence in the good people say or the good people do. Cynical people lack a key central purpose in their lives and, therefore, produce a wavering and unstable existence that drives them farther and farther away from obtaining the virtues of a discerning mind. It is crucial to the health of your mind, body, and spirit that you flee from any form of cynicism.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE: Having an open mind keeps you connected to a simple but profound source of healthy skepticism that keeps you cautious, yes, but on your peas and cues, so you're not fooled or tricked by frauds. Devoting your focus to building a healthy and productive outlook on life can get you through the most challenging circumstances no matter what's happening around you. Watch the company you keep and the information you consume, attach yourself to other open-minded, cautious, and stable people who exercise prudence in their thinking, behavior, and character. Remember, in a dark world of cynicism, you can be a great light of optimism. Everyday Shine Your Light of Hopefulness!