13-Year-Old CEO Successfully Runs 5-Employee, $200,000 in Sales Business

He is only 13, but he has accomplished more in his short years than most have by 30. His bow ties have produced $200,000 in sales, and he has five employees on payroll which include his mother and grandmother. Not to mention, he has been celebrated by Oprah’s O Magazine, Steve Harvey and mentor/FUBU founder Daymond John.

His name is Moziah Bridges and he is the CEO of Mo’s Bows. The teenage fashion designer started his company in 2011 at the tender age of nine when he asked his grandmother to teach him how to sew. He took her scraps of fabric and began making unique bow ties. Not long after, Mo’s Bows began selling to local stores and online.

On his website Bridges explains his passion for making bow ties saying, “I like to wear bow ties because they make me look good and feel good. Designing a colorful bow tie is just part of my vision to make the world a fun and happier place.”

And as his vision is becoming actualized, the Memphis native went a step further into philanthropy.

“I made this bow tie called the Go Mo! Scholarship Bow Tie and 100 percent of the proceeds go to help kids go to summer camp because I feel like it’s good to help the community and that’s what I’m doing,” Bridges said.

Bridges appeared on Shark Tank in 2014 to pitch Mo’s Bows to potential investors. He had to choose between accepting $50,000 for his innovative idea while sharing royalties with Kevin O’Leary, or have John as a mentor. The young businessman chose John’s influence over money, and so far the decision has proven to be a wise one.

With John, he attended Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York and impressed big names in fashion with his sophisticated demeanor and dapper style. What more could they expect from a kid carrying a briefcase? Bridges’s experience at Fashion Week garnered a phone call from Karen Katz CEO of Neiman Marcus. Mo’s Bows are now sold online at Neiman Marcus and Cole Hahn. His neckwear retails at around $50 and are available in 15 states, Toronto and the Bahamas.

The fashionist-sir is very hands-on with the creation of Mo’s Bows. He chooses the design of each tie and his style is a myriad of polka-dots, bold stripes, funky paisleys, and sports themed ties. His sports ties opened a seat for Bridges at 2015 NBA Draft where he served as a fashion analyst for the draftees.

Moziah Bridges’ success is certainly engineered by his mother’s support. “You don’t have to wait until you’re older,” his mother Tramica Morris said. “If you have a dream and you have a passion, we say go for it.”

When is he older, his future with Mo’s Bows will be expansive. “I see Mo’s Bows adding neck ties, pocket squares and other accessories for men,” he wrote to FORBES. “I also want to get enough money to start a cool kids clothing company that has nice blazers and pants for kids who like to look good like me.”

On the website, Mo’s Bows now sells squares and t-shirts.

Today he is still managing school and making bow ties, but Bridges has plans to attend college and launch a full fashion line by 20.

Source: http://atlantablackstar.com/

Be Inspired

xoxo

19 Amazing English Words We've Totally Forgotten About

1. Twirlblast

A tornado, according to people in the 1700s. Why we switched to tornado, I’ll never understand.

2. Chork

The act of making the sound your shoes make when you’re walking in them and they’re full of water.

3. Interrobang

This actually does not refer to the activities of a successful third date, but rather refers to a specific punctuation mark that is a mixture of a question mark and an exclamation mark (‽). The fact that we choose to write ?!?! instead of using interrobangs is just sheer laziness.

4. Groaning-cheese

This amazing word refers to the Medieval belief that a woman in labor could be made to feel better by giving her some cheese. Nowadays, it’s simply cheese that’s celebratory of a birth.

5. Uglyography

Poor handwriting.

6. Ultracrepidarian

One who gives their opinions on things they don’t know about. This is a very old word derived from a Greek story. A shoemaker had approached the famous Greek painter, Apelles of Kos, and pointed out that he had drawn the sandal wrong. When Apelles fixed the sandal, the excited shoemaker began critiquing other parts of the painting. Apelles said to him, ”Sutor, ne ultra crepidum,” or, “Shoemaker, not above the sandal.” The term “ultracrepidarianism” became popular in Britain in the 19th century.

7. Feague

To put a live eel up a horse’s butt. Bafflingly, this is sometimes used to refer to trying to lift someone’s spirits. Or maybe horses really love having live eels up their butts. I know very little about horses.

8. Trumpery

Things that look nice, but are actually pretty worthless. Shockingly, this is a very old, medieval English saying, and not one that was invented in reference to a current politician.

9. Throttlebottom

A dishonest public official.

10. Empurple

To make something purple. It probably gets underused because there just aren’t many opportunities for us to discuss the making purple of things, but we could easily fix that by empurpling more of our lives.

Pilgarlik

Someone who is bald. Apparently, in the 16th century, they thought bald men’s heads looked like peeled garlic.

12. Crapulence

Easily the most amazing synonym for “hungover,” crapulence comes from the Latin word crapula, which just means “hungover.” Why we thought saying “I’m super hungover” sounded better than, “I’m completely crapulent right now,” we’ll never know. Another great term for hangovers is “the Woofits.”

13. Callipygian

One who is callipygian is one who has a nice ass.

14. Swullocking

Humid weather.

15. Snollygoster

An unprincipled politician. Though I really didn’t need to tell you that, you can basically feel the word’s meaning from its sound. It was a 19th century slang word that probably was a derivation of “snallygaster,” which was a mythical beast that supposedly haunted the hills around Washington, DC.

Nibling

A catchall, non-gender specific term for nieces and nephews, much like “sibling.”

17. Chasmophile

Simply enough, this is someone who loves nooks and crannies.

18. Scurryfunge

The act of hastily cleaning before a guest arrives.

19. Widdershins

Counter-clockwise. But isn’t this so much better than saying counter-clockwise?

Source: http://matadornetwork.com/

Be Inspired

xoxo

Contour On Point

There's that word again that should be banned!

I can't help but laugh hysterically at this. 

xoxo

Animal Humour

A conversation between a koala and his friends in the animal kingdom. Hehe. 

xoxo

Today's Word With Joel and Victoria Osteen

Today’s Scripture “The vision is yet for an appointed time...” (Habakkuk 2:3, NKJV) It’s Your Time

God has planted seeds of greatness on the inside of you, and He has predestined that those things in your heart come to pass. You may have had more than your share of unfair things happen in your life. You probably have plenty of reasons to just settle where you are. But understand, the depth of your past is an indication of the height of your future. If you’ve been through a lot of negative things in the past, it just means that your future is bigger and brighter and greater than you can even imagine. It’s your time to step out and embrace all that God has for you! Are there dreams and promises that you’ve let go of? Are there things that God has placed in your heart, but because of time, because of disappointments, you’ve given up on them? Today is the day to give your dreams a new beginning. Today is the day to allow faith to rise in your heart. Remember, what’s happened to you is not nearly as important as what’s happened in you, and you are stronger and wiser than ever before. It’s your time; it’s your season to move forward into the destiny that God has prepared for you!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for what You are doing in my life today. I receive the vision You have for me. I receive Your hope. I look forward with joy to all You have for my future in Jesus name. Amen!” xoxo

Sunday Morning Banter

Are you still sleeping? When your mates are in church? Ehn? Oya! Wake up and run to church! 

xoxo

Movies Back In The Day

So true! So much has changed in the last 10/15 years!

xoxo

7 Cardinal Rules To Aid Weight Loss

Here are the rules I'm trying to live by and implement into my personal weight loss journey. Ah, the struggle is real my friend!

We all know putting on weight is so easy yet losing it is such hard work. We have to put the work in and I'm feeling the pressure now more than ever. Pressure is good though. Pressure for me equals results. Complacency breeds stagnancy. 

These are simple steps we can all do to change our bad habits and hopefully lose weight, regain our good health and feel sexy again. I'm not going to beat around the bush here. I'm going to go hard on us.

1. Drink 3l water everyday. Try holding a bottle of water wherever you go. It a visual reminder that you need to constantly drink water. You don't want to get to 7pm and start gulping down all the water you should have drank during he day. Who wants to wake up 8 times in the night for a wee? 

2. Don't snack. Oh this one is so hard. Don't you just find yourself constantly putting something in your mouth? Well, don't. Most of the time when we snack, we snack on sugar and carbs, am I right? Think about it for a second. If you don't snack, you wouldn't add those extra calories. There's no point eating all the lean greens for dinner if you have laced your body with sugar beforehand. 

3. Don't eat after 6pm. This is incredibly hard for all my working mummies out there. Yes, because you finish work at 6/7, don't get home until 7/8pm and you have to make quick dinner, before unwinding for the day. Right? Well, if you are serious about losing weight, don't eat after 6pm. The food just sits there in your tummy and gradually finds its way into your love handles and thighs. Inugo? Solution? Try taking your dinner to work for now. Something light please. No pounded yam and Efo Riro please. You could eat some lentils or beans and eat it just before you leave to go home. For those who get home earlier, then good for you. Those that work need that extra discipline.   

4. Eat smaller portions. Coming from me, that's a toughie. I've been eating with my kids plates recently and I must say, it's helping. It automatically halves my food portions. As long as I don't go for seconds of course. 

5. Walk more. 

6. Know when to say 'No' to others and yourself. You don't need to have that dessert today, do you really? You don't need to say yes when they are handing out chocolate cupcakes at work, they do that every Friday, don't they? 

7. Drastically reduce your sugar, oil and salt content in your food. If you could, it's best to stay well clear. 

So help me God! 

Easy Cooking With The Kids: Puff Pastry With Veggie Toppings

Colourful again. This time, the children really got stuck into the preparation of this simple English dinner. It looks really messy but hey, it was fun making it. It was a lovely bonding experience too.

Ingredients: 

1. Rolled puff pastry 

2. Cheese

3. Mushrooms

4. Onions

5. Spinach

6. Red and Orange sweet peppers 

I served it with sweet chilli chicken and avocado! 

What thinketh you?

Inspired?

xoxo

Nadia Buari Is Bringing Sexy Back!

This is Ms Buari a couple of months after giving birth to twins by the way! 

What's my excuse. Really? Seriously? Let me go and hide somewhere right now. 

Only kidding. Hehe. 

I am Inspired

xoxo

Lustre Fashion Boutique

Are you looking for a sophisticated and elegant Kaftan to wear for a special occasion? Well look no further. Lustre Fashion Boutique is here to help solve your trivial shopping dilemma. 

LFB was birthed from passion we have for elegance and uniqueness of style - It is exclusive, stylish, glamorous, elegant and luxurious!

We specialise in the retailing of show stopping & elegant Kaftan/Caftans and breathtaking fragrance oils which we are able to offer to our customers at a competitive price.

Here at LFB customer satisfaction is paramount and has always been of utmost priority,

We are committed to keeping our promises by meeting your requirements

We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the fashion industry.

LFB....A touch of class and sense of style.

For enquiries please contact us at: lustrecoterie@gmail.com or send a message to our inbox on Facebook.

Follow on Facebook: Lustre Fashion Boutique

Be Inspired

xoxo

When Your Faith Wavers

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1-KJV

Even though this has always been one of my favorite Bible verses, years went by before I realized the significance of the word “now” in the verse. Now is defined as at the present time or moment.  So why is the word “now” so significant in this verse?  Because it’s telling us that we need to be confident and believe that what we’re going through at the present time is going to change.  We can’t rely on our past faith, or our mother’s faith, or even our father’s faith. It is our responsibility to have trust right now that God is going to bring us out of our situations.  Our faith right now guides our hope in all things  and is the  proof of Romans 8:28; “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

The greatest thing about Faith is that we don’t have to have much…..the Bible tells us that all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed and we can move mountains.  Where we continue to fail over and over again is that we say we trust God but our faith wavers.  We may not physically be able to move a mountain, but our NOW faith equips us to overcome any mountain that may become a stumbling block for us.  We constantly speak our greatness and kill it in the same sentence because we don’t have that now faith that the Bible speaks of.  “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it’s fruit. Proverbs 18:21 NIV” Now faith and positive talk producing good fruit, however, speaking doubt and unbelief produces rotten fruit.  Ephesians 4:22-24;29 commands us “to put off our old self, which is being corrupted by it’s deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  We should also avoid letting any “unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.” 

It’s never too late to get on the right track.  God never brings us to a situation He cannot see us through.   If there is a struggle with having faith right now because your current situation just seems unbearable, get out of your own way and think back on all of the many situations He has already seen you through.  That reflection in itself should allow you to regain the Now faith you need pick yourself up and because to command those mountains to move.  

Today, the challenge is to begin thanking Him for where you are, now. No matter the situation, praise Him for the greatness that is going to come from it.  I guarantee that it will begin to renew your mind, your spirit, and your heart.  Do not allow evil to overcome your good doing, however, overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). 

Source: www.theprayingwoman.com 

Be Inspired

xoxo

5 Top Secret Methods to Get Noticed by Any Company You Want to Work For

That the job market is overcrowded is an obvious statement. A lot of people, whether looking for their first job or looking to get a better one than their present job, are on the look out for opportunities.

And the worst part?

Everyone is looking to get hired by the big, established firms in their industry. And the problem is too many people are looking to get the attention of the recruiters for these big firms. Even the not so big but ok companies also do look a lot of consideration from anyone looking to get hired. As long as the pay is good or the organisation is known for a good work culture and working condition. 

So in brief – The competition is stiff!

How Do You Get Ahead of All the Noise and Get Noticed by the HR Managers of Your Target Companies?

We’ll walk through practical steps you can take to stand up, get noticed and get hired.

Get Your Act lTogether 

You have to be deliberate; like an army general going to war you should plan and leave very little to chance. It starts with becoming coordinated in terms of what you want to achieve. What sort of work do you want to be considered for in the company/organisation? How Much do you know about the organisation? 

You basically should start your homework. The more you know about the task at hand the better your chances of winning. 

Start to Create the Right Presence and Pool of Information About You

While a lot of people will send in CVs and drop unsolicited application letters you should tow a different, not so obvious path. This starts with building the right sort of image you envision for yourself. List all your social media profiles and start a through professional makeover (or surgery if you like). It’s of no use if you succeed in getting the attention of the right HR executives and one look at your web and social profiles sends the door shutting against you.

Starting from your career profiles to your social media handles draw up an articulate summary of who you are, the skills you have, the work achievements you have made and your passion for the types of job you are interested in.

To show you are a valuable resource and talent in your discipline you will need to start getting visible, publishing well researched insights at the right places. Using all social tools at your disposal (including blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Online Communities and Forums etc) you can start engaging with others in similar line of interest. You do not even need to have a blog; as occassionally you can get your opinions published in respectable blogs if they are good enough. 

Next

Make a List of Important and Relevant Persons in the Organisation (easier if it is a small or medium organisation)

Remember we said this is a deliberate action. This means you do all you can to place yourself in a better situation to win. You plan carefully and execute methodically. 

Now you are done with cleaning up your image on the web to present a professional look you move on to finding out who you need to attract to your profile. Every company has people responsible for finding new potential hires. With the tools at your disposal you can start looking for the persons who have a say in recruiting new hires. This involves recruiters as well since many big firms outsource their recruitment to agencies and consulting firms.

Start Connecting Smartly

It is one thing to have the information on the right Managers, CEOs, HR Executives of your target companies and it is another (much more difficult thing) to connect smartly with them and get their attention without appearing like a nuisance.

Start by connecting from the point of a) giving value and b) stimulating thought

When you try to see things from the perspective of the person whose attention you are hoping to get you begin to come up with ideas and information that will get them to pause and look you up and possibly reach out. Things like politely asking them to check out an insightful blog post you wrote or pointing out an interesting link to something you read and know will be of value/interest to them etc will give you a better chance than outright sending them a message asking to be employed. 

Dig Deep; Find out Ways to Help the Organisation Meet and Surpass Their Goals

If you are ever able to do this and convey your ideas to the right people in that organisation while still not appearing to ask them to employ you most likely they will approach you. The key lies in utilising your skills and knowledge to look into ways to provide more value to an organisation. And then convey these to the right persons in the organisation free of charge without making any request.

In otherwords; engage, provide value and never ask for anything in return. 

And watch the magic happen!

Get noticed by thousands of recruiters and HR Managers looking for experienced people like you. Sign up on Ngcareers.com and fast track your career

Source: Ngcareers

Day 14: 14 Days Confession

What an awesome time it's been. 

Day 14

Pastor Obi Chiemeka

14 days of Confessions - 14th July 2015

Posted by Pastor Obi Chiemeka

These confessions are to be made seven times each day for 14 days. The times are 6.25am, 9am, 12:15pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm and 10.15pm.

I am rich; I have all the resources I need because God has made all favour and earthly blessing abound towards me in abundance.

I am always and under all circumstances self-sufficient. I possess enough and require no aid or support.

I am financially furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation.

I am connected to an eternal source of wealth because I am the seed of Abraham.

I lay up gold as dust.

A thousand shall fall at my side and ten thousand at my right hand but nothing shall by any means hurt me.

I am divinely shielded and immune from everything that hurts, binds or destroys.

I am born of the Spirit and the word, therefore I carry God’s glorious presence in and around me.

I belong to Christ therefore I am an heir according to the promise and a joint heir with Jesus.

I am blessed in the city and in the field; in my coming in and my going out.

I am blessed to be a blessing.

It is impossible for me to fail. In me lies the seed of greatness, excellence and productivity.

The word guides me and keeps me in a steady path of success, victory, prosperity, abundance, honour and glory.

My life is a life of glory because Christ has glorified me.

There is no place for defeat in my life

Christ in me is the hope of glory. I walk in glory.

My life is the expression of God’s glory, grace, perfection, beauty and righteousness.

The excellence and virtues of divinity are manifested in and through me in ever increasing splendour.

I am invigorated with divine might and ability in my spirit for the supernatural.

I am empowered to do the impossible for greater is He that’s in me than he that is in the world.

I've been singled out for special favours and sudden promotions.

I'm specially clothed with grace.

I am super intelligent, sound and wise in all things. 

The greater One lives in me. Therefore I do not fail.

Excellence is my way of life. I'm purpose driven and result oriented. 

I'm making impact in my world and touching lives in nations all around the world.

Be Inspired

xoxo

You Are Not A Back Up Plan

Never settle for substandard. 

Source: Lessons Learned In Life 

Be Inspired

xoxo

Gum Disease: All You Need To Know

Knowledge is Power.

Gum disease is a very common condition where the gums become swollen, sore or infected.

It's estimated to affect more than half of all adults in the UK to some degree and most people experience it at least once. It is much less common in children.

If you have gum disease, your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth and you may have bad breath. This stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis.

If gingivitis is not treated, a condition called periodontitis can develop. This affects the tissues that support teeth and hold them in place. In the UK, up to 15% of adults are estimated to have severe periodontitis, with many more affected less severely.

If periodontitis is not treated, the bone in your jaw can decay and small spaces can open up between the gum and teeth. Your teeth can become loose and may eventually fall out.

Read more about the symptoms of gum disease.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria, which forms when you eat and drink.

Some bacteria in plaque are harmless, but some are very harmful for the health of your gums. If you do not remove plaque from your teeth by brushing them, it will build up and irritate your gums, leading to redness, swelling and soreness.

Read more about the causes of gum disease.

Seeing your dentist

You should make an appointment to see your dentist if your gums are painful, swollen or if they bleed when you brush your teeth. Find a dentist near you.

Your dentist can carry out a thorough dental examination to check the health of your gums, which may involve inserting a thin metal stick with a bend in one end (periodontal probe) beside your teeth.

In some cases, a number of X-rays may be needed to check the condition of your teeth and jaw bone.

Preventing and treating gum disease

Mild cases of gum disease can usually be treated by maintaining a good level of oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. You should also make sure you attend regular dental check-ups. 

In most cases, your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to give your teeth a thorough clean and remove any hardened plaque (tartar). They will also be able to show you how to clean your teeth effectively to help prevent plaque building up in the future.

If you have severe gum disease, you will usually need to have further medical and dental treatment and, in some cases, surgery may need to be carried out. This will usually be performed by a specialist in gum problems (periodontics).

Read more about treating gum disease and keeping your teeth clean.

Dental check-ups

It is important to have regular dental check-ups so that any problems with your teeth and gums can be detected and treated early. 

If you have never had gum disease and have good oral health, you may only need to visit your dentist every one to two years for a check-up.

You may need to visit your dentist more frequently if you have had problems with gum disease in the past. At each appointment your dentist will advise when you need your next appointment.

If you have an increased risk of developing gum problems – for example, if you smoke or have diabetes – you may be advised to visit your dentist more often so your teeth and gums can be closely monitored.

Complications of gum disease

If you have untreated gum disease that develops into periodontitis, it can lead to further complications, such as:

• gum abscesses (painful collections of pus) 
• receding gums 
• loose teeth 
• loss of teeth 

Be Informed. 

Be Inspired xoxo

International Students Will No Longer Be Allowed To Work While They Study In UK

I don't usually upload posts referring to something drastic in the news, as I try to keep this blog free from all the drama from the outside world and bring information that is either inspirational or just plain funny. This blog is a platform to for me to get away from everything horrible going on in the world. Trust me, I'm not oblivious to the news. I'm just selective as to the actual content I put on here.

Having said that, the new legislation that prevents international students from working part-time while studying and subsequently leaving the UK immediately their course ends in a bid to clamp down on immigration is something I can't 

ignore. The government argue that foreign nationals use student visas as a back door to a working visa and thereby staying in the UK indefinitely. 

Here is a piece written on Facebook by Teresa Aligbe regarding this new legislation. Below are her thoughts, which I am sure will be echoed around the world, yet ignored. I couldn't have said it any better myself. 

"While it in no way affects me, I still find it very irritating the new proposed laws banning International students from working while studying. It's one thing to mandate that they leave once they are done with their studies but to go a step further and say they can't work while they study is incredibly unfair.

Let the conservatives stop whining about International students claiming benefits and profiting off the system like our presence and status as international students isn't incredibly beneficial to the British economy. Take Nigeria for example, we are a 300 million pounds per annum industry in Education alone, not to mention luxury shopping habits and a penchant for high end real estate.I won't even go into the Asians and the Arabs.

We are pouring a lot more in that we are taking out at the end of the day. Part of my irritation stems for the fact that while a number of Internationals can afford to not work throughout the entire course of their study in the UK, it will be an extreme financial strain for many individuals who use the part-time-very-legal jobs they do to take care of their living expenses and ease the financial strain on their families.I mean being able to get a part-time job and earn some money is the only way a significant number of international students can even afford to study in the UK.

The annoying part is that they don't even give better scholarship and we pay for virtually everything almost down to the air we breathe and now you would take away the opportunity for people to even earn an honest living for what?

I think these laws are very antagonistic as I don't see how international students who have 'PART-TIME" legal jobs are in anyway negatively impacting the system.

All this law will do is to ensure that every single non EU student who comes to the UK to study, is from an upper middle class to wealthy background or is struggling to keep their head above water.

How hypocritical of the leadership of a country who is always going on about an increase in the wealth divide in developing countries only to prepare to stand as one of the most proactive facilitators of such a divide.

Before people start passing such legislation, they should sit and analyse how many of those international students are still working in the UK up to 5 years after their graduation and if the numbers are as overwhelming as the skewed one year observation then this might make some sense.

Meanwhile British expatriates will be rolling around Lagos in Chauffeur driven cars, a reality that wouldn't be possible in their own country and yet heavens forbid that non-Brits and non-Europeans enjoy such a luxury in their own countries.

These are the sort of Legislation that bring on anti-British sentiments and I really wonder if that's something Britain can afford given the number of non-EU nationals its educated and is still going to educate. A significant no of whom no doubt, are future leaders of their respective countries.Then again I guess it'll find out. 

On the bright side.... I guess Nigerians and other nationals of less developed countries won't have a choice but to ensure progress and development in their home countries".

Teresa Aligbe 

Check out her amazing lifestyle blog at www.sapphirebrushstrokes.com

Be Inspired

xoxo

Poem: Today I Taught My Child

I read this lovely poem... Please read and enjoy!

Today I Taught My Child 

When I got mad today and hit my child

"For his own good, " I reconciled,
and then I realized my plight...
Today, I taught my child to fight.

When interrupted by the phone,
I said, "tell them I'm not home."
And then I thought, and had to sigh...
Today I taught my child to lie.

I told the tax man what I made,
forgetting cash that was paid,
And than I blushed at this sad feat...
Today I taught my child to cheat.

I smugly copied a cassette,
To keep me from one more debt,
But now the bells of shame must peal...
Today I taught my child to steal.

Today I cursed another race,
Oh God, protect what I debase,
for now, I fear it is too late...
Today I taught my child to hate.

By my example, children learn
That I must lead in life's sojourn
In such a way they are led
By what is done and not what is said.

Today I gave my child his due
By praise for him instead of rue.
And now I have begun to guide;
Today I gave my child pride.

I now have reconciled and paid
to IRS all that I have made.
And now I know that this dear youth,
Today has learned from me the truth.

The alms I give are not for show,
And yet, this child must surely know
That charity is worth the price:
Today he saw my sacrifice.

I clasp within a warm embrace
My neighbor of another race.
The great commandment from up above.
Today I taught my child to love.

Someday my child must face alone
This fearsome undertone,
But I have blazed a sure pathway:
Today I taught my child to pray.

Be Inspired 

xoxo