Author: danitaogandaga

Master P used to rock me to my core with the song, “You Bout It”. I am sure yall remember that song awakening the motivation in us to pursue those things we wanna do. Far from that now, I am on a motivation journey to fulfill the complete will of God for my life.

Last night in my 2nd or 3rd phase of sleep, I stated dreaming about a parking lot. Yeap, a parking lot that wwas filled with a many cars, some red, some white, some BMW’s and some Grand Prix. I even saw my favorite ride, an Impala. Still, I looked and the lot went for miles and miles. I though oh wow, is this a sign that my car harvest os on the way and I am going to pick up my Ford F150 Lariat Edition?

All at once, it became clear that this dream belonged to Orphan No More and God had another word of encouragement to sow into the hearts of HIS people. Many of us visit a parking lot on a daily, I go from the parking lot to the train back to the parking lot on an everyday basis. I began to see all of the variety of cars with various models and make-ups some shining, some dull, some larger, and some small, some roomy, and some compact. Then POW! The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, ” There are so many people who are sitting int he parking lot of life atrophying and waiting for their “number” to be called. They don’t want to self-inflict pain to themselves via suicide but they have literally checked out of life and have resigned from feeling. Just WUSH (waiting until something happens) rather than PUSH (provoking or praying until something happens).

Did you know that after my father and mother died, I had no reason to want to live. I was like what is the point? The best part of me was waking up to see them and for that, I was like a car in the parking lot just sitting. While I sat, I consumed drugs and pierced myself in every section you could imagine-not feeling anything because I was numb! God had to get a hold of me and pour HIS righteousness into me…and let me know that my BEST days were AHEAD of me NOT behind me! I was not an ORPHAN, because God adopted me!

Maybe you are a “shinny Ford Taurus” or a “metallic Volvo Jeep” or maybe you’re the car that is sitting in the lot on blocks with all four wheels gone…God can still use you! He wants you to rev up your engine and WAKE UP…WAKE UP……GET UP, GET, OUT, and GET SOMETHING……BE ABOUT YOUR PURPOSE TODAY!

Sincerely,

Danita Ogandaga

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Community venues and expression have been a part of my DNA for years. Before there was a Facebook, I was pounding the pavement with my daddy in my hometown, Kinston, NC, registering people to vote, praying for the sick, giving food to the hungry, and singing off key for Jesus. Wondering back then what I would be loving the diaspora and all of its counterparts, ccompassionate for people, feeling the pain of social ills, and an advocate for social justice.

Moving from my hometown was different ballgame, moving to a college campus feeling like a fish in a fishbowl, I was unsure what I would be having lost my mommy and daddy, I asked 5%ers, Muslims, Weedheads, and Intellectuals to tell me who I am and what I would become searching for an identity. Do you know what that feels like to want to know and crave to know who you are, the essence of who you were while growing up and knowing the constant affirmation that you were accustomed to has been wrapped up in death. Asking my Daddy at his funeral, “Tell me who you thought I’d become”. I sat in silence.

While getting my Masters, I was favored and a professor adjunct at the tender age of 25. Perfecting education but swimming in an identify crisis. Ever been there? Things are coming together but you’re still feeling as an orphan–moving on up like Wheezy and George but still living like you’re in isolation of identity. Thank God for the aha moments of sweet surender to the knowledge that we were created with an internal download of purpose and identity.

There were some things that I wish I never knew and I knew all the while that many of the people guiding me were attempting to find themselves too. The blind leading the blind until one wakes up and opens up to a whole new world filled with wisdom. Extracting the mess and recycling it into a message. I thank you for the space in which you were placed in my life to lead me to the place where I am now.Still growing, not yet perfected, not a Freak, just totally in love with Jesus! Whereever you be, get to the one that set me free from myself and the message of WE. At the end of the day, the Coalition of WE must cease and desist.

Like Tupac, one of my favorite poets once said, ” I Ain’t Mad At Ya!