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Tri-County Sentry
Friday AUGUST 15, 2014
Around the Tri-Counties To Really be at Peace you must be OK with “Not being liked” by everyone! Words to Live by
Dr. Lonnie G. McCowan, pastor of Miracle Center of Ventura
By Pastor Lonnie G. McCowan One of the most important things I’ve learned is that Peace is Power. Our vision and success are born out of a peaceful mind. I have learned that freedom grows out from a peace-filled heart. Grace and mercy abound more in a peaceful state of being. The peace that I have today does not mean the absence of chaos and conflict. Rather it is the peace of knowing that no matter what, I will be okay. In fact, I will be better than OK — I will impeccable! Another lesson that I have learned is that peace begins on the inside and is sustained and advanced by the type of energy that I allow to surround my physical being. I have learned that it is also necessary to create, maintain and embody peace-filled energy. One way I do this is I try
my very best to keep thinking peaceful thoughts, with a peace-filled heart. I discovered that everything around me shifts and responds to the energy I bring into the room. I have worked hard through my struggles and setbacks, to remove and grow beyond the blockages, hindrances, obstructions and wounds that were present in me mentally and emotionally. Today I am free because I made the choice to be free. I found out it was my emotional and mental patterns from my past stopping me from living up to my potential. Jesus said you are the ”light of the world” not you have light you are light. A light shines. I know longer stress with the ideal of trying to save the world. That’s not my job. He is the Savior of the world. I can’t save anyone. I can only be a light and shine, so others can see where to go, so they don’t trip and fall in the dark. You and I have to protect our light. In the past I would respond to anything and everything that was going around me. I would judge my spiritual growth and spiritual condition on the amount of adverse con-
ditions I was willing to live through and with. I use to think that if I would endure certain people and put up with and forgive even the most hideous deeds of others, no matter how bad they treated me that I would be rewarded with an out pouring of God’s blessings. Now I am free from that wrong thinking. Today in my life there are some experiences I just no longer choose to have. I also accept the fact that everybody won’t like me. Everyone will not agree with me. And some people may not ever choose to see me as anything other than the perception they now hold in their mind. That is not my issue or problem. That’s their personal issue. (To really be free you must be cool with not being liked by everyone.) I can’t tell anyone what to do and how to talk or treat me but I can choose how I will participate with that person… and I chose to Release Them. Some people just want to fight you. They expect a fight. They look for a fight and if there is no fight around they will pick a fight. They want to argue and be upset. I know longer consider it a necessity to PEACE, See page 12A
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Serving Ventura County for over twenty-two years
Writing Your Story of Success The Mind Matters By Patricia Lynn Belkowitz, C.Ht., EFT-CC We are always making up stories about ourselves. We tell stories about our lives and share stories from our past. Sometimes they are not the best stories. We may focus on our failures and disappointments. We think about what we did wrong and the mistakes we made. We repeat stories that hurt us. We think we are reporting the “truth”. We believe we are a victim or a perpetrator instead of a hero. What if you were to tell yourself a story about a perfectly successful day? What if….? And what if you continued to tell yourself such stories day after day? You’re making everything up anyway! Why not make up a happy story where you are the hero? Reality is just
a reflection of your beliefs which are a result of your thoughts. By creating a practice of thinking positive thoughts you begin to change your beliefs and as a result, your life changes and gets better. Each one of us creates our own reality by the story we tell. If your story isn’t working for you anymore because it makes you feel anxious or angry or sad, you can choose to write a new story. Perhaps you’ve realized that you’ve been living a story that others have written. Creating a new story gives you the power to feel the way you want to feel about your life. Who else can give you that power? Who is in charge of your life? I invite you to write a success story about any
Patricia Lynn Belkowitz, C.Ht., EFT-CC
goal you have in mind. Think about ten aspects of success as you imagine this story. Fill in all the details that create passion to complete the goal. Get in touch with the feelings as you imagine the results. Remember in the magical SUCCESS, See page 12A
Back To School Inez Knows
Inez Lanns
By Inez Lanns It is that time of the year again – it’s time to go back to school! You may be in the beginning stages and have children entering preschool or kindergarten, or you may have older children in college. Maybe you don’t have children but are an aunt, an uncle or a godparent who is active in the lives of children whom you love dearly.
Whatever the situation, most of us know someone who just went back to school or is preparing to go to school. As we prepare our children to go back to school, we shop for supplies, clothes and all the things that we believe are necessary to help prepare them to succeed. School shopping is exciting and a lot of fun for the students. It may not be as much fun for the parents footing the bill, but it gives them a sense of peace and satisfaction knowing their child will have the necessary tools to thrive in their educational environment. As much as we spend time, money and energy on making sure they have the items that they need to be equipped for school, there are some other things that we sometimes tend to forget:
1. Manners – Teach your children manners. Many of today’s children do not say “Excuse me”, “Yes, Sir”, “Yes, ma’am”, “Thank you” and the like. It may seem like they have never been taught these skills and the importance of being polite. A simple please and thank you go a long way. 2. Be On Time – Emphasize the importance of being at school, in class on time and ready to go before the final bell rings. When students are late, they disrupt the class and also miss out on important instruction. Encouraging being a few minutes early is even better. 3. Be Consistent – Setting and keeping a routine is a great skill to learn at an early age. As parents you SCHOOL, See page 12A
CSU Channel Islands Choir Announces Fall 2014 Auditions
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Camarillo, Calif. – Students and members of the public are invited to audition for the CSU Channel Islands Choir's 2014-2015 season. Auditions for the campus/community choir will be held by appointment Monday, Aug. 18, through Monday, Aug. 25. The Channel Islands Choir is a weekly class open to the public and offered as part of the University's Performing Arts Program. Led by Dr. Liu, the choir performs pieces from a wide range of musical genres and periods and performs on campus and throughout Ventura County. "The overarching theme of our concerts this year is combining ancient words with modern harmonies,” Liu said. “I firmly believe that strong choral compositions don't have to be hardcore classical. The new and the old can intertwine and still make a direct connection with audiences." The choir brings together singers ranging in age and experience from students to retirees and beginners to advanced. Rehearsals are held
CSU Channel Islands Choir each Monday from 7 to 9:50 p.m. on the CI campus, beginning Aug. 25. Contact KuanFen Liu at 805-278-0375 or down-
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beatplus@gmail.com for auditions and additional information. Visit www. cicachoir.org or choir.csuci.edu to learn more. The Tri-County Sentry is a subsidiary of Hunt Communications, LLC. The Tri-County's only minority female owned community newspaper. All articles are welcomed and should not exceed 700 words. They must include name, address and phone number. All submissions become the property of Tri-County Sentry. The editor reserves the right to edit all articles submitted. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the opinions of the writers or advertisers. Member: California Newspaper Publishers Association(mp); West Coast Black Publishers Association; National Newspaper Publishers Association; California Black Media