Editor-in-Chief
Retrospect of 2021 BY SHARON E. LOCKLEAR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Two thousand, twenty-one was a Blessing for all that survived 2020. At the beginning of 2021, many of us set intentions, made resolutions, and hoped for the best. This has been a remarkable year. The COVID Pandemic marked its second year, mutated twice (Delta and Omicron) and is likely to be with us for many years. Vaccinations have been available for at least a year and approximately 62% of the United States population is fully vaccinated. A new presidential administration was sworn in 2 weeks after the US Capitol Insurrection. The Biden Administration increased production of covid vaccinations, provided multiple stimulus checks/relief for some citizens and delayed student loan repayment for millions. Shipping prices for goods shipped from the AsiaPacific region were approximately 5 times higher in 2021 than 2020. The global supply chain crisis developed in 2021 and has produced increased prices and longer wait times for manufactured goods. Merchandise in the Dollar Tree is now $1.25. Rent increased across the USA, in some parts of the country there are fewer homes for purchase and bidding wars for available properties have become the norm. It is projected that the median purchase price for a single-family home will increase by 5.7% and rents will increase by 12%.
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Groceries, gas, and other consumable products became more expensive in 2021. Price increases can be blamed on shortages, bottlenecks, transportation, weather, and the lack of employees. Expect prices to continue to increase in 2022. Caucasian males were found guilty and sent to prison for murdering African American males. For centuries, white men have murdered black men without thought or consequence. Justice is slow. Virtual employment became more prevalent since the beginning of the pandemic. Businesses lowered overhead costs, had more satisfied employees (attracts and retains) and higher scalability. Virtual church attendance was reported to be higher than in person attendance in 2021 and is projected to increase more in 2022. Online attendance has not increased tithes. October 4, 2021 was the day of social media outage, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Mapillary and Oculus left users without the ability to access those platforms for 6 to 7 hours. According to reports the outage affected 3.5 billion users around the world. The takeaway for 2021: humans survive, adapt and thrive. For those of us who are Christian, it is imperative to live your faith and commitment and clearly understand that everything is possible with GOD.
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- Courtesy of
departments Founder and Editorial Director Verna V. Nickelberry Editor-In-Chief Sharon Locklear Art Director Rushun Wiseman https://creavolutionarts.com Contributing Writers Vanderbilt Brabson Jeanette Chestnut-Chester Teresa Jordan Paola Tennon Photographers Kimberly Taylor Kendall Elem ‘Advertise With Us” Please Contact Us At (770) 7670649 O.P. Magazine Mail P.O. Box #19699 Atlanta, GA 30327 (770) 767-0649 http://ordinarypeoplemagazine ORDINARY PEOPLE MAGAZINE is a quarterly publication and is distributed in Atlanta, GA, Memphis, TN; Knoxville, TN; Matteson, IL.
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contents DECEMBER 2021
02 ON THE COVER 08 JUST TO ENCOURAGE YOU 14 IN THE SPOTLIGHT 20 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Retrospect of 2021
Earl “The Bass Man” White
Times of Refreshing
The 7th Annual OPM Servant Awards 2021
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FOR YOUR HEALTH Celebrating God’s Goodness While Staying Healthy During the Holiday Season
36
STYLE CONFIDENCE Beyond Beauty…Beauty for Ashes
All rights reserved.Reproduction in whole or in part without the founder/editor’s consent is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the positions or views of the editor. The publication of any advertisement in the issue does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s products or services by the publication. © 2021 Ordinary People Magazine VeMaShe’ Enterprise LLC
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MIRACLES AND BLESSINGS Discovery and Recovery “A Shared Journey”
42 INSPIRATIONAL WORDS 48 CONSIDER THIS 51 FROM WITHIN... 53
SMALL BUSINESS CORNER Your Finishing Touches
Psalm 100
I Just Can’t Lord! I just Can’t!
Verna V. Nickelberry
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