Blessed by connection

Who's in your circle? The people you are connected to matters. My life is blessed to the overflow, because of the people I am connected to, divine and natural. If you want different results in your life, if you want to eliminate drama, you might start by examining your connections.
In love,
KLP

Reporter Reel - Kristen L. Pope

Extra!! Extra!! Read all about it!!

Please click on the url link below to view my Reporter Reel!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THE2V-Ypgc4

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

There is definitely more to come.

God Bless,
Kristen Pope

My Wake Up Call at Midnight

After a disturbing dream, (nightmare) last night, I forced myself to wake up. I couldn't take the series of events unfolding anymore.  In reaction, I first emailed the details of the nightmare to Richard so that I would have a record of it and we could discuss it when he woke up. I then, prayed and talked to God first. Next, I searched the internet to clear my mind for a moment. Finally, I got intentional about what really just happened in my dream. I don't have nightmares often, so I felt it necessary to give it more close attention.

I began researching nightmares. Where they come from? How they originate and what we can learn from them. I found some interesting literature offering a number of reasons.  The most reoccurring theme was that a nightmare could be a result of an inner conflict that  needs to be resolved or a warning of something to come or to be warded off.

Close to 30 minutes into my search (at what was now 4:30am), I decided to continue my heavenly conversation. I asked God what was I to gather from this nightmare. I believe in seeking wisdom in reliable places, but I also know I can most times just cut out the middleman and as the creator. He's faithful to answer my questions, even if it's an answer I don't like.

The conclusion was that I need to be more present. I mulled over that for a while. Present. In what way? The answer revealed included marriage, home, priorities, basically my every day life. It sounds so simple, yet so complex. Those who know me, know when I'm on, I'm on. I used to take pride in giving the phrase, "mover and shaker," a whole new meaning. However, I'm starting to "get it." Get what was just revealed to me. I can move faster than the speed of light, and consequently miss things a long the way, important things. Even worse, things going on right under my nose.

But hey...it's New York! It's the nature of this beast right???
Who cares!?!?! I've been "doing" New York and doing it well for a while now. I feel like: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36) I have had to reshuffle my priorities more than a few times in life and it looks like I need to do it again...

Present.

Not talking about one thing, yet thinking about the next. Not thinking about one thing, yet participating in the next. Not listening to one thing, yet concerned about the next.

Not taking for granted that everything will just work it self out, take care of itself or someone else will step in and pick up where I left off.

Cherishing my moments while staying in the moment. Taking time, to just take time, knowing that this very moment is really all that matters, since the next isn't promised.

As much as I hated that nightmare, I don't ever want the memory of the revelation to disappear.  It could potentially help save my marriage one day if needed, save my job, but most importantly...save me.

Be present Kristen.

(Sometimes I talk to myself and I figured since this is my blog, no better place to talk to myself than here, but thanks for reading too).

Love,
Me, today.

Quote that inspired me today

"Don’t block your blessings. Don’t let doubt stop you from getting where you want to be...from now on I refuse to let anyone interrupt the vision I have for myself.  Sometimes I think we hurt ourselves by being too aware of the challenges. It can be better not to know." - Jennifer Hudson

Bathroom Break!

Happy Summer!
I hope you enjoyed a blessed and adventurous 4th of July holiday. I spent half the day in hot sun on Martha's Vineyard and the other half travelling back to my lover in Stamford, Connecticut. It was a great ride as it included diverse conversation with my girlfriends about school days, men, career, memories and more!

It's been a jam packed few months.

Rewinding to May - my girlfriends and I had a sleepover at, Richard and I attended two birthday parties and wedding by the end of the month. It's got us ready for our month of celebration since both of our birthdays are in June. June started with my birthday and my cousins wedding in ATL. Our trip allowed me to introduce RP3 to so many dear friends of mine whom live a little ways away...
A couple weeks later we travelled to Boston and stayed with great friends and their family. We attended our third wedding in less than a month and it was by far the most life-changing wedding we had been to. The spirit of the ceremony was so pure and beautiful. The following day we celebrated RP3's birthday at one of his favorite asian restaurants.

Last week, I headed to the second annual trip to Martha's Vineyard with my girlfriends and a great bonus - my Mom. It was a great vacation. The house was quaint and perfect for our eight person stay. 

This week, I prepare to shoot the remaining parts of my newsreel. It's been a long time coming and huge investment and sacrifice from both Richard and myself. It's grounding to see it all come together in such a divine way. God has truly been at the center of it all. I feel blessed to be used as the vessel, as I keep stepping up.

This also leads up to preparations for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention in Philadelphia this August. My mind is focused on bringing my A game, my innovation and my best self. Thankfully, my confidence is high as I continue this narrow road. My prayer is that God helps me keep it there and take it further. I believe my steps are ordered for this opportunity and that His will is my heart's desire. I look forward to bringing back divine testimonies of my experiences over the next 30 days.

Preparation is truly the key. I am learning how important it is to always be prepared...for anything! Always being ready. When you're ready, the encounters chase you down. The opportunities chase you down - because you're ready.

Be Blessed! Be Ready!

Kristen Pope
"The Billionairess"

2 is better than 1 (and 3 is not a crowd…it ensures success every time)

Who is 1: Me
Who are 2: Richard and I
Who are 3: Richard, me and God = RADiKL (RA+Di+KL -Radical - (according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online) - Fundamental; marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional; extreme; tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions or institutions; of relating to, or constituting a political group associated with views, practices, and policies of extreme change; excellent; cool.)

April 9 gave me new perspective on teamwork, partnership and divine intervention.  For the second year in a row, the National Action Network (NAN - http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net/) hosted their “Measuring the Movement” panel and conversation during their almost week long convention at First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC - http://www.fcbcsermons.com/).  The event was covered by TVOne and other media outlets. 

In a follow-up counseling session w/Richard (RP3) and I, our Pastor (Mike) offered the assignment of interviewing the panelists as a news piece for the church.  I gladly accepted. (I wonder if I knew how the day would run, would I still have accepted so quickly).

I  stayed up until about 4:30am the morning of the panel conversation, researching the panelists, their views and affiliations and preparing questions.  After a nap, Richard woke me up to get our day started at 6:30am.  Our first stop was to our friend Malaika’s house to have my make-up done.  Immediately after, Richard and I headed to FCBC.  We arrived to find there had been a disconnect in communication. The church’s media team with whom we planned to work with were not at the church and had no plans of attending.  RP3  and I looked at each other, but did not panic.  We began to strategize.  We had two and half hours until the panel ended, to get a camera, mic and possibly a tripod and lightening to complete this assignment.

Our starting point was in the balcony of FCBC. I began taking notes in case the solution for our assignment would be a print story instead of a broadcast story. Richard began taking pictures and video with out SLR and recording the live audio with his cell phone.  He also kept in communication with the church administrator for any updates on progress of getting the needed equipment to shoot.  In true RP3 form, my scientist and researcher of a husband located a member of FCBC media team, Lorianne.   

(Enter the beginning of divine intervention)

Lorianne identified another member of the team, Ian who also provided in the crunch assistance.  Ian delivered one of the church’s studio cameras, some batteries and a mic.  We’re almost in business. However, we didn’t have someone to shoot and we needed a live person because we didn’t have a tripod.  Richard then downloaded and read the manual for how to operate the camera onto his cell phone. With less than 30 minutes until the panel ended, we began running mock interviews so that RP3 could get comfortable with the camera and its settings.  He served as the videographer for the entire shoot. We still didn’t have lighting but God blessed us with a beautiful bright and sunny day, so we went outside to get in position on the corner where the church is located.

Once we were in position, Richard took my hands and asked me if I wanted to pray. We bowed our heads on the corner of 116^th and Adam Clayton Powell and petitioned to our Father for His strength, His guidance and courage. We thanked Him for bringing us to this point and praised Him in advance for getting us through the rest of the way.

The list was in from Pastor Mike of who he wanted interviewed. Lorianne managed the list and time the countdown to executing this assignment had begun.  First up to be interviewed was heir to NAN and the National Director of Membership Dominique Sharpton.  We then prepped for her father, the Reverend Al Sharpton, by his right hand woman.  After our interview and exchange with the founder of NAN Rev. Sharpton, our next experience was a bonus and a bit unexpected.  It was test and gave real color to the calling of journalism.  It is sometimes (most times) not glamorous, but should always be that of an activist.  A woman who did not attend the conference but had an earlier exchange with Rev. Sharpton approached him immediately following our interview. The only thing standing between she and him was me.  She was very emotional and appealed to him for help on this crowded corner in Harlem for help to track  down her son’s murderer. She was hovering over me, crying, almost falling and using me as an anchor to stand.  I began holding her up with one hand and still holding the mic in the other. We (Richard and I) and a community of spectators were forced to switch gears.  Real life was taking place.  A woman in pain, still grieving her son’s death, seeking help to publicize his case and track down his killer.  Rev. Sharpton responded quickly and immediately assigned one of his pastoral staff to her case.  As the situation calmed, Richard, Lorianne and I regrouped for the next interview, NAN’s Executive Director Tamika Mallory.  Soon after, we interviewed CNN and TVOne Correspondent Roland Martin who also hosted and moderated the panel.  Next in our line up was NAACP President Ben Jealous. His interview stood out as he has a jovial nature, but is committed and passionate to getting the hard work done.

After a brief pause we switched our location from the corner to the front and center of the church to gain better light as we were experiencing a shadow.  Once repositioned we interviewed Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable Intergenerational Public Policy Network.  Last but not least was our interview with Dr. Boyce Watkins (http://www.boycewatkins.com/). We had technical difficulties on his interview and he was the right person to have them as he was very accommodating and didn’t mind when we asked him to do his interview a second time.

At this point we finished our round interviews although we were asked by numerous people and citizens of Harlem to be interviewed. We wrapped after taping the intro and outro and seemingly completed the task and assignment presented to us.

Richard and I inhaled and exhaled the day’s events.  We started with almost nothing except our availability and willingness to complete an assignment and ended with our assignment done an experience together, better than we imagined.  God’s hand was upon us the entire time. He never left us.  Actually, he guided us the whole way through.

Whether it was a test of humility or a test of teamwork or a test of faith…we passed. 

Here’s to a three fold cord – not easily broken.

I’m TEAM RADiKL.

Kristen

The Majesty of Holy Matrimony

With 3 months into marriage, I am daily encountering the beauty of marriage.

I am part of something greater than myself. I have another child of God, depending on me to meet many of his needs. The same is true for me. The last month has been a testimony to the majesty of marriage and simply how blessed I am to be married to my husband Richard.

A little over a month ago, I had to have a minor procedure which would leave me in great pain almost immediately following for about a week.  A couple of days after the procedure, I began a month long fitness boot camp with a personal trainer at 6am Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  For me, it was very important that I took on this challenge as my transition from single to married and city girl to suburban wife had consequences…extra pounds.  One day after the boot camp began; I started a month long television reporting continuing education class on Tuesday evenings.

(Even when I looked at Richard, like why you let me do this, he never looked back at me like I was crazy.)

During this time of heavy movement and activity, my husband stepped up tremendously.  On days of extreme pain, he made sure that I was taking my medication and was comfortable at home.  On mornings when I had boot camp, he saw me off to class and greeted me with open arms as I limped to the shower from an intense workout.  At the end of every Tuesday night class he made the journey from Connecticut to the lower east side of New York City to drive me home from class.  Even more on days of shooting footage, he was right there to document every moment.

(Side note: Richard thinks every day should be, “take your husband to work day.”)

At the beginning of April, I participated in a seminar, mentoring Broadcast Professionals.  Since I have not been on air regularly in a few years initially I was a bit discouraged to attend.  My better half encouraged me to go and get the most out of the experience.

Within this month, Richard and I somehow found (made) time to keep our date nights, host a couple’s game night and have quiet moments at home.  We also had our first big argument since being married during this time.  It hurt me to my core to argue and be at odds with my best friend and greatest ally.  Friends, counselors and keepers of our marriage were there to lend support and reassure me that I was being too hard on myself and us.  We did the best thing we knew how to do. We repented to God and to each other…and moved on.

More and more, I learn that “2 is better than 1.”

Stay tuned for my next entry as I elaborate more on this…

Be Blessed!

Kristen