It’s Superbowl Sunday today and I haven’t had much time to write here on 6doi.net. I’m a big American football fan, so pizza and some beer is definitely on my menu today. But, before I indulge in Cholesterol heaven, I’d like to leave you with a few good reads, and some special quotations.

If you are looking for some nice reads you can check out some of my usual Filipino hot spots for inspirational blogs out here in the blogosphere. First up is Cathy, who is just a wonderful soul, with some down to earth writings of her life. Noemi, who’s considered to be one of The Philippine’s premiere bloggers, and her recovery blog is always a good read. Jim Paredes, one of the premiere artists in The Philippines, he can literally do it all, from painting to singing, to hosting, to photography, and I’m sure he’s done a few acting stints as well.

Booker T. Washington

Since it’s black history month, I’d like to highlight some of the black individuals who have inspired me throughout the years. Today, I’d like to highlight Booker T. Washington…

Booker Taliaferro Washington (April 5, 1856, – November 14, 1915) was an American political leader, educator and author. He was the dominant figure in the African American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915. Representing the last generation of black leaders born in slavery, and speaking for those blacks who had remained in the New South in an uneasy modus vivendi with the white southerners, Washington was able throughout his life to maintain his standing as the black boss because of the sponsorship of powerful whites, substantial support within the black community, and his skillful accommodation to the social realities of the age of segregation. (via)

I think, it was in high school when I first encountered the personal history of Mr. Booker Washington. What I always remember of him was that he was bi-racial, born of a white father and a black mother. A great politician and his work ethic was bar none above the rest. I remember my teacher in high school speaking of Mr. Washington as a great man who knew how to make lemonade. It wasn’t until a few years later until I understood what that actually meant. Because when life hands you lemons, you should try to make lemonade. Life is like that sometimes, and you don’t have a choice as to what is handed to you, but you do have a choice as to how you react and how you handle the situation at hand. And that is exactly how Mr. Booker Washington lived his life… he made lemonade.

My favorite Booker T. Washinton quotes:

Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.

I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.

I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.

Have a Blessed Sunday!

Up from Slavery (Signet Classics (Paperback)) on Amazon.com