bend, don't break!!!

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Word Count: 4:86

​Earlier today I thought about a hiking trail that I frequented often. One Sunday morning I came across this tree that you see pictured above. I felt there was a life lesson in this tree. It spoke to me. Not literally, of course. It obviously has been through several seasons. It's also glaringly obvious that it is broken. What is not as obvious in this particular shot is how much it is flourishing! Upon much reflection you can revisit times in which you thought you'd bend until you break. Disappointments. Trauma. Tragedy. The good news is you're still here. Proof positive that you can bend and not break. In oter words one area of your life may not be going as you had planned. That doesn't mean that all of your life has to be in disrepair. You can still flourish even though you are broken. You have to push through. You must. You need you. We need you. 
New family members of FIATM may not know about the fire that ravaged through the headquarters (as well as other buildings) in Moreno Valley. Talk about a bend, not break moment. Not minimizing the devestation or the impact I'm simply sharing an incredible example of resiliency. A lighthouse. Why would FIATM get back up? Simple answer: Purpose Driven Mission. Now, this is not a trite phrase. It is undeniably the necessary ingredient needed to get back up when under no fault of your own tragedy strikes. 

A literary business book classic, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill states: "On the opposite side of every adversity is an equal or greater reward". Now, admittedly you have to look for it. Sometimes it's hidden. Sometimes it's buried. None the less, you've got to be willing to hunt and peck for it. In this case, the equal or greater reward for FIATM is the headquarters at Tyler Galleria. There is enough room here to provide a safe computer lab for students, E.S.T.EA.M. (Economics/Financial Literacy, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). For decades now many have lamented over the digital divide, lack of opportunities for POC in science, tech and more. Well, FIATM is successfully putting shoe leather to the lip service that "somebody" should do "something "to change this. Hello. Nice to make your acquaintance. We at FIATM are the "somebodies" that are doing quite a few "somethings" to provide our own empowering equal opportunities. 
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Feel comfortable checking out the programs tab on this site to see a small spattering of the positive imapct that we are continuing to make in various communities.
Also, because of what we are actively doing, you can feel comfortable donating and volunteering.

Untile next week,
Jacqui Dobens

Byline: Avid hiker at Santa Rosa Plateau until 2 deer reminded me that it's their home and I can only visit during posted hours (true story), lover of Havarti cheese and Friendship Bread.