I look out the window and see that its still dark as most things have not quite gotten started yet. I am wide awake and reflecting a little about what the tomorrow days means. Normally, this time of year most of us are focused on firming up our New Years Resolutions as we say good-bye to another year.
For the last several days, I am sure you haven’t been able to turn on the television or read a newspaper without a mention of what has happened during the last decade. Yes, this isn’t just the end of a year, this marks the end of a decade.
For me personally, I know that a lot has happened over the course of this decade. I believe that I have grown considerably over the last ten years as I have graduated from college, started a career, relocated several times, and become a wonderful uncle.
I am sure we can all take a peek back at the last ten years to see the many changes in the world and our personal lives.
How have you grown over the last decade? What have you learned over the last 10 years? How has the last decade prepared you for the future?
It’s a great time to reflect not just on the passing of another year, but on the last ten years to appreciate where you have come from. Many blessings to you as we prepare to close out ‘09 and usher in 2010.
“When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people.”
-Chinese Proverb
“Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year - and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!”
-Anthony Robbins
“Let us be about setting high standards for life, love, creativity, and wisdom. If our expectations in these areas are low, we are not likely to experience wellness. Setting high standards makes every day and every decade worth looking forward to.”
-Greg Anderson
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday Thoughts after Christmas 12/27/09
We have already arrived at the 2nd day after Christmas and I can say that this was one of the best Christmas’s I have experienced in awhile. While I wasn’t with my immediate family this holiday season, I did thoroughly enjoy myself. I did have the opportunity of sharing this special time with my adopted families and talk with many friends.
Christmas is one of those times of the year when we are really minded about family and tradition. No matter where you are in life there are some things that you will always carry with you no matter what.
Sometimes I wonder what kind of world we could live in if we practiced some of our Christmas traditions the entire year and not just during the month of December. How often did you hear or say, “Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.” Or how about my all time favorite, “Its better to give than to receive.” All during this holiday season, many of us stressed the importance of the holiday in addition to enjoying our friends and families.
So it seems as if a lot of my thoughts revolved around traditions today. I know people that have to watch A Christmas Story, drink eggnog, or even enjoy Christmas brunch. So it seems like we do a good job of keeping traditions that we have grown up with over the years. Lets start a new tradition today and keep the Christmas spirit going year round. We all have a lot to share with others and we must make a habit out of giving to others that would never be able to repay you.
Most of us probably gave great gifts during the holiday season and celebrated the birth of Jesus. The world was given the most precious gift of all with the birth of Jesus. Everyday we wake up to see another day we have been given another gift, but ask yourself what are you doing with it?
I challenge you to start a new tradition in your life today. Its not always about you and me, but the others that we share the world with. Lets start an infectious movement and begin to make a difference.
“Tradition is an explanation for acting without thinking”
-Grace McGarvie
“Tradition simply means that we need to end what began well and continue what is worth continuing”
-Jose Bergamin
“What an enormous magnifier is tradition! How a thing grows in the human memory and in the human imagination, when love, worship, and all that lies in the human heart, is there to encourage it”
-Thomas Carlyle
Christmas is one of those times of the year when we are really minded about family and tradition. No matter where you are in life there are some things that you will always carry with you no matter what.
Sometimes I wonder what kind of world we could live in if we practiced some of our Christmas traditions the entire year and not just during the month of December. How often did you hear or say, “Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.” Or how about my all time favorite, “Its better to give than to receive.” All during this holiday season, many of us stressed the importance of the holiday in addition to enjoying our friends and families.
So it seems as if a lot of my thoughts revolved around traditions today. I know people that have to watch A Christmas Story, drink eggnog, or even enjoy Christmas brunch. So it seems like we do a good job of keeping traditions that we have grown up with over the years. Lets start a new tradition today and keep the Christmas spirit going year round. We all have a lot to share with others and we must make a habit out of giving to others that would never be able to repay you.
Most of us probably gave great gifts during the holiday season and celebrated the birth of Jesus. The world was given the most precious gift of all with the birth of Jesus. Everyday we wake up to see another day we have been given another gift, but ask yourself what are you doing with it?
I challenge you to start a new tradition in your life today. Its not always about you and me, but the others that we share the world with. Lets start an infectious movement and begin to make a difference.
“Tradition is an explanation for acting without thinking”
-Grace McGarvie
“Tradition simply means that we need to end what began well and continue what is worth continuing”
-Jose Bergamin
“What an enormous magnifier is tradition! How a thing grows in the human memory and in the human imagination, when love, worship, and all that lies in the human heart, is there to encourage it”
-Thomas Carlyle
Monday, December 14, 2009
Saturday Thoughts on Success 12/12/09
This was quite the relaxing Saturday as I was finally able to settle in at home after being away for a couple of weeks. Today was a great day as I talked to a few close friends and my mom just to catch up on some things.
Most people know that I watch quite of bit of sports on TV and these days there still are other things going on outside of the latest Tiger Woods updates. My thoughts today brought me to discussing success and what it takes to be successful.
I found myself at this place after having a discussion with a friend of mine over the course of the last year about the football program at Prairie View A&M University. For those of you that aren’t familiar with this school or their storied history, let me give you a peek into how I arrived here. From 1989 to 1998 Prairie View’s football team lost a record 80 straight games. This became the NCAA’s longest losing streak that may stand forever. On this Saturday Prairie View played in their 1st SWAC Championship Game and were victorious over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.
I shared this example as we all have encountered temporary setbacks and failures on the road to success. This particular school could have folded their football program and accepted the fact they weren’t good, but the remained steadfast and turned things around over a period of time. Through coaching changes, new players, and continued support from their fans they have achieved success again.
Sometimes it’s easy to give up and not continue working toward a goal that you may have. You have to keep your mind strong and keep the right people around you to stay motivated. I can tell you that nothing worth having was attained easily. Believe in yourself and anything is possible. There is nothing in life that you can’t be successful at as long as you remember where it all starts.
Congratulations to Prairie View A&M University and their fans on this historic day!
“The first and most important step toward success is the feeling that we can succeed.”
-Nelson Boswell
“The important thing to recognize is that it takes a team, and the team ought to get credit for the wins and the losses. Successes have many fathers, failures have none.”
-Philip Caldwell
“Successful people breed success.”
-Philip Crosby
“Seventy percent of success in life is showing up.”
-Woody Allen
“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.”
-William Feather
Most people know that I watch quite of bit of sports on TV and these days there still are other things going on outside of the latest Tiger Woods updates. My thoughts today brought me to discussing success and what it takes to be successful.
I found myself at this place after having a discussion with a friend of mine over the course of the last year about the football program at Prairie View A&M University. For those of you that aren’t familiar with this school or their storied history, let me give you a peek into how I arrived here. From 1989 to 1998 Prairie View’s football team lost a record 80 straight games. This became the NCAA’s longest losing streak that may stand forever. On this Saturday Prairie View played in their 1st SWAC Championship Game and were victorious over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.
I shared this example as we all have encountered temporary setbacks and failures on the road to success. This particular school could have folded their football program and accepted the fact they weren’t good, but the remained steadfast and turned things around over a period of time. Through coaching changes, new players, and continued support from their fans they have achieved success again.
Sometimes it’s easy to give up and not continue working toward a goal that you may have. You have to keep your mind strong and keep the right people around you to stay motivated. I can tell you that nothing worth having was attained easily. Believe in yourself and anything is possible. There is nothing in life that you can’t be successful at as long as you remember where it all starts.
Congratulations to Prairie View A&M University and their fans on this historic day!
“The first and most important step toward success is the feeling that we can succeed.”
-Nelson Boswell
“The important thing to recognize is that it takes a team, and the team ought to get credit for the wins and the losses. Successes have many fathers, failures have none.”
-Philip Caldwell
“Successful people breed success.”
-Philip Crosby
“Seventy percent of success in life is showing up.”
-Woody Allen
“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.”
-William Feather
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thoughts on a Chilly Thursday Morning 12/3/09
Its a cold Thursday morning and it seems as though I can not escape the Tiger Woods coverage. Every channel that I flip to there is a comment about the recent events of the past week. I am very hesitant to turn to the Food Network this morning, as I am not ready to see Tiger situation interjected into a recipe that I am trying to learn.
I wish he and his family the best in working through this situation. At the end of the day, he is human just like everyone else, although every aspect of his life is on display for the public because of his celebrity. I am not here to have any opinions on his actions, because it is not mine or anyone else’s place to judge.
My thoughts over the last couple of days have revolved around mistakes. Hopefully, the conversations that are taking place on the news regarding Tiger are making us all look at every aspect of our lives and the decisions we are making.
No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Some of the mistakes that we make during the course of our lives tell the story of what are character truly is. We are the jury that needs to judge our own mistakes and determine what to do next. In life, we are our own toughest critic and need to be able to live with the decisions that we make in life whether they are good or bad.
Mistakes are a natural part of life and how you choose to deal with them define your character. We can not let our mistakes define who we are. Learn from your mistakes and move forward.
“A man's errors are his portals of discovery.”
-James Joyce
“Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.”
-Swami Sivananda
“I think we all wish we could erase some dark times in our lives. But all of life's experiences, bad and good, make you who you are. Erasing any of life's experiences would be a great mistake.”
-Luis Miguel
“All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.”
-Winston Churchill
“There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go.”
-Richard Bach
I wish he and his family the best in working through this situation. At the end of the day, he is human just like everyone else, although every aspect of his life is on display for the public because of his celebrity. I am not here to have any opinions on his actions, because it is not mine or anyone else’s place to judge.
My thoughts over the last couple of days have revolved around mistakes. Hopefully, the conversations that are taking place on the news regarding Tiger are making us all look at every aspect of our lives and the decisions we are making.
No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Some of the mistakes that we make during the course of our lives tell the story of what are character truly is. We are the jury that needs to judge our own mistakes and determine what to do next. In life, we are our own toughest critic and need to be able to live with the decisions that we make in life whether they are good or bad.
Mistakes are a natural part of life and how you choose to deal with them define your character. We can not let our mistakes define who we are. Learn from your mistakes and move forward.
“A man's errors are his portals of discovery.”
-James Joyce
“Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.”
-Swami Sivananda
“I think we all wish we could erase some dark times in our lives. But all of life's experiences, bad and good, make you who you are. Erasing any of life's experiences would be a great mistake.”
-Luis Miguel
“All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.”
-Winston Churchill
“There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go.”
-Richard Bach
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thanksgiving Thoughts 2009
Like most others that I know I made it to see another day, and I am thankful for it. It happens to be Thanksgiving, but I know we all have more to be thankful for even if today wasn’t nationally recognized as a day to give thanks.
When I woke this morning, I was reminded by one of my best friends of how blessed I was. For a few minutes we went back and forth reminding each other of how blessed we felt the other was because of what we see. When it was all said and done, we could both say that we are extremely blessed and have a lot to be thankful for.
Sometimes it takes a moment like this to put things back in perspective to appreciate your life and what you have. I could tell by checking the inbox on my blackberry, that I was given reminders of just how thankful I should be on a daily basis.
I am so thankful for where my life has brought me thus far. Life has not always been easy, but through the good and the bad I am thankful for the experiences that I have shaped me to be the man that I am today. Often times in life we forget that thanksgiving is really everyday and not just the fourth Thursday in November.
If you haven’t done so already, adopt a new philosophy for yourself and your family see if you can sustain the actions of this week and this particular day year round. I am up for the challenge and we can do it together.
Remember to be thankful everyday and for everything that comes your way.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday!
“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”
-Amanda Bradley
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
-Frederick Keoning
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
-Albert Pike
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”
-W.T. Purkiser
Sent from my Blackberry on the nation's best wireless network. Can you hear me now?
When I woke this morning, I was reminded by one of my best friends of how blessed I was. For a few minutes we went back and forth reminding each other of how blessed we felt the other was because of what we see. When it was all said and done, we could both say that we are extremely blessed and have a lot to be thankful for.
Sometimes it takes a moment like this to put things back in perspective to appreciate your life and what you have. I could tell by checking the inbox on my blackberry, that I was given reminders of just how thankful I should be on a daily basis.
I am so thankful for where my life has brought me thus far. Life has not always been easy, but through the good and the bad I am thankful for the experiences that I have shaped me to be the man that I am today. Often times in life we forget that thanksgiving is really everyday and not just the fourth Thursday in November.
If you haven’t done so already, adopt a new philosophy for yourself and your family see if you can sustain the actions of this week and this particular day year round. I am up for the challenge and we can do it together.
Remember to be thankful everyday and for everything that comes your way.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday!
“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”
-Amanda Bradley
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
-Frederick Keoning
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
-Albert Pike
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”
-W.T. Purkiser
Sent from my Blackberry on the nation's best wireless network. Can you hear me now?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday Morning Thoughts 11/23/09
After arriving home safely on Saturday, I am starting to get settled. My luggage finally arrived and I have clothes to wear now. I was at the airport on Sunday morning and had my Alabama Crimson Tide sweatshirt on and a older gentleman approached me.
The gentleman commented on my sweatshirt and he asked did I go to school there. The conversation morphed and I remember him saying you know what even though I live in mississippi I respect the University of Alabama and wear my Bear Bryant hat from time to time. I thought that was cool to hear him talk about how wearing a Bear Bryant hat and seeing the racial barriers disappear by a mere hat on his head.
While this may not seem significant to you, maybe it will be by the time I have finished my thoughts. As I see things, there was a reason that my luggage was missing for a period of time as it was meant for me to have this conversation with a complete stranger.
We didn't talk about anything significant, but I gathered quite a bit from the 5 minute conversation.
So it seems like from the conversation I started to form my thoughts around the feeling of being welcome. Let me expound a bit and you can see where I am going.
How often are you greeted with a smile by complete strangers? Do ever wear one of those t-shirts/sweatshirts/button with a saying/phrase that could be a conversation starter? Do you ever have people to seek you out for various reasons? Is there something about you that is sends an invitation to others? Wonder if you have a welcoming spirit?
Everything that happens in our lives is by design. Whether it is a new person or new challenge, we must welcome those things as there is a reason that it is happening at that time. We may not understand why at that moment, but later on things may make sense.
I have welcomed you into my life and look forward to what the future holds.
“You must welcome change as the rule but not as your ruler.”
-Denis Waitley
“Welcome anything that comes to you, but do not long for anything else.”
-Andre Gide
“Welcome those big, sticky, complicated problems. In them are your most powerful opportunities.”
-Ralph Marston
“Welcome the task that makes you go beyond yourself.”
-Frank Mcgee
“Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.”
-Og Mandino
The gentleman commented on my sweatshirt and he asked did I go to school there. The conversation morphed and I remember him saying you know what even though I live in mississippi I respect the University of Alabama and wear my Bear Bryant hat from time to time. I thought that was cool to hear him talk about how wearing a Bear Bryant hat and seeing the racial barriers disappear by a mere hat on his head.
While this may not seem significant to you, maybe it will be by the time I have finished my thoughts. As I see things, there was a reason that my luggage was missing for a period of time as it was meant for me to have this conversation with a complete stranger.
We didn't talk about anything significant, but I gathered quite a bit from the 5 minute conversation.
So it seems like from the conversation I started to form my thoughts around the feeling of being welcome. Let me expound a bit and you can see where I am going.
How often are you greeted with a smile by complete strangers? Do ever wear one of those t-shirts/sweatshirts/button with a saying/phrase that could be a conversation starter? Do you ever have people to seek you out for various reasons? Is there something about you that is sends an invitation to others? Wonder if you have a welcoming spirit?
Everything that happens in our lives is by design. Whether it is a new person or new challenge, we must welcome those things as there is a reason that it is happening at that time. We may not understand why at that moment, but later on things may make sense.
I have welcomed you into my life and look forward to what the future holds.
“You must welcome change as the rule but not as your ruler.”
-Denis Waitley
“Welcome anything that comes to you, but do not long for anything else.”
-Andre Gide
“Welcome those big, sticky, complicated problems. In them are your most powerful opportunities.”
-Ralph Marston
“Welcome the task that makes you go beyond yourself.”
-Frank Mcgee
“Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.”
-Og Mandino
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thursday Thoughts Before Dawn 11/19/09
It's early on a Thursday morning and I am preparing for another day. Another of those nights where I shut it down early and my body clearly has had enough rest.
I woke up with this morning revisiting some thoughts that have stayed with me the last couple of days. Over the last couple of days through conversations and watching others, I found myself thinking about admiration.
In our lives we have many opportunities to feel admiration toward someone/something in our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. What is it that gets you to the point that you begin to have admiration? It could be different for everyone, but at the same time I think we all share similar foundation which admiration is built upon. I think I heard it best from a friend who said, “we show admiration towards people and things in which we can relate to.”
Maybe you are sitting there asking yourself a few questions like I am asking myself.
Are you living a life to be admired by others? Do you even want to be admired? Who do you admire? Who admires you? What things do you admire?
Once you find the answers to these questions specifically for your life, you will be surprised to find a fresh perspective on a few things.
For one reason or another I have admiration for something that I have witnessed you do in your life or mine, and that’s probably why you are reading this right now.
Admiration:
1. a feeling of wonder, pleasure, or approval.
2. the act of looking on or contemplating with pleasure: admiration of fine paintings.
3. an object of wonder, pleasure, or approval: The dancer was the admiration of everyone.
4. Archaic. wonder; astonishment.
“I have always been an admirer. I regard the gift of admiration as indispensable if one is to amount to something; I don't know where I would be without it.”
-François de la Rochefoucauld
“Tell me who admires you and loves you, and I will tell you who you are.”
-Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve
“Admiration begins where acquaintance ceases”
-Samuel Johnson
I woke up with this morning revisiting some thoughts that have stayed with me the last couple of days. Over the last couple of days through conversations and watching others, I found myself thinking about admiration.
In our lives we have many opportunities to feel admiration toward someone/something in our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. What is it that gets you to the point that you begin to have admiration? It could be different for everyone, but at the same time I think we all share similar foundation which admiration is built upon. I think I heard it best from a friend who said, “we show admiration towards people and things in which we can relate to.”
Maybe you are sitting there asking yourself a few questions like I am asking myself.
Are you living a life to be admired by others? Do you even want to be admired? Who do you admire? Who admires you? What things do you admire?
Once you find the answers to these questions specifically for your life, you will be surprised to find a fresh perspective on a few things.
For one reason or another I have admiration for something that I have witnessed you do in your life or mine, and that’s probably why you are reading this right now.
Admiration:
1. a feeling of wonder, pleasure, or approval.
2. the act of looking on or contemplating with pleasure: admiration of fine paintings.
3. an object of wonder, pleasure, or approval: The dancer was the admiration of everyone.
4. Archaic. wonder; astonishment.
“I have always been an admirer. I regard the gift of admiration as indispensable if one is to amount to something; I don't know where I would be without it.”
-François de la Rochefoucauld
“Tell me who admires you and loves you, and I will tell you who you are.”
-Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve
“Admiration begins where acquaintance ceases”
-Samuel Johnson
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Saturday Afternoon Thoughts 11/14/09
It's a relaxing Saturday for me in the Valley of the Sun. Although, I don't know how accurate the Valley of the Sun label is today as it is not quite as bright as usual. Regardless of the level of sunshine, its not going to determine how my day will go. A breath of life in my body and fresh perspective on the way it is, I am ready for whatever Saturday brings me.
Sitting here at the computer and I was listening to a song in my music library and the hook, “People see me, but they just don't know… People see me, but they just don't know,” stuck in my head. As I heard this a couple of times and started to sing it a few thoughts started to form.
Much of our lives are filled with moments where we are dealing with the moment and what is on the surface. Often times we are so busy with challenges of everyday life that we don't have the opportunity to get beyond what's surface level.
How many times have you been shocked by people in your life for one reason or another? It's a natural part of life as there is always more to any situation/person than meets the eye. These thoughts that began to form had me thinking that we are all icebergs going through life. At any given moment in time, we can only see the tip of the iceberg, and often times forget what's below the surface.
Its ironic to think that there are people in your life that only care about what they can see, with no concern about what's below the surface. What is it about you that would make someone be curious about what's below the surface? What kind of things do you look for before you become concerned with what's below the surface in others?
We encounter so many iceberg situations on a daily basis, but I wonder if our focused changed from above to below how different things would be. Maybe its time to reevaluate things as it seems like the meat to any persons being is easily visible to the eye.
I know for a fact that the iceberg of your life has revealed quite a bit to me above and below the surface. I thank you for that.
“If it is any use to know it, I always try to write on the principle of the iceberg. There is seven-eighths of it under water for every part that shows. Anything you know you can eliminate and it only strengthens your iceberg. It is the part that does”
-Ernest Hemingway
“The mind is like an iceberg, it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water.”
-Sigmund Freud
“Two parts of empathy: Skill (tip of iceberg) and Attitude (mass of the iceberg).”
Sitting here at the computer and I was listening to a song in my music library and the hook, “People see me, but they just don't know… People see me, but they just don't know,” stuck in my head. As I heard this a couple of times and started to sing it a few thoughts started to form.
Much of our lives are filled with moments where we are dealing with the moment and what is on the surface. Often times we are so busy with challenges of everyday life that we don't have the opportunity to get beyond what's surface level.
How many times have you been shocked by people in your life for one reason or another? It's a natural part of life as there is always more to any situation/person than meets the eye. These thoughts that began to form had me thinking that we are all icebergs going through life. At any given moment in time, we can only see the tip of the iceberg, and often times forget what's below the surface.
Its ironic to think that there are people in your life that only care about what they can see, with no concern about what's below the surface. What is it about you that would make someone be curious about what's below the surface? What kind of things do you look for before you become concerned with what's below the surface in others?
We encounter so many iceberg situations on a daily basis, but I wonder if our focused changed from above to below how different things would be. Maybe its time to reevaluate things as it seems like the meat to any persons being is easily visible to the eye.
I know for a fact that the iceberg of your life has revealed quite a bit to me above and below the surface. I thank you for that.
“If it is any use to know it, I always try to write on the principle of the iceberg. There is seven-eighths of it under water for every part that shows. Anything you know you can eliminate and it only strengthens your iceberg. It is the part that does”
-Ernest Hemingway
“The mind is like an iceberg, it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water.”
-Sigmund Freud
“Two parts of empathy: Skill (tip of iceberg) and Attitude (mass of the iceberg).”
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thurday Thoughts Before Dawn 11/12/09
I sit awake on this Thursday morning at the computer putting my thoughts together. I have been under the weather for the last couple of days, but it seems like no matter how ill I become I still manage to have a few thoughts on the brain.
Since I was up, I found myself flipping through the channels and ended up watching several shows on VH1. On this particular day, VH1 was running a 6 hour spotlight on rapper T.I. which showed an episode of ‘Behind the Music’ as well as several episodes of T.I.’s ‘Road to Redemption.’
As I watched the shows, I began to remove his celebrity and view him as a regular person like you or me. All throughout his life he encountered crossroads where he had choices to make and he didn’t always make the right ones.
In every aspect of our life on a daily basis we are presented with many opportunities to make decisions. Choices surround us and ultimately we have to live with the choices that we make.
How often do you ask yourself why am I where I am? Why do these things keep happening to me? Why does it seem like the people around me are bringing me down?
Hopefully, we have learned lessons from our prior choices in life that have allowed us to grow. Choose wisely as your decisions today shape your tomorrow.
You can choose to be or do anything in life, but YOU are the only one that can make that decision.
“There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself.”
Henry David Thoreau
“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”
-Tennessee Williams
“The greatest power that a person possesses is the power to choose.”
-J Martin Kohe
“The truth is that we can learn to condition our minds, bodies, and emotions to link pain or pleasure to whatever we choose. By changing what we link pain and pleasure to, we will instantly change our behaviors.”
-Anthony Robbins
Since I was up, I found myself flipping through the channels and ended up watching several shows on VH1. On this particular day, VH1 was running a 6 hour spotlight on rapper T.I. which showed an episode of ‘Behind the Music’ as well as several episodes of T.I.’s ‘Road to Redemption.’
As I watched the shows, I began to remove his celebrity and view him as a regular person like you or me. All throughout his life he encountered crossroads where he had choices to make and he didn’t always make the right ones.
In every aspect of our life on a daily basis we are presented with many opportunities to make decisions. Choices surround us and ultimately we have to live with the choices that we make.
How often do you ask yourself why am I where I am? Why do these things keep happening to me? Why does it seem like the people around me are bringing me down?
Hopefully, we have learned lessons from our prior choices in life that have allowed us to grow. Choose wisely as your decisions today shape your tomorrow.
You can choose to be or do anything in life, but YOU are the only one that can make that decision.
“There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself.”
Henry David Thoreau
“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”
-Tennessee Williams
“The greatest power that a person possesses is the power to choose.”
-J Martin Kohe
“The truth is that we can learn to condition our minds, bodies, and emotions to link pain or pleasure to whatever we choose. By changing what we link pain and pleasure to, we will instantly change our behaviors.”
-Anthony Robbins
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday Evening Thoughts 11/08/09
Today was one of those days where I just love living here in Arizona. This morning when I woke up the weather was a bit cool, but then the sun came out and it warmed up to about 84 degrees. The day was so perfect that I found myself asleep on the couch and actually missed the 2nd half of my Arizona Cardinals game against the Bears.
By the time I woke up from my nap, I was able to celebrate the Cardinals victory. During the post game press conference, Coach Ken Whisenhunt made a statement that brought back memories of the last time the Cardinals and Bears played. “The Bears are who we thought they were…..And we didn’t let them off the HOOK.”
While this statement may not mean a lot to you, but it is a recollection of the frustration of former Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green. In the fall of 2006, after a Monday Night Football Game in which the Cardinals gave up a comfortable lead to the Bears and eventually lost the game. Coach Green had a memorable meltdown after the game and made some statements that are forever etched in history. That ended up being the last season that he coached in the NFL. While this not have been a great memory initially for Coach Green, he has been able to capitalize on it as they have featured his blow up in a couple of commercials.
So my thoughts over the past several days have revolved around memories. We are always creating memories whether they are good or bad. Enjoy every experience you have in life for what it is. After its all over regardless of what happens you will still have the memories, so cherish them.
I have memories of you that I am sure will never leave me. Make it an amazing week.
“Always remember to slow down in life; live, breathe, and learn; take a look around you whenever you have time and never forget everything and every person that has the least place within your heart. ”
“A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever.”
“It's surprising how much of memory is built around things unnoticed at the time”
-Barbara Kingsolver
“We cannot change our memories, but we can change their meaning and the power they have over us”
-David Seamands
By the time I woke up from my nap, I was able to celebrate the Cardinals victory. During the post game press conference, Coach Ken Whisenhunt made a statement that brought back memories of the last time the Cardinals and Bears played. “The Bears are who we thought they were…..And we didn’t let them off the HOOK.”
While this statement may not mean a lot to you, but it is a recollection of the frustration of former Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green. In the fall of 2006, after a Monday Night Football Game in which the Cardinals gave up a comfortable lead to the Bears and eventually lost the game. Coach Green had a memorable meltdown after the game and made some statements that are forever etched in history. That ended up being the last season that he coached in the NFL. While this not have been a great memory initially for Coach Green, he has been able to capitalize on it as they have featured his blow up in a couple of commercials.
So my thoughts over the past several days have revolved around memories. We are always creating memories whether they are good or bad. Enjoy every experience you have in life for what it is. After its all over regardless of what happens you will still have the memories, so cherish them.
I have memories of you that I am sure will never leave me. Make it an amazing week.
“Always remember to slow down in life; live, breathe, and learn; take a look around you whenever you have time and never forget everything and every person that has the least place within your heart. ”
“A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever.”
“It's surprising how much of memory is built around things unnoticed at the time”
-Barbara Kingsolver
“We cannot change our memories, but we can change their meaning and the power they have over us”
-David Seamands
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Saturday Evening Thoughts 11/07/09
I sit on this Saturday Evening enjoying some of my favorite things; football and chatting with friends/family. This weekend is Homecoming at my alma mater Jackson State University as well as Tennessee State University and I have heard that quite a few people have returned to the respective areas to celebrate. Although I did not make it for the experience this weekend, technology kept me up to speed with everything that was going on.
As we get older and start new chapters in our lives, we often leave home. Leaving home could be just growing up and leaving your parents house or moving away from the city you call home. Whatever the case may be it is a special feeling inside of us when we return home.
Do you remember that tree where you first carved your initials and the initials of your first love? How sweet does it feel to wake up in your childhood room and smell your mother cooking homemade biscuits on a Saturday morning?
Wherever home is, it will always be a place that you can go and get a feeling that can’t be re-created in too many places. Often times we return home for occasions that aren’t so joyous, so try to make it for a good occasion and enjoy yourself.
“Homecoming unites the past and the present.”
~Author Unknown
“Homecoming means tradition.”
~Author Unknown
“Homecoming means more than winning a competition or a sporting event. It provides an opportunity for every component of the university to come together to celebrate as a whole.”
~Author Unknown
“Homecoming means football, festivities, and friendship.”
~Author Unknown
“Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you find the present tense, but the past perfect!”
~Owens Lee Pomeroy
As we get older and start new chapters in our lives, we often leave home. Leaving home could be just growing up and leaving your parents house or moving away from the city you call home. Whatever the case may be it is a special feeling inside of us when we return home.
Do you remember that tree where you first carved your initials and the initials of your first love? How sweet does it feel to wake up in your childhood room and smell your mother cooking homemade biscuits on a Saturday morning?
Wherever home is, it will always be a place that you can go and get a feeling that can’t be re-created in too many places. Often times we return home for occasions that aren’t so joyous, so try to make it for a good occasion and enjoy yourself.
“Homecoming unites the past and the present.”
~Author Unknown
“Homecoming means tradition.”
~Author Unknown
“Homecoming means more than winning a competition or a sporting event. It provides an opportunity for every component of the university to come together to celebrate as a whole.”
~Author Unknown
“Homecoming means football, festivities, and friendship.”
~Author Unknown
“Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you find the present tense, but the past perfect!”
~Owens Lee Pomeroy
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thursday Morning Thoughts 11/05/09
After a great nights sleep I am up early and I guess I should have been ready for this day. Last night the New York Yankees won their 27th World Championship in their brand new stadium. For the next several days, you will not be able to go many places without hearing mention of this World Series or the Yankees winning it all again. Over the course of Major League Baseball history, the Yankees have been home to some of the greatest players to ever play the game.
When you take the time to look at all 27 of the titles for the Yankees, you may see some individuals that standout to you, but it was really a team effort to accomplish the task. In Major League Baseball the Yankees have the most World Championships than any other team. How is this even possible? This is possible because of a collective effort of the players, coaches, and front office.
Individual success is great, but is only one person responsible for their success? There is teamwork involved in so many aspects of our lives from professional to personal. Recognize the power of working together and realize the things that can be accomplished individually and collectively. Together we have the opportunity to make a difference in this world.
I am ready to start the journey and was wondering if you would be willing to join me.
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”
-Ryunosuke Satoro
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
-Henry Ford
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”
“When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality.”
-Joe Paterno
“There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.”
-George Shinn
When you take the time to look at all 27 of the titles for the Yankees, you may see some individuals that standout to you, but it was really a team effort to accomplish the task. In Major League Baseball the Yankees have the most World Championships than any other team. How is this even possible? This is possible because of a collective effort of the players, coaches, and front office.
Individual success is great, but is only one person responsible for their success? There is teamwork involved in so many aspects of our lives from professional to personal. Recognize the power of working together and realize the things that can be accomplished individually and collectively. Together we have the opportunity to make a difference in this world.
I am ready to start the journey and was wondering if you would be willing to join me.
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”
-Ryunosuke Satoro
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
-Henry Ford
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”
“When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality.”
-Joe Paterno
“There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.”
-George Shinn
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Early Morning Thoughts on Hump Day 11/04/09
I am sitting here at the computer reflecting on another day gone by and flipping through my music library. By now, you probably can sense that I have hopped on my soapbox and have a few things that I would like to talk about.
As I settled into the evening, I begin to think about how often we focus on the beginning and the end. How is it that we lose sight of what has transpired between the start and the finish. Even when we leave this place our tombstones show the date we came into the world and the date we left. Once we are gone the only thing left to show that we were here only focuses on the beginning and ending of our life.
There are many times in our lives that we are so caught up in situations fixated on where we started and where we will finish that we miss some things along the way.
We all have heard the phrase its not how you start, but how you finish. Its those things that occurred after the start that make it able for us to finish. We have to appreciate the things that take place after the start and before the finish. Don’t lose sight of the middle as that is where the real meat of life lies..
Don’t be so concerned with a great start and a strong finish that you forget to appreciate how you actually ran the race.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
-Albert Einstein
“Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it’s the middle that counts. You have to remember this when you find yourself at the beginning.”
-Sandra Bullock
“Yesterday brought the beginning, tomorrow brings the end but somewhere in the middle we've become the best of friends.”
“There’s always the chance you could die right in the middle of your life story ”
-Chuck Palahniuk
“Refuse to fall down. If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down, lift your heart toward heaven like a hungry beggar, ask that it be filled and it will be filled. You may be pushed down. You may be kept from rising. But no one can keep you from lifting your heart toward heaven-only you. It is in the middle of misery that so much becomes clear. The one who says nothing good came of this is not yet listening.”
-Clarissa Pinkola Estes
As I settled into the evening, I begin to think about how often we focus on the beginning and the end. How is it that we lose sight of what has transpired between the start and the finish. Even when we leave this place our tombstones show the date we came into the world and the date we left. Once we are gone the only thing left to show that we were here only focuses on the beginning and ending of our life.
There are many times in our lives that we are so caught up in situations fixated on where we started and where we will finish that we miss some things along the way.
We all have heard the phrase its not how you start, but how you finish. Its those things that occurred after the start that make it able for us to finish. We have to appreciate the things that take place after the start and before the finish. Don’t lose sight of the middle as that is where the real meat of life lies..
Don’t be so concerned with a great start and a strong finish that you forget to appreciate how you actually ran the race.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
-Albert Einstein
“Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it’s the middle that counts. You have to remember this when you find yourself at the beginning.”
-Sandra Bullock
“Yesterday brought the beginning, tomorrow brings the end but somewhere in the middle we've become the best of friends.”
“There’s always the chance you could die right in the middle of your life story ”
-Chuck Palahniuk
“Refuse to fall down. If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down, lift your heart toward heaven like a hungry beggar, ask that it be filled and it will be filled. You may be pushed down. You may be kept from rising. But no one can keep you from lifting your heart toward heaven-only you. It is in the middle of misery that so much becomes clear. The one who says nothing good came of this is not yet listening.”
-Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sunday Afternoon Thoughts 11/1/09
Nothing in life is by chance. There is a reason that most things happen in our lives even if we can not explain it. I woke this morning and began to see more answers as to why some things are the way that they are.
Being the football fan that I am, I am preparing to watch Brett Favre play his first football game
at a place he called home for 15+ years. All this week on the sports channels they talked to the Green Bay fans about how
they felt about Brett wearing the jersey of their fiercest rival. The results were mixed as some were still fans of Favre and others loathed him for where he is now.
Sports often times allows us to see our tendencies to be fair weather people. We have all heard it said before about fair weather fans and supporting their teams in times of success and being absent in the low points.
The majority of our lives are spent sorting through all kinds of relationships. In life just like in sports we encounter situations where we tend to be fair weather.
Are there areas in your life where you tend to be fair weather? Do you have some relationships that may be fair weather? Are there times that someone could see that you as a fair weather friend?
Through the storms and the fair weather, I am thankful for all my friends and family. I enjoy being there for you and I appreciate you being there for me! Life ain't easy and I ain't to big to say that WE DO THIS TOGETHER!
“A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.”
-Robert Frost
“Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop.”
-Charles de Gaulle
“Some are atheists only in fair weather.”
-Thomas Fuller
Being the football fan that I am, I am preparing to watch Brett Favre play his first football game
at a place he called home for 15+ years. All this week on the sports channels they talked to the Green Bay fans about how
they felt about Brett wearing the jersey of their fiercest rival. The results were mixed as some were still fans of Favre and others loathed him for where he is now.
Sports often times allows us to see our tendencies to be fair weather people. We have all heard it said before about fair weather fans and supporting their teams in times of success and being absent in the low points.
The majority of our lives are spent sorting through all kinds of relationships. In life just like in sports we encounter situations where we tend to be fair weather.
Are there areas in your life where you tend to be fair weather? Do you have some relationships that may be fair weather? Are there times that someone could see that you as a fair weather friend?
Through the storms and the fair weather, I am thankful for all my friends and family. I enjoy being there for you and I appreciate you being there for me! Life ain't easy and I ain't to big to say that WE DO THIS TOGETHER!
“A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.”
-Robert Frost
“Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop.”
-Charles de Gaulle
“Some are atheists only in fair weather.”
-Thomas Fuller
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday Thoughts 10/31/09
As I was leaving work the other day, I found myself having a very spirited conversation with a couple of my co-workers who have a combined 60+ years with my company. Its been awhile since I saw the type of smiles on these individuals faces. Let me give you an idea of what brought out the joy in them.
As a young man, I have always looked up to these men based upon their tenure in the company, but I also look to them for their life experiences. Not sure how it started, but these men started asking me about how my search for a rib was going.(if you aren't familiar with the rib search, its origination is found in the book of Genesis) They started to talk to me about when they were young, their style, and how smooth they were. They began to take a trip down memory lane and nonetheless I was inspired.
Do you ever have one of those, I remember what I was doing moments when you hear a song on the radio? Do you ever stare at your children as they are learning how to ride a bike or playing sports, and say I remember that?
In a matter of moments I became inspired to think about what creates a memory. Our past helps us share our story with others. You have lived a life full of memorable moments that have helped to shape the person you are today.
I remember how and when you came into my life. What makes something worth remembering to you?
“May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten”
-Irish Blessings
“I have liked remembering almost as much as I have liked living”
-William Maxwell
“What is human life? The first third a good time; the rest remembering about it”
-Mark Twain
“We must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past; and we must respect the past, remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible”
-George Santayana
“Remembering the past gives power to the present”
As a young man, I have always looked up to these men based upon their tenure in the company, but I also look to them for their life experiences. Not sure how it started, but these men started asking me about how my search for a rib was going.(if you aren't familiar with the rib search, its origination is found in the book of Genesis) They started to talk to me about when they were young, their style, and how smooth they were. They began to take a trip down memory lane and nonetheless I was inspired.
Do you ever have one of those, I remember what I was doing moments when you hear a song on the radio? Do you ever stare at your children as they are learning how to ride a bike or playing sports, and say I remember that?
In a matter of moments I became inspired to think about what creates a memory. Our past helps us share our story with others. You have lived a life full of memorable moments that have helped to shape the person you are today.
I remember how and when you came into my life. What makes something worth remembering to you?
“May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten”
-Irish Blessings
“I have liked remembering almost as much as I have liked living”
-William Maxwell
“What is human life? The first third a good time; the rest remembering about it”
-Mark Twain
“We must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past; and we must respect the past, remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible”
-George Santayana
“Remembering the past gives power to the present”
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Late Night Thoughts on a Tuesday 10/27/09
Today was a much cooler day here in the Valley of the Sun. The weather took a turn and we are expected to see temperatures in the 60's tomorrow. All I can say is bring on fall, even if it may be for only like 48 hours.
As I was driving home this evening my car began to move outside of the lane as the swirling winds violently pushed my car around. You would think that my car was heavy enough to not be affected, but that was not the case on this day. This made me start to think about the winds of change that affect our lives.
How often do feel as though things are going along just they way should be and the unexpected happens? Do you lose your focus? Are you prepared to deal with things the way they are? Does your faith still remain strong?
It does not matter how calm things seem to be there is always an opportunity for an unsuspecting wind to swoop in to disrupt things. How you choose to deal with it, will be one of your defining moments.
“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
-Jimmy Dean
“Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.”
-Winston Churchill
“If a man does not know what port he is steering for, no wind is favorable to him”
-Seneca
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
-William Arthur Ward
“Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.”
-Arthur Golden
As I was driving home this evening my car began to move outside of the lane as the swirling winds violently pushed my car around. You would think that my car was heavy enough to not be affected, but that was not the case on this day. This made me start to think about the winds of change that affect our lives.
How often do feel as though things are going along just they way should be and the unexpected happens? Do you lose your focus? Are you prepared to deal with things the way they are? Does your faith still remain strong?
It does not matter how calm things seem to be there is always an opportunity for an unsuspecting wind to swoop in to disrupt things. How you choose to deal with it, will be one of your defining moments.
“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
-Jimmy Dean
“Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.”
-Winston Churchill
“If a man does not know what port he is steering for, no wind is favorable to him”
-Seneca
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
-William Arthur Ward
“Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.”
-Arthur Golden
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday Night Thoughts 10/24/09
Normally on a weekend about this time, I am nowhere near my home and I am out somewhere having a good time. Fridays and Saturdays signal the end of the work week for me and I am trying to transition into the weekend. On this particular weekend, the only thing I wanted to do was just to come home and relax.
After running a couple of errands, I made it home, sat in front of the TV, and realized I was pretty content where I was. I sat there for a moment and started to think about the state of being content.
Are you content where you are in life? How did you get there? Are you content in your current friendships/relationships?
At what ever point in life you are at, you have a choice to be content or not? And if you aren't content, are you willing to change or accept changes to get there?
Finding the point at which you become content just might be the fresh start that you were looking for. You are where you are for a reason, the choice is yours on how you deal with it.
“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”
-Abraham Lincoln
“Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have.”
-Doris Mortman
“I know not how I may seem to others, but to myself I am but a small child wandering upon the vast shores of knowledge, every now and then finding a small bright pebble to content myself with”
-Plato
“Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen.”
-Horace Mann
After running a couple of errands, I made it home, sat in front of the TV, and realized I was pretty content where I was. I sat there for a moment and started to think about the state of being content.
Are you content where you are in life? How did you get there? Are you content in your current friendships/relationships?
At what ever point in life you are at, you have a choice to be content or not? And if you aren't content, are you willing to change or accept changes to get there?
Finding the point at which you become content just might be the fresh start that you were looking for. You are where you are for a reason, the choice is yours on how you deal with it.
“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”
-Abraham Lincoln
“Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have.”
-Doris Mortman
“I know not how I may seem to others, but to myself I am but a small child wandering upon the vast shores of knowledge, every now and then finding a small bright pebble to content myself with”
-Plato
“Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen.”
-Horace Mann
Friday, October 23, 2009
Late Night Thoughts on Thursday 10/22/09
The day has wound down on this Thursday night as I prepare to end my week. I found myself catching up on a few things in the sports world and as usual I became inspired by something that I read. We are moving further into fall and America's Favorite Past Time is on every channel these days as we move closer to the World Series.
I began to think that once the World Series is over we will have crowned a new world champion. In reaching the top I am sure it was not the result of just the efforts of one person, but a collective effort of a team. As we look at most sports that crown a champion, there are a few that crown an individual champion such as tennis, golf, and boxing. In doing so, we often lose sight ofpeople that helped that person become champion. What role did the trainers, caddies, and corner men play in helping that individual reach the top.
We are always referencing champions in the sporting arena, but when do we discuss the champions of life. Based on watching a season or the culminating championship game, as a society we think we know what makes a champion in the sporting arena.
We often utter the phrase the heart of a champion, but what does that mean?
So what makes a champion in life?
Have your experiences in life made you a champion?
Do you know anyone that has overcome a situation that you now see them as a champion?
Look in the mirror and salute yourself as you are a champion in the life you live. Remember that it took morethan you to become the champion that you are.
“A champion is someone who gets up when he can't.”
-Jack Dempsey
"If you want to take your mission in life to the next level, if you're stuck and you don't know how to rise, don't look outside yourself. Look inside. Don't let your fears keep you mired in the crowd. Abolish your fears and raise your commitment level to the point of no return, and I guarantee you that the Champion Within will burst forth to propel you toward victory.”
-Bruce Jenner
“A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning.”
-Pat Riley
“Most look up and admire the stars. A champion climbs a mountain and grabs one.”
I began to think that once the World Series is over we will have crowned a new world champion. In reaching the top I am sure it was not the result of just the efforts of one person, but a collective effort of a team. As we look at most sports that crown a champion, there are a few that crown an individual champion such as tennis, golf, and boxing. In doing so, we often lose sight ofpeople that helped that person become champion. What role did the trainers, caddies, and corner men play in helping that individual reach the top.
We are always referencing champions in the sporting arena, but when do we discuss the champions of life. Based on watching a season or the culminating championship game, as a society we think we know what makes a champion in the sporting arena.
We often utter the phrase the heart of a champion, but what does that mean?
So what makes a champion in life?
Have your experiences in life made you a champion?
Do you know anyone that has overcome a situation that you now see them as a champion?
Look in the mirror and salute yourself as you are a champion in the life you live. Remember that it took morethan you to become the champion that you are.
“A champion is someone who gets up when he can't.”
-Jack Dempsey
"If you want to take your mission in life to the next level, if you're stuck and you don't know how to rise, don't look outside yourself. Look inside. Don't let your fears keep you mired in the crowd. Abolish your fears and raise your commitment level to the point of no return, and I guarantee you that the Champion Within will burst forth to propel you toward victory.”
-Bruce Jenner
“A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning.”
-Pat Riley
“Most look up and admire the stars. A champion climbs a mountain and grabs one.”
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday Evening Thoughts 10/18/09
Another weekend is coming to a close and I can say its been a pretty good one. I had an opportunity to watch a lot of football in person and via the television. So I was pretty much in good spirits as I love the game and my Arizona Cardinals won!
I found myself watching the Vikings and Ravens play earlier and the game went down to the wire only to be decided on the foot of the kicker. I am not sure that I would ever want to be a kicker in the NFL because for the length of time that they actually spend on the field, I think they have the most pressure per minute played. With 2 seconds left on the clock the kicker walks out to prepare to kick the field goal and makes his attempt which turns out to be unsuccessful. As a professional, you want to think that the kicker can come in to hit the field goal and call it a day. As with most things in life, you kinda have to expect that there are times when things don't go to plan. In the case of this kicker today, I think he walked very lonely to the locker room instead of being congratulated for winning the game.
Was it the kicker's fault that they lost the game? If there are 11 players on the field for each team at any one time, how can the blame rest on just one person? If its a team sport and ultimately the team wins/loses why should one person shoulder the responsibility of the outcome?
As I watched this game, I started to think about things and how our society accepts responsibility for things that happen.
Do you ever have situations where you haven't accepted responsibility for their outcomes? Do you blame others when you don't succeed as you would like?
In looking at the future leaders of tomorrow, if they don't have the skills to be successful we have to accept some of the blame. What did we do to prepare them? Its going to take all of us: parents, teachers, friends, and family to raise this new generation.
“If you blame others for your failures, do you credit them with your success?”
“It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you place the blame.”
-Oscar Wilde
“The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.”
-Albert Ellis
“All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy.”
-Wayne Dyer
I found myself watching the Vikings and Ravens play earlier and the game went down to the wire only to be decided on the foot of the kicker. I am not sure that I would ever want to be a kicker in the NFL because for the length of time that they actually spend on the field, I think they have the most pressure per minute played. With 2 seconds left on the clock the kicker walks out to prepare to kick the field goal and makes his attempt which turns out to be unsuccessful. As a professional, you want to think that the kicker can come in to hit the field goal and call it a day. As with most things in life, you kinda have to expect that there are times when things don't go to plan. In the case of this kicker today, I think he walked very lonely to the locker room instead of being congratulated for winning the game.
Was it the kicker's fault that they lost the game? If there are 11 players on the field for each team at any one time, how can the blame rest on just one person? If its a team sport and ultimately the team wins/loses why should one person shoulder the responsibility of the outcome?
As I watched this game, I started to think about things and how our society accepts responsibility for things that happen.
Do you ever have situations where you haven't accepted responsibility for their outcomes? Do you blame others when you don't succeed as you would like?
In looking at the future leaders of tomorrow, if they don't have the skills to be successful we have to accept some of the blame. What did we do to prepare them? Its going to take all of us: parents, teachers, friends, and family to raise this new generation.
“If you blame others for your failures, do you credit them with your success?”
“It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you place the blame.”
-Oscar Wilde
“The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.”
-Albert Ellis
“All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy.”
-Wayne Dyer
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Saturday Thoughts on The Sweetest Day 10/17/09
The Sweetest Day is an observance celebrated primarily in the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast United States on the third Saturday in October. Once known as a day to spread love and cheer to the unfortunate, this popular holiday in the northern U.S. is now known as a day to show affection to the loved ones in your life. It is described by Retail Confectioners International as an "occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed."
Its no surprise that yet another day has been created to get us to remember the kindness and thoughtfulness that we have enjoyed during the course of our lives. I couldn't help writing about this day and presenting a few points that make you go Hmmmm!
When was the last time you stayed at a hotel/resort and just struck up a conversation with the doorman? What about the last time you were at WalMart, did you smile at the greeter or just walk in and out of the store?
We have so many opportunites during the course of our lives to spread our good spirit to others. Today is a great day to do it since its The Sweetest Day, but what will you do tomorrow?
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
~Leo Buscag
"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."
~Author Unknown
"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
~John Wooden
"A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble."
~Charles H. Spurgeon
"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again."
~Og Mandino
Its no surprise that yet another day has been created to get us to remember the kindness and thoughtfulness that we have enjoyed during the course of our lives. I couldn't help writing about this day and presenting a few points that make you go Hmmmm!
When was the last time you stayed at a hotel/resort and just struck up a conversation with the doorman? What about the last time you were at WalMart, did you smile at the greeter or just walk in and out of the store?
We have so many opportunites during the course of our lives to spread our good spirit to others. Today is a great day to do it since its The Sweetest Day, but what will you do tomorrow?
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
~Leo Buscag
"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."
~Author Unknown
"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
~John Wooden
"A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble."
~Charles H. Spurgeon
"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again."
~Og Mandino
Monday's Milestone 10/12/09
It seems like on any given date in time there is a milestone that someone has reached or working toward reaching. Today a friend of mine celebrated his 40th birthday and we talked at length about the day and the milestone that he reached. Over the last week I had a friend turn 30 while another turn 40 and their conversations were vastly different.
Whether its hitting a milestone birthday or anniversary, it is something to be proud of. What we can't do is become complacent and just rest on that milestone. We must appreciate where we have arrived and plan to move forward to achieve our next milestone.
What is it about milestones that cause us to look at life differently? Is it the things that we accomplished a long the way? Is it a struggle to figure out what our next milestone will be? Will you be where you want to be in life when you reach your next milestone? If you aren't where you planned to be, what do you do next?
I reached a milestone today and I look forward to reaching the next one tomorrow. I will see you there.
“Direction is more important than speed. We are so busy looking at our speedometers that we forget the milestone.”
“When a milestone is conquered, the subtle erosion called entitlement begins its consuming grind. The team regards its greatness as a trait and a right. Half hearted effort becomes habit and saps a champion.”
-Pat Riley
“Some may try and tell us that this is the end of an era. But what they overlook is that in America, every day is a new beginning, and every sunset is merely the latest milestone on a voyage that never ends. For this is the land that has never become, but is always in the act of becoming. Emerson was right: America is the land of tomorrow.”
-Ronald Reagan
“I'm very pleased with each advancing year. It stems back to when I was forty. I was a bit upset about reaching that milestone, but an older friend consoled me. 'Don't complain about growing old--many, many people do not have that privilege.'”
-Earl Warren
Whether its hitting a milestone birthday or anniversary, it is something to be proud of. What we can't do is become complacent and just rest on that milestone. We must appreciate where we have arrived and plan to move forward to achieve our next milestone.
What is it about milestones that cause us to look at life differently? Is it the things that we accomplished a long the way? Is it a struggle to figure out what our next milestone will be? Will you be where you want to be in life when you reach your next milestone? If you aren't where you planned to be, what do you do next?
I reached a milestone today and I look forward to reaching the next one tomorrow. I will see you there.
“Direction is more important than speed. We are so busy looking at our speedometers that we forget the milestone.”
“When a milestone is conquered, the subtle erosion called entitlement begins its consuming grind. The team regards its greatness as a trait and a right. Half hearted effort becomes habit and saps a champion.”
-Pat Riley
“Some may try and tell us that this is the end of an era. But what they overlook is that in America, every day is a new beginning, and every sunset is merely the latest milestone on a voyage that never ends. For this is the land that has never become, but is always in the act of becoming. Emerson was right: America is the land of tomorrow.”
-Ronald Reagan
“I'm very pleased with each advancing year. It stems back to when I was forty. I was a bit upset about reaching that milestone, but an older friend consoled me. 'Don't complain about growing old--many, many people do not have that privilege.'”
-Earl Warren
Sunday Evening Thoughts 10/11/09
The weekend is coming to a close and I am trying to prepare for the upcoming week in the best way that I know how. Today was a great day as I felt a sense of meaning while talking to the youth in my Sunday School class, my Arizona Cardinals won, and I showed my support for Breast Cancer Awareness by donning a Pink Polo shirt at today's game.
Its an amazing experience when you feel the conviction of God based on things that have taken place in your life! Over the last week, I have seen the God in me and in some cases have not seen the God in others.
As I think of these situations I begin focus on how people strive to be perfect, but we all must remember that there was only one perfect man that ever walked the face of this earth.
Let's take a look at perfection and figure out what it is that we are trying to be perfect at. The way I see it there are really only a few things in life that you can attempt to be perfect at. At the end of the day you have to be perfect at being you. Who can judge you and say that you are not doing the best job at being you?
I think that we often times lose sight of the things that we were meant to be perfect at. And in doing that we spend a lot of time trying to be perfect at things that we were never intended to be perfect at. People make mistakes and no one is going to live a perfect life. The tough part about grasping the concept of perfection is figuring out what it is you are supposed to be perfect at.
Something tells me that when you realize that its more about others than about you, then you are on the road to figuring it out.
“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.”
-Anna Quindlen
“Some of us (perfectionists, especially) fuss so much over making the 'right' choice, but in life, all that's really needed is to make any' good' choice, believe in it, go through with it, and accept the consequences.”
“People throw away what they could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for it where they will never find it”
-Edith Schaeffer
“The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.”
-George Orwell
Its an amazing experience when you feel the conviction of God based on things that have taken place in your life! Over the last week, I have seen the God in me and in some cases have not seen the God in others.
As I think of these situations I begin focus on how people strive to be perfect, but we all must remember that there was only one perfect man that ever walked the face of this earth.
Let's take a look at perfection and figure out what it is that we are trying to be perfect at. The way I see it there are really only a few things in life that you can attempt to be perfect at. At the end of the day you have to be perfect at being you. Who can judge you and say that you are not doing the best job at being you?
I think that we often times lose sight of the things that we were meant to be perfect at. And in doing that we spend a lot of time trying to be perfect at things that we were never intended to be perfect at. People make mistakes and no one is going to live a perfect life. The tough part about grasping the concept of perfection is figuring out what it is you are supposed to be perfect at.
Something tells me that when you realize that its more about others than about you, then you are on the road to figuring it out.
“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.”
-Anna Quindlen
“Some of us (perfectionists, especially) fuss so much over making the 'right' choice, but in life, all that's really needed is to make any' good' choice, believe in it, go through with it, and accept the consequences.”
“People throw away what they could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for it where they will never find it”
-Edith Schaeffer
“The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.”
-George Orwell
Saturday Afternoon Thoughts 10/10/09
More often than not, we encounter situations in our life that are tests based on previous lessons learned. We go through a lot in our lifetime and hopefully we are learning lessons that begin to enrich our lives and the lives of others.
There have been at least two situations in the last week in my work and personal life that had me really reflecting on my take aways from those lessons learned. My mother will tell you that I am pretty easy going and things rarely bother me. I use the term rarely as there are a few things that do really do bother me. I really have major issues not being respected as a person or not being treated fairly. I do know that these situations are just a part of life and we just have to chose how we deal with it and keep it moving.
Its not important to get into many details about the situations that I experienced. What is important is the fact that I have another topic that I am writing about at this time. I was able to remember how important is to be aware of my situation and have the discipline to be responsible in most situations.
Even before others, how honest are you with YOURSELF? What is your current level of self-awareness? Do you have the self-discipline necessary to maintain focus to reach your goals?
Self-awareness and self-discipline are necessary components to refine as you look to have success with your job, relationships, and other areas of your life.
“We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don't care for.”
-Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach
“In other living creatures the ignorance of themselves is nature, but in men it is a vice.”
-Boethius
“Self-disciplined begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do. Simply, self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward.”
-Napoleon Hill
“Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for reaping. Self-discipline helps you know which is which.”
-Gary Ryan Blair
“In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves...self-discipline with all of them came first.”
-Harry S. Truman
There have been at least two situations in the last week in my work and personal life that had me really reflecting on my take aways from those lessons learned. My mother will tell you that I am pretty easy going and things rarely bother me. I use the term rarely as there are a few things that do really do bother me. I really have major issues not being respected as a person or not being treated fairly. I do know that these situations are just a part of life and we just have to chose how we deal with it and keep it moving.
Its not important to get into many details about the situations that I experienced. What is important is the fact that I have another topic that I am writing about at this time. I was able to remember how important is to be aware of my situation and have the discipline to be responsible in most situations.
Even before others, how honest are you with YOURSELF? What is your current level of self-awareness? Do you have the self-discipline necessary to maintain focus to reach your goals?
Self-awareness and self-discipline are necessary components to refine as you look to have success with your job, relationships, and other areas of your life.
“We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don't care for.”
-Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach
“In other living creatures the ignorance of themselves is nature, but in men it is a vice.”
-Boethius
“Self-disciplined begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do. Simply, self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward.”
-Napoleon Hill
“Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for reaping. Self-discipline helps you know which is which.”
-Gary Ryan Blair
“In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves...self-discipline with all of them came first.”
-Harry S. Truman
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thursday Evening Thoughts
Seems like another week has flown by as tomorrow morning it will be Friday and the week is essentially over. As I look at the past week, I can pose the question to myself asking about my accomplishments for the week and attempt to come up with an answer that's satisfying to me.
There was a point in time that I would solely look at my accomplishments in terms of things that were easily defined and measurable. Lately it seems like I am defining my successes and failures by recognizing if I have made a difference in the life of another. Whether its at work or in my personal life there isn't a moment that passes by that I don't have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone. I have clearly identified my role and I am trying to add value by creating an infectious movement that catches on to bring this world we live in back into balance.
We all have choices in life and we can easily choose to make a difference or not. A lot of people often think you have to be Oprah or a well known person who does something that's on the news to make a difference. It isn't always going to be some amazing discovery that makes a difference, because sometimes its just a smile to a complete stranger that made a difference to another.
What if I told you that you could change the world? Would you believe me? Would you be willing to at least give it a try?
No matter where your journey on the road of life takes you on a daily basis you do have an opportunity to make a difference. The million dollar question here is, "Do you care to make a difference?"
Just speaking from my experiences, I want to make a difference and I will attempt to do it ONE E-MAIL AT A TIME.
“There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: Those who are afraid to try themselves, and those who are afraid that you will succeed.”
-Ray Gofort
“There are only about a half dozen things that make 80% of the difference in any area of our lives.”
-Jim Rohn
“People don't understand that not only can they make a difference, it's their responsibility to do so”
-Florence Robinson
“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.”
-Joel Barker
“To recognize opportunity is the difference between success and failure”
There was a point in time that I would solely look at my accomplishments in terms of things that were easily defined and measurable. Lately it seems like I am defining my successes and failures by recognizing if I have made a difference in the life of another. Whether its at work or in my personal life there isn't a moment that passes by that I don't have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone. I have clearly identified my role and I am trying to add value by creating an infectious movement that catches on to bring this world we live in back into balance.
We all have choices in life and we can easily choose to make a difference or not. A lot of people often think you have to be Oprah or a well known person who does something that's on the news to make a difference. It isn't always going to be some amazing discovery that makes a difference, because sometimes its just a smile to a complete stranger that made a difference to another.
What if I told you that you could change the world? Would you believe me? Would you be willing to at least give it a try?
No matter where your journey on the road of life takes you on a daily basis you do have an opportunity to make a difference. The million dollar question here is, "Do you care to make a difference?"
Just speaking from my experiences, I want to make a difference and I will attempt to do it ONE E-MAIL AT A TIME.
“There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: Those who are afraid to try themselves, and those who are afraid that you will succeed.”
-Ray Gofort
“There are only about a half dozen things that make 80% of the difference in any area of our lives.”
-Jim Rohn
“People don't understand that not only can they make a difference, it's their responsibility to do so”
-Florence Robinson
“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.”
-Joel Barker
“To recognize opportunity is the difference between success and failure”
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thoughts on Hump Day 10/07/09
It's Wednesday and that infamous "GET OVER THE HUMP DAY" and I am excited about what the day may bring. After a great nights sleep, I rose early with a fresh perspective on how to make today better than yesterday.
When the sun goes down on most days and we head into the evening, hopefully we are closing the book on today and preparing for tomorrow. Whether its 4 hours or 8 hours a nites rest, gives us the opportunity to re-energize and be at our best for the next day.
Just like our body needs to be refreshed on a daily basis, our lives, relationships, and thoughts, often times need to be refreshed. Refreshing things in your life can often times lead to new perspectives and experiences. Never be afraid to push the reset button and start fresh on anything.
“Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.”
-Ralph Marston
“The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new.”
-Cato the Elder
“Affliction comes to all not to make us sad, but sober; not to make us sorry, but wise; not to make us despondent, but its darkness to refresh us, as the night refreshes the day; not to impoverish, but to enrich us, as the plow enriches the field; to”
-Henry Ward Beecher
“To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward”
-Margaret Fairless Barber
When the sun goes down on most days and we head into the evening, hopefully we are closing the book on today and preparing for tomorrow. Whether its 4 hours or 8 hours a nites rest, gives us the opportunity to re-energize and be at our best for the next day.
Just like our body needs to be refreshed on a daily basis, our lives, relationships, and thoughts, often times need to be refreshed. Refreshing things in your life can often times lead to new perspectives and experiences. Never be afraid to push the reset button and start fresh on anything.
“Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.”
-Ralph Marston
“The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new.”
-Cato the Elder
“Affliction comes to all not to make us sad, but sober; not to make us sorry, but wise; not to make us despondent, but its darkness to refresh us, as the night refreshes the day; not to impoverish, but to enrich us, as the plow enriches the field; to”
-Henry Ward Beecher
“To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward”
-Margaret Fairless Barber
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tuesday Night Thoughts 10/06/09
I am sitting here at the computer watching the clock as I prepare to play Madden '10 online with a dear friend of mine in Alabama. I must say you really have to appreciate technology and the things that it allows us to do.
As I write about anything that inspires me, I have created a situation that my friends feel very comfortable talking to me about anything. While I am preparing to have a lil fun, I can't help but reflect on several conversations that have taken place with a couple of my friends over the last couple of days. It seems like the flavor of the month happens to be not being valued for who you are or appreciated in your relationships. As I started to think about it, I think it all starts with what a person cherishes. If we can begin to understand the things that are important to people we can begin to know whether not we will be questioning intentions later on.
The word treasure began floating around my head, see the definition below.
treas·ure n. 1. Accumulated or stored wealth in the form of money, jewels, or other valuables. 2. Valuable or precious possessions of any kind. 3. One considered especially precious or valuable. tr.v. treas·ured, treas·ur·ing, treas·ures 1. To keep or regard as precious; value highly. 2. To accumulate and store away, as for future use.
After reading this definition several times and thinking about how the word is used I began to have a few thoughts about relationships.
Are our relationships affected by what we treasure?
Are we often treasuring the wrong things? wrong people?
Have you ever hidden a treasure only to find out it was gone when you went back to retrieve it?
Have you ever found a treasure that was deemed to be not worth much to someone with no vision?
What do you honestly treasure?
These are good questions to ask of ourselves as we move forward to make tomorrow better than today. Its always good to remember that some things you treasure are nothing more than fool's gold.
“If out of all mankind one finds a single friend, he has found something more precious than any treasure, since there is nothing in the world so valuable that it can be compared to a real friend.”
-Andreas Capellanus
“Faithful friends are gifts from heaven: Whoever finds one has found a treasure.”
“I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.”
-Walter Anderson
“Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.”
-Anthony J. D'Angelo
“Friendship is a priceless treasure never to be bought or sold - it can only be cherished.”
“Whatever we treasure for ourselves separates us from others; our possessions are our limitations.”
-Rabindranath Tagore
As I write about anything that inspires me, I have created a situation that my friends feel very comfortable talking to me about anything. While I am preparing to have a lil fun, I can't help but reflect on several conversations that have taken place with a couple of my friends over the last couple of days. It seems like the flavor of the month happens to be not being valued for who you are or appreciated in your relationships. As I started to think about it, I think it all starts with what a person cherishes. If we can begin to understand the things that are important to people we can begin to know whether not we will be questioning intentions later on.
The word treasure began floating around my head, see the definition below.
treas·ure n. 1. Accumulated or stored wealth in the form of money, jewels, or other valuables. 2. Valuable or precious possessions of any kind. 3. One considered especially precious or valuable. tr.v. treas·ured, treas·ur·ing, treas·ures 1. To keep or regard as precious; value highly. 2. To accumulate and store away, as for future use.
After reading this definition several times and thinking about how the word is used I began to have a few thoughts about relationships.
Are our relationships affected by what we treasure?
Are we often treasuring the wrong things? wrong people?
Have you ever hidden a treasure only to find out it was gone when you went back to retrieve it?
Have you ever found a treasure that was deemed to be not worth much to someone with no vision?
What do you honestly treasure?
These are good questions to ask of ourselves as we move forward to make tomorrow better than today. Its always good to remember that some things you treasure are nothing more than fool's gold.
“If out of all mankind one finds a single friend, he has found something more precious than any treasure, since there is nothing in the world so valuable that it can be compared to a real friend.”
-Andreas Capellanus
“Faithful friends are gifts from heaven: Whoever finds one has found a treasure.”
“I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.”
-Walter Anderson
“Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.”
-Anthony J. D'Angelo
“Friendship is a priceless treasure never to be bought or sold - it can only be cherished.”
“Whatever we treasure for ourselves separates us from others; our possessions are our limitations.”
-Rabindranath Tagore
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunday Reflections Carried Over
Another weekend has come to a close and I can say that I fully enjoyed every minute of it. There were a a lot of fun moments this weekend, and yet there were still other moments that challenged me as a person. Often times my weekend peaks on Sunday as most of my thoughts over the entire weekend come to a head and then I am left with a revelation.
Yesterday, while I was attending church it wasn't the message I received during the service that hit home with me, rather the conversations that took place during Sunday School and after. During Sunday School, the testimony of a young man named Jimmy Lewis was given by his mother. Let me give you a little background about Jimmy and his mother so you can understand how special this young man is. On August 29, 2005 Jimmy and his mother along with other family members were residents of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina roared a shore. After surviving Hurricane Katrina, Jimmy and his mother relocated to Phoenix, Arizona and essentially started their life over. New school and new environment Jimmy pressed on and ended up becoming an All State football player for Peoria Centennial winning multiple state championships while he was in school.
As I have learned more about Jimmy over the last year, I can clearly see that God is working miracles in his life. Yesterday, while his mother was given his latest testimony about him attending Hargrave Military Academy did tears begin to form in my eyes as I was in awe at the power of God. After graduating from high school, Jimmy had several scholarship offers to play football, but a vision and something on his heart had him directed to attend the Hargrave Military Academy. Jimmy did not have a scholarship to assist him at Hargrave Military Academy to assist with the $29,000 annual tuition. Prior to attending Jimmy and his mother thought that would be able to put together some of the funds and rely on other scholarship sources to assist. All the way up until the day Jimmy was scheduled to make a move to Hargrave Military Academy nothing was lining up and all financial means of assistance appeared to fall through.
Jimmy remained steadfast in his faith knowing that God had a plan for him and he was destined to attend the Hargrave Military Academy and play football. Currently enrolled at the Hargrave Military Academy, Jimmy's full tuition has not been paid but the school has welcomed him with open arms. There is a calling on Jimmy's life and God is using him to do great things. While Jimmy has been in school he has done an amazing job being himself and showing others the God in him. Jimmy's current roommate is an atheist and he has begun to see the God in Jimmy by the way he lives.
I know in my heart that the world will begin to see more of Jimmy on the weekend. He will be on someones football field playing on Saturday for a couple of years and then playing on Sunday. God has a plan for this young man and will use him always because of his unwavering faith.
I could not resist sharing this story, as I am continually impressed by this young man. I would like to think that I was teaching him something, but he is teaching me more than he could ever imagine. Never underestimate the power of God working miracles in your life. On a daily basis we are being prepared to be where God wants us to be. Things that occur in your life may not make sense to you or appear to not be working in accordance with your plan. Just remember that its always been God's plan for our lives and not our own. If we aren't already there, we are moving closer and closer to where we are destined to be based on God's plan.
Now is the time to stop being scared and have the faith to let him lead you to where you need to be.
“Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.”
“I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be.”
-Douglas Adams
“I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person.”
-Rita Mero
“I can't control my destiny, I trust my soul, my only goal is just to be. There's only now, there's only here. Give in to love or live in fear. No other path, no other way. No day but today.”
-Jonathan Larson
“It's choice--not chance--that determines your destiny.”
-Jean Nidetch
Yesterday, while I was attending church it wasn't the message I received during the service that hit home with me, rather the conversations that took place during Sunday School and after. During Sunday School, the testimony of a young man named Jimmy Lewis was given by his mother. Let me give you a little background about Jimmy and his mother so you can understand how special this young man is. On August 29, 2005 Jimmy and his mother along with other family members were residents of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina roared a shore. After surviving Hurricane Katrina, Jimmy and his mother relocated to Phoenix, Arizona and essentially started their life over. New school and new environment Jimmy pressed on and ended up becoming an All State football player for Peoria Centennial winning multiple state championships while he was in school.
As I have learned more about Jimmy over the last year, I can clearly see that God is working miracles in his life. Yesterday, while his mother was given his latest testimony about him attending Hargrave Military Academy did tears begin to form in my eyes as I was in awe at the power of God. After graduating from high school, Jimmy had several scholarship offers to play football, but a vision and something on his heart had him directed to attend the Hargrave Military Academy. Jimmy did not have a scholarship to assist him at Hargrave Military Academy to assist with the $29,000 annual tuition. Prior to attending Jimmy and his mother thought that would be able to put together some of the funds and rely on other scholarship sources to assist. All the way up until the day Jimmy was scheduled to make a move to Hargrave Military Academy nothing was lining up and all financial means of assistance appeared to fall through.
Jimmy remained steadfast in his faith knowing that God had a plan for him and he was destined to attend the Hargrave Military Academy and play football. Currently enrolled at the Hargrave Military Academy, Jimmy's full tuition has not been paid but the school has welcomed him with open arms. There is a calling on Jimmy's life and God is using him to do great things. While Jimmy has been in school he has done an amazing job being himself and showing others the God in him. Jimmy's current roommate is an atheist and he has begun to see the God in Jimmy by the way he lives.
I know in my heart that the world will begin to see more of Jimmy on the weekend. He will be on someones football field playing on Saturday for a couple of years and then playing on Sunday. God has a plan for this young man and will use him always because of his unwavering faith.
I could not resist sharing this story, as I am continually impressed by this young man. I would like to think that I was teaching him something, but he is teaching me more than he could ever imagine. Never underestimate the power of God working miracles in your life. On a daily basis we are being prepared to be where God wants us to be. Things that occur in your life may not make sense to you or appear to not be working in accordance with your plan. Just remember that its always been God's plan for our lives and not our own. If we aren't already there, we are moving closer and closer to where we are destined to be based on God's plan.
Now is the time to stop being scared and have the faith to let him lead you to where you need to be.
“Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.”
“I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be.”
-Douglas Adams
“I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for a reason. The hard times that you go through build character, making you a much stronger person.”
-Rita Mero
“I can't control my destiny, I trust my soul, my only goal is just to be. There's only now, there's only here. Give in to love or live in fear. No other path, no other way. No day but today.”
-Jonathan Larson
“It's choice--not chance--that determines your destiny.”
-Jean Nidetch
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday Evening Thoughts
I must say that I had a very relaxing day off yesterday, but I still engaged in activities that are feeding my personal growth. As you know I watch a lot of sports and I happened to pay close attention to a couple of sports stories that made the headlines yesterday.
The selection of Brazil to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games was not a surprise to me. However, what did surprise me were the conversations and looks of dejection of the citizens of Chicago. This was not the successful picture that was envisioned by the city of Chicago and President Obama as he showed his support for the selection as well. I also point you to the news reports that show that Tiger Woods has become the first Billion Dollar athlete.
I highlight these two examples as they show the two sides of success. In the Olympic example Chicago wasn't successful in its bid to host, and definitely has some work to done in order to become a strong contender in future years. Tiger Woods has demonstrated since he entered the golfing world his love for the game and his success in the sport tells me a lot.
In my opinion, anyone can be successful in anything that choose to be. Success isn't a given and it doesn't come easy. I think there is a recipe for it and anyone can cook it up to be a delightful dish. I have a few simple ingredients that you can start with, but feel free to jazz it up as necessary. My recipe for success includes a good mix of preparation, determination, self evaluation, and timing.
"When you're on the road to success the most important step is always the next one. Never stop trying!"
"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed"
-Michael Jordan
The selection of Brazil to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games was not a surprise to me. However, what did surprise me were the conversations and looks of dejection of the citizens of Chicago. This was not the successful picture that was envisioned by the city of Chicago and President Obama as he showed his support for the selection as well. I also point you to the news reports that show that Tiger Woods has become the first Billion Dollar athlete.
I highlight these two examples as they show the two sides of success. In the Olympic example Chicago wasn't successful in its bid to host, and definitely has some work to done in order to become a strong contender in future years. Tiger Woods has demonstrated since he entered the golfing world his love for the game and his success in the sport tells me a lot.
In my opinion, anyone can be successful in anything that choose to be. Success isn't a given and it doesn't come easy. I think there is a recipe for it and anyone can cook it up to be a delightful dish. I have a few simple ingredients that you can start with, but feel free to jazz it up as necessary. My recipe for success includes a good mix of preparation, determination, self evaluation, and timing.
"When you're on the road to success the most important step is always the next one. Never stop trying!"
"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed"
-Michael Jordan
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday Late Night Thoughts 10/01/09
Over the course of my life I learned a few things and you can't question the things that God does in your life. Some of those things may seem insignificant to you at the time, but often times it carries a bigger meaning. If you are like me, you are starting to wonder where my inspiration came from today or what could possibly have on my brain right now.
So let me tell you a little bit about my day and then you can see where I am headed. Seemed like a normal day for me as I got dressed and went to work. I really didn't think a whole lot about my wardrobe decisions today, but it was pointed out to me that I was comfortable in my manhood by wearing a Pink Polo shirt. It was at that moment that I realized that it was October 1 and the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I first learned about breast cancer at the age of 8, when my great grandmother was diagnosed and she beat it. Also, in the last several years one my very close friends mother overcame her battle with breast cancer as well. Breast Cancer Awareness Month holds a special place in my heart based on people close to me that were affected. I believe in supporting the push for cancer research and try and do my best to support. As I think about my feelings about supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it made me think about my relationships with the individuals that have gone through it.
Even as an 8 year old, I can remember my great grandmother recuperating in the front room of my grandmother's home and going into check on her. All I knew at that time was that my great grandmother was lying the bed and she was smiling when she saw me. As I became older and my friends mother was overcoming her battle, I remember picking up the phone in Arizona and calling back to Mississippi checking in with her and her family members to see how she was doing.
My thoughts all of sudden began to be centered around support and what does it actually mean. I am sure we all have a lot of contacts in our blackberry's, palms, and outlook contact folders.
How many of those people are there for you when you don't even ask? How many of those same people become aware of what's going on in your life and pray for you when you aren't even asking them to?
Do you have the right support system based on where you are destined to be in life?
How are you supporting others?
“A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
-Grace Pulpit
“Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave ”
-Muhammad
“Family... a group experience of love and support.”
-Marianne Williamson
“If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't follow. I'd be at the bottom to catch them when they fall.”
“False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports”
-Richard Burton
So let me tell you a little bit about my day and then you can see where I am headed. Seemed like a normal day for me as I got dressed and went to work. I really didn't think a whole lot about my wardrobe decisions today, but it was pointed out to me that I was comfortable in my manhood by wearing a Pink Polo shirt. It was at that moment that I realized that it was October 1 and the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I first learned about breast cancer at the age of 8, when my great grandmother was diagnosed and she beat it. Also, in the last several years one my very close friends mother overcame her battle with breast cancer as well. Breast Cancer Awareness Month holds a special place in my heart based on people close to me that were affected. I believe in supporting the push for cancer research and try and do my best to support. As I think about my feelings about supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it made me think about my relationships with the individuals that have gone through it.
Even as an 8 year old, I can remember my great grandmother recuperating in the front room of my grandmother's home and going into check on her. All I knew at that time was that my great grandmother was lying the bed and she was smiling when she saw me. As I became older and my friends mother was overcoming her battle, I remember picking up the phone in Arizona and calling back to Mississippi checking in with her and her family members to see how she was doing.
My thoughts all of sudden began to be centered around support and what does it actually mean. I am sure we all have a lot of contacts in our blackberry's, palms, and outlook contact folders.
How many of those people are there for you when you don't even ask? How many of those same people become aware of what's going on in your life and pray for you when you aren't even asking them to?
Do you have the right support system based on where you are destined to be in life?
How are you supporting others?
“A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
-Grace Pulpit
“Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave ”
-Muhammad
“Family... a group experience of love and support.”
-Marianne Williamson
“If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't follow. I'd be at the bottom to catch them when they fall.”
“False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports”
-Richard Burton
Wednesday Night Thoughts 09/30/09
On a Wednesday night, I should sitting here watching SportsCenter or House of Payne on TBS, but I am sitting here at the computer reflecting on my night. It was another day at the factory for me, but it seemed just a tad different than most. In addition to normal work, I actually spent part of the day doing my semi annual performance review. These are often times very humbling discussions regardless of how good you feel that you things at your job. Based on that experience I started thinking about the concept of humility and keeping my mind focused.
Lately, it seems that everything that I do is related in some form or fashion. Yesterday, I found myself discussing appreciation and I left some thoughts unfinished or I would still be writing today. I was reading the sports section of the USA Today and it was referencing two athletes in an editorial who choose to sit out after they were drafted by professional baseball and professional football teams. Its amazing that these individuals felt that what they were being offered financially was not sufficient based on what they and their agents felt they were worth. Where is the appreciation of fact that you are in select few that have the skills/abilities to play something you love on the highest level there is. If these individuals don't change their mindset, there are some very humbling experiences coming down the pike.
I must say that it is a refreshing feeling when you see an athlete that embraces that he is just a person who happens to get paid to do something he loves. I say this as I pay a compliment to a very humble professional athlete that I have had the opportunity to meet twice. I bumped into Calais Campbell, a 2ND year Defensive Lineman with the Arizona Cardinals, for the 2ND time in the last year and in my opinion he is a class act. We spoke and during the conversation he remembered the first time we met and it said a lot to me about the kind of person he is. Our conversation was brief and just a regular conversation between two people. In both of my conversations with him, this individual appeared to be very humble and it told the me the story of who he was.
We all have the choice to be humble or be humbled by our experiences. Often times we choose the latter and are forced to learn humility. Think about the situations in your life that have that have served as your humbling experiences. Regardless of where you are in life you will always have the choice of being humble or being humbled, so choose wisely.
“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
-John Wooden
“A person can achieve everything by being simple and humble.”
-Rig Veda
“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.”
-Jim Rohn
“The more a person analyzes his inner self, the more insignificant he seems to himself. This is the first lesson of wisdom. Let us be humble, and we will become wise. Let us know our weakness, and it will give us power.”
-William Ellery Channing
“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble”
-Helen Keller
Lately, it seems that everything that I do is related in some form or fashion. Yesterday, I found myself discussing appreciation and I left some thoughts unfinished or I would still be writing today. I was reading the sports section of the USA Today and it was referencing two athletes in an editorial who choose to sit out after they were drafted by professional baseball and professional football teams. Its amazing that these individuals felt that what they were being offered financially was not sufficient based on what they and their agents felt they were worth. Where is the appreciation of fact that you are in select few that have the skills/abilities to play something you love on the highest level there is. If these individuals don't change their mindset, there are some very humbling experiences coming down the pike.
I must say that it is a refreshing feeling when you see an athlete that embraces that he is just a person who happens to get paid to do something he loves. I say this as I pay a compliment to a very humble professional athlete that I have had the opportunity to meet twice. I bumped into Calais Campbell, a 2ND year Defensive Lineman with the Arizona Cardinals, for the 2ND time in the last year and in my opinion he is a class act. We spoke and during the conversation he remembered the first time we met and it said a lot to me about the kind of person he is. Our conversation was brief and just a regular conversation between two people. In both of my conversations with him, this individual appeared to be very humble and it told the me the story of who he was.
We all have the choice to be humble or be humbled by our experiences. Often times we choose the latter and are forced to learn humility. Think about the situations in your life that have that have served as your humbling experiences. Regardless of where you are in life you will always have the choice of being humble or being humbled, so choose wisely.
“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
-John Wooden
“A person can achieve everything by being simple and humble.”
-Rig Veda
“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.”
-Jim Rohn
“The more a person analyzes his inner self, the more insignificant he seems to himself. This is the first lesson of wisdom. Let us be humble, and we will become wise. Let us know our weakness, and it will give us power.”
-William Ellery Channing
“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble”
-Helen Keller
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday Night Thoughts on Appreciation 09/29/09
I sit here at my computer as the Tuesday night starts to fade in the distance. I should be preparing for bed, but I find myself reflecting on several moments that have gotten my thoughts going again. Out of all the places I could have found a bit of inspiration, I never expected to find it in my mailbox of all places.
Let me give you a quick background story, to help you understand where my thoughts just might be headed. Several days ago, I found myself shopping in one of my favorite stores and picked up a couple of items. To me it was just a normal visit to the store, until I retrieved my mail today. When I opened the mailbox, I found a envelope from the store I was shopping at. At first thought, I was thinking that they must have a sale coming up and were trying to make me aware. To my surprise it was a handwritten note about my recent shopping experience, the items that I purchased, and thanking me for visiting the store. It may have been generated by the current economy we are in, but it got my attention nevertheless.
Simple things like this are unheard of for most unless your are shopping at the Gucci store, Louis Vuitton store, or buying a Mercedes. Regardless of what I was buying, I can honestly say that I felt quite appreciated as I read the note. And this is how I found myself wrapping my thoughts around the concept of appreciation.
appreciation: 1 a : judgment, evaluation; especially : a favorable critical estimate b : sensitive awareness; especially : recognition of aesthetic values c : an expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude
From my experiences on a daily basis I think we often times do not take the time out to appreciate things as they are. It seems like it is a part of our nature to take things for granted until we are forced to appreciate them.
Do you appreciate where you are currently? Do you appreciate how you got there? Do you appreciate the people you have in your life? personal relationships? professional relationships?
When was the last time that you had a conversation with the cleaning crew in your office outside asking them to clean up something you spilled?
Have you ever heard a co-worker complaining about their job, but they still come into work the next day? In this economy isn't it a good thing just to have a job.
I posed a few questions just to put some additional thoughts in your mind. I can say that I appreciate every moment that I have in this life, based on me never knowing the next thing that may inspire me. On this night I can say I was inspired by a little alligator on a shirt and my boy D Spence.
“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”
-Ashley Smith
“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.”
-Oscar Wilde
“I would rather be able to appreciate things I can not have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.”
-Elbert Hubbard
“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”
-William James
Let me give you a quick background story, to help you understand where my thoughts just might be headed. Several days ago, I found myself shopping in one of my favorite stores and picked up a couple of items. To me it was just a normal visit to the store, until I retrieved my mail today. When I opened the mailbox, I found a envelope from the store I was shopping at. At first thought, I was thinking that they must have a sale coming up and were trying to make me aware. To my surprise it was a handwritten note about my recent shopping experience, the items that I purchased, and thanking me for visiting the store. It may have been generated by the current economy we are in, but it got my attention nevertheless.
Simple things like this are unheard of for most unless your are shopping at the Gucci store, Louis Vuitton store, or buying a Mercedes. Regardless of what I was buying, I can honestly say that I felt quite appreciated as I read the note. And this is how I found myself wrapping my thoughts around the concept of appreciation.
appreciation: 1 a : judgment, evaluation; especially : a favorable critical estimate b : sensitive awareness; especially : recognition of aesthetic values c : an expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude
From my experiences on a daily basis I think we often times do not take the time out to appreciate things as they are. It seems like it is a part of our nature to take things for granted until we are forced to appreciate them.
Do you appreciate where you are currently? Do you appreciate how you got there? Do you appreciate the people you have in your life? personal relationships? professional relationships?
When was the last time that you had a conversation with the cleaning crew in your office outside asking them to clean up something you spilled?
Have you ever heard a co-worker complaining about their job, but they still come into work the next day? In this economy isn't it a good thing just to have a job.
I posed a few questions just to put some additional thoughts in your mind. I can say that I appreciate every moment that I have in this life, based on me never knowing the next thing that may inspire me. On this night I can say I was inspired by a little alligator on a shirt and my boy D Spence.
“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”
-Ashley Smith
“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.”
-Oscar Wilde
“I would rather be able to appreciate things I can not have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.”
-Elbert Hubbard
“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”
-William James
Monday, September 28, 2009
Lazy Monday Thoughts 09/28/09
The weekend is over and I must say that it was quite enjoyable. A dear friend was visiting over the weekend I thoroughly enjoyed my entire weekend. I had several experiences over the course of the last couple days that continue to point me in the direction of creating a legacy and my own legend.
No one can turn the TV on this morning and not see a sports report on growing legend of Brett Favre. The media has been reporting on Brett Favre for months about whether he would unretire/retire or would he just annoy the world for a couple of more months. Just watching yesterday's game Brett Farve let the world know that he truly loves the game. Not just from his throwing the winning touchdown pass, but the fact that he did all the other things in the game expected of a leader.
Below is the definition of legend:
Legend - a person or thing that inspires legends
I have committed myself to inspiring others to build a legacy and the Legend of You and Me starts today. We do this together and will make a difference!
“A talented trumpeter who toots his own horn winds up playing to an empty theatre. A talented trumpeter who lets others recognize his talent winds up a legend.”
-Lisa Edmondson
“A cynic might suggest as the motto of modern life this simple legend - "Just as good as the real”
-Charles Dudley Warner
“You must adjust. This is the legend imprinted in every schoolbook, the invisible message on every blackboard.”
No one can turn the TV on this morning and not see a sports report on growing legend of Brett Favre. The media has been reporting on Brett Favre for months about whether he would unretire/retire or would he just annoy the world for a couple of more months. Just watching yesterday's game Brett Farve let the world know that he truly loves the game. Not just from his throwing the winning touchdown pass, but the fact that he did all the other things in the game expected of a leader.
Below is the definition of legend:
Legend - a person or thing that inspires legends
I have committed myself to inspiring others to build a legacy and the Legend of You and Me starts today. We do this together and will make a difference!
“A talented trumpeter who toots his own horn winds up playing to an empty theatre. A talented trumpeter who lets others recognize his talent winds up a legend.”
-Lisa Edmondson
“A cynic might suggest as the motto of modern life this simple legend - "Just as good as the real”
-Charles Dudley Warner
“You must adjust. This is the legend imprinted in every schoolbook, the invisible message on every blackboard.”
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday Thoughts 09/27/09
Another wonderful Sunday in the land of the living.I am blessed to be living on this day and received more reminders of what we should be doing in this world.
I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Alpha Phi Alpha's annual Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Breakfast on yesterday and it was no surprise to hear the key note speaker address the audience. Kevin Powell served as the Keynote speaker for this special engagement. Kevin Powell is an American political activist, poet, writer, entertainer and entrepreneur. As I listened to him speak I began to see how his words were confirming things that I continue to have thoughts on.
Mr. Powell made a comment that nothing that happens is a coincidence and the seeds are planted early in our youth. The entire discussion was centered around "Inspire to create a legacy." This really stuck out for me because it made me think about we can do to inspire someone to be the next Thurgood Marshall,Mae Jemison, or Sandra Day O'Connor. At the end of his speech, Mr. Powell left us with the challenge of dedicating our lives and energy to helping others become successful. We are the legacy builders and need to better understand the difference between social justice and charity. I was reminded yet again about how important being a mentor is in the lives of our young people. We have the resources available to inspire others to build a legacy. Our forefathers did not have any of the resources that we have today and they were able to build lasting legacies with their numerous accomplishments/achievements.
Are you ready to take the first step in building a new legacy today?
“Our days are numbered. One of the primary goals in our lives should be to prepare for our last day. The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. What preparations should we be making now? The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.”
-Billy Graham
“I maybe here for a short while, gone tomorrow into oblivion or until the days come to take me away. But, in whatever part you play, be remembered as part of a legacy...of sharing dreams and changing humanity for the better. It's that legacy that never dies”
“There are certain things that are fundamental to human fulfillment. The essence of these needs is captured in the phrase 'to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy'. The need to live is our physical need for such things as food, clothing, shelter, economical well-being, health. The need to love is our social need to relate to other people, to belong, to love and to be loved. The need to learn is our mental need to develop and to grow. And the need to leave a legacy is our spiritual need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, personal congruence, and contribution”
-Steven R. Covey
I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Alpha Phi Alpha's annual Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Breakfast on yesterday and it was no surprise to hear the key note speaker address the audience. Kevin Powell served as the Keynote speaker for this special engagement. Kevin Powell is an American political activist, poet, writer, entertainer and entrepreneur. As I listened to him speak I began to see how his words were confirming things that I continue to have thoughts on.
Mr. Powell made a comment that nothing that happens is a coincidence and the seeds are planted early in our youth. The entire discussion was centered around "Inspire to create a legacy." This really stuck out for me because it made me think about we can do to inspire someone to be the next Thurgood Marshall,Mae Jemison, or Sandra Day O'Connor. At the end of his speech, Mr. Powell left us with the challenge of dedicating our lives and energy to helping others become successful. We are the legacy builders and need to better understand the difference between social justice and charity. I was reminded yet again about how important being a mentor is in the lives of our young people. We have the resources available to inspire others to build a legacy. Our forefathers did not have any of the resources that we have today and they were able to build lasting legacies with their numerous accomplishments/achievements.
Are you ready to take the first step in building a new legacy today?
“Our days are numbered. One of the primary goals in our lives should be to prepare for our last day. The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. What preparations should we be making now? The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.”
-Billy Graham
“I maybe here for a short while, gone tomorrow into oblivion or until the days come to take me away. But, in whatever part you play, be remembered as part of a legacy...of sharing dreams and changing humanity for the better. It's that legacy that never dies”
“There are certain things that are fundamental to human fulfillment. The essence of these needs is captured in the phrase 'to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy'. The need to live is our physical need for such things as food, clothing, shelter, economical well-being, health. The need to love is our social need to relate to other people, to belong, to love and to be loved. The need to learn is our mental need to develop and to grow. And the need to leave a legacy is our spiritual need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, personal congruence, and contribution”
-Steven R. Covey
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday Thoughts on Mentoring 09/25/09
Sometimes we get inspired at the most in opportune times, but its inspiration nonetheless. I found myself sitting down grabbing a bite at Chick Fil A and having a conversation with a young man named Ethan.
This young man works at Chick Fil A and happened to be off on this particular night. Ethan and I share a common interest in music and proceeded to have a discussion about new albums that we were listening to. Somewhere in the conversation, I found myself observing Ethan using the word "Dude" after a lot of his phrases. I pointed this out to him and he said, "You know what I notice I do that sometimes and I need to watch how often I say that." I didn't point it out because it was bothering me, but more because I felt that as a senior in high school I did not want to see that become a part of his normal speech unconsciously.
Ethan acknowledged that he understood why I was telling him this, and thanked me for sharing the information with him. The conversation morphed and I explained to him that what I was doing could be perceived as mentoring.
In Homer's "The Odyssey," the great Odysseus asks his friend Mentor to watch over his son Telemachus while he goes off to fight in the Trojan War. Mentoring is one of the oldest forms of influence as seen through this classic tale. As a tool mentoring can be a powerful and poplular way for people to gain personal and professional skills.
There were probably a combination of things that wrapped my thoughts around mentoring. In various aspects of my life, I am engaged in some form of mentoring like most other people.
It may seem like a simple thing, but think back to when you first learned to ride a bike? What about the first time you made pitcher of "RED KOOLAID? I am sure that you didn't know how much sugar to put in it the first time.
How did you become a good father/mother?? good husband/wife? a good friend?? good at your job??
I pose these questions so that we begin to think about what the future of our country looks like. Our young people need help in reaching their potential and developing the skills necessary to be successful in this world. Whether you believe it or not OUR FUTURE and OUR LEGACY, does depend on the younger generation.
Are you ready to commit to being a mentor now?
“Mentor: Someone whose hindsight can become your foresight”
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.”
-John Crosby
“We've got to look at the programs that are working across the nation to prevent crime -- mentoring programs, dispute resolution programs that teach children how to resolve conflicts without knives and guns and fists, and truancy prevention programs that get them back into school and keep them out of trouble,”
-Janet Reno
“And if you're interested in the quality of education and you're paying attention to what you hear at Laclede, why don't you volunteer? Why don't you mentor a child how to read?”
-George W. Bush
This young man works at Chick Fil A and happened to be off on this particular night. Ethan and I share a common interest in music and proceeded to have a discussion about new albums that we were listening to. Somewhere in the conversation, I found myself observing Ethan using the word "Dude" after a lot of his phrases. I pointed this out to him and he said, "You know what I notice I do that sometimes and I need to watch how often I say that." I didn't point it out because it was bothering me, but more because I felt that as a senior in high school I did not want to see that become a part of his normal speech unconsciously.
Ethan acknowledged that he understood why I was telling him this, and thanked me for sharing the information with him. The conversation morphed and I explained to him that what I was doing could be perceived as mentoring.
In Homer's "The Odyssey," the great Odysseus asks his friend Mentor to watch over his son Telemachus while he goes off to fight in the Trojan War. Mentoring is one of the oldest forms of influence as seen through this classic tale. As a tool mentoring can be a powerful and poplular way for people to gain personal and professional skills.
There were probably a combination of things that wrapped my thoughts around mentoring. In various aspects of my life, I am engaged in some form of mentoring like most other people.
It may seem like a simple thing, but think back to when you first learned to ride a bike? What about the first time you made pitcher of "RED KOOLAID? I am sure that you didn't know how much sugar to put in it the first time.
How did you become a good father/mother?? good husband/wife? a good friend?? good at your job??
I pose these questions so that we begin to think about what the future of our country looks like. Our young people need help in reaching their potential and developing the skills necessary to be successful in this world. Whether you believe it or not OUR FUTURE and OUR LEGACY, does depend on the younger generation.
Are you ready to commit to being a mentor now?
“Mentor: Someone whose hindsight can become your foresight”
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.”
-John Crosby
“We've got to look at the programs that are working across the nation to prevent crime -- mentoring programs, dispute resolution programs that teach children how to resolve conflicts without knives and guns and fists, and truancy prevention programs that get them back into school and keep them out of trouble,”
-Janet Reno
“And if you're interested in the quality of education and you're paying attention to what you hear at Laclede, why don't you volunteer? Why don't you mentor a child how to read?”
-George W. Bush
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Sunday Thoughts 09/20/09
A fresh new week is on the horizon, and I find myself looking back at the last week still trying wrap my mind around a few lingering thoughts. The week was good and I encountered a few situations and overheard a few conversations that may influence my thoughts today.
I will paint a picture of something and let you run with it whatever way applies to your life at this moment in time. Imagine that you are in the garden of eden and can visibly see the forbidden fruit. Its slightly out of reach but you see resources and people that can help you obtain it if you so choose to. In that same garden you also see another tree that also bears fruit which is even further out of reach and the same resources are available. Don't make a decision yet, but start thinking about situations that you have experienced throughout the course of your life.
Over the course of my life I have often times encountered temptations and its not always represented as something that is bad for you. Based on our experiences in life and hearing people use the term, we often associate it with something utterly life changing and negative.
My thoughts on temptation today really don't have much to do with me fighting demons, but to focus on looking at things through a different lens.
The examples that I used earlier were to examine the reasons why certain things in our lives are designed to be temptations for us. The forbidden fruit earlier was too easy to obtain and there was really no growth during our pursuit of it. Sometimes people tell us things aren't good for us because of their accessibility or the fact that we won't appreciate what we have. If we pursue the fruit on the 2nd tree and obtain it, do we appreciate it more after the work we have put in to get it? Did we obtain it on our own or ask for help to get it? And if we did have help, did we share the fruits of success?Adam and Eve learned about obedience from their experience in the garden of eden. Don't let temptation scare you, let it teach you a lesson that you are supposed learn.
“Every conquering temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.”
-William Butler Yeats
“Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or his destruction”
-John Owen
“Some temptations come to the industrious, but all temptations attack the idle”
-Charles H. Spurgeon
“Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall find a nest of honey within them”
-John Bunyan
I will paint a picture of something and let you run with it whatever way applies to your life at this moment in time. Imagine that you are in the garden of eden and can visibly see the forbidden fruit. Its slightly out of reach but you see resources and people that can help you obtain it if you so choose to. In that same garden you also see another tree that also bears fruit which is even further out of reach and the same resources are available. Don't make a decision yet, but start thinking about situations that you have experienced throughout the course of your life.
Over the course of my life I have often times encountered temptations and its not always represented as something that is bad for you. Based on our experiences in life and hearing people use the term, we often associate it with something utterly life changing and negative.
My thoughts on temptation today really don't have much to do with me fighting demons, but to focus on looking at things through a different lens.
The examples that I used earlier were to examine the reasons why certain things in our lives are designed to be temptations for us. The forbidden fruit earlier was too easy to obtain and there was really no growth during our pursuit of it. Sometimes people tell us things aren't good for us because of their accessibility or the fact that we won't appreciate what we have. If we pursue the fruit on the 2nd tree and obtain it, do we appreciate it more after the work we have put in to get it? Did we obtain it on our own or ask for help to get it? And if we did have help, did we share the fruits of success?Adam and Eve learned about obedience from their experience in the garden of eden. Don't let temptation scare you, let it teach you a lesson that you are supposed learn.
“Every conquering temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.”
-William Butler Yeats
“Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or his destruction”
-John Owen
“Some temptations come to the industrious, but all temptations attack the idle”
-Charles H. Spurgeon
“Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall find a nest of honey within them”
-John Bunyan
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Saturday Thoughts 091909
As much as I believe that my life is routine, it never really is when I step back and look at it. I can honestly say that this Saturday morning is really A LOT different than most as I have literally been awake since 2:50 am. You may be asking yourself, why was I up and why didn't I just go back to sleep. I will get to that shortly.
Over the course of the last two nights, I have been awakened by phone calls in the middle of the night while I was preparing to go to sleep or in a very deep sleep. Based on me being the person that I am, I did answer both calls and I am very thankful that the nature of both calls ended up being non-emergencies. I look back now and say, "Whew glad everything is okay, but I am sleepy." So since I was up at this early/late hour, I decided to get to my Saturday Thoughts a little earlier than normal. Based on my recent experiences my thoughts became centered around this question: In case of emergency and you do break the glass who is going to respond?
Just posing that question I think its a great time for each of us to look at our relationships on all levels. Your level of expectation in your relationships will determinethe reliability/dependency that you may have on people in various situations.
Are you going to be there when the glass is broken and the call comes? Can you be counted on to be the one listening on the other end of the phone? If a word of encouragement is needed can you provide it at that moment? You never know when or why someone may need you, but I trust that you will be there.
I have no expectations for my friends that would be any different from their expectations of me. That is one beautiful thing about relationships that there is a shared understanding about who you are.
Make it a great day!
“A true friend never breaches the trust of his companion or stabs in his back. He is trustworthy and reliable. One should therefore always try to be a true and reliable friend. ”
-Sam Veda
“It's just, when you want, no...when you really need...people to be there for you? They're not..they're like a million miles away. And when you think someone is totally reliable and trustworthy and reliable and you've built your whole....life...around”
“The Lord doesn't ask about your ability, only your availability; and, if you prove your dependability, the Lord will increase your capability.”
Over the course of the last two nights, I have been awakened by phone calls in the middle of the night while I was preparing to go to sleep or in a very deep sleep. Based on me being the person that I am, I did answer both calls and I am very thankful that the nature of both calls ended up being non-emergencies. I look back now and say, "Whew glad everything is okay, but I am sleepy." So since I was up at this early/late hour, I decided to get to my Saturday Thoughts a little earlier than normal. Based on my recent experiences my thoughts became centered around this question: In case of emergency and you do break the glass who is going to respond?
Just posing that question I think its a great time for each of us to look at our relationships on all levels. Your level of expectation in your relationships will determinethe reliability/dependency that you may have on people in various situations.
Are you going to be there when the glass is broken and the call comes? Can you be counted on to be the one listening on the other end of the phone? If a word of encouragement is needed can you provide it at that moment? You never know when or why someone may need you, but I trust that you will be there.
I have no expectations for my friends that would be any different from their expectations of me. That is one beautiful thing about relationships that there is a shared understanding about who you are.
Make it a great day!
“A true friend never breaches the trust of his companion or stabs in his back. He is trustworthy and reliable. One should therefore always try to be a true and reliable friend. ”
-Sam Veda
“It's just, when you want, no...when you really need...people to be there for you? They're not..they're like a million miles away. And when you think someone is totally reliable and trustworthy and reliable and you've built your whole....life...around”
“The Lord doesn't ask about your ability, only your availability; and, if you prove your dependability, the Lord will increase your capability.”
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Labor Day thoughts
On this relaxing Labor Day, I am enjoying the the time off by doing some of my favorite things; listening to music, watching TV, chatting with friends/family, and surfing the web. I am not doing all these things at once, but its just an overview of some of today's activities for me.
While surfing the web this, morning I ran across an article on Michael Jordan that really caught my attention. If you haven't read it already, I will include the link so you can check it out if you choose to. To sum up the article, it talks about Michael Jordan being inducted to the Hall of Fame and his selection for who would introduce him. It wasn't Phil Jackson the coached who helped him win 6 NBA titles. Nor was it his college coach the legendary Dean Smith who he won a championship for in 1982 while attending the University of North Carolina. Good friend Charles Barkley wasn't even worthy to do the introduction. David Thompson a former basketball player for in-state rival North Carolina State received the phone call to introduce Jordan.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-thompsonjordan090709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
From my perspective, to see one of the greatest basketball players in the game admit that he patterned his game after a young man he saw play at the age of 11 spoke volumes to me.
Take a look at your life and ask yourself what do others see. You just might be the spark and light a fire inside someone that ends up responsible for bringing light to places never before seen. Until its revealed and sometimes not until later on, we never know the inspiration that someone has that aided in their success.
Find the inspiration in you to do something great and inspire others to do more today than they did yesterday. Who has inspired you?
Yesterday, my thoughts revolved around time and I felt that the last quote was very fitting to close with. Thank you to all my friends and family that continue to inspire me to be who I am and share my gifts with the world.
“You won't realize the distance you've walked until you take a look around and realize how far you've been.”
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
-John Quincy Adams
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
-Andre Gide
“Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you.”
While surfing the web this, morning I ran across an article on Michael Jordan that really caught my attention. If you haven't read it already, I will include the link so you can check it out if you choose to. To sum up the article, it talks about Michael Jordan being inducted to the Hall of Fame and his selection for who would introduce him. It wasn't Phil Jackson the coached who helped him win 6 NBA titles. Nor was it his college coach the legendary Dean Smith who he won a championship for in 1982 while attending the University of North Carolina. Good friend Charles Barkley wasn't even worthy to do the introduction. David Thompson a former basketball player for in-state rival North Carolina State received the phone call to introduce Jordan.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-thompsonjordan090709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
From my perspective, to see one of the greatest basketball players in the game admit that he patterned his game after a young man he saw play at the age of 11 spoke volumes to me.
Take a look at your life and ask yourself what do others see. You just might be the spark and light a fire inside someone that ends up responsible for bringing light to places never before seen. Until its revealed and sometimes not until later on, we never know the inspiration that someone has that aided in their success.
Find the inspiration in you to do something great and inspire others to do more today than they did yesterday. Who has inspired you?
Yesterday, my thoughts revolved around time and I felt that the last quote was very fitting to close with. Thank you to all my friends and family that continue to inspire me to be who I am and share my gifts with the world.
“You won't realize the distance you've walked until you take a look around and realize how far you've been.”
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
-John Quincy Adams
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
-Andre Gide
“Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you.”
Monday, September 14, 2009
Saturday Thoughts - 09/12/09
Wow, it feels good to be in the land of the living! That's a great thing to say on this day and we should all be grateful for that. Sometimes we don't do a good job of being thankful for our first blessing of the day. So this is just a reminder of how we should approach this day.
My thoughts this week have revolved around the unexpected and assumptions.
How are we prepared to deal with unexpected situations? How do you deal with change after the unexpected occurs? How you respond is one of the components that determines your character.
So often we make assumptions about people and situations without taking other things into consideration. Never underestimate what another person will do to get ahead or to keep you down. Everyone does not have your best interest at heart and sometimes people will forget that you have feelings and continue to move forward with their plans.
I am continually learning to never underestimate what another person will do as it minimizes the surprises later. Be it good or bad, there is always going to be something that you are not going to be prepared for. Never assume that you have seen or done it all as there is always something that is out there to trump your last experience.
“If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
-Henry David Thoreau
“Nobody says you must laugh, but a sense of humor can help you overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the day”
Ann Landers
“The best things in life are unexpected - because there were no expectations.”
-Eli Khamarov
“Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me.”
-Carl Sandburg
My thoughts this week have revolved around the unexpected and assumptions.
How are we prepared to deal with unexpected situations? How do you deal with change after the unexpected occurs? How you respond is one of the components that determines your character.
So often we make assumptions about people and situations without taking other things into consideration. Never underestimate what another person will do to get ahead or to keep you down. Everyone does not have your best interest at heart and sometimes people will forget that you have feelings and continue to move forward with their plans.
I am continually learning to never underestimate what another person will do as it minimizes the surprises later. Be it good or bad, there is always going to be something that you are not going to be prepared for. Never assume that you have seen or done it all as there is always something that is out there to trump your last experience.
“If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
-Henry David Thoreau
“Nobody says you must laugh, but a sense of humor can help you overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the day”
Ann Landers
“The best things in life are unexpected - because there were no expectations.”
-Eli Khamarov
“Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me.”
-Carl Sandburg
Sunday Thoughts - NFL Sunday Opening Weekend - 09/13/09
Today is a great day already and I know why. The sun is barely up and I was blessed with another day on this earth. For anyone that knows me at all, you can imagine how I am feeling right now. My ribs are in the oven and I am finishing up in the lab on my homemade barbecue sauce.
My thoughts today are centered around the first Sunday in the NFL season and beginnings. I feel like a kid on the first day of school, as I have a new outfit to wear and I couldn't sleep last night. Kickoff of the first game today is just hours away and this season promises many exciting moments that lie ahead.
As the season prepares to kick-off on this beautiful Sunday, I found a few quotes that may help you appreciate new beginnings this season or in your life. I thank a friend of mine named Jason Womble for inspiring today's thoughts. Jason is a devoted fan of the Detroit Lions and stands behind his team 110% even after they became the first team in NFL history to finish 0-16. Jason's tireless dedication and faith in his team inspired me to find something that embodies what today means for him and his beloved Lions.
So on this day, I salute all fans and Jason for their endless love for the game. Whoever your team is, good luck to you and them today.
GO LIONS, PERFECT SEASON #2 STARTS TODAY!!!
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
-Maria Robinson
“There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life.”
“If you want to know the end, look at the beginning”
-African Proverb
“Accept everything about yourself--I mean everything. You are you and that is the beginning and the end--no apologies, no regrets.”
-Henry Kissinger
My thoughts today are centered around the first Sunday in the NFL season and beginnings. I feel like a kid on the first day of school, as I have a new outfit to wear and I couldn't sleep last night. Kickoff of the first game today is just hours away and this season promises many exciting moments that lie ahead.
As the season prepares to kick-off on this beautiful Sunday, I found a few quotes that may help you appreciate new beginnings this season or in your life. I thank a friend of mine named Jason Womble for inspiring today's thoughts. Jason is a devoted fan of the Detroit Lions and stands behind his team 110% even after they became the first team in NFL history to finish 0-16. Jason's tireless dedication and faith in his team inspired me to find something that embodies what today means for him and his beloved Lions.
So on this day, I salute all fans and Jason for their endless love for the game. Whoever your team is, good luck to you and them today.
GO LIONS, PERFECT SEASON #2 STARTS TODAY!!!
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
-Maria Robinson
“There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life.”
“If you want to know the end, look at the beginning”
-African Proverb
“Accept everything about yourself--I mean everything. You are you and that is the beginning and the end--no apologies, no regrets.”
-Henry Kissinger
Lazy Monday Thoughts
Its amazing how often we take for granted things we experience in life. Exactly a year ago, I remember sitting in the emergency room getting X-Rays after a minor car accident that I was involved in. While I hated to be involved in the accident, I appreciate most things that happened after it. Over the last year amidst the unexpected aches and pains, I can appreciate a lot in my life after going through that experience.
In life we often talk about first impressions and what your thoughts were the first time that you met someone. How many times have you met someone and have no recollection of a first impression? How often have people come into your life and you don't realize why you met them at that point in your life?
How often do we take for granted that there is a reason for everything? Think about this example, have you ever been in a restaurant and made a comment to a server and they mention that it was the most thoughtful thing that anyone has said to them all day?
I am sure you wonder what I am getting at, but I will tell you to keep my thoughts on track. Last night, I was having dinner at my favorite Sunday night local and met a young lady whose face looked very familiar to me but we did not know each other. When I first sat down at the bar to eat, she was sitting about two chairs away from me and by the time she finished her drink she was sitting right next to me. While we talked she started telling me about her day and that it had not turned out as she had planned. I kept listening to her story and could see that this would be another experience that she grows from. She began to talk about her experiences and how they shaped her life. She rose from her circumstances as a young person growing up in a single parent home and remained focused and became the strong woman she is today. This young lady also talked about valuing yourself and making sure that you never just settle for anything if you aren't appeasing yourself.
Just over dinner, my eyes were opened as she made some valid points. Here I am sitting there thinking that I am helping her turn her night around because of the bad day that she had. When it was all said and done she actually helped me and didn't realize it. In our daily travels and the work that we do, there will be always be chance meetings with people. In that one instant you have an opportunity to define why this person has come into your life.
Earth Wind and Fire's Reasons may be floating around in your head right now and its okay!
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person."
There are so many reasons that you have come into my life, and I thank you for all of them. Make it a great day!
In life we often talk about first impressions and what your thoughts were the first time that you met someone. How many times have you met someone and have no recollection of a first impression? How often have people come into your life and you don't realize why you met them at that point in your life?
How often do we take for granted that there is a reason for everything? Think about this example, have you ever been in a restaurant and made a comment to a server and they mention that it was the most thoughtful thing that anyone has said to them all day?
I am sure you wonder what I am getting at, but I will tell you to keep my thoughts on track. Last night, I was having dinner at my favorite Sunday night local and met a young lady whose face looked very familiar to me but we did not know each other. When I first sat down at the bar to eat, she was sitting about two chairs away from me and by the time she finished her drink she was sitting right next to me. While we talked she started telling me about her day and that it had not turned out as she had planned. I kept listening to her story and could see that this would be another experience that she grows from. She began to talk about her experiences and how they shaped her life. She rose from her circumstances as a young person growing up in a single parent home and remained focused and became the strong woman she is today. This young lady also talked about valuing yourself and making sure that you never just settle for anything if you aren't appeasing yourself.
Just over dinner, my eyes were opened as she made some valid points. Here I am sitting there thinking that I am helping her turn her night around because of the bad day that she had. When it was all said and done she actually helped me and didn't realize it. In our daily travels and the work that we do, there will be always be chance meetings with people. In that one instant you have an opportunity to define why this person has come into your life.
Earth Wind and Fire's Reasons may be floating around in your head right now and its okay!
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person."
There are so many reasons that you have come into my life, and I thank you for all of them. Make it a great day!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday Thoughts 09/06/09
Amazingly, you can always count on certain things at certain points in your life. Another holiday is upon us and its a time for friends and family to get together for a common purpose - GOOD FOOD & GOOD TIMES.
On this particular Sunday, I really don't have too much on the brain just excited to spend time with friends and extended family. Its not a surprise that its hot outside and I am going to be trying to escape the heat as usual.
While I am on the subject of time, I cant help but make a few comments about how precious time is. In terms of your time, I trust that you value your time and how you spend it. This weekend is an excellent opportunity to re-evaluate how you are currently spending your time.
What are your current priorities that use up the bulk of your time? Are you wasting time anywhere? Do you have some relationships that do not have a lot of time devoted to them or some that have too much time devoted to them? That may get a few thoughts going in your mind if they aren't already there.
Time is one of things in our life that will run out. When you wake up everyday you know that the sun will rise and the sun will set. What you don't know is when exactly it will rise and will set. We also know that in everyday there are 24 hours only no matter how you slice it. In thinking along those lines, its also important to remember that in everyone of our lives we will be born and we will die. So what are you doing in the meantime?
All I can say is your time in this life is precious and make the most of it with friends and family.
"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keepit, but you can spend it. Once you've lost ityou can never get it back.”
-Harvey MacKay
“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.”
-Stacey Charter
“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone Else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
-Steve Jobs
“Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever...”-Isak Dinesen
“In good times and bad times, I'll be on your side for ever more...that's what friends are for.”
-Dionne Warwick
On this particular Sunday, I really don't have too much on the brain just excited to spend time with friends and extended family. Its not a surprise that its hot outside and I am going to be trying to escape the heat as usual.
While I am on the subject of time, I cant help but make a few comments about how precious time is. In terms of your time, I trust that you value your time and how you spend it. This weekend is an excellent opportunity to re-evaluate how you are currently spending your time.
What are your current priorities that use up the bulk of your time? Are you wasting time anywhere? Do you have some relationships that do not have a lot of time devoted to them or some that have too much time devoted to them? That may get a few thoughts going in your mind if they aren't already there.
Time is one of things in our life that will run out. When you wake up everyday you know that the sun will rise and the sun will set. What you don't know is when exactly it will rise and will set. We also know that in everyday there are 24 hours only no matter how you slice it. In thinking along those lines, its also important to remember that in everyone of our lives we will be born and we will die. So what are you doing in the meantime?
All I can say is your time in this life is precious and make the most of it with friends and family.
"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keepit, but you can spend it. Once you've lost ityou can never get it back.”
-Harvey MacKay
“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.”
-Stacey Charter
“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone Else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
-Steve Jobs
“Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever...”-Isak Dinesen
“In good times and bad times, I'll be on your side for ever more...that's what friends are for.”
-Dionne Warwick
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