Another Sunday afternoon is upon us and the weekend is just about over. As I look at the temperature on my computer say 107, I can honestly say that I have experienced as much heat as I can bear this weekend. This was one of those weekends that I had a few thoughts that carried over from Saturday morning up until this afternoon. Based on my experiences this weekend, my thoughts will be centered around terms and conditions. In so many aspects of our life we are governed by terms and conditions whether written, verbal, or just implied. Let me give you a couple examples from the weekend that fueled my thoughts.
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Example #1 A friend of mine text me yesterday and was telling about him sending a message to a friend of his concerning possibly meeting for dinner last night. After receiving the message the friend stated that he had plans and would not be able to attend. No big deal so the other friend responded back and says, "Okay well maybe you can make it to Benihana with us the next time." No sooner than he hit send on that message, than they friend replied back and says what time are you going and i think i can make it.
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Example #2 In Sunday School this morning the lesson gave a real life example of a situation that exists in most homes around the country with teenage children. A young lady had her cell phone taken away from her after running her monthly bill up to $300.00. The kids in are class believed that this was unfair, and the parents should have taken other measures before they actually took the phone away. They wanted to argue that it wasn't fair, but the teachers in the class reminded them that once the young lady accepted the phone she was agreeing to her parents terms/conditions. Being responsible with the phone was what she agreeing with and she didn't hold up her end of the bargain, so for the violation the punishment was appropriate.
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On a daily basis in our relationships and decisions we reach a point at which we are making decisions based on the terms that are set forth. Have you accepted the terms/conditions for the life that you have been given? Are you using your gifts according to His plan?
Do you have some relationships that are not fruitful and causing you to miss out on some of your blessings and you can't understand why? In anything in life that we understand the terms/conditions of when we are making our decisions, we are willing accepting the outcome whether good or bad.
The days of saying, "Well I wouldn't have done that if I would have known that this was going to happen," are in the past and we need to be more intentional in every aspect of our lives.
“God created the law of free will, and God created the law of cause and effect. And he himself will not violate the law. We need to be thinking less in terms of what God did and more in terms of whether or not we are following those laws.”
-Marianne Williamson
“If you wish to converse with me, define your terms”
-Voltaire
“You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success - or are they holding you back?”
-W. Clement Stone
“The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves. People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life, for only then do they have to fall back on their reserves.”
-Leonardo da Vinci
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday Thoughts 8/23/09
I was sitting in the airport on this Sunday afternoon with my family preparing to head back to the home to the desert. This afternoon's departure seems rather bittersweet! I enjoyed my visit back home over the last several weeks and appreciate the things I learned.
While I am saying good bye as I prepare to travel home, I find myself reminded of things that are present and things that are gone.
As I sat in the airport waiting area I felt a few tears start to well in my eyes. I managed to keep the tears to myself since my mother I traveled together on the same plane to Memphis on the first leg of our flight. We shared lunch together as we waited in Memphis for our planes to board. For some strange reason, as I hugged my mother and said good bye I had to fight back my tears.
Its always in the back of all our minds that tomorrow is not promised and we try to live the best out of our today. Often times we take for granted things and people thinking that they will always be there. Take full advantage of today as you never know what your tomorrow may bring.
I remember an August day four years ago when I told a friend "Peace out, I will holla atcha on my next trip back home!" I didn't know that would be my last conversation with my friend.
Today is what it is, TODAY, and shouldn't wasted dealing with the past. Live in the present, learn from your past experiences and make today better than yesterday. In terms of your relationships with friends and family, pick up the phone and call someone tell them you love them and if they are close by give them a hug.
Make sure the people you love know that you love them while they are here and that you aren't looking for ways to tell them long after they are gone.
My friend James Allen III, may you rest in peace as your friends and family love you and honor your memory on this day. I know you are keeping watch over us with a smile on your face.
"You know that you are in love when the hardest thing to do is say good-bye!!"
"Remember me and smile, for it's better to forget than remember me and cry."
"Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would I'd never leave."
-Winnie the Pooh
“Don't be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”
-Richard Bach
While I am saying good bye as I prepare to travel home, I find myself reminded of things that are present and things that are gone.
As I sat in the airport waiting area I felt a few tears start to well in my eyes. I managed to keep the tears to myself since my mother I traveled together on the same plane to Memphis on the first leg of our flight. We shared lunch together as we waited in Memphis for our planes to board. For some strange reason, as I hugged my mother and said good bye I had to fight back my tears.
Its always in the back of all our minds that tomorrow is not promised and we try to live the best out of our today. Often times we take for granted things and people thinking that they will always be there. Take full advantage of today as you never know what your tomorrow may bring.
I remember an August day four years ago when I told a friend "Peace out, I will holla atcha on my next trip back home!" I didn't know that would be my last conversation with my friend.
Today is what it is, TODAY, and shouldn't wasted dealing with the past. Live in the present, learn from your past experiences and make today better than yesterday. In terms of your relationships with friends and family, pick up the phone and call someone tell them you love them and if they are close by give them a hug.
Make sure the people you love know that you love them while they are here and that you aren't looking for ways to tell them long after they are gone.
My friend James Allen III, may you rest in peace as your friends and family love you and honor your memory on this day. I know you are keeping watch over us with a smile on your face.
"You know that you are in love when the hardest thing to do is say good-bye!!"
"Remember me and smile, for it's better to forget than remember me and cry."
"Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would I'd never leave."
-Winnie the Pooh
“Don't be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”
-Richard Bach
Saturday Thoughts 8/22/09
This is officially my last Saturday in my hometown for awhile. My niece and nephew are going to lure me back here soon enough to visit. They have truly left a lasting impression on their uncle. I woke up this morning and wasn't feeling the greatest but I still wanted to get my thoughts together and share some things that have been on my mind. While back here visiting friends and family membersthere has been a constant reminder of imprints andimpression that have been left on me through the course of my life.
I recently had an opportunity to get back in touch with my dear friends Natalie and Don whom I met while working as a server in a restaurant in Birmingham back in 2003. Nine years later we still communicate and I am reminded about the impression that I made on her and her husband when we first met. She toldme that she really liked the way I trimmed my beard and was very well groomed. That stuck with me for awhile and every time I saw her after then she always noticed if my facial hair was different or if I had visited the barbershop recently. Needless to say, that she and her husband also left an impression on me.
We never know who is witnessing anything that we may do. It could be opening a door for a young lady, speaking with confidence, or just the way you dress. There is always something about you whether good or bad that leaves a memory of you for another. Sometimes you may need a reminder about the impressions you tend to leave.
My Aunt Dorothy always baked the best cookies and left an impression on my taste buds that has yet to be matched. She actually baked me cookies yesterday as a way to show her love. I just wanted to leave you with a couple of examples of how I recognize some of the impressions that people have left on me.
What kind of impression are you leaving on others? What kind of impression have others left on you?
I am thankful for the lasting impressions that you have left on me and hope that my words will leave an impression on you today.
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”
"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart”
-Eleanor Roosevelt
“The footprints you leave behind will influence others. There is no person who at some time, somewhere, somehow, does not lead another.”
"If you want to leave your footprints in the sands of time, make sure you are wearing work boots”
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba
I recently had an opportunity to get back in touch with my dear friends Natalie and Don whom I met while working as a server in a restaurant in Birmingham back in 2003. Nine years later we still communicate and I am reminded about the impression that I made on her and her husband when we first met. She toldme that she really liked the way I trimmed my beard and was very well groomed. That stuck with me for awhile and every time I saw her after then she always noticed if my facial hair was different or if I had visited the barbershop recently. Needless to say, that she and her husband also left an impression on me.
We never know who is witnessing anything that we may do. It could be opening a door for a young lady, speaking with confidence, or just the way you dress. There is always something about you whether good or bad that leaves a memory of you for another. Sometimes you may need a reminder about the impressions you tend to leave.
My Aunt Dorothy always baked the best cookies and left an impression on my taste buds that has yet to be matched. She actually baked me cookies yesterday as a way to show her love. I just wanted to leave you with a couple of examples of how I recognize some of the impressions that people have left on me.
What kind of impression are you leaving on others? What kind of impression have others left on you?
I am thankful for the lasting impressions that you have left on me and hope that my words will leave an impression on you today.
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”
"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart”
-Eleanor Roosevelt
“The footprints you leave behind will influence others. There is no person who at some time, somewhere, somehow, does not lead another.”
"If you want to leave your footprints in the sands of time, make sure you are wearing work boots”
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Mid Week Thoughts
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Edit Blog Posts I woke up this morning with an image of a circle stuck in my head and I struggled to see why. I wasn't quite sure what the purpose of a circle was, but as i begin to think about the definition of a circle it all began to make sense. Whether it is used as a noun or verb, it appears that all of these definitions have been fueling my thoughts this morning.1.shape of perfect hollow ring:a two-dimensional geometric figure formed of a curved line surrounding a center point, every point of the line being an equal distance from the center point5.group of people:a group of people who share a common interest, profession, activity, or social background7.cycle:a process or series of events that ends at the point at which it began or that repeats itself continuously1.transitive and intransitive verbmove along curving route:to move, or move around something, following a curving route or path that ends where it began and usually repeats its cycle3.transitive verbsurround place or area:to surround a place or an area with peopleMost things in our life revolve around a circle, and its interesting to step back and see what those things are. Our networks of friends and families are circles and based on the size of those circles how connected do you feel to the people in your circle? What does your Circle/circles say about you? In looking at the definition of a circle being the shape of a hollow ring, based on its size does it become more hollow the larger it becomes? As our circles get larger do we lose the core of the original circle?Do the similarities of the people that are a part of your circle still exist in the same fashion as the once were? As we grow and change it is to be expected that we change and so do our circles.Have you ever found yourself doing the same things over and over and wondering why things never change for you? Often times we have trapped ourselves in a circle of repetitive behavior that leads us to complacency. Once we recognize this, we may start to change our behaviors and actions to heed different results.While this important this isn't the only thing that is going to impact you, its also important to look at the people you have around you. Even though you have made a change to get differentresults, have you made changes to your circle of friends. Take a moment and examine the circles of people that you have around you and see who is there for you and not just for their own personal benefit. Its amazing to see how your circle can be that thing that builds you up or tears you down.I challenge you to examine the circles in your life, and see where you are currently. Don't be afraid to make your circles smaller or even to start with a dot and take your time and eventually start another circle. Your circle starts with you and if remember what makes you strong then build the foundation of your circle based on your core values.Thank you for being a part of my circle and replacing the hollowness with friendship and love.
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Edit Blog Posts I woke up this morning with an image of a circle stuck in my head and I struggled to see why. I wasn't quite sure what the purpose of a circle was, but as i begin to think about the definition of a circle it all began to make sense. Whether it is used as a noun or verb, it appears that all of these definitions have been fueling my thoughts this morning.1.shape of perfect hollow ring:a two-dimensional geometric figure formed of a curved line surrounding a center point, every point of the line being an equal distance from the center point5.group of people:a group of people who share a common interest, profession, activity, or social background7.cycle:a process or series of events that ends at the point at which it began or that repeats itself continuously1.transitive and intransitive verbmove along curving route:to move, or move around something, following a curving route or path that ends where it began and usually repeats its cycle3.transitive verbsurround place or area:to surround a place or an area with peopleMost things in our life revolve around a circle, and its interesting to step back and see what those things are. Our networks of friends and families are circles and based on the size of those circles how connected do you feel to the people in your circle? What does your Circle/circles say about you? In looking at the definition of a circle being the shape of a hollow ring, based on its size does it become more hollow the larger it becomes? As our circles get larger do we lose the core of the original circle?Do the similarities of the people that are a part of your circle still exist in the same fashion as the once were? As we grow and change it is to be expected that we change and so do our circles.Have you ever found yourself doing the same things over and over and wondering why things never change for you? Often times we have trapped ourselves in a circle of repetitive behavior that leads us to complacency. Once we recognize this, we may start to change our behaviors and actions to heed different results.While this important this isn't the only thing that is going to impact you, its also important to look at the people you have around you. Even though you have made a change to get differentresults, have you made changes to your circle of friends. Take a moment and examine the circles of people that you have around you and see who is there for you and not just for their own personal benefit. Its amazing to see how your circle can be that thing that builds you up or tears you down.I challenge you to examine the circles in your life, and see where you are currently. Don't be afraid to make your circles smaller or even to start with a dot and take your time and eventually start another circle. Your circle starts with you and if remember what makes you strong then build the foundation of your circle based on your core values.Thank you for being a part of my circle and replacing the hollowness with friendship and love.
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