The honking of cars and trucks, eager to arrive at work on time
The vibration of phones, always staying plugged into the world
The slightly personal conversations at lunch with coworkers
The clicking of the mouse, as seconds tick away on the clock
The hustle and bustle back to normality
The pounding of weights as you finish a set
The barking of your dog, when he sees you drive in
The voice of a loved one, greeting you at the door
The sight of city lights brighten up the night sky
The horn of a passing train, keeping you awake
The breeze off the lake, that never gets old
The comfort of my home, mine all mine.
I wouldn't trade it for anything, not in a million years.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
"Just Take the First Step"
I am certainly not here to discuss who is right and who is wrong on this subject only because there really isn't a right or wrong opinion. But I am certainly here to request peace and understanding, instead of anger and harsh judgments towards a lifestyle you have never lived nor understand. I have witnessed the under-privileged, been humbled by stories and testimonies, volunteered at churches in the inner city, and even fed the homeless. Do I know how hard a life on the streets can be? Absolutely not. It is more than I will ever be able to comprehend or understand. I can't even fathom what happens out there on the streets.
I don't care if you grew up in rough areas and have developed a distaste to a particular race or "kind". It doesn't make it right. I don't care if you believe that everyone is treated equal in this country because that is FAR from the truth. I don't care if you believe that every human being has the same opportunity and circumstances to be anything they want to be because you are wrong.
I thought about it this way: If I didn't go to one of the best public schools around that I was privileged to attend, where would I be? Would I have ever made it to college? Would my sphere of influence be the same? Would I have stuck with sports as long as I have? Those are all good questions that I can't even answer.
You see, children grow from the second they are born. You are probably thinking "well duh". So if you are not taught right from wrong from the START, you may never adapt to what decisions are right and what are wrong. You may never comprehend the value of making right decisions versus the consequences of making wrong ones. If you are surrounded by family members who are in and out of jail, and it's the "norm", wouldn't you believe it's the norm for yourself, too? If your father is dead, and your mother works day in and day out to be able to survive, and you are basically raising yourself, how would you ever learn what family is, love, and safety? If you work hard in school and love going, but the system could care less if you stay in school or not, would you? Especially in your most rebellious years? How would you feel going to an under privileged school knowing you may never make it college because of the school you go to? Because it's a "drop out" school, so they say. Imagine gun shots being as unnoticeable as the sound of a plane. Or deaths in your neighborhood being expected every DAY.
Having parents that teach you, family and friends that surround you, a peaceful environment to live in, sports teams that keep you accountable, non-violent, high-rated schools you go to, a home to call "home", and so much more is a BLESSING. YOU ARE BLESSED. Try having none of that, except maybe a home to go to, and a few family members that are still around to care for you. Makes it a little harder to get by right? Try being a child who is raised with no mother or father or both, raised in a community of violence because that is the only place affordable, left alone for hours throughout the day, who hangs out with his older brother who's in a gang. Where do you think he'll end up? You are probably thinking what I'm thinking.
Now there are a few heroes. And I call them heroes because I do believe they have beat the odds. They become singers, writers, business professionals, counselors, teachers, talk show hosts, and even spiritual leaders. They have beaten a vicious cycle they were born into.
You can choose your actions, but you do NOT choose by whom and what environment you are born into. You are just born into life. And you are meant to live that life and become the greatest YOU that you can be! Some have a harder road than others. I truly believe that.
I am not saying that there are not people out there who decide to take advantage of their situation...who take advantage of the government, claim racism to every disadvantage they are faced with, who lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want. These people are everywhere. And they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
It saddens me to see under-privileged go through the hardships they have to endure. My heart breaks because I know in some ways and sometimes all ways it is not by choice. My biggest piece of advice to these folks out there is to break out of where you are, and find a new path. As hard as it may be, if you can break out of that cycle, you really can do anything, and you are a HERO. And for those out there who never do, God have mercy.
I hope love will find a way in these neighborhoods some day. I hope our children will stop dying.
I don't care if you grew up in rough areas and have developed a distaste to a particular race or "kind". It doesn't make it right. I don't care if you believe that everyone is treated equal in this country because that is FAR from the truth. I don't care if you believe that every human being has the same opportunity and circumstances to be anything they want to be because you are wrong.
I thought about it this way: If I didn't go to one of the best public schools around that I was privileged to attend, where would I be? Would I have ever made it to college? Would my sphere of influence be the same? Would I have stuck with sports as long as I have? Those are all good questions that I can't even answer.
You see, children grow from the second they are born. You are probably thinking "well duh". So if you are not taught right from wrong from the START, you may never adapt to what decisions are right and what are wrong. You may never comprehend the value of making right decisions versus the consequences of making wrong ones. If you are surrounded by family members who are in and out of jail, and it's the "norm", wouldn't you believe it's the norm for yourself, too? If your father is dead, and your mother works day in and day out to be able to survive, and you are basically raising yourself, how would you ever learn what family is, love, and safety? If you work hard in school and love going, but the system could care less if you stay in school or not, would you? Especially in your most rebellious years? How would you feel going to an under privileged school knowing you may never make it college because of the school you go to? Because it's a "drop out" school, so they say. Imagine gun shots being as unnoticeable as the sound of a plane. Or deaths in your neighborhood being expected every DAY.
Having parents that teach you, family and friends that surround you, a peaceful environment to live in, sports teams that keep you accountable, non-violent, high-rated schools you go to, a home to call "home", and so much more is a BLESSING. YOU ARE BLESSED. Try having none of that, except maybe a home to go to, and a few family members that are still around to care for you. Makes it a little harder to get by right? Try being a child who is raised with no mother or father or both, raised in a community of violence because that is the only place affordable, left alone for hours throughout the day, who hangs out with his older brother who's in a gang. Where do you think he'll end up? You are probably thinking what I'm thinking.
Now there are a few heroes. And I call them heroes because I do believe they have beat the odds. They become singers, writers, business professionals, counselors, teachers, talk show hosts, and even spiritual leaders. They have beaten a vicious cycle they were born into.
You can choose your actions, but you do NOT choose by whom and what environment you are born into. You are just born into life. And you are meant to live that life and become the greatest YOU that you can be! Some have a harder road than others. I truly believe that.
I am not saying that there are not people out there who decide to take advantage of their situation...who take advantage of the government, claim racism to every disadvantage they are faced with, who lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want. These people are everywhere. And they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
It saddens me to see under-privileged go through the hardships they have to endure. My heart breaks because I know in some ways and sometimes all ways it is not by choice. My biggest piece of advice to these folks out there is to break out of where you are, and find a new path. As hard as it may be, if you can break out of that cycle, you really can do anything, and you are a HERO. And for those out there who never do, God have mercy.
I hope love will find a way in these neighborhoods some day. I hope our children will stop dying.
"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." -MLK
Friday, August 2, 2013
Friendships
Friendships are one of the sweetest blessings of life.
I am very good at loving from afar. I have a tough time really showing how much I really care for my friends sometimes. I didn't used to, though. College definitely changed the way I treat my friends. Before that, I believed in and trusted every friend I had. I had wonderful friends while I was away at school, but a few let me down, lied to me, and used me. Those few will always stick with me as lessons in disguise. Besides being hurt, I learned to not trust everyone and to stop expecting every person to be a good one.
Now, I am much more careful about who I allow in my life. I meet new people, and I don't cling onto them as though we will be forever friends. I choose wisely. And I think that's a part of growing up. You want friends around you that build you, not break you, that uplift you, not drag you down, that are kind and honest, not two-faced and deceitful.
But then what do you do with friends you have known your whole life? The friends that were there for your first kiss, the first time you were grounded, the first everything. Some of these can be the greatest forever friends! But some may not have turned out how you had hoped. I am learning that in your mid 20's, you start to see your friends establish themselves. They may not be living down the street anymore, or share the same interests and morals as you. That initial bond diminishes between a few of you. But then there are those friendships that have never changed, no matter where you are on the map or how different your interests are. It's amazing how different people clash and different people are drawn to each other.
Like I said before, I am very good at loving from afar. In some cases, I need to love from afar, because I see a better friendship in that than staying close. Just like it's natural to fall in love, it's so natural to be drawn to some as your close friends and clash with others.
I fight this all the time because I miss how close I used to be to some. My advice to you and myself is to stop fighting it. Part of growing up is choosing your friends wisely, and it's better to have a few good friends that you enjoy spending time with than friends you have to make yourself spend time with. It's natural. Let it be.
Cherish your friendships whether they are close or afar. Enjoy some of life's sweetest gifts, and always be kind.
I am very good at loving from afar. I have a tough time really showing how much I really care for my friends sometimes. I didn't used to, though. College definitely changed the way I treat my friends. Before that, I believed in and trusted every friend I had. I had wonderful friends while I was away at school, but a few let me down, lied to me, and used me. Those few will always stick with me as lessons in disguise. Besides being hurt, I learned to not trust everyone and to stop expecting every person to be a good one.
Now, I am much more careful about who I allow in my life. I meet new people, and I don't cling onto them as though we will be forever friends. I choose wisely. And I think that's a part of growing up. You want friends around you that build you, not break you, that uplift you, not drag you down, that are kind and honest, not two-faced and deceitful.
But then what do you do with friends you have known your whole life? The friends that were there for your first kiss, the first time you were grounded, the first everything. Some of these can be the greatest forever friends! But some may not have turned out how you had hoped. I am learning that in your mid 20's, you start to see your friends establish themselves. They may not be living down the street anymore, or share the same interests and morals as you. That initial bond diminishes between a few of you. But then there are those friendships that have never changed, no matter where you are on the map or how different your interests are. It's amazing how different people clash and different people are drawn to each other.
Like I said before, I am very good at loving from afar. In some cases, I need to love from afar, because I see a better friendship in that than staying close. Just like it's natural to fall in love, it's so natural to be drawn to some as your close friends and clash with others.
I fight this all the time because I miss how close I used to be to some. My advice to you and myself is to stop fighting it. Part of growing up is choosing your friends wisely, and it's better to have a few good friends that you enjoy spending time with than friends you have to make yourself spend time with. It's natural. Let it be.
Cherish your friendships whether they are close or afar. Enjoy some of life's sweetest gifts, and always be kind.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Sparkling Moments
I live for the sparkling moments when you put on your new show-stopper dress to wear out on the town,
or when the girls get together and share wine, laughs, and good memories,
or the 4th of July when bright colors are everywhere in the sky and the great Red, White, and Blue are worn by every citizen,
or when babies have their first birthday and you truly realize how fast time flies,
or when you have the most amazing night staying in with your lover just laying on the couch in pjs,
or when you accomplish a much longed for achievement,
or when you do something you never thought you could ever do,
or when you feel that forgiveness you needed the most,
or when you wake up on Christmas morning,
or when you learn what true love really is,
or when you are there for a friend who needs a shoulder,
or when you lose something but God blesses you with something else,
or when you truly take in every precious element around you,
or when you embrace the sunset for the first time in days.
Yea, I live for sparkling moments like that.
or when the girls get together and share wine, laughs, and good memories,
or the 4th of July when bright colors are everywhere in the sky and the great Red, White, and Blue are worn by every citizen,
or when babies have their first birthday and you truly realize how fast time flies,
or when you have the most amazing night staying in with your lover just laying on the couch in pjs,
or when you accomplish a much longed for achievement,
or when you do something you never thought you could ever do,
or when you feel that forgiveness you needed the most,
or when you wake up on Christmas morning,
or when you learn what true love really is,
or when you are there for a friend who needs a shoulder,
or when you lose something but God blesses you with something else,
or when you truly take in every precious element around you,
or when you embrace the sunset for the first time in days.
Yea, I live for sparkling moments like that.
Confidence is Key
When it comes to your job and what you do with your time, you need confidence!
When you head into a big meeting about to give a job-changing presentation, you need confidence!
When you set boundaries and morals for your own life, you need confidence!
When you look in the mirror, you need confidence!
When it's summer, and you are bare more often than not, you need confidence!
Confidence is KEY, especially in your 20's. You are respectfully the underdog in the work force, a newbie at bills and building your credit, still getting rid of college habits, learning to take care of yourself, and having to make tough choices that will affect your future such as your choice of friends and your career path. This is all completely and totally normal. Some of you have learned all of this earlier in life, depending on when you started out completely on your own, and some of you will not learn this until whatever leash you're on is indefinitely cut off.
But one key factor in getting by is CONFIDENCE. You have to believe you will make it no matter the circumstances you're in, you have to carry yourself confidently so others will believe in you, and you really just need to be your own best friend. If you are your own worst enemy, get to yoga class or read a self-help book because you do not want to be your own worst enemy! If you do not like what you see when you look at yourself, whether it be looks, where you're at in life, or who you are, YOU are the only one who can change that.
Confidence: full trust, belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, TRUST YOURSELF, RELY ON YOURSELF, AND BE CONFIDENT IN ALL THAT YOU DO!
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When you head into a big meeting about to give a job-changing presentation, you need confidence!
When you set boundaries and morals for your own life, you need confidence!
When you look in the mirror, you need confidence!
When it's summer, and you are bare more often than not, you need confidence!
Confidence is KEY, especially in your 20's. You are respectfully the underdog in the work force, a newbie at bills and building your credit, still getting rid of college habits, learning to take care of yourself, and having to make tough choices that will affect your future such as your choice of friends and your career path. This is all completely and totally normal. Some of you have learned all of this earlier in life, depending on when you started out completely on your own, and some of you will not learn this until whatever leash you're on is indefinitely cut off.
But one key factor in getting by is CONFIDENCE. You have to believe you will make it no matter the circumstances you're in, you have to carry yourself confidently so others will believe in you, and you really just need to be your own best friend. If you are your own worst enemy, get to yoga class or read a self-help book because you do not want to be your own worst enemy! If you do not like what you see when you look at yourself, whether it be looks, where you're at in life, or who you are, YOU are the only one who can change that.
Confidence: full trust, belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, TRUST YOURSELF, RELY ON YOURSELF, AND BE CONFIDENT IN ALL THAT YOU DO!
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Tuesday, July 9, 2013
=
We are called to love, no matter what race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social status, NO MATTER WHAT, we are called to love.
I'm so happy and proud of Steven Grand, who comes from my very own hometown. Some of my fondest memories of high school are hanging in the Grand's garage til' the wee hours of the morning listening to Bill (Grand), Steve, and the gang jam out. From stories I've heard, coming out to the family was a tough thing to do. I can only imagine the courage Steve had to have to do this. His musical talents are beyond extraordinary. If you get in a room with him, all you want to do is be serenaded by his vocals and instrumental abilities.
Today he has not only made a career path for himself playing in bars and for the church Sunday mornings, but he even funded his own music video on his own. Now he has half a million hits on his first video "All-American Boy" and counting. He will be a star, I just know it! Check out this video from Good Morning America this morning.
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/gay-country-star-music-videos-unexpected-viral-success-154446342.html
Anything is possible, and dreams DO come true. Never stop dreaming, and remember folks, we are called to LOVE.
I'm so happy and proud of Steven Grand, who comes from my very own hometown. Some of my fondest memories of high school are hanging in the Grand's garage til' the wee hours of the morning listening to Bill (Grand), Steve, and the gang jam out. From stories I've heard, coming out to the family was a tough thing to do. I can only imagine the courage Steve had to have to do this. His musical talents are beyond extraordinary. If you get in a room with him, all you want to do is be serenaded by his vocals and instrumental abilities.
Today he has not only made a career path for himself playing in bars and for the church Sunday mornings, but he even funded his own music video on his own. Now he has half a million hits on his first video "All-American Boy" and counting. He will be a star, I just know it! Check out this video from Good Morning America this morning.
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/gay-country-star-music-videos-unexpected-viral-success-154446342.html
Anything is possible, and dreams DO come true. Never stop dreaming, and remember folks, we are called to LOVE.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
The Sun Must Set
"I know the Sun must set to rise."
-Coldplay
“There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.”
-Jo Walton
"Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer to your goal."
-Elbert Hubbard
"Clouds come floating in my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky."
-Rabindranath Tagore
"A sunset has many interpretations, but the greatest of these is that God is watching over us."
-Myself
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