I recently joined my church's softball team or softball ministry as they like to call it. We practice on just about every week at a batting cage not far from my house. At one of the practices there was a woman on the team who asked me to help her learn how to hit like I do. She asked me to explain the mechanics of how I hit the ball so hard and how to get the correct timing; in short she wanted to know how I hit the ball. I look at her and told her I didn't really know. I tried to think about what goes through my mind right before I hit the ball so that I could try to explain the feeling but I couldn't. The more I thought about it the more I realized that my mind is in a state of elevation where everything just feels right so I don't have to think. Most people who are good at something can recall being "in the zone" and not really having to think about anything but the feeling is so right that nothing goes wrong. It's God given talent whether it's playing a sport, doing someones taxes, writing, or even being a parent; you know in those moments that it's nothing that you are doing but something that is already inside that you couldn't have created even if you tried.
I want to feel that with my prayers and in listening to God's voice.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Something I Needed
I recieved a book that I couldn't put down when I first got it called the "Purpose Driven Life". This book captivated me but at the time I was also reading 2 other books and put the book down thinking I would pick it back up after I finished the other two. I didn't pick the book back up until last night and the chapter that I read had the answer to a question that I have been asking a lot lately. I feel like I know the solution now but I still need to figure out the correct steps to get there. My question is this: What am I here for? What is my purpose? What do you want me to do? I'm sure just about everyone at some point in their lives has asked this question because I think as human beings we all are in search of the WHY of our lives.
So when I read the following quote from CS Lewis I knew God had directed me to open that book and read that chapter: "The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become-because He made us. It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality that I first begin to have a real personality of my own." I also read this quote which struck me: "You can not fulfill God's purpose for your life while focusing on your own plans"
It all makes so much sense to me but I'm still praying on the HOW. The chapter said you just have to submit yourself to God's will but I'm still wondering HOW. In all things, there is nothing more frustrating to me that to know that there is something that needs to be done, to even know what the end product needs to be but not know how to get it done. I'm praying on it and I'm praying for others as well because I know I'm not the only one wondering How to move in the way that God want us to move. I really feel like it should be an easy thing, a natural thing but I can't quite find the switch to get me out of the dark.
So when I read the following quote from CS Lewis I knew God had directed me to open that book and read that chapter: "The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become-because He made us. It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality that I first begin to have a real personality of my own." I also read this quote which struck me: "You can not fulfill God's purpose for your life while focusing on your own plans"
It all makes so much sense to me but I'm still praying on the HOW. The chapter said you just have to submit yourself to God's will but I'm still wondering HOW. In all things, there is nothing more frustrating to me that to know that there is something that needs to be done, to even know what the end product needs to be but not know how to get it done. I'm praying on it and I'm praying for others as well because I know I'm not the only one wondering How to move in the way that God want us to move. I really feel like it should be an easy thing, a natural thing but I can't quite find the switch to get me out of the dark.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Wisdom Comes From Everywhere
Instead of trying to summarize and repeat this increadible thought, I figured it would be much better to have a guest writer and use his own words. So I hope this inspires someone:
I was given this message from one of my classmates last week after he told me the story of how his wife was killed (shot for no reason while driving on 295). The story was heart breaking but the message was chilling and uplifting (words directly from the Lord). The message was three simple words that will get you through any situation.
Belief -- Determines -- Behavior
I have the message displayed on my desk to remind me everyday that the Lord is there for me and if I just have faith in Him everything will work out in the end.
Ricky B. Cooksey Jr.
I was given this message from one of my classmates last week after he told me the story of how his wife was killed (shot for no reason while driving on 295). The story was heart breaking but the message was chilling and uplifting (words directly from the Lord). The message was three simple words that will get you through any situation.
Belief -- Determines -- Behavior
I have the message displayed on my desk to remind me everyday that the Lord is there for me and if I just have faith in Him everything will work out in the end.
Ricky B. Cooksey Jr.
A thought for today
"For me, a miracle is seeing the world with light in your eyes. It's knowing there's always hope and possibility where none seems to exist."
—Oprah
—Oprah
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Just Wondering
I was thinking the other day: I wonder if Oprah has business cards? Then I wondered if she does what in the word would it say: Oprah Winfrey CEO & President Harpo Productions? Or Maybe Philanthropist Extrodanaire? Does she even need a business card, I think not. But I still wonder if she has one. I'll ask the next time I talk to Ms. Gayle King. :0)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
More Black History
Garrett A. Morgan was an inventor and businessman from Cleveland Ohio. Morgan is credited with inventing: The gas mask, the traffic light, and the zig-zag stitching attachment for sewing machine. Morgan is also credited as being the very 1st African-American to own a car.
Monday, February 26, 2007
As We Round out February
I didn't quite meet my goal of posting everyday but as I find new interesting facts I will still be posting and sharing. Also thanks to everyone who has left comments!
I did a little research on the terms: negro, black, & African American. I looked more closely at these classifications because I have a hard time describing myself as black. I've never actually seen a black person, maybe cinnamon brown, cocoa colored, or even plum colored but never black. I, as I'm sure other people have, have been searching for a better term to describe my race and I've decided that black just ain't it! I also used to oppose African-American, because people who are from the continent of Africa and migrate to America are considered African-American. After my research I think African-American will suffice until I can come up with something else. So take a look at what I found, hopefully it will open your mind a little.
Negro/Colored/Nigrah/Nigger-1960
The term negro, literally meant "black", was used by theSpanish and Portuguese to refer to dark-skinned people. It fell out of favor by the 1970s in the United States, though it is still in use by a small number of older individuals (in its original sense)
Lyndon B. Johnson was the last American president to publicly refer to the African American population as Negroes, which, for much of his life, he pronounced "nig-ruhs", widely considered an insult by African Americans.
Black-70’s The Black Power movement defiantly embraced Black as a group identifier—a term they themselves had repudiated only two decades earlier—a term often associated in English with things negative and undesirable, proclaiming, "Black is beautiful".
Afro-American first used by Maya Angelou-1980’s
African American- During the 1980s, the most influential proponent of the widespread adoption of the term was Jesse Jackson. Jackson and like-minded persons argued that African American was more in keeping with the United States tradition of "hyphenated Americans", which links people with their ancestors' geographic points of origin, and allows people to assert pride in their ethnic heritage, while maintaining an American national identity. There is some criticism of the term 'African American'. To be African American, some argue that an individual would have to be born in Africa, then immigrate to the U.S., and then obtain citizenship. By this definition, an overwhelming majority of Black Americans would not be African American, but of African descent.
I did a little research on the terms: negro, black, & African American. I looked more closely at these classifications because I have a hard time describing myself as black. I've never actually seen a black person, maybe cinnamon brown, cocoa colored, or even plum colored but never black. I, as I'm sure other people have, have been searching for a better term to describe my race and I've decided that black just ain't it! I also used to oppose African-American, because people who are from the continent of Africa and migrate to America are considered African-American. After my research I think African-American will suffice until I can come up with something else. So take a look at what I found, hopefully it will open your mind a little.
Negro/Colored/Nigrah/Nigger-1960
The term negro, literally meant "black", was used by theSpanish and Portuguese to refer to dark-skinned people. It fell out of favor by the 1970s in the United States, though it is still in use by a small number of older individuals (in its original sense)
Lyndon B. Johnson was the last American president to publicly refer to the African American population as Negroes, which, for much of his life, he pronounced "nig-ruhs", widely considered an insult by African Americans.
Black-70’s The Black Power movement defiantly embraced Black as a group identifier—a term they themselves had repudiated only two decades earlier—a term often associated in English with things negative and undesirable, proclaiming, "Black is beautiful".
Afro-American first used by Maya Angelou-1980’s
African American- During the 1980s, the most influential proponent of the widespread adoption of the term was Jesse Jackson. Jackson and like-minded persons argued that African American was more in keeping with the United States tradition of "hyphenated Americans", which links people with their ancestors' geographic points of origin, and allows people to assert pride in their ethnic heritage, while maintaining an American national identity. There is some criticism of the term 'African American'. To be African American, some argue that an individual would have to be born in Africa, then immigrate to the U.S., and then obtain citizenship. By this definition, an overwhelming majority of Black Americans would not be African American, but of African descent.
Monday, February 19, 2007
It Ain't Over
Okay here's another little known black history fact that I just read today and thought I'd share:
As track and field athlete, Alice Coachman was the first African-American woman to win a gold medal in Olympic competition. Initially banned from training with white athletes as a child, Coachman created her own athletic regimen and made her own equipment until she was able to join her high school team. She won a scholarship to the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and competed as the only African-American athlete on five All-American teams. At the 1948 Olympics in London, Coachman battled through back problems to take home the gold medal. She was the only American woman to medal that year.
As track and field athlete, Alice Coachman was the first African-American woman to win a gold medal in Olympic competition. Initially banned from training with white athletes as a child, Coachman created her own athletic regimen and made her own equipment until she was able to join her high school team. She won a scholarship to the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and competed as the only African-American athlete on five All-American teams. At the 1948 Olympics in London, Coachman battled through back problems to take home the gold medal. She was the only American woman to medal that year.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Always So Innovative
"We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us"
Doesn't that quote still ring very true for many of us today? Those words were spoken by Samual Cornish and John B. Russwurm on the front page of Freedom's Journal, the very 1st black owned and operater newspaper that was ever published in the US. This was a weekly publication in New York from 1827 to 1829.
Freedom's Journal denounced slavery and advocated for black people's political rights, the right to vote, and spoke out against lynchings. As a paper of record, Freedom's Journal published birth, death and wedding announcements. To encourage black achievement it featured biographies of renowned black figures such as Paul Cuffee, a black Bostonian who owned a trading ship staffed by free black people, Touissant L'Ouverture and poet Phyllis Wheatley. The paper also printed school, job and housing listings.
Just another Black History Fact for ya. It's something I didn't know so I thought I would share.
Doesn't that quote still ring very true for many of us today? Those words were spoken by Samual Cornish and John B. Russwurm on the front page of Freedom's Journal, the very 1st black owned and operater newspaper that was ever published in the US. This was a weekly publication in New York from 1827 to 1829.
Freedom's Journal denounced slavery and advocated for black people's political rights, the right to vote, and spoke out against lynchings. As a paper of record, Freedom's Journal published birth, death and wedding announcements. To encourage black achievement it featured biographies of renowned black figures such as Paul Cuffee, a black Bostonian who owned a trading ship staffed by free black people, Touissant L'Ouverture and poet Phyllis Wheatley. The paper also printed school, job and housing listings.
Just another Black History Fact for ya. It's something I didn't know so I thought I would share.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
You Go Girl!
"Tears will get you sympathy. Sweat will get you change."-Jesse Jackson, minister and activist
Carol Mosely-Braun made history in 1992 when she was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first, and thus far only, black woman senator. Her election marked the first time Illinois had elected a woman, and the first time a black person was elected as a Democratic Party candidate to the United States Senate. She was one of two African Americans to serve in the Senate in the 20th century, and was the sole African American in the Senate from 1993 to 1999.
In Sept. 2003, she announced her candidacy for U.S. president making her the 3rd Black woman in history to try to become the president, but pulled out in Jan. 2004 to throw her support to Howard Dean.
Moseley-Braun graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1969 and earned a law degree from the University of Chicago in 1972. She currently owns and runs a private law firm, Moseley Braun LLC in Chicago.
Carol Mosely-Braun made history in 1992 when she was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first, and thus far only, black woman senator. Her election marked the first time Illinois had elected a woman, and the first time a black person was elected as a Democratic Party candidate to the United States Senate. She was one of two African Americans to serve in the Senate in the 20th century, and was the sole African American in the Senate from 1993 to 1999.
In Sept. 2003, she announced her candidacy for U.S. president making her the 3rd Black woman in history to try to become the president, but pulled out in Jan. 2004 to throw her support to Howard Dean.
Moseley-Braun graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1969 and earned a law degree from the University of Chicago in 1972. She currently owns and runs a private law firm, Moseley Braun LLC in Chicago.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Say It Loud!
Black History Quote for the Day: "Freedom is never given; it is won." A. Phillip Randolf
I think people like Shirley Chisholm exemplify this quote. Mrs. Chisholm 
was the first black person ever to run for President Candidacy. In 1964 Chisholm ran for a state assembly seat which she won and served in the New York General Assembly from 1964 to 1968. In 1968, after finishing her term in the legislature, Chisholm campaigned to represent New York's Twelfth Congressional District. Her campaign slogan was "Fighting Shirley Chisholm--Unbought and Unbossed." She won the election and became the first African American woman elected to Congress. On January 25, 1972, Chisholm announced her candidacy for president, which she did not win but received 151 delegate votes.
was the first black person ever to run for President Candidacy. In 1964 Chisholm ran for a state assembly seat which she won and served in the New York General Assembly from 1964 to 1968. In 1968, after finishing her term in the legislature, Chisholm campaigned to represent New York's Twelfth Congressional District. Her campaign slogan was "Fighting Shirley Chisholm--Unbought and Unbossed." She won the election and became the first African American woman elected to Congress. On January 25, 1972, Chisholm announced her candidacy for president, which she did not win but received 151 delegate votes.Women like Mrs. Shirley Chisholm make me proud to be a Black woman! For more information on Shirley Chisholm, of course you can Google her or check out this link: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/reference/articles/shirley_chisholm.html
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
The History of Black History Month
As we all know February is Black History Month, so I thought it would be cool to try to post everyday a new and maybe little known black history fact. Don't worry, I'm going to cover each one of those 6 folks who ran for president so you can look for that coming soon!
So, here is today's fact" Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History Month". We owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the 
study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson, a Harvard PhD, decided to take on the challenge of writing Blacks into history books.
study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson, a Harvard PhD, decided to take on the challenge of writing Blacks into history books. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, we speak your name. (I borrowed that from Oprah!) I thank God that Dr. Woodson inconvenienced himself to do something special for his people. Without people like him we would still be absent from all history books, save for the brief mention we get when slavery is glanced over as the Emancipation Proclamation is taught.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Politics
I've just realized recently that I really don't know enough about politics or the rules of how our country is supposed to be run. Ya know they say ignorance or the lack of knowledge is the great divide, it's how the people who are in the know keep others out! I got my voters registration card when I turned 18 and have participated in every election since but I can truthfully say that I have just recently gotten more interested in the history of voting in the last couple of years. And actually interested enough to learn more in the last couple of months. I feel like I need to know everything about voting, our election process, The White House, and each past president we've had. I've been interested in the election process now since we have Hillary Clinton has through her hat in the ring for the 2008 election and hopefully so will Barack Obama. With the possibility that Mr. Obama will be running it made me start thinking "hey, how many black people have actually run for presidential candidacy?" I love Google, so I did a search and how found that only 6 black people have ever run for president.
I knew about Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisholm (shout out to Tajh & Jai :0) and Carol Moseley Braun, who actually ran for the democratic candidacy in 2004; but I had no idea about Alan Keyes or Lenora Fulani. I bet most people have no idea of how many black folks have actually tried to be president, I actually thought it was a larger number; so I'm going to be posting some information on each one of these past candidates especially the ones that I don't know anything about. I figure as I learn about these great people why not share the knowledge. Also I'm going to be sharing some of the research that I do on the subjects I'm interested in that are listed above. If you have questions about our election process that I can try to help with let me know or even better if you have something to contribute leave a comment!
Let's get out and vote in Nov. 2008!
I knew about Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisholm (shout out to Tajh & Jai :0) and Carol Moseley Braun, who actually ran for the democratic candidacy in 2004; but I had no idea about Alan Keyes or Lenora Fulani. I bet most people have no idea of how many black folks have actually tried to be president, I actually thought it was a larger number; so I'm going to be posting some information on each one of these past candidates especially the ones that I don't know anything about. I figure as I learn about these great people why not share the knowledge. Also I'm going to be sharing some of the research that I do on the subjects I'm interested in that are listed above. If you have questions about our election process that I can try to help with let me know or even better if you have something to contribute leave a comment!
Let's get out and vote in Nov. 2008!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Oh, It's still very much alive
Racism & Ignorance! Boy, stuff like this just makes me furious and makes me wanna cuss. I know there are ignorant people of all colors and of each sex but I don't hear anybody telling the Jews to "just get over" the Holocaust or the Irish to get over the slavery their people went through. I'm going to get on my soapbox a little more before I post the dumb comments that Frank Hargrove, the Va state legislator, made in public! Okay so, slavery of any people is horrible. It was bad when the Egyptians had slaves just like the slavery was horrible here in America but there has never been a slavery system quite like the one here in the US where the people are set free into a worse situation! Sure now we have freedom but what am I supposed to due with it as a newly freed slave!!! You won't give me a decent paying job, I can't buy land, and I can't even eat or clothe myself. So 140 years later, which really isn't all that long ya know, most of us are still suffering from the effects of slavery. And this freakin idiot says we need to get over it. Boy I am steamed up right now!! I may post something a little less aggressive about this later but for now here is the article I read:
Lawmaker Under Fire for Slavery Comment
By BOB LEWIS
RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 16) - A state legislator said black people "should get over" slavery and questioned whether Jews should apologize "for killing Christ," drawing denunciations Tuesday from stunned colleagues. Del. Frank D. Hargrove, 79, made his remarks in opposition to a measure that would apologize on the state's behalf to the descendants of slaves. In an interview published Tuesday in The Daily Progress of Charlottesville, Hargrove said slavery ended nearly 140 years ago with the Civil War and added that "our black citizens should get over it."
The newspaper also quoted him as saying, "are we going to force the Jews to apologize for killing Christ?" Black lawmakers swiftly denounced Hargrove's comments. "When somebody tells me I should just get over slavery, I can only express my emotion by projecting that I am appalled, absolutely appalled," said Del. Dwight C. Jones, head of the Legislative Black Caucus. Del. David L. Englin also criticized Hargrove's remarks, recalling that his grandparents were driven from their homes in Poland "by people who believed that as Jews, we killed Christ." When Hargrove rose to speak, he told Englin he didn't care about Englin's religion. "I think your skin was a little too thin," Hargrove said as lawmakers gasped and groaned.
Lawmaker Under Fire for Slavery Comment
By BOB LEWIS
RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 16) - A state legislator said black people "should get over" slavery and questioned whether Jews should apologize "for killing Christ," drawing denunciations Tuesday from stunned colleagues. Del. Frank D. Hargrove, 79, made his remarks in opposition to a measure that would apologize on the state's behalf to the descendants of slaves. In an interview published Tuesday in The Daily Progress of Charlottesville, Hargrove said slavery ended nearly 140 years ago with the Civil War and added that "our black citizens should get over it."
The newspaper also quoted him as saying, "are we going to force the Jews to apologize for killing Christ?" Black lawmakers swiftly denounced Hargrove's comments. "When somebody tells me I should just get over slavery, I can only express my emotion by projecting that I am appalled, absolutely appalled," said Del. Dwight C. Jones, head of the Legislative Black Caucus. Del. David L. Englin also criticized Hargrove's remarks, recalling that his grandparents were driven from their homes in Poland "by people who believed that as Jews, we killed Christ." When Hargrove rose to speak, he told Englin he didn't care about Englin's religion. "I think your skin was a little too thin," Hargrove said as lawmakers gasped and groaned.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Anyone remember...
When you could turn on the TV and there would actually be programs on about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? As I was off yesterday, I sat and looked through all the channels that we have (and we have quite a few) and I couldn't find any program at all. When I was younger, I remember watching at least 3 or 4 shows during that day off of school. No wonder people have forgotten, I think it's so sad.
No one wants to inconvenience themselves enough now to do anything like what Dr. King did for people. It took a lot of sacrifice on his part to be the man that he was. I'm sure it would have been easy for Dr. King to say, "No I think I'm going to stay home with my wife and children. Let someone else worry about it." I'm so glad that he didn't.
Since the television networks don't find it necessary to show programs about this great man's life, I will be purchasing the following 2 DVD's, so that my daughter can see and understand what we teach her about Dr. King. Because I'm sure that when she is old enough there won't even be much spoken about his legacy or work.
Our Friend Martin: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000TPAHY/ref=wl_it_dp/104-2846783-2911936?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3L1DGBN3C9RDZ&colid=28TR5BWFAEWEN
Citizen King: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006Z2L5G/ref=wl_it_dp/104-2846783-2911936?ie=UTF8&coliid=I286EZE65Y6ULZ&colid=28TR5BWFAEWEN
No one wants to inconvenience themselves enough now to do anything like what Dr. King did for people. It took a lot of sacrifice on his part to be the man that he was. I'm sure it would have been easy for Dr. King to say, "No I think I'm going to stay home with my wife and children. Let someone else worry about it." I'm so glad that he didn't.
Since the television networks don't find it necessary to show programs about this great man's life, I will be purchasing the following 2 DVD's, so that my daughter can see and understand what we teach her about Dr. King. Because I'm sure that when she is old enough there won't even be much spoken about his legacy or work.
Our Friend Martin: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000TPAHY/ref=wl_it_dp/104-2846783-2911936?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3L1DGBN3C9RDZ&colid=28TR5BWFAEWEN
Citizen King: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006Z2L5G/ref=wl_it_dp/104-2846783-2911936?ie=UTF8&coliid=I286EZE65Y6ULZ&colid=28TR5BWFAEWEN
Sunday, January 07, 2007
A New Year
It's been a while since I posted... Mostly due to vacation and really just trying to center myself to ramp up for this new year. I can feel big things on my horizon and I really feel that I need to be a lot more prepared than I am. I'm not 100% sure of what God will be sending my way but I do know that I want to be ready or at least as ready as I can be when I receive it.
So anyway I'm back and I plan on posting just a regularly as I was last year. Of course I've got some more thought provoking posts coming as well as some more product recommendations! I love to share cool products. So anyway, look out for the next posts and leave some comments whenever the mood strikes ya!
So anyway I'm back and I plan on posting just a regularly as I was last year. Of course I've got some more thought provoking posts coming as well as some more product recommendations! I love to share cool products. So anyway, look out for the next posts and leave some comments whenever the mood strikes ya!
Monday, December 11, 2006
I'm Dreaming of a....
Not a white Christmas because I don't have to dream about that. That is reality. I guess I'm dreaming of a more diverified Christmas. Ya know what I mean? I've been looking around for a tree topper that doesn't have blue eyes and blonde hair but it seems as though all angel tree toppers only come in that style. What if I wanted a Asian angel at the top of my tree? Why aren't there more types of ornaments available? Well my guess would be that we are all supposed to just conform to the way thing are now, pretty white Christmas. I don't think I want to adapt to that.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
An Ah-Ha Moment
I heard a quote today that made me stop and really think. I mean, it was one of those light bulb moments where I had to really look inside to answer the question myself. That quote was simply this: "You never know when your life will change. Are you prepared?"
I don't know if that same statement will strike anyone the way it did with me but I really had to take a few moments to realize that my answer is mostly no. One of my goals is to be a writer. Actually I already am a writer in my mind but can I prove it to anyone else? What have I written, that if a publisher came to me and offered me a deal, that I could produce to have read. I also want to have my own business but do I have a concrete idea of what I want that business to be? Again, no. So even if someone where to come to me and say "hey, I will give you $500,000 to start a business right now if you can give me your business idea and plan" I would have to stumble through half thought out ideas of business that I would like to start but I wouln't have anything concrete. Hearing this quote today has kind of jarred me into a sense of urgency. I need to get prepared.
Most of us spend our lives living from day to day but not really preparing for the next level because we are so wrapped up just getting through the day. God did not give us life just to "get by". So again "You never know when your life will change. Are you prepared?"
I don't know if that same statement will strike anyone the way it did with me but I really had to take a few moments to realize that my answer is mostly no. One of my goals is to be a writer. Actually I already am a writer in my mind but can I prove it to anyone else? What have I written, that if a publisher came to me and offered me a deal, that I could produce to have read. I also want to have my own business but do I have a concrete idea of what I want that business to be? Again, no. So even if someone where to come to me and say "hey, I will give you $500,000 to start a business right now if you can give me your business idea and plan" I would have to stumble through half thought out ideas of business that I would like to start but I wouln't have anything concrete. Hearing this quote today has kind of jarred me into a sense of urgency. I need to get prepared.
Most of us spend our lives living from day to day but not really preparing for the next level because we are so wrapped up just getting through the day. God did not give us life just to "get by". So again "You never know when your life will change. Are you prepared?"
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
We Need More Stories Like This..
I just read this article online, not only did I love what the mother did (I'm sure she was a black lady 
) but I think more parents need to discipline their children more than making excuses for them. Those same excuses are why kids are doing just about anything nowadays. I'm only 28 but we had more respect for authority, parents, teacher, and even strangers back in the day. Anyway check out the article:
COLUMBIA, S.C. - A fed-up mother had her 12-year-old son arrested for allegedly rummaging through his great-grandmother's things and playing with his Christmas present early.
The mother called police Sunday after learning her son had disobeyed orders and repeatedly taken a Game Boy from its hiding place at his great-grandmother's house next door and played it. He was arrested on petty larceny charges, taken to the police station in handcuffs and held until his mother picked him up after church.
"My grandmother went out of her way to lay away a toy and paid on this thing for months," said the boy's mother, Brandi Ervin. "It was only to teach my son a lesson. He's been going through life doing things ... and getting away with it." Police did not release the boy's name.
The mother said that her son was found in the last year to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but that his medicine does not seem to help.
She said he faces an expulsion hearing at his school Wednesday. Rock Hill Police Capt. Mark Bollinger said the boy took a swing at a police officer assigned to the school last month. He has been suspended from school since then.
The boy's case will be presented to Department of Juvenile Justice officials in York County, who will decide what happens to him, Bollinger said. His mother hopes he can attend a program that will finally scare him straight.
"It's not even about the Christmas present," she said. "I only want positive things out of it. ... There's no need for him to act this way. I'd rather call myself than someone else call for him doing something worse than this."
I'm sure people will say what this mother did was uncalled for and wrong but I bet her son won't be out on the streets stealing from anybody else!
) but I think more parents need to discipline their children more than making excuses for them. Those same excuses are why kids are doing just about anything nowadays. I'm only 28 but we had more respect for authority, parents, teacher, and even strangers back in the day. Anyway check out the article:COLUMBIA, S.C. - A fed-up mother had her 12-year-old son arrested for allegedly rummaging through his great-grandmother's things and playing with his Christmas present early.
The mother called police Sunday after learning her son had disobeyed orders and repeatedly taken a Game Boy from its hiding place at his great-grandmother's house next door and played it. He was arrested on petty larceny charges, taken to the police station in handcuffs and held until his mother picked him up after church.
"My grandmother went out of her way to lay away a toy and paid on this thing for months," said the boy's mother, Brandi Ervin. "It was only to teach my son a lesson. He's been going through life doing things ... and getting away with it." Police did not release the boy's name.
The mother said that her son was found in the last year to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but that his medicine does not seem to help.
She said he faces an expulsion hearing at his school Wednesday. Rock Hill Police Capt. Mark Bollinger said the boy took a swing at a police officer assigned to the school last month. He has been suspended from school since then.
The boy's case will be presented to Department of Juvenile Justice officials in York County, who will decide what happens to him, Bollinger said. His mother hopes he can attend a program that will finally scare him straight.
"It's not even about the Christmas present," she said. "I only want positive things out of it. ... There's no need for him to act this way. I'd rather call myself than someone else call for him doing something worse than this."
I'm sure people will say what this mother did was uncalled for and wrong but I bet her son won't be out on the streets stealing from anybody else!
Experience is the name everyone gives to their Mistakes
That's a quote that I read today by Oscar Wilde. I read it and automatically thought, yes, that is so true! When you really think about it we go through these "seemingly" random experiences in life and we only remember the times when something adverse or negative happened. For some strange reason the mistakes that we make in life are viewed as experience. Why is it that as people we don't learn from the experiences of others as to avoid the mistake ourselves? Just my own thought for the day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)