Good morning and Happy New Year’s Eve! Today is the last day of 2010 and as such, many of us will be reflecting on the year that was. We’ll look at what went right, what went wrong and what our plans are for 2011. For me, 2010 was a year of tremendous growth, great experiences and realized opportunities. I met a lot of great people who I am forever indebted to for improving my life, whom I will never forget.
I’m super excited about the prospects for 2011, with new love, new experiences, great friends and family, and bigger and better opportunities. I came up with 5 goals for 2011, which I will share with you for inspirational and accountability purposes. Surely there are a million and one other things I’d like to see done and would like to improve in the upcoming year. However, these 5 are at the top of my list and are in no particular order:
Goal #1 Put another professional license under my belt.
Goal #2 Be the best boyfriend I can be.
Goal #3 Grow spiritually
Goal #4 Be healthier
Goal #5 Grow my magnet program
As this is my last post of 2010, I’d like to thank the people who encouraged me to start this blog, to put my feelings on the screen and share it with the world or whoever would read. It started out as a way to get back to writing and as a form of therapy. And in many ways it still is. As I talk to people who read the blog and look forward to it and how they like learning new things about me and themselves it’s become so much more and I’m thankful for the opportunity.
I’d also like to thank the best team in the world for being in my corner all the time and checking me when I need to be checked and for supporting me in every new endeavor. I keep my team small, but what we lack in numbers we more than make up for in camaraderie and loyalty. Thanks family! I wouldn’t be me without you.
To the people who were with me in 2010 and for whatever reason will not be with me in 2011. Thank you for the experiences, the friendship, the counseling, and the inspiration. Thank you for being a friend. 2011 won’t be the same without you but we’ll make it. People are put into our lives for seasons. We don’t get to decide what season(s) or for how long. The only thing we can do is just enjoy it as much as possible. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Last and certainly not least, thank you God for the tremendous blessings and opportunities you’ve allowed me to see. Thank you for wonderful friends and family. Thank you for the best girlfriend a guy could ask for. Thank you for life, health and prosperity and for being there with me when few would and for carrying me when I was too weak to lift myself. Thank you!
I wish all of my followers, friends, families and readers the best in the upcoming year and I promise there will be more regularity and substance to come. As always, Stay Up and Stay Blessed. Happy New Year!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Box of Chocolates
Good morning folks! A wise man once said “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” How true it is. Who would have ever thought we would turn out the way we did, or be where we are or who we’re with? If you raised your hand or said “I did” than Dion Warwick has a spot for you alongside the rest of her fake psychic friends. For some of us this was the best year yet; unprecedented blessings. For others this year was a test, a challenge some of us weren’t sure we’d be able to overcome. However, if you’re able to read this post you’ve made it. Maybe not in as sound a financial situation as you would like, maybe your children aren’t as smart or well-behaved as you’d like them to be (lol, sorry I couldn’t help but laugh), maybe you wish you had a better job or career. Regardless of what your hang-up may be you made it through 2010. The question is now that you’ve made it, what are you going to do to make 2011 just as good, better or great?
One of the definitions of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.” If it didn’t work for you in 2010 or any year before then, trust me, it’s not going to work in 2011. Try a new thing, try prayer, try being more focused, try loving more, try being nice, try being friendlier, try raising the bar for yourself and others around you, try being faithful. Try something you haven’t tried before that may get you where you want to be.
The trials, tribulations, blessings and accomplishments you experienced this past year weren’t just about you. Yes, the hardships you encountered were to make you stronger and wiser, but they were also there to give you a story to tell so that you may help others who may be going through something as well. Yes, your blessings and accomplishments may have been a reward for your faithfulness and obedience however, it was also to show the world just how good God is. Everything that happens to us and around us happens for a reason. We don’t always immediately understand why, but in due time it’s always revealed.
As 2010 draws to an end, think about everything you’ve accomplished, your accolades, your shortcomings and your failures. See what worked and what didn’t. See what you can improve on and see how you may be a blessing to others. See what you can do to be a bigger (figuratively speaking) and better you in 2011 and see what you need to do make it happen. Make a plan, commit to it and hold yourself accountable by posting it on your wall, your computer, at work, somewhere you can see it often. If there’s no accountability, there’s no incentive to get it done. Stay Up and Stay Blessed!
One of the definitions of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.” If it didn’t work for you in 2010 or any year before then, trust me, it’s not going to work in 2011. Try a new thing, try prayer, try being more focused, try loving more, try being nice, try being friendlier, try raising the bar for yourself and others around you, try being faithful. Try something you haven’t tried before that may get you where you want to be.
The trials, tribulations, blessings and accomplishments you experienced this past year weren’t just about you. Yes, the hardships you encountered were to make you stronger and wiser, but they were also there to give you a story to tell so that you may help others who may be going through something as well. Yes, your blessings and accomplishments may have been a reward for your faithfulness and obedience however, it was also to show the world just how good God is. Everything that happens to us and around us happens for a reason. We don’t always immediately understand why, but in due time it’s always revealed.
As 2010 draws to an end, think about everything you’ve accomplished, your accolades, your shortcomings and your failures. See what worked and what didn’t. See what you can improve on and see how you may be a blessing to others. See what you can do to be a bigger (figuratively speaking) and better you in 2011 and see what you need to do make it happen. Make a plan, commit to it and hold yourself accountable by posting it on your wall, your computer, at work, somewhere you can see it often. If there’s no accountability, there’s no incentive to get it done. Stay Up and Stay Blessed!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Breaking Up is Hard to Do and So is Starting Something New
Don't take your love away from me
Don't you leave my heart in misery
If you go then I'll be blue
'Cause breaking up his hard to do
Remember when you held me tight
And you kissed me all through the night
Think of all that we've been through
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
They say that breaking up is hard to do
Now I know, I know that it's true
Don't say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up I wish that we were making up again
I beg of you, don't say goodbye
Can't we give our love another try
Come on baby, let's start a new
'Cause breaking up is hard to do
-Neil Sedaka, “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”
Greetings. They say breaking up is hard to do and having experienced a break up or two I couldn’t agree more. However, getting together with someone new is also difficult, especially when it follows a tough break up.
For the past year and a half I’ve been recovering from a tough break up trying to piece back together my life. It was a long arduous road that at times was dark and lonely and often appeared to be never ending. I never thought I would have ended up on this road to begin with. We were perfect together, meant to be together forever and somewhere along the way our signals got crossed and we drifted apart. More like we ran into an iceberg, but you get my drift.
The aftermath was a long road to recovery which undoubtedly left a few broken hearts along the way. There were some very important people who tried to help me recover and did the best they could to mend together my broken heart. However, there wasn’t much any of them could do to repair it; I just wasn’t ready. Over time and with much prayer and hard work, I’m ready to move on; ready to love again and be loved; ready to make someone new the center of my life. However, that isn’t as easy it sounds.
Starting a new relationship means being done with the old one. It means apologizing to all the women who wanted to be next to fill the position, when I wasn’t even ready to evaluate applications. It means leaving the baggage I collected from my previous situation at the airport for TSA to blow up like they do all unattended baggage. I don’t want it any more, I don’t need it anymore and it’s better off being destroyed.
Before I can be with anyone else, just her and I, before we can start singing love songs, before we can tie the knot, I have to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for the challenges that accompany being in a committed relationship. I’d venture to say that it’s like riding a bike that once you learn how to be in a committed relationship you never forget. But that doesn’t mean if you aren’t conscious in the steps it takes to ride that bike that you won’t fall off.
I’m leaving behind all the baggage I picked up along the way here and there and only bringing the memories and life lessons I’ve learned. They say breaking up is hard to do and so is starting fresh with someone new. But I’m Ready. Stay Up and Stay Blessed!
Don't you leave my heart in misery
If you go then I'll be blue
'Cause breaking up his hard to do
Remember when you held me tight
And you kissed me all through the night
Think of all that we've been through
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
They say that breaking up is hard to do
Now I know, I know that it's true
Don't say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up I wish that we were making up again
I beg of you, don't say goodbye
Can't we give our love another try
Come on baby, let's start a new
'Cause breaking up is hard to do
-Neil Sedaka, “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”
Greetings. They say breaking up is hard to do and having experienced a break up or two I couldn’t agree more. However, getting together with someone new is also difficult, especially when it follows a tough break up.
For the past year and a half I’ve been recovering from a tough break up trying to piece back together my life. It was a long arduous road that at times was dark and lonely and often appeared to be never ending. I never thought I would have ended up on this road to begin with. We were perfect together, meant to be together forever and somewhere along the way our signals got crossed and we drifted apart. More like we ran into an iceberg, but you get my drift.
The aftermath was a long road to recovery which undoubtedly left a few broken hearts along the way. There were some very important people who tried to help me recover and did the best they could to mend together my broken heart. However, there wasn’t much any of them could do to repair it; I just wasn’t ready. Over time and with much prayer and hard work, I’m ready to move on; ready to love again and be loved; ready to make someone new the center of my life. However, that isn’t as easy it sounds.
Starting a new relationship means being done with the old one. It means apologizing to all the women who wanted to be next to fill the position, when I wasn’t even ready to evaluate applications. It means leaving the baggage I collected from my previous situation at the airport for TSA to blow up like they do all unattended baggage. I don’t want it any more, I don’t need it anymore and it’s better off being destroyed.
Before I can be with anyone else, just her and I, before we can start singing love songs, before we can tie the knot, I have to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for the challenges that accompany being in a committed relationship. I’d venture to say that it’s like riding a bike that once you learn how to be in a committed relationship you never forget. But that doesn’t mean if you aren’t conscious in the steps it takes to ride that bike that you won’t fall off.
I’m leaving behind all the baggage I picked up along the way here and there and only bringing the memories and life lessons I’ve learned. They say breaking up is hard to do and so is starting fresh with someone new. But I’m Ready. Stay Up and Stay Blessed!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Looking for Christmas Love in All the Wrong Places
"Tis the season to be jolly."
Greetings Family and Merry ChristmasHannuKwanzaa! Yes it is without question that your favorite Diplomat is in the Christmas Spirit, however, much to my chagrin, many people aren’t. I’ve started to notice people’s Twitter and Facebook statuses declare how they’re “not really in the Christmas spirit yet.” It’s shameful to me to see people with frowns on their faces, depressed about how they’re “not really feeling it.” What are you waiting for?
There is no “Christmas Switch” to turn on the joy, laughter and goodwill that comes with the season. There is no plug that we put in and take out at our pleasure. No the Christmas Spirit should be inside you all year long and be amplified as Christmas draws near.
I think many of us are confused as to what Christmas is all about. It’s not about the lights, the tree and the holiday parties. It’s not about Santa Claus, his elves or his reindeer. Christmas is about getting together with family and friends and thinking on all the blessings the year has afforded you. Christmas is about spending time with the ones you love and the ones that love you and realizing how blessed you are to have each other. Christmas is about giving laughter, joy and whatever you can afford to not only loved ones, but to strangers as well, just as God gave us Baby Jesus.
I’m in the Christmas Spirit because I realize how blessed I am to be where I am and be surrounded by wonderful people. There have been some bumps on the road and plenty of ups and downs but this has been a great year for me growth wise and that’s something certainly to be jolly about.
Life is always throwing curve balls at us and it’s our job to stand in the batter’s box and do our best to get on base and make it home. Now is certainly not the time to sit and dwell on all that’s gone wrong this past year, who’s not here and what we don’t have. Now is the time to be thankful for all that is right in our lives, for who we still have and be thankful for the things we do have.
I think we all should dig deep and look inward to find a reason, any reason, to put on a smile and some holiday cheer and spread it with the world. Don’t let Christmas pass you by because you’re waiting for the power company to check your Christmas circuit breaker. The only person who can turn it on is you and only you. If you need some of mine I have no problem sharing as I have plenty to go around.
Since I’m off for the next few days from my day job, I promise to churn out some more posts; until then Happy Holidays to You and Yours. Stay Up and Stay Blessed.
Greetings Family and Merry ChristmasHannuKwanzaa! Yes it is without question that your favorite Diplomat is in the Christmas Spirit, however, much to my chagrin, many people aren’t. I’ve started to notice people’s Twitter and Facebook statuses declare how they’re “not really in the Christmas spirit yet.” It’s shameful to me to see people with frowns on their faces, depressed about how they’re “not really feeling it.” What are you waiting for?
There is no “Christmas Switch” to turn on the joy, laughter and goodwill that comes with the season. There is no plug that we put in and take out at our pleasure. No the Christmas Spirit should be inside you all year long and be amplified as Christmas draws near.
I think many of us are confused as to what Christmas is all about. It’s not about the lights, the tree and the holiday parties. It’s not about Santa Claus, his elves or his reindeer. Christmas is about getting together with family and friends and thinking on all the blessings the year has afforded you. Christmas is about spending time with the ones you love and the ones that love you and realizing how blessed you are to have each other. Christmas is about giving laughter, joy and whatever you can afford to not only loved ones, but to strangers as well, just as God gave us Baby Jesus.
I’m in the Christmas Spirit because I realize how blessed I am to be where I am and be surrounded by wonderful people. There have been some bumps on the road and plenty of ups and downs but this has been a great year for me growth wise and that’s something certainly to be jolly about.
Life is always throwing curve balls at us and it’s our job to stand in the batter’s box and do our best to get on base and make it home. Now is certainly not the time to sit and dwell on all that’s gone wrong this past year, who’s not here and what we don’t have. Now is the time to be thankful for all that is right in our lives, for who we still have and be thankful for the things we do have.
I think we all should dig deep and look inward to find a reason, any reason, to put on a smile and some holiday cheer and spread it with the world. Don’t let Christmas pass you by because you’re waiting for the power company to check your Christmas circuit breaker. The only person who can turn it on is you and only you. If you need some of mine I have no problem sharing as I have plenty to go around.
Since I’m off for the next few days from my day job, I promise to churn out some more posts; until then Happy Holidays to You and Yours. Stay Up and Stay Blessed.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Congratulations are in Order
They say what goes up must come down but I ain’t reached my cruising altitude
Take a look at what I did now can you imagine what I’m about to do
The places I’m bout to go and the money I’m bout to see
Gave Bill Gates some binoculars and said look out for me.
-T.I. ft. Ludacris “On Top of the World”
When you hear that a guy is 6’4, 330 pounds your first thought, after realizing that this guy is massive, is that he’s also probably mean as hell. However, that’s not always the case. The gentleman I just described is one of the nicest, most humble people I’ve ever known. His name is Brandon Washington and plays football for the University of Miami Hurricanes.
Playing Division-I football is an accomplishment in and of itself, most athletes will never experience. Playing football at the University of Miami is an experience most athletes will only dream of. Playing football at The U, with the type of talent and attention the program garners, being a starter and being recognized week after week as one of the best on a talented team in a very talented conference is a dream come true.
Week after week I watched The U take on opponents of all shapes and sizes and facing some of the future stars of the NFL. Sometimes they rose to occasion and other times they didn’t. One of the few consistencies on this team was the play of Brandon Washington. How do you judge the performance of an offensive lineman? You check for the number of pancake blocks (blocks where the offensive lineman flattens the other guy like a pancake) he gets in a game; you see how many rushing yards are gained running behind him, you see if he completes his assignments; and you see if he hustles on every play. All season long, Brandon did that and more which resulted in him being name the Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week twice and culminated in him being named to the First Team All ACC.
You may meet 1,000 Division-I athletes and may only meet 10 more like Brandon. He’s eager to learn, always willing to improve, humble, shys away from controversy and the spotlight, he’s a good student and person off the field and a BEAST on it. I don’t think the ACC could have found a more deserving individual. Congratulations Brandon on your accolades and good luck in the bowl game! Shouts out to the other 8 University of Miami players who made the All ACC Conference Team!
Take a look at what I did now can you imagine what I’m about to do
The places I’m bout to go and the money I’m bout to see
Gave Bill Gates some binoculars and said look out for me.
-T.I. ft. Ludacris “On Top of the World”
When you hear that a guy is 6’4, 330 pounds your first thought, after realizing that this guy is massive, is that he’s also probably mean as hell. However, that’s not always the case. The gentleman I just described is one of the nicest, most humble people I’ve ever known. His name is Brandon Washington and plays football for the University of Miami Hurricanes.
Playing Division-I football is an accomplishment in and of itself, most athletes will never experience. Playing football at the University of Miami is an experience most athletes will only dream of. Playing football at The U, with the type of talent and attention the program garners, being a starter and being recognized week after week as one of the best on a talented team in a very talented conference is a dream come true.
Week after week I watched The U take on opponents of all shapes and sizes and facing some of the future stars of the NFL. Sometimes they rose to occasion and other times they didn’t. One of the few consistencies on this team was the play of Brandon Washington. How do you judge the performance of an offensive lineman? You check for the number of pancake blocks (blocks where the offensive lineman flattens the other guy like a pancake) he gets in a game; you see how many rushing yards are gained running behind him, you see if he completes his assignments; and you see if he hustles on every play. All season long, Brandon did that and more which resulted in him being name the Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week twice and culminated in him being named to the First Team All ACC.
You may meet 1,000 Division-I athletes and may only meet 10 more like Brandon. He’s eager to learn, always willing to improve, humble, shys away from controversy and the spotlight, he’s a good student and person off the field and a BEAST on it. I don’t think the ACC could have found a more deserving individual. Congratulations Brandon on your accolades and good luck in the bowl game! Shouts out to the other 8 University of Miami players who made the All ACC Conference Team!
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