Greetings and Happy New Year! As 2011 concludes, those of you who subscribe to the adage “out with the old and in with the new” are cleaning house, cars, contacts, even Facebook friends and Twitter followers as the New Year peaks on the horizon. The end of one year gives rise to reflection on the year that was and thought to what we want the upcoming year to be.
To me 2011 will forever be remembered as a year of growth and prosperity in every facet in my life. I lost one of the true loves of my life in the form of my grandmother but I gained another in the form of my fiancé. I had some opportunities slip through my fingers and I’ve also managed to hold on to some pretty good ones. I travelled, I loved, I lost, I won, I grew, became stronger, wiser and much better and now as we’re a few hours away from the start of a new year I can that I’m blessed.
I’m thankful for everything 2011 had to offer, both good and bad, and in no way regret the trips to the valley that came with it. The journey to the mountaintop is greatest when we have to ascend from our lowest point. Our experience in the valley allows us to appreciate being on the mountaintop so much more. It’s given me wisdom and lessons I can use in my life and share with others that I otherwise would not have. It’s given me a different perspective I can use to be more successful in the future, depth, character and a story to tell. While I can’t say I was experiencing any joy in the midst of my trials and tribulations, I can say that the highs and joys of today, feel even better because of them.
As 2012 looms over us, I’ve been tasked with setting a few goals for myself in the upcoming year. I’m super excited about the prospects for 2012, with new love, new experiences, great friends and family, and bigger and better opportunities. I came up with 5 goals for 2012, which I will share with you for inspirational and accountability purposes. As is the case every year, there are a million and one other things I’d like to see done and would like to improve on in the upcoming year. However, these 5 are at the top of my list and are in no particular order:
Goal # 1 More Charitable Events
This past year saw me do more speaking engagements and charitable events than I’ve done in a while and I missed it. As good it felt talking to those kids, youth groups, and instilling messages of hope, I know I can do more. So my goal is to do more next year. I want to do more speaking engagements, more community service projects, more charitable contributions.
Goal #2 Grow My Business
With the choice of whether to barbecue or mildew, I’ve finally decided to barbecue. So instead of joining another person’s company, or forcing myself to comply or fit within someone else’s vision, I’ve decided to follow my own and plant a seed. So I’m in the process of starting of my own Sports and Entertainment Management group with a good friend and business partner.
Goal #3 Grow Spiritually
Regardless of your religion, denomination, or lack thereof, I think we all should strive to have a better understanding of self and our purpose in this world. For me, because I’m Christian, that means having a closer walk with God and a better understanding of His purpose in my life. I think I’m on the right path (I hope) but I’d be lying if I said I was doing all I could do. So in 2012 my goal is to do better.
Goal #4 More Fiscally Responsible
Everyone who knows me knows I like to shop and spend money. Aside from working out and watching football, my favorite past time is spending money. The bills always get paid, but with the decision to grow a business, get married, and start a family it’s probably a good idea to rein that in a little. At least until the big bucks start rolling in and I can ball even harder. LOL!
Goal #5 Compartmentalize Better
One of the greatest critiques my friends and family have of me is my inability to compartmentalize. I’m a workaholic. It’s a gift and a curse. It’s a gift in a sense that I have an uncanny fervor to press through any number of circumstances and situations to achieve completion of a particular goal no matter what the cost. It’s a curse because at times, other things and people will suffer because of it. Plus what good are wealth and possessions if you don’t have anyone to share them with? My goal this year is not to work less, but to work smarter and more efficient.
In closing, 2011 has been great to me and with the prospects of new endeavors, new relationships and renewed vigor, I’m hopeful 2012 will be even better. Here’s hoping that the best of our todays, will be the best of our tomorrows, and that 2012 is our best year yet. Until next year, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Tis The Season
“Tis the season…”
Greetings folks and Happy Holidays! Most of us associate this time year as being joyful, promising and reflective, and as we should. The winter holidays are an opportunity for us to gather with family and friends, give gifts, show our gratitude for nearly a year of God’s favor, and reflect on all the things that make life worth living. However, this isn’t true for everyone. For every person that has their choice of houses to stop at, there’s someone who doesn’t have any. For everyone who has a tree full of presents, there’s someone who won’t get any. It’s easy to look at our lives and our prosperity and assume that most people, if not all, enjoy the same comforts as us. Perception is reality. Well the reality is, is there are a lot of men, women, and children, who celebrate the holidays alone, with no gifts, no food, and no bells to jingle.
For some, the holidays are a reminder of grief, suffering, and heartache. Imagine having broken up with your long-term partner and having to spend the holidays alone for the first time in forever. Imagine having lost a loved-one around the holidays, this time last year, or a previous year. Imagine, being homeless, depressed, hungry and unable to share in the joy.
I’m not going to put up the face of some homeless person or hungry kid and ask you to donate $9.95 a month to help feed them. I’m just trying to make you aware of something you may have otherwise been ignorant to. If this moves you to give a dollar to a homeless man on the street or buy a hungry person a sandwich, more power to you.
My true goal is to get you to think about your contacts, friends, and family who, for one reason or another, may have a rough holiday season. Maybe they lost their job, a loved one, are depressed, or are angry the Lakers didn’t sign CP3. Whatever their issue may be, take the time to call, text, email, or stop by and say hey, because you never know just how big of an impact you may be making.
Well, I hope everyone enjoys their holidays and get to spend some quality time with their friends and family. Merry ChristmasHannuKwanzaa! Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Greetings folks and Happy Holidays! Most of us associate this time year as being joyful, promising and reflective, and as we should. The winter holidays are an opportunity for us to gather with family and friends, give gifts, show our gratitude for nearly a year of God’s favor, and reflect on all the things that make life worth living. However, this isn’t true for everyone. For every person that has their choice of houses to stop at, there’s someone who doesn’t have any. For everyone who has a tree full of presents, there’s someone who won’t get any. It’s easy to look at our lives and our prosperity and assume that most people, if not all, enjoy the same comforts as us. Perception is reality. Well the reality is, is there are a lot of men, women, and children, who celebrate the holidays alone, with no gifts, no food, and no bells to jingle.
For some, the holidays are a reminder of grief, suffering, and heartache. Imagine having broken up with your long-term partner and having to spend the holidays alone for the first time in forever. Imagine having lost a loved-one around the holidays, this time last year, or a previous year. Imagine, being homeless, depressed, hungry and unable to share in the joy.
I’m not going to put up the face of some homeless person or hungry kid and ask you to donate $9.95 a month to help feed them. I’m just trying to make you aware of something you may have otherwise been ignorant to. If this moves you to give a dollar to a homeless man on the street or buy a hungry person a sandwich, more power to you.
My true goal is to get you to think about your contacts, friends, and family who, for one reason or another, may have a rough holiday season. Maybe they lost their job, a loved one, are depressed, or are angry the Lakers didn’t sign CP3. Whatever their issue may be, take the time to call, text, email, or stop by and say hey, because you never know just how big of an impact you may be making.
Well, I hope everyone enjoys their holidays and get to spend some quality time with their friends and family. Merry ChristmasHannuKwanzaa! Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
#Winning
Since I will not lose, they try to help him cheat
But I will not lose, for even in defeat
There's a valuable lesson learned, so it evens it up for me
Jay-Z “Blueprint 2”
Greetings folks! Losing sucks! No matter how you slice it, it does. Who likes coming in second? Who enjoys watching the winner celebrate and enjoy the spoils of war? No one. I’ve tasted losing before and it tastes like something you’d see on Fear Factor. If I could help it, I would prefer never to taste it again. Unfortunately, the chances of that happening are as likely as the Dolphins winning the Super Bowl this year. I’d much rather have a nice warm, cold, lukewarm, heaping dish of victory. This post is inspired by a couple of losses I’ve experienced as of late.
A few weeks ago I was nominated for Rookie Teacher of the Year for my school. When I was notified of the honor, I was flattered and figured the nomination was as far as it would go. The other faculty members that were nominated are phenomenal and I just knew either one of them would win over the young, distant, law magnet teacher. Little did I know, I would be proven wrong. I won the nomination and was bestowed the honor of being Miami Carol City Senior High’s Rookie Teacher of the Year. It didn’t come with a plaque, or a check, or my name in the paper. What it did come with is the respect of my colleagues, a sense that my work is not in vain, and a desire to work even harder to live up to the honor. It also came along with an application for the district-wide competition that was due a few days after I won the school’s honor.
When I submitted my completed application for the district competition, I knew that it was a long shot that I would even be named a finalist, let alone win. So initially I didn’t care about winning. Seriously, I had made up in my mind that I wouldn’t be touched if I didn’t win and that winning the honor of representing my school was enough for me. However, as time went on, the competitive nature in me wouldn’t allow me to settle for just winning the school wide award. I wanted to be named a finalist and I wanted to win. I began to feel like being “comfortable” with the school honor was like being ok with just making it to the playoffs.
Well it is with sadness that I say, last week I found out that I wasn’t a finalist. And while I’m still perfectly ok with representing my school, it kind of sucked to lose. I know you’re thinking that I shouldn’t look at it as losing, because in fact I did win something. I did lose. I lost the chance to be a finalist, so screw you and the horse you rode in, because I wanted more.
Some of you may know that I’m part Jamaican. So when I’m not teaching I’m working any number of my other 5 jobs, one of which is my actual law practice. A week after I failed to qualify as a finalist, I was working on landing a client I had been courting for quite some time. I built a team of well qualified professionals to assist in the recruiting and proposal and felt like we had a really great plan for success. There were other suitors as well, but none that could really offer the combination of experience, personal attention, care, concern, competence and hunger. After a week full of meetings, phone calls, presentations, texts, emails, long days, short nights, Starbucks and Red Bulls, we lost. For the second time in a month I’d lost. And again, it sucked.
Losing is an infrequent occurrence for me and I’d like to keep it that way. However, for it to have come twice in a month hurt; a lot. As strong as most people, me included, think I am, I have my moments of weakness. And every time I suffer a lost or setback, I view it as exposure of a chink or weak point in my armor.
I’ve won and lost a lot in my life and while winning feels great, it’s the losing that’s always taught me the most. While I’d rather not ever experience it again, I know inevitably I will. And when I do, I know that I’m really not losing “for even in defeat there's a valuable lesson learned, so it evens it up for me”-Jay-Z.
One of the things losing has taught me is how to win more. Because I HATE losing I prepare more to lessen the likelihood of defeat. Victory loves preparation. I love victory (and Cap’n Crunch) so I work hard to always be prepared and so should you. Loss leads to finding one’s self. It’s after a loss that you find out the true mettle of a team. It’s after defeat you find out the extent of a person’s mental toughness. It’s after you’ve fallen flat on your face, bust your lip and scraped your knee, and you’re faced with the decision of getting back on the bike or just walking it back home, where you find out what kind of person you are.
There’s nothing neither you nor I can do to take away the sting of losing, or not successfully completing a goal or task. It’s a certainty of life, like death and taxes. What’s not certain, and is left up to you to decide, is how you respond to adversity. "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Pressure will do one of two things: (1) bust pipes; or (2) create diamonds. So you have to decide whether you’re going to call the plumber or the jeweler when the pressure is on. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
But I will not lose, for even in defeat
There's a valuable lesson learned, so it evens it up for me
Jay-Z “Blueprint 2”
Greetings folks! Losing sucks! No matter how you slice it, it does. Who likes coming in second? Who enjoys watching the winner celebrate and enjoy the spoils of war? No one. I’ve tasted losing before and it tastes like something you’d see on Fear Factor. If I could help it, I would prefer never to taste it again. Unfortunately, the chances of that happening are as likely as the Dolphins winning the Super Bowl this year. I’d much rather have a nice warm, cold, lukewarm, heaping dish of victory. This post is inspired by a couple of losses I’ve experienced as of late.
A few weeks ago I was nominated for Rookie Teacher of the Year for my school. When I was notified of the honor, I was flattered and figured the nomination was as far as it would go. The other faculty members that were nominated are phenomenal and I just knew either one of them would win over the young, distant, law magnet teacher. Little did I know, I would be proven wrong. I won the nomination and was bestowed the honor of being Miami Carol City Senior High’s Rookie Teacher of the Year. It didn’t come with a plaque, or a check, or my name in the paper. What it did come with is the respect of my colleagues, a sense that my work is not in vain, and a desire to work even harder to live up to the honor. It also came along with an application for the district-wide competition that was due a few days after I won the school’s honor.
When I submitted my completed application for the district competition, I knew that it was a long shot that I would even be named a finalist, let alone win. So initially I didn’t care about winning. Seriously, I had made up in my mind that I wouldn’t be touched if I didn’t win and that winning the honor of representing my school was enough for me. However, as time went on, the competitive nature in me wouldn’t allow me to settle for just winning the school wide award. I wanted to be named a finalist and I wanted to win. I began to feel like being “comfortable” with the school honor was like being ok with just making it to the playoffs.
Well it is with sadness that I say, last week I found out that I wasn’t a finalist. And while I’m still perfectly ok with representing my school, it kind of sucked to lose. I know you’re thinking that I shouldn’t look at it as losing, because in fact I did win something. I did lose. I lost the chance to be a finalist, so screw you and the horse you rode in, because I wanted more.
Some of you may know that I’m part Jamaican. So when I’m not teaching I’m working any number of my other 5 jobs, one of which is my actual law practice. A week after I failed to qualify as a finalist, I was working on landing a client I had been courting for quite some time. I built a team of well qualified professionals to assist in the recruiting and proposal and felt like we had a really great plan for success. There were other suitors as well, but none that could really offer the combination of experience, personal attention, care, concern, competence and hunger. After a week full of meetings, phone calls, presentations, texts, emails, long days, short nights, Starbucks and Red Bulls, we lost. For the second time in a month I’d lost. And again, it sucked.
Losing is an infrequent occurrence for me and I’d like to keep it that way. However, for it to have come twice in a month hurt; a lot. As strong as most people, me included, think I am, I have my moments of weakness. And every time I suffer a lost or setback, I view it as exposure of a chink or weak point in my armor.
I’ve won and lost a lot in my life and while winning feels great, it’s the losing that’s always taught me the most. While I’d rather not ever experience it again, I know inevitably I will. And when I do, I know that I’m really not losing “for even in defeat there's a valuable lesson learned, so it evens it up for me”-Jay-Z.
One of the things losing has taught me is how to win more. Because I HATE losing I prepare more to lessen the likelihood of defeat. Victory loves preparation. I love victory (and Cap’n Crunch) so I work hard to always be prepared and so should you. Loss leads to finding one’s self. It’s after a loss that you find out the true mettle of a team. It’s after defeat you find out the extent of a person’s mental toughness. It’s after you’ve fallen flat on your face, bust your lip and scraped your knee, and you’re faced with the decision of getting back on the bike or just walking it back home, where you find out what kind of person you are.
There’s nothing neither you nor I can do to take away the sting of losing, or not successfully completing a goal or task. It’s a certainty of life, like death and taxes. What’s not certain, and is left up to you to decide, is how you respond to adversity. "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Pressure will do one of two things: (1) bust pipes; or (2) create diamonds. So you have to decide whether you’re going to call the plumber or the jeweler when the pressure is on. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Fear and Loathing
“Courage is resistance of fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” –Mark Twain
Greetings folks! Many of us have differing views of courage. Some of us see it as something we’ll pick up along the way on the yellow brick road. Some of us think courage is lions, tigers, bears and masculinity. Some of us don’t know how to define it, but know what it looks like when we see it. Before I found this quote by Mark Twain, my definition of fear was all of these together, covered with a Kevlar vest, with a superman “S” on top. But since I like Twain’s quote better I’m going to go with his as a starting point for today’s post.
Since I was 4 I’ve been performing in plays, talent competitions, sports, hell even class. And despite the fact that I’ve had my share of performances between now and then, one thing that remains the same is that uneasiness that churns in my stomach before I perform. No matter how much I prepared, no matter how sure I was that I had my lines down, and no matter how confident I was that I would have a good game, I still got nervous. And to this day, I still do. This nervousness is a result of my fear of failure.
Anyone who knows me knows I hate losing. Excuse me, I meant to say HATE losing. I will do whatever it takes, within the rules of course, to win. In an attempt to prevent myself from losing and from feeling the “pre-game jitters” I began to prepare harder and more feverishly before each endeavor. If my routine was to pray an hour before the game, I’d pray 2. If my ritual was to rehearse my lines for two hours a day, I bumped it up to 3, and so on and so forth. Whatever it was that I did before, I increased it in an effort to eradicate my fear.
Unfortunately, after countless plays, competitions and speaking engagements, that fear never went away. I soon realized that it never would dissipate and that I was stuck with this fear presumably for the rest of my life. However, when I found this quote, I was put at ease. My campaign to “stomp out fear” was a fruitless endeavor and was a race I would never win. So I then turned my focus to mastering my fear, resisting it, controlling it and not letting it control me.
We all have things that scare of us. To say that you don’t would mean you’re lying to yourself. For some of us that fear is of failure, or being alone, or losing our jobs, or not living up to others’ expectations. But that’s fine, it’s normal, it’s expected. The problem comes when we allow that fear to overtake us and control us as opposed to us controlling it. When fear controls your life, you do things differently, you talk differently. If you’re scared of failing with your start up company, fear prevents you from ever submitting the proposal. If you’re fearful of messing up your lines at a play, fear prevents you from ever auditioning. If you’re fearful that you’ll stumble out of the blocks or get tackled before you reach the goal line, fear keeps you from ever stepping on the track or field.
Don’t let fear control you. Understand that it’s there and will always be there, then use it as a form of energy to power your dreams. Use it as motivation to work harder, longer, and smarter. Use it as motivation not to take “no” for an answer and not to give up in the face of adversity. Use your fear as a means to an end, rather than an excuse not to ever begin. Resist it, Master it, Conquer it! Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Greetings folks! Many of us have differing views of courage. Some of us see it as something we’ll pick up along the way on the yellow brick road. Some of us think courage is lions, tigers, bears and masculinity. Some of us don’t know how to define it, but know what it looks like when we see it. Before I found this quote by Mark Twain, my definition of fear was all of these together, covered with a Kevlar vest, with a superman “S” on top. But since I like Twain’s quote better I’m going to go with his as a starting point for today’s post.
Since I was 4 I’ve been performing in plays, talent competitions, sports, hell even class. And despite the fact that I’ve had my share of performances between now and then, one thing that remains the same is that uneasiness that churns in my stomach before I perform. No matter how much I prepared, no matter how sure I was that I had my lines down, and no matter how confident I was that I would have a good game, I still got nervous. And to this day, I still do. This nervousness is a result of my fear of failure.
Anyone who knows me knows I hate losing. Excuse me, I meant to say HATE losing. I will do whatever it takes, within the rules of course, to win. In an attempt to prevent myself from losing and from feeling the “pre-game jitters” I began to prepare harder and more feverishly before each endeavor. If my routine was to pray an hour before the game, I’d pray 2. If my ritual was to rehearse my lines for two hours a day, I bumped it up to 3, and so on and so forth. Whatever it was that I did before, I increased it in an effort to eradicate my fear.
Unfortunately, after countless plays, competitions and speaking engagements, that fear never went away. I soon realized that it never would dissipate and that I was stuck with this fear presumably for the rest of my life. However, when I found this quote, I was put at ease. My campaign to “stomp out fear” was a fruitless endeavor and was a race I would never win. So I then turned my focus to mastering my fear, resisting it, controlling it and not letting it control me.
We all have things that scare of us. To say that you don’t would mean you’re lying to yourself. For some of us that fear is of failure, or being alone, or losing our jobs, or not living up to others’ expectations. But that’s fine, it’s normal, it’s expected. The problem comes when we allow that fear to overtake us and control us as opposed to us controlling it. When fear controls your life, you do things differently, you talk differently. If you’re scared of failing with your start up company, fear prevents you from ever submitting the proposal. If you’re fearful of messing up your lines at a play, fear prevents you from ever auditioning. If you’re fearful that you’ll stumble out of the blocks or get tackled before you reach the goal line, fear keeps you from ever stepping on the track or field.
Don’t let fear control you. Understand that it’s there and will always be there, then use it as a form of energy to power your dreams. Use it as motivation to work harder, longer, and smarter. Use it as motivation not to take “no” for an answer and not to give up in the face of adversity. Use your fear as a means to an end, rather than an excuse not to ever begin. Resist it, Master it, Conquer it! Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Talent Ain't Enough
Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent. -Sophia Loren
Greetings folks! I was really wrestling with what to post this week. I had so many ideas in my head and none of them really jumped out. Then I remembered a quote I shared with my students yesterday and thought it would be perfect for today’s post.
So often we focus on talent and ability as the impetus for success and achievement, and rightfully so. If you’re 5’6, 145 pounds it’s unlikely that a professional sports career is in your future. If you can’t grab the rim at the elementary school basketball court, it’s not probable that you’ll be jumping over cars in any NBA All-star games in the near future. And if every time the wind blows you end up across the street (and you don’t live in Chicago), it’s unlikely that you’ll be dodging or making any tackles in the NFL.
Talent is important; very important. But it’s just the starting point, not the ending point. At some point in your life, talent has to merge with drive and determination to equal success. When I was in middle school I faced a lot of adversity. I was a gifted student and was unsure of whether I wanted to be a nerd or a class clown. So I walked the fine line between both falling over on the side of jackass more times than not, and in the process I gave my mother a headache that lasted 3 years. Whenever she would leave one of the many parent-teacher conferences she had about me her speech to me would often include her saying “there are a lot of geniuses underneath the bridge so being smart isn’t good enough.” Honestly, I heard her, I understood her, but it really didn’t hit me until I got older. Despite how smart all my teachers said I was, and I knew I was, being smart wasn’t good enough. Hell, it didn’t mean anything if they failed me.
I see so many of us (young people) who have all sorts of talent and gifts, but are wasting them because we’re content with just having them. That’s like a guy who buys a new Lamborghini Gallardo and never drives it. It’s a waste. It does no one any good to keep such a powerful and beautiful car locked up and it does you no good to keep your talents to yourself. We’ve all been given gifts not for our own entertainment but to share with the world. I’m reminded of the quote, “If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke.” -Brendan Francis
Talent isn’t enough. If you don’t believe me see Michael Jordan or Peyton Manning as examples. Michael Jordan got cut from his high school basketball team; a clear sign that at least one person thought that he wasn’t good enough. After that fateful moment, he won at every level he competed at, and today is renowned as one of the best athletes ever. He isn’t the greatest because of his physical prowess. It wasn’t because he was the fastest, the strongest, or the most agile. If you ask MJ’s teammates, his competitors, and his coaches, they’ll tell you that he won more because he wanted it more than anyone else and as a result, worked harder than anyone else.
If you take a look at the Manning family tree you’re probably find that Peyton Manning probably isn’t even the most talented quarterback in his family. Father Archie Manning was a really good quarterback playing on a terrible team. Brother Eli, while not as famous, is more mobile and athletic. Then there is older brother Cooper, who some scouts regard as the best Manning quarterback, who may have re-wrote the Manning family history books were it not for a neck injury that forced him to forgo his NFL dreams. So why is Peyton one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks and constantly in the conversation as one of the best ever? He’s talented AND he works harder than nearly every player and some coaches. He wants it more than anyone else, is a perfectionist, and demands the best from himself and everyone around him.
I do not subscribe to the theory that the most successful people are ALWAYS the most talented people. I do subscribe to the theory that the most successful people have found a way to take their talent, however big or small, merge it with drive and determination, and make the most of it.
We need to find a way to take our talent however great or miniscule, combine it with fervor, focus, and fidelity and make the most of it. If you’re a doctor, lawyer, or work in another profession that is difficult to climb the ladder in, there are tons of talented people around you. And I know what you’re thinking; there are a ton of not-so-talented people around you as well. But the reason why the less talented people are even able to compete, (other than nepotism and office affairs), is because they’re hard workers. So what you graduated medical school at or near the top of your class. Now what? Who cares that you graduated magna cum laude or graduated magna thank you lawdy? What matters after that is what you do with the talent and knowledge that you have. What matters is how hard you are going to work to be successful.
Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Greetings folks! I was really wrestling with what to post this week. I had so many ideas in my head and none of them really jumped out. Then I remembered a quote I shared with my students yesterday and thought it would be perfect for today’s post.
So often we focus on talent and ability as the impetus for success and achievement, and rightfully so. If you’re 5’6, 145 pounds it’s unlikely that a professional sports career is in your future. If you can’t grab the rim at the elementary school basketball court, it’s not probable that you’ll be jumping over cars in any NBA All-star games in the near future. And if every time the wind blows you end up across the street (and you don’t live in Chicago), it’s unlikely that you’ll be dodging or making any tackles in the NFL.
Talent is important; very important. But it’s just the starting point, not the ending point. At some point in your life, talent has to merge with drive and determination to equal success. When I was in middle school I faced a lot of adversity. I was a gifted student and was unsure of whether I wanted to be a nerd or a class clown. So I walked the fine line between both falling over on the side of jackass more times than not, and in the process I gave my mother a headache that lasted 3 years. Whenever she would leave one of the many parent-teacher conferences she had about me her speech to me would often include her saying “there are a lot of geniuses underneath the bridge so being smart isn’t good enough.” Honestly, I heard her, I understood her, but it really didn’t hit me until I got older. Despite how smart all my teachers said I was, and I knew I was, being smart wasn’t good enough. Hell, it didn’t mean anything if they failed me.
I see so many of us (young people) who have all sorts of talent and gifts, but are wasting them because we’re content with just having them. That’s like a guy who buys a new Lamborghini Gallardo and never drives it. It’s a waste. It does no one any good to keep such a powerful and beautiful car locked up and it does you no good to keep your talents to yourself. We’ve all been given gifts not for our own entertainment but to share with the world. I’m reminded of the quote, “If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible. Don't hoard it. Don't dole it out like a miser. Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke.” -Brendan Francis
Talent isn’t enough. If you don’t believe me see Michael Jordan or Peyton Manning as examples. Michael Jordan got cut from his high school basketball team; a clear sign that at least one person thought that he wasn’t good enough. After that fateful moment, he won at every level he competed at, and today is renowned as one of the best athletes ever. He isn’t the greatest because of his physical prowess. It wasn’t because he was the fastest, the strongest, or the most agile. If you ask MJ’s teammates, his competitors, and his coaches, they’ll tell you that he won more because he wanted it more than anyone else and as a result, worked harder than anyone else.
If you take a look at the Manning family tree you’re probably find that Peyton Manning probably isn’t even the most talented quarterback in his family. Father Archie Manning was a really good quarterback playing on a terrible team. Brother Eli, while not as famous, is more mobile and athletic. Then there is older brother Cooper, who some scouts regard as the best Manning quarterback, who may have re-wrote the Manning family history books were it not for a neck injury that forced him to forgo his NFL dreams. So why is Peyton one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks and constantly in the conversation as one of the best ever? He’s talented AND he works harder than nearly every player and some coaches. He wants it more than anyone else, is a perfectionist, and demands the best from himself and everyone around him.
I do not subscribe to the theory that the most successful people are ALWAYS the most talented people. I do subscribe to the theory that the most successful people have found a way to take their talent, however big or small, merge it with drive and determination, and make the most of it.
We need to find a way to take our talent however great or miniscule, combine it with fervor, focus, and fidelity and make the most of it. If you’re a doctor, lawyer, or work in another profession that is difficult to climb the ladder in, there are tons of talented people around you. And I know what you’re thinking; there are a ton of not-so-talented people around you as well. But the reason why the less talented people are even able to compete, (other than nepotism and office affairs), is because they’re hard workers. So what you graduated medical school at or near the top of your class. Now what? Who cares that you graduated magna cum laude or graduated magna thank you lawdy? What matters after that is what you do with the talent and knowledge that you have. What matters is how hard you are going to work to be successful.
Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
What's Your Story?
“I’m just trying to be legendary…and my only fear is mediocrity.”
-Wale “Legendary”
Greetings folks! I’m not perfect. Yes, yes, I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true. I’m one of the most imperfect people you will meet. I’ve done some good, bad and ugly things in my life, both intentionally and unintentionally. I’ve made my share of mistakes and yet through all of the trials and tribulations I’ve experienced in my life I’ve tried to learn a lesson in each and every one of them. I don’t have many regrets because for all of the dark times in my life there was a lesson learned that has helped me to become a better person. Still far from perfect; but much better than I used to be.
Lately I’ve been thinking about my autobiography. Not that I plan on dying anytime soon, or that I’ve accomplished enough to write it today, just what it would look like up to this point. I wondered what people would say about me if I didn’t get a chance to pen my own story. What would people think about me from the collection of stories gathered from my friends, families, and possibly my enemies? What would my legacy be?
The answer I came up with was a mixed story. There are 3 sides to every story: yours, theirs and the truth. We all go into certain situations with our own biases and pre-conceived notions, and regardless of how “neutral” and “unbiased” we may think we are, we aren’t. If you’re a Republican, it’s likely that when you walk into a room full of Democrats you already have a pre-conceived notion of what they think of you. If you’re poor and attend a college with predominantly rich people, you already have a preconceived notion of what they are like before you even meet them. Good and bad stereotypes exist. Sometimes they come in handy, such as when you see someone with a hoodie, dark shades and baggy clothes in the middle of the summer you walk the other way. Other times they backfire. The fact is, is that they exist and while we can attempt to minimize them and not let these preconceived thoughts about people and their behaviors get the best of us, I’m unsure if we can ever fully get rid of them.
With that said I understand people have some thoughts about me. I’ve heard it all: arrogant, cocky, conceited, mean, loving, caring, thoughtful, selfish, inconsiderate, loyal and everything in between (if there is anything in between). Depending on who you are and when you met me, you may subscribe to some of these descriptions on one end of the spectrum as opposed to another. And to some degree or another your perception of me is true. And there probably isn’t much I can do to change that. And I’m ok with that.
People will think what they want to think about you. I’ve found that when people are missing parts to the story they often fill in the missing pieces with what makes the most sense to them, regardless of whether it makes sense to anyone else. Knowing that I’ve decided to live my life by a few basic tenets.
1. Care about people more than you care about what they think of you
People are more finicky then ally cats and will turn on you when it suits them. Catering to people’s whims will always have you playing Benson. However, if you cater to their needs as a person, then they’re more likely to have positive thoughts about you. And if they don’t, take solace in the fact that you can’t please everyone.
2. People are going to talk. Even when you don’t. Especially when you don’t.
My mother always taught me that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. Sometimes, I don’t have very many nice things to say, so I stay quiet until my opinion is solicited. There was a time when I felt like this would help people have a favorable opinion of me, but it doesn’t. My reserve and quiet confidence sent mixed messages. Some thought I was shy while others thought I was too stuck up to join the crowd. When I realized that there were such divergent opinions about the same action in the same room, I began to care less. People are going to talk, even when you don’t, especially when you don’t. So it’s best to say what you please (within reason and with tact) and be ok with it.
3. Realize that every day you take a breath you’re writing a chapter in your memoir.
I’ve always thought highly of myself, let some people tell it, probably more so than I should. But it is what it is. I’ve always believed since I was child that I would make it “BIG.” Whatever that means. I haven’t abandoned that belief. However, I feel like others should adopt it too. No, not that I’m going to be the next big thing, but that they’ll be the next big thing. Once you begin to think it, plan around it, and work towards it. People who know they’re going to run for president, often times make attempts to clean up their lives before they hit the campaign trail: clearing facebook of embarrassing photos, getting rid of drunken tweets, and breaking up with the mistress (or paying her enough money to keep quiet). In an attempt to avoid a last minute clean-up I’ve decided to live life now for the success I expect tomorrow. Be mindful of what I say, who I say it to, what I do and who I do it with. I’m not saying that I’m hiding anything, but I think we would all agree that drinking with friends in your home and getting wasted is much better than getting drunk with strangers at work. Every day that I step out of the house is another day in the chapter of my life, some are better than others and such is life. But I strive to make each one better than the last.
4. Finally, find a lesson in every situation; good or bad.
“He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened."-Lao Tzu
It’s good to know people in high places (and at times low places too). However, there’s nothing like knowing yourself. And what better way to know yourself than from time to time to take a look at your life and see who you really are, what you’ve done, where you are juxtaposed to who you want to be and where you want to go. Find a lesson in every positive and negative occurrence in your life, learn it, and cherish it. It’s ok to realize that your late teens and early 20s were a drunken blur. It happens. It’s not ok to realize that and still carry that over. Find a lesson, learn a lesson and keep it with you.
Well that’s all from me today. I hope you enjoyed the reading, because I certainly enjoyed the writing. It’s like therapy to me that I couldn’t get any other place (especially for the low low price of Free.99). Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
-Wale “Legendary”
Greetings folks! I’m not perfect. Yes, yes, I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true. I’m one of the most imperfect people you will meet. I’ve done some good, bad and ugly things in my life, both intentionally and unintentionally. I’ve made my share of mistakes and yet through all of the trials and tribulations I’ve experienced in my life I’ve tried to learn a lesson in each and every one of them. I don’t have many regrets because for all of the dark times in my life there was a lesson learned that has helped me to become a better person. Still far from perfect; but much better than I used to be.
Lately I’ve been thinking about my autobiography. Not that I plan on dying anytime soon, or that I’ve accomplished enough to write it today, just what it would look like up to this point. I wondered what people would say about me if I didn’t get a chance to pen my own story. What would people think about me from the collection of stories gathered from my friends, families, and possibly my enemies? What would my legacy be?
The answer I came up with was a mixed story. There are 3 sides to every story: yours, theirs and the truth. We all go into certain situations with our own biases and pre-conceived notions, and regardless of how “neutral” and “unbiased” we may think we are, we aren’t. If you’re a Republican, it’s likely that when you walk into a room full of Democrats you already have a pre-conceived notion of what they think of you. If you’re poor and attend a college with predominantly rich people, you already have a preconceived notion of what they are like before you even meet them. Good and bad stereotypes exist. Sometimes they come in handy, such as when you see someone with a hoodie, dark shades and baggy clothes in the middle of the summer you walk the other way. Other times they backfire. The fact is, is that they exist and while we can attempt to minimize them and not let these preconceived thoughts about people and their behaviors get the best of us, I’m unsure if we can ever fully get rid of them.
With that said I understand people have some thoughts about me. I’ve heard it all: arrogant, cocky, conceited, mean, loving, caring, thoughtful, selfish, inconsiderate, loyal and everything in between (if there is anything in between). Depending on who you are and when you met me, you may subscribe to some of these descriptions on one end of the spectrum as opposed to another. And to some degree or another your perception of me is true. And there probably isn’t much I can do to change that. And I’m ok with that.
People will think what they want to think about you. I’ve found that when people are missing parts to the story they often fill in the missing pieces with what makes the most sense to them, regardless of whether it makes sense to anyone else. Knowing that I’ve decided to live my life by a few basic tenets.
1. Care about people more than you care about what they think of you
People are more finicky then ally cats and will turn on you when it suits them. Catering to people’s whims will always have you playing Benson. However, if you cater to their needs as a person, then they’re more likely to have positive thoughts about you. And if they don’t, take solace in the fact that you can’t please everyone.
2. People are going to talk. Even when you don’t. Especially when you don’t.
My mother always taught me that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. Sometimes, I don’t have very many nice things to say, so I stay quiet until my opinion is solicited. There was a time when I felt like this would help people have a favorable opinion of me, but it doesn’t. My reserve and quiet confidence sent mixed messages. Some thought I was shy while others thought I was too stuck up to join the crowd. When I realized that there were such divergent opinions about the same action in the same room, I began to care less. People are going to talk, even when you don’t, especially when you don’t. So it’s best to say what you please (within reason and with tact) and be ok with it.
3. Realize that every day you take a breath you’re writing a chapter in your memoir.
I’ve always thought highly of myself, let some people tell it, probably more so than I should. But it is what it is. I’ve always believed since I was child that I would make it “BIG.” Whatever that means. I haven’t abandoned that belief. However, I feel like others should adopt it too. No, not that I’m going to be the next big thing, but that they’ll be the next big thing. Once you begin to think it, plan around it, and work towards it. People who know they’re going to run for president, often times make attempts to clean up their lives before they hit the campaign trail: clearing facebook of embarrassing photos, getting rid of drunken tweets, and breaking up with the mistress (or paying her enough money to keep quiet). In an attempt to avoid a last minute clean-up I’ve decided to live life now for the success I expect tomorrow. Be mindful of what I say, who I say it to, what I do and who I do it with. I’m not saying that I’m hiding anything, but I think we would all agree that drinking with friends in your home and getting wasted is much better than getting drunk with strangers at work. Every day that I step out of the house is another day in the chapter of my life, some are better than others and such is life. But I strive to make each one better than the last.
4. Finally, find a lesson in every situation; good or bad.
“He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened."-Lao Tzu
It’s good to know people in high places (and at times low places too). However, there’s nothing like knowing yourself. And what better way to know yourself than from time to time to take a look at your life and see who you really are, what you’ve done, where you are juxtaposed to who you want to be and where you want to go. Find a lesson in every positive and negative occurrence in your life, learn it, and cherish it. It’s ok to realize that your late teens and early 20s were a drunken blur. It happens. It’s not ok to realize that and still carry that over. Find a lesson, learn a lesson and keep it with you.
Well that’s all from me today. I hope you enjoyed the reading, because I certainly enjoyed the writing. It’s like therapy to me that I couldn’t get any other place (especially for the low low price of Free.99). Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
You're Next in Line
You’re next in line for a miracle.
-Shirley Caesar
Greetings folks! For the regular readers of my blog you know that I have been struggling as of late with the mess that is my current job. Not that I don’t love what I do, it’s just that I’m surrounded by incompetence and others who don’t love what they do, which hampers my ability to make progress. I wrote a post (Just One of Those Days 10/12/11) and read a comment from one of the readers who really encouraged me. What I took from the comment was that it’s easy to only see darkness in the tunnel when your head is down, but in order to see the light we have to pick our heads up and look towards the end.
I’m constantly encouraging and urging others to be positive, to be upbeat, and to be the change they want to see in the world. However, as of late it’s been difficult to live by the “words of wisdom” I’ve been sharing. But the more the system beats down on me and the closer I get to breaking, the more God picks my head up and tries to show me the light. It’s tough trying to focus on the future when the present sucks. It’s hard to think about driving a Benz when you’re walking everywhere you go. Yet and still, we need something that continues to spur our evolution into the greater and better versions of ourselves that await in the future. We need encouragement and inspiration to fuel our aspirations of a better tomorrow and it starts with faith.
The late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” It’s a tough concept to grasp but a pivotal lesson to learn. Faith is what Cubs fans have exhibited every year for the last century. Faith is what Dolphins fans have shown every year since Marino retired. Faith is what little kids display every time they mail a Christmas letter to Santa Claus or put a tooth underneath their pillow. Whether you believe in God or not, every day that you’re alive you exhibit some type of faith. It may be belief that your car will start, that there won’t be an earthquake today, that you won’t get hit by a car, or that you’ll be alive tomorrow. Without it, we would be a cynical dystopia, and life really wouldn’t be worth living.
Belief that things will get better is the steam that is powering my dreams right now. I believe that if I do what I’m told, what I’m asked to do, what I’m required to do and do it to the best of my ability that I will be rewarded. As such, I believe that “this too shall pass.” This too will come and go and will transform from being a hindrance to a building block and from a hurdle to a stepping stone.
I can’t walk around thinking that it will be like this forever. I can’t. I have to believe that I’m next in line for a miracle, because anything short of a miracle won’t do. I have to have faith that trouble won’t last always and just as the sun rises every morning to erase the dark cast by its absence, that eventually the sun will rise on a brand new day for my life.
We all experience trials and tribulations and just as sure as the sun rises and sets in our lives so will darkness come and go. It is inevitable. We can’t stop it. The only thing we can do is prepare, adapt and learn from these moments in time so that may be helpful to us and those we encounter. Take your dark times in stride and carry a flashlight until the lights come back on or the sun rises. Stay Up and Be Blessed!
-Shirley Caesar
Greetings folks! For the regular readers of my blog you know that I have been struggling as of late with the mess that is my current job. Not that I don’t love what I do, it’s just that I’m surrounded by incompetence and others who don’t love what they do, which hampers my ability to make progress. I wrote a post (Just One of Those Days 10/12/11) and read a comment from one of the readers who really encouraged me. What I took from the comment was that it’s easy to only see darkness in the tunnel when your head is down, but in order to see the light we have to pick our heads up and look towards the end.
I’m constantly encouraging and urging others to be positive, to be upbeat, and to be the change they want to see in the world. However, as of late it’s been difficult to live by the “words of wisdom” I’ve been sharing. But the more the system beats down on me and the closer I get to breaking, the more God picks my head up and tries to show me the light. It’s tough trying to focus on the future when the present sucks. It’s hard to think about driving a Benz when you’re walking everywhere you go. Yet and still, we need something that continues to spur our evolution into the greater and better versions of ourselves that await in the future. We need encouragement and inspiration to fuel our aspirations of a better tomorrow and it starts with faith.
The late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” It’s a tough concept to grasp but a pivotal lesson to learn. Faith is what Cubs fans have exhibited every year for the last century. Faith is what Dolphins fans have shown every year since Marino retired. Faith is what little kids display every time they mail a Christmas letter to Santa Claus or put a tooth underneath their pillow. Whether you believe in God or not, every day that you’re alive you exhibit some type of faith. It may be belief that your car will start, that there won’t be an earthquake today, that you won’t get hit by a car, or that you’ll be alive tomorrow. Without it, we would be a cynical dystopia, and life really wouldn’t be worth living.
Belief that things will get better is the steam that is powering my dreams right now. I believe that if I do what I’m told, what I’m asked to do, what I’m required to do and do it to the best of my ability that I will be rewarded. As such, I believe that “this too shall pass.” This too will come and go and will transform from being a hindrance to a building block and from a hurdle to a stepping stone.
I can’t walk around thinking that it will be like this forever. I can’t. I have to believe that I’m next in line for a miracle, because anything short of a miracle won’t do. I have to have faith that trouble won’t last always and just as the sun rises every morning to erase the dark cast by its absence, that eventually the sun will rise on a brand new day for my life.
We all experience trials and tribulations and just as sure as the sun rises and sets in our lives so will darkness come and go. It is inevitable. We can’t stop it. The only thing we can do is prepare, adapt and learn from these moments in time so that may be helpful to us and those we encounter. Take your dark times in stride and carry a flashlight until the lights come back on or the sun rises. Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Welcome to the Jungle
“Welcome to the jungle!”
-Jay-Z and Kanye West ft. Swizz Beats “Welcome to the Jungle”
Hello folks! I know it’s been a while since I last posted but my absence has been with good reason. My mom always told me, “If you don’t have anything good to say then don’t say anything at all.” A couple of weeks ago I attended a faculty meeting with the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Educational Transformational Office and let’s just say it was less than pleasant. I was so angry when I left that meeting that I couldn’t find anything else to write about other than the anger and rage that was pent up inside. Every word I typed and every posted I attempted to create was fueled by blind fury. I like to write with passion, emotion and write posts that are thought provoking, however, I never want to write angry. As such, the week went by without a post.
Week 2 came and when I was ready to write again, there was still more anger, more rage, and I was too busy to try to force myself to write anything more akin to the usual. So week 2 came and went without a post. But I’m back now. I still don’t care for the present state of public education, Assistant Superintendent Vitti, his views on transforming low performing schools, and disapprove of the rudeness and smug attitude he displayed at the faculty meeting but I’m past that.
In other news, life has been crazy. I take that back. Life has been CRAZY! Last week I must have put in approximately 60 hours. For my readers who work in high demand areas such as medicine or who work in firms, I know you’re saying that’s a normal work week for you. And you’re right. But I don’t do that type of work. When I worked for the State’s Attorney’s office 11 or 12 hour days were routine and working weekends was normal. But when you work in a profession where the normal work week is 35-40 hours, 60 hours is CRAY!
The problem isn’t so much the hours, the workload, or the people, it’s all of the above. At times it can be a little much. Combine that with the fact I’m not sure anyone cares what I do, how I do it, and to what lengths I go to do it, and it can be very disheartening. I’m not looking for a medal of honor for doing my job. What I would like is some respect, some help and my life back.
Because neither of things appear to be in sight anytime soon, I’m coping the best way I can, all while trying not to stroke out in the process. However, going to work as of late has its challenges. It’s tough getting out of bed, going to work and being focused, and doing not only the things I have to do, but going above and beyond the call of duty and doing the things I’m expected to do. So much of what I do, doesn’t happen at other programs, at other schools and with other educators. But as a friend of mine once said, “being good at what you do is a gift and a curse.” People expect your best at all times, regardless of the circumstances. No one cares if your kitchen is burned down, they still want a 6 course 5 star meal. They don’t care if you tore a muscle they still want you to get in the game. And at some point or another these feats go from being lofty to outright unattainable; either because the person attempting to perform them has either shut down or has been broken down.
As much as it pains me to say it, I have to admit that I’m close to breaking. I try to put on a brave face for the students, be professional and do my job, but more and more everyday I’m embracing my humanness and disavowing the presence of any super powers. Realizing that you’re only human isn’t a bad thing. It’s actually very good to know that you can’t run through walls before attempting to do it, and knowing that you can’t fly before jumping out of a plane without a parachute. My name is The Diplomat and I’m not a superhero.
What further complicates matters is the fact that I have these hopes, dreams and aspirations being unfulfilled because I’m committed to something which hasn’t shown any commitment to me. It feels good to be loved, wanted and needed and hearing those things, even when everything else around you sucks, is enough to keep you going. I’m running out of coal to power this locomotive and the oil well that supplies the gas to make this SUV run, is close to empty.
The only thing I can do is to continue to grin and bear it, pray for change and strength to handle it all until things do change. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
-Jay-Z and Kanye West ft. Swizz Beats “Welcome to the Jungle”
Hello folks! I know it’s been a while since I last posted but my absence has been with good reason. My mom always told me, “If you don’t have anything good to say then don’t say anything at all.” A couple of weeks ago I attended a faculty meeting with the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Educational Transformational Office and let’s just say it was less than pleasant. I was so angry when I left that meeting that I couldn’t find anything else to write about other than the anger and rage that was pent up inside. Every word I typed and every posted I attempted to create was fueled by blind fury. I like to write with passion, emotion and write posts that are thought provoking, however, I never want to write angry. As such, the week went by without a post.
Week 2 came and when I was ready to write again, there was still more anger, more rage, and I was too busy to try to force myself to write anything more akin to the usual. So week 2 came and went without a post. But I’m back now. I still don’t care for the present state of public education, Assistant Superintendent Vitti, his views on transforming low performing schools, and disapprove of the rudeness and smug attitude he displayed at the faculty meeting but I’m past that.
In other news, life has been crazy. I take that back. Life has been CRAZY! Last week I must have put in approximately 60 hours. For my readers who work in high demand areas such as medicine or who work in firms, I know you’re saying that’s a normal work week for you. And you’re right. But I don’t do that type of work. When I worked for the State’s Attorney’s office 11 or 12 hour days were routine and working weekends was normal. But when you work in a profession where the normal work week is 35-40 hours, 60 hours is CRAY!
The problem isn’t so much the hours, the workload, or the people, it’s all of the above. At times it can be a little much. Combine that with the fact I’m not sure anyone cares what I do, how I do it, and to what lengths I go to do it, and it can be very disheartening. I’m not looking for a medal of honor for doing my job. What I would like is some respect, some help and my life back.
Because neither of things appear to be in sight anytime soon, I’m coping the best way I can, all while trying not to stroke out in the process. However, going to work as of late has its challenges. It’s tough getting out of bed, going to work and being focused, and doing not only the things I have to do, but going above and beyond the call of duty and doing the things I’m expected to do. So much of what I do, doesn’t happen at other programs, at other schools and with other educators. But as a friend of mine once said, “being good at what you do is a gift and a curse.” People expect your best at all times, regardless of the circumstances. No one cares if your kitchen is burned down, they still want a 6 course 5 star meal. They don’t care if you tore a muscle they still want you to get in the game. And at some point or another these feats go from being lofty to outright unattainable; either because the person attempting to perform them has either shut down or has been broken down.
As much as it pains me to say it, I have to admit that I’m close to breaking. I try to put on a brave face for the students, be professional and do my job, but more and more everyday I’m embracing my humanness and disavowing the presence of any super powers. Realizing that you’re only human isn’t a bad thing. It’s actually very good to know that you can’t run through walls before attempting to do it, and knowing that you can’t fly before jumping out of a plane without a parachute. My name is The Diplomat and I’m not a superhero.
What further complicates matters is the fact that I have these hopes, dreams and aspirations being unfulfilled because I’m committed to something which hasn’t shown any commitment to me. It feels good to be loved, wanted and needed and hearing those things, even when everything else around you sucks, is enough to keep you going. I’m running out of coal to power this locomotive and the oil well that supplies the gas to make this SUV run, is close to empty.
The only thing I can do is to continue to grin and bear it, pray for change and strength to handle it all until things do change. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Just One of Those Days
I’ve gone through the fire and I’ve been through the flood.
I’ve been broken into pieces seen lightning flashing from above.
But through it all I remember that He loves me and He cares.
And He’ll never put more on me than I can bear.
-Kirk Franklin “More Than I Can Bear”
Greetings folks. It’s not often that I start my weekly post with a gospel song. It’s not that I don’t know any or that I’m not a religious man, but that more often than not, my posts tend to be clearly on the other side of the tracks from religion. However, when writing this week’s post I felt compelled to share a little gospel to get this one out.
I love my job and many of the people that I work. There are some people I wish would get lost at sea (or find a new career) but for the most part I’m good. Yet and still my job can be trying. Educating America’s youth is a challenge. Some of them come from broken homes. Some of them don’t even eat very much outside of the 2 meals they get at school. Some of them are forced to shoulder a greater load of the household responsibilities than many of us can imagine. I once had a student who told me she had to work to pay half of the rent. When I was in high school I worked to have money for senior activities. Add that to the growing emphasis on standardized testing, the unrest that lies in the educational system, and turmoil that is our political and economic world and you have a recipe for disaster. Yet through it all, teachers are asked, no demanded, to put on a happy face, accept their meager wages, be happy they have a job and teach children who often times don’t want to be taught and don’t have adults in their lives outside of school to drive the importance of education. It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it.
This foray into the educational realm has been an eye opening experience and as I’ve said before, I’ll say it again, hats off to all the individuals who are truly teachers/educators; those individuals who went to school for this; those people who interned in college at a school and still wanted to do this; those people who go to school every day happy, proud to be a teacher, despite the many reasons not to be.
Public school teachers are tasked with teaching more than just their assigned subject. They are tasked with teaching good hygiene, with being good role models, with being a good listener, with being a counselor, and a support system. I’ve been in MDCPS for a little over a year and I have just about as many stories as I had when I worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
This week has been particularly hard for me as I learned one of my student’s moms passed away and another was forcibly removed from the school and transferred to a school in Georgia. What saddened me about the latter situation is that when she came to say goodbye on Monday, tears in her eyes and puffy cheeks, I wasn’t there. I was home sick. Despite my good reason for not being in school to console her and hear the bad news in person, I still felt some type of way. I felt as if her mom had taken her not just away from the school and the community but from me as well. I preach to my magnet students that we’re a family and to come to me when they can’t go anywhere else. When one of my students, leaned on my advice for them to come to me, I wasn’t there.
My concern for the young man who lost his mother is profound as well. I and my mother share a very close relationship and while I’ve seen a lot of death in my life and have learned to take it in stride, the death of a parent, especially a mother, isn’t one that goes away. I’m concerned how he’ll respond, if he’ll be focused, what do I say, what do I do, do I bring it up or let him come to me, do I tell someone? I’m concerned that he’s hurting, I know he’s hurting and I have no idea how to fix it.
It’s only Tuesday and I’m already looking forward to the weekend. Add that to the daily drama of working in a place where it seems like every gain we make, there’s an attempt to erase it and the gains made before it. Combine that with the chaos that is my personal life and you have a recipe for a strong drink (no chaser).
I love my job, my students and (some of) my co-workers. However, at times, the lack of the secretary they promised, or the commitment to the program they sure me they had that seems to be missing, the absence of ample support, the students, the administration, me and life can be a bit much to handle all at once.
At times I listen to the above frame play in my head and I smile, put on a brave face, my cape and try to save the world. Other times I hear the refrain and I want to throw my iPod at the wall. I’m only human and at times admittedly I’m at a lost for what to do next; what to say; and where to turn, and I hate it. I hate not knowing. I hate not having the answer. I hate looking in the eyes of my students and wondering “how the hell am I going to do it today?” Admittedly, those really hard days are few and far between. However, this year they’ve been a lot more frequent than they were last year and it’s not a good look. So I’m torn between waiting to see if my shoulders are broad enough and strong enough to handle the load, or cutting my losses and going the other way. I’m torn between my sanity, peace of mind and sticking it out for a group of students, whom I didn’t father, but whom I care for almost the same.
In the mean time, and in between time, I’m going to try to stick it out, weather the storm, and play the hand that I’ve been dealt. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
I’ve been broken into pieces seen lightning flashing from above.
But through it all I remember that He loves me and He cares.
And He’ll never put more on me than I can bear.
-Kirk Franklin “More Than I Can Bear”
Greetings folks. It’s not often that I start my weekly post with a gospel song. It’s not that I don’t know any or that I’m not a religious man, but that more often than not, my posts tend to be clearly on the other side of the tracks from religion. However, when writing this week’s post I felt compelled to share a little gospel to get this one out.
I love my job and many of the people that I work. There are some people I wish would get lost at sea (or find a new career) but for the most part I’m good. Yet and still my job can be trying. Educating America’s youth is a challenge. Some of them come from broken homes. Some of them don’t even eat very much outside of the 2 meals they get at school. Some of them are forced to shoulder a greater load of the household responsibilities than many of us can imagine. I once had a student who told me she had to work to pay half of the rent. When I was in high school I worked to have money for senior activities. Add that to the growing emphasis on standardized testing, the unrest that lies in the educational system, and turmoil that is our political and economic world and you have a recipe for disaster. Yet through it all, teachers are asked, no demanded, to put on a happy face, accept their meager wages, be happy they have a job and teach children who often times don’t want to be taught and don’t have adults in their lives outside of school to drive the importance of education. It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it.
This foray into the educational realm has been an eye opening experience and as I’ve said before, I’ll say it again, hats off to all the individuals who are truly teachers/educators; those individuals who went to school for this; those people who interned in college at a school and still wanted to do this; those people who go to school every day happy, proud to be a teacher, despite the many reasons not to be.
Public school teachers are tasked with teaching more than just their assigned subject. They are tasked with teaching good hygiene, with being good role models, with being a good listener, with being a counselor, and a support system. I’ve been in MDCPS for a little over a year and I have just about as many stories as I had when I worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
This week has been particularly hard for me as I learned one of my student’s moms passed away and another was forcibly removed from the school and transferred to a school in Georgia. What saddened me about the latter situation is that when she came to say goodbye on Monday, tears in her eyes and puffy cheeks, I wasn’t there. I was home sick. Despite my good reason for not being in school to console her and hear the bad news in person, I still felt some type of way. I felt as if her mom had taken her not just away from the school and the community but from me as well. I preach to my magnet students that we’re a family and to come to me when they can’t go anywhere else. When one of my students, leaned on my advice for them to come to me, I wasn’t there.
My concern for the young man who lost his mother is profound as well. I and my mother share a very close relationship and while I’ve seen a lot of death in my life and have learned to take it in stride, the death of a parent, especially a mother, isn’t one that goes away. I’m concerned how he’ll respond, if he’ll be focused, what do I say, what do I do, do I bring it up or let him come to me, do I tell someone? I’m concerned that he’s hurting, I know he’s hurting and I have no idea how to fix it.
It’s only Tuesday and I’m already looking forward to the weekend. Add that to the daily drama of working in a place where it seems like every gain we make, there’s an attempt to erase it and the gains made before it. Combine that with the chaos that is my personal life and you have a recipe for a strong drink (no chaser).
I love my job, my students and (some of) my co-workers. However, at times, the lack of the secretary they promised, or the commitment to the program they sure me they had that seems to be missing, the absence of ample support, the students, the administration, me and life can be a bit much to handle all at once.
At times I listen to the above frame play in my head and I smile, put on a brave face, my cape and try to save the world. Other times I hear the refrain and I want to throw my iPod at the wall. I’m only human and at times admittedly I’m at a lost for what to do next; what to say; and where to turn, and I hate it. I hate not knowing. I hate not having the answer. I hate looking in the eyes of my students and wondering “how the hell am I going to do it today?” Admittedly, those really hard days are few and far between. However, this year they’ve been a lot more frequent than they were last year and it’s not a good look. So I’m torn between waiting to see if my shoulders are broad enough and strong enough to handle the load, or cutting my losses and going the other way. I’m torn between my sanity, peace of mind and sticking it out for a group of students, whom I didn’t father, but whom I care for almost the same.
In the mean time, and in between time, I’m going to try to stick it out, weather the storm, and play the hand that I’ve been dealt. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
All of the Lights
Turn up the lights in here baby
Extra bright I want ya’ll to see this
Turn up the lights in here baby
You know what I need
Want you to see everything
Want you to see all of the lights.
-“All of the Lights” Kanye West
Greetings folks! The number one question I’ve been asked since I left Chicago is “why did you leave practicing law to teach?” There are many reasons I can give for why I decided to leave Chicago and teach at Miami Carol City Senior High, but I’ve done that post before (see What The Hell Am I Doing? 8/24/10).
Today’s post is to highlight some of the progress made since I arrived in August 2009. Teaching, even high achieving students, is stressful, physically, mentally, and emotionally draining, and often times thankless. At times it down right sucks. But when it came time for me to prepare a report for my administration on our progress and I saw our accomplishments on paper, it made me realize that the 10-12 hour days, the stress, the worrying, is all worth it. So below are the highlights of that report. Enjoy!
41st Annual Legislative Conference
On September 23-25, students from the Miami Gardens Junior Council attended the 41st Annual Legislative Council in Washington, D.C. The Junior Council is comprised of students from Miami Norland Senior High and Miami Carol City Senior High who participate in S.G.A.
On Friday 9/23 the students attended a session entitled “The High School Class of 2012” hosted by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. The panel featured Florida Memorial University President, Dr. Henry Lewis, III; United Teachers of Dade President, Karen Aronowitz; Florida International University’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Isaiah Thomas; and the Miami Gardens Junior Council Mayor and Vice-Mayor. This very important session was moderated by Rev. Al Sharpton. The discussion centered on the state of education and what awaits the high school graduating class of 2012.
The students had the wonderful opportunity to attend a reception in honor of former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek where they had the opportunity to meet Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) and a host of other prominent figures.
The students had an opportunity to see a few of the many sights the nation’s capital has to offer. The students were given an in-depth tour of the U.S. Capitol and met Rep John Lewis (D-GA) and Democratic Party Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
As a chaperone for the trip, I was pleased to see all of the compliments the students got. Everywhere we went heads turned to see who this group of well mannered [colored] and great looking students were and what our secret was. I was truly proud.
Class of 2012 Top 50
A list of the Top 50 students in the graduating class of 2012 was recently disseminated. I am pleased to announce that 14 of the Top 50 are in the magnet. The law magnet makes up less than 10% of school’s total population and 28% of the Top 50. It’s hard being a “Law Chief” but it sure does pay off!
The Word is Out!
On Thursday, 9/29 I had the pleasure of attending a meeting for Magnet Lead Teachers. It was an opportunity to get some tips on how to improve our magnet and an opportunity to see the improvement we’ve made since we’ve been under the I Choose Grant.
In 2009 the magnet received just 84 applications. In 2010 applications doubled to 165. In 2011, we received 225 applications (online only). Add the more than 50 paper applications we took in 2011 as well and we surpassed the combined 2009 and 2010 numbers. This upcoming season we’re looking to take in well over 300 applications.
Grisham Book Trial
Last year, our magnet program was selected by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Schools of Choice/I Choose Program to take part in a wonderful and innovative project. The project featured John Grisham’s book “Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer.” At the time, it was the only book the international best-selling author had written for a young adult audience. I and a team of some of our best faculty took the book and implemented it in the English/Language Arts curriculum in conjunction with the magnet curriculum.
On February 1st we conducted a mock trial based on the book. The facts were supplied by the students who read the book, the jurors from another teacher’s class, and the attorneys for the case, coached by myself and a good friend Attorney Adres Jackson, were students in the magnet. Attorney Scott Mager, a well respected attorney and motivational speaker, served as our judge for the trial. The trial was professionally filmed and broadcasted on the company’s website and will be going up on our website soon. http://www.meryshinguel.com/sme/index.html The trial was a success and something the students and I both look forwarding to doing again.
Dates to Remember
We have a slew of events planned for the upcoming school year, which we would love to invite you to and which you will be receiving more information about shortly.
Wednesday, 10/26 6:30 p.m.-Law Magnet Parent Night
Tuesday, 12/13-Thursday 12/15 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.-Law Magnet Winter Recruitment Fair
Tuesday, 2/7 and Wednesday 2/8 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. -Mock Trial
All dates are tentative and subject to change, however invitations and additional information is forthcoming.
For those of you who have come out to speak to my students, wished me well, provided materials, insight, advice, a contact, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to lean on THANK YOU! You’re just as much a part of this success. It can be overwhelming at times running a program with over 200 students, and no secretary, intern, or indentured servant. But thanks to many of you it happens. Thank you! Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Extra bright I want ya’ll to see this
Turn up the lights in here baby
You know what I need
Want you to see everything
Want you to see all of the lights.
-“All of the Lights” Kanye West
Greetings folks! The number one question I’ve been asked since I left Chicago is “why did you leave practicing law to teach?” There are many reasons I can give for why I decided to leave Chicago and teach at Miami Carol City Senior High, but I’ve done that post before (see What The Hell Am I Doing? 8/24/10).
Today’s post is to highlight some of the progress made since I arrived in August 2009. Teaching, even high achieving students, is stressful, physically, mentally, and emotionally draining, and often times thankless. At times it down right sucks. But when it came time for me to prepare a report for my administration on our progress and I saw our accomplishments on paper, it made me realize that the 10-12 hour days, the stress, the worrying, is all worth it. So below are the highlights of that report. Enjoy!
41st Annual Legislative Conference
On September 23-25, students from the Miami Gardens Junior Council attended the 41st Annual Legislative Council in Washington, D.C. The Junior Council is comprised of students from Miami Norland Senior High and Miami Carol City Senior High who participate in S.G.A.
On Friday 9/23 the students attended a session entitled “The High School Class of 2012” hosted by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. The panel featured Florida Memorial University President, Dr. Henry Lewis, III; United Teachers of Dade President, Karen Aronowitz; Florida International University’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Isaiah Thomas; and the Miami Gardens Junior Council Mayor and Vice-Mayor. This very important session was moderated by Rev. Al Sharpton. The discussion centered on the state of education and what awaits the high school graduating class of 2012.
The students had the wonderful opportunity to attend a reception in honor of former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek where they had the opportunity to meet Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) and a host of other prominent figures.
The students had an opportunity to see a few of the many sights the nation’s capital has to offer. The students were given an in-depth tour of the U.S. Capitol and met Rep John Lewis (D-GA) and Democratic Party Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
As a chaperone for the trip, I was pleased to see all of the compliments the students got. Everywhere we went heads turned to see who this group of well mannered [colored] and great looking students were and what our secret was. I was truly proud.
Class of 2012 Top 50
A list of the Top 50 students in the graduating class of 2012 was recently disseminated. I am pleased to announce that 14 of the Top 50 are in the magnet. The law magnet makes up less than 10% of school’s total population and 28% of the Top 50. It’s hard being a “Law Chief” but it sure does pay off!
The Word is Out!
On Thursday, 9/29 I had the pleasure of attending a meeting for Magnet Lead Teachers. It was an opportunity to get some tips on how to improve our magnet and an opportunity to see the improvement we’ve made since we’ve been under the I Choose Grant.
In 2009 the magnet received just 84 applications. In 2010 applications doubled to 165. In 2011, we received 225 applications (online only). Add the more than 50 paper applications we took in 2011 as well and we surpassed the combined 2009 and 2010 numbers. This upcoming season we’re looking to take in well over 300 applications.
Grisham Book Trial
Last year, our magnet program was selected by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Schools of Choice/I Choose Program to take part in a wonderful and innovative project. The project featured John Grisham’s book “Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer.” At the time, it was the only book the international best-selling author had written for a young adult audience. I and a team of some of our best faculty took the book and implemented it in the English/Language Arts curriculum in conjunction with the magnet curriculum.
On February 1st we conducted a mock trial based on the book. The facts were supplied by the students who read the book, the jurors from another teacher’s class, and the attorneys for the case, coached by myself and a good friend Attorney Adres Jackson, were students in the magnet. Attorney Scott Mager, a well respected attorney and motivational speaker, served as our judge for the trial. The trial was professionally filmed and broadcasted on the company’s website and will be going up on our website soon. http://www.meryshinguel.com/sme/index.html The trial was a success and something the students and I both look forwarding to doing again.
Dates to Remember
We have a slew of events planned for the upcoming school year, which we would love to invite you to and which you will be receiving more information about shortly.
Wednesday, 10/26 6:30 p.m.-Law Magnet Parent Night
Tuesday, 12/13-Thursday 12/15 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.-Law Magnet Winter Recruitment Fair
Tuesday, 2/7 and Wednesday 2/8 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. -Mock Trial
All dates are tentative and subject to change, however invitations and additional information is forthcoming.
For those of you who have come out to speak to my students, wished me well, provided materials, insight, advice, a contact, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to lean on THANK YOU! You’re just as much a part of this success. It can be overwhelming at times running a program with over 200 students, and no secretary, intern, or indentured servant. But thanks to many of you it happens. Thank you! Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
What Have You Done for Me Lately?
What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.
-Albert Pike
Greetings folks. Janet Jackson sang a song entitled “What Have You Done for Me Lately.” That song has transformed into much more than a Pop 100 chart topper into a constant reminder of how the world thinks; “what have you done for me lately?” Most people aren’t concerned about what you did 10 or 20 years ago but about what you have done lately, which is a good question. What have you done for me (or anyone else for that matter) lately? Was the last time you did something nice for someone, a (100%) white man was president? Was the last time you thought about someone other than yourself, Dan Marino was still playing for the Dolphins? Was the last time you took time out of your busy day to say or do something nice for someone else, people were still flipping houses like IHOP pancakes? If so, you should be asking yourself the question “what have I done for anyone else lately?”
We work so hard every day to pay bills and accumulate stuff; Americans in particular. No one works to be able to buy a 13” black and white TV, a smart car, and gold plated jewelry laced with cubic zirconium. No we work for the 52” HD monster to hang on the wall. We work to drive the BMW 7.50 IL. And we work for the Rolex and the Tiffany bracelet. And you know what, there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with liking and buying the finer things in life. The problem comes when it’s the beginning, middle and end of our story. What happens is that when we focus solely on the acquisition of stuff, we miss out on other things in life. We miss out on forming lasting relationships and bonds with friends and family because we’re always working. We miss out on life changing events like concerts and classic sporting events because we’re always in the office. We miss out because we’ve directed more energy than we ought, towards the pursuit of material things.
The pursuit of happiness is not and does not equal the pursuit of things. The pursuit of happiness is pursuing lasting relationships, spending time with family and friends, having good health, travelling, and enjoying the wonders this world has to offer. These are all things you can’t do laid up in your house full of stuff or tucked away in your office or cubicle.
There are much more important things in life than things. It’s really about what we do for others. My mom is always getting on me to mentor the youth at her church and between work, work, football, wedding planning, and more work, I find it very difficult to squeeze it in my schedule. However, the importance of such an endeavor isn’t lost on me. I see its importance almost every day I go to work.
At the end of last school year one of my 11th grade guys gave me a card. On the outside of the envelope it said “To Pops.” I thought he accidentally gave me a card intended for his father. I asked him was he sure this was for me and he replied “yes” so I assumed that he re-used the envelope. When I opened it and read it, it was him thanking me for being his teacher and for mentoring him. He said I was like a father to him and that he was thankful. I have to be honest, the card almost brought a tear to my eye…almost. (Ok maybe it did but don’t tell anyone.) How could I, an individual who has made it my mission in life to this point not to father any children so I can focus on my career and enjoy myself be considered a father figure? How could I, a person accused on several occasions of being selfish and inconsiderate, have been so thoughtful as to have made a difference in this young man’s life? If you find an answer please share.
I think it’s because I care. I think that at the end of the day for all the frustration these students cause me, for the anger and resentment I have towards “the powers that be”, and the demands I put on these students to want more and achieve more, they see that I care. And in many ways, that was enough for him.
I kept that card, as I do all cards, but instead of tucking it away in a box or cabinet, I placed it on my dresser as a daily reminder of the impact that I make in the lives of young people, even when I don’t know that I’m doing it. It reminds me every day that I need to smile, hold my head up, and keep my head in the game because someone is always watching.
One of the reasons why I enjoy my job is because of the daily impact in the lives of young people I get to make. I in no way intend to do this for the rest of my life, but it’s good for right now. It makes me feel as though I’m fulfilling Ghandi’s edict to be the change I want to see in the world.
When it’s all said and done and it’s time for me to be laid to rest I’d like to be remembered, and remembered fondly. I think this is the goal of most people, or at least it should be. I want to be remembered as thoughtful, honest, caring and hard working. I know the collection of watches and the massive amounts of sports memorabilia I hope to have accumulated by that time, and will leave behind, won’t achieve that goal. I know that in order to achieve the legacy that I want I have to do more for others. So when I get too wrapped up in “The Life and Times of the Diplomat” I ask myself the question “what have you done for anyone else lately?” and so should you. Stay Up and Be Blessed!
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
-Albert Pike
-Albert Pike
Greetings folks. Janet Jackson sang a song entitled “What Have You Done for Me Lately.” That song has transformed into much more than a Pop 100 chart topper into a constant reminder of how the world thinks; “what have you done for me lately?” Most people aren’t concerned about what you did 10 or 20 years ago but about what you have done lately, which is a good question. What have you done for me (or anyone else for that matter) lately? Was the last time you did something nice for someone, a (100%) white man was president? Was the last time you thought about someone other than yourself, Dan Marino was still playing for the Dolphins? Was the last time you took time out of your busy day to say or do something nice for someone else, people were still flipping houses like IHOP pancakes? If so, you should be asking yourself the question “what have I done for anyone else lately?”
We work so hard every day to pay bills and accumulate stuff; Americans in particular. No one works to be able to buy a 13” black and white TV, a smart car, and gold plated jewelry laced with cubic zirconium. No we work for the 52” HD monster to hang on the wall. We work to drive the BMW 7.50 IL. And we work for the Rolex and the Tiffany bracelet. And you know what, there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with liking and buying the finer things in life. The problem comes when it’s the beginning, middle and end of our story. What happens is that when we focus solely on the acquisition of stuff, we miss out on other things in life. We miss out on forming lasting relationships and bonds with friends and family because we’re always working. We miss out on life changing events like concerts and classic sporting events because we’re always in the office. We miss out because we’ve directed more energy than we ought, towards the pursuit of material things.
The pursuit of happiness is not and does not equal the pursuit of things. The pursuit of happiness is pursuing lasting relationships, spending time with family and friends, having good health, travelling, and enjoying the wonders this world has to offer. These are all things you can’t do laid up in your house full of stuff or tucked away in your office or cubicle.
There are much more important things in life than things. It’s really about what we do for others. My mom is always getting on me to mentor the youth at her church and between work, work, football, wedding planning, and more work, I find it very difficult to squeeze it in my schedule. However, the importance of such an endeavor isn’t lost on me. I see its importance almost every day I go to work.
At the end of last school year one of my 11th grade guys gave me a card. On the outside of the envelope it said “To Pops.” I thought he accidentally gave me a card intended for his father. I asked him was he sure this was for me and he replied “yes” so I assumed that he re-used the envelope. When I opened it and read it, it was him thanking me for being his teacher and for mentoring him. He said I was like a father to him and that he was thankful. I have to be honest, the card almost brought a tear to my eye…almost. (Ok maybe it did but don’t tell anyone.) How could I, an individual who has made it my mission in life to this point not to father any children so I can focus on my career and enjoy myself be considered a father figure? How could I, a person accused on several occasions of being selfish and inconsiderate, have been so thoughtful as to have made a difference in this young man’s life? If you find an answer please share.
I think it’s because I care. I think that at the end of the day for all the frustration these students cause me, for the anger and resentment I have towards “the powers that be”, and the demands I put on these students to want more and achieve more, they see that I care. And in many ways, that was enough for him.
I kept that card, as I do all cards, but instead of tucking it away in a box or cabinet, I placed it on my dresser as a daily reminder of the impact that I make in the lives of young people, even when I don’t know that I’m doing it. It reminds me every day that I need to smile, hold my head up, and keep my head in the game because someone is always watching.
One of the reasons why I enjoy my job is because of the daily impact in the lives of young people I get to make. I in no way intend to do this for the rest of my life, but it’s good for right now. It makes me feel as though I’m fulfilling Ghandi’s edict to be the change I want to see in the world.
When it’s all said and done and it’s time for me to be laid to rest I’d like to be remembered, and remembered fondly. I think this is the goal of most people, or at least it should be. I want to be remembered as thoughtful, honest, caring and hard working. I know the collection of watches and the massive amounts of sports memorabilia I hope to have accumulated by that time, and will leave behind, won’t achieve that goal. I know that in order to achieve the legacy that I want I have to do more for others. So when I get too wrapped up in “The Life and Times of the Diplomat” I ask myself the question “what have you done for anyone else lately?” and so should you. Stay Up and Be Blessed!
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
-Albert Pike
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Your Own Worst Enemy
"Who gone stop me? Who gone stop me huh?"
-Jay-Z and Kanye West "Who Gone Stop Me"
Greetings folks. Whenever we look for opposition to our success we tend to look outward; looking around every corner and under every stone for people who may hinder our pursuit of success. And we’re right for doing so. Ask every successful person and they can all point to someone or something that got in the way of fulfilling their dreams. It happens. It’s a part of the process. You deal with it and you move on. However, the problems outside of the walls that guard our aspirations aren’t the only ones we should be worried about. I challenge you to look inward as well.
We all have (should have) haters, that is if you're doing anything worthy of hating. However, often times we're own worst enemies. Shooting down our own ideas before they ever get started, telling ourselves "no" before we've given anyone the chance to say "yes."
I know it may sound crazy but think about it. How many ideas have you stopped in their tracks because “you” said it couldn’t be done? How many times have you started and stopped going along a certain path because “you” said it wasn’t a good idea? How many times have you scrapped an idea because “you” said it was too difficult for you to accomplish? We’ve all been there, done that and have had these thoughts. Sometimes the idea not to go forward with a particular idea or plan is the absolute right choice. Perhaps, jelly flavored fingernails aren’t as good of an idea as you originally thought. Maybe running that daycare out of your efficiency isn’t as sound a business plan as it sounded when you had this idea at 3 a.m. the other night. Sometimes the ideas that we have aren’t bad, but are just bad for right now. Everything has a time, a season, a rhyme and a reason. And what may not work today, may work perfectly tomorrow. The key is knowing which pile to put these plans and when to act our dreams.
Regardless of what column your ideas, hopes, and dreams belong to, you have to stop hating on yourself. Stop persecuting yourself. Stop doubting yourself. If you don't believe in you who will and better yet who should?
Success begins within. It starts by dreaming, it becomes possible by believing and comes to fruition by achieving. Give yourself a chance before you shut it down. If you can make it past your own scrutiny you'd be amazed about what you can accomplish.
Walt Disney stated, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Be courageous, pursue your dreams and at the end of the day, regardless of the outcome, you can be satisfied with the fact that at least you tried. But you can’t possibly win the game if you never step foot on the court and attempt a shot. Get in the game, chase your dreams and make them into reality.
Thanks for reading. Until next time Stay Up and Be Blessed!
-Jay-Z and Kanye West "Who Gone Stop Me"
Greetings folks. Whenever we look for opposition to our success we tend to look outward; looking around every corner and under every stone for people who may hinder our pursuit of success. And we’re right for doing so. Ask every successful person and they can all point to someone or something that got in the way of fulfilling their dreams. It happens. It’s a part of the process. You deal with it and you move on. However, the problems outside of the walls that guard our aspirations aren’t the only ones we should be worried about. I challenge you to look inward as well.
We all have (should have) haters, that is if you're doing anything worthy of hating. However, often times we're own worst enemies. Shooting down our own ideas before they ever get started, telling ourselves "no" before we've given anyone the chance to say "yes."
I know it may sound crazy but think about it. How many ideas have you stopped in their tracks because “you” said it couldn’t be done? How many times have you started and stopped going along a certain path because “you” said it wasn’t a good idea? How many times have you scrapped an idea because “you” said it was too difficult for you to accomplish? We’ve all been there, done that and have had these thoughts. Sometimes the idea not to go forward with a particular idea or plan is the absolute right choice. Perhaps, jelly flavored fingernails aren’t as good of an idea as you originally thought. Maybe running that daycare out of your efficiency isn’t as sound a business plan as it sounded when you had this idea at 3 a.m. the other night. Sometimes the ideas that we have aren’t bad, but are just bad for right now. Everything has a time, a season, a rhyme and a reason. And what may not work today, may work perfectly tomorrow. The key is knowing which pile to put these plans and when to act our dreams.
Regardless of what column your ideas, hopes, and dreams belong to, you have to stop hating on yourself. Stop persecuting yourself. Stop doubting yourself. If you don't believe in you who will and better yet who should?
Success begins within. It starts by dreaming, it becomes possible by believing and comes to fruition by achieving. Give yourself a chance before you shut it down. If you can make it past your own scrutiny you'd be amazed about what you can accomplish.
Walt Disney stated, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Be courageous, pursue your dreams and at the end of the day, regardless of the outcome, you can be satisfied with the fact that at least you tried. But you can’t possibly win the game if you never step foot on the court and attempt a shot. Get in the game, chase your dreams and make them into reality.
Thanks for reading. Until next time Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
9/11 10 Years Later
Often times when we think about September 11, 2001, we think of the 2,977 innocent people who lost their lives and the many loved ones they left behind to mourn their deaths. However, the attacks of September 11th changed the lives of billions of people the world over. When the terrorist attacks of September 11th occurred, it was more than just the victims and their families who suffered, more than just Americans, but people the whole world over.
Before 9/11 America stood tall as an impenetrable force, protected by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, a large and skilled military, and some of the world’s best intelligence gatherers. The attacks on 9/11 shook the very foundation of the belief that we were untouchable. Viewing the responses from people all over the world 10 years later, and the genuine looks of horror and disbelief, helped me to realized that these attacks weren’t just attacks on Americans in America, but an attack on freedom and democracy all over the world. It was an attack against any non-Muslim extremist. It was an attack against anyone and any country that dared to stand in the way of the beliefs of this small group of people. So while the attacks may have been on American soil it was an attack against the entire free world.
On September 11, 2001 I was a senior in high school. I remember that day vividly as if it were last year. I along with a few classmates, were preparing to head to Miami Dade College, which was at that time Miami Dade Community College, to take a class. Before we left we got news that an airplane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers in New York City. We rushed to get a glimpse of the scene on television and when I saw it the first thought that rushed to my head was that this was no accident. I knew from the size of the hole in tower 1, that it wasn’t a prop plane flown by a novice pilot by accident into the side of a building, but a deliberate attack. Despite my initial thoughts, I in no way had any inkling of what still lay ahead.
We got on our bus to head to the Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade Community College, which was located downtown, and what awaited us when we arrived was surreal. Imagine a zombie movie after most of the people have been turned into zombies and they show a view of the streets, completely devoid of people before the zombie army marches around the corner. Downtown Miami was the scene of a zombie movie before the zombie army began to march. The feeling was unreal.
My classmates and I looked around, looking for people, not knowing that en route to our class that the entire downtown area had been evacuated, fearful that the area could be subjected to attacks as well. We got back on our bus and headed back to school. When we arrived there was a frenzy by parents to take their kids out of school, out of what appeared to be harm’s way. Afterwards, we all went home, went our separate ways and the rest of the evening was a blur as I sat in front of the television trying to gather as much information as possible about what happened, why it happened, and what was being done to prevent it from happening again.
What happened was a series of plane hijackings, which resulted into the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers 1 and 2; a crash at the Pentagon; and before the last plane could crash into its intended target, a crash into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The last plane was derailed thanks to some of the passengers aboard. In total, 2,977 people lost their lives that day, 411 of which were emergency response personnel.
Life as we know it changed tremendously after that day. After that day, we no longer walked around with the same sense of security that we once did. After that day, we no longer looked at Middle Eastern, Arab or Muslim people in the same light, lumping them together with the cowardly terrorists who committed those heinous attacks. After that day, we no longer had this air of invincibility. The September 11th attacks not only took away the lives of nearly 3,000 victims in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, but our freedom as well.
To gain it back we launched a war against terror, terrorists, and any country harboring them. It was clear that if you were not for us, you were against us. And to aid a terrorist was to be against America and freedom.
It’s 10 years later and we must remember the lessons learned from that fateful day. It’s 10 years later and we must continue to remain vigilant against terrorists across the globe, because they remain vigilant in pursuit of their goal to undermine democracy and freedom. It’s 10 years later but we must never forget those who lost their lives going about their daily routine, those who lost their lives trying to help others, and the legacy they leave behind. It’s 10 years later and we’re 10 years older, 10 years stronger, 10 years wiser and still as committed to freedom as we were then as we are now. Thanks for reading and until next time Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Before 9/11 America stood tall as an impenetrable force, protected by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, a large and skilled military, and some of the world’s best intelligence gatherers. The attacks on 9/11 shook the very foundation of the belief that we were untouchable. Viewing the responses from people all over the world 10 years later, and the genuine looks of horror and disbelief, helped me to realized that these attacks weren’t just attacks on Americans in America, but an attack on freedom and democracy all over the world. It was an attack against any non-Muslim extremist. It was an attack against anyone and any country that dared to stand in the way of the beliefs of this small group of people. So while the attacks may have been on American soil it was an attack against the entire free world.
On September 11, 2001 I was a senior in high school. I remember that day vividly as if it were last year. I along with a few classmates, were preparing to head to Miami Dade College, which was at that time Miami Dade Community College, to take a class. Before we left we got news that an airplane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers in New York City. We rushed to get a glimpse of the scene on television and when I saw it the first thought that rushed to my head was that this was no accident. I knew from the size of the hole in tower 1, that it wasn’t a prop plane flown by a novice pilot by accident into the side of a building, but a deliberate attack. Despite my initial thoughts, I in no way had any inkling of what still lay ahead.
We got on our bus to head to the Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade Community College, which was located downtown, and what awaited us when we arrived was surreal. Imagine a zombie movie after most of the people have been turned into zombies and they show a view of the streets, completely devoid of people before the zombie army marches around the corner. Downtown Miami was the scene of a zombie movie before the zombie army began to march. The feeling was unreal.
My classmates and I looked around, looking for people, not knowing that en route to our class that the entire downtown area had been evacuated, fearful that the area could be subjected to attacks as well. We got back on our bus and headed back to school. When we arrived there was a frenzy by parents to take their kids out of school, out of what appeared to be harm’s way. Afterwards, we all went home, went our separate ways and the rest of the evening was a blur as I sat in front of the television trying to gather as much information as possible about what happened, why it happened, and what was being done to prevent it from happening again.
What happened was a series of plane hijackings, which resulted into the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers 1 and 2; a crash at the Pentagon; and before the last plane could crash into its intended target, a crash into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The last plane was derailed thanks to some of the passengers aboard. In total, 2,977 people lost their lives that day, 411 of which were emergency response personnel.
Life as we know it changed tremendously after that day. After that day, we no longer walked around with the same sense of security that we once did. After that day, we no longer looked at Middle Eastern, Arab or Muslim people in the same light, lumping them together with the cowardly terrorists who committed those heinous attacks. After that day, we no longer had this air of invincibility. The September 11th attacks not only took away the lives of nearly 3,000 victims in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, but our freedom as well.
To gain it back we launched a war against terror, terrorists, and any country harboring them. It was clear that if you were not for us, you were against us. And to aid a terrorist was to be against America and freedom.
It’s 10 years later and we must remember the lessons learned from that fateful day. It’s 10 years later and we must continue to remain vigilant against terrorists across the globe, because they remain vigilant in pursuit of their goal to undermine democracy and freedom. It’s 10 years later but we must never forget those who lost their lives going about their daily routine, those who lost their lives trying to help others, and the legacy they leave behind. It’s 10 years later and we’re 10 years older, 10 years stronger, 10 years wiser and still as committed to freedom as we were then as we are now. Thanks for reading and until next time Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Welcome to the Club
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 18:22
Greetings folks! The bible says that a man that has found a wife has found a good thing. I’m not married yet, but having found my wife-to-be, I can attest to the validity of that scripture. I love my fiancé and truly feel as though she completes me. Not only does she complete my sentences and read my mind, she understands me, empowers me and holds me up. Knowing all these wonderful things about her and our relationship has made me anxious for our wedding day next fall and deeply appreciative of the love that we share. It’s also the reason why I’m so happy for my best friend.
A few days ago my best friend Marcus proposed to his long-time girlfriend and she said “yes.” Marcus and I have been friends since we were kids and we’re like brothers. We went to church together, played football, went to the same college and talk almost every day. We share a lot and it’s good to know that there is someone you’re not related to, don’t work with, and not indebted to who cares about you and your well-being. I’m thankful to have Marcus as a friend and I’m also extremely happy for him and his fiancé. I look forward to the day they tie the knot, being belligerent at their wedding, and getting him obscenely drunk. (That’s what friends are for.)
Now that he’s engaged he can officially be inducted into the “Engaged Men’s Club.” Membership is restricted only to those men who are engaged. It is a sanctuary from all things wedding related, including fiancés, color swatches, invitation samples and the dreaded guest list. The membership expires once you get married but after it does it transfers into a “Married Men’s Club” membership. Here’s to true love, happiness and the newest member of the “Engaged Men’s Club.” Welcome to the club!
Proverbs 18:22
Greetings folks! The bible says that a man that has found a wife has found a good thing. I’m not married yet, but having found my wife-to-be, I can attest to the validity of that scripture. I love my fiancé and truly feel as though she completes me. Not only does she complete my sentences and read my mind, she understands me, empowers me and holds me up. Knowing all these wonderful things about her and our relationship has made me anxious for our wedding day next fall and deeply appreciative of the love that we share. It’s also the reason why I’m so happy for my best friend.
A few days ago my best friend Marcus proposed to his long-time girlfriend and she said “yes.” Marcus and I have been friends since we were kids and we’re like brothers. We went to church together, played football, went to the same college and talk almost every day. We share a lot and it’s good to know that there is someone you’re not related to, don’t work with, and not indebted to who cares about you and your well-being. I’m thankful to have Marcus as a friend and I’m also extremely happy for him and his fiancé. I look forward to the day they tie the knot, being belligerent at their wedding, and getting him obscenely drunk. (That’s what friends are for.)
Now that he’s engaged he can officially be inducted into the “Engaged Men’s Club.” Membership is restricted only to those men who are engaged. It is a sanctuary from all things wedding related, including fiancés, color swatches, invitation samples and the dreaded guest list. The membership expires once you get married but after it does it transfers into a “Married Men’s Club” membership. Here’s to true love, happiness and the newest member of the “Engaged Men’s Club.” Welcome to the club!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Time Waits for Nothing
Time waits for nothing and everything is gonna take it’s time.
Musiq-“Time”
Greetings folks. As I sit here awake at my desk typing this post it is a little after 3:00 a.m. Why am I up? Same question I’m asking. Whatever the reason, I am, and because I am I wanted to make the most of this time.
As of late I’ve been harping on my Facebook and Twitter accounts about the finiteness of life and all the things life has to offer. I’ve had intentions of following behind it and writing a post, however, I just could never find the time. In some respects the 140-420 characters in which my messages were encapsulated were enough. At least that’s what I told myself to justify not sitting down at my laptop and doing what I needed to do. The fact of the matter is, is that they weren’t enough characters and I had a lot more to say.
I was very involved in church with my family at a young age. Being so involved in the church with my family, and my parents later becoming ministers, I attended a lot of funerals. However, I’ve been fortunate enough in life not to be touched very close by death as most of the funerals I’ve attended have been for extended relatives and church members. I can only think of a few that really “touched me.” My death of both my grandmothers, one earlier this year, and the passing of my high school English teacher Ms. Ann Howard is another one that immediately comes to mind. To a small degree, my familiarity with death has created calluses for me about the subject. When I’m required to speak about the subject with friends and family I notice that I speak much more matter of fact than most. Not speaking about it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, it just means you’re ducking the inevitable.
There are two inevitable things in life, death and taxes. As such, it’s imperative that we prepare for what we know is coming. However, often times, especially in the African-American and Latino communities, this is a taboo subject. We don’t want to talk about it, plan for it, or even acknowledge its existence until there’s a body in the morgue. I get it. Death is difficult to deal with and most people turn and run as far away and as fast as they can from the difficult things in life. However, our aversion about the topic of death is detrimental to our families.
I’ll use my family for example. I’m very open about death with my family. I told them if I die before them to bury me in a pine box, try not to shed too many tears and keep the rest of the insurance money to go on vacation or buy a new car. They ignored me and looked at me like I was crazy. I was ignored for planning for something we all know is going to come. Grant it, I’d rather my parents not have to bury me. I saw my grandmother bury 3 of her children and was one of the hardest things to watch, let alone for her to endure. So I don’t wish that on my parents. However, in the event that they have to, I don’t want my finances, burial and last wishes to be things that they are encumbered with.
Death is a tough thing to deal with and it’s exacerbated when the person who passes away is a significant contributor to the household, they don’t have life insurance, or if their idea of a filing system is a stack of papers in a box in the attic. Who’s left to sift through the mess and try to figure it all out, their family? I’ve been there, done that too many times, and I don’t want my family to have to deal with the same problems with me.
Let me make this abundantly clear, I’m not having ideas about suicide and there have been no “mountaintop visions” that my time on this planet is nearing its end. I’ve just decided to be more rational about the subject. My name is Clinton Mitchell and one day I’m going to die. There I said it; got it out there and now I’m good. You should do the same and after you do, go get a life insurance policy, sit down, discuss with your family about what to do in the case of your death and write it down so in case anyone forgets (and for legal purposes) it’s there.
Another thing death should encourage us to do is appreciate our loved ones. As you get older so does everyone and everything around you. It’s unrealistic to think that your parents will always be around. And let’s be honest, do you really want your parents to be around forever, nagging you about your clothes, your cooking, not visiting enough, or turning the television up too loud for them? Seriously speaking, people have the habit of putting their family and friends on the backburner when things get busy at work, at home, and as we grow up. But as I mentioned earlier, as we grow up and so do our family and friends and it’s imperative that we spend as much time as we can cherishing the things about them that we love so much about them; the things that we’ll miss the most when they’re no longer around.
To my family and friends reading this, I love you. I know I don’t always tell you but hopefully you know. Just in case you didn’t know, the punches to the abdomen are in love. The fights about dinner are because I love you (and because I’m hungry and don’t think it should take 2 hours to decide what we’re eating). To those of you reading this who I don’t share DNA or regular conversations with, I love you too. Thanks for taking time out of your busy lives to read my post. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Musiq-“Time”
Greetings folks. As I sit here awake at my desk typing this post it is a little after 3:00 a.m. Why am I up? Same question I’m asking. Whatever the reason, I am, and because I am I wanted to make the most of this time.
As of late I’ve been harping on my Facebook and Twitter accounts about the finiteness of life and all the things life has to offer. I’ve had intentions of following behind it and writing a post, however, I just could never find the time. In some respects the 140-420 characters in which my messages were encapsulated were enough. At least that’s what I told myself to justify not sitting down at my laptop and doing what I needed to do. The fact of the matter is, is that they weren’t enough characters and I had a lot more to say.
I was very involved in church with my family at a young age. Being so involved in the church with my family, and my parents later becoming ministers, I attended a lot of funerals. However, I’ve been fortunate enough in life not to be touched very close by death as most of the funerals I’ve attended have been for extended relatives and church members. I can only think of a few that really “touched me.” My death of both my grandmothers, one earlier this year, and the passing of my high school English teacher Ms. Ann Howard is another one that immediately comes to mind. To a small degree, my familiarity with death has created calluses for me about the subject. When I’m required to speak about the subject with friends and family I notice that I speak much more matter of fact than most. Not speaking about it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, it just means you’re ducking the inevitable.
There are two inevitable things in life, death and taxes. As such, it’s imperative that we prepare for what we know is coming. However, often times, especially in the African-American and Latino communities, this is a taboo subject. We don’t want to talk about it, plan for it, or even acknowledge its existence until there’s a body in the morgue. I get it. Death is difficult to deal with and most people turn and run as far away and as fast as they can from the difficult things in life. However, our aversion about the topic of death is detrimental to our families.
I’ll use my family for example. I’m very open about death with my family. I told them if I die before them to bury me in a pine box, try not to shed too many tears and keep the rest of the insurance money to go on vacation or buy a new car. They ignored me and looked at me like I was crazy. I was ignored for planning for something we all know is going to come. Grant it, I’d rather my parents not have to bury me. I saw my grandmother bury 3 of her children and was one of the hardest things to watch, let alone for her to endure. So I don’t wish that on my parents. However, in the event that they have to, I don’t want my finances, burial and last wishes to be things that they are encumbered with.
Death is a tough thing to deal with and it’s exacerbated when the person who passes away is a significant contributor to the household, they don’t have life insurance, or if their idea of a filing system is a stack of papers in a box in the attic. Who’s left to sift through the mess and try to figure it all out, their family? I’ve been there, done that too many times, and I don’t want my family to have to deal with the same problems with me.
Let me make this abundantly clear, I’m not having ideas about suicide and there have been no “mountaintop visions” that my time on this planet is nearing its end. I’ve just decided to be more rational about the subject. My name is Clinton Mitchell and one day I’m going to die. There I said it; got it out there and now I’m good. You should do the same and after you do, go get a life insurance policy, sit down, discuss with your family about what to do in the case of your death and write it down so in case anyone forgets (and for legal purposes) it’s there.
Another thing death should encourage us to do is appreciate our loved ones. As you get older so does everyone and everything around you. It’s unrealistic to think that your parents will always be around. And let’s be honest, do you really want your parents to be around forever, nagging you about your clothes, your cooking, not visiting enough, or turning the television up too loud for them? Seriously speaking, people have the habit of putting their family and friends on the backburner when things get busy at work, at home, and as we grow up. But as I mentioned earlier, as we grow up and so do our family and friends and it’s imperative that we spend as much time as we can cherishing the things about them that we love so much about them; the things that we’ll miss the most when they’re no longer around.
To my family and friends reading this, I love you. I know I don’t always tell you but hopefully you know. Just in case you didn’t know, the punches to the abdomen are in love. The fights about dinner are because I love you (and because I’m hungry and don’t think it should take 2 hours to decide what we’re eating). To those of you reading this who I don’t share DNA or regular conversations with, I love you too. Thanks for taking time out of your busy lives to read my post. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Just Do It
“Who gon stop me? Who gon stop me huh?”
-Jay-Z and Kanye West “Who’s Gon Stop Me”
Greetings folks.
We all have been put on this planet for a purpose. Some of us are meant to be leaders of men, some of us are meant to make music, and others of us are meant to serve others. The tie that binds us is that no matter who we are, no matter what race or ethnicity, and no matter what socioeconomic class we may have been born into, we all have a purpose or a calling for our lives. Unfortunately, none of us are born knowing what that is. There’s no bracelet attached to your arm at your birth that says doctor, lawyer or engineer. There is nothing that appears on our birth certificate which details the path we are to take. We must learn through trial and error what it is we’re supposed to do.
Some of us know at an early age what it is we’re supposed to do with our lives and those of us who know early are blessed. There are countless others who spend years searching, looking, hoping to find their purpose in life. They spend their lives drifting from one job to another, from one hobby to the next, hoping to find something that will not only interest them, but capture them and fill their life with a sense of purpose. The problem is, is that it’s not always what you’re good at that is what you’re supposed to do. Some people are good at selling drugs and robbing people, but I think we would agree that that isn’t a purpose anyone is born to serve.
What is paramount here is that we all realize that we all play a part in this world and that we have to find our role, learn it and play it well. We can’t be resigned to doing nothing, because laziness and apathy breed contempt. It’s not enough to point out the ills of society, we have to discuss them. Once we’ve done this, it’s not enough to discuss what’s going on in the world; we have to do something about it.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and it certainly wasn’t built by just talking. Michelangelo didn’t paint his masterpieces from his couch, and Kobe Bryant didn’t create his legacy playing video games. These people got up, found their purpose and did something to ensure that their purpose was carried out. Technology has made it so much easier to find out what’s going on in the world at what seems like a moment’s notice. However, I believe that it’s also made us much lazier. We’d rather watch CNN report the problems than get up and solve them. We’d rather read about the issues on Twitter and the internet than to go out and find them. The couch may be comfortable now but it won’t be forever. The longer we sit idly by and watch the world go by, the quicker that discomfort will come. We were born with health and good sense not to let it go to waste but to share it with the world.
We would all be better served to follow Nike’s urging and “Just Do It.” The iconic phrase “Just Do It” is captivating for a number of reasons. First of all, the athletes who’ve stood behind this logo, such as Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Tiger Woods, are some of the best in the world. Their presence alone in an advertisement with this logo is enough to sell a few hundred thousand pairs of shoes. However, dig deeper, past the iconic sports heroes and the multi-million dollar ad campaigns and you’ll see more. You’ll see a decree; a declaration to just do it. This slogan tells the audience that if the athletes in the commercial can do it so can they and that they should. They didn’t do it with fancy equipment, technology, hope, or magic. They did it by working harder and longer than anyone else to become faster, stronger, and better than everyone. They woke up, got up out of their beds like regular people and just did it.
The world’s greatest natural resource is the youth and young adult of this world. It is us whom advertising executives target the most. It is we who can determine an election. And it is us who hold the key to the future. The leaders of today will eventually pass on leaving a void. If we don’t step in and grab the reins who will? If we’re not ready to take control of our own destiny who will? We can’t wait until tomorrow to decide to lead. Leadership is cultivated over time through life experiences. The process of being a leader tomorrow starts today.
Today we must get up, get out and do something. We have to pursue that degree that we want. We have to start that business we’ve always wanted to. We have to speak out against the issues that touch our community and then do something about it. If we leave all of tomorrow’s business until tomorrow, when tomorrow finally gets her we’ll be too busy to enjoy the present.
Fear can be paralyzing, if you let it. Mary Williamson wrote these words in her best-selling novel, “A Return to Love”:
"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others." As you stand up, stand tall and “Just Do It” so too will others.
As we begin to write the next chapter in our lives undoubtedly we’ll be faced with adversity. Always know that “without struggle there can be no progress.” Dr. King once stated, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Young people, this is such a time.
Progress isn’t reached driving along easy road. Progress is made walking down the road paved with trials and tribulations, headaches and heartaches, sweat, tears and muscle aches. We have to be willing to be uncomfortable for a while to have a world worth living in. It will be during these moments of “discomfort and inconvenience” where the rubber will hit this proverbial road. The grass will be cut and the snakes will show, and you’ll see just how much we all measure up as men and women. Find your calling, find your purpose, and “JUST DO IT!”
Thank you for reading. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
-Jay-Z and Kanye West “Who’s Gon Stop Me”
Greetings folks.
We all have been put on this planet for a purpose. Some of us are meant to be leaders of men, some of us are meant to make music, and others of us are meant to serve others. The tie that binds us is that no matter who we are, no matter what race or ethnicity, and no matter what socioeconomic class we may have been born into, we all have a purpose or a calling for our lives. Unfortunately, none of us are born knowing what that is. There’s no bracelet attached to your arm at your birth that says doctor, lawyer or engineer. There is nothing that appears on our birth certificate which details the path we are to take. We must learn through trial and error what it is we’re supposed to do.
Some of us know at an early age what it is we’re supposed to do with our lives and those of us who know early are blessed. There are countless others who spend years searching, looking, hoping to find their purpose in life. They spend their lives drifting from one job to another, from one hobby to the next, hoping to find something that will not only interest them, but capture them and fill their life with a sense of purpose. The problem is, is that it’s not always what you’re good at that is what you’re supposed to do. Some people are good at selling drugs and robbing people, but I think we would agree that that isn’t a purpose anyone is born to serve.
What is paramount here is that we all realize that we all play a part in this world and that we have to find our role, learn it and play it well. We can’t be resigned to doing nothing, because laziness and apathy breed contempt. It’s not enough to point out the ills of society, we have to discuss them. Once we’ve done this, it’s not enough to discuss what’s going on in the world; we have to do something about it.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and it certainly wasn’t built by just talking. Michelangelo didn’t paint his masterpieces from his couch, and Kobe Bryant didn’t create his legacy playing video games. These people got up, found their purpose and did something to ensure that their purpose was carried out. Technology has made it so much easier to find out what’s going on in the world at what seems like a moment’s notice. However, I believe that it’s also made us much lazier. We’d rather watch CNN report the problems than get up and solve them. We’d rather read about the issues on Twitter and the internet than to go out and find them. The couch may be comfortable now but it won’t be forever. The longer we sit idly by and watch the world go by, the quicker that discomfort will come. We were born with health and good sense not to let it go to waste but to share it with the world.
We would all be better served to follow Nike’s urging and “Just Do It.” The iconic phrase “Just Do It” is captivating for a number of reasons. First of all, the athletes who’ve stood behind this logo, such as Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Tiger Woods, are some of the best in the world. Their presence alone in an advertisement with this logo is enough to sell a few hundred thousand pairs of shoes. However, dig deeper, past the iconic sports heroes and the multi-million dollar ad campaigns and you’ll see more. You’ll see a decree; a declaration to just do it. This slogan tells the audience that if the athletes in the commercial can do it so can they and that they should. They didn’t do it with fancy equipment, technology, hope, or magic. They did it by working harder and longer than anyone else to become faster, stronger, and better than everyone. They woke up, got up out of their beds like regular people and just did it.
The world’s greatest natural resource is the youth and young adult of this world. It is us whom advertising executives target the most. It is we who can determine an election. And it is us who hold the key to the future. The leaders of today will eventually pass on leaving a void. If we don’t step in and grab the reins who will? If we’re not ready to take control of our own destiny who will? We can’t wait until tomorrow to decide to lead. Leadership is cultivated over time through life experiences. The process of being a leader tomorrow starts today.
Today we must get up, get out and do something. We have to pursue that degree that we want. We have to start that business we’ve always wanted to. We have to speak out against the issues that touch our community and then do something about it. If we leave all of tomorrow’s business until tomorrow, when tomorrow finally gets her we’ll be too busy to enjoy the present.
Fear can be paralyzing, if you let it. Mary Williamson wrote these words in her best-selling novel, “A Return to Love”:
"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others." As you stand up, stand tall and “Just Do It” so too will others.
As we begin to write the next chapter in our lives undoubtedly we’ll be faced with adversity. Always know that “without struggle there can be no progress.” Dr. King once stated, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Young people, this is such a time.
Progress isn’t reached driving along easy road. Progress is made walking down the road paved with trials and tribulations, headaches and heartaches, sweat, tears and muscle aches. We have to be willing to be uncomfortable for a while to have a world worth living in. It will be during these moments of “discomfort and inconvenience” where the rubber will hit this proverbial road. The grass will be cut and the snakes will show, and you’ll see just how much we all measure up as men and women. Find your calling, find your purpose, and “JUST DO IT!”
Thank you for reading. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The End of Summer
“Summertime and the living is easy.”
“Summertime”-Ella Fitzgerald
Greetings folks. This summer has been a remarkable summer; definitely one of my best to date. Initially I didn’t know what I would do with myself having the entire summer off. I actually like working. Not all day every day, but most of the day, most days. Plus, what good does having the entire summer off do if you don’t have racks on racks on racks to enjoy it with? I do well for myself, but not well enough to sail around the world or go back-packing across Europe. That’s not to say that I didn’t travel and thoroughly enjoy myself, because I certainly did.
This summer saw trips to my second home in Chicago, where I got to reconnect with my former co-workers who I refer to as family. It also gave me an opportunity for me to introduce them to my fiancé. While we were in town, my fiancé had a lot of friends in town so we decided to have a gathering to celebrate our engagement. It was nothing fancy just friends mingling with friends and celebrating our pending nuptials. But we had a blast getting it in, in the “Second City.”
After leaving Chicago I decided to spend the rest of my summer in D.C. There wasn’t anything tying me to Miami that I couldn’t do in D.C. I viewed it as an opportunity to catch up with old friends, get away and spend some quality time with my fiancé. I must say that of all the stops I made this summer, D.C. was the best.
I also had the opportunity to spend some time in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It’s a gorgeous place and I encourage anyone who gets the opportunity to definitely take it. It’s like a beach town meets Orlando. Plenty of stuff to do on the beach, by the pool, or you can shop and sightsee. My fiancé and I went down there to visit with her mom and grandmother and we thoroughly enjoyed our time away from the grind and can’t wait to get back.
We also took a trip to Detroit. Now I know what you’re thinking what the hell is in Detroit? First of all, my fiancé is from Detroit. She was born and raised in the D. Secondly, we were invited to a beautiful wedding of one her childhood friends, and it’s not like we really need an excuse to travel. Of course we hopped on a plane and headed to Detroit. I must have met 50 or so people whom I had only heard about. Because these people are near and dear to her heart, she wanted to make sure I was able to meet these people. The wedding was beautiful and definitely gave us something to strive for in planning ours. The people I met were all a pleasure and hopefully we won’t have to wait until next year to see them again.
The summer ended for me with our Miami engagement party. All of the important people on my side of the aisle have already met my fiancé and signed off on the union. All of the important people on her side of the aisle have met me and from what I have been told, I’ve been given the thumbs up as well. However, none of the important people in our lives had met each other. So instead of doing something huge and extravagant, we opted for something smaller and more intimate to give our family and friends an opportunity to mix, mingle and get to know each other. We had a great time getting to know each other over some great food and drinks. I can happily say there were no acts of violence and the families seem to be getting along very well. (AMEN!) We raised our glasses, toasted to us, our love and our pending union. Love you babe!
Aside from the engagement party, the weekend was filled with countless meetings, conference calls and running around to give us an opportunity to get some wedding stuff done before we retreat to our corners of the world and get back to work.
While it’s sad to see the summer go, I know that it must, because all good things must come to an end. Even the “Watch the Throne” album and the movie “The Godfather” eventually fade to black. What I’ll take with me are the memories and the moments, which will fuel my anticipation for next summer. Next summer won’t feature as much travelling as this summer as we’ll be much closer to our wedding, which makes this summer even more special. But don’t worry about me, I have the fall and all the wonderful joys it brings (FOOTBALL) to cushion my fall from heaven.
As I trade my boat shoes in for dress shoes and my t-shirts for dress shirts, I do so with trepidation, but with much anticipation of what the upcoming year will bring. Thanks for reading. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
“Summertime”-Ella Fitzgerald
Greetings folks. This summer has been a remarkable summer; definitely one of my best to date. Initially I didn’t know what I would do with myself having the entire summer off. I actually like working. Not all day every day, but most of the day, most days. Plus, what good does having the entire summer off do if you don’t have racks on racks on racks to enjoy it with? I do well for myself, but not well enough to sail around the world or go back-packing across Europe. That’s not to say that I didn’t travel and thoroughly enjoy myself, because I certainly did.
This summer saw trips to my second home in Chicago, where I got to reconnect with my former co-workers who I refer to as family. It also gave me an opportunity for me to introduce them to my fiancé. While we were in town, my fiancé had a lot of friends in town so we decided to have a gathering to celebrate our engagement. It was nothing fancy just friends mingling with friends and celebrating our pending nuptials. But we had a blast getting it in, in the “Second City.”
After leaving Chicago I decided to spend the rest of my summer in D.C. There wasn’t anything tying me to Miami that I couldn’t do in D.C. I viewed it as an opportunity to catch up with old friends, get away and spend some quality time with my fiancé. I must say that of all the stops I made this summer, D.C. was the best.
I also had the opportunity to spend some time in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It’s a gorgeous place and I encourage anyone who gets the opportunity to definitely take it. It’s like a beach town meets Orlando. Plenty of stuff to do on the beach, by the pool, or you can shop and sightsee. My fiancé and I went down there to visit with her mom and grandmother and we thoroughly enjoyed our time away from the grind and can’t wait to get back.
We also took a trip to Detroit. Now I know what you’re thinking what the hell is in Detroit? First of all, my fiancé is from Detroit. She was born and raised in the D. Secondly, we were invited to a beautiful wedding of one her childhood friends, and it’s not like we really need an excuse to travel. Of course we hopped on a plane and headed to Detroit. I must have met 50 or so people whom I had only heard about. Because these people are near and dear to her heart, she wanted to make sure I was able to meet these people. The wedding was beautiful and definitely gave us something to strive for in planning ours. The people I met were all a pleasure and hopefully we won’t have to wait until next year to see them again.
The summer ended for me with our Miami engagement party. All of the important people on my side of the aisle have already met my fiancé and signed off on the union. All of the important people on her side of the aisle have met me and from what I have been told, I’ve been given the thumbs up as well. However, none of the important people in our lives had met each other. So instead of doing something huge and extravagant, we opted for something smaller and more intimate to give our family and friends an opportunity to mix, mingle and get to know each other. We had a great time getting to know each other over some great food and drinks. I can happily say there were no acts of violence and the families seem to be getting along very well. (AMEN!) We raised our glasses, toasted to us, our love and our pending union. Love you babe!
Aside from the engagement party, the weekend was filled with countless meetings, conference calls and running around to give us an opportunity to get some wedding stuff done before we retreat to our corners of the world and get back to work.
While it’s sad to see the summer go, I know that it must, because all good things must come to an end. Even the “Watch the Throne” album and the movie “The Godfather” eventually fade to black. What I’ll take with me are the memories and the moments, which will fuel my anticipation for next summer. Next summer won’t feature as much travelling as this summer as we’ll be much closer to our wedding, which makes this summer even more special. But don’t worry about me, I have the fall and all the wonderful joys it brings (FOOTBALL) to cushion my fall from heaven.
As I trade my boat shoes in for dress shoes and my t-shirts for dress shirts, I do so with trepidation, but with much anticipation of what the upcoming year will bring. Thanks for reading. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Don't Hate the Player
“I ain’t done. Name one thing that I ain’t done. It hurts when you say that I ain’t the one. Haters how do I gain your favor? I need to know cause I care. I need you to love me I swear.”
“Hate”-Jay-Z ft. Kanye West
Greetings folks. I was watching “Pardon the Interruption” yesterday and saw something very disturbing. “Pardon the Interruption” is a sports show hosted by sports columnists Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser about pertinent topics in sports. On yesterday’s show (8/9) the topic of Lebron James came up. Tony Kornheiser was out so Bill Simmons filled in via satellite. Michael Wilbon asked Bill Simmons about Lebron James, specifically about Lebron deciding to work with NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon to hone and improve his low-post game, a decision I definitely support. Wilbon asked Simmons, “If Lebron improves his low-post game does this make him one of the best players ever.” Seems like a simple, straight forward question, to which a person who isn’t a sports journalist could have answered. However, what occurred was anything but a simple answer. What manifested was a clear bias and disdain for Lebron.
As Bill Simmons began to answer the question he started talking about why it took Lebron James 8 years to want to work on his low post game, how he “left a ring on the court” with his performance in the NBA Finals. He stated how Lebron’s failure to take advantage of smaller players in the low post led to the Heat’s demise in the finals. That may or may not be true but that wasn’t the question. But you know what, maybe he misheard it. In an attempt to guide the Simmons back to the question Wilbon asked him, “Do you think that it’s better late than never?” Simmons continued to rant and rave about not having any sympathy for Lebron and how it won’t matter.
In another attempt to get the Simmons to answer the question that was posed at the beginning of the segment, Wilbon mentioned the fact that other NBA stars such as Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant both sought the instruction of Hakeem to improve their low-post game. The result was a clear improvement in Howard’s offensive production this past season and Kobe who nearly doubled his low-post attempts after working with Olajuwon. Simmons went through the painstaking task of differentiating Kobe from Lebron. He said Kobe’s (who he specifically stated he isn’t a fan of) decision to work with Olajuwon was out of necessity because he’s getting older and he has to find other ways to excel. There are so many things wrong with this statement, but I’ll take 2. (1) Kobe was the 5th leading scorer in the NBA last season (not too shabby for an old guy); (2) Whatever his reason behind wanting to improve, he still did it!
Mr. Simmons you don’t like Lebron James. You don’t care for him as an individual. You may not go as far as to say you hate him, but if he got traded to your favorite team, you would probably opt to cover cricket on the other side of the world than to cover Lebron. You really dislike him. That’s fine. You’re entitled to your opinion. I’m not a huge Kobe Bryant fan myself. After the events that transpired, which led to Shaquille O’Neal leaving for the Miami Heat I saw Kobe in a different light and no longer held him in as high a regard. However, I in no way deny the fact that he is one of the best players in the NBA and one of the best players ever (not better than MJ but up there). My personal feelings about him have NOTHING to do with his game. And despite the fact that I don’t own a Kobe jersey, and perhaps may never will, that doesn’t mean I won’t go the AAA and watch the Miami Heat play the Lakers.
You can feel how you want to feel about Lebron, “The Decision” and the “Big 3’s” grand introduction to the world. I admit, and so did Lebron, that there were mistakes made. One of the biggest discoveries a man can make is that he’s imperfect and how to work on those imperfections. Lebron is on the quest to that discovery and we’re criticizing him for that too. What’s next, getting upset with him because he chose Nike over Addidas? Over being angry with Lebron because we think he should have a different color headband on?
My problem is that it seems as though Bill Simmons and many others are under the misguided notion that they don’t make mistakes. Often times we expect way too much from our public figures. Anything you’re inclined to do, they may be guilty of as well. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hold them to a high standard, because we should. Once you decide you want to be in the public realm you should be held to a high standard. However, that standard is not and should not be PERFECTION. No one is perfect. And when our athletes, entertainers and politicians make mistakes we should forgive them; if for no other reason than because we want others to forgive us when we make mistakes.
While you may be angry that Lebron didn’t land with your team, or pissed that he “took his talents to South Beach” (which is a misnomer, because the Heat don’t play on South Beach. The arena is in downtown Miami) get over it and move on. I’m not asking you to run out and buy Miami Heat #6 jerseys. I’m asking you to be more objective in your assessment of this man, his talents and his life. While he may be bigger, stronger, faster and richer than us, at the end of the day he’s like us in at least one way. We all share imperfections and that’s something we should never forget.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
“Hate”-Jay-Z ft. Kanye West
Greetings folks. I was watching “Pardon the Interruption” yesterday and saw something very disturbing. “Pardon the Interruption” is a sports show hosted by sports columnists Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser about pertinent topics in sports. On yesterday’s show (8/9) the topic of Lebron James came up. Tony Kornheiser was out so Bill Simmons filled in via satellite. Michael Wilbon asked Bill Simmons about Lebron James, specifically about Lebron deciding to work with NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon to hone and improve his low-post game, a decision I definitely support. Wilbon asked Simmons, “If Lebron improves his low-post game does this make him one of the best players ever.” Seems like a simple, straight forward question, to which a person who isn’t a sports journalist could have answered. However, what occurred was anything but a simple answer. What manifested was a clear bias and disdain for Lebron.
As Bill Simmons began to answer the question he started talking about why it took Lebron James 8 years to want to work on his low post game, how he “left a ring on the court” with his performance in the NBA Finals. He stated how Lebron’s failure to take advantage of smaller players in the low post led to the Heat’s demise in the finals. That may or may not be true but that wasn’t the question. But you know what, maybe he misheard it. In an attempt to guide the Simmons back to the question Wilbon asked him, “Do you think that it’s better late than never?” Simmons continued to rant and rave about not having any sympathy for Lebron and how it won’t matter.
In another attempt to get the Simmons to answer the question that was posed at the beginning of the segment, Wilbon mentioned the fact that other NBA stars such as Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant both sought the instruction of Hakeem to improve their low-post game. The result was a clear improvement in Howard’s offensive production this past season and Kobe who nearly doubled his low-post attempts after working with Olajuwon. Simmons went through the painstaking task of differentiating Kobe from Lebron. He said Kobe’s (who he specifically stated he isn’t a fan of) decision to work with Olajuwon was out of necessity because he’s getting older and he has to find other ways to excel. There are so many things wrong with this statement, but I’ll take 2. (1) Kobe was the 5th leading scorer in the NBA last season (not too shabby for an old guy); (2) Whatever his reason behind wanting to improve, he still did it!
Mr. Simmons you don’t like Lebron James. You don’t care for him as an individual. You may not go as far as to say you hate him, but if he got traded to your favorite team, you would probably opt to cover cricket on the other side of the world than to cover Lebron. You really dislike him. That’s fine. You’re entitled to your opinion. I’m not a huge Kobe Bryant fan myself. After the events that transpired, which led to Shaquille O’Neal leaving for the Miami Heat I saw Kobe in a different light and no longer held him in as high a regard. However, I in no way deny the fact that he is one of the best players in the NBA and one of the best players ever (not better than MJ but up there). My personal feelings about him have NOTHING to do with his game. And despite the fact that I don’t own a Kobe jersey, and perhaps may never will, that doesn’t mean I won’t go the AAA and watch the Miami Heat play the Lakers.
You can feel how you want to feel about Lebron, “The Decision” and the “Big 3’s” grand introduction to the world. I admit, and so did Lebron, that there were mistakes made. One of the biggest discoveries a man can make is that he’s imperfect and how to work on those imperfections. Lebron is on the quest to that discovery and we’re criticizing him for that too. What’s next, getting upset with him because he chose Nike over Addidas? Over being angry with Lebron because we think he should have a different color headband on?
My problem is that it seems as though Bill Simmons and many others are under the misguided notion that they don’t make mistakes. Often times we expect way too much from our public figures. Anything you’re inclined to do, they may be guilty of as well. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hold them to a high standard, because we should. Once you decide you want to be in the public realm you should be held to a high standard. However, that standard is not and should not be PERFECTION. No one is perfect. And when our athletes, entertainers and politicians make mistakes we should forgive them; if for no other reason than because we want others to forgive us when we make mistakes.
While you may be angry that Lebron didn’t land with your team, or pissed that he “took his talents to South Beach” (which is a misnomer, because the Heat don’t play on South Beach. The arena is in downtown Miami) get over it and move on. I’m not asking you to run out and buy Miami Heat #6 jerseys. I’m asking you to be more objective in your assessment of this man, his talents and his life. While he may be bigger, stronger, faster and richer than us, at the end of the day he’s like us in at least one way. We all share imperfections and that’s something we should never forget.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Summertime Blues
Why do all good things come to an end?
“All Good Things (Come to an End)”-Nelly Furtado
Greetings folks! I just bought my flight home and it just hit me; my summer is almost over. Gone will be the leisurely days, getting up when I want, and the travelling (not the travelling but you get the point). When I get back home, it’ll be back to the daily grind, 5 a.m. workouts, wedding planning, long days and even longer nights as I lay in bed alone.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend most of the summer with my fiancé. We’ve taken this time to get to know each other even more, enjoy each other’s company and confirm what we already know; we’re made for each other. It hasn’t all been peaches and cream. Going from living alone to living with your significant other, even in a great relationship, provides some interesting challenges. Challenges such as, how to divide up the household chores, who pays for what, what side of the bed will each person sleep on and the who controls the remote? Thankfully these are all challenges we took on and took down. I’m sad to see the summer melt away but I’ve even more sad to have to get on a plane in a couple of weeks knowing while she may be coming to Miami with me, that she won’t be staying…at least not this time.
All in all I have no complaints about this summer. It would have been easy to take issue with the fact that I’ve been unemployed for the past few months. However, this “free time” has allowed me a few luxuries that being unemployed doesn’t allow me to enjoy. It has allowed me to get some much needed rest. If you’re a workaholic like me, the only time you stop working is when you’re sleep. This time off has really allowed me to see just how tired I was. The first two weeks of my vacation I slept 10 hours a day; abnormal for a guy who’s accustomed to 5 hours or less. Hell getting 6/7 hours of sleep in a night means I’m well rested. It also made me realize that there is no way I could have kept working at the pace I was without a vacation or experiencing a stroke. Thank God for the former as opposed to the latter.
I’ve had time to sit back, relax and travel. This summer I’ve been blessed to go to D.C. (of course), Detroit, Myrtle Beach and Chicago. While I don’t stop travelling during the school year, my travel is focused around quality time with the wifey and in the fall football. So being able to go to these places and not having to bring my laptop to do any work was an interesting change that after a while I thoroughly enjoyed.
The time off has also allowed me to get quite a bit of work done. You didn’t think I took the entire summer off did you? L.O.L. I’m way too much of a workaholic for that. I’ve been working generally the same number of hours, just a reduced number of days and have augmented the times. Instead of waking up at 4:30 for my 5 a.m workout so I can then be at work by 7 I’ve been getting up at 7:30 or 8, working out at 9 so I’m back at my desk by 10. I still don’t call it quits until sometime around 6, but since I’m on vacation that fluctuates. It’s much easier to get work done when the phone isn’t ringing off the hook, my email isn’t full, and everyone isn’t asking for something and wanting it done IMMEDIATELY. I thrive under pressure. The difficulty and enormity of a task doesn’t make me shy, it makes me eager. But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I have been enjoying the relative quiet and peacefulness work space I’ve had as of late.
While I will miss the summer vacation, and the lazy days and carefree spirit that comes with it, it’s time I get back on my grind, back to work and back to receiving a real paycheck. I’m going to miss you baby like crazy, but as the number of days we spend apart grows the number of days that we’ll have to endure this separation shrinks.
Thanks to everyone for reading. Until next time; Stay Up and Be Blessed!
“All Good Things (Come to an End)”-Nelly Furtado
Greetings folks! I just bought my flight home and it just hit me; my summer is almost over. Gone will be the leisurely days, getting up when I want, and the travelling (not the travelling but you get the point). When I get back home, it’ll be back to the daily grind, 5 a.m. workouts, wedding planning, long days and even longer nights as I lay in bed alone.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend most of the summer with my fiancé. We’ve taken this time to get to know each other even more, enjoy each other’s company and confirm what we already know; we’re made for each other. It hasn’t all been peaches and cream. Going from living alone to living with your significant other, even in a great relationship, provides some interesting challenges. Challenges such as, how to divide up the household chores, who pays for what, what side of the bed will each person sleep on and the who controls the remote? Thankfully these are all challenges we took on and took down. I’m sad to see the summer melt away but I’ve even more sad to have to get on a plane in a couple of weeks knowing while she may be coming to Miami with me, that she won’t be staying…at least not this time.
All in all I have no complaints about this summer. It would have been easy to take issue with the fact that I’ve been unemployed for the past few months. However, this “free time” has allowed me a few luxuries that being unemployed doesn’t allow me to enjoy. It has allowed me to get some much needed rest. If you’re a workaholic like me, the only time you stop working is when you’re sleep. This time off has really allowed me to see just how tired I was. The first two weeks of my vacation I slept 10 hours a day; abnormal for a guy who’s accustomed to 5 hours or less. Hell getting 6/7 hours of sleep in a night means I’m well rested. It also made me realize that there is no way I could have kept working at the pace I was without a vacation or experiencing a stroke. Thank God for the former as opposed to the latter.
I’ve had time to sit back, relax and travel. This summer I’ve been blessed to go to D.C. (of course), Detroit, Myrtle Beach and Chicago. While I don’t stop travelling during the school year, my travel is focused around quality time with the wifey and in the fall football. So being able to go to these places and not having to bring my laptop to do any work was an interesting change that after a while I thoroughly enjoyed.
The time off has also allowed me to get quite a bit of work done. You didn’t think I took the entire summer off did you? L.O.L. I’m way too much of a workaholic for that. I’ve been working generally the same number of hours, just a reduced number of days and have augmented the times. Instead of waking up at 4:30 for my 5 a.m workout so I can then be at work by 7 I’ve been getting up at 7:30 or 8, working out at 9 so I’m back at my desk by 10. I still don’t call it quits until sometime around 6, but since I’m on vacation that fluctuates. It’s much easier to get work done when the phone isn’t ringing off the hook, my email isn’t full, and everyone isn’t asking for something and wanting it done IMMEDIATELY. I thrive under pressure. The difficulty and enormity of a task doesn’t make me shy, it makes me eager. But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I have been enjoying the relative quiet and peacefulness work space I’ve had as of late.
While I will miss the summer vacation, and the lazy days and carefree spirit that comes with it, it’s time I get back on my grind, back to work and back to receiving a real paycheck. I’m going to miss you baby like crazy, but as the number of days we spend apart grows the number of days that we’ll have to endure this separation shrinks.
Thanks to everyone for reading. Until next time; Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
S.O.S.
Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom
-George Washington Carver
Greetings family! I know it’s been a while (but then again what’s new). After a much needed vacation I’m back. I took some time to see my second family in Chicago (shouts out to everyone in the Chi for the wonderful hospitality) and I took a quick jaunt down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to clear my mind for the boat load of work waiting for me. Now that I’m back, it’s time to get to work.
I’m writing to you with a little bit of anger and frustration over the news that Florida may be closing two historically black and minority schools: Miami Central Senior High and Miami Edison Senior High. Miami Central is located in West Little River, a predominantly African-American community. Last year they were crowned 6A State Champions in Football. The school boasts notable alumni such as football players, Willis McGahee, Najeh Davenport, Ali Highsmith and Darnell Jenkins; and 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson. Miami Edison is located in Little Haiti and boasts alumni such as NFL star William Joseph, former NFL start Nat Moore, and former University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard, who was tragically stabbed to death in 2009. However, these schools are more than just a hub for athletic prowess. Their most notable achievements aren’t the Division I athlete prospects, or the NFL 1st round draft picks, but the progress they made in raising their school grade the past 3 years.
In 2008, both Miami Central and Miami Edison were threatened with school closures. They were two of the worst performing schools in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. At the time, Miami Central had the dubious honor of being the worst performing high school in the entire state having had 5 straight F’s. Former Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent, Rudy Crew wanted to close down the schools but due to fierce opposition from the community, he opted not to. Shortly thereafter, Rudy Crew left, and Alberto Cavarlho took the helm. Upon assuming control of the fourth largest school district in the nation, one of Cavarlho’s priorities was to save Miami Central and Miami Edison and truly adhere to the mantra of “No Child Left Behind.”
Miami Edison lies in the heart of Little Haiti and has many challenges to academic progress, chief among them are language barriers of the predominantly Haitian immigrant community and poverty. These obstacles severely limited Edison’s progress. To combat these impediments, the school underwent a facelift both inside and out. New programs were added to spark interest and encourage the student body to perform higher. The school received a new paint job and some upgrades. Additionally, a new principal and teachers were brought in to lead the turnaround. Their hard work was met with results when the school was awarded a grade of “C” in 2010.
At Miami Central, the state of Florida’s principal of the year, Doug Rodriguez, was brought in along with some of the best teachers. Rodriguez instituted a no non-sense discipline policy and enlisted the help of the community which responded by volunteering and mentoring students at the school. The result was the school raising its grade from an “F” to a “C” in 2 years, which even prompted a visit from President Barack Obama, this past school year.
The turnaround at both schools was nothing short of miraculous and despite the progress that has been made the state is still seeking to shut the schools down. Despite the fact that both schools have raised their school grade out of the doldrums to a respectable “C” state officials are saying that’s not enough. An article in the Miami Herald, states that “while school grades for high schools have not yet been released, the state says both Central and Edison are within the ‘F range’ based on their performances on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests.” Under the No Child Left Behind Act and the Florida Department of Education Policy, another failing grade, despite the progress, could subject the schools to closure.
The answer to failing schools isn’t school closure. The answer to failing schools isn’t charter schools. The answer to failing schools is stronger parental involvement, higher per pupil spending, higher teacher salaries to attract the best minds to teach our kids and adults, leaders and stakeholders who care. I will be the first to admit that the charter school model works. Charter schools work because they have lower overall enrollment numbers, lower teacher to student ratios, tend to have better facilities, and selective admission.
Before we delve any deeper, I think it’s best that I explain what a charter school is.Charter schools are schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools. Their accountability lies in producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter. Charter schools are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition. They have increased in popularity since their creation in 1988, largely due in part to their overwhelming success rate, relative to each school’s charter. A result of their ever-increasing popularity is that they have more applicants than they have seats. When this happens admission is frequently allocated by lottery-based admissions. In a 2008 survey of charter schools, 59% of the schools reported that they had a waiting list, averaging 198 students. (For more insight on charter schools and this lottery process see the documentary film “Waiting for Superman”).
What would happen if the state decided to shut down Miami Edison? Good question. Miami Edison has a student enrollment of almost 1,000 students. Let’s assume for this hypothetical that the state chooses to allow a charter school to utilize the building after Edison is closed. You say, “Great! Now the kids of Edison Senior high won’t have to go far to find another school.” Well, herein lies the problem. The average charter school has less than 400 students, which would displace at the very least, 600 students in this hypothetical. Additionally, charter schools have an application process and the ability to accept or deny whoever they want. Meaning of the 400 “space eligible” students remaining, it’s likely less than half of them would make the grade sufficient enough to be eligible for acceptance into the new charter school. Of those who qualify, if the number of students seeking to attend this new charter school is greater than the desired enrollment number (statistics state that this is very likely) there’s a lottery, which further dilutes eligible students chances of attending that school.
If this new charter school is a special area school which focuses on a particular subject area like Math and Science, or Criminal Justice, the number of potential students decreases even more. What we’re left with is a school in Little Haiti that doesn’t serve all or even most of the high school students in that area, and upwards of 800 students who need to find new homes to finish their high school careers.
Under NCLB, the State of Florida allows parents of students in low performing schools such as Miami Edison and Miami Central to move their students to another school. However, a parent’s ability to move their child to another school is limited and restricted by space requirements as well. The next closest school is not likely to be able to accommodate all of the students displaced by a school closure, and neither is the 2nd next closest, or the third. In all probability, the 3 closest schools are at or over capacity. Additionally, the next closest school may not be all that “close.” This creates the problem of transporting these displaced students to their new school. This is a problem for an urban school district such as Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where public transportation isn’t as efficient as it is in other major cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. To further complicate matters, there were drastic cuts made to education by the Florida legislature this past legislative session, reducing per pupil spending. These cuts are forcing school districts all over the state to make tough choices on where to spend their limited dollars.
I admire Superintendent’s Cavarhlo’s zeal and declaration to “save” Miami Central and Miami Edison, and I will support this fight the best way I can. However, in my humble opinion, I think he’s fighting a losing battle. The state’s position is that despite the progress these schools have made, it isn’t enough, which allows the state to close them down. It isn’t a done deal yet and there will be a hearing in Tampa next week, but I’d put my money on the state taking over those schools and closing them down. However, this is one bet I’d like to lose.
I didn’t attend Miami Central or Miami Edison but that doesn’t mean this doesn’t affect me or anyone else who’s an alumni of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Today it’s Central and Edison, tomorrow it could be Miami Carol City and Miami Northwestern. If it can happen to them, it can happen to your school too.
We must speak up, speak loudly and then have our actions match our words. We pack out stadiums all over Miami-Dade County during football season to support our high schools but our students and schools need us to pack out the halls and mentoring programs as well. The support we give them on Thursday and Friday nights pales in comparison to the help they need to make the grades which will allow them to compete both on and off the field.
Special recognition to the Miami Herald on shining a light on this topic. Feel free to click on the link below to read the article I referenced above. Also, special recognition to Luther Campbell (@unclelukereal1) who brought this to my attention and lead me to do my own homework and speak out on the matter. You can read his work on this and other topics in the Miami New Times in a column entitled “Luke’s Gospel.” Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/12/2311653/carvalho-vows-to-keep-miami-edison.html#ixzz1S1AHhdyp
-George Washington Carver
Greetings family! I know it’s been a while (but then again what’s new). After a much needed vacation I’m back. I took some time to see my second family in Chicago (shouts out to everyone in the Chi for the wonderful hospitality) and I took a quick jaunt down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to clear my mind for the boat load of work waiting for me. Now that I’m back, it’s time to get to work.
I’m writing to you with a little bit of anger and frustration over the news that Florida may be closing two historically black and minority schools: Miami Central Senior High and Miami Edison Senior High. Miami Central is located in West Little River, a predominantly African-American community. Last year they were crowned 6A State Champions in Football. The school boasts notable alumni such as football players, Willis McGahee, Najeh Davenport, Ali Highsmith and Darnell Jenkins; and 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson. Miami Edison is located in Little Haiti and boasts alumni such as NFL star William Joseph, former NFL start Nat Moore, and former University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard, who was tragically stabbed to death in 2009. However, these schools are more than just a hub for athletic prowess. Their most notable achievements aren’t the Division I athlete prospects, or the NFL 1st round draft picks, but the progress they made in raising their school grade the past 3 years.
In 2008, both Miami Central and Miami Edison were threatened with school closures. They were two of the worst performing schools in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. At the time, Miami Central had the dubious honor of being the worst performing high school in the entire state having had 5 straight F’s. Former Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent, Rudy Crew wanted to close down the schools but due to fierce opposition from the community, he opted not to. Shortly thereafter, Rudy Crew left, and Alberto Cavarlho took the helm. Upon assuming control of the fourth largest school district in the nation, one of Cavarlho’s priorities was to save Miami Central and Miami Edison and truly adhere to the mantra of “No Child Left Behind.”
Miami Edison lies in the heart of Little Haiti and has many challenges to academic progress, chief among them are language barriers of the predominantly Haitian immigrant community and poverty. These obstacles severely limited Edison’s progress. To combat these impediments, the school underwent a facelift both inside and out. New programs were added to spark interest and encourage the student body to perform higher. The school received a new paint job and some upgrades. Additionally, a new principal and teachers were brought in to lead the turnaround. Their hard work was met with results when the school was awarded a grade of “C” in 2010.
At Miami Central, the state of Florida’s principal of the year, Doug Rodriguez, was brought in along with some of the best teachers. Rodriguez instituted a no non-sense discipline policy and enlisted the help of the community which responded by volunteering and mentoring students at the school. The result was the school raising its grade from an “F” to a “C” in 2 years, which even prompted a visit from President Barack Obama, this past school year.
The turnaround at both schools was nothing short of miraculous and despite the progress that has been made the state is still seeking to shut the schools down. Despite the fact that both schools have raised their school grade out of the doldrums to a respectable “C” state officials are saying that’s not enough. An article in the Miami Herald, states that “while school grades for high schools have not yet been released, the state says both Central and Edison are within the ‘F range’ based on their performances on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests.” Under the No Child Left Behind Act and the Florida Department of Education Policy, another failing grade, despite the progress, could subject the schools to closure.
The answer to failing schools isn’t school closure. The answer to failing schools isn’t charter schools. The answer to failing schools is stronger parental involvement, higher per pupil spending, higher teacher salaries to attract the best minds to teach our kids and adults, leaders and stakeholders who care. I will be the first to admit that the charter school model works. Charter schools work because they have lower overall enrollment numbers, lower teacher to student ratios, tend to have better facilities, and selective admission.
Before we delve any deeper, I think it’s best that I explain what a charter school is.Charter schools are schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools. Their accountability lies in producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter. Charter schools are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition. They have increased in popularity since their creation in 1988, largely due in part to their overwhelming success rate, relative to each school’s charter. A result of their ever-increasing popularity is that they have more applicants than they have seats. When this happens admission is frequently allocated by lottery-based admissions. In a 2008 survey of charter schools, 59% of the schools reported that they had a waiting list, averaging 198 students. (For more insight on charter schools and this lottery process see the documentary film “Waiting for Superman”).
What would happen if the state decided to shut down Miami Edison? Good question. Miami Edison has a student enrollment of almost 1,000 students. Let’s assume for this hypothetical that the state chooses to allow a charter school to utilize the building after Edison is closed. You say, “Great! Now the kids of Edison Senior high won’t have to go far to find another school.” Well, herein lies the problem. The average charter school has less than 400 students, which would displace at the very least, 600 students in this hypothetical. Additionally, charter schools have an application process and the ability to accept or deny whoever they want. Meaning of the 400 “space eligible” students remaining, it’s likely less than half of them would make the grade sufficient enough to be eligible for acceptance into the new charter school. Of those who qualify, if the number of students seeking to attend this new charter school is greater than the desired enrollment number (statistics state that this is very likely) there’s a lottery, which further dilutes eligible students chances of attending that school.
If this new charter school is a special area school which focuses on a particular subject area like Math and Science, or Criminal Justice, the number of potential students decreases even more. What we’re left with is a school in Little Haiti that doesn’t serve all or even most of the high school students in that area, and upwards of 800 students who need to find new homes to finish their high school careers.
Under NCLB, the State of Florida allows parents of students in low performing schools such as Miami Edison and Miami Central to move their students to another school. However, a parent’s ability to move their child to another school is limited and restricted by space requirements as well. The next closest school is not likely to be able to accommodate all of the students displaced by a school closure, and neither is the 2nd next closest, or the third. In all probability, the 3 closest schools are at or over capacity. Additionally, the next closest school may not be all that “close.” This creates the problem of transporting these displaced students to their new school. This is a problem for an urban school district such as Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where public transportation isn’t as efficient as it is in other major cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. To further complicate matters, there were drastic cuts made to education by the Florida legislature this past legislative session, reducing per pupil spending. These cuts are forcing school districts all over the state to make tough choices on where to spend their limited dollars.
I admire Superintendent’s Cavarhlo’s zeal and declaration to “save” Miami Central and Miami Edison, and I will support this fight the best way I can. However, in my humble opinion, I think he’s fighting a losing battle. The state’s position is that despite the progress these schools have made, it isn’t enough, which allows the state to close them down. It isn’t a done deal yet and there will be a hearing in Tampa next week, but I’d put my money on the state taking over those schools and closing them down. However, this is one bet I’d like to lose.
I didn’t attend Miami Central or Miami Edison but that doesn’t mean this doesn’t affect me or anyone else who’s an alumni of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Today it’s Central and Edison, tomorrow it could be Miami Carol City and Miami Northwestern. If it can happen to them, it can happen to your school too.
We must speak up, speak loudly and then have our actions match our words. We pack out stadiums all over Miami-Dade County during football season to support our high schools but our students and schools need us to pack out the halls and mentoring programs as well. The support we give them on Thursday and Friday nights pales in comparison to the help they need to make the grades which will allow them to compete both on and off the field.
Special recognition to the Miami Herald on shining a light on this topic. Feel free to click on the link below to read the article I referenced above. Also, special recognition to Luther Campbell (@unclelukereal1) who brought this to my attention and lead me to do my own homework and speak out on the matter. You can read his work on this and other topics in the Miami New Times in a column entitled “Luke’s Gospel.” Until next time, Stay Up and Be Blessed!
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/12/2311653/carvalho-vows-to-keep-miami-edison.html#ixzz1S1AHhdyp
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