My Gift

Hope's Lifeline
By Alex Echols

7 years ago
My heart sped up a few beats
Found out you had cancer now for about twelve weeks
Heart torn by pain, futures ruptured by reality
Hurt like hell, but I wouldn’t let it get the best of me
And ‘it’s so amazing’ were the lyrics jamming on the radio
The future is not promised, but who is really to say so
Bonds stronger and nights longer
Pain surging through your body
Had death become hunger
At least not for you, because you were strong
Real strong

As you lost your hair, you also lost your fears
Loving your family more than ever as you kept us near
Saying everything would be alright as you wept a tear
A tear of joy, a smile of jubilance
That same beautiful smile that I been seeing every day since
Day by day, the beast would be gone
Day by day, you were more than happy to be home
Home with the family because we all know where the heart is
Metaphorically, deep down inside, where all the true passion lives
Pain turned to gain as you regained your health
Lack of blood turned into lots of blood when you witnessed your wealth

A second chance was granted and that second chance was taken
For God blessed you and that is not to be forsaken
My prayers were heard, all I could do was be thankful
Thank you for keeping her here with me
The once and always lady of my heart
That beautiful woman who originally gave me my start
That beautiful woman who originally gave me my start
Yeah, I’m talking about that once and always lady of my heart

7 years later
I love you, Mom
Merry Christmas 08

I Know It's Been a Long Time, But...

...I Have a New Piece

Early June

By: Alex Echols

so it starts as so/
21 years ago/
now add 9 months, 3 days and 2 hours/
the exact moment when the taste in my father’s mouth went sour/
2 minutes prior, my mom told him that a seed was to be born/
a black seed that from he and her it would form/

now add 3 weeks and 4 days/
next, these exact words he would say/
i’m so sorry, but then again I’m not sorry/
it’s all your fault and now this is your problem/
now deal with it and for me, bid him adieu
for its my time to go and now it’s all up to you/

8 months later and a few days passed
born to my mom, but with a face just like my dad/

17 years more have passed in my life/
chillin with my homies on the corner slangin some dice
66 seconds later, a few hunnies pass by/
as I gaze at their young faces, one catches my eye/
mouth game tight as I speak words in her ear/
add 44 minutes to the equation and I’m taking her back to the crib/

3 weeks and 2 days later, I find out that fortune was not in my favor/
for a son was to be born almost 9 months later/ WOW
i wont be like my dad, i said I wont be like my dad/ NO
i wont be a little punk bitch/
I gotta get my stuff together and damn it’s gotta be quick/ YES

so I journey through the days in my hood unable to completely forget my past/
8 months later have come and it was a total flash/
14 minutes more and then the unthinkable happens/
for my past is now to be remembered and my present is now my past/
for I was shot down in the middle of the street as the cars rolled past/
for I was shot down in the middle of the street as the cars rolled past/ WOW

because my past had come to be remembered and now my present has come to pass/

so what does that leave for the future/
just like my father left me/
in a few weeks, my son was to be born without a dad/

As I Close My Eyes

In the day and life of a man and an individual as myself, I would have to say Thank You for allowing me to get to see another day and for inundating me with awesome blessings.

0Alex

The Lives of Others

I have to say that I am utterly upset with the way some parents are treating their sons/daughters nowadays. We have individuals who are not allowed to have their own rights of passage because their parents want their sons/daughters to be greater people than who they are. One of the ill malfunctions of this whole grandiose scheme is that negative effects tend to be the majority.

In the last year, I have talked to two individuals who believe they are worth less than a penny and why is that? Parents? Backgrounds? Social Acceptances? Whatever it may be, I will express the damn truth - I have been jealous of both of you since I began talking to you - high scholastic achievements, morals with more morals atop those, and just the admiration/respect that you give to your parents. If it was possible, I would go to your parents and tell them these words, "Look Father and Mother, be just that, paradigms of wisdom and guidance, but not overseers of angst and regret. Be who God has destined you to be: to be a loving Mother and Father to your child NO MATTER WHAT. Instead of bashing your own children, let them know this: "Don't Wait on Life to Make You the Person You Dream Of, Rather Make Life What YOU Dream of." Now Parents I know this can be a difficult task at times, but trust me, if you raised your child when they were younger, great chances are, they have the power and intellect to raise themselves as young adults and adults.

And to my loving Mother and Father, I offer my admiration for not only guiding me, but for also allowing me to go through my tough times with soft shoulders to cry on because God knows we have shed some tears. From schools to girls to my evidently successful future(something that you have taught me to believe in myself), you have allowed me to make my own choices even if you did offer your two cents. And for that, I say thank you and I love you.

It's times like these when I see just how great my family is and how THANKFUL I should be every single milli-second of the day. From my parents I have deduced my own life quote, "Find Your Footing & Go in the Direction of Your Dreams. The BLESSINGS are in the STRUGGLE".

I look for support as I continue on my journey of zestful spirituality.

And Madiha & Carina, I will be forever praying for you.

-A.E.

Today

The Days Are Counting Down and the Blessings Have Been Adding Up. What a Gift Life is if you only Take Advantage of It. Be Happy.

Advanced Healing

As I sit here in shock and ponder the subtleties of life as they past me by - I begin to wonder, why does it take something as lethal as death to the see the beauty in everything. RIP Nina. For you, I have one more fallen friend to live and breathe for - to go farther for - to learn more - to speak more - to love more - to become wealthier - to become even more successful. Maybe the post before the last was not prayed upon enough which turns it into wishful thinking, maybe not. We must begin to rise up - we must begin to make wiser decisions. We must say yes. Yes, we are one under the ONE above. I shall send some letters and tears up to heaven and I know I will get the chance to see you again, but not yet, not yet.

Eyes to the Sky

a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - I AM - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix - a. phoenix -

Sitting Here Wondering

As the sounds of Colbie Caillat pass through my head singing words of a song that I honestly don't have the slightest clue of its meaning, I find myself just listening to her voice and to her playing the guitar which connects to my topic of 'one band, one sound.'  A few years back I made the decision to look into joining a fraternity, wait, the GREAT FRATERNITY of Alpha Phi Alpha.  I was inducted and probated on March 1, 2007.

TBC

The Reality of Today

As a maturing child, I always had dreams and aspirations of getting out of my inner-city Chicago neighborhood for several reasons. Some of those reasons included my wish to become a world-traveler and be immersed in several different cultures, my desire to attend a top academic university, and most importantly, the longing to get out of the neighborhood where crime was high and the level of education was low. The reason I am speaking of my childhood desires is because it shows a great connection with the realities of today. Over the last two years, I have constantly seen headlines such as: “Another Chicago Student Killed,” on the front page of the Chicago Sun Times and other periodicals. In fact, some of those murdered students were either friends of mine or attended my high school. The fact that two or more years can equate to today’s current event in the news is completely unacceptable.

Last year, thirty-two Chicago public school students were killed and this year the numbers are just as high. Why should those my age have their lives taken before they are able to reach their full potential? Why should they have to forfeit their dreams? In my published poem entitled “What’s It Like,” I expressed some my feelings of what was occurring around me:

“So its starts as so - blood and tears, blood and tears. Why does it seem to be the only thing youth has shed in the last few years? Gun violence rages through our communities, like a never departing shadow. It's time for us to stand up, our pride and fear, we evidently must swallow.”

I recall the time when I was writing this poem, the way the tears rolled off my face like the rain from the clouds above. It’s so hard getting through something that seems like it will never end. I know the hurt and pain that I feel inside does not come close to comparison with the victim. So I begin to wonder, am I next? Will I be the next student to be shot down because I was caught in crossfire? Will I have those around me grieving because another Chicago student was killed or because Alex was murdered? At this point in time, I completely detest reading the newspaper because crime and murder is all I read.

I feel like I am here for a very special reason. My name is Alex Echols which additively means ‘protector of mankind’ on this ‘battlefield.’ As a college student and growing young adult, I will continue to profess the need for the decreasing of violence and the increasing of mentoring. I will continue to live fearless with my guard up. I will continue to pray for the victims around me. At a young age, I knew if I wanted to get out of my neighborhood, I was going to have to work. By God’s grace, I made it through high school and hopefully will make it through college and come out as a wiser soul. So you ask me, “Why is this news so important to me?” It’s because I hope that at the end of my journey, I would have saved at least one life. For once, the headline of the Chicago Sun Times would read, “We made it!” Ultimately, this is for the sixty-five Chicago students whose lives were taken. God Bless.

Thanks

As a means for getting my thoughts out, I came up with the idea for my blog. Today's word is thanks, so here it goes. Thanks God for blessing me with such a great mom and dad and little big sister. Thanks God for blessing me to have such a great pool of family. Thanks God for allowing a few people to remain true friends in my life. Thanks God for providing me with people such as Mister Williams, John, Papa C, Momma C, and Mattie - my GMa - rest in peace. Thanks God for allowing me to find my way and for continuing the chance to find more of my way - my journey. Thanks God for making me so damn handsome. Thanks God for allowing me to know the difference and times to joke and kid around and the times to be serious. Thanks God for allowing me to make it through a real f'd up world. Thanks God for blessing me with the medium to reach the masses. Thanks God for blessing me with Art. Thanks God for today, it was a damn good day. Thanks God for this summer, a chance to do great things. Thanks God for keeping my mom close to me for seven years after her diagnosing. Thanks God for allowing my Father to return from New York safely on Father's Day. Thanks God for a Father's Day - thanks God for Everyday. Thanks God for allowing my sister to come into her own shoes and for continously providing a way for her to be successful. Thanks God for being there when I needed you the most. Thanks God for being that light in the darkest caves. Thanks God. Thank You.

All I Know

Has it been a hell of a weekend.

1) My 'other' grandmother went to be in the Lord's Army.
2) I went to the LA Reporter's KeyArt awards which was amazing to me
3) I found out a lot about myself - I want to be a forever learner and become a freaking production BEAST
4)I have seen several celebs this weekend. Paul Pierce, PJ Brown, Kevin Garnett, Loretta Devine, the guy from Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and a bunch of others who's names I can not recall.

Continue to Believe and Work Hard

RINSPEED SQUBA

Inspired by the James Bond film ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’.

Black Male Achievement

The Campaign for Black Male Achievement

The Open Society Institute, an international private grantmaking foundation, announced today a new initiative - The Campaign for Black Male Achievement:

"The Open Society Institute's U.S. Programs announced a new campaign to address the exclusion of African American men and boys from the economic and political mainstream in the United States.

Today's announcement comes on the heels of a growing body of research revealing that the isolation and negative outcomes for African American men and boys is more extreme than previously acknowledged. For example, more than 50 percent of all African American boys do not finish high school and a mere 18 percent of black males aged 18 to 21 are enrolled in college. A black child was more likely to grow up with both parents during the era of slavery than today, and nationally 13 percent of black men cannot vote because of felony disenfranchisement laws.

Building on U.S. Programs' previous work to promote racial justice and reduce over-incarceration, the campaign aims to reform educational outcomes and improve economic well-being.

"The problems facing men and boys in the African American community do not exist in a vacuum. This is America's problem," said Geoffrey Canada, (in photo) president and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone and a board member for U.S. Programs.

OSI's campaign, which in its first year will devote $2 million to programmatic development, will support individuals and organizations working to develop alliances among scholars, social justice organizations, the arts and culture industry, as well as other philanthropic endeavors to address black male achievement. The campaign's first grantees are the Center for Urban Families, for its innovative Responsible Fatherhood strategy, which connects a strong direct service program with public policy, and the 21st Century Foundation, for its Black Men and Boys Initiative."

To learn more, visit the website here. For a pic of the Institute's founder, see my previous post here.

For a Minute There

For a Minute There, I started meditating and wondering if I was making a mistake by leaving this company. You know those times when you are performing mindless work and your mind starts wondering like a rollercoaster's twists and turns. I wondered if I would miss out on meeting any of the 'cool' celebrities or if I would miss out on the dire and seemingly boring experience that every intern has forced upon them in the entertainment industry.

Will I miss reading scripts, will I miss not being talked to by peers, will I miss this place? Yeah, even hours before my final moment, I tend to think about the 'ups' of reading relatively good scripts, but that is all I am doing: reading other individuals expressions of personal creativity. I think that's when I realize that my personal termination will be all worth it when I gain more chances to play basketball with new friends, when I do get to focus on working to the MAX, and just doing what I enjoy for the time being- you know, this is summer [ like my last seemingly -non-real-worldil-summer-before-i-go-over-the-hill-summer]. Why not write the screenplays I am reading? Why not begin the books that I have been talking about for months now? Why not do coverage on my own stuff? Life is all about finding your own expression. It's kinda like I am a hopeless romantic when it comes to my dreams, but I even think that's total bullshit because everything is possible - if you want something, go after it, and allow God to make it yours. It matters not how many times you get knocked down or rejected, but it matters how many times you get back up and say, 'My failures will not overshadow my ultimate success.' I am just too 'rich' to live life as if it is not a present and to think I am just like every other person in this world. According to what we usually read in our local newspapers, my life would be as so:

'I am a black seed born to the hood from premarital sex where my father leaves three weeks prior because his angst is matched with stupidity and ignorance. I become a teenager and begin looking for the love that my parents did not show me. I find it in girls and in the streets gangs that take me in as their family. Toting my gun, I think it can act as a cover for my insecurity and utter wanting of compassion and true love. I either drop out of high school or I get all the way to my senior year. Two weeks before I am set to barely pass and graduate, I get my girlfriend pregnant, I get killed, I lose my life.'

Luckily for me, I was blessed to have such a great immediate family. I have had some negative fish in my sea of friends, but still, I survive. My life has not been a walk in the park, but I also understand that there are some people who have not even been close to 'a walk in society.' I gotta understand that I will meet many setbacks and failures, but I also gotta believe that I can and will be very successful. If you don't believe in yourself, who will? Man of Courage, Woman of Faith, Whatever you may be, be it to the fullest - live it and adorn it. "The future only belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.'

Vandy in Hollywood
University of Dreams
Summer in Beverly Hills
Welcome to the West Coast

Say Hello to Alex

Obama

Today Was A Good Day

Been in Beverly Hills for three days now and will be here till June 22. Then I head to UCLA for University of Dreams. Getting excited. First day of work today at Blowtorch Entertainment. Reading scripts, doing coverage, and answering phones pretty much sums up the entertainment intern's life. Looking forward to my first day at IMAX tomorrow. I am pretty excited!

God is good, he continues to bless me and my family. God bless you.

Now on to the topic below me. I definitely do not understand how a teacher expects children to have the mental and critical capacity to vote a peer student out of a classroom. Shows a utter lack of support and a great deal of prejudice. This must stop! But How?

A.E. Signing Out

Kindergartener Voted Out By Students

(CBS) A Port St. Lucie, Fla., mother is outraged and considering legal action after her son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.

Melissa Barton says Morningside Elementary teacher Wendy Portillo had her son's classmates say what they didn't like about 5-year-old Alex. She says the teacher then had the students vote, and voted Alex, who is being evaluated for Asperger's syndrome -- an autism spectrum disorder -- out of the class by a 14-2 margin.

Barton and her son, Alex, talked exclusively with Harry Smith live from West Palm Beach, Fla.

Barton filed a complaint with Morningside's school resource officer.

St. Lucie School spokeswoman Janice Karst said the district is investigating the incident, but could not make any further comment. The state attorney's office concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed.

Teacher Wendy Portillo was advised by the school board not to speak to the press so she declined our interview offer.

100 Black Men of America Founder: "Become a Mentor"

From Vicky Waltz of Bu.edu:

"William H. Hayling, a renowned African-American obstetrician and founder of 100 Black Men of America, was only 14 when his father died of pneumonia. Such a profound loss would send many adolescents into a self-destructive spiral of grief and anger, but Hayling was more fortunate than most. “I had a very supportive mother and several family friends,” the 82-year-old physician told the audience at Boston University’s Commencement day Baccalaureate Service Sunday at Marsh Chapel. “They became my mentors.”

Hayling, who attributes his success to these early role models, urged the crowd to “help another human being who needs some guidance,” by becoming a mentor. “Remember,” he said, “the greatness of an institution is judged not by its library or endowment, but by the contributions of the men and women who go forth from it, the services they render to others, and the humility in which they serve.”

During his 55-year career, Hayling has treated thousands of women and delivered more than 8,000 babies, but he is most proud of his leadership role as a teen mentor. “My true passion is helping young people grow into productive and compassionate leaders,” he said, “particularly those who have had poor or absent male role models in their lives.”

..But Hayling is best known for his work outside of medicine. Following the example set by the role models from his youth, Hayling cofounded 100 Black Men of America, Inc., a mentoring program for young African-Americans and other minorities, in 1963. Other founding members included baseball legend Jackie Robinson and David Dinkins, who later became mayor of New York City. The organization has more than 100 chapters and 10,000 members. Hayling also volunteers with Mentoring Today for Tomorrow, an after-school program for young people ages 9 through 18, in California’s Riverside County." Read full article here.

God is Around Us All

When you are feeling down and tried. Know and understand that God is here for us and that he will definitely be the reason for the sunshine. Trust is a big thing in life. I trust that he will forever guide me!

Something to Gander

A Redneck from Mississippi walked into a bank in New York City and asked for the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going to Bakersfield on business for two weeks and needed to borrow $5,000, and that he was not a depositor of the bank.

The Bank Officer told him that the bank would need some security for the loan so the Redneck handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank.

The Redneck produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest. Later the bank’s president and its officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the Redneck from the south using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a $5000 loan.

An employee of the bank drove the the Ferrari into the bank’s underground garage and parked it. Two weeks later, the Redneck returned, repaid the $5,000 loan and the interest of $23.07.

The loan officer said ‘Sir, we are very happy to have your business, and the transaction has worked out nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that
you are a multimillionaire. What puzzles us is why would you borrow $5,000?’

The Mississippi Redneck replied, ‘Where else in New York City could I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?’

Why 'Filipinos' Live in the 'Philippines.'

Something I found very interesting.

Mind Your P's and F's: How Pilipinos became Filipinos in the Philippines.By Daniel Engber

The Philippines have only been called the Philippines (with a "Ph") since the United States bought the country from Spain around the turn of the 20^th century, after the Spanish-American War. Under Spanish colonial rule—which extended back to the 16^th century—the country had been called "Las Islas Filipinas," after King Felipe II. For Americans, Felipe was Phillip, so Las Filipinas became the Philippines. While the name of the country changed, the name of the nationality did not. Those who lived in the renamed Philippines were still called Filipinos.

Click the link to continue reading
http://www.slate.com/id/2136894/

The Art of Persuasion

The art of persuasion represents the history of shrewd but diplomatic manipulation -- getting people over the fence and onto your side without the use of force. Its ultimate goal is basic, but difficult: To convince your audience to internalize your argument, then embrace it as a part of their core belief system.

In his book, Influence: the Psychology of Persuasion, author Robert Cialdini defines six weapons of influence: reciprocation, commitment/consistency, authority, social validation, scarcity, and liking/friendship. Below, we’ll look at a number of persuasive techniques and how some of Cialdini’s "weapons" can be applied, along with some hints from Aristotle and one rather innovative technique offered up by two guys with distinctly Hollywood backgrounds.

Click the link to continue reading:

http://www.askmen.com/money/successful_150/179_success.html

Brought to you by askmen.com

Sakiya Sandifer - Success is a Process

saKiya sandifer Goldman Sachs Keynote Address
by we-think

Sounds like me

"I'm Led By My Desire..My Desire is To Be one of the Best''

HTC DIAMOND

Might Have to Cop

Kid A.E. Signing Out

Today Was a Great Day

So my big little sister graduated today.

CONGRATULAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATIONS BIG HEAD! Love You.

KId AE Signing Out

Faith Today

I find it hard to believe that a few dollars is able to hold someone back from following their dreams.

For:

The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD's anointed.
1 Samuel 26:23

Pray.Faith.Dream.Live

Signing Out

It'll All Get Better in Time

So one more final down and does it feel grreeeaat! Our theater performance was excellent and the actors did very well. Glad to see that all our hard work payed off. So what do I have left? A darn Isadora performance tool, a lil WireTapPro, and a whole paper about the essence of abilities prior to existence. But hell, its gotta be done and it will. The amount of stuff I have learned has been very grand. Each day is a learning experience and an opportunity to gain wisdom. "For in much wisdom is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."- Ecclesiastics 1:18. In 21st ct terms, its like Biggie said, "More money, more problems."

At the end of my world, my knowledge, experiences, love, family, and God will remain by my side. What else could a man ask for? Tomorrow is a new day and thats why I have hopeful dreams today.

Kid-A.E. Signing O U T out

Bigger Things in Life

"If you can stand and say you did your best then at the end of the day that will matter the most."

So classes are over and we are all amidst the beginning of finals. I felt like this semester was definitely one to be remembered because there has been so much that I have learned: don't leave expensive belongings laying around the house, don't give your heart to someone who does not believe in hope, don't say that you can't because everything can be done, and don't EVER give up on your hopes and dreams, because as Hughes said: "Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." Life will always be filled with anomalies and hard times, but we must continue to make the most of the experiences.

So what's next?

Finish Finals, Go Home, Handle Business, Head to Hollywooooo, and its to the sky from there. I am ready to fly high. It's time!

Kid A.E. Signing Out

and o so big prayer to all those being killed in Chicago, God Bless

Wow, What a Journey I'm On

So it has definitely been a long time since expressing thoughts on here..

Success and Completion

Damn It Feels Good

Spring Break Here I Come

Kid A.E. Checking Out 1,2 1,2

Not What, but Which One?

The questions that we ponder on a day to day basis. What clothes will I wear, when will I tell that girl I like her, what am I going to do with my life, how will I get there? Prince Lawrence of Arabia once made the distinction between those who dream at night and the dreamers of the day for these men do everything in their God-given power to make sure their dreams come true and that they excel pass their own aspirations.

Now I started this post early yesterday morning when I was up studying for a test. It has taken me over 24 hrs to re-begin my spill. The idea of life coming at you fast is definitely not a joke and we should take these gifts serious. Yesterday, a shooting happened at a college in my home state and everyone in my family was shook up.

Man, I am at a lost for words...

The Question is Not What, but Which One?

The questions that we ponder on a day to day basis. What clothes will I wear, when will I tell that girl I like her, what am I going to do with my life, how will I get there? Prince Lawrence of Arabia once made the distinction between those who dream at night and the dreamers of the day for these men do everything in their God-given power to make sure their dreams come true and that they excel pass their own aspirations.

When I view my upcoming dreams and aspirations, I don't ask myself "what dream?", but I ask myself, "which dream is up first?" In order to succeed in life, you must first be the dreamer and doer of the day. I say each day I am getting closer to my dreams, but I know deep down inside that it has already begun.

JuicyCampus

"Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known."

Today Is A New Day

"We too often find comfort in the pattern of our lives - Jeff Ullom"

Today I would say was one of the days when you can already see things changing for the better in your life. I got a lot of stuff done and still have much more to do, but thanks to God and to myself, I feel accomplished. I took a break after a long day of working hard and working out; I tuned my channel to Akeelah in the Bee. I was actually very glad that I watched it because it goes to show that no matter how young or old someone is, anything can be done and can impact viewers tremendously. I was touched by Marianne Williamson's quote which reads:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, 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 are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I have heard this quote several times in my past, but today, I gained a greater appreciation for the words. It ties into the quote my professor said today, "We too often find comfort in the pattern of our lives." We must break out of our molds and pace outside our comfort zones from time to time to experience the vast riches of life and I am defintely NOT just talking about monetary goods. I myself have a lot of things I could better in my life so that I can be living my best life now. Joel Osteen even says, "God didn't make a mistake when He made you. You need to see yourself as God sees you. You must do everything in your power to make your dreams come true.

When times get hard and they sometimes will, we must find it in ourselves to persevere and keep going. We must reach deep, even sometimes DEEPER down inside to find the words, "Yes, I can." So today was a new day and tomorrow is yet another present. And yes I can be everything I want to be. Yes, I can be that actor and movie director. Yes, I can be that esteemed author. Yes, I can be that loving husband, father, grandfather, and great x19993 grandfather[one day]. But it all starts inside for me with just one single step and if it doesn't start inside for you then repeat these words over and over and over again until its start emerging from your pores. Daily affirmations soon enough become life.

I talk to my Grandma Virgina today and she reassured me that everything will be alright. Thanks Mom, Dad, and Sister.

Kid-AE Signing Out

Pray for Patience

"The state of my life is what drives me to get better each and every day."

Above is a quote that I came up with that wraps up part of my essence at this time. I feel like I've been taking 2 steps forward and 7 steps backward when it comes to certain aspects of my life. On the other hand, I can already see myself becoming one of those cliche entrepreneurs that do not have time for leisure and other people which is something I am really trying to stray away from. Hopefully my 'grown-up' life is comprised of the extra special balance of life, love, and leisure.

The thoughts encircling in my head is similar to a snow globe being shook up. With time, everything will settle and be better than ever. Momma always says, "Pray for patience."

Focus on the beauty in life.

Never Said Better

222 is such a sad number in my life

Another Weekend Down

Yet another weekend down, yet another day passed by. I just had the opportunity of taking part in another Posse Plus Retreat this past weekend in which I met new people and learned more about older friends. So what exactly is Social Responsibility? I actually think I had a dream about the definition of the word. At the surface, the various aspects of our society and different cultures seems to be as difficult as mixing water with oil. But the fact remains that with great hope, love, production, and progress..we all will not only better ourselves, but we also have the opportunity to better the world and help those in need. Albert Einstein once said, "a worthwhile life, is the life lived for others." For years I have tried to live accordingly and now I WILL live accordingly. Yet another weekend down...yet another day wiser.

And P.S., special thanks to the staff, friends, and my dyad partner Cathya.

Dream, Believe, Do
Kid-A.E. Signing Out

Day One of The Rest of My Life

Jan 30, 2008

Momma always did have a knack and intuition about things. Life is filled with several hardships and happy days. It's up to us to figure out what to do with them. More to come soon.

Kid A.E. Checking Out