Things that the 30's have taught me...

As I approach the big 4-0, I was thinking back on life and taking stock of the past 10 years. I have been through a lot this decade, divorce, war, marriage and a myriad of personal issues that I care not to discuss at this time (I am not going to put my business on a blog or facebook, ever). Here are some of the things that I have learned in the past ten years:

1. Trust is something so valuable, that you do not realize its value until you either lose it, or others lose it in you.

2. Presentation is 75% of the matter (when you have no idea what is going on). Ergo, if you present yourself correctly, people will believe you.

3. If the dealer is showing six, stand. (Vegas reference)

4. Music is getting progressively dumber and anybody can make it now, no talent required. (I have too many examples to begin naming...)

5. Technology is the "gift and the curse." What if I really don't want to talk to you, nor know that you have called?

6. It takes 15 voicemail messeges to fill up my voicemail box. (See number 5)

7. Family is MOST important (after GOD).

8. Living in Detroit (metropolitan area) is...

9. Higher education leads to a higher paying job, which leads to more bills.

10. There is a reason that it is called a "business PLAN."

11. It is not WHAT you know but who you know. However, it then becomes WHAT they know.

12. I no longer like South Park, after the movie it was just over for me. I attribute it to age...

13. I fuss like my mother, yet I have my fathers demeanor (it is a demonstration of opposites).

14. The entire cast of Seinfeld are a rich collection of blithering idiots...operative word? Rich.

15. "Fraser" is the funniest show ever written.

16. The value of time is something that should never be "wasted" or "killed" i.e. wasting time, killing time etc.

17. There is an understated value in having a good attorney.

18. That value is even greater when you are the attorney. (Candace and Marquita)

19. Read everything in its entirety, before you sign...

20. GOD loves us, unconditionally, however, HE hates some of the things that we do...(69 verses in the Bible tells these things i.e. homoesexuality, lying, pride etc)...and that is what can get you out of HIS favor.

21. If you know someone is doing wrong and you assist in any way, you are just as guilty...

22. If you want nice things, make sure you can afford to keep them up.

23. The less a man makes declaretive statements, the less likely he is to look foolish in retrospect. (Ok I cannot take credit for that one, Quentin Tarrentino-"Four Rooms")

24. You can walk into any African American family reunion and ask, "How is Peaches doing?" or "I don't see Sam out here." and they will probably give you a plate and let you eat.

25. No problem that you have will cause the world to stop spinning, anything that is messed up can be repaired. Just do NOT hide it.

26. People have an insatiable desire to continue to push the envelope, no matter what the area.

27. I hate driving long distances.

28. Relaity television is no substitute for REAL LIFE.

29. Texting can probably be traced to the decline in language arts skills in children (I just don't know how yet).

30. Guys, look at her mother, cause this is who she will be in 40 years.

31. Ladies, look at how he treats his mother, cause this is how he will treat you.

32. Ladies, if he doesn't open the door for you, don't open a door for him...(read between the lines).

33. It is no longer worth it if you are borrowing to invest and constantly getting nowhere.

34. All sunshine makes a desert, all rain makes a swamp, the right combination makes a beautiful garden.

35. Being a Pastor is a CEO position, if you have no business sense, just be an evangelist.

36. Faith without works is dead. (Let that sink in for a minute).

37. You can teach someone everything they know, but never teach everything that you know.

38. Diligent hands makes one rich. (Let that sink in too).

39. Being alone is NOT the same as being LONELY.

40. Fat meat really is greasy and that has nothing to do with the price of tea in China. (Y'all know what I am talking about...LOL)

and as always,

Be Blessed!

To Whom Much is Given...

This is ringing in my head so strong, and "no" I have not been watching "Spider Man." I have been in conversations and debates with many people, about the "realness" of GOD and how people are looking for "signs." What more do you need? First of all, you woke up this morning, like the old folks used to say, "enclothed in your right mind." This is where it ends though, because if you have grown enough to question GOD, you cannot possibly be in your right mind. The Bible says that, "HIS ways are not our ways..." Quite simply put, we obviously do not know what is best for us, we think we do, but we don't, and I can admit that.

Back to the topic, I was thinking about those who are so enamored with finances. They pray for financial freedom and they are not in a proper mind state to be able to handle any kind of prosperity. I have found myself in this situation, and until I am ready for a financial blessing, I will NOT receive one. So people, I ask you, please stop praying to become rich. That is just stupid. Instead pray for the understanding needed in order to handle finances whether it be what you have or what you would like to have, in this gaining of understanding, you are fulfilling the exhortation of,"...in all thy getting, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

and as always,

Be blessed!

Truth of the Matter

As I sit here on the 16th of July 2009 reviewing some of the current events, I am going to share the "truth of the matter" like:

1) The media is so powerful they can fool people into believing things that are NOT true, the truth of the matter is that, as lovely a woman that Beyonce Knowles (Carter) is, she CANNOT sing. So many people are gassed up to see her and pay their (or someone else's) hard earned money for her concert. It really puzzles me.

2) While being an elected official is an honor and a privledge it comes with a lot of responsibility, the truth of the matter is, it SUCKS when you make decisions that effect people whose salaries more than double yours, in some cases....triple!

2b) Which leads me to this...since when did it become about anything else but the children? Truth of the matter is, people don't care, how do I know this? Because the very people that work in the neighborhood, will not allow their children to go to school in the very area that pays you an exorbitant amount of money, Whisket Tango Foxtrot is wrong with this picture?

3) Monica Conyers had "Kwame Kilpatrick Syndrome" squared. First of all, she was elected on her name (trust me, I have room to talk on this one...LOL) and she made a circus of the city council. However, more than that she probably thought that she was untouchable because of who her husband is. Truth of the matter is, let me say this so that you all understand where I am coming from....(clearing my throat)

If you break a federal law, the feds WILL GET YOU!

flat out, plain and simple.

4) What is the fascination with Sasha Baron whatshisname (Bruno and other ridiculous characters)? Truth of the matter is, his success is a reflection of how society is going to hell in a handbasket. Well he will not get ANY of my money, I guarentee it!

5) People are just stupid. I just have to be honest, truth of the matter is, if you dont have anything, dont put your mouth on someone who is working their behind off to provide for their family while you are a ward of the state, and my taxes are feeding your trifilng @$$!!!

6) In spite of everything GOD still loves us and HIS love is eternal and forgiveness is always available. Truth of the matter is, HIS mercy is new every morning and thank GOD because we are all human...

Mental Makeup (Integrity)

I was chatting with a young man when I realized something wife said, "We go through the things that we experience to help someone else." This was a profound statement. I think about the people who spoke to me and told me things that I dismissed as rhetoric. Now that those men are gone on, I recognize that the things that they said were true and I wish that I would have been listening a little closer.

These days, I am blessed to spend a LOT of time with my father. This time, I listen. Plain and simple, I know that I really don't know much and the wisdom that my father gives me is worth more than money can buy. I could literally write a book of the things that I have learned. A lot of things would actually raise some eyebrows, but that is for another time.

The greatest thing that I have learned from my father is integrity. You see, integrity is is defined by yours truly as just being real. If you say you're going to do something, do it. If you say you are going somewhere, go there. That is the greatest testament to you is your reputation, your name.

Imagine what happens when people know you are coming, they actually look forward to seeing you because it is a break from the phony and fake.

How is your mental makeup? Are you operating in integrity? Do people say that you are a man/woman of your word? That is my goal, because in all facets of my life, I have to be a man of integrity. In my relationship with my wife, I must have integrity. My wife needs to know that when I say something she can take it to the bank. My kids need to know that when dad says he is going to do something or take them somewhere, we are going.

Have I been this person always? No. I admit to that. However, I know that I have raised my level of integrity since I got a revelation. Your word is your bond. That is the basis of integrity. There is more such as doing the right thing all of the time, even when no one is watching.

What do you get when you are a man/ woman of integrity?

Trust.

Be Blessed!