Cry Later, Smile Now

I have it all backwards! I would be a bad cop simply because I wouldn’t give tickets to anybody. Don’t get the wrong idea here, I would definitely fight crime. I would study and track down all those you are causing harm to me, my love ones, and our community, but I would leave everyone else alone to go about their business. I would pull people over just to educate them and let them know about the traffic laws. Why would I give parking tickets especially on those especial event days that parking tickets are mostly given? Why would I pull people over when they are speeding just a few miles over the speed limit? I wouldn’t cut breaks, but I would make sure that I help those in need. This is against the law enforcement guidelines. I would make a terrible cop. I am not a cop.

I would make a bad principle simply because nobody would be suspended or anything similar to that punishment. I would educate those who need help with discipline and model by example. I would have mercy on all students and at the same time give them some type of consequence for their action. I would definitely remove them from distracting the learning environment and as a principle I would have to be the teacher and teach them the lesson or hire someone designated to do that. They will learn the academic school lesson, and at the same time to obey. I would be teaching during different hours, whether it is morning tutorials, or afterschool, and delegate other administration duties to assistant principals, etc. I would promote lifelong learning and education so that everyone grows a hunger for it to improve. Who doesn’t want to get stronger, faster, and smarter? Maybe this system is discouraging and will not work. I would make a terrible principal. I am not a principal.

I make a bad authority figure. Some say that it’s hard to take me serious, but I say it’s hard not to take me serious if they only knew what I have to offer them. I bring a lot to the table. Experience, loyalty, and champion are written all over me. You have to take me serious even if I’m joking with you because if you don’t then you are the joke. Nobody wants to be a “scrub”, do they? After all, 95% of discipline issues come from people who want attention, so I don’t think they impress anybody with rachetness . When you demand attention you act up, talk back, become an unpleasant class clown, and you defeat the purpose of the attention that you’re trying to attain. I would strongly advise you to take me serious because I may know something that you don’t know that you are desperately and secretly are seeking to obtain.  My methods are concrete. You’re not going to stop the sun from shining. The night doesn’t last as long as the day. I’m trying to make an important point here. Be the day, light, shine, that people look forward to seeing and being a part of and at the same time dreaming about at night.

Do my methods work? Probably not, but they’re justifiable.

Do your methods work? Probably not, but they’re justifiable right?

Whatever you do, do it with a smile (positive attitude) and it magically works. This is what college teaches all educators: If you believe it works, then by golly it works. Sell your product. Additionally for any doubters, if it aint broke, don’t fix it.

If you need to go to war, I’m going with you. AND WE WILL WIN.

After the War

The war has ended. There is peace. Everything that was destroyed is now being restored. However it is not yet safe to be out in the streets. Anguish, hate, fear, regret, and resentment still plagues the people.  However, hope exists. This is where the story begins.

Nobody is around, but when the traffic clears and the sun goes down, I inspect the regions. Where does the help come from? How are the streets getting cleaned every day? Nobody knows the answer yet.

Nobody wants to sacrifice their time and attention on these important matters. They are more interested staying in a cool place with non-relief crew because sweating is too much of a burden. The people of the future sent a message, “Help each other.” Not everyone has gotten the memo.

If they only knew that the days are numbered. Tomorrow is not promised, and that later I will have to take my services and talents elsewhere where there is more demand. If they open their eyes perhaps it will change their actions and be more loving to the people who will love them for all eternity, the ones that saw good in them, the ones who were always there, the once in a lifetime kind of people sent from above.

The Faith has gone out the window. It is as scarce as our water resource. The Church awaits their return. These lost sheep will one day be found, maybe today or maybe tomorrow. That day will be a joyful celebration. We are living in a time where morality is no longer being acknowledged. Our angels in heaven are also working overtime and assisting in this affair.

Life cannot all be about work that is why when I get the opportunity I want to spend every minute possible with the ones I love. That is true investment. I realized that during this time, it is better to be alone, then to be with people who make you feel alone. After the war, people started getting replaced with others or worldly things. We are trapped.

We will overcome these times. This too shall pass. In the mist of struggle and work, every once in a while we should look up with a smile and be thankful. God allows us to enjoy the little things in life because one day we will realize they were big things.

The war is over. No need to mourn. It is time to rebuild without fading into the shadows. We were all meant to shine as children of God. We shouldn’t fear. We are powerful beyond measure.

There are people out there who are really struggling, but our problems are small. We have a God who is greater than anything in this tempting world. Once you’ve found your home, paradise looks closer than what it appears.

What’s next? I have to lead by example. I have to do things that are only imaginable. I have to prove my worth by surprise as if it was surprising. I have to reveal what only gets reveal after the fact. I have to be loud enough so that everyone could hear. Anyone who is crazy enough to think they can change the world are usually the ones who do.

The Dream Continues...

The dream has taken place. I woke up and I became this superstar. Everywhere I go, people knew who I was, yelled my name, took pictures, chatted and sat next to me. This was it. I made it to stardom. Bright lights and shiny cars. People loved and envied me. They kept pulling me. Some of them wanted to use me, others wanted to be used by me. What’s a man do to? I sit here on Earth trying to live a holy life, but this world resists it. This world’s a crazy place, but you’re still beautiful to me, even though you’re one of them. Walking through the same road on a daily basis trying to make some noise. People may say, I’m doing it for the one that got away, but they don’t really know. I left my heart in a place that no one will be able to find. I’m worried that if my amnesia kicks in, I may not be able to find it. I have a plan, that’s why I’m writing this. My objectives have to be on point. I have to do it for the ones that I love because I know they will do it for me. Maybe not right now, but one day when they’re old enough to know who cared and what’s important. There’s not enough loyal people in the world today, but that’s okay. More and more people are robbing me, but little that they know is that they are only robbing themselves. They’ll come back to look for me as if I’m their only hope to save them because after all I work for the Lord, I’m a disciple of His. My God is bigger than any army and I’m bigger than any backstabbing and deceiving snake. I’m an unfinished project. I can’t say that I’ve made it because I haven’t began to go. The best is yet to come, I just have to make the move. This is the most significant year of our lives. Hang on, buckle up, wipe the sweat off your forehead, pull you pants up, flex your muscles, take a deep breath, say your prayers, do your homework, eat your vegetables, and get ready. This is exactly how I pictured it to be. The dream continues…

40 Days and 40 Nights

40 days and 40 nights…

Lent season is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s exciting to me because a lot of growth is done during this time. I am blessed to be in a wonderful position in life, but there’s always room for improvement. This year, I decided to do things a little different, as always, to make it interesting. This time I am not stating specifics as to what kind of activities are being practiced or what sacrifices I’m making, but you can rest assure that by the end of the 40 days I will come back stronger and wiser.

40 days and 40 nights…

I see it like a war. I feel it every year. We do not combat against flesh and blood, but against principalities, evil powers of the unseen world. It’s really a war in the spiritual realm, but it’s also a war here on earth against your own self and many evil powers. This is a time where Christians are getting closer to God and evil doesn’t like that, in fact it dreads this time of year and decides to fight for the souls of many. It’s a war! It’s exciting to me. This year is going to be like no other. Temptation will be there, but with the help of God, His Divine Mercy, and His Love, we are going to conquer and prevail. That’s right soldiers. I am going to step into enemy lines and charge! We’re in hell right now, keep going and with a smile for the Lord is with you.

40 days and 40 nights…

Love bears all things. This is a time of year to share with your love ones, and to love people even during turmoil. Did I mention we were at war? With all the fasting and sacrifices that we are making, don’t forget the most important ingredient, Love. Do everything with great Love. Do it for God, do it for everyone you Love, and do it for yourself.

40 days and 40 nights…

It’s a race, but not against time, it’s a race to see if you can make it to the finish line 40 days from now. Easter Sunday is a time to rejoice and be glad. It will be a day of thanksgiving.

Are you ready? Is your body and mind ready? Is your soul ready? Maybe, maybe not, but in 40 days it will be after the test.

The following son doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with lent season, but it’s called 40 Days and 40 Nights. Hopeless romantic much?

Rebel Without a Cause?

“You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” –Dark Night Movie

I wanted to start a revolution. 16 years later, it has come down to this. I finally get to give back. How do you explain being the most hated and the most loved? At least the people that love me are the ones that matter and keep me going. I never wanted to be normal. I always wanted to be different and stand out.

“A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.” -Max Lucado

I wanted to shock the world. I did. Now I want to shock the world every day. It has become a craving. I’m addicted to crowd reactions. I love that hate. I love pain. While people are looking over the fence, I’m doing something unreal. When it’s all set and done, they won’t believe their eyes. This one person who was there every day was capable of doing the impossible. Then, they will think they know the secret, but there’s more than just one secret. I’m going to have to do some proofs. I’m going to dig even deeper. I’m not looking at them, I’m looking past them.

“The proof is in the pudding.”

Please excuse me, since I have nieces and nephews to look after. And I have expenses I have to buy bigger plates.

Success is measured on how many confused, sad, angry, misunderstood and ignorant people are judging you. #truth #sad #buttrue
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) January 29, 2013

“Ain’t no love in the heart of this city...”

“The Dark Days”

After losing my mother to cancer in 2003, my days were darkened. Now I faced the world alone, like an orphan out in the wilderness. I had a job, but it wasn’t good enough, I had a second job, but it wasn’t good enough. At some point, I had 3 to 4 part time jobs getting paid minimum wage or just a little over just to make it financially to pay my cut of the bills and rent. Luckily, I was splitting it 3 ways among my 2 other brothers. I had to go to school full time taking a minimum of 12 hours and up to 16 hours per semester just so that I can get done with my degree in a timely manner, and begin a career to make some real money. Nothing seemed to work. Washer and dryer would go out, air conditioner, water leaks, clogged bathrooms and kitchen, and the biggest burden of them all was my car giving up on me. Halfway through school my engine blows up and all I see is white smoke everywhere as I pull over to the side of Hwy 191. I’ve had tire blow outs coming down Hwy 191 and almost had to walk home. It was no fun having to deal with mechanics and waiting for my vehicle to be repaired. When my mother was around it was easy, she took care of everything. Wow, my poor mother, at times she probably felt the same way I feel during difficult times. Welcome to manhood right? My bosses at my jobs in retail weren’t helping any. Yeah they were demanding and didn’t care what kind of personal problems an employee had, business was business. I guess it’s true what it says about a business man: it’s easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than a business/wealthy man to go to heaven. It was ridiculous, envy and hate can consume a person and cause innocent people to suffer. I took it like a man and performed like my life depended on it because in reality it did. I knew that there was something better for me. Everything I did with the grace of God was so that I can be in the position I am now. I had a vision, I had a dream, I had hope and I had faith. I believed that tough times wouldn’t last, that my mother was looking down praying for me; that God was going to take care of His children and that justice will be served.

Sometimes you have to go through the bad to appreciate the good. God doesn’t send anything you cannot handle. God uses those trials to mold a person. Just as quality pure gold is tested through fire, a quality pure man is tested with hardships. Next time you’re in Hell, walk straight through it with a smile for the Lord is always with you. Have faith. Those who endure, conquer. May the last be first, and the first be last. Give it to me! Bring It! It’s been proven!

2012

2012 will go down as the fastest year ever. The year went by fast, but I’m not going to forget the memories that it left behind, even if they were quick, they will last a lifetime.

Financially it was the best year. I paid off my car and all credit cards.

I began the remodeling of my house.

I finished a graduate program with a Masters of Arts in Spanish.

I made several new friends.

I met my fitness goals: gained weight, woop woop!

I traveled overseas for the first time: Summer Vacation in Spain.

I voted once again.

I was a groomsman for two of my friend’s weddings this year.

I was able to travel more.

My Lakers made some big moves in the off-season and won on Christmas day.

All the above were highlights of 2012 for me. They were all significant in my life plus my usual work that I put in every year, the regular accomplishments that are done on a daily basis. It has been a blessing to say the least. Now it is time to start a new chapter, so to speak, as page 1 of 365 gets written today. I have work to do (grinding time)…If y’all need me, give me a holler because I will literally stop what I’m doing if y’all want to spend time and/or need any assistance. Every one of you is important to me. This year, like every year, should be a very positive one. Negativity, criticism, pessimism, complaints, etc. don’t exist in my every day life. Live free, live loud, but God is number 1 and you’re number 2.