Season of Opened Doors!

Everything that I'm doing this year is unbelievable. I'm in the best shape of my life, but not just physically. I've grown spiritually, I've socialized more, and I'm spending more time with friends and family. I'm being more giving and considerate to others. I have a great relationship with all my coworkers. Not that all of the above wasn't existent already, it's just at a higher level than ever before. It's amazing! God is working through me. I've heard it this week, "The Lord is perfecting everything that concerns me." I'm plowing the field and the rain keeps coming. It's important to remain positive, stay in a state of grace, and maintain not a good but a great prayer life. That means to forgive our trespasses. I know that everything is easier said than done, and with that comes pain and suffering. I'd rather suffer if it means that the ones I love are blessed. I love pain. Pain makes me stronger. The world will knock you down, sometimes flat on your face, and all I could say is thank you and bring it. "Greater is He who is within me." It's easy to quit, but I've said it once and I'll continue to say it, the best things is life, the most beautiful things, the riches things in life, are challenging. "I'd give in for what's around me, if it wasn't for the spirit that's within me." God has a special way of piecing everything together. It's unbelievable that he brought me this far. It's everything that I had imagined plus way more. Let it always be His will and not mine. "Just my luck, things will work out." They always do. Like my mother always said, "Dios es muy grande." My God is bigger than life, He created it. Bigger than death, He conquered it. Fear is false evidence appearing real. "I am created in God's image, my thoughts transform me." I am made for this. I can do this. Living as if everything is a miracle. I believe. I trust in The Lord. This is the Season of Opened Doors!

The Learning Process

I learn a lot during road trips. Most recently, I've learned the following:

1. I learned that some people are real with you and some are not. They eventually reveal themselves as if they were transparent. It's not your fault or theirs. Some people are meant to cross paths, but not necessarily stay. They push themselves away, and that's a good thing.

2. I learned that some things never change. If you appreciate the bad times, then you can appreciate the good times. By separating yourself from the negative bad people or things, then you allow the positive good people or things to find you. If you're not happy when you're poor, then you won't be happy when you're rich. Some people are just miserable and they need help, but we can't always help them no matter how much they cry to us. They have to figure it out and help themselves. 

3. I learned that some women are simply beautiful. There are many singles especially in big cities. That these beautiful single women actually like single guys regardless of social status, income, class education or race. People will love you for you, the real you, with all your greatness and flaws.

4. I learned to make great decisions. Quality versus quantity. Long term investments are great. Make memories. Communicate, communicate, communicate, because that's the professional way. Water over soda. 

5. I learned that some people will not like how you are and there's nothing you can change about that. Forgive and forget them. See 1 and 2. If they are committed to misunderstanding you, then it's a waste of time to explain to them your intentions. Keep doing you, the better version of you. Be so busy loving the people that love you that you won't have time for those that don't. 

6. I learned that old friends that stayed loyal and never disrespected you are lifelong buddies. Stay in touch and share time with those one in a million types of people. They know you, they accept you, so keep them. 

7. I learned that Los Angeles, CA is the best city in the world. The environment, entertainment, food, people, culture, location etc. does not compare with any other. It's not even close. To live and die in L.A.

8. I learned that God has a purpose for my life. Everything will happen in His time and that I'm in Midland, TX to fulfill a temporary duty for Him. 10 years of service may be my last straw. Kobe retires and I'm gone just for fun. It was all fun! 

9. I will always be there for my siblings, and vice versa. We may not agree with one another, but we understand and love each other. A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. They all have done this. Maybe one day I will do the same, but our love will never end. We are the same blood. Our hearts have the same beautiful beat that our mother's had, we've all heard it before we came into this life.

10. I learned that I'm Dominguez with a pinch of Nunez so don't fwm. "Soy Dominguez, pero no me chingues." Sorry I won't apologize for being me or should I say like her (María De Jesus Domínguez). I'm not perfect, but why not strive for perfection. My Church is not a place where saints gather, it's a place where sinners are seeking their Savior. 

11. Lastly, I learned that I'm God's boy. He spoils me. I'm blessed because He loves me, I belong to Him because I've been baptized in His name. He blesses the righteous. Everyday I do His work. All of my accomplishments are because of Him. He gets all the glory. He uses me to bless others. Not perfect, but His grace is greater than any flaw. People may hate me for my imperfections, but people also love me for them. God did not put us in this world to be average. We are all meant to shine in His light. God is love. 

The Promise Land

“I've been to the mountain top…I've seen the Promise Land.” –MLK

What do you do when you have reached the top?

Enjoy the view, then climb down so that you can climb up another one. 

How do I know if I'm climbing up or down?

Your hunger will answer that question.