Don't ever Quit, no matter what.

Don't Quit

Don't quit when the tide is lowest, For it's just about to turn; Don't quit over doubts and questions, For there's something you may learn. Don't quit when the night is darkest, For it's just a while 'til dawn; Don't quit when you've run the farthest, For the race is almost won. Don't quit when the hill is steepest, For your goal is almost nigh; Don't quit, for you're not a failure Until you fail to try.

-Jill Wolf

The end of this poem has always struck me, "you're not a failure, until you fail to try". That is the truth. A quitter is a failure. As long as you fight till the death, you can never be called a failure, you just simply died trying. But when you give up on what's right, on your dreams, on your goals, etc. You are giving in to failure. So think about that, and NEVER give up, no matter how hard it gets.

REVOLT!

What is the definition of the word revolt? It means to REFUSE to accept something or to OPPOSE it.

I'm sure there're many things in this world that we need to revolt against!

You can't make 'em drink.. (they gotta want it part 2)

The last post I wrote was about how people have to want help to receive help.

We'll, it seemed to really stir up some thoughts in many peoples minds. I even think that some feel it's a bit of a harsh approach to just take your hands off of people and let them live their life.

I think we really have to look at an age old saying to really get the point across... So... O.K...

here it goes...

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make 'em drink".

There you have it. Not complicated. Not extravagant. Just simple and plain.

Those who deal with horses realize that you can try all day to force the horse to drink, but you are just not strong enough to force him. If he wants, he will drink, if he doesn't... well... he won't. And the same applies to people. If they WANT help, they will accept it, but if they don't want it, no matter how hard you push, they will not accept it. And that is the reality that I have had to face recently.

Trust me, if there was a way to force people to accept help, I would use it! But there is no way. All you can do is give it your best shot. Use all the skills and knowledge that you have, and the rest is beyond your power.

Just think about it, the most influential person that ever lived, Jesus, couldn't get everyone to listen to Him or accept His guidance. So what about me and you.

Let's never give up on trying to help people... But let's remember another age old saying...

Ready... O.K... here it goes...

"You can't win 'em all".

They Gotta Want It...

Over the years, every since I began doing the work that I do (which is to help people). I have had a personality that comes in handy sometimes, but also leads to a lot of disappointment.

You are probably wondering what kind of personality am I talking about? I'll tell you. It's the desire to help everyone without really addressing the reality that they've gotta want help.

My elders and superiors have always told me, that you can not help everyone. They always say "some people just don't want help". But to be honest with you... I would always think in my mind, there's gotta be a way to get through to them ALL. Someone has got to be able to say the right thing or do the right thing to get through to every or anyone. But boy have I been wrong.

This past year has been one of the greatest eye openers for me. Why, you may ask? Because I have faced some of the greatest disappointments consecutively that I have ever experienced in the years that I have been doing this work. I have literally seen so many people that I gave more effort than I would have given to a blood relative to help, and they just gave me (and the One I serve) their backside to kiss.

I tell you, this stuff hurts. Not in an emotional way, but in a deep felt why-won't-they-listen-when-I-know-this-will-turn-out-bad kinda way. It is really hard to deal with. Especially, when you gave months or even years trying to help that person, and thought they were accepting it and getting better and then they just show you the true them.

If you've never experienced it, then you wouldn't understand.

But what it has taught me is that I can't take each case so personally. I mean, I have to give my best for each person, but I can't take it to heart if they choose not to listen. Everyone is free. And you can not help someone who doesn't want help. That is just a reality. If they want, then you can help them, if they don't, there is no way it will work.

This the conclusion that I have had to come to, and it is hard, but necessary. We will always try. I will always try. But each person has to decide for themselves if they want to listen or not.

More on this next post...

Initiative is taken, not given

Renato Cardoso's Blog: Initiative is taken, not given: No one can give you initiative. That's something you must take for yourself. Be bolder Take more risks Don't fear looking ridiculous some...

Visiting the "City of Angels" (Los Angeles) next week

Sunday February 12th

8pm- Event in San Jose YPG Headquarters

Monday February 13th (San Jose)

International Studies Academy - 655 De Haro St. San Francisco,CA 94107- 10am - 11am

Lionel Wilson College Prep Academy - 400 105th Ave. Oakland, CA 94603- 2:50pm - 3:50pm

Tuesday February 14th (Los Angeles)

John C. Freemont High School - 7676 South San Pedro St. Los Angeles, CA 90003: 9am - 10am

New Design Charter School - 2303 S. Figueroa Way Los Angeles,CA 90007: 11am - 12 noon

George Washington Prepatory High School - 10860 South Denker Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90047: 2pm - 3pm

Wednesday February 15th (Fresno)

• SunnySide High School - 1019 South Peach Ave. Fresno, CA 93727: 9:45am - 10:45am
• Event at Fresno YPG Headquarters at 5pm

Thursday February 16th (Escondido)

Escondido High School - 1535 North Broadway Escondido, CA 92026: 8am - 9am & 1pm - 2pm

Book Signing at Escondido YPG Headquarters at 6pm

Friday February 17th (Los Angeles)

Santee Education High School - 1921 South Maple Ave. Los Angeles,CA 90011: 9:30am - 10:30am

Alain Leroy Locke High School - 325 East 111th St. Los Angeles,CA 90061: 11:40am - 12:40pm

Joseph Le Conte Middle School - 1316 North Bronson Ave. Hollywood,CA 90028: 2pm - 3pm

Saturday February 18th (Los Angeles)

• Book Signing in L.A. YPG Headquarters at 12 noon

Then.........

I'm headed back home to Dallas Texas!!!

Where there's smoke... There's fire

I posted a comment on my wall on Facebook two days ago that seemed to get a lot of feedback, so I decided to go a little deeper into it...

The comment said, "where there is smoke, there is fire".

I can't tell you how many times I have tried to avoid the reality of this statement. I always try to look at people and circumstances through the best lenses. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, and see the bright side of things. But sometimes you just can't do that.

For example, if you feel a strange pain in your body, and you know that is not something that is normal, you would not be smart to ignore it. Maybe something is wrong, and you could avoid worst complications later, by simply checking on it now. Another example, if you see your son, daughter, wife, husband, etc. acting weird, and you know how they normally behave, you would be a fool not to ask some questions. If you are in your room sleeping and you smell smoke coming into the room, SOMETHING IS WRONG! You need to do something. If you are ironing clothes and start to hear sparks from the socket and then smell burning, are you going to keep using the iron? I could go on and on for days. But the point is, if deep down inside you have a strong feeling that something is wrong... It probably is.

Don't judge or draw conclusions without facts, but be alert and be aware. And check the situation thoroughly. What's the worst that can happen? Everything end up ok. Great, you lost nothing. But if something was wrong, you may catch it before it is too late.

So remember, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck... It's "probably" a duck!

Words of Wisdom #1

I read on a wall today, this quote:

"BEFORE YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH A THING; YOU MUST FIRST EXPECT IT OF YOURSELF."

That is very true in my eyes. If you want to accomplish something difficult, the first thing is not just to wish you could. Not even to want to do it. And not even to believe you can... You have to expect it of yourself. Once you expect to win, you will inevitably start winning.

It was all so simple then...

"With as much as I appreciate the internet for all that it has done to make life easier; I still remember a much more simple era, when you had time for other things than twitter or Facebook. A time when conversations weren't held via typing, texting or "chat". A time when we valued simple things. A time when it was fun just to take some cans and buckets and make music, a time when we played football on the neighborhood streets, and didn't have to smoke a blunt first. A time when T.V. did not have first priority in out lives. A time when cell phones didn't exist, so it forced you to value the chance you had to talk to a loved one. A time when problems were not so easily broadcasted or exploited on the media. I remember a much more simple time. And to be really honest..

It was nice."

This was my post on Facebook this morning. And I know a lot of the readers are too young to remember that time. I do. And it was nice. The point I am making is that, in spite of times changing, we need to never forget who to enjoy the more important things like talking to each other, showing care for each other, spending quality time with loved ones (not just in front of PS3 or HDTV). We need to value each other.

Learn the hard way

Remember, the "class clown" today... Will be the OLD clown tomorrow.

P.S. That goes for at school, work and in life period. Either take it seriously or it will be taken from you. One day, we will all have to give account for what we've done. Life is not a game, so don't play with it.