I can't get my head around this...

This morning I was checking my emails and I stumbled across a story on yahoo about a woman who had a heart attack after eating a burger called a "double bypass" at a restaurant called The "HEART ATTACK" Grill, that has a sign on the front of the door saying "our food is bad for your health".

Now honestly, my heart (no pun intended) goes out to the women. I wish that on no one. But shouldn't you take a hint from the name of the restaurant, or if not that the name of the burger itself, and if not that, the warning sign on the door.

But my blog is not about this woman. May she recover quickly. But in life I find that this kind of thing happens many times. For example the cigarette packs in the picture above... It clearly says "smoking kills", yet does that stop people from burning up their money on them? No. It's like you are paying to kill yourself! That is ridiculous. And by the way, I am an ex-smoker so I have the right to speak on it.

I just think people need to think more. Don't just think about the pleasure that thing will give you, but think about the consequence. Think about how much that may cost you, and it may curve the desire for it.

I guess I am no one to force you to do anything. But you do have a choice. And in the case of cigarettes, if you don't want to listen..... you could always wait until you end up like this (below).

Food for thought...

I haven't blogged in over a week, because I was traveling and didn't have time to stop, but here is a quick inspirational thought.

Big Apple... Here I come.

So this coming week I will be visiting New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia on a book tour and I will hold a bunch of assemblies at schools in these cities. Below is the schedule. But I will also be holding two events for the general public on Friday and Saturday. At the bottom you will see those events (at the bottom underneath them it is written in blue that they are for the general public). Hope to see you at one of the events.

SCHEDULE for next weeks NY, NJ & Philly Trip

Monday: April 16 - Brooklyn NY.

*School for Human Rights 8:30am

600 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11203

*Bedford Stuyvesant Preparatory High School 10:30am832 Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11216

*Bushwich Community High School 1:00pm

231 Palmetto Street, Brooklyn, NY 11221

*Rachel Carson High School 2:30pm

521 West Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11224

Tuesday: April 17 - New Jersey

*East Side High School 8:30am

238 Van Buren St Newark, NJ 07105

*Shabazz High School 11:00am

80 Johnson Ave. Newark, NJ 07108

*Technology High School 1:30pm

*Barringer High School 3pm

90 Parker St Newark, NJ 07104

Wednesday: April 18 - Bronx

*Metropolitan High School 10:30am

1180 Rev. James A polite Ave. Bronx, NY 10459

*Peace and Diversity High School 12:15pm

1180 Rev. James A. Polite Ave. Bronx, NY 10459

*Bronx academy of health careers 1:45pm

Thursday: April 19 - Philadelphia

*Robert Vaux High School 9:00am

2300 West Master St. Philadelphia, PA 19121

*Overbrook High School 11:30am

5898 Lancaster Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19131

Friday: April 20 Brooklyn & New Jersey Vigil

*Foundations High School 9:30am

70 Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY.

*Central High School 3:00pm

246 18th Ave. Newark, NJ 07102

*Newark YPG headquarters 10:00pm

‘Shoulda been dead night event’

(Event open for general public)

Saturday: April 21 Brooklyn Block Event 2pm

* Venue: “Open Air” Brooklyn- Fulton St. (Between Classon Ave. & Franklin Ave.)

(Event open to general public)

After that, I'm headed back home to Dallas.

Don't end up like this... Part 2

I've been wondering for the last few days, why this post titled "Don't end up like this..." gathered so much attention, and so fast.

I mean, I posted it around 5 or 6pm and within a hour or so it had over 250 views. I was very surprised. But what is it about that post that caused so much stir? Is is the gruesome picture? Is it the message that hit a nerve? Was it both? Or is it that bad news (bad pictures, words, songs, etc.) spreads quickly. I am aware that the picture is pretty unnerving, but I think it's more of the reality that someone can really get messed up THAT BAD from something that happened to them. Maybe even because of something they did.

The truth of the matter is, you could end up like that guy. As horrible as the thought may be. The actions you make everyday do have consequences, and sometimes they wind up being very severe. Just the sheer look of the guys face makes you feel chills down your back. But imagine if that was someone you knew or if you were looking yourself in the mirror all messed up like that...

Dear friends, I am always saying this, but some of you still don't listen. Life is not a game or a joke. It is serious. There is a reaction to every action. There is a consequence to every decision. There is a flip side to every coin. Please for the love of all that's good, be careful and recognize that if you are not careful with your choices, you too, could end up like "this (below)"... Or maybe even worst!

Are You Just Gonna Stand There And Take That ???

This blog is about cooking, but I think this one has a good point for life.

"Stop being lazy, with finding the solutions to your problem whether it be in the kitchen, your health, finances, family or any area. Look for the answer,I believe it is right in front of you. Find it, recognize it and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT."

The line above is very true. That is the reason I reposted this blog. Not everything it talks about can I relate to. I mean, I know how to cook a bit, but I'm not the kind of guy who is just going to spend all day in the kitchen trying new recipes. But this line about Stop being lazy is sooooo important!

Laziness is like a cancer to your life. It kills you little by little. You spend half the day in bed, you are not productive. You hesitate to get things done. You are a procrastinator. You never 'feel like" doing what you need to, and so you don't.

There is no excuse to be that way. We have to get things done, period. We have to be active and go after things. Life is not going to bring everything to you and lay it at your feet. Sometimes it will take a lot of effort, sometimes it will take sweat and blood and sheer will to achieve something. So be willing to put it in. And yes that applies to whether you are cooking, at school, looking for a job, maintaining a relationship or anything else for that matter. You need will and determination.

So you can check out this blog post below if you want. And if you are in need of cooking advice... You can find some recipes on it too whilst you're at it.

In the kitchen with Elise: Are You Just Gonna Stand There And Take That ???: Life that is worth living is a life that you take care of. It's easy to find people who say. I want to live a long, happy and wonderful l...

Don't end up like this...

A quick message to all you guys and girls out there, with a smart mouth, who love to talk trash to everyone you meet. Watch your mouth, and don't end up like this...

Life is like a box of Chocolates...

Some of you may remember this one. The famous line from the movie Forest Gump...

"Life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get".

This was a line repeated time and time again. And in a sense it's very true. You don't know what you're gonna get outta life. You can't decide each and every thing that will happen from day to day. But you can have a big impact on what you get outta life. You can make good, strategic (meaning thoughtful) decisions each day that more than likely will decide what happens tomorrow.

If you just say, I don't know what I will get outta life, so I might as well not put too much effort into it, you are just setting yourself up for failure. Just because you can't guess the whole future, doesn't mean you shouldn't plan. You absolutely should plan, think, make decisions, and drive your own life, never following those who will lead you the wrong way.

So sure, life is like a box of chocolates, and sure you may not know exactly what you're gonna get. But you can decide to buy or not buy those chocolates each day. And you can be smart enough to read the label, so you may know whats inside (think of the consequences of your actions or decisions). Then you will know.... "what you're gonna get."

just fix it.

There's a saying where I'm from, that goes like this. "It doesn't matter who's right or wrong, just fix it!"

Oh, if only more people would follow that. A lot of people, especially young people get in trouble because of this one thing. They do not know how to focus on the problem and not the person. So they hold grudges, hate the parent, turn against the brother/sister, fight, or do something else crazy. All because they didn't try to be the bigger person and fix it.

There will always be problems in life. Life is not perfect, and nor are people. So when things happen between you and someone, take the initiative to fix it. Don't wait until they come back to you begging for mercy, because what if that just won't happen. You be the bigger person... Even if that means you having to apologize. Just do it.

Just fix it.

Do it.

It's not just some peoples responsibility to do the right thing, it's everyones. It's just that some people choose not to do it.

When you have a choice between right and wrong, choose right. Don't talk about someone who has done nothing to you. Don't fight someone who is only trying to help you. Don't criticize the guy in class or at work who doesn't talk, because he wants to be the best. Don't laugh at the guy who is 21 and still a virgin. Don't assume that you are right when someone else is clearly showing you a better way.

Basically what I am saying is, do what's right, not because you have to (because you don't), but because it is right. If everyones doing bad things, and you do the same, you're just a follower. You will never leave an impact in this world. But if everyone is doing wrong, and you do what's right, then you will find your self in a small group that we like to call........ different.

Wow

Sometimes it feels like all you can say is... wow.

You get a piece of news that is a shocker and you can't believe it, or someone you trusted betrays you, or someone you least expected turns there back on you, what can you say? Really, how do you respond? You may have the desire to go a rip their head off, but that won't fix it. You have to take a long sigh and just let it go. Those are the wow moments.

I'm not talking about the good wow moments. The "wooowww, I can't believe something that great just happened to me". I am talking about those moments when life just clabbered you over the head and you don't really have a fitting response. Really, no response would be quit good enough anyway. So all you can do is breath. Just let it go. Just say to yourself, "wow, I didn't expect that". Then shake it off and get back into the fight. The fight for your dreams, goals, beliefs, etc. to become a reality.

Don't let everything that happens drag you down. If it's one of those negative "wow" moments, then fine. Just get out your "wow", accept reality that YES it DID happen, and carry on. You have to just keep on ticking no matter what.

It's Better

It's much better to struggle and have people turn against you for doing something good, then to be thriving and having everyone love you for the wrong reason.

Get back on track

You can't control everything that life will throw at you. Sometimes things unexpected will happen. But you have to be prepared for whatever. And don't let yourself get off track.

There are times when you will get disappointed or feel frustrated or feel like you failed. But that is all a part of life. The most important thing you can do when that happens is get up, dust yourself off, and get back on track.

That is truly the key. You can get sidetracked, but as soon as you notice it, get back on track and do it fast. That way you will never be diverted for too long, and you will hold on to your goals.

Is it SAFE?

I have a question for you who are reading this...

Is it safe, to hang around negative people if you are trying to be positive?

Is it? Is it safe to say, "I won't do what they do, we are just cool, just friends"?

Is it safe to assume that you will be strong enough to resist the peer pressure when a friend wants to get high and you look like the lame for not wanting to?

Is it safe to think you can be in the room with that girl or guy alone and not take it any further?

Is it safe to totally ignore your studies and hope that you will be able to cram everything in during the last few months or sometimes weeks of school?

Is it safe to put all types of substances in your body and guess that you should be strong enough to handle it?

Is it safe, to play with your life???

You Choose.

Being funny, or the class clown, or the joker of the neighborhood can only take you so far. One day you have to wake up to see life is serious and your choices DO have consequences.

So either learn the easy way (from others mistakes or advice) or the hard way (through you suffering). But one way or the other, you will have to learn.

Let's keep it moving.

No matter what problems you face, or how hard it is to get to your goal. Just keep moving forward. Don't stop, don't hesitate, just keep going forward.

When things try to get in your way, just keep it moving.

The post for those who "don't feel like it"

You know, honestly, today I didn't feel like writing a blog. And I seriously contemplated not writing one at all. But then I remembered that I promised to always write one unless I absolutely could not. So here it is.

What do I wanna to say to you today...? Well, really, I don't feel like saying anything... still.

But that's just it, that's the point of this post. I am writing it even though I don't feel like it.

"What's your point?" You may ask. My point is, life is not about what you "feel" like doing, it's about doing what you need to do. Sometimes you will not feel like doing something, but you need to get it done. If you live by how you feel, you will never get things done. So enough of how you feel or what you do or do not feel like doing. Stop whining and just do what you have to do. Period. Then you will go far in life.

That's it for today, think about that and apply it.

P.S. I'm glad I did write this!

HOLLYWOOD

Check out this song. It's talking about how the media has so much influence (bad influence) these days.

This Sunday we are holding the Beatz and Barz Event in all our YPG's around the country. I will be in Houston at 6115 Southwest Freeway Houston, Texas, 77057. The event starts at 2pm sharp.

We all know music has the power to move us, but do you know where to???

Face IT!!!

Look at the picture above... What do you think?

"That's crazy!", "Oh, I would never do that", "How could she not be afraid", etc.

You know, the funny thing about children is that they have not yet been contaminated with the disease called fear.

As you get older, even little risks or dangers seem to paralyze you at times when you need to take action. But why be afraid of a challenge? Fear will never decrease the size of the challenge, it will only make it look scarier.

So remember this, when there is something big and scary approaching you (be it a big decision, change of environment, starting over again, leaving friends behind, etc), the best thing you can do is FACE IT. And face it quick. What you may discover, is that the bark was a lot bigger than the bite. Meaning, it looked much worst than it was.

Check out the New Pictures

Hi Everybody.

Scroll down the side of my blog and check out the new pictures that I have uploaded on Flicker. There are over 200 new pictures uploaded there. Just click on any of the pictures and it will lead you straight to Flicker.

Hope you like the pictures.

P.S. And remember, life is kind of like a picture, whatever you do today is recorded in time forever, and others see your living example (the way the conduct your life each day) as a picture of who you are. So if you don't want to be looked at as bad, don't act that way. If you don't want to be called a cheater, don't cheat, and so forth and so on. Whatever you do today, whether seen or not, is a stain on your life. So make sure you leave good marks and not bad ones.

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.