Impatience- we all wrestle with it

I don't know about you, but when I want something, I want it right then!

I hate waiting. Especially in store lines and in traffic.

But if you think about it, isn't that the way most people are? I can't name anybody off the top of my head, who just loves waiting. If you need money, you want it as quickly as possible. If you want to lose weight, you want it as fast as can be. If you need a degree or to take some classes, you want to know the shortest possible way to get it. This is life. Even in a relationship; these days people want to go as "far" as possible (if you know what I mean), as quickly as possible.

No one likes to wait for the prize. But in life, sometimes you have to wait. That's just it. I have been in Wal-Mart before, really needing something and there is a huge line in front of me. My desire at that moment is to bulldoze those in front of me and ram the buggy through the register and just throw the money at the clerk and go on about my day. But I can't do that. So I have to wait it out. I guess you can see that I really hate waiting on stuff. But I have learned the art of patience.

Patience can take you a long way. When you are working and your boss blows up on you, for what appears to be no reason at all; if you are patient, you will think "maybe he has had a very bad morning, maybe he got some bad news or maybe he is in pain", and you will let it slide. But if you lack patience, you will erupt like Mt. St. Helens and say a bunch of things you could live to regret. Another example is when it comes to dealing with family or a relationship, if you lack patience you will be mad all the time, because people close to you know how to push your buttons. And they will do it time and time again, if you let them.

So patience is a very important tool in life. Learn this, everyone has flaws. No one is perfect. So whether you are dealing with people or in a line full of traffic; there is a reason for everything. So if there is nothing you can practically do to speed up things, just be patient, because in the end when you look back in hind sight, it may not have taken that long in the first place.

Do you love me?

I normally don't blog about this kind of subject, but today I decided to.

A lot of people are so quick to say, "I love you". Or "you mean the world to me". Or "no one will ever replace you". And so forth and so on. But the fact is, do they really mean it? When you say you love someone what are you saying? Are you saying, you like them a lot or are you saying you would die for them?

Many people have been really hurt and even killed because they thought someone loved them and found out that it wasn't true. Then after they got disappointed, they ended up doing something stupid. And I'm not just talking about relationship love, I mean friendship and family as well.

I have heard people tell me they loved me many times. But if you love me, wouldn't you be out for my best interest? Wouldn't you care about what I want? Wouldn't you care about what I think or feel or say? If you love me, doesn't that require you to show it through actions? Yes. So don't say it and not show it.

Love can be a powerful force that changes a person for the better, or false love can be a destructive force that tears people down, and leads them to the worst decisions possible.

This may not be a deep post, but it's true.

What's up with that?

Why do so many people act one way in front of some people and a whole nother way in front of others. It's like they have two personalities. Usually one of those personalities is the good one and the other is bad.

But the question is, "what's up with that"?

Be who you are, no matter where you are. If who you are is not so good right now, at least you can get help, if you are honest. But if you try to hide who you are, then you will stay that same person inside and it will come out sooner or later anyway. But by then, it will be too late to help.

People really need to learn to be genuine. That will take you a lot further than being a butt kisser or people pleaser.

Should I, or should I not

Our lives are full of questions...

One of the main questions is that annoying one that is constantly coming into our minds. Which one is it? My blog title says it all... "should I, or should I not".

It's the question that comes to mind when it is decision time. It's the question that stands between us and a horrible choice. It's the question that saves many from utter destruction as well. Because the ability to say "yes I should" or "no I shouldn't", leads to the ability to do what you should and not do what you shouldn't.

It's all about changing how you think. If you know something is wrong, but you like doing it... you probably won't stop doing it. But if you are doing something wrong and you constantly tell yourself, I shouldn't be doing this; chances are you will soon get tired of telling yourself how wrong it is, and decide not to do it.

I know it will not always work like a charm, but it is the start to a change. You have to recognize something is wrong for you, before you will be willing to work on removing it from your life.

That's just some food for thought.

How I used to celebrate Thanksgiving

I woke up today thinking about how I used to celebrate Thanksgiving. Actually, how I used to celebrate any holiday or special occasion.

I basically would use it as another excuse to get wasted. I would smoke as much weed as I could, and drink till I threw up. And that was what I was considering fun.

Oh, how things have changed.

Today, I find myself surrounded by positive people. Not needing to intoxicate my mind in order to have fun. Not needing to run from problems and try to squeeze one or two simple things to be thankful for. Today, I am truly happy. And that is a big change from what I used to feel.

But you know why? Because one day about 12 or 13 years ago; I decided I didn't want the life I was living anymore. I decided, I had had enough of the strip clubs, parties, Crown Royals, blunts, and crazy girls. I wanted more than that. I wanted to be happy! And I knew I had to change me, if that would ever be possible. So I set out on a mission to better myself.

I stopped hanging out at certain places. I stopped talking to certain people. I stopped being influenced by certain things. I began to change the way I thought. I stopped thinking it was cool to be high all the time. I started wanting to make decisions on a sober mind. And these choices changed my life.

Today, I have a heck of a lot to be thankful for.

Christian Rapper responds to "No Church in the Wild" by Jay Z and Kanye West

Christian Rapper responds to "No Church in the Wild" by Jay Z and Kanye West

Below you will find a song that a Christian artist named Bizzle wrote in response to the No Church in the Wild song by Jay Z and Kanye West. The song is at the bottom, and the lyrics are at the top. So if you have a hard time understanding it, then push play and scroll back to the top to read along. Skip the writing in red, then come back and read it at the end.

As a lot of ya'll know, I used to rap and deal with the music industry. I did it for years. And I love music. But when I listen, I listen to more than just the beat. I listen to what they are saying. So I took the liberty of including the lyrics and breaking down some of the street lingo that he uses to explain his point. The notes in red are my explanations of what he is saying. Leave your comments at the end. Some of the things he says will really make you think...

Verse 1:

I don’t need the beat, I can murder ya’ll loose. Knock your tops off like convertible coupes. One claims to be the God (Jay Z called himself Jay-Hova in other words Jehovah), one used to be with God(Kanye Wes). Get the VCR, I’ma rewind it back, so you see it all.

Ye (Ye is short for Kanye) makes Jesus Walk and spits conscious (he did a song back in the days called Jesus Walks that was halfway positive), then he takes Jesus off and did Monster (after that Ye made a song called Monster that was completely the opposite of Jesus walks). Seems in between it all, he lost moms and, when he lost moms he turned against the Father (after Ye's mom died, he changed). And my hearts filled with compassion, from the ills of her passing, but I feel like I still have to mash him. I’m a draft pick for the team you traded on. My life was saved by the Christ ya’ll hating on.

They can’t compete with truth and they know it. Murder your style, bury it down in Franks Ocean.

Ye said he sold his soul, you ain’t believe it, cause you ain’t close enough to Jesus for you to see it. But if he said the same things about your momma that he said about Christ you would go Osama (if Ye said the same thing about your momma that he says about Jesus you would want to blow something up like Bin Laden did)!

So is Christ more like the homie you would die for, or the dude your cool with, but wouldn’t ride for (ride for, means stand up for, fight for, give your life for)?

As for the Christians, how could you listen, to these cats diss the Gospel? When your mission is to push it, like the Apostle Paul went to prison. You scared now; you’ll fall under hostile conditions (he's saying, many people don't want to stand up for Jesus, because they are scared things will get hard for them if they do).

Back to the lecture at hand, who this, cat that sold the Lord out like Judas. Dreamed he could buy his way into heaven, woke up and spent it on a necklace, told God he’d be back in a second (this is something Ye said in one of his rap verses).

Them were his words, not mine. I wasn’t saved then, so I didn’t see the signs. You with satan, fine. But don’t play with God, or the fans. Keep it 100% so they can pick sides.

Verse 2:

They like, who am I to mention Jays (Jay is obviously Jay Z) name, because of Jays bread, because of Jays fame. But if raps the reason you put him on a pedestal, then my last record should’ve shown he was eatable. Ya’ll must got such low self esteem, studded off so much my cats in this game (he's saying, you must have low self esteem, to follow and be so impressed by these rappers that are out there). Like “look at my house, look at my Range (Range Rover SUV), look at you struggling, I can make it rain. Look at my ice, look at my women, look at my life, you are not living (he's saying, this is all these rappers talk about).” You the one that put them on the throne, they sit on. Just for you to look up and get spit on. Socially I am on the same level you on, so if you feel he’s to big and I’m to small to mention his name, if I’m not worthy, you obviously must not feel that you are (he's saying if people don't think he should talk about Jay Z, because Jay Z is so rich, then people obviously don't feel worthy themselves).

Jigga (Jay Z) blasphemed from the get go, this ain’t nothing new, but it’s bout to get old. They say, let him believe in what he wants to believe in. He does not have to believe in your Jesus. True. But why would he just spit rhyme after rhyme about a God he does not believe in. The problem is not with him not believing, why does he keep mentioning what I believe in.

And folks so blinded, I can see what the problem is, compared to most cats Jay sounds positive. So when he gets on Monster and says he rapes women and children, yall don’t even acknowledge it. Counterfeit kingdom, what throne are you on. Big and Pac died, hip hop ain’t you Shawn. You a left over, named yourself Hova, you are not the best in it, you’re just older.

So ask yourself, do ya’ll have a price? If he came out and said F ya’ll Christ, then came to your hood tomorrow night, giving Beamers (BMW's) away, would he be alright?

They saying if you scared go to church, like we just over here sitting scared in the church. Ever last disciples blood shed and was murked, so I signed up for this prepared for the worst.

Does music have the power to brainwash?

Remember that song that I uploaded and showed the lyrics for a few weeks ago (the post was called "jaz z and kanye west...." check it out if you haven't seen it). I just thought I'd post another video about the power of music. This is from a Satanic Cult leader, who decided to speak about the way they use music. I think you will find it very interesting.

Whether you are a Christian or not, that is not the point. The question is, is music that influential? Does it really have the power to brainwash? Listen to this 2min video and decide for yourself.

Why do we keep making BAD choices???

You know... I got some pretty disappointing news the other day, and it really made me think. I keep asking myself, why do so many people around me, just keep making bad choices?

It seems that many times we see the danger in something we are about to do, we know it's not good for us or that it will get us into trouble... but we still do it. It doesn't make sense. Why can't people just read the warning signs? Why not quite whilst you're ahead? Why not "just-say-no", as they say? Why? Why? Why? Why do it? Why destroy your life?

There are many horrible choices that one can make; like smoking that blunt (when you already know how many people around you are addicted), or like sleeping with that girl/guy (when you know that person doesn't really love you), or throwing that punch (when you know it's going to get you kicked out of school). Why do we as a people insist on doing wrong? It's like we have this "wicked button" in us, and it is so easy to get to and push.

You know what... the only thing I know is that, at the end of the day, we do what we want to do. If a person wants to do right, then they do right. If they want to do something wrong, then they do things wrong. But it is our choice in the end.

And you know what else. You can try to help a person to make a better choice, but if they don't want it... sorry, but they will not hear you. They will do what they want to do. This is a sad reality called life. And personally, I think it stinks.

Start on the right foot

They say, it's not how you start, but how you finish...

But really, it's how you start that sets the pace and many times decides how you finish.

Whatever you are going to do, try your best to start well. That goes for in school at work or even in a relationship.

Don't be the class clown for half the year and then you try to cram all the work you can for the rest of the year. Don't be a slacker for the first couple months at a job and then try to all of a sudden to become this great worker later.

The key is to start well. It's like when you button a shirt, the first button makes all the difference. I the same way if you get the first button of anything you try in life correct, the rest is much more likely to work out.

Just some food for thought.

I'm a thug! I'm a killer! I'm a gangster! I'm..... (Part 2)

Why is this image so cool?

How can this seem funny or alright to glorify?

Why did this have to end this way?

These images are hard to deal with. I don't understand, why people promote this stuff as being cool. You look at the media, the rappers, some sports stars, many so called role models, and what do you see? You see an image of a thug. They want you to look at them as being the toughest guys on the earth. And the funny thing is, a lot of them have never even lived this kind of life. And even if they have, they are surely not living it now in their mansions and sports cars (if they are still living it, then they are just plain stupid). But you and me know, that most of them are far from living that life.

So then, why make it seem so cool and exciting? Why make it look so appealing to the youth? Why not warn them of the dark and ugly side of that life style? I don't get it. When I see pictures like the ones above, they upset me. Not in a "feel sad" kind of way, but in an "angry as heck" kind of way.

I lived on the block hustling for years, but it wasn't fun, it was stressful. I sold drugs, because I felt I had no other way. But I didn't want someone to agree with it, I wanted to be told that there was a better way. I fought, I robbed, I did dirt. But my conscience always told me it was wrong. Now why on earth are the role models of our time, not telling the youth that the risk is not worth the gain?

I get so sick of hearing every song on the radio talking about how many girls they've had sex with, but not informing youth about the risk of catching a disease or conceiving a bastard child, who will probably grow up between two parents who can't stand each other, and end up making the same mistakes as them. And the cycle goes on. They sing or rap about being a killer, but never inform the youth that a killer can get killed too, and that it would be far better to save a life than to take one. They talk about selling dope to make money and how they made it from the crack game, but not about how many of their partners never made it out the game. They ended up with 20yrs in prison. I get sick of this.

If they won't tell you, I will. In my upcoming blogs, I will expose more and more as it comes to mind. I will not hold back nor bite my tongue. Someone has to expose this garbage. If you agree than pass this blog onto someone you know, and tell them to become a follower of the blog to get the info straight. You can register to receive emails straight to you as well. But something has to be done.

Stop following these stupid messages and start thinking straight.

I'm a thug! I'm a killer! I'm a gangster! I'm.....

What you are about to see may be disturbing... Please be advised...

These days, everyone wants to be a thug or gangster or some sort of bad guy. But my question is... is it worth it?????

Seriously... Is it worth it?

P.S. More on this subject Friday.

Hurt me, I'll Hurt you Back!

I don’t know why we are like this, but most people have an uncontrollable urge for revenge when they feel mistreated.

I have to admit; growing up I was the same. When someone would do something to offend me, I would immediately start to think of a way to pay them back. I wanted them to feel pain for causing me grief. But I never thought about whether or not that would make me feel better.

I have seen many people sock a person in the face for talking smack, and after it (even if they win the fight), they were still angry afterwards. So you sock a person because you are angry, but after socking them, you still feel angry… What’s the point? It didn’t help anyone.

We have a hard time letting go of things, even when we know we should. Sometimes it’s the people around you who make you feel forced to seek revenge, and other times it’s ego or embarrassment that makes the person want it. But either way, we all need to learn to let it go. Some things are just not worth holding on to. As a matter of fact, nothing bad is worth holding onto. If you pick up a pot with no gloves on and discover that the handle was extremely hot, would you keep holding it? Of course not. Even though it hurt you, you would let it go. So the same should apply to your life. Even if someone hurts you, learn to let it go.

You will be the bigger person in the end.

Why I hate Halloween

Besides the obvious fact that it is a very wickedly themed holiday, that some way has the power to stir up devilish thoughts in peoples mind. I mean people can go from sweetheart to warlock about as quick as you can blink on Halloween day. They want to find some sort of mischief to get into, whether it be egging cars or toilet tissuing some poor lady's trees or knocking on doors and running just to irritate people, it's always something. It seems people just want to get into trouble on Halloween.

But besides that fact, there is the unimaginable amount of money spent during Halloween time. I read in an article that they sell over 1 billion pounds of candy corn each year (WHAT!) during Halloween. It is the second most lucrative holiday overall each year. So where is all the money going??? On costumes, candy, parties, etc, etc, etc. Nothing which will add one thing to your life. The only thing it will add is a stomach ache and a hangover. So why do it? Because the world says you should?

Heck no! I want no part of it. It is a waste, a waste, a waste I tell yah.

So tell the little ones to stay away from my door. There will be no treats here. If you talk to me, I might tell you, why don't you spend this time studying or exercises or reading a good book, I don't know, basically anything else constructive would do.

You won't catch me wasting my time or money. Trick or treat??? Nah, I'll pass, and you kids should also PASS my door... EVERY YEAR.

jay z and kanye west - No Church in the Wild ft Frank Ocean CLEAN EDIT

Below I have the lyrics to a fairly new song by Jay-Z and Kanye West. I took the liberty of highlighting some key phrases.

(Frank Ocean)Human being to the mobWhat's a mob to a king?What's a king to a god?What's a god to a non-believerWho don't be- lieve in anything?Will he make it out alive?Alright alrightNo church in the wild
(JZ)Tears on the mausoleum floorBlood stains the coli- seum doorsLies on the lips of a priestThanksgiving disguised as a feastRolling in the Rolls Royce CornicheOnly the doctors got thisI'm hiding from policeCocaine seatsAll white like I got the whole thing bleachedDrug dealer chicI'm wondering if a thug's prayers reachIs Pious pious cause God loves pious?Socrates asked whose bias do yall seekAll for Plato, screechI'm out here balling, I know yall hear my sneaksJesus was a carpenter, Yeezy laid beatsHova flow the Holy Ghost (my comments: Are you serious Jay-z, why go there. Are you comparing yourself to the Holy Spirit and Yeezy, which is Kanye West to Jesus) Get the hell up out your seatsPreach
(Frank Ocean)Human being to the mobWhat's a mob to a king?What's a king to a god?What's a god to a non-believerWho don't believe in anything?Will he make it out alive?[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/no-church-in-the-wild-lyrics-kanye-west-and-jayz.html ]Alright alrightNo church in the wild
(The-Dream)I live by you, desireI stand by you, walk through the fireYour love is my scriptureLet me into your encryption
(KW)Coke on her black skin make a stripe like a zebraI call that jungle feverYou will not control the three-someJust roll the weed up until I get me someWe formed a new religionNo sins as long as there's permission (Kanye West, are you serious... You made a song called Jesus walks and now you've formed a new religion) This garbage is not funny, it's disgusting. And deception is the only felonySo never f**k nobody without telling me
Sunglasses and AdvilLast night was ma rillSome come in at 5 A.MI wonder if they got cabs stillThinking about the girl in all leopardWho was rubbing the wood like Kiki ShepherdTwo tattoos one read No Apologies, the other said Love Is Cursed By MonogamyIt's somethin' that the pastor don't preach my comments: ("Love is cursed by monogamy") So love is cursed by monogamy, why go there. If you guys want to sleep with all kinds of girls, then go ahead, but it's stupid to teach the youth to do that.It's somethin' thata teacher can't teachWhen we die the money we can't keep, but we probably spend it all cuz the pain ain't cheap ...Preach

I'm really sick and tired of these rappers, sports stars and actors, and influential people period, injecting such a negative message to our youth. I don't care if you are christian or not. I am, though I am not a religious person.But you don't need to be a christian to understand what I am saying. It's a matter of morals. At least christianity teaches good morals, and we should all want our children living by good morals. To say "love is cursed by monogamy" is waaaayyyy tooooo far. So marriage is bad? So having sex with only one person is bad? So putting yourself at risk of disease is good? Leaving bastard children all around the world is good?

Come on! You youth who support these corrupt songs, and just bob your head to it, are very lost. These guys are teaching RIDICULOUS things and people are just accepting it.

This is not a post to christian people. It is a post to smart people. This garbage is killing the minds of the youth. Wake up.

You can listen to the song below, is you think I twisted up any of the lyrics. But the title itself speaks for itself.

What I learned in Chicago schools.

I have been to New York doing book signings, I have been to Houston, to Philly, and have have come in contact with different people. But Chicago was a different experience.

In Chicago the gang culture is a way of life. Whether you are in one or not, you live surrounded by it. And not only that. On the streets it is life or death everyday. You can live on the same block and not be able to go to the park across the street because that is a different territory and someone who knows you live on the other side may shoot you. I have always known that Chicago was a pretty wild city and that gang life up there is pretty tough. I had plenty home boys who were from there and told me about it. But what I didn't know was how close the gangs were to each other. I was astonished to see the heaviness that you see in the eyes of the people, especially the youth. Those who live in the rough areas have seen a lot. I know every city has it's problems. But I'm not talking about every city right now, I'm talking about Chicago Illinois.

Anyway, when I went to the schools there, I must admit I was a little nervous that they would not want to hear what I had to say, even though I was in a gang before, because I wasn't in a gang from Chicago. And as well, I remembered my experience in Philly, how it took about 5-10mins to calm the students down and get them to listen, because they were so rowdy. So I figured if Philly was so bad, how will Chicago be? By the way, in Philly the biggest crown I spoke to was 300 students at once. in Chicago, the first crowd I spoke to was over 500, and the second school (one of the worst in the whole city) had a crowd of 750 students, but get this, ONLY BOYS. Imagine, a crowd or 750 boys, with more than half of them gang bangers, in a school that they have to have a police station inside of. This was a little overwhelming.

But I quickly remembered what I was there for... To help them.

So I figured I had to "go hard, or go home". So I went straight at them with the truth. With the facts.

And to my surprise, these students got quiet and listened from the moment I opened my mouth. They were not like the students in Philly who only laughed and talked for 5 to 10 minutes before finally hearing something that was strong enough to quiet them down. These students listened. And you could see the pain in their eyes. At one school in the middle of the assembly a student stood up and shouted that just two weeks ago his cousin got murdered and his father got deported back to Mexico for being a gang banger. Imagine, cousin murdered and father A GANG BANGER TOO. This is wild.

So what I learned is that sometimes it's the ones who are the "roughest" who will listen to most. It is the ones who society has written off, who are thirsty for someone to take the time to listen to them or try to get threw to them. I am not an idiot to think that all of them will leave and be reformed young men and women. But I am absolutely sure someone listened, someone heard, and someone will THINK about where they are going with their life. And if just one gets it, then it was worth the trip.

My perception of Chicago, was a city that is hurting. The youth are living in a war zone and need help. I am so happy to have had a chance to see it for myself.

I may write a part two to this blog to express more of my experience there. Keep an eye on the website and YPG page for pictures of this great event. We reached out to nearly 2000 students in two days. This is a big step forward for the youth group here.

Lion and the Gazelle- A well known story with a lot of sense

Every morning in Africa, A gazelle wakes up.

It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion

or it will be killed.

Every morning a lion wakes up.

It knows it must out run the slowest gazelle

or it will starve to death.

It does not matter whether you are a lion or gazelle,

when the sun comes up you had better start running...

Oh, how I wish I could cheat...

Ok, first off, let's make something clear. When I say "how I wish I could cheat", I am NOT talking about cheating on my wife.

So now that we've gotten that cleared away, let me tell you what I am talking about. I will just come out with what many don't have the courage to say. Sometimes you wish you could cut some corners and do things the faster, easier way. For example, if you want to lose weight, would you rather spend hours in the gym and on top of that have to sacrifice delicious foods that you love? Or would you like to take some miracle pill that promises to help you drop 10 pounds or more in one week (albeit destroying your body too, but that's not the point) without any exercise or change or diet? Of course you would rather the quick way! Even though the quick way is not always best.

So that is what I mean. Sometimes I wish there was a quicker way to do things. I wish there was a faster way to get to the goal. I wish I could even cut some corners to make things happen. But I can't, and I won't.

That is just a decision that I have made. I will not cut corners and I will not cheat. The hard, painful, and even sometimes longer way is the more certain and longer lasting way. I prefer to feel the pain for a while, then to enjoy the victory that has been achieved with cheating.

But I must admit, it is hard. Our heart plays tricks on us and says you can find a faster way to do this, you can say this instead of that and avoid problems, you can hold back this and have a little more for yourself, you know you do have a choice... And the list goes on and on. That's why we can't live by what we feel, we must think and then act. We must make firm decisions that are right and good, even if they hurt, and stick to them.

So no matter how much I want to cheat sometimes, I will not. And you should not. Don't cut corners, the hard road is the most rewarding.

What else can I do? (I'm frustrated)

Some days are better than others, I must admit.

There are days when you get up and feel ready to face the world. But there are also days when you don't want to be bothered, even by those closest to you. Maybe you had a rough week, or a rough month, or even a rough year? I don't know. But what I do know is that I have those days too. I have those days when I feel plain frustrated.

Maybe I have been trying to do something and still haven't achieved it, or maybe someone made a promise and didn't come through, or maybe I promised someone or myself to do something and remembered that I didn't keep it. Whatever the reason, I have days just like everyone else does, that I just need some time to breath. Days when I need to think and sort myself out. There are times when life starts to weigh heavily on us and we need to regroup.

Unfortunately, we can not just disappear to an island for two or three days. That only happens in the movies and in the life of rich people. But for most of us average people that is not an option (not that it really helps anyway). But we do have other options. We can take a walk and think or pray or sit in silence or maybe even talk to someone who we can trust to give good quality advice. But we do have options. We can not expect everyday to be great. We can not expect every person to do what they are supposed to. We can not expect ourselves to always get it right. But we can deal with life as it comes. Learn from the mistakes we make, and also from the shortcomings of others. But don't stay down in that funk for long, because that is just plain unhealthy. You have to learn to shake it off and get back into stride.

There is far too much ahead to focus on the past. And it is only the past mistakes, failures, disappointments, or else fear of the future that makes us frustrated. So either one of these are not good. We can only change today, and believe that that will help us fix tomorrow. You can only solve your problems one step at a time.

So take some advice from the wise, "live each day like it's your last, because one day it will be." Shake off the frustration and LIVE. Today is what you make it.

How I Learned to Steal.

I remember it like yesterday.

I was about 4 or 5 years old, and I went to a drug store with my mom. I don't mean an illegal drug dealer, I mean a place like CVS or Walgreens. This was in Florida and the name of the store was Eckerds Pharmacy. Well anyway, I remember we walked through the store for a while, looking for whatever it was that my mom wanted, and eventually ended up at the counter with who-knows-what in her hand.

All I know is that when I got to the counter, I saw a pack of grape Bubblicious gum, just staring me in the face and saying "you've gotta have me". So I did what most kids would, I asked my mom to buy it for me. Now, for whatever reason, she decided not to, and I was not very happy with that. So there I was stuck in a dilemma. Do I accept what she said, or do I just take it. Now this day was a rainy one and so I had on a rain coat and funny enough a bright yellow rain hat (just like the cute rain suit the kid in the picture has). And do you know what I did??? I simply lifted up the hat and stuck the pack of gum under the hat on my head and walked out with my mom as if nothing happened.

Later that day, when my mom went to the kitchen to cook, I took out my bubble gum and with all the joy in my heart, pealed back the wrapper and stuffed my mouth with not one but two pieces of grape Bubblicious. Oh yeah, I thought it was a little piece of heaven, until my mom walked in the room. When she walked in, I immediately stopped chewing, hoping to hide it from her. But little did I know she could smell it (that's the funny thing about kids, they think they are so smart and sometimes they are so obvious)! Now if you grew up in my time, then you know what comes next...

She screamed at the top of her lungs, "where did you get that"!!!!! Didn't I tell you no! You stole it! YOOOOUUU SSSTTTOOOLLLLEEE IIITTT!!!!!!!

Then next up came the belt. Well, first she made me spite it out, then she grabbed the belt and gave me the spanking of a lifetime. I couldn't sit on my butt for hours. And worst then that, she made me go back to the store and admit that I stole and give it back (as if they could re-sell it after it was opened). That day I learned that there are consequences to doing wrong. Even though I did it many other times after that, I knew there were consequences.

But the moral or this story is not just about consequences. There's a question to be answered. Who taught me to do that? Who told me to steal? NO ONE. It automatically came into my mind when I wanted something and couldn't have it. Isn't it funny, how we naturally learn to do bad, but it seems so hard to develop good habits? Isn't it funny how it's cool to talk about drugs, sex and fighting, but it's lame to talk about wanting to graduate or how exciting it was do complete your homework early or the desire to go to a church, or how you respect your parents so much? It seems that what is bad is born in us, but we have to nearly kill ourselves to develop good habits in us. This is a reality that we must face. We are much more attracted to what is not good for us, then we are to what is good for us.

So what we need to do is, stop acting on impulse and start thinking about whether what we are doing is good or not. And do what is right, even if it hurts. Because it is better to feel the pain that you inflict on yourself through making hard choices, then to feel the pain of discipline after you have done wrong.

Take it from me... my butt still burns when I think about that spanking

Don't make me raise my voice!

Have you ever spoken to a person who just won't let you be nice to them?

What I mean is some people seem to get a kick out of frustrating you. It seems that when you try to say something to them in a nice way, they just ignore or become rude just to provoke you. These people seem to bring the worst out of us, don't they. This is the type that you have to get a little tough with for them to get the point.

Why can't everyone just be easy to deal with? Why can't everyone just listen the first time you say something? Why can't everyone understand your point of view? Why do people insist on trying to make you do things their way? Why? Why? Why?

We'll... I don't know. What I know is that there will always be someone who disagrees with your decisions. There will always be someone who says you should do things this way or that way. There will always be someone who thinks you are wrong.

But what you have to do is think for yourself. You have to make decisions based on what is right, not based on what others say. If you see truly believe in what you are doing, if you are sure you are standing on what is right or true, and of course if what you are doing is not morally wrong or spiritually bad for you. Then you need to stand firm on what you believe. Don't bend or compromise for someone else just because they said so.

We must always be willing to grow and learn, but that doesn't mean compromise for others just because they think you should. You have to stand firm. Better to stand for something than to fall for anything.

I have many people who have come at me at one point or another and tried to impose their point of view on me, but if I know that what I believe in is not wrong (not just because in my opinion it's not wrong, but I know it's not morally wrong), and it's what I truly want, then you can forget about me compromising. All bets are off. I will simply say, "I am doing this". And if they continue to push, I may have to result to... "don't make me raise my voice". Which means, if you can't listen to the nice way, then I can adjust to a way that you better understand.