What's Your Excuse, Now?

Friday, June 27, 2014

Thoughts About My Blog!

I started this blog some time ago to keep a journal about the things that happened in my life.  Instead, it expanded to a place for my opinions and thoughts.  Any way you look at it, this is my forum for sharing my feelings about what affects me.  No, I’m not talking about sensitivity I’m talking about the things and people that have affected me. I think we all have the same way of thinking but may not have the opportunity to put it on paper.  Some of our thoughts and actions are very confidential and we don’t want or need anyone to criticize us about the way we are.  There are lists of reasons not to record what we think or do.

I do this because I hope that it can help someone.  I’m not sure people even read my blogs but there will be a time that could help someone face their challenges and avoid making the wrong decisions.  For me, the blog is a platform to express myself, spiritually, emotionally and socially.  Notice that I did not say financially. You can’t talk about something you don’t know.

One thing we all know is that people and environments around us shape us into who we are.  We also know that if we develop our attitude it can help us change for the better.  We learn something from everyone in our journey of living, sometimes it’s good and sometimes not.  Sometimes what we thought was good for us turned out not being so good at all.  We can carry the not-so-good with us and wonder why we attract negativity to us.  We can put that mess behind us, forgive and move forward.  I learned after time that the people that “surprised” us did not care or lose any sleep for their offenses.  I also learned that I was not any different from them. What made me think that I was any better?  I have affected lives, too. I don’t recall losing any sleep on what I did but I can remember staying up at nights thinking about what other people did to me.  I hope you get the point.

Despite what you might think, we are not on this journey alone and actions affect others just as they affect us.  We have to face our inner selves and ask the strong questions.  What do we want from life?  How will we get it?  What will we sacrifice?  Who will this affect?  How long will it last?  Who can we trust to share our life with?  We can achieve our biggest dream, lose everything else to get it and we are still not guaranteed that we can even keep it.  We don’t even know how long we will even live to enjoy it! We need to figure out a way to get along with each other on this planet and make it happen. What is worth our objective?  Some objectives can be either success or getting into heaven.  Both are not easy but success does not have to be measured in dollars. What is your joy? You know what I’m talking about.

Each moment we live and breathe we should be grateful that we have another opportunity to do and be better!  Each day is a learning experience and I pray that we can get the best out of it!

Official My Heart Sings Video by William McDowell

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Congratulations Corporal William Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor Recipient!

President Barack Obama shakes hands with retired Marine Cpl. William "Kyle" Carpenter after awarding him the Medal of Honor, Thursday, June 19, 2014, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Today, June 19, 2014, Corporal Carpenter was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama at a ceremony in the White House in Washington, D.C. Corporal Carpenter will be the eighth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. He served as a rifleman in the U.S. Marines. He was medically retired as a Corporal due to his wounds. Carpenter is credited with attempting to shield a fellow Marine, Lance Cpl. Nick Eufrazio, from a grenade blast in combat operations in Afghanistan on November 21, 2010. He lost his right eye and spent over two years recovering from other injuries. Both Marines survived the blast but suffered major injuries. Corporal Carpenter is currently attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13 NIV).

Monday, June 16, 2014

RIP, Casey Kasem!

I remember listening to Casey and the Top 40 many years ago while I was in the inventory.  He kept me awake when I drove home from the naval base in Virginia back to South Carolina. His signature sign-off was, "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."  You did good, Casey!
 

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Happy Father's Day!

I commend you honorable men who sacrificed and got things accomplished with the best of your abilities to provide, protect and care for your families!  God bless you!  God bless the father's that are stressed, weary, exhausted, hurt and frustrated by dealing with the demands of this world to be responsible role models for their children.  God bless the new fathers who had no previous models to accept the new role of being responsible for the children they have brought into this world and will just have to follow their instincts and not abandon their loved ones. God bless the "baby daddies" to accept their responsibilities and stop making excuses for not having their own father in their lives.  We can not ignore the women behind all of these men who encourage, support and engage in a truthful, honest conversation to let these men that they are not in this world alone.  Faith with time and patience are just a few requirements to make men strong.  God and prayer at the forefront of any relationship with make us all stronger.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

RIP, Ruby Dee!

Ruby and Ossie - Photo by Chester Higgins, Jr./NYT
Another phenomenal woman, Ruby Dee transitioned to a higher level. Ruby Dee passed today at 91! She's meeting with her husband, Ossie, about a new stage play which they will be again the leading characters. Ossie Davis, also her stage partner passed away in 2005 at the age of 87.  Ruby and Ossie participated in 11 stage productions and five movies during long parallel careers – the two together they helped pave the road for two generations of black performers.  They were also both active in civil rights and a classy couple. They were the Ashford and Simpson of the stage. Our prayers are with them and their family!






Nothing As Powerful As A Changed Mind - Bishop T. D. Jakes!



Time spent well worth listening to!  You are never to old to listen and learn.  Some of us are still learning the hard way.

Always Valuable!

            My wife and I visited Mother Bennett this past weekend.  At 102, she’s still feisty and quick-witted.  Her granddaughters have a...