DAILY THOUGHT #97 "Who's Traveling With You?"

"If you're going to bring someone along, make sure they fit your mood... If you are going to go along, make sure your mood fits the destination!"



Greetings. We have made it to the middle of the week, I know that you are very excited. I'm so excited that my fingers are moving super fast just typing this. We are only a few days away from the best HBCU Classic on Earth... The Magic City Classic, between the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs and our nemesis the Alabama State University, whatever they are =^) Hey! It's classic week, I had to get at least one joke in. If you plan to travel down to the game in Birmingham, I wish you traveling grace and I can't wait to see you there.

Where are we going nowadays? Where do our ambitions carry us to? How far is to far away in the eye of life's journey? I personally know that I am seeking rest in my life... I want to be peaceably happy. I want to be secure in my finances, active in my community, engaged with all citizens and proactive with my gifts and abilities. Though it may seem like a lot, it's really not. These are simply the things that we should be doing on a daily basis anyways.

Ever had that moment where you just needed a little extra boost in order to get something done? Ever had to get that word from that very close friend as a source of motivation? I know that I have. When I marched in the band at A&M, I loved going to Friday night rehearsals because I knew everyone would be extra "crunk" (excited and of high enthusiasm) and it would push me to play even harder and with more intensity. This was a rush that made me feel complete as a bandsmen. It would not have been the same if I were by myself.

Imagine being the only member of the U.S. Army... Who do you think would fear you? More than likely, no one. Let's compare this to life. Someone had to feed you, clothe you, and bathe you... Someone showed you how to walk, play your favorite sport and to read and write... someone taught you the lessons of love and friendship and someone showed you the things that you don't care for in life whether intentional or not... So why do we believe that we should just do things on our own?

Now for many people, they have come to the realization that others are needed in life to be successful and knowledgeable. However most people struggle with finding the right influence needed to grow and prosper in the world. So many times, positive people have their lives turned around simply because they choose to hang with the wrong crowd. I like to tell my students all the time "Stand out instead of fitting in!" With this attitude you learn to set standards for everything that is involved in your daily walk. When you set standards you create a minimum level of expectation for everything that you share your time with.

As you move into the coming phases of your life recognize that you are what you eat. Ever noticed how eating certain things leaves a lingering smell on your breathe? Well hanging around certain people has the same effect. We as humans are influenced by what we see and hear. So understand that whatever you keep around you consistently will eventually become apart of your life. Surround yourself with positive, uplifting things and all will be well for you.

A mentor of mine told me that there is good in every situation regardless of how bad it may seem. So if you desire to walk with a certain crew... learn from miscommunication, learn from great experiences and most importantly... learn from the actions of other and observe everything that you can in order to travel prosperously. Speak to someone you don't know. Peace.

-rjhii

DAILY THOUGHT #96 "The Morning After"

"Don't wake up with regrets... It's not worth it!"

Hello there my people! How are you this fine Tuesday? I pray that all is well with everyone. I am doing well, just going through the day best I can. "Although it's difficult... sometimes we have to realize that being the bigger person is a necessity. Even when you don't want to mend broken issues, we must remember that if there is no bandage the pain will continuously linger in the form of a undesired memory."

Moving on... Am I the only one that was amazed by the order of the Presidential Debate last night? Man... this moderator wasn't playing any games. It reminds me a lot of the current schools systems across our nation. The same kids (candidates), but different attitudes and behaviors for different teachers (moderator). Why is it such a hard task for people to conduct themselves accordingly in all places? Why are we so inferior to positivity? These are questions that I seek answers for on a daily basis.

What is the motivation of the everyday human? Eat, sleep and see what's sparking up the world I guess... I figure I'd be asking too much for our motivation to involve: constant self meditation, common generosity, equality, 100% effort, and consistency in promises. One day...

Our world is faced with so many afflictions. Did you ever think that situations as such don't just fall out of the sky? Something leads to everything. Remember that. In recent weeks, I've found myself reflecting on the aftermath before the occurrence... Yeah, take a second and let that sink in. When you are intelligent enough to analyze the results before something happens, there is a far better opportunity that you will be happy with the outcome.

Now I'd be untruthful if I told you that I don't let things get to me or that I've never done something that I regret... But I would be doing a dis-service to myself and others if I didn't mention ways to prevent similar instances from happening. We have the power to control so many things with our mind and our tongue. We just have to be brave enough to trust our feelings and carry out our ambitious desires.

How many times have you done something to a friend and grew to regret what you did? You feel beneath yourself and you seek instant reconciliation... When we begin treating every person on the earth with the same regard we give to our friends, regardless of the circumstance... Our living situations will be so much better.

I don't want to prolong this blog, because the topic is very simple. Remember this... Although things may be in good standings now, that does not mean it will be that way forever. If you are doing things for the good and nothing is working out... remain steadfast in your quest to find answers. If you are doing things for the bad and everything is working out... be certain that a gust of wind that will knock completely off course is headed your way very soon! Do what you know is right and worthwhile. Have a memorable purpose that will last in the minds and hearts of all people, even after you are dead and gone. This attitude will propel you to unimaginable heights. Trust me. Be blessed and speak to someone you don't know today! "The Morning After" will be great if you do so! Peace...

-rjhii

DAILY THOUGHT #95 "How Long Will It Take?"

"Do something to make things better in your life... It's up to you!"



Hello there my people! How are you? I pray that all is well with you! I a doing wonderfully. Today is my birthday, so I am more blessed than ever...so grateful to see another year and continue this walk towards my God given purpose. Seeing that I plan to become President of the United States (#46), it's just amazing that the 1st Black President's final Presidential Debate falls on the day I was born. Be sure that you tune in tonight and witness both candidates. Also, make sure you get out and voice your opinion about the direction of our nation by voting. But, more importantly, open your heart and mind to receive the signs God wants to give you!

Symbolism is an acquired gift in my eyes. Because we are humans, we tend to view our surroundings based on our emotions and experiences, instead of actually embracing that which is before us. How do you embrace what's before you? Very simple, just engage! Because of fear we don't speak to one another, we avoid asking and answering questions and we tend to not trust and mistreat our abilities. Life was not designed to give us all the answers automatically, but neither was it designed for us to live in a manner of fear, complacency and complete misunderstanding.

I am so thankful for the relationship that I have developed with my inner-self over the years. Because I have learned to relax my mind and spirit, I am able to jump the hurdles of life with a little more ease. Many times we are turned down for things, just to see if we will continue seeking our desires. I like to call that the test of life. Just this morning, I went to the library at Huntsville High School to use the internet. The librarian told me there was no computer with access, seeing that all the students have laptops now. I then went to the front office. They suggested the library....right. So then I decided to walk around and amazingly I found a computer lab with internet access. This is the kicker though, as I began to introduce myself to the teacher in the room, she informed me that we met already when I spoke at her church, while running for the School Board. Crazy how things work out.

While I was in New Orleans this weekend, I had plenty of time to think... clear my head, and prepare myself for the many ambitious goals that I wish to accomplish before the end of 2012. I was also able to see the beauty of marriage, the consequences of being disobedient and the satisfaction of doing what you love to do and getting paid for it. Why can't everyday be like that? Why is it so difficult to simply enjoy life? This is something that I would ask everyday... now I don't have to anymore.

See what you must remember is this... there is someone who is greater than anything else ever to grace this planet, the Creator. What we must realize is that he has a plan that only he knows. Once we come to that resolution, we then must understand that we each have a unique purpose in the fulfillment of that plan. Then we must also understand that somedays we will be in the dark as far as what we should do. Other days we will feel there is no purpose for us to even exist... but the moment when things seem to be amazing we must understand that it was only a gift of grace.

Many people say that world peace is impossible. I totally disagree. Where there is respect, there is peace. Many people believe that our economy will never be balanced again.. definately not a surplus. Once again I totally disagree. Where there is opportunity, there is action. Many people believe that there is no way to be happy everyday of your life. I have learned over the past few weeks... that I totally, absolutely disagree. Remeber people, there were times when people survived with none of the things we are fortunate to have today. There are times when people survive with no access to understand what was going on in the world. And of course there are times when people may have everything taken away from them, but their life... that is mercy!

So I ask you today... "How Long Will It Take?" for us to realize that we have so many wonderful things going for us... to realize that the world is at our fingertips, we just have to grab it... to realize that we can get along with any person in the world, we just have to have the heart and mind to do so... and to realize that life and all it's situations are what you make it! Be the master of what transpires in your life. Think positively, have endurance and always believe that the best will come and it will be apart of you! All is well my people. Thank you for reading. Tell a friend about the blog and speak to someone you don't know!

-rjhii