Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Time For The Doctor
I decided to go ahead and go to the doctor this afternoon and get some medication, instead of waiting some 6 months like I did about 2 years ago when I got bronchitis for the first time ever. I remember thinking, "It's just a cough/cold. It will go away eventually." But nope, it never did, and about 6 months later I finally went in to get some medication. 7 days later after anti-biotics, I was back to normal.
Am I the only person who absolutely doesn't like taking medicine? Not beacuse it tastes bad or whatever, but simply because I think people are on medication too much as it is. Can it really be good for us to be doping ourselves up all the time with medicine? Then, I think about "survival of the fittest" and that whole theory of life. Only the strong survive. I wonder if we are really doing more harm than good when we try and cure everything. Not that that's bad, but that is another side of the coin that probably isn't considered too often. What is the cost of "curing" ailments really costing us as a race of humans?
Ok enough of that. I'm all drugged up myself right now, so I don't know what I'm talking about probably.
At the pharmacy, the drug techs were having a little bit too much fun for my taste. I'm all for having fun at work, but there was too much horsing around and laughter going on there tonight. All I can think back to is, a friend of mine was in her last year of Pharmacy school last summer, and she gave the wrong prescription to a patient and ended up killing him. I don't think I want a lot of horseplay going on at the pharmacy.
Am I the only person who absolutely doesn't like taking medicine? Not beacuse it tastes bad or whatever, but simply because I think people are on medication too much as it is. Can it really be good for us to be doping ourselves up all the time with medicine? Then, I think about "survival of the fittest" and that whole theory of life. Only the strong survive. I wonder if we are really doing more harm than good when we try and cure everything. Not that that's bad, but that is another side of the coin that probably isn't considered too often. What is the cost of "curing" ailments really costing us as a race of humans?
Ok enough of that. I'm all drugged up myself right now, so I don't know what I'm talking about probably.
At the pharmacy, the drug techs were having a little bit too much fun for my taste. I'm all for having fun at work, but there was too much horsing around and laughter going on there tonight. All I can think back to is, a friend of mine was in her last year of Pharmacy school last summer, and she gave the wrong prescription to a patient and ended up killing him. I don't think I want a lot of horseplay going on at the pharmacy.
A Picture Share!
This is what I did at work this afternoon: I honed my white-out skills. Impressive huh. Jawana and Shayla were here at 10:30 am. Jawana was looking smoking hot for her job interview today. I bet
they'll offer her a job. Lol. Ok, back to work.
they'll offer her a job. Lol. Ok, back to work.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Bone and Reagan
In honor of Shane and Melody's new baby boy, born Thursday morning sometime... here is a representative picture of Bone with Regan when he was born... well a few months after he was born (Regan, not Bone)... anyways. You get the idea. LOL Conrats Shane and Melody on the new addition to your family.
A little late posting this.
Jawana and Emily out at The Tin Roof in Nashville, after we went to see Dave Ramsey in Madison TN, on Sept 30.
Oh man... that is cool
Canon has answered the call... with a High-Def version on the GL1s that we use for the video production business. They debut here shortly. We're gonna let them get out into the market place and see how they perform (the whole "never buy a new model of anything" philosophy) for a few months and let Canon work any kinks out. Then by next summer, Look Mom Videos will be doing High Definition productions!
Friday, October 20, 2006
World Serious?
It's my favorite time of year! Time for the World Series! The Tigers and the Cards... neither have won since 84 and 82 respectively... this is gonna be great!
I have finally found my calling in life
On my way home from Jawana's house tonight, the news station I was listening to was talking about George Russell Weller. You may remember him as the 80-year old guy who ran his car into a ton of people at the market a while back.
Well the thing is, the report was saying he might get possible jail time. Something like up to 18 years for killing those 10 people. Other reports are, he meant to do it. Either way, it got me to thinking.
Here is what I was thinking.
I want to open up my own prison. (I was laying in bed... and got out of bed to write this entry)
Prisoners have it made in jail. They have a free gym. They have cable TV (which I don't even frickin' have). They have free food. They pretty much have all the niceities of home except they live in a little 8' x 8' cube where everyone can see you go to the bathroom.
Here is how I would run my prison:
(1) There would be TV. But, the only stations you could get on it would be Christian programming, Fox News (For Sean Hannity), CNN Headline News (For Glenn Beck), and the channel out of Nashville that Dave Ramsey comes on.
(2) Every cell would have a good sounding speaker installed for radio. However, no music would be played through this special radio. The only programming that would come through would be a steady 24 hour rotation of Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, Michael Reagan, G Gordon Liddy, Bill Handle, Dave Ramsey, and Dr. Laura.
(3) Each inmate must work 8-hours a day, 6 days a week, on something. I'm not sure what. But something.
(3a) Recently we have decided to build a big fence between us and Mexico. Fine. I am all for that. Inmates would be sent to the border in 3 week rotations to work on building the fence under the supervision of our military and police forces (someone has to protect the inmates from the Mexican Drug Cartels).. because inmates would be our free labor.
(4) After working, inmates would be required to read books on business, finances, and other such non-fiction topics. This will help with their assimilation back into society... well... for the ones who don't commmit suicide from having my favorite talk shows thrown at them 24 hours a day. Heck, I'm not even sure I could survive that. LOL
Hmmm.. that's all I've got for now, and this NYQUIL is starting to kick in, so I'm going to bed. I may have to work on this idea more. Let me know if you have any thoughts on ways to run a prison. My whole point is coming from a "rehab" standpoint. In attempting to salvage the mangalged minds of the probably unsalvagable inmates... but there may be some worth helping. You never know.
Kids Having Babies. It's Fundamentally Wrong
15 year old girls having babies just is not right. I don't care what culture you live in.
I have finally found my calling in life
On my way home from Jawana's house tonight, the news station I was listening to was talking about George Russell Weller. You may remember him as the 80-year old guy who ran his car into a ton of people at the market a while back.
Well the thing is, the report was saying he might get possible jail time. Something like up to 18 years for killing those 10 people. Other reports are, he meant to do it. Either way, it got me to thinking.
Here is what I was thinking.
I want to open up my own prison. (I was laying in bed... and got out of bed to write this entry)
Prisoners have it made in jail. They have a free gym. They have cable TV (which I don't even frickin' have). They have free food. They pretty much have all the niceities of home except they live in a little 8' x 8' cube where everyone can see you go to the bathroom.
Here is how I would run my prison:
(1) There would be TV. But, the only stations you could get on it would be Christian programming, Fox News (For Sean Hannity), CNN Headline News (For Glenn Beck), and the channel out of Nashville that Dave Ramsey comes on.
(2) Every cell would have a good sounding speaker installed for radio. However, no music would be played through this special radio. The only programming that would come through would be a steady 24 hour rotation of Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, Michael Reagan, G Gordon Liddy, Bill Handle, Dave Ramsey, and Dr. Laura.
(3) Each inmate must work 8-hours a day, 6 days a week, on something. I'm not sure what. But something.
(3a) Recently we have decided to build a big fence between us and Mexico. Fine. I am all for that. Inmates would be sent to the border in 3 week rotations to work on building the fence under the supervision of our military and police forces (someone has to protect the inmates from the Mexican Drug Cartels).. because inmates would be our free labor.
(4) After working, inmates would be required to read books on business, finances, and other such non-fiction topics. This will help with their assimilation back into society... well... for the ones who don't commmit suicide from having my favorite talk shows thrown at them 24 hours a day. Heck, I'm not even sure I could survive that. LOL
Hmmm.. that's all I've got for now, and this NYQUIL is starting to kick in, so I'm going to bed. I may have to work on this idea more. Let me know if you have any thoughts on ways to run a prison. My whole point is coming from a "rehab" standpoint. In attempting to salvage the mangalged minds of the probably unsalvagable inmates... but there may be some worth helping. You never know.
Kids Having Babies. It's Fundamentally Wrong
15 year old girls having babies just is not right. I don't care what culture you live in.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
He sat right beside me
This afternoon I had some Ethics training to attend. I found myself a spot in the very back row of the auditorium. Unfortunately the seat on the isle was taken so I scooched by that lady and sat two seats down from her. A short time later a young man came in and schooched by both of us and sat 4 seats down from me. Finally another older man, 50, 60, 70 years old, I dunno... came in and sat down right beside me. I just wanted to say, "Hello?!?! You're not adhering to the skip-one-seat rule buddy."
A little bit later after the training had started, a large fella came strolling in about 5 minutes late. Naturally all the isle seats and seats immediately next to them were all taken. So he strolled all around the auditorium, which seats probably close to 1000 people looking for a place to sit. I don't really have a point to that other than, I thought it was strange. Just pick a seat!
Even a tad bit later, some woman came in and sat in the row in front of me. I thought I saw something blue flashing in her head. Then I looked a little closer and realized she was wearing one of those bluetoof Mr. Spock headset things sticking out of her head... or rather ear canal. Every few seconds it would flash bright blue. I wanted to reach over there and just yank it out of her ear. Good lord that thing looked retarded.
Finally, people's cell phones were going off intermittently during the training session. It's called vibrate people, learn to use it. Some things just annoy me. I probably should have started this post with that last sentence.
Ok, we just got done eating the Pizza Hut buffet and my stomach isn't feeling to good, so I'm going to go lay down now. Hmmmm there goes my girlfriend into the front room... yeah it's time to go lay down. peace out to you. or something.
A little bit later after the training had started, a large fella came strolling in about 5 minutes late. Naturally all the isle seats and seats immediately next to them were all taken. So he strolled all around the auditorium, which seats probably close to 1000 people looking for a place to sit. I don't really have a point to that other than, I thought it was strange. Just pick a seat!
Even a tad bit later, some woman came in and sat in the row in front of me. I thought I saw something blue flashing in her head. Then I looked a little closer and realized she was wearing one of those bluetoof Mr. Spock headset things sticking out of her head... or rather ear canal. Every few seconds it would flash bright blue. I wanted to reach over there and just yank it out of her ear. Good lord that thing looked retarded.
Finally, people's cell phones were going off intermittently during the training session. It's called vibrate people, learn to use it. Some things just annoy me. I probably should have started this post with that last sentence.
Ok, we just got done eating the Pizza Hut buffet and my stomach isn't feeling to good, so I'm going to go lay down now. Hmmmm there goes my girlfriend into the front room... yeah it's time to go lay down. peace out to you. or something.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Shake it up.
So my mom is in Hawaii right now visiting her parents, brothers, and sister. I called her Sunday to check on the situation when I read about the earthquake over there. She said it was pretty rough but nothing at my grandparents house was damaged. They live on the Hilo side, and the quake was over on the Kona side. Glad to hear that they are ok. It got me to thinking, one of my favorite things to do when I visit the big island is hike inside the volcano crater. Every time we go, I have to do it. (I need to update the travel section) It really makes you feel small and insignificant to be in the bottom of the crater, walking along the black cracked lava tops. I'll stop and think, "It is entirely possible that this thing could like just come back to life and hot molten lava could come oozing up through these cracks any minute. If that were to happen, there is no getting out, because it's a 20 minute hike down the side of the crater. It's very steep with lots of places where it would be quite easy to fall to your death, regardless if there was a quake or not. One mis-step and down you go. I can't wait to go back!
FLOW
This past Friday, I took part of a new type of praise and worship experience at First Baptist. The event came together well from a technical standpoint, and I think that people were affected in appositive way. I was thinking, it sure was a different way for me to spend a Friday night compared to what I use to do. At 7:00 PM I'd usually be at The Brick shooting pool, or out on the town picking up girls. Or rather, just looking at pretty girls and not really speaking to them. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing this event mature over the coming months.
Click
I wish we were currently not in syndication with the Jeff and Kyle show so we could do our incredibly popular "Weekly Movie Reviews" segment. Sunday afternoon I watched the Adam Sandler movie "Click". In the back of my mind I wondered how a movie about a remote control could possibly be interesting at all. In the end, I actually found it caused me to have several moments on introspection. The lesson taught amongst the crass humor was, value your time with your family and friends. It's your life people, and it's slipping away one minute at a time. Make the absolute most of it each and every day you live. Because unlike the character in the movie, the angel of death will not give you a second chance.
Move
Sunday morning at church I was having a causal conversation with a fella that I would consider an acquaintance. Super nice guy, but he's married and such, and personally I've never hung out with him outside of church Anyway, we're standing there talking and he asks about my house and such and then proceeds to offer to help me move when I get ready to do that. I was surprised at the offer. I mean, it was really cool to have this guy offer to help me move. That just really made my day right there. Likewise about a month ago, Kevin offered to help me move too. I've never had people offer to help me with anything before, so it's kind of new to me.
Sick
Kind of feel like some funk it coming on. Nonetheless, I am at home tonight and am going to be working on videos that needed to be out and delivered... like 3 or 4 weeks ago.
FLOW
This past Friday, I took part of a new type of praise and worship experience at First Baptist. The event came together well from a technical standpoint, and I think that people were affected in appositive way. I was thinking, it sure was a different way for me to spend a Friday night compared to what I use to do. At 7:00 PM I'd usually be at The Brick shooting pool, or out on the town picking up girls. Or rather, just looking at pretty girls and not really speaking to them. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing this event mature over the coming months.
Click
I wish we were currently not in syndication with the Jeff and Kyle show so we could do our incredibly popular "Weekly Movie Reviews" segment. Sunday afternoon I watched the Adam Sandler movie "Click". In the back of my mind I wondered how a movie about a remote control could possibly be interesting at all. In the end, I actually found it caused me to have several moments on introspection. The lesson taught amongst the crass humor was, value your time with your family and friends. It's your life people, and it's slipping away one minute at a time. Make the absolute most of it each and every day you live. Because unlike the character in the movie, the angel of death will not give you a second chance.
Move
Sunday morning at church I was having a causal conversation with a fella that I would consider an acquaintance. Super nice guy, but he's married and such, and personally I've never hung out with him outside of church Anyway, we're standing there talking and he asks about my house and such and then proceeds to offer to help me move when I get ready to do that. I was surprised at the offer. I mean, it was really cool to have this guy offer to help me move. That just really made my day right there. Likewise about a month ago, Kevin offered to help me move too. I've never had people offer to help me with anything before, so it's kind of new to me.
Sick
Kind of feel like some funk it coming on. Nonetheless, I am at home tonight and am going to be working on videos that needed to be out and delivered... like 3 or 4 weeks ago.
Friday, October 13, 2006
The HOV Lane
Today I went to Nashville for -ahem- work. Tennessee seems to be real big on these HOV lanes. I think it stands for "Human Occupied Vehicle". Aren't all vehicles human occupied? If they aren't, then that would scare me.
Do people who drive in the HOV lane get special treatment? If you drive in that lane with 2 or more people in your car, does that make it ok to go 90 mph, as opposed to the 80 mph that the rest of us are driving? I'm going to start car pooling when I go to Nashville so I can go 90 legally if that's the case.
That crazy real estate
One of my friends recently took a new job as the city engineer. He works 4-days a week for 8-hours a day. The city bought him a kickin' new truck and a new computer. Not to mention a new four-wheeler so he can get to those hard to reach sites. Since today was Friday and he was off work, we went around to some of the new subdivisions being built in the town. One of them is a 500 home project. We stopped and looked at one of the model homes. 3,900 Square feet... $800,000. Now that is crazy. The lots looked to be about 60' wide by about 150' deep and were selling for $150,000. That is also crazy.
Driving makes me tired
Does it make you tired? I don't know what it is, but it's a miracle I haven't tested the ground clearance of an 18-wheeler during my road trips. Driving really wears me out.
Maybe it's the fact that I've been up at 5:30 AM 5 of the past 7 days and haven't been getting in bed before 10:30 PM.
Oh well, I'm going to bed now.
Do people who drive in the HOV lane get special treatment? If you drive in that lane with 2 or more people in your car, does that make it ok to go 90 mph, as opposed to the 80 mph that the rest of us are driving? I'm going to start car pooling when I go to Nashville so I can go 90 legally if that's the case.
That crazy real estate
One of my friends recently took a new job as the city engineer. He works 4-days a week for 8-hours a day. The city bought him a kickin' new truck and a new computer. Not to mention a new four-wheeler so he can get to those hard to reach sites. Since today was Friday and he was off work, we went around to some of the new subdivisions being built in the town. One of them is a 500 home project. We stopped and looked at one of the model homes. 3,900 Square feet... $800,000. Now that is crazy. The lots looked to be about 60' wide by about 150' deep and were selling for $150,000. That is also crazy.
Driving makes me tired
Does it make you tired? I don't know what it is, but it's a miracle I haven't tested the ground clearance of an 18-wheeler during my road trips. Driving really wears me out.
Maybe it's the fact that I've been up at 5:30 AM 5 of the past 7 days and haven't been getting in bed before 10:30 PM.
Oh well, I'm going to bed now.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Random Post Of The Night. It's late and I'm tired. I wrote this post earlier, and the more I think about it, the more I think I lean towards getting it, since I have enjoyed watching the Glenn Beck Program on CNN and Sean Hannity on Fox News. Not to mention I think Jim Kramer has a finanicial show somwhere...
Wow Jawana and I have been fighting a lot lately. Last night we got into it on the cost of cable TV and Internet. I should probably do "Explain Yourself" part II here real quick.
I do not watch TV. I do not view TV as a necessity in life. If it were up to me, I doubt I would even have a TV in my next home.
In case you're new to this site, I haven't had cable or satellite TV in about 4 years. In retrospect, this is one of the ways I've been able to avoid a lot of the "moral decay of society". Also, I am not subjected to the advertisements touting the latest and greatest techno gadgets. Thus, helping me keep my spending in control. Plus, I've adopted the mindset of not being an "early adopter." Meaning, I will not purchase any form of new technology until a minimum of 2 years after introduction to the market, because it takes at least that long for tech items to mature.
Here is another way I operate. Before I do any kind of activity, I stop and ask myself, "How will this activity (1) increase my knowledge, (2) increase my skill or proficiency at a task, or (3) help me make money."
At no time do I consider, "Is this going to be fun?" or "Will I enjoy this?" or anything like that. And, that may be a fault of mine. I have wondered that lately. Maybe I focus too much on making money, on becoming a better graphic artist, a better video editor, a better musician. While it seems like work work work, I really enjoy constantly challenging myself to do better and learn new things. Albeit, sometimes I totally neglect to do things "just for fun". I probably need more of that in my life.
Left to my own devices, I split up my time between reading books (business, graphic arts, personnel development, and music), going to the gym, practicing guitar, and video work.
Since all that leaves no time for me to watch TV, I simply can not fathom spending $120.00/mo = $1,440/yr to Charter Cable.
We are very fortunate that we can actually afford to spend that kind of money on entertainment. However, my nature to "find the best deal possible and reduce spending" leads me to question that bill. Simply because, over the past 6 months, I've noticed we only watch about 5 channels out of the 100s that she has, and that is no exaggeration. So naturally, I question if it is wise to pay all that money for something that in reality is not used.
In case you haven't caught on yet, the rationale, "just because I want it" and "just because I can" doesn't work for me. There is more to it than that.
Believe me, there are a lot of things I want, that I could afford, but I don't have them because I don't need them. Case and point, I still want a Lexus. I've wanted a Lexus since 2001: a loaded GS300 to be exact. But, it's $50,000 and there is no way on earth I will spend that kind of money on a car. On a smaller scale, I want really bad one of those new Carvin V3 guitar amplifiers for $1,000. Sure, $1,000 isn't a big deal, but I don't need it. I've already got 4 other guitar amps that work fine and sound great.
I've learned to be content with what I have. The other day Jawana asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I don't have a wish list, because truthfully, there is simply nothing I absolutely feel I want 100% and just –have to have-.
I've only wanted one thing for as long as I can remember, and it appears this will be the first Christmas ever where I will have it.
Wow Jawana and I have been fighting a lot lately. Last night we got into it on the cost of cable TV and Internet. I should probably do "Explain Yourself" part II here real quick.
I do not watch TV. I do not view TV as a necessity in life. If it were up to me, I doubt I would even have a TV in my next home.
In case you're new to this site, I haven't had cable or satellite TV in about 4 years. In retrospect, this is one of the ways I've been able to avoid a lot of the "moral decay of society". Also, I am not subjected to the advertisements touting the latest and greatest techno gadgets. Thus, helping me keep my spending in control. Plus, I've adopted the mindset of not being an "early adopter." Meaning, I will not purchase any form of new technology until a minimum of 2 years after introduction to the market, because it takes at least that long for tech items to mature.
Here is another way I operate. Before I do any kind of activity, I stop and ask myself, "How will this activity (1) increase my knowledge, (2) increase my skill or proficiency at a task, or (3) help me make money."
At no time do I consider, "Is this going to be fun?" or "Will I enjoy this?" or anything like that. And, that may be a fault of mine. I have wondered that lately. Maybe I focus too much on making money, on becoming a better graphic artist, a better video editor, a better musician. While it seems like work work work, I really enjoy constantly challenging myself to do better and learn new things. Albeit, sometimes I totally neglect to do things "just for fun". I probably need more of that in my life.
Left to my own devices, I split up my time between reading books (business, graphic arts, personnel development, and music), going to the gym, practicing guitar, and video work.
Since all that leaves no time for me to watch TV, I simply can not fathom spending $120.00/mo = $1,440/yr to Charter Cable.
We are very fortunate that we can actually afford to spend that kind of money on entertainment. However, my nature to "find the best deal possible and reduce spending" leads me to question that bill. Simply because, over the past 6 months, I've noticed we only watch about 5 channels out of the 100s that she has, and that is no exaggeration. So naturally, I question if it is wise to pay all that money for something that in reality is not used.
In case you haven't caught on yet, the rationale, "just because I want it" and "just because I can" doesn't work for me. There is more to it than that.
Believe me, there are a lot of things I want, that I could afford, but I don't have them because I don't need them. Case and point, I still want a Lexus. I've wanted a Lexus since 2001: a loaded GS300 to be exact. But, it's $50,000 and there is no way on earth I will spend that kind of money on a car. On a smaller scale, I want really bad one of those new Carvin V3 guitar amplifiers for $1,000. Sure, $1,000 isn't a big deal, but I don't need it. I've already got 4 other guitar amps that work fine and sound great.
I've learned to be content with what I have. The other day Jawana asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I don't have a wish list, because truthfully, there is simply nothing I absolutely feel I want 100% and just –have to have-.
I've only wanted one thing for as long as I can remember, and it appears this will be the first Christmas ever where I will have it.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Explain Yourself.
I've never had to do that before.
When you go 31 years without ever being in a serious dating relationship, you tend to become quite independent and rely solely on yourself in making all decisions and such. Many events have happened to me over the years which have made me the way I am. I found myself trying to verbalize some of these things last night, and I've never had to do that before. I thought I would do the same here, for fun and insight into my crazy head.
The one thing I try and do is never be negative. I consider being negative a very bad thing, Certain situations have taught me that I need to spend my life focusing on the positive things. And, when something happens that is "not good" I must do my best to see it in as positive a light as possible. In some cases, that means smiling and being uplifting instead scowling and condescending. We never know what other people have going on in their personal lives, and to me as a human, I know how uplifting a friendly smile can be. As a result, part of my life philosophy has become basically, "Be nice to everyone no matter what." Maybe it has to do with my nature of being a helper. All I know is, I want to make sure I do everything in my power to affect people's life in a positive way and lead by example.
Most of you know, I don't really care what people think about me. I dress the way I dress because it's comfortable and I like it. I drive what I drive because it's used and dependable. In everything I do, I'm pretty much 100% counter culture, and I believe that is why I am so successful at pretty much everything I do. I've realized that what the "American Culture" is touting as "normal and accepted" is actually a lie, and should not be believed or accepted at all.
When it comes to money, I am definitely counter culture. When people question the way I handle my money and frugal lifestyle my typical response is: "Unless you are (1) making more than me, (2) own more than me, and (3) have investments earning a higher rate of return than me, you do not need to be questioning how I handle my money." Because, clearly, I am winning at that game, and you are not.
It's not about money though. The money and material things are an end result.
It's about having a plan, setting reasonable goals, and then working to achieve those goals through personal sacrifice and making wise decisions. I can't stress that enough. Immense amounts of sacrifice, hard work, and decisions made by wise counsel are the keys to winning in life. No more. No less.
Encompassing each of those attributes for me is a fundamental belief in God. Because, when it all comes down to it, everything is His. I'm just doing my best to manage what he gives me, and I believe, the better manager I am for him here on Earth, the more he trusts me with his possessions and the more I will be blessed. The past 10 years of my life are proof of that. When you put God first, and yourself second, life is good. Not easy. Good.
When you go 31 years without ever being in a serious dating relationship, you tend to become quite independent and rely solely on yourself in making all decisions and such. Many events have happened to me over the years which have made me the way I am. I found myself trying to verbalize some of these things last night, and I've never had to do that before. I thought I would do the same here, for fun and insight into my crazy head.
The one thing I try and do is never be negative. I consider being negative a very bad thing, Certain situations have taught me that I need to spend my life focusing on the positive things. And, when something happens that is "not good" I must do my best to see it in as positive a light as possible. In some cases, that means smiling and being uplifting instead scowling and condescending. We never know what other people have going on in their personal lives, and to me as a human, I know how uplifting a friendly smile can be. As a result, part of my life philosophy has become basically, "Be nice to everyone no matter what." Maybe it has to do with my nature of being a helper. All I know is, I want to make sure I do everything in my power to affect people's life in a positive way and lead by example.
Most of you know, I don't really care what people think about me. I dress the way I dress because it's comfortable and I like it. I drive what I drive because it's used and dependable. In everything I do, I'm pretty much 100% counter culture, and I believe that is why I am so successful at pretty much everything I do. I've realized that what the "American Culture" is touting as "normal and accepted" is actually a lie, and should not be believed or accepted at all.
When it comes to money, I am definitely counter culture. When people question the way I handle my money and frugal lifestyle my typical response is: "Unless you are (1) making more than me, (2) own more than me, and (3) have investments earning a higher rate of return than me, you do not need to be questioning how I handle my money." Because, clearly, I am winning at that game, and you are not.
It's not about money though. The money and material things are an end result.
It's about having a plan, setting reasonable goals, and then working to achieve those goals through personal sacrifice and making wise decisions. I can't stress that enough. Immense amounts of sacrifice, hard work, and decisions made by wise counsel are the keys to winning in life. No more. No less.
Encompassing each of those attributes for me is a fundamental belief in God. Because, when it all comes down to it, everything is His. I'm just doing my best to manage what he gives me, and I believe, the better manager I am for him here on Earth, the more he trusts me with his possessions and the more I will be blessed. The past 10 years of my life are proof of that. When you put God first, and yourself second, life is good. Not easy. Good.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
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