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The Power of Authenticity
It’s good to always stay true to you. We have to be sincere, honest, and authentic in our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It’s easy to try to become what we think will be appealing to others, or do what is trendy or popular at the moment. That will never work in the long run because I think people naturally can tell when someone is being genuine or not.
When people sense that someone is not being genuine, it can create a sense of distrust and reluctance to support that person. This is because people want to feel that they can trust and rely on those they support, and when there is a lack of authenticity or sincerity, it can create doubt and hesitation in their minds.
It’s important to strive for genuineness in whatever we do and in our interactions with others, especially when seeking their support or assistance. Just be shamelessly you, and you will attract people who like and support you for who you are. If you do anything other than that, you won’t be fooling anyone but yourself.
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Effort, Progress, Success
The effort and activity level we put into achieving our goals are often key factors in determining how quickly we reach success. Sometimes you can be on the right track towards success, but you haven’t evolved the method that you are using to achieve success.
Even if we are working hard towards our goals, we may not be making progress as quickly as we would like if we are not adapting and evolving our methods. The world and our circumstances around us are constantly changing, and the things that worked in the past might not be as effective in the present or future. You gotta be open-minded and willing to try new approaches, learn new skills, and adapt to changing circumstances in order to continue making progress towards success. Stagnation and complacency can hinder our progress and hold us back from achieving our full potential.
Ultimately, the pace at which you reach success is largely up to you. By setting clear goals, staying active, identifying areas for improvement, trying new methods, and staying motivated, you can increase your chances of achieving success at a pace that works for you.
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When The Student is Ready
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”
It’s crazy how you can learn something new after doing the same things for a long period of time. It’s kind of like the compound effect. It’s as if you need to do the same thing consistently for a long period of time for something random to finally click. When it does click, it can take you to the next level.
I taught myself Spanish over the past couple years, and I still find myself learning new things that are so simple, but yet so beneficial. I often wonder why it took me so long to learn the new concept in the first place. Sometimes it feels like I should have learned it a long time ago. Maybe I wasn’t ready yet. Maybe I had to put the work in and learn all the other things in order for everything else to make sense.
Don’t give up on yourself. Continue to pursue whatever you are passionate about. When you’re ready, the teacher will appear. That might be an actual person, or a concept or idea that will take you to the next level. Keep putting that work in and you’re teacher will soon come.
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Conflict-Free Living
One of my favorite quotes from Dale Carnegie is “The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it”. This is the approach that I’ve been taking with all of my interactions with people. I know that arguments are never won and even if you prove your point, you will mot have gained anything.
Every argument that I do not partake in is a personal win to me. It shows my self-control. Instead of engaging in arguments, try to understand the other person’s point of view, show empathy, and look for common ground. If that’s not possible, change the subject, or just end the conversation. Some people want you to stoop down to their level and argue with them. Don’t do it.
Remember, the only way to win an argument is to avoid it entirely. By following these simple tips, you can improve your relationships and lead a more peaceful and conflict-free life.
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Too Late To Learn
A lot of times when someone is headed down the wrong path, there is nothing you can tell that person to change them. They have to learn the hard way. That person has to gain the knowledge of wisdom they need to change by going through difficult or challenging circumstances, often involving mistakes, failures, or obstacles.
Learning the hard way can be a difficult and painful process, but it can also be incredibly valuable and can lead to personal growth and development.
We all make mistakes and have regrets, but sometimes we don’t learn from them until it’s too late. Ignoring warning signs or help from others can lead to costly consequences down the road. That could be the loss of your freedom, death, bad health, financial problems, relationship problems,anything.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to learn the lessons you need to live a happier, more fulfilling life. Listen to those who genuinely care about you, listen to God, and trust your gut.
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Crafting a Game Plan
Crafting a game plan is a key component of achieving success in any endeavor. In sports, you never go into a game without a game plan. You’re almost bound to lose, and even if you do win, you might not know why you won, making it hard to repeat things.
Crafting a game plan involves developing a strategic approach to reaching your goals, identifying potential challenges and obstacles, and creating a roadmap for how to overcome them. Along with creating a roadmap, I like to visualize everything before it happens. This makes sure I’m prepared for everything. It also gives me the confidence to face any challenge that comes along the way. I also visualize what problems can happen, and how I will handle the situation. After that, I’m ready for whatever.
With a game plan in place, you can stay focused and motivated, and make more efficient use of your time and resources.
Whether you’re pursuing a personal or professional goal, taking the time to craft a game plan can help you achieve better results and increase your chances of success. So, take the time to think through your goals, develop a plan of action, and stay committed to seeing it through to the end. It’s possible.
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The Strength Within
One of my favorite Whitney Houston songs is “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”. The song is about Whitney overcoming obstacles and finding inner strength.
I like that song because I feel like we all can relate to it. We all will face difficult times in our lives. Sometimes we don’t realize how strong we are until we face those challenges.
I think every challenge that we overcome in life is just a reminder about how much strength we really have inside. Sometimes overcoming a challenge is like breaking a threshold. Breaking that threshold shows you what you can accomplish in the future and gives you confidence that you can get through any challenge, just like you’ve gotten through all the other challenges of the past.
Believe in yourself and your abilities, even in the face of adversity. You’re much stronger than you think you are. Don’t forget it.
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Deeper than words
There are emotions, feelings, and experiences that are too complex or profound to be fully captured by language. Sometimes “I love you” doesn’t fully represent the love you have for someone. Now that I’m older and can look back at my childhood, I realize that I’ve always felt a spirit of love from my mom. It wasn’t that she often said “ I love you”, but it was more so in the energy and aura of all of our interactions.
I’m a firm believer that you know when someone is “the one”. It’s a feeling you have towards that person that is deeper than words. It’s the way I feel towards my wife and baby, as well as towards family and friends (and other things I’m passionate about).
The saying “actions speak louder than words” is cliché, but that’s how I feel about loving someone or something. The same could be said about not loving someone or something. With it being Easter Sunday, it makes me think of John 3:16. It starts with “ for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son”. I know God loves me, He doesn’t have to use language to tell me. It’s through His actions and spirit. I can feel the love daily. I think we all have that same ability to show our love to others.
With everything that we do, we are either showing love to someone, or the opposite. I like to keep that in mind when making decisions. If I love you, I want you to know and feel it, beyond words.
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College is for everyone
I know people always say that college is not for everyone. While higher education may not be the only path to success, it is a valuable one that can provide opportunities for personal growth, networking, and career advancement.
Going to college also exposes students to new ideas, diverse perspectives, and a variety of experiences that can shape their worldview and help them become more well-rounded individuals. That’s hard to achieve if you just stick to the same environment that you’re used to.
There are a lot of life skills you learn just from going to college, like time management, problem solving skills, and even financial literacy.
A college degree might not be for everyone, but I think going for at least a year is beneficial. It is a valuable option that should be considered by anyone seeking personal and professional growth. With the right resources and support, anyone can succeed in college and beyond.
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Jobs are temporary, work is permanent
“Your job is what they pay you to do; your work is what you were born to do.” – Dr. Myles Munroe
As a former NFL player, I know that jobs are temporary. It’s a fun profession, but you soon learn that nothing is promised. Whenever you have a job, you are at the mercy of someone else and can get fired whenever. Your job might pay the bills, but your work is what fulfills you. You can never be fired from your work.
Jobs are needed at times to make money or even bring happiness, but I believe we have more to give than just that. We have God given gifts and other passions that we should follow. Pursue your work with passion and purpose, and you’ll find true fulfillment. Remember that your work is permanent.
FLY, BLACK BOY 