Random Thoughts, Uncategorized

Embracing Empathy

I believe that while we are all born sinners, it doesn’t necessarily mean we are born as inherently bad people.

The perception of someone being “bad” is often subjective. My perspective on people was shaped early in my childhood when we used to visit my dad in prison.

Those visits were enjoyable, and I had the opportunity to interact with other prisoners in the visiting room. None of them seemed scary or intimidating; none of them appeared to be bad people. They were all in good spirits, spending time with their families. Perhaps a single bad decision led them to jail.

It’s difficult to comprehend the experiences of others and understand why they are the way they are. That’s why I try not to be judgmental. Everyone faces challenges in life, some more severe than others, and we all cope with these challenges in different ways.

Therefore, regardless of who the person is, I attempt to see the best in them and treat them accordingly. I believe that empathy and compassion are more impactful than judgment.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Embrace Change for Better Results

They say insanity is repeatedly doing the same thing and expecting different results.

We cannot continue repeating those actions and hope for a different outcome. It might be time to establish new goals, adjust bedtime and waking up times, try a different diet, and increase our workout routine. It could be the moment to explore alternative ways of communicating with others.

Overall, it may be necessary to adopt a fresh approach. If we have been persisting with the same actions and not achieving the desired results, the good news is that we can attempt something different.

Sometimes, the solution can be that simple. Let’s not disregard this and think otherwise.

Random Thoughts, Uncategorized

Birthdays: Cherished Moments, Endless Joy

Birthdays were the worst days…just kidding, birthdays were always the best days.

Growing up, I knew I’d have at least one more present after Christmas. I always liked having my birthday on the second day of the year. It always felt like I was starting the year off on a positive note.

As a kid, I used to love going ice skating for my birthday. We’d go to the indoor skating rink and skate all day, taking breaks to play on the air hockey table and drink hot cocoa. That’s when I knew I was a little different. We’d be the only Black people at the skating rink. I used to love inviting my friends and watching them struggle to ice skate for the first time. I’ve always loved thinking outside the box and trying new experiences.

Birthdays are still the best days. My wife makes me feel so special every year. There was a period when I’d tell myself that birthdays were just another day, but once I started dating my wife, she changed my mind. We all deserve a day to be celebrated.

This birthday is even more special because it’s my first one spent with my daughter. I write this blog as I walk in the park with her, and just seeing her subtle smiles at me makes this day even better.

I used to not want to get old, or not say how old I am, but now I’m grateful for every year. I’m now 31 years old. I’m now at the age my mom, aunts, and uncles were when I was a kid. It gives me a new look and understanding of them during those years. They weren’t as old as I thought, lol.

I appreciate this birthday and the ones that come after this. I’ll appreciate every birthday I’m blessed with. They say the more you have, the longer you live.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Evolving Through 2023

The motto for 2023 was “Make 2023 look like 5 years,” and that’s exactly how it felt.

Many monumental events happened to me this year, like turning 30, starting this blog, and becoming a father.

I accomplished a lot, learned a lot, and grew a lot. Many things were done that made 2023 look like 5 years, but there’s still much I didn’t do. So the goal is to make 2024 look like 10 years. I hope you set out to do the same thing. Let’s get it.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Embrace Knowledge, Thrive

Ignorance is not bliss; what you don’t know can hurt you.

Just because you don’t check the nutrition facts on the food you eat doesn’t mean that food isn’t affecting you.

Just because you don’t know the consequences of certain actions doesn’t mean you are excluded from those consequences.

Knowledge isn’t power until it is applied, so learn as much as you can. Be conscious of the things you should know and the areas where you may need to learn more, then apply it. It’s honestly one of the best things you can do for yourself and a sure way to set yourself up for success.

Motivation

Energize Your Goals

I recently purchased a cool new toy for my daughter that lights up and makes a lot of noise. However, when it was delivered, I realized that the batteries were not included. Without the batteries, the toy was pretty useless. Thankfully, we had some extra batteries on hand that I used for the toy.

In life, we often come across gifts, great ideas, goals, or even relationships that have great potential but require batteries – which represent energy and effort. These gifts, ideas, goals, etc. have the potential to bring us success and happiness, but they may never materialize if we don’t invest the necessary energy and effort into them. Without that energy and effort, they are just as useless as the toy without batteries.

So, it’s important not to just have the idea or goal, but also to put in the effort and see it through. That’s where you’ll find fulfillment, happiness, and truly discover your capabilities.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Preparing for a Powerful New Year

I have a few New Year’s resolutions for 2024, as well as some new habits I’d like to start.

To increase my chances of accomplishing these resolutions and establishing these habits, I should start right away. At the very least, I should begin mentally preparing myself and equipping myself with the necessary items and ideas to achieve what I’ve set out to do.

I can’t simply wait until January 1st and expect things to magically change. That’s akin to quitting a habit or addiction cold turkey, which is possible but challenging. It’s much easier to gradually ease off.

Therefore, I will gradually initiate my New Year’s resolutions and new habits now so that when January 1st arrives, I’ll be fully prepared to hit the ground running without any issues.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Habits of Excellence

One of my favorite quotes is, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

This quote reminds me that I can achieve just about anything if I consistently work at it. I don’t get caught up in the moment; I simply consistently do what needs to be done, knowing that the results will eventually come.

I know that if I speak to my daughter in Spanish every day and introduce her to other Spanish-speaking activities daily, one day she’ll speak and understand Spanish herself.

I also understand that there are bad things that we may repeatedly do. We must be aware of those things as well. If you drink alcohol every day, you may be an alcoholic. If you yell at others or something every day, you may have anger issues, etc.

So, whatever it is you want to be in life, do something daily that will lead you to become what you want. Also, if there are negative things that you do daily, stop doing them immediately, and you’ll also see results.

Random Thoughts

Embracing Flaws, Unlocking Potential

We all possess strengths and weaknesses. The key is to ensure that our weaknesses do not lead to our downfall or hinder us from realizing our full potential.

Athletes should always be aware of their strengths and weaknesses, focusing on improving the latter during both the off-season and the regular season. Neglecting to do so may result in missed opportunities for growth.

Similarly, individuals may possess numerous positive qualities, but without acknowledging and addressing their flaws, they may never reach their full potential in life or their careers.

In some cases, this failure to address flaws can have severe consequences, as seen with individuals who find themselves in prison. It’s not always as extreme, though; flaws can lead to the loss of relationships or jobs.

There is always room for improvement for all of us. When facing challenges in life, it’s essential to reflect and determine if there’s something we lack that we can work on. Even if we have many remarkable strengths, we should not overlook our weaknesses, as they are equally, if not more, important.

Faith, Motivation, Random Thoughts

Christmas: Lessons and Love

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, if not my absolute favorite, because it has taught me so much.

It has taught me that Jesus is the reason for the season. His life story has taught me valuable lessons and guided me through many challenges in life.

This holiday has also taught me the importance of family and loved ones, and how precious our time with them is.

Additionally, it has shown me that one of my love languages is gift-giving, and how expressing appreciation through presents can truly convey our feelings. Furthermore, it has taught me to stay present and appreciate the day for what it truly is.

Choosing happiness is often within our control, and Christmas makes it easier to make that choice. Merry Christmas to all those reading this blog post. I wish you a day filled with love and joy, and I hope you remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. Much love to you all.