Motivation

365 Days of Growth

Today marks one year that I’ve written and posted a blog every day.

Wow, where did time go? 365 blog posts in a row. The high schooler version of myself would be shocked and impressed. I never thought I’d voluntarily write something every day, but things change.

What seems out of reach is often very possible. I now know I can make a commitment to do something and follow through on it. I now know we have enough time in the day to do all the things that we need to do. It’s often not a lack of time that’s the issue, it’s the lack of effort or energy that can hold us back.

Writing a blog every day for a year has been a cool experience though. I’ve learned to better express myself. I’ve learned how to write no matter my mood. I’ve connected with people that I may not have connected with if I didn’t write a blog every day. Hopefully, I’ve inspired others to do something they love to do also.

Most importantly, I’ve raised the bar on what I can do. Any idea that I have, or goal or challenge I’d like to complete, I must do it, for I know it’s possible and that happiness and opportunities wait for me once action is taken.

I challenge you to do something that you like often, if every day is not yet an option. Don’t have self-limiting beliefs. Know that sometimes it’s nothing to it but to do it.

Faith, Random Thoughts

Awakening to Alarms

Last night, the fire alarm went off in our apartment.

It’s a loud alarm that makes noises and talks. It’s not the ideal thing you want to hear at like 4 in the morning when you’re trying to sleep. So I did what most would do in that situation; I lay there in bed, annoyed, until the alarms finally stopped after a few minutes, and I went back to sleep.

Luckily, there wasn’t a dangerous fire actually happening in my building, or I would have been out of luck.

Sometimes God might send us signs or “alarms” in our lives, and we ignore them or aren’t fully aware of them, the same way I treated that fire alarm.

I’ll make sure I’m truly listening to God and all of His ways of talking to me. I’ll work on evacuating the building in the middle of the night when I hear the fire alarm too. One may be easier than the other though, and it’s not the latter.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Embracing Life’s Urgency

One thing that I often hear older people say about life is that they didn’t realize how short it is.

When you start out it looks like you have forever, and when you start getting into it, you realize it’s not that long at all.

So it’s really all about what we do in that short time. Some people do a lot and leave an impact on the world and may even gain a lot of money. Some don’t do anything, and the start and ending of their lives don’t look too different.

I think how satisfied we are with life being short is related to how much we do while here. So do as much as you can. Accomplish those goals, follow through on those ideas, do everything that you want, and maybe even do them with a sense of urgency, since we don’t have too long to be here.

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

From Planning to Action

It’s crucial to plan because it helps you figure out what you need to do and how to do it, making things go smoother in the end.

It’s only half the battle, though. I know for me, there are times when I can get too caught up in planning and not do enough. Sometimes we can even continue to plan as a way to avoid the task.

Nowadays, I’ve got to take things into action as soon as they are planned. This helps maintain momentum and prevents procrastination or potential loss of motivation.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Start, Consistency, Achievement

You have to start somewhere.

Sometimes, when the goal is big, the road to achieving that task may seem overwhelming. If you just start where you are, even if it’s something small, you’ll be good.

You may have these grand fitness goals, but starting off with just a small walk can be a great start. You may want to write a book. Writing just one sentence today would be a great start.

You have to start somewhere.

Sometimes it’s just about starting and consistently doing something after that, then you gradually increase the load until one day you accomplish your big goal.

So whatever it is that you’d like to do this year, just start.

Random Thoughts

Generosity and Giving

Today, I donated a lot of my clothes to The Salvation Army, and it felt good for several reasons.

First, it was beneficial to clean out my closet and get rid of clothes that I’ve been holding onto for too long. It’s important to let go and create space for new things to come.

Also, I genuinely enjoy giving back in any way I can. I could have taken my clothes to one of those stores that buy and sell gently used name brand clothes, but not everything is about gaining money. I prefer to give and expect nothing in return.

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

Radiant Grins

A smile goes a long way.

I can be having a bad day, or even an indifferent day, and a smile from a stranger brightens my day and changes my mood.

A simple smile from my wife or daughter can melt my heart.

I know how much a smile means to me, so I make sure to smile at others, even if they have a look on their face that doesn’t welcome a smile.

Most importantly, I smile at myself. If I look in the mirror and smile, it can change my mood for the better (I guess it helps that I brush my teeth and floss twice a day, lol).

Thoughts become things, and actions can become feelings. So if I carry a smile all the time, I know that it can positively affect my mood and others around me.

So, smile 😊

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.