Archive for the ‘Inspirational’ Category

“Resolve” 2012

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

2012 is upon us.

What is your New Year’s resolution?

We have been asked that question a thousand times or so. Sometimes, we even ask ourselves “What is my resolution this year?” Then, we go about trying resolute (or resolve) something that has been a problem for us or something that we want to change to make us better people.

And, you know how the story goes. We work really hard for the first three months to make our resolutions a reality. However, by April, we resolute back to our regular selves, our normal routines, and our complacent lifestyles.

This year, I took a different road. Instead of making a resolution, I decided to just “be”.

What does it mean to “be”. Simply put, to “be” means that I will not “try” to do anything, I will not “try” to be anything, I will not “try” to make anything happen. BUT, I understand who I am, what God has called me to be, and what I should be doing. So, today versus making a resolution (or dreaming) to do or be something that I am not, I will just “be”. I will “be, me.

What about you? Do you know who you are? Do you know hat your purpose on this earth is? Do you know what God has blessed you to do and what He has called you to do? If so, then I challenge you to “be”.

Be just that- who you are and what God has called you to be. Nothing more and nothing less.

Let’s not spend another year trying to duplicate someone else, trying to look like someone else, trying to talk like someone else, trying to walk like someone else, or even trying to do what someone else is doing. This is ultimately the reason why we waste so many years of our lives. We walk down the road that someone else has paved. That’s not your road. Make your own road and see where it leads you.

“Be” who you are and don’t be surprised when the success you have been hoping for comes knocking on your door faster than you ever imagined.

It’s okay to “be” you. That is what the world is waiting on – you!

2012- Resolve to “be” you and only you.

 

 

 

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it,
tell a friend
about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Share and Enjoy

Don’t Give Up

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

It’s Not Over!

Sometimes we need to hear that. When everything hits our lives at one time, life may seem overwhelming and unbearable. Give us one challenge or one setback and no problem. We can handle that. However, when 10 small challenges or 10 minor setbacks hit us at one time, it is truly a different story. We feel like giving up.

Don’t give up.

Problems are like weights. They build muscle. No, they don’t feel good while you are in the process, but in time you will see the results and it will be well worth it.

The key is persistence. Not giving up when challenges hit, but finding something that works and continue doing it no matter what comes your way. The key is focus. Not paying attention to the “problems” but setting your eyes on the true goal and not being distracted. The key is determination. Making up in your mind what it is that you want to achieve and going for it. The key is never giving up. You were created to succeed and that is exactly what you will do if you “Faint not”.

You can do it.

 

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it,
tell a friend
about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Share and Enjoy

Self Motivation

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

There are times in life where you may feel that your self motivation to go on is gone. You may have encountered some bad days. You may have had your share of bad relationships. You may have even had one or two or even more doors shut on you. BUT, it gets better.

Situations are like rain storms. They seem to be very bad when you are in them. You experience all the bad that comes with them. And for a short time, it seems like there is nothing good that can come out of them. However, the moment you find shelter from the storm, you realize that it wasn’t that bad after all. It only seemed bad because you were in it. The worse thing about it is that there is no one around to encourage you and you are probably so depressed, you can’t motivate yourself. Self motivation is gone..

Things change. Situation change. Circumstances change. Don’t give up on life because of the current situation that you are in. Things get better. Much better..

I was talking to this guy who was having some relationship issues. He was caught up and thought that this was it. If this relationship fails, there will probably never ever be another relationship that would work out for him. That couldn’t be further from the truth. As night slaps hands with morning, so does bad times slap hands with good times.

So, if you are having a tough time right now and if you have found yourself in an uncomfortable situation, do yourself a favor and find your self motivation. Get inspired. Do what you need to do to rise above your situation, but whatever you do- DON’T GIVE UP! Tomorrow is just a few hours away. Sure night is dark, but the sun will shine again.

Like a tag team wrestling match, tag hands with joy, peace and love and let them jump into the ring and pound depression, hurt, betrayal and pain for a little while. You stand back and cheer as victory makes his way to the ring..

Don’t give up!.

Ray L.

 

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it,
tell a friend
about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Share and Enjoy

Criticism is Medicine

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Criticism is not bad. So, why is it that we find ourselves “running from” people who criticize and “running to” those who compliment?

I know… it is much nicer to hear how great you are, how well you did, and all of the other great things about you. They build your ego and massage your emotions. But do they make you grow? Most times- not. Compliments most times send you a mental message that says everything is “okay”. Furthermore, it says no improvement is needed.

Criticism, on the other, is not as sweet. It doesn’t sound good and really doesn’t feel good, but it is most helpful. Why? It tells you that everything is not okay and that there is room for improvement.

Let me make one thing clear. When I talk about critics and criticism, I am not talking about the poison words coming from hateful people. I am talking about people who want to see you do better, want to make you better, and know that you can do better.

Bottom line…Don’t run from or become offended by criticism. If there is room for improvement, take a look in the mirror and listen to the voice of criticism. And do the right thing and become better.

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it,
tell a friend
about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Share and Enjoy

The Problem With Ted Williams ‘Golden Voice’

Monday, January 24th, 2011

I just read that Ted Williams left rehab. That news was accompanied by hundreds of people who knew it wouldn’t last, considered Ted hopeless from the beginning, and almost gloated in the fact that they knew it was bound to happen. Others are surprised by Ted’s actions and can’t understand what happened. But it is really very simple.

What’s the problem with Ted Williams? It is too much. He has what I call mental whiplash. What is whiplash? It’s when several things happen all at once and the receiver is not capable, or shall I say prepared, to handle those things. So, he feels paralyzed. He doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t know what to think. He doesn’t know where to go. He is paralyzed. It is too much for him to handle- right now.

Let’s go through the stages. Here you have a homeless man. He is either a crack addict or was a crack addict. And he is an alcoholic. These are all issues- life changing issues. So, Ted is a middle aged man filled with issues/problems. After years of learning how to survive on the street, he gets a lucky break. Someone sees him and gives him the opportunity to show off his gift- the golden voice. After he gives them a taste of his million dollar voice, they are shocked. Stunned. Like you and I, they had to be thinking what anyone else would have thought. What in the world is a person this gifted doing homeless? Unable to figure this impossible question out, they feel the need to do what any other good hearted person would do. Help. So, they take the video and put it onto Youtube hoping not only to show millions of people the gift of this fascinating voice but to also somehow or someway see if he can get a lucky break. He does.

Before long, this homeless man with issues/problems is now being offered opportunities. Things that only you and I can dream of. Calls from Mr. Trump. Calls from Kraft. Calls from the Cleveland Cavaliers and many, many  more. Finally, his problems are solved, right? Wrong.

In spite of all the offers and lucky breaks, what people fail to realize is that beyond this ‘golden voice’ is a broken man with problems, a man with issues. Those issues and problems have been some of the things that has led him to where he is in life today- homeless. In order for Ted Williams to rebound after a life of hard  knocks and hard times, he has to deal with the very issues that caused him to be where he is. Those things are what make him, him. They are on the inside. The job offers, opportunities, and overnight good fortune are external. They do not change the inside.

The problem with getting only external changes is the internal remains the same- broken. A person has the potential to implode. And this is what is happening to the golden voice. The pressure of everything from the outside is causing his weak inside to collapse.

The solution, not just for Mr. Williams but for the rest of the world…During the quiet times in your life, the times when nothing is going right, the times where you may feel in the dumps, and you find yourself all but forgotten by society- that is the perfect time to work on you. Work on building your character. Deal with your issues and shortcomings. And do whatever it takes to become stable, solid and well-grounded as a person. Those quiet times, slow periods, and low days are needed but they don’t last always. One day, the world will pull up to your corner and say “let us see what you have”. It is then when we want you to explode with success and not implode with problems.

Get well Mr. Ted Williams. We look forward to not only hearing “the Golden Voice” again, but also seeing the wonderful man who owns it. 

Ray L. Owensby

Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it,
tell a friend
about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Share and Enjoy