Would you be the person you are today if:
you couldn't see?
you couldn't hear?
you didn't have arm(s)?
you didn't have leg(s)?
you never said hi to your future boyfriend/girlfriend?
you never gave back to your community?
you never put a smile on your face?
you never said hi to anyone?
you lost your best friend?
you lost a family member?
you knew today was your last day?
See the way we live our lives has a ripple effect on everyone on this earth. If you never said hello to your significant other, you wouldn't be in the relationship you are in today. If you always react negativily to incidents that happen in your life, you will effect others negatively. I dare you today to look at yourself and ask, "what can I improve on in my life?"
We aren't perfect, but we can stive to live the life God wanted us to if we conttinue to improve ourselves in a positive way. So when you are lying on your death bed, can you say you lived the life you always wanted, or did you let outside forces control you?
LIVE THE LIFE YOU ALWAYS WANTED!
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Since I Believe, Does That Mean?
Since I believe in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, does that mean I push my religion on you?
Since I believe that family is one of the most important thing to have in life, does that mean I'm a mama's boy?
Since I believe in treating women with respect, does that mean I am a pussy?
Since I believe in putting others before me, does that mean I can't stand up for myself?
Since I believe in being optimistic, does that mean I live in my own bubble?
Since I believe that everyone can fall in love and should marry whoever they want, does that mean I'm a faggot?
Since I believe that our government is going in the wrong direction, does that mean I support the enemy?
Since I stand up for my beliefs, does that mean I'm an outcast?
Since I believe...
In our world today, we are told to stand up for what we believe in, yet no one will respect our believes. We either push to convince someone that their beliefs are wrong, or we stop associating ourselves with them. Tonight I just gave you a few of my own beliefs not to cause conflict, but instead give you as the reader a better understanding of who I am. Some of you will lose all respect for me and I'm okay with that because my beliefs and values are worth more to me than some silly reputation. So I ask you the reader, do you have the courage to stand up for your beliefs, or will you believe in what society thinks you should believe in?
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
My Mission to Stop Bullying
Back in February of this year I gave a presentation at Keystone College about bullying. During my presentation, I provided informational facts to the audience and had them engage in conversation. I also gave my experience on bullying and why it is my mission to stop it. So today I present to you my first big speech I gave in front of almost 80 students at Keystone College. Enjoy!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
The Define, Learn, Do Process for Upcoming College Students
Four years ago I was a shy and quite 18 year old boy who had a hard time making friends. Four years ago I made myself sick because I didn't want to stand up in front of a class and give a presentation. Four years ago I was told I wasn't a leader because I didn't have the "leadership gene". It is funny now to think I am a recent graduate from Keystone College with a degree in Organizational Leadership and I'm pursuing a dream to become a Life Coach and Motivational Speaker. Talk about ironic! So how does an 18 year old boy who had the world going against him become this 21 year old man who is pursuing to make a difference? I used three steps in the last four years and these steps are Define, Learn, and Do.
When I was in high school, many people were trying to define my life for me and what they thought I should become. There was a time I was told I would be a great history teacher because I was considered a "history geek". I followed the advice of my counselors because I felt like they had a better understanding of what my life was all about. Let me just say, they were completely wrong. After I observed an 8th grade class, I told myself there is no way I can do that for the next 35-40 years of my life. I took action and instead of letting others define my life, I defined it myself. I sat down and figured out what I believed in, what my character was, and most importantly what was going to wake me up every morning fired up and ready to "work".
Once I defined myself, which I may add wasn't an easy process, I decided to learn. You may be thinking you will be learning because you are going to college to receive a degree. Yes you will be learning in the classroom, but you will learn just as much outside of it. I made a lot of connections and met some amazing mentors who have helped me throughout this journey. These mentors included Admissions Counselors, Academic Advisers, professors, and the upper classmen. They taught me how to improve on the qualities I lacked which included studying, being organized, and most importantly expanding my comfort zone.
After all the hard work of defining myself and learning from my mentors, I decided to to take action and apply the knowledge. This is where the Do process comes into play. Standing up for your character is tough, but I'll tell you now I respect more people who believe in their character instead of a silly reputation (i.e. the jock, the prep, Mr./Mrs. Party Animals). Abraham Lincoln once said that character is like a tree and a reputation is like a shadow. The shadow is what we think it is, the tree is what it actually is."
As I applied my life definition, I also applied the knowledge I received from my mentors. I challenged myself to become a little more organized. I challenged myself to study and most importantly, I expanded my comfort zone by taking risks and getting more involved. I live by a quote which states "You strike out 100 percent of the time on the chances you don't take".
There are three processes that helped me make a positive change in my life and they are Define, Learn, and Do. These aren't processes that will happen over night. They will take time and you will feel frustrated at some points, but don't give up. As the incoming freshman class gets ready for the next 2-4 years of higher learning, I leave you with this. Each of us are the writers of our own lives and as you take that pen and begin to write, ask yourself this; What type of beginning and ending would you like to create?
When I was in high school, many people were trying to define my life for me and what they thought I should become. There was a time I was told I would be a great history teacher because I was considered a "history geek". I followed the advice of my counselors because I felt like they had a better understanding of what my life was all about. Let me just say, they were completely wrong. After I observed an 8th grade class, I told myself there is no way I can do that for the next 35-40 years of my life. I took action and instead of letting others define my life, I defined it myself. I sat down and figured out what I believed in, what my character was, and most importantly what was going to wake me up every morning fired up and ready to "work".
Once I defined myself, which I may add wasn't an easy process, I decided to learn. You may be thinking you will be learning because you are going to college to receive a degree. Yes you will be learning in the classroom, but you will learn just as much outside of it. I made a lot of connections and met some amazing mentors who have helped me throughout this journey. These mentors included Admissions Counselors, Academic Advisers, professors, and the upper classmen. They taught me how to improve on the qualities I lacked which included studying, being organized, and most importantly expanding my comfort zone.
After all the hard work of defining myself and learning from my mentors, I decided to to take action and apply the knowledge. This is where the Do process comes into play. Standing up for your character is tough, but I'll tell you now I respect more people who believe in their character instead of a silly reputation (i.e. the jock, the prep, Mr./Mrs. Party Animals). Abraham Lincoln once said that character is like a tree and a reputation is like a shadow. The shadow is what we think it is, the tree is what it actually is."
As I applied my life definition, I also applied the knowledge I received from my mentors. I challenged myself to become a little more organized. I challenged myself to study and most importantly, I expanded my comfort zone by taking risks and getting more involved. I live by a quote which states "You strike out 100 percent of the time on the chances you don't take".
There are three processes that helped me make a positive change in my life and they are Define, Learn, and Do. These aren't processes that will happen over night. They will take time and you will feel frustrated at some points, but don't give up. As the incoming freshman class gets ready for the next 2-4 years of higher learning, I leave you with this. Each of us are the writers of our own lives and as you take that pen and begin to write, ask yourself this; What type of beginning and ending would you like to create?
Thursday, June 27, 2013
It Has Been Awhile
It has been five motnhs since my last blog and a lot has happened. I graduated from Keystone College and now working there as an Admissions Counselor. I have also become a part of a leadership development group called LIFE and enjoying every minute of it. Today's blog isn't about what has happened over the past five months, instead it will be what has and is conitnuing to happen in America.
I recently read an article about Nelson Mendela and the condition he currently in. For those of you who don't know who Nelson Mendela is, he is considered to be the founding father for democracy in South Africa. He had a dream and made it come true. Now the 94 year old is dealing with lung issues and myself and billions of other people around the world are parying for him.
As I was reading the article, I was shocked by what I read. The shocking news I read didn't come from the article, but instead the comments from the article. Instead of people actually discussing what the article was about, they were fighting about liberals and conservatives and who is right/wrong, and playing the blame game. Let me state right now that I am not here to express who was right or wrong, or which side I'm for, I'm expressing the fact that it sickenss me that our country is being divided and blaming each other for the mistakes that are happening in the American culture.
Stated above, I said I'm a recent graduate from college and I received a degree in Organizational Leadership. I was taught many things about leadership, but one thing I always remeber is that people who follow a leader will duplicate his/her actions. How true that statement is. Our government is lacking leadership and morale. When things get tough, they blame each other. Since WE THE PEOPLE vote in our "leaders" we are duplicating the same actions as them. We blame others for problems in our lives. If one person becomes successful, we bash them instead of paise them.
It seems to me that our morals and values are fadding and we continue to sit back and say it's okay. Each one of us want change, yet most of us don't want to do anything about it. We continue to make excusses just like our "leaders".
Now I know there are some of you out there who want to see change but don't know where to start. Let me state right now that you as a person need to change. You need to look deep inside of you and ask yourself what can I do differently? Once you have answered those tough questions, go and study how you can change yourself for the better. Read a book, find a mentor, do something that will help you change in a positive direction. Finally apply the knowledge. Go out and show the world what a true leader does. Yes you wll have people against you and you may lose the people that called you a "friend" but it doesn't matter. If you are doing something you love and making a positive impact on the people around you and the world, it doesn't matter what the critics say.
I'll finish with this quote:
"When we see the need for deep change, we usually see it as something that needs to take place in someone else. In our roles of authority, such as parent, teacher, or boss, we are particularly quick to direct others to change. Such directives often fail, and we respond to the resistance by increasing our efforts. The power struggle that follows seldom results in change or brings about excellence. One of the most important insights about the need to bring about deep change in others has to do with where deep change actually starts." -Robert E. Quinn
I recently read an article about Nelson Mendela and the condition he currently in. For those of you who don't know who Nelson Mendela is, he is considered to be the founding father for democracy in South Africa. He had a dream and made it come true. Now the 94 year old is dealing with lung issues and myself and billions of other people around the world are parying for him.
As I was reading the article, I was shocked by what I read. The shocking news I read didn't come from the article, but instead the comments from the article. Instead of people actually discussing what the article was about, they were fighting about liberals and conservatives and who is right/wrong, and playing the blame game. Let me state right now that I am not here to express who was right or wrong, or which side I'm for, I'm expressing the fact that it sickenss me that our country is being divided and blaming each other for the mistakes that are happening in the American culture.
Stated above, I said I'm a recent graduate from college and I received a degree in Organizational Leadership. I was taught many things about leadership, but one thing I always remeber is that people who follow a leader will duplicate his/her actions. How true that statement is. Our government is lacking leadership and morale. When things get tough, they blame each other. Since WE THE PEOPLE vote in our "leaders" we are duplicating the same actions as them. We blame others for problems in our lives. If one person becomes successful, we bash them instead of paise them.
It seems to me that our morals and values are fadding and we continue to sit back and say it's okay. Each one of us want change, yet most of us don't want to do anything about it. We continue to make excusses just like our "leaders".
Now I know there are some of you out there who want to see change but don't know where to start. Let me state right now that you as a person need to change. You need to look deep inside of you and ask yourself what can I do differently? Once you have answered those tough questions, go and study how you can change yourself for the better. Read a book, find a mentor, do something that will help you change in a positive direction. Finally apply the knowledge. Go out and show the world what a true leader does. Yes you wll have people against you and you may lose the people that called you a "friend" but it doesn't matter. If you are doing something you love and making a positive impact on the people around you and the world, it doesn't matter what the critics say.
I'll finish with this quote:
"When we see the need for deep change, we usually see it as something that needs to take place in someone else. In our roles of authority, such as parent, teacher, or boss, we are particularly quick to direct others to change. Such directives often fail, and we respond to the resistance by increasing our efforts. The power struggle that follows seldom results in change or brings about excellence. One of the most important insights about the need to bring about deep change in others has to do with where deep change actually starts." -Robert E. Quinn
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I Understand New Year's Resolutions But...
Happy New Years Everyone! Today starts a brand new chapter in our lives. This is also the time when everyone talks about their new year resolutions and how they will better them self as a person whether it is going to the gym, being more optimistic, or even going to church again. Now I don't oppose new year resolutions because they are good to have, but I always question why people wait until the new year when they could have started this "change" a month ago, six months ago, or even two days ago. Again I'm not against these resolutions, but my thinking is you don't need to wait for the new year to make positive changes in life, you can start this very minute. Besides the fact that people say they will make a change, actions speak louder then words. How many people do you know say they will start eating healthy and then a week later they stop? I have done this before and I'm sure you as the reader have done this as well. If you are going to keep your new resolutions make sure you have a plan. For example, for those who are looking to lose weight, write down exactly how you will do this. Also make sure you stay committed to your new plan. It frustrates me to see people give up because it became tough to handle. It is hard to change bad habits, but trust me in the end it will be worth it. Once again, if you have a resolution for the new year I hope you stick to it, but also remember you don't need to wait until January 1, 2014 to make other positive changes in your life.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Things May Seem Dark Now, But I Promise a Bright Future is Comiing
For the past several years, there was a little boy who had his struggles He overcame those struggles, and was starting to grow into a young successful man. The young man had everything he ever wanted; a beautiful girlfriend, friends he called family, and of course the support of his loving family. One day, his luck seemed to change. Him and his girlfriend broke up, he lost those friends he called family, and he came home to find out that his loving family was crumbling right before his eyes. The boy didn't know what to do or who he could talk to. He went into a state of depression and he was losing weight at an unhealthy rate. The young man cried himself to sleep for weeks begging for answers. Finally the boy went to his mentor seeking advice. The boy was reassured from his mentor that his life was going to be bright and successful even if things seemed dark and gloomy. The young man took his mentor's advice and continued to live his life until he made his dreams become a reality.
Sometimes in life we go through some dark times, some not so bad, others that make you sob until you can't no more. My point is that there is light and the end of the long dark tunnel. Keeping pushing through and continue to have a smile on your face, even if you want to cry. Continue to work hard and stride to make your dreams a reality. In the end remember that you will always have support and I will be the first to say I have your back.
Sometimes in life we go through some dark times, some not so bad, others that make you sob until you can't no more. My point is that there is light and the end of the long dark tunnel. Keeping pushing through and continue to have a smile on your face, even if you want to cry. Continue to work hard and stride to make your dreams a reality. In the end remember that you will always have support and I will be the first to say I have your back.
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