Family Matters 2015

#BaxtersBuzz

This weekend, starting on Friday, was much more difficult than I had anticipated. My father is a leap year baby and he would've been celebrating his 79th year on earth on Friday. Actually, we (meaning his family) would've been celebrating it and he'd be downplaying it, like he downplayed most things. I remember in 2004 talking to him on the phone, asking him what his plans were for his birthday. He said, "I don't know. It's just another day." I had to remind him that actually it isn't! This is a day that only comes every four years. He never wanted to make a big fuss about things and I can be the same way. One of my goals is to be more passionate about things and remind myself that it's okay to make waves and challenge the status quo from time to time.

I've done things recently that were very much outside of my comfort zone and I've been rewarded with some outstanding results. Those moments of vulnerability are reminders that things still matter. If we never got butterflies or never felt those beads of sweat on our foreheads while going against OUR grain, what are we doing? Everyone on social media and in our personal lives are always talking about "haters" doing this or that to them. I truly believe that we're our own biggest enemy many times. We make promises to ourselves that we never keep and we talk ourselves out of acting boldy, killing our own ambition.

Family Matters - I went to two birthday parties in February. One on the 14th and the other on the 28th. These were both family members of mine. Oddly, wifey and I were the only that attended both. Our family doesn't talk enough. I don't believe that others declined invites, I truly don't think anyone else knew that their family had a party planned. I have little room to talk. I understand that I could be more of a bridge for much of my family and friends, I just don't always know if I want that responsibility. Not sure if I care enough at times. We want others to join in and "play their part," but we don't always play ours. Someone has to jump out there first and take the plunge. What role do you play for your friends and family? Do YOU want a bigger part? Ain't nothing to it, but to do it.

Read more. Write more. Love more. Pray more. Live more.

Poem by Bax February 25, 2015

#BaxtersBuzz Preoccupation I know where you've been.  Where did we go? Time moves fast. They say wounds don't last. But right now, I'm hurting. I appreciate the time. Hope you feel I was deserving.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun (Or if you're not)

#BaxtersBuzz

2014 - This year has started off much differently than last year, to say the least. This time last year, I spent my days working and my evenings split between my home (my wife and child) and visiting my dad in his last days at the hospital. I ran all over town for months, with (seemingly) every single one of my relationships hanging on by a thread or dissipating right before my eyes. Stress will eat at you from all sorts of angles. And even though you may feel like you're handling it, it's taking a toll.

Silly Geese - There was an opportunity or two at work that didn't go my way during this stretch and there were folks foolish enough to think that I cared about what was going on at my 8-5, when my life really started AFTER 5 at that time. People will give you an entire synopsis on another person without ever talking to that person. Seems easier to just ask....but typically the story isn't as good that way (haha).

2015 - This year my life's much different. I want to test my bandwidth like I did last year, but for projects I'd like to be a part of this time. What advice would you give yourself of 5 years ago? How about 10 years ago? Now, are you taking any of that advice or making the same mistakes your "5 years ago self" was making?

Athletes and their darn opinions - Kevin Durant is making headlines because he actually spoke his mind. We say we want honesty from entertainers and athletes, but when they are TOO HONEST or say something that we don't like, then we have a problem with it. Everyone has a right to their opinion, be it right or wrong. I love my wife to death and I don't agree with EVERY opinion that she has. That's suppose to be the beauty of individuality, right? But we reward assimilation more than anything else. So why can't we disagree with entertainers and still enjoy and appreciate their talent? That's why politicians are always lying (well one of the reasons). It's because if they speak too much of their mind and it goes against how most of their base feels, they could be out of a job! No person is just one thing. If we stuck with some politicians as long as we hung around in bad relationships or bad jobs, the country may be in better shape. Amazing how we have less patience for things that we're not involved in. Nobody is batting 1.000.

Read more. Write more. Love more. Pray more. Live more.

Is Kanye an Idiot?

#BaxtersBuzz

Is Kanye an Idiot? - A week after the Grammys and I am back blogging. Coincidentally in some ways, but this whole "Kanye going Kanye" episode has my juices flowing. I'm always torn because I believe we are so censored in an effort to reserve our "position". You know what, I'll just speak for myself today. I have censored myself because I am unsure of what will happen if I speak up and I appear too disagreeable. I see Kanye and I admire his passion and his freedom. I feel that he makes sense (sometimes) and valid points, but it is buried under some ignorance ( a lot of ignorance in some instances) that he also regularly provides.

Maybe I'm the Idiot - Ok...is Kanye an idiot? In some ways, absolutely! I respect his passion and his freedom in saying things that everyone may not agree with. The fact that I censor myself daily in fear of losing this mediocre position that I have attained... through a mediocre effort and some natural talents that God blessed me with. 

People in this world will attempt to specialize you. You will be rewarded  (sometimes) for becoming a one-trick pony. You will strip down and lose many of your skills and passions in an effort to take care of your family. You may look up one day to realize that you haven't done as much as you'd like.  I don't want that to be me....anymore

The Nerve of U.S. - They're criticizing Cindy Crawford because she's a little flabby. She's 100 years old and looks better than 90% of the people around. I feel like the only thing we enjoy more than a redemption story is tearing someone down in the first place! We spend more time worrying and talking about celebrities and their lives than we do our own. Something is terribly wrong with this picture.

Sad News - A guy I grew up with overdosed on heroin last week. Coming from similar a background, with addiction on both sides of my family, this could've been me.

I actually saw him this past summer and he told me how he hitchhiked to Europe and how he'd  been to every state except Alaska. I have hardly been anywhere!

The Compound Effect - I recommended a book called  "The Compound Effect" to a friend of mine. He sent me a message this weekend, thanking me for it. He said he's invigorated and ready to tackle some things this year. Wow, what a good feeling! A simple text a few months ago has helped change his trajectory somewhat. It makes me want to read the book again myself! We're here to help as many people as we can, however we can. Who knows who he'll help from his newfound focus.

Read more. Write more. Love more. Pray more. Live more