ThrowBack Thursday (Originally Posted on May 31, 2010)

#BaxtersBuzz

Go and out and see the world! That would be my advice, though I have yet to follow it. I've never done much traveling. My Dad never took me out of town and never promised to do so. I didn't think much of it. He was in his mid 40's when I was born, so he'd done much of his traveling. He was in the Army, serving in the Korean War, and being stationed in multiple locations during his time.

I was always surprised when my friends would be traveling. They'd say, "We're going to Florida." I'd be like, "Really!?" I would just stay around town and think nothing of it. Sure, my Dad would take me up north to Baldwin, MI. I'd go visit my family in Ohio. And that was pretty much it. This "not traveling" stuff is going to end this stinkin' year!

I believe exposing children to different things early gives opens their eyes to the possibilities of the world. Whether it's traveling, volunteering time, or talking about expectations at dinner , children who are able to experience that see things through a different set of eyes. I'm 29 years old and have learned things this year that many teenagers have known since they were tykes. Typically, you can link certain experiences (or lack of experiences) to family income. There are exceptions. Overall, those with money are commonly exposed to more. Children who don't leave their surroundings, may not understand that there is so much more in the world. I was in Farmington Hills this past weekend watching my 10 year old twin nephews play baseball. They were the only 2 black kids on their team. Heck, I think there were 4 total of the 4 teams playing. Exposure is what is most important. Resources and exposure are very important to the development of us all.

Meeting a person who's in a profession we'd like to pursue or seeing people from our neighborhood become a productive member of society breeds confidence and inspires. Maybe if young kids, especially from the inner cities, could turn on the television and see lawyers doctors, or engineers instead of athletes and musicians, there would be more children looking to emulate them. What does this all mean? I'm not sure. It all comes down to everyone doing their part by going out of their way to invest in our children. I'm attempting to do more. Who will do the same?

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

Can It Be It Was All So Simple Then?

#BaxtersBuzz

I've been listening to a lot of music from the 1990's this week. And it's appropriate for a #ThrowbackThursday blog post. The hip hop can be so intense, it's not always a good combination with the stresses of the day. "Keeping it real' can go very wrong, very quickly!

Can It Be That It Was All So Simple Then - The music relaxes me and takes me back to a time where things were much more simple. I think many of the songs that I love hold up over time, but some of them don't LOL. I think the thing they do best is remind us of days gone by. Things feel so much more impersonal. We don't know our neighbors' names. We don't know our children's friends or their parents. We're just in our box, and couldn't care less about what else is going on. 

Howdy, Neighbor - Yesterday it snowed and my neighbor came by to snow-blow my walkway (God bless him!). I was so relieved because I was busy shoveling and trying to get cars cleaned off for us to go to work. He lives next door and although it was only a few more feet for him to help me out, I was just really appreciative of the act itself. We keep an eye on his house if he's headed out of town and he does that same for us. That type of behavior is sort of a throwback in itself! 

Cynics and Critics - Life can make you cynical, then you start wondering what everyone's angle is. I work in corporate America and there are numerous folks who are only looking at what they can get from you. And if they can't get anything from you, some won't even acknowledge your existence. I'm also in the "people business". How many customers call you just to tell you you're awesome? They call when they need something like most consumers do! Same can be said for many friends and family members as well. No judgment, just facts. 

Ain't Nothing Like The Old School - How does one bring an old school approach to this "new" school? Please and thank you. Yes ma'am, no sir. People always compliment my wife and I on how well mannered my child is and although I truly appreciate it, I hate that it's not the norm. It wasn't the norm when  my mom got those same compliments in the early 80's. 

Social Media - I was in the bank earlier this week and an older woman came in and she immediately said, "Hello everyone," and it was only myself and an older gentleman who responded to her. This lobby had about 10 people in it. It was like no one had ever taught them to say hello when they walked into a room. And the cell phones don't help. I heard someone call Facebook and Twitter and those applications "anti social" media. We put more emphasis on posting what we're doing on Facebook  than what we are actually doing! Turn those phones off occasionally. We buy children these toys that WE'RE impressed by..... and they play with the box! Red wagons have been selling for over 100 years. That's right, a simple red wagon.

Memories, Like The Corners of My Mind - Allow your mind to breath. Enjoy those people who are around you. We all seem to be consumed with so much insignificance and then tell people who are close to us,  "Sorry I haven't called. I've been so busy". We'll share a tweet or a post on IG, but won't pick up the phone or even text to say, "You've been on my mind". Believe me, I am guilty of it too but I'm trying to improve. Putting my phone down when I'm playing with my daughter, because there's no status update that overrules my status as a dad. Doing the same for my interactions with my wife. We put so many things that CAN WAIT over things that should never have to. 

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