When I think about all the modern tragedies. it upsets me. Every day there are vicious acts of violence. Without rhyme or reason. I think about the evil that men do...and I think about my future children. What kind of world will I be bringing them in to?
We all have some issues. Some more severe than others. These babies are having babies and we are supporting them. But what's worse than supporting them is these children growing up following the patterns of their parents, who were raised by their parents who didn't know any better. These children are the future. Many of them have no chance from day #1. They are raised in circumstances that some of us couldn't wrap our heads around. Poverty, drugs, violence. They don't know that life has more to offer than what they've seen. But if they have never been out of the confines of "the hood" how would they ever know? The age of homeless people is getting lower and lower. Mark, who works for COTS, says it's not uncommon to see 19, 22, 24 year old homeless people. We need to figure out something. We need to reach out to these children at a younger age and attempt to reverse the pattern that way. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Buzz of the Day
Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow
That song by Fleetwood Mac...I hear it every single day. At least once per day. (Because of the office I work in) Since it is forced down my throat, I actually started listening to the lyrics.
"Why not think about times to come,
And not about the things that you've done,
If your life was bad to you,
Just think what tomorrow will do"
Ahh yes, the power of positive thinking! People talk about putting goods in the atmosphere, good karma, good vibes, etc. I agree with all of those things. And, of course, faith in God.
There has to be a balance when you're thinking about tomorrow. I am just starting to really appreciate today. I want to make the most of things today, taking care of my short term goals. But dreaming about tomorrow and further is awesome! That's whats gives you the motivation to do what you have to today. If you are so caught up in today, to dream about tomorrow, you're not living!
You are just existing...
Yesterday is gone. True. Here's my rule (for today anyway). If you had a bad day yesterday, forget about it. Work on making today better but...If you had a great day yesterday...you can spend a lil time thinking about it. Maybe it will give you momentum for today.
That song by Fleetwood Mac...I hear it every single day. At least once per day. (Because of the office I work in) Since it is forced down my throat, I actually started listening to the lyrics.
"Why not think about times to come,
And not about the things that you've done,
If your life was bad to you,
Just think what tomorrow will do"
Ahh yes, the power of positive thinking! People talk about putting goods in the atmosphere, good karma, good vibes, etc. I agree with all of those things. And, of course, faith in God.
There has to be a balance when you're thinking about tomorrow. I am just starting to really appreciate today. I want to make the most of things today, taking care of my short term goals. But dreaming about tomorrow and further is awesome! That's whats gives you the motivation to do what you have to today. If you are so caught up in today, to dream about tomorrow, you're not living!
You are just existing...
Yesterday is gone. True. Here's my rule (for today anyway). If you had a bad day yesterday, forget about it. Work on making today better but...If you had a great day yesterday...you can spend a lil time thinking about it. Maybe it will give you momentum for today.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Buzz of the Day
I am so sick of hearing about Kwame Kilpatrick and the text message scandal. I think it's a waste of time. I wish we could just move on and focus on solutions. Detroit, Metro Detroit, and Michigan in general (along with the rest of the world) is in bad shape. We need to spend more time promoting our positive people in the world and less time talking about people that have led us astray. I hope that if there are some things they can pull to solve the Tamara Greene case, great. But they don't need to release those texts to everyone to conduct their investigation.
Kwame did some positive things for the city in my humble opinion. He did a lot of bad things also. Let his a** move to Texas and let's move on with our lives.
Spilled milk...
Kwame did some positive things for the city in my humble opinion. He did a lot of bad things also. Let his a** move to Texas and let's move on with our lives.
Spilled milk...
Monday, March 9, 2009
Buzz of the Day
You ain't missing nothing...
Last night I had a dream about my cousin. My cousin who was my closest friend and helped raise me during some of the toughest times in my life. Although he is not even 2 years older than me, he provided leadership to a person who was looking for answers. (Me)
BTW, My cousin who has been in jail almost half his life...
My mother died when I was 8 and he was there. He beat me up and made me tougher, he listened to my dreams of being in the NBA, and he did all the things a big brother would do.
He has always been wiser than his years. He consistently did things that were the exact opposite of the things he was telling me to do. He would tell me later that he had a feeling that he'd end up in jail, but he wanted better for me. More about that another day.
I think the more people are on your mind, the more real the dream seems. Whenever he is in a dream, he plays the same role he always has. Leading me and giving me all sorts of confidence that I couldn't otherwise imagine. I am frustrated sometimes when I think about decisions I've made. Decisions that were pretty stupid. And I think, "Man if he was here, he wouldn't have let me do that." I didn't have many people in my life that I respected enough to follow their lead.
I was listening to T.I.'s song "You aint missin' nothin". He was talking to those people who were in prison, basically telling them that things would be here when they come home. My cousin has a sentence of "Natural Life" which means if he doesnt get releaseed through appeal, He will die in prison.
He's missing a whole hell of a lot. What are you missing?
Last night I had a dream about my cousin. My cousin who was my closest friend and helped raise me during some of the toughest times in my life. Although he is not even 2 years older than me, he provided leadership to a person who was looking for answers. (Me)
BTW, My cousin who has been in jail almost half his life...
My mother died when I was 8 and he was there. He beat me up and made me tougher, he listened to my dreams of being in the NBA, and he did all the things a big brother would do.
He has always been wiser than his years. He consistently did things that were the exact opposite of the things he was telling me to do. He would tell me later that he had a feeling that he'd end up in jail, but he wanted better for me. More about that another day.
I think the more people are on your mind, the more real the dream seems. Whenever he is in a dream, he plays the same role he always has. Leading me and giving me all sorts of confidence that I couldn't otherwise imagine. I am frustrated sometimes when I think about decisions I've made. Decisions that were pretty stupid. And I think, "Man if he was here, he wouldn't have let me do that." I didn't have many people in my life that I respected enough to follow their lead.
I was listening to T.I.'s song "You aint missin' nothin". He was talking to those people who were in prison, basically telling them that things would be here when they come home. My cousin has a sentence of "Natural Life" which means if he doesnt get releaseed through appeal, He will die in prison.
He's missing a whole hell of a lot. What are you missing?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Buzz of the Day
Sometimes I have so much on my mind that I don't know what to write. This whole blog thing has been new to me and I love it. It helps me organize my thoughts. Lately, there has been so much going on, I didn't know what to blog about. Once I started to think about it, I realized that I could blog about whatever! Even if it's this gibberish about not knowing what to blog about.
I have been working later and later lately. I have been so locked in at work, that...I have been even more out of the loop than usual. The stress is definitely real. Being in sales, we are the only revenue generating position. People were laid off in other departments and the message was, "The onus is on you guys (salespeople). When you pick your sales up, we'll be able to call some of the people back." But if we don't pick up sales, maybe we're the next to go?
This by far is the best job I've ever had. Some of these people have never had another job and I think they take it for granted (I'll get into that another day). We are salespeople/consultants for training solutions. I am going to continue to work hard and once things turn around, I want to be one of the top performers. I understand the whole working hard thing. I get it. We offer a wonderful product and things will be great again. For everyone. I just hope we can hang on until then...
I was talking to a new customer and she is in the technology field. She comes from a accounting background (go figure). She is trying to learn a little more tech to be more efficient in her role, however that's not her only ambition. She is married with two kids and she's a writer. She just finished her first book last year and is three weeks away from her second book being complete. I was so happy and excited because there is no rule that says you can't do both! Both, meaning work for someone and also work for yourself. Shoot, I have plans on completing an autobiographical book of poetry this year (Shout out to Kari!), but maybe I'll step it up and do a short story as well...or put them together! I was just very motivated after hearing her story and passion for writing, but also keeping it in perspective...This job pays my bills so I have to learn more about the technology field.
Just take some time to invest in yourself. Your family, friends, business ventures...Don't let work overwhelm or consume you.
I really need to take my own advice.
I have been working later and later lately. I have been so locked in at work, that...I have been even more out of the loop than usual. The stress is definitely real. Being in sales, we are the only revenue generating position. People were laid off in other departments and the message was, "The onus is on you guys (salespeople). When you pick your sales up, we'll be able to call some of the people back." But if we don't pick up sales, maybe we're the next to go?
This by far is the best job I've ever had. Some of these people have never had another job and I think they take it for granted (I'll get into that another day). We are salespeople/consultants for training solutions. I am going to continue to work hard and once things turn around, I want to be one of the top performers. I understand the whole working hard thing. I get it. We offer a wonderful product and things will be great again. For everyone. I just hope we can hang on until then...
I was talking to a new customer and she is in the technology field. She comes from a accounting background (go figure). She is trying to learn a little more tech to be more efficient in her role, however that's not her only ambition. She is married with two kids and she's a writer. She just finished her first book last year and is three weeks away from her second book being complete. I was so happy and excited because there is no rule that says you can't do both! Both, meaning work for someone and also work for yourself. Shoot, I have plans on completing an autobiographical book of poetry this year (Shout out to Kari!), but maybe I'll step it up and do a short story as well...or put them together! I was just very motivated after hearing her story and passion for writing, but also keeping it in perspective...This job pays my bills so I have to learn more about the technology field.
Just take some time to invest in yourself. Your family, friends, business ventures...Don't let work overwhelm or consume you.
I really need to take my own advice.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Buzz of the Day
Are you rich?
Money is and has always been a concern of many. These days even more. I think people's dreams have changed when it comes to money. I think when we're young, we want to be pro athletes, entertainers, doctors, lawyers, etc. Now people just want to be comfortable.
I was talking to a friend of mine who is single. We were talking about work, sports....the usual sort of stuff. He asked me about my job and...are they laying people off and...are you safe? Well, I don't think anybody is "safe", but that's just my thought.
Then he told me, "Baxter, you're rich." I kinda knew where he was going but not really. He said, "You have a wife that cares about you and friends that you can count on. You're rich!" It would seem rude to argue....so I shut up. Once I realized what he was saying, it made all the sense in the world. You could be in the worst situation of your life and someone would give their leg to trade places with you because their best cant compete with your worse...in their opinion.
You have to determine your opinion of success and failure, but be appreciative of what you have. Even if it's just your health or loved ones. Things could always be better....but they could always be worse. They say God never gives you more than you can handle. So the more obstacles you are dealt, don't give up. God has a plan.
Money is and has always been a concern of many. These days even more. I think people's dreams have changed when it comes to money. I think when we're young, we want to be pro athletes, entertainers, doctors, lawyers, etc. Now people just want to be comfortable.
I was talking to a friend of mine who is single. We were talking about work, sports....the usual sort of stuff. He asked me about my job and...are they laying people off and...are you safe? Well, I don't think anybody is "safe", but that's just my thought.
Then he told me, "Baxter, you're rich." I kinda knew where he was going but not really. He said, "You have a wife that cares about you and friends that you can count on. You're rich!" It would seem rude to argue....so I shut up. Once I realized what he was saying, it made all the sense in the world. You could be in the worst situation of your life and someone would give their leg to trade places with you because their best cant compete with your worse...in their opinion.
You have to determine your opinion of success and failure, but be appreciative of what you have. Even if it's just your health or loved ones. Things could always be better....but they could always be worse. They say God never gives you more than you can handle. So the more obstacles you are dealt, don't give up. God has a plan.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Buzz of the Day
This past Friday was a busy day for me. First there was work...the last "selling day" of the month means everyone is scrambling trying to add revenue at the last minute. There was a man who was fired Friday. It was based on performance so not considered a lay off. This is all info I've heard through the grapevine so take it for what it's worth. Performance or not, it eliminated some overhead. Just my humble opinion...My blog, my opinions!
If you have ever been around those folks that speak of "back in the day" with fond memories, one of the things they loved was the ability to get a job and stay there until they retired.30, 40+ years.
NOT ANYMORE! It's just not the norm these days. We all respect loyalty. That's what our friends, family, and employers want. Do our employers deserve our loyalty? They have chosen us out of the other candidates when we applied. Took a chance on us...we owe them something don't we?
But what about when they decide it's time for us to go? When our number has been called for whatever reason? Do they owe us anything?
As employees, we are in a lose-lose situation. If we decide to leave after we've found another job, employers are upset because they want people that are gonna be here for the "long haul." If they decide it's time for us to go, then they wish us the best of luck in our next endeavor.
Hmmm....Well, let me get back to my busy day on Friday
So after work, we had our Greenmen Group meeting. That is our networking group meeting that we have once a month. Trying to share resources and encourage each other to reach for their goals: whatever they may be. It's not recreating the wheel... I believe it's essential that we surround ourselves with positive people.
We had a very spirited meeting and we got off track slightly. We all had our ideas of how to invest in ourselves as we worked for "the man" everyday. Nobody wants to be told when their last day is going to be, so that motivates some to try and have their own business ventures and develop alternative options for revenue. Everyone can feel the pinch, and we all are in different industries so plan B should be more like B,C,D these days.
Moving on, I went home to pick up the wife and head to Lansing where a good friend of mine was having his "soft opening" of his new nightclub "The Venue." It was a goal he shared with me over a year ago and last Friday was his dream coming true. I am very happy for him. Many people have lofty goals, but many of them die prior to completion. He had a smile ear-to-ear and he should because, with the problems he was faced with, many would have threw in the towel.
So the point I'm trying to make is this: There are people who are victims of this economic crisis; those who are trying to come up with a plan of action to combat it; and those who are still being productive; because they established plans and were diligent in carrying them out.
Nobody has to do it alone. It's okay to play Scottie Pippen to some one's Michael Jordan or Watson to some one's Sherlock Holmes, or Larry/Curly to some one's Moe. (I think you get my point). Network. Share ideas. You don't have to do it all alone. Just make sure you share the vision of the people that are leading this movement. Because basically, we're all carrying out the execution of some one's dream. You have to decide if it is your or not.
If you have ever been around those folks that speak of "back in the day" with fond memories, one of the things they loved was the ability to get a job and stay there until they retired.30, 40+ years.
NOT ANYMORE! It's just not the norm these days. We all respect loyalty. That's what our friends, family, and employers want. Do our employers deserve our loyalty? They have chosen us out of the other candidates when we applied. Took a chance on us...we owe them something don't we?
But what about when they decide it's time for us to go? When our number has been called for whatever reason? Do they owe us anything?
As employees, we are in a lose-lose situation. If we decide to leave after we've found another job, employers are upset because they want people that are gonna be here for the "long haul." If they decide it's time for us to go, then they wish us the best of luck in our next endeavor.
Hmmm....Well, let me get back to my busy day on Friday
So after work, we had our Greenmen Group meeting. That is our networking group meeting that we have once a month. Trying to share resources and encourage each other to reach for their goals: whatever they may be. It's not recreating the wheel... I believe it's essential that we surround ourselves with positive people.
We had a very spirited meeting and we got off track slightly. We all had our ideas of how to invest in ourselves as we worked for "the man" everyday. Nobody wants to be told when their last day is going to be, so that motivates some to try and have their own business ventures and develop alternative options for revenue. Everyone can feel the pinch, and we all are in different industries so plan B should be more like B,C,D these days.
Moving on, I went home to pick up the wife and head to Lansing where a good friend of mine was having his "soft opening" of his new nightclub "The Venue." It was a goal he shared with me over a year ago and last Friday was his dream coming true. I am very happy for him. Many people have lofty goals, but many of them die prior to completion. He had a smile ear-to-ear and he should because, with the problems he was faced with, many would have threw in the towel.
So the point I'm trying to make is this: There are people who are victims of this economic crisis; those who are trying to come up with a plan of action to combat it; and those who are still being productive; because they established plans and were diligent in carrying them out.
Nobody has to do it alone. It's okay to play Scottie Pippen to some one's Michael Jordan or Watson to some one's Sherlock Holmes, or Larry/Curly to some one's Moe. (I think you get my point). Network. Share ideas. You don't have to do it all alone. Just make sure you share the vision of the people that are leading this movement. Because basically, we're all carrying out the execution of some one's dream. You have to decide if it is your or not.
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