If You Love What You Do...

Buzz of the Week

I was at the mall last week, trying to resolve an issue with my wife's wedding ring. Outside of having to fork over money, the overall experience was...refreshing. The manager of the store was a younger guy. My wife thought he appeared nervous, while I got the impression of an extremely calculated and thoughtful sales person. I did not pick up on any deceit, although I am naturally skeptical. He explained everything too us and told my wife and I that he'd do everything in his power limit our out-of-pocket expenses.

On to the good part. Mark, the manager asked if we wanted to view some larger diamonds. I agreed solely because my wife was upset about the ordeal, and I knew she'd enjoy it. This is when Mark's passion for his job started to shine through. He played the level headed manager role in the beginning, but when he was able to sell, he was lethal! He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, while omitting the slickness of a typical sales guy. I had been very dry towards Mark, but even I became increasingly excited as he described the clarity, style, and origin of particular diamonds. I'll tell you what, if I had money, I would have seriously considered buying something.

35 minutes later I had to pull my wife away so we could head home. On our way out, we decided to stop by Yankee Candle. There, we were greeted by the assistant manager. She talked about candles, of all things, with so much passion, I was just as impressed with her as I was with Mark. I will probably never buy a candle if it isn't a Yankee Candle.

I think about the ho hum folks I come across in every profession. I think its an absolute shame that people in the customer service business are generally not very customer service oriented. It is always refreshing to see those who genuinely care about their craft and the people they serve.

I think about my new position and how excited I am to help the displaced/unemployed people turned students. I am hopeful that my work is viewed as helpful, passionate, and as sincere as the folks at the mall last Thursday.

The Recruit

Buzz of the Week

The Recruit - As I look at all the craziness surrounding LeBron James and where he'll play basketball for the next 5-6 years, I imagine what it would be like to be recruited. I am starting a new job in the coming weeks where I'll be working with folks who are looking to enter/reenter the workforce. I am very thankful for the opportunity and I believe my skill set will serve me very well there. With that being said, I wasn't recruited. Damn sure wasn't recruited like LeBron! Without special circumstances, 99.5% of us will never experience any recruitment similar to that.

You know what though? I want to be heavily recruited at least one time in my life! I know that my odds increase tremendously with a college degree. That is why I am working (again) towards a college degree. Maybe it's an ego thing for me...so what! Because I am "uneducated," I've been turned down many times from jobs I would have been great at.

It's one thing to have a particular skill set and it is another thing to have tangible proof that you possess a skill set. Because of my personality and laid back demeanor, there are those who think I've received everything I ever wanted. That couldn't be further from the truth. I very rarely show that I'm down, if I'm feeling that way, so folks assume that everything is okay with me...all the time. The silver medal has been draped around my neck plenty of times. Imagine someone telling you how great you are, but without a degree, they cannot hire you.

Maybe it will never happen, but I want to be wined and dined one day and offered an opportunity they others would kill for. Then again, there are those who'd kill to be in my current position (I have to keep that in mind). So although I am grateful for my blessings, I'm working hard to be recognized as a talent, worthy enough to be sought after. We shall see.

I really appreciate the new readers, as well as those who've been reading since day one. If you keep reading, I'll keep writing.

Random Buzz

Random Buzz of the Week

Dear John - Its weird how certain movies bring out certain moods in me. I'm not sure if everyone feels that way, but I immediately start to reflect. I was watching the movie Dear John on Saturday, and I was amazed at how perfect the girl, Savannah, seemed. I started to think about how perfect my wife is. Perfect for me, that is. She's actually too good for me.

When we first met (many years ago), I was amazed at how good of a person she was. It was like she didn't see the bad in any person. Where as I, I saw the bad in everyone. At that point, I realized that we had no future together. I'd been introduced to some harsh truths and it forced me to grow up sooner than most. My wife grew up without the radar for bullspit.

We are very good for one another. I am working on being less skeptical(unsuccessfully mostly), and my wife has developed her radar to deal with those who are less than honest regarding their intentions.

Fourth of July - As Independence Day 2010 nears, I reflect on what independence means to me. As I become much more wiser, and a little older, I have become more interested in current events, and in American history. I have also been more interested in my own family's history. I thank God for the struggles I've been able to face and overcome.

Sometimes a song or movies reveals feelings that I have. I am thankful that I am reminded from time to time of things that may get lost throughout the course of the day. We all should make time to reflect and count our blessings. And if we do not, hopefully, something will force us to take a second to smile.

FYI, I watched that movie, thinking it was an entire different movie. I thought...well who cares I'm happy I watched it.

Letter to Boo #1

I will be writing to my cousin who is in prison more frequently and decided to share this on my blog. You guys may remember that I've written about Boo on occasion. I hope you guys enjoy.

Dear Boo,

I decided that I would attempt to write you regularly AND publish it on my blog. I'm sure you don't mind. Big Ma passed on Friday June 11. Because she had suffered from dementia for the past few years, along with her health declining, I was relieved that her pain was gone. She woulda been 99 this August. Mack said that Big Ma died like many others would have liked to; in her sleep, resting. The behavior that followed embarrassed me. I will fill you in with details when I see you. In my opinion people almost forgot how important Big Ma and her house was. The selfish people that share my last name, seem so far removed from the loving, give you the shirt off my back, way Big Ma was.

I've been "blogging" for quite a while now. Basically, its just posting your thought on a site. Now many people read it, but there are a few who do. I think the more consistent I blog, the more people will follow. How you been? I wrote you a few months back but I haven't heard from you? What's good? I need to take a day off and come visit. I was looking at some of Big Ma's writings and I realized that I need to do much more myself; be it blogging, poetry, short stories, or just letting you know how things are. I pray for consistency and persistence.

A few things are going on at work that I can't really talk about but my eyes are wide open. Because I'm so laid back, I think some folks don't recognize how aware I am. And my job is not to let them know what I know so... I'll just leave it like that. Hanging out in the Township the past couple of weeks brought back many memories. Me and Nikki was talking about the summers on the porch; playing curbball and hanging with Tasha and Denise. Nobody has talk to Tasha. I hope she is doing okay. Well, I plan on this being the first of many letters. Keep your head up and pop at me when you think about it.
PS- I had one of those dreams a week or so ago where everything seemed so real. Us kicking it, but older and more dangerous (haha).

Chill,

Baxter E.

Buzz of the Month (Part 1 and 2)

Part 1
Get Up and Do Something - This past weekend was wonderful. The wife and I were able to get away. Removing yourself, physically, from your typical surroundings allows you to "breathe." I think about what I have on my plate these days, and I become very excited. I am not a one-trick pony. I've been put on this earth to do more than "work".



There are those who hate their job. If you work 40+ hours per week, the majority of your time, not sleeping, is at work. If you're not happy at work, it's possible that you are not happy period. What's the solution? Sometimes people are at a job because they have to be. That's fine, but what are you doing about improving your situation? Complaining+No action to resolve=Irritation from those you complain to.



There are things in your power. Take care of those. The rest, leave that up to God. But do your part! Do things that you enjoy and that will leave a positive impact on others and the world. Your job doesn't have to define you. You and your works will define you.

Part 2
The above paragraphs were written in the first week of June. Since then, my Big Ma, has passed away. She would have been 99 years old in August. How can one be sad about somebody living almost 100 years? As I get older, I am starting to understand what is really important to me. I've never had a lot of money, but I've figured out a way to make things work. It's nice to know that my wife loves me for me and not because of what I have. Because if she was looking for someone with the most tangible things, she could have done much, much better.

The legacy that you leave HAS to be more than money. You will ultimately be remembered for how you treated and affected those around you. Don't get me wrong, I plan on being able to provide for my family, but I will not lose sight of my morals for a dollar. There are people that I see everyday who can't see past what want for themselves. If there is another sales person on my team who happens to sell more than me, it will not change my mission for my life. I am starting to realize that there are three major things that I must do in my life; I must continue to strengthen my relationship with God, I must continue to write, and teach and share my experiences with others.

I am not the best writer in the world, but I'm okay and improving. I am not the best orator either. I have a passion for improving this world and that will propel me. I am not looking for any type of fame or fortune. My plans to this point are very simple; be more present of the young people in my life and teach them things that nobody was there to teach me. That is a great start if you ask me. I had been so focused on doing more for the world, but I have enough young people in my family that will benefit from me sharing experiences. Maybe one of them will change the world, but my goal is to give them a different way to view their lives and the purpose here.

Buzz of the Week (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 4o'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?

Baxter's Buzz

Buzz of the Week

Slow and Steady - This past week has been refreshing for me. My online class started last week and I am very excited to see how I perform. Not how I perform in the class per se, but how I structure my time. Organized is something that I am working very hard to be. I have improved greatly, but I still have a long way to go. I am planning to take more classes online IF I'm able to manage my time. I feel like the more idle time I have, the less productive I am... sometimes.... That drives me mad, but nobody can change it but me. So my plan is: One class this spring, two classes this summer, and three to four classes this fall. That plan is contingent on me taking care of my business and being organized.

My networking group (Greenmen Group) has planned our first mixer/meet and greet for the beginning of next month. We are trying to recruit new members to become part of what we are building. Slow and steady wins the race. We have been meeting at least once a month since September of 2008. There have been people who had the best ideas in the world, but they are no longer involved. Don't come in here with all these great ideas with no idea how to execute, and worse yet, no even following through.

I have failed at a few things in my lifen (maybe more than a few) and the biggest reason for my failure is having too big of an idea with no way to quantify or measure progress. Since we've started meeting, I have labeled myself the "rain on the parade"guy. I wanted to make sure that we continued to take baby steps and remain consistent in our effort. That way we didn't just attempt to "one up" each other's ideas without a way to see it through.

Well, I am excited because things are taking shape and our diligence has paid off. This approach works when you have long-term and (sometimes more important) short-term goals. This group has been a great example for me to follow in my personal life. Taking one class doesn't seem like much, but when you've been out of school as long as I have, one class is a great start.

You will reap what you sow. If you want a small crop or two to pop up, be "iffy" with your effort. If you want a full harvest, have a plan in place and execute it. Consistency is what separates us many times. One of my good friends told me just recently, "Don't worry about the time you've already wasted, just understand that you don't have anymore time to waste."

Set your goals, short and long termed. Create a plan of execution. And get after it.