It's All About The People

Some of the beauty and attractiveness of our surroundings is natural. Some of it is man-made. Beautiful parks, beautiful lawns, beautiful streets, beautiful houses and buildings, beautiful businesses, and the list goes on. Sometimes we see the renewal of structure and infrastructure in our cities. It remains attractive for a period of time; and then it is abused. Who abuses it? It is abused by people. Maybe not all of the people, but it is abused by some of the people. Because it's all about the people. All of the people who use stores, streets, parks, schools, homes, businesses, and other public and private places are not abusing them, but they suffer the consequences from those who do. The abusers are pretty powerful. Their abuse runs into the billions of dollars nation wide. What a waste. What a waste of time, talent and money. The irony of "pretty powerful" is that the abuser is usually young. He/she doesn't really wield power, but wants to do something, make a statement, have some fun, impress, get rid of some anger, contribute to the decision-making process, and so on. My point is this: People created the problem; people can solve it. Do not expect government to do it all. Let me give you an example of what I mean: The men's bathroom inside of the Walmart store that is situated on South Highland Avenue, between National City and Chula Vista has had its mirror grafittied to the point that it had to be removed. I don't think it will be replaced. I don't think it should be replaced. I think the absence of the mirror should stand as a monument. I don't think that anything like that has ever happened to any of the high end stores on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. It's still all about the people, any place, any time. The absence of the mirror, a monument? Yes, a monument to stupidity.

Happy Birthday, Martin

Martin; you are a champ. You always will be. I never said you were perfect; I said you are a champ. Speaking of perfect; He is the one you preached about for so many years. The one who was, is and will always be perfect. He placed His Spirit inside of you. My brother; you payed the price for what you believed. You were mistreated, insulted, accused of this and that, your privacy was invaded, you were arrested, and eventually you were assassinated. You knew it was going to happen. You had said that "longevity has it's place, but that you do not measure a man's life by the number of years that he lives but by the quality of his contribution to improve the lives of others." You contributed the ultimate gift. Because of your continued efforts, you helped to change a major, hurtful dynamic of our society. You helped to improve the United States. You helped in this Country's continued efforts to live up to it's creed "That all men are created equal." You helped to improve the world. The cost was high, but you believed that you were called to do it; so you did.
Martin, You made many quotes; but there is one I will never forget, as long as I live: "If you hate me so much that you kill me and chop up my body into one million pieces, each one of those pieces will still say I love you." Happy birthday Brother Martin; I'll see you when I get to the other side. It is not time yet; there is still much to do. But when it is time; I too will be with the one who inspired your love for others and your pursuit of justice.

Don't Waste Time, Make a difference

Time is valuable. Don't waste it. Do your best to make every day a masterpiece. If we spend our days lazing off and not getting things accomplished; there is a very good chance we will live to regret it. Do something constructive. Do something for someone else. Help a child out. Improve your attitude. Improve your appearance. Coach a team. Read to an elderly person. Please do not spend your time walking around malls, just window shopping, wasting time, staring at people, judging people. You might start feeling guilty. You might get depressed. One of the causes of depression is boredom. Do you have a job? Are you retired? If you are retired: do your days consist of just indulging yourself, every day? Go out and see where you can help. How you spend your time is your business. But if you do something constructive, you are making a difference. Just think about this: If you had one million dollars and you lost it; it is possible to get another million. Why? Because it is out there. But if you have five minutes and you waste it. It is not out there any more. It is gone forever. Somebody recently said: "Making money is good, but making a difference is better. Don't waste time. Make a difference. And when I say "difference," I mean a difference that represents improvement. If you have made a difference; you have created a masterpiece.

Make 2010 Your Best Year

Attitudes can steal. Yes, attitudes can steal your hopes, joys, and dreams. They attack your aspirations and your plans. One example is: "I am what I am, why try to improve?" That is an attitude. Some think that if they try to change their attitude they are denying their "true self" or their "culture." I submit to you that the term "culture" is simply a word that means way of life, and that life is what you make it. Yes, LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT. If you want to dwell on past injustices and exist in constant anger and bitterness; I cannot stop you. But be advised; there are consequences. There will be consequences. In most cases, it is much easier to control our attitudes, words and actions; than to control the CONSEQUENCES of those attitudes, words and actions. Take proper care of your spiritual life. Did you know that one of the reasons people get involved with alcohol and drug abuse is because it is an attempt to "feed" their attitudes, feelings and spirits. Stay sober, Get
physically healthy, get enough rest, work hard, (hard work is good for you) don't be a lazy person, eat well, have friends, (just remember: in order to have a friend, you need to be a friend) don't be a lazy person-stay busy, read motivational, inspirational, constructive, and helpful books and literature (you can start with Psalms 1, 23, 27, 51, 91, 103, 121....then move on to John 3, Rom. 8 and finish with the book of Acts....just for starters) Do you know how to have a good time? If you do not know how to have a good time; then learn how to have a good time. Seek your creator. You may not know this: HE CREATED YOU TO HAVE A GOOD TIME. What shall you do then? Enjoy God. Yes, enjoy God. Your dreams will come true. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) Make 2010 your best year. Go for it!