Monday, May 24, 2010

I KNOW A YALE GRAD

Just a quick word of congratulations to my buddy, Eric Barry, who just graduated from Yale with a Master's degree in vocal performance. Eric and I went to little ol' WTAMU together and I had the privilege of singing with him on more than one occaision. Eric's a great guy and I wish him all the success he could ever hope for!

Congrats, Buddy! I'm proud of you!

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

Sunday, May 23, 2010

WE ARE HOPEFUL

Most everyone is hopeful for something.
Some hope for health, some for wealth;
Some for family, some for sanity;
Some for life, some for death;

Some for love.

I'm hopeful for a new job. Not that I don't love my current job(s), but I'm in need of something more stable and consistent (mainly for my sanity). I have a great opportunity to work at a great place. The interview happens Monday at 1:00. I'm hopeful that it works out in a way that I can provide for my family by doing something I love to do.

There are some, however, who have no hope. One of my very favorite quotes is from Dr. Brent McCall who says, "The most dangerous man in the world is the man with no hope." I am hopeful that I will never be that man. If you are that man, I am praying for you to find hope. If you know that man, pray for him and help him find hope.

For what are you hopeful?

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

Friday, May 21, 2010

AND I QUOTE...

"I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose."
1 Corinthians 1:10 - NLT

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate


Tuesday, May 18, 2010

PARENT-TEACHERS

Parents are teachers by default. We teach our children how to walk and talk, how to work and play, how to give and take. We also teach them our habits (good and bad), fears (healthy and unhealthy), and much of the intricacies that make us who we are. I don't know how many times I've heard the phrase, "You are your father's son," or "You are your mother's daughter." What we do as examples sticks a lot more than we realize sometimes. And sometimes we influence our kids in ways we didn't consider.

For example, the parent who won't allow their teenager to go on the school trip because they will be flying and the parent is afraid of flying. In the teen's mind, "Flying should be an awesome experience, but I won't know that until I'm out of this house." Then, once that teen is out of the house and on their own, they develop an intense fear of flying because they don't know what to expect and it just seems crazy that a machine that big can get up in the air and stay there and what if it crashes and we're all gonna die and...

On the other hand, we do teach our children good things. Let's say the same parents have always been very frugal and responsible with money, saving what needs to be saved, spending only what needs to be spent, investing enough to make the money work for them instead of them working for the money, and giving enough away to make a huge difference. The teen has always seen money treated this way and learns by watching Mom and Dad to follow suit. As a result, the teen grows up to be a responsible and generous adult who teaches his children to handle money the same way.

So, now it's time to take stock of the example we set.

What are you teaching your children?

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate

Thursday, May 13, 2010

I'VE BEEN BUSY

It's been a while since I've posted. I had some other stuff in the works, but I ended up scrapping it for the time being.
I've been busy.
I've been VERY busy.
I've been working ... A LOT!
I've been spending time with my beautiful girls.
I've been working on some Dave Ramsey personal finance stuff so I can take care of those beautiful girls (and myself) like I'm supposed to.
I've been working on life, trying to live the way I'm supposed to live.
I'm still working on it. I may never finish working on it.
I'll keep trying, though, because that's all I can do.

What have you been doing?

Peace, Love, and Dark Chocolate