Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Brokeness

June 30, 2009 Tuesday
Can you believe that June is gone already?! We are over half done with ’09 now.
I was thinking about a book I read some years ago about being broken. The power of brokenness is awesome. It is only when we have been broken can we put back together in order to do what we were created to do. Just like a football practice. The players have to be broken down physically and mentally, and then put back together as a team, as one unit, many members but all acting as one. The basis is though; don’t feel bad when we are broken. It is the time of brokenness that we find the real us. Some don’t want to know the real them, but it is not so bad. You really need to get to know the real you; go through the brokenness and allow it to shape you and mold you; to make you the person you were created to be.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Believe in hope

June 29, 2009 Monday
You ever just feel like no matter what you do or what you say it’s just wrong, I am disastrous wrong. The more you try to do and say the right things; it never turns out the way you intended for it too. You try to comfort someone and make things worse, you try to encourage someone and make them feel worse. Maybe I am the only one that has that gift of offense. But you know what? Even when those things happen we still have to believe in ourselves and stand in hope. Never lose hope in yourself. When things just never seem to go right; believe in hope. When the money is short, the weather is not right, your spouse or bf or gf of kids of parents seem to on your case; believe in hope. When your boss or teacher or neighbor is getting in your grill; don’t lose hope. When nothing at all seems to be going your way; believe in hope.
There have been dozens of times that all I had to believe in was hope. But that was more than enough. Hope is not wishing, but when you believe and you know things will turn around. Don’t ever give up on hope. Hope will be your best friend!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Together we stand

June 28, 2009 Sunday
I have sent the final copy of the manuscript to the editor. It shouldn’t be too much longer now before we have a book.
I think often about destiny and purpose. Exactly why are you and I here at this time? There has to be a reason for us being alive during this time. Don’t ever feel like you are a mistake or have no purpose. We all have a destiny to fulfill; unfortunately many never do fulfill their destiny. Be one of those that finds their destiny and then walks it out. There is no other feeling like knowing you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing. We are all in this together, no one is out there all by themselves. So let’s work together and help one another. Learn to forgive quickly and completely. Misunderstandings will come during our lives together, but don’t let them stop you from forgiving and loving each others. Forgiveness we have said several times is so important to your life. To have peace in your life; you must learn to forgive others. It is a priority!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Failure

June 27, 2009 Saturday
With the feeling of hoplessness that we talked about yesterday can also come the feeling of failure. When you don’t have hope you will feel like a failure. Another reason not to allow hopelessness to enter into your mind. The only person that is a failure is one that quits and gives up. I have battled the sense of failure for most of my life. There are times when something will happen in my life that opens the door to that feeling of being a failure. It is a fight but one that we must win. Do not allow the sense of being a failure to take control of your mind. You are not a failure just as I am not. You would not be reading this each day if you were a failure. Keep on trying, learn from your mistakes and move forward. Don’t stay down, keep getting back up.
If you have friends that would like to get this please feel free to invite them to join, it is an open group. Thank you for taking time to read this each day. I appreciate each of you very much.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Hopeless

June 26, 2009 Friday
There are times that I feel like there is no hope. But I know that as long as I have breath in my body I still have hope. Hopelessness is to me one of the worse feelings there is. There is no doubt that it comes straight from the pits of hell. There is nothing good that comes from feeling hopeless. When all hope is gone then you are dead. Sometimes it is a mental death and sometimes a physical death. But know this: there is hope. Hope is not wishing but the earnest expectation that something good is coming your way. Never lose hope in yourself or others. Be a dealer of hope to others too. Always give encouragement which is a form of hope.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Give it back

June 25, 2009 Thursday
Sinice I am working for myself now and not on a clock I find that I really have to dsicipline my time more. I can't stand to waste time. However, sometimes it can be hard to determine what needs to be done and when. During my workout this morning I was just being quite and listening. It came to me that if I give my gift/talent to God, He will honor it. I don't have to worry about time, about finances, all the things that I tend to concern myself with. If I honor the One who gave me the talent'gift then all is good. I will continue to discipline my time and resources accordingly but all worry is gone. So from me to you, give your time back to the One who gave it to you. You may not consider God the Leader of your life, but all I am suggesting is that you give honor, time, your gift/talent to where it came from. Be careful you don't get like me and start thinking you have to do it all. I have to realize that I am so limited and don't know it all. Sounds easy but for some reason that pride in me wants to be on control. So just a thought today, give it back

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Let it go

June 24, 2009 Wednesday
Here in Addison for Melissa's grandfather's funeral. It is not as hot or as humid up here. But it's still Alabama summer.
We have been talking about humility and forgiveness the past few days. I have noticed that when I forgive people I get more secure in who I am and that makes a tremendous difference in all areas of my life. It is amazing the power that forgiveness has in our lives. I see so many people that are so bound up in unforgiveness and how it affects other areas of thier lives. Please let go of unforgiveness before it has time to take root in your life. Be the stronger person and let it go. It does take strength to forgive and live a humble life, but it is so much better than being tied up in bitterness and resentment.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

No matter what

June 23, 2009 Tuesday
During times of lose, such as death, we sometimes examine our own lives and what we are leaving behind. I wrote yesterday about humility. But what is humility exactly? The best definition that I have heard is it is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. We have to realize that everything is not about us, but their are others in the world. When we hold on to every little and in some cases big thing that people have done to us, we get more and more self absorbed and go into protection mode. Humility is saying even though I have been hurt I will still give of myself. It says, even though you have hurt me I will still give myself to you, I will still serve you with my gift/talent. Humility says that my destiny is more important than anything else. Because we have to realize that our destiny is all about other people. So humility in a sense is still loving and caring about others no matter what they have done or said. Hurts and disappointments will come there is no doubt about that, but the humble person will not allow those hurts and disappointments to stop them from loving and caring about others in words and in actions.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Humility

June 22, 2009 Monday
Wow is it hot!! It's summer time in Alabama!!
Tomorrow Melissa, Gloria and I will be going to Addison. Melissa's, PawPaw Powell, past away Sunday morning. As I briefly mentioned yesterday, he was one of the most humble men I have ever met. I wasn't around him very much. We would go and visit he and Mrs. Powell at Christmas time each year. We would sit at kitchen table in their small home in Addison and talk about everything under the sun. I always look forward to visiting the Powell's at Christmas. There home reminded me of my own grandparents in some ways. For one thing it was 85 degrees in the kitchen, just like home. However, the thing that stood out to me the most was the humility this man walked in, it was incredible. You could tell from the minute you met him, that he was genuine, the real deal. He opened up his home to me as if he had known me for many years. He always had kind words to say about the people we talked about, no matter what the situation or circumstance they were being talked about. He always asked about my family even though he had never met them. I felt at complete ease and peace around Mr. Powell. He was a humble man through and through. I learned from him the power of humility and how it gave him peace right up to the end. I hope that people will one day say that I am a humble man just like Mr. Powell.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Tough Times

June 21, 2009 Sunday
Happy Father's Day!! It was on Father's Day 2003 that my dad first got to see Gloria. She was 2 weeks old. He and mom drove up to NC to visit. He already had the cancer that would take his life at that time, but didn't know it yet. Today, Father's Day 2009, Mel, Glo and I will go to Cullman to see her grandfather, PawPaw Powell, for the last time. Father's Day has left me with some difficult memories, but incredible lessons. It's only through the hard times that we learn. The passing of our loved ones is an especially hard time, but we can learn from it. There is always a something there to help us grow. So I the lesson here is; don't despise the hard times. Don't complain, don't whine, don't make excuses, don't blame, don't criticize, but learn from it. Gleam something during the tough times, the hard times that you could not get when things are going smooth. When you are in the valley that is when you learn. My grandfather used to say, "The valley isn't that bad, it's where the lillies grow." So no matter how bad things may look at times, take heart, they will get better, they may get worse before they get better but they will. Learn from it, so that next time it won't be so hard.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Bad Decisions

June 20, 2009 Saturday
We can never let our circumstances get us down or worse yet stop us. Too many times I hear myself and others saying, "Well, I can't do that because..." We need to stop making excuses based on our past and/or our present circumstances. Just because you didn't finish high school, go to college, had a child at an early age, got a divorce, or any other decision that now doesn't look good, that doesn't mean you are not fit. Too many times those people telling us, "No you can't do that," are not right. Stop believing the negative and the poor mouthing about yourself. You made have made some bonehead decisions in your life, but who hasn't. I certainly have made some insane decisions, but I still have breath and that means I still have destiny in my life.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Worth

June 19, 2009 Friday
Well, I won't be a Mac daddy. The Mac didn't workout. So I am in line to get a Del now. So I don't know when I wil get it. I can use Melissa's and my IPhone in the mean time.
There have been times in the past week that I have wanted to throw myself a pity party. Thinking that I can't ever get this right or that nobody really cares if I write this stuff or not; what's the use. However, I know that if nobody else by me reads it, it is worth it. I am getting some things right and I am worth it. This is an attitude that we need to take more often. If you ever don't think you are good enough or not worth it; know that you are!! You have a purpose and a destiny, when things go wrong and bad, that is just a time for us to grow and mature.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

No pain

Still no computer. Maybe tomorrow. I am doing this from my Iphone which has been up graded to 3.0
Forgiveness has been the topic. The question was asked, how do I know if I truly forgiven someone. The answer that I give to that is this; when the memory of that situation comes up the pain associated with that memory is gone. We never forgive and forget everything, but we can forgive.
That's how I know I have forgiven,when my pride or selfishness gets in the way I have to go back and make sure I truly forgiven. Your way maybe different and that's cool,but that's how I know I have forgiven.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Quick to Forgive

June 17, 2009 Wednesday
Still no computer for me. It is taking forever to get the Mac updated so I am still reading and just listening to what to do next. It has not so bad, just hope it operates like I want it to.
I was thinking about the forgiveness issue and how we can forgive someone even when they don't ask for it. A concept that I am really trying to use. Just living in an atmosphere of forgiveness in the past few months has brought me a lot of peace. There is nothing like it. It is undescribeable to say the least. Peace that comes from forgiving others whether they deserve it or not, even if they never ask for it or not. There is no greater peace than a clear, clean, and open conscious. Forgive quickly and completely!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Doing Right...

June 15, 2009 Monday
Have you ever noticed that the harder you try sometimes, the harder it gets? I can tell you that when you are doing the right thing, that is when you will run into most of the opposition. I have noticed that when I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, that is when things seem to be the hardest. So don't let it confuse you when things seem to be going against you. If you are doing the right thing, then it is expected. The world seems to be opposed to people that do right no matter what the situation. It seems contrary to common sense, but common sense isn't so common anymore.
I encourage you today, to examine your motives and your heart, then your actions. If they are all pure then you are doing the right thing. Don't let the obstacles, the hick ups, the stuff that comes against you to stop you, confuse you, or discourage you.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

What Now

June 14, 2009 Sunday
I was able to send the manuscript to the editor once again. I was able to use a friends computer since I am still trying to get set up on Mac. Thanks to Mark and Wendy though they saved the day!!! Next up, "What Makes a Winner?" Using athletics as the back drop for a book that talks about the characteristics of winners. I will be at Tuscaloosa Academy, Jackson High School, UA, and USM to get the resources for this project. That's where we are as of now.
Once again I want to thank everybody for all the comments and notes. I hope you will continue to give me the feedback, both the good and the bad. Thanks also to those that have invited their friends to join the group or by email. There are several different methods of getting the blog now.
Each one of you has a special part in this blog and in the book project. I may be the one writing it, but you have a part as well. From those that read and those that read; then comment, to those that invite people. You are all a part of the process.
Thanks again for making this a fun, exciting, and a learning experience. I look forward to much more to come!!!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

What A Day

June 13, 2009 Saturday
When I started to back up my book manuscript and blog yesterday my computer died, and I mean died. Had to take it to Wycomp to try to save the data. I got most of the data, the book and blog, all of my documents basically. But I had no computer, but they had a MacBook there and I had really wanted one, so the dealer worked a sweet deal with me. I have a new Mac. Not the biggest or the best, but just what I needed.
It is times like this in the past I would gone to pieces, not knowing what to do, but all I could hear was my mom saving,"Scott, if it is meant to be then not even you can mess it up". I know that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, so why worry. This is a minor hick up in my life, nothing major. It is good to know that even when things go wrong that we still can have a peace and rest that only comes from being right where you are supposed to be, doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing. Being in the pocket! For me that comes from being in God's perfect will. I think that is the only place we will ever have that peace and rest that we all desire.
Hope you have a great weekend! love you guys!!!!

Friday, June 12, 2009

No Place Like...

June 12, 2009 Friday
Had a great time with a good friend yesterday, we met for coffee at 9 and ended up having lunch too. It was a great time of talking about stuff, not business stuff, but just guy stuff. We don't get to do that enough.
One thing that I did get from talking to him was; finding your place. We talk a lot about findin your purpose, spouse, job, school, and other stuff. But what about finding your place? Place could have several different interpretations I suppose. It all depends on your perspective of who you are and where you are at in life. As a man, finding my place is a major objective, whether driven by the male ego or God; who gave us the ego, I don't know. What I do know is that finding my place in life is huge for me. Unless you are looking for your place in life this probably makes no sense to you, but for those of us that are looking for our place, you know exactly what I mean. I believe right now, without a doubt, that I am in my perfect place. It's like when stuff is going crazy all around you, but you feel safe; you are setting back and resting in the pocket, protected on every side. That is the security of knowing your place. There is no place like being in the pocket.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

No cowering down

June 11, 2009 Thursday
I got the contract from the publisher yesterday. All I have to do now is finish the editing and we are ready to go to print. Won’t be too much longer now and the book will be available for you. Hope you all buy 5 copies for ya mama, on the cover of the Rolling Stone…
Thank you all for the great comments you are sending, I really appreciate it. If you want to send in a note to put in the forward of my book you still have time.
The more I write in the book the more I am learning about myself and others too. I am learning how we think and act in certain situations. You never really know how someone thinks until there is a crisis or adversity. I am a firm believer in that we are made in the tough times. Whether we take responsibility or blame others, whether we step up or shrink back, whether we have solutions or offer excuses, whether we encourage others or ridicule them. It’s in the tough times when we find out what a person is all about. We discover how strong we are mentally, physically, and spiritually. I don’t like the tough times, but I am so thankful for them. It is a time to grow and mature not cower down and run away. Be glad in the tough times, because it is a time for you to shine.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

First thing

June 10, 2009 Wednesday
I have gotten the chance to do some reading this week and everything I have read and even listen to has been about setting the attitude for your day first thing in the morning. I do know that when you wake up you are in alpha stage, whatever happens first thing stays with you through the day. I recommend that when you get up, don’t have a tornado siren of an alarm clock wake you. However you wake up, do so more gentle and peaceful, it is possible. As a last resort have the air raid siren wake you.
Once you are up I highly recommend that you have some sort of routine, after the bathroom, which you follow. I have some stuff that I am going to put on note cards and laminate. Decision for the day! Anyways, the decision for this week is to have an attitude of love. I haven’t got it on paper yet but I will soon. This only takes a couple of minutes. Even if you are not a morning person, this will help you through the day immensely. Your daily routine is a habit you have formed, so why not make the first thing in the morning a good habit.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Fail or Succeed

June 9, 2009 Tuesday
How do you feel about the unknown? Especially when it is the unknown of your life, your future, your family, your destiny, your everything? I will be honest and say that I have moments when I know all is perfect, the planets are lined up just right, God is on the throne, and pizza has no calories. Then I wake up!!! I do have moments that I think I have lost my mind, what am I doing with my life? How can be a writer, a speaker, a personal development coach? I have never done this before! BUT, I know this is what I am supposed to be doing with my life. I just know that I know that I know. As long as my determination to succeed is greater than my fear of failure then I will succeed. The same is truth for all of us. No one person is created any better than another. We all have our issues, but at the same time we all have our gift/talent that we are to use. It’s all in how you look at it, your perspective. What is the perspective of your life right now? Failure or success; the choice is yours and yours alone.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Fair or Foul

June 8, 2009 Monday
Vacation over and back from the beach, birthday week behind us, back to work for all, and Gloria at Summer Camp. I am now getting really busy on the book again. I have gotten the editorial review back from the publisher and now making the improvements.
I was watching something, college baseball I think, and there was a line drive down the right field line; the only question was fair or foul. The umpire ruled foul; the place went nuts. He had ruled against the home team in a sense. However, replay proved he was right. However, there were several angles shown on TV, each one different. It was the same line drive, but each angle or perspective was different. Not different by a whole lot but yet different.
I was reminded that some time back we had talked about perspective. How the same event can have so many different angles. When there is a divorce or law case there are so many different angles, many different perspectives. The angle or perspective that we have is probably not the same as the person sitting next to you. Not to say one is right and one is wrong, but different. Let’s be considerate of other people’s perspective, they see things differently because of their past and where they are now. Just like the people at that game, all the seats offered a little different angle. Always remember, we don’t know all the facts, there are some things we don’t know or see about a situation. Be careful how you voice your perspective.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Join hands

June 7, 2009 Sunday
You may be thinking that life and all it brings with it is hopeless and it’s no use to try, well, I am telling you it’s not hopeless and there is use in trying. Don’t you ever give up! Nobody said life was going to be a cake walk and be easy all the time. I know it’s tough and unfair at times. I know life can be cruel and treat you really bad, but there is more on the inside of you than there is in the world. You have a destiny inside of you and that’s what life sometimes tries to steal from you. Don’t let stuff stop you from your destiny. There are going to be bad days, I have had bad years, trust me I feel your pain, but I know I have destiny and I know you do too. We are a team and we, together, can walk through anything. There is nothing that can stop us, but us. We just need to join hands, lock arms, and move forward. You are not by yourself!!! I love and appreciate you guys very much! Each of you is a vital part of my destiny.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Crutches

June 6, 2009 Saturday
I was watching some folk the other day on crutches, looked like they must have had knee surgery. Anyways, I was thinking about how we sometimes have crutches in our lives. Some of the time we may need a crutch for a short period of time, but there comes a time when you have to put down the crutch and walk on your own. I have had crutches and they do offer security. However, if we keep using them our muscles will atrophy and become useless. There comes a time when we have to put down the crutches and walk on our own. There are different crutches for different people. Some times our crutch may be another person even. Crutches come in all shapes, sizes, forms, and types. The thing is don’t become dependent on that crutch. You have to recognize if you are using a crutch; if you aren’t sure just ask a close friend. Then we have to lay down the crutch and walk without it. It is going to be unsure and somewhat painful at first, but you will learn to walk without it very soon. It will be a mental battle more so than a physical battle. Throw down those crutches and walk!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Beach Week

June 5, Friday
Well, our Birthday Week ’09 Beach Trip is over. It’s good to be home though, but we had a blast at the beach!! The only thing I don’t like about the beach is the sand, I can’t stand sand, but that’s all part of it I suppose. We will be back down there before too long I am sure of it.
The publisher sent me the editorial reviews for my book about destiny. They really liked it, didn’t want me to change anything, just to add some stuff. The stuff I need to do is not hard at all. So now we begin the editing of the book, I am excited about it. I will give you updates as I get them. Still not sure what the title of the book will be.
You all can help in the promotion of the book if you want to. You just tell people about it; you can invite people to this group page; this page is right in line with the book. If you read this, and like it, then you will like the book. So invite others to join the page and the book will get promoted. Some are already doing just that and I thank you!!
I do want to hear your thoughts, many send me stuff each day, don’t stop, but if you are thinking about it, then go ahead and tell me what you think. I do want to hear from you.
I love and appreciate you guys very much!! I am very thankful for you. Each one of you brings something different to the table. You each have a special gift or talent and you need to be using it. If you aren’t sure what that gift or talent is, then we need to determine it. Don’t doubt that you are gifted or talented, because you are. Age doesn’t disqualify you, nor do past mistakes, not even mistakes made yesterday. Don’t count yourself out; you are not out of the game. Let’s get you operating in your gift/talent today!!!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Words

June 4, 2009 Thursday
Today is Melissa’s birthday. For those that might not know, Melissa is my wonder, awesome, incredible wife. She is the one that brings perfect balance to my life. God knew what He was doing when He put her in my life. For those that know me, you know that’s true. It’s great to be able to spend, not only her BD, but Gloria’s BD too, at the beach. What a week!!
I was thinking this morning about being a person of your word. When you say something, are those words good? Does it mean anything when you say something? The old saying, “You are no better than your name,” means a lot. Simply said, are you trustworthy? It’s more than just telling the truth or not, but do your words have weight? Is there any depth to what you say? Is there any meaning to what you say? I have really been checking my words. I am making sure that when I do say something it has meaning and weight. I want my words to have substance, not just to be fluff. Not trying to flatter people but to sincerely encourage folk.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Are You Sure

June 3, 2009 Wednesday
There is a deodorant commercial that says, “Raise your hand if you’re sure.” There are times when I wonder; am I sure I am doing the right thing; am I sure I am where I am supposed to be; am I sure this is the plan for my life; am I sure I am doing what I am supposed to be doing… Thoughts like that often try to get me distracted from what I am focused on at the time. Heading into this summer I have really had to deal with those thoughts because of the changes taking place in our lives. I think we all want that assurance that we are doing the right thing. Like I tell you all the time, I know there is a plan for my life and I have to believe in that plan; then go work the plan. I, too, have to trust and know that God has my best interest in mind. But do I have my best interest in mind?

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Others

June 2, 2009 Tuesday
From the sandy beaches of beautiful Gulf Shores. One of the major points of destiny is other people. Your destiny is not just about you, but about other people. The thing with destiny is; it’s about relationship. No one has a destiny that is just about them. Sometimes I think we overlook this aspect of our destiny. We are here for each other. If you are all focused on you and yours then you are missing your destiny. You can’t just focus on what you want; if you plan on accomplishing your destiny. Look around today, most of the people are self minded, but destiny folk are others minded. Take a look at your mindset and see what you find. That will tell you a lot about your destiny at this point.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Family

June 1, 2009 Monday
We had a great, although brief stay in Jackson. I was able to spend some good time with mama. Also, Gloria and I were given the royal tour of the Athletic facilities at Jackson High School by Landon Hilt. Very impressive, JHS has come a long way and looking really good. Landon is an awesome man; I swear he knows more people than anyone I have ever met. What a guy, a lot of the people that are reading this right now are because he invited you. I can’t enough good stuff about Landon Hilt, what a guy!!
Today is my daughter’s birthday 6 years old. She is the greatest gift God ever gave me, her and Melissa; a package deal. First Melissa and then Gloria, I don’t deserve it!
On our way to Gulf Shores today, we will get to stay until Thursday. There is nothing like some good family time at the beach. I never want to take my family for granted. They are my support, so very important to me. Make sure that you never take those in the house with you for granted; it is easy to do if you aren’t careful. Take a few minutes today and make sure you give your family some love. Family, although they may drive you bananas are your heart and soul.