Greeting to all,
Over the last few Catalysts I’ve shared some words of wisdom that has functioned as my personal *lodestar. It’s funny, though. Most of what I believe now I learned in the last 5 years. What I learned in the first 25 has turned out to be mostly false. Well, let me take that back. I don’t want to say it was ALL false however the beliefs I had didn’t have a good foundation. What I thought I knew about life was embedded in my head as a youth and for some strange reason I never questioned it, even as an adult.
If you’ve read any of my past Catalyst dealing with religion it may have led you to assume I’m Atheist. On the contrary, I’m a believer of God. As a true believer, I’m constantly trying to understand God and my purpose according to that knowledge. It’s ironic how similar faith and fear is. They are both assumptions about the future without tangible evidence. I’ve had to overcome years of religious rhetoric to get to where I am now. That journey has led me down a long, strange road. But at least now I can walk with my head held high knowing that I’m not living a life guided by fear and guilt. You see, God isn’t some bouncer who sits in Heaven determining who gets in. He doesn’t keep track of your good and bad deeds on His Blackberry. God is love. More than that, God is self love. As long as you love yourself, you’re always in God’s presence. You can pay your tithes and offering, take communion, and attend Thursday night prayer but until you realize self love your search for God is in vain.
In conclusion, I will leave you with the final Cata-List detailing the 30 things I’ve learned in 30 years.
10. Everybody will not like you. Find the ones that do and keep it moving.
9. The Bible is not the Words of God. It is simply letters on a page. You, the reader, give it meaning. Why do you think there are so many religions?
8. People who are scared to speak up for themselves are notorious for being liars. They’ll do anything, even if they don’t want to, not to offend others.
7. The world doesn’t owe you anything.
6. Very few men act like the guys in love stories.
5. Very few women act like the ladies in porno.
4. The hardest thing one can do is to be honest with oneself. (The 2nd hardest thing is recognizing the difference between your wants and your needs).
3. It’s your own fault if your life isn’t where you think it should be. No one can hold you back without your permission.
2. Never stop learning. Your education shouldn’t end when you graduate.
1. Jesus loves me. <--This I know.
Thanks to everyone who attended my birthday dinner. I got some good footage for my movie. I know many of you don’t live in Atlanta so I’ll cut you some slack. We always have next year.
“Life is so constructed that an event does not, cannot, and will not match the expectation.” – Charlotte Bronte
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
*Word you’ve never heard…
lodestar /LOHD-star/ noun - one that serves as an inspiration, model, or guide
Friday, November 28, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Catalyst
Hello All,
Though most people think they’re the same, wisdom and intelligence are two completely different things. Wisdom is a combination of experience, book smarts, and common sense. Intelligence is the ability to use said wisdom. Intelligence has nothing to do with your I.Q. score. It has nothing to do with GEDs, diplomas, or degrees. Intelligence is determined by what you do with what you know. If I wanted to go to California from Georgia and I’m currently traveling north, one could say that I wasn’t acting intelligently. No matter how *circumspect I have been if I don’t change my route I’ll continue to go in the wrong direction. I could have a PhD in Physics but I’ll never make it to my destination. Just think about that.
Last week, I started listing the 30 things I’ve learned in 30 years to commemorate my impending birthday. I will continue my Cata-List this week and I hope you’ll be able to use something to help keep you going on your chosen road.
20. It is pointless to expect positive results from bad decisions. It is equally as futile to expect positive results from not making any decisions at all.
19. If it doesn’t make sense it’s probably not true.
18. If you build it, they will come. No matter the idea, if you put enough effort in it people will notice.
17. Successful people realize that time is money so they NEVER waste a moment.
16. Excuses are lies wrapped around laziness.
15. You never make it to your destination if you constantly look back.
14. Leaders MUST lead. If no one follows you, you’re just walking.
13. NEVER associate with a religion you don’t fully understand.
Nothing is more powerful than you determination to succeed.
11. Age ain’t nothing but a number. I know children that act like adults and adults that act like children.
(To be continued…)
Thanks to those who responded about my upcoming birthday party. If anyone is still on the fence, you need to go ahead and come. You’ll have plenty of fun. Plus it will help me with my documentary. It’s next Saturday November 22 at 9pm. For more info, reply to this email.
“A stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.” - Bertrand Russell
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
*Word you’ve never heard…
circumspect /SER-kum-spekt/ adj. - careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent
Though most people think they’re the same, wisdom and intelligence are two completely different things. Wisdom is a combination of experience, book smarts, and common sense. Intelligence is the ability to use said wisdom. Intelligence has nothing to do with your I.Q. score. It has nothing to do with GEDs, diplomas, or degrees. Intelligence is determined by what you do with what you know. If I wanted to go to California from Georgia and I’m currently traveling north, one could say that I wasn’t acting intelligently. No matter how *circumspect I have been if I don’t change my route I’ll continue to go in the wrong direction. I could have a PhD in Physics but I’ll never make it to my destination. Just think about that.
Last week, I started listing the 30 things I’ve learned in 30 years to commemorate my impending birthday. I will continue my Cata-List this week and I hope you’ll be able to use something to help keep you going on your chosen road.
20. It is pointless to expect positive results from bad decisions. It is equally as futile to expect positive results from not making any decisions at all.
19. If it doesn’t make sense it’s probably not true.
18. If you build it, they will come. No matter the idea, if you put enough effort in it people will notice.
17. Successful people realize that time is money so they NEVER waste a moment.
16. Excuses are lies wrapped around laziness.
15. You never make it to your destination if you constantly look back.
14. Leaders MUST lead. If no one follows you, you’re just walking.
13. NEVER associate with a religion you don’t fully understand.
Nothing is more powerful than you determination to succeed.
11. Age ain’t nothing but a number. I know children that act like adults and adults that act like children.
(To be continued…)
Thanks to those who responded about my upcoming birthday party. If anyone is still on the fence, you need to go ahead and come. You’ll have plenty of fun. Plus it will help me with my documentary. It’s next Saturday November 22 at 9pm. For more info, reply to this email.
“A stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.” - Bertrand Russell
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
*Word you’ve never heard…
circumspect /SER-kum-spekt/ adj. - careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Catalyst
Hello All,
So many topics, so little time. First things first, I’d like to congratulate America on electing its next President. By voting Barack Obama in for our nation’s highest office, we have officially matured as a nation and should be proud. I won’t elaborate any more on how much this event impacts our everyday lives. Everything that needs to be said has already been stated. I can’t bring anything new to the discussion so I’ll move on with today’s topic.
This month I will be turning 30 years old. I don’t have the dread that some of my peers experience. I actually look forward to it. I feel more like a grown man, a distinguished gentleman if you will. Anyway, to commemorate this momentous occasion I will be having a birthday event on Saturday November 22 at Social (www.socialintown.com) and YOU’RE ALL INVITED! For more info, you can either reply to this email or you can go to my website and click on the calendar. To celebrate my 30th birthday I have developed another Cata-List. These are 30 things I’ve learned in 30 years. These statements ring true from the skyscrapers of Atlanta to the *velds of South Africa. I will be counting down starting at 30 (in no particular order).
30. Your happiness comes first. This may sound selfish but if you put others happiness before your own, you’ll soon burn out.
29. Desire and discipline are the main ingredients of success.
28. Right/wrong and good/evil depends on your personal experiences. Never be ashamed of who you are or who you choose to be.
27. Parents/Teachers/Pastors aren’t always right. Listen cautiously.
26. It’s easier to love than hate. Holding grudges is petty, unproductive, and somewhat arrogant. Forgive him/her and move on.
25. Question everything. God gave you reason for a reason.
24. The beginning of wisdom is recognizing how much you DON’T know.
23. People that start with you won’t always finish with you.
22. Cell phones and cable TV are NOT necessities.
21. Sometimes doing good doesn’t do any good.
(To be continued next week…)
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
*Word you’ve never heard…
veld /velt/ noun - a grassland especially of southern Africa usually with scattered shrubs or trees
So many topics, so little time. First things first, I’d like to congratulate America on electing its next President. By voting Barack Obama in for our nation’s highest office, we have officially matured as a nation and should be proud. I won’t elaborate any more on how much this event impacts our everyday lives. Everything that needs to be said has already been stated. I can’t bring anything new to the discussion so I’ll move on with today’s topic.
This month I will be turning 30 years old. I don’t have the dread that some of my peers experience. I actually look forward to it. I feel more like a grown man, a distinguished gentleman if you will. Anyway, to commemorate this momentous occasion I will be having a birthday event on Saturday November 22 at Social (www.socialintown.com) and YOU’RE ALL INVITED! For more info, you can either reply to this email or you can go to my website and click on the calendar. To celebrate my 30th birthday I have developed another Cata-List. These are 30 things I’ve learned in 30 years. These statements ring true from the skyscrapers of Atlanta to the *velds of South Africa. I will be counting down starting at 30 (in no particular order).
30. Your happiness comes first. This may sound selfish but if you put others happiness before your own, you’ll soon burn out.
29. Desire and discipline are the main ingredients of success.
28. Right/wrong and good/evil depends on your personal experiences. Never be ashamed of who you are or who you choose to be.
27. Parents/Teachers/Pastors aren’t always right. Listen cautiously.
26. It’s easier to love than hate. Holding grudges is petty, unproductive, and somewhat arrogant. Forgive him/her and move on.
25. Question everything. God gave you reason for a reason.
24. The beginning of wisdom is recognizing how much you DON’T know.
23. People that start with you won’t always finish with you.
22. Cell phones and cable TV are NOT necessities.
21. Sometimes doing good doesn’t do any good.
(To be continued next week…)
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
*Word you’ve never heard…
veld /velt/ noun - a grassland especially of southern Africa usually with scattered shrubs or trees
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