The Revitalization of my Life-Day 48

I've heard many people say "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" and every time I hear this I think to myself do people really take this piece of advice seriously? Well I must admit; I didn't. I was pigheaded and thought I knew everything. If I got lemons I always threw them away. If I wanted lemonade, I would just go buy some that's already made. Why would I sit down cut them up, squeeze them and then not have enough just for one glass. I was not about to go through all of this when I could just go to the store and get some.

Little did I know that at the age of 31 I would really realize exactly what this phrase meant. The other day while I was washing dishes I had an epiphany. My wife has this thing called a Vidalia chopping wizard or something like that. Anyway, it's a device that makes chopping onions easier for those who cook a lot. It works really well let my wife tell it. It makes getting meals done more satisfying for her. Well, there is a slight problem with it. It's very hard to clean. You have to get a knife and get all of the excess onions from between the nooks and crannies of the device. This doesn't bother her at all because she is not the one that washes the dishes all the time. I decided that I would tell her that we needed to get rid of it and find something else. She looked at me and said, "No" because it made cooking easier for her. Well since I didn't cook and I love to eat her meals, I just had to deal with it. But every time she would use it I would just cringe as it took me several minutes to clean this device.

Well, as I was cleaning it this past time, I started thinking as I was cleaning it. I started thinking about things that were on my mind and things I had to do and by the time I finished my thoughts, i was done cleaning. I sat the device on the counter and started smiling. I had found a way to turn my lemons into lemonade. I used the time that I spent on cleaning this device to clear my head. Never in a million years would I have thought that this device would end up teaching me a lesson.

Sometimes we need to take some time and really think about why something is bothering us. Even when we think that it's worth the fight or fuss, it just might not be. Just because it's a thorn in your side doesn't mean that it doesn’t have a beautiful rose attached to it. Take the time today to really evaluate the lemons in your life. You just might be able to make more than lemonade out of them; you might be able to make love out them!


"When life gives you lemons make love out of them!"-K.J Swint

The Revitalization of my Life-Day 47

So today is Thanksgiving and I would like to say Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Why am I posting to my blog on Thanksgiving; because I have to go to work this morning. But I am not discouraged at all. I am very thankful. This time last year I was working a job that I just didn't like at all. I had to be out in the cold the entire time that I worked. The year before that, I didn't even have a job. I was sleeping on the sofa in my aunt and uncles house. I am 6'3" and the sofa was 6'0". That was 2008. I woke up that year crying uncontrollably. To this day, I can't tell you why I was crying but I think it was because of the situation that I was in. I was so use to taking care of myself and depending on no one but me that I couldn't handle depending on others to take care of me. I never told a soul until now. Most people would probably be ashamed to tell this about themselves, but I'm not. I am never ashamed about anything that God has brought me through. I think it would be less of me not to tell because it may just help someone get through it just as I did.

Now one thing I can tell you about that sofa I slept on is that it was comfortable. How can a sofa that was not equipped to withstand someone of my height be comfortable? I think the reason why that sofa was so comfortable was because my aunt and uncle offered it to me with love. Any time you put love on anything that makes it just that much better. I never had back pains and they never complained about me sleeping on it.

This is what Thanksgiving is about to me. It's about family and friends doing for each other just because. Coming together to forget about the pains, the problems and the lies. Forget about the hard times, layoffs, and financial situations. Forget about the bad relationships, bad marriages, and lost loved ones. This time is all about remembering the good in life. The laughter that Uncle Willie brings every time he comes around during the holidays (everybody has an Uncle Willie, everybody!).

Today, I am thankful for my family and they know it. I am thankful just to have them in my life. Even the ones that I don't see often and the ones that can't even talk. I thank God every day for these people and also for the people that are not a part of my family-my friends.

So today, take a load off and just relax with the ones you love. Let all of the anger and issues go for today. Let love take over your heart and kindness over your soul. Give thanks for just being able to be around family that really love you for nothing more than you being you.


"There is something that you can always give no matter how broke you are-a hug, a smile, and love"-K.J Swint

The Revitalization of my Life-Day 46

Today was just like yesterday. I woke up feeling good and I woke up early time I changed up my routine. I decided that I wanted to take a shower before I went to Starbucks. When I got in the shower I started thinking of how good it felt to take a shower in the early AM. I was thinking about those that didn't have a shower and I just thanked God for giving me the opportunity to be able to take a nice hot shower on a cool morning.

We take the little things in life that mean a lot for granted. Things like showers, and hot meals and loved ones. All of these are of importance but we don't treat them as they are. We never take time to just enjoy them. Every year around the holidays, I get excited. Not because you get days off from work or because of the gift giving and food. I get excited because of the time that I get to spend with my family. Its a joy to see my loved ones come together under the same roof. When we are all together, I take a few moments to myself and just look at everyone when no one is paying me any attention. This is my way of taking a mental picture of the happiest moments of my life

When I started this revitalization it was mainly for exercising. But what I have come to learn is that the mind needs to be exercised just as well.

Take the time to enjoy the small things in life that have a big impact on it. Don't spend all of your time focusing on what you don't have, but rather what you do have and the happiness that it brings. You will be amazed at what happens to the things that you are worrying about, truly amazed!

"Love what you love and love what you don't love; either way you will never go wrong"-K.J Swint

The Revitalization of my Life-Day 45

I must say that today felt like is was going to be normal but turns out it wasn't. I woke up a little early than usually so I decided to go by Starbucks and get me a cup of java and read the novel Eat Pray Love. I got there and I must say that it was usual as any other morning. The starbucks associate asked me if I was having my usual and I told her yes. She fixed it and I sat down and began to enjoy my coffee and literature. As I was reading it I started to get this feeling like I had been in this moment before. Then it hit me. This had been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. I had always wanted to go to a coffee shop before I went to work to have a cup of coffee while I read a book. I thought that this would be so relaxing to do. As a child I thought that this made you smarter.

I was truly amazed that I had fulfilled a childhood dream of mine and didn't even recognize it. I got excited. I couldn't wait to get to this blog and blog about the incident. Some people don't understand why we do the things we do some time. They are always thinking that we should stick to the norm because the norm can keep you stable and carry you further than if you step outside of that normal box. Well, I step outside that box a long time ago and people are still looking at me as if I am crazy some times but it feels good to be doing what you have always dreamed of doing. Even if your dream is a simple as having coffee and reading a book before you go to work.

"Whether your dreams are big or small it doesn't matter as long as they exist and you strive to reach them...just keep dreaming"-K.J Swint

The Revitalization of my Life-Day 44

I am beginning to realize that Life is an ongoing event. The minute you think that you have it together or something seems complete, something happens and here comes a new adventure for you to tackle. I awoke this morning feeling good but feeling bad. I have a few projects that I needed to work on but didn't do this weekend. I only had one day off (Sunday) and I spent it doing nothing. My wife and I laid in the bed all morning just watching television. It felt great physically, but mentally it was bothering me. I feel as if I need to utilize all of my free time. This way, I can have more time to relax when the opportunity presents itself.

I think this is how a lot of people feel. They want to accomplish all of their goals in a timely manner and then they can relax. Well, I think God designed us a little differently than what we think. As I was resting yesterday, I started thinking to myself that I was just being lazy. I remembered the statement that my great grandmother always made-Laziness will kill you. I got a little discourage and I was a little ashamed at myself. But then as I was laying there thinking, the thought of the creation of the world crossed my mind. I remembered that part in the bible where it stated that on the sabbath, he rested. This made me think, if God can rest after creating the world, then surly his children can.

Its ok for us to rest as long as we are doing work that deserves a break. Sometimes, this is all we need in order to get us back on the right track. Its not about how much we can do in a short period of time but rather the quality of what we have done in the short time we were given. Take a little time and rest. If God could rest after six days of work, then we certainly can. We are suppose to follow his lead.

"Resting is the best medication that the doctor could ever prescribe"-K.J Swint

The Revitalization of my Life-Day 43

Today, I must say that I feel really good. I accomplish some goals that I had set for last night and I am up and at it early today. As I stated yesterday, it's hard getting adjusted to the weather but once you push yourself and just get at it, you are good to go. As we speak I am in my living room with no heat on typing on my computer. I think this takes real dedication. My wife believes in saving so I have to abide by her rules!

I was about to roll over and just go back to sleep and get up at my usual time when this voice kept speaking to me. It sounded familiar but I was like, it can wait until I get up. Then it kept on saying the same thing over and over and I just couldn't ignore it. So I got up and then it hit me why the voice sounded so familiar. It was the voice of my great grandmother whom is deceased. When I was younger she would always tell me, "Laziness will kill you." I never understood it then, but now I know exactly what she is talking about. This is what the voice was saying to me over and over. Well, she was so right. Laziness will kill you if you let it. If you keep putting off what you need to do because you are lazy you will eventually miss out on a lot and your dreams and aspirations will die. I think this is what my great grandmother was actually saying. You have to get off of your tail and get to moving or laziness will get the best of you. It will make you feel as if you need to be lazy when you don't. There is a time and a place for everything as the bible says. There is even a time to be lazy. But that time only occurs after the labor has been plenty and the body needs rest to replenish its energy to endure more labor to achieve more goals.

Don't let laziness set in with you. Get up right now. I know it's cold and the bed feels so good, but you have to begin your journey somewhere. You can't start at the top at every point in your life and not everything is going to be handed to you. You have to go get some things yourself. If I can get up and blog in a cold house, you can definitely do whatever it is that you need to do.

"Laziness will kill you"-K.J Swint (Catherine Burks)

The Revitalization of my Life-Day 42

Today was one of those days where I didn't feel like getting up. I layed in bed longer than I should have. But once I got up, I was good. Then I started thinking to myself,"why is it so hard to get out of bed in the winter time versus the summer?" I pondered and pondered and came to the conclusion that it all has to do with temperature.

Our body is set at 98.6 degrees. In the summer time, the weather is closer to our body tempt which makes it easier for us to adapt. But the winter is different, our bodies have to make a major adjustment because of the tempt difference.Especially in the morning when its the coldest.

This is who life is. We have to get adjusted before we can make any moves. In order to do this we have to know our surroundings and prepare ourselves. We have to make sure we have the right clothing and that our home has the installation that it needs to keep our bodies warm. Once we get adjusted, we are good to go. Its hard, but just think about the upside; winter is only a season and after its over with, spring is here. In the season of despair, look forward to the season of fruitfulness.

"When seasons begin to change so should you"-K.J Swint

The Revitalization of my Life--Day 41

Today, I start yet another early morning trying to break the cycle. I woke up early this morning and couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to take advantage of the extra time. When I started getting ready, I noticed that I was looking a little rugged so I decided to trim myself up a little. You see, I am growing a beard and it is not easy to have. You have to maintain it in order to make yourself look presentable. While I was trimming it and lining it up, I had this crazy thought. I started thinking about life. I know that it's weird to think about life while trimming your beard, but I did. I started thinking about how it takes time to get things within our life done. Just like the growing of my beard. In the first stage, you have to get through the itching and the looking rough. It's never easy starting anything. Not even a beard. Then the next phase is smooth sailing. Once you get a little growth, you tend to look better because no longer do you have a five o'clock shadow, you have definition and it's not rough looking. At this stage, I love it. But then comes the next phase. This is the most crucial stage of them all. Once the beard gets to the point where you have to maintain it by combing it and trimming it more often so that you can look presentable; its trouble. This is the phase where most people cut it off. It becomes too much trouble. No one wants to spend a little time grooming a beard, especially a man.

This is just like the goals in our life. At certain points, they get to be too much. Once we achieve them we have to maintain them. Maintaining our success can sometimes be harder than getting there. When I say success, I am talking about everything and anything that you have succeeded at. Maintaining weight loss, it's harder than actually losing weight. Maintaining a healthy marriage is harder than the courtship. All of these things are harder once you get them but there is a key to making it easier. The key to maintaining your success is remembering. Remember how you were before you succeeded. Remember what you had to endure to obtain your success. Remember how you felt before the success. Then ask yourself, "Do you really want to go back to being the way you use to be?" This thought will rejuvenate you desire to maintain and it will make your maintenance seem like nothing compared to what you had to do to get to maintaining.

I know that this is a weird comparison, but I had to speak about what I know and I know about growing a beard. If you are a woman just substitute the beard with your hair and substitute growing with getting done. You might be able to better understand it then. Main point, don't let the maintenance of your success destroy the actual success that has been achieved. Take it by the horns and just do it. Keep it up and then one day you will realize that the maintenance is no more than a simple part of your daily routine that doesn't really require as much effort as you thought...remember to remember!

"Don't let the maintenance of your success destroy the actual success that was achieved"-K.J Swint

The Revitilazation of my Life--Day 40

Only a few hours of sleep and I am back at it again. I was so inspired by the post that I made last night that I decided to get started on my mission bright and early this morning. After I made the post last night, I starting thinking about my life and all that I have been through. I thought about the good times and the bad times. I thought about all of the people that I have met over the years that I am still friends with to this day. I took all of these thoughts and made them into one big thought of inspiration. I let the joy of my past be the motivation for my future. I realized that the joy outweighed the pain and it made me feel so much better. It actually made me feel so good that I got up at 5am and begin working on my projects.

I am on a mission to make my life better. I didn't say that this mission was going to be easy, but I am going to put all that I have into making it happen. No matter what happens within my life, I will continue this journey until I complete it. You should make this same vow to yourself. Don't let situations stop you from accomplishing whatever it is you want to accomplish. Take on the challenge and in the end it will be well worth it. Just think about it, your parents dealt with all that you put them through but they never gave up on you so don't give up on yourself. And then to, God puts up with all of our lies, unfaithfulness, and backsliding but he never lets us go. Even when we let ourselves go, he is always there. Get up and get started on revitalizing your life right now. You have to sacrifice something in order to make a change in your life. I'm sacrificing sleep because I don't have to be to work until 12:30 pm and I have been at Starbucks since 7am. My bed was calling me, but my will to finish was yelling too loud for me to hear the bed. Is your will yelling?

"Get back to living life and stop letting life live you!"-K.J Swint

The Revitalization of my Life--Day 39

Well, I am back again. Today for the first time in over a month I worked out. Today is also the first time that I have posted anything in a while. I fell off but I didn't give up. I made my usual run around the neighborhood broke a sweat, took a shower and now here I am. While I was running I had a lot on my mind because a lot has happened since I last posted to this blog. I had a few projects to come up that needed some attention which took up a lot of my time. Then I had to take care of home, which for anyone who is married, knows that this takes up more than enough time. During my run I started thinking about all of the people who start off doing something and never finish what they start and then move on to something else. I then asked myself is that me? Am I a starter that never finishes? Am I that person that loves to move to the next project before finishing the first?

As I took a deep breath and started into deep thought, I noticed that I had all the signs of being "that person." Just about everything that I start I never finish. I have started on three different novels and I have never finished one. There are many projects that I have right now that I haven't finished and I started on them months ago. I have become the person that I despise. But how do I break this vicious cycle? How can I become a finisher instead of a starter? I guess expressing myself as I am doing now is the first step. The next step should be to write out all of my projects and set a date to finish them. Then work on each project each day until it's done. But what happens when I get side tracked? Take a break and do nothing until I get my focus back and then go at hard.

Life is easy; we just make it harder than what it's supposed to be. I read in the Bible once that God gave us life to have abundantly (or something like that). In other words, he gave us life to enjoy. His intentions were not for us to have a hectic life. He already knew that we were going to have challenges, so that's why he gave us a guide (the Bible) so that we would be prepared for it. The majority of the problems that we have are caused by use, not him. We try to veer away from what we should be doing and do our own thing and end up in messed up situations. Whether it be financial, spiritual, or emotional we do it to ourselves. Some problems are out of our control and those are the challenges that I spoke of earlier. Those are the things that God knew we were going to face. The other stuff, he figured we would do but gave us a choice whether to take the hard road or travel the road he paved for us. This is the reason that he is so merciful and forgiving.

I said all of that to say, it's never too late to start and when you start something, make it your business to finish. Don't let situations get in your way because situations are always going to be there. It's time to take your life back and live it the way you want and the way God designed for you to...get back to living life and stop letting life live you!

"Get back to living life and stop letting life live you!"-K.J Swint