Well, it's been one month to the day since I last made to this blog. A lot has changed since then. Let's see...where should I begin? Oh, yea, I started a new job, I launched my new company (Phase 2 Solutins, LLC) and I was offered and opportunity to be a guest blooger for the Shelby Humane Society’s ornament sale. Yes a lot has been going on and I am just at the point where I can get back to my normal part of my life, writing (blogging). I must tell you all that things have been happening very fast. One day someone will call and ask me to design a website, the next day I get called and offered a job and then the next day another person will call and ask me to design a website. It's been just like that for the past month. And believe me when I tell you all that I am not complaining because this is exactly what I want. I am just glad that I was prepared for all of it. I put myself in a position to be able to handle things if they got hectic. I was told by a good friend of mine that success happens when preparation meets opportunity. Every since he told me this, I have been making sure that I am ahead of things and not just on top of them.
All of this blogging, writing and web desiging is paying off. But only because I prepared myself. I put myself in the position to become what I am becoming...a successful business man. Scratch that...a successful MAN! When know one was looking and while everyone was sleep, I was preparing myself. When all of my friends were hanging out at bars and going to parties, I was preparing myself. You can't sit and wait for things to happen and then get ready. You have to be ready before it ever happens. This is what I have been preaching throughout my blog. And I am one of those people who practice what he preaches. I am not tooting my own horn, but I am excited about what has and is happening to me. Even though everything I am speaking of is on a low scale, it's very HIGH to me because I see beyond today. I see it being bigger than what it is because of the EFFORT I will and have put into it. This will only give me more fuel to keep driving towrds that goal that I have set.
If this doesn't motivate you to get up, get out and get something, I don't know what will. You all have seen me go from jobless to where I am now. You have to take advantage of what you have. God has given you so mant tools and opportunity and you are not using them and that's the reason why you haven't gotten the promotion you want. That's why you haven't gotten that house or car you want. That's why you haven't been able to start that business you wanted to start. It's all because you havn't used what he has given you to get a little closer to what you have been desiring. If you don't know where to begin let me give you a little help. He gave you a mind and the ability to think, use that first and watch what he will do for you! You don't need a lump sum of money. I didn't have it and neither did many of the people who are very successful business owners. All you need are books, which you can read for FREE at Barnes and Noble or check out at the library for FREE and EFFORT, that thing that you use when you really want something, like a pair of shoes, a purse or for the guys, tools or a car. Once you realize how much you can accomplish by reading, you will be amazed. So, get off your tail (that's not what I really wanted to say) and get to getting! I have given you the advice, now it's up to you what you do with it.
P.S. You are the only person holding you back from whatever it is you want!
K.J Swint
Friday, December 9, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 123-Change 52
Well, this morning is yet another awesome morning. I woke up feeling good so I decided to treat myself to breakfast. I'm off so why not. I decided to go to The Egg & I (its in Hoover right across from where Walmart use to be on Hwy 31). I am still here but once I leave, I am headed to Barnes and Noble to work on my articles and novel. Yes it my day off but yet I am still putting in a lot of time and effort to make things happen for myself.
When I heard someone say that when you do something you love its not work, I never imagined I would experience it. And it is so true. I spend a lot of time writing and designing websites and not once do I ever get tired of doing it. I utilize my blackberry to the fullest. I take notes, I write quotes and from time to time I even post to my blog from it. I absolutely love to write. The reason why I am expressing this is because believe it or not I just realized how much I really enjoy writing and being creative (web design). I woke up yesterday morning with this feeling that I just can't describe. It was almost like I was a new person. My desire to write was greater than its ever been. My focus was a whole lot better. Its more to it than just what I am saying but I just can't put it into words.
When I got off work yesterday, I stopped by Bonefish Grill to have a drink to relax myself because I was letting the pressure of getting everything done quickly overwhelm me. Usually when I get like this, I can't write at all. Well,while I was there the bartender said "you look like you have a lot on your mind." I told him that I did and as soon as I said that, I picked up my phone and began writing everything that was on my mind. I ended up writing a poem, an article and my own personal slogan (which I will share later). I did this within the time frame it takes the average person to drink two beers. After I finished the beers, I took off and headed home.
When you feel like you can't get certain things done because of certain circumstances just ask yourself this question,"Can I just drop what I'm doing now and get what I need to get done, done?" If you answer yes to this question, you have no excuse for doing what you want and NEED to do. I could have easily just went home and laid on the couch, watched tv and gone to sleep. But I didn't. I used the time when I was drinking beers to make life better for myself. Use the time that you have to get things done. This might mean cutting the tv off and not watching your favorite show. Now ask your self this question,"Does your favorite show provide any input on getting the things done that NEED to get done according to your life-work load?" The answer to that question is NO. If its not adding, then why is it a must that you watch it over getting things done that NEED to be done? Once you figure this out, you are well on your way to changing your life tremendously!
-K.J Swint
When I heard someone say that when you do something you love its not work, I never imagined I would experience it. And it is so true. I spend a lot of time writing and designing websites and not once do I ever get tired of doing it. I utilize my blackberry to the fullest. I take notes, I write quotes and from time to time I even post to my blog from it. I absolutely love to write. The reason why I am expressing this is because believe it or not I just realized how much I really enjoy writing and being creative (web design). I woke up yesterday morning with this feeling that I just can't describe. It was almost like I was a new person. My desire to write was greater than its ever been. My focus was a whole lot better. Its more to it than just what I am saying but I just can't put it into words.
When I got off work yesterday, I stopped by Bonefish Grill to have a drink to relax myself because I was letting the pressure of getting everything done quickly overwhelm me. Usually when I get like this, I can't write at all. Well,while I was there the bartender said "you look like you have a lot on your mind." I told him that I did and as soon as I said that, I picked up my phone and began writing everything that was on my mind. I ended up writing a poem, an article and my own personal slogan (which I will share later). I did this within the time frame it takes the average person to drink two beers. After I finished the beers, I took off and headed home.
When you feel like you can't get certain things done because of certain circumstances just ask yourself this question,"Can I just drop what I'm doing now and get what I need to get done, done?" If you answer yes to this question, you have no excuse for doing what you want and NEED to do. I could have easily just went home and laid on the couch, watched tv and gone to sleep. But I didn't. I used the time when I was drinking beers to make life better for myself. Use the time that you have to get things done. This might mean cutting the tv off and not watching your favorite show. Now ask your self this question,"Does your favorite show provide any input on getting the things done that NEED to get done according to your life-work load?" The answer to that question is NO. If its not adding, then why is it a must that you watch it over getting things done that NEED to be done? Once you figure this out, you are well on your way to changing your life tremendously!
-K.J Swint
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 122-Change 51
Woke up this morning feeling refreshed. I had my meditation time but I didn't work out. I plan on running this evening because I have a few things on my plate this morning. The reason why I woke up this morning feeling so refreshed was because of something that happened yesterday evening. While I was at work, a guy, whom went to the same high school with, passed by me and spoke. I didn't think anything of it, bt I did notice that he had this look on his face like he wanted to say something. I went on with assisting one of my customers. He walked by again and this time he just stopped and interupted me and said, "I'm sorry to interupt, but I just have to tell you to keep doing what you do. I read your note on facebook titled, "Stop Lying To Yourself" and it did something to me. I started my own business man and I just wanted to tell you that. Keep writing!" I was floored. He gave me a business card and off he went. I was so excited that I wanted to quit my job right then and go and just write until I couldn't write any more.
If anyone ever wanted to know my purpose for writing, this is it-to help, to inspire and to uplift. Just knowing what I wrote inspired a person enough to get up and start doing something is HUGE and powerful! This is why I am so passionate about putting words on paper or on the computer because I beleive that they can change people for the better. I am getting choked up now just typing it. I never understood when people cried for joy, but now I do. It's like you get so emotional about something that's so good that you can't help but express yourself with a few tears! Below is the note I wrote title Stop Lying To Yourself read it and tell me what you think.
Stop Lying To Yourself
I am sitting in Starbucks doing my usual, writing, when this guy comes buy and starts a conversation with me. We go back and forth talking about the different things we are trying to accomplish. I don't tell too much of what I am trying to do because I am a humble person and I don't want to come off as this "wanna be" type of guy. As we are engaging deeper in this conversation, I tend to notice that everything that he is talking to me about is up in the air. When he tells me about what he is doing, I ask him to show me some of his work and he always said that it was in the works. When he asked me about the things I were involved in, I gave him concrete evidence. I showed him my website and my blog. I also gave him a business card. When the conversation was over, I started thinking. I thought about how most people go through life just like this guy, lying to themselves. This guy knew that he wasn't going to do half of the things that he had mentioned to me. He knew this before he opened his mouth to say the first word to me. I know that everyone wants to be somebody. I know that everyone wants to be that person who does a lot and makes a lot of money doing it. But how can you ever make it lying to yourself?
If a person is lying to themselves to try to make life seem better, they are only hurting themselves because they are surpressing the real them and that can cause problems not only with themselves, but with the people around them. It can cause a marriage to go sour. It can cause friendships to diminsih. If you are not where you want to be in life or are not doing what you want to do in life, please stop lying to yourself about it and start doing something to reach your goal. Being honest might just be the key ingedient to making the first step to achieving your goal. When you talk to someone and be honest with them, they might be able to help you on your way. Lying to them won't warrant help because they will be under the impression that you are already ahead of the game.
Stop lying to yourself and start being honest about what's going on with you. Take the time to be honest and make things happen for the betterment of your life. It's hard for a person to be honest with you when your not honest with yourself.
-K.J Swint
If anyone ever wanted to know my purpose for writing, this is it-to help, to inspire and to uplift. Just knowing what I wrote inspired a person enough to get up and start doing something is HUGE and powerful! This is why I am so passionate about putting words on paper or on the computer because I beleive that they can change people for the better. I am getting choked up now just typing it. I never understood when people cried for joy, but now I do. It's like you get so emotional about something that's so good that you can't help but express yourself with a few tears! Below is the note I wrote title Stop Lying To Yourself read it and tell me what you think.
Stop Lying To Yourself
I am sitting in Starbucks doing my usual, writing, when this guy comes buy and starts a conversation with me. We go back and forth talking about the different things we are trying to accomplish. I don't tell too much of what I am trying to do because I am a humble person and I don't want to come off as this "wanna be" type of guy. As we are engaging deeper in this conversation, I tend to notice that everything that he is talking to me about is up in the air. When he tells me about what he is doing, I ask him to show me some of his work and he always said that it was in the works. When he asked me about the things I were involved in, I gave him concrete evidence. I showed him my website and my blog. I also gave him a business card. When the conversation was over, I started thinking. I thought about how most people go through life just like this guy, lying to themselves. This guy knew that he wasn't going to do half of the things that he had mentioned to me. He knew this before he opened his mouth to say the first word to me. I know that everyone wants to be somebody. I know that everyone wants to be that person who does a lot and makes a lot of money doing it. But how can you ever make it lying to yourself?
If a person is lying to themselves to try to make life seem better, they are only hurting themselves because they are surpressing the real them and that can cause problems not only with themselves, but with the people around them. It can cause a marriage to go sour. It can cause friendships to diminsih. If you are not where you want to be in life or are not doing what you want to do in life, please stop lying to yourself about it and start doing something to reach your goal. Being honest might just be the key ingedient to making the first step to achieving your goal. When you talk to someone and be honest with them, they might be able to help you on your way. Lying to them won't warrant help because they will be under the impression that you are already ahead of the game.
Stop lying to yourself and start being honest about what's going on with you. Take the time to be honest and make things happen for the betterment of your life. It's hard for a person to be honest with you when your not honest with yourself.
-K.J Swint
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 121-Change 50
Once again, I am off to a good start. Even though I did sleep in a few minutes longer, I am still up and at it. Well, I guess today I will make my confession. I haven't been excercising and meditating like I should. I have gotten off track due to the high demand on websites in the past month. I have to gain some type of balance so that I can get back on track. Most of my time has been going to either working on websites or working on my novel. There have been times when I could have worked out but I chose not to because I needed to rest. As I am sitting here typing,I am thinking to myself that there is no excuse for NOT working out or meditating. Truth be told, if I really and truly wanted to get these things done, I would have. Time wasn't a factor because I could have just gotten up earlier to get it done.
I must admit that my schedule is tight. But I know that I can still get it done. And if I can get this done, so can you. Most people talk about finding balance within there lives to get things done. Well, I kind of beleive in finding a balance and then again I kind of don't. There are some things in life that you can balance and then there are some things you can't. This depends on the situation. If you have a lot going on within your life and your family needs you more now than they did before, you are going to give them more of your time and that doesn't balance within the eyes of society, but it does balance in the eyes of those who believe in a higher power (for me God). There is no balance when it comes to us and God. The scale is always either deeply up or deeply down. Every now and then it may balance out but for the most part, it's unbalanced.
You just have to do things and keep trucking. Stop trying to balance your time and make sure that you are putting in enough time with that project or with that person. You have to do what you have to do to get things done and that way, you don't have to worry about balance because if your are getting it done, it's balanced. Instead of worrying about balance, utilize your time wisely. I get up two hours early every morning to post to my blog and work on my book and websites. Some times when I get off work, I will work on my projects, but for the most part I don't. I am at home chilling with my wife. She has my attention when I get home. She has never said to me that I was spending too much time working on any of my projects because I utilize every minute I have. Now do I spend as much time on my projects as I do with my wife, no. That doesn't balance. Some people might read this and think, "hey that's balancing your time." But I think it's a little different.
Utilize your time and stop thinking about making it balance. This will allow you to have more time than you think you have. Trust me I know. I have been married for over a year now and I have completed numerous websites and written numerous poems and hunderds of pages for my novels and not once has my wife complained about me spending too much time on any of this. You might think it's good balance and if you do, that's all good. I just want you to make use of all of your time because it's so precious to those that really enjoy being with you.
-K.J Swint
I must admit that my schedule is tight. But I know that I can still get it done. And if I can get this done, so can you. Most people talk about finding balance within there lives to get things done. Well, I kind of beleive in finding a balance and then again I kind of don't. There are some things in life that you can balance and then there are some things you can't. This depends on the situation. If you have a lot going on within your life and your family needs you more now than they did before, you are going to give them more of your time and that doesn't balance within the eyes of society, but it does balance in the eyes of those who believe in a higher power (for me God). There is no balance when it comes to us and God. The scale is always either deeply up or deeply down. Every now and then it may balance out but for the most part, it's unbalanced.
You just have to do things and keep trucking. Stop trying to balance your time and make sure that you are putting in enough time with that project or with that person. You have to do what you have to do to get things done and that way, you don't have to worry about balance because if your are getting it done, it's balanced. Instead of worrying about balance, utilize your time wisely. I get up two hours early every morning to post to my blog and work on my book and websites. Some times when I get off work, I will work on my projects, but for the most part I don't. I am at home chilling with my wife. She has my attention when I get home. She has never said to me that I was spending too much time working on any of my projects because I utilize every minute I have. Now do I spend as much time on my projects as I do with my wife, no. That doesn't balance. Some people might read this and think, "hey that's balancing your time." But I think it's a little different.
Utilize your time and stop thinking about making it balance. This will allow you to have more time than you think you have. Trust me I know. I have been married for over a year now and I have completed numerous websites and written numerous poems and hunderds of pages for my novels and not once has my wife complained about me spending too much time on any of this. You might think it's good balance and if you do, that's all good. I just want you to make use of all of your time because it's so precious to those that really enjoy being with you.
-K.J Swint
Monday, October 31, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 120-Change 49
Now it's back to the real world. My vacation is over and work here I come! I must say that a week off from work is always good. Even though while I was off, I was still working. But it's a little different when you're working for yourself and you really enjoy what you are doing. I love being creative and designing websites and when I am doing it, it doesn't feel like work at all. Even though sometimes I get frustrated and things don't go according to plan, I still enjoy it! Also, last week was Classic week. I didn't plan on participating in any of the events because I had a few websites to get done and I wanted to utilize my time off. Well, with my hard work and strick schedule, I finished everything by Friday night and I got a chance to let my hair down. I alomost felt a little guilty, but I had to tell myself that everyone needs to take a break every now and then.
While I was out tailgating on Saturday, I got a chance to just reflect on life. I was sitting around thousands of people just having a good time and enjoying good company. I got a chance to see people I hadn't seen in a few years and it just felt good. I took my pen and notepad out there with me to jot down some notes for my novel and articles, but I never wrote one word. I was so taken by the comradery between everyone, until I just wanted to enjoy the memory in my head and not on paper. I figured I could write it down after I experience it. This experience made me realize that we, as a people, can come together and just have a good time without any of the extra (fussing, fighting, hatred, etc.). It's all about mind set. If you place within your mind that you are going to just have a good time and not focus on any of the negative things in life and around you, it can happen. While we were out tailgating, I noticed that was everyones motive. Even when situations occured, it was defused very quickly or ignored.
Even though this event comes only once a year, that doesn't mean that this is the only time we can have this type of comradery with each other. Events don't define our happiness and good moments. We do. We control how we act and who we are. If you participated in the Classic events or any event that caused joy to you, I want you to take this vow today. Take the vow to have the same tenacity and happiness that you had for the event and channel it into your everyday life and do something equivalent just one day a week. If you think this is too much because of your schedule, I will let you off the hook and say once a month for you. If you went out and had a good time with old friends, go out again and have fun with either new friends or existing friends. If you went out and bought and outfit and made sure that you were looking good, don't go out and buy an outfit every week. But you can spruce yourself up and look good for either your spouse, significant other or yourself.
You can't let events or moments define your happiness. Happiness is defined by you. You determine how you feel. Once you get control of this, you will see that life is worth more than you value it at. Take the vow and watch how your life changes in just a few weeks. If you don't believe me, prove me wrong and try it. If it doesn't work, I will buy you a cup of coffee from Starbucks for a week! Sorry, I'm not Oprah...I can't offer an ipad....not YET!!!
-K.J Swint
While I was out tailgating on Saturday, I got a chance to just reflect on life. I was sitting around thousands of people just having a good time and enjoying good company. I got a chance to see people I hadn't seen in a few years and it just felt good. I took my pen and notepad out there with me to jot down some notes for my novel and articles, but I never wrote one word. I was so taken by the comradery between everyone, until I just wanted to enjoy the memory in my head and not on paper. I figured I could write it down after I experience it. This experience made me realize that we, as a people, can come together and just have a good time without any of the extra (fussing, fighting, hatred, etc.). It's all about mind set. If you place within your mind that you are going to just have a good time and not focus on any of the negative things in life and around you, it can happen. While we were out tailgating, I noticed that was everyones motive. Even when situations occured, it was defused very quickly or ignored.
Even though this event comes only once a year, that doesn't mean that this is the only time we can have this type of comradery with each other. Events don't define our happiness and good moments. We do. We control how we act and who we are. If you participated in the Classic events or any event that caused joy to you, I want you to take this vow today. Take the vow to have the same tenacity and happiness that you had for the event and channel it into your everyday life and do something equivalent just one day a week. If you think this is too much because of your schedule, I will let you off the hook and say once a month for you. If you went out and had a good time with old friends, go out again and have fun with either new friends or existing friends. If you went out and bought and outfit and made sure that you were looking good, don't go out and buy an outfit every week. But you can spruce yourself up and look good for either your spouse, significant other or yourself.
You can't let events or moments define your happiness. Happiness is defined by you. You determine how you feel. Once you get control of this, you will see that life is worth more than you value it at. Take the vow and watch how your life changes in just a few weeks. If you don't believe me, prove me wrong and try it. If it doesn't work, I will buy you a cup of coffee from Starbucks for a week! Sorry, I'm not Oprah...I can't offer an ipad....not YET!!!
-K.J Swint
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 119-Change 48
WOW! Yesterday was a very fast pace day. I had a few meetings with my website clients and then I had to work on my own website and articles. I was drained. After all of my meetings I wanted to start working on my novel and my articles, but I got overwhelmed with the websites I am working on that I couldn't think striaght. It was like I couldn't get my mind to slow down. I wanted to focus on just one thing and do as much as I could on that one thing and then go to the next thing that was on my list. I just couldn't do it. Around 8pm, I just got in the bed. I felt like i had bitten off more than I could chew. While i was laying there I started thinking about making it and how others made it. I started thinking about those that had none of what I have and made it happen. I'm talking about the Tyler Perry's, Oprah Winfrey's, Harriet Tubman's. All of these people faced the dame issues I'm facing and the only way they made it was by not letting anything stop them.
I immediately got up after all this thinking and jumped in the shower. I just stood there for about 30 minutes and cleared my mind. When my mind was clear, I got out and got on the computer. I starting working on a website and got a good portion of it done. After that, I begin to write and I wrote until I started falling asleep. Now to tell you the truth, when I got in the bed, I couldn't sleep and I just tossed and turned pretty much all night. But I didn't let that stop me this morning either. I knew that I needed to relax so I took myself to breakfast and Egg & I. I sat there and ate peacefully. After that I went to Barnes and Nobles and I am now posting to this blog.
Sometimes things pile up and you feel as if you can't take it, but you have to remember to relax, gather your thoughts and let God take care of what you can't. You have to just do what you can. If you keep pushing, you will find yourself being pushed, not by you, but by God. Just like right now! I am being pushed by God, because if it were up to me, I would still be in the bed telling myself I need to rest because I didn't get any sleep last night. I have every excuse to be at home in the bed right now. I am on vacation. I haven't had any sleep. I have been working very hard on these websites...NO! I refuse to be defeated. I refuse to stand still and let life pass me by. Instead, I am going to get on the same ride as life and ride it out until I can't ride anymore. What are you going to do? Are you going to get on the ride with life, or just let it pass you by?
-K.J Swint
I immediately got up after all this thinking and jumped in the shower. I just stood there for about 30 minutes and cleared my mind. When my mind was clear, I got out and got on the computer. I starting working on a website and got a good portion of it done. After that, I begin to write and I wrote until I started falling asleep. Now to tell you the truth, when I got in the bed, I couldn't sleep and I just tossed and turned pretty much all night. But I didn't let that stop me this morning either. I knew that I needed to relax so I took myself to breakfast and Egg & I. I sat there and ate peacefully. After that I went to Barnes and Nobles and I am now posting to this blog.
Sometimes things pile up and you feel as if you can't take it, but you have to remember to relax, gather your thoughts and let God take care of what you can't. You have to just do what you can. If you keep pushing, you will find yourself being pushed, not by you, but by God. Just like right now! I am being pushed by God, because if it were up to me, I would still be in the bed telling myself I need to rest because I didn't get any sleep last night. I have every excuse to be at home in the bed right now. I am on vacation. I haven't had any sleep. I have been working very hard on these websites...NO! I refuse to be defeated. I refuse to stand still and let life pass me by. Instead, I am going to get on the same ride as life and ride it out until I can't ride anymore. What are you going to do? Are you going to get on the ride with life, or just let it pass you by?
-K.J Swint
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The Revitalization of my life-Day 118-Change 47
Well, I am very glad to inform you all that I finished a website yesterday but I didn't get to work on my novel very much. And there is a good reason why I didn't. A few weeks ago I received an email from an old high school friend that informed me that her mother was dieing from cancer and the doctor told her that she only had 30 days to live. She asked me if I would write two poems for her. One to put in the obituary and one for her to read at the funeral. After reading the email, I was taken back a little. It really hit home because I lost my mother at a very early age and my great grandmother when I was a teenager and I know how it is. Well, on yesterday she texted me and told me that she had passed away. It really did something to me. I immediately start thinking about what it felt like when my mother and great grandmother passed away. After a few seconds, I jumped on it! I started working on the poems last night because I refused to write them while she was alive.
I played songs that made me think of my mother and great grandmother. I went through about five or six drafts before I finished. She sent me a quick synopsis of what she thought about her mother and some of the things they did. She told me that before they got off the phone with each other they had a saying, "best mother, best daughter." After I had started on the poem, she asked me if I would include this at the end of the poem. But what she didn't know was that I had already done it. I sent her the poems to get her approval and she approved them. Here is one of the poems that I wrote for her...
I played songs that made me think of my mother and great grandmother. I went through about five or six drafts before I finished. She sent me a quick synopsis of what she thought about her mother and some of the things they did. She told me that before they got off the phone with each other they had a saying, "best mother, best daughter." After I had started on the poem, she asked me if I would include this at the end of the poem. But what she didn't know was that I had already done it. I sent her the poems to get her approval and she approved them. Here is one of the poems that I wrote for her...
Best Mother, Best Daughter
Upon faith is where she found her strength
As her love she gave that had no length
Within her soul, there lies the key
To the meaning of giving that’s tranquility
She gladly gave it to set me free
As God did for her and our family
Tears that fall from my eye are not from sorrow
But from the enchantment that she placed upon my tomorrow
Filling my heart with nothing but joy and glee
Giving me the ability to look beyond sight to see
See the beauty of faith that she blessed with love
Not depending on the hands of man but the hands from above
As they touched the soul of a woman that’s oh, so nice
Defeating the battle of the undefeated not once, but twice
Elegance was her scent as she was serenaded with hope
Placing the aroma of strength within the air to help all cope
Deliverance was her song and the tune is carried by grace
Creating a melody within my heart that keeps a smile upon my face
Today, I thank you Lord for all that you did for her
Until next time mom, “Best Mother, Best daughter”
As her love she gave that had no length
Within her soul, there lies the key
To the meaning of giving that’s tranquility
She gladly gave it to set me free
As God did for her and our family
Tears that fall from my eye are not from sorrow
But from the enchantment that she placed upon my tomorrow
Filling my heart with nothing but joy and glee
Giving me the ability to look beyond sight to see
See the beauty of faith that she blessed with love
Not depending on the hands of man but the hands from above
As they touched the soul of a woman that’s oh, so nice
Defeating the battle of the undefeated not once, but twice
Elegance was her scent as she was serenaded with hope
Placing the aroma of strength within the air to help all cope
Deliverance was her song and the tune is carried by grace
Creating a melody within my heart that keeps a smile upon my face
Today, I thank you Lord for all that you did for her
Until next time mom, “Best Mother, Best daughter”
-K.J Swint
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 117-Change 46
Finally, I am on vacation! Yes, I am off for an entire week. Well, I'm off but I still have a lot of work to do. I am at Starbucks right now and I plan on being here until around 3pm. And after I leave here, I plan on going to Barnes and Noble until 10pm. It's rough, but it has to be done. If I plan on making it, and I do, I have to put in the work and this is the only time where I have unlimited time and no constraints. I have 3 websites to complete and hopefully I can get a goood portion of my book done. If I do, I might let you all get a sneak preview of it. But that's only if I can get a good bit done.
Usually I have a story and then advice to follow but today is a little different. I am going to ask you all a question. And I want your honest opinion. I am in the process of trying to write articles for magazines. I have written a few interesting things and posted them on facebook. I've gotten some good responses but my question to you all is if I start writing for a magazine or website would you all read it? I am having a little doubt in my ability to write. I am trying to see if I'm interesting enough to read. I don't know if I will be posting articles everyday or every week or just once a month. I'm just trying to get my foot in the door. I would love it if you all would give me some feedback on this, if not I understand that you might be busy. This is what I will be working on all this week. Sorry for the short post, but I have to get back at it. I have to take advantage of all the time I have. But I will leave you with this thought.
Take advantage of all the time you have and prepare for what you want. A good friend of mine gave me the best advice I can think of, he said, "Success happens when opportunity meets preparation." And that's what I am doing...I am preparing for my opportunity.
-K.J Swint
Usually I have a story and then advice to follow but today is a little different. I am going to ask you all a question. And I want your honest opinion. I am in the process of trying to write articles for magazines. I have written a few interesting things and posted them on facebook. I've gotten some good responses but my question to you all is if I start writing for a magazine or website would you all read it? I am having a little doubt in my ability to write. I am trying to see if I'm interesting enough to read. I don't know if I will be posting articles everyday or every week or just once a month. I'm just trying to get my foot in the door. I would love it if you all would give me some feedback on this, if not I understand that you might be busy. This is what I will be working on all this week. Sorry for the short post, but I have to get back at it. I have to take advantage of all the time I have. But I will leave you with this thought.
Take advantage of all the time you have and prepare for what you want. A good friend of mine gave me the best advice I can think of, he said, "Success happens when opportunity meets preparation." And that's what I am doing...I am preparing for my opportunity.
-K.J Swint
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 116- Change 45
Once again, a GREAT morning it is followed by an interesting night last night. While I was at work I texted my wife to tell her not to worry about fixing me dinner because I was going to stop by BArnes and Noble to work on a website thats due by Saturday. Somewhere within the text, she thought I was doing this because she left her computer at work the night before and I needed it. You see, my computer won't log onto the internet with our wifi device and her's will. It will work with any other wifi device or service except mine. So I have to go to a place that offers free wifi to get any work done. So, I sent my wife a text back explaining my reasoning for going to Barnes and Noble, but I didn't feel as if she really got it. So me being the man that I am, I wanted everything to go over smooth and I didn't want any conflict (I hate unneccessary conflict).
While I was driving home, I was thinking that I should just go home and that way everything will be just fine and she wouldn't think I was trying to be anal about her not bringing her computer home. Well, I was about 5 minutes away from my exit and my mind was made up to go home. I was even in the far left lane. The closer I got to the BArnes and Noble exit, the calmer my spirit got. I started feeling energetic and relaxed all at once. I immediately swerved the car to the right and got off the exit. Granted, I only had two hours to work and sometimes two hours is not a lot of time when your doing web design. I just sat there and told myself that I needed to utilize all the time I had. When I got started, it was unreal. I was working on two websites at once and getting it DONE! I updated one of myu clients site and got a lot of the new site done. I was very impressed with myself. It gets better. When I got home I was a little drained being that I had rreally been working over 12 hours. I didn't even eat anything, I just jumped rigth in the bed because I knew I only had a few hours of rest ahead of me. Right before I closed my eyes, a thought ran through my head and I immediately pickep up my blackberry and started typing. I wrote an article titled The Next Day (if you click on The Next Day it will take you to--it's on my facebook page under my notes just in case your at work)
When you are working hard and trying to do the right thing, sometimes you have to sit back, relax and veer off course and get some things done that need to be done. Put aside the emotional part of the situation and get to the meaning of it. Yes, I could have gone home to make sure everything was ok, but I had a more important task at hand. I had to make a decision and I went with the decision of working on a website. Did I neglect my wife? No, not at all. What I did was "man upped" made a decision that was beneficial to both of us. I am learning that this is a major part of being a man. You have to be able to make sound decisions for your family and your family have to trust that you will make those sound decisions. So, ladies, do you let your man be a man and make those sound decisions that he needs to make or do you try to make them for him
-K.J Swint
While I was driving home, I was thinking that I should just go home and that way everything will be just fine and she wouldn't think I was trying to be anal about her not bringing her computer home. Well, I was about 5 minutes away from my exit and my mind was made up to go home. I was even in the far left lane. The closer I got to the BArnes and Noble exit, the calmer my spirit got. I started feeling energetic and relaxed all at once. I immediately swerved the car to the right and got off the exit. Granted, I only had two hours to work and sometimes two hours is not a lot of time when your doing web design. I just sat there and told myself that I needed to utilize all the time I had. When I got started, it was unreal. I was working on two websites at once and getting it DONE! I updated one of myu clients site and got a lot of the new site done. I was very impressed with myself. It gets better. When I got home I was a little drained being that I had rreally been working over 12 hours. I didn't even eat anything, I just jumped rigth in the bed because I knew I only had a few hours of rest ahead of me. Right before I closed my eyes, a thought ran through my head and I immediately pickep up my blackberry and started typing. I wrote an article titled The Next Day (if you click on The Next Day it will take you to--it's on my facebook page under my notes just in case your at work)
When you are working hard and trying to do the right thing, sometimes you have to sit back, relax and veer off course and get some things done that need to be done. Put aside the emotional part of the situation and get to the meaning of it. Yes, I could have gone home to make sure everything was ok, but I had a more important task at hand. I had to make a decision and I went with the decision of working on a website. Did I neglect my wife? No, not at all. What I did was "man upped" made a decision that was beneficial to both of us. I am learning that this is a major part of being a man. You have to be able to make sound decisions for your family and your family have to trust that you will make those sound decisions. So, ladies, do you let your man be a man and make those sound decisions that he needs to make or do you try to make them for him
-K.J Swint
Monday, October 17, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 115-Change 44
It's Monday and off to a good week. Didn't want to get out of bed because today is my off day. But I got up anyway and now I am at Starbucks trying to make it happen, excuse me for saying that...MAKING it happen. I was taught that you have to speak it into existence. Anyway. So this weekend, I really got out and did some things that I have been trying to do for a while ( a while meaning 3-4 months). I had a meeting with a potential client who wants me to design a website for his church. The meeting was at 10:30am Saturday. After the meeting, which he offered me the bid to do the website, I was feeling good and decided that I needed to visit my family. First I stopped by my grandfather's house to check on him. He just recently had surgery and is now doing much better. After I chit chatted with him for a while, I stopped by my uncle's house (this is the uncle that help raise me). When I got to his house, he was painting and my aunt was fussing telling him he needed to hurry and finish and get her house back in order. Watching them go back and forward fussing is so funny!
While I was there, I had a few drinks (lets just say that these drinks weren't soft drinks!) and we talked for a long time. I also helped him paint...let me stop, no I didn't. If he knew I said that he would laugh his head off because I can't do any laboring work like that around the house. While I was there talking to my uncle about everything from computers to life lessons I started thinking. I was thinking about how every time I go over his house he never ask me to bring anything and no matter how much I eat or drink he never says anything about replenishing what I ate or drank. Then it hit me, that's what family is all about. My uncle doesn't care about food or drinks or money, but what he does care about is his nephew being ok. Wow, I think I got a little emotional there for a minute. This is the reason I am the way that I am. Because I am more in tune with friendship, family and not material things. Material things can come and go and they tend to get old and out dated and a new version usually comes out a few minutes after you purchase them. But memories are one thing that never get old. Moments are part of the memory family and they never get old either. They are just a family that never age.
Take the time to cherish moments and memories because they are worth more than we value them at. I had a GREAT Saturday this weekend and it didn't cost me a dime. The only thing I spent was my time. How are you spending your time?
-K.J Swint
While I was there, I had a few drinks (lets just say that these drinks weren't soft drinks!) and we talked for a long time. I also helped him paint...let me stop, no I didn't. If he knew I said that he would laugh his head off because I can't do any laboring work like that around the house. While I was there talking to my uncle about everything from computers to life lessons I started thinking. I was thinking about how every time I go over his house he never ask me to bring anything and no matter how much I eat or drink he never says anything about replenishing what I ate or drank. Then it hit me, that's what family is all about. My uncle doesn't care about food or drinks or money, but what he does care about is his nephew being ok. Wow, I think I got a little emotional there for a minute. This is the reason I am the way that I am. Because I am more in tune with friendship, family and not material things. Material things can come and go and they tend to get old and out dated and a new version usually comes out a few minutes after you purchase them. But memories are one thing that never get old. Moments are part of the memory family and they never get old either. They are just a family that never age.
Take the time to cherish moments and memories because they are worth more than we value them at. I had a GREAT Saturday this weekend and it didn't cost me a dime. The only thing I spent was my time. How are you spending your time?
-K.J Swint
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 114-Change 43
Once again, another good day and this good day started last night. After I got off work last night, I went home and did my usual thing. I spoke to the wife, got into some comfortable clothes and took Maui (the dog) out. As soon as we got outside, he begin to do his business with no hesitation. I was really proud of him and told him I was. Yes, I talk to my dog as if he is human (don't knock until you have had a house dog...I use to think the same way). After we came back inside, my wife feed him because his stomach was growling. Yes, for a split second I was a bad owner because I didn't feed him and I didn't hear his stomach growling. Thank God for wives! Because he is confined to his cage do to his illness, we put his food in the cage with him right in the front. He usually eats and when he is finish he will just sit there and stare at you as if he was saying, ok I'm done, get this out of my cage. Well, last night he had other things on his mind. I was eating as well not really paying him any attention but I could see him out the corner of my eye. Once he finished his food, he leaped over his food bowl nad ran over beside the couch where I was sitting and sat right beside me.
You might be saying to yourself, 'what's so great about that?' Well, the great thing about it is that a few weeks ago, he could barely mve his back legs because of the disease that he has. That leap of faith he took shows that he is improving. And it also shows that he is tired of being in his cage all the time. It happened so quick until I couldn't beleive it. I yelled for my wife and she couldn't hear me because she had the shower running so I ran into the room and told her to come look. When she got in the living room she was like, what am I looking at. I told her to just look at how everything is and see if you can tell what happened. She just looked like I don't get it. So I told her that he leaped over his food bowl and came and sat beside me. I was like a little kid in a candy store with a hundred dollars. I was so excited that he was improving. I never in a millio years thought that I would be this way about a dog. I let him sit there with me for a while because he had done exceptionally well at improving.
All of this happened because of two things, hard work and prayer. When he first got sick, I was so taken I didn't know what to do. Especially when the doctors told us that the surgery would cost $2500-$3000. When I sat down and thought about what to do, that voice came to me again and said, "just do what you always do and give it to me." But this time I did something I had never done before. I sat beside Maui's cage and placed my hand on him and I begin to pray for him. I must admit, I felt weird doing it, but I knew that it was something that I had to do.
This is how we have to do in our everyday life. We have to work hard at what we are trying to accomplish. God loves to see us putting in effort and time into things that we want to achieve. I think he really likes it when he steps back when something goes wrong and takes his hands away and we fight through it and make it happen. I think that makes him proud of us. Don't give up when things get rough, just use what you have and keep trucking. Work hard at it and pray hard as well and eventually, things will turn around. Just be ready when they do.
-K.J Swint
You might be saying to yourself, 'what's so great about that?' Well, the great thing about it is that a few weeks ago, he could barely mve his back legs because of the disease that he has. That leap of faith he took shows that he is improving. And it also shows that he is tired of being in his cage all the time. It happened so quick until I couldn't beleive it. I yelled for my wife and she couldn't hear me because she had the shower running so I ran into the room and told her to come look. When she got in the living room she was like, what am I looking at. I told her to just look at how everything is and see if you can tell what happened. She just looked like I don't get it. So I told her that he leaped over his food bowl and came and sat beside me. I was like a little kid in a candy store with a hundred dollars. I was so excited that he was improving. I never in a millio years thought that I would be this way about a dog. I let him sit there with me for a while because he had done exceptionally well at improving.
All of this happened because of two things, hard work and prayer. When he first got sick, I was so taken I didn't know what to do. Especially when the doctors told us that the surgery would cost $2500-$3000. When I sat down and thought about what to do, that voice came to me again and said, "just do what you always do and give it to me." But this time I did something I had never done before. I sat beside Maui's cage and placed my hand on him and I begin to pray for him. I must admit, I felt weird doing it, but I knew that it was something that I had to do.
This is how we have to do in our everyday life. We have to work hard at what we are trying to accomplish. God loves to see us putting in effort and time into things that we want to achieve. I think he really likes it when he steps back when something goes wrong and takes his hands away and we fight through it and make it happen. I think that makes him proud of us. Don't give up when things get rough, just use what you have and keep trucking. Work hard at it and pray hard as well and eventually, things will turn around. Just be ready when they do.
-K.J Swint
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 113-Change 42
Yes, I have not posted to my blog in a while and yes there is a reason for it. I have been a little busy trying to get things in order. By things things i mean life issues. The first issue that arose was my dog. He was diagnosed with this common disease within his breed (Datsun). The one true way to get rid of it is surgery. The cost of surgery is $2500-3000. Truth be told, couldn't afford it, so we had to do the next best thing, let nature take it's course and see if he gets better. In the meanwhile we had to continue with his daily routine which is taking him out by hand and sitting with him while he uses the bathroom and help him stand up while he is doing it. This is what has been taking my time away from blogging because he had to get use to using the bathroom a different way. Now, he won't use the bathroom if my wife takes him out...only when I take him out. So now that he has his routine back and his eating schedule is back on pace, I am able to leave home early enough to blog before I go to work.
The other issues that have occured are work related. They've asked us to start coming in earlier and that's not good for me because I get all of my writing done in the mornings and I can't get them done at night because my computer doesn't cooperate with my Sprint wifi device. I need to purchase another computer to make my life a little easier, but I have to wait. I have to take care of home before I take care of myself.
And that's what it's all about...taking care of home before you take care of yourself. My dog and my wife are my family and I have to make sure they are taken care of before anything is done for Kelvin. I have to make sure he has his medicine and goes to the bathroom before I leave for work. I know that he is on a schedule so if the guys want to meet up after work, I have to decline and go home and take care of him. It's only temporary and that's the least I can do for the little guy since he has been so devoted to me. Greeting me every day I get off work and never complaining about anything I do. He never asked me for more than what I was giving him. And if he did, he would only ask for more attention and play time. Make sure that home is taken care of before you take care of yourself and you will see that self will get taken care of just because you put self last and family first. This is how God wants it to be. When you take this action, he notices and will make sure that you are well taken care of. If you don'y believe me, try it. I am back to blogging because I took care of home first. What will you do? Will you take care home before you take care of self?
"Luck can make it happen, hard work is what maintains it"
-K.J Swint
The other issues that have occured are work related. They've asked us to start coming in earlier and that's not good for me because I get all of my writing done in the mornings and I can't get them done at night because my computer doesn't cooperate with my Sprint wifi device. I need to purchase another computer to make my life a little easier, but I have to wait. I have to take care of home before I take care of myself.
And that's what it's all about...taking care of home before you take care of yourself. My dog and my wife are my family and I have to make sure they are taken care of before anything is done for Kelvin. I have to make sure he has his medicine and goes to the bathroom before I leave for work. I know that he is on a schedule so if the guys want to meet up after work, I have to decline and go home and take care of him. It's only temporary and that's the least I can do for the little guy since he has been so devoted to me. Greeting me every day I get off work and never complaining about anything I do. He never asked me for more than what I was giving him. And if he did, he would only ask for more attention and play time. Make sure that home is taken care of before you take care of yourself and you will see that self will get taken care of just because you put self last and family first. This is how God wants it to be. When you take this action, he notices and will make sure that you are well taken care of. If you don'y believe me, try it. I am back to blogging because I took care of home first. What will you do? Will you take care home before you take care of self?
"Luck can make it happen, hard work is what maintains it"
-K.J Swint
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Revitalization of my life-Day 112-Change 41
The past few days have been GREAT! But you know what they always say...when things are going well, it's only a matter of time before the storm comes. Well, that storm started this last Friday for me. I was riding down I-459 feeling good feeling great. I had posted to my blog and gotten a lot of writing done. I guess I was feeling a little too good, because when I looked in my rear view mirror I saw those blue flashing lights. Yep, I got a ticket. State trooper got me doing 83 in a 70. While he was writing my ticket, I was still in a good mood. I told myself that if I weren't doing 83, I would have never got a ticket. I accepted that I had done wrong and I had to pay for it. Once I really got this into my head, I was back on my high again. I smiled at the officer as he gave me my ticket and told him to have a nice day. And I was off to still having a good day after getting a ticket. As the day goes on, I am just feeling great. I am cheering people up with my positive attitude. I even tell them about my ticket and me still feeling good after. A few of them looked at me like, why are you still happy after you get a speeding ticket. I explain to them that you can't let things like that steal your joy. Just face it and keep going.
Then all of a sudden, I get a phone call. It's my wife and she tells me that our dog, Maui can't walk. His back legs were paralyzed. My heart dropped and I didn't know what to do. She took him to the vet and they said that he had this disease that is common within his breed (Datsun). The disease has to do with his spine and he could end up having to have surgery. They gave him some steroids and muscle relaxers and siad that if he doesn't start trying to walk on his hind legs in 3-4 days, then he would need to have surgery. Now I have this ticket and my little man (that's what I call the dog) is sick. Could I still keep my joy? Is it still possible to be happy when you have tragedy to occur like this? My answer is YES! I dugg deep inside of myself to find the goodness in what was going on. I thought to myself that he is still alive and I am thankful for that. Even though he is not himself, he is still here. I got home and comforted him to let him know that I was there for him.
When things like this happen, you can't let it steal your joy. It's ok to be sadden and to feel hurt, but you have to recognize that there is still joy around when there is pain. I think when things like this happen, God see something we don't see. And in order to make it happen (because we are stubborn and won't do like he ask us to do) he takes drastic measures. This is the only way to get our attention sometimes. That's when you see people making a change in their life after something drastic. God, woke them up!
-K.J Swint
Then all of a sudden, I get a phone call. It's my wife and she tells me that our dog, Maui can't walk. His back legs were paralyzed. My heart dropped and I didn't know what to do. She took him to the vet and they said that he had this disease that is common within his breed (Datsun). The disease has to do with his spine and he could end up having to have surgery. They gave him some steroids and muscle relaxers and siad that if he doesn't start trying to walk on his hind legs in 3-4 days, then he would need to have surgery. Now I have this ticket and my little man (that's what I call the dog) is sick. Could I still keep my joy? Is it still possible to be happy when you have tragedy to occur like this? My answer is YES! I dugg deep inside of myself to find the goodness in what was going on. I thought to myself that he is still alive and I am thankful for that. Even though he is not himself, he is still here. I got home and comforted him to let him know that I was there for him.
When things like this happen, you can't let it steal your joy. It's ok to be sadden and to feel hurt, but you have to recognize that there is still joy around when there is pain. I think when things like this happen, God see something we don't see. And in order to make it happen (because we are stubborn and won't do like he ask us to do) he takes drastic measures. This is the only way to get our attention sometimes. That's when you see people making a change in their life after something drastic. God, woke them up!
-K.J Swint
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 111-Change 40
I don't know what's happening, but I like it. Yet, another day that I have this good feeling. There is this calmness about my spirit that I am really enjoying. I don't know if it's because of the meditation that I do or if it has to do with my diet change (I am eating healthier now-Fiber One Cereal and Chicken Noodle Soup & V8 juice). I guess when things are going good there is really no need to figure it out. Just enjoy the feeling (P.S. I do know that whatever the reason is, that voice (God) that I always speak about, has a lot to do with this feeeling of goodness).
Since I am in this good mood, I will feel your spirits with goodness by sharing with you what I encountered last night. I stopped by target on my way home from work. I have started this new mission on buying the cheapest clothes I can find and making them into some of the smoothest outfits I possibly can. I bought two shirts and an old man hat from Target and only paid 6 bucks for it. So far I have only spent 27 dollars and I have a total of two outfits including accessories (socks and hat). Now I just have to use the clothes I already have to make them fly. For the older people that are reading this fly means look good. LOL! While I am paying for my items, I hear this familiar voice behind me and it's an old friend from the neighborhood I grew up in. We chit chatted for a minute and in our conversation, he mentioned that he had started the process of getting a house. I asked him where was it and how it looked and he told me that it hasn't been built yet. He keep going by saying that it wouldn't be finished until January or December. Now I know you're thinking what's the big deal about my friend having a house built. I forgot to tell you that he is only 22.
To help you better understand, I have to give you a little history. His parents and my mother and uncle went to high school together. His father and my uncle became best friends but the weird thing about their friendship is that they were opposite. By them being close friends, they looked out for each other no matter what. When it was time for me to go to college, him and his wife took it upon themselves to help me out. No one asked them to help me, they just felt the need to. I beleive it was because of the relationship that he and my uncle had. Well, the father called my school counselor and told her to check and see if Ihad taken the ACT. I hadn't and didn't really know what it was at that time. I started studying for it and passed it. Then one day during the summer after my senior year, they called me up nad aksed me if I wanted to ride and see the campus of the University of Montevallo. I had no clue as to where this place was and had never heard of it. We drove down there and I took a tour of it and at the end of the tour, they asked me if I wanted to attend. I told them that I didn't care where I went to school I just knew that I needed to go and not stay at home because I felt that I wouldn't accomplish anything. Well, that's all they needed to hear. They paid the deposit for room and board and paid my registration fee. I was taken by this. Now what you have to keep in mind is that I never really talked to them like you are probably thinking. The furthest our conversation had ever gone was hello and goodbye. I remember that day like it was yesterday and I hold that dear to my heart. I think that's why I am so giving. Anyway, I went there and graduated and you know the rest.
So now, here is there son 22 years of age, getting a house built. He has never stayed in an apartment. When he told me I felt proud because of what his mother and father had done for me. He has always been a respectful young man. From time to time when I am talking to him he will say yes sir. I am only ten years old than him, but it just lets me know that he was brought up the right way. It's a blessing to have your child doing things at such a young age. And a lot of people would probably think that the kid was lucky or that his father paid for him to get this home. Well, they would be right in a way. He is paying for it himself. He has a job that he has been working every since he graduated from high school and he is attending (or has greaduated from UAB). And yes his father did pay for it...he paid for it by helping people who he thought needed to be helped and for that God has blessed him and his son...and me! Thanks D for making that deposit for me...it has gained more interest than any deposit I have seen made at any bank!
-K.J Swint
Since I am in this good mood, I will feel your spirits with goodness by sharing with you what I encountered last night. I stopped by target on my way home from work. I have started this new mission on buying the cheapest clothes I can find and making them into some of the smoothest outfits I possibly can. I bought two shirts and an old man hat from Target and only paid 6 bucks for it. So far I have only spent 27 dollars and I have a total of two outfits including accessories (socks and hat). Now I just have to use the clothes I already have to make them fly. For the older people that are reading this fly means look good. LOL! While I am paying for my items, I hear this familiar voice behind me and it's an old friend from the neighborhood I grew up in. We chit chatted for a minute and in our conversation, he mentioned that he had started the process of getting a house. I asked him where was it and how it looked and he told me that it hasn't been built yet. He keep going by saying that it wouldn't be finished until January or December. Now I know you're thinking what's the big deal about my friend having a house built. I forgot to tell you that he is only 22.
To help you better understand, I have to give you a little history. His parents and my mother and uncle went to high school together. His father and my uncle became best friends but the weird thing about their friendship is that they were opposite. By them being close friends, they looked out for each other no matter what. When it was time for me to go to college, him and his wife took it upon themselves to help me out. No one asked them to help me, they just felt the need to. I beleive it was because of the relationship that he and my uncle had. Well, the father called my school counselor and told her to check and see if Ihad taken the ACT. I hadn't and didn't really know what it was at that time. I started studying for it and passed it. Then one day during the summer after my senior year, they called me up nad aksed me if I wanted to ride and see the campus of the University of Montevallo. I had no clue as to where this place was and had never heard of it. We drove down there and I took a tour of it and at the end of the tour, they asked me if I wanted to attend. I told them that I didn't care where I went to school I just knew that I needed to go and not stay at home because I felt that I wouldn't accomplish anything. Well, that's all they needed to hear. They paid the deposit for room and board and paid my registration fee. I was taken by this. Now what you have to keep in mind is that I never really talked to them like you are probably thinking. The furthest our conversation had ever gone was hello and goodbye. I remember that day like it was yesterday and I hold that dear to my heart. I think that's why I am so giving. Anyway, I went there and graduated and you know the rest.
So now, here is there son 22 years of age, getting a house built. He has never stayed in an apartment. When he told me I felt proud because of what his mother and father had done for me. He has always been a respectful young man. From time to time when I am talking to him he will say yes sir. I am only ten years old than him, but it just lets me know that he was brought up the right way. It's a blessing to have your child doing things at such a young age. And a lot of people would probably think that the kid was lucky or that his father paid for him to get this home. Well, they would be right in a way. He is paying for it himself. He has a job that he has been working every since he graduated from high school and he is attending (or has greaduated from UAB). And yes his father did pay for it...he paid for it by helping people who he thought needed to be helped and for that God has blessed him and his son...and me! Thanks D for making that deposit for me...it has gained more interest than any deposit I have seen made at any bank!
-K.J Swint
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life 110-Change 39
Another day of goodness! I had such a good day on Monday, that I decided to do the smae thing again on Tuesday. And let me tell you, it was wonderful. But eventually something happened. After I had lunch, I went to my car to leave and it wouldn't crank. The battery was dead. Now you would think that I would be pissed and start thinking to mysself, "I knew that this day was going to well." Well, I didn't. I just smiled and walked to the booksore which was right across the street and started reading a book. i was so relaxed that I had time to think about the situation. I knew that all I needed was a jump off, which I could get from anyone and there were a lot of cars around. But then I remembered that I have AAA and that I could just call them to come and give me a jump. Once I realzied I was covered, I just relaxed and waited about an hour before I called them. I was in no hurry. I had no where to go, so I just walked around the bookstore and when I was done, I called AAA and they came right along.
When you are having those good days and good times, you can't let a hiccup come and ruin the whole day. You have to realize that it's going to happen and if it does, just be prepared. Make sure that you have coverage for most of the issues that can possibly occur. Even if you are not covered by some business, always remember that you are covered by God! He will take care of you no matter what. And if you are in a situation where you're not covered, just send up a little prayer and ask him to cover you. Even though i was covered by AAA, my tru coverage came from Him. When it happened, he covered me and allowed me to reamin calm and finsih having the wonderful day I was having. So, who is your coverage through?
-K.J Swint
When you are having those good days and good times, you can't let a hiccup come and ruin the whole day. You have to realize that it's going to happen and if it does, just be prepared. Make sure that you have coverage for most of the issues that can possibly occur. Even if you are not covered by some business, always remember that you are covered by God! He will take care of you no matter what. And if you are in a situation where you're not covered, just send up a little prayer and ask him to cover you. Even though i was covered by AAA, my tru coverage came from Him. When it happened, he covered me and allowed me to reamin calm and finsih having the wonderful day I was having. So, who is your coverage through?
-K.J Swint
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 109-Change 38
I must say that yesterday was one of the best days of my life! When I tell you that I had a great day, I had a great day. I got up and ventured to Starbucks around 730am. When I got there I was a little overwhelmed with the projects that I had going on. I had to update a few websites and write a poem. Before I got started, I started listening to my music like I always do. As I was listening to it, I couldn't seem to get it together. It was like my mind was all over the place. Then while I was sitting there, a voice calmly said to me, "you're off and you have the whole day to get this done. Just relax and let it happen." I sat back for a minute and decided to take the advice of that voice. I started listening to my music and just enjoyed sitting at a coffee shop, listening to some good tunes. This lasted for about an hour and before you know it, it was 12pm and I had finished all my updates on all of my websites.I still had the poem to do, but I was just impressed at how much I got done by just relaxing and taking my time to get it done.
Once I finished the last website, I decided to take advantage of this relaxing day, so I went to the mall to have lunch with a very special person. I really enjoy being around them and I hadn't been spending much time with them so, this lunch was well over due. This person is ME! Yep, I had lunch by myself and it was great. It was peaceful and just so relaxing. After I ate, I then went window shopping. I just browsed around the mall a few times just going in and out of stores. I ended up spending $21 on a pair of jeans, a pair of slacks and 3 pair of argyl socks from the GAP. I needed a new pair of jeans and slacks so I figured it was the best time to get them. For those of you who know me, you know that I love to dress. Other than writing, dressing is the next best thing that I like to do. I use to be BIG into fashion. I would go to the mall every week and get an outfit and watch to match. I was single and made a pretty good salary, so I could afford to.
When the economy took a down turn and I lost my job, I couldn't shop like I use to. So, I am now back to a point where I can and yet I still choose not to. I am now married with responsibilities and I have to look out for me and my wife (and the dog-Maui). As much as I want to, my desire to make her happy and keep life good for us supercedes my desire to dress. Now don't get me wrong, I still have my swagg it's just not to the extent that it use to be and I realized that swagg is not in what you wear, but how you wear it. While I was out shopping yesterday, a lady working in the retail store I was in, just kept staring at me. After a few minutes, I decided to speak and she spoke and said that she was sorry for staring but she just admired my style. All I had on was my trusty old jeans and long sleeve plain polo and my trusty old man hat. I just smiled and told her thanks.
You have to take time to stay in-touch with yourself sometimes. When you feel that pressure on your shoulders and feel like there is nothing you can do. Put everything to the side and put yourself first and make you happy. It's hard to make someone else happy when you are misrable. I do a lot for my wife but if I am not happy when I do it, it will show and my doing won't have as much of an impact. God said there is a time and place for everything. This includes being selfish. Yesterday I was selfish because I didn't worry about anything or anybody while I was having lunch and walking around the mall. As long as you are selfish in moderation. it's ok. Yes I was selfish, but me being selfish made me a happier person therefore making life for my wife happier. So in the end, I was selfish, but not really because I made sure that the time I made for myself wouldn't get in the way with anything important.
"Make time for you and that time will make life better for you and others"-K.J Swint
Once I finished the last website, I decided to take advantage of this relaxing day, so I went to the mall to have lunch with a very special person. I really enjoy being around them and I hadn't been spending much time with them so, this lunch was well over due. This person is ME! Yep, I had lunch by myself and it was great. It was peaceful and just so relaxing. After I ate, I then went window shopping. I just browsed around the mall a few times just going in and out of stores. I ended up spending $21 on a pair of jeans, a pair of slacks and 3 pair of argyl socks from the GAP. I needed a new pair of jeans and slacks so I figured it was the best time to get them. For those of you who know me, you know that I love to dress. Other than writing, dressing is the next best thing that I like to do. I use to be BIG into fashion. I would go to the mall every week and get an outfit and watch to match. I was single and made a pretty good salary, so I could afford to.
When the economy took a down turn and I lost my job, I couldn't shop like I use to. So, I am now back to a point where I can and yet I still choose not to. I am now married with responsibilities and I have to look out for me and my wife (and the dog-Maui). As much as I want to, my desire to make her happy and keep life good for us supercedes my desire to dress. Now don't get me wrong, I still have my swagg it's just not to the extent that it use to be and I realized that swagg is not in what you wear, but how you wear it. While I was out shopping yesterday, a lady working in the retail store I was in, just kept staring at me. After a few minutes, I decided to speak and she spoke and said that she was sorry for staring but she just admired my style. All I had on was my trusty old jeans and long sleeve plain polo and my trusty old man hat. I just smiled and told her thanks.
You have to take time to stay in-touch with yourself sometimes. When you feel that pressure on your shoulders and feel like there is nothing you can do. Put everything to the side and put yourself first and make you happy. It's hard to make someone else happy when you are misrable. I do a lot for my wife but if I am not happy when I do it, it will show and my doing won't have as much of an impact. God said there is a time and place for everything. This includes being selfish. Yesterday I was selfish because I didn't worry about anything or anybody while I was having lunch and walking around the mall. As long as you are selfish in moderation. it's ok. Yes I was selfish, but me being selfish made me a happier person therefore making life for my wife happier. So in the end, I was selfish, but not really because I made sure that the time I made for myself wouldn't get in the way with anything important.
"Make time for you and that time will make life better for you and others"-K.J Swint
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 108-Change 37
It all started last night. While I was getting ready for bed, I told myself that I should go ahead and shave to save a little time on getting ready the next day. I didn't do it because I knew that I had a few hours to get ready. Well, when I woke up this morning it was 6am. My alarm wasn't set to go off until 6:30am. Yes, I decided to lay back down for 30 minutes. While I was laying there I started thinking. I thought to myself, "If I am already awake, why am I still laying here waiting on an alarm? What will laying here for 30 more minutes do for me?" Once I realized that it wouldn't benefit my life in any way, I immediately jumped out of bed and started getting ready. Before I knew it, I was ready for work and still had about 2 and a half hours to spare.
As I was about to walk out the door, I remembered that I had bought some Fiber One cereal. Yes, I am trying to eat better and Fiber One cereal is not just for older people. It's for people who are trying to eat healthy and take care of their body. Anyway, I stopped and fixed me a bowl of this Fiber One cereal. As I took my first bite, I realized why a lot of people don't eat it. It doesn't taste that great. It's not that bad, but it is something you have to get use to eating. As I was about to throw it in the trash I thought about something. I thought about the first time I had a beer. I thought it was disguisting. I couldn't even take two swallows of it. But as the years went by and I kept trying beer, I begin to like it. This cereal is the same way. I just have to get use to it. I have to get my taste buds accustom to the taste.
This is how we have to do with our life. We have to get our life accustom to doing the things we need to do. It's not going to be easy to readjust yourself, but it will be beneficial in the long run. Instead of taking that extra time to sleep, get up and do something that will benefit your life or even your spouses life (if you are married). And if it taste bad at first, don't worry, you will get use to the taste and it won't be as bad...you might even start liking it after a while. I know it makes you feel good about yourself. I have written two articles and I am working on a third one. I feel GREAT!
So will you beat the alarm clock or let the alram clock beat you? What will be your Fiber One cereal? Just remember, it's just like liquior...it taste bad but makes you feel good after a while, but only without the side effects the next day and it helps your body instead of hindering it.
-K.J Swint
As I was about to walk out the door, I remembered that I had bought some Fiber One cereal. Yes, I am trying to eat better and Fiber One cereal is not just for older people. It's for people who are trying to eat healthy and take care of their body. Anyway, I stopped and fixed me a bowl of this Fiber One cereal. As I took my first bite, I realized why a lot of people don't eat it. It doesn't taste that great. It's not that bad, but it is something you have to get use to eating. As I was about to throw it in the trash I thought about something. I thought about the first time I had a beer. I thought it was disguisting. I couldn't even take two swallows of it. But as the years went by and I kept trying beer, I begin to like it. This cereal is the same way. I just have to get use to it. I have to get my taste buds accustom to the taste.
This is how we have to do with our life. We have to get our life accustom to doing the things we need to do. It's not going to be easy to readjust yourself, but it will be beneficial in the long run. Instead of taking that extra time to sleep, get up and do something that will benefit your life or even your spouses life (if you are married). And if it taste bad at first, don't worry, you will get use to the taste and it won't be as bad...you might even start liking it after a while. I know it makes you feel good about yourself. I have written two articles and I am working on a third one. I feel GREAT!
So will you beat the alarm clock or let the alram clock beat you? What will be your Fiber One cereal? Just remember, it's just like liquior...it taste bad but makes you feel good after a while, but only without the side effects the next day and it helps your body instead of hindering it.
-K.J Swint
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 107-Change 36
I have been under the weather for the past week. I developed a slight cold that had be down for two days. It was very interesting because I hardly ever get sick and if I do, it only last a day. While I was down and out, I did a lot of thinking because I didn't feel like doing much of anything else and too, I was so congested that I couldn't sleep at night (up for two days striaght...not a good feeling). During my insomnia, I thought about having the ability to do. Here I was up for two days just sitting there watching television. Even though I didn't feel good and I couldn't sleep, there was still something I could have been doing to better my life. I pulled out my lap top and begin to work on my novel. After working on it for a few hours, I then picked up a book that I had been reading and read about 20 pages of it. Before I knew it was time to go to work. I went to work, got off and then begin working on my novel again. After all of this, I didn't realize that I hadn't had any sleep in over 24 hours.
Here I was sick, congested, not sleeping and still pushing forward to better myself even when I was down. Whn things like this happen, I can't help but believe that it's a test from God. He wants to see if I want what I am doing bad enough. So he puts me to the test. Let me take away a few things but still give him the ability to do the things he prayed to me about and see what he does. We are no different than the kids we raise or see being raised. We test them to see if they comprehend what we have taught them. And if they don't pass the test, we don't give them the privilage that they so desire. God does us the same way.
We have to start fighting through the tough times. If you have the abiloity to do when you are down, do! If you don't have the ability to do, find someone that can and get them to help you do it. No matter how bad something is you can get through it and make life better. You just have to push beyond the limits that you have set in your head. Your body is capapble of doing things you have yet to challenge. If a woman can carry a person inside them for nine months and then push it out of them, you can do anything!
Stop lying to yourself saying, "I can't do this and I can't do that" when you haven't put forth 125% effort. Step up to the plate and take a swing. If I can do what I do with the time I have, you can as well. I had to come to work early to drop off some keys. I don't have to be there until 11, so Istopped by the library right down the street to post to my blog. You have to keep pushing inspite of all that happens to you.
"To conquer the fear of failure, you have to empower the courage of trying"-K.J Swint
Here I was sick, congested, not sleeping and still pushing forward to better myself even when I was down. Whn things like this happen, I can't help but believe that it's a test from God. He wants to see if I want what I am doing bad enough. So he puts me to the test. Let me take away a few things but still give him the ability to do the things he prayed to me about and see what he does. We are no different than the kids we raise or see being raised. We test them to see if they comprehend what we have taught them. And if they don't pass the test, we don't give them the privilage that they so desire. God does us the same way.
We have to start fighting through the tough times. If you have the abiloity to do when you are down, do! If you don't have the ability to do, find someone that can and get them to help you do it. No matter how bad something is you can get through it and make life better. You just have to push beyond the limits that you have set in your head. Your body is capapble of doing things you have yet to challenge. If a woman can carry a person inside them for nine months and then push it out of them, you can do anything!
Stop lying to yourself saying, "I can't do this and I can't do that" when you haven't put forth 125% effort. Step up to the plate and take a swing. If I can do what I do with the time I have, you can as well. I had to come to work early to drop off some keys. I don't have to be there until 11, so Istopped by the library right down the street to post to my blog. You have to keep pushing inspite of all that happens to you.
"To conquer the fear of failure, you have to empower the courage of trying"-K.J Swint
Friday, August 26, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 106- Change-37
Off to a good morning this morning. I didn't get a chance to work out, but I did wake up feeling good. I woke up with my wife on my mind. She is in graduate school and she has class twice a week. Her classes are evening classes so she gets home pretty late and sometimes I don't get to see her. Well, last night was one of those nights. She got home late, came in spoke, and went right to bed. I figured she was tired, so I didn't bother her. I just sat back and put myself in her shoes. I took a mental trip to the classroom and tried to teach first graders for a few hours. Then I went to college and sat in a classroom and listend to a professor babble about educational issues. After my mental trip in her shoes, I then asked myself, "would I feel like being bothered after a long day like that?" After careful consideration, I wouldn't. I would want to relax and not worry about doing anything.
I took myself out of the equation and made it all about her. When I got up this morning with her still on my mind, I said that I was going to do something nice for her. Instead of taking my daily jog, I went by the grocery store and bought a few roses in a vase and took them to her.
This is what life is all about. Making a sacrifice for someone else. There is no fun in life when all you think about is yourself. The true enjoyment comes from taking from you to give to someone else. I took away my run to give my wife a little smile. Are they equal? According to society, they are not, but society doesn't really know too much about that agape love. Love is not equal and it knows of no 50/50. All love knows is how to give. If we focus on giving and don't worry about recieiving, our reception will become so great that it will almost be overwhelming. So, if you have a spouse or significant other and they are busy all the time doing something positive and trying to better themselves, take a step back and take a mental journey in their shoes and you will realize why they act the way that they do...they are DRAINED! So instead of complain about what they are not doing, start doing for them. Pick up the slack. And not only pick up the slack, but comfort them in a way that they know they have a winner on their side in spite of the neglect that has been going on. Always remember just as much as you miss them, they miss you too. Just as much as you want whatever it is from them, they want it from you. They are just trying to do something to make life better for themselves which will advertently make life better for you!
"Give to give, not to receive"
-K.J Swint
I took myself out of the equation and made it all about her. When I got up this morning with her still on my mind, I said that I was going to do something nice for her. Instead of taking my daily jog, I went by the grocery store and bought a few roses in a vase and took them to her.
This is what life is all about. Making a sacrifice for someone else. There is no fun in life when all you think about is yourself. The true enjoyment comes from taking from you to give to someone else. I took away my run to give my wife a little smile. Are they equal? According to society, they are not, but society doesn't really know too much about that agape love. Love is not equal and it knows of no 50/50. All love knows is how to give. If we focus on giving and don't worry about recieiving, our reception will become so great that it will almost be overwhelming. So, if you have a spouse or significant other and they are busy all the time doing something positive and trying to better themselves, take a step back and take a mental journey in their shoes and you will realize why they act the way that they do...they are DRAINED! So instead of complain about what they are not doing, start doing for them. Pick up the slack. And not only pick up the slack, but comfort them in a way that they know they have a winner on their side in spite of the neglect that has been going on. Always remember just as much as you miss them, they miss you too. Just as much as you want whatever it is from them, they want it from you. They are just trying to do something to make life better for themselves which will advertently make life better for you!
"Give to give, not to receive"
-K.J Swint
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Revitilization of my Life-Day 105-CHANGE 34
My great grandmother use to always tell me, "laziness will kill you." I never really understood what she meant by that until now. If you don't get up and do something with yourself, you will eventually die and I mean die spiritually, metally, and yes even physically. What made me think about this was the few events that happened on yesterday. When I got off work yesterday, I went home and cut the grass. After cutting the grass, I began to work on one of my clients website (www.jolandagreen.com). After finishing the website, I then picked up one of the five books I am reading (The Art of Happiness by The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler) and read about 15 pages of it. When I fianally put the book down and looked at the clock it was only 8:30pm. I was amazed at how much I had gotten done in the few hours I had been home. Once I realized how early it was, I picked up another book (The Life of Fredrick Douglass-for research on the novel I am writing) and begin to read. By now, I was beat. I put the book up and then went to bed.
A lot of times we complain about how much time we don't have and never really utilize the time we do have. I could have easily said that I had worked all day and I needed to rest and relax and I will wait until I was off to do all the things I did, but I didn't. I told myself that I had plenty of time to get it done if I just went and did it. This is how most of us think. We think that we need to be off and well rested before we can do certain things. Then when we are off, we bring about another excuse, "I'm off and I need some rest because I had a long week." This will continue on for years if you let it. Stop making excuses for your excuses. Suck it up and get it done. Most of the time you are not really too tired to do the things that you want to do, its just that it feels odd because it not part of what you normally do. BREAK YOUR ROUTINE! What if God had a routine with us? What if he only did things a certain way at a cretain time? How would our lives be? I break my routine all the time so that I will always have time for my wife. She never has to ask me to stop working on any of my projects because I put the time into them every spare minute I have and when it's time for us, it's time for us. If it takes me getting off work after a long day and coming home cutting the grass, then that's what I will do. But the benefit of knowing that my wife is pleased to know that she has time to spend with me and all things are taken care of is well worth the sacrifice. Again, I ask you, what if God was routine with us, where would we be?
-K.J Swint
A lot of times we complain about how much time we don't have and never really utilize the time we do have. I could have easily said that I had worked all day and I needed to rest and relax and I will wait until I was off to do all the things I did, but I didn't. I told myself that I had plenty of time to get it done if I just went and did it. This is how most of us think. We think that we need to be off and well rested before we can do certain things. Then when we are off, we bring about another excuse, "I'm off and I need some rest because I had a long week." This will continue on for years if you let it. Stop making excuses for your excuses. Suck it up and get it done. Most of the time you are not really too tired to do the things that you want to do, its just that it feels odd because it not part of what you normally do. BREAK YOUR ROUTINE! What if God had a routine with us? What if he only did things a certain way at a cretain time? How would our lives be? I break my routine all the time so that I will always have time for my wife. She never has to ask me to stop working on any of my projects because I put the time into them every spare minute I have and when it's time for us, it's time for us. If it takes me getting off work after a long day and coming home cutting the grass, then that's what I will do. But the benefit of knowing that my wife is pleased to know that she has time to spend with me and all things are taken care of is well worth the sacrifice. Again, I ask you, what if God was routine with us, where would we be?
-K.J Swint
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 104-Change 33
First off, please excuse my grammar and spelling because I am blogging this morning from my blackberry. My internet service doesn't comply with my laptop and my wife took her laptop to work. I just had to use what I had.
This morning has been one of those "redefining" mornings. First off, I didn't awake this morning because I never went to sleep last night. I had some issues with my back...it was hurting! I couldn't stand up straight and when I sat down it just as bad. I tossed and turned all night. I eventually got out of bed and started writing. Luckily, I had a lot of thoughts running through my head for a new novel and some for the current novel I'm working on. After jointing down a page worth of notes, I just sat there watching television, thinking. I started thinking about how we just don't pay attention to what we really have until it isn't there anymore.
I was staring at the walls and then I notice the sun peaking through the blinds. I asked myself,"how many people have really seen the sun come up (excluding seeing it on television)?" And not just seen it come up but appreciate the beauty of it and what it does. As I was thinking about this I noticed that it was time for my wife to get up so I went into the bedroom and told her I couldn't sleep. She looked at me and said, "back hurting that bad huh?" The look she had on her face made me go into deep thought. I immediately thought about how when one thing happens, we expect other things to follow. Its like we are programmed and don't even know it. Now, I had no intentions on doing what I'm about to tell you I did, until I had this thought. I got in the bed thinking I was about to get me a few hours of sleep before I go to work.
While I was laying there, I just couldn't get that "programmed" thought out of my head. I am the type of person that I make the calls within my life; I don't let my life make the calls. After about 15 minutes, I jumped up, got my stinky work out clothes out of the hamper, put them on and went jogging. Yes, my back was hurting. Yes I hadn't had any sleep. And yes, I hadn't had anything to eat. I refuse to let life dictate what I own...me! Just because I hadn't had any sleep and my back was hurting doesn't mean that I couldn't at least try to maintain my workout.
This is usually how it happens. When we start working toward something good, something bad happens and then we fall down for a long time and then try it again and then it happens again. Well, I'm here to tell you that you have to fight through it in order to make it stick. I just started back working out and I refuse to let these hiccups stop me. And the funny thing about my run this morning is that my back felt better while I was running than when I was laying in the bed.
Don't let this hiccups stop you. Your life is a blank canvas and you hold the paint brush. You can paint any picture you want. Don't let no one paint that picture for you. Yes, its going to get tough and yes you are going to feel the pain, but once you endure it a few times, you will realize that its not that hard to bear. What can you do today to start painting your own picture and not the picture that someone else has painted for you....what can you do?
"In order to understand and appreciate success, one must first endure and embrace failure"-K.J Swint
This morning has been one of those "redefining" mornings. First off, I didn't awake this morning because I never went to sleep last night. I had some issues with my back...it was hurting! I couldn't stand up straight and when I sat down it just as bad. I tossed and turned all night. I eventually got out of bed and started writing. Luckily, I had a lot of thoughts running through my head for a new novel and some for the current novel I'm working on. After jointing down a page worth of notes, I just sat there watching television, thinking. I started thinking about how we just don't pay attention to what we really have until it isn't there anymore.
I was staring at the walls and then I notice the sun peaking through the blinds. I asked myself,"how many people have really seen the sun come up (excluding seeing it on television)?" And not just seen it come up but appreciate the beauty of it and what it does. As I was thinking about this I noticed that it was time for my wife to get up so I went into the bedroom and told her I couldn't sleep. She looked at me and said, "back hurting that bad huh?" The look she had on her face made me go into deep thought. I immediately thought about how when one thing happens, we expect other things to follow. Its like we are programmed and don't even know it. Now, I had no intentions on doing what I'm about to tell you I did, until I had this thought. I got in the bed thinking I was about to get me a few hours of sleep before I go to work.
While I was laying there, I just couldn't get that "programmed" thought out of my head. I am the type of person that I make the calls within my life; I don't let my life make the calls. After about 15 minutes, I jumped up, got my stinky work out clothes out of the hamper, put them on and went jogging. Yes, my back was hurting. Yes I hadn't had any sleep. And yes, I hadn't had anything to eat. I refuse to let life dictate what I own...me! Just because I hadn't had any sleep and my back was hurting doesn't mean that I couldn't at least try to maintain my workout.
This is usually how it happens. When we start working toward something good, something bad happens and then we fall down for a long time and then try it again and then it happens again. Well, I'm here to tell you that you have to fight through it in order to make it stick. I just started back working out and I refuse to let these hiccups stop me. And the funny thing about my run this morning is that my back felt better while I was running than when I was laying in the bed.
Don't let this hiccups stop you. Your life is a blank canvas and you hold the paint brush. You can paint any picture you want. Don't let no one paint that picture for you. Yes, its going to get tough and yes you are going to feel the pain, but once you endure it a few times, you will realize that its not that hard to bear. What can you do today to start painting your own picture and not the picture that someone else has painted for you....what can you do?
"In order to understand and appreciate success, one must first endure and embrace failure"-K.J Swint
Friday, August 12, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 103-Change 32
Once again, I am hurting, but I worked out. I also didn't feel like running at all, but its over now and I feel good.
Like I said yesterday, the second day is going to be worst than the first day and it was. Half way through my run, I stopped. Yes, I stopped and I am not ashamed to say I did. It was for a brief moment because my knees were aching bad. But then I thought about what I posted yesterday and I started back running. I knew that they were hurting because they weren't use to the strain I was putting on them. Your body will tell you what you need to do sometimes if you listen. As I was running while my knees were hurting, my body begin to tell me that if you keep bending them, the pain will eventually go away. So I listened and started high stepping while running. Yes this looks weird, but it helped. After I did it a few times, I was back on my way to finishing my morning run.
This is just how life is; its painful sometimes, but you have to listen to the body of your life-God and he will tell you exactly what you need to do to make it through. I have a friend of mine right now who is pushing through the pain and is listening to his body-God, so he can make it through. He has sacrificed time away from his wife and traveling all the time. I asked him if he enjoyed it and he said "no, not at all. But its all worth it because I know that we are working towards something better and that's what keeps me going. Seeing my wife and my little girl happy and content is well worth what we have been through." You have to sacrifice at some point in your life in order to make your life better. No sacrifice, no better life!
"No sacrifice, no better life!"-K.J Swint
Like I said yesterday, the second day is going to be worst than the first day and it was. Half way through my run, I stopped. Yes, I stopped and I am not ashamed to say I did. It was for a brief moment because my knees were aching bad. But then I thought about what I posted yesterday and I started back running. I knew that they were hurting because they weren't use to the strain I was putting on them. Your body will tell you what you need to do sometimes if you listen. As I was running while my knees were hurting, my body begin to tell me that if you keep bending them, the pain will eventually go away. So I listened and started high stepping while running. Yes this looks weird, but it helped. After I did it a few times, I was back on my way to finishing my morning run.
This is just how life is; its painful sometimes, but you have to listen to the body of your life-God and he will tell you exactly what you need to do to make it through. I have a friend of mine right now who is pushing through the pain and is listening to his body-God, so he can make it through. He has sacrificed time away from his wife and traveling all the time. I asked him if he enjoyed it and he said "no, not at all. But its all worth it because I know that we are working towards something better and that's what keeps me going. Seeing my wife and my little girl happy and content is well worth what we have been through." You have to sacrifice at some point in your life in order to make your life better. No sacrifice, no better life!
"No sacrifice, no better life!"-K.J Swint
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life Day-102-Change 31
Once again, I am back at the running and working out again. Yes, I fell off, but it happens. You just can't stay away from it. I also started drinking protein shakes as well. While I was running I began to think about how painful it is when you’re starting over when working out. The first couple of steps when you first start jogging are rough. The next few steps are worst, and the last few are worst than any of them. Bottom line, it's hard and it hurts. But you have to take into consideration what's happening to your body. First, if your body isn't use to exercising, it's going to react to it. The first reaction is pain. Pain is not always bad. In this scenario, it's good. Once your body gets use to exercising, there will be no more pain. This is usually why most people stop working out. They feel this pain and think that they will hurt something more if they keep going. Well, I am here to tell you, you won't hurt anything more; you will only help something...your body!
You have to persevere through the pain in order to make things better. When you feel like stopping, you have to keep pushing. While I was running this morning, my knees started aching and I wanted to stop. They were hurting so bad until I changed the way I was running. I refuse to stop because I wanted to go ahead and get it over. You can't let pain stop you. Think about this for a minute. When doctors operate on people to make them better, they tear things, break things, cut things, etc. When that person wakes up from the surgery, they are in pain! They are bruised up and they have to endure the pain for weeks or even months before they can get back to normal. This is the same way working out is. You have to go through it to make it better.
To really understand it, think about this. Jesus had the power to turn water into wine to make a little food into a lot of food. He had all of this power but yet when he was hanging on the cross, he just suffered. He had to endure the pain in order to make things better. So, I look at it this way, if he could endure the pain that he endured, then the pain that we endure from working out, is nothing. This lets you know that pain is ok to endure if it's for a good reason or good cause. Working out is a good cause!
"Pain is the only sign that lets your body know that change is happening"-K.J Swint
You have to persevere through the pain in order to make things better. When you feel like stopping, you have to keep pushing. While I was running this morning, my knees started aching and I wanted to stop. They were hurting so bad until I changed the way I was running. I refuse to stop because I wanted to go ahead and get it over. You can't let pain stop you. Think about this for a minute. When doctors operate on people to make them better, they tear things, break things, cut things, etc. When that person wakes up from the surgery, they are in pain! They are bruised up and they have to endure the pain for weeks or even months before they can get back to normal. This is the same way working out is. You have to go through it to make it better.
To really understand it, think about this. Jesus had the power to turn water into wine to make a little food into a lot of food. He had all of this power but yet when he was hanging on the cross, he just suffered. He had to endure the pain in order to make things better. So, I look at it this way, if he could endure the pain that he endured, then the pain that we endure from working out, is nothing. This lets you know that pain is ok to endure if it's for a good reason or good cause. Working out is a good cause!
"Pain is the only sign that lets your body know that change is happening"-K.J Swint
Monday, August 8, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life Day-101-Change 30
So, I'm sitting in Starbucks with two computers, five books, a note pad, pen, and my mind. It’s a funny site, but it's necessary to get things done, especially this novel. I have learned that the more I read, the more I can get creative with my words. For a long time I use to try and fool myself into thinking I was smarter than I really was. Truth was, I was smart, but not like I thought. I was living a lie. Now I don't live that lie anymore. I realized my weakness and I try to make it stronger. My weakness is my vocabulary. It's not strong enough to carry the weight of my writing. In order to get my point across or keep my audience interested, I need to be able to use an array of words. Once I came to grips with this, I began to get better. People began to respond to my words differently. It also made my message clearer. This is why I have five books with me now that I will be reading as soon as I finish this blog.
Don't think that you are so good at something that you don't have to increase your skill. Professionals only remain professionals because they exercise their skills. If you feel that you are good or even great at something, test yourself to see if you can become better. One of two things will be discovered. Either you will see that you are not as good as you think or you will discover that you can be better. Either way, you'll be making a discovery that will better you. You can use this on anything and I do mean anything. If you think you are a good lover, test yourself. If you find out you can make yourself better, that's a good thing for you and your partner! If you don't believe me just try it.
"The only person that trying ever hurt was the one that didn't try"-K.J Swint
Don't think that you are so good at something that you don't have to increase your skill. Professionals only remain professionals because they exercise their skills. If you feel that you are good or even great at something, test yourself to see if you can become better. One of two things will be discovered. Either you will see that you are not as good as you think or you will discover that you can be better. Either way, you'll be making a discovery that will better you. You can use this on anything and I do mean anything. If you think you are a good lover, test yourself. If you find out you can make yourself better, that's a good thing for you and your partner! If you don't believe me just try it.
"The only person that trying ever hurt was the one that didn't try"-K.J Swint
Friday, August 5, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life Day-100-Change 29
This morning was kind of rocky. I woke up late and with a headache, but I'm good. I feel refreshed in spite of. I had my meditation and my morning prayer and now its show time.
It has now been day 100 for me posting to this blog. Now it's been days in between where I didn't post and those were the important days. Please excuse any sentences that don't make sense or any of my rambling because I seem to be still sleepy. Anyway, where was I? Oh, the important days. The most important days are the ones where I didn't post. These days are important because they were the days that I was tested. Either something happened or was happening as to why I didn't post to my blog. Either I was going through something or had so much on my plate that I couldn't get around to it. I didn't realize this until yesterday. My idea when I first started posting to this blog was to post an entry every day. I was determined. I felt as if I could make a difference if I posted every day. But now I think differently. You have to have time to test. Just like when you are in school. You can study all day and night but at some point you have to take the test. And when it's test time there are no notes, no books, no nothing just you and the test. It's the same way with life.
We want to do a lot of things in our life. We want to have a nice job with a nice salary and live in a nice house. We want all of these things but a lot of us don't want to do what it takes to get these things. How can you have a nice job when you don't put for the effort to excel at the one you are at now? How can you have a nice house when you go shopping every chance you get and don't save any money? These are the things we miss along the journey in life. When it's time to take the test, we always fail because we were too busy trying to lay out our life instead of live it. Just like with me and this blog. All I wanted to do was just blog everyday about me changing my life. But what I found out was that in order to really change my life I had to rearrange some things and that takes time and so I had to step away from the computer to get things together and then come back to it. Now, my blogs are more meaningful. They have a little more life to them because of the experience that I obtained my trying to revitalize my life. Yes, there were times where I just didn't feel like posting and then there were times where I had nothing to post. But that's the beauty of it because it shows you that's just how life really is. It shows you that I am no different from you. The only difference is that I am persevering through all of the obstacles that you might have taken a seat on. I am pushing and pushing until something happens. Maybe you are too. If you are, that's great! If you aren't, well you need to get with it!
I am not some superstar telling you this rags to riches story about how I made a million dollars from nothing. I am just an average guy with average problems and situations just like you. I am not getting paid to write this. I am not getting paid if you read this. I only get paid from delivering the message that's within these words and my payment is not of money but of blessings. When God puts something on your heart, I have learned that you should do it, even if it seems crazy. What's crazy to you might make sense to someone else.
There are things you can do to get what you want in life. You just have to be willing to do the small things to make the big things happen. You have all that you need to get it done. You don't need to win the lottery for your finances to be right. All you need to do is budget your money and stop trying to live like the people next door or those you see on television. Just get up and make that first step. You might fall when you make it, but get back up and try it again. You might fall after the next few steps, but get back up and keep going. When you get after a few falls and turn around you will see that you are closer to your goal than you were before you took any steps at all.
"Even though you fall while you are trying to reach a goal, you are still much closer than you were before you attempted to take the first step."-K.J Swint
It has now been day 100 for me posting to this blog. Now it's been days in between where I didn't post and those were the important days. Please excuse any sentences that don't make sense or any of my rambling because I seem to be still sleepy. Anyway, where was I? Oh, the important days. The most important days are the ones where I didn't post. These days are important because they were the days that I was tested. Either something happened or was happening as to why I didn't post to my blog. Either I was going through something or had so much on my plate that I couldn't get around to it. I didn't realize this until yesterday. My idea when I first started posting to this blog was to post an entry every day. I was determined. I felt as if I could make a difference if I posted every day. But now I think differently. You have to have time to test. Just like when you are in school. You can study all day and night but at some point you have to take the test. And when it's test time there are no notes, no books, no nothing just you and the test. It's the same way with life.
We want to do a lot of things in our life. We want to have a nice job with a nice salary and live in a nice house. We want all of these things but a lot of us don't want to do what it takes to get these things. How can you have a nice job when you don't put for the effort to excel at the one you are at now? How can you have a nice house when you go shopping every chance you get and don't save any money? These are the things we miss along the journey in life. When it's time to take the test, we always fail because we were too busy trying to lay out our life instead of live it. Just like with me and this blog. All I wanted to do was just blog everyday about me changing my life. But what I found out was that in order to really change my life I had to rearrange some things and that takes time and so I had to step away from the computer to get things together and then come back to it. Now, my blogs are more meaningful. They have a little more life to them because of the experience that I obtained my trying to revitalize my life. Yes, there were times where I just didn't feel like posting and then there were times where I had nothing to post. But that's the beauty of it because it shows you that's just how life really is. It shows you that I am no different from you. The only difference is that I am persevering through all of the obstacles that you might have taken a seat on. I am pushing and pushing until something happens. Maybe you are too. If you are, that's great! If you aren't, well you need to get with it!
I am not some superstar telling you this rags to riches story about how I made a million dollars from nothing. I am just an average guy with average problems and situations just like you. I am not getting paid to write this. I am not getting paid if you read this. I only get paid from delivering the message that's within these words and my payment is not of money but of blessings. When God puts something on your heart, I have learned that you should do it, even if it seems crazy. What's crazy to you might make sense to someone else.
There are things you can do to get what you want in life. You just have to be willing to do the small things to make the big things happen. You have all that you need to get it done. You don't need to win the lottery for your finances to be right. All you need to do is budget your money and stop trying to live like the people next door or those you see on television. Just get up and make that first step. You might fall when you make it, but get back up and try it again. You might fall after the next few steps, but get back up and keep going. When you get after a few falls and turn around you will see that you are closer to your goal than you were before you took any steps at all.
"Even though you fall while you are trying to reach a goal, you are still much closer than you were before you attempted to take the first step."-K.J Swint
Thursday, August 4, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life Day-99-Change 28
Once again, I woke up this morning feeling GREAT! I had a productive day yesterday and I am up at it again early this morning. Yes, I wanted to stay in the bed and sleep a little bit longer, but my urgency to tell you what happened to me yesterday just wouldn't let me sleep another wink.
I was in Barnes and Nobles working on a website for one of my clients. Everything seemed normal as usual. The coffee machine was screaming as if to say your cup is ready and there was a lot of chatter amongst people going on. While I was setting up my computers to get started I spotted an old man at the counter stirring his coffee. He glanced at me and summoned me to come over where he was. This seemed a bit strange to me and I thought I was seeing things so I stayed seated. Then he looks over at me again and summoned me once more. This time I went over. He looked down at my shirt (I had on my fraternity shirt) and said, "When an old man calls, you come see what he wants." He then shook my hand and I knew he was a Kappa. He begins to talk about what school he went to and the good ole days and then it began to happen. He looked me straight in the eye and asked me what my profession was. I told him I was a banker. He nodded and smiled. Then he asked me what I was doing at Barnes and Nobles. I was really working on websites but I told him I was writing before I knew it. He asked what I was writing. I explained to him that I was working on a novel of fiction. Now things started to get interested. He didn't ask me what the novel was about, he just looked at me and began to tell me about news paper he once ran The Birmingham World. At this point, I am thinking to myself, "This old fella is just talking to hear himself talk." After he gets into his story, he pulls up a chair where I was sitting and says, "Sit down here for a minute."
I had a lot of work to do and I really needed to get started, but I sat down because I was always taught that when old folk want to talk to you, there something that needed to be heard. He started telling me different stories about himself and the era (Civil Rights) in which he grew up in. He then gets deep into his story and looks at me with a conviction in his eyes. He stops in mid sentence, picks up my pen and says, "This is where the power lies. If you want to write about something, write about something meaningful. There are a lot of things that the younger generation needs to hear and this is the way to do it. I am a firm believer in the Master (God) and when he speaks I listen. I was on my way to Books a Million and my first mind told me to come here, but then my second mind told me to go there. I was told to always go with your first mind because that's the Master speaking to you. I think he sent me here for a reason. Now, write that down." I was speechless. I had a million thoughts running through my head. It was happening so fast that I couldn't respond to anything he said because right after he told me that he immediately began a conversation about his activity in the Civil Rights Movement.
We talked for about an hour and as we talked he would always say, "Write that down." I thought it was funny, but he was so serious. After our conversation he gave me his home number and cell number to call him anytime I needed something to write about. As he was leaving, he stopped in his steps, turned around looked me square in the eyes and said, "And the title of the book is going to be-He Who Understands, write that down." I was taken by all of this. Here I was just yesterday talking about finding my profession and now look what happened. When you let go and let God, things start to happen. I guess I was holding on to the fact that I wasn't a published author who has a book on the best sellers list and who didn't get paid monies for doing my work. But I realized yesterday that riches don't lie in the value of a dollar, but rather in the value of a person’s spirit. There are many people that have money, but are unhappy and then you have those who don't have much from society's point of view but are wealthy in spirit.
I will tell everyone that I didn't know we were poor until I got to college because my great grandmother kept us rich in spirit. And to correct myself, we were never poor and I will never be poor because my spirit is rich. Don't think that money defines being rich because it doesn't. Take a minute to reflect on the great moments in your life and ask yourself, "was money the reason for that moment being so GREAT?"
"Being rich with money is nothing like being wealthy in spirit"-K.J Swint
I was in Barnes and Nobles working on a website for one of my clients. Everything seemed normal as usual. The coffee machine was screaming as if to say your cup is ready and there was a lot of chatter amongst people going on. While I was setting up my computers to get started I spotted an old man at the counter stirring his coffee. He glanced at me and summoned me to come over where he was. This seemed a bit strange to me and I thought I was seeing things so I stayed seated. Then he looks over at me again and summoned me once more. This time I went over. He looked down at my shirt (I had on my fraternity shirt) and said, "When an old man calls, you come see what he wants." He then shook my hand and I knew he was a Kappa. He begins to talk about what school he went to and the good ole days and then it began to happen. He looked me straight in the eye and asked me what my profession was. I told him I was a banker. He nodded and smiled. Then he asked me what I was doing at Barnes and Nobles. I was really working on websites but I told him I was writing before I knew it. He asked what I was writing. I explained to him that I was working on a novel of fiction. Now things started to get interested. He didn't ask me what the novel was about, he just looked at me and began to tell me about news paper he once ran The Birmingham World. At this point, I am thinking to myself, "This old fella is just talking to hear himself talk." After he gets into his story, he pulls up a chair where I was sitting and says, "Sit down here for a minute."
I had a lot of work to do and I really needed to get started, but I sat down because I was always taught that when old folk want to talk to you, there something that needed to be heard. He started telling me different stories about himself and the era (Civil Rights) in which he grew up in. He then gets deep into his story and looks at me with a conviction in his eyes. He stops in mid sentence, picks up my pen and says, "This is where the power lies. If you want to write about something, write about something meaningful. There are a lot of things that the younger generation needs to hear and this is the way to do it. I am a firm believer in the Master (God) and when he speaks I listen. I was on my way to Books a Million and my first mind told me to come here, but then my second mind told me to go there. I was told to always go with your first mind because that's the Master speaking to you. I think he sent me here for a reason. Now, write that down." I was speechless. I had a million thoughts running through my head. It was happening so fast that I couldn't respond to anything he said because right after he told me that he immediately began a conversation about his activity in the Civil Rights Movement.
We talked for about an hour and as we talked he would always say, "Write that down." I thought it was funny, but he was so serious. After our conversation he gave me his home number and cell number to call him anytime I needed something to write about. As he was leaving, he stopped in his steps, turned around looked me square in the eyes and said, "And the title of the book is going to be-He Who Understands, write that down." I was taken by all of this. Here I was just yesterday talking about finding my profession and now look what happened. When you let go and let God, things start to happen. I guess I was holding on to the fact that I wasn't a published author who has a book on the best sellers list and who didn't get paid monies for doing my work. But I realized yesterday that riches don't lie in the value of a dollar, but rather in the value of a person’s spirit. There are many people that have money, but are unhappy and then you have those who don't have much from society's point of view but are wealthy in spirit.
I will tell everyone that I didn't know we were poor until I got to college because my great grandmother kept us rich in spirit. And to correct myself, we were never poor and I will never be poor because my spirit is rich. Don't think that money defines being rich because it doesn't. Take a minute to reflect on the great moments in your life and ask yourself, "was money the reason for that moment being so GREAT?"
"Being rich with money is nothing like being wealthy in spirit"-K.J Swint
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life Day 98-The Change 27
Man it feels good to be back at writing again. I got off to an early start this morning and hopefully I can continue until the end of the day. I am still on track with working on my manuscript for my new novel. I have written two chapters so far and I am excited about the upcoming chapters. I use to sit and wonder why am I doing all this writing? Some people probably think that I am crazy to get up at 6am on my off day to go to Starbucks and write. Hell, I think I am a little crazy. I guess this is a part of fulfilling your dream. Doing the things that doesn't make sense to you or other people. When no one understands, God does. I use to sit around and pray to God to show me what it is that I am suppose to be doing with my life. I have friends of mine who have a profession. Some are doctors, some are lawyers, some are teachers, some are police officers and so on. I on the other hand, don't have a profession to call upon. As I prayed I found myself still searching for that profession. All the while I was still writing. Then it hit me, I guess my profession is a writer. No, I am not making any money from it but from time to time, I impact lives in a positive way. There have been a few times that people have been moved by words I have written. I guess a changed life is a whole lot better than a check because you can't put a price on a persons life.
Some times we are so focused on what other people have that we don't pay attention to what we have. Here I was trying to find my profession through the standards that society has set not realizing that God had already given me a profession and that's what really matters. It's easy to get caught up in the standards that society has set for us. We pray and pray to God to bless us with certain things not realizing that he has already given us what we prayed for. The reason why we can't see it is because we are looking for it the way we want it to be instead of the way that God wants it to be. We want it to be wrapped in pretty wrapping paper and have a big bow on it with our name on it. Let me go ahead and tell you, he will not give it to you like this if you are expecting it that way.
Stop praying for things that God has already given you and start sending those prayers up for others who need it. It's better to give than receive. I know it may be hard sometimes but just try it. And also, God can only do so much for you before you start doing for yourself. Don't pray to God to get you out of debt and then turn around and spend money on things you don't need like a new pair of shoes when you have over 20 pair in your closet. If you do the little that you can do like save that money that you were going to spend on shoes or put it towards a bill, then God will do the rest. He will see that you are putting forth a great effort and then the blessings will come. If he can sacrifice his only son for you, the least you (we) can do is sacrifice a pair of shoes. That's the least you (we) can do. Help God to help you so that you can help others.
"Help God to help you so that you can help others"-K.J Swint
Some times we are so focused on what other people have that we don't pay attention to what we have. Here I was trying to find my profession through the standards that society has set not realizing that God had already given me a profession and that's what really matters. It's easy to get caught up in the standards that society has set for us. We pray and pray to God to bless us with certain things not realizing that he has already given us what we prayed for. The reason why we can't see it is because we are looking for it the way we want it to be instead of the way that God wants it to be. We want it to be wrapped in pretty wrapping paper and have a big bow on it with our name on it. Let me go ahead and tell you, he will not give it to you like this if you are expecting it that way.
Stop praying for things that God has already given you and start sending those prayers up for others who need it. It's better to give than receive. I know it may be hard sometimes but just try it. And also, God can only do so much for you before you start doing for yourself. Don't pray to God to get you out of debt and then turn around and spend money on things you don't need like a new pair of shoes when you have over 20 pair in your closet. If you do the little that you can do like save that money that you were going to spend on shoes or put it towards a bill, then God will do the rest. He will see that you are putting forth a great effort and then the blessings will come. If he can sacrifice his only son for you, the least you (we) can do is sacrifice a pair of shoes. That's the least you (we) can do. Help God to help you so that you can help others.
"Help God to help you so that you can help others"-K.J Swint
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life Day 97-Change 26
So I am fianlly back to the basics. I took a little time off becasue I had a few things going on in my life that needed my attention more than this blog. I also went on vaction to celebrate my one year wedding anniversary. They say if you can make it through the first year, yyou are wll on your way. I guess I am well on my way then!
Truth be told, I wasn't going to blog anymore. I said I was done with it because it seemed like a waste of time to me. I felt like I was just writing for nothing. But then something happened. I was walking in Wal-Mart one day and a lady who reads my blog asked me why I stopped sending it to her. I told her that I had a lot going on and I just didn't think any one was reading it and that I thought it was a waste of time. She told me that I needed to start back writing because that was her morning motivation. I was so shocked and taken by it that I wantedto start back writing right then and there. So now I guess I am back at it. Even though I just have one fan who enjoys my blog, that's all I need to get me going. Inspiring just one person is a whole lot better than not inspiring anyone at all.
A lot has happened since the last time I blogged and I will do a quick summary for you. I aquired several new clients for web pages. Which has kept me pretty busy. I narrowed down my novels to one particular one that I am now working on and I have been very consitant with this one. I am fully committed to it and I plan on staying that way until I get it done. I will give you a sneak preview of it once I get at least five chapters done. I am also back to meditating and excercising. Yes, I fell off, but I am back on now. All of this stuff takes time and i am learning that you have to learn to manage your time if you want to get all these things done.
I am learning and have learned that you have to be true to yourself about things in your life. There is no way that you can get through life and enjoy it if you are always lieing to yourself. I have been lieing to myself about writing. I tell people and myself all the time that I am not a writer and that I really don't like doing it all the time. That's some BS! I love to write even though sometimes it's hard to put my twisted thoughts into words on paper. It's hard to do but once I sit down and continue to do it and master it, it will be a cake walk and maybe, just maybe my one person who I inspire to read my work, will become one million!
"Every Master was once a student"-K.J Swint
Truth be told, I wasn't going to blog anymore. I said I was done with it because it seemed like a waste of time to me. I felt like I was just writing for nothing. But then something happened. I was walking in Wal-Mart one day and a lady who reads my blog asked me why I stopped sending it to her. I told her that I had a lot going on and I just didn't think any one was reading it and that I thought it was a waste of time. She told me that I needed to start back writing because that was her morning motivation. I was so shocked and taken by it that I wantedto start back writing right then and there. So now I guess I am back at it. Even though I just have one fan who enjoys my blog, that's all I need to get me going. Inspiring just one person is a whole lot better than not inspiring anyone at all.
A lot has happened since the last time I blogged and I will do a quick summary for you. I aquired several new clients for web pages. Which has kept me pretty busy. I narrowed down my novels to one particular one that I am now working on and I have been very consitant with this one. I am fully committed to it and I plan on staying that way until I get it done. I will give you a sneak preview of it once I get at least five chapters done. I am also back to meditating and excercising. Yes, I fell off, but I am back on now. All of this stuff takes time and i am learning that you have to learn to manage your time if you want to get all these things done.
I am learning and have learned that you have to be true to yourself about things in your life. There is no way that you can get through life and enjoy it if you are always lieing to yourself. I have been lieing to myself about writing. I tell people and myself all the time that I am not a writer and that I really don't like doing it all the time. That's some BS! I love to write even though sometimes it's hard to put my twisted thoughts into words on paper. It's hard to do but once I sit down and continue to do it and master it, it will be a cake walk and maybe, just maybe my one person who I inspire to read my work, will become one million!
"Every Master was once a student"-K.J Swint
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 96-The CHANGE-25
I went running again and I am still on track. But today while I was running, I started thinking. This is a little off subject of what I usually blog about, but I just have to get it off my chest. About half way through my jog, the thought of selfishness ran through my head. The reason for this is because of the dream I had last night. It involved a couple and a several situations involving selfishness or something close to being selfish. The woman was all into the man. She was loving and caring and thoughtful. She was always looking out for his well being. The guy was only thoughtful when needed. He only did things for her when it was required (birthday, special occasions). But the one thing in the dream that stood out to me was when they go out, he is this very affectionate guy and shows everyone that's around how much he is into her or should I say in love with her. But when they get home, he is the complete opposite. He treats her like she is his roommate. The affection he shows in public, he doesn't show at home. This part just stuck in my mind. I started thinking, why would this guy be all affectionate and seem so into his lady in public, but not at home. Then it hit me!
I guess some people are big on how they look to other people. Which leads me to believe that when this happens, a person is all about themselves. Even though it may look as if they are about the other person, it's only to make them look good. I thought this was amazing! How could someone be this selfish? What is the point is bringing someone into your selfish world when you are all about yourself? These are the questions that I started thinking about after I woke up.
Just had to get that off my chest. So if you are selfish, please don't drag someone who is not selfish into your selfish world unless you are willing to make adjustments to your lifestyle. The thought of this makes me feel uneasy, so I can just imagine going through it. Wait until you are ready and if you don't know if you are ready, ask your true friends, they will tell you the truth and if you don't have any true friends, just ask GOD!
"Selfish is the only thing Love is not"-K.J Swint
I guess some people are big on how they look to other people. Which leads me to believe that when this happens, a person is all about themselves. Even though it may look as if they are about the other person, it's only to make them look good. I thought this was amazing! How could someone be this selfish? What is the point is bringing someone into your selfish world when you are all about yourself? These are the questions that I started thinking about after I woke up.
Just had to get that off my chest. So if you are selfish, please don't drag someone who is not selfish into your selfish world unless you are willing to make adjustments to your lifestyle. The thought of this makes me feel uneasy, so I can just imagine going through it. Wait until you are ready and if you don't know if you are ready, ask your true friends, they will tell you the truth and if you don't have any true friends, just ask GOD!
"Selfish is the only thing Love is not"-K.J Swint
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 95-The CHANGE-24
For over a week now, I have been getting up every morning running. Every since I made that one little sacrifice, my life has been different. I now see that I have time to get done what I need and want to get done. I feel better throughout the day and it gives me a chance to relieve any stress that I have. Now I will be honest with you. I didn't want to go running this morning because it was a little cool outside. When I got outside, I said to myself, "there is no way, I am going running in this cool weather." Then as I was stretching, I thought about the times when I ran during the winter months. If I could run during the months when it was really cold, I could easily run during an unusually chilly spring morning. I took off running before I convinced myself not to. As I was running I began to realize why I didn't want to run in the cool weather. It's hard to run when it's cold because the cool air really burns your chest as you take in the air. It's not a good feeling at all. So, while on my journey, I started thinking about how I was going to feel when it was over. How my chest would be burning and it would feel as if I couldn't catch my breath for a while. Then it all made sense...
I was able to endure the physical pain and get beyond the psychological pain by preparing myself for it. When I ran during the winter months, it enabled me to face cool weather. But the only way that I was able to endure it was to go through it. We will never know what we can do if we never put ourselves out there. I knew what i was up against when I stepped outside and it was chilly. I knew that there was going to be pain. But I also knew that the pain would only last for a little while and the benefits of feeling good would out weigh the pain by a long shot.
There is going to be pain in your life. It's going to hurt. It's going to be uncomfortable. It's going to be miserable. But when it's all over, it's so well worth it. You will feel better and life will seem easier to handle. Every since I have started running consistently things all around me have began to change. My time seems to be more plentiful. My mood seems to be peppier. All of these changes occurred because I was willing to endure "temporary good pain." Are you willing to endure this temporary pain to have a permanent feeling of enjoyment? Or are you going to sit there and hope that every thing will just work itself out?
"When God said wait on him, he didn't mean just stand there and do nothing when he has given you the opportunity to do something"-K.J Swint
I was able to endure the physical pain and get beyond the psychological pain by preparing myself for it. When I ran during the winter months, it enabled me to face cool weather. But the only way that I was able to endure it was to go through it. We will never know what we can do if we never put ourselves out there. I knew what i was up against when I stepped outside and it was chilly. I knew that there was going to be pain. But I also knew that the pain would only last for a little while and the benefits of feeling good would out weigh the pain by a long shot.
There is going to be pain in your life. It's going to hurt. It's going to be uncomfortable. It's going to be miserable. But when it's all over, it's so well worth it. You will feel better and life will seem easier to handle. Every since I have started running consistently things all around me have began to change. My time seems to be more plentiful. My mood seems to be peppier. All of these changes occurred because I was willing to endure "temporary good pain." Are you willing to endure this temporary pain to have a permanent feeling of enjoyment? Or are you going to sit there and hope that every thing will just work itself out?
"When God said wait on him, he didn't mean just stand there and do nothing when he has given you the opportunity to do something"-K.J Swint
Thursday, May 12, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 94-The CHANGE-23
WOW! Today was exhilarating! It started the same way it did yesterday. I got up and went running before I came to Starbucks. Now when I got up, I didn’t feel like running and I was still asleep. But once I my feet hit the pavement, it was well worth it. Yes my legs were hurting and there was a point during the run when I wanted to turn around and WALK back home. But I didn’t. I kept running until I got to the end. After I showered and got ready for work, I felt GREAT! It was like my mind was refreshed. I was able to think clearer and I had a lot of energy. When I got in my car to leave, I looked at my gas needle and it was on full; as I let the garage door down, I just looked to the sky and said thank you! I was happy about the little things that I had right then. To be able to exercise, take a shower, put on clothes, get in a car that’s full of gas and go to Starbucks (then to work)…I am one BLESSED individual. WHOOOOOOOOO!! That was me screaming from being excited.
As I was running I was thinking about what motivated me to just start working out again. I starting thinking and the only answer I came up with was self motivation. Sometimes you have to just be motivated from within. I have found that self motivation is the only motivation that last. When someone else motivates you to do something, it doesn’t last as long. There are some cases where it does, but for the most part, it doesn’t. What made me think about self motivation was a comment my aunt Patty made this past weekend. She was talking to a friend of hers about why she was motivated to lose weight. She said that she was tired of looking the way she did and she was tired of getting tired easily. When she said this, I looked at the expression on her face and you could see the drive in her eyes. She was determined and she did it. Even though I was self motivated to get out and run this morning, her expression when she made that statement, gave me the energy to keep running when my legs starting hurting.
Self motivation should be the jump start to get you going on anything. And let the outside motivation be the energy to keep you going through the hard times. Once you unleash that self motivation, you will be amazed at what you can do and how you feel. Right now, I have so much energy! Just think, you can feel the same way I do, but first you must release that self motivation beast from within……
“Get back to living life and stop letting life live you”-K.J Swint
As I was running I was thinking about what motivated me to just start working out again. I starting thinking and the only answer I came up with was self motivation. Sometimes you have to just be motivated from within. I have found that self motivation is the only motivation that last. When someone else motivates you to do something, it doesn’t last as long. There are some cases where it does, but for the most part, it doesn’t. What made me think about self motivation was a comment my aunt Patty made this past weekend. She was talking to a friend of hers about why she was motivated to lose weight. She said that she was tired of looking the way she did and she was tired of getting tired easily. When she said this, I looked at the expression on her face and you could see the drive in her eyes. She was determined and she did it. Even though I was self motivated to get out and run this morning, her expression when she made that statement, gave me the energy to keep running when my legs starting hurting.
Self motivation should be the jump start to get you going on anything. And let the outside motivation be the energy to keep you going through the hard times. Once you unleash that self motivation, you will be amazed at what you can do and how you feel. Right now, I have so much energy! Just think, you can feel the same way I do, but first you must release that self motivation beast from within……
“Get back to living life and stop letting life live you”-K.J Swint
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 93-The CHANGE-22
All I can say is thank God! Yesterday and today have been very vital moments in my quest to revitalize my life. On yesterday, when I got off work, I decided to go for a run. I had a lot on my mind and usually running helps me to sort out my thoughts. Now I have to be honest, I haven't been working out like I set out to. I have been working on other things and letting those assignments get the best of my time. I tell myself that I either get off too late or don't have enough time in the morning. Well, last night brought all that to a halt. After I finished running, I took a shower and just relaxed. I sat back and did some real thinking. After all of this thinking I went to bed, but before I went to sleep, I grabbed my bible and just starting flipping through it. I finally ended up in the book of Proverbs and this is what starting me on my new journey. The verses that I read spoke about knowledge and understanding. I can't tell you verbatim what the verses said, but I can tell you that it made me get up this morning and go running.
Now mind you, I went running last night. But that didn't stop me. I had this thought while I was sleeping. the thought was that I had enough time to do the things I set out to do but I had to rearrange some of the things I was doing with my time in order to make everything work out. Instead of going to Starbucks every morning, I could use that time to go workout. Not only could I work out, but I could also post to my blog afterwards because I would have plenty of time left. Going to Starbucks is just a mental luxury that helps me get my day started. So this is why I decided to get up and at this morning. Well, once I finished running, and showered, I noticed my wife was still at home. Now usually, we leave at the same time. When I saw that she wasn't gone, I knew that I still had time to go to Starbucks. This was amazing! Here I was fussing about not having enough time to do what I needed to do and what I wanted to do and now I am doing both. It's amazing what happens when you give up something to get something. Sometimes you end up getting it all.
I was willing to give up going to Starbucks to start back working out and once I worked out, I saw that I had time to do both. You never know your limit until you push your thoughts beyond the unlimited world set in your mind. I had a thought and turned it into reality and it took me beyond what I thought I could do. I am at Starbucks right now feeling good and planning for my next projects. I refuse to let what I call the voice of "logic unreasonableness" take over me. This voice is the voice that gives you every reason as to why you can't get done what you need to get done. It gives you logic responses and it all makes sense. Like when it tells you that you don't have time. You really might not have time because you have a lot going on. You have school, kids, a husband, a wife, cleaning, washing and everything else I didn't name. And this makes sense. But what it makes you forget is the ability you have to rearrange and make do. This is what I took from the book of Proverbs when I read it. Gaining the ability to understand. When you try to understand and gain knowledge, you get better at getting closer to God and being the human being that he wants you to be. If he can give me the ability to understand, I can at least put this understanding into action.
What will you do now that you have a better understanding? Will you let the voice of "logic unreasonableness" get the best of you or will you take God's gift of understanding and make things happen in your life?.....
Now mind you, I went running last night. But that didn't stop me. I had this thought while I was sleeping. the thought was that I had enough time to do the things I set out to do but I had to rearrange some of the things I was doing with my time in order to make everything work out. Instead of going to Starbucks every morning, I could use that time to go workout. Not only could I work out, but I could also post to my blog afterwards because I would have plenty of time left. Going to Starbucks is just a mental luxury that helps me get my day started. So this is why I decided to get up and at this morning. Well, once I finished running, and showered, I noticed my wife was still at home. Now usually, we leave at the same time. When I saw that she wasn't gone, I knew that I still had time to go to Starbucks. This was amazing! Here I was fussing about not having enough time to do what I needed to do and what I wanted to do and now I am doing both. It's amazing what happens when you give up something to get something. Sometimes you end up getting it all.
I was willing to give up going to Starbucks to start back working out and once I worked out, I saw that I had time to do both. You never know your limit until you push your thoughts beyond the unlimited world set in your mind. I had a thought and turned it into reality and it took me beyond what I thought I could do. I am at Starbucks right now feeling good and planning for my next projects. I refuse to let what I call the voice of "logic unreasonableness" take over me. This voice is the voice that gives you every reason as to why you can't get done what you need to get done. It gives you logic responses and it all makes sense. Like when it tells you that you don't have time. You really might not have time because you have a lot going on. You have school, kids, a husband, a wife, cleaning, washing and everything else I didn't name. And this makes sense. But what it makes you forget is the ability you have to rearrange and make do. This is what I took from the book of Proverbs when I read it. Gaining the ability to understand. When you try to understand and gain knowledge, you get better at getting closer to God and being the human being that he wants you to be. If he can give me the ability to understand, I can at least put this understanding into action.
What will you do now that you have a better understanding? Will you let the voice of "logic unreasonableness" get the best of you or will you take God's gift of understanding and make things happen in your life?.....
Friday, May 6, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 92-The CHANGE-21
It's been a few days, but I have good reason for not posting to my blog. I have been preparing a few poems (3) to recite for two events this weekend. Yes, it's that time of year again. Mothers Day is Sunday (just in case some of you forgot). I have learned that writing a poem is easy but remembering it is even harder. Most people think that since you wrote you should be able to remember. Well, this is not true. I write a lot and it's very hard to remember everything that I write. So, this has been a challenge for me. And let's not forget getting nervous. I don't know why I get so nervous to do something I love doing. I love bringing joy to people with my words. I love to see people smile at something I created. You can't place a dollar value on a smile. I guess I am afraid that I will disappoint my audience and I won't get that smile. I don't know what it is. All I know is that my nerves get the best of me sometime. This is why I have to put so much time into learning the poem well enough to flow even through my nervousness.
I am in Starbucks right now with some headphones on listening to myself over and over until I go to work. I'm trying to get it down pack because I am getting nervous now. So wish me luck because I need it. Happy Mothers Day to all and remember that Mothers Day can be any day you make it.
K.J Swint
I am in Starbucks right now with some headphones on listening to myself over and over until I go to work. I'm trying to get it down pack because I am getting nervous now. So wish me luck because I need it. Happy Mothers Day to all and remember that Mothers Day can be any day you make it.
K.J Swint
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 91-The CHANGE-20
Well, it's been a while since I posted. Only because a lot has happened in between. A tornado destroyed a few cities in our state and Obama announced that Bin Laden had been killed. A lot of emotions are now running around the city and world. But during these times I have learned that we need to sit back and think and take care of what needs to be taken care of. Don't worry what's going on on the other side of town, just do what you need to do to get the job done. Don't worry about who has what and what they're NOT doing. Just do your part and keep moving. During tragic times, we have to be understanding and considerate of others. At the same time we need to just play the hand that was dealt to us. When God sent anyone on a mission to carry out what he ordered them to do, he told them not to worry about others, just do as I say and you will be ok. They wouldn't believe him and then he would have to show them just as he did with Jonah. He has given everyone another chance and the opportunity to assist. If you have another chance, don't worry about all other things. Be thankful for what you have. I know that this is hard to understand when everything has been taken away from you, but it's the truth. If God gave it to you once, he can give it to you again and this time it will be better just as he did Job.
Stop the complaining about what you don't have and go help those that don't have anything at all. If you can't give any money, give your time. If you can't give time, give clothes. If you can't give anything, you can always give a prayer every day for those that need it. Just look at it like I do, what if one of those women that you have seen on pictures and television was your mother...what would you do and what would you want others to do for her if you couldn't to her and help yourself?
"What's done in the heart, will come to the light"-K.J Swint
Stop the complaining about what you don't have and go help those that don't have anything at all. If you can't give any money, give your time. If you can't give time, give clothes. If you can't give anything, you can always give a prayer every day for those that need it. Just look at it like I do, what if one of those women that you have seen on pictures and television was your mother...what would you do and what would you want others to do for her if you couldn't to her and help yourself?
"What's done in the heart, will come to the light"-K.J Swint
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Revitalization of my Life-Day 90-The CHANGE-19
Didn't sleep to well last night. I had a lot on my mind. Been doing a lot of thinking lately. Most of it has been about life and just everyday living. Sometime my thoughts wear me out. I don't feel like doing some of the things that I usually love doing like writing and designing websites. I had an episode about a few weeks ago where I sleep almost all day. I went to the doctor and he did some test and told me that everything came back fine and then he asked if I were depressed or stressed. I told him that I had never been depressed or stressed before so I didn't know. How could I be depressed or stressed when I don't know of anything that is causing either of them.
I have always been the person who uplifts everyone. Always finding the good in all situations. There is no way I am going to believe this. So what have I been doing to overcome this feeling. I just keep pushing. If I don't feel like writing, I sit down and make myself write. Even if it doesn't make sense, eventually something will come together. When I don't feel like designing web pages, I do it any way. Eventually, I will get into it and make something happen.
What I have learned is that you have to find your motivation. Find that something that gives you that extra push to make you do when you don't want to do. My motivation use to be music. No matter how I was feeling, if I would put on some music, i would immediately feel good. Well, times have changed and I guess my hard times are immune to music so i had to upgrade my motivation. My new motivation is my wife. I think about how it will make her feel if I get whatever it is I don't want to do done. Every time I see her smile in my head, it gives me energy that I didn't know I had and I get it done. Just this pass weekend, I had to work and I get off late. Well, our grass needed cutting and I just didn't feel like cutting it because i had just got off work. I walked in the house and as soon as I saw her face, I immediately changed clothes and went and cut it. I didn't get a chance to finish because it got dark. Well, I didn't have to be to work the next morning until 11:30am. So I got up finished the yard and ironed her clothes for work for the next week. Then I went to work. That's motivation....find yours and you will be amazed at what you can do!
"Motivation is not something that finds you, you find it"-K.J Swint
I have always been the person who uplifts everyone. Always finding the good in all situations. There is no way I am going to believe this. So what have I been doing to overcome this feeling. I just keep pushing. If I don't feel like writing, I sit down and make myself write. Even if it doesn't make sense, eventually something will come together. When I don't feel like designing web pages, I do it any way. Eventually, I will get into it and make something happen.
What I have learned is that you have to find your motivation. Find that something that gives you that extra push to make you do when you don't want to do. My motivation use to be music. No matter how I was feeling, if I would put on some music, i would immediately feel good. Well, times have changed and I guess my hard times are immune to music so i had to upgrade my motivation. My new motivation is my wife. I think about how it will make her feel if I get whatever it is I don't want to do done. Every time I see her smile in my head, it gives me energy that I didn't know I had and I get it done. Just this pass weekend, I had to work and I get off late. Well, our grass needed cutting and I just didn't feel like cutting it because i had just got off work. I walked in the house and as soon as I saw her face, I immediately changed clothes and went and cut it. I didn't get a chance to finish because it got dark. Well, I didn't have to be to work the next morning until 11:30am. So I got up finished the yard and ironed her clothes for work for the next week. Then I went to work. That's motivation....find yours and you will be amazed at what you can do!
"Motivation is not something that finds you, you find it"-K.J Swint
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