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
Friday, September 30, 2011
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
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