Well it is approximately 8:00am on Sunday (yes I said it..SUNDAY), July 31st and believe it or not I am actually writing this quick blog from my desk at work. While not often, my job sometime requires me to put in a few extra hours. Fortunately for me, I enjoy my work so much that it really doesn't bother me. From a career standpoint, if you can find something that you like to do and find an organization that's willing to pay you to do it, I think that's definitely a BLESSING!
Well, I'm off to work on reviewing some loans, but be on the look out for my next blog later on this evening!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Never Judge a Book...
As the old saying goes, one should never judge a book by its cover. The other day I logged onto VH1.com to watch some previous episodes of Behind The Music. I came across the episode on Lil' Wayne and decided to give it a chance. Now I'm not saying that I am anti-Lil' Wayne, buy I mean the guy has been rapping since he was an infant probably, so what could he have possibly gone through that worth watching on TV?!?! Well to my surprise, this guy has been through a lot--much more than the typical kid at his age. From watching his mother go through an abusive relationship, to dealing with the death of his step-dad and having a baby at a young age, I must say that I have to tip my hat to the brother! How does one go from one extreme (i.e. poverty in one of the countries roughest cities) to the other (i.e. Hip-Hop stardom). Being a religious person (**idea for a later blog**), I attribute it to the fact that no matter your circumstances, God has a plan for each and every one of us. None of us are aware of what tomorrow holds, but trust me, if you can endure today's pain, tomorrow's promise is only a day away!
"Don't call me sir, call me SURVIVOR!" - Lil Wayne (Nightmares at the Bottom)
"Don't call me sir, call me SURVIVOR!" - Lil Wayne (Nightmares at the Bottom)
Strawberry Swings
#OOMF (that's "One Of My Followers" for those of you not on Twitter) put me on this artist from New Orleans by the name of Frank Ocean. Once I downloaded his mixtape Nostalgia Live, I knew that this dude was serious. As a fan, I enjoy and appreciate good music and Frank Ocean has exactly that.
I was in Chattanooga recently for the burial of my aunt and as I was traveling down the interstate I listened to Frank Ocean's mixtape. I came across a song that became another track on my soundtrack of life...you know how certain songs remind you of certain events in your life? The track "Strawberry Swings" reminded me of those times I would spend at my grandmother's house. She had an old swing set that my mother (along with aunts and uncles) would play on when they were younger. The song talks about the good old days and how life was so much more simple. In all honesty, the song put me in a very reflective and emotional state due to the circumstances of my aunt and me missing my grandmother. However, I was able to find joy in the thought that one day I will be able to create some good memories for not only my children, but my children's children--hey I might even buy them a swing set and put it in the backyard!
The bible teaches us that "a man's days on this Earth are short and full of trouble." I hope that during my short stay here I'm able to contribute something meaningful and worthwhile to the lives of others!
Mr. Ocean..thanks for providing good music and contributing to my life's soundtrack.
I was in Chattanooga recently for the burial of my aunt and as I was traveling down the interstate I listened to Frank Ocean's mixtape. I came across a song that became another track on my soundtrack of life...you know how certain songs remind you of certain events in your life? The track "Strawberry Swings" reminded me of those times I would spend at my grandmother's house. She had an old swing set that my mother (along with aunts and uncles) would play on when they were younger. The song talks about the good old days and how life was so much more simple. In all honesty, the song put me in a very reflective and emotional state due to the circumstances of my aunt and me missing my grandmother. However, I was able to find joy in the thought that one day I will be able to create some good memories for not only my children, but my children's children--hey I might even buy them a swing set and put it in the backyard!
The bible teaches us that "a man's days on this Earth are short and full of trouble." I hope that during my short stay here I'm able to contribute something meaningful and worthwhile to the lives of others!
Mr. Ocean..thanks for providing good music and contributing to my life's soundtrack.
Funny How Things Change
"When they do make a whip you like ya' chips ain't right, and by the time you can afford it, the car ain't important." - Nas (Classic w/ Kayne West, Rakim and KRS-One)
Anyone who REALLY knows me will tell you that I am probably THE BIGGEST Nas fan alive. I remember being back in undergrad and having a conversation with a classmate (now phrat brother) about how Nas was a better MC than Jay-Z! The rhyme that I placed at the beginning of this blog opened my eyes to the fact that I've never owned a pair of Js (Jordans) ever in my life. As a kid growing up, I was just simply unable to convince my mom that spending $100+ on a pair of tennis shoes was not only a sound financial decision, but an investment in my self-esteem and overall social development as a middle school student. I tried begging, pleading and even negotiating to get the cash for the latest pair of Jordans but to no avail. Looking back on this time in life, I realize that my mother, in her own little way, was teaching a young man that the value of a person is not determined by the shoes on his feet nor the clothes on his back...naw in all seriousness she just didn't want to pay so much for tennis shoes when she could drop $65-$70 on some basic Nikes and maintain my dignity in school!
Now, as a young professional with the ability to go out and purchase those same tennis shoes (**insert praise break here**), I've grown to realize that spending $150+ on some tennis shoes is really pointless at this point in my life. I'd rather contribute that money to my 401(k) or some other investment account. I guess Nas was right, as life goes on, what you thought was so important when you were younger turns to a moot point when you grow and your focus in life change!
Anyone who REALLY knows me will tell you that I am probably THE BIGGEST Nas fan alive. I remember being back in undergrad and having a conversation with a classmate (now phrat brother) about how Nas was a better MC than Jay-Z! The rhyme that I placed at the beginning of this blog opened my eyes to the fact that I've never owned a pair of Js (Jordans) ever in my life. As a kid growing up, I was just simply unable to convince my mom that spending $100+ on a pair of tennis shoes was not only a sound financial decision, but an investment in my self-esteem and overall social development as a middle school student. I tried begging, pleading and even negotiating to get the cash for the latest pair of Jordans but to no avail. Looking back on this time in life, I realize that my mother, in her own little way, was teaching a young man that the value of a person is not determined by the shoes on his feet nor the clothes on his back...naw in all seriousness she just didn't want to pay so much for tennis shoes when she could drop $65-$70 on some basic Nikes and maintain my dignity in school!
Now, as a young professional with the ability to go out and purchase those same tennis shoes (**insert praise break here**), I've grown to realize that spending $150+ on some tennis shoes is really pointless at this point in my life. I'd rather contribute that money to my 401(k) or some other investment account. I guess Nas was right, as life goes on, what you thought was so important when you were younger turns to a moot point when you grow and your focus in life change!
So Why Are You Single?
Well, my birthday is next week and I will officially turn the big 2-8! When I was in undergrad at UTC I had it planned out that I'd be married with my first child by the time I was 28. Well, needless to say, I did not meet that deadline. In fact, at this point in my life, I don't see myself being anything close to married anytime soon. It's funny because every time I'm back home, it never fails--I run into someone I haven't seen in a while and they want an update on my life since I moved up the road to Knoxville. I had no shame in sharing the blessings that God has bestowed upon me since I made that major leap of faith, packed up my bags and moved to BIG ORANGE COUNTRY! While I have yet to be converted to a full fledged Vols fan, I did have the opportunity to see the Lady Vols in action (which lead to my fascination with Glory! LOL!), but I digress. When the "Well are you seeing anyone?" question is thrown at me, my normal response is "I mean, I'm dating a little, but nothing serious." As soon as I say that, I prepare my defense, because I know the next comment will play up all the "good things that I have going for myself." The truth of the matter is that I've been blessed to come across some exceptional women, but none of whom that make me feel that feeling that my father had when he met my mom all those years ago. My father has only had one serious relationship in his lifetime! He and my mother met back when they were in middle school...yes I said it...MIDDLE SCHOOL. As the story goes, he pursued her up until they went to high school and finally got a date! From that moment on, they developed a friendship that eventually blossomed into so much more. Now I know that they've had their share of moments that made them question whether they made the right decision in spending their lives together, but the love that they share always seems to put things in its proper perspective.
Before I made my move, I was in a serious relationship that I thought was leaning towards THAT "M" WORD. I mean we practically grew up together, cared for each other and wanted the same things out of live. The only problem we had was that we just didn't get along as well as two people in a relationship should. Now I don't think that it was a case of one person not doing their fair share to make it work, it was more of (as the old saying goes) oil and water just don't mix. No matter how hard you shake a bottle, convinced that you've exerted enough energy to mix the two, when you sit the bottle back down on the table you realize that you failed (once again) to achieve your goal.
Now ladies, I'm going to let you all in on a secret that no guy will ever tell you. Failure, in any aspect of our lives, has a tendency to either break us or harden us to the point that our overall approach to that particular situation changes drastically. Personally, my entire approach to dating and relationships has changed to the point where I'll damn near put a girl "on line" to test her overall desire to be with me. Now I know that being in this state of mind has caused me to lose out on some wonderful opportunities, but that's how I've programmed my feelings.
Going back to parents' relationship, I asked my father what made him sure that my mother was "the one." His answer was simply that he prayed about it and trusted his heart inside of his mind. I see now, that my problem is that since my last REAL relationship, I've gone about this situation the wrong way...I've trust my mind and negated my heart! I guess next time I'll just pray about it and let my heart guide me.
Before I made my move, I was in a serious relationship that I thought was leaning towards THAT "M" WORD. I mean we practically grew up together, cared for each other and wanted the same things out of live. The only problem we had was that we just didn't get along as well as two people in a relationship should. Now I don't think that it was a case of one person not doing their fair share to make it work, it was more of (as the old saying goes) oil and water just don't mix. No matter how hard you shake a bottle, convinced that you've exerted enough energy to mix the two, when you sit the bottle back down on the table you realize that you failed (once again) to achieve your goal.
Now ladies, I'm going to let you all in on a secret that no guy will ever tell you. Failure, in any aspect of our lives, has a tendency to either break us or harden us to the point that our overall approach to that particular situation changes drastically. Personally, my entire approach to dating and relationships has changed to the point where I'll damn near put a girl "on line" to test her overall desire to be with me. Now I know that being in this state of mind has caused me to lose out on some wonderful opportunities, but that's how I've programmed my feelings.
Going back to parents' relationship, I asked my father what made him sure that my mother was "the one." His answer was simply that he prayed about it and trusted his heart inside of his mind. I see now, that my problem is that since my last REAL relationship, I've gone about this situation the wrong way...I've trust my mind and negated my heart! I guess next time I'll just pray about it and let my heart guide me.
Constructive Criticism
As a member of the Leadership Team here at my bank, I am charged with playing a pivotal role in improving the overall conditions of the bank. As the Credit Analyst within the Credit Administration Dept., I must admit that I sometimes feel as though I'm just flying by the seat of my pants.
After our leadership meeting this morning (which we have every Friday morning), I pulled one of our Commercial Lenders aside to get his feedback on how I can improve my level of service/support to the front line. I must admit that the information he gave me was insightful, from not only a professional standpoint, but from a personal one as well. As I thought about our conversation, I realized how much our personal and professional lives are intertwined with each other. The perception that your colleagues have of you more than likely will mirror the perceptions held by your friends/family/associates. With that being said, when everything is said and done...and I'm enjoying retirement in my beach house down in Florida (hey, let a brother dream!)...I want to be able to look back over my life and say with all honesty, that I not only grew as a professional within my career, but I grew to be a better friend/family member and acquaintance to those who crossed my path on this road of life.
**WOW! I just posted my first blog!**
After our leadership meeting this morning (which we have every Friday morning), I pulled one of our Commercial Lenders aside to get his feedback on how I can improve my level of service/support to the front line. I must admit that the information he gave me was insightful, from not only a professional standpoint, but from a personal one as well. As I thought about our conversation, I realized how much our personal and professional lives are intertwined with each other. The perception that your colleagues have of you more than likely will mirror the perceptions held by your friends/family/associates. With that being said, when everything is said and done...and I'm enjoying retirement in my beach house down in Florida (hey, let a brother dream!)...I want to be able to look back over my life and say with all honesty, that I not only grew as a professional within my career, but I grew to be a better friend/family member and acquaintance to those who crossed my path on this road of life.
**WOW! I just posted my first blog!**
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