For My Boys

I recently sat down with my pastor and friend over coffee at Starbucks. During this meeting where I was discussing how recent events had made me question who I was. Had I become irelavent? What were the ambiguities which had led me to this paradigm shift on myself? After we had spoken to quite some length my friend pulled out his phone. My first reaction was thiking that he might have to leave. Soon I realized that he was taking a picture of me. He put the phone down and had me look at this rather amazing photo of myself. Ok it wasn't that great but it didn't matter with the words to follow. "O.K. Brandon, now you are God." "What do do you want to tell him about himself" referring to the picture. I paused not knowing what to say. What could the creator of the universe have to say to this guy? Shortly after this question was posed my response started to formulate. Thus the reason for this blog. I realized words of encouragement and a perspective on someone that only could come from greatest opinion. Truths that are timeless and paramount in a healthy life. A life that God made us for.

----------------------- For My boys ------------------------------------

My dear sons. I have never been blessed in my life with any gift greater than being your father. This journey of life that you are on is quite an adventure. Embrace everyday knowing that the only real and true obstacle that you will ever have is yourself. No person nor any situation can ever defeat you. It might hurt, maybe even alot. However, you my boys can never be destroyed. Listen to that voice inside that tells you that you should or should not do something. That is your moral compass. It is our basic programming from the Almighty. There are many that you will encounter which are living all wrong. Believe me when I tell you that it is not always easy to live Right Side Up in this Upside Down World. However, this pursuit is honorable, heroic, and worth while. It takes great courage to live right but you are capable. Never give any validity to condescension, cruelty, nor evil deeds. Seek the power to overcome.

When you were born your mother and I did not hold you and look into your new face and say "This child is average, he will never amount to much, he is weak and not as good as his peers." No we looked into your face beaming with pride. So honored that we were your parents. Knowing that you were able to be as great as you wanted to be. We more than anyone in your whole life know just how unique and special you are.

If you are ever faced with adversity. If you ever come to a place where you question your very existence think of this. Do you think that if the sky choose a different color for itself, would it ever be as good as blue? Would mountains be as majestic if they wished they werent so tall or jagged? Would watching the sun set over the ocean be as miraculous if it wished it weren't so flat and peaceful? Would the world be a better place if you were like another? Didn't God make you just the way that you are? Just know this that no friend, girl, co-worker, neighbor, or anybody will ever have the power to make you irrelevant. You will always matter. You will always be your mother and I's children. You will always be a creation of God who was designed for a purpose. Now go out and discover what that is and never give up.

Doing The Right Thing

I have had so many instances in my life where I was faced with a situation which presented very difficult decisions. These decisions, however unpopular were based upon things which we all poses. These things are Moral Compass, Gut Feelings, Ethics, and our programming we recieve during our upbringing.

When faced with a situation where we are not always sure what our action or inaction should be or look like we have to search deep down. We have to look for that

Cause and Effect

I have been listening to the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People lately. This is an amazing self transformation series which has the ability to effect change at many levels.

One of the most amazing and impactful segments for me is the story of Viktor Frankl. Frankl, while imprisoned in a Nazi Concentration Camp was able to become so self aware that he was able to see himself from an external point of view. In doing this he was able to find meaning amidst his suffering. Even though his family was succumbing to the terror of the Nazi slaughter Frankl was able to make a profound discovery in himself. This Man was able to realize that the one true freedom that we all possess is that of "I can decide how I am going to let this affect me".

Let’s be honest it is always easier to play the victim. "Well my boss is a jerk and won't listen so I am just not going to put any more effort into it than I have to." Great philosophy I know! This yields many great results doesn't it. Maybe a marriage example "My wife is just self centered and I am always forgotten. I guess that what I want just doesn't matter". Another great one huh?... Is this really how God designed us?

What qualities do the most influential people today and figures of historical significance possess? Ones that actually made profound change, stood up for what was right, or even said or did something that you thought "WOW" that is the kind of person that I want to be. Were these people proactive or reactive? If you said proactive you were right. These proactive and self aware individuals possess the power to choose their response to any situation whether good or bad. This does not always mean that the outcome is always what we wish. It might be exactly the opposite. However, when that time comes Good or Bad the proactive person will choose the next step and or right frame of mind which will help them grow as a person.

We all have as self aware beings the power to choose. This is an amazing and liberating realization. Once we realize that everything is a choice and not a sentence we can start taking responsibility for our actions and start living seeing life as we want to see it. Let’s face it there are far fewer victims out there than the supposed “victims” would lead you to believe.