"Permanent and Removable Retainers"

So, after the braces come off, the "Permanent Retainer" becomes the BEST option to thwart the attempt of the teeth to move back to their "unrightful" position. You see, not even teeth like or adapt to change very well. The "Permanent Retainer" acts in the same manner as the "Removable Retainer," but its PERMANENT. Sometimes the "Permanent Retainer" can and will be used in conjunction WITH the "Removable Retainer" to reinforce the fact that the teeth need to stay in their "rightful" position. The problem stems from the fact that the teeth have ONLY known ONE position, the "unrightful" one.

So, when the introduction of change comes into play, our lives also need the reinforcements of a permanent and/or removable retainer. Oft times we are so used to the "unrightful" positions that we have allowed ourselves to be in, that even when the change is a change for the better, without our retainers, we're tempted to move back to those "unrightful" positions because once upon a time, it was all that we knew. Certain positions require the attention of BOTH retainers. The use of both retainers is to simply reinforce the reinforcements.

HE is my "Permanent Retainer." My children are my "Removable Retainers." In conjunction with one another, they keep me in my "rightful" position. They keep me upright! They keep me straight! And as long as I have them, they will always allow me to shine when I Smile.

Love is the Inspiration!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Behind the Wheel"

Last year this time had no idea what this year this time was going to bring my way. But now that this year this time is upon me, I know exactly what it has brought my way. All the while, it wasn't imperative that I knew "What A Difference" a year was going to make, but that I continued to forge ahead with what I needed to accomplish. The story's ending wasn't my beginning, therefore, I needed to disassociate myself with the unknown and continue with the knowns that I knew.

Less confusing than what it sounds, I needed to NOT worry about the outcome and focus my attention on the elements that were well within my reach and allow the intangibles to fall and lay exactly where they fell. In essence, the intangibles needed to relinquish their PERCEIVED control and I needed to get out of the passenger's seat of my OWN vehicle.

It's OK to ride from time to time, so long as you never lose your sense of what it feels like to be "Behind the Wheel."

Love is the Inspiration!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Not About Me"

As a "Work in Progress" I have learned to continuously remove myself from the equation, so that I do not allow myself to get frustrated with what I might otherwise deem as a "Lack of Progress." I have to continuously remind myself that it's "Not About Me." The path might come through my town or perhaps even take up residence within, but it is STILL, "Not About Me."

Everytime I fail to remind myself that it is truly "Not About Me," I fail to realize that the blessing is not it "BEING about me" but the blessing lies within the fact that I should be honored that it is being facilitated THROUGH me. Yet still, it's "Not About Me."

Whether I am the "Work in Progress" or it has been determined that it should make a stop in my town, I promise to do my best to remind myself that it is "Not About Me."

Love is the Inspiration!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Anchored In"

What are you "Anchored In?"

My life consists of HIM, HIS Son, my children, loved ones and family. When I think about what I am "Anchored In," I realize how blessed I really, truly am. There is nothing more important than to be "Anchored In" everything that means everything to me. I could not possibly fathom being set adrift in an "Ocean of Uncertainty" without my anchor.

Without my anchor, my tidal foundation is virtually non-existent. Therefore I have proactively decided to anchor myself with an "Abundance of Love, Brutal Honesty, Extreme Happiness, Absolute Certainty, Non-Cocky Confidence, Configured Responsibility and Habitual Blessings."

Whatever you choose to anchor yourself in, make sure that it is with immovable conviction coupled with an undying passion for what you TRULY believe in.

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Time to Move On"

When it's "Time to Move On."

When you have exhausted ALL possibilities and the best case scenario only yields a REMOTE chance for "reconciliation," it's time to make that move. Otherwise that "Comfortable Bed" will start calling you on a first name basis and you might wind up either IN or BACK IN that rut.

Forward progression is the ONLY direction! Looking back on your "Lessons Learned" is the ONLY reason why you should even look back at all. As we move forward, we should be moving TOWARDS something and not running FROM something. At this point in time, by making the decision to move on, we have ALREADY faced our fears. We have stared in the face of adversity, arm-wrestled with it, and our decision ALONE has given us the VICTORY!

When it's "Time to Move On" do so without regret, remorse or could've, would've, should've. Remember, you've exhausted ALL possibilities and "Forward progression is the ONLY direction!"

Love is the Inspiration!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Where I Should Be"

"If that is where your heart is, that is where you should be...."

We're always planning out our days and going to places that we never have intentions on staying. I have found that I better enjoy going to places that I never have intentions on leaving. Places that hold a special place within my heart. And since that is where my heart is, that is "Where I Should Be."

Spending those precious moments that could feasibly become their OWN moments in time. Capturing those mental photographic scenes, forever etched in your mind. Since that is where my heart is, that is "Where I Should Be."

Family and loved ones help create the picture perfect memory of ALL that I aspire to be. Turning back the hands of time, if only to get it right the 2nd time around. Since that is where my heart is, that is "Where I Should Be."

Giving Honor and Praise for ALL that I have and ALL that I have become means MORE to me than ALL that I have and ALL that I have become. Since that is where my heart is, that is "Where I Should Be."

I like where I am. I'm EXACTLY "Where I Should Be."

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"My Something BETTER To Do"

"If you have nothing better to do...."

Sure, we've heard that one before.
"If you have nothing better to do...."
"Don't you have something better to do?"
Yes, we've definitely heard THOSE before.

Well, I've FOUND "My Something BETTER To Do."
In the form of LOVE, I HAVE "My Something BETTER To Do."
We are and represent "OUR Something BETTER To Do."
I am "HER Something BETTER To Do."
She is "MY Something BETTER To Do."
HE is "Our Something BETTER To Do."
We are each other's "Something BETTER To Do."

Yes, we all have something better to do, but are we doing it is the question? Or are we simply waiting for someone to ask us, "Don't you have something better to do?"

Going forward let's make that question "N/A." That question is NOT APPLICABLE!

Everything that we do from this day forth will exemplify and personify that YES, we do INDEED....have "Something BETTER To Do."

So, what are you doing today?

As for me....I have "Something Better to Do."

Love is STILL the Inspiration!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Make Them Leave, Make Them Stay"

Commitment is an all too powerful adjective that describes in meticulous detail how we feel about enduring LOVE. Sometimes we love who we love for the SAKE of being in love. Sometimes we love who we love because "it's a FORM" of love, albeit fragmented. And then there are those of us who love who we love because we think we KNOW love. Unconditional love made its presence known to me during my freshman year of parenthood. I THOUGHT I knew love, but my "SAT's on Love" could not gain me entrance to the Ivy League's.

The security blanket that we wrap ourselves in to protect against the outside elements oft times warns us that the harmful elements are actually coming from within. Our PERCEPTION of what it is clouds our judgment from what it ACTUALLY is. Wearing my heart on my sleeve means nothing if my jacket covers my heart. Saying "I Love You" means nothing if it originates from my mouth and NOT my heart.

Therefore, with the same tenacity and vigor, I LOVE like it's what I do best. I LOVE like my life DEPENDS on it. I LOVE like that is all that I know how to do.

ALWAYS remember that,
If someone loves you, nothing can "Make Them Leave."
If they don't really love you, nothing can "Make Them Stay."

Love is the Inspiration.

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Confidence Baton"

Many of us fail to realize the value that lies within each and every one of us. Perhaps some of us were told contrary to the fact, out of someone else's self-esteem issues? Perhaps the reinforcements that were sought at an early age were non-existent? Or perhaps the passing of the "Confidence Baton" was hindered due to dropping, not knowing how to or just plain failure to get in the race to begin with. Whatever the rhyme or reason, it is OK, actually it is IMPERATIVE to start being everything that you thought you never WOULD or COULD be.

Objectively the view will always differ from the outside looking in. But when WE are the one's on the INSIDE trying to look within, the "Confidence Baton" will have served it's purpose in providing us with the necessary tools to elevate ourselves in the manner and capacity that warrants growth and the realization of our inner-most potential. I have every intention on passing the "Confidence Baton" to my children and implore others to do the same. For those that have never been the recipient of the "Confidence Baton," it is my honor to now pass it on to you.

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Failure Is NOT An Option"

My life depends on it, so "Failure Is NOT An Option"
My children NEED me, so "Failure Is NOT An Option"
My LORD and Savior has expectations OF me, so "Failure Is Definitely NOT An Option"

Even though you might have to fail in order to succeed, your overall attempt should not be defined as failure. It simply means that you had the AUDACITY, the NERVE, the sheer GALL, to try again! Think you've failed at something recently or as of late? Go seek out and find that AUDACITY, the NERVE and your sheer GALL, and try it again.

The "lessons learned" will only aid you in your 2nd or 3rd attempt to get it right. 4th and 5th attempts are permitted as long as you're reviewing and adding to the "lessons learned."

To reiterate MY motivating factors:
My life depends on it, so "Failure Is NOT An Option"
My children NEED me, so "Failure Is NOT An Option"
My LORD and Savior has expectations OF me, so "Failure Is Definitely NOT An Option"

Should you NOT be aware of YOUR motivating factors, find them and tell yourself that "Failure Is NOT An Option."

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Kindness for Weakness"

"Interpretation is contingent upon the interpreter. "

That is why we should kindly remind the interpreter that ones kindness should never be mistaken for weakness. Extending a courtesy to someone doesn't mean that you've relinquished power to that person. That is why "reminders" are appropriate from time to time. It's never "what you say, but how you say it." It's never "what you do, but how you do it." You should not mistaken one's "Kindness for Weakness" because they have extended to you THEIR "kindness" during YOUR "weakness."

How we interpret things is often decided in how we WANT to interpret things. Whether it's MY kindness, YOUR weakness or YOUR kindness, MY weakness, interpret the gesture with humbleness and appreciation that is lead by your heart. Some of the kindest people have the most strength and your false interpretation might only display your weakness in an exponential manner.

I am humbled by the kindness that has been afforded to me and as equally humbled in the weakness that I have converted to strength and now offer to others in the form of kindness.

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"The List"

When I'm planning out my day or ongoing schedule, "The List" of "things to do" can become rather lengthy. Daddy Duties/Family Time/QT with Loved Ones/Daily Chores/Work/Social Activities and as if "The List" has been injected with growth hormones, it continues to grow, if NOT controlled. Through the "Process of Elimination" I do my absolute BEST to control the influx of things that wish to occupy my time.

Instead of solely prioritizing "The List" and revisiting it at a later date and time, I effectively eliminate the trivial contents and their existence altogether. Some things should not just be MODIFIED on your list, but REMOVED! At the end of the day, the things that OCCUPY your time should be WORTH your time. Time is something that is NOT guaranteed, so we should guarantee ourselves the right to better manage OUR time.

Throughout my life I know that I could have better managed my time. Going forward, "The List, My List" shall ONLY be composed of things that are TRULY deserving of MY time. Ego aside, YOUR time, MY time, OUR time is worth its weight in silver and gold. Refuse to cash in your time on things that are less than and NOT equal to that same weight.

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"I Will Never Leave Your Side"

It took me as far as it could on an empty tank, which was represented in the form of integrity. It was empty due in large part because it was never really full (of integrity) to begin with. Fullness is represented in many ways. They say “it’s not how you start, but how you finish,” right? The start was humble, the emptiness was present and the truth was absent. That was then….

Truth has become, always was and remains to be my dearest friend. Truth has been with me through thick and thin, even when I refused to acknowledge Truth’s presence. I introduced myself to everyone while Truth just stood by waiting for its introduction. Instead of obliging the Truth, it was easier to camouflage it for the sake of consistency or to avoid embarrassment. I’ve come to the conclusion that there is absolutely nothing embarrassing about the Truth. The Truth is the Truth and should be examined as such.

Whatever your Truth is, acknowledge its presence, introduce it to YOURSELF first and others always! Allow Truth to guide your judgment and facilitate your every move. And most importantly, do not allow or permit Truth to be a stranger to YOU!

I’ve learned my lesson. “I Will Never Leave Your Side.” I will ALWAYS stand by the TRUTH!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Trouble Don't Last Always"

Your financial pulse does not determine how your blood flows nor is it a gauge for how well you really are. But if you allow it, you can become sick or sickened by the stress factor that accompanies it. But "Trouble Don't Last Always."

Self-preservation should be a mandatory priority within us all. We should obligate ourselves TO ourselves without missing an opportunity to make sure that we're "OK.". As we sometimes do, should we neglect ourselves, it's important and reassuring to know that, "Trouble Don't Last Always."

Balancing the trapeze act that we commonly refer to as "Life" we should ALWAYS keep in mind that WHATEVER ills you, keeps you up at night or tries to break your spirit, is aware of the fact that it's foundation is not sturdy enough to withstand the fact that: "Trouble Don't Last Always."

Be encouraged and motivated in the same fact that: "Trouble Don't Last Always."

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

“While I Can Still Smell Them”

“Don’t bring me flowers when I’m gone. Give them to me While I Can Still Smell Them.” Yes, that’s another Mom quote.

Appreciation is a beautiful thing. We often think about how much we appreciate our loved ones and friends, but for some reason we can’t or don’t muster up the nerve to tell them so in a timely fashion. There is no such thing as a perfect time! That deserves emphasis: “THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT TIME!” When you feel it, you should do it. Since I’m not promised another day, I voice my appreciation and express my love, verbal and otherwise, to those that have and continue to impact my life. I need for them to know just how much they mean to me. And if you were to flip the scenario around, you might be surprised at how much they need to hear that FROM you.

Appreciation is a beautiful thing. Remember what Mom said: “Don’t bring me flowers when I’m gone. Give them to me While I Can Still Smell Them.”

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Changes in Priority"

I asked a good friend of mine this past weekend, when he knew that the priorities in his life had shifted and changed. Before he could utter a word, it was apparent that “Changes in Priority” impact us at different intervals of our lives. What is important to me today might not be important to you; what is important to you might not be important to me…AT THAT SAME PARTICULAR MOMENT IN TIME! When I became a parent, my priorities changed. When I went back to school, my priorities changed. When I went back to Church, my priorities changed. I’ve learned that my responsibilities will always dictate where my priorities lie within the scope of my existence.

Whenever I think about “Changes in Priority,” I look forward to the new element that will accompany the change. I look within the change to better understand it, comprehend it and subsequently embrace it. Another good friend of mine got married last month and I’m sure he had changes in priority to undergo, leading up to, before and after the wedding.

Change is inevitable, it doesn’t have to be regrettable and the growth should allow you to be more comfortable.

I’ve learned that “change is good!”

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"When You've Been Blessed"

Why, all of a sudden the philosophical approach? The fact of the matter is this is and has NOT been all of a sudden. My thoughts have always been mine and mine alone. For that reason I'm reminded of a quote that my mother used to repeat to me. "When You've Been Blessed, You Need to Pass It On." The blessing for my blog and I is to share my experiences, both past and present to others that might need to hear a positive word of encouragement or two, hence the title of my blog "All the Best, All the Time." I truly have this wish for all that I come in contact with, past, present AND future.

For me, the purpose of all of my experience is to use myself as a testimony to and for others that are either going through something, coming out of something or somewhere in between those two dynamics ("Just Like Me" Blog). What is the purpose of absorbing so much and hording it all to myself? As a parent, I've learned to be self-less and put ME to the side because contrary to a once held belief, "it's truly not about me." Humbling myself and removing ME from the equation provides me a better opportunity to look at things from a more passionate and objective perspective.

Long story short, I just decided to take my mother's advice: "When You've Been Blessed, You Need to Pass It On."

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Hindsight is 20/20"

“Foresight and or Insight will always lead you to Hindsight.”

I delight in the fact that I am and continue to be afforded the luxury of experience. Through “Foresight,” some things are planned out very well. Through “Insight” we are able to intuitively discern things that we should be planning out. And through “Hindsight” we learn what we should have planned out. But through opportunity, “Hindsight is 20/20.” Opportunity allows us to try it again, give it another go, one more try, do-overs, another attempt to get it right. And when opportunity knocks we should effectively harness our experience, have committed the pro’s and con’s to memory, remove all doubt, and VAULT not leap, at the chance to try it again.

So, even though you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink, we should relish in the fact that at some point in time, we have all been afforded the opportunity to “try it again.” And when that horse has proven to have worked up a much needed thirst, he will have an insatiable appetite to have that thirst quenched. Should your hindsight already be 20/20, afford someone else the luxury of your experience and quench their thirst when they’re ready to drink.

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey