"Release...UnBlock My Blessings"

The mid week monotony break came in the form of occupying a space in one of the pews, allowing myself the opportunity to perhaps change my view. The Pastor was talking about the importance of "Release." He said that it is important to "Release" so that you may be filled fresh, anew, with everything that is in store for you. But in order for you to claim, obtain and grow from what needs to be deposited within you, you must first learn how to "Release" what it is that you continue to harbor, that prevents deposits within your soul.

I have often heard this said in a different manner. To be exact, "Blocking Your Blessings" was the phrase that was previously used to illustrate the same point. Whether you choose to "Release" or you refuse to "Block Your Blessings," the meat and potatoes remain the same. The nourishment that needs to make its presence known for your advancement, your inevitable growth and permanent change requires you to do one or the other. The choice is yours!

So from this day forth and to prevent myself from alienating myself with everything that HE has in store for me, I am choosing to "Release" so that I do not inadvertently "Block My Blessings." I am going to forgive my Loved ones for acting anything less than Loved ones. I am going to bid ado to the feelings that I once harbored for the people that showed up late yet demanded to be seated first. I am going to "Keep Going" even when all appears to have come to a complete halt.

I Promise to "Release" hate..."UnBlock My Blessings!"
I Promise to "Release" vengeance..."UnBlock My Blessings!"
I Promise to "Release" bitterness..."UnBlock My Blessings!"
I Promise to "Release" hurt..."UnBlock My Blessings!"
I Promise to "Release" pain..."UnBlock My Blessings!"
I Promise to "Release" anger..."UnBlock My Blessings!"
I Promise to "Release" animosity..."UnBlock My Blessings!"
I Promise to "Release" myself from the past..."UnBlock My Blessings!"

Here I am, fresh, anew, needing to be filled to capacity with the new vacancy that "Release" has afforded me.

Today is a new day, one in which My Mother would be so proud, and since that has always been the goal, I Smile.

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"I Believe Myself"

I picked my son up and proceeded to ask him how his day went. He said, "Fine, Daddy." We discussed the events of the day and I asked him who he was playing with throughout. You see, when I was coming of age, my Mother knew each and every one of my friends. The friends she liked, the ones she warned me about and the ones that she outright disliked, which needless to say, did not remain in my Life long thereafter.

My son said, "I was playing with my friends, Daddy." I jokingly told him, "you don't have any friends." He said, "yes, I do." I said, "no, you don't." He said. "Yes, I do." I said, "I don't believe you." My son then said, "I Believe Myself, Daddy."

After that quick exchange I reached back to my son, gave him a pound and told him, "don't you EVER let anyone tell you contrary to what you already KNOW. Not even Daddy!" He said, "Ok, Daddy."

When my son is of age with a tad bit more wisdom underneath his wings, I am sure that he will "jokingly" inquire about that royalty check for co-authoring Daddy's Blogs. At least a stipend for the inspiration. I got you son! Both you and your sister got all of what I have to offer in and to this world up to and including this very Blog.

Never without my "Inspiration GPS" fully charged, I am not amazed that I need not venture too far from home to find that free-falling inspiration. The innocence of my children constantly remind me of how good I have it. I may provide for them and be well aware of how good THEY have it, but I must confess that I too, have it good with THEM.

This, "I Believe Myself, Son."

I thank you both for allowing Daddy to teach you, borrow and learn FROM you, so that I can further understand myself and turn right around and teach you more.

Truth be told, as much as they are learning, I am being taught.

This, "I Believe Myself."

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

'Keep Going"

As I proceeded to brush my sons hair, he proudly displayed his skill and ability to be able to count to a certain number, using his little fingers as props to further illustrate his point. "Daddy, how do you count to 100?" he asked. Without skipping a single solitary beat, I told my son, "Keep Going."

Of course, I did not leave him hanging with what I realized was more than just a generic response. On the surface, the response did appear that way, but it became instantaneously clear that the ability exists within all of us to "Keep Going."

We "Keep Going" when everything around us has seemingly come to a complete halt!

I "Keep Going" when the greed of those once closest to me attempts to fill the "appreciated void" that they left when they were evicted from the premises.

Your Life will "Keep Going" when the very people that you so Love and adore cease to exist anymore.

Our jobs will "Keep Going" should we need to go on vacation and decide NOT to "check in" to see how things are progressing without us and in our absence.

Church will continue to "Keep Going" and the sermon will still be preached and delivered whether or not we are sitting in the pews.

Should one hundred or one million people read my Blogs, they will "Keep Going" since me writing them will not stop.

Whether or not I graduated college four years after I graduated high school with a lot of my peers is irrelevant because I had to "Keep Going" until I did indeed graduate with my degree in hand.

If I am sitting on top of the world or stretched out underneath it, it will "Keep Going" and spin on its axis as it always has.

If your candidate succeeded or not, the business of this country will "Keep Going" because recounts cannot change the predetermined course that has already been written.

If that child support check shows up, is late or does not even come at all, you still need to "Keep Going" in order to satisfy the expectations of those depending on you for their basic essentials.

Yes, even when everything around you appears to have come to a complete stop, it should not impact how high you can count, with or without the use of your fingers as props to further illustrate your point.

What we do, who we are and what we ultimately become has EVERYTHING to do with our ability to ALWAYS, "Keep Going."

Don't stop! Don't ever stop!

You must "Keep Going." You will probably wind up counting well past 100, without the use of your fingers. But if no one ever told you to "Keep Going," please allow me to be the first. "Keep Going."

Happy Birthday My Sweetest Mother.

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Still in the Room"

Growing up with respect was not an option. Multiple choice responses were completely forbidden. As a matter of fact, the ONLY option was the right option and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. was always in full E.F.F.E.C.T.

I firmly believe that respect is not something that one can simply demand or acquire a sense of entitlement for. Yet respect is something that is earned through deeds and actions, specifically YOUR deeds and actions.

If your deeds and actions so warrant the respect that you feel they deserve, than requesting it will be useless. Expending energy for something that will come full circle is better saved for something that will only meet you halfway. Respect is more in line with full circle.

With great reverence and admiration, I so choose to align myself with those that have been fed off of the same supply source. That same supply source that dictates to you the need to carry on, act and conduct yourself accordingly, AS IF.

When I speak of the Love, admiration and respect that I have for my Mother, I am helplessly compelled to speak of her with the same amount of Love, admiration and respect that she so deserves, AS IF, she is "Still in the Room."

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Transitioning"

While I was dropping my son off to his class, I noticed a new face of a little boy that I had never seen before. And although I do not know EVERY name of EVERY child in my sons class, I do know each and EVERY face and his was not "familiar."

I inquired with the young lady that the little boy was clinging to as his tears could resist gravity no more and the fear captivated him with every rapid eye movement. He was afraid!

The parent within me had to know what the matter was and the teacher proceeded to inform me that the little boy was "Transitioning."

You see when the children become of a certain age, they need to "Transition" FROM the old TO the new, with a group of children that are within their age group.

I was "familiar" with the "Transition" process because I had to endure it WITH my daughter first and then my son, not to mention my own parental anxiety of knowing what they were "growing through."

My "familiarity" with the "Transition" process was also due to the fact that I too had to one day "Transition" FROM the old TO the new. I did not just ARRIVE sight unseen, sound unheard. I made an inevitable splash, but not without the help of someone or something "familiar."

So, as I hung up my sons coat, I kneeled down to embrace him with our "familiar" hug and asked him if he knew the little boys name. He said, "yes Daddy." I then told my son, "he is afraid because this is a new classroom with a bunch of not so "familiar" faces. And although this class and its surroundings are "familiar" to you, they are not "familiar" to him and right about now he needs to make some new friends to welcome him to his new surroundings. Do you remember when you came FROM your old class TO your new class?" He said, "yes Daddy." I told him, "well, now it is his turn and we need to make him feel comfortable in his new classroom, with his new teachers and all of the new faces that will soon enough become "familiar" to him, just like the new classroom, new teachers and all of the new faces embraced you when you "Transitioned" into what is now "familiar" to you."

My son pays meticulous attention to what I tell him, more so than I ever imagined him to do. He listens intently and WILL follow up with questions to further expand upon his understanding. Since I am abundantly aware of that, I seized that opportunity to do as my Mother did with me. I "Planted a Seed."

I was humbled by the epiphany that came over me. Children are a gift from GOD Almighty because they teach you, remind you and reinforce everything that we thought we knew, forgot or did not know at all. I THANK GOD FOR THE BLESSED OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PARENT!

I realized that although my surroundings are "familiar" to me, I need to be that comforting spirit to others that are "Transitioning" FROM the old TO the new. I need to be that "familiar" face in an "unfamiliar" place and to do it without further delay. GOD so placed this Blessing upon my heart and just as that little boys tears could resist the gravity no more, I too cannot resist the gravity of GOD no more. I need to seize the opportunity and the chance to extend WHAT I know, so that others MAY grow. It is what I expected of my son. It is what GOD expects of me. And so it shall be done.

Even in the final transition, you will still have a "familiar" presence and a friend in your LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

I may not be "familiar" with the details of YOUR "Transition," but I can still be a Blessing to you DURING your "Transition." For all I know, this could very well be the dryrun for my own "Transition" to something that I too will not be "familiar" with. But in the meantime and in between time, allow my "familiar" face to accompany you on your "Transition" to what will soon become a "familiar" place.

I so look forward to all of my sons questions. I am prepared and have all of my seeds ready.

With all of my heart...

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"A Good Relationship"

Being able to readily identify when you are in the presence of "A Good Woman" or when you are in the presence of "A Good Man" is only half of the story.

The makings of "A Good Relationship" are propped up by your efforts and are only outdone by the lack thereof.

If your efforts are strong, then "A Good Relationship" will reflect that in accordance to that strength.

If you are "A Good Woman" then your actions will reflect that, without the admittance of others what is already known.

If you are "A Good Man" than your actions will speak louder than any words that could possibly be uttered any "one."

I have witnessed the demise of many relationships and I too was not granted immunity from that inevitable conviction.

But as in the Judicial System, so it is in Life, the ability in which to file an appeal on your own behalf. An appeal that readily identifies and acknowledges when something "GOOD" is in your midst, within your reach and at your fingertips.

Once upon a time, what was heard would have fallen on deaf ears. What the seeing eye neglected to notice, thus insulting to the real blind eye, would have continued to go unnoticed. And what was TOUCHED would not have known how to FEEL even if the shoe was indeed on the other foot.

But that was then and the recognition of something "GOOD" was not the 1st, 2nd or 3rd thought on "MY" mind.

But thank GOD, where all that is GOOD originates, I have successfully filed my appeal and have had my conviction overturned to allow me to now see everything that I once neglected to see, hear and feel by everyone that showed, told and touched me.

As "A Good Man," reward yourself with "A Good Woman" and afford you both "A Good Relationship" that exemplifies all that is "GOOD" which in turn is representative of all that is "GOOD" within HIM.

I now see you.
I now hear you.
I now feel you.

You have never looked so "GOOD."
You have never sounded so "GOOD."
THIS has never felt so "GOOD."

Be "A Good Woman"
Or "A Good Man"
Appreciate "A Good Relationship."

I Love You Momma!

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"A Good Man"

Camouflaged behind his good deeds, you might not recognize him due to the impostors that you have come to know so well and were subsequently deceived into believing into their authenticity.

Playing a fool is not a prerequisite to Life, yet we ALL mandatorily oblige in it at some point in time. "A Good Man" is in your midst and although you might not be able to see the forest for the trees, do not haphazardly cut them down in the process of you figuring out that "A Good Man" is right over your shoulder, always has your back, whether you realize it or not.

Ready for no reason at all, to make a difference in your Life, with his words preceded and succeeded by his actions. "A Good Man" does not need a rhyme for his reason, has a purpose for his plan and only needs an opportunity in which to demonstrate his effectiveness and the fullness thereof.

I too tend to think that some leftovers taste better the next day. The same holds true with "A Good Man." But not EVERY meal has the same leftover potential the next day. The same holds true to the opposite of "A Good Man."

By now the ability to discern "A Good Man" and whether or not you have one should be innate. But should you continue to struggle with the fundamental inquiries, just answer your own questions, HONESTLY.

When you happen upon a good man, prepare every meal, with every intention on having leftovers. "A Good Man" will always want more of the same.

"A Good Man." Learn what to do with him, to prevent having to learn how to do without him. For he is impostor-free and his authenticity is never called into question.

If your ears have just lost their virginity to the description of "A Good Man," then welcome to the most impeccably monogamous relationship of your Life, compliements of, "A Good Man."

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"A Good Woman"

Sure, that person knows that you Love them, but doesn't it just brighten up their day when you express to them that not only do you Love them, but how MUCH you truly Love them?

Sure, that person knows how much you appreciate everything that they do for you, but expressing to them, in a form of a token of appreciation, what it all means to you, permits them a view into your grateful thought process and makes all the difference in their world, for they now have confirmation of their impact.

Saying "Thank You" goes without saying for some, perhaps even most, but hearing those two words draws a direct correlation to your efforts and readily identifies what you did, even if what you did had nothing to do with kudos, but everything to do with the size of your heart.

"A Good Woman" works under all of the aforementioned. Sure, you Love her. She knows that you appreciate her. You probably even thank her for her tireless efforts in keeping "IT" all together. But have you identified her as being "A Good Woman?"

Do not let her guess your thoughts, assume your feelings or hint at what everyone else acknowledges, except for you. Should you have "A Good Woman," lift her up as such. Be bold enough to celebrate that there is an alternative to having "A Good Woman," and fortunately you do not fall into that category.

My Momma was "A Good Woman."

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Billows"

When the smoke clears...
When the dust settles...
When the storms rage no more...

We have all heard these sayings and can add our own interpretations or variations to each of them. But can we all answer the one question the same way?

When the "Billows" begin to roll, whom, where do you seek your refuge?

When the "Billows" begin to roll, and in the event that you are looking for me, wrapped in HIS Faithful Word, is where you shall find me.

I have found that I have no ability in the midst of the storm. I have found that in lieu of my "ability" I have a "responsibility" to STAND and allow HIM to do what HE does best, what he does all by HIMSELF, be GOD. The plans that HE has for me are bigger than any storm that rages in my direction.

Therefore, I stand.

The "Billows" may rage in my direction, but they do not provide the same nor alter the course of GOD's selection.

Therefore, I stand.

Those same "Billows" may rise against me, but they know not the power that resides within me.

Therefore, I stand.

At the end of the day, the friend that I have will turn those hardened "Billows" into softened "Pillows" to allow me the same comfort that those "Billows" attempted to once deny me.

Therefore, I stand.

I say, when the "Billows" begin to roll, whom, where do you seek your refuge?

Wrapped in HIS Faithful Word, I stand.

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey

"Never Not Loved"

We have been through our fair share of challenges and will undoubtedly endure future challenges that will be lined up and all too excited to test our FAITH, our strength, our commitment, our reason, our purpose and our goals.

The very Love that we exhibit to and for one another will also be administered its own feeble challenge at calling in to question the Love that bridges any test of our FAITH, our strength, our commitment, our reason, our purpose and our goals.

There will not ever be a point in time where you are not ever Loved.

Reflecting on the past has brought me to the obvious conclusion that tests were passed and that our internal constituency has always been in favor of one another and with extreme confidence declared that you were "Never Not Loved."

Those challenges were dwarfed by the bridge that we kept crossing to administer a healthy dose of Love. To truly appreciate the size of that bridge, one would have to witness the bridge itself in order to understand that the architecture of that representation of Love is meant to be crossed going in both directions by every feeling that one can conjure up to display the same type of structure in its physical form as the same type of structure that exists in the mental form.

I shall cross that bridge!

Not once throughout our travels, both near and far, were you "Never Not Loved."

Crossing that bridge to see what exists on the other side has redeemed me, renewed my spirit and reinforced everything that I have grown to stand for, support in and dwell with.

To be Loved is a Blessing. To be in the position to proclaim that you were "Never Not Loved" is the utmost compliment in the form of complete reciprocity.

My dearest Love, you were "Never Not Loved."

Love and My Mother are My Inspiration!
Love and My Mother are My Motivation!
Love and My Mother are My Celebration!
Love and My Mother are My Dedication!

All the Best, All the Time!
Corey