"To Encourage You"

Deep in the throws of adversity, down the back alleys of uncertainty, up the block of obstacles, around the corners of hate, at the end of despair avenue, on the bypass of resentment, lies the cul de sac of Love.

Oft times, we have to travel down these paths in our lifetimes in order to get to Love's destination. And although these things have the potential of clouding our judgment or doubting what is within our hearts, they cannot override, overpower or overrule the power of Love.

These things might attempt to pollute the pureness of Love, but they shall ALWAYS fail miserably! Love is not negotiable! It truly "is what it is." I'm talking about the one thing that always makes the best first impression and the second thing that cannot fail, with GOD being the first. Talk about hitting two birds with a single stone.

Times are hard and the battles will continue to wage on, but the VICTORY has already been won! Love ALREADY has the victory within the palms of its hands. Love cannot be cheated or defeated! You cannot simply retreat from Love and what is within you. Love will always defeat any ADVERSITY, any UNCERTAINTY, any OBSTACLE, any HATE, any DESPAIR, any RESENTMENT and ANYTHING that is not, Love.

Love only asks you of one thing. Love asks that you allow it to "To Encourage You."

It is time to fall in Love all over again.

GOD Bless.

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

"Like Your Life Depends On It"

Should you feverishly Smile "Like Your Life Depends On It," do you think that the act of Smiling will ever cease?

Now Smile, "Like Your Life Depends On It!"

Truth be told, it does!

Smile, all day long!

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

"The Other Way Around"

All four of them met at the door at the same time. The young lady was coming in and the three men were exiting. She grabbed the handle of the door and pulled it towards her, holding it open for each of them to walk through. Without skipping a beat, all three of the men did just that.

At the same time I noticed the bewildered look on her face I was shaking my head as I said "Jesus," thinking about My Mother, my daughter and my son. You see beauty might take you around the corner, up the block or down the street, but mannerisms will run a marathon on your behalf. There was nothing beautiful about this young lady holding open a door for three willing men to walk right on through with zero utterance, as if nothing was wrong.

As she proceeded to walk in my direction, we made eye contact and I was COMPELLED to tell her, "you know that should have been "The Other Way Around," right?" She responded, "I know, but what are you going to do?" What are you going to do? What are YOU going to do Corey?

That is exactly why I thought about My Mother and children. You see My Mother would have handed me my butt in a custom made basket with my name embroidered on the handle and adorned on each side had I pulled a stunt like that. REMEMBER: Mannerisms will run a marathon on your behalf.

Which brings me to my children. When it comes to our children we ALL think that the mold was broken after our kids were created. There couldn't possibly be more beautiful children than the one's that carry the same genes as the parents that co-created them. I am no different in this thought process. I believe that my children are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! But around the corner, up the block or down the street is not very far. And since mannerisms will run a marathon on your behalf, looks are SUBTRACTED from the equation, for they ADD no redeeming value when it comes to mannerisms.

I make sure that my son practices his "gentleman manners" with his sister every chance that he gets. He knows that "ladies first" is not an option and he will actually stutter-step remembering "ladies first" as we are out and about and it has momentarily slipped his mind. I have not informed him of the custom made basket with HIS name embroidered on the handle and adorned on each side. Its actually a hand-me-down from the one that My Mother had made for me (The names have been changed to protect the innocent).

Being the oldest, the hand-me-down process kind of bypassed me altogether, with the exception of mannerisms. They started with me and were demonstrated and reinforced by My Mother. The best hand-me-downs known to man, are mannerisms.

My daughter understands the process as well and with any kids, I deploy "tickler reminders" that should you desire to go further than around the corner, up the block or down the street, do not allow your looks to lead the way. Rather employ your mannerisms to run that marathon on your behalf.

Besides, Daddy would hate to have to pull those two custom made baskets with your names embroidered on the handles and adorned on each of the sides out of the closet and hand them to you with each of your butts in them.

Thank you for the basket Mother. I'm not around the corner, up the block or down the street. I'm actually down the road, on the highway, in another state. My mannerisms are still running that marathon on my behalf.

So, what am "I" going to do? Well, I'm going to continue to teach my children contrary to the ways that are being exhibited by people that think there is nothing wrong with a lady holding the door for quite capable men. As a man, I refuse to co-sign that!

Mannerisms should NEVER be absent. It should be "The Other Way Around." They should ALWAYS be present.

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

"Faucet"

As we make our way to the bathroom, the kitchen sink or even the shower, we have a tendency to regulate the amount of pressure that is released from the "Faucet." I remember being told and am now telling my kids to "turn down the water." I am abundantly aware of the right amount of pressure that is needed to bring about the right amount of water flowing from the "Faucet" for the children to wash their hands or brush their teeth or to get cleaned up.

The right amount of pressure per the right situation can stand to yield the best results. It is much easier to have a drink from a garden hose as opposed to drinking from a fire hose. Yet on a daily basis, we employ a thought process that would have us believe that in order for us to make a difference in our lives and within this world, we need to have that sip from the fire hose. And much to our own dismay, we do just that.

Sometimes, when we do not have someone around to tell us to "turn down the water," we forget that we own the regulation process to the "Faucet" in the first place. We control the amount of pressure that is used in our daily settings by simply engaging the "Faucet," in search of the right amount of pressure per the right situation, looking for those best results.

There are those that leave the "Faucet" running when the water is being used intermittently such as when you are brushing your teeth. Some use the "Faucet" sparingly, conscious of the control factor and aiming to decrease waste and ineffectiveness. And somewhere in the middle lies a combination of both, mindful, but not respectful of the "Faucet" and respectful, but not always mindful of the "Faucet."

WE control the amount of pressure that is released from our "Faucet's." WE control our own effectiveness and how it is employed. And WE determine when to "turn down the water."

So, if things are not right in your Life, "turn down the water."

Too much negativity composing your surroundings? "Turn down the water."

Unfacilitated chaos at home? "Turn down the water."

If your relationship is running on fumes, "turn down the water."

And stop drinking from that fire hose. The right amount of pressure per the right situation, for the best results, use the "Faucet."

Thank you Mother, for always reminding me to "turn down the water" on the "Faucet."

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

"Face It & Fight It"

The odds are always stacked against us in one form or fashion, in one way or another. Just when we think we got this thing licked, up pops another obstacle in which to overcome. But the EXACT reason why we are STILL here is BECAUSE of the simple fact that we overcome.

All of the trials and tribulations that we conquer are NOT in vain. They have subsequently built up an impenetrable defense within us to withstand the blows from the most formidable opponent known to man.

Some of us are so accustomed to adversity that it has become second nature to us. We have learned to "Face It & Fight It," come what, come may, in every instance that it presents itself to us. Like there is no tomorrow, we leave our efforts on the battlefield and replenish our fortitude and live to see another day, fight another day and taste victory all over again.

Those odds are just some mathematical equation that bigger brains came up with. And although numbers don't lie, I put my Faith in an equation that cannot be mathematically solved. I have my all and all WITHIN my all and all.

I am so grateful for the adversity in my Life. My children will witness my strength, feed off of it and grow to be strong enough to one day fend for themselves. So, if my purpose is to be an example for others, then with an unequivocal and resounding YES, I shall be that visual to build up those that are around me, everytime I "Face It & Fight It."

Turn your adversity on its ears and use it against itself to create your next Blessing. There IS a silver lining within those dark clouds. Sometimes in order for it to reveal itself, you just have to "Face It & Fight It."

I Love You Mom!

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

"Too High, Too Low, Too Great"

The mountains are "Too High," the valleys are "Too Low" and the disappointments are "Too Great" for me to venture on this journey without you. I cannot sustain the inevitable pain that I will undoubtedly endure should I choose to foolishly explore this Life on my own. An exploration is all that it would amount to in light of the fact that I can do nothing without you.

Pride does not enter into the fray, nor does it hinder the visibility that I need in which to SEE, all that is beside, behind AND in front of me. The stakes are "Too High," for me to merely get by, on thoughts of recognition, yet not being able to identify.

The stakes are "Too Low," if my efforts refuse to grow, to the level of maturation needed to bring about an impact to my Life and situation.

The disappointments are "Too Great," should I allow others to create and ultimately have a hand in deciding my fate.

Therefore, expectations are the foundation that all is built upon and the backdrop for all of the things in which to come.

The height of the mountains, the depths of the valleys and the magnitude of the disappointments are minuscule at best and in comparison to the Kingdom that awaits my arrival, they are reduced to the speed bumps that they are, which are only designed to slow me down, so that I may enjoy the scenery on this journey, with my Life in Your hands, Your presence by my side, Your Love in my heart and You on my mind. My heart tells me that I am indeed on the right path.

"Too High, Too Low, Too Great"

My Passion, My Purpose, My Fate.

"Too High, Too Low, Too Great"

I accept You here and now, to avoid tomorrow's too late.

Blessings.

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

"If I Had A Big Sister"

Being the oldest means that I am everyone else's "Big." There are definite pro's and con's that come with the territory of being everyone else's "Big" and only the person in that "Big" position knows the extent of what those pro's and con's truly are.

Every since the birth of her little brother, her innate character kicked into high gear and she performs as if she has been here before, "all knowing" when in all actuality, she is "all growing."

The rapture of Love, protection, guidance and direction are cute, sincere and genuine. Her little brother is very lucky to have a sister such as the one that he will grow to immensely appreciate for all that she has done and continues to do to make his Life better. Her "Big" sister status is one that she takes seriously and is very proud of. Needless to say, or better off "said," I am very proud of.

For all that you DO, for all that you ARE, for all of the Love that you DEMONSTRATE, we are ALL better because of it.

And on this day, the day of your birth, Daddy would like for you to know that, "If I Had A Big Sister," I would want her to be just like you.

I Love You Princess!

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

"Seed of Opportunity"

Some of us do not recognize opportunity because it comes in the form of hard work. But you see, opportunity is nothing but a seed. And that hard work, it is nothing but water. Rudimentary at this point, but we all know what happens once we begin to water the seed. It begins to grow.

That opportunity, that seed, can rest solidly on the surface, but as long as you work hard, and watering that seed persists, that seed will grow to FIND its roots, thus creating its own foundation that will spawn others, that will spawn others, that will spawn others.

And now you sit in the midst of "Generational Blessings" because of that one seed, that one effort, that created more than you ever humanly fathomed.

So, plant that seed. Put forth that effort. Find the roots that will keep you firmly planted to allow the absolute best in the form of growth. And lastly, take advantage of that "Seed of Opportunity."

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

"Of Good Courage"

No one ever said that it was going to be easy!

HE never promised us a smooth ride, but yet a safe landing!

In my Life I have encountered what I thought were unparalleled turbulent times. I have had "my fair share" of rough patches, nicks and scratches to last a lifetime. And IN my lifetime, should I never encounter those rough times again, it will be too soon.

But the caveat to such a proclamation is the very fact that WITHOUT those "unparalleled turbulent times," or so I thought, I would be unable to render up an authentic Praise and would not know the first thing about "courage," let alone being "Of Good Courage." It is all a significant part of the process, one in which has nothing to do with my "unparalleled turbulent times" because I was not the first, second, third or last to experience such scenarios that would compel me to "turn on the lights," "open up the blinds," "get a clue," "put it together," "package and redistribute," all for the Glory, that has nothing to do and is bigger than Corey.

It is so vitally imperative to have a thorough comprehension of what you are dealing with and what you are going through so that you can put the fear of facing it to bed and be "Of Good Courage."

To wage battle and war against an enemy that has already been defeated by GOD's Army because the only thing that HE cannot do, is fail. That simple fact implores us to be "Of Good Courage" and behooves us to display nothing to the contrary.

No more lip syncing! If you can sing, then lift up your voice and be "Of Good Courage."

No more dumbing down! If your intellectual capacity is voluntarily shallow, then it is time to venture to the deep end and be "Of Good Courage."

No more procrastination! If your "to do" list is longer than your "completed" list, then it is time to show up, get some work done and be "Of Good Courage."

Whatever your story, whatever your circumstance, be "Of Good Courage," from the onset, at FIRST glance.

ALWAYS, be "Of Good Courage."

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