"Where Are You From?"

I take great pride in recognizing and knowing ALL of the names of the fellow students and friends of my two children. While out and about, I found myself constantly running into them and they immediately knew who I was. "HEY, Mr. So and So's Dad!" As parents, we are then compelled to introductions due to the innocent nature of our beautiful children.

As I walked my son into his classroom, I am greeted by this energetic, pronounced, inquisitive little girl.

Little Girl: "HI! HOW ARE YOU?"

Corey: "Well hello sweetheart! I am fine and you?"

Little Girl: "Where are you from?" She wanted to know.

Corey: "I just came from home. Where are you from?" I asked.

Little Girl: "I'M FROM JESUS," she LOUDLY proclaimed!

Corey: "You ARE?"

Little Girl: "Yes, I am!"

As she walked away, my son and I looked at each other, Smiled and we embraced.

I asked my son, "Did you hear what she said?" He replied with a bright-eyed, beaming, "Yes, Daddy!"

You see due to the fact that she was new to the classroom, I did not know her name. So, I asked my son what the little girls name was and as he told me, I was thinking about meeting and sharing with her parents what MY Mother advised me to always do good on, "First Impressions." She made a lasting impression on me, one that I will not soon forget.

Her exuberant energy needed no explanation, once she made known her proclamation. Needless to say, I NOW know the little girls name.

I was Blessed two fold:
1. By her leadership in the LORD qualities.
2. My son needed no explanation as to who Jesus was and is and knew exactly what his new classmate was talking about, hence his bright-eyed, beaming, "Yes, Daddy!"

GOD will use everything that has breath, even those that do not use his name, to stake his claim and ownership over HIS Kingdom! Believe that!

So, on THIS day, as you drop your kids off to school and make your way in to your office or cubicle, I ask YOU: "Where Are You From?"

Through our friends and enemies alike, through our co-workers, family and acquaintances, all the way down to the innocent nature of our beautiful children: TO GOD BE THE GLORY! FOREVER!

So tell me: "Where Are You From?"

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

"Love and Support"

I was honored to have my little sister pay me a visit for a couple of days a couple of weeks ago. We had a lot of fun with the kids. We decided to go to a comedy show to see a certain comedienne. She said something so poignant at the beginning of her long set.

She proceeded to speak to the ladies in the audience by relaying a telephone conversation that she had with her girlfriend one morning. She calls up her girlfriend:

Comedienne: "Girl, he woke up this morning talking about he wanted to be an astronaut."

Girlfriend: "So, what did you do when he told you that? Did you laugh at him?"

Comedienne: "Nah girl, I went on in there and sewed my man an astronaut uniform. He's leaving right now girl, look out your window."

Abundant laughter ensued!!!

"Love Iand Support."

I know I want "Love and Support" from the one that I "Love and Support." How about yo

Ladies, if your man wakes up and says that he wants to change career paths and be a "Plumber," then you need to go out and buy him a designer toolbelt from TJMaxx or Marshalls to give the haters a reason to hate, but more importantly because you "Love and Support" him.

"Love and Support."

Gentlemen, if your woman wakes up and decides that she wants to change career paths and be a "Nurse," then you need to go out and make sure that she has some monogram scrubs to give the haters a reason to hate, but more importantly because you "Love and Support" her.

"Love and Support."

If you have a man that Loves and does for YOUR child, if and when needed, up to and including randomly, even better than your baby's daddy, then you better "Love" that man and give him ALL of your "Support" because he damn sure "Loves and Supports" you!

"Love and Support."

Once an aspiring Hip-Hop Artist, my ex-wife made T-Shirts with my logo plastered on the front and/or the back with my website underneath to demonstrate her "Love and Support" for my goal. She negotiated my travel arrangements to and from another state so that I could record the last 3 songs of my Hip-Hop CD.

"Love and Support."

If your man writes from his heart and pours out his testimony in the form of Blogs and his upcoming book, then do not be the only person that does not comment. Demonstrate your "Love and Support" by SHOWING your "Love and Support."

"Love and Support."

"Love" will allow you to "Support" the one that you "Love."

Your "Support" for the one that you "Love" will demonstrate the fact that you "Support" them in the name of "Love."

For if you do not "Support," then you do not "Love," because if you truly "Love," then you will undoubtedly "Support."

Do you "Support" the person that you claim to "Love?" Will they agree with whatever your answer might be? If the answer is yes, then take a mental inventory of HOW you "Love and Support" the one that you "Love." Let there be zero ambiguity with respect to how you "Love and Support" them.

Let there be no question that the "Love and Support" that they provide you is no less than the "Love and Support" that you provide them. Otherwise, the "Love and Support" that you have grown accustomed to receiving will no longer be reserved to and for you. They might tender their "Letter of Resignation" (http://allthebestallthetime.blogspot.com/2010/01/letter-of-resignation.html).

Should my words fall on deaf ears, then re-read this Blog and look for the obvious "ex"ample contained within.

In order to receive the Blessing, sometimes you need to be the Blessing.

Be the same "Love and Support" as the "Love and Support" that you desire to receive.

Be that Blessing, so that you may in turn receive your Blessing.

Forever, "Love and Support."

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. Ford

"Letter of Resignation"

There comes a time in everyone's Life that it is time to move on. An old Director of mine once said, "when you move on, make sure it is TOWARDS something as opposed to running AWAY from something else." The best advice he ever gave during our professional relationship together.

That professional relationship served its purpose in both capacities and in order for you to keep moving, you need to move on. There might not be any room within the organization or the company that would allow you to make a career out of it, ultimately retiring from.

Although it might seem like a difficult decision to make, it is abundantly clear that it is the only choice that you have in which to make.

My Mother used to remind me to "never burn your bridges, Corey. You might have to cross back over them one day." I have tendered numerous letters throughout my career and two things remain constant. One: I LISTENED to my Mother and I never burned any of those bridges. Two: I was never afraid to move on.

The good thing about moving on without having burned any bridges is the fact that you can do so with a clear conscious, knowing that all of the experience and expertise that you brought to the table was genuine and sincere and upon your departure, you left it as such, if not better.

But when you burn that bridge, all of your previous hard work and dedication are now tarnished because you were running FROM something as opposed to running TOWARDS something else. In other words, no two week notice, you just up and quit, completely sabotaging all that you have accomplished from the lasting perception that people now have of you, by the way that you chose to bow out.

We tend to think that those "Two Week Notices" serve the purpose of transferring the knowledge by passing the baton to the replacement or the placeholder for the replacement from the one that had all of the knowledge. But even if you were only in your job for 6 months, you could not possibly transfer ALL of what you know to the next person in just two abbreviated weeks.

Therefore, I tend to look at those "Two Week Notices" as an opportunity for someone who did it the right way by NOT burning their bridges to exercise or exorcise by purging out all of the old in clear preparation for all of the new.

Now take all of the above relative to your professional Life and career and now apply it to your personal Life and career.

If there is no room within "THAT organization or within THAT company" that would allow you to make a career out of it, ultimately retiring from, spending eternity with, then tender your "Letter of Resignation" and move on to something better. But not because you are running FROM something, but because you now choose to run TOWARDS something else.

Some people will even keep the "lines of communication" open by offering up ways to communicate on a personal level. But have you ever noticed that not everyone is on that emails distribution list?

Nonetheless, you know what is ultimately best for you and no one else owns or can make that decision on your behalf, unless you give them the power to do so. But, by tendering my "Letter of Resignation," I remove the power FROM and apply all of its energy TOWARDS, the future.

Thank you for the opportunity and please accept my "Letter of Resignation."

Enc.

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

"Kids Toothpaste"

As a young boy that she was rearing to be a decent young man, my Mother would encourage me to abide by some "poverty tricks of the trade" to ensure that I had when I did not have the necessary financial resources to get what I needed, when I needed it.

In other words, when the funds were there and available, she would encourage me to "double up" on my necessities so that it would last me double the time in the event that something occurred and took precedence over the necessity, even though it was a necessity.

You see, there are no rules to being poor, hence the reason why those that are not poor do not comprehend the logic of those that are poor.

Although poverty is not a word that I would use to describe my Life now, I have never stopped using those "poverty tricks of the trade."

You see, it matters not how much you have. It could all be taken away...JUST LIKE THAT!

My mental inventory had me under the impression that I had an extra tube of "Kids Toothpaste" in my closet, but in all actuality and much to the chagrin of my daughter's taste buds, I had not.

So, as I proceeded to brush their teeth prior to bedtime, I informed them of Daddy's error and my son immediately quipped, "Daddy, don't you always buy two of everything?" My GOD, all I could do was Smile! A parents eternal joy to know that their kids are watching, to know that their kids are listening and to know that their kids are paying a healthy dose of attention. "Yes son, I sure do, but Daddy made a mistake because I thought that we had another one to spare."

My children reassured me that they were ok with using Daddy's toothpaste for the evening and the following morning's brush. As I proceeded to "help" brush their teeth, I was anticipating the moment that the flavor of my toothpaste met their taste buds for the very first time.

My daughter gave me her, "Dad, are you serious...this stuff is gross" look of DISapproval, while my son informed me, "Daddy, your toothpaste is spicy!"

I silently pondered that my kids were way too spoiled and convinced myself that "Daddy's Toothpaste" was just fine until I was able to get to the store and "double up" on replenishing their stock.

This morning, I decided to take a stroll in the shoes of my kids in order to gain a better perspective on their view of the world. I tried the "Kids Toothpaste" for the first time.

It was GROSS!

Therein lay the lesson for Corey, for parents and adults that work with, interface or interact with children.

If you want to taste what our children go through in their little lives, start by using your "Kids Toothpaste."

It's a humbling experience. And for quick starters, we get a "taste" of what they go through.

To GOD be the glory, forever!

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

"Simple Carry-On"

Here we are 15 days into 2010 and some people are still carrying around baggage from 2009. Truth be told yall, some people are still carrying around baggage from 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 and even from the last century.

The (not so) funny thing about that is the fact that we do not still wear the fashions from 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 and even from the last century.

So, as long as we LOOK good, who cares about how we FEEL, right?!

WRONG!

We have the audacity to update and upgrade our "physical" wardrobes, but when it comes to our "mental" wardrobes, we are still hoarding around all of those old fashions that do nothing but bring us bad memories.

When was the last time you purged the old and went on a psychological shopping spree? Don't wait around for that gift card to come before you render the decision to go shopping. It will never happen that way.

Don't wait around for the bad memories to just go away. It will never happen that way. Just throw them away! Purge them so that you can move on with your Life. Stop trying to check your luggage and baggage every time you want to go someplace with someone somewhere. In Life, all we need is a "Simple Carry-On."

Now carry-on and Live your Life in the "here and now" and not the "then and was."

Go someplace, with someone, somewhere, with a "Simple Carry-On."

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

"By Faith"

Who would've thought that this little smidgen of Faith could/would carry me, sustain me, overrule my detractors and provide objection to my opponents?

If you have ever been in the courtroom before, then you know what it means to have to be able to piggyback on a smidgen of Faith when the odds are overwhelming stacked against you.

If you have ever been stricken, your body riddled with illness, then you know what it means to disregard what the doctor might have said due to the fact that the last say so does not reside with them, but with HIM.

If you know not the origins of your next meal, please know that the Love of GOD will not have you go without, even as your glare at those empty cupboards.

I am convinced, having witnessed, that that is exactly when, where and how GOD shows up to demonstrate HIS "walk softly, but carry a big stick" philosophy. Have you ever had to pull out that big stick in order to fight off and defend yourself? Does it not work to perfection when used for protection?

This far,
All this way,
Over obstacles,
Through adversity,
Dangers seen,
Around the enemy,
Dangers unseen,
Troubled waters,
Rough terrain,
Uncertainties,
Ambiguities.

Does it not work to perfection when used for protection?

My little brother, "By Faith."
My grandfather, "By Faith."
My grandmother, "By Faith."
My uncles, "By Faith."
My friends, "By Faith."
My MOTHER, "By Faith."
To everything else in my Lifetime that I have ever lost, it is "By Faith."

Does it not work to perfection when used for protection?

I refuse to yield, out on the battlefield, "By Faith."

Walk "By Faith," and not BY sight.

All of the Glory be to GOD, forever!

I'll see you tomorrow, "By Faith."

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

"Little Did I Know"

I have not stopped "Chasing My Passion" (http://allthebestallthetime.blogspot.com/2009/09/chase-your-passion.html), hence the reason why my shoes are still laced up and I continue to RUN!

There exists no quit "within me," so don't quit "on me," as I prepare to take this corner, having reached yet another milestone within my Lifetime.

I have changed because I outgrew the old Corey, thus shedding that dead skin, replenishing it with the righteous (not perfect) skin that GOD would so shroud me in, not for the purposes of burial, but in ceremonial homage of the passing of the torch from the old to the new.

Reintroductions are not in order. Allow me to INTRODUCE myself! How I wish that my Mother was here to see me now. I am everything that she wanted for her son to be, doing all that I am supposed to do, all the while walking the talk, even before speaking one word.

Should I ever lose the ability to speak again, please allow my actions to stand in the place of my famous verbal mouthpiece and convey all that needs to be said, only after doing all that needs to be done.

Throughout my Lifetime, "Little Did I Know" about all of the Love and Support that would one day shape and mold me into the man that I am today.

"Little Did I Know" about all of the opportunities that would one day be afforded to me, thus allowing me to reciprocally do unto others.

"Little Did I Know" that the maze of dots would one day take form as soon as I had the wherewithal to start connecting them.

"Little Did I Know" that the joys of parenthood are laced with a plethora of 2nd chances and overwhelming possibilities so that you can create positive reflections, even when your childhood reflections are anything but.

Now I know that all of the "tomorrow's" will know more than all of the "today's" and I feel proud in knowing that everything that I do contributes to that knowledge base.

Suffice to say that I never knew, that one day I would know, in order for me to expand, it was essential for me to grow.

Through all of that growth, I continually outgrew, making way for what I know, even beyond what I already knew.

I grew and then outgrew everything that I once knew, so I was implored to grow more because just a few years ago..."Little Did I Know."

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

"Just Make Me Happy"

You cannot walk around existing within the context of what people would have you live in, always looking TO them so that they can dot your I's and cross your T's on your behalf.

That does not support a sense of happiness that would be conducive TO long-term happiness. In the wake of so much that is authentically fake, it behooves me to live my Life according to what I know and trust, always willing to propel and expand upon that knowledge in order to bring about even broader horizons.

The things that we do and say just to make others feel special today, should not mean that we do not do and say the things that make us feel special today.

The happiness that dances around the perimeter of our unhappiness, constantly taunting us to come out and dance with it is bold enough to do the unthinkable by showing you and I that happiness is not afraid of unhappiness. So, why are we?

Why do we look to others for approval when they do not own nor contribute to our salvation and are actually on the same quest that we are own in solidifying our positions in eternity.

We wind spending what seems like an eternity in search of their meaningless approval for a finality that they do not control. Yet we do it anyway. And why?

TODAY, I decided that I will no longer look TO or expect to receive FROM anyone a sign or inclination that it is ok for me to be happy! The onus is up to ME to make that ultimate decision.

It is high time for me to join happiness in a choreographed show of force on the perimeter of unhappiness in not an "attempt," yet the completion of a successful milestone called "Happiness," from this day forth.

So, as I look up at him and as he Smiles back at me, I told my reflection, to "Just Make Me Happy."

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

"Know Your Worth"

We are all valuable pieces to Life's puzzle and GOD's plan.

Throughout Life we sometimes make the crucial mistake of allowing others to put a price tag on our own worth. And then we turn right around and validate that worth by giving it our stamp of approval with acceptance.

The ensuing conflict comes into immediate play when we know in our hearts that we are NOT in agreement with the price tag that was placed on us to begin with.

Would you pay for something that you thought was overpriced? If the answer is no, then why would you expect to be treated better when you are currently being undervalued?

Or, why would you spend what you don't have on something that is not even worth it?

The same rule applies to you and I. We should never allow someone or something else to place a price tag with a perceived worth affixed to it, on us. We should be in the know with respect to our market value, our Spiritual Worth and GOD's price tag with the correct amount sans any undervalued or overpriced hype that is only meant to derail you from being all that you are supposed to be in Life.

Remember that you are a piece to a puzzle in Life that is specific to and for GOD's plan. Your worth has already been determined and it is non-negotiable, hence the reason why it is vitally important to "Know Your Worth."

"Priceless" is not an answer due to the fact that we do not determine value equally across the board. What you deem as "priceless" could very well be deemed as "disposable" to someone else.

So, "Know Your Worth" to avoid the hype of the overpriced and the mental void of the undervalued.

Always, "Know Your Worth."

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

"Preparation for Love"

You cannot prepare for Love at the very moment that you fall in Love. You are then ill-prepared for Love if you do.

At the moment that we acknowledge and recognize that Love exists, we can start to understand its purpose and the true meaning of Love, by opening up our Hearts. At that moment we should start to massage our minds and bodies to one day receive Love so that we are prepared for the greatest joy that GOD ever made for us, by opening up our Hearts.

Throughout our lives, we will undoubtedly have a couple of practice runs at Love until we get it right as we continue to massage our minds and bodies to conform with the notion and the sheer power of Love and all that it has to offer, by opening up our Hearts.

There will be some bumps along the way, but it is critically important to know that just like GOD, Love does not change and never will. Love is the single most powerful force that we should all be so lucky to experience one day, some day soon. And if we're open to Love, within our Lifetime, after we have opened up our Hearts.

I've heard that "if you fail to plan, then you have planned to fail."

I agree with that sentiment, hence the reason why I am still massaging my mind and body even as I construct every word to this Blog, taking mental notes of the preparation that I need to perform in order to be ready for when I hear Love knocking at my front door, back door or gently tapping on my windows.

I plan on succeeding, therefore my successful planning has me massaging, in "Preparation for Love."

Pardon the interruption, my heart just informed my ears and I, that we heard a knock...

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 Day That I Quit"

I am grateful that my Life has never afforded me the title of "Quitter." I will exhaust all possible resources, chances and opportunities before I walk away. I just don't quit! But, when I do walk away, for me, I shall not return.

On this very day, four years ago, for the first time in my Life, I decided to quit. Although she never witnessed me do it, My Mother would implore, encourage and even motivate me to quit. "Quit to live Corey," she would say.

Mother had this trick that she would deploy to see if her dream of me quitting actually came to fruition. It took me a long time to figure out that she had been using the same trick for an even longer time :-)

That's My Momma!

But, needless to say, my best interests had ALWAYS been on her radar and for that, I have ALWAYS been grateful, even when I was blinded by my own ambition.

After many failed attempts, I got my mind and my body right to finally do the right thing by me and everyone that Loved me. I devised a plan that included a healthy and regular dose of Prayer and I simply quit.

No, my Life has never afforded me the title of "Quitter," but I thank GOD and My Mother for "The Day That I Quit," smoking cigarettes.

So, as Mother implored, encouraged and motivated me to quit, I too offer you same so that you too can "Quit to live."

Whatever or whomever your vice is, muster up the nerve, develop the courage, devise a plan, Pray and simply quit!

If for no one else, do the right thing for yourself and everyone that Loves you.

"Quit to live," said 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

"For Some"

The onset of a new year sparks many to clamor towards an annual tradition that usually has wages cast on its success or more often than not, lack thereof.

Many times people wait for the beginning of something in order to initiate the new beginning within their lives, as if one chronologically supersedes or triggers the next.

I used to cast the same fisherman's line, with the same old bait and wondered why I always yielded the exact same results.

But GOD is good because through selfless Prayer, HE will reveal to you the path that you have driven by year after year.

Ask me how I know.

I began to realize that EVERY day that I have breath, is a new beginning. I need not wait for the stroke of midnight to cast my line with my new bait affixed.

Everyday is a new beginning!

Every breath is an opportunity in wait!

Every rising of the sun blinding my sight is proof positive that I have yet another chance.

Every sunset shall not end, but begin the next in a line of "Every."

I believe because I am still here!

I live because I believe that I'm still here for a reason, to satisfy a purpose. My reason and purpose may differ from yours, but if you are able to read this, then you are still here for a reason and a purpose as well.

Ask me how I know.

Tradition may bare a high attendance rate, but it is never too late to create your own tradition. It just takes courage. And GOD gives us not the spirit of fear. So, attribute my bravery to the spirit of the LORD.

Annual beginnings are a component of 12-month do-overs, but if you're waiting for a new beginning, the next breath that you take provides you just that!

Ask me how I know.

Annual traditions are cool, "For Some."

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