"I'm Not Worried!"

The Smile that doubles as my umbrella keeps a perpetual glow of happiness constantly surrounding me.

Just as an umbrella is designed to protect against the inclement "weather," the Smile is so designed to protect against the maliciousness and callousness of others, "whether" or not it was their intent or by accident.

Either way, "I'm Not Worried!"

GOD is bigger than anything that I will ever encounter within my Lifetime. Even when the deceitfulness of whatever I encounter would have me to believe that IT is bigger than the GOD that presides over my Life.

Since I believe the former and not the latter, "I'm Not Worried!"

The only thing that worrying ever accomplished was absolutely NOTHING!

The only thing that GOD ever accomplished was absolutely EVERYTHING!

Therefore, "I'm Not Worried!"

Glory Be To GOD, FOREVER!

Stop worrying and tell yourself: "I'm Not Worried!"

The only thing that worrying ever accomplished was absolutely NOTHING!

The only thing that GOD ever accomplished was absolutely EVERYTHING!

Faithfully, "I'm Not Worried!"

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!

Smile,
Corey

"Nobody But"

I stood there with all of the strength that I could humanly muster to lift up my Mother's casket.

I know where it came from. I know how I got it. My outer body experience had everything to do with the LORD taking up residence within my frame at the right place at the right time to prevent HIS child from crumbling on sight, on the spot.

Everything that I have ever been through is nothing short of preparation for what the LORD needs for me to go through so that I may in turn sing HIS praises from the highest peaks to the deepest valleys. And I will!

As a matter of fact, I already have and continue to do so as a personal reminder of all that can be accomplished when the focus is on the right thing, at the right time.

All too eager, I am ready to flex my might and defend myself against the fool hearted who know not the LORD or those that do know HIM, yet deny HIM because they have encountered a struggle or two or maybe more than a few.

My experiences just may be the right testimony for the person that needs to hear it right now. You never struggle alone. You are never without a home. The presence of the LORD is both hear AND here. Do not fail to realize all that is righteously clear.

I move because I have room to maneuver. I follow because I trust HIS lead. I struggle within the confines of my Faith to strengthen everything that I believe about it.

The name alone musters the nerve, garners the strength, makes the "im" possible, destroys the enemy, exposes the "frenemy" and comforts and soothes the soul within me.

When you are not strong enough, I implore you to at least be smart enough to draw from a source of strength that is greater than yours.
The strength born from everything that you will ever go through has but one source, "Nobody But."

I don't care WHAT you are going through in your Life! When you cannot do anything but, ALWAYS remember that there is "Nobody But," King Jesus!

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!

Smile,
Corey

"I See YOU, In Me"

My reflection just isn't the same anymore. The features are familiar, the profile might be similar, but it is the internal make over that shines through to the external image that I now see.

Extreme make overs are not strictly relative to what you see on the outside, rather the transformation of what is blossoming on the inside, one step at a time.

You see some prefer the maintenance of being "made up" although they are vastly aware that they keep constantly "breaking down." They keep slapping band-aids on wounds that are too deeply rooted and superficially insufficient to know that their circular motions will never lead them to turn a corner in their lives.

If the preventive maintenance is not working then it is time to get a new mechanic or better yet, trade the old in for the new so that you do not continue to look good on the outside, but are torn to pieces on the inside.

It is one thing to look good in the midst of, but do not lie to yourself, thus causing you to lie to others, that all is well, when you no longer even recognize who you see in the mirror and what you do, that others are constantly baring witness to.

Perception is reality's mediocre way of fabricating the truth.

If you do not like WHO you are, then it is time to change WHAT you are!

As soon as I began to empty all of self, filling up with thee, my reflection began to change, because "I See YOU, In Me."

To GOD, I Give It All!

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!

Smile,
Corey

"Then That's What We'll DO"

"Life" is my right hand man. It has taught me, continues to teach me and guide me through the choices that I make and the decision-making processes that I deploy for those very choices that I make.

I am nothing without my Life, thus I am grateful FOR my Life and all of the challenges that Life allows me to turn into opportunities.

Gracing the cover of Life's victory is my life-long goal that I plan to accomplish on-time with as many or as little resources as is needed.

When you have Life on your side, there is nothing that cannot be imagined, planned or accomplished as you constantly strive to make a better Life out of the one that has you thinking that Life (YOUR Life) is meaningless.

Meaningful with an emphasis on "FULL" is what shall be found on Life's agenda. But as with every agenda, there are subsequent meeting minutes that are accompanied with "action items" that are assigned to EACH of us.

These unfinished "action items" oft times prevent us from making the necessary progress to Life's next level. So complete all of the "action items" that have your name next them.

Make Life your right hand man/woman, paying close attention to Life's agenda. When you need to do, DO! Life will always be by your side as you complete each and every one of your tasks.

Since "Loving" more is on my Life's agenda, "Then That's What We'll DO."

Since "Forgiveness" is on my Life's agenda, "Then That's What We'll DO."

Since "Repairing" what was once irreparably damaged is on my Life's agenda, "Then That's What We'll DO."

Since being "Successful" is on my Life's agenda, "Then That's What We'll DO."

Since "Prayer" is on my Life's agenda, "Then That's What We'll DO."

Since "Worship" is on my Life's agenda, "Then That's What We'll DO."

Since being "Victorious" is on my Life's agenda, "Then That's What We'll DO."

I may not know what "Life" has in store for me until that very moment, but since GOD gave me "Life," I know and trust everything that "Life" has to offer me in addition to all that "Life" would have me to DO.

Life has my Life already mapped out. The only requirement is for me to keep my tank full and to not get off on any unnecessary exits.

Whenever I listen to my Life's GPS, I never get off track and even learn a new path or two in the process. But without fail, as soon as I stop listening to my Life's GPS voice, I am error-prone and completely off course.

And since "Listening" to my Life's GPS is on my Life's agenda, "Then That's What We'll DO!"

To GOD, I Give It All!

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!

Smile,
Corey

"Hold It Together, Until GOD Makes It Better!"

With all of your strength and might, you continuously hold on while GOD continues to fight, ALL of your battles on your behalf.

Your struggles are not going unnoticed, were not, are not in vain. Just imagine all of the character that was built from all of the pain.

My Sweet Mother was ADAMANT about there being a silver lining in EVERY cloud, even that dark one that is hovering over you right now.

But when you emerge from that darkness (AND YOU WILL) you need to be ready, you better be prepared for the path that the LORD has cleared, thus making for you. While you're in that waiting room, build upon your strength and endurance because when GOD moves, so will you. You have NO choice!

You have no say, BUT to Pray!

All of my Life I have witnessed GOD demolish mountains to heaps of rubble as a reward for my Faithful struggle. HIS eyes are upon you, HIS strength is within you, HIS Love sustains you and HIS word protects you!

You have no say, BUT to Pray!

My GOD they celebrated my defeat because they thought that I was alone. Little did they know that I reside in my Masters home. They tried to evict me from the premises. But they had no idea that YOU are the Genesis. They even tried to foreclose on my residence. My GOD, my Faith helped me to abstain from succumbing to their ignorance.

I have come to find out that you DO have a say. It is called Prayer!

When you have no say, BUT to Pray, you Pray!

When you have survived another day, you Pray!

When you humble yourself and give all of the glory to GOD, HE will reward your Faithfulness! Pray!

You hold on because no matter what, HE has not and will not ever let you go.

You hold on with all of your strength and might, you continuously hold on while GOD continues to fight!

I, "Hold It Together, Until GOD Makes It Better!"

You, "Hold It Together, Until GOD Makes It Better!"

We, "Hold It Together, Until GOD Makes It Better!"

Don't ever let go! You just, "Hold It Together, Until GOD Makes It Better!"

Thank HIM now!

The strength and endurance that HE has placed within you will allow you to "Hold It Together, Until GOD Makes It Better!"

LORD, we Love YOU!

Hallelujah!

"Hold It Together, Until GOD Makes It Better!"

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!

Smile,
Corey

"Peace Within"

Deeply rooted within the confines of your soul is planted the seed of peace. When everything on the surface has run into the brick wall that doubles as your defense mechanism, it has but one thing to overcome: the same wall that it helped to construct.

When we are finally able to open ourselves up and tap into what brings us the most immense joy, our hearts become aflutter knowing that we have arrived at the place within, that scooped us out to bring us back in, the right way.

Listening to that inner voice that knows what's best for us better than we know what is best for us.

I heard you then, listened to you not. I regret it so, but the silver lining represents another chance to get it right. Thank you for obliging me when that was the last thing that you had to do. But you did it anyway and I am grateful.

Reside within the same peace that already resides within you. Knock on that internal door and welcome yourself in to the home that you already occupy.

Your "Peace Within."

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!

Smile,
Corey

"Act On Your Inspiration"

Have you ever met someone, heard or saw something that had you in complete awe and just totally inspired you to DO? So, what was it that you wound up doing? Did it compel you to continue and if so, how? How long did that last for you?

With passport in hand, my eternal quest for inspiration takes me, far and wide, to places I have never been before, to learn things that I did not previously know, something new.

If Life is represented in the form of a window, then for purposes of clarity, visibility, certainty, understanding and Love, it is mandatory that you open your window and let GOD's light shine in and through.

The curtains have been drawn for far too long and even if you have zero reservations, no itinerary currently planned, have your passport on standby to allow you to hit the ground running when the opportunity so presents itself.

That way you will not be able to use the "I do not have a passport" line as an excuse. It is kind of like keeping your resume up to date even if you are happy in your current role. You never know when GOD might want to shuffle things around to get your feet moving so that you do not continue to let the grass grow under your feet.

Whenever I happen upon something that so inspires me to move, I MOVE!

Whenever I hear something that resonates to my core, I permit those vibes to transfer through me so that they can resonate to the core of others.

Whenever I read something that mandates the "verb in me" to do something, I do it!

From day to day I do not know where the LORD is taking me, but with my passport in hand, itinerary or not, I am ready!

In the event that HE might want to shuffle things around in my Life, my resume is up to date and ready to be deployed to future potential opportunities.

My affiliation with inspiration is strictly for the purposes of keeping the tank full, to avoid running out and to replenish whenever you feel like you have been running on fumes, both literally and figuratively speaking.

Sometimes the reminders need reminding that as soon as we take our eyes off of our purpose laden lives, we begin to lose our balance and our ways for no other reason than to DETER us from what GOD has FOR us.

And if you think that this Blog is talking directly to you, then it probably is, preceded, followed and littered throughout with nothing but the best that Love has to offer.

If the inspiration of what you had has dwindled and it no longer compels you, then it is time to rejuvenate yourself.

Catch Fire!
Be Inspired!
Promote Your Desire!
Take Your Potential Higher!

Do not just HEAR the voice that is inspiring you, allow the "verb in you" to "Act On Your Inspiration."

I So Love You 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!

Smile,
Corey

"Did You Wash These Grapes?"

Why do we all have a tendency to ask questions that we already know the answers to?

I have been guilty of and quite honestly have been perturbed by inquiries where I thought that the answer should have been obvious. Before uttering a single word in response, I think that my facial expressions had the chance to answer before my brain told my mouth what it needed to say, perhaps gently.

Having brunch with my children my son quite honestly asked me a simple question: "Daddy,"Did You Wash These Grapes?""

I looked up at my son and then looked over to my daughter before telling him, "Daddy actually rolled the grapes in dirt before I put them on your plate." While he thought I was serious, his sister was clearly in on the joke. I couldn't resist pulling his leg a little while longer before honestly answering his question.

I did not have it in me to be perturbed at my sons inquiry. It was an honest question. Afterall, I have always encouraged them to ask and to be satisfied with the response before they move forward. If they do not feel comfortable with the response, they have a choice to make, a decision to render. But once they do feel comfortable, move forward.

Such an innocent question that had me thinking far beyond the question itself and deeper than the meaning that any conclusion that could have been drawn.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, we ALL ask questions that we already know the answers to. The question that we do not know the answer to is "why?" Do we need to double up on the answer knowing that the subsequent response to the initial and identical question is actually the same result? Who knows!?!

Since I too have been guilty of asking the same question more than once, I guess I should tame my facial expressions and make them wait for my brain to catch up so as not to give the impression that someone else's inquiry is not relevant, relative or unnecessary.

Mind you, relentlessly asking the same questions will accomplish nothing. Like I told my children: "If they do not feel comfortable with the response, they have a choice to make, a decision to render. But once they do feel comfortable, move forward."

After much ado about a little dirt on grapes, I responded to my little guy by ensuring him, "yes son, Daddy washed the grapes."

Maybe that assurance was all that he was looking for afterall?

So, do not let your facial expressions beat your brain to the punch. Smile profusely and respond gently.

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!

Smile,
Corey

"Harmony"

Singers can appreciate what it means to sing in unison, with, together, simultaneously. When you hear something so good that it actually satisfies that insatiable appetite of yours, increasing your cravings for more of the same.

When you find that kind of "Harmonious" Love, you should run like you stole it, sing like you wrote it, dance like you choreographed it and Smile like it was actually funny. Allow all of your emotions to come together in one single "Harmonious" celebration.

Live your Life in complete "Harmony."

"Harmonize" with the person that you will spend the rest of your Life with.

Enjoy the company of Love in the grandest, most spectacular and "Harmonious" fashion.

In tune and all together now..."Harmony!"

Live Life WITHIN it and definitely not WITHOUT it.

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!

Smile,
Corey

"Yes"

To all of the opportunities that I missed out on and now have the chance to not make the same mistake twice.

To that fractured relationship that just couldn't seem to mend itself, until I got "me" out of the way.

To all of the times that I thought that tithing was a way of supporting the Church's desire to be flamboyant.

To all of the times that I got it wrong and said no when in all actuality I should have said...

To all of the times that GOD said no. I now know what HE really meant and why HE responded as so.

The purpose of my little brother's Life, albeit short, his impact is very much real, alive and always relevant. I understand.

My Mother's innate desire to upright my Life even when hers itself was upside down. As a parent myself, I get it.

To all of the times that I failed to listen, when listening would have prevented me from failing.

To all of my perceived and realized areas in which I can improve upon to make Corey better and subsequently the lives that Corey impacts.

To every challenge that I failed to ever introduce myself to for no other reason than fear itself.

And even to my "spoiled" children, when every once in a while I tell them no, just to familiarize them with the word. Daddy really means...

When GOD tells me no for one thing, I understand that for something else that HE has for me, it will be...

To walking out of the shadows of the dimly lit 40 watt past and into the brightness of the 100 watt future.

When GOD calls upon me, from this day forth, I will answer feverishly...

To all of You!

To all of Them!

And especially to HIM,

I say, "Yes!"

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!

Smile,
Corey

"Beautiful"

It is time to fall back in Love with Love all over again. Those "Meaningless Distractions" (http://allthebestallthetime.blogspot.com/2008/01/meaningless-distrations.html) have had their fun in the sun at your expense even though you knew that the price to pay for them was entirely too high to begin with.

But that shall forever remain water under the bridge from this day forth. So, unless you are drawing on that costly mistake so as to not repeat it again, leave it as such, as water under the bridge.

The beauty of Love is the fact that it has never changed, was and shall always remain the same.

It looks just as it did when we last saw it.

It feels the same as it did when we last touched it.

It smells the same as it did from the moment we took our first to our last whiff of it.

It even recognizes us once we shove our pride out of the way and we return to it.

Another beauty of Love is how Love generously held our spots for our inevitable return. We thought we were through with Love, but the truth of the matter is, we have zero say OVER Love.

Have you ever fallen in Love with someone you never thought that you would?

Have you ever done things that you once advised others not to do in the name of Love, only to realize that you do not practice what you preach?

Have you ever fallen so deep in Love that you are STILL waiting for your feet to touch the bottom?

Like I said, we have zero say OVER Love.

Falling back in Love with Love is one of the most "Beautiful" things that we are so fortunately Blessed to be able to do.

Experiencing Love with Love is one of the most "Beautiful" things that we are so fortunately Blessed to be able to draw from.

Allowing the seeds of Love to be planted within our hearts, thus granting Love with Love to take root and residence within our souls is nothing short of being "Beautiful."

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!

Smile,
Corey

"Entitled"

Momma used to warn me about "getting too big for my britches."

Ladies, if he has refused to offer you a commitment in the physical form (Ring), clearly displaying his intentions, then why do you allow him to feel "Entitled?"

Gentlemen, if she is convenient in her approach and only when you can or are doing something for her, then why do you allow her to feel "Entitled?"

Don't get me wrong, all of us are guilty of doing what we feel we need to do in order to keep our significant others happy as we navigate our way through our relationships. But, "Entitled?" Some of us are "getting too big for our britches" and clearly take others and their kindness for granted.

You are only "Entitled" to what you make happen, what you earn. And even then you still need to be considerate of the feelings of others so as to not give off the appearance that you ARE "getting too big for your britches" and that you do, undeservedly, feel "Entitled."

So ladies, if he has done exactly what he said he was going to do and you proudly wear his intentions (Ring), then give him what he deserves. Allow him to feel "Entitled." He is making it happen!

And gentlemen, if she crosses your T's and dots your I's in the form of completing you, allow her to feel "Entitled." She is making it happen!

Both scenarios have earned and deserve the right to feel "Entitled." Respectively, they are making it happen!

So, stop ACTING "Entitled!" Until you actually start DOING something, you are just merely "ACTING."

However your relationship plays out and whatever you determine to be important within that relationship, afford it the opportunity to earn the right to be "Entitled." Respectfully give it the benefit of the doubt and allow "IT" to "make IT happen."

After all that the LORD has DONE for me, HE "deserves" my Praise. I will continuously "make that happen" because HE, is "Entitled!"

Glory be to GOD, 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!

Smile,
Corey

"Survivor"

Buried my Brother!
Buried my Friends!
Buried my Grandfather!
Buried more Friends!
Buried my Uncles!
Buried even more Friends!
Buried my Grandmother!
Buried some more Friends!
Buried my Mother!

My GOD!

Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you STRONGER! Right?!

Nothing but HIS Grace and Mercy that granted me another opportunity to take HIS Blessing and "my" purpose and live out its FULL potential in the same and only manner that HE would have me to.

I survived all of this because HE covered me!

That supervisor and those disparaging remarks. I am BIGGER than that because I am a "Survivor!"

Those elementary school bully's that used to push me around until my LITTLE sister pushed them back, forcing them to finally leave me alone. I am stronger than they thought because I am a "Survivor!"

I took the scenic route in accomplishing my academic goals, but I knew that I was smarter than they ever gave me credit for because I am a "Survivor!"

That failed relationship that had me acting totally out of character. I can do bad "all by my lonely" because I am a "Survivor!"

All of the pain and suffering, some self-imposed, that used to define my life, don't hurt anymore. I am a "Survivor!"

The unyoked marriage that ended in divorce; I steamroll my energy into taking care of my two kids that are proof positive with their constant reminders, that I am a "Survivor!"

Everything that I've ever been through and my young eyes witnessed before my young mind could even begin to process. "Survivor!"

I stand here today as a "Survivor" doing the only thing that I know how to do. Survive.

For every piece of adversity that I ever had to face THUS FAR, I THANK YOU for making Corey a "Survivor."

If you do not believe that you are here for a reason, then WHY, are YOU, a "Survivor?"

The next time that "they" try to take you out, list and run your itemized credentials and remind yourself, "I am a "Survivor!"" Now that you know that you are a "Survivor," you have to go and tell someone else, that they are a "Survivor" too.

My GOD!

My LORD and Savior Jesus Christ is a "Survivor." So, WHAT does that make YOU and ME?

A "Survivor!"

HE rose from the dead despite all of the adversity that HE faced, and still to this day and forevermore, as a "Survivor!"

Breath="SURVIVOR!"

Glory be to GOD, 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!

Smile,
Corey