"Visibility"

When I was in it, I couldn't see the forest for the trees. When I stepped out of it, I began to see peripherally. You cannot readily identify the who, what, where and why's, when you constantly see things only through your eyes.

Sometimes you need to step OUT in order to bring yourself IN.

We don't necessarily need to see the END in order for "us" to BEGIN.

We just merely need to see beyond the tips of our noses and the forest for the trees, not forgetting the "thanks you's," the "may I's," "excuse me's" and the "please."

A small token of appreciation for my relentless dedication as I pace my way through this constant transformation.

I am most "Grateful" for all of the opportunities before me.

I am both honored and humbled by my enormous role and responsibilities.

May everything good that is ever done, be multiplied exponentially.

May every Prayer that I utter stretch from where I am to the Heavenly.

What GOD took Corey out of proved to be worthy of a testimony born of a test, to conclude the only fact, that I am truly Blessed.

Preparation was the solicitation after having rid myself of all stagnation and procrastination.

Thank GOD for taking me OUT, so that HE could bring me back IN.

Thank GOD for the four seasons, the foliage of the Fall. Right in the middle of the forest for the trees, I can now see it all. And even though change brings us OUT of one and IN to the next, the foliage allows it to still be beautiful in the process.

Whether you can see the forest for the trees or you are lost within, Pray for peace and allow the process to begin.

You might not understand the who, what, where and why's, but when it is all said and done, you will indeed become wise. Wise to the grandest of all affordability. Thank you LORD GOD for my sanity as well as my "Visibility."

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

"Be"

It is past time that you own up to your full potential. Not because others mandate it of you, but because GOD inserted it within you and you have blindly chosen to do nothing with it.

It is not anyone's fault but yours should you continue to wallow in pity, swim in the shallow end where your feet can actually touch the bottom, create hollow goals, all the while attempting to live up to your best.

Do not live because a Blog told you to. Live because you owe it to yourself to. And since we are unable to live in death, we only have a single option, and that is to do it while we are alive and able to.

When the Spirit of the LORD is upon you, it matters not who attempts to shun you.

It is past time that you remove everyone else's "Me" from your Life so that you can start to "Be" within your very own Life.

Because when the Spirit of the LORD is upon you, it matters NOT who attempts to shun you, in your quest to "Be."

Smile and for many, the first time in your Life, just "Be."

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

"Passionate"

When I wake up in the morning, I'm already thinking about the next subject that I am going to write about.

As I give thanks for the Blessings of yet another day, I am simultaneously seeking inspiration so that I can in turn inspire.

I write as I'm brushing my teeth.

I create as I'm getting dressed.

I am committing to memory what I have authored in my mind as I drive to work.

As I walk to lunch, I am allowing myself to be inspired.

As I travel home, the inspiration continues.

When I prepare dinner, I am also cooking up the thoughts of the day.

I create as I'm getting undressed.

I write as I'm brushing my teeth.

Before I go to sleep at night, I'm already thinking about the next subject that I am going to write about.

As I give thanks for the Blessings of the conclusion of yet another day, I am simultaneously seeking inspiration so that I can in turn inspire.

You see, if you are not "Passionate" about what it is that you do, then chances are you won't get anything done.

You need to live, breathe, eat, sleep and do everything that you are "Passionate" about.

You don't give up because it becomes hard. That's the very reason why it should be harder for you to give up.

You gotta be "Passionate" about BEING "Passionate" and what ultimately fuels your motivational DRIVE. Otherwise, you'll always be stuck in NEUTRAL.

With that said, do you REALLY think that you're "Passionate?"

You better be! Your competition is...LET'S GO!

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

"Grateful"

Yesterday,
Today,
Tomorrow.

What I learned Yesterday, prepared me for what I know Today, that now affords me the experience to move forward with Tomorrow.

Even though my little brother did not live long, I am "Grateful" that I was and able to hear him call me his big brother.

When all I had to eat was butter and sugar on top of my rice, I remember being "Grateful" that my Mother made sure that I did not go to bed hungry.

When I met my biological father two days prior to graduating high school, I might not have been then, but today, I am "Grateful" that we had the opportunity to meet.

Although I no longer have my Mother, I am "Grateful" for all of the times that we shared great conversation that still resonates with me to this day.

Even though I did not grow up privileged, I am "Grateful" for Grace and Mercy allowing me the Blessing of growing up.

I may only hear from them when they need something, but I am "Grateful" for my entire family.

Initially, I did not know if I would ever have any, but GOD Blessed me with two wonderful "Children" (http://allthebestallthetime.blogspot.com/2010/03/children.html). And for that reason, I am wonderfully "Grateful."

I may have the worst commute with the shortest distance, but I am so very "Grateful" that I am employed and able to feed my family.

Our new place of Christian worship might be under construction, but I am "Grateful" that I STILL have a place to go and Praise the LORD.

As I was finding my way and learning my purpose in Life, I am "Grateful" that my LORD and Savior saw me for what HE purposed me for and not what I thought I should have been.

I am eternally "Grateful" for HIS patience and understanding.

I may have fallen down Yesterday,
But I got right back up Today,
And GOD is steadily preparing me for Tomorrow.

I am forever "Grateful" for HIM providing me with all of my needs.

Because of that, I am "Grateful."

If all of my "Yesterday's" gave me "Today" and all of my "Today's" give me "Tomorrow," then I am truly "Grateful."

What were you "Grateful" for Yesterday?

What are you "Grateful" for Today?

What will you be "Grateful" for Tomorrow?

What I learned yesterday, prepared me for what I know today, that now affords me the experience to move forward with tomorrow.

Yesterday,
Today,
Tomorrow.

I am "Grateful."

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

"Transparency"

In the last few years of my Life I have made some pretty radical changes. It is like just waking up one morning, one day and realizing that "I am not who I have been portraying to be." And it is not that you have intentionally been deceitful to yourself or anyone else for that matter. No, it is not that at all.

You have been convicted within yourself that it is time to do better for yourself and by yourself and everything that you now know needs to change.

We have become so content with ourselves that we blindly accept ourselves just because it is US that is the subject of the matter. Until we wake up that one morning...

Sometimes we realize that we no longer "like what we see." Sometimes we realize that we are not "all that we can be." Sometimes we realize that we are doing everything for everyone else and not doing enough for "ME."

My transformation came in phases that in hindsight were wonderfully crafted from on High: customized, communicated and delivered to Corey who was anywhere but THERE, listening to anything but THAT and doing everything but THIS.

If you know how good GOD is, then you are wonderfully familiar with all of the aforementioned. Should you not know how good GOD is, then you still have the wonderful opportunity to learn all about the aforementioned.

You have to crawl before you walk and every little milestone is nothing short of a celebration for the preparation that is already underway, even if you are/were unaware of what was happening, as it was happening, right before your very eyes. I did not get it until I started to get it. And if you still do not get it, just live a little longer, you will.

That person that you had been impersonating was not even a good method actor, but an untrained and unskilled performer at best. It is right then and there that we must step out (on Faith), step up (our game), step on (fewer toes), step back (to re-evaluate ourselves), step in (to our new skin) and step forward (one foot in front of the other) as we move towards "Progression" (http://allthebestallthetime.blogspot.com/2010/03/progression.html).

Whatever phases your transformation chooses to come in, do not ignore it, yet embrace it. Allow the Spirit to lead as you humbly follow the new direction for your new Life. Unless of course, the perfection within your Life requires zero interference.

After Corey started following the Spirit, I learned the significance of living a Life of "Transparency." I no longer need to hide myself, my past, my anything, because I am new in every phase of my Life.

I am a new Corey! And whether marginally or exceptionally, that advanced reciprocity in the form of "Transparency," pays for what has yet to even be purchased, borrows not, lives for HIM and Loves in the latest and greatest version of Corey.

How could I not share in what has been bestowed upon me, in the form of "Transparency?" Rhetorical.

If you really want to live Life free, then I strongly encourage you to live a Life of "Transparency."

"Transparency"

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

"Progression"

A good, dear friend of mine that I have known for quite a number of years absolutely HATES stagnant water. I remember one time she walked into the kitchen, looked into the sink and saw either a pot, pan or a container, something with stagnant water in it and she about flipped her lid. I thought it was one of the funniest things that I had ever seen. But, she was dead serious!

It wasn't until after she went into great detail about the dangers of "stagnancy," in particularly water, that I began to appreciate her disdain for it.

You see, you cannot begin to fathom the reasoning, thoughts and rationale of a person, that is until you actually sit down, listen and hear them out. There is a reason for their being and a purpose behind their feelings and emotions relative to a person, place or thing, up to and including their disdain.

What my wonderful friend taught me that day was similar to what My Mother always reiterated to me, "an idle mind is the devil's workshop, Corey." Stagnancy is good for absolutely nothing. If it is not flowing, then it is not growing.

"Progression" is not an option, it is a lifetime commitment to do better, to be better, to do more, to avoid less, to explore, to discover, to remove, to uncover, to conceal no more.

My good, dear friend, I now understand why you about flipped your lid that day. Stagnancy is a detrimental inactivity that has been filed away in the history books and should be learned from in order to never repeat again.

GOD has Blessed me with a special group of people that I have been lucky to call my friends throughout my Life. And although our Life events have a tendency to not coincide with each others events, we always manage to come back into each others lives with stories of "Progression."

It wasn't just about that stagnant water. The water was representing the symptoms of stagnancy which include: odor, disease and lack of growth. In other words it stinks, it is contagious and it ain't going anywhere.

And that is just how some lives turn out if we are not too careful.

Remember: "If it is not flowing, then it is not growing."

If your academic studies aren't flowing, then you are not growing.

If your career path is not flowing, then it and you are not growing.

If your Prayer isn't flowing, then chances are your Blessings are not growing.

If your parenting skills are not flowing, then your kids are probably not growing.

If the water to your favorite plant is not flowing, then guess what? Your favorite plant is not growing.

If you are not CHALLENGING YOURSELF in a flowing capacity, then stagnancy will prevent you from growing.

Don't forget: "If it is not flowing, then it is not growing."

Growth is what "Progression" is all about.

Now get to flowing!

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

"Future"

Some people claim to know not what their "Future" holds for them. Perhaps it is because they choose to put their "Future" in someone else's hands? Now there's a thought to ponder!

Why would you, why do we, extend the decision-making power of our lives to those that do not rightfully own, nor should they, the keys to our "Future's" automobile?

When we relinquish ourselves to someone else, we should not then claim that they stole IT or US from WHO and WHAT we are and who and what we are supposed to be, who and what we are purposed for, in Life.

We need to hold ourselves accountable for not only what we say and do, but what we allow to happen to us, without attempting to say or do anything about it.

No one owes you anything in Life. You owe yourself! We owe ourselves to do right by ourselves and within the confines of the Blessing that we all share in, which is Life.

Do not hold someone else in contempt for misrepresenting YOU!

They should not have had the opportunity to represent YOU to begin with.

Who chooses "your" words better than you?

Who forms "your" thoughts better than you?

Who walks in "your" shoes better than you?

Who utters the sentences that are formed from those collection of words, created from those thoughts, that are experienced through "your" walk...better than YOU? No one!

The same holds true for your "Future." That is something that has been created, copywritten and patented for YOU.

With my name in calligraphy, a spot reserved JUST for me, that is what MY "Future" holds, for Corey.

Tell yourself the same: "With my name in calligraphy, a spot reserved JUST for me, that is what MY "Future" holds, for ____________.

Your "Future" is Yours! Now start participating in 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

"Element"

Go ahead and RIP that "security blanket" off of you right now!

I definitely believe in broadening your horizons, far beyond and way past your normal, typical, comfort zone.

Have you ever put yourself smack dab in the middle of a conversation that you were not well versed in? Did you sink or swim? Most of the time when we have to, we wind up swimming out of the rip currents that attempt to pull us out, exhaust and extinguish our relevance, our significance, our substance and our Deliverance. The majority want to see us drown.

But right in the thick of it all lies a perseverance that sees us through those difficult tasks with those impossible people and things. The uncomfortable becomes the new comfortable. And so it should!

We get so caught up, content and happy within our comfort zone that we feel so out of place once we venture outside of our "Element," even for a brief moment in time.

That "security blanket" never offered you much in the way of security to begin with. It was all a figment of your imagination, a hoax, a triumphant joke, that you were the "butt" of. But, no more!

No more laughing AT you only to hear them say that they are laughing WITH you. And since you weren't laughing at all, it wasn't funny anyway! Just a foolish attempt to insult your intelligence, disguised as humor.

So, step out of your "comfort" zone, expand your knowledge base, broaden those horizons and challenge yourself to be better than and not accepting of less than.

Step up to the plate, dive into that conversation and BEcome well versed in "Everything" that you never thought you could be or see yourself in.

Walk into that new layer of skin as if you just inserted the keys to your new home and you are about to walk through that door for the very first time, knowing that its all yours.

Supplement your achievements with additional accomplishments.

Learn something brand new today.

Purge what didn't work for you yesterday.

Give that "security blanket" your two week notice and resign from the false sense of worth that has been defined by others.

Yet instead, AUTHOR your own sense of worth that is defined by YOU.

Let no "Element" be uncomfortable anymore.

Smile when that highly touted opportunity decided to close it's door.

Don't wallow in pity, pick YOURSELF up off of the floor.

Don't turn a blind eye and a deaf ear (My Momma would say), choosing to simply ignore.

If the one in your neighborhood doesn't have it, then go to ANOTHER store.

Step out of your "Element," with every intent, to no longer be negligent, nor reticent, regardless of your predicament.

Smile in spite of and have a Blessed day ANYWAY!

As you begin to practice stepping out of your comfort zone, do REMEMBER that: "Even when you find yourself on the EXTERIOR of your "Element," you are still within the INTERIOR of GOD's Grace."

Now how's THAT for comfort? I can LIVE with that! And so should YOU!

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

"Everything"

Sometimes we will settle for anyone or anything, so long as we have someone or something, to be able to call our own.

Such a sad state of affairs when we bring ourselves down to be on the level of those that refuse to lift themselves up. It is not that they can't, it is just that they won't. And THERE, is where we nestle ourselves, right into their cracks and crevices, just to be able to say...

"An accident waiting to happen," my Mother would chime. I know that you can do bad all by your lonely, but thank GOD that there are two sides to EVERY coin.

The flip side to THIS coin is the fact that you have NOT chosen to settle for just anyone or anything just to have someone or something to be able to call our own. And as soon as you first make the decision to up the ante, that is exactly when you will be rewarded, generously and quite handsomely, I might add.

Since you know what THAT side of the coin has to offer, you now make sure to EMBRACE what THIS side of the coin has to offer. You are not even scratching the surface with respect to how it is going to be, because it will do nothing but continue to get better from here.

The detoxification process might prove to be arduous at times, but no one ever said that change was ever going to be easy. Have you ever tried to brush your teeth AFTER you eat breakfast when your entire Life you have been brushing your teeth BEFORE you ate breakfast? Or vice versa for that matter. Something so simple might prove to be otherwise. But, give it a try and let me know how it feels...

What we have is not all that there is for us, in Life.

Where we are is not the only place that we will ever will be, in Life.

Who we are becoming is all that we are supposed to be, in Life.

You held out, you hold up and the rewards are abundant and plentiful.

Remember the other side of that coin, to remind yourself of where you will not ever return to.

Take this side of the coin, "Everything" about it and BE.

And if "Everything" is what someone is to you, then your job is to make sure that they know it, by simply telling them.

..."Everything."

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

"Direction"

As a young lad, I had a great memory without my handy dandy Blackberry. In true to Life form, my "Children" (http://allthebestallthetime.blogspot.com/2010/03/children.html) also have pretty spectacular memories as well (especially whenever their Dad has promised them something to their liking).

As my kids and I are driving around, I am proud of their knowledge of where they are. To me it not only symbolizes where they are physically, but where they are mentally and Spiritually as well.

I ask them to navigate our route or path to our destination and although it may differ from the one that I would take or that they would individually take, they are able to offer up suggestions because I continuously make them aware of their surroundings.

By simply keeping them conscious of, they are never lacking the "Direction" that they need nor the instructions that they need to follow. It is all within the preparation process that they will one day follow, thus allowing them to continue down a path, not necessarily the same, nor the one of least resistance, but one of righteousness.

We can always stand to learn a lot from our "Children" that we can in turn recycle back to them.

Due to the initial change of course that I had to realize, my instructions changed and my "Direction" took on a brand new meaning. They give to me and in turn, I recycle back to them.

Outside of your normal surroundings, do you have a pretty good sense of "Direction" and where you're headed? I thought so too, until my "Children" altered my "Direction" and put me on a much better course.

Happy Birthday 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!

Smile,
Corey

"Children"

As soon as they were born, the rest of my Life was about to begin in the most spectacular, grandest fashion. Whatever I thought my Life was wound up being everything that it was not.

One day you look in the mirror to the realization that you no longer recognize who you are because you are no longer who you were.

Your thought process has evolved. You walk taller and stronger and now you know that you truly belong because you have one or some that believe in you.

You mature beyond your years and categorically deny all of your fears as their hopes, needs and wants rest squarely upon your shoulders.

They make you better, keep you honest and facilitate your ability to ALWAYS do your best.

They make you Smile and make you cry all the while they are showing you the depths of your own heart and the potential of how much you can actually Love.

The growth of your knowledge is as exponential as the daily tasks that are as unique as they are habitual.

Live long enough to have and raise your own and witness the results in the same manner that you would your very own "before" and "after" photos. You do not look the same, think the same, nor do you act the same. And we owe it ALL, to our "Children."

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

"Defeat"

Have you ever looked into someone's eyes...

One of the single most important goals in Life, within MY Lifetime, is to inspire those that need inspiration.

Motivate those that fall to procrastination (me included).

Positively influence the minds that wish to defy gravity.

Quell all of those moments of temporary insanity.

Listen to the Spirit, by HEARING it, every single time that it talks to me.

If the best offense is a good defense, then your level of motivation should be stuck on IN-TENSE!

Have you ever looked into someone's eyes...and witnessed their "Defeat?"

When people look into your eyes, do they see or witness YOUR "Defeat?"

Before it even materializes, change the outcome of your situation, so that you can overcome without hesitation and not succumb to "Defeat" in utter consternation.

So when they DO look into your eyes, they see "Defeat," at the hands of VICTORY!

Hallelujah!

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

"Credit"

In an economy that isn't bouncing back fast enough, your namesake, your reputation up to and including your "Credit" is all that you have, in order to sustain all that you need, for all whom you Love.

We all want "Credit" for all that we do. We all want "Credit" for all that we have done. We all need "Credit" to show that we can do it again. And we all need that "Credit" to INSPIRE us to do it all over again.

But sometimes too much "Credit" is disseminated for the wrong reasons. As a matter of fact, if it is not something done for the right reason, the wrong reason deserves zero "Credit" before, during or after the fact. "Negative Energy Multiplied by Zero" (http://allthebestallthetime.blogspot.com/2010/02/negative-energy-multiplied-by-zero.html) is how it should be dealt with.

The varying types of "Credit" are endless. You have prisoners that receive "Credit" for time served. Children that get extra "Credit" on their assignments and/or tests. Parents that want to receive "Credit" for overnight stays on their custody agreements and visitation schedules. Financial institutions that want to run your "Credit" before they elect to do business with you. And then you have the 3 "Credit" bureaus that provide those very financial institutions their own versions of what is called a "Credit" score and/or report that would subsequently indicate whether or not you are "Credit" worthy before they elect to do business or continued business with you.

Glory be to GOD!

You see, "Credit" means so very much to so many. And to think that once upon a time I had bad "Credit." Not just according to those financial institutions, but I had bad "Credit" according to GOD.
You see I had maxed out Life's "Credit" limit and could not even afford to pay my minimum balance on what I owed.

Glory be to GOD!

And then this Debt Consolidator came along named Jesus. HE forgave all of my debts, restored my "Credit," thus making me "Credit" worthy once again.

I said: "Glory be to GOD!"

Needless to say I cut up all of those "Credit" less cards and now only carry one. The one in which I carry is accepted no matter where I go. And should I ever happen upon an establishment that does not accept my renewed type of "Credit," then they do not deserve my business anyway.

I refuse to give the devil "Credit" for ANYTHING because the LORD GOD is EVERYTHING!

Glory be to GOD!

With the possibility of garnering no wrong answer, what does your "Credit" look like? Is it reputable? Can it sustain you and all whom you Love? More importantly, what does your "Credit" look like in the eyes of GOD?

I did say: "Glory be to GOD!"

"Credit" worthiness is the goal of your Debt Consolidator (Jesus). So, if you have not started yet, then it is time to get your "Credit" in order.

One more time: "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

"Things on My Mind and Things Going On"

There is always something, going on somewhere, with someone. If it isn't something to do, there is something to say, somewhere to be, something that should've been done, a loss that should've been won.

Acquiring and maintaining a disposition of happiness is a solid choice. Solid in the sense that you are firmly planted and refuse to be uprooted by situations, circumstances or the misery of others that are desperately trying to keep you company or desperately trying to get you to keep them company.

We all have something that has our attention and in spite of the "less than" components of that "something" we choose to Smile in spite of.

Although we might not have a particular say or choice in what Life puts on our plates, we do have the ability to garnish our plates and our surroundings as we see fit, with every say in how we do so.

So, with the joy that I have in my heart, I may have "Things on My Mind and Things Going On," but I am so happy right now!

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

"Officially Special"

Those roads are oft times long and arduous. Superficially, the pain seems to outweigh the rewards. Gradually, doubt seeps through the cracks, thus jumping on the descension bandwagon, aiding the already present gravitational pull. Everything appears to be weighing you down.

The only way to become fresh and anew is to shed the dead weight and skin of the old and tried.

When we have exhausted all possibilities within ourselves, we always have GOD up our sleeves, should we be so inclined to use HIM, especially since we already know HIM.

Having gone through the rigors of trial and error, we begin to rectify the errors of our trials by acknowledging WHO is at the helm. The first OFFICIAL step in the right direction, which had zero multiple choice answers because it was the ONLY selection.

I quiver at the notion that nothing could be possible if HE was not acknowledgeable.

For all of my future trials, I have sought and received better counsel with an associated retainer that is 100% negligible, an outcome that is 1,000% believable, goals that are 10,000% achievable, joy that is 100,000% reachable, and a Love that is 1,000,000% obtainable.

Having previously said and done things in a "less than" capacity, my heart is all too happy to acknowledge and document those mistakes, learn from them and move on in a "greater than" capacity.

And now when I touch and feel your hand, I am able to better understand, all that ever escaped me, in its relentless pursuit to replace me.

As our embrace is intertwined and interlocked, it is indicative of just the right spot, that timing and opportunity has afforded us to fill the voids in each others lives in supreme complimentary fashion.

The length of those roads were shortened by understanding. The reality of the rewards far outweighed the perceived and realized pain. The holes of doubt were plugged, thus jumping on the ascension bandwagon defying gravity with an undeniable glow that has patiently awaited our return.

It is now, "Officially Special."

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

"Let There Be No More Doubt"

I Love you now,
I Love you later,
I Love you there,
I Loved you then,
I Loved you when

the storms were raging and I was facing the wind,
I was embracing the struggle to secure us the win.
Proactive by nature, protection is all I've ever known,
You don't wait for the storm, before you weatherproof your home.
Every Smiling face is not a friend indeed,
But a humble Spirit, shall always move within me.
I trust my gut, my intuition guides my stride,
Humility 101, I no longer choke on my pride.

For all of the tomorrow's that shall simultaneously create our future and past,
I Pray that every experience is better than the last.

From this day forth, "Let There Be No More Doubt."

Thank you Mother!

I Love You Both!

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

"All About Making Decisions"

Should you get divorced?
Should you ever get married?
Should you have children under either one of those two circumstances?
Should you quit your job?
Should you take the newly offered position?
Should you take him to court to sue for that support?
Should you speak your mind even when others are blind, to the fact?
Should the proactive ever coexist with the ones that strictly react?
Should you go for that advanced degree?
Should you tithe exactly 10% or as you have been prospered?
Should you have another child?
Should there be only one income, can your family survive?
Should you stave off those hunger pains and FAST anyway?
Should you attend Church Sunday morning after a long Saturday night out on the town?
Should you get your ex a Mother's day card?
Should you get your ex a Father's day card?
Should you act on EVERYTHING that you acknowledge?
Should you expel negative energy or continue to dance around its flying darts?
Should you Smile in spite of?
Should you frown because of?
Should you continue to give of you when all they do is continue to take from you?
Should you donate to charity?
Should you seek out more clarity?
Should you hide behind the truth?
Should you live your Life in transparency?
Should you put "you" first and "them" last or "them" first and "you" last?
Should you remind people of all that you have ever done?
Should you fill up that gas tank now or wait until later?
Should you hit the grocery store before you scoop up the kids?
Should you wait until you run out of underwear before you start a load of clothes?
Should you allow yourself to lose, so they can feel what it is like to finally win?
Should you Promise something that you know you will have difficulty in delivering?
Should you shovel your neighbors walkway when they barely even speak and have never done the same for you?
Should you speak louder to the person that pretends to not hear you at all?
Should you attend the awards ceremony even though you are not being honored and you feel contrary?
Should you Praise and thank HIM in advance for all of your Blessings in which to come, before they have even arrived?

What would you do if you had not one to make? How would Life be for you and me?

Life is..."All About Making Decisions." The type of decisions that you can comfortably live with for the rest of your Life.

Life is..."All About Making Decisions."

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

"Negative Energy Multiplied by Zero"

A good friend of mine once informed me that "energy is never lost nor dies, it is just transferred."

The TYPE of energy being transferred is irrelevant to the transferring process. But the caveat to that TYPE lies in the fact that should the energy be negative, nothing positive but the removal of that negative energy can and should take place.

When someone is unhappy in their own space and place, be conscious of the space that you share with them so that you do not subject yourself to the negative energy that will transfer itself from Point A (which is them) to Point B (which is you), subsequently screwing up the remainder of the alphabet.

People that are positively strong in their own right understand the power of persuasion and recognize the opportunity to convert the negative to positive by multiplying it by zero. The answer is easy.

People that are negatively weak in their own right and lack the understanding of the power of persuasion miss the opportunity to convert the negative to positive by multiplying it by numbers greater than 1. The answer gets more complicated.

But, thanks to simple mathematics, positive will always add up in the end, canceling out the negative energy that would otherwise have its way with you by way of division.

Multiply the negativity in your Life by zero, thus canceling out the obstructive nature and potential that it "could have" caused you and your Loved ones by simply allowing it to have been transferred.

"Negative Energy Multiplied by Zero," results in the same impact to your Life. The answer is easy.

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

"Your Life"

Borders, property, territories, lines and even figments of your imagination. No one or no thing has control over you, but you.

How you so choose to live the Life that you have been Blessed with is a unilateral decision, unless of course that decision has a direct or indirect impact on the person or people that you so choose to share in your Blessing called Life.

We should all feel so lucky and enormously gracious that out there, someone, somewhere is willing to share their lives with you, with me, with us.

The uniqueness in such a Blessing that someone would be so inclined to share in with us is the fact that such a Blessing is bidirectional. Worth repeating: "The uniqueness in such a Blessing that someone would be so inclined to share in with us is the fact that such a Blessing is bidirectional."

When you make the decision to share IN with someONE, your decisions are no longer unilateral. They ended the day that you made your decision. The approach to this would suggest that simultaneously we agree that we are now unilateral-free and through all possibilities we shall henceforth live bidirectionally.

In theory, I just described perfection. In reality, I just described anything but.

It is hard enough to unify two opposite ends of the spectrum, but even harder for them to coexist if they are reading for the same part yet with different scripts.

Both have achieved successful auditions for the part, only to be separated from two different scripts, not of the same heart.

So, who is to blame for the scripts not being the same? Who gets the part to play the starring role in your heart? How do you and me ultimately become "we," if we can't even decide how to live bidirectionally?

How you so choose to live the Life that you have been Blessed with....

When you make the decision to share IN with someONE....

Whatever you ultimately decide, it is indeed the Blessing commonly referred to as, "Your Life."

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

"Stronger, In the End"

I am thankful to GOD for the full use of my limbs.

I am not waiting for GOD to put my left foot in front of my right foot and my right foot in front of my left foot and walk on my behalf.

That is why I am THANKFUL to GOD for the FULL USE of my limbs.

When I get up everyday and put one foot in front of the other and proceed to walk, I am reminded of the fact that it is not only a Blessing to have the FULL USE of my limbs, but to have breath in my body, air in my lungs, sound mind and a joyous Spirit with enough wherewithal to know from wince all of the aforementioned originate.

I have zero input into the output of GOD's Blessings. The role, the position, my purpose is to put one foot in front of the other and to live, to give of myself in a capacity that would be in the image of an image that I have never seen, but have all the Faith into its existence.

I may be weak under normal "Corey Circumstances," but my subsequent strength has an undeniable source that garners the attention of what would otherwise not pay attention if it all began and ended under normal "Corey Circumstances."

I am humbled at the mere "thought" that I would dare be so bold as to think that my complete success had everything to do with me and me alone. Such a boast against GOD shall not be rendered out of Corey's mouth regardless of ANY "circumstances," normal, Corey or otherwise.

All of the painful, hurtful, intentional, deliberate, misguided, malicious, accusatory, poisonous things that I have ever encountered in my Life, have all strengthened me, giving way to my extreme THANKFULLNESS to GOD for the FULL USE of my limbs, thus making me "Stronger, In the End."

Happy Birthday to my wonderful son!

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

"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

"Me, Is We"

I so choose to live a transparently free Life in order to facilitate the quality of my Life as I face the challenges, both mental and physical in my Life.

While transparency does not mean everything, there is nothing that is off-limits in my quest to be free and to ultimately free myself from everything that has no other purpose in my life, than to anchor me down.

It has been far too long and far too wide an effort to stifle the progress that has brought us WHERE we are, THIS far.

With every expectation of 100% reciprocity, what I am willing to share, to do, to be, to make, to make happen, is unparalleled and not comparable to any other that resides under a cover of ambiguity, or uncertainty because they are not free, to even be.

My journey has been and continues to be a daily lesson learned as I earn each credit from each lesson, working and striving towards academic excellence. Oh, if Life were so easy.

But, it can be, as soon as you choose to live Life, FREE.

In all that I do, for all that I see, my Life is your Life, which now means, "Me, Is We."

Transparency never looked so clear.

What WE are willing to share, to do, to be, to make, to make happen, is unparalleled and not comparable to any other that resides under a cover of ambiguity, or uncertainty because WE, are free, to be.

And now, "Me, Is We."

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 Better"

Now that I know how to use my heart, I subsequently know the importance of exercising it for "flexibility, endurance, strength, capacity and longevity."

Now that I know that the purpose of my heart is not to only pump my blood, but to circulate the Love that is within me to all aspects and components of my body, internally as well as externally.

Now that I know how to listen to my heart, my stubborn head will begin to follow the Love that we should all be led by.

Now that I know how to reconcile my past and work towards building my future, I truly know no limits because now nothing is over my head or casting a shadow over my existence.

I Promise to speak more, listen more.

I Promise to Smile more, frown less.

I Promise to live more, enjoy all.

I Promise to be more compassionate, less judgmental.

I Promise to be more forgiving, less grudgingly.

I Promise to be more accepting, more open.

I Promise to Promise everything that I have Promised.

And lastly, I Promise to "Love Better."

I sincerely Love You and You, I will "Love Better," starting now.

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

"Time To Let Go"

Sometimes emotions and feelings wind up inadvertently depriving us of what we rightfully deserve.

We become so entangled in those very emotions and feelings that we wind up clouding our better judgment, making MORE mistakes, becoming MORE engulfed and even MORE tangled, trying to function and operate in the foggiest of situations with no direct visibility for miles, let alone beyond the tips of our noses.

When the giving of your heart far outweighs what you experience in return, it is time to rethink your ROI (Return On Investment). You don't need more investors, you just might be in need of a better business plan, experienced resources, seasoned risk takers and people that are simply, not afraid.

When the movements within your Life are circular, it is time to get off of the warn path and blaze a new one that you can successfully litter with your accomplishments as opposed to the "tried and not-so true" path that you have been on for far too long.

Before we enter 2010, we should center our energy and sever the ties that habitually bind us, preventing us from being all that we are supposed to be, all that we were designed to be and all that we were purposed to be.

Before we enter 2010, we should perform a front-end alignment with our hearts and our minds so that the rest of our bodies will assume the position so that we can forge STRAIGHT ahead.

GOD does indeed answer Prayers. Sometimes HIS answer is just not what we want to hear. But as Mother always advised me, "don't turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to what is right in front of you, Corey. When people reveal to you who they REALLY are, believe them."

That's my Momma!

I speak from experience when I say that its, "Time To Let Go."

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

"Calm to Chaos"

"In Spite of Everything" that is coming and going on in your personal and professional lives, there will always be the one constant source that remains the same every day of your Life for the rest of your days.

Without fail, the greatest sense of joy is knowing that someone has invested and deposited within YOU, a guarantee that you will indeed weather the storms, even as the world around you appears to be collapsing.

The foundation that you stand upon allows you to build upon the "guarantee" that you are able to derive from the interest off of the deposits that were made on your behalf. And you don't even have to touch the principle in the process.

The Spirit of the LORD shall ALWAYS bring, "Calm to Chaos."

Amen.

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

"Change the Plans for a Better Situation"

Ah, adversity would have you believe that your efforts are in vain and that victory has already been obtained, by someONE or someTHING else, other than you.

But deception ain't fooling no-body!

You weren't born to-morrow!

Everything that is true might not have been your truth, but that is why it is time to change the plans and refocus on the destination because the route has been altered to make room for the truth to lead the way for the path that is front and center in your Life.

My Momma told me as a young lad, that she "used to complain about her shoes, until she saw the man with no feet." Needless to say, I never complained about MY shoes ever again. And although I have not had the easiest path in Life in which to travel, it was and is mine for me to make the absolute best of.

I accept and appreciate what I have and focus not, on what I do not have. If it is within my possession, it was meant to be and the timing of such offers much, by way of confirmation.

Reminiscent of some of the greatest athletes that could, at the drop of a dime, change course of action or direction, alter their shots and do what they needed to do for the "team."

As of late, you constantly hear people habitually hollering "Team this" & "Team that," but I do not hear any of the aforementioned hollering about "Team Happy," "Team Jesus," "Team Smile," "Team Victory," "Team GOD," "Team Make It Happen," "Team Daddy," "Team Mommy," "Team Family," "Team Respect," "Team Honor," "Team Honest," "Team Faith," "Team Humble," "Team Forgiveness" nor "Team Love."

I am permanently inspired to make a "Better Situation." I've changed my attire, my attitude and renewed my dedication.

I look forward without looking back, picked up all of the pieces and even taking in some of the slack.

Now everything's fitting, tailor made to my specifications. All because I "Changed My Plans for a Better Situation."

I Love me!

Do you Love you?

Love yourself enough to "Change Your Plans for a Better Situation."

Prove it to yourself by joining or creating a "Team" that speaks to and about how you can "Change Your Plans for a Better Situation."

"Team Corey" and "Team All the Best, All the Time" will be rooting for you and your "Team."

Start off by creating and living up to your own expectations. Then and only then will you be able to "Change the Plans for a Better Situation."

Let's GO!!!

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 Space In Between"

There is always a perceived void in the lives of the people that are consciously working on making themselves "better."

You see "better" is not where the haters want you to be, let alone you thinking about making yourself.

For the purposes of visual illustration, the use of the word "perceived" was 100% intentional. In order for the "crabs in the barrel" theory to take shape and form, the haters need to create a perception that you will ultimately buy into, such as the "perceived" void.

For the people that are conscious about making themselves better, "shame on their genuine thoughts because as 'head-hater,' it is my job to cause confusion so that you will fill that "perceived" void with the likes of me."

The word is out. The secret has been revealed. There is no "void!" What you see and sometimes don't see is the growth that you have yet to realize. Whenever something is brewing on the inside, it has a tendency to shine forth on the outside and since your eyes have yet to bare witness as you are becoming acclimated to your new surroundings, it is still transparently clear on the outside looking in that "better" is indeed within your grasp.

It is impeccably amazing to see the gravitational pull that you garner when people become drawn to that visual illustration of what "better" actually looks like.

Even the haters are drawn in, hence the outward display of affection similar to a pack of hyena's as they devour the remains of the carcass that they stole from the one that actually captured the prey.

There is no void! Perception is not reality. Otherwise it would be called so. The "perceived" void was an illusion that was not your reality!

Your path is directly in front of you. The space to your left, the space to your right, in addition to the space behind you are represented in the form of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

I said there is no void! THEY are "The Space In Between."

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

"It Changed My Life"

I was explaining to my children how I was there and what I did when they were born. The look of amazement that was upon their faces as I described that scene, what was going on, what Daddy did and how it all unfolded. I could easily end the Blog right here and let the thoughts marinate.

But, to leave it there, would mean that I would never arrive, here. And since here is where I need to be, there is where I am glad that I was.

As the events of your Life unfold, they start to reveal layers from within as if someone has just pulled you inside out.

Sometimes we do not like what we see and refuse to believe that it is actually US, contrary to DNA's accuracy of 99.99%. We simply need MORE proof (Pause for Effect).

Transparency is constantly providing me grander levels of innocence, only after years of hiding behind the walls of "not so transparent guilt." If you're not careful, the devil will allow those very walls to become "your norm" while "GOD's norm" is left on the outside looking in.

I told you that as the events of your Life unfold, they start to reveal layers from within. It is time to take ownership of that image that is reflecting right back at you. Since DNA does not lie, you need to pull that situation inside out and allow "GOD's norm" to be the "New norm" by tearing down those walls.

Every brick of that wall represents something that has or continues to hold you back in life: lies, cheating, low self-esteem, no self-esteem, verbal abuse, physical abuse, low education, no education, fear of education, fear itself, no sense of self, lack of direction, yearning for protection and afraid of that reflection...

I told you that transparency has provided me grander levels of innocence. I need not hide behind a facade or an image. I am made in HIS image, hence the grander philosophical approach that is carried out through daily prayer and application.

Witnessing the birth of my children was THAT event in my Life that unfolded and pulled me inside out. The look of amazement upon their curious little faces reflected the innocence and amazement that was on my face as I witnessed each of them take their very first breath.

In order for me be here, thank GOD that I was there, "It Changed My Life."

GOD is the BEST!

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

"Rx Faith"

It is this time of year that the Faithful are vastly aware of and truly celebrate the existence by recognizing the birth of Jesus.

It is also this time of year that gives the mean-spirited a podium in which to exacerbate and spew their venomous antics, both verbal and physical in nature, in a feeble attempt to upstage the REAL "Reason for the Season."

You see it was never about the marketing campaigns and whether or not said company is "in the black" or "in the red." It has and always will be about what is right WITH the world, even when we are wrong TO the world.

I acknowledge the fact that meanness exists and that said meanness is perpetrated not BY people, but THROUGH people, by something that has infiltrated their mind, their better judgment, their common sense and their "I know better than that."

You see when things are out of order, chaotic, uneven and not balanced, it is because we are not taking the right dose.

We need to get back in "Spiritual Shape" if we are to compete in this "Spiritual Triathlon" of living, Loving and giving.

In talking to a physical fitness trainer, I learned some important attributes about myself that I needed to know in order to get my body in better shape so that I may compete in this "Spiritual Triathlon."

In talking to GOD, I learned some Life altering attributes about myself that I needed to know in order to get my MIND in the best possible shape so that I can compete in this "Spiritual Triathlon."

In talking to Jesus, HE in formed me that not only was I not taking the right dosage, but too often I was guilty of not even taking my medication in order to get my MIND, BODY and SOUL right and where it needs to be in order to compete in this "Spiritual Triathlon."

Therefore, the REAL "Reason for the Season," who Loves me even when I do not Love myself, took it upon HIMSELF, and for me, HE "Rx Faith."

Forever Blessed.

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

"Escape Us"

Did you do more yesterday than what you did the day before yesterday?

Do you plan on doing more today than what you did yesterday and the day before yesterday?

How about tomorrow? What do you plan on doing then?

As each day passes, we get closer to what we were doing just yesterday and the day before yesterday.

If we accomplished nothing and plan on accomplishing nothing, then we will safely arrive at "Nothing's Destination."

And if we accomplished everything and plan on accomplishing everything, then we will safely arrive at "Everything's Destination."

Doing "more" does not necessarily mean nor equate to doing "SOMETHING," so for clarity's sake, please do not misconstrue "more" for "something." We could simply decide to do "BETTER" than what we did yesterday and the day before yesterday, all the while accomplishing what we set out to do in the first place.

I believe in seizing the opportunity to do all that we can so that in turn we can be all that we are supposed to be.

I do not believe that GOD created nor intended for us to DO "nothing," to BE "nothing" and to ACCOMPLISH "nothing."

If that were the case, we would have no "Purpose." And even if you REMOTELY know GOD, you should know that we are ALL "Purposed" for SOMETHING! Since HE makes no mistakes, why would GOD waste HIS time doing otherwise?

Therefore and henceforth, it is time to start talking to GOD. Someone near and dear once told me, "Corey, you should talk to GOD just like we talk to each other. There is no certain "protocol, process or procedure" that needs to take place. And you certainly do not need to be on a specific level in order to talk freely to the Father." I concur!

Now you know how to talk to GOD. You just open up your mouth and simply allow the words to come out.

It is time for us to seize the moment, take advantage of all of the opportunities that are before us and it is certainly high time for us to discover, realize, acknowledge and work on and towards our Life's "Purpose."

The center of it all is our "Purpose." The work that HE would have for us is HIS "Purpose."

And since GOD makes no mistakes, why would HE waste HIS time doing otherwise? The same holds true for all of us as well. Why waste your time if it is not working towards your "Purpose?"

After you begin talking to GOD, check back with yourself and ask yourself the same questions as before:

Did you do more yesterday than what you did the day before yesterday?

Do you plan on doing more today than what you did yesterday and the day before yesterday?

How about tomorrow? What do you plan on doing then?

We no longer have any reason to ever allow "Purpose and Passion" to ever "Escape Us."

Be Blessed!

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 Rope, Thread Or Shred of Faith?"

Dedicated to a Special Young Lady!

It is a daily hustle to keep your head above while you simultaneously tread that water. We're not promised another day and death is always just right around the corner.

Whatever is going on AROUND my world matters not because I have King Jesus going on WITHIN my world.

We are all hanging on to something to keep us going, moving, motivated, inspired, uplifted and energized.

It is WHAT we are holding on to that determines the length of time that we can continue to hold on and the strength that is required in order for us to MAINTAIN that much needed firm grip.

I do not know what that "rope" is made of, but it will eventually wither and ultimately give way no matter how strong and long you can hold on.

I am not too sure about that "thread" that is too weak to support its own, let alone "my" own in addition to.

But that "shred"...that little "Shred of Faith" is ALL that I need in order to weather the storm and Michael Phelps that same water that is attempting to catch me in its rip tide, pull me back out to sea and forever cast me away to never.

I do not know WHAT your problems in Life may be, but rest assured they are not unique. SomeONE, someWHERE has already encountered them, figured them out, defeated them and sent them packing and on their way.

That is what a "Shred of Faith" will do for you. Exactly what absolutely everything else cannot do for you.

Let go of that "rope!"

Forget about that "thread!"

It is time to latch on to that "shred!"

"By Rope, Thread Or Shred of Faith," we all hanging on to something to keep us going, moving, motivated, inspired, uplifted and energized.

It is WHAT we are holding on to that winds up making all of the lasting determination and difference WITHIN our lives.

From this day forward, will you be holding on "By Rope, Thread Or Shred of Faith?"

Now 100% rhetorical, Smile and Be Blessed!

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

"Primary Spot"

With passion seeping through my pores, my soul becomes dehydrated as I implore my ability to muster up more than enough nerve to make a difference in all that I know, whom I know and all that I come in contact with.

I must leave this in better condition than what I found it to be in when it birthed my poverty-stricken presence into existence.

Whether it is through the rearing of my children or my hands on contributions, I must make more deposits than withdrawals in order to better my odds of doing better than just, "breaking even."

Efforts to never be in vain, when left in plain sight, for others to see, pick up and carry on to the sheer delight of everything that is right and the green with envy, to all that consider me an enemy.

What I am and who I am pale in contrast and comparison to what and who I am well on my way to being. I see me for who and what I am as I courageously make alterations and conduct modifications so that I may exquisitely fit the specifications of what I am to be.

We fail to understand because we do not feel what those who comprehend already understand. So, I extend my hand so that you can be the "comprehension" and I will be the "understanding" as we fly through the turbulent times with the knowledge of our inevitable safe landing.

None will have been for naught, forgiveness does not mean forgot, but right next to me, I will continue to hold, your "Primary Spot."

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

"My Sweet Mother"

Had it not been for my Mother, my credentials could have very well been my rap sheet.

Not just ANY Mother, but a GOOD Mother. A good Momma! One so good that I soon realized that a great number of my friends were ACTUALLY coming to see MY Mother and not me because she was better than the one that they had.

No bruised ego from me however. I had what they wanted and I was privileged and honored to already call her Mom. Funny how her title became her nickname for all of those friends of mine that dropped by, out of the blue, just to see "me."

She would feed you when there was nothing to eat.

Provide answers without having to even hear the questions.

What a lucky young man I was to have had the Mother that I did. In all actuality, what a lucky "young" man I still am to have the Mother that I did.

You see, I never seem to run out of memories of Mother. I keep happening upon things that she made happen for me. I guess that's where I get it from. This innate ability to just "do it" and "make it happen."

December 3, my Life changed forever. But because my Mother first introduced me to the LORD, it simultaneously changed for the better as I drew closer to HIM in the longing absence of "her."

It has not been a walk in the park and "easy" has never described any aspects of my Life. But, "possible" describes "all" aspects of my Life.

No matter how "impossible" things may appear, the reality is GOD's unlimited possibilities are inevitable when you give it to HIM, the same way that I did, back on December 3.

I still cry, but I'm now comforted.

I still and will always miss her, but GOD keeps reminding me that she's right there with HIM now.

And since what HE can do will always be what's best for me and you, I humbly step aside in the same manner that I did whenever the doorbell rang and I heard a familiar voice asking, "is Corey home?"

No bruised ego from me however. I was privileged and honored to already call her Mom, "My Sweet 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

"The Better Part of Me"

I was born at 12:01am on 12/1. And 2 years ago today I would only have my Mother for 2 more days. How does the saying go? "If I knew then, what I know now..."

I feel good today! Although it has indeed been difficult, GOD has been good to me.

GOD has been wonderful to me.

GOD has been merciful to me.

I no longer "Hide My Tears" (http://allthebestallthetime.blogspot.com/2009/11/hide-my-tears.html) because GOD has ever so delicately taken the task of wiping them from my face as HE embraces me whenever my heart starts to feel a little empty.

All of the exquisitely well crafted words of the English language still fail in their feeble attempts to describe, illustrate or paint the picture of what GOD has and continues to do for me.

Every Blog that I write...it's GOD!

Every Blessing that I have...it's GOD!

In the midst of all that I have lost, everything that I STILL have...it's GOD!

My wonderful family and precious children...it's GOD!

Every tear that I shed, affords HIM the opportunity to wipe them away... because it's GOD!

I Love you Mom! GOD knows that I Love you!

You did a wonderfully impeccable job, but it's ok now. GOD's got it from here!

Every birthday just draws me closer to seeing you again. So, I will celebrate as if you called me this morning at 12:01am like you always did!

And please do not be confused in the GOD in me that you see. It is because of HIM, that reveals the "The Better Part of Me."

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