Gimmie A Break(For All Moms)

David O. McKay once said, ~The noblest calling in the world is that of mother. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece or who can write a book that will influence millions deserve the plaudits and admiration of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will be exerting an influence throughout the ages long after painting shells have faded, and books and statues shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give.~ Let me ask you this question ladies, how many of you are moms to beautiful kids, whether you're single or married?

Essentially, the key to motherhood is patience because it takes alot of that to keep a handle on your kids whether you're a single mom or a married one. Though dear old dad may be in charge of the family, its ultimately the mom who has the finally say. We've all asked our dads for something fairly important in our minds to where he preceeds to tell us to wait and asks one's mother, which is somewhat comical because I may do that someday with my kids, but I digress. For it takes a lot of patience to deal with one's child/children when they throw fits/temper tantrums in public and not let the full furry of one's anger run rampid to the point one child may or may not return home." For the question can be asked, have you ever done that to your kids or was that ever done to you?

Motherhood, can oftentimes be a thankless job as moms take on so many responibilites and roles that she can be absolutely confused at where she is. Its truly amazing that a mom can handle so many things on her plate, in a manner of speaking, as she is able to keep at times her own thoughts in order. Thoughts that are probably exhausting to even think about from a guy's perspective because we can only focus on one thought at a time unlike women who have many thoughts running though their head. Whether its what food to repair, paying the bills on time, what you're going to do the next day or next week even, helping you're kids with homework, and most certainly worrying about the safety as well as well being of one's kid(s)/spouse, which they do with military like precision.

Without a doubt, moms can truly be considered the general of the family as they try to keep order in a sometimes unorderly home. It can be a daunting task to be strong not only for yourself, but also for your kids because if they see you fall physically and/or emotionally then, in a sense, you've failed. Yet, its not considered a failure because you sacrificed so much to keep him, her, them happy even though you yourself may not be. Whether you're single or married, its a tough job to raise children either by yourself or with help of family due to breaking up, divorce, and/or by one's spouse in the military. Inevitably, its just a matter of receiving the strength you need from not only those who love/care about you, but also from God through constant fervent prayer.

In retrospect, when you are a mom every day should be mother's day, which dads would disagree with due to the fact that they seemingly receive the same gifts every Father's Day such as ties, shirts, tools, and mugs with world's greatest dad on it. Its the go-to-gifts that, in some ways, make it easy for mom and the child/children to buy for. However, if you think about it though, moms go through so much more and yet ask for so little that they deserve to be pampered every once in a while or practically every day, which I bet every mom would love to have happen to her. In the end, there comes a point where moms basically need a time for themselves and say to themselves or to the big man upstairs, oh please gimmie a break.

A Good Thing

Arthru C. Clarke once said, ~New ideas pass through three periods: 1.) It can be done. 2.) It probably can be done, but its not worthing doing. 3.) I knew it was a good idea all along.~ Now as you may or may not know, working in the asylum ideas pop in our heads on a semi-daily basis to where we can be considered creative or out of our minds due to when we say these four words out loud which are I have a plan. However, its the kids of the asylum that are out of their minds when they have ideas/suggestions that either inlvolve the rules, the asylum itself, or the stagg who work their such as myself. Let me tell you something, a person can either laugh, be concerned, or be very afraid at what "my kids" come up with.

For the most part, I'm the type of person who's not a stickler for the rules, but when it comes to the safety and well being of "my kids" they will be enforced. It can really be a frustating situation indeed when the rules one enforces don't necessarily fly with them and suggestions are made to change those rules. Rules they don't like abiding by then we suggest that he, she, or they shouldn't come back or go somewhere else if you don't like the rules. I've basically said in the past, that you're considered #1 in a child's list of favorite counselors unless you say or do something they don't like due to the rules, which has happened to me over the past 9 years. Let me tell you something, If I had a penny for everytime a child asked me to bend/change the rules just for them, I would be a very rich man.

Fred G. Smalley Youth Center aka The Insane Asylum hasn't really changed that much on the outside in the past 9 years but on the inside changes have been made over the years. Many of these changes have been suggested by not only staff but by kids as well who are without a doubt have a say in their house, so to speak, which they hang out in before and after school. If compared to it would like an extreme makeover: home edition type change in which a new floor for the gym, new games as well as game systems such as XBOX, PS2, Gamecube, etc, sound resistant barriers added to the game room ceiling to greatly reduce noise, and finally new furniture that truly needed to be updated with the times.

When it comes to suggestions/ideas there is one that tends to be repeated over and over again by the kids to me. What suggestion you may be asking....well lets just say its about me growing taller, which you would think would get under my skin to the point where I turn into and/or act like Joe Pesci's character in Goodfellas and start laying the smackdown. BUT, I'm bigger than that...nahhh not really... because you see experience has taught me that its best to fight fire with fire and use what comes natural to me which is sarcasm. Essentially, when they throw the height issue in my direction, I primarily retaliate back as to why they don't listen/behave and why i should not give the lowdown to one's parent(s) as to their misdeeds that I chose not to report to them. *sinister grin* Hey, this is what I go through folks almost every day.

In retrospect, the suggestions that are made by "my kids" can either be reasonable or unreasonable. It really depends on the sugesstion at hand which can be pretty out there when you hear them. Yet, the one thing that staff and kids of the asylum agree on suggestion wise is that the vans/bus needs to be majorly altered. Undeniably, the suggestion by the kids, as well as a few staff is to put together a tape to send to Xzibit and West Coast Customs to pimp our rides. Suggestions as pimp out the sound system; add flipdown monitors to the ceiling plus monitors to the backs of the seats for long roads trips of course; spinners for the wheels, a kickin' paint job that reflects the asylum's personality, and finally hydraulics so that the vans/bus' front end rise up and down low rider style. In the end, that particular suggestion right there by the kids is not considered a bad thing, its most definintely considered a good thing.

What I Like About You

Someone once said, ~Every now and then, we find a special friend who never lets you down, who understands it all, reaches out each time we fall. You're the best that I have found, I know that you can't stay, but part of you will never go away. Your heart will stay. I'll make a wish for you and hope it will come true, that life will be kind to such a gentle mind, and if you lose your way, think on yesterday; remember me this way.~ There is no denying the feeling you get when you meet someone that you feel comfortable with and yet scared at the same time. Scared, not in the sense of turning around and running away, but rather facing that person's direction to where you simply face the fear that feels good within you.

There comes a point in life where you think nobody understands the particular situations one is going through. However, there is somebody out there who somehow knows what you are going throughand reassures you that you are not alone, even though you may feel like it at times. Fortunately, you have friends that you absolutely trust to have your back and comfort you when one needs them the most. In some aspect, that loneliness you feel is like being in the ocean and the so called waters of past hurts, as well as, the emotions that go along with it tend to be at times overwhelming to the point you feel like you're drowning, in the metaphorical sense of course. For everywhere you look there is no sign of help to throw you a life preserver to pull you out of the water and take you to safety.

Primarily, it takes someone who not only will reach out to you when you are "drowning" but also get into the water as well. The key factor in all this will and always be trust as you show that person that you're not just going to stand there and encourage him or her but physically be there at one's side. Oftentimes, those who supposedly encouraged you in the past and put your trust in to stay at your side turned their backs on you leaving not only you to "drown" in your emotions but also your heart to "drown" in sadness as well. Its that particular time when you are treading water, one wants to simply let go and sink within yourself and not come up; but there will be someone who will come along that won't give up on you and prevent you from "drowning" ever again.

Let me ask you this question, has there been or is there a person who you feel helped you or is helping you from sinking and consider him or her special in your life? Its that person that even though you only see him or her for either a brief moment of time or on a daily basis part of that person stays with you. A part of him or her that makes you smile when you think about that person to the point where acquaintances, friends, and/or family catch you at your most vulnerable. A vulnerability that at first you want to deny your experiences, but soon realize you can't help but feel that way and accept the truth within your own heart. Let me tell you something, every person has felt or is feeling that way and hopefully its a feeling you never want to go away.

In retrospect, whether you know it or not there will be someone who wishes for you the happiness that you seek in hopes that it will come true for you. For it maybe that someone who is standing in front of you and you don't even know it. Unfortunately, its an unknown when the happiness you seek will eventually come and he or she will metaphorically throw that proverbial life preserver towards your heart which arrivesjust in time for you. Ultimately, its that person whose selfless acts of kindness such as being there for you as a friend, making you laugh just to see that smile on your face, or simply spending a brief moment in with time with you just chillin' and hanging out with each other, which in the end, you say to that person or to each other that's what I like about you.

Because Of You

Someone once said, ~Friendship is a dangerous thing. Like when you get that those with someone, to a point where you can feel yhat you can talk to them about almost anything, then it is just natural to want to take the relationship to the next step. That is what love is all about, friendship. And then you realize that it is more than that, something that you can't even describe with words, because words only seem to reduce the power you feel.~ Its rare these days for aperson to meet someone who is genuinely real and one can feel comfortable in the fact that he or she has no intentions of breaking your heart. Though skeptical one may be of that happening, its considered absolute truth rather than pure fiction.

If you think about it, we live our lives trying to figure out what's fact or fiction when it involves someone who may be potentially "the one." For some, most, or all people they can easily destinguish what's is fact as he or she gets to know the person inside and out. However, for others the fiction that he or she hears can sound totally believeable to the point that you metaphorically hand over your heart to that person. To be perfectly honest, when you are in love, fact and fiction can be totally unrecognizable to where one tries to sort ot what that person is saying to you is either true or untrue, which is a tough task indeed. Let me ask you this question, have you ever been in this particular situation before?

In any case, people who are living the single life by choice, like myself, you witness/hear about many relationships fall apart over a period of time that it can effect you mentally to the point that being alone is the best choice possible. Whether it be acquaintances, friends, and/or family you have that mindset where you don't ever want that situation to happen to you because one doesn't want to endure that kind of pain, suffering, and inner turmoil due to it. For it can be rough for any person to hidethe feelings he or she has for someone because of certain personal issues that one is going through and metaphorically battling yourself to tell or not tell that person. For some people, that's the life he or she chose and it can be a living nightmare that you truly want to be waken up from.

However, there are people out there who are living the single life by choice as well, but for an entirely different reason. For is in their particular situation that they were the ones who suffered broken relationships which caused one to not only closely gaurd their own feelings but also his or her heart from ever being broken again. Its an oftentimes sad situation indeed when it happens to people you know, care about, and/or love such as acquaintances, friends, and/or family. In some aspect, that person didn't choose to go through those unbearbale moments of life for himself/herself and unfortunately he or she is living a somewhat similar nightmare that one wants to be waken up from as well.

In the movie Batman Begins the question was asked, Why do we fall? The answer to that question was so that we can learn to pick ourselves back up again. In retrospect, that is how love/friendship is as a person can fall so hard that impact leaves deeps scars that are either gradually healing or haven't healed within one's heart and soul. Without a doubt, it takes alot of inner strength to not only pick ourselves up but also our own heart as well. Ultimately, it takes someone who is really special to pick you up and not let you fall ever again. In the end, whether its to that person or to each other, one will say its because of you that I'm taking this chance and if you or I fall, we will be there for one another to pick each other up.

Cloud 9

Annie Sullivan once said, ~Love is something like the clouds that were in the sky before the sun came out. You cannot touch the clouds, you know, but you feel the rain and know how glad the flowers are to have it after a hot day. You cannot touch love either; but you feel the sweetness that it purs into everything. Without love you would not be happy or want to play.~ Essentially, there is an oftentimes certain calm you receive when you stare/gaze at clouds that are in the so called wild blue younder. If you think about it, one receives that somewhat same calm with a guy or girl you are either in love or falling in love with as you stare/gaze at him or her even though you're own heart may be beating a mile a minute.

We've all at one time or another in our lives sat/laid down in a very comfortable grassy area and basically watched the clouds roll by. It was and probably still is an activity that kids as well as grown ups of any age enjoy doing due to the fact that you're outside feeling the breeze and soaking up a little bit or alot of sun in the process. For its when we continue to gaze at those particular clouds, one can start to shapes that look like somewhat familiar images one may or may not recognize at first. In a sense, when a person is in love or falling in love he or she can see the all to familiar face of that guy or girl whom you are thinking about. Let me ask you this question, whose one face, guy or girl, do you see when you gaze up into the clouds

Yet, there comes a point where those proverbial dark clouds cover what was once a majestic looking scenery. In a sense, those dark clouds represent heartbreak which can metaphorically cover one's own heart to the point where it is lost in darkness either temporarily or permanently. Its a sad situation indeed when guys and girls can't seem to pull their own hearts from under their own dark cloud of sadness due to the impact that he or she has faced from being in a relationship with someone who basically was rolling steadily away rather than towards you. There is an old saying which goes that ever dark cloud has a silver lining and it can brighten not only a person's day to the point where his or her heart smiles. So, who is considered to be your silver lining?

Without a doubt, each of us as kids have tried to reach up and touch/grab the clouds which in all intensive purposes was an absolute impossibilty. In a way, that's how love is as each of us have tried or are trying to reacher higher and higher for the person you love as one pushes himself or herself, as well as, our hearts too the limit just to feel that high one gets when a person is in love or falling in love. In some aspect, if each of us had the abilities of Superman or Supergirl, we would simply fly up up and away high above the clouds. For the question can be asked, which has both men and women asking themselves, how high are both willing to go for the one he or she loves?

In retrospect, I said in a past Yodaism that love is like flying without wings; but when you are truly in love the sky is the limit. To be perfectly honest, when you are in love or falling in love with someone, you feel strong/invincable like the man/girl of steel to where you feel like you can take on the world. However, that person is also considered to be your kryptonite because he or she makes you feel weak in the knees; BUT he or she makes your heart beat stronger and stronger as you both spend time with each other. Every person wants a guy or girl like this who will not only take you higher than you ever wanted to go in your heart and soul, as well as, far beyond the clouds you see above you, which is a feeling that we all know is like being on Cloud 9.

The Hands Of Time

Khalil Gibran once said, ~The things which the child loves remain in the domain of the heart until old age. The most beautiful thing in life is that our souls remaining over the pleaces where we once enjoyed ourselves.~ Without a doubt, a person's childhood is one of the things each us cherish because we can all look back on it and hopefully smile. Smile for the simple reason that you had no responsibilities placed upon you except to do two things which are listen to our parents and be a kid. Its unclear whether or not each of us actually listened to our parents back in the day, but what each of us absolutely knew to do was be a kid. For its our so called good ole' days that we all, at times, wish to be like a kid again.

Essentially, the art of mocking someone was something thate very one of us did as young kids. It was primarily done when you were having an argument with another kid/adult and just to mess with him or her when you repeated everything he or she said. Whether it was to our teachers, parents, brothers, sisters, friends, pets, etc. practically nobody was safe at being potentially mocked. For it was a totally harmless thing to do due to the fact nobody got hurt unless you took it too far and you yourself got hurt. Working in the asylum, you get mocked by kids on a regular basis, which really doesn't phase me because the fun part of my job as a counselor is mocking the kids back. Hey, one never really outgrows mocking someone because quite frankly it give each of us a chance to act totally immature for a moment or two.

When it comes playing kids games, the one underlying truth is that the rules can change at any time if you felt like it. You have to admit, we've all done it when playing such childhood games as tag, freeze tag, hide and go seek, etc. For it was in the middle of the game that you would basically change the rules if it wasn't going in your favor, which didn't go over to well with our friends. Let me tell you something, I've played countless kids at pool and when they know their losing or about to lose they suddenly change the rules so that he or she can try to beat me; but I win anyway...most of the time. If you think about it, as adults one could only wish we could change the rules by just announcing it so that life and/or love can go in our favor.

Undeniably, whining/complaining/throwing temper tantrums was what each us of did as kids to get something or go somewhere that was considered important/matter of life and death, which if you deny then you are lying. For if we didn't get our way or what we wanted, the whining/complaining/throwing temper tantrums would begin and if "PLAN A" didn't work "PLAN B" would be implemented... holding one's breath. It would probably be safe to say "PLAN B" never really worked out and the question remains who does it better boys or girls. In my opinion girls, because no man alive is safe from it being done to him and they inevitably cavein. In some aspect, it would be an interesting and comical to see grown adults do this when they either don't get a parking space, job promotion, etc.

Bill Cosby said, ~The essence of childhood, of course, is play, which my friends and I did endlessly on streets that we reluctantly shared with trafic.~ In retrospect, you never really leave behind the little inside you because that inner child is always eagerly waiting to make an appearance when the time is right. An appearance that, in some ways, feels liberating when do something totally out of character and act like Pee Wee Herman before the unfortunate theater incident, or course. Though its unclear if each of us as kids went around saying to other kids I know what you are but what am I, you just had fun being a care free kid with no worries whatsoever. I end this thought by asking you this question, if life were able to turn the hands of time just for one day for you to be a kid again, would you take it?

Sweet Smell Of Success

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ~To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.~ Ifts a funny thing about life, it gives each of us the opportunity to meet new people, get to know them, and hopefully form a friendship. There is an uncertainty as to how long that friendship will last due to the period of time you're able to get to know him, her. and/or them. Essentially, we all want to succeed in making friends with people one hardly knows and it can, without a doubt, be a challenge to do so; but its a challenge that can unknowingly give you countless stories that are memorable to look back on.

If you think about it, we meet hundereds of thousands of people who may or may not become either our acquaintances, friends, and/or homies. In a sense, all the people we meet growing up and in life are a part of our own history and vice versa. Each of us have childhood friends who we either remember or don't remember and they are connected to our past, which begs the question do you renember that person's name? Like life, we move on and forge new friendships but the connection with that person is still there. For the laughter that was shared back then can inevitably be shared again when he, she, or they step back into our loves to talk about the good ole' days which can most definitely involve looking at old vidoes and pictures.

Let me ask you this question, how did you meet your partner(s) in crime you hang with and was it a successful interaction? For its these people, who are now in your inner circle, were at one time strangers that you either vibed gradually, in an instant, or not at all in that first initial meeting. For some, most, or all of us can be considered shy, standoffish, and/or quiet at first but once that proverbial ice breaker is given the comfortability level rises and so does one's personality as well. Its unclear though whether it easier for guys to click with each other than women due to the fact that we generally form an instant friendship by either taking sports, particular hobbies, through spirit of competition, or something that involves sheer stupidity, which is usually the case for us.

Working in the asylum for the past 9 years, I've hopefully succeeded in earning the respect of not only my friends/co-workers, past and prents; but also countless kids who have come and gone. Kids who have grown up before my eyes and hopefully have had a positive influence on each of their lives to the point where I'm not just a friend to them, but considered a big brother even though most of them are taller than me. When it comes to kids, its not an easy task to earn the respect or affection for that matter of kids who will disrespect you at a drop of a hat, in a manner of speaking. BUT that's the challenge one is given for a person who works in the child care profession and I'm loving every minute of it even though I've lost most of my marbles doing it.


Last month the asylum opened up its doors for the kids who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, which my best friend and I were able to meet in person if it was for only a brief period of time. Let me tell you something, it was truly a humbling experience as we gave them a chance to have fun, laugh, and to be entertained several hours, which was a once in a lifetime opportunity that will truly be remembered to where we made some new friends. However, life can unknowingly give you second chances to bring fun, laughter, and entertainment to displaced kids again which happened Saturday night with myself and best friend. In that brief time, the laughter heard throughout the night is considered to be, in the end the sweet smell of success that stays with you and will rememebered for years to come.

If You Were Mine

Someone once said, ~He'd only break your heart you know? Rip it up into pieces and watch you as you gry. He's done it beofre you know? Played with girl's emotions and laughed at them as they die. He's no good for you, you know? Every look in his eyes, every touch of his lips, are just a lie. He's not the one for you, you know? But even though, your heart still can't say goodbye,~ Without a doubt, every woman wants a guy that will treat them the way one wants to be treated. Treated with tender loving care like a flower and it doesn't always involve the phyiscal aspect of love. Essentially, when it comes to love women will encounter guys who will or have treated them with disrespect in three ways: psychological, verbal, and/or physical.

The psychological mistreatment of a woman can most definitely have either short or long term effects. Thinking about it, saying I love you to a woman and to truly mean it can deeply touch her within her heart and soul. However, it can truly be a sad situation indeed when a guy doesn't express those three little words to a woman and there is no meaning behind it. It can get to the point where she will wait to hear those three important words but unfortunately they're never uttered from his lips, which can hurt a woman not only emotionally but also psychologically as well. Let me ask you this question ladies, how many times a day does your significant other express his love for you and is absolutely lucky that you're in his life?

When it comes to the verbal mistreatment of a woman, it can deeply effect her to where one's self esteem is lowered tremendously. Every woman wants a guy that genuinely compliments her on the way she looks, which puts a beautiful smile on her face and makes her day that much more brighter. Unfortunately, there are guys who will verbally assault women to no end on their looks and it can psychologically effect the way they see themselves or how they think others perceive them to be. One such verbal assault can be on he issue of weight, which can create a deep psychological impact on women to the point where she starves herself to death because of what guys or others say about them. For the question can be asked to you ladies, has this particular situation ever happened to you?

We've all either read, seen on the news, witnessed firsthand, or know/knew women who went through the physical mistreatment from a man who supposedly loved her. In all intensive purposes, a man is not considered a man once he physically puts his hands on her no matter how much she verbally and physically provokes a guy, its just not cool. Yet, countless stories can be told of women in abusive relationships who will not leave due tot he fat that she still loves him, which is considered a deluded love that can oftentimes lead in death. Subsequently, the physical and verbal abuse suffered can undeniably leave scars both physical and psychological to where a woman will take drastic measures to ensure that abuse never happens again or to anybody for that matter.

In retrospect, whether its psychological, verbal, and/or physical no woman deserves to be mistreated in any way, shape, or form. For its been said, treat a woman as you would want your own sister to be treated; but if a guy doesn't have a sister then place one's mother into that spot. Working with mostly women for the past 6 years, I've being dragged into conversation where you hear countless complaints of how there aren't any guys who are considered mature gentlemen who treat women like ladies. Let me tell you something, there are guys like this out there who are real, like myself, who will treat you like a lady and in the end, say to you if you were mine I'll make you believe that you are truly special in every way which is a song by Marcos Hernandez. that best reflects this thought.

Put Up Or Shut Up

E.E. Cummings once said, ~To be nobody-but yourself-in a world which is doing its best night and day, to make everybody else-means to fight the hardest battle which any human can fight; and never stop fighting.~ For the most part, each of us live a hard knock life in which we either metaphorically or physically fight certain situations we all have been or are going through. Its the unpredictability of life that we instinctively keep our guard up at all times in order not to get knocked out, in a manner of speaking. You never really know what is in store for each of us as we wake up, get ready for the day, and step outside one's door each day. Let me ask you this question, whether its metaphorical or physical, what throw downs have you gone or are going through in your life?

In our daily lives, we metaphorically fight to survive in order to get to the next day. For some, most or all of us struggle to keep our head above water as we all battle to get that mighty dollar into our individual bank accounts. It can be an embarrassing situation indeed when one receives a "black eye" due to the fact that you don't have enough money or no money at all to pay the bills. Bills that have the power to take away your electricity, house, car, material possessions, and even yourself either temporarily or permanently. When it comes to money, are you financially set for life to where you have absolutely no worries or are you in a constant face off with others who say the same thing you do which is, Show me the money!

Essentially, a person can both metaphorically and physically fight for someone who one absolutely feels strongly for. For some, most, or all women, it can be considered romantic and a bit comical when a guy or group of guys fight not only for the attention of a particular female but also for her heart, which can also happen the other way around as well. In sense, its like the NBC show Average Joe or MTV's hit dating show Next, where guys and girls vy for the attention of one man and one woman. Oftentimes, the metaphorical fight can turn nasty to the point where it becomes physica; as emotions run so high that words are said, fist fly, teeth are lost, hair is pulled, and what was considered a romantic situation is now a situation that's completely out of hand.

Without a doubt, we've all been in a physical fight that you either won, lost, or nobody won at all. Every person tends to remember a fight that sticks with them and for me personally it was back in my middle school days and to this day that fight is being talked about, which shows that particular fight had staying power. In any case, fighting can be considered a right of passage, mainly for guys, as cuts and bruises received from that fight were seen as a badge of honor depending if it was one's first fight or not. For the question can be asked, when was the last time you had a fight, who was it with, what/who was it over, and do you remember where you where when the fight happened?

Working in the asylum, you're not just a counselor; your also a profiler, referee, judge, jury, negotiator, detective, and add to that list a cooler. Early monday morning, a couple of "my teenage kids" were talking smack to each other and it got to the point where they were about to throw down, which I immediately got in between them. Now imagine a 5'3/155 pound 28 year old guy trying to hold back/cool down a 5'7/190 pound 13 year old teenager who could have easily picked me up and used me as a lawn dart, but he didn't. The potential of a fight was squashed because cooler heads prevailed and quite frankly nobody wanted to get written up because of it. In the end, when you're talking smack about somebody and a fight might happen, there comes a point where you have two choices which are put up or shut up.

Trick Or Treat

Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider said, ~Halloween is huge in my house and we really get into the 'spirits' of things. A few years back, my wife was frustrated with the same old stupid sound effects tape we would play which ends with the theme from 'Ghostbusters' and 'Monster Mash'. I told her that Halloween is way too cool a holiday to suffer though this year.~ Well folks, its the one holiday that kids as well as grown ups look forward to because its one night out of the year you can be and act immature. Though Halloween is two weeks away, many people have already decorated, bought tons of candy, and plan elaborate setups to scare kids. Essentially what makes Halloween so enjoyable are the following three things: candy, costumes, and haunted houses.

Without a doubt, the cady given out on Halloween is considered the proverbial holy grail to every child and its their mission to fill one's bag till it can't be filled anymore. A mission in which a chid uses a military like strategy either solo or with friends to hit every house that one's legs could take him/her not once, not twice, but as many times one can possibly push himself or herself. Oftentimes, if one were going in groups your "team" would suffer casualties in which friends went missing in action due to being tired whereas you shut out the fatigue for your soul objective. Unlike the Marines where they go by the creed nobody gets left behind, you went by a different one which was every boy/girl for one's self.

Let me ask you this question, do you still dress up for Halloween or have you outgrown it? The costumes you either buy or create can make or break you to where you not only try to outdo yourself each year but also outdo your friends, if there was any competition in it. We all remember or choose not to remember the costumes each us wore back in the day, which one can either be proud of or absolutely cringe due to how extremely unoriginal/lame it was. For the question can be asked, how many of you already know what you are going to be/wear for Halloween and how many of you are just going to wait till the last minute to either create something or buy what leftover costumes there are?

The haunted house, its a staple of Halloween and for some, most, or all people when it comes to haunted houses the scarier the better. Back in the day, were you the type of kids who got scared easily and nobody could be able to convince to go in even when someone told one would go with you? OR were you the type of kid who wasn't scared of anything and went into the haunted house balls to the wall by going by yourself, which you couldn't due to the fact that an adult had to go with you, but I digress. For the most part, we all probably have been or will be participants of a haunted house in our high school or college days, which was/is/will be an experience that gave you such a thrill because it gave the chance to scare the living shiznit out of people you either know or don't know.

In retrospect, Halloween will always bring out the little kid inside each of us and the memories connected to it will forever be remembered. Whether its egging someone's house, stealing someone else's candy, watching horror movie marathons, or having parties that may or may not involve either police, paramedics, or someone running naked down the street unforgettable memories will be made this year. Unfortunately, I am officially retiring from the game, so to speak; in so doing I turn over my bag and flashlight to the next generation of candy seeking kids, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to dress up. In the end, on October 31st, 2005, kids of all ages will be knocking on doors and say these three of so familiar words which are trick or treat.

Layeth The Smackdown

Don Marquis said,~Many a man spanks his children for the things his own father should have spanked out of him.~ In this day and age, punishing a child by way of the physical means is deemed wrong and if caught doing it in public you could be sentenced to several years in jail or even in prision, which in my opinion certain parents don't deserve. For its the new school way of parenting that some, most or all kids behaving in a ways that is not only embarassing to the parent(s) its also embarassing to others as well. Let me ask you this question, how many of you grew up with the old school way of parenting and are you the respectful, well adjusted man or woman you are today?

Working with all types of kids from ages 6-17, you primarily witness firsthand kids who have been raised new school and those who have been raised old school. For those kids who are/were raised new school tend to be the proverbail wild stallions in which nobody, not even their own parent(s) can try to settle/tame him or her down. Its a truly amazing situation indeed when you witness a child mouth off to one's parent and whn you think that a beat down is about to happen on him or her, the parent does nothing. However, for those that are/were raised old school their parent(s) broke them down early and even though there may be a few moments of wildness, once something is said or "the look" is given you know its time to straighten up and fly right.

The time out vs. the knock out, its two styles of parenting that have every person debating which is more effective to use. In a sense, what you get with the time out is a child who doesn't really get the point from what one did wrong. What it actually does, it gives him or her time to figure out what mischevious acts he or she can think up next. Speaking from experience, I've put plenty of kids in time out and it doesn't do anything but get them hyped up. BUT what you get from the knock out is a well trained child who is well behaved, well mannered, polite, respectful, courteous, not a brat will say Yes Sir/Yes Ma'am, No Sir/No Ma'am, which people will compliment you about and it put a smile on your face.

Personally speaking, I wasn't considered a bad due to the fact that I was a quiet child who sat in front of the television quietly watching cartoons while eating my favorite breakfast cereal Froot Loops. However, I did have my fair share of hyperactivity and stupidity growing up where punishment was given. Its unclear if other parents do this but for a filipino, particularly moms, will uses something other than a belt or hand to pass down judgement, so to speak. Let me tell you something, there's nothing like being punished with certain household objects such as a fly swatter, shoe, slipper, ruler, stick broom, wooden spatula, back scratcher, and basically anything not bolted down would be or has been used and you know what I'm a well adjusted child because of it.

In retrospect, every person remembers the worst punishment handed down by their parents geowing up and if you can't then you've probably blocked it out of your memory. For the question can be asked, if one is able to remember will it cause you to become somewhat or majorly emotional to the point of tearing up? In any case, on the bright side when you did suffer that punishment the rest that you got afterwards was absolutely the best you have ever had because you had built up tension, combined with trying to stay calm, added with that worrying if you might or might not wake up from it for days or weeks. Ultimately, every parent back in the day layeth the smackdown on their kid(s) and in the end they all the same thing when its over which every person knows by heart, so say it with me kids, You know I did it because I love you.

All The Right Reasons

Someone once said, ~It doesn't take a reason to love someone, but it does to like someone. You don't love someone because you want to, you love someone because you are destined to. Its because you fall in love with them that you then try to find a reason, but you always come up with the answer, "No reason!"~ Essentially, every person has many different reasons to find someone attractive, to fall in love, to fall out of love, to break someone's heart, to not let your own heart be broken, not let yourself fall in love, and/or to not let that person fall in love with you. Let me ask you this question, when it comes to love, are you the type of person who gives those reasons or are you the type who unfortunately gets those reasons?

For the most part, there are certain people out there who find reasons to get out of a seemingly great relationship. Reasons that may or may not have any merit, but it really depends on the particular misdeeds that the guy/girl supposedly did to him or her. Personally speaking, did/has anyone ever given you a reason/reasons to get out of a relationship or vice versa such as its not me its you, I need some space, your smothering me, you mental, etc. In some aspect, one can become a Jerry Seinfeld in which every potential relationship his television character was in, he found some reason to break up with her such as man hands, low talker, eating only cereal morning, noon, and night, as well as many other things that were considered either reasonable or unreasonable.

Without a doubt, we've all heard firsthand or by word of mouth reasons that you/he/she fell in love with one's gf/bf/spouse. Reasons such as one's thoughtfulness, caring heart, infectious personality, easy to get along with, an optomistic outlook on life, loves of family, goal oriented, honest, bright, nice, and most of all attaining the #1 quailty which is a sense of humor. For one can also add a bit of mysteriousness to that particular person as well; mysterious in a good way to where you want to learn more about him or her. For the question can be asked, is there a guy or girl that you consider mysterious and he or she is reason enough to solve the so called enygma that has you totally intrigued.

However, one the flipside of that, certain people give shallow reasons as to why they fall in love or fell in love with a particular guy or girl. Inevitably, those particular reasons will pertain to the physical aspect of a person which some, most or all guys are guilty of doing and women know this all too well and have experienced it to some degree. To be perfectly honest, as a guy you can't help but notice and yet it takes a real honest to goodness gentlemenly type guy to look past the physical and fall in love with the qualities that are hidden underneath the surface exterior. Let me give you this challenge to those that are either dating, a couple, or married; ask each other what are/were your reason or reasons for wanting to be at your side in the beginning stage of a potential relationship to the stage of a significant one.

In retrospect, there will be people(mostly guys) who have or will have a deluded perception of what love really is and be in a relationship for the soul reason of personal satisfaction. In a sense, its that selfish mindset that has many women not trusting anything what some, most or all guys say is true which gives women reaon to hate guys even more. For the most part, whether it guys or girls, it takes a truly genuine person to show that special someone reasons or just one reason for that matter that he or she is not like all the rest who have simply disappointed you in the past and even though you may be skeptical, he or she is out there for you. Ultimately, when it comes to love it can selfishly be done for all the wrong reasons; but, if that love is a selfless love then in the end, your doing it for all the right reasons.

Movin On Up (For A Friend)

Dan Carter once said, ~Every monring is a fresh beginning. Every day is the world made new. Today is a new day. Today is my owrld made new. I have lived my life up to this moment to come to this day. This moment--this day--is as good as any moment in all eternity. I shall make this day--each moment of this day--a heaven on earth. This is my day of opportunity.~ There comes a point in every person's life where change happens. Initially, it can be a much needed change where you literally and metaphorically leave part of your past behind to move forward to your anticipated present/future. A present/future where not only you get a new lease on life but also the people who are close to you as well.

Oftentimes, the changes a person expereinces can be well worth the pain and tears suffered as a new path opens up, but yet still on the same journey. One of those experiences in life is when a divorce happens that may or may not affect children/parent inwardly and/or outwardly to the point where unresolved issues/feelings, if any, are or have been expressed. However, it can be truly a liberating situation indeed as you feel one of the many dramas in your life come to a close and the pressure has been lifted off your shoulders, which can make one's journey a bit more tolerable. For the circumstances which led up to the divorce is really no one's business except your own and those who were closely part of one's inner circle who have been there for you through good times and bad.

With a new found sense of freedom, one leaves behind a place that you once called home that gave you lasting memories for another home to make new memories in. Though you leave behind a place that you practically grew up in and physically take with your possesions. For its not only the material possession you take along, you also metaphorically take certain unforgettable memories with you that made you laugh, cry, and smile. Let me ask you this question, what were you absolute best memories that you took with you to your new home and did you leave any unwanted memories behind in a place that you once hanged your hat in, so to speak.

Without a doubt, you can be absolutely nostalgic as you begin a new life/path to some new surroundings. Surroundings, in which you personally make that particular home your own and decorating it with one's own style and personality. Yet, if you think about it, the new path that you and your family is traveling on will fork off as each of you individually live your own lives. Subsequently, a new chapters is created in each of your autobiographies, in which the details may or may not be exaggerated. For each chapters in your proverbial life story have pages that haven't been written in yet and you get the chance to fill those pages with new memories, experiences, and most all friends both current and new.

In retrospect, you never really know what other people are going through and the situations that they may be facing until you find out for yourself. In a sense, other people may be going through the exact same thing but the situation is a bit different, which unknowingly bonds people together. Ultimately, whether its down the street, up the street, across the street, miles apart, or across the sea any place you live in is considered home once you make it a home. I end this thought with a pop culture reference with one of my favorite shows as a kid The Jeffersons, which is you're movin on up to something better, even though you are moving down the street.

A Thing of Beauty

Edith Wharton once said, ~A classic is classic not because it confirms to certain structural rules or fits certain definitions(of which its author had quite probably never heard). It is a classic because of a certain eternal and irrepressible freshness.~ Let me ask you this question, in your own mind what do you consider a classic. Essentially, one of the definitions of a classic is having lasting significance or worth; enduring. For its a person, place, place or thing that stands the test of time and can be considered meaningful to some, most, or all people. I can safely say probably each and every one of you have already thought of something that is a classic and if you can't then you're thinking too hard.

When you talk about a classic, there are a plethora of reading material that we all have read in school growing up and in college as well. Curious George, Lord Of The Rings, Romeo and Juliet, The Scarlet Letter, Huckleberry Finn, etc. are just a handful of works that were written by established writers such as Margret Rey, J.R.R. Tokein, William Shakespeare, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain. For its not only the books we read, but the poetry that was written as well by such linguistic writers such as E.E. Cummings, Edgar Allen Poe, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Ralph Waldo Emerson who is my personal favorite because I tend to use his quotes and/or poems in my yodaisms from time to time. Out of curiosity, who is your favorite writer/poet and what are your favorite works to read from him or her?

If you think about it, classic and cars go hand in hand like maple syrup to a stack full of pancakes. Guys, more so than women, appreciate classic cars and will spend countless hours, as well as, money to build/restore classic cars. Actor/Comedian/Tonight Show host Jay Leno has a warehouse full of classic vintage cars that he collects which to my knowledge is over a thousand but I could be wrong. For those who live in California, particularly in the Los Angeles area, you probably have seen him drive around in his cars such as a 1933 Roadster, a 1959 Chevy Corvette, and the list goes on and on. Personally speaking, the one car that I dreamed of owning one day would be a 1967 Ford Mustang with original interior, but have the sound system updated and pimped out.

Without a doubt, each of us grew up watching classic Disney movies such as The Jungle Book, Dumbo, Alice In Wonderland, Snow White, and Cinderella. What made Cinderella a classic is that every little girl wanted to be like her and dreamed that one day her prince charming would come holding that proverbial glass slipper in his hand. As a guy, in a metaphorical sense, I'm holding that glass slipper to put on that special someone's foot. Anyways, within those animated feature were classic songs that we all loved, still loved today, and probably sang along with. For the question can be asked, what Disney animated movie and song still gets to you emotionally even though you are grown up, which for me is The Jungle Book and The Bear Necessities.

In retrospect, there are many things that are considered classics such as the classic Christmas movie It's A Wonderful Life or the classic 1939 film which won 8 Oscars Gone With The Wind. Yet, within every classic movie there are classy actors such as Jimmy Stewart, Fred Astaire, Bob Hope, James Cagney, Clark Gable, etc. and for the classy actresses they are Katharine Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Grace Kelly, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, etc. For the most part, you have to appreciate the styles, movies, songs, cars, and people that personify the word class or classic. Ultimately, the classics never really go out of style, grow old, or even get boring because in the end, they can be considered a thing of beauty.

Just Too Sweet

Garrison Keller once said, ~Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem to not notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom ofer thanks, but we de do for them is never wasted.~ Working in the asylum, you sometimes get the impression you're never appreciated or liked be the kids, who I like to refer to them at as the children of the corn. At times, I sometimes wonder, if "my kids" only see me as someone who privodes the fun and entertainment by just snapping my fingers, which is a delusional point of view on their part because quite frankly they don't deserve it most of the time. Let me ask you this question, is it me or are kids now a days getting bored too easily and want to be entertained 24/7?

In any case, I'm a guy that has pretty much lost most of my marbles, so to speak, from having my name called out every single for petty arguments that could have been solved by themselves. As I said before, I'm not just a counselor, I'm also a negotiator as well and there are times where that part of my unofficial job description comes into play in which I will make him/her/them, and offer/solution that couldn't possibly ever be refused. Unfortunately those offers/solutions tend to be thrown back not only in my face but the faces of my fellow co-workers who worked hard o put particular events/projects together. For they simply want a better deal that they can be happy with, but the thing is when attitude is given there are no deals.

Without a doubt, a person like myself can sympathize at what a parent or parents go through, especially out in public. We've all witnessed kids going ballistic either at a restraurant, fast food places, stores, and primarily any place that is out in public with people watching. Kids who, in my opinion, have abosutely lost there minds as they run and scream at the top their lungs with the parent(s) frustrated and embarassed to no end. Personally speaking, I can honestly say that over the past 9 years, I've been embarrassed b "my kids' countless time and yet the great thing about my job is that I can embarrass them back. Embarass them not in a cruel, sadistic way, but more of a respect my authority in front of your friends kind of way that a child should have for an adult, as well as, there own parent(s).

However, there are times where kids can truly surprise you to where a a high five or hug is given either by you or by the child. Its those times that you can see and be proud of a particular child or group of children as he/she/they do something thoughtful and don't expect anything in return...most of the time. I have been privileged to have experienced many situations in which "my kids" did something for me or my fellow co-wokers and it made me smile. For the question can be asked of you, have you witnessed and/or experienced the kindness, thoughtfulness, adoration, and love of a child who not only thinks of you as a friend, but also as part of your family?

As many of you know, many kids were out of school and had a week of sleeping, having fun, as well as going on vacation. The asylum prepared a week line involving skating, movies and pizza. Well, last Wednesday "my kids" went to Chuck E. Cheese had a blast. I had only 1 token left so I asked one of my 6 & 7 girls if she wanted to take a picture with me and she said yes. The picture was taken and she asked me if she could have it, which I gave her and thought nothing of it later. The following day I asked what she did with it thinking she probably lost it or was thrown away by her mom/dad, but she said she put it in a frame and is hanging above her bed. I end this thought on what she did with a catch phrase made famous by a former WCW organization known as NWO Wolfpack, which is that she was just too sweet.

Is It Just Me

Let me ask you this question, do you consider yourself either slightly or majorly obsessive compulsive? For the most part, its a disorder that can affect a person mentally to the point where it takes complete control of one's life and can sometimes ruin a relationship. If you think about it, we all have our own quirks that some, most, or all people tend to see as either reasonable, weird, or strange. Its the things we do on a semi-daily basis that are deemed as normal by our standards. Here is a little known entertainment fact: Did you know Marc Summers, who was the host of a widely popular television show, Double Dare and Family Double Dare, is obsessive compulsive about cleaning, which probably wasn't good thing when hosting a show that was all about being messy.

Without a doubt, each and every one of us like to feel clean and smell fresh for not only ourselves but for other people as well. When it comes to one's cleanliness, it can be taken to the extreme to where a person can become like Tony Shalhoub's television character Monk or Jack Nicholson's character in the movie As Good As It Gets. Personally speaking, I'm a person who washes my hands constantly due to the fact that I'm around kids on a semi-daily basis. It can be a unfortunate situation indeed when the cold/flu season rolls around and you have a building full of runny noses. Kids that will use anything but a tissue to wipe their noses clean and then want to hang on you, which is always a bad thing.

We all have bad habits that tend to be either compulsive or obsessive compulsive. The one habit that people generally share is biting one's own fingernails which can be considered annoying to some, most, or all people. Essentially, its something we don't realize we're doing until someone points it out to us or one almost makes one's finger(s) bleed, which I have done on occasion. Again personally speaking, I tend to bite/chew my fingernail(s) when I'm worried about something or thinking about something to write for a potential yodaism. A yodaism that can either take minutes, hours, or days to think up and then write about. In a sense, if I don't do it then ideas won't be able to flow smoothly in my head.

For the question can be asked, do you consider yourself a superstitious person? Countless stories can be told of athletes, celebrities, musicians, and people like ourselves doing certain rituals over and over again. For some people, they certain rituals before ever boarding an airplane such as stepping on the plane with their right foot and touching the top of the entrance. For a person like myself, whenever I enter or leave a room I have to knock on wood and its something I've been doing for years. In some aspect, I do consider myself superstitious because 1.) I don't walk under any ladders whatsoever and 2.) I have a green rabbit's foot on my key chain.

In retrospect, whether it a person's handwriting, cleaning the house, making one's bed, taking a shower, alphabetizing one's CD/DVD collection, etc. a person will have some idiosyncrasies that people will find peculiar. People who know, know that I like to draw and they have seen my drawings, but what they don't know about me is that I throw away perfectly good drawing that are in my mind stink and draw them until they look perfect which can be frustrating from my standpoint. When it comes to drawing a character that I have made up, I tend be a perfectionist. In the end, a person will ultimately ask this question either to one's self or to others and that question is do other people do these things or is it just me?

A Blink Of An Eye

Someone once said, ~Who says love has to make sense? Whoever said that at all? But what I do know, what I HAVE heard, is that men are bastards. Oh yes they are, and age doesn't matter. Age doesn't matter one bit because they learn how to destroy what bit of compassion, love, and hope that women hold inside.~ Not all men, as so bluntly put it, are considered bastards. There are guys out there who women are looking for that are truly genuine and have the qualities to be the man they have always wanted, which some have already found. Working with mostly women for the past several years, you tend to be the proverbial punching bag as to why guys are jerks. For women, there are 3 types of guy to be careful of and one of them is considered the most dangerous.

Unfortunatly, women will fall for the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde type of guy in which he is one way and then another. Its this split personality where a woman tends to see the side of a guy she really doesn't want to see and experience things such as physical and/or mental abuse. Every woman wants a guy who acts the same way when he is around you and with his friends, but that's often not the case. It can be a sad situation indeed when a women doesn't realize that there is a proverbial red flag warning her that her man may not change how he acts and its time to leave for her own good. For the question can be asked, were you ever or have ever seen someone in this type of relationship?

Essentially, women will sometimes gravitate towards the so called smooth operators that says and does all the right things to touch a woman's heart. Let me ask you this question ladies, when was the last time you went out with a smooth operator and was temporarily blinded? These guys generally fly under a women's highly tuned radar, which can detect if a guy is full of it but infortunately their looks or body, or both can have them be temporarily blinded. One guy who is considered a smooth operater in my book and all women seem to be absolutely in love with this man is Jude Law. Its really unclear if its his James Bond looks and/or his body that women love or the fact that he talks with British accent which would make any woman swoon.

Without a doubt, women tend to fall for the bad boys, which is the most definitely the nice guy's worst enemy. For its these guys who are considered untamed free spirits who live hard, party hard, and take each day too the limit. Some well known celebirty bad boys are Colin Farrell, Dennis Rodman, and of course Tommy Lee who personified the bad boy lifestyle with sex, drugs, rock & roll, as well as some stints in jail. However, there is one bad boy that did turn his bad boy membership and settled down with one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood Denise Richards and that man is Charlie Sheen. Some, most, or all women know what they are getting into and yet, in their minds, they want to try to tame the untamable.

In retrospect, women basically know what they are getting into when it comes to the bad boys and the Dr.Jekyl/Mr. Hyde type. Thinking about it, who knows what kind guys women like because quite frankly it tends to change on a semi-daily basis. All I know is that most women are looking for a guy who has a great sense of humor, honest, can get along with everybody, and hopefully not a guy who is one mcnugget short of a happy meal. So, thequestion was who is the most dangerous guy to be careful of? In the end, the smooth operater is considered the most dangerous because within a blink of an eye a woman will end up heartbroken for the man that she loved not only has walked away with her heart, he's also walked away with your trust and she didn't even see it coming.

Pimpin Ain't Easy

The Jigga Man Jay-Z once said, ~If you feelin' like a pimp, go and brush yor shoulders off. Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off...don't forget that boy told you. Get, that, dirt off your shoulder.~ Let me ask you this question, do you consider yourself a pimp when it comes to the male and/or female persuasion? When I use the term pimp, I mean do you get a certain amount of attention to the point where you have to beat guys/girls of with a stick? Who wouldn't want attention from the opposite sex, which can boost a person's ego unless the attention one receives makes you uncomfortable. In any case, the question can be asked, were you a pimp growing up back in the day and did you or did you not know it?

As a little kid, the thought of girls or boys liking you would cause widespread panic. In one's own adolescent mind, girl or boys had a contagious disease that would spread like wildfire and that disease was known as cooties. In a sense, you didn't have to go the doctor to have it treated because quite frankly all you had to do was walk or run up to another child and just touch him or her and they had it. However, the only guy or girl that you liked was mom and dad, who would take away those cooties in an instant. For the most part, it was a harmless game that we all played and is still being played as a kid, which goes to show that some things never really change.

If you think about it, you may or may have not realized that you had the Austin Powers mojo going and in some aspect you were considered a P.I.T, which is a pimp in training. Its really unclear, who tends to get the most attention when you're considered a cute kid, boys or girls. One can or could debate that particular topic but will probably turn into a stalemate. Essentially, its that pimp status that can be seen early on by grown ups who just thinks it cute unless you're a father who is getting an early glimpse at what he is in for with his daugher as boys are starting to notice her. But the question can be asked, does it wear off or does it stay with as one grows older?

Working in the asylum over the years, kids tend to proclaim themselves pimps, particularly the boys. Its a funny situation indeed when they try to mack on one particular female counselor who has all of them struck with puppy love. To her its flattering as she just laughs it off, but in a kind let you down easy way so not to hurt their feelings. When it comes to the girls, on the other hand, I treat them as if ther were my daughters even though I don't have any kids of my own. Just last week, one of my 6 & 7years girls told me that 4 boys were interested in her and a part of me went into protective second dad mode. In a sense, I can't keep them from growing up, but I sure as can help put the fear of God into any guy that goes near them.

Suffering from a bit of insomnia, I was looking through some old photo albums late last night and I found something out that I never really knew. What I found out was that I was a pimp and there were six pictures in which I was either holding hands with or standing next to a little girl. There was only one picture that I actually knew the name of the girl, which oddly enough I keep in touch with every now and then. Now that I'm older, wiser, and hopefully cuter, the mojo that I had back then is kind of on the fritz but hopefully I can kick back in high gear, so to speak. Check out those six pictures and please don't laugh at the clothes that I'm wearing. In the end, I was pimpin" back in the day and you know what they say, pimpin' ain't easy.

*Unfortunately, I am not able to post those 6 pics, but trust me on this I was considered a mini pimp back in the day.*

Heaven Sent

Someone once said, ~Everytime God creates a soul in Heaven, He creates another to be its special mate. Once we are born, we begin the search for our soulmate, the one person who's the perfect fit for our mind and body. The lucky ones find each other.~ In some aspect, God is considered the perfect matchmaker who sets you up with that one true special mate that every single person wonders about since they were a kid. Without a doubt, it can be frustrating to constantly meet Mr./Ms. Wrong to the point you just want to give up on dating entirely and just be happy living the single life. Let me tell you something, its not just you that may feel that way because all single people feel that way and it can make a person lose faith that his or her prayers aren't being answered.

For the most part, we all pray to God a somewhat similar prayer when it pertains to one's so called perfect match. A match in which we give Him the 411 on the type, personality, and description of who each of us are basically looking for in a potential significant other. Yet, while people tend to lie, leave out, and/or exaggerate certain detail on one's bio and info, God knows every detail that a person hides. Essentially, He will not only take into consideration the positive aspects but also the negative aspects which in His own way will turn it into some kind of positive in the eyes of that particular bachelor or bachelorette. Let me ask you this question, are there any negative qualities you have that you try to keep on the down low?

If you think about it, the dating service industry is a business that thrives on people helping you find a guy or girl that meets the standards, qualities and interests one is looking for. Its these traits that can have a person either knowingly or unknowingly share which can match two people who are total opposites or who are eerily the same. Its primarily a service that either fulfills a person's every expectations or give countless disappointments. Its this type of service that certain people constantly put their entire faith in and yet seem to never find happiness. However, when you put your faith in God's unflawess service, he will be able to connect you with someone that can truly make and keep you happy for a lifetime.

Personally speaking, when it comes that special soul, I know God will direct me to her or both of us towards each other. Without a doubt, He knows who is my perfect match, which is a comforting thought indeed. Yet, there are times where I want to sit down with Him face to face and ask him straight up who she is, but that would take all the excitement out of it? But the question I have to ask myself is what woman would want a guy who is at times serious, hard headed, tends to overthink certain situations, and a bit of a procrastinator. However, I'm laid back, a nice guy, caring, thoughtful, driven, and relatively smart. Plus, I genuinely like kids, have a sarcastic sense of humor, and if you ask me what I'm thinking I will actually tell you, which is hopefully qualities that some woman out there is looking for.

In retrospect, God works in mysterious ways and his methods to bring two people together, who are perfect for each other, can never be questioned. Its a matter of having absolute faith that He has chosen the right one for you and doing it on His own timetable. A timetable where some, most, or all people can get pretty impatient. Whether or not a person will rely on God's will or rely on dating websites such as eHarmony or reality shows such as The Bachelor/The Bachelorette, its really up for him or her to decide. Many lucky people have found each other, are happily in love, and have raised a family to be proud of. In the end, the special matches God created for each of us will absolutely be considered angels and my angel will truly be Heaven sent.