Making decisions and running with them seems to be real easy for some people. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be one of them. I am reasonably intelligent, analytical and pretty rational...sounds like someone that make decisions, right?
I think I am like a lot of people, especially when it comes to affairs of the heart. I can define the reasons why I am with someone, or even why I shouldn't be with them, but making decisions either seems impossible. Neither moving forward and improving my life nor languishing in a damaging relationship is easy. The trick is making a decision and sticking with it.
Why can't these things be easy?
sábado, 13 de diciembre de 2008
lunes, 8 de diciembre de 2008
Happy Mothers Day
I'm sure that most of the world isn't thinking about it, but today was Mothers Day in Panama. Other than a much appreciated day off, it is an opportunity to say thank you to the woman that likely had the biggest influence on shaping your life. From diapers and bottles to prom dates and sleep overs, mom should be remembered for all of the things she has done to make you the person you are today.
Take a minute to borrow Mothers Day from Panama and tell your mom how much she means to you.
Take a minute to borrow Mothers Day from Panama and tell your mom how much she means to you.
viernes, 5 de diciembre de 2008
What if You Know?
Country singer Toby Keith once penned, "I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then" about a love gone wrong. The truth is, knowing about something bad isn't always a good thing.
Knowledge without action is worthless, so what would you do if you found out something bad about the person you love? Knowing will only haunt you if you don't confront it.
What if you know your loved one did something wrong? Confront it head on...it's too late to wish you didn't know.
Knowledge without action is worthless, so what would you do if you found out something bad about the person you love? Knowing will only haunt you if you don't confront it.
What if you know your loved one did something wrong? Confront it head on...it's too late to wish you didn't know.
jueves, 29 de mayo de 2008
Getting Real
It seems to be ingrained in the DNA of the human race to lie. Call it survival, human nature or a character flaw, but virtually everyone does it at some level. White lies, fibs or any other of the sort are added where we see fit.
Remember that even small lies are like termites. They eat away at the foundation of your relationships and credibility until they cause irreparable harm. Let's make today the day we get real an exterminate them from our vocabulary and our lives.
Remember that even small lies are like termites. They eat away at the foundation of your relationships and credibility until they cause irreparable harm. Let's make today the day we get real an exterminate them from our vocabulary and our lives.
lunes, 5 de mayo de 2008
Who Knows?
Nature's had it right the whole time. Ever wonder why most animals are colored so they blend into their surroundings? It's a whole lot easier for a lion to look like a mound of dirt and sneak up on an wildebeest than to try to ramp up to 60 miles an hour to catch one. Well the animal kingdom isn't the only group to figure out that little caveat.
People are the ultimate chameleons. Think you have people figured out? Guess again. Granted some aren't too good at the game but most of them are pretty amazing. Even the ones you least expect can leap on you, seemingly out of nowhere, and drag you down like the slowest antelope in the herd.
Who knows where the next one will pop up....all anyone can really do be ready to run and hope that the next challenge comes from a turtle masquerading as a bush and not a cheetah.
jueves, 17 de abril de 2008
Smelling the Roses
There is something that is called the law of diminishing returns. The theory is that more of something you have, the less you appreciate it. Think of it this way; you have been craving a Pizza Hut pizza. You finally go, sit down in the booth and place your order. You can smell the pizzas being cooked and your taste buds are going wild. Your pizza arrives and you burn mouth because you can wait for your prize to cool down. You eat the first pizza like you haven't eaten in a year and it tastes sooooooooo good. The second piece is incredible and the third is great. This is even better than you imagined!
Then something happens....pretty soon you are full, content and slowing down. The next piece is good, but you find your self playing with it instead of attacking like you did the others. As a matter of fact, it doesn't really even taste as good now. Sure you're getting full but something else is happening too. Diminishing returns is taking place.
Diminishing returns might be a good thing when it comes to pizza. Imagine if piece number ten tasted just as incredible as number one. You could be as big as a barn if this phenomenon didn't take place but the unfortunate thing is that it works on things we don't want it to as well.
Think about the best things in life: peace, joy, love and the things that make us truly happy. When we take those things for granted, the law of diminishing returns appears. The things that make us the happiest can begin to lose their zest. If we allow this to go unchecked the damage can be devastating.
Be happy that the law of diminishing returns keeps you from eating too much but don't let it creep into other parts of your life. Defend love, joy and peace; don't let anything steal them from you. Take time today to smell the roses and appreciate the simple, yet beautiful things in your life!
Then something happens....pretty soon you are full, content and slowing down. The next piece is good, but you find your self playing with it instead of attacking like you did the others. As a matter of fact, it doesn't really even taste as good now. Sure you're getting full but something else is happening too. Diminishing returns is taking place.
Diminishing returns might be a good thing when it comes to pizza. Imagine if piece number ten tasted just as incredible as number one. You could be as big as a barn if this phenomenon didn't take place but the unfortunate thing is that it works on things we don't want it to as well.
Think about the best things in life: peace, joy, love and the things that make us truly happy. When we take those things for granted, the law of diminishing returns appears. The things that make us the happiest can begin to lose their zest. If we allow this to go unchecked the damage can be devastating.
Be happy that the law of diminishing returns keeps you from eating too much but don't let it creep into other parts of your life. Defend love, joy and peace; don't let anything steal them from you. Take time today to smell the roses and appreciate the simple, yet beautiful things in your life!
miércoles, 2 de abril de 2008
Maybe the East isn't the least
Ok, I’ve previously admitted to having a cluttered mind but I’m no lunatic. Before I start I want to point out that I get it; there will probably be a 50 win team out west that doesn’t get in the playoffs and there will be a couple of East teams with losing records that do make it. Just for the sake of argument, let’s look at a couple of items that at least make a little sense when comparing the two conferences.
Top teams all out west?
To hear the national media tell it, all of the best teams are out west. Makes sense right? If you look at the records of the top 8 teams in the league, are they all from the west? Is at least the team with the best record out west? Second best record? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding no! As of the games from April 1st, (No, this isn’t an April Fool’s Day joke) the Celtics have a 7.5 game lead on the ENTIRE WESTERN CONFERENCE. What about Detroit? They have a 1.5 game lead on the west as well! In fact, if you include Orlando, 3 of the top 8 teams are from the east based on current records. Not exactly an overwhelming statistic for proving the west’s dominance.
What about the bottom feeders?
Here’s the next question: what about the “have-nots”? It’s only logical that the east is haven for all of the cellar-dwellers, no? Again, it’s not like you would think. Who’s the worst team in the league? The records say Miami. Are they alone? No, there are THREE western conference teams with less than 20 wins! Must be a bunch more in the east right? None. In reality, of all the teams with less than 25 wins, 4 out of 6 are from the WEST. Maybe we should start calling it the “worst-ern conference”.
Getting fat off the other half
The west has definitely had its way with the east in inter-conference games right? Overall that is very obvious but there may be a little secret hiding in the stats. Of the top eight teams in the league, Boston and Detroit are there for the most wins against the other conference. (Boston has the most)
Temper it all with reality
Before anyone goes too far with these stats, let’s have a reality check. The western conference is the better conference. It is definitely top heavy whereas the east is heavy in the middle. It’s just interesting to notice that the best of the best are in the east and the worst of the worst are in the west.
Wrapping it all up
Aren’t statistics fun? While you can’t use them to show the eastern conference is superior, they do show some facts that may have escaped my people. With Boston and Detroit in the picture, no one can honestly believe that the NBA Finals will happen during the WCF. In fact, depending on how you shake the numbers, maybe the east isn’t even the “least-ern conference” after all! Ask the Celtics and Pistons fans where the O’Brien trophy will land and they might just tell you in the mighty eastern conference!
Top teams all out west?
To hear the national media tell it, all of the best teams are out west. Makes sense right? If you look at the records of the top 8 teams in the league, are they all from the west? Is at least the team with the best record out west? Second best record? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding no! As of the games from April 1st, (No, this isn’t an April Fool’s Day joke) the Celtics have a 7.5 game lead on the ENTIRE WESTERN CONFERENCE. What about Detroit? They have a 1.5 game lead on the west as well! In fact, if you include Orlando, 3 of the top 8 teams are from the east based on current records. Not exactly an overwhelming statistic for proving the west’s dominance.
What about the bottom feeders?
Here’s the next question: what about the “have-nots”? It’s only logical that the east is haven for all of the cellar-dwellers, no? Again, it’s not like you would think. Who’s the worst team in the league? The records say Miami. Are they alone? No, there are THREE western conference teams with less than 20 wins! Must be a bunch more in the east right? None. In reality, of all the teams with less than 25 wins, 4 out of 6 are from the WEST. Maybe we should start calling it the “worst-ern conference”.
Getting fat off the other half
The west has definitely had its way with the east in inter-conference games right? Overall that is very obvious but there may be a little secret hiding in the stats. Of the top eight teams in the league, Boston and Detroit are there for the most wins against the other conference. (Boston has the most)
Temper it all with reality
Before anyone goes too far with these stats, let’s have a reality check. The western conference is the better conference. It is definitely top heavy whereas the east is heavy in the middle. It’s just interesting to notice that the best of the best are in the east and the worst of the worst are in the west.
Wrapping it all up
Aren’t statistics fun? While you can’t use them to show the eastern conference is superior, they do show some facts that may have escaped my people. With Boston and Detroit in the picture, no one can honestly believe that the NBA Finals will happen during the WCF. In fact, depending on how you shake the numbers, maybe the east isn’t even the “least-ern conference” after all! Ask the Celtics and Pistons fans where the O’Brien trophy will land and they might just tell you in the mighty eastern conference!
viernes, 21 de marzo de 2008
It's A Two-way Street
It's time someone addresses it. Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena, recently opened up and let another bizarre racial rant fly out of his mouth. No stranger to such diatribes, it's time that someone just steps up and states the obvious....this man is a racist.
Not a big shock you say? Follow the Don Imus controversy last year and it is easy to see that white against black racism is no longer tolerated. Does it still happen? Of course it does. Do the civil leaders like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton tolerate it? No way. These guys went after the Imus Show team until they were fired from their jobs and were proud of what they accomplished.
In case you missed this event, (and thanks to a pandering national press you probably will be able to) Williams was bemoaning the plight of his incredibly successful daughters in the tennis world by saying, "Well, I’m black and I’m prejudiced, very prejudiced. People are prejudiced in tennis. I don’t think Venus or Serena was ever accepted by tennis. They never will be.” Following that comment he said, "But if you get some little white no-good trasher in America like Tracy Austin or Chris Evert, who cannot hit the ball, they (the media) will claim this is great.”
Is he a racist? Don't take anyone else's word for it; he is the one that says he's black and prejudiced. There's no room to dance out of this remark any more than Isaiah Thomas' explanation that he was ok with black men calling black women the "b-word" but that he wouldn't stand idly by while a white man did it? Anyone see Sharpton's reaction to that? He threatened a boycott against the Knicks, but accepted Thomas' justification of the comments. No screaming for him to be fired or held in public scorn. Will it be any different with Richard Williams? Of course not.
Is there still racism against the black community? Absolutely. Two of my dearest friends in the world are black and I know they experience it. As a white man, have I experienced racism? Yes I have. I now live in a country where I represent about 5% (or less) of the population and I have experienced my share racial slurs, racial profiling by the police and discrimination.
The truth of racism is that it exists everywhere on earth. This is a part of the human condition. How we deal with it is the key. If we no longer accept it against one group, doesn't that standard exist for all groups? Shouldn't the Al Sharpton's of the world be just as outraged when a black person spouts racism against a white person?
One thing to ponder. The NAACP is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In the scientific sense, neither white nor black is a color...shouldn’t this organization be concerned with the advancement of ALL people? Racism is a horrible condition whether it comes from the white lips of Don Imus or the black lips of Richard Williams. It's time for everyone to confront this problem as the two-way street that it is.
Not a big shock you say? Follow the Don Imus controversy last year and it is easy to see that white against black racism is no longer tolerated. Does it still happen? Of course it does. Do the civil leaders like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton tolerate it? No way. These guys went after the Imus Show team until they were fired from their jobs and were proud of what they accomplished.
In case you missed this event, (and thanks to a pandering national press you probably will be able to) Williams was bemoaning the plight of his incredibly successful daughters in the tennis world by saying, "Well, I’m black and I’m prejudiced, very prejudiced. People are prejudiced in tennis. I don’t think Venus or Serena was ever accepted by tennis. They never will be.” Following that comment he said, "But if you get some little white no-good trasher in America like Tracy Austin or Chris Evert, who cannot hit the ball, they (the media) will claim this is great.”
Is he a racist? Don't take anyone else's word for it; he is the one that says he's black and prejudiced. There's no room to dance out of this remark any more than Isaiah Thomas' explanation that he was ok with black men calling black women the "b-word" but that he wouldn't stand idly by while a white man did it? Anyone see Sharpton's reaction to that? He threatened a boycott against the Knicks, but accepted Thomas' justification of the comments. No screaming for him to be fired or held in public scorn. Will it be any different with Richard Williams? Of course not.
Is there still racism against the black community? Absolutely. Two of my dearest friends in the world are black and I know they experience it. As a white man, have I experienced racism? Yes I have. I now live in a country where I represent about 5% (or less) of the population and I have experienced my share racial slurs, racial profiling by the police and discrimination.
The truth of racism is that it exists everywhere on earth. This is a part of the human condition. How we deal with it is the key. If we no longer accept it against one group, doesn't that standard exist for all groups? Shouldn't the Al Sharpton's of the world be just as outraged when a black person spouts racism against a white person?
One thing to ponder. The NAACP is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In the scientific sense, neither white nor black is a color...shouldn’t this organization be concerned with the advancement of ALL people? Racism is a horrible condition whether it comes from the white lips of Don Imus or the black lips of Richard Williams. It's time for everyone to confront this problem as the two-way street that it is.
jueves, 20 de marzo de 2008
The Last to Know
As a life-long Indiana Pacers' fan and a Michael Jordan fan, it has always been easy to hate the New York Knicks. The battles that they put up against "my teams" were always bitter, but so exciting that it used to be a respectful hate. Thanks to the current regime in New York, I have been able to change my opinions. Don't get me wrong; I still feel just as strongly against the Knicks as ever. The difference is that now I have complete distaste for a group that is horrible and the last to know why they become that way.
It would be logical to argue that this current disaster known as the Knicks is the fault of Jim Dolan, the owner, or the bizarre collection "talent" loosely referred to as a team. But unless you are in a fog thicker than LA on a calm day, you've figured it out what the Knicks are the last to know.... the problem is Isaiah Thomas.
Bloated salaries, stupid trades, sexual harassment in the Garden and Larry Brown.... I'm sure no one needs any more proof of the work of Isaiah the president than these things. This season's record, last season's record and the free-for-all that the Knicks have become speak volumes about the work of Isaiah the Coach.
Think it's a fluke? Look at Zeke's track record since the day after he shed that blue #10 Piston's jersey. His first disaster was the train-wreck he created with the Vancouver Grizzlies. Moving to a different country and having the Logo, Jerry West, run the team couldn't even fix things. After that Isaiah purchased the CBA and ran it into the ground; an attempted assassination that only the NBA itself could prevent. Finally, Thomas broke down the Indiana Pacers, who rose up after he was fired and marched to the NBA Finals under Larry Bird.
Will Isaiah survive the end of this season? Not if David Stern has anything to say about it. Only Godzilla caused more destruction in the Garden than Isaiah Thomas. By the way, as a Pacers' fan the scene when the Air Force blows up the Garden is the most touching moment in cinematic history! The Knicks may be the last to know, but Isaiah Thomas needs to go.
It would be logical to argue that this current disaster known as the Knicks is the fault of Jim Dolan, the owner, or the bizarre collection "talent" loosely referred to as a team. But unless you are in a fog thicker than LA on a calm day, you've figured it out what the Knicks are the last to know.... the problem is Isaiah Thomas.
Bloated salaries, stupid trades, sexual harassment in the Garden and Larry Brown.... I'm sure no one needs any more proof of the work of Isaiah the president than these things. This season's record, last season's record and the free-for-all that the Knicks have become speak volumes about the work of Isaiah the Coach.
Think it's a fluke? Look at Zeke's track record since the day after he shed that blue #10 Piston's jersey. His first disaster was the train-wreck he created with the Vancouver Grizzlies. Moving to a different country and having the Logo, Jerry West, run the team couldn't even fix things. After that Isaiah purchased the CBA and ran it into the ground; an attempted assassination that only the NBA itself could prevent. Finally, Thomas broke down the Indiana Pacers, who rose up after he was fired and marched to the NBA Finals under Larry Bird.
Will Isaiah survive the end of this season? Not if David Stern has anything to say about it. Only Godzilla caused more destruction in the Garden than Isaiah Thomas. By the way, as a Pacers' fan the scene when the Air Force blows up the Garden is the most touching moment in cinematic history! The Knicks may be the last to know, but Isaiah Thomas needs to go.
martes, 18 de marzo de 2008
Worthy of Praise
I am a fan of a few things.....humor, love and the NBA. What kind of a combination is that? Anyway, my thoughts at this moment are on the amazing winning streak that the Houston Rockets have accomplished. With their upcoming battle with the league-leading Boston Celtics at hand, now is the time to mention a squad that is truly worthy of praise.
Always a respectable team lead by Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the Rockets just never quite seemed to make it over the hump. This year looked the same for the Rockets, members of the brutal Western Conference. Just as it seemed they were going to fall into another mediocre season, they started winning.....and winning they have done! Already riding an impressive streak, the Rockets' hopes seemed to disappear with a season-ending injury the Ming.
The only problem is that someone forgot to tell the Rockets that hope was lost. This team does things the right way; rebounding, defense and team play following the lead of their superstar McGrady. Heading into the showdown with the Celtics, the Rockets currently own the second longest winning streak in league history. While they have been labeled by some as “the worst great team in the history of the NBA”, the Rockets have just gone about their business.
Many people like to bash the NBA, labeling the league and its players as greedy, lazy showboats. While there may be things that people don’t like, now is the time that even the haters should find something that they can appreciate in the NBA. Even if the Celtics end the Rockets amazing run, everyone should see them as an amazing team and one that is truly worthy of praise for what they have accomplished.
Always a respectable team lead by Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the Rockets just never quite seemed to make it over the hump. This year looked the same for the Rockets, members of the brutal Western Conference. Just as it seemed they were going to fall into another mediocre season, they started winning.....and winning they have done! Already riding an impressive streak, the Rockets' hopes seemed to disappear with a season-ending injury the Ming.
The only problem is that someone forgot to tell the Rockets that hope was lost. This team does things the right way; rebounding, defense and team play following the lead of their superstar McGrady. Heading into the showdown with the Celtics, the Rockets currently own the second longest winning streak in league history. While they have been labeled by some as “the worst great team in the history of the NBA”, the Rockets have just gone about their business.
Many people like to bash the NBA, labeling the league and its players as greedy, lazy showboats. While there may be things that people don’t like, now is the time that even the haters should find something that they can appreciate in the NBA. Even if the Celtics end the Rockets amazing run, everyone should see them as an amazing team and one that is truly worthy of praise for what they have accomplished.
sábado, 15 de marzo de 2008
Know What You Have
Everybody has heard, "You never know what you have until you lose it." Even in Spanish "Nunca sabes lo que tienes hasta lo que pierdes" makes things pretty clear.....if you speak Spanish, that is. The point is that you should celebrate the things that are special to you each and every day. In my case today’s celebration is of three people who, even though they are far away from me on the map, are great friends and very close to my heart.
Because of my life’s wanderings, I found myself in Raleigh, North Carolina for about ten years. A great city, Raleigh was where I met Ron Brown. “Mr. Brown” as I usually call him, started out as a co-worker but became a truly great friend. Rarely in this life have I had someone that I felt I could count on no matter what happened, but Mr. Brown is that kind of person. No matter whether I need a favor or a well-timed, albeit good-natured insult to keep me grounded, Mr. Brown is really the kind of friend that everyone wishes they had.
Another treasure that I uncovered at the same workplace was a burly West Virginian named Mike Bell. This guy is as country as going barefoot or picking the banjo, but that country side blended perfectly with his common sense and Christian values to give me the kind of counselor I probably always needed. Mike teamed up with Mr. Brown to make sure that “el guapo” never got too far out of control!
Teresa Manns is the other incredible discovery I made while I was in Raleigh. If I ever found a friend that was more like a soul mate, Teresa is that person. You wouldn’t think it to look at us, but “Slim Tee” is like my twin sister from a different mother. We just connect and even if we don’t talk for a while I know that one phone call and it’s just like old times. Teresa is one of those people that I believe can do anything she chooses and I don’t think there is anything in this world that stand in her way.
Some people don’t know what they have until they lose it. Even though I am not in Raleigh anymore, I am not one of those people. I have three incredible friends and I will never forget how truly blessed I am for that. It’s been said that a true friend is a treasure and if that is true, I am much wealthier in this life than Bill Gates or anyone else with money could ever be.
Because of my life’s wanderings, I found myself in Raleigh, North Carolina for about ten years. A great city, Raleigh was where I met Ron Brown. “Mr. Brown” as I usually call him, started out as a co-worker but became a truly great friend. Rarely in this life have I had someone that I felt I could count on no matter what happened, but Mr. Brown is that kind of person. No matter whether I need a favor or a well-timed, albeit good-natured insult to keep me grounded, Mr. Brown is really the kind of friend that everyone wishes they had.
Another treasure that I uncovered at the same workplace was a burly West Virginian named Mike Bell. This guy is as country as going barefoot or picking the banjo, but that country side blended perfectly with his common sense and Christian values to give me the kind of counselor I probably always needed. Mike teamed up with Mr. Brown to make sure that “el guapo” never got too far out of control!
Teresa Manns is the other incredible discovery I made while I was in Raleigh. If I ever found a friend that was more like a soul mate, Teresa is that person. You wouldn’t think it to look at us, but “Slim Tee” is like my twin sister from a different mother. We just connect and even if we don’t talk for a while I know that one phone call and it’s just like old times. Teresa is one of those people that I believe can do anything she chooses and I don’t think there is anything in this world that stand in her way.
Some people don’t know what they have until they lose it. Even though I am not in Raleigh anymore, I am not one of those people. I have three incredible friends and I will never forget how truly blessed I am for that. It’s been said that a true friend is a treasure and if that is true, I am much wealthier in this life than Bill Gates or anyone else with money could ever be.
viernes, 14 de marzo de 2008
Welcome to 15 Random Musings
Let's Talk!
Welcome to the premier dose of 15 Random Musings. The objective here is simple; somebody made the mistake of kicking a soapbox too close to me and so now I'm going to step up on it. 15 Random Musings will be a conglomeration of opinions, thoughts, emotions.....well, random musings of a cluttered mind!
My goal is to touch on the things that interest me and hopefully everyone else too. Maybe politics, maybe religion, maybe women....in other words, a bunch of subjects I don't understand!
15 Random Musings is going to change the blog world (either good or bad) forever!
Stay Tuned,
ME
Welcome to the premier dose of 15 Random Musings. The objective here is simple; somebody made the mistake of kicking a soapbox too close to me and so now I'm going to step up on it. 15 Random Musings will be a conglomeration of opinions, thoughts, emotions.....well, random musings of a cluttered mind!
My goal is to touch on the things that interest me and hopefully everyone else too. Maybe politics, maybe religion, maybe women....in other words, a bunch of subjects I don't understand!
15 Random Musings is going to change the blog world (either good or bad) forever!
Stay Tuned,
ME
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