Sometimes I need an escape/fresh air

When I need fresh air I go for a run.  Tonight I pushed myself a little hard.  12 miles later, I'm sore, but feeling good.  


Sometimes this song hits home..


You know though, nothin' come easy
You gotta try real, real hard
I tried hard but I guess I gotta try harder

I tried so hard, can't seem to get away from misery
Man, I tried so hard but always be a victim of these streets
It ain't my fault ?cause I tried to get away but trouble follows me
And still I try so hard hopin? one day you'll come and rescue me

But until then I'll be posted up right here rain, sleet, hail, snow
But until then I'll be posted up right here with my heat gettin? dough

First let me explain that I'm just a black man
And I come from the darkside
So I'm havin? a hard time stayin' on track man
My mind be racin' and I don't even know what I'm chasin? yet
Been in and out of relationships
I'm startin' to see that it's me where the complication's at

But I'm layin' back prayin' that you get that piece of mind of me
I thought I was right but really I'm wrong
Then again I was too blind to see
I was in the fast lane chasin? my dream
And then it seemed when the fame and cash came they just got me

Goin' crazy, lately I been so faded tryna erase it
But I just can't cause the drama just grows greater
And I been in so many collisions by puttin? ** off till later

I tried so hard, can't seem to get away from misery
Man, I tried so hard but always be a victim of these streets
It ain't my fault ?cause I tried to get away but trouble follows me
And still I try so hard hopin? one day you'll come and rescue me

But until then I'll be posted up right here rain, sleet, hail, snow
But until then I'll be posted up right here with my heat gettin? dough

It's like I'm takin? five steps forward and ten steps back
Tryin? get ahead of the game but I can't seem to get it on track
And I keep runnin? away the ones that say they love me the most

How could I create the distance when it's supposed to be close?

And uh I just don't know but I be out here fightin? demons
And it's like the curse that I can't shake this part of Cleveland
And Lord would you help me?
And stop this pain I keep inflinctin? on my family

Hustlin? and gamblin?, drinkin' and scramblin'
And losin? sight of what I supposed to be handlin'
It's hard to manage ?cause every day?s a challenge
And man, I'm slippin? can't lose my balance, I?m tryin? not to panic

Even more often this song hits home.. 


Woke up in London yesterday 
Found myself in the city near Piccadilly 
Don't really know how I got here 
I got some pictures on my phone 

New names and numbers that I don't know 
Address to places like Abbey Road 
Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want 
We're young enough to say 

Oh this has gotta be the good life 
This has gotta be the good life 
This could really be a good life, good life 

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight 
Like this city is on fire tonight 
This could really be a good life 
A good, good life 

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh 

To my friends in New York, I say hello 
My friends in L.A. they don't know 
Where I've been for the past few years or so 
Paris to China to Col-or-ado 

Sometimes there's airplanes I can' t jump out 
Sometimes there's bull** that don't work now 
We are god of stories but please tell me-e-e-e 
What there is to complain about 

When you're happy like a fool 
Let it take you over 
When everything is out 
You gotta take it in 
Oh this has gotta be the good life 
This has gotta be the good life 
This could really be a good life, good life 

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight 
Like this city is on fire tonight 
This could really be a good life 
A good, good life 

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
A good good life Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Hopelessly 
I feel like there might be something that I'll miss 
Hopelessly 
I feel like the window closes oh so quick 
Hopelessly 
I'm taking a mental picture of you now 
'Cuz hopelessly 
The hope is we have so much to feel good about

Oh this has gotta be the good life 
This has gotta be the good life 
This could really be a good life, good life 

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight 
Like this city is on fire tonight 
This could really be a good life 
A good, good life 



I really like this song.. ( I may think about it in a 
different way than you do)



Mile upon mile got no direction,
We're all playing the same game.
We're all looking for redemption,
Just afraid to say the name.

So caught up now in pretending,
That what we're seekin' is the truth.
I'm just looking for a happy ending,
All I'm looking for is you.

You came upon me wave on wave,
You're the reason I'm still here, yeah
Am I the one you were sent to save?
You came upon me wave on wave.

I wondered out into the water,
And I thought that I might drown.
I dunno what I was after,
I just know I was going down.

That's when she found me,
I'm not afraid anymore.
she said"You know I always had you baby,
Just waitin for you to find what you were looking for.

You came upon me wave on wave,
You're the reason I'm still here.
Am I the one you were sent to save,
When you came upon me wave on wave.

Wave on wave.
Wave on wave.

And you came upon me wave on wave,
You're the reason I'm still here.
Am I the one you were sent to save,
when you came upon me wave on wave.
The clouds broke and the angels cried,
You ain't gotta walk alone,
That's why he put me in your way, 
And you came upon me wave on wave.

...

Don't know what to say, and just felt like saying something so here's a couple quotes I really like and try to live by.

Courage is being scared to death.. but saddling up anyways.  

“We should never assume, we should let them know” – Thomas S. Monson

“Come what may, and love it” – Joseph B. Wirthlin (This is a big one)

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

-Gandhi

"Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

"Men are building too many walls and not enough bridges"

-JCDecaux

"If life gets too hard to stand, kneel."

- Gordon B. Hinckley

"Be one who nurtures and builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them." - Marvin J. Ashton

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."

Life is an adventure, make the most of it!

For When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong

One of my roommates gave a really good lesson today in Sunday School.  I thought I'd just share the scripture and a thought because it impacted me, possibly because of certain situations.

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 

         9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

        10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

It's the trials and hard times in our lives that help us to grow and to progress.  If we don't fight against it, whine, complain, and ask why?, but embrace those times as learning moments, then we are truly progressing.  Lately I've noticed that when I do those things, that life is hard and I feel bad for myself.  But when i realize that its for my good in one way or another, that is when life becomes more meaningful.  This is how we become closer to our Savior, to feel of His love, and to be His disciples.  I still have a lot to learn when it comes to this, but I know that through the power of Christ, that my weaknesses may become strong.  I will now and continue to glory in my infirmities, thrive during times of trial, and thank the Lord for His goodness.  This just sorta hit home today.

This also goes well with one of my favorite scriptures while I was on my mission.  Everyone knows it, but it had a special meaning for me during those two years and still today. 

Ether 12:27

       27  And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

A wise friend relayed a quote to me - "Pray not to calm the waters, rather pray to strengthen the boat"

A couple of quotes from my New Testament class that I liked..

Look at the Stars

I decry the great waste of time that people put into watching inane television.  I am not anti-sports.  I enjoy watching a good football game or a good basketball game.  But I see so many men who become absolutely obsessed with sports.  I believe their lives would be enriched if, instead of sitting on the sofa and watching a game that will be forgotten tomorrow, they would read and think and ponder.

They would be blessed if they were to go out into the dark of night, look at the stars, and ponder their place in the eternal plan of the Almighty.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

A Thought

So you might call me strange, or super sensitive, or whatever for having this blog and for some of the things I say, but it's me and sometimes like to share thoughts with others.   Mostly I want to be able to bless other lives in some way.  I don't really know how, but I like to try...

I've been thinking about how amazing girls/women are.  Not just because I'm a guy and am attracted to them, but for who they really are.  So many girls have had an amazing impact on my life.  They have a social and spiritual maturity above and beyond what us guys can reach. You may think that this is an over-exaggeration because yes there are dumb/immature girls.  But in general, they are so much better than the male race.  As I look back at my life and think of the people that have helped me to be a better person and to be who I am, I can think of a lot of people; The majority of them being females.  It's the girls that helped me to gain confidence in myself.  They helped me to prepare for my mission, lifted me up on my mission, and have supported me through day to day life.  Most of the best conversations I've ever had have been with the women that have blessed my life.  I have a deep respect for women that hopefully I show outwardly. You may even be able to call me a feminist.

I don't really know what I'm trying to say.  Basically I just want to thank you all (ladies) for being who you are and for blessing our lives.  Every single General Authority talks about he attributes who he is to his wife.  That is something to be said.  Thank you for having standards.  Thank you for helping us to see things the way you see them.  Thank you for being humble and examples of the believers.  Thank you for putting up with us and being so patient.  Thank you for your purity and virtue.

I like to think that I am old fashioned.  I believe in a thing called chivalry, which is becoming a lost art.  I'm not perfect at it, but i work on it.  Women deserve to be treated like the beautiful daughters of God that they are.  Nothing makes me more angry than seeing a daughter of God being mistreated, and it tears me up inside to see one cry.

Most of this comes from the example of my mother.  She has helped to be who I am and helped to realize the important things in life.  I owe her so much for everything she has done for me and taught me.  I look up to her so much.

Like I said, all women deserve to be treated properly, and you have the right to demand that proper treatment. Teach us a lesson.  Let us know what needs to be fixed.

I am so very grateful for all of you women who have blessed my life in so many ways.  Most of you don't even realize how much you have helped me and those around you.  If it wasn't for the women in my life I wouldn't be anywhere and would be a waste of space. ;)

They say about women that "you can't live with them, and you can't live without them."  There is no doubt that we can't live without them.  A country song says something to the effect that "they say that every good man has a women behind him, but I'd have her by my side."

I don't say these things to get an in or to act like I'm better than anyone else.  I am far from perfect, but I'm working at it, I always will, progressing day by day.  I just want you girls to know how special you are and what an impact you have on our (male race) lives.  I don't know if everyone realizes that.

If I'm stupid for sharing this with the world, let me know, and I'll keep it to myself.

President N. Eldon Tanner -


"Girls, you are of great strength and support to the men in your lives, and they sometimes need your help most when they are least deserving. A man can have no greater incentive, no greater hope, no greater strength than to know his mother, his sweetheart, his wife, or his daughter has confidence in him and loves him. And men should strive every day to live worthy of that love and confidence."


"And girls, don’t underestimate your influence on your brothers and your sweethearts. As you live worthy of their love and respect, you can help greatly to determine that they will be clean and virtuous, successful and happy. Always remember that you can go much further on respect than on popularity."

Mormon Dating Made Easy?

So, I've come to realize how competitive the Business program here at BYU is and how competitive the business world is in general.  They have informed us that if you haven't had several internships that you will never get a good job.  So I decided to get an on-campus internship which they randomly place you in.  They put me on the "Mormon Dating Made Easy" project.  The lady who needs our help with her growing business and marketing ideas is a professional dating coach... She has informed that "I am a marriage and family therapist with 17 years of experience. I am also a dating coach. I have been on TV and radio nationwide and have been across the country speaking at LDS singles conferences, wards, and events. I have a dating-coach program complete with professional one-on-one coaching, books, workshops, teleseminars, cruises, and conventions." 


I find it quite hilarious that they put me on this project.  It's sort of like a slap in the face.  Maybe I need to learn something from her. Who knows..  Anyways, of all the financial based internships and real companies, I got stuck with mormon dating, what a party!