25 Jan - WOD (might need to read Me twice)

Green Thumb

What if life were a garden? Wait a second… before you laugh at the fact that a man is equating life to something as “un-masculine” as a garden, bear in mind God gave Adam a garden to tend even before he provided him with a companion. Now, as I was saying … if life were a garden, do you think you would possess the ability to properly irrigate and cultivate your greenery so that it could flourish?

Some individuals believe that the key to successfully nourishing life's garden lies in first understanding that one cannot apply the same treatment to all foliage. Take for instance your career (Amaryllis) . You should be mindful that Amaryllis requires temperatures between 41-50 Fahrenheit and consistent nourishment but will not require nearly as much exposure to direct sunlight as your personal relationships (Madagascar Jasmine) which requires much warmer temperatures, significant watering and tender handling to avoid bruising. Madagascar Jasmine is an alias for the flower's Greek name Stephanotis which translates to 'happiness in marriage'. Is there any surprise that this flower would require extreme care and delicacy?

Conversely, your recreation or hobby (Delphinium) will need ample exposure to both sunlight and water in order to achieve the remarkable shape that it is often noted for. Quite obviously, no one could ever truly reap the benefits of a balanced lifestyle without first sewing a spiritual seed. Your Spirituality (Zinna) which is commonly referred to as “Youth to Old Age” (because of its multiple layers) requires consistent light, heat, water and nourishment. Just as Zinna has many layers so does your spirituality. Your spiritual growth is a constant evolution in progress. Tend to your Zinna with care and caution and take notice as new layers begin to develop. If you possess the cognizance to provide proper amounts of light (God), heat (Love), water (Wisdom), and nourishment (Knowledge) to your garden (Life), chances are you already have a green thumb (others envy your lifestyle).

Corey R.

17 Jan - WOD

"Toothache"

Okay, so I've been thinking about something the pastor of a church I once frequented used to say. I thought it was an accurate yet ironic concept the first time I heard him say it. I believe it goes something like this ... ‘May God irritate you until you have the desire to change your circumstances'. Interesting, right? Think about it ... how many times have you taken inventory of your life only to realize that there are various facets that agitate you to no end yet you continue to tolerate them? Inspiration for change comes in many disguises. Unfortunately, many of us have developed an extremely high tolerance for irritation and dysfunction. My Grandmother often says to me "baby, my hip is hurtin' me like a toothache". That saying took on a whole new perspective after I actually experienced my first toothache. One thing is for certain; I was on the phone with my dentist's office that same day scheduling an appointment to remove that agitating tooth. So for those of you who can't find the necessary inspiration to alter your agitating circumstances; May God provide your situation with a toothache that you can no longer ignore. Be blessed.

Corey R.

16 Jan - WOD

Believe it or not

Good morning beloved. I'm super excited today. You see ... yesterday I pulled off the Porsche dealership lot with a navy blue, 2007 convertible Carrera. That's right! Last week, a huge lawsuit settlement that I'd been waiting for finally cashed in. Your boy is set. Sorry everyone but unfortunately there will be no more Words of the Day for a while. I'm going on a well deserved vacation to Belize followed by Morocco, and then The Turks and Caicos Islands. See yall in March!!! Now... if yall believed that one, I could tell you at least a dozen more just like it.

Do you know anyone who is notorious for fabricating fictitious accounts? It never ceases to amaze me how some folk expend potentially useful energy conjuring up untrue flights of fancy. Ever notice how initially these people seem to provide a certain form of entertainment for the masses. We know they're full of BS but we love to hear what these jokers will come up with next. Eventually though an intelligent audience will sour towards these fallacious antics.

How is it that these folk never realize their own transparency? Before long everyone is laughing at them; nobody is laughing with them. I've even witnessed extreme circumstances where a habitual liar has tried to incorporate an innocent party into his/her lies. I'm the wrong person to try that business with because I'll blow up the spot and tell everyone that I don't recall that situation ever taking place. It's one thing if you want to be a habitual liar but leave me out of your nonsense. What if we started pulling the cards of our lying friends? What if we flat out told them "STOP LYING!"? Do you think it would make a difference? If we never pull his/her card, are we perpetuating the problem? What do you think?

Corey R.

10 Jan - WOD

Eye knew better...

How many times has your intuition proven reliable? Some people might attribute their keen instincts to rare psychic abilities while others charge it to life's experiences. Almost as astounding as our foresight is our own ability to disregard it. That's right... many of us have found ourselves enthralled in countless unfortunate situations simply because we made a conscious decision to disregard our initial instinct. Even the sharpest of folk have fallen victim to lack of sound judgment at some point in time.

I don't know about you but one thing that has consistently held true for me is that whenever I've disregarded my instinct I've wound up in regretful territory. Chances are if you've ever ignored your mind's eye then you too have had to deal with regret. So is it that we are all gluttons for punishment or are we just disobedient by nature? If in fact our intuition is often accurate; why then does it take for us to find ourselves in adverse circumstances before we realize that we knew better all along? What do you think?

Corey R.

4 Jan - WOD

Resolve - to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall love unconditionally.

This is typically the time of year when people begin to make New Year’s resolutions. That is a wonderful concept. Unfortunately, many of us hit a wall some time around mid February. The key to setting a successful resolution is choosing an obtainable goal. We all have aspects of our lives that could use some fine tuning. It is important that we remain mindful that it takes 14 days to formulate a habit. This also means that we cannot be expected to break an old habit over night. We must take small, concise steps in order to gradually achieve our goals. It is also beneficial to have an effective support system. Friends and loved ones often make excellent motivators. The initial spark however has to spawn from within you. This year, make it a point to be realistic when setting your goals. Surround yourself with positive and motivated folk. Remember to allow a little slack for lapses. Stay fast to the course and seize your reward. Happy New Year! Be Blessed.

Corey R.