27 April - WOD

Is love sufficient?

Attend any traditional wedding ceremony and I guarantee you'll hear the pastor explain the symbolism behind the exchange of rings. The moral is that the ring, (similar in fashion to the concept of love) has neither a beginning nor an ending. Continue to listen and you will also hear the pastor elaborate on how love has the ability to endure all things and manifest itself in an unconditional nature. Now spend an afternoon in your local Barnes and Nobles researching modern day divorce rates and you'll learn that the U.S. ranks #1 in divorce rates with nearly five out of every 1,000 people falling into the divorcee category. It seems almost as commonplace today for couples to divorce as it is for them to marry. Just fifty years ago, our grandparents were able to maintain life long marriages. What did they know that we don't? Think about it… similar traditions, similar vows, similar churches; different results. Does this suggest that our ancestors were better at remaining in love than we are? Is the modern day church more accepting of the ideas of separation and/or divorce? Are we more inclined to lean on our own understanding and therefore disregard the teachings of the church as it applies to marriage? Or maybe, just maybe... it requires more than love to sustain a marriage. Is love sufficient? What is your take on the subject?

Corey R.

24 April - WOD

"Matters most"

Have delinquent bills ever been the root of your stresses? Ever felt like pulling your hair out because your job was super hectic? Have you ever lost sleep wondering if your significant other would recover from your latest disagreement? Ever worked yourself into a lather wondering if the new guy you met last week at Wholefoods would eventually call? It seems we often place so much unnecessary strain on ourselves worrying over issues that are often unworthy of such burden. There are so many other, more important issues that we could devote our energy toward. For example, wouldn't it be an injustice if I devoted excess energy worrying about whether I'll ever be as wealthy as I'd like to be when I could channel that same energy to ensure that I instill positive values and morals in my son? Why should I exert more energy trying to impress the pretty girl at work than trying to do right by my own Mother? There was a time in my life when I struggled with trying to please everyone. I sought validation in others. I thought it was cool to be liked by everyone. I thank God for delivering me from that place of mental captivity. I now realize that I neither need nor desire to be on your "good side". Truth be told, there were a whole lot of folk along the way who I realized I never really liked anyway. In my opinion, family should be the cornerstone of life. That is what really matters to me. If you are constantly stressing over unworthy issues, today is as ideal a time as any to begin redirecting your energy toward those things that matter most. Be blessed.

Corey R.

20 April - WOD

Foot Fetish

I'm embarrassed to admit it but I have a ridiculous foot fetish. No, not the typical pretty, petite, neatly pedicured toes (that make most men drool) when immersed in the perfect Jimmy Choo, open toed, strappy sandal type fetish. I mean, that's a given. What man on earth can resist such a delightful image? I have a totally different and unique fetish.

"Hello, my name is Corey and I'm addicted to Retro Air Jordan sneakers. It all started back in '88 when Nike released the 3rd edition of Michael Jordan's popular basketball sneaker to the general public. I still remember how my very first pair of AJs made me feel like I was walking on air. Not literally but figuratively of course. Ever since then, I've been a fiend for MJ's signature sneaks. As a youth, I thought eventually I'd outgrow my addiction. I know now that I was in way over my head. Some folk drink incessantly, some people smoke maad weed. Me, I’m intoxicated by "flyness". I've owned countless pairs. I've even purchased my favorite editions 2, 3, 5 and 11 multiple times. When it comes to casual apparel, nothing parallels a fresh pair of vintage Air Jordan classics on my feet. Air force Ones are cool and shell toe Adidas are nice but no brand comes within a basketball's circumference of my Air Jordans. I'll likely be the first 50 year old dude still collecting sneakers. "What you want me to do. I'm sorry!" We've all got vices. However silly it may be, at least mine is an innocent one, right?

Corey R.

16 April -WOD

"Flow-gevity" - the mastery of fluidity; synchronized. Near perfect; finely tuned.


Good afternoon beloved. Over the weekend I celebrated my birthday. It also marked the first time that I officially opened the doors of my home to my extended family. I'd spent weeks preparing for the event as I wanted everything to flow smoothly. I worried occasionally that my petite quarters would not be able to comfortably accommodate the large number of individuals who planned to attend. Initially, I planned to use my back yard area as a means to better distribute my guests. Unfortunately, Mother Nature made alternative plans. Due to inclement weather, it ended up being a 100% indoor event with more attendees than I originally anticipated. Amazingly enough, while I was busy trying to figure out a solution, God had already worked it out yall. As it turned out nobody was crammed, there was plenty of space, entertainment, food and beverages to go around. At one point, per my Mother's request we even pulled back the living room rug and allowed the ladies to get their line dance on. Without question, this was my best birthday ever. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. Some of the fellas gathered in the basement to duel it out on the ping pong table. Some guests let their spades skills do the talking on the card table. Still others congregated in the kitchen to debate about the top 5 hip-hop albums of all time. Lovely ladies galore played Taboo, ate crabs, and stepped in the name of love. Many guests conversed amongst themselves as they ate, drank, and fellow-shipped. This convocation of loved ones was extremely precious to me. I consider it a blessing to be able to look in any direction (at any given moment) and see a group of my very favorite people in all the world. It would be rare to reproduce the assembly of that exact collection of loved ones ever again. I thank the Lord for allowing my celebration to far exceed my greatest expectations. I prayed that everyone would enjoy themselves. God took it a step further and granted "flow-gevity" instead.

Corey R.

9 April - WOD

"So happy for You"

How many times have you divulged positive information to a friend and in return heard them say how happy for you they were? It's commonplace to hear folk say it but it's a rarity to actually know someone who genuinely means it. I'm a firm believer that actions speak louder than words. If you ever want to really find out whether an individual is merely extending cheap talk or if he/she is authentic, try recruiting that person's services for a chore or project. Anyone who truly has your back will not only accept your invitation but they will also work just as diligently as you to tackle the task at hand. Some folk are good at saying all the right things at the right times. Others are "grinders". They don't talk about it ... they just jump right in and make things happen. So the next time you tell someone you're happy for them, make sure your actions are prepared to support your words.

Corey R.

4 April - WOD

"Scantily clad"

Set your television remote to any music video channel in this day and time and it's likely you'll see countless voluptuous, drop dead gorgeous women dancing and/or parading around your high-definition, flat panel screen wearing next to nothing at all. Many women take offense to this "misogynistic" portrayal of their female counterparts. Like many men, I've always admired the Greek "goddess-like" images that gyrated and convulsed right before my very eyes. In my opinion, that was the closest I'd ever come to dancing with the girl of my dreams. At the same time, I can understand how those images could be viewed as racy, scandalous, or inappropriate depending upon the audience. I neither condone nor condemn the individuals that produce these videos. I'm simply an individual with an option to either watch the video or change the channel... nothing more, no less.

Ladies, I have a question for you all. Many women are Beyonce fans. I too am a huge supporter of Beyonce Knowles. I'd like to know why it is considered 'Diva-like' when Beyonce and her super sexy dancers jiggle and titillate on our television screen. In my opinion, Beyonce is as sexy and enticing as any hip-hop video dancer. She dresses just as provocatively, she dances circles around the average video girl, and she certainly doesn't lack anything in the “bootylicious” department. Clearly she envelopes everything that a hip-hop dancer does and pulls it off quite nicely, if I may say so myself. What is the difference ladies? Why is it deemed sexy when "B." does it and stank when hip-hop stars employ video vixens? Speak now or forever hold your two-piece.

Corey R.