Smile no matter what

TRY IT!!!

3 June 2014

Hello guys! Ok at first it wasn’t so bad. But now I miss having service and Wi-Fi! It feels as if I am actually a cadet going through basic training with no phone. But I will not let this interfere with my #100DaysofHappy. Oh, I forgot to mention that I began the 100 happy day challenge. It is now day eight. Nothing or no one can make me mad. You should try it. 

Today, was long. We were away from our barracks for eight hours discussing different topics. The only hard part about today was staying up through all of the talking. I am loving the business world though. Creative minds together are awesome! Until next time. 

Day 1

2 June 2014 

Mr. Smarts and Mr. Walker met us at the bank around 9:00 and drove us to our new home, our working office. We had class for three hours discussing Army ranks and safety: lightening safety, heat safety, and personal safety. Our working environment will be outside; therefore, they enforce us too drink plenty of water to refrain from being sick. At 12:00 we had an hour lunch. We tried to go to the cafe and eat for free but it was filled with cadets; therefore, we ate at a subway on base. As we all know, according to, United States military, “If you’re on time, you’re late; if you’re early you’re on time. In saying so, we ate quickly so that we could be on time. After returning back to our new home, we separated into our groups: Public relations/social media, video, photography, and writing. I am apart of the video team along with four others. For the next three hours of class we discussed our mission, goal, and vision for this summer. Although I am not a video expert I am so ready to learn and produce products. Everyday this becomes more interesting. Well, I guess I can catch up on some sleep and get ready for another informal meeting. Say your prayers. Until next time. 

Up Up Up and Away ....

1 June 2014

Fort Knox, Kentucky here I come. As I swiftly packed the day before leaving, I was eager to head to the airport and arrive in Louisville, Kentucky.  I had already been home, which is Hopkins, South Carolina for the entire month of May and was ready for my next stop. My brother and mother dropped me off at the Columbia Metropolitan airport an hour early

before heading to church Sunday morning. My plane was expected to depart at 11:15 but unfortunately, it was delayed until 1:15. During this time I only surfed the web, and updated my status with eager tweets and post, only to kill my battery. Therefore, I was unable to listen to music during the plane ride because my battery was too low. Once safely arriving in Charlotte, I had already missed my original connecting flight, therefore, the next flight scheduled to Louisville, Kentucky was loading as soon as I arrived. Needless to say, I was unable to charge my phone.  Finally arriving in Louisville, Kentucky around 4:30 I met Mr. Smarts, director of PAO (Public Assistance Office) on Fort Knox base along with two other interns. After placing my bags in the van, he drove us to Fort Knox, Kentucky. I almost had an anxiety attack how anxious I was to meet all the other interns. When we finally arrived at the place we were staying I saw all the other interns as we drove up to the dorm waiting on the balcony. They were all so welcoming and nice. After meeting everyone I went to my room and unpacked while my roommate Katie converted with me. I forgot to mention food; I didn’t eat all day, so when the interns decided to go eat . . . I was more than happy. Well, we are scheduled to meet at the bank on base at 8:45 to see what we have gotten ourselves into. In the meantime keep F.A.I.T.H and I will be sure to keep you updated.

Karl With A K

Karl with a “K”

Karl “Special K” Lawrence is among Howard’s second-largest freshman class in 15 years — 1,596 students from more than 12,000 applicants —that called Howard University home in the fall of 2013. But “Special K” admits that the fact is only one of the various reasons he has named himself “special.” Surrounded by a diverse and intellectual campus full of bright leaders, he quickly found a way to stand out. A freshman from New York, his first book of poems, “Karl with a K” was published on January 23, 2014, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Born as a premature baby, Special K was raised by his parents in the Bronx, but felt he lacked a quality relationship with both of them. It was then he turned to his pencil and paper to further express himself.

“My 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Cooper assigned us to write in our journal daily. And once I started, I just couldn’t stop, it was like it was my calling,” he said. “Before this it was all about drawing. But through writing I learned a new way to express myself.”

He adopted Malcom X as a father figure, living by one of his quotes: “make it plain, and speak your mind.” Karl believes that somebody has to tell it like it is, and that is exactly what his poems does. His writing is easy to understand but difficult to master. “Karl with a K” consists of poems that were written when he was just 16, channeling the youthful years that he wished he could have shared with his family.

“I have no intended audience. I write so that everybody from all over the world can understand my writing. I’m not here to confuse you, or wrap you up with words and riddles. As my prologue states, ‘I want to reach to common people with common language to say the uncommon things,’ I just want to reach to the world with my words, because what I’m saying needs to be heard,” he said.

Special K was also strongly inspired by his 75-year-old best friend and a former jazz musician, Sunni. Sunni took Special K under his wing, nicknaming him the “Chosen 1.” With a diverse knowledge and many connections, Special K developed an open mind, and lives as a free thinker.

 He believes that 2014 is his year, and he looks to publish his 2nd book no later than fall 2014. He also reveals that he already has his third and fourth book completed, and is currently working on the fifth. Focused and determined to reach the unreachable as he is documenting his journey like he sees it, Special K continuously strive to be the best he can be.

After recently turning eighteen, Special K decided to celebrate with the President because he felt accomplished for never being shot or locked up, most of all for still being alive. One day before being evicted out of his dormitory, he received a letter from President Barack Obama saying, “By setting your sights high and having faith in yourself you can meet your greatest aspirations and inspire those around you to do the same.” Six days later, his book was published.

 

His book is currently #2 on Amazon Kindle, and is also available on Nook by Barnes & Noble. Sales fluctuate everyday, but he continues to keep calm. He looks forward to producing paperback copies, but in the meantime download the free app, and search “Karl with a K.”

 “If nobody believes in you, believe in yourself,” he says.

 

Please continue to support Karl Lawrence. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @_karlwithak88.

Either Make it Your Excuse, or Make it Your Story

Isaiah Austin had a serious eye injury while in middle school when a baseball hit his eye. During his high school career he made a routine move in a pre-game warm-up while dunking that affected his eye again. To possibly save the sight in his right eye he had numerous of surgeries. Austin biggest issue was he would not be able to play basketball. After hearing the news that he had lost complete vision within his right eye, Baylor was terrified. But his mother powerful words stood out to him, “either make it your excuse, or make it your story.”

Coming into the 2013-2014 season, Baylor Bears 7 foot center Isaiah Austin is now a successful basketball player with only vision in his left eye. He has overcome so much and plan to continue to inspire. Most people would have given up, but instead Austin choose to continue to strive for his dream. He overcame his obstacles by continuing to believe. His coaches did not have one eye, so it was up to him to teach himself.

You guys may not be blind in one eye, but we all have our different problems, and obstacles to overcome; some we may have no control over. I challenge you to make it your story, and not your excuse. Continue to have faith and you will achieve. What’s the point of complaining about it? I also challenge you to go a week without any complaints. JUST DO IT.

Isaiah Austin Comeback

Faith Unlocks The Door

Check Out Kobe Fans:

When is the last time you have told God thank you for the little things such as; waking you up, allowing you to get from place to place safely, or for the people he has placed in your life? It seems as if people only call on Jesus when they are going through problems or when it is convenient for them.

God don't just want visitations on Sunday, or for your praises only when you are going through things. He is also available every other day of the week and I think he is worthy to be praised daily. You should thank God for not only what he has done, but what he is planning to do.

Just like when Kobe Bryant is pulling up for a jumper with 0:03 on the clock, and all of the fans are hyping up because they know he is about to do something unbelievable. Just as those fans hype up for Kobe Bryant belief in him to make that basket, God believers should hype up and give praises to the Lord in the midst of their struggle because they know what God is capable of doing.

If you are going to pray don't worry, and if you are going to worry don't pray. There is no need in doing both. Now I'm not saying pray and just wait for miracles to start happening. Pray and allow God to give you answers, and you start moving towards the direction that God leads you to.

 

Strengthening your faith in God helps strengthen your relationship with God. So I challenge you to smile and give thanks in the midst of your troubles. Praise the Lord when you feel the world is crumbling on you. And most of all have F.A.I.T.H in God. He has not brought you this far to leave you.

I promise you . . . Prayer . . . JUST DO IT!

 

 

Bible Verse: Mathews Ch.20 vs. 17         

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Living In The Past

Reference : "Brainwashed" By: Tom Burrell
Check Out Oprah .... Black Inferiority; White Superiority

I’m living the King’s dream . . . but it isn’t all of what it seems. People believe slavery - this long-term trauma and mental damage has a tremendous effect on the 21^st century. “Blacks were programmatically stripped of their cultural identity and brainwashed into a mindset of black inferiority – a double whammy that’s tough to overcome.” During this era racism still exist, although not all people and other race hate blacks. In fact I think we are more racist in our own race. African Americans are always battling against light skin vs. dark skin. The whites knew exactly what they were doing when they allowed light skin people to work in the house, while the dark skin people had no choice but to remain in the field. Their goal was to separate our race, and indeed they succeeded.

We have been brainwashed and its’ obvious! But we cannot continue to live in the past. We can’t go and change the past, but we can mold the future. I have faith in “my people.”

“We are a race that has been conditioned to ice over its emotions, to dance, sing, and laugh our way past the blues.” Our healing system is very weird. We laugh at Chris Rock, Martin, Madea, Will Smith, Kevin Hart etc. make jokes about our ancestors and about blacks statistics. Our all-time favorite rappers only rap about sex, money, and weed, & how they so called “made it.” Define made it please? They encourage us to cheat and abuse our loved ones. Blacks used the word “nigger” more than any other race. But it’s all fun and games right? Then why do we get mad when Caucasians and other races laugh and call us “niggers.” Trivializing blacks has become all too common a sport. The joke is always on us, and we should not only care; but care enough to change. We must lead by example.

Now once we stop battling inside our own race and bringing each other down, we can finally step out against other races that don’t want to see us succeed. If we’re going by statistics, academically our scores are the lowest; but indeed our abuse rate and incarcerated rates are the highest.

“In many ways African Americans have romanticized and institutionalized low expectations.”  Often our goal is to not be the best but to be the “best black” Inherent in these labels is a subliminal acceptance that our “best is somehow naturally inferior from the white “best.” When African Americans stop settling for less then and only then will they reach the top. Drake said “like you went to Yale, but you prolly’ went to Howard.” Howard maybe the top black prestigious college but who said we couldn’t be the top prestigious college?

We arrived in the 21^st century with 17^th century baggage that keeps us unhealthy and ill-suited for longevity. This book didn’t have a conclusion. This was not a book; it was a mission – one that no single individual can accomplish alone. It was a rallying cry to the young and not-so-young to cease seeing ourselves as victims, to roll up our sleeves , utilize our talents, honor our ancestors, develop a new approach to our education, and finally regain control of our lives, our destinies, and our minds.

Put your mind where our future can be! Prayer . . . Just Do It