Karma

This blog was inspired by Michael Baisden's status. He asked "If it's true what goes around comes around, why are bad people doing good?" I ask myself that question everyday. All the status comments were terrific. My response is you reap what you sow, more than you sow and sooner (or later) than you sow. Like my mom says: You can get by, but you won't get away. That's true because when you think you've gotten by and you're going on with your life, that's when karma will get you. When karma gets you, it will leave a mark when life starts breaking down. It's the law of reciprocity (or golden rule), do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you sow goodness, you will reap goodness. The same principle applies to negativity, you get back what you put in. Take the vilest person who is going on with life without a care in the world; they think they're getting by but when he/she least expects it, that's when karma strikes. I do the best I can everyday so good can happen in my life. I couldn't live with myself knowing I did someone wrong and didn't make it right. I'll take good over bad karma all day, everyday.

Blessing In Disguise

We've all heard the term "Blessing In Disguise". What does it mean? Blessing in disguise means misfortune turned into success. At first glance, you don't see the good in a bad situation but as time passes, you realize it was a blessing that loss happened when it did because it could've been detrimental to your overall well-being. Some losses are actually blessings. When things go wrong, our first instinct is to fix the problem and be on our merry way. Why wouldn't we want things to be smooth-sailing? After all, that's the ideal world for us (as it should be). Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. When we experience a loss, it's normal to feel sad, angry, hurt, denial,etc. because people have a hard time accepting loss. Some people will do everything in their power to regain that loss, not realizing that God takes something away to prepare you for something better. Yes, it hurts at first because it meant so much but if a better opportunity comes along, I would embrace the better and forget the previous. From a relationship aspect, a man & woman get together with the intent of being married. Things are going good at first but rough times come. All hell breaks loose in the relationship and while the couple do everything possible to make the relationship work; something happens to break them up. Depending on the strength of the couple's love, they may go one more round or they cut their losses. If they go one more round, things will get worse to a point where they call it quits for good. Yes, the man and woman will miss each other but once they truly find Mr. &/or Mrs. Right, they realize it was a blessing the previous relationship failed because each person found somebody that truly makes them happy. People shouldn't be so quick to write off misfortune without taking time to realize that better is around the corner. It won't seem like it at first but when things turn around for the better, hopefully some people will realize that their success was wrapped in misfortune.

Tax Season

Tax season is upon us yet again; the time of year where people file their taxes & act a fool with that refund check. I get my taxes done for free at the community center and I get a hefty amount back every year. Unlike some people, my refund goes straight to my account because I never know when I'll get in a bind and there's nothing worse than needing money and not having it. It seems like you can get money for just about any & everything: claiming your children, someone else's kid, tithing to your church, student loan interest, etc. What baffles me is the new hustle some parents have going on: They don't do anything for their children all year but when tax season rolls around, they claim their child(ren). I enjoy getting money back on my taxes because I pay so much in taxes that a refund is like a reward. If you get your taxes done just right, you won't owe money or get a refund.

Fall Of Man

Unless you've been living under a rock, then you're aware of society's state. What was taboo back in the day is acceptable. As I've been pondering over the Adam & Eve story, I got to thinking what would life be like if Adam & Eve hadn't disobeyed God? If they didn't eat the forbidden fruit, life would be bliss. There would be no sickness & disease, no disabilities, poverty, crime & violence or any moral depravity. Because Adam & Eve disobeyed God, we are paying for their mistakes. To be honest, when I read stories about people doing the most heinous of acts, all I can do is shake my head. God didn't intend for society to be like this but when one makes a conscious decision to do what they want, there are repercussions (good or bad). Those repercussions not only affect the person, but everyone involved is indirectly affected. It's like in grade school when one kid did bad, everyone (including the offender) got punished. The lesson learned was one person can mess it up for everyone. I wish there was a rewind & alternate ending button that you could press to take you back to Biblical days with Adam & Eve, edit the outcome and then replay.

Tallahassee, FL according to Richard

Florida's capital city needs to be changed. Here's the catch: Tallahassee was named as Florida's capital city because it was midway between St.Augustine and Pensacola, which were the largest cities at the time during Florida's history. So deciding a capital based on location is where it's at? Sometime in the 70's, Orlando was suggested as Florida's state capital but was shot down quickly. Jacksonville, Tampa/St. Petersburg & Orlando, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale would make GREAT candidates because they are constantly changing with the times. Big business, pro sports, ample recreational opportunities, good colleges/universities. Tallahassee could definitely take a page from the aforementioned areas. There's too much NIMBYism in Tally (Not In My BackYard). Tally is content with being a government town (private sector does better than public sector in tough economies) & nightlife is a joke here (How many times can you go to Top Flite and The Moon? Even Edge will soon be played out, if not already). Simply put, Tallahassee leaders need to get off their sorry butts and do what they were elected to do: Make Tallahassee a world-class city. I see why Rick Scott is cutting state jobs by the thousands because he's trying to get Tallahassee to stop being so dependent on the government as the sole economic engine. In other words, Tally needs to diversify it's economy. Tallahassee is one of the most transient cities in America: college students come here for an education and leave after graduation. You'll get a select few that stay here but for the most part, Tallahassee is transient because anywhere you relocate, it's expected that city has a decent job market and if you can't find a decent job in that city, keep it moving until you find a place that's on the go. Much of my view on Tallahassee comes from having lived here all my life. When you're born and raised in your hometown, you tend to think there's no world outside of your hometown. More and more I'm researching other cities, getting a feel for their job markets and I wouldn't mind living in Texas (2nd best job market in the country-preferably Austin, Dallas/Ft.Worth or Houston. I hear San Antonio is thriving), or any booming southern metro area in the US. Once I finish my MBA (which will be very soon as I'm looking into getting my MBA in a year to a year and a half), I will be more than happy to say bon voyage to Tallahassee. I'll come back for family reasons. Other than that, I've outgrown Tally.

Valentine's Day

It's about that time of year again, Valentine's Day. People go all out for their special someone to show how much they cherish them. My thing is, why wait to show love for your man/woman on V-Day when you should be showing them love year round? Valentine's Day is an excuse for many singles to rent a man or woman for one day and they never see him/her again. That's like spending hundreds of dollars on your senior prom and taking a random girl/guy out for one night knowing you two won't cross paths ever again. It's crazy to me. If I'm going to celebrate Valentine's Day, I have to have a special lady who makes my life better through her existence. This way, I have reason to go all out for her. You're proud of being single all year except for Valentine's Day; that's the one day out of the year you don't want to be alone. You solicit a man or woman to treat to dinner and a movie. If you really want to make an impression, you'll buy Russell Stovers chocolate candy. Buy a woman chocolates and you score major points. I just feel that you should show your mate love year round, not just on their birthday or Valentine's Day. The love shown to your mate on special occasions should be icing on the cake; the culmination of love shown year round.

Politics

It's about that time of year again, the time where presidential candidates travel across the country and solicit votes from citizens. They make promises on what they're going to do once they get into office. Just about every campaign involves mudslinging; candidates airing each other's dirty laundry. It's ridiculous to me because I thought most people grew out of that nonsense but I guess not. Instead of focusing on the issues, the Democrats and Republicans are too busy bickering like clowns. One side doesn't want to bend to the other and vice versa. Look, both sides need to cut this nonsense out and work together to get America back on track. I watched President Obama's State Of The Union address and it was on point. Valid points were made and essentially Obama called out both sides and said that we need to work together to get America back on track. I enjoyed the initiatives he laid out for education, unemployment, job creation, etc.