It wasn’t an easy decision. I have two precious daughters that depend on me to provide for them. The decision was painful. SERIOUSLY! I remember my gut hurting and my mind aching. There were so many things to consider and so many things to fear. What’s that stat about new businesses? 9 out of 10 fail or something along those lines. I crunched the numbers and figured out the amount of...
In the past 330 days or so I have let go of (unrealistic) expectations. Especially as it relates to women and love interests. What do I mean by this you wonder… Well, let’s just say that if I meet a woman I’m attracted to, I don’t begin to run her through an mental inspection to evaluate if she is Girlfriend material. I prefer to let grow organically. This has obviously...
There is nothing like seeing someone perform their ART! My sense of wonder is through the roof when I am in the presence of these artists. Let me give you an example. It’s good I promise. Read on. I started doing improv late 2009 with this little improv training company named Dallas Comedy House. They had a vision and the guts to make things happen. Since they launched, they have steadily...
She handed me the paper folded up with the words “To: Daddy” written very carefully in her best handwriting. Delicately, with her watching over me, I opened it up and saw the most beautifully illustrated family picture you can imagine: Daddy, her sister, and her. The family picture had the most beautiful rainbow you have ever seen in the background and a sun shining over us. Let me...
Today is day 2 of the Reverb10 writing challenge. Each day this month you are given prompts to help you write on a topic. Leo Babauta , one of my online minimalism mentors, gave the prompt today. It was: Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it” Well, it took me about 30 seconds to come to my conclusion. PERFECTION! I want things to...
This year has been a year of incredible emotions. I have never felt so alive in my life. INTENSE. Unfortunately, with all that “life feeling” stuff, there has also been some very low lows. It has not been all peachy. I have had to re-evaluate myself and my journey. And after careful consideration and 20/20 Hindsight I would not change my decisions that brought me to this place in my...
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. – Picasso I have had an interest in art as far back as I can remember into my little wee years. I think this may be true for though for any kid when he is young. We are artists by nature and think that as we grow older, we grow out of this artistic nature. One of the funny things that I am always asked is if I...
Thank you to all of you that have been a part of my journey.
Some of you have shared a classroom with me.
Many of you have shared a laugh. On a rare occasion I may have even had a drink with you.
“Yessir” I told him. “Straight-off-the-boat-Mexican!” I had to defend him on the basketball court and I wasn’t looking forward to it. I had noticed earlier that he had a sick handle and an amazing shot from long range. He couldn’t have been taller than 5’6″. I had just finished lifting weights and was super tight and don’t like being...
She said:
Daddy I miss you, and when I see you, I’m gonna kiss you.
He said:
In life there are no such things as real friends.
She said:
I don’t know where I’d be without you. I wouldn’t have known where to begin.
She said:
You always make me smile.
Yes! I don’t have a television yet I was on TV. All my loyal readers may remember that I was mentoring in my community 😉 I have continued to mentor and have a blast getting to know my mentee. The leader at the LULAC Center where I meet with my mentee, Otis Gray, asked me a couple of weeks if I would be open to doing an interview with Univision 23 Noticias (Spanish television) Of course I...
One of my passions since about the beginning of the year has been my boxing training. It is one of the few things that allows me to let go of all my aggression that I may have built up throughout the week. Jay Sanchez of The 10th Street Dallas Boxing Gym has been my guide throughout my journey. I am proud to say that he has helped me reshape my thin body into something that will be doing some...
On Fatherhood, Manhood & Becoming Better Ancestors.