No Memories!

I just received an email from Google about my Blog account. I haven't posted to this account in years. There hasn't been anything memorable. LOL... I have actually worked for a tech company since then and now a Time Share company in their IT division. I'm a trainer at heart so I'm still doing training, but from the technical stance. I miss the leadership and diversity training but got dealt a few bad cards from people I trusted and admired. I know I'll be back on that track sometime in the future as it's my true passion.

It's Been Over A Year

Wow, can't believe it's been over a year since I posted to my blog. Time seems to speed up as each year passes. So much has happened in the past year but I don't feel like going back over history. The water has already passed under that bridge and I'm not going to run down river to retrieve it.

I will share I've had some incredible learning lessons in the last year about friendships. I assisted two former friends with moving to Las Vegas. Neither of those people are friends today. One quit calling months ago without any explanation and the other calls and leaves the nastiest voice mails I've ever received in my life. Why the hell would I want to return his calls?!?

Today I started a new journey at work that will continue for the next twelve weeks. I am already learning more about myself and it's just day one.

Question of the day for me. How can I find value in my life and contribution as I would in someone else? Why is it so hard for a compliment to sit with me? Why do I shrug the compliments and/or recognition off when it's given? I am working on those questions this week. If you have some insights for me, please post your comments so the conversation can start!!

#1 OSU v/s #2 LSU

Everyone that knows me knows I'm not much of a sports buff. I don't talk much about sports in my classroom since I usually mess up what I'm talking about and it shows. Tonight however I find myself glued to my television set in my office watching the BCS National Championship game. Ohio State has scored the first touch down within the first couple plays of the game.

The head coach of Ohio State just shows class all the way. Jim Tressel has proven to be a great coach and leader at OSU. He wears a vest and always looks under control no matter what's going on, on the field. That's a true sign of a great leader, one who keeps their cool under pressure and doesn't let them see him sweat.

The only thing I'm wishing tonight is I'd love to be sitting at the Super Dome in New Orleans and partying on Bourbon Street afterwards! I'm pullin for OSU to win this game!!

Forgiveness... What's it Cost?

Once again I am hit in the gut with expectations not being met. I'm hit in the gut but this time with a smile and praises for work well done. I'm not only hit once but twice this week by the same person.

A dear friend shared with me months back the greatest quality he observed in me was my ability to forgive.

I personally believe in order to be forgiven you must forgive. When someone does me wrong, it's not my place to get revenge or even with them. I turn it over to Him and let him deal with it in his time. Forgiveness is giving up the right to get even. Sometimes that's incredibly hard. I was once again tested this past week with it again. I'm asking myself, how many times do you forgive the same person before you put major distance between you and them? (please feel free offer your recommendations in the comments section below)

The amazing thing is forgiveness does more for me than it does with the one being forgiven. I'm also praying my heart doesn't grow cold or harden to the one I've forgiven. It's amazing how quickly trust can be broken down. Forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean to me that I continue trusting the person in the same way I have.

What's it cost me if I forgive? What's it cost me if I don't forgive? What's it cost others if I forgive or don't forgive?

What's It All Mean?

What's it mean;

• when you trust someone and they betray that trust?
• when you love someone whole heartedly but it's not returned?
• when you show interest in someone and they don't show it back?
• when you extend kindness to another and it's rejected?
• when someone does you wrong and you don't want to forgive them?
• when someone does you wrong and you keep forgiving them?
• when someone takes your faith and makes fun of it?
• when someone uses your faith as the butt of jokes?
• when someone is a friend only when it's convienent for them?
• when your friendships turn in a different direction?
• when someone's your friend as long as you're seeing it their way?
• when someone's your friend only to gain from you?
• when someone's your friend only because of who they can meet through you?
• when someone acts like your friend but isn't remotely interested in being a friend?
• when someone's actions don't match their words?
• when someone says they value something and then acts against it?
• when someone kicks you while you're down?
• when someone points out your failures?
• when someone wants to point out your faults and short comings?
• when someone doesn't want to pay you what you're worth or what's fair?
• when someone says they have your back and they show they really don't?

Think of all the additional things you could add to this list. What it all means to me is "It's life". It means to me that no matter how someone else is playing the game of life doesn't mean I need to play at their level or even play with them at all. The biggest thing I've learned this year is forgiveness and the power in it. It's also been hard since when I forgive I have to give up my right to get even. I still find a way to get rid of the negativeness and hurt and forgive the person not for them but for myself.

So what does it all mean... that I get lots of practice rising above it and soaring like the eagle I was meant to be. Everything I do today is just in preparation for something much larger to come!!

Dude I Got A Dell... (Back Online)

You may be wondering what happened to me and keeping up with my blog. I have had a month of technology not working for me or crashing down around me. My desktop computer died and within a week while I was traveling I started having trouble with my laptop as well. By the time I returned to Las Vegas the Laptop had taken its final breath.

I didn't want to get Windows Vista since so many friends are still having problems with the new operating system from Microsoft. I went online with Dell and had a custom built laptop with Windows XP. I'm happy with my new laptop but still adjusting to some differences on the keyboard and layout of the computer. Here is a couple pictures of my new laptop and I decided to get it in the blue color.

Life has been great and not slowing down by any means. I visited Atlanta for Thanksgiving and had a blast with friends and former roommate. I'll be posting pictures soon of that trip and a unique tour I got to go on with a group of friends. Hope everyone is well and look forward to being back online again!

Tunica - Gold Strike

This past week found me in Tunica, MS training at one of our properties called Gold Strike. I've been to the Gold Strike in Jean, Nevada and was expecting it to be about the same. I was totally shocked at the level of service and the beautiful property we found ourselves at.

The people at Gold Strike were definitely "salt" of the earth people. I had the most amazing class I've trained to date with the Diversity Champion Workshop. By day three I almost felt like I was in the middle of an old fashioned revival. I had more emotions come out during our last process and had most of the men in the class in tears. I know I definitely touched the hearts of the great people there. I also made some great friendships with those people and hope to return someday in the near future.

Yesterday morning Jerry and I traveled from Tunica down to Biloxi to our property Beau Rivage. I wasn't sure what to expect here either since they've been open just a little over a year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area. It's just like Bellagio just on a smaller scale. I've got a view of the Gulf of Mexico from the 22nd floor. It's really an amazing experience. I'm getting ready to train two classes next week for them back to back. We start our first one on Monday and the second on Thursday. I hope to have the same results here that I had in Tunica.

Internet service has been slow at best so that's why I haven't been posted but I will get back in the swing and post some pictures of this resort soon. Hope everyone is doing great and ready for a great weekend where ever it may find you.