Happy New Year ?

This was a note I copied from a great friend, its pretty deep so read and enjoy and happy new year . . . . . .

On Chinese New Year, it used to be that all unpaid debts were wiped away... that if they had not been paid by the New Year, you basically started over. Of course this was before credit cards...

But in a way, that's how New Year's is viewed, as a starting over point. That's the point of resolutions, isn't it? To convince yourself to make a large change in your life, usually for the better. But what's the point of giving yourself a big goal, when in the back of your mind you are thinking that you probably not going to accomplish it? What is wrong with setting a more attainable goal and then when reaching that, making a bigger one...? Isn't that what we, as people, should be doing? Constantly trying to make ourselves better? A friend of mine told me today, that his "mission is to live a fruitful life, one my kids can be proud of and can look up to".

And while I am hearing a lot of resolutions to make moves career wise, I am not hearing so many in the love/ family realm. I completely understand that careers and security is important (and they do help lead to a happy family life). But sometimes we get so caught up trying to make a future for ourselves we forget the one/ things that make us happy. Focus on the happy, and not the money. No one ever lays on their death bead wishing they had spent more time at the office, but there are plenty who wish they spent more time doing what they loved/ with their loved ones.

Although I personally never make a "resolution" (there's something about that word that screams "break me". I make Goals, missions... and they change constantly. In fact, I usually view Monday as a new starting point. Kinda like, well last week was shit, lets start over. I encourage you all to do the same. In fact, if you are having a shit day, start over the next day. Wipe your slate clean and approach each day like you do a New Year!

Happy New Year to you and yours!

About me . . . . .

For the few of you that actually read this lol, lets do something different. I always talk about things i see, other people I see and what I think. Lets change it up and see what every one sees and thinks about Me. Sound off on something about me , something you know something you think feel remember whatever. I am not one of those easily offended people so speak your mind good or bad. . . . . . .Id like to know who people think Mervin Ford is.

something to think about . . . . .

I find it funny how so many people are so upset about the whole building a mosque near ground zero situation. And why ? because "they" are terrible people "they" are terrorists lol have any of you ever read researched or spent any time educating yourself on this religion ??? what if i said we should shun all black people because a few of the beat me up or robbed me ? this happens everyday and people say its wrong, what if i say white people are monsters because "they" are racists what if i said all latin people should be sent back to their countries because "they" come to the u.s. and commit crimes or all catholics are child molesting freaks,what would everyone say to that, if we are going to go by those standards the earth would have no one left. people are so quick to judge others because of the extremists that claim to be apart of a particular group, what religion or race are you ? think about the things people accuse you of because of some things a small portion or your brethren have done do we all now have the right to judge you and shun you from the world ??? think before you speak know what you are talking about before you open your mouth education is the key, remember you are here because someone decided not to judge you and punish you for the actions of your brothers and sisters. so that being said know what it is and who it is you are talking about before you open your mouth and let hatred and ignorance spew out against an entire people for the acts of a small few. thank yall for coming out god bless and goodnight !!!

Unusual suspects ?

Ok so I was just in the supermarket and I saw the sweetest looking little old granny stealing granola bars lol. She was walking down one of the isle trying to be inconspicuous took a box of the shelf looked around then stuffed it in her purse, how hilarious is that. Is this an isolated incident or are grannies all across the country or world pulling unsuspected Jack moves lol ......

Highway rest stops !!!

Ok a few of you have notices ive been talking about highway rest stops lately and this is why .......

a few weeks ago my puppy and i were driving home to miami from michigan. and of course there were a few stops along the way at various highway rest areas. One rest area in particular located in Tennessee is where this all started. So i had pulled over to feed and walk boomer (my pup), and as i was sitting in the cargo area of my car a small framed somewhat fragile man with pale skin and glasses flowered collard shirt tucked into his khaki slacks approaches me and asks "excuse me sure would you happen to know how far it is to Knoxville " (in a soft southern accent) and i reply "sorry no i dont i am not familiar with these parts" hes says thank you and walks off. i think to myself i could just look it up on my gps so i did and upon his return i call him over and tell him. he approaches me and complements me on the pup and begins to go on about a friend of his who had an english bulldog as well and how sweet they were. then as i am about to walk away he says to me "can i ask you something with out you taking offense" being in this part of the country i figure it would be something pertaining to race i figure how bad could this be so i say " sure go for it" and this is what he says "i have to be honest with you i approached you for another reason not really about the distance, i saw you and i think you are a very handsome man and i was wondering if you have ever ......" then he smiles and winks, i say "have i ever what !, listen little man you are barking up the wrong tree and you should probably turn around and walk away from me right now!" ok now think about this i dont agree with that lifestyle how ever neither am i judgmental or homophobic, but what if i was i could have easily led him into a secluded area and beat the snot out of this guy and no one would be the wiser is this risk really worth hiding your secret lifestyle or is there some thrill in knowing that this could happen ? lets face it the south does not have a terribly great reputation for tolerance whether it be race or alternative lifestyles. . . . . . what do you guys think about this, as funny as it is what about the major issue here , i mean this happens all the time all across the country in parks airports rest areas i mean hey your life choices are yours but is this dangerous lurking behavior something that is worth the risk ? ? ?

"TIME"

ok people i have something to say about TIME. what do most of think of it? we think we have an endless amount of it. "ill do it later" "tomorrow" "next time" "new years resolution". we neglect the fact that time is of the essence and it stops for no one, we need to value the time we have every second that tics on a clock is a second that could be spent doing something meaningful, life and time are to precious to be spent dreaming and wondering. go out and do people, i used to think i was cursed because .....of my in-ability to sleep tuns like most people do but i have come to realize that it is a blessing and it is my mind refusing to waste valuable time. i get up early and stay up late most days to pack as much into a day as i can and most people think its crazy, but you know what it is something that i am used to doing me and all of my former teammates are no stranger to this. and people say we are crazy all of the time but think about this, bill gates, micheal jordan, tiger woods, donald trump some of the worlds most successful people. and guess what before they were famous they were crazy ! countless hours spent perfecting their craft not wasting a second to idleness or dreaming, so id say we are in pretty good company. and it doesnt have to be to reach super stardom but also to join life in its simplest form do something youve never done before, love those around you, expand your knowledge, help someone teach someone its that simple time has more value than anything in the world people it is "of the essence" what will you do with it ? ? ? ? on that note show some support for my old teammate Olympian Spenser Mango competing at world championships today !!!

Worn out welcome

Hello all, today I am going to start out this rant by saying I think it imperative that as human beings that we all when ever possible lend a helping hand to those in need, especially those whom we consider to be friends or loved ones. That being said how much is too much. Is there ever a point where people should be cut off. When does it cross the line of being in need and venture into the realm of being a comfortable mooch.

Often times many of us that are in a position where we see someone close to us in a time of need, and most of us will at the drop of a dime offer ourselves to these friends or loved ones without a thought to slow us down. I see no problem with such actions because in my opinion I feel this is how it should always be. Now my question is can those of us who find ourselves in these positions be doing more harm than good.

As harsh as it may seem sometimes people are in need of “tough love”, and when we reach out to help these people we are not helping them in the long term because many people become comfortable with that fact that instead of having to deal with these tough situations they end up in they can just run to one of these helping hands to put out the fire for them. Now I do not believe this is always the case, in some instances there are people that have exhausted every alternative and shamed to have to seek outside help for something they could not accomplish themselves after many unsuccessful attempts. And on that same not once they receive the help they so desperately need they are up and out on their own again and are grateful for the gesture.

Now there are those who may not be as shameful. These people I speak about are the ones who I would say take advantage of their so called friends’ willingness to lend a helping hand.

This is where my question comes into play. How do you all feel about people who are constantly reaching out for a hand and never really seem to be doing what it takes to get back on their feet or to keep themselves from falling back into that situation again. Is it our duty as “friends” to be there for them time and time again or even when it seems that we may be taken for a ride.

This Rant comes about because of a situation I have encountered that has been going on for the last two months or so. There is a family who themselves are having rough times but none the less are fighting to better their situation with every waking hour. They being the good people that they are opened their home to a friend who was down on his/her luck. At first seemed that this would be a temporary thing, but as time went on said guest was not showing any signs of leaving, instead said guest just became more comfortable and more settled.

As time progress members of the family became more and more uncomfortable as guest began to meddle in family happenings. These unwanted interjections into family situations escalated from uncomfortable to irritating. Guest while supposedly trying to get back on their feet was enjoying the hospitality of this family by spending late nights out and sleeping in most of the day while everyone went about there day working and going to school. Said guest even went as far as to start a relationship and although that is the business of said guess it seems as though that is where focus is and not on better the situation so they can get back on their feet.

Now here is the question again, is this too much. Has this guests welcome been exhausted, should the family continue to support this person, can they even call this person a friend when they are doing all they can to accommodate this person while this person shows no signs of trying to help or better themself. Should the family feel bad or wrong for coming to the conclusion that guest has to leave, even though their home has went from helpful sanctuary to the play ground of this guess, who comes and goes and they please and while that is not an issue the hours that this is being done is. Mind you nothing has been asked of this guest, nothing at all and it seems that said guest is not really at all concerned or bothered with the fact that they have become a parasite rather than a needy friend trying to get back on their feet.

Now before I get carried away with this one I will end with this.....

When is enough enough ? Should we be obligated to continue to support someone who is unwilling to support themselves because of problems they may have but show no interest in addressing or solving ? When it comes to the point where feel uncomfortable in our own homes or our family is being affected by these attempts at doing a good for someone who in short really doesnt seem care for what is being done for them, are we wrong for wanting to end the situation as abruptly as possible ?

Where is the line drawn between being in need and being a mooch ?

When should we cut them off ?

Is it time for uninvited guest to go ?

Mourning/ Grieving

This post is about people that we have lost. We spend a lot of time mourning and grieving when we lose people close to us. That is inevitable, but in my opinion our time is best spent remembering the happy times and good things we had with that person. I believe we spend too much time in idle time putting emphasis on the fact that their physical being is gone, we should spend our time celebrating their lives. I am pretty sure that these people would not want us to sit in black and cry and think about them being gone, rest a sure that if these people impacted our lives in such a positive way that we are willing to spend the time thinking about them, they are most likely in a better place, and that is nothing to be sad about ....

P.s. we will miss you Curbs !!!