Weak and Depleted

The air is getting thinner.
The sun is getting brighter.
The cold is getting chillier.
The strong and the weak are becoming best friends this time around the year.

With everyone going crazy getting presents, arranging Thanksgiving dinners and such it becomes hard to take care of the most important thing you own out of all your accessories in your bedroom. You.
Increases in cold and flu are dramatically rising. Soap, anti-bacterial just won't cut it.
Notice how every time you sneeze or cough you might take your closest thing to cleansing and get clean. Is this enough? Not at all. The germs prior to wiping yourself down are still active.
As crazy as commercials are, they are sometimes not too far off.
If you have Lysol spray or anything in the house, after you've come home from work or a long day sneezing and driving, take that can and spray it around. The cold will kill whatever it can, but not everything. Taking 99.9% from a can and combining with the cold science could just be your ticket.

They say take your Lysol can and spray it in front of you as you walk into it. Could this be true? Sure. You breathing in toxins might make sure you never have a cold ever again though. Ever.

Let's not get too crazy. Simple steps could lead to your health getting better easier and faster.
Take your Vitamin C's and D's. Sun won't be out everyday this week.
If you're very sick, exercising is not for you. They say you can sweat out a sickness, and I agree. But your body suffering more damage will not help at all. Sleep it off. Every morning, open your bedroom window for 5 minutes to re freshen the air in your room. Spray some Lysol before you leave.

This all might sound like extra work, it's not. I just have a tendency to drag things out and make them seem far worse.

Your health is the most important thing.
You remember that one Holiday where everyone was laughing and having a good time, while you had that awful ear infection with a bad cough. Realize no one is around this ear to put your big head on their small laps. Even if you have a small head, come on.

Alcohol.
Tasty, fun, and also kills bacteria!
Sounds crazy, but definitely cool.
Those of you who enjoy that big glass of beer or wine. Those who enjoy those hard shots.
This might be your ticket as well.
Whoever would have thought your weekend habits might pay off for you now.
Let's aim for you to not be that person this year.

If you're not into heavy drinking or even hot hard to the throat shots. Try it this time.
More alcohol in a drink, the better.
I'm not saying get drunk, but we all know once we start we can;t REALLY stop. Well, I can't at least.
So get a little tipsy, and be sure to keep warm.

In fact, everyone reading this should keep your chest as warm as possible.
Some signs of being sick is getting too hot in a coat that normally doesn't make you sweat.
Whatever you do, your body is not as hot as you may think it is.
KEEP WARM!
Your parents have told you over and over again as a child to keep that scarf on, keep those socks on, whatever. Do it. Don't think you can battle the winter of winters alone Beast Master.
Even with a wizard on your side, you will not win this one. Fantasy land won't keep you from making a trip to your local Dr.'s office.

Let's play it safe and keep ourselves on a much higher level of thinking.
We can't think clearly when snot is running down our nose every 3 seconds when you just wiped it off 2 seconds ago. Think about it. Who REALLY pays for this one?


And that's Real Talk.

The man wants his relief..

When will mine come?

Today Americans and many across the globe are being stuck into bigger debt than ever before.
We don't realize the consequences of our debts when the payments become nothing but fragments to a much bigger pot.

The interest rates are what kill us and adding to the pot when we pay things off is all the wrong.

However,
The companies making their profits in the sense aren't really the bad guys. We as people like to spend what we don't have naturally. Pay it off later as we say. Later is here and the payments are not going to be enough.

So what do we do in times of desperation especially with the holidays coming up and the job losses increasing?
If you ever thought about working for the government, you might have to if you didn't before.
Naturally those who have the BEST bonuses for working is a government owned operation.
Any benefits anywhere else never compare. Why is this? Think about it.
Our so called freedoms are limited. Everyday we cause ourselves to lose more and more of them by complaints or over-exaggerations in situations. This is probably why no one will hire anyone in anywhere for any reason. We don't want to lose money we don't have. Workforces don't either.

The lawsuits pile up from dirty crimes, which leaves less openings for those with bigger mouths in a sense.

Many have lost homes.
Many have lost lives.
Many have lost the will.

It's time to start spending correctly. Stop giving back so much to those who don't need it.
I don't mean stop paying for food for you and your friends.
Just don't always be the only one.
Don't be so hard with your money that you can;t treat when others are treating.
Money isn't everything. (At least until your out of your hole)

Moral of the story is,
Our lives are becoming consumed with irrelevance. Things we don't need to have.
Money is being thrown away and we barely see it just because we rely on impressions from others who in the long run won't really ever be there again.
But that isn't 100% truth. Some people will stick around for more goodies ;).

So start revving up your checking accounts with your savings.
Stop using the credit card unless you know you can pay the entire balance off within 2 weeks.
Think about the money you'll save on not relying on the charge.
It's killing everyone's pockets.
The ones who have your money, lost it in Vegas.

And that's Real Talk.

Rotaries and Grinders

The oil in our life is the smoothness in our ride through this journey.

We need to replace it once in a while or we break down.
No one is indestructible. Human wise at minimum.

For the next stop, make it a big impact.

For those of you who have the eyes of children on your character,
give them something to take home this weekend.
Give them a hero.
Give them a reason to want to stick to the script.

And on this journey, make as many pit stops as you can to refuel that tank you call mind and body.
The roads are nasty, the tires are balding, and the eggs are overcooked this morning.
This is the true meaning of doing well.
Without the struggle, the challenge, we are just standing here waiting for a purpose.

Remember wanting to be a firefighter or doctor as a kid?
You didn't exactly take care of what was necessary to become those idols at the time, but as you grew, you started to have a different idea of what a true idol in your life could be.

Some of you became accountants, and we know how much we love the math when it adds up in our favor.
Some of you became strong machines in sports, a reason to give other children the feeling of closeness with a parent, and a different idol in real life to want to at least be on the straight path to success, not just in the professional suit and tie world.
Some of you run a website.
Some of you run a dog shop.
Time is not ours to determine, but to make very every use of it as we could possibly use.
For many reasons we will never understand, almost every 7 years our taste develops.
The engine is wearing down, so you want to do less.
I say the engine's still good. Keep driving. Push for the limits if you have to.
Make no mistake about what you wanted in the first place. Just make sure you have time to stop and say hello and eat something, too.


And that's Real Talk.

The Sickness

The sickness is spreading.
Disturbed by the way things are headed, is there any time for relief?

The pockets of many are getting smaller.
Bills are increasing.
Daylight is the only sign of freedom.

E-Commerce is in a meltdown.
E-mailing seems to be the only form of connecting with one another.

We need to wake up.
We need to learn to breathe again.
We need to forget the ugly sides of things.
We need to remember those who showed us what it is to smile.

Direct deposit got your account number wrong.
Paypal is closed this week when you needed the extra $40.
Your credit card's APR increased without notice.
Your best friend is your worst enemy.

Today we say goodbye to the pain.
Today we say goodbye to the hate.
Today we say goodbye to the darkness.
Today we say hello, I'm still standing.

Today I will pet my dog or cat.
Today I will call my sibling.
Today I will not be the victim.
Today I will not be the sickness.

And that's Real Talk.

The Warrior

It's not about how many of this or that you can do.
It's not even about your accomplishments this past year, or even earlier.
It's never about how much better or worse you are than your so-called opponents.
It's not about how much change in your pocket.
It's not about the car in your driveway.
It's not about the world.

It's about the animal you are, and forever will be.
It's about the things you haven't done.
It's about the things you couldn't get off your chest in time.
It's about a passion left behind, not forgotten.
It's about the hunger in your stomach when you know your full.

You are the opponent of a lifetime that you have yet to face.
Every year you change, so the challenger in you does too.
Mistakes have been made, more are to come.
Last year's present could become this year's gift to someone without.
The eyes on your back, from any rise you've accomplished have set you back. Why?

The goal for today is to finish what you started.
Start what you have been thoughtful of.
Call a family member, relative or friend.
Change will come, if you ask for it.
Be careful what you wish for.

Never accept defeat.
Never settle for less.
Pave the road to greatness.
Pave the stones to your legacy.

You are the Warrior.
You are the reason why you woke up today.
Give the world back what it's given you.
Dust off any negative vibes.
Be the bigger person.
You are the hunter, not the hunted.

Someone is thinking of you, you are thinking of someone.
Send them a letter in the mail, or a call on the phone.
Today you forget texting or e-mails exists.
A voice makes the heart warm.

Appreciate your existence.
The Warrior never stops moving.
The Warrior never stops eating.
The Warrior never stops existing.
The Warrior never stops plotting.
The Warrior never stops.

Tomorrow you will face a new challenge. Lucky you.
Seriously.

And that's Real Talk.

Getting Paid

Worth.

What do we consider it.
We each have our own values. Whether it's family, friend, money, or living-oriented we all have set or predetermined values.

Did you ever think about self worth?
How much are you worth?

Many people encountered have always said the same thing.
"I gotta get paid."
Well, how do you suppose we as humans challenge ourselves, especially when we are inexperienced in our fields, even if it's a self owned business.

You might tend to overprice and under-price your skills.
When can we ever get the doe correct?

In this day and age, if you haven't noticed, gas has gone extremely high, while morale has gotten low.
You want to make that extra $5, because it's worth every penny in the 500 count. May not be a lot to some, but more than enough to others.
How do we determine value in oneself?

The recession has taken a huge toll on everyone. Cellphone bills, car payments, groceries, and what's coming up soon? The holidays. Presents for everyone, or will there be?

To get your math correct, you pretty much have to play the guessing game. You become the car salesman in a sense.
You start with one price, and then you adjust to get the sale. This happens in almost every aspect of life. Until you become the head honcho where you can afford to name any price and it is a global price, you might have to sacrifice a little bit at first.

I want the money now!
Sorry, it doesn't work that way.
When you're starting up your newest idea for a business, be in mind that no one has ever even heard of you. Those who have are your first customers.

If your price is 30 an hour or 15 an hour, be in mind you can get away with 20-25 easily. $30 an hour though, is too high if you already know you yourself wouldn't pay the price. Also, lowering your standards to where your not completely dissatisfied might achieve long term business. This is much better than the $30 an hour here and there. Now we're up to 20-25 consistently.

Long term outweighs short-term.
Be mindful of your talents, however. If you demand 30 and you feel the value itself is 35. I think we can manager saying no to a few people. Don;t get too caught up in the sale, it could be bad for business later on.

The hungrier you are, the less ego-centric you become.
Remember, a penny saved is a penny earned.
Don't let pride get in the way of a down the road opportunity.
But don't let yourself become a victim of short change.
Remember, quality brings quantity and so you don't have to settle for less, when the market is in your reach for a gain somewhere down the line.

Freebies.
There is nothing wrong with freebies. Freebies will get your portfolio out there quickly and efficiently. However, remember the rules of a dog. If you feed it enough times, it'll keep coming back for more without any thought of a different story. Feed me, feed me.
In this case, over-time short changing is most definitely in effect.
After say five projects, it is safe to assume that you don;t have to charge full price. Half of the normal value is even a little over-doing it for anyone who's helped you become successful. (Assuming a huge thank you and steak dinner was provided)
Charge 1/3 the price after a while. They will appreciate it, and you will appreciate yourself for not being a rag on the stool used for wiping down tables.
Be strong in your place.
Your not the bad person if the times are hard enough to ask for pennies.
Freebies are more than OK when business is booming.
If they're not, don't be afraid to ask for even a few dollars.
Your broke, not a joke.

If you have no business, this is where you drop your guard completely. You have no room for basing anything on anything. This period in the stage of becoming successful is not as long in the time period as you think. Things will change, and the past will be exactly what it is.

Be fair, don't get played out, and most importantly have faith in your ability. Things will work out.

And that's Real.

For Real For Real

Time is too short these days. Getting older, especially if boredom is a key factor to your downfall in the wake up trying to get back to a lifestyle or back on your workout routine or even back on your grind at work. There's always something pulling you back. When you let it, chaos and fast times.

If you haven't realized in your life that when you are doing good, things go wrong. Why? Why not is the real question. We need balance. You can't appreciate the good if you don't receive some bad. Call it math, karma, balance, whatever.

The key to success, whether it be business or pleasure, is to maintain your purpose.
Keep you eyes on the prize, and when the little things get in the way; Just Deal With Them.

You cannot postpone mundane activities if they are essential to your becoming.
Be wide open, and especially in tune with what is going on around you.
As much as you want to block out any haters, they are there for support whether you think so or not.

We are driven by challenge. A hater in this case, is a small challenge to throw you down when you are coming up. Notice, these people always have something bad to say, usually no positives either. Eat the comments, eat the hatred, and especially eat the negative vibes.
What doesn't kill you only makes you crazy enough to keep going. If you keep going, that craziness will pay off big time.

Anything worth while is long term. There is no such thing as a short term come-up that is big enough to impact. Even lottery players, spent over thousands of dollars in their lifetime tyo hit the mega millions. Some people only got their money back.

In essense, we as people need to drop what the fab is and do what the neccesarry requires us to do.
We are living short lives, and only cutting them shorter by wasting time on others who have no use in our journey's as humans to become better.
In all reality, you waste more time being bored and finding the next trend, than starting your own.

Take the movie, "Anger Management" (starring Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson), the one question you hear in this movie that sets off the entire mood is "Who are you?"
The way Adam Sandler answers is always incorrect. The right answer, is "me".

There are no rights or wrong, however. I can never preach what I cannot do myself.
Doing dirt, creates dirt. I too have done my share.
Believe what you need to believe, do what you feel you have to do. Just remember you are NOT alone. Think carefully, and be mindful of others when it comes to your doings. Consequences will take surface if it is necessary.

And that's Real.