Archive | Growth

My Basketball Story – Dealing with Can’t

Michael Jordan and I have a similar story. Except the part about six NBA Championships. It’s hard to grow up in the Michael Jordan era and not love basketball, especially when you share the same hometown. However, Jordan’s basketball domination didn’t start in the spotlight. When he was a sophomore at Laney High School in Wilmington, he was cut from the team. “You can’t play” That moment became a the driving force behind one of the greatest champions sports will ever […]

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How To Cultivate a Daily Habit of Journaling

My friend, Tom Morris, wrote a book called True Success. In it he imparts ancient wisdom from the philosophers of the past and shares his Seven C’s of Success. Tom has been an inspiration and encourager to me. This morning I wanted to give a tribute to him in my Seven C’s of Journaling! The Power of Journaling Journaling sparks your CREATIVITY Whether you believe it or not, you are creative. The human mind is a powerful thing, but we place […]

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What I Learned From an 18-Year Old Version of Myself

Known for its rich history, the Bahamian island of Bimini has been a temporary home to such great influencers as Earnest Hemingway, Jimmy Buffett, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legends of the Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth still linger in the salty Bahamian breeze as the culture speaks of its past. It was a mission trip with Young Life to this beautiful island that changed my life. I now know that this trip was the beginning of the story I am penning […]

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The Godfather and a water hose?

When you see ‘Godfather’ you get this image of Marlon Brando or Al Pacino in a strong italian accent saying, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” What a great movie! Certainly not for the faint at heart, but amazing acting and an amazing story of mafia life.  Any list worth its weight will have it as one of the top 10 of all-time.  But you see, for me, that concept of godfather wasn’t even part of my […]

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Baseball and Bimini: Making Right Decisions

Baseball was a way of life. Between my brother and I playing, Mom running the concession stand, and Dad coaching and umpiring, Winter Park Optimist was our second home. I can still hear the cheers from the sidelines, smell the freshly cut grass, and taste the sweat mixed with red clay. For the first eighteen years of my life, baseball was my identity. It was what I loved. You see, my dad was a great athlete growing up, but through a rare […]

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Stand Alone

As if Middle School isn’t Awkward Enough At eleven years old you’re faced with enough change in your life, the last thing you want is more. However, in addition to the internal challenges, I faced an ominous set of external challenges as I embarked into middle school. D.C. Virgo was a revamped inner city school and despite the fact that there were three other schools closer in proximity, I was bussed nearly eight miles away based on a Board of Education’s decision to […]

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What Were You Thinking?

Yesterday, while we were attempting to wash the twins up after dinner, I found our three-year old, Matthew, dumping out the trash. This was eventful and enjoyable for our dog, Stella, but not for Daddy. What are you thinking?! I honestly can’t remember if I yelled it aloud or not. As my anger subsided, I knew that this was an opportunity to teach my son. As I composed my emotions, I told him why we don’t dump out the trash and […]

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