Strong.

My cousin wrote this to tell others about himself....

After 5 years as a Houstonian I am finally back in Oklahoma. Jerry Garcia once said "What a long strange trip it's been" and I couldn't agree with him more. From graduating in 2001 and moving to Houston to see the energy industry fail with 1500 of my coworkers and countless others without jobs it was a quick wake up call. Once things got back to normal my Mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I lost her in July 2004. Some people are embaressed about being labeled a Momma's boy, I embraced it and when I lost my Mom I lost a piece of my heart. I never imagined the pain, luckily for me I was raised in such a wonderful family. My Dad, brother and I along with the help of relatives were able to lean on each other and make the best of a horrible situation. They say 25 is supposed to be the year of years. I can honestly say it was my year from hell. I once heard a wise man say "That what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." After the turn my life took I didn't really know what to do so I took a job with an Energy Consulting firm and traveled the US. I saw a numerous cool cities, played Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill and had the luxury of living as a Californian without the outrageous cost of living. It was supposed to be my ticket back to Tulsa, or so I thought, then in February my life took another turn when I came across the William's Posting on the Web. I didn't figure that anyone actually looked at resume submissions via the web, but God was looking out for me and Williams gave me the call. After 2 interviews and a quick trip to Tulsa I had an offer waiting for me. It was too good to pass up and now I am finally back in the place I always called home. Even though my physical address has said Houston for the past 5 years Tulsa has always been my home. It's good to be back. If I could say I learned one thing from the past 5 years it is too make the most of every situation and appreciate those around you. My Mom always found the good in people and I have adopted that with every person I meet. My life now consists of spending time with the love of my life Nancy, work, golf, family and friends. I tend to stay low key and not get caught up in the hectic spin of the world around me.

It made me cry. It's all so true.

Just Breathe

Today....

I woke up late...
and ever since then I've felt behind.
I started making lists of things I need to get done, of things I need to take home, of things I need to get done/do while I'm at home....
Life seemed so short.
I felt like I could never get everything done that I need to get done, in life.

What a silly thought...
I spend so much time making lists, worrying about deadlines.
As I walked to class I decided I'll wait till tomorrow to go home.
Pack and load my car tonight. Maybe even have game night at little's. Sleep in tomorrow. Make up a yoga class tomorrow. Then I can go home and start on some homework. Make a few long over due calls to some Bayou friends.

Take some time to enjoy life...
Breathe...smile...be thankful.

Doubtful You...

I often times doubt myself.

I doubt whether I can really do something or not.

You wouldn't know it if you just saw me walking by.

I'm good at hiding my insecurities.

I'm not sure if I'm cut out for the ministry.

I see my peers, hear their conversations, watch how much they read...

and I think to myself...why don't I do that?

Why don't I think the way they think?

Why don't I ask the questions they ask?

But then I remember, I'm doing fine.

I'm thinking at my own personal level.

I don't need to compare myself to them...

I'm not them...

And then I smile,

keep pressing on,

thinking...dreaming...reaching...