living the american dream

[seasonedwell]

One more day under the belt

Day by day. It's getting better. The color is coming back, but slowly. The waves keep crashing, but the tide is receding. Thank God for LOVE. Love in all its forms is my fuel. Have faith that the supply is endless. #faith #love #family #ohana

[ajmvis]

shoutout to all the kids who

- grew up smart and lost it when they got to high school and dont know what happened

- are so bright but just cant focus academically

- are told their effort isnt good enough when in reality they just dont understand

- are too shy to ask for help and go without it and therefore dont reach the potential they know they have

- are brilliant in class but underperform in exams

- have to pretend that they dont care about their grades because they constantly underperform and dont want to look stupid

[seasonedwell]

Well said!!   You described me early on and certainly describe someone very near and dear to me who is struggling through sophomore year in college.  

[seasonedwell]

Angela seems focused on elementary age education, but this message is profound even for adults.   Ambivalence is the enemy of change and this message hopefully inspires you, to know that you matter and that every endeavor is worthwhile.   

[seasonedwell]

The Samaritan

It was cold and damp, a steely grey day typical of November in NYC.   No one was around, I was bored.   As I often did, I found things to keep my time occupied. Dog crap on the end of a stick chasing girls on my block was a favorite.   But no one was around now.  I was cold, nose red, chaffed, and running.  My lips were chapped.    Why was I even outside?   No one to play with, dad watching his college game day parlay sheet go to crap, mom smoking cigs and talking on the phone, and generally nothing to do inside our cramped house.   So I found myself just wandering up and down the block, freezing my little butt off.   Such is the life of a 6 year old in the Bronx!

I saw him first.   But when he saw me, he immediately altered his direction.   I froze as he approached me.   He lived next door in the house that was totally out of place in the sea of 1940′s red brick row houses I lived in.   To me his house was a mansion.   It stood alone, with 6 foot hedges encircling the property.   It was like a house from the suburbs, maybe Westchester, parked right here in Morris Park. The house was occupied by Him, his daughter, adn his grandson, who was 3 years older than me and taunted me whenever he had the chance.   The Man was old, with a black hat, black trench-coat, and walking cane.   I feared him.   Typically when I saw him, I ran inside.  But I could not move and he came right at me.  Once he approached, he reached out grabbing my chin hard, jerking my head up and twisting my face so my nose was pointed right into his glare.   He pushed his hat back with his cane.   His breadth smelled of garlic and his nose was swollen large nostrils and dark black heads.   His face was wrinkled with deep with dark lines.   In broken English he said “a boy, y dunt ya wipe u nosa?   Comma wit me, I taka care of you”, and he grabbed my arm directing me up his stairs and into his home.     I was helpless.   I was afraid.    But his eyes said “let me help you”.   

[seasonedwell]

Showing Up

Baseball is a game of failure.   How many endeavors in life allow you to fail 7 out of 10 times and be considered a “Hall of Fame” contributor??

College is an unforgiving environment, but a relatively safe place to “fail” when you think about it.    It is easy for a college student to give up and simply stop showing up for class when the going gets tough.   Yes it may cost you some money if you fail, but there is learning in failure.   The biggest lesson is simply showing up and working hard, despite the potential for failure.   Regardless of the outcome, you will learn and that stays with you for life!!   

Continuing the baseball metaphor, more plate appearances means more hits, despite the looming prospect of striking out or failing more times than you succeed!   Each time you swing the bat you get a little better and you learn a little more!!

Keep showing up, keep working hard, do your best to stay focused on what matters most.   Give it your best swing!!

Proverbs 14:23-24 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

[seasonedwell]

The Path

Proverbs22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

When do you know, as a father, if your child is walking a righteous path and what can you do to alter the path?    I have made many mistakes as a father, not always leading by the best example.   But in my heart I have always wanted only the best for my children.    I fret often if I have put my children on the best path and if the lessons I attempted will remind them how to find their way.   

Be mindful of the things you say that are not meant to hurt, but which can have lasting impact.   Be aware of your actions as they are always watching.   And pray hard that your children become what you always hoped they would, responsible and accountable adults who are humbled by God!!

[seasonedwell]

Off to college

Sending your first born off to #college is not easy. Watching them launch into adulthood is scary but fulfilling at the same time. Good luck to @martinditore and all the #armstrongstateuniversity #asu freshman.

[seasonedwell]

Missing his brother