Consultants have Intentions, so choose wisely

            Over time I have learned how invaluable, valueless and (sometimes lethal) advice can be. By now society is well aware the position and influence of “consultants.”

             Consultants are typically well aware and informed individuals or a team of individuals in which one seeks out for professional opinion/advice. In my opinion we all experience consultants, because they are merely the people speaking into our lives on a daily basis. They speak opinions, wisdom, good advice, bad advice, but nonetheless they speak from what I believe to be one of two sides of the fence.

From one side you have those who speak from experience, whether it’s actual physical encounters, or experience from what they may have heard, seen, or even studied.  They speak from what they have found to be valuable information and insight.

The other side is mere intention; they speak positive or negative based on their want, but always with intention. Intentions ranging from their greed or need for something they may acquire from you accepting their advice towards your final decision or move. It may refer to money, a girlfriend/boyfriend, a living situation, or even a job situation, but it is something that in the end will purposely benefit them, one way or another.

I have drawn to this conclusion based purely off experience. I have experienced both sides of the fence. I feel now that I have enough experience to distinguish the two. I write this to encourage and inform. Encourage, because I feel all individuals both young and old come across people on a daily basis with one of these two motives, some want to help you for the sake of helping, while others are unfortunately looking out for their own wellbeing.

Statistics (The Dream Killer)

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      More now than ever, we hear Professors, teachers, mentors, and other “sophisticated” news-watching, glued to the screen individuals spit out statistics. They act as if it’s required to stand aware of what in their eyes is the possible and not so possible. I witness individuals on a common basis place faith in, and make life-altering decisions based simply on what “studies” show. I on the other hand totally disagree with the method of statistic watching, and see statistics as nothing more than a breed of aids. 

      
     The media can tell us what’s wrong/what’s right, what’s a good risk/bad risk to take, but they can’t contribute anything to “fix” this disease, or contribute to the advancement. They cannot take away the disease, or prevent its havoc. They simply play the messenger role of the economy, acquire “studies” from God knows who/where, and report on national television what’s going on in our communities and society.

    
     Easy Example: Can you imagine Michael Jordan saying to himself (dang statistics show only this percentage of high school players who are cut make the team next year) or (dang, only this many people from my high school have went on to play college ball) I’ll leave the NBA example, the 6 time NBA Champion example, the MVP and All-Star examples to you. Just imagine him repeating to himself the odds, the negatives and just giving up because "statistics" told him the odds were stacked against him. It would have taken him NOWHERE!

     
     Chances are, you can pick anyone you view as successful and know without a shadow of a doubt that they paid ZERO attention to statistics. They made their own statistics. They created their own odds. They made their own path.

    
     Be encouraged, stay motivated, always inspired, always focused. Pay no mind to statistics or those who live in fear. Avoid the aids, and place bets EVERYWHERE. Failure is better than never trying. 

 

VENT AND BE SELFISH (SOMETIMES)

WARNING: VENTING

Dear Unhappy, Discontent, Fearful, and Sick & Tired,

i feel you.

I want to write a letter confronting this pretend comfort zone of “trusting in God,” or waiting for “your time” kind of thing. Many of us (especially college students/recent grads) use this when we are at the unsure stage in life. We have an idea of what we like but don’t really know which direction to follow or what steps to take first. I’m finally beginning to confront myself about this “trusting God” attitude. It’s becoming a universal excuse for the scared, fearful, and unsure. (In most cases)

I’ll leave it up to you to research and find the Bible verses to back up my opinionated rant, but from my understanding we are called to place our trust in the Lord. Amen. But trust does not mean to sit still and let life unfold however it plays out.

The “unsure” stage sucks. It’s awful, it’s draining, and embarrassing. No one likes to explain they’re less than appealing situation when they run into old friends, or people from school. Especially when it’s a situation you didn’t envision yourself taking part in. All of these situations you now find yourself in, are all situations you have made for yourself. I have confidence in my opinion that we are in that situation because one, we chose to be there, by our previous DECISIONS, THOUGHTS, ACTIONS dating back to however many months/years. Or two, we chose to sacrifice what it is we wanted to ensure that others may progress, or have a better life/circumstance. We simply chose their well being over our own.

Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians: 16-18

I read the Bible, or the word of God, however you like to say it, and I read literature, books, articles, whatever. You can eat from it all. Even lyrics/beats.

I encourage you to eat and serve, do what it is you love to do, do what God has given you that passion to do. But stay in line with His word. Don’t ignore the hunger inside of you of WANTING MORE FOR YOUR LIFE! God calls people to all different areas, positions, and powers of life, regardless of what you heard or have been taught to believe.

FOR THE MIND SET ON THE FLESH IS DEATH, BUT THE MIND SET ON THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE, BECAUSE THE MIND SET ON THE FLESH IS HOSTILE TOWARDS GOD; FOR IT DOES NOT SUBJECT ITSELF TO THE LAW OF GOD, FOR IT IS NOT EVEN ABLE TO DO SO, AND THOSE WHO ARE IN THE FLESH CANNOT PLEASE GOD. –ROMANS 8:6-8

These scriptures are small compared to the whole book, but they are little pieces of encouragement and advice. In order for a bible verse to be effective it has to remain in context. I don’t write these one or two verses to pull the text from its context, I write it as a preview of what God calls us to. But…that is another topic for another day.

I want to encourage you, while encouraging myself to refuse to get caught up in the excuse of saying “I’m trusting in God” while still living in DISCONTENT. Living in discontent means you’re not satisfied, correct? It’s not bad to want to be content and happy and advance in life! It’s not bad to search out what it is your heart desires, as long as above all else your desire is Christ, to love and find your desire to please Him above your desires for anything of this world. I’m just over the depressing mindset, and caged lifestyle many of us may cause on ourselves, or may have been taught growing up, by fearing that we will step out of “God’s will.” I’m tired of us trying to find contentment in working some job we hate and can’t grow or develop at! It’s okay to want for yourself! Stop living in fear of failure like I have been doing for a while. And let’s make these dreams happen!

Let’s change this mindset and make results.

-Mike

Club Paradise Tour Pics (from the Washington DC Show)

 A tribute with some of my favorite shots I captured at Drake's Club Paradise Tour

(In Washington D.C) 

#NOPHOTOSHOP

*ENJOY*

The Intro: My first day with Nike+ Fuel

So Monday my Nike Fuel band arrived. For many of you who are not up on this system through Nike + it is genius to say the least.

            At a glance, the band is designed with a system called “Nike-Fuel.” Nike Fuel is what you earn as you progress through the day with various activity/movement/exercise, earning you points called fuel.

Once you register and setup your Fuel Band through the directed link you are to download the software Nike+ Connect. This is what keeps record of your activity and daily goals/accomplishments as you sync your band. When first opening the application you are to enter your height and weight so that the band can record your calories/steps/fuel as accurate as possible.

           

After syncing your band, and setting up your account through Nike, you can also download the app to your phone, which is basically the same app you just downloaded onto your computer. Although, it does make it very convenient having the Nike+ Fuel band app on your phone so you can sync your data more frequently and also have easier access. The syncing on your smart-phone is done through Bluetooth.

           

Your band records your data, and there is one small button on your Nike Fuel band. This button is used for everything from syncing your band, to scrolling through your data (calories burned, steps taken, fuel earned, and the time).

           

When connected to your cell phone through Bluetooth, you simply hold down the button on the band, and it will read “Sync,” after a second or two, you than release the button and with the app opened on your phone or computer, you will notice it loading, this means your data from the band is syncing.

           

It’s very user friendly, and easy to get great use out of it. The Nike+ Fuel Band includes a charger, a charger stand, and a link-adjuster. The Nike Band comes with an extra link, so you can tighten the band if it happens to be too large. The bands only run from size small to large, and made me kind of skeptical at first to order a large because I am 6’4 245lbs and normally wear xl-xxl in everything. But sure enough the Large fit great, I even took out the extra link to make it more snug on my wrist. 

 (The tiny red dots are LED lights that grow lighter as you grow closer to your days goal)

           

I setup everything for my band Tuesday morning and began to “#makeitcount,” and sure enough surpassed my first days goal of 3000 Nike Fuel. (You set your goal previous to each day depending on the amount of activity you plan on doing and or committing your self to)

I have already spread the word and have several friends and family interested in the Nike+ Fuel Band and all it has to offer. Being that it has something to offer everyone, regardless if you play sports, or you’re just interested in getting more exercise and daily activity.  My Mother even had me order her one today, she wears a size small, and luckily they still had her size in stock on the Nike Store website.

I find the whole concept of this band genius, although it is not the first of it’s kind, I believe it is setting the bar far above anything else in its category. The band is sleek, and very lightweight, making it barely noticeable when moving around. Not to Mention NBA ALL-STAR Kevin Durant was wearing this band in this past years’ NBA 3-point shootout, so you be the judge.

           

I am so very impressed by the Nike+ Fuel Band because it is so simple yet holds the power to have such a huge impact on society. Not only does this whole system motivate one to be more active through their daily routine, but makes life similar to that of a game, challenging you every day to reach your goal and set the bar high. It gives one a chance to cross the finish line at the end of the day. It gives everyone and anyone that chance to have that sense of accomplishment that they did something contributing to a better quality of life.

            

  (Once you hit you goal and sync your band to your phone this little guy will celebrate with you)

 (The charger is super fresh too)

Overall the Nike+ Fuel Band is so much more than a calorie/step counter, it’s a challenge to a society that struggles with laziness and obesity, and can be the jump-start to a fresh new perspective on life. It’s a breakthrough and I believe the outcome is endless with Nike Fuel. Imagine everyone constantly pushing their selves to generate that much more activity each day in order to hit their goal. As corny as it may sound, everyone can be a winner with Nike+ Fuel. But, don’t take my word for it, just watch as this system continues to grow, and bands continue to sellout minutes after they release. The bands are only available online, and at select Nike Stores. You can follow @NikeStore or @NikeFuel on Twitter for more information regarding restock information, and more. So go grab yours! Good luck!

#makeitcount

-Mike