Greetings Happy People,
For the first time in more than 30 years, I will be travelling outside the United States.
As I get a few things together, I stop and wonder if things will be alright. When I had this opportunity to travel outside my home country, the one thing I made sure I do is to get on my knees and pray for not only a safe vacation, but also a safe return back home to Las Vegas for my wife and I. After doing that, I had a feeling that no matter what happens, we will be alright. Why? Because I choose to put my faith in God's hands.
If I am able to do that, I can remove a great deal of worry and concern that could come with this upcoming travel. Folks, a little prayer can do a whole lot.
For every friend, family member, and loved ones that have concerns about travelling anywhere around the world, remember that the best thing to do is to get on your knees, put your hands together, and say a prayer with your heart and your words.
Believe me, God will be listening to what you have to say.
Any form of prayer can work for any situation. One does not have to travel many miles to receive a prayer. Whether you have concerns or want to give well wishes for someone that lives in the same country, town, or neighborhood, a little prayer can still do a whole lot. Never get too big to get on your knees and talk to God. Who knows? It will work!!!
Even if you know someone that has crossed over, you can still pray for their soul and hope that they are in a good place. A good prayer from the heart knows no boundaries.
Like Dana and I, there are also other people that are travelling to different places.It doesn't matter if the destination is to another country, a workplace, or up the street, as long as you pray for their travels and wish them well, it will continue to be in God's hands and there is no safer place than that.
So when you have those concerns about a person you care about, remember that a little prayer can do a whole lot.
At least you know that when you pray, you are not only right with that person you are praying for, you are also right within yourself for the journey that will be taken.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Friday, August 15, 2014
Monday, August 4, 2014
Mr.III's Leadership Diary: Lesson 2 - Let It Go Dude, Let It Go.....
Greetings Happy People,
No matter what leadership role you take on, there is always that one person that is willing to test your patience.
This person will go to different levels and find different ways to get under your skin.
Whether the methods are by email, social network, phone call, or face to face, this person will not stop until you lose it.
Sadly, there are people like that in Toastmasters.
What is the best way to deal with these people?
One thing NOT to do is literally fight back. If you try to get down to their level, they will not only win, but you will lose.
You will lose your cool. You will lose your credibility. You will lose your freedom. You even might lose your leadership role AND your membership in Toastmasters.
Fighting fire with fire not only creates a bigger fire, it also creates greater damage. The next time someone gets under your skin, remember to tell yourself that it is not worth getting into this person's unnecessary battle and drama. It is not worth losing what you have over someone's foolishness.
Remember that when you take on a leadership role in this organization, you are under a microscope. The higher the leadership role, the finer the microscope gets. People are watching your moves, your words, and your situations. One slip up and it can come back to haunt you. Remember that you are not only serving the community in you area, division, or district, you are also a representative of Toastmasters International.
It pays to keep your cool and remain professional. If there are people that want to test your mettle by being a jerk, all I got to say is just let it go. You do not even have to move one finger because karma exists and will get that person in return.
Once you are able to use your head and let some things go, you will look good by becoming the better person that will always come out on top.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse Oakley I-I-I
No matter what leadership role you take on, there is always that one person that is willing to test your patience.
This person will go to different levels and find different ways to get under your skin.
Whether the methods are by email, social network, phone call, or face to face, this person will not stop until you lose it.
Sadly, there are people like that in Toastmasters.
What is the best way to deal with these people?
One thing NOT to do is literally fight back. If you try to get down to their level, they will not only win, but you will lose.
You will lose your cool. You will lose your credibility. You will lose your freedom. You even might lose your leadership role AND your membership in Toastmasters.
Fighting fire with fire not only creates a bigger fire, it also creates greater damage. The next time someone gets under your skin, remember to tell yourself that it is not worth getting into this person's unnecessary battle and drama. It is not worth losing what you have over someone's foolishness.
Remember that when you take on a leadership role in this organization, you are under a microscope. The higher the leadership role, the finer the microscope gets. People are watching your moves, your words, and your situations. One slip up and it can come back to haunt you. Remember that you are not only serving the community in you area, division, or district, you are also a representative of Toastmasters International.
It pays to keep your cool and remain professional. If there are people that want to test your mettle by being a jerk, all I got to say is just let it go. You do not even have to move one finger because karma exists and will get that person in return.
Once you are able to use your head and let some things go, you will look good by becoming the better person that will always come out on top.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse Oakley I-I-I
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Mr.III's Leadership Diary: Lesson 1 - The Prologue
Greetings Happy People,
As the new District leaders wrap up their first month of service to the Toastmasters organization, I would personally like to share some words of wisdom with you. Knowing that I have been through the different levels of District leadership (Area Governor, Division Governor, Lt. Governor, and District Governor), I have plenty of things to say about the ride I have been through. Many were great learning lessons that I hope to share with those that read this upcoming series.
Some of the stories I tell will have some words of wisdom. Others may lean on the edge of controversy. And I also have those words to mention that are "interesting." Either way, these stories are from the vision of yours truly, the eyes of Mr. I-I-I.
For the people that are starting their new roles are Area Governor, Division, Governor, Lt. Governor, and District Governor, allow me to say congratulations. You are taking on an incredible responsibility that will not only define you, but also your legacy as a leader and as a person. Remember to serve the community to the best of your ability, never get carried away on your leadership title, and always determine what holds great priority.
This type of leadership is not for everyone. It takes a special person to take on these roles and the other things that come along with it - good things, bad things, and anything else in between. You have the power and the ability to write your story with how you want your chapter to end on June 30th. Despite the challenges that come from the outside, you have the inside power to create your story. The question is what do you want your story to be? A comedy? A tragedy? A drama? An adventure? A success?
It's all up to you!!!
Who knows? You may have your own story to tell when it is all done!!!
Now let's begin!!!
As the new District leaders wrap up their first month of service to the Toastmasters organization, I would personally like to share some words of wisdom with you. Knowing that I have been through the different levels of District leadership (Area Governor, Division Governor, Lt. Governor, and District Governor), I have plenty of things to say about the ride I have been through. Many were great learning lessons that I hope to share with those that read this upcoming series.
Some of the stories I tell will have some words of wisdom. Others may lean on the edge of controversy. And I also have those words to mention that are "interesting." Either way, these stories are from the vision of yours truly, the eyes of Mr. I-I-I.
For the people that are starting their new roles are Area Governor, Division, Governor, Lt. Governor, and District Governor, allow me to say congratulations. You are taking on an incredible responsibility that will not only define you, but also your legacy as a leader and as a person. Remember to serve the community to the best of your ability, never get carried away on your leadership title, and always determine what holds great priority.
This type of leadership is not for everyone. It takes a special person to take on these roles and the other things that come along with it - good things, bad things, and anything else in between. You have the power and the ability to write your story with how you want your chapter to end on June 30th. Despite the challenges that come from the outside, you have the inside power to create your story. The question is what do you want your story to be? A comedy? A tragedy? A drama? An adventure? A success?
It's all up to you!!!
Who knows? You may have your own story to tell when it is all done!!!
Now let's begin!!!
Saturday, July 19, 2014
We Must Continue......
Greetings People,
Before I get started with this post, I would like to say that my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends that lost a loved one on the two Malaysian Airline flights this year. I would also like to give my thoughts and prayers to families that are going through difficult situations in Israel, the Gaza strip, and anywhere in the Middle East. This may sound like a stretch, but I wish this conflict could end on a peaceful note. It may be miles away, but if one step is taken.....all hope is not lost.
It doesn't matter if I take an international flight, or a flight across the country.
It doesn't matter if I drive across the country, or across the states of Nevada or California.
It doesn't matter if I take a simple drive to Wal-Mart.
No matter where one is, anything can happen at any given moment and any given time. The key thing is that we must continue to live our lives the best way we can. We may have fear about certain things, but that don't mean that fear has to have us. If we let fear control us, we can never live.
About a month ago, the city of Las Vegas lost two police officers in a senseless violent tragedy. They were having lunch at a pizzeria near my neighborhood when they were gunned down by two sick-minded individuals on a Sunday morning. This section was blocked off for the whole day as the police investigated the whole crime scene. When the area was opened up that Monday morning, a Toastmasters club I belong to had a decision to make. The club could decide to continue to meet at the nearby Olive Garden or cancel the meeting. Before the official decision was made, the President of that Toastmaster club said that no matter what happens, we must not let fear prevent us from continuing to meet. The best course is to keep moving forward. Those words were so powerful that we decided to have our Toastmasters meeting.
For those people that think that they are safe in the comfort of their own homes, I have two words to tell you....THINK AGAIN. Things can happen in our homes too. There was a friend I knew named Renee B. I met her a many social gatherings with her friend Diana. Those two were always the life of the party. Whenever I see those two walk through the door, I would say "Let the party begin." I always enjoyed their company and remember the good times that I shared with them. All of that would change Tuesday evening March 5, 2013.
As I was getting ready for a Toastmaster meeting at my home club, I glanced at a news story about a murder-suicide that happened at a home in nearby Henderson, Nevada. In the back of my mind, I hope that it was nobody I knew. However, I had a strange feeling that told me otherwise. It was not until the following morning that I found out who was involved in this tragedy. When I found out via online, I was shocked, saddened, and completely devastated.
Refusing to believe who it was, I called Diana and said "Please tell me that what I am reading is not true." She confirmed that it was true. The victim in this murder-suicide was my friend and fellow Gael, Dr. Renee Bassett. To this day, I still can't understand why a good person can be taken from us way too soon. She is still missed to this day.
People, the examples I have given you are examples that no matter where you are, terrible things can happen. It doesn't matter if you are flying over the Ukraine, having lunch at a pizzeria in Las Vegas, or in the comfort of a home, things can happen.
As terrible as these things are, we must not let the fear of these things affect our lives. It may be okay to remember, but we must continue to live our lives. It is better to open the door and know instead of keeping the door closed and never knowing at all.
If anything were to happen to me, only one would know....and that would be God. When God tells me that it's my time, I hope that I would have lived a good and blessed life that I shared with friends, family, and loved ones. I also hope that I would be remembered for more good than bad. Until I get that word from God, I am going to continue to live the best life I know how. There maybe a chance that I would have a small amount of fear in me, but I will do my best to not let it get me for the world is a big place and out of this big world there are still some good things that can be done.
No matter what happens in life, remember to live it. Only you have the ability to conquer any false evidences appearing real and come out on top. As long as you are still on this planet, you can still do it!!!
That is all I have to say. Take care and thank you for your time and attention!!!
Sincerely,
Mr. I-I-I
Before I get started with this post, I would like to say that my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends that lost a loved one on the two Malaysian Airline flights this year. I would also like to give my thoughts and prayers to families that are going through difficult situations in Israel, the Gaza strip, and anywhere in the Middle East. This may sound like a stretch, but I wish this conflict could end on a peaceful note. It may be miles away, but if one step is taken.....all hope is not lost.
It doesn't matter if I take an international flight, or a flight across the country.
It doesn't matter if I drive across the country, or across the states of Nevada or California.
It doesn't matter if I take a simple drive to Wal-Mart.
No matter where one is, anything can happen at any given moment and any given time. The key thing is that we must continue to live our lives the best way we can. We may have fear about certain things, but that don't mean that fear has to have us. If we let fear control us, we can never live.
About a month ago, the city of Las Vegas lost two police officers in a senseless violent tragedy. They were having lunch at a pizzeria near my neighborhood when they were gunned down by two sick-minded individuals on a Sunday morning. This section was blocked off for the whole day as the police investigated the whole crime scene. When the area was opened up that Monday morning, a Toastmasters club I belong to had a decision to make. The club could decide to continue to meet at the nearby Olive Garden or cancel the meeting. Before the official decision was made, the President of that Toastmaster club said that no matter what happens, we must not let fear prevent us from continuing to meet. The best course is to keep moving forward. Those words were so powerful that we decided to have our Toastmasters meeting.
For those people that think that they are safe in the comfort of their own homes, I have two words to tell you....THINK AGAIN. Things can happen in our homes too. There was a friend I knew named Renee B. I met her a many social gatherings with her friend Diana. Those two were always the life of the party. Whenever I see those two walk through the door, I would say "Let the party begin." I always enjoyed their company and remember the good times that I shared with them. All of that would change Tuesday evening March 5, 2013.
As I was getting ready for a Toastmaster meeting at my home club, I glanced at a news story about a murder-suicide that happened at a home in nearby Henderson, Nevada. In the back of my mind, I hope that it was nobody I knew. However, I had a strange feeling that told me otherwise. It was not until the following morning that I found out who was involved in this tragedy. When I found out via online, I was shocked, saddened, and completely devastated.
Refusing to believe who it was, I called Diana and said "Please tell me that what I am reading is not true." She confirmed that it was true. The victim in this murder-suicide was my friend and fellow Gael, Dr. Renee Bassett. To this day, I still can't understand why a good person can be taken from us way too soon. She is still missed to this day.
People, the examples I have given you are examples that no matter where you are, terrible things can happen. It doesn't matter if you are flying over the Ukraine, having lunch at a pizzeria in Las Vegas, or in the comfort of a home, things can happen.
As terrible as these things are, we must not let the fear of these things affect our lives. It may be okay to remember, but we must continue to live our lives. It is better to open the door and know instead of keeping the door closed and never knowing at all.
If anything were to happen to me, only one would know....and that would be God. When God tells me that it's my time, I hope that I would have lived a good and blessed life that I shared with friends, family, and loved ones. I also hope that I would be remembered for more good than bad. Until I get that word from God, I am going to continue to live the best life I know how. There maybe a chance that I would have a small amount of fear in me, but I will do my best to not let it get me for the world is a big place and out of this big world there are still some good things that can be done.
No matter what happens in life, remember to live it. Only you have the ability to conquer any false evidences appearing real and come out on top. As long as you are still on this planet, you can still do it!!!
That is all I have to say. Take care and thank you for your time and attention!!!
Sincerely,
Mr. I-I-I
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Did You Forget All Of That?!!
Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute....
Did you forget the helping hand?
Did you forget the time that was spent?
Did you forget the fun had by all?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
Did you forget the running that was done?
Did you forget the clubs that were saved?
Did you forget the service that was given?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
Did you forget the heart that I have?
Did you forget the mentoring advice?
Did you forget the handing of the reigns?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
Did you forget the one by your side?
Did you forget the steps that were made?
Did you forget the efforts it took?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
Did you forget the facts in the brain?
Did you forget the plans that were set?
Did you forget that this was not easy?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
You can believe what you want to believe.
You can say what you want to say.
You can do what you want to do.
But no matter where you walk, where you go, or what you think....
I HOPE you didn't forget all of that!!!
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Mr. I-I-I
Did you forget the helping hand?
Did you forget the time that was spent?
Did you forget the fun had by all?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
Did you forget the running that was done?
Did you forget the clubs that were saved?
Did you forget the service that was given?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
Did you forget the heart that I have?
Did you forget the mentoring advice?
Did you forget the handing of the reigns?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
Did you forget the one by your side?
Did you forget the steps that were made?
Did you forget the efforts it took?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
Did you forget the facts in the brain?
Did you forget the plans that were set?
Did you forget that this was not easy?
Tell me...Did you forget all of that?!!
You can believe what you want to believe.
You can say what you want to say.
You can do what you want to do.
But no matter where you walk, where you go, or what you think....
I HOPE you didn't forget all of that!!!
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Mr. I-I-I
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The Honeymoon's Not Over
Greetings Happy People,
I'm Baaaaack!!!
As I write this message to you, lots of good things happened to me.
First, I got a promotion at my job.
Then I stepped into the role of District Governor for my Toastmasters community in southern Nevada and central California
Speaking of which, my face was on the front page of the website. CLICK HERE to check it out.
And there was one more thing - I JUST GOT MARRIED!!! YAY!!!
That's right, Happy People!! Mr. I-I-I is now a married man!! On July 1st, I celebrated my union with my beloved wife Dana and some amazing folks. Before we tied the knot, Dana and I have been going out for four years. Call me crazy, but I think this marriage will be awesome.
After the wedding celebration, we went to our "mini-moon" at the Luxor and had a great time. It is amazing what free upgrades you can get when one wears a tuxedo and the other wears a bridal gown. I was wearing the tuxedo.
Our big honeymoon will take place next month in beautiful Orlando, Florida!! We are so looking forward to that :o)
I'm Baaaaack!!!
As I write this message to you, lots of good things happened to me.
First, I got a promotion at my job.
Then I stepped into the role of District Governor for my Toastmasters community in southern Nevada and central California
Speaking of which, my face was on the front page of the website. CLICK HERE to check it out.
And there was one more thing - I JUST GOT MARRIED!!! YAY!!!
That's right, Happy People!! Mr. I-I-I is now a married man!! On July 1st, I celebrated my union with my beloved wife Dana and some amazing folks. Before we tied the knot, Dana and I have been going out for four years. Call me crazy, but I think this marriage will be awesome.
After the wedding celebration, we went to our "mini-moon" at the Luxor and had a great time. It is amazing what free upgrades you can get when one wears a tuxedo and the other wears a bridal gown. I was wearing the tuxedo.
Our big honeymoon will take place next month in beautiful Orlando, Florida!! We are so looking forward to that :o)
Twenty-one days have passed and as I think about
this in depth, I am glad that I made the right choice that Christmas night in
2009 when I proposed to her. It was a wise decision, indeed.
As we acquaint ourselves as man and wife, I also wonder what other couples go through in their marriages. Today, there are
couples out there that fight over things like money, jobs, or sex. Some of these
arguments can get nasty and bitter. Strong couples can weather through
these minor storms for better sails. Others would let the ship sink and are
either left drowning or holding on to someone's dinghy.
Either way, it is
better for someone to take the time to know a person before going into a serious
commitment like marriage.The great philosopher Elvis Presley said "Wise
men say only fools rush in." I am thankful that I did not rush into this
relationship and had the time to get to know Dana. It certainly paid off now,
and will pay off in the long run.
As I write this message to you, I can tell you that this is only the beginning. While it is true that Dana and I have been going out for a while, this is something new for the both of us. Will there be challenges along the way? Yes, but there will be more good fortunes too!! Once we can take the time to be grateful and appreciate the good things in our lives, the honeymoon will never be over!!
As I write this message to you, I can tell you that this is only the beginning. While it is true that Dana and I have been going out for a while, this is something new for the both of us. Will there be challenges along the way? Yes, but there will be more good fortunes too!! Once we can take the time to be grateful and appreciate the good things in our lives, the honeymoon will never be over!!
That is all I have
for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Sunday, June 17, 2012
That Monday Morning in February
Greetings People,
I remember this day with two different types of emotions. One is with a heavy heart and the other is with gratitude.
While some people are celebrating and remembering their fathers on this day, I am getting through this day in a very different fashion. So far, so good.
To understand this story, let's go back to Monday morning, February 27, 2012.
As I was getting ready for my day at work, I got a phone call from my mother. She wanted me to come to the house as soon as possible. At first I was reluctant, but decided to head over there. On my way to the Oakley home, I get another phone call. It was from my little sister Crystal. As I answered the phone, I noticed she was crying. It was at that moment I said, "Oh shit. This is not good at all."
When I got to the house, the ambulance had just left the house. I asked my mother what was going on. She said that she found my dad unconscious in the bathroom. She was talking to him as he was getting ready for his dialysis appointment. The last word he told her was "okay." Then she noticed a long period of silence......" When she walked into the bathroom, she saw him on the bathroom floor. She screamed so loud that it alerted my sisters, nieces, and nephews. My older sister Rita tried to perform CPR on him, it did not work. Rita dialed 9-1-1 and the paramedics soon arrived.
As we left the Oakley home, we went to nearby Summerlin hospital in Las Vegas. We walked into the emergency room and the paramedics tried to get all of us into the consolation room. It was then, that we knew.
30 years with diabetes.
15 years of surgeries and hospital stays.
5 years of dialysis.
All of this culminated to that Monday morning in February.
He suffered a heart attack with some fluid in his lungs. He went real quick. No goodbyes. No farewells. No words to let us know.
It was the similar way that my grandfather left. When he left in that fashion back in 1979, my dad was 36. When my dad left, I was 36.
The last conversation I remember having with him was picking him up from his last dialysis appointment the Friday before. We talked about car care and wondered when his mother was going to get their car services. I also remember getting his favorite meal from Burger King - a Whopper value meal. I would never thought that those would be my last moments with him.
As I type this message to you now, I can say that I had a great dad. The times, the talks, the wisdom, the memories, I would not trade them with anyone. If it had not been for him, I would not become the man I am today.
If you have a dad, please spend some time with him. Let him know that you love him. If you lost a dad, think of the good memories you have of him. Let him know that he is remembered.
As for me, time may go on. Days may pass by. But I will never forget the time I have with the Ol' Man.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
I remember this day with two different types of emotions. One is with a heavy heart and the other is with gratitude.
While some people are celebrating and remembering their fathers on this day, I am getting through this day in a very different fashion. So far, so good.
To understand this story, let's go back to Monday morning, February 27, 2012.
As I was getting ready for my day at work, I got a phone call from my mother. She wanted me to come to the house as soon as possible. At first I was reluctant, but decided to head over there. On my way to the Oakley home, I get another phone call. It was from my little sister Crystal. As I answered the phone, I noticed she was crying. It was at that moment I said, "Oh shit. This is not good at all."
When I got to the house, the ambulance had just left the house. I asked my mother what was going on. She said that she found my dad unconscious in the bathroom. She was talking to him as he was getting ready for his dialysis appointment. The last word he told her was "okay." Then she noticed a long period of silence......" When she walked into the bathroom, she saw him on the bathroom floor. She screamed so loud that it alerted my sisters, nieces, and nephews. My older sister Rita tried to perform CPR on him, it did not work. Rita dialed 9-1-1 and the paramedics soon arrived.
As we left the Oakley home, we went to nearby Summerlin hospital in Las Vegas. We walked into the emergency room and the paramedics tried to get all of us into the consolation room. It was then, that we knew.
30 years with diabetes.
15 years of surgeries and hospital stays.
5 years of dialysis.
All of this culminated to that Monday morning in February.
He suffered a heart attack with some fluid in his lungs. He went real quick. No goodbyes. No farewells. No words to let us know.
It was the similar way that my grandfather left. When he left in that fashion back in 1979, my dad was 36. When my dad left, I was 36.
The last conversation I remember having with him was picking him up from his last dialysis appointment the Friday before. We talked about car care and wondered when his mother was going to get their car services. I also remember getting his favorite meal from Burger King - a Whopper value meal. I would never thought that those would be my last moments with him.
As I type this message to you now, I can say that I had a great dad. The times, the talks, the wisdom, the memories, I would not trade them with anyone. If it had not been for him, I would not become the man I am today.
If you have a dad, please spend some time with him. Let him know that you love him. If you lost a dad, think of the good memories you have of him. Let him know that he is remembered.
As for me, time may go on. Days may pass by. But I will never forget the time I have with the Ol' Man.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
It Ain't the End of the World
Greetings Happy People,
Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of doing a radio interview with friend and fellow Toastmaster Mike Keeler.
He has a radio show called "You and Your Money" and he would talk about different financial related items.
On this special episode, we talked about Toastmasters.
Before the radio show, I felt a little nervous. I did not know why because I have done many radio interviews before. Heck, I met my soon to be bride on a radio show. For me to feel a little nervous about this is a little unusual.
As I went into the interview everything started off a little nervous. Then, it happened.
As I was talking about examples on how Toastmasters can help different people, I stumbled on a certain word. Luckily, no "pharmaceutical schools" were damaged in this verbal foul up.
It would have been very easy to let this goof up bring the whole radio interview down, but it went in the completely opposite direction. After my mistake, I was able to laugh it off and become better at this interview.
For the rest of that hour, I was having more fun with the questions, the interview, and using that word of the day "pharmaceutical." At the end, I felt a lot better than I did before I went in.
In life, we have times where we are unsure about how things will go. Sometimes we let fear get the best of us. But once that foul up happens, you have a choice in how to handle it. Luckily, my choice was to laugh it off and just have fun with. Fortunately, it paid off for me.
Imagine if I were to take the other direction. Chances are it would have been excruciating to the ears for many people that listened to that radio show.
You have a choice in what you can do after a mistake. Are you going to let it beat you down or are you going to laugh it off and have the best fun you can with it? If you choose the latter, you will be better off. You will learn. You will grow. You will have fun.
If I can laugh off a mistake and learn from it, so can you!! It ain't the end of the world!! It can only be the beginning!!
That is all I have for now, take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of doing a radio interview with friend and fellow Toastmaster Mike Keeler.
He has a radio show called "You and Your Money" and he would talk about different financial related items.
On this special episode, we talked about Toastmasters.
Before the radio show, I felt a little nervous. I did not know why because I have done many radio interviews before. Heck, I met my soon to be bride on a radio show. For me to feel a little nervous about this is a little unusual.
As I went into the interview everything started off a little nervous. Then, it happened.
As I was talking about examples on how Toastmasters can help different people, I stumbled on a certain word. Luckily, no "pharmaceutical schools" were damaged in this verbal foul up.
It would have been very easy to let this goof up bring the whole radio interview down, but it went in the completely opposite direction. After my mistake, I was able to laugh it off and become better at this interview.
For the rest of that hour, I was having more fun with the questions, the interview, and using that word of the day "pharmaceutical." At the end, I felt a lot better than I did before I went in.
In life, we have times where we are unsure about how things will go. Sometimes we let fear get the best of us. But once that foul up happens, you have a choice in how to handle it. Luckily, my choice was to laugh it off and just have fun with. Fortunately, it paid off for me.
Imagine if I were to take the other direction. Chances are it would have been excruciating to the ears for many people that listened to that radio show.
You have a choice in what you can do after a mistake. Are you going to let it beat you down or are you going to laugh it off and have the best fun you can with it? If you choose the latter, you will be better off. You will learn. You will grow. You will have fun.
If I can laugh off a mistake and learn from it, so can you!! It ain't the end of the world!! It can only be the beginning!!
That is all I have for now, take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Monday, June 4, 2012
Cultural Wasteland
Greetings Happy People,
As I flipped through the channels, I see plenty of television shows I used to watch as a kid. Many of them had entertaining situations, challenging scenarios, and a valued message to leave behind at the end. These shows from the 70's, 80's, and early 90's were outstanding.
After watching these shows, I ask myself this following question.......
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH TODAY'S TV PROGRAMMING??!!!"
Today, we have shows that either miss the point, poison our minds with useless dribble, or just don't care anymore. If television is a reflection of today's society, we are not only heading towards a cultural wasteland, but UNDER it. It is at the point where the only channel I care to watch is ESPN. It is a complete and downright shame.
Twenty five years ago, we had shows like Family Ties, The Cosby Show, and 227. Now we have Survivor, Jersey Shore, and Basketball Wives. What happened? Have these Hollywood executives lowered the standards to the point where they can put ANYTHING on television for a price? This makes me want to shake my head in disappointment.
Thankfully, I have other options than to watch today's mindless dribble some people call entertainment. I can enjoy my favorite hobbies. I can step outside and enjoy any beautiful scenery that is out there. I can even spend quality time with friends and family.Many of these things are more captivating that what can be seen on television. Unlike the pseudo-reality mess that is being shown on a daily basis, I choose to do other worthwhile things.
It frightens me how minds are eaten away by this garbage. If television is like this right now, I dread to imagine what it will be like in the year 2027.
Are you sick and tired of what is being seen on today's television? If you are, remember that you do not have to put up with it. You have many choices in what you can do with your life. After all, it is better than having your mind erode away with unnecessary drama. Remember, you have the ability to turn off the pseudo-reality shows and turn on the reality of something better.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
As I flipped through the channels, I see plenty of television shows I used to watch as a kid. Many of them had entertaining situations, challenging scenarios, and a valued message to leave behind at the end. These shows from the 70's, 80's, and early 90's were outstanding.
After watching these shows, I ask myself this following question.......
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH TODAY'S TV PROGRAMMING??!!!"
Today, we have shows that either miss the point, poison our minds with useless dribble, or just don't care anymore. If television is a reflection of today's society, we are not only heading towards a cultural wasteland, but UNDER it. It is at the point where the only channel I care to watch is ESPN. It is a complete and downright shame.
Twenty five years ago, we had shows like Family Ties, The Cosby Show, and 227. Now we have Survivor, Jersey Shore, and Basketball Wives. What happened? Have these Hollywood executives lowered the standards to the point where they can put ANYTHING on television for a price? This makes me want to shake my head in disappointment.
Thankfully, I have other options than to watch today's mindless dribble some people call entertainment. I can enjoy my favorite hobbies. I can step outside and enjoy any beautiful scenery that is out there. I can even spend quality time with friends and family.Many of these things are more captivating that what can be seen on television. Unlike the pseudo-reality mess that is being shown on a daily basis, I choose to do other worthwhile things.
It frightens me how minds are eaten away by this garbage. If television is like this right now, I dread to imagine what it will be like in the year 2027.
Are you sick and tired of what is being seen on today's television? If you are, remember that you do not have to put up with it. You have many choices in what you can do with your life. After all, it is better than having your mind erode away with unnecessary drama. Remember, you have the ability to turn off the pseudo-reality shows and turn on the reality of something better.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Knowing the Speed Limits
Greetings Happy People,
I live in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.
This city is not only known for the amazing casinos and the
glimmering lights, but also for the interesting traffic.
In some areas of the valley, you see plenty of bustling
freeways with all types of vehicles moving from one end of town to the other.
Some go blinding fast while others go at a snail’s pace. Add some side landmarks
and you got an even more interesting ride. There are many important landmarks on
the Las Vegas highways. Some are as beautiful as the desert artwork on the
walls. Others are not as beautiful as those orange cones and drums. But for me, the most
important landmark is the speed limit sign.
Why the speed limit sign? It tells the driver how fast they
can go on certain roads. Unfortunately, some Las Vegas drivers have
misinterpret the definition of “limit.” On any given day in this city, you have drivers going 30-40 miles an hour over the speed limit. In the same
breath, you have other drivers going 20 miles under the speed limit on the far left
lane of traffic.
If these folks don’t know how fast they’re supposed to go,
they can get in lots of trouble. The consequences can range from a traffic
ticket to a thirteen car pile up. Either way, it is not fun to receive this type
of punishment.
Instead of freeways, what if we put this logic to what we do
in our daily lives? Instead of driving from the Las Vegas strip to Hoover Dam,
why don’t we see this as going from start to finish on an assignment?
One of my problems involves completing a goal. Many times, I
go too fast. Few times, I go too slow. Either way, I have to learn how to manage
and control my speed.
If I were to go too fast on things, it can create haste. I
may get there first, but there are some things that can be overlooked. At
this point, I need to STOP, REVIEW, and THINK about any moves I need to make
before I reach my goal.
If I were to go too slow on things, it can create waste. I
may take my time, but there are some things that causes me to impede things.
Whether it is by fear, procrastination, complacency, or any other obstruction,
it can create a waste of time for me and anyone else that is involved. At this
point, I need to just KEEP GOING and STAY FOCUSED on the task at hand.
When it comes to those goals and deadlines in my life, it
doesn’t hurt to have a few speed limit signs along the way. These signs are
helpful for me to maintain that good running speed so I do not go over board or under arrest.
It is okay to have some speed limits in your journey. If we
don’t have them, how fast could we get from one point to the other?
Knowing how
fast to go prevents us from getting into any unnecessary accidents.
Knowing how
fast to go establishes our credibility as very good drivers.
Knowing how fast to
go makes us better prepared for any road that lies ahead of us.
Once we are able to know our speed limits, we will be able to
have a better drive on the directions we choose to take. All it takes is us to
understand where we want to go and how fast we want to get there.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your
time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Sheep's Clothing
Greetings Happy People,
Never lose faith in yourself. Never lose faith in your God. Those two things will be saving graces when you face your challenging times.
People may talk about certain things, but it is the true colors that will always come shining through. It may be as colorful as a rainbow or as gray as the darkest storms. No matter what happens, never let them deter your own vision of certain things in life.
When my dad passed last February, my family and I were going through some challenging times. One of which was to find a church that would hold a funeral service. Through this experience, you can say that a lot of churches have shown their true colors.
One church my family went to wanted a ridiculously high amount of money just to perform the service. Another church we use to go to would not give us the time of day because we had no immediate family members that belong there. A third one wanted more money than the first one. When we finally found a church that was willing to perform the service, let's just say that they were marginal at best.
The service was okay, but there were two things that had my eyebrows raised. The first one was the fact that the church offered their condolence to my eldest sister and her husband for the loss of my dad. No mention of my mother, no mention of myself, and no mention of the rest of the immediate family.
WHAT??!!!
I did not care if my eldest sister is a member of that church, the oversight made by them was not right at all.
The second thing was the preacher talking about how Obama was the greatest President ever. I know he was trying to connect the message with how he and my father were great men in what they have done, but he could have done without the political tones. I knew people at the service that were not big fans of Barack Obama and they were from different races. He skated on thin ice with that beginning as my mother and I looked at each other with real concern on our faces.
Whatever the church service lacked was strongly made up for with the burial service. The military style burial in Boulder City was done with class, integrity, and succinct professionalism.
Before all of this happened, I had questions about the different churches in the Las Vegas valley. Thanks to this experience, my questions were answered. I was surprised with some of these churches that talk about offering a helping hand. When it came down to the wire, that hand they offered came with a price. For me, that was a complete turnoff. While I may know some cool people that attend these churches, it would not change the fact on how I feel about the houses they choose to worship. It is a shame that some of them are led by the dollar instead of the Word.
No matter how many of these churches are out there, I still believe that there are some good ones around. I am feel grateful and blessed to know that my faith in these good churches have not wavered. It would have been easy for me to close my mind and say that all churches are corrupt, but I know that is not the case. All it takes is keeping faith, and a good one can be found.
Today, so many people have lost faith in many things. Whether it be in churches, work, news, or anything else, they can deplete our beliefs in more ways than one. No matter how negative these things can be, it is important that we never lose our own faith. Believe it or not, our own faith can help guide us through some tough times. All it takes is for us to believe.
It may not be as soon as we like for it to be, but it will happen. Never lose faith in your God, never lose faith in others, and never lose faith in yourself.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Never lose faith in yourself. Never lose faith in your God. Those two things will be saving graces when you face your challenging times.
People may talk about certain things, but it is the true colors that will always come shining through. It may be as colorful as a rainbow or as gray as the darkest storms. No matter what happens, never let them deter your own vision of certain things in life.
When my dad passed last February, my family and I were going through some challenging times. One of which was to find a church that would hold a funeral service. Through this experience, you can say that a lot of churches have shown their true colors.
One church my family went to wanted a ridiculously high amount of money just to perform the service. Another church we use to go to would not give us the time of day because we had no immediate family members that belong there. A third one wanted more money than the first one. When we finally found a church that was willing to perform the service, let's just say that they were marginal at best.
The service was okay, but there were two things that had my eyebrows raised. The first one was the fact that the church offered their condolence to my eldest sister and her husband for the loss of my dad. No mention of my mother, no mention of myself, and no mention of the rest of the immediate family.
WHAT??!!!
I did not care if my eldest sister is a member of that church, the oversight made by them was not right at all.
The second thing was the preacher talking about how Obama was the greatest President ever. I know he was trying to connect the message with how he and my father were great men in what they have done, but he could have done without the political tones. I knew people at the service that were not big fans of Barack Obama and they were from different races. He skated on thin ice with that beginning as my mother and I looked at each other with real concern on our faces.
Whatever the church service lacked was strongly made up for with the burial service. The military style burial in Boulder City was done with class, integrity, and succinct professionalism.
Before all of this happened, I had questions about the different churches in the Las Vegas valley. Thanks to this experience, my questions were answered. I was surprised with some of these churches that talk about offering a helping hand. When it came down to the wire, that hand they offered came with a price. For me, that was a complete turnoff. While I may know some cool people that attend these churches, it would not change the fact on how I feel about the houses they choose to worship. It is a shame that some of them are led by the dollar instead of the Word.
No matter how many of these churches are out there, I still believe that there are some good ones around. I am feel grateful and blessed to know that my faith in these good churches have not wavered. It would have been easy for me to close my mind and say that all churches are corrupt, but I know that is not the case. All it takes is keeping faith, and a good one can be found.
Today, so many people have lost faith in many things. Whether it be in churches, work, news, or anything else, they can deplete our beliefs in more ways than one. No matter how negative these things can be, it is important that we never lose our own faith. Believe it or not, our own faith can help guide us through some tough times. All it takes is for us to believe.
It may not be as soon as we like for it to be, but it will happen. Never lose faith in your God, never lose faith in others, and never lose faith in yourself.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Monday, May 14, 2012
I Am Awake
Greetings Happy People (or Good Morning Happy People),
No matter where I am, no matter what I do, I am glad to be awake right now.
Even at 4'o clock in the morning, as I type this message to you, it IS good to be awake. Heck, it is better than the alternative.
It amazes me how some people take the simple fact of waking up each morning for granted. Many people wake up worrying what the day will bring. Others wish they don't wake up at all. Nevertheless, these people overlook the importance of getting up each morning. How can anyone do anything if they can't wake up?
Within my 36 years of living, I have met people that have been through what life has dealt them. Whether it is a financial hit, a terminal illness, or some bad break in life, they are able to wake up and continue the day that awaits them. Call it what you want, but they chose to get up when life knocks them down.
For me, I am glad to wake up in the morning. Each day allows me an opportunity to determine not only how to take on the day, but also find the different opportunities and possibilities that are out there.
Do I have challenges in my day? Yes, I do.
Am I going to make mistakes? Probably.
No matter how big or small these challenges may be, I know that they cannot keep me down forever. I know that I can overcome any obstacle if I choose to do so. All I have to do first is just wake up. If I don't do that, what else could I do??
As you wake up and read this post, you have a choice to look at what I am writing. You can choose to go on your way and miss this message entirely, or you can choose to be thankful that you are up this morning.
Either way, the decision is up to you.
Just remember that when you make this decision, be sure that you are awake. It helps.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
I-I-I
No matter where I am, no matter what I do, I am glad to be awake right now.
Even at 4'o clock in the morning, as I type this message to you, it IS good to be awake. Heck, it is better than the alternative.
It amazes me how some people take the simple fact of waking up each morning for granted. Many people wake up worrying what the day will bring. Others wish they don't wake up at all. Nevertheless, these people overlook the importance of getting up each morning. How can anyone do anything if they can't wake up?
Within my 36 years of living, I have met people that have been through what life has dealt them. Whether it is a financial hit, a terminal illness, or some bad break in life, they are able to wake up and continue the day that awaits them. Call it what you want, but they chose to get up when life knocks them down.
For me, I am glad to wake up in the morning. Each day allows me an opportunity to determine not only how to take on the day, but also find the different opportunities and possibilities that are out there.
Do I have challenges in my day? Yes, I do.
Am I going to make mistakes? Probably.
No matter how big or small these challenges may be, I know that they cannot keep me down forever. I know that I can overcome any obstacle if I choose to do so. All I have to do first is just wake up. If I don't do that, what else could I do??
As you wake up and read this post, you have a choice to look at what I am writing. You can choose to go on your way and miss this message entirely, or you can choose to be thankful that you are up this morning.
Either way, the decision is up to you.
Just remember that when you make this decision, be sure that you are awake. It helps.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
I-I-I
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The Best Men
Greetings Happy People,
Today, I went to a tuxedo shop to get fitted for my upcoming wedding. Three of my best men were also there too. When I looked at the tuxedo, I was amazed by the black and purple color combination. When I tried on the tuxedo and looked in the mirror, it really hit me.
What hit me?? Everything!!!
As I looked at myself in this tuxedo, one of many thoughts came into my mind. This thought involved the three men that are going to be the groomsmen. I prefer to call them my best men. Each of them have a real significance in how this blessed union came for Dana and myself.
Let's get started with the first best man Tim. If it had not been for him convincing me to go to a certain motivational seminar named PSI, I would not have had the courage to ask Dana out on a date four years ago. Attending that seminar broke a lot of walls for me. It broke walls of doubt, walls of negativity, and other walls that had been dominating my life for the years. Attending this seminar allowed me to breakthrough as a whole different gentleman. For that, I am very grateful.
The second best man is Vince. Vince represents a pivotal point in my life where things began rolling for me. He is a fellow classmate from Bishop Gorman High School (in Las Vegas, Nevada). This school has made a major impact for me. Without Gorman, I would not have gone to UNLV. Without Gorman, I would not have heard of a thing call Toastmasters International (as a UNLV student) . And without Gorman, I would not have had the chance to meet Dana. I treasured my four years at this high school. I also learn many lessons that were in and out of the classroom. I also created solid friendships that are still standing to this day. One can say that Bishop Gorman was a starting point for all of the good things that were about to come my way. For that, I am very grateful.
The third best man is Gene. Gene represents a very important part of my life. Without him, I probably would not have met my soon to be bride. Six years ago, Gene offered an opportunity for me to be on a radio show to talk about Toastmasters. Without any delay, I took that opportunity. When I got to the radio station, I met another guest panelist who was new to Toastmasters. From that point, we knew that we would click pretty well. From that first meeting, a new relationship began. Who would have known that these two people would actually get married six year later? I sure didn't. For that, I am extremely grateful.
As I looked at myself in this tuxedo, I felt pretty darn good!! Call it the alignment of the stars in the universe. Call it a coincidence. Call it whatever you want, but there are some things that seem to just fall into place.
Things happen for a reason, Happy People. Today, people complain and worry about things that may or may not come their way. All of this worry can only bring more worry to the person and no lessons could be learned. But if one were to take the time and see how things can fit into life, all that worry would go away and the lessons will begin. Even if things don't go the way they do, one can still learn. This happens in the past. present, and future as long as one is able to read between the lines.
Thankfully, I am able to read between the lines of my best men and become grateful for what they represent. Are you taking the time to read between the lines in your life? If you are able to learn from the lines you read, you can become the best man or woman. If it can happen for me, it will happen for you.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Today, I went to a tuxedo shop to get fitted for my upcoming wedding. Three of my best men were also there too. When I looked at the tuxedo, I was amazed by the black and purple color combination. When I tried on the tuxedo and looked in the mirror, it really hit me.
What hit me?? Everything!!!
As I looked at myself in this tuxedo, one of many thoughts came into my mind. This thought involved the three men that are going to be the groomsmen. I prefer to call them my best men. Each of them have a real significance in how this blessed union came for Dana and myself.
Let's get started with the first best man Tim. If it had not been for him convincing me to go to a certain motivational seminar named PSI, I would not have had the courage to ask Dana out on a date four years ago. Attending that seminar broke a lot of walls for me. It broke walls of doubt, walls of negativity, and other walls that had been dominating my life for the years. Attending this seminar allowed me to breakthrough as a whole different gentleman. For that, I am very grateful.
The second best man is Vince. Vince represents a pivotal point in my life where things began rolling for me. He is a fellow classmate from Bishop Gorman High School (in Las Vegas, Nevada). This school has made a major impact for me. Without Gorman, I would not have gone to UNLV. Without Gorman, I would not have heard of a thing call Toastmasters International (as a UNLV student) . And without Gorman, I would not have had the chance to meet Dana. I treasured my four years at this high school. I also learn many lessons that were in and out of the classroom. I also created solid friendships that are still standing to this day. One can say that Bishop Gorman was a starting point for all of the good things that were about to come my way. For that, I am very grateful.
The third best man is Gene. Gene represents a very important part of my life. Without him, I probably would not have met my soon to be bride. Six years ago, Gene offered an opportunity for me to be on a radio show to talk about Toastmasters. Without any delay, I took that opportunity. When I got to the radio station, I met another guest panelist who was new to Toastmasters. From that point, we knew that we would click pretty well. From that first meeting, a new relationship began. Who would have known that these two people would actually get married six year later? I sure didn't. For that, I am extremely grateful.
As I looked at myself in this tuxedo, I felt pretty darn good!! Call it the alignment of the stars in the universe. Call it a coincidence. Call it whatever you want, but there are some things that seem to just fall into place.
Things happen for a reason, Happy People. Today, people complain and worry about things that may or may not come their way. All of this worry can only bring more worry to the person and no lessons could be learned. But if one were to take the time and see how things can fit into life, all that worry would go away and the lessons will begin. Even if things don't go the way they do, one can still learn. This happens in the past. present, and future as long as one is able to read between the lines.
Thankfully, I am able to read between the lines of my best men and become grateful for what they represent. Are you taking the time to read between the lines in your life? If you are able to learn from the lines you read, you can become the best man or woman. If it can happen for me, it will happen for you.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Dancing One-Legged Man
Greetings Happy People,
I have challenging days.
I have those days where things don't always seem to go right.
I have those days where the ball does not bounce in my direction.
I have those days where I can be either be in an incredible funk or a very foul mood.
No matter how bad a day I can have, when I think about a dancing one-legged man, things don't seem that bad after all.
10 months before he passed away, my dad had his leg amputated. A near 30-year battle with diabetes took that part of his body, but it did not take all of his joy. Somehow, he managed to keep living with a positive outlook on life.
"I have nothing to complain about. If I did, who would listen?" was his customary response on how he's doing.
On a given day, he would stand up in his walker and give the best shimmy that any one-legged man can give. Folks, if that is not the definition of a positive attitude, I don't know what is!!
Seeing a one-legged man like that made me feel that anything is possible if you have a positive way of thinking. Even in the last year of his life, he continued to dance to his own beat.
As I see people complain on their two legs about the problems in their lives, I can only shake my head. Whether it is about money, their job, or what they don't have in life, it gets them in their own personal funk. Some of them would continue to be in that downward spiral thinking that there is no hope to get out.
As a human being, I do get caught up in that negativity. Fortunately, it is not for long. Instead of basking in the gray clouds, I choose to focus on the silver linings. After seeing the streaks of light, I am reminded that some things in life are not that bad. One of those streaks happen to be that dancing one-legged man.
People, I am not here to tell you how to run your life. I am here to say that you do have a choice on how to deal with things. You can either let them beat you up or make you a little stronger. It is your choice.
Whatever you choose, please remember that if you see a dancing one-legged man, then you know that you can still have a good day. It is possible!!
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
I have challenging days.
I have those days where things don't always seem to go right.
I have those days where the ball does not bounce in my direction.
I have those days where I can be either be in an incredible funk or a very foul mood.
No matter how bad a day I can have, when I think about a dancing one-legged man, things don't seem that bad after all.
10 months before he passed away, my dad had his leg amputated. A near 30-year battle with diabetes took that part of his body, but it did not take all of his joy. Somehow, he managed to keep living with a positive outlook on life.
"I have nothing to complain about. If I did, who would listen?" was his customary response on how he's doing.
On a given day, he would stand up in his walker and give the best shimmy that any one-legged man can give. Folks, if that is not the definition of a positive attitude, I don't know what is!!
Seeing a one-legged man like that made me feel that anything is possible if you have a positive way of thinking. Even in the last year of his life, he continued to dance to his own beat.
As I see people complain on their two legs about the problems in their lives, I can only shake my head. Whether it is about money, their job, or what they don't have in life, it gets them in their own personal funk. Some of them would continue to be in that downward spiral thinking that there is no hope to get out.
As a human being, I do get caught up in that negativity. Fortunately, it is not for long. Instead of basking in the gray clouds, I choose to focus on the silver linings. After seeing the streaks of light, I am reminded that some things in life are not that bad. One of those streaks happen to be that dancing one-legged man.
People, I am not here to tell you how to run your life. I am here to say that you do have a choice on how to deal with things. You can either let them beat you up or make you a little stronger. It is your choice.
Whatever you choose, please remember that if you see a dancing one-legged man, then you know that you can still have a good day. It is possible!!
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Carbon Copy
Greetings Happy People,
Who says that you can't be yourself?
I am myself and I like the person I see in the mirror. I like doing things that make me feel happy. I am also learning that I don't have to do things that don't make me feel comfortable. When I am myself, I know that I can live guilt-free by being Mr. I-I-I.
There were many people that want me to catch up with some of the trendy things such as fashion, language, music, and which "in crowd" to hang with. At first, I thought it was a requirement to do these things just to fit in. But what am I actually fitting into? If I were to fit into someone's expectation, I am being that person that they want me to be. And that my friends is a very uncomfortable feeling.
Anytime I meet up with relatives that is trying to catch up with the latest thing, I ask them what are they doing. Their response is trying to be "themselves."
Now let me get this straight. You are dressing, acting, and talking like the people you see on TV, yet you want to become an original? To me that doesn't make any sense at all. As these same folks look at me as if I was out of touch, I can say that I am grateful that I don't have to follow what is in. After all, what is in today can be out by tomorrow.
With that said, it is always good to be yourself. Like it or not, you don't have to answer to the rules that someone else makes on what is the in thing to do. If you like to do some things, that is great!! If not, that is okay too!! No one says that you have to do some things in a certain way. Just be yourself and the rest will follow. Life is too short to be an imitation.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Who says that you can't be yourself?
I am myself and I like the person I see in the mirror. I like doing things that make me feel happy. I am also learning that I don't have to do things that don't make me feel comfortable. When I am myself, I know that I can live guilt-free by being Mr. I-I-I.
There were many people that want me to catch up with some of the trendy things such as fashion, language, music, and which "in crowd" to hang with. At first, I thought it was a requirement to do these things just to fit in. But what am I actually fitting into? If I were to fit into someone's expectation, I am being that person that they want me to be. And that my friends is a very uncomfortable feeling.
Anytime I meet up with relatives that is trying to catch up with the latest thing, I ask them what are they doing. Their response is trying to be "themselves."
Now let me get this straight. You are dressing, acting, and talking like the people you see on TV, yet you want to become an original? To me that doesn't make any sense at all. As these same folks look at me as if I was out of touch, I can say that I am grateful that I don't have to follow what is in. After all, what is in today can be out by tomorrow.
With that said, it is always good to be yourself. Like it or not, you don't have to answer to the rules that someone else makes on what is the in thing to do. If you like to do some things, that is great!! If not, that is okay too!! No one says that you have to do some things in a certain way. Just be yourself and the rest will follow. Life is too short to be an imitation.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Promote Yourself Through Rejection
Greetings Happy People,
When was the last time you ever had a shot at a promotion?
It could be at work, or an organization, in a team, or anywhere else.
I have a shot at many promotions right now. One involves my job. Another involves an organization I belong to. And another involves my personal life as I tie the knot.
Yes, there are many opportunities on the horizon for Mr. I-I-I and I am grateful to take part in them.
Do I hope to get promoted in whatever I do? Of course!! Every promotion offers new challenges, different steps, and plenty of opportunities to grow. I always win when I grow. Whether I am accepted or rejected, I can take it as growing lessons.
As I look forward to these potential opportunities, I am reminded on how others take promotional opportunities way too seriously. For them, it seems like a life and death situation. I have seen people throw themselves into heart attacks, grievances, bitterness, and other negative viewpoints. Thanks to this, their trust is destroyed, their hopes faded away, and the visions were blinded.
While it is true that these people take rejection very hard, they also fail to realize how much negativity they created for themselves. It may be true that they deserve to get promoted, but they are relying on others to do their own promoting. This happens.
If I was a few years younger, I would fall victim to the venomous sting of rejections. I would create my bitterness about people, places, and things. I would let the door close on whatever future opportunities come my way. I would let the anger, fears, hatred, doubts, and turmoil, eat me up until I am engulfed in my own woe.
Thank goodness I grew up.
While it may be good to get that promotion from others, it is better to promote yourself first. No matter what happens to me, I can always learn from any promotion or rejection that comes my way. I can see that if something wasn't meant for me, a better opportunity will come my way. All I have to do is believe it and find ways to make it happen. If I can promote myself as an individual, I will be better off in the long run.
How does one promote him or herself? There are many good ways to do that. Take part in things that will help you grow as a person. Whether it be education, visualization, cooperation, or imagination, you can become your own creation. There is no crime in boosting your own personal stock.
Some people think that they have control over whom to promote and whom to reject. It is only true if you let them. Never let anyone else determine your own self worth. It doesn't matter what one's race, gender, or creed is, promoting that person in the mirror pays off in the long run.
Rejection may be a part of life, but it doesn't have to part YOUR life.
What are you going after you get rejected? Will you promote yourself? The answer is up to you.
That is all I have for now. Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
When was the last time you ever had a shot at a promotion?
It could be at work, or an organization, in a team, or anywhere else.
I have a shot at many promotions right now. One involves my job. Another involves an organization I belong to. And another involves my personal life as I tie the knot.
Yes, there are many opportunities on the horizon for Mr. I-I-I and I am grateful to take part in them.
Do I hope to get promoted in whatever I do? Of course!! Every promotion offers new challenges, different steps, and plenty of opportunities to grow. I always win when I grow. Whether I am accepted or rejected, I can take it as growing lessons.
As I look forward to these potential opportunities, I am reminded on how others take promotional opportunities way too seriously. For them, it seems like a life and death situation. I have seen people throw themselves into heart attacks, grievances, bitterness, and other negative viewpoints. Thanks to this, their trust is destroyed, their hopes faded away, and the visions were blinded.
While it is true that these people take rejection very hard, they also fail to realize how much negativity they created for themselves. It may be true that they deserve to get promoted, but they are relying on others to do their own promoting. This happens.
If I was a few years younger, I would fall victim to the venomous sting of rejections. I would create my bitterness about people, places, and things. I would let the door close on whatever future opportunities come my way. I would let the anger, fears, hatred, doubts, and turmoil, eat me up until I am engulfed in my own woe.
Thank goodness I grew up.
While it may be good to get that promotion from others, it is better to promote yourself first. No matter what happens to me, I can always learn from any promotion or rejection that comes my way. I can see that if something wasn't meant for me, a better opportunity will come my way. All I have to do is believe it and find ways to make it happen. If I can promote myself as an individual, I will be better off in the long run.
How does one promote him or herself? There are many good ways to do that. Take part in things that will help you grow as a person. Whether it be education, visualization, cooperation, or imagination, you can become your own creation. There is no crime in boosting your own personal stock.
Some people think that they have control over whom to promote and whom to reject. It is only true if you let them. Never let anyone else determine your own self worth. It doesn't matter what one's race, gender, or creed is, promoting that person in the mirror pays off in the long run.
Rejection may be a part of life, but it doesn't have to part YOUR life.
What are you going after you get rejected? Will you promote yourself? The answer is up to you.
That is all I have for now. Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Trust Me!! I Won't Kill You!!
Greetings Happy People,
Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?
Well, I have and one of which took me by surprise.
Just for curiosity, I decided to type in my name on the Google search engine. And I found so many interesting things!! For starters, I have seen my handsome self in a suit and tie. I have also seen a picture of my first ever published book "Greetings Happy People" (which you can get on Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com - wink wink).
I also saw my name associated with an awesome communication and leadership organization that one can join and have fun with amazing friends (for good times - click here baby). There were also pictures of Oakley sunglasses - no relation.
As I scrolled down the page, I found an interesting story. It was about a 36-year old man named Jesse Oakley.
Hey!! Wait a minute!! I'm Jesse Oakley and I'm 36 years old!! What are the odds?
As I read the story, I notice that this 36-year old Jesse Oakley is not the person I would meet anytime in the future.
Why??
Well, number one - he lived in Minnesota.
Number two - he is dead.
And number three - he was responsible for a murder-suicide with his former girlfriend!!
HOLY STRAWBERRIES!! And I share a name with this dude!!
If you don't believe me, you can read the story right here (click here)
After reading this, I was thinking "I hope no one mistakes me for this guy!!"
I think it would be hard since I am alive and writing this post to you from Nevada!!
There are people that have been mistaken for someone interesting or infamous. I knew people that were mistaken as champion bird callers, sports figures, and actors in the pornography business. One way or another, mistaken identity happens.
What is the one way to cure this assumption? Instead of trying to find out who the person is via the internet, take the time to know an individual. You may be amazed with what they know, where they've been, and who they are. Believe me, it is a lot better than having to assume via online.
Heck!! If one REALLY gets to know me, they would know that the only thing I would kill are certain red fruits that I love to have on my plate (click here to find out!!).
It pays to know a person in person. Who knows?? A good friendship can be created from a simple hello!! All one has to do is have the courage and say "HI!!" You'll never know how much time you can kill.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Jesse I-I-I
Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?
Well, I have and one of which took me by surprise.
Just for curiosity, I decided to type in my name on the Google search engine. And I found so many interesting things!! For starters, I have seen my handsome self in a suit and tie. I have also seen a picture of my first ever published book "Greetings Happy People" (which you can get on Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com - wink wink).
I also saw my name associated with an awesome communication and leadership organization that one can join and have fun with amazing friends (for good times - click here baby). There were also pictures of Oakley sunglasses - no relation.
As I scrolled down the page, I found an interesting story. It was about a 36-year old man named Jesse Oakley.
Hey!! Wait a minute!! I'm Jesse Oakley and I'm 36 years old!! What are the odds?
As I read the story, I notice that this 36-year old Jesse Oakley is not the person I would meet anytime in the future.
Why??
Well, number one - he lived in Minnesota.
Number two - he is dead.
And number three - he was responsible for a murder-suicide with his former girlfriend!!
HOLY STRAWBERRIES!! And I share a name with this dude!!
If you don't believe me, you can read the story right here (click here)
After reading this, I was thinking "I hope no one mistakes me for this guy!!"
I think it would be hard since I am alive and writing this post to you from Nevada!!
There are people that have been mistaken for someone interesting or infamous. I knew people that were mistaken as champion bird callers, sports figures, and actors in the pornography business. One way or another, mistaken identity happens.
What is the one way to cure this assumption? Instead of trying to find out who the person is via the internet, take the time to know an individual. You may be amazed with what they know, where they've been, and who they are. Believe me, it is a lot better than having to assume via online.
Heck!! If one REALLY gets to know me, they would know that the only thing I would kill are certain red fruits that I love to have on my plate (click here to find out!!).
It pays to know a person in person. Who knows?? A good friendship can be created from a simple hello!! All one has to do is have the courage and say "HI!!" You'll never know how much time you can kill.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Jesse I-I-I
The Close Relative
Greetings Happy People,
I am going to write about my personal dilemma to you
Happy People.
It is one that involves me and my wife to be Dana.
While this is something that is not new, I feel that
it has to be brought into the light.
There is a person out there that STILL doesn’t like
Dana due to how she looks on a picture. This person, who happens to be a close
relative, still calls her a “fat white-trash whore that likes to
suck…….”
For the past four years, this relative has not one
good thing to say about my fiancée. I don’t know about you, but I am starting to
get sick and tired of it. What I want to do is based on my life. I have the
right to see who I want to see and be with who I want to be no matter the
appearance, the age, or anything else.
This close relative has screwed up many dating
opportunities that I have had before I started dating Dana. Among the good dates
I had, this person always seems to find something wrong. Whether it be the skin
complexion, the nationality, or age, it seemed that no one was “too good” for me
to date. It was a shame because I would never know how it would turn out due to
the interference this relative has caused.
When I got further away from this individual, life has
started to become a little better. I made new friends, travelled to cool places,
and found a person that was willing to go out with me (Dana). Everything seemed
to be going so great until that same close relative decided to butt into the
scene. This time, I had the power to avoid this person.
During this time, I noticed something interesting. As
I take chances to open up new doors and opportunities in my life, this close
relative has done the complete opposite. Even as we went through a very tough
family separation, this close relative decided to stick in the same rut as
before. This person would chose to sit in the house most of the day, worry about
what might not come, and become angry if things did not go the way it should.
When it comes to swilling alcohol and taking medication, the troubles multiply.
This person can be characterized as the Perpetual Victim.
It amazes me to see this close relative try and wreck
something that is good for someone else. It would not surprise me if anybody that
lives in the same house with this relative moves out because they can’t take any
more personal wallows and strife. I would also not be surprised if this close
relative sits alone with no one to talk to because this person chooses to drive
people away. It can only get worse if this person continues to stay on this
track.
As for myself, I am blessed to have good things
rolling in my life. Even when I lost the Ol’ Man last February, I can still take
in to account how grateful I was to have him in my life. Even when I was going
through a rough month this past March, I can take into consideration that things
were still going well. And now, I choose to be with good opportunities, better
people, and the best fortunes that lie ahead for me.
Happy People, you have a choice on how you want to
live in life. Your attitude DOES affect your altitude. You can either stay down
and make things miserable for you and others OR you can turn it around and take
part of the good things that are offered. I benefitted by choosing what I want
to do in life and it has paid off!!
As for that close relative…..one can only hope how she
chooses to live her life. If she keeps going the way she is going, she will have
no one to blame but herself.
I made my choice. What are you going to do?
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you
for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Monday, April 9, 2012
You Suck!!!
Greetings Happy People,
When was the last time someone told you that "You Suck?"
Was it last week, last month, last year, or any time before that?
What did you do after someone told you that?
These two words have an impact on one's life. It can either make one become better than before, or allow one to just give up.
What a person does with these two words is up to that person. Nobody else can make them feel what they want to feel.
From childhood to right now, I have been told that I sucked many times. Whether it was in sports, school, work, or any other part of my life, I have been told that I would not amount to much.
What did I do?
At first, I would believe these people and allow them to eat away at my self esteem. This would make me feel lower and more worthless than I am. Now I know better.
A good example of this was my speaking and writing. As a kid, I always had trouble when it comes to doing these two things. I got constantly corrected by teachers and humiliated by the worse teachers.
And just when you think it was worse, there were the fellow classmates. Some of them were a "complete delight." Picking on me, making me feel dumb, and adding worthlessness to my own personal value.
How did my fortunes change? Thank goodness for high school!! Those four years were seen as a rebuilding process. With the right amount of encouragement and good company, I greatly improved my writing and speaking skills. Slowly but surely, my confidence was coming back.
As I heard the "You Suck" comments throughout college, I had the nerve to just keep going. Not only was I able to further sharpen my speaking and writing skills, but also strengthened my mathematical knowledge too!! Motivation can be a powerful tool if it is correctly used.
After college, I still hear the "You Suck" comments. Although it is not as frequent as before, the negative words are still there. If there is anyone that told me how much I suck, I simply contributed that to their negativity. Like crabs in a pot, these people try to clamp on and pull me down to their level. This time, I chose not to go there.
At any given opportunity, I prefer to better myself at anything I do. It may take time, but at least I would suck less :o)
Do you have someone telling you that "You Suck?" If so, listen to them first and decide what you want to do about it. Are you going to better yourself? Are you going to let them get you down? You have that choice. Whatever you choose to do with those two words, be the best at what you do. You never know how much you can be motivated by those two words.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
When was the last time someone told you that "You Suck?"
Was it last week, last month, last year, or any time before that?
What did you do after someone told you that?
These two words have an impact on one's life. It can either make one become better than before, or allow one to just give up.
What a person does with these two words is up to that person. Nobody else can make them feel what they want to feel.
From childhood to right now, I have been told that I sucked many times. Whether it was in sports, school, work, or any other part of my life, I have been told that I would not amount to much.
What did I do?
At first, I would believe these people and allow them to eat away at my self esteem. This would make me feel lower and more worthless than I am. Now I know better.
A good example of this was my speaking and writing. As a kid, I always had trouble when it comes to doing these two things. I got constantly corrected by teachers and humiliated by the worse teachers.
And just when you think it was worse, there were the fellow classmates. Some of them were a "complete delight." Picking on me, making me feel dumb, and adding worthlessness to my own personal value.
How did my fortunes change? Thank goodness for high school!! Those four years were seen as a rebuilding process. With the right amount of encouragement and good company, I greatly improved my writing and speaking skills. Slowly but surely, my confidence was coming back.
As I heard the "You Suck" comments throughout college, I had the nerve to just keep going. Not only was I able to further sharpen my speaking and writing skills, but also strengthened my mathematical knowledge too!! Motivation can be a powerful tool if it is correctly used.
After college, I still hear the "You Suck" comments. Although it is not as frequent as before, the negative words are still there. If there is anyone that told me how much I suck, I simply contributed that to their negativity. Like crabs in a pot, these people try to clamp on and pull me down to their level. This time, I chose not to go there.
At any given opportunity, I prefer to better myself at anything I do. It may take time, but at least I would suck less :o)
Do you have someone telling you that "You Suck?" If so, listen to them first and decide what you want to do about it. Are you going to better yourself? Are you going to let them get you down? You have that choice. Whatever you choose to do with those two words, be the best at what you do. You never know how much you can be motivated by those two words.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Hey Bud!!!
Greetings People,
This has been a challenging month.
As thoughts go through my head, I can only hear those words
“Hey Bud!!”
This was what I hear every time I see the Ol’ Man. That was his customary greeting to me.
After the greeting, we talked about sports, news, and things
going on in our lives. They were good conversations. Additionally, he offered
some good words of wisdom. It was something that helped me out in the long run.
I remember his positive attitude, his jokes, and his good natured spirit. Even
when diabetes took away part of his leg, he continued to dance. If that is not
the definition of happiness, I don’t know what is.
Now, I am coming to the realization that I will never hear or
see those things again. I grieve now and will continue to grieve for a while. If
there is a silver lining in all of this, it would be the good memories I have.
From childhood to right now, the memories are with me and I am grateful to have
them. Another silver lining I can think of is the fact that does not have to
suffer anymore. He has been battling diabetes for the last 30 years. 15 of them
were through different surgeries. The last 5 was through dialysis. I remember
taking plenty of sick hours from work to accompany him to different hospitals
and pickups.
Within the last couple of years, I have experienced the loss
of friends, relatives, high school classmates, and fellow Toastmasters. Even
though they were tough to take, it does not compare to the loss of someone so
close. It hits home and it hits hard enough to put a chip in my heart.
What advice can I offer you people? If there is someone that
is or has gone through something of this magnitude, all I can say is that it is
okay to cry. It is okay to grieve. It is also okay to remember and appreciate
the time you had with a loved one. That comforting solace will help one go
through life day by day.
That loved one may be gone, but remember that piece of the person will always remain in your mind, thoughts, and heart. Once you have that,
it will make things a little easier.
That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your
time and attention.
Sincerely,
Jesse I-I-I
In Loving Memory of
Jesse Oakley Jr.
(1943-2012)
“I love you Ol’ Man”
Jesse Oakley Jr.
(1943-2012)
“I love you Ol’ Man”
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