Fate VS Destiny

Determine you own DESTINY. The choices we make often impact us at that very moment. It can sometimes even impact our future, the lives of those around us and the lives of those to come depending on the situation. Being able to overcome the "hand we are dealt" is an example of determining our DESTINY. We must realize that adversity is only 10% about our circumstance and 90% about our reaction. If we set our minds to overcome life's punches then we will do just that. God uniquely crafted each and every one of us with the ability to accomplish any feat we truly set our mind to. Take the story of the Tower of Babel for instance. In the book of Genesis a group of people, whom were on one accord and speaking one language, came together with the intention of building a tower whose top would be in Heaven. The progression of the tower became so great that it raised the eyebrow of God Himself. He understood that as long as they worked together and had the determination to complete the tower that it was DESTINED for completion; so He confused their languages, resulting in us having different languages and dialects to this day. The power of the mind limitless and allows us to determine our own DESTINY.  FATE, on the other hand, is predetermined. It is the purpose that God has for our lives. God created every person to serve a particular purpose, and it generally involves impacting the lives of others in some shape, form, or fashion. Look back at the true "world's strongest man" Samson. God chose Samson's FATE as deliverer of the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines. To do so, He gave Samson great strength, as well as great responsibility. He had certain stipulations that were required of Samson as a vow unto Him. Throughout the course of Samson's life he continued to break the vows (seemingly without punishment) that his parents had made to God until his wife Delilah instructs a servant to cut his hair while he slept after convincing him to reveal the source of his strength. At this point he was powerless and captured by the Philistines. After two years of grinding grain (without his strength might I add) he prayed for forgiveness and one last burst of strength to destroy the temple. In doing so he also lost life "while killing many more (Philistines) as he died than while he live" (Judges 16:30). The FATE chosen unto him as deliverer of the Israelites was accomplished just as God had intended, but his DESTINY could have ended on a more positive note if his decision making were different. Certain circumstances serve as setbacks and stumbling blocks but all serve as experience. God chooses our FATE (His purpose) but leaves DESTINY (our path through life) in our hands.

To Thine Own Self Be True

"This above all: to thine OWN SELF be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou cans't not be false to any man" (Hamlet II.78-80). This is one of William Shakespeare's most famous quotes. It gives advice that will last a lifetime. Shakespeare reminds us that WE are better at being OURSELVES than "trying" to be anyone else. OUR true character flourishes when WE embrace who WE ARE and are comfortable sharing it with the world.  How can WE ever expect someone to love US (romantically or platonic) if we do not first love OURSELVES?  The Bible tells US in Genesis that God created man "in His own image" and "in His own likeness. Each individual was created to look and have the personality that God intended for US to have. When WE are not satisfied with the person that God made US then WE open OURSELVES up for negativity like depression, insecurity,self pity, jealousy, and covetousness to enter into OUR minds. WE should be proud of the person that WE are and be full of self confidence (not arrogance). YOU would be amazed to know how many people love the person that YOU ARE. If YOU'VE noticed that many companies have turned to celebrities as spokespeople for their products and services, then YOU'VE realized that the personality closes the sell. The personality of that celebrity influences US to purchase that higher-end brand versus the more economical version of the exact same product. Sticking to the script of who WE ARE also keeps US from making bad decisions. I'm sure that all of US have done things that were "out of OUR character," and I'll be the first to admit it. I tend to let peer pressure get the best of ME at times and end up making choices, against MY better judgement, that come back to bite ME in the butt later on. In other occasions I'VE followed the path of others instead of daring to be different and have missed certain blessings that we intended for ME because I was not true to mine OWN SELF. So I challenge everyone plan out some ME time. Take an hour a day to isolate YOURSELF without any distractions (phone, computer, television, people, etc) and meditate. Take the time escape YOUR life for a few moments. "Slow down so you can catch up with YOURSELF."

What is your Motivation???

What is your MOTIVATION? What drives you? What makes you continue to work towards your goals even when things aren't looking so hot???? The answer to this question should be different for every person for one simple reason..... MOTIVATION comes from within.  There may be outward influences, but the catalyst of our MOTIVATION must start within each of us.There has to be something deep down in our hearts that drives us. For me, it's leaving a legacy for my family and friends to be proud of. I strive to make sure that the people around me are proud to be there. For the same reason, I choose not to accept failure as an option. A lot of people may not know that my first university experience was not at The University of Southern Mississippi but at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt is ranked as one of the top 20 universities in the country academically and regarded as the "Harvard of the South." Earning a football scholarship to a school in the SEC, especially one with such prestige, was a blessing and an honor that I did not truly appreciate at the time.  I was suspended from the football team indefinitely for violating team rules and soon transferred to a junior college. Although my TRUE friends and family (and believe me you find out that there are only a few whenever you are facing adversity) were there to offer encouraging words, they were never truly able to encourage (MOTIVATE) me. That situation devastated and almost defeated me, but that something from within, that fire that refused to fail, motivated me to work twice as hard to redeem myself. In the Bible King David wrote that he had to "encourage himself in the Lord." Every morning that I woke up in Wesson, MS at Copiah-Lincoln Community College (where I had no cell phone signal until I switched to Cellular South) I literally had to tell myself that I would not let my situation defeat me. In a sense I had to psych myself out because as my father put it,"I'd left the penthouse for the projects" LOL!!! To make matters worse, I came home every weekend to work part time for Shular Construction because I felt too ashamed to ask my parents for help. But you know what, it made me tougher, stronger, and wiser. I then understood how appreciate my blessings; I learned to make better decisions, and realized that I could weather any and all conditions I faced in life. I still remind myself that I have already overcome one of the biggest disappointments in my life thus far and came out with a degree in International Business, a great collegiate football career filled with many memories, a legacy at Southern Miss that I continue to build on by making school anthems each year, and most importantly the respect of everyone whom I have had the opportunity to spend time with. So.....what is your MOTIVATION???

Icon Music Ent/Icon Beats Recording Packages

Recording Packages

To Persevere with Patience

PATIENCE - an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance, misfortune, or pain without complaint or loss of temper.


PERSEVERANCE - steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state,etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.


When chasing a dream, working towards a goal, or just simply dealing with life's twists and turns these two attributes go hand-in-hand. The Bible states in James 2:17 "even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."  If we sit idly and expect to accomplish anything, disappointment is inevitable!!! Likewise, if we are head strong, determined and willingly give 110% effort but do not have the PATIENCE to be steadfast towards one goal we will quickly see ourselves fall victim to discouragement and find it difficult to stay on target. We will end up jumping from one thing to the next as soon as the speed of our progression slows down. The old cliche' "PATIENCE is a virtue" still holds true today. It is required in every aspect of our lives. From work to dealing with our children to waiting for the traffic light to change, it requires PATIENCE. Sayings become cliche' for a reason..... because they work. We must also understand that the foundation of PATIENCE is PERSEVERANCE.  According to Romans 5:3-4 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh PATIENCE; and PATIENCE, experience; and experience, hope." What this is saying is that when we hold steadfast to our journey and stick to our guns, not only do we make progress, but we also build PATIENCE. It is in these situations that we learn to not let our circumstances determine our attitude. One of my closest friends told me not long ago that "only thinking about right now never gets you past right here!" It is our ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel that builds hope for tomorrow. My father often tells me stories of his childhood growing up in a poor family and also his struggles as an adult after losing his leg to diabetes. His catch phrase (well actually one of many LOL) was "if I hold on until tomorrow it has to be a brighter day." He emphasizes the fact that it took a lot of tomorrows before things got better but they eventually did. His PERSEVERANCE led to him toughening up, as we all will in time. PATIENCE that is groomed through PERSEVERING and overcoming obstacles builds confidence, not only in ourselves, but in God's plan for our lives. Through PERSEVERANCE and PATIENCE we are afforded the opportunity to witness our true strength.  So let him with the mind to PERSEVERE and the heart to do so PATIENTLY take solace in the dawning of a new day with new life and opportunity.  

USM "Born To Fly" produced by TC

USM new anthem "Born To Fly"

Adversity

"Success is not measured by where we make in life, but what we overcame to get there." This is by far my all-time favorite quote. Any time I am faced with any form of ADVERSITY I think back on it and look forward to having a compelling success story when "it's all said and done." Our response is the most important aspect of ADVERSITY. Often times we only see negativity when it comes to ADVERSITY, rather than looking for the lessons and blessings that result from it. I know that myself, as well as others have often asked the question "why do bad things happen to good people?" It's often because God knows that a "good" person is strong enough to handle a "bad" thing.  The story of Job in the Bible is the epitome of a "good" person handling ADVERSITY and receiving the resulting blessings.  Job was chosen by God to endure his ADVERSITY. The Bible says that God asked Satan if he had considered His "good" and faithful servant Job? Instead of taking the advice of his wife and cursing God, Job instead continued to see the light at the end of the tunnel and praised God in spite of his situation. In the end, Job was blessed with twice as much as he initially had.  ADVERSITY is a tool that not only strengthens us but also serves as encouragement to others who know of our situation. I'm sure there are plenty young athletes that have been encouraged by the fact that Michael Jordan did not make his high school basketball team until his junior year and went on to become the greatest basketball player in NBA history. The fact that Donald Trump experienced bankruptcy before becoming one of the world's richest people is encouragement to many young entrepreneurs. Rapper 50 Cent is another intriguing person who began life as thug from a broken home in the streets of New York who overcame a near fatal shooting and went on to become not only one of the world's most recognizable entertainers, but also an astute businessman. Experiencing ADVERSITY allows us help deter others from making decisions that could lead to ADVERSITY and to be sympathetic to those who face situations we are familiar with. Who better to take solace in than someone who has conquered the same situation?  The Bible states that Jesus was sent to Earth as a human being, rather than an angel so that He would be able to relate to every situation that we face in life.  He faced ridicule, persecution, betrayal, and death and conquered them all.  Three days after being nailed to a cross He rose from the dead.  Now that's overcoming ADVERSITY!!! We should take the time to evaluate the adversity in our lives. I believe that if we really examined every situation that we have been faced with we will find the silver lining within.