Realizing My True Blessings

To: You

In some ways, society tells us, “There are plenty of fish in the sea,” “Live for now and don’t worry about the future,” or “Wait until you grow up to (fill in the blank).”

But what if in this very moment is your only opportunity to make the most of your life. To share with someone that your life isn’t that same without them. To realize that we aren’t young for ever. Youth is a gift only appreciated by the old. To launch out in the area that fear has held you back.

Our lives are the summations of individual experiences. Experiences that take you further toward your purpose or farther away from it. No amount of sex, money, drugs, fame, and power can change that. We are exactly who we are in the midst of our experiences. Our actions, our thoughts, our feelings are the only true definition of the individual lives we all live.

My strengths and successes no greater define me than my weaknesses and mistakes. Weaknesses that I can never truly hide, only slow transform into benefits. Mistakes can never be out ran or hidden. However, mistakes can transform into life lessons and best practices when faced head on.

I love my life not because of money, influence, ability, or resources. I love my life because of the people that I share my experiences with. It its because of you, my life is full. So on this Christmas Day, I thank you for the best gift I could ever receive, your friendship and companionship.

With love,

Calvin
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Love vs. Lust

Earlier this morning, I woke up thinking about the difference between love and lust. I knew there was a difference in my heart, but was having a hard time verbalizing it. My first thought was that lust was primarily physical. However, after much thought, I realized that you can have an emotional lust for someone that you have never seen.

So, if it was not always physically driven or emotionally driven, what was the difference between love and lust. After working out and spending time with God, a very simple sentence came to mind. The difference between love and lust is, “love has an outward focus on the needs of others and lust has an inward focus on the pleasures of self.”

Love and lust can be easily confused, the fluttering in the heart, the desires that turn into actions and the overwhelming thoughts throughout the day. Yet, a key difference is the motive of the actions or thoughts.

Lust is satisfied when you are the recipient. The moment after you receive what you have been lusting for, you become satisfied, bored, or looking for the next fulfillment.
Conversely, love is satisfied when you give. The moment after giving you feel a sense of joy, accomplishment, or inner peace. This feeling carries you for sometime and you dream of ways to give more love again.

I believe that if I would have realized this difference in early 20s, my life and relationships would have been much different. I believe I could have been a greater blessing to those in my life and connected to me. However, I hope that by sharing this that those who may not have ever thought about the difference, can realize the difference and be a greater blessing to those in your life.

C.

Youth Summer Time Jobs!

I can remember looking for a job as a teenager, wasn’t always the easiest… Well here is a great opportunity from a great organization.

The Red Cross has some great training opportunities for youth looking for summertime jobs!  Lifeguard Training Classes and Challenge classes, Babysitting Boot Camps and even Babysitting Instructor Training!

For registration and additional information, Contact Health and Safety at 333-2111.

Supporting a Worthy Child

A friend of mine has a young boy who has been spotted by his teachers as a worthy student to attend a very special summer school program at Wake Forest. Unfortunately, her son needs some assistance to help fund the program. After reading the letter below, please let me know if you are able to give to assist her and cause. Her son is truly bright and like much of us, we all just need a little help.

So, please lets help her and him out.

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6007 White Chapel Way
Greensboro, NC 27405

April 10, 2011

Dear Community Partners and Sponsors:

I am in the fourth grade at Brightwood Elementary School and have been nominated to represent my school and community at the National Young Scholars Program (NYSP) this summer.

The National Young Scholars Program nominates high-achieving elementary students to attend this hands-on educational and leadership program. I have enclosed information on NYSP for your review. As you can see, this will be a great experience that will help me build my leadership skills and learn all about ¬¬¬NYSP Explorers: Pathways to Discovery!

Imagine if you had been given this opportunity for a life-changing experience when you were my age and were unable to participate for lack of funds. That is why I am writing to you today.

My participation in NYSP depends on whether I can raise $1000 in sponsorships. (The program tuition is $1495 and my travel to the program will be $250.) I am investing every dollar I can of my own money to make sure I don’t miss out on this unique experience. In addition, through my family, friends and neighbors, I have already raised $85.

That leaves me with a balance of $915, and I am hoping that you will consider assisting me with all or some of these costs. My tuition must be paid in full no later than June 24, 2011.

Your support for my sponsorship request would be greatly appreciated. My family and I will contact you next week to discuss the possibility of receiving your support.

I have enclosed background materials on NYSP to answer your questions and help you make your decision. Please contact me at 336-420-5793 or you may contact the National Young Scholars Program at (800) 781-7185 for any further information.

Sincerely,
Master Joshua D. Hall

Encl. (1)

Protected: Who I Am

Protected: Faith Finance Declarations