Self-Empowerment Daily with Al Duncan

Words of Wisdom 11: Self-Sabotage

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:29:41 GMT

Most of the obstacles people face in life are self-imposed. So remember...

"You are guaranteed to win once you defeat the enenmy within because... It's ALL Mental!" -- Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

A Quick Lesson on Leadership VI

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:48:15 GMT

Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!

Lesson 6:

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there a cow came by and crap on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and h apply, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered d the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Moral of the story:

(1) Not everyone who craps on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of crap is your friend.
(3) And when you're in deep crap, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

A Quick Lesson on Leadership V

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

A Quick Lesson on Leadership V

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:32:20 GMT

Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!

Lesson 5:

A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," said the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients."

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:

Bull s**t might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

A Quick Lesson on Leadership IV

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

A Quick Lesson on Leadership IV

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:30:09 GMT

Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!

Lesson 4:

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?"

The eagle answered: "Sure, why not."

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

A Quick Lesson on Leadership III

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

A Quick Lesson on Leadership III

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:18:48 GMT

Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!

Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out.

The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."

"Me first! Me first!" says the admin. clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world."

Puff! She's gone.

"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life."

Puff! He's gone.

"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager.

The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."

Moral of the story:

Always let your boss have the first say.

A Quick Lesson on Leadership II

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

A Quick Lesson on Leadership II

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:11:08 GMT

Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!

Lesson 2:

A priest offered a nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak."

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way. Upon his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the Story:

If you are not well informed in your job, opportunities for advancement will pass right by you.

A Quick Lesson on Leadership I

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

A Quick Lesson on Leadership I

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:02:20 GMT

Someone emailed this to me. It's funny and insightful. Enjoy!

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel." After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob. After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves. The woman wraps up in the towel and goes upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies. "Great!" the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"

Moral of the Story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

Words of Wisdom 1: Goal-Getting

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:16:20 GMT

Here's something to help you out with your new year's resolutions or any goal:

According to research, you are 80x’s more likely to achieve your goals if they are written down. Put it in writing.

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

A Few Good Quotes

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:40:25 GMT

"The ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental."
-Tehuti-the ancient egyptian master of masters

"What this power is I cannot say; all I know is that it exists and it becomes available only when you are in that state of mind in which you know exactly what you want and are fully determined not to quit until you find it."
-Alexander Graham Bell

"No one is truly literate who cannot read his own heart."
- Eric Hoffer

"Ultimately the most meaningful act of responsibility that leaders can do is to control their own state of mind."
-Daniel Goleman

"The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind."
-Wayne Dyer

"Not he is great who can alter matter, but he who can alter my state of mind."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success."
-Dr. Joyce Brothers

"Put yourself in a state of mind where you say to yourself, "Here is an opportunity for you to celebrate like never before, my own power, my own ability to get myself to do whatever is necessary."
-Anthony Robbins

"There is an intense delight in abandoning faulty states of mind and in cultivating helpful ones in meditation."
-Dalai Lama

"Your state of mind has the most influence on the outcome of every situation in life. Developing the ability to govern your state of mind is the cornerstone of self-actualization because your state of mind determines your perception and your behavior."
-Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

"Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind."
-Norman Vincent Peale

"In words are seen the state of mind and character and disposition of the speaker"
-Plutarch

"It is always thus, impelled by a state of mind which is destined not to last, that we make our irrevocable decisions"
-Marcel Proust

"There is no separation of mind and emotions; emotions, thinking, and learning are all linked."
-Eric Jensen

"Your attitude is the state of mind through which you filter all information and make all decisions."
-Unknown

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker, College Speaker, and Youth Speaker

He's Back!!

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:56:37 GMT

After two years...I'm back to Spaces. Keep an eye out for my new posts. Words of Wisdom will be posted everyday (almost) and you'll find excerpts from new articles as well.

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan

America's Leading Youth Empowerment Advocate

Word-Class Professional Speaker and Youth Speaker

So Sad to Say Good Bye

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 16:15:39 GMT

I love MSN Spaces but this will be my last post here because...

I'm moving my blog to a new location. No complaints at all about MSN. It's just that the new location is better suited for the direction that I'm headed in. So if you've signed up for a feed (RSS) come and visit me at The Self-Empowerment Zone™ and sign up for a new feed.

How can I manage to be professional when I cry every time I get angry or upset?

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:05:35 GMT

Q: I am a very emotional person. At 35 years old I find that this is not going to change. How can I manage to be professional when I cry every time I get angry or upset?

A: To get a handle on your situation you can use three of the 9 Keys For Mastering Your Anger

4. Hit the pause button

Take a deep breath and hold it for at least 6 seconds. This will give you a chance to deal with the wave of emotion flooding your system. During your pause you want to instantly think of something that will help you master the moment.

Million-Dollar Question: What should you be thinking about? Keep reading and you’ll find out.

5. Change your inner conversation.

I’m not sure what you say to your self when angry, but it probably isn’t helpful. Most people are thinking thoughts that just make the situation worse.

Speaking of which, one of the most ineffective things that you could say to yourself is- “I’m not going to cry.”

There’s a good chance that you’ll end up crying anyway because you had to think about it in order to try to keep yourself from doing it. That’s nasty little head game that you’re better off not playing. And in the end it usually just gives you something else to beat yourself up about, right?

You want to think of something doable and encouraging. I’ll give you a suggestion in a moment.

6. Challenge your beliefs and perceptions

Your question clearly outlines beliefs and perceptions that you feel are true. I’ll touch on a couple of the main ones.

“…I find that this is not going to change…I cry every time I get angry or upset…”- Beliefs and perceptions about your behavior.

Has there ever been a time when you got angry or upset and you didn’t cry? Think about it. And your answer is…

If your answer isn’t yes then think harder.

I have yet to encounter someone who does something EVERY time. If you were able to perform some alternate behavior once, you can do it again. (I hope that your alternate behavior wasn’t bashing somebody in the head!)

If you happen to be the only person who does perform a certain behavior EVERY time then you’ll have to think of someone you admire. Use his behavior as your focal point. Imagine being like him or her.

The answer to the million-dollar question:

When you hit the pause button, instantly think of yourself at a time when you didn’t cry. There’s no need to replay the entire scenario, just see and feel yourself performing your alternate behavior, the behavior of someone you admire, or both.

You can practice doing this once or twice a day by remembering a time when you wish hadn’t cried. Instead envision this scenario with desired behavior in place. Your unconscious mind can’t distinguish reality from memories and imagination.

Here it is in three simple steps:

Pause for at least 6 seconds and take a deep breath

While pausing, instantly think something like- “I’m a professional and this is what I’m going to do.”

As soon as the statement above pops into your head, imagine yourself doing the desired alternative behavior and then do it.

One last thing: the goal is for you to refrain from excessive crying in front of your colleagues or co-workers so that you can maintain your professionalism. But remember, there’s nothing wrong with crying. It’s when you cry that the issue.

Crying can be a healthy way of relieving stress and pent up feelings. So if you feel like crying every so often, go ahead and let it out.

To receive full reprint one time rights please contact Al Duncan at Al Duncan Enterprises via email at al@alduncan.net . I appreciate your interest and will reply to your message promptly within 48 hours.

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

Al "The Inspiration" Duncan is an author, a self-empowerment coach, and a professional motivational speaker. He is a Self-Motivation, Communication, and Emotional Intelligence expert. Visit him on line at www.alduncan.net

A State of Mind Called Time Pt. I

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:23:42 GMT

“Life is a short walk. There is so little time and so much living to achieve.” -John Oliver Killens

Whether it’s quality time, playtime, game time, family time, me-time, real time, study time, daytime, nighttime, wrong time, or the right time, one thing is for sure- sometimes it seems as if life is all about time, doesn’t it?

Time is a state of mind. Don’t believe me? Of course you do. You know the truism ‘time flies when you’re having fun’. And you know that the last 15 minutes before you get off work can seem like 15 hours.

You also know the old adage- treat everyday as if it were your last. Sage advice indeed, but for most people this is a lofty and unsustainable state of mind.

There are a few principles, however, within reach that can help you to ‘use your time wisely’. (Okay, I promise- no more over-used clichés about time.)

What we’re going to talk about has nothing to do with time management in the popular sense. This is all about your perception of time. The way you treat and think about time.

Most people are always trying to find time. But the thing is- it’s impossible to find time. It doesn’t work that way.

You can find your keys. You can walk down the street and find some money. But you can’t walk down the street and find an hour. You don’t go to the lost and found when you’ve lost precious time.

You do not find time; you make time.

One day I was sitting in front of my computer completely engrossed in my work. Suddenly, I was snapped back into reality as Renee, my wife, walked into the room.

She playfully asked, “What about me?”

“Huh? What do you mean- what about me?”

“I would like some quality time.”

Five minutes later, feeling slightly ambivalent, I pried myself away from my work to fulfill Renee’s request.

So what was the result? A great evening and now we’re expecting our first child!

Million Dollar Question: Did I try to find time for her?

No. I made time for her. There is always:

Another speech or talk to give.
Another article to write.
Another client to coach.

And on the less productive side- there is always:

Another TV show to watch.
Another movie to watch.
Another nap to take or sleep to catch up on.

So with all of your priorities and things to that “need“ to be done, how do you make time? One word-

Sacrifice.

People love Gray’s Anatomy and missing an episode would be blasphemous! A workaholic, like me, giving up work time- sacrilegious!

Well, ten years from now the fact that you missed an episode, or two, of your favorite TV show won’t have any effect on your life. Neither will sacrificing a little bit of work time for family time. (No- watching TV when you should be working doesn’t count as sacrificing.)

How about the marriage saving time you could’ve spent with your spouse?

How about the book you could’ve finished, the networking event you could’ve gone to, or the part-time business you could’ve started?

What about the life changing conversation you could’ve had with your child?

Make time.

Make time for the people you care about. Make time for your hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

“But I just couldn’t find the time.”

What a pitiful excuse. I know you’re better than that otherwise you wouldn’t have made the time to read this article.

Sacrifice and enjoy the rewards.

We’ll pick up this conversation about a state of mind called time next time.

(Part two will be posted shortly.)

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

Fact or Fiction? (Web Poll)

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 22:00:25 GMT

When you are angry “letting it all hang out” is a good idea. (Example: punching a pillow until you feel better.)

Click here to vote, see the results, and read the answer.

Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Emotions

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:09:07 GMT

One of the most popular movies of all time is Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The Beast, who used to be a prince or something of that sort, had great difficulty in controlling his manners and his anger.

Although there was a charming gentleman inside of him who knew the right way to behave, Beast often felt powerless and believed that there was little he could do in regards to his behavior. After all, he was a beast, right?

Eh…not quite.

Many people have a similar problem. They think things like-

“Well, that’s just how I am” or “What problem? I don’t have a problem.”

Why do people do this? Because it’s easier to make excuses about behavior than it is to change behavior. Think about that.

Taming the Beast is no joke. Therefore, before we talk about these 9 keys for mastering your anger, here are a several things you should know:

a) It’s not always the anger that’s the problem; it’s the behavior that accompanies the anger.

Suppression and over expression of anger are two different roads leading to the same destination. Complete suppression can destroy relationships, lead to bad health, and ruin outcomes in similar fashion to over expressing anger.

b) If you have serious anger issues then some of these keys may be difficult to use on your own. If so, you may need to see a coach or a therapist.

c) If you’re reading this with the intention of helping out a child or adolescent, it’ll be helpful if you read Young and Angry, which will be posted soon.

The starting point for mastering your anger is the same starting point for bringing about many types of change. It begins with…

1. Awareness and acknowledgement

You probably already know that when a person has an addiction or behavioral problem, getting them to acknowledge the problem can be challenging.

Awareness is the foundation of self-empowerment. If a person wants to tame the beast, he must acknowledge that his anger management is something that needs to be addressed.

Recently, I was talking to Chef Tim, a good friend of mine, and he reminded me of a catchy phrase from G.I. Joe: “Knowing is half the battle.”

So, if you are reading this article in order to deal with your own anger issues then kudos to you; you’re half way there.

On the other hand, perhaps you are reading this article with the intention of helping someone else- someone who isn’t aware that his anger needs to be tamed. If so, then it’s a good idea to send him a copy of Blind Spots, an article about developing self-awareness, Emotions and Your Health: Anger or both.

So, what are some telltale signs of an anger problem?

According to a study published by Kassinove, R. Chip Tafrate, PhD, and L. Dundin in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (Vol. 58, No. 12), individuals with high trait anger tend to report more physical aggression, negative verbal responses, drug use, and negative consequences of their anger. They have anger reactions that are more intense, enduring, and occur more frequently.

If you’ve noticed any of these indications then it’s time to…

To read the rest of Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Emotions click here

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

Emotions and Your Health: Anger

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 21:51:37 GMT

“Be not hasty in thy spirit to anger: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” –Ecclesiastes 7:9

The year was 1979. A seven-year old boy was in the living room, sitting in front of the TV, playing with some of his toys. After a commercial went off, the little guy jumped up full of excitement. He could hardly contain himself as one of the most famous lines in television history filled his ears.

“Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”

With unbridled enthusiasm and putting on his best angry face, the little guy spun around towards his father- who was sitting on the couch near him- and roared, “Yeah, Dad. Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry!”

The little guy’s face was so twisted and contorted that his father burst into laughter. Thinking that his father needed more convincing, the little guy started ripping off the t-shirt he was wearing.

The father sat there for a split second in disbelief. His amusement turned to anger. “Boy! What in the world is wrong with you?!”

With his play anger morphing into fear, the little guy meekly replied, “I…I’m The Incredible Hulk, Dad.”

“If you ever tear up your clothes like that again you’re going to get an incredible butt-whuppin’!”

The little guy in this comical story was me. And that was the first and last time I put the shirt ripping routine into my Incredible Hulk impersonation.

When I was growing up, in my mind, getting angry always seemed to lead to one of two results. Either people thought that you were the cool, super-hero, tough guy (or woman) type that wasn’t to be played with or they thought you were the overly sensitive, mindless buffoon moonlighting as a bully type.

Regardless of what you or I think about anger one thing is for sure. It’s one of the most dangerous forces in existence.

Nations have been practically destroyed, countless souls laid to rest, and many harsh words have been regretfully uttered because of anger gone unchecked.

Although many people, especially t-shirt ripping Incredible Hulk fans, are probably well aware of the damage that anger can cause in the external world, few individuals truly understand the detrimental effects that anger can have on the internal world. When not understood and managed properly, anger can completely dismantle your well-being.

But before we explore some of the negative effects of mismanaged anger, know this: under normal circumstances anger is a vital tool for motivation and communication.

When you get frustrated (a form of anger) because of a sub-par performance or lack of achievement, it’s your frustration that can be the motivation to do better.

If you feel as if you, a loved one, or something you value (such as your car, your pride, or a belief) is being threatened, then out comes The Incredible Hulk to warn the violator to back off…or else.

Self-esteem and respect are also examples of intangible things people value that are often re-affirmed as a result of displaying anger.

In spite of all the positive aspects of anger, when suppressed or overly expressed anger can wreak havoc on your well-being.

Redford Williams, director of behavioral research at Duke University Medical Center, says that every time you get angry more epinephrine (adrenaline) is released and your blood pressure increases.

Well, did you know that high blood pressure could erode the walls of your arteries the same way a raging river erodes its banks?

Heart attacks are being linked with overly expressed anger and strokes are linked with suppressed anger. Many experts believe that the occurrence of strokes in women is higher because according to many cultures it isn’t “lady-like”(whatever that means), for women to express their anger.

A review panel on coronary prone behavior and coronary artery disease (CAD) came to the conclusion that the effects of hostility (a state of mind in which angry thoughts and feelings are deemed necessary for protection from perceived threats) are equal to and possibly greater than the effects of high serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure.

Hostility is bad for your health. Period. So, how hostile are you? The following questions were used in a study of 3,750 men. Which number under each of the following pairs of statements would best describe you? (Be honest with yourself. It’s your health.)

Seldom get into arguments Quite often get into arguments

1 2 3 4 5

Don’t get angry easily Do get angry easily

1 2 3 4 5

Not irritated easily Get irritated easily

1 2 3 4 5

Researchers found that the men who scored in the 13-15 range (high hostility) were almost three times more likely to have symptoms indicating cardiac problems than the men who scored in the 3-5 range (low hostility). And similar studies have shown that hostile people are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and overeat.

You might be surprised by some of the things that can feed your anger. Quickly answer yes or no to these questions.

Are you a coffee drinker? Do you have asthma? Are any of your friends bodybuilders? Has anyone you know been depressed lately? Are you still thinking about going on a diet?

Certain drugs such as caffeine, steroids for bodybuilding or asthma, other medications for asthma, antidepressants, and diet drugs can make a person more irritable and prone to getting angry.

And of course the number one cause of consistent rage is hanging around stupid people who do stupid things. Sorry, kiddo, I can’t help you out with that one.

But if you want a few tips on effective anger and hostility management read my next article on emotional mastery- Taming the Beast: 9 Keys for Mastering Your Anger.

In the mean time, if someone or something is driving you bonkers, before you do your best Incredible Hulk impersonation remember the two lessons you learned today.

One, It’s bad for your health. Two, don’t rip up your t-shirt; you won’t like your dad when he’s angry!

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

It’s In There Somewhere

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 02:59:31 GMT

“One’s work may be finished someday, but one’s education never.” -Alexander Dumas

Most people act like guidance, advice, and education are all about stuffing something into someone else’s head. This isn’t the case. The word educate originally comes from the Latin word educare which means to draw out. Think about that.

Million Dollar Question: How many times have you been looking for a solution to a problem, found it, and realized that you knew the answer all along?

By drawing out the best in a person, a great coach, speaker, teacher, parent, or friend helps the individual realize that he or she was born with the internal resources needed to succeed.

As a matter of fact, as you read Self-Empowerment Daily and The State of the Mind you’ll notice that the articles and Q&A are written in a manner that develops self-empowerment by helping you to draw on your internal resources. My goal is always to help you think critically and take effective action.

Read the quote at the beginning of this article again.

Because there are infinite possibilities in you, your education is never over. There’s always more to be drawn from your inner well.

So even if you’re faced with complex challenges and seemingly insurmountable obstacles keep in mind: there’s a very good chance that the answer is already inside of you. You may need a little guidance to get it out, but it’s in there somewhere.

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

The Spitting Image

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 12:58:54 GMT

"The lives of youth today are a reflection of adult values" -Dr. Dennis Waitley

As I travel around the country speaking and coaching there is a constant question that continuously comes up.

“What’s wrong with these young people today?”

That question drives me nuts. I frequently respond, “The same thing that’s wrong with the adults is the same thing that’s wrong with the students: detrimental values.”

Think about it. This is all about exposure and students are the spitting image of the adult values they are exposed to the most.

You might be thinking

“Hey, I don’t wear my pants hanging off of my butt.”
“My hair isn’t pink and green.”
“My clothes aren’t so tight that it looks like I painted them on me.”

True, but…

Kids don’t own the movie theaters, TV stations, clothing companies, or radio stations. They don’t produce and distribute the DVD’s, CD’s, and MP3’s.

So while you’re getting angry and frustrated with the kids, remember the adults. They are the ones who put the value on the products they produce.

One day when I was speaking at a community center I saw a guy fussing at some teenagers about how they were dressed.

“Y’all need to pull your pants up. And y’all young girls got clothes that’s way too tight.”

The guy had on an old, oily baseball cap turned to the back. He was wearing an off-yellow, grayish tank top that used to be white. And there were so many peas in his beard that he could’ve opened a supermarket! (Translation: His beard was unkempt).

Uh…hello. What’s wrong with this picture?

That’s no different than someone with a $20,000 home theater in his or her house, no home library, and yet he or she has the nerve to be pissed off because his or her kids don’t read and study enough.

We live in a society where it’s more important for most adults to have a home entertainment center than it is to have a bookcase. Now that is pitiful.

But you know what? I’m through ranting for today. Here’s the bottom line-

Empowerment begins and ends with adult values.

So the question isn’t “What’s wrong with these young people today?” The question is- “What’s wrong with adult values today?”

The following biography byline must be added to the end of each article along with photo (if possible).

Trip To The Gulf Coast

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 13:30:40 GMT

This an article that I wrote a few months after Katrina hit.

About four weeks ago I spoke at a high school in Irvington, Alabama. The school is in the Gulf Coast region and it suffered quite a bit of damage. At the beginning of the presentation I asked the students whose homes were severely damaged or destroyed to raise their hands. All 562 students raised their hands. I was speechless. Someone hollered out, "We're staying in a tent." A lot of students responded, "So are we."

I stood there quietly for about 15-20 seconds thinking to myself. When I finally spoke I told the students that...

To read about the rest of My Trip To The Gulf Coast click here.