The Fascination

     Today, baby ducklings were hatched. Their mother has been sitting on those eggs for a long time. Needless to say, these little kisses are so cute its not even funny. I would have never noticed their birth had there not been a hullabaloo. Probably 15 kids stood around the [new] mother as she kept her babies warm. It was a beautiful sight. The girls cooed and the boys stared and everyone was momentarily united by the hatching of these new ducks. After I joined in the awe, I proceeded to go on with my day and focus on my next task... I couldnt. I was fascinated with these babies. They were so precious. How could anyone (who saw them) forget about the little yellow fur balls that now lived on campus? It was impossible.
     Along the same lines, about four of my friends have recently had children. I find myself more and more, looking at these little Angels on Facebook or in the pictures i receive in a text. Its addicting. New life is a lasso that grabs most people and captivates them. Why is that? I think its because humanity was never meant to experience death. I think we were made for life. Things happen. People get hurt. Life goes on. But the ultimate title of our universe and creation is, "Life." Its beautiful.
     Today's thought is brief: Enjoy the fascination of Life. Live on.

                    Go after your dreams, you only live once.
                                    Go new life!
Discovering my Dream,
Amk

2012

  Although its rather belated, but still appropriate, Happy New Year. 2011 was fine, now on to the glorious 2012. Isn't it great to transition from one year to the next? I love it. This year I was privileged to be able to bring in 2012 first by singing (for hours) which was so much fun. After, it was time to party. One of my best friends and I, packed into her car and prepared to drive all around South Florida. We went from one side of town to the other... From house to house, we hugged and kissed probably thirty people in a matter of two hours. Adventurous. Our final party destination was wonderful. A house full of church family welcomed us with joy. The home was anything but quiet. Its hard for me to think of the words to describe the life that was in that house on New Year's Eve. When the clock turned "twelve" and the ball in Time's Square dropped, we all made a toast and took a sip of our sparkling cider. But what came next... unfortunately I've never really done before... Everyone who was in this house got into a circle and said our first prayer for 2012. Prayer is usual for me. As a kid my mother always kissed me goodnight and left the room by saying, "Say your prayers!" Now that I dont live with her anymore, I suppose it's kind of stuck. Its my way of life. At midnight of the typical New Years, i'll say "thank you Jesus for a new year" but nothing special. This evening was wonderful.
   In the moment of prayer, I felt as though the words that were spoken went directly up to Heaven. Nothing stopping them. I believe they did. But in the short time, before our celebration really began, I became particularly aware that I was now able to dismiss my last year and move on - forever. Last year was somewhat difficult for me. There were a lot of peeks, but also a lot of pits. I needed 2012 more than i realized. I needed to get back to my roots by moving forward. And it happened. Almost instantly I was refreshed and ready to be myself again. Im not totally sure how this happens, all I know is that it is indeed possible. I think it was done in that very simple moment of "New Year's first prayer."
  This year, I am completely determined to make the most out of every experience. Yes, even the bad ones. Im looking for peace, patience, love and a few other things... I know - without a shadow of a doubt - they will be found. 2012 has already begun to surprised me. My dreams are becoming clearer and closer and that makes me happy. Im waiting for more answers, but I know they're coming. The best part of 2012 is the renewed passion and anticipation. This is my year. This is your year. This is Our year.

Name it and claim it baby! Welcome to the new chapter of life, I dare you, write in CAPITOL LETTERS. And better still, write your story in LIVING COLOR.

Discovering my Dream,
Amk

A little update...

Ohhhhh hello, bloggers. Man, I feel like I'm stuck under a waterfall of busyness. It's crazy. I don't even have time to sleep these days. Life definitely has a beat to run to. It's quick, might I add.
This post is going to be more of an update on me... (like it or not) ;) I'm almost done with my first semester of college and it's great. My grades are good, my friends are good, and I'm good too. I made a few commitments in the beginning of the semester that I could not follow through with and I felt bad. It's all worked out to be a blessing in disguise. Having a little bit more free time, I've been able to start writing my music again. (can I get a "thank you god!") sitting at the piano, time melts like a candle and I love every second, hour, day. I have two new songs that will be produced hopefully in December. Maybe needless to say, I'm in my lane- very happy.
My family and I are preparing to spend a few days in [my favorite city] Atlanta. It's going to be a great time. Meeting up with family and friends... We are touring CNN and colca-cola. Then we will be returning to south Florida for thanksgiving day, I will be staying till that following Monday, then it's back to the grind. In between jet-setting all around, I'm going to visit several family friends and relatives and the dentist. :/ oh, I forgot to mention- BLACK FRIDAY! I'm already preparing. It's totally game on for me. I'll be sure to post the new members of my closet that I'll be finding that day.
I would also like to congratulate a few of my cousins who just had babies. They're very sweet. I love them. Message to you new mommies: I remember when we were kiddies and now you have some! I'm excited for this new chapter in your lives and love you very much. You're little angels are such lights :)
Alright blogger family, that's all I have for you at the moment. Feel free to leave comments.

Discovering my dreams,
Amk

Relax (opinion)

Mandatory chapels are an almost every day occurrence. I happen to like the late night-Monday services. I think they're cool. The campus pastor really works on trying to make it cool and relevant for the students. I can totally appreciate that. Having served in youth ministry for so long, I know what makes the individual's of this generation tick. Our pastor is young. Not college aged, but young at that. So, before services he plays sometimes unconventional music. I am not trying to step on anyones toes here by saying that it's right or wrong. That is completely up to you to decide. However, I kind of enjoy it. Obviously he doesn't play 99-jamz latest and greatest. We hear instrumentals and it really pumps up the crowd before the service starts.
Is this method always effective for instant worship? I'm not sure.
One issue I have with the whole thing is, the people that go absolutely irate when these given instrumentals are played. It's like clockwork. The track is played, and all of a sudden the holiest people recognize the song instantly. How does that work? I'm at a loss for words?! In any event, people need to keep their preferences to themselves. The same mouths that complained when the services had no substance and flavor, now complain about the song that's being played- without lyrics!! Isn't this insane?

I've never done this before... But if you have an opinion on this subject... Comment below. Im wondering what your thoughts are. Please, keep it open minded and pure hearted. We're not trying to hurt people in the process. People need to grow and if I can help someone grow then I'm a happy camper.

Discovering my dreams,
Amk

Stop pushing my buttons!

As i rushed into a notoriously slow elevator in hopes of riding alone, I found myself hitting the "up" button not once, but 6 times. Why? Because i was late and i was on a mission... Or so i thought. I was rushing to a   meeting that kind of treats me like im in AA but is a very simple "personal growth" group. All i wanted was to get to where i needed to be and avoid people at all costs. Isnt that horrible? How could i not want to speak to people and be on my way to go to a personal growth meeting. (I know i felt bad when i thought about all of it...) I was so focused on that slow elevator, that when a girl smiled at me, i didnt even notice till i walked away. How crazy is that? I shouldnt have been so far in my own world that i couldnt see the smile.
My thought for today is this: Stop pressing so hard.
Meaning, dont press the button 6 times. The elevator will still come at the same speed... what ever youre expecting will  be there in time. But instead of micro managing, lets try and doing something nice for someone else. Even a smile is something.

Discovering my dream,
Amk

Glory