On this day one of the loves of my life was born. My first love, my nephew, Brandon Sims, Jr. I never call him that. I call him Onion. He has been Onion since he was about 1 year old. Long story. He is now 17. I don’t know when I will stop calling him this nickname. Probably never. Lol.
About a year ago I started to write a book for him. It contains all the things I talk to him about right now but I know he isn’t really listening. He is a teenager after all. One day he will be open to these words and actually apply some to his life. I don’t want to heavily influence him instead I want him to have experiences, learn from them and grow in a way that is authentic to him. I am hoping that my book will just be a guide. I plan on giving this book to him on his 18th birthday. The day he will be released upon the world as an adult. He won’t be ready for the responsibility of adulthood. Who ever really is? But he will alway have me guiding him to question the world, his surroundings and what works best for him. All he has to do is open the book.
Here is a couple of passages from the book with quotes that I feel fit the topic. I believe these can be beneficial for anyone, no matter their age.
“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” – Bruce Lee
Focus
I know I used to tell you this all the time when you were younger. I wasn’t talking about your mind, I was talking about your eyes. Lol. Now I am totally focused on your mind. Your generation is so overstimulated with all of the technology available to you. Take a moment and step back from these things. Get in tune with yourself. Focus on your gifts, your abilities and your ideas. Know what they are and use them, grow them and work them to your advantage.
“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember — the only taste of success some people get is to take a bite out of you.” – Zig Ziglar
Do Not Let Others Speak Negativity Into Your Life
I know that the older generation is so used to saying negative things thinking that they will have a positive effect. Not at all. There are plenty of studies that show that negative reinforcements do not work. That most people respond well to positive reinforcement, rewards and affirmations. So when people say to you, “You are just like your mom”, “If you don’t do this you aren’t going to be something”. Reject those words. Do not let them into your mind. Guard yourself. I know and see your great potential so I do get mad at you sometimes when I see you doing the opposite. When I feel like you are messing up on purpose as if to prove that you are not worthy. You will always be worthy to me. I will always root for you. I am team Brandon no matter what! I will always speak life into you. I will also check you when you are being a little turd. I will push you. I believe in you and I know that you are capable and able to do anything.
These same words I say unto you today. We can accomplish anything that we focus on and put our energy towards. It is never too late to change it around. Yes, we may have wasted time on the wrong job, the wrong person or the wrong thoughts. But we can start new. We can focus on our dreams and set new goals to achieve them.
Look at the people around you. Are they supportive of you or are they constantly telling you how it won’t work? Why it won’t work? What is “wrong” with you? Time to clean house. Misery loves company as the saying goes. Dr. Brene Brown says,
“A lot of cheap seats in the arena are filled with people who never venture onto the floor. They just hurl mean-spirited criticisms and put-downs from a safe distance. The problem is, when we stop caring what people think and stop feeling hurt by cruelty, we lose our ability to connect. But when we’re defined by what people think, we lose the courage to be vulnerable. Therefore, we need to be selective about the feedback we let into our lives. For me, if you’re not in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.”
Mic drop 🎤.
Be well and whole everyone. Much love 🧡 💚