Most people see "the gift" as being an actual present. I see "the gift" as being your God given talent.

If you are great at creating something and you love doing it, make that your obsession. Why? Because God gifted you with that talent and passion for it.

God wants you to excel in all your aspirations. That's why when you find something you love doing, you actually love doing it.
 
For example, if you love writing music and you are really good it, pursue it! If you love making movies and you have a great talent for it, go for it!

Your God given talents will then "bring [you] before the great".

Your music will get you noticed by record executives and producers. Your film will be showcased at film festivals and win awards. Your blog will be read by hundreds people... Ha!

In short, the gift that God gave you will open doors of opportunity for you.

God wants you to succeed. Now go knock on some doors and see where your gift takes you.

Time is a luxury we don't have... According to Billy Bob Thornton in Armageddon.

Time is measured by a clock.

Clocks are a necessity to life. We use clocks to help schedule and keep track of our day.

Everyone reading this has a clock. Perhaps they have more than one clock.

What's the point?

The point is it's time for an episode I like to call...

Clocks are great to help you stay organized; however, if you live your life inside the clock instead of outside, you are placing yourself in a prison cell of stress you created yourself.

In other words, the clock begins to dictate your life instead of you running your own life.

Consider this: There is a business man in a coffee shop working feverishly on his laptop. He has his cell phone on the table next to his laptop along with his day planner. He is also constantly looking at his wrist watch to see how many minutes are left before his deadline. You can tell he is stressed..

At the opposite end of the coffee shop there is another man who is around the same age as the business man. He is calm and collected while he reads a tangible book. He even enjoys a casual conversation with random strangers who sit next to him.

Both men make the same amount of income, have similar a similar work schedule, and have families. So why are their lives so different?

The business man lives inside the clock whereas the the other man lives outside the clock.

The business man has formed his own prison of time as he has four clocks to keep himself on track.

The man reading the book has only one clock on him. Most likely this clock is his cell phone.

The business man is letting time decide his fate as the casual man is enjoying life.

"Time is money," says the business man.

"Time is the pathway to new beginnings," says the casual man.

Do you set time aside for family, values, adventures, or building connections within your community?

If you uphold time as a means to build money, you are missing out on the greater things in life.

Loose all your clocks for one day and focus on the things that matter most. Spend more time with family, friends, or doing something you enjoy doing without having to worry about not having enough time.

That is living your life outside of the clock.

The long lost roommate...

The following story is half true and half fiction. I will let you discern from there.

I moved to San Marcos, Texas in August 2007. I was off  to meet my roommate there who I had previously known in my community college years. We will call him Pancho.

I first met Pancho at my first place of employment which was South Texas College Health and Wellness Center. Working at this gym was the best job I ever had because I was addicted to working out, living a healthy lifestyle, and meeting new people everyday. Pancho was one of the "new people" that I had met  while working there. Our desire for achieving the ultimate body was our main goal when we worked out; therefore, we became great workout buddies.

We would share protein shake recipes, workout tips, tricks, and we would always achieve and surpassed our gym goals. 

Our friendship  extended beyond the gym to hanging out at local coffee bars and sharing computer related conversations. You see, Pancho was (and still is) very tech savy and worked for a computer company as a salesman. Pancho had a gift for selling stuff as he was always leading his store and sometimes district in sales.

When Pancho found out I was going to attend Texas State University in the Fall, he was excited because he was going there as well. It was then he pitched the idea of us being roommates. I thought it was a great idea and decided to make that happen.

And it was a good idea. I lived with Pancho for about a year and a half which made for great memories and helped me live my best years to the fullest.

For instance, Pancho was wealthy. He worked hard for his money selling computer parts and other electronics to consumers while banking on commission. He was so rich, money was never an issue for him. The apartment was pimped out with the coolest electronics known to man at the time. We had high speed internet, powerful laptops, an impressive home theater system, and our own weather prediction center. Why? Because Pancho could afford it. He even had a brand new Mazda 3 GTi which was envied by most of the college kids around the complex.

Most of the time he would buy lunch and dinner. When we ventured out to explore the town and Austin, he would always pay. He was so wealthy, he would tip the bouncer at exclusive clubs just to get us into the V.I.P. area.

Pancho's wardrobe was filled with designer shirts, jeans, pants, blazers, shoes, ties, and other fashionable accessories. He liked to keep up with the current fashion trends as advised in his monthly subscription to GQ.

During our second semester together, the recession finally hit Texas... hard. The computer company Pancho worked for closed down and he was laid off. The next few months, I saw Pancho go from living off steaks and protein shakes to noodles and cheerios. His attire went from Gucci to Gap.

Pancho tried finding other jobs, but no one was hiring.

Pancho sadly could not afford college anymore and had to go back home after completing his last full semester.

I remember him walking to his new car and cursing to the sky, "This really sucks!"

I looked down from the third floor and yelled back at him, "Hey! You are going to rise back up and become powerful once again! You will be filled with new powers that you have never experienced before! You will rule the world!" We liked to think were superhumans with superpowers... Shut up.

About six months later, I met up with Pancho back in his hometown of McAllen, Texas. It was great seeing him and finding out he got a job with another computer company selling computers and other electronics to people. This time it was different. His store was only a few miles from a bridge that brought traffic in from Mexico. Many of his customers were Mexican lawyers, doctors, and business men who spared no expense. Pancho was once again leading in sales and making it rain.

The last time I saw Pancho was when he came to visit me in Austin. He visited me to tell me how life has changed for him for the better. His plans at the time were to finish college and marry his girlfriend who he met back in McAllen. I was very happy for him.

That was four years ago.

Since then, Pancho has disappeared. Our mutual friends have not seen or heard from him in years. I am friends with him on Facebook, but he hasn't been on there since 2011.

I know somewhere out there, Pancho is living his dream. He finished college. Married the girl. Bought the dream home. Bought the boat... Not the farm.

I like to think Pancho is still selling electronics because that is his gift. He can sell car phone to a man with an iPhone.

I also like to think Pancho is out there coaching others who are struggling. He comforts them with his humor and wisdom from having being there at the bottom.

He probably uses the line from the movie Batman Begins.

"Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up again."

Pancho learned how to pick himself back up and is now living the dream... somewhere.

You are an astronaut. Describe your perfect day.

(Rap the following to the tune of "It Was A Good Day" by Ice Cube)

[Verse One]
Just wakin’ up in the mornin’ gotta thank God
I don't know but today seems kinda odd
The room felt warm and there was no alarm
And the captain nuked a big breakfast without doing us any harm
I got my grub on as I look out at the stars
Finally got the call that we’re gonna land on Mars 
(Word Up!) Suited up in my astro suit ‘cuz that what I do
Ponderin’ when if we will land in about 22.
I gotta jet and prepare myself for the drop
Cuz when the captain hits that switch, it will go POP! POP!
No need to fret as we got the green light,
Lookin’ at all them windows, not a Martian ship in sight
O-M-G! You know I am lovin’ this here flight
I cannot wait to land and embrace the sun light
Holler back at Houston asking “What it do?”
I hear ‘dem holler back, “Hey! We be takin’ care of you.”
My cosmic boots are so rad and ready for the red rubble,
Last week I polished ‘dem up to prepare them for trouble.
Freaking out ‘cuz I realized it’s my Birthday…
I can't believe my stars…

Today is a good day.

Yeah! Great glittering galaxies!

Today is a good day.

Turn my headphones up in my suit!

Today is a good day.

[Verse Two]
0:42, I look out to see a peaceful meteor shower,
I didn’t even yak on the NASA bar I had devoured,
Just yesterday I had stomach issues at the midnight hour,
But today I feel like I cannot be bothered!
Mad respect to all of the crew,
as we all said to one another, “Here’s lookin’ at you!”
Went to the prep the landing gear and hit shuffle on my iPad,
The next thing is the theme song to ‘Breaking Bad’
Place the headphones on my ears, all I think this is “Yo! This is Rad!”
Strolling on up to the cockpit like a mill-yun!
Got my headphones cranked up to numero eleven.
I get back to chat with the crew at 0:27
I look out beyond the inter-galactic glow
When we all decide myself and Ol’ Glory will be the first to go.
All I can think and shout was “Hooray!”

Today is a good day.

Yo! I always shoot for the stars!

Today is a good day.

I cannot wait to roll on 24's on Mars!

Today is a good day.

[Verse Three]
I checked my bank account I just got paid!
Consider me as a Trump on my new pay grade!
I’m lovin it, I feel the atmosphere shift
Then the captain makes a quick air drift
I buckle up in my seat
Singin’ praises to the Lord above
For showin’ me so much love
0:13 and I can’t hold back all of my smiles
As we fly down for several thousand miles
I felt like I was Maverick from Top Gun
No worries felt as I embraced all the fun
Getting ready for that Super Sonic Boom, BOOM!
As we go zoom, ZOOM!
May we not be destined for doom, DOOM!
With only five minutes to go
I light up my suit and feel a sudden boost of MoJo
Cuz I will be gracin’ every cover of the newest issue of GQ 
Amazingly stellar best describes my IQ 
As we now embark to land on the Red Planet 
We all knew we couldn’t have better planned it.
I race for the door with Ol’ Glory in my hand 
Then the door finally opens to a new uncharted land…

Oh yeah, I got to say it is a good day.