My Mom's Tennis Shoes

So the other day I had planned on going for a walk with my dad for exercise and father-daughter bonding time but I had worn flip flops by mistake and live too far to run home for shoes. My only solution: borrowing my mom’s tennis shoes.

I have this problem where I take sayings and turn of phrase entirely too seriously (see Birds, Pots, and Stones) and because of this, I hesitate before lacing up my mom’s sketchers. Phrases like “walk a mile in their shoes” and “those are big shoes to fill” came to mind and I thought to myself, “if putting someone’s shoes on literally means you take on their characteristics and lifestyle like these sayings suggest, does that mean I will become my mother if I squeeze my big, fat toes into these?”

It is generally acknowledged that no one wants to become their mother. There may be aspects of your mother that you admire and would one day like to emulate yourself but actually becoming her would defeat the purpose of all that teenage rebellion and know-it-all attitude you took the time and effort to develop in order to gather a sense of self and individuality.

Regardless, I put on the shoes. I walked, not just a mile, but three miles with my dad around my old neighborhood. Not once did I use the phrase “that’s what you’re wearing?” or “because I said so.” I did not ask, “Hey, who’s that actor from that show? You know, the one with the hair?” I did not make a short story long or pull my jeans above my belly button.

My mother’s an excellent woman in many ways. Hey, she raised me so there’s definitely a stroke of brilliance in that 50-something head of hers. It’s just that, when I’m a mother, I would like the chance to develop my own annoying qualities. Break the mold even. Be the mom that turns my child’s embarrassing moments into songs that we sing while company’s over or the mom that goes to the grocery store in evening gowns because I think people will wonder if I’m famous. My goal is to also have my children never want to become me but love all the eccentricities just the same. We all have our own paths to follow, you know?

Aw mom, what would I do without your electric curlers and passive-aggressive back-handed compliments?

Chicken Little Bro

So I made a joke at my brother’s expense. I wish I could do more things at my brother’s expense. Alas. Anyway, we were discussing his shirt-size so I could buy him a Christmas present and he claimed to be a medium. I immediately declared this as false since I…well…have eyes.

My brother’s a scrawny guy. He’s 19 but he’s about three years younger in general build and demeanor. He was born premature and ever since has been “the little one” as in:

“Hey, which one of those soccer players is Jesse?”

“Oh, he’s the little one.”

“Oh, I see him. Aw, he’s so cute…”



So I tell him that he has the upper body of an 11-year-old boy and GUESS WHAT? The clever little punk says, without skipping a beat, “so do you.” Gasp. How rude, right? Darn these kids and their quick comebacks.

I have never been one for comebacks. I stand, mouth ajar, too shocked by an insulting joke to respond. Though, if the joke’s good, I’ll usually feel some underlying appreciation as all things funny deserve to be acknowledged. He may have crushed that joke Professional-Baseball-Player-Removed-From-The-Hall-Of Fame-For-Using-Steroids style but, to be fair, I lobbed it to him like a teenage boy who throws like a little girl.

I’m gonna buy him an extra-small shirt for Christmas and use my evil laugh when it fits him like a glove.

Dentists and I do not recommend revenge due to it’s overwhelming sweetness.

The Big M

So I’m moving…again. What a roller coaster life’s been – this is my 3rd move in one year. And it’s never to anywhere exciting like, say, the moon. It’s just to another house with new roomies. Though this time it is going to be a bit different.

The first time I moved (from my parents home at the age of 24 – more than slightly embarrassing – if I was a the type of girl to have a sugar-daddy I would have gotten one to support me while I was in college but I’m not) I found my roommate on Craigslist. That’s right, some person claiming to be a 28-year-old named Susanna asked to meet me at her apartment to discuss the details of moving in and I went.

“What if it was some fat, bald 50-year-old man who wanted to take advantage of you?!”

“What if it was some serial killer who lures his young female victims through Craigslist?!” (I have extremely paranoid friends)

She wasn’t. She was a very sweet 28-year-old middle school teacher who grew up in South Africa and used Craigslist to lure young male victims so I was safe. Joking, of course. After all, if you know me, you know I’m the creepy one.

The second time I moved, I thought I was upgrading. Big, beautiful house right on the golf course in a community that sent passive-aggressive notes about having a satellite dish in the wrong place or a front porch light with too high a voltage. We ignored these notes as all things passive-aggressive should be ignored (they want to show up at the front door with a couple mafia hit men then I’ll consider changing the light bulb).


Despite several failed attempts to contact
you, the satellite dish on the Eastern side of your
house has still not been relocated. If you have
any questions or concerns please feel free to
promptly jump off a bridge…after you remove
the satellite dish, of course.


My best friend’s little sister, Kayla, became my roommate and life was good. We have a spa in the backyard and full access to a state-of-the-art fitness center (my spa-time to workout-time ratio isn’t exactly something to brag about but at least I've seen the fitness center). And, to top it all off, my best friend, Amanda, and her husband, Charlie, live right across the street!

Unfortunately, my measly $600 wasn’t enough to cover the $2,200 mortgage and my landlord, Kayla and Amanda’s dad, is giving us the boot since we couldn’t find roommates to occupy the other rooms in the house (you know who you are). What’s wrong with Beaumont, huh?

Now my roomie and I are in the process of moving in with said best friend and her character of a husband. They are extremely generous and I love them tremendously but I don’t think they know what they’re getting into.

Recent text to Amanda:

“Better get in all that crazy living room sex while you can! We’re moving in soon!”

No response as of yet. Curious. Maybe she was busy…

Prayer for Brandy

Re-posting:

"My name is Brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea.

I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds. Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog- as personal as the dude that I adore (who I actually met through my blog- single ladies, let that be a very good reason to blog, the possibility of meeting someone as wonderful as my man), but I need your help. And it involves my dude.

He’s a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He’s the kinda guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job. He’s the guy who sent flowers to me at school- dozens of my favourite pink roses just because he loves me. He’s a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred. He’s made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He’s listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

The holidays have hit us hard. He’s recently been told he may have something called multiple myeloma- an incurable cancer, that gives a person an average of five years of continued life. Though this news has came as a shock, he continues to be exactly who has always been- spending his time worrying about me, rather than worrying about himself. He’s the most selfless individual I know- (he stayed late on Christmas Eve to work, so his co-workers could leave early) and a post like this would never be something that he would promote or encourage but when I’m overwhelmed and feeling helpless, the blogging community has always given me tremendous support and comfort, two things I desperately need at this time.

As I write this, the future is uncertain and we aren’t sure what’s happening. He’ll need to see an oncologist soon, to verify what’s going on in his body. My hope is that everyone who reads this think positive thoughts and if you are a person who prays, could you add him to your list? (You can refer to him as ‘brandy’s hot awesome dude’). If you don’t pray, please keep him in your heart.This cancer is only a possibility and I believe that the prayers and positive thoughts of people can make sure it never becomes a reality.

I want to give a big thank you to the blog owner who scraped their original blog plans and graciously put this up. My goal is to get as many people as possible to see and read this post. If you are reading this and want to help, copy and paste my plea into your blog or send a link through twitter, so more people can keep him in their thoughts. I would be so very grateful (even more grateful than I am to my friend who first showed me the picture of Ryan Reynolds on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. If you haven’t seen it, google it. You. Are. Welcome).

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making- but this is life. Right now. And I’m throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you and if you know anything regarding MM- please email me (my email is on my blog). This isn’t a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It’s just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be with the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next. Maybe it is silly, but I really do believe that positive thoughts can make a huge difference. Thank you for reading this and if you haven’t already? Please tell someone you love them today.

I did."

-Age

Scrubs

So the day care where I work recently implemented a uniform policy and supplied each employee with three different sets of scrubs. You know, like the kind nurses wear. This was enforced to keep our clothes from being ruined by all those filthy children and to make sure that all the Booby McBreasterson’s follow the dress code. Unfortunately, I couldn’t break the dress code if I tried.



Now I am a preschool teacher, I look like a nurse, and I really hope people think I’m a doctor. No. A surgeon. I purposefully ordered those bluish-green scrubs so that I might be mistaken for someone far more successful. No such luck so far. It’s probably my general disheveled, rough around the edges look. Can’t seem to do anything about those darn edges.

The thing is, I don’t even work with the kids all that much. I’m the receptionist so, really, I’m above uniforms. I’m the first person anyone sees when they walk in. I physically represent this place and all it stands for (by the way, it stands for graham-crackers, long naps, and getting Columbus Day off). This means that I should be supplied with, not scrubs, but the latest and greatest in fashion and accessories. As soon as I’m done here I’m shooting my boss an email. She’ll see the reason in all of this, she’s a very smart lady after all. Except when she decided we should all become nurses. That was weird.

How long does it take to become a surgeon anyway?

Better yet, how do I get my hands on one of those white lab coats? I’ll just get me one of those, carry around a Starbucks cup at all times and people will simply assume my unkempt appearance is due to my demanding schedule as Southern California’s leading dolphin-to-human heart transplant surgeon. Jeez. Why do I always limit my abilities? ALL of California.

Introduction

I feel as though I should introduce myself though I'd rather just get right into this. Regardless, here I go...

My name is Adrienne and I don't know what I'm doing. That about sums me up really. But the fun of not knowing what you're doing is that it often comes with funny stories and a plethora of opportunities to laugh. Mostly at myself. Which is fine. No, really, it's fine. I decided that having a messy life is actually fun...Yes, it's going to be fun (insert forced smile here).

Hmmm

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The Science of Happiness

Nancy Etcoff on the surprising science of happiness | Video on TED.com

When I Wish Upon a Star...

I asked the kids at my day care what they would wish for if they saw a shooting star. I then had to explain what a shooting star is since the faces in front of me were adorably blank. When I told them that sometimes the stars shoot across the sky one of the little boys shook his head and said, "No, shooting is bad." I then had to rephrase the question entirely to, "what would you wish for if you saw a flying star." More blank stares. Sheesh. This was going to be trickier than I thought. How do these kids not know about wishing on shooting stars? Come on!

I tried again. "Okay, close your eyes. Think about what you want more than anything else. Got it? Alright, open your eyes..."

Lauren - a banana (I was a little worried at this point) ... or a snowman (OK)
Artemis - a walking, talking, moving bear (now we're getting somewhere)
Kamauryon - an apple (Oh, jeeze)
Charlotte - a princess in a pink dress
Mila - a mermaid
Gianni - a shooting star (ummmmm....you know what, they're four)
Alex - black spiderman
Emma - a cat
Steven - a toy (specific)
Zachary - GI Joe Command Center
Weston - Batman (me too)
Jasmine - a unicorn
Rihanna - a princess
Sarah - to have a great dog (love it)
Mark - Indianna Jones (boy after my own heart)

And a little lady who truly understands the meaning of Christmas:
Marissa - I love my mommy and want her to be happy

Merry Christmas!

-Age

'Tis the Season

"There will never be peace in the world until there is peace in nations.
There will never be peace in nations until there is peace in communities.
There will never be peace in communities until there is peace in families.
There will never be peace in families until there is peace in individuals.
And there will never be peace in individuals until we invite the Prince of Peace to reign in our hearts.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace."

-Rick Warren

Honest Lyrics by JJ Heller

I don’t know how to follow you without losing my way,
Jesus come and take me by the hand
And I don’t know how to trust that you will do the things you say,
Spirit teach me how to understand
that your love can heal the wreckage of my soul
the beauty of your light shining in me
I don’t know when you’ll take me home to paradise with you
the day when I will finally be free
Oh, the day when you come back for me

-Age

Victim of Praise #3

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation is an organization designed to bring joy to the lives of cancer victims, cancer survivors, and their families. The emphasis is on children and their fight to survive as cancer becomes all they know, having been diagnosed so long ago that no memory is left of what it feels like to be healthy and whole. These children’s lives are filled with hospitals, chemotherapy, radiation, and never-ending sympathy. What they need is some good, old-fashioned happiness.



This is where Armida Kersey comes in. She is the Executive Director of Candlelighters and has dedicated her personal and professional life to running this non-profit organization and giving a much needed break to these children and their families. All year long there are fundraisers and donation drives happening all over the Inland Empire, raising money and gathering supplies.



This money is not for research or for treatment but is specifically geared towards helping the family unit as a whole while the child is fighting for their lives. Imagine the stress of this situation and add on top of that the inability to afford housing near the hospital, gas to get to and from the hospital, or even Christmas gifts during the time of year when the normalcy of family and cheer is most important. Fortunately, Armida and her Foundation is here to help.



Much like the Ronald McDonald house, Candlelighters has a three-suite house offered to parents whose children have been admitted to Loma Linda University Medical Center. They give vouchers for gas and food as well. Each child, upon being admitted to the hospital, is given a gift, often a stuffed animal, to keep them company and make their stay a little brighter. Over 90% of their profits go to the families, which is a pretty amazing number considering most charitable organizations put over 20% of their earnings back into fundraising. It would seem as though the Inland Empire, while facing a difficult economic downturn, is still able to support such a worthy cause.



Candlelighters also organizes family picnics in the summer and other similar events throughout the year but their biggest and most spectacular act of giving takes the form of a large scale Christmas party each December. The Candlelighters Christmas party involves hundred of families, those who have a child currently seeking care, those that have recovered, and those who have undergone the heartbreaking experience of losing a child to cancer. All are welcome and all find hope and encouragement in one another. Each child is given a gift, even siblings, which amounts to the grand total of over 400 gifts each year! Even Santa is there to pass out the gifts and greet each child. There is food, booths, crafts, toys, and limitless fun to be had. The event is taking place this year on December 6th and, like every year since I was 12, I’ll be there making (or trying to make) balloon animals for the children. It’s a blessing to see so many smiling faces year after year.



Back to Armida. Candlelighters is a national foundation that’s been around for some time but Armida founded the Inland Empire chapter 25 years ago. She did so strictly on a volunteer basis for over 15 years, without pay. However, for the past decade, Armida has had the opportunity to fulfill a dream by making this her full-time job. She is now able to dedicate herself completely to helping families during a most trying time.



She began this organization out of personal experience. When her son was a young child he was diagnosed with cancer and she experienced first-hand the difficulties of making sure her family was taken care of while they battled with their son’s disease. She wanted to make sure that other families were given stress-free solutions to basic problems that seem so unfair when something as serious and looming as cancer is hanging over their heads. Her son is now well, in his thirties, and a thriving veterinarian.



Armida is a positive influence on her community and we can all learn from her and her drive to make people’s lives a little better, especially when tragedy strikes. It is obvious that this is a real passion for her and I imagine that she will continue to help families in the Inland Empire for years to come.

-Age

Happy Helping

A few days ago, at work, on a seemingly average day, an amazing thing happened right in front of me. To start, I’ll inform you that when children in orphanages reach the age of 18, they are no longer provided for and are released from government care. These children, and yes, they are children, are thrown out into the world damaged, unprepared and with little hope for a happy or successful future. Their Christmas’ have already been spent without family and now they would go without presents as well if it were not for a wonderful program, CHAS, which my work sponsors annually.

I work at a day care in Grand Terrace as the receptionist and directly across from my desk is a tree. Hanging from this tree are dozens of tags containing the names of a few of these young men and women as well as what they would like for Christmas. Many of the tags ask for Dora the Explorer dolls, diapers, and bottles as the recipients have become teenage mothers and fathers. They do not ask for themselves, but for their little ones. It breaks your heart to read these tags as some ask for clothes, shoes, and gift certificates for food. And even in these tough times, the parents at our day care choose a tag and do what they can to help the life of a child who has seen his or her fair share of tough times.

But the moment that most stuck out to me involved a father who brought in his two kids to each pick a tag from the tree. The father told me that they had bought only one Christmas gift for the entire family to share and, with the money they saved, they were going to give to those less fortunate. He told me that Christmas is about giving, not receiving, and he wants his children to understand that important fact. He knows he is blessed and his children want for nothing and he feels that if they understand that not every child in the world has that luxury, they will grow up to be generous, loving people who live simply and give freely.

And while he is telling me all this his children, his young children, are not complaining but deciding which tag to choose, which child they want to buy a Christmas present for, whose holiday they want to make brighter. They were happy to give and they were content, knowing their dad will take care of them and they don’t have to worry about a thing.

Many in this country have lost touch of the importance of social responsibility. And it’s not necessarily because we don’t want to help those around us but we simply don’t know how. My church’s Thanksgiving food-drive is all booked up. They literally have too much food, too much money, and too many volunteers. That’s a wonderful thing but what it shows me is that we tend to give during a certain time of year and we lack a balance. We are all aware that there will be a Thanksgiving food-drive and that the local grocery stores collect toys for children during Christmas so we all give like crazy because, finally, we have an opportunity to help. But what about the rest of the time? We need to be more proactive about how we help and look for ways to give and to volunteer throughout the year.

There are endless websites that show us how we can help. Here’s a sampling:
· http://www.freethechildren.com/
· http://www.handsoninlandempire.org/
· http://www.charityguide.org/

Many of these websites are geared toward getting children involved in charitable work. Showing the next generation how to help and how important it is to give to those who too often go without. Opening our eyes to a need and realizing that we are capable of providing a much needed service within our community and beyond will benefit not only those we help but ourselves as well. When we see that we can make a difference, our souls grow and we are better than we were before. Soon, lending a helping hand will be like second nature. Happy helping.

-Age

Live simply

No Timidity - Know Gifts

Everyone has a gift. Many have several. Do you know what yours is? For those who are well aware of your self-worth, you could probably spout off a dozen positive attributes about your character right now. But for those of us who are a little more, I’ll say, modest, you may have a harder time coming up with even a short list. Though humility is an amazingly rare quality that many people falsely feel they have in abundance, it can work against you at times. I feel that if you are not aware of your gifts or, at the very least, not willing or able to acknowledge them fully, then you will be less likely to use them to their full capacity. Knowing our talents and developing them is an important part of being a responsible citizen of this world, and the next. So let’s get crackin.
Here are some possible spiritual gifts taken from spiritualgifts.wordpress.com (a site I suggest you visit pronto), how to develop them, and, ultimately, how to use them (again, according to this site with a little rewording and additions from yours truly). Take a gander and know there is a difference between humility and self-deprecation so get to know your gifts, dang it!

Administration: Govern, pilot, direct, or steer.
Basically, this person knows how to get things done. Organization is key and when someone in the leadership role needs something done efficiently, they turn to you. However, be careful of becoming a bully, just because you’re great at making things happen doesn’t mean everyone else is going to work on your level.
You are going to be needed to organize events, meetings, help with finances and office administrations. Look for opportunities that will allow you to get the ball rolling as opposed to positions that require doing the same basic work day after day. When a pastor delegates, they delegate to you so be prepared, oh wait, of course you will.

Discernment: distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil.
It is up to you and your gut to help family, friends, small groups, and the church at large to make important decisions when it comes to spiritual battles. You cut to the quick and tell it like it is. Your understanding of the Will of God helps you to offer, with confidence, a decision that people can trust. But remember to keep your pride in check as mistakes are a part of being human and it’s important you freely admit yours. You can’t be right all the time but your insight will speak for itself and people will turn to you when tough questions arise.
Important opportunities to serve arise with this gift. Your ability to help the church make important decisions as well as settle any disputes may seem obvious but be open also to those who seek council for they will benefit immensely from your gift. Discernment does not come easy to most of us, who mull around questions of right and wrong until we are blue in the face so know that your gift will be much appreciated by many.

Encouragement: console, comfort, exhort, implore with others.
When you see someone who is down, your natural impulse is to pick them up, dust them off, and push them in the right direction. Many people know how and when to encourage but only people who have been given this gift take it to the next level. You make sure that those around you are aware of the hope and potential in every situation, no matter how difficult. You help to build morale and will be remembered by those who are hurting. Careful of a “quick fix” however and remember that true empathy is what is needed, not spiritual jargon.
You would also be a wonderful councilor, especially to those who need guidance through tough situations such as single parents, the sick, and the elderly. Some things cannot be “solved” but there is always a brighter side and you are the one to point that out and foster an attitude of hope.

Faith: persuasion, credence, or moral conviction.
Those of you with the gift of faith, much coveted among believers, believe with certainty that all things are done according to the will of God. You are “sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” This wonderful gift allows you to step out in complete assurance of God’s control and supernatural ability no matter how impossible the situation may seem. You are a witness to believers and non-believers alike and your confidence gives hope. Remember that it is God’s will and not your faith that makes things happen so don’t get upset when things don’t go your way, because God’s ways are often mysterious.
Your faith will help the church make it through the difficult times in long term-projects. You would also do wonders in prayer groups and missions as a strong belief in God’s power is important in both. Get together with someone whose gift is to encourage, you two would make a dynamic duo!

Giving: impart, give over, share, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver, or grant.
Giving isn’t just about material things and if this is your gift you understand this better than anyone. You’re not giving things, you’re giving yourself. Whether it be your time, your abilities, your knowledge, or your love, you give generously. You also know that attitude is just important as action when it comes to sharing with others, giving cheerfully and without reservation. Be careful not to flaunt your gift however, seeking praise from others is an easy trap to fall into so make sure that you are giving to honor God even if no one ever notices.
Your gift will be best used with finances. Encourage the church to give where there is need and let your generous nature rub-off on those around you. You may be able to find resources to give, lend, and share with others that the leaders within your church may have never thought to offer. Also, I want to be your friend.

Healing: effect a cure through God’s supernatural power.
Right off the bat, when I read of the gift “healing,” I imagined laying hands on someone, yelling loud prayers towards the sky, and giving the blind sight. Though miraculous healing is absolutely possible through the Lord and does happen today, this is not what the gift of healing ultimately means. Those of you who have this gift are what we refer to as prayer-warriors. When people need healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, you are the one they want to see as you take it straight to the Big Guy. You have faith that the Lord can do wondrous things and through his power and love, people can be made well. Try not to be discouraged when things do not work out the way you hoped they would. God has a purpose that is not always easy to understand but we know that when his Will is being done, all is well.
Pray, pray, pray. Privately and as a part of a group, pray for healing within your family, church, community, and beyond. Also, take your gift to the streets and visit places that could use your faith in healing and prayer such as local convalescent homes and hospitals.

Helps: giving assistance, bringing relief, to participate, strongly lay hold of, exchange
The important part of helping in this sense is not simply the act of giving but the act of receiving as well. The interchange between you and another person while you help them also helps you. Those with this gift understand that it is about building a relationship and sharing of yourself, the biggest part of being a helper. Remember to be patient with those who do not have the same automatic impulse to help those in need but be an example to them through your actions and love. Also, do not be afraid to say no. The word “no” is not an easy phrase to utter for many helpers but you run the risk of burning out if you neglect your own needs. Lastly, people may become co-dependent, allowing yourself to become a crutch is ultimately hurting, not helping, others.
Use this gift to mentor others as well as volunteering your time in those areas that the church simply needs a helping-hand. There are numerous opportunities for this type of gift all over the community and it will be greatly appreciated by many.

Teaching: communicate the truths of the scriptures so that those that hear it put it to practice
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but I’m gonna explain it anyway. If you have the gift of teaching, you have the overwhelming desire to make the Word of God known to others so that they can apply that knowledge to their own life and situations. With persistence, something you have in abundance, difficult truths can be made easier to comprehend over time. The real excitement for you is to see realization in the faces of those you share with. Concepts they may not have otherwise grasped becomes alive and meaningful because of your insight and desire to share what you know. But be careful not to rely solely on your own skills and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Also, like the other gifts, pride can always muddy the water so be sure to keep yourself humble, remembering that it is God working through you.
Teach. In whatever circumstance arises. Allow the Lord to guide you, whether with a small at-home bible study or within a church of your own. Sunday school classes or joining an education committee are also great ways to share this gift. Remember that you can use your gift not just in the church, but within your community also, secular schools can use your strong Christian character as well.

Leadership: rule, preside, or stand over
The importance of you Leaders is not only the fact that you recognize a need but you also are able to see a solution. You are the captain of the ship and it is your passion that helps others reach their goals. Your direction and oversight promotes growth and your ability to delegate gets things done by making use of all the gifts within your family, church, community, and workplace. Power, prestige, and pride will plague you more than the others. Be careful not to see yourself as Top Dog, this may create rivalry and the undue pride attached to it may cause more harm than good.
Consider positions such as pastor, teacher, department heads or become involved in leading para-church projects.

Knowledge: to know something experientially, intuitively and in the present – impressed cognitively by God
Knowledge is all about experience. The longer you know the Lord and follow His word, the more knowledge you will gain and the easier it will be for Him to speak through you. You have a desire to “seek out, investigate, and personally experience the meaning of God’s word.” You have a lust for learning and it is this yearning to constantly get to know Him better that drives your gift. You openly share your knowledge with others and delight in the impact this knowledge has on each one of our lives. You know truth and seek it with a fervor that is extremely important in the church today. Remember what the apostle Paul says, “If I have knowledge without love, I am nothing.” Do not become prideful or insensitive to others opinions.
If you have this gift you likely have the gift of teaching as well. Giving your knowledge and understanding to others is important and highly beneficial to the church. The field of Theology and Apologetics could also use a mind like yours to help further the Faith. Your understanding, offered in contemporary terms, may help some skeptics out there to see the truth or further solidify those who already believe but lack the depth of knowledge you have attained.

Mercy: to be led by God to be compassionate in attitude, word, and action
Mercy is about action, not pity. You see someone in need, have empathy for them, and take action to right the situation. Your caring nature and insight into people’s feelings, emotions, and troubles allows you to better serve those around you. This will speak inside and outside of the church as an attitude of mercy is so important in the spread of Jesus’ message. Showing mercy creates healing and fosters an attitude of love, something much needed in our current society. Be careful not to look for immediate solutions and, as a result, ignore the long-term issue. Mercy is ongoing and many problems and situations that require mercy are ongoing so be prepared for the long-haul.
Your gift would best be served within your immediate community as your attitude of mercy and love will speak to believers and non-believers alike. Visitations with the sick, elderly, homeless, and other organizations that help build up the community. There are so many groups of people out there that are often forgotten yet it is these groups that Jesus has specifically asked us to reach out to. Your gift will help fulfill the role we are meant to play as born-again Christians.

Miracles: a force or power
This one is tricky as we don’t see as many miracles now-a-days as we did back in Jesus’ time. That does not mean that miracles do not happen or that people do not possess this special gift. On the contrary, this gift belongs to those who realize that man can only do so much and those situations that seem impossible are only made possible through God’s supernatural ability to intervene. Those of you who have been blessed by this gift recognize when God is needed in a situation and ask Him to display His power. Again, be careful of pride and false-claims. This can get you in to heaps of trouble, but you already knew that.
It is your job to create an atmosphere of worship, praise, and Holiness. Your strong belief in God’s supernatural power is an important part of keeping the church alive and well. Through support and prayer you can keep the fire alive.

Prophecy: prediction, inspired speaker, to speak under inspiration
Paul says that prophecy for us in the New Testament era is meant to edify, encourage, and comfort believers. Those of you who possess this gift are able to speak “on God’s behalf with authority on the Christian experience.” It is your tough job to warn us of God’s judgment and make it applicable to our day, age, and culture. You help to apply the scripture to our lives as they are now and keep us accountable not unlike philosophers of Ancient Greece though it is important to remember that your insight and ability comes from the Lord alone.
Use your gift to keep the church on their toes, making sure that they remain accountable and do not stray from the true teachings of the Lord. With a speaking or writing ministry or a leadership role within the church, you can accomplish these goals.

Service: aid, relieve, help, attend, wait on people through menial duties
This is an excellent gift as it is given widely throughout the Christian community. The Lord says, “The greatest will be servant to the rest.” We are all called to serve but it is you special individuals that make it an absolute blessing. You have a great attitude about serving no matter how mundane or tedious the task. You are just happy to help. The church is in need of true servants like you who bring joy to your work and volunteer because you know it is the right thing to do. Bravo. Be careful of overworking yourself. Not everyone volunteers for the type of tasks you're willingly raise your hands for and this means that there is a lot of work to do and very little hands to help. Do what you can and encourage others in a loving way to pick up the slack.
The need is endless and can range from organizing events to cleaning carpets. No task is too big or too small. You can do it all. Do work!

Wisdom: ability to apply biblical spiritual knowledge to living a Godly life
The wise among us are able to use God’s word and apply it to different situations. With this gift, you are able to discover the best approach to a problem according to the will of God. It is also your job to make the truth of the Bible relevant for everyday decision-making. Your love to read, meditate, and commune with God gives you a wisdom that benefits the church in many ways. Don’t run the risk of giving generic advice, however, and focus on each situation as it’s own unique issue.
You’re pretty much needed anywhere understanding is appreciated. There are very few ministries that will say, “You know, I don’t really think we need any wisdom in the project but thanks anyway.” Spread your wisdom around and let those around you benefit.

Phew! That’s all of ‘em. I realize that was ridiculously long and I truly apologize for the length. Actually, I take that apology back cuz chances are no one actually read all of that. Oh well, at least read the next part to see how you can discover your own gifts.

I took the test offered on the website above and found that my spiritual gifts lean toward:
Giving, Teaching, Healing, and Helps.

I feel those are pretty accurate. I scored low on things like Administration and Leadership which I also feel is right on the money as I prefer to work behind the scenes. You can also take this simple test by clicking on the link above and following the simple instructions.

These are the “gifts of the Holy Spirit” and each is attainable by all, we only have to ask:

Wisdom - desire for the things of God, and to direct our whole life and all our actions to His honor and glory
Understanding - enable us to know more clearly the mysteries of faith
Counsel - warn us of the deceits of the devil, and of the dangers to salvation
Fortitude - strengthen us to do the will of God in all things
Knowledge - enable us to discover the will of God in all things
Piety - love God as a Father, and obey Him because we love Him
Fear of the Lord - have a dread of sin and fear of offending God

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith." - Romans 12: 4-6

The “in proportion to his faith” part is a whole other blog, one I’m probably not qualified to write, but you should definitely think it over.



-Age

Please God, Not the Computer!

My computer began to do some very strange and unfamiliar things tonight. I was just about to shut it down when all of these windows began popping up, one right after the other. Before I could utter the words, “what the…” there were over a dozen strange boxes on my screen and more popping up every second. I told my roommate what was happening and the look on her face sent shivers down my spine. She looked at my screen, looked at me, and grimaced. I tentatively asked, “Is my computer dying?” while I dug my fingertips into my eyebrows, my outward manifestation of worry.



Within those few seconds while Su explained to me that this was exactly what her computer had done only a few days earlier when hers had crashed with no chance of recovering a single document, song, picture, or program, I imagined my entire world crashing down around me. No pun intended. What would happen to all my writing? What would I do without year’s worth of pictures? How would I sync my ipod with new songs? Worst of all, how would I update my Facebook status without my faithful companion: Mr. Computer? It was at this moment that I promised, as God is my witness, I will give my friend the computer a proper name if he makes it through. It was also in this moment that I realized my computer is male. Who knew? I’ll take suggestions but right now I’m thinking something that incorporates all of the things I love about having a computer like: Wordgoogfaceblog or iTunmapquestube or Online Banking. Like I said, I’m open to suggestions.



As I sat there, stunned into silence waiting to see the inevitable smoke that was sure to issue from the keys at any moment, the life of my computer flashed before my eyes. In just two short years I have saved, synced, downloaded, burned, and catalogued my life into this relatively small device. It’s all in there. All of me. And I have no external hard-drive. No form of back-up that has been so wisely suggested to me over the years. I have one measly memory stick with selected items which, when compared to my anatomy, would contain about half an arms worth of information…or one buttcheek if I wanted to make you laugh. My entity or essence or whatever was about to combust in an explosion of lettered keys, computer chips, and glass. I imagined the “delete” button hitting me in the forehead just to be ironic. All seemed lost and life no longer had purpose.



When I awoke from semi-consciousness I listened to Su’s cousin, Lizette (visiting from South Africa before moving on to Canada – check out her tale of adventure at Cape to Canada), who told me to push the power button until it turned off, pray, and turn it back on. I did as I was told, hoping God would have mercy on me in my time of need.



This was it. The moment where I discover whether life goes on or ceases to be forever. I pushed that thin silver bar, watched the blue light turn on, and waited….everything was fine. My computer started without a hitch and now I have an anti-virus program and a new lease on life. This is probably the part where you assume I’ll go on and on about how we shouldn’t consider our online profiles to sum us up as people. Or how our lives cannot be contained within a laptop and we would all be happier without these technological nuisances. Or how this type of loss is really nothing when compared to real, deep, and serious loss people encounter every day. But I’m not going to. I’m just happy my computer is healed! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have any of you…whoever you are.

I propose a toast: to Mr. Computer, soon to be referred to as something much more awesome, Cheers!

-Age

Come What May

We all, or at least the majority of us, have those special people in our lives that we are drawn to, who make us feel the most like ourselves when we are near them. No matter what is going on in our lives, simply being in their presence calms us and we feel at home. This may be family for some, friends for others but for those of us lucky enough to have a close bond with another human being, these people are irreplaceable and incredibly important. What would we do without them? Whither away probably.

Relationships are one of life’s most important aspects, I would argue that they are the most important part of living. How long would Robinson Crusoe have survived without the companionship and company of Friday? That novel is actually a perfect example of how important relationships are and what we should be willing to sacrifice for them. Crusoe would have given his life for his friend. As it should be.

Through the good times, our relationships are easy, fun, and relatively uneventful. Through the tough times, however, relationships are given the opportunity to grow. Just as God tells us throughout the Bible that trials and suffering are an important part of growing closer to Him, the same is true of us mortals here on earth. We cling to those we know will help us, encourage us, and keep our feet on firm ground and our relationships blossom as a result. We come out of the difficult period in our lives with an abundance that often overwhelms.

We don’t need wise words or long speeches about life-lessons, we just need ears to listen, hands to hold, and shoulders to rest our weary heads. And we need laughter. The kind of laughter that reminds us that life is still good even when it’s not. Like many, I’m the most at home when I’m laughing with those I’m closest to, feeling truly safe. Like the wise Dolly Parton once said, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.”

Every time I feel like I need something to make me feel better or more important, whether it be a new pair of shoes or a Masters Degree, I have to remind myself that those things are, ultimately, not important. Not to say that we shouldn’t buy new things or further our education but we should not stake our identity or self-worth on “things of this world.” What matters is our connection to others. I often write about passion but it’s important to remember that the passion we feel towards people takes precedence over all others. Even passion for people we’ve never met but feel empathy for as we recognize we are not the only ones who suffer…or smile.

-Age

Service

What does it mean, “live each day as if it were our last?” It seems rather vague, doesn’t it? Do we jump on a plane to some far off sight we’ve promised ourselves to witness before we die? Do we call everyone we know to make amends or let them know how much we care? Do we eat everything in the refrigerator and not feel an ounce of guilt? All of these things sound wonderful but chances are, the next day, we’ll still be around so…what then? We might feel a little silly having been so impulsive. Basically, this statement is meant to make us stop and consider the way we are living our lives. Whether we are living life for ourselves, as today’s society would have us believe is correct, or for others. Are we selfish or selfless? Not an easy question to ponder, is it? Yeah, I didn’t want to either.



The world is an imperfect place and will be until this world passes away. We cannot change that. Utopia is not an option. That doesn’t mean we can’t live to make it better. The world was created to change. To progress. Better for us to help that process along and look back on our lives with a smile knowing that we did all we could to help others. That’s what life is all about. And this is not simply my opinion, it’s a truth. We were created to help those less fortunate. It’s our job and we should take it seriously.



I’m not saying it’ll be easy, it won’t. Sometimes it will be really hard and we won’t want to but those are the times when our choice really makes a difference not only in the world but in our souls. We have been given so much. We are blessed beyond measure though we often forget within the monotony of everyday life. Helping others and offering ourselves as servants, yes, servants, is the best way to show thanks.



You may be thinking, “Hey! I’m less fortunate. People should be helping me!” I’m right there with you. I’m definitely less fortunate then many but I’m also not a fool. I live a very privileged life when compared to the world as a whole. Not to mention, people do help me, all the time. Even if it’s just lending a listening ear while I vent, putting in a good word with a potential employer, or simply calling to tell me how awesome I am despite the fact that I am already well aware of that fact. All of these things help me and make my life a little easier. People help you too, think about it.



Interesting fact: when a teacher suspects a student has lost motivation to perform to their potential due to lack of confidence in their ability, they will send that child to help in a lower grade-level. A fifth-grader who struggles to read and therefore refuses to practice, often times feels immensely intelligent when they help a Kindergartener pronounce the word “cat.” They are able to see how far they have come and that they are capable of progressing even further. They feel helpful and this in turn helps them. Hmmm.



There are innumerable opportunities to serve, some of which are listed right here on my blog (ie. Standupeightclothing.com) so there are no excuses for inaction. That goes double for me. The thing about this blog is it opens up so many opportunities for me to be a big, fat hypocrite. Feel free to keep me in check.

-Age

Victim of Praise #2

Maya Garcia-Bacon endured one of life’s greatest tragedies. In 2007, her son, Kyle Robert, died at the age of 15 from a very long and tragic illness. After this senseless and backwards misfortune, Maya’s heart was broken and she was never the same. But she was not defeated. She did not wallow endlessly, allowing herself to become lost in her sorrow. Like it’s said, “It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” This is not only true of romantic love but of all loves. The love of a friend. The love of a brother. The love of a mother for her son. My next Victim of Praise is a mother who counts her blessings and knows that though much has been taken from her, much has been given.

Maya Garcia-Bacon is a Language Arts teacher at a Terrace Hills Middle School in Grand Terrace, smack-dab in the middle of this great Inland Empire. She is the mother of two adorable little girls, the newest addition being merely days old, and one late son, Kyle Robert. Upon her son’s death, of a reoccurring brain tumor, she started something that to this day has changed the hearts and wrists of many within our community. She has given bracelets made of small beads, each a different color.

You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal?” You would, of course, never say this out loud as it would seem callous and unfeeling. Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal. They are just beads after all. The same type that can be found at any craft store, dozens for only a few dollars. It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it represents that makes Maya and The Bracelet Project, as she calls it, so influential and inspiring.

The origins of these bracelets is a bit mysterious as the creator chooses to remain anonymous, referred to by Maya only as “The Bracelet Lady”. During Kyle Robert’s rosary service a friend gave her one of these bracelets as a gift and Maya instantly fell in love with the strong yet simple message it gave. The colors of these beads each represent a different type of cancer: pink for breast cancer, grey for brain cancer, red for blood cancer, and so on. Amongst this ring of colorful beads is a single charm. One we are all quite familiar with, the entwined ribbon that reminds all who see it that we are still searching for a cure. This ribbon is not meant to sadden us as a reminder of tragedy but to offer hope. Hope that we are getting closer. Amazing people are out there raising money, researching, experimenting, and drawing us all nearer and nearer to a day when we will no longer fear the loss of a friend, parent, sibling, Aunt, Uncle, grandparent, or child.

At first, Maya offered these bracelets as a thank you to family. Then she branched out to close friends and co-workers. Eventually, all who had touched the life of her son and all who had been touched by his precious life were given a bracelet. She has had to order them in mass quantities at times as the list of people continues to grow and grow. She wants Kyle Robert to be remembered; not as a boy with a sad story and a life that ended too soon but as a boy who smiled often, loved much, and filled those around him with happiness and hope, even now.

Through this project, Maya realized the extent of influence one life can have, especially on their community. “Kyle Robert is everywhere…even though he is no longer with us, I still love to talk about him,” admits Maya. He left his mark on the City of Grand Terrace and Maya has made it her mission to ensure that his memory lives on. She, like Kyle Robert, is seldom seen without a smile and her warm and generous nature influences all she meets.

Truth be told, it is not only Maya that I find to be influential but Kyle Robert as well. He lives on in our hearts and memories and reminds us that life is short. We should do all we can with it, living as if today is all we have. I know that is a major cliché. But cliché’s are cliché’s for a reason. They often prove to be overwhelmingly and breathtakingly true and yet we still manage to ignore them. Shrug off the idea that we may not see another gorgeous sunrise. Don’t let this happen to you. If you are lucky enough to live to some ripe old age or another, make sure you are able to look back and know that each day was lived to it’s fullest.

There is a brand new pocket park in Grand Terrace on the corner of DeBerry and Mt. Vernon with a bench dedicated to Kyle Robert’s memory. If you have a chance to visit this bench, take a seat, close your eyes, and let the sun shine on your face. Be thankful. You are here. You are alive and the world is your oyster. I don’t know what oysters have to do with life but you get the idea. Live.

-Age

Birds, Pots, and Stones

“Kill two birds with one stone.” Curious expression. Killing birds with stones, it seems so prehistoric. Not to mention, was there a time in history when there was a shortage of stones a surplus of birds and this was actually necessary? What about “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?” Have you ever actually held a bird in your hand? They don’t like it. They will bite you. I say, leave ‘em in the dang bush! They obviously like the bush. They have friends in the bush. Should I stop talking about bushes? And what’s with the obsession with bird metaphors anyway?



What about “a watched pot never boils?” Untrue! It does! Try it.



I also have issue with the whole “glass half full” expression. I don’t think it’s a matter of how full or how empty a glass is, I think it comes down to what’s in this glass that counts. For instance, I wouldn’t consider myself or anyone else a pessimist for expecting more than half a glass of beer. In fact, if a friend said that a glass of Stella was half full as opposed to filling that sucker up to the brim we would no longer be friends. I’m that serious. I may not be bright and sunny and full of naïve optimism, but I do have a full glass of Stella every time so…bite me Expression Maker-Uppers!



I apologize for getting carried away. I just wish there were more applicable expressions for my life out there. Ones I might actually use like…a meal in a paper bag is worth two in the oven or…get two free drinks with one smile or…a watched brownie never lasts. Those make sense to me. They also make me seem like a 300 pound Sumo Wrestler. I actually feel that a 300 pound Sumo Wrestler and I may have a lot in common so don’t judge.



Despite appearances, I mean this to encourage. We should create our own rules and expressions and dictate our life in a way that makes sense for us. In this current economic state it may seem as though we have control over little in our lives. Everything seems to be dictated by supply and demand. We begin to focus on what we lack and how we are being held back as opposed to being thankful for what we have and noticing all the areas of our lives that are ours and cannot be taken from us. Remember what’s real, what’s important, and what is yours.



“A friend who helps in a time of need is a friend, indeed.”



“Family is forever.”



“Love is all you need.”



“In God We Trust.”

-Age

Whatta Ya Want, Soul?

When’s the last time you went on a good soul search? I know, right? Who does that? The truth is, surprisingly few. To really examine your life and your wants and your goals is not easy. It’s a daunting task and, frankly, something I have been actively avoiding. I just don’t wanna.

What exactly do you have to do anyway? Meditate on the floor of your room with the door closed and your legs crossed? Sit alone in a church pew with the stain glass shining colorfully on your face? Rise early in the morning and go for a long run? Discuss it at length with your therapist? I have no clue.

And then there’s the question of belief. If you believe in God then you believe that your life is basically His and His will for you is what’s best. So we give our burdens to Him and dust off our hands as we go on your merry way. Could it actually be that simple? Does giving our professional life, personal life, love life to God mean that we’re done? Life is from then on care-free and taken care of? I would think we would all still have to be proactive. Go after our goals while maintaining a close relationship with Him so we know His plan is being followed. Tricky.

And when we decide what we want, we have to weigh the pro’s and con’s. What are you willing to sacrifice for your goals? How much time? How much money? How will it affect family and friends? Is it too late?

And then you have to take action. Actually begin. When? Where? How?

Screw it!

So we go on living a life full of regret and borderline depression. Who cares? So the world was never able to benefit from our desire to change it. Whatever. So life sucks and then you die. Big whoop.

You know the great thing about life? It’s always changing. All around you. All the time. It can’t be stopped, slowed down, or reversed. People make decisions. Big ones. Small ones. And the world changes. Right now, you can decide to go back to school and finish that Bachelor’s degree you started so long ago. Right now, you can Google the price of a plane ticket to Jerusalem and calculate how many Starbucks you’ll have to sacrifice to afford it. Right now, you can tell the person you love how you feel for the first time. Right now, I can search my soul, look deep into the heart of my desires and say, “Whatta ya want?” Right now.

“I have plans for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

-Age

The Art of Living Dangerously

I know people, frustratingly intimidating people, whose entire lives are defined by their passion. An all-consuming drive that pulls them in whichever direction it chooses in order to achieve what it wants and desires most. I don’t know how to live my life this way. I can barely fathom the idea of genuinely finding joy in the sound of my alarm clock as it means I “get” to go to work. And yet, there are people, everywhere, who have found what they were meant to do and will stop at nothing to achieve it.

Not to say these people live the easy life. On the contrary, pursuing a dream often calls for the most extreme and heartbreaking of sacrifices. However, their life has meaning. They are not mediocre. They are not ordinary. They are set apart. Different. They will not look back wondering, “what if?” Can everyone live their lives this way? Sure. According to books like The Alchemist and The Secret, absolutely. But the hard truth is, there are very few of us who will devote our lives to anything more than the average, everyday, run of the mill normalcy of American life. Depressing, I know. But there is hope.

I have come to realize that we can each be different. We can each have that one thing, that niche, that passion that no one else has. We can be set apart while also maintaining a reasonably normal lifestyle at the same time. Julie Powell in her novel Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously, Julie has devoted a year of her life to producing every dish in Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. A few evenings a week for one year she devotes herself to a task, no, a passion that no one had yet endeavored. She found that her struggles with mediocrity had vanished. Her passion was one small part of her life. It did not consume all, but instead made the rest of her life: marriage, clerical career, small home, and two cats, seem more important.

I encourage everyone who doubts their own value to find something, anything that you love and create a real passion from it. Do you love to draw but never found the opportunity or commitment or self-confidence to turn it into a career? Do it anyway. So you don’t have a swanky art studio on the Upper East Side. So you didn’t struggle as a penniless yet tragically gifted and romantic painter for a few years before becoming “discovered.” Neither has anyone else, really. Draw. Paint. Cook. Dance. Sing. Play. You may never receive a cent. You may never even receive recognition. Who cares? A few late nights a week doing what you’re passionate about as opposed to watching some stupid, mind-numbing reality show (unless of course it’s American Idol) isn’t gonna kill you. It will, in fact, enrich your life. I promise. I’m doing it right now. Staying up late, typing this just for you. And I am fully aware that there may not actually be a “you.” No one may ever read this. But that’s my point. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that we all come to realize that life isn’t about fame and fortune. It’s about finding a purpose and following it.

Know you don’t have to turn your entire life upside down in order to fully enjoy it. Mediocrity is a word we use to self-deprecate. It’s not real. You have a passion, follow it. Start with one night a week for an hour. Give yourself a small goal and when you achieve it (you will), set another. And repeat. Eventually, all the things that make you “average” won’t seem so run of the mill anymore. Have faith in yourself.

By the way, if your passion is giving foot-massages, call me. We should get together…one night a week for an hour. I didn’t mean that to sound quite as scandalous as it did but I’m not taking it back.

-Age

Truly Influential, if Seemingly Ordinary, People Within Our Community

What do the names on this list have in common?

· Edward Kennedy
· Michelle Obama
· Biz Stone and Evan Williams (The Twitter Guys)
· Brad Pitt
· M.I.A.
· Rush Limbaugh
· John Legend
· Zac Efron
· The Ladies from The View
· Tiger Woods
· Sarah Palin
· Jon Favreau (President Obama’s head speechwriter)

Besides the obvious fame and fortune, and perhaps notoriety for some, these public figures represent a sampling of Time Magazine’s over 100 Most Influential People of 2009. Let’s face it, the names on this list are a bit intimidating. What’s more, they were nominated by names equally as daunting in their celebrity status. Names like Ashton Kutcher, Oprah Winfrey, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Many of these people do indeed have a daily effect on the lives of each one of us, so I don’t want to offend or in any way imply that the people on this list are not influential. However, the word “influence” has many meanings and everyday Americans like you and I have a different perspective on who or what is influential within our community. Which brings me to my long-awaited (sarcasm implied) blog topic…truly influential, if seemingly ordinary, people within our community.

My first Victim of Praise is a young man whose life is defined by passion. Most people simply want to survive this world, but very few are intent on changing it. Charlie Jenkins is not one of those whose life is marked by survival but one whose heart, mind, and soul are focused, driven, hell-bent on making it better for as many of the “survivors” as possible.

Founder of StandUpEight Clothing Company, Charlie hopes to cast a large net of support in the crusade against Malaria in remote parts of Africa. Charlie’s non-profit organization will send a malaria net to Africa with each purchase from his informative and easy to navigate website, www.StandUpEightClothing.com. As a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of San Gorgonio Pass and the future Vice President of his local Rotary Club, Charlie hopes that by networking with other influential people within his community he can spread word of his efforts to decrease unnecessary tragedy. Not bad for a man who just celebrated his 25th birthday.

Charlie recently told me, “Adrienne, if you know anyone who wants to pay me to just go around doing good, let me know.” He’d love the opportunity to spend Bill Gates money on charitable organizations and causes throughout the world. The best part: there’s no ulterior motive, no get-rich scheme, no selfish impulse driving this passion. He is simply a man within our community that wants to see positive change. Don’t we all?

Life isn’t always that easy, however. We can’t simply go around “doing good” all day long. We have to work, take care of our families, pay bills, and make sure there’s food in the fridge. Everyday life consumes us and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just…life. One way we can make a difference, one way we can help, is through our support and acknowledgment of people like Charlie. His ultimate goal may not be to inspire others, but it is an unavoidable part of being a passionate individual. He has given each one of us the opportunity to do good and the world is a better place because he is in it. We may not ever see Michelle Obama or Tiger Woods walking down the street or coaching a children’s soccer team at the local park but we can find many inspiring and influential people within our community if we look hard enough.

For more information on how to support the crusade against malaria and other causes that Charlie Jenkins is passionate about, please visit:

· StandUpEightClothing.com
· Offthebouncesoccer.com

-Age