The adult life is mostly a good one, although it comes with highs and lows (it is just the way life is). I tell the young, do not try to grow up to quickly; cherish your youth with joy for there will come a day in your life perhaps when you can look back and see just how valuable being young really was. Therefore, the adult life is not as fun as it seems to be and you will have good days and bad days. What I am trying to say is being an adult is not rewarding all the time. I am not being negative, I just want to try and get a fact across to you. Kids these days want to rush to become an adult and really don’t know what their growing into. They don’t know that they’re only one bad decision away from a life time of trouble with the law. I could surly speak of many other things that they’re not aware of.
I am fifty years old and most of my desires for life when I was young (12 to 25) have not been fulfilled. Today, it is not easy being an adult. Your life will develop to become more and more complex. I will give you just a small amount of a lot that is going on in my own life right now. You will deal with problems such that you will struggle to solve them (relationships and how to keep a dollar in your pocket). I now deal with several complex problems. I am not in the best position financially and I struggle with the fact that as an author it is not easy to sell my books as an African American writer. See, Jealousy is the main problem among black people that keeps us from reaching our highest potential. Jealousy among blacks came from the days of slavery and I will never think otherwise (that’s just my theory). And to this day in time (the year 2014) nothing has changed much. I will always do my best to change this characteristic among my people though; even if it takes me alone, one day at a time.
I will solve my life problems one at a time though (it’s the only way), because I never ever give up on anything I believe in strong enough. My time will come as well as yours if you believe in yourself and Jesus strong enough. My position in life will change soon. I have no doubts.
In my first book “I Hunt” I wrote of the beauty of my life at that time. My inner man still feels the same. I mostly write to the young of this generation that I may give them Hope. Hope to lead a better life in a seemingly bad world. I also speak to all ages. Never give up Hope. Therefore, the above was to let you know that no matter what you are dealing with in your life, don’t give in or give up. You must believe in yourself. Thus, Stars Shine! You don’t have to be on TV or in front of cameras all the time to be a star. My days are spent Trying. Trying to create a better life for myself and the people in my life I truly care about. I pray and ask God for nothing. For the scriptures speak of what Jesus said concerning prayer. (Paraphrasing) He basically said, when you pray say the Lord’s Prayer, asking God for nothing for God already knows what you need and go in to your closet(somewhere private or where no one can see you pray) and pray the Lord’s Prayer and what is seen by God in darkness will show openly in due time. Therefore, stop asking God for materialistic things (cars, money, houses, jobs and expensive boats). God will give you yours in His time frame. My motto today is such: If God brings me forth to live another day then I will Try my very best; because I know nothing is up to me. I always acknowledge that it is by God’s will that I continue to exist and have my soul and it’s by His will only. I feel if I always acknowledge that I am in His will every day I live then I believe everything else I need in this life will come to me. I suggest the above to you also. I write to give hope to the people that so desire to be more than they are right now in this life. Therefore, I tell you again that Stars Shine! Because God really wants us to prosper (to have nice things) and He gives these things to you and I according to how we live for Him. Thus, you and I are Stars and before God we are suppose to Shine.
I am proud to have lived in the era of Stars like Mr. Jackson, Jordan, Bird, Ali, “Magic” Johnson, Roddman, Mckale, and so many others. And so are you a Star. I believe that we as mankind are the creation of a creator that placed us all on a chess board and He moves us how He pleases. We are like actors on stage in a play or in a movie. You just have to see the star you are from within. You must believe that it’s ok to be ok. You don’t have to live down on yourself or be ashamed to do well because you think others will be jealous of you. Hey! It’s ok to own a BMW, Lexus or Jaguar. It’s ok to buy a new house and have several thousand dollars in the bank. God gave you and I a life to live; Live it to the fullest and care less of the ones that are jealous of you. Again, always care less of what someone else thinks of you. Thus, as the Star you also are; “Shine”! Sparkle like the rays leaping from the sun. Therefore, I have looked at my past and present life and noticed that I have not reached my true potential, because I was always caught up in the thought of what others thought of me. I have held myself down; myself alone. I came to the conclusion though that it’s ok to be ok and that’s the way I live now. I believe if it’s ok for the next man to own a yacht, pontoon boat or bass boat; then it is ok for me to own one too. The problem today is that too many people are concerned with what Angie and Sam are doing and not concentrating on what self can do or need to be doing to reach their own full potential or expectations. Therefore, be the Star that you are and Shine!