i'm ready

i'm ready. for a while now i've been developing my thoughts around the man i want to be. in all aspects. friends. family. professional. public. private. and i'm done just thinking about it. i'm through with just talking about it. it's definitely time to be about it. and i'm ready. i acknowledge the fact that everything is a work in progress. and i recognize that all the bumps and bruises along the way will be apart of my continuous growth towards my ultimate goals.

i ran into an old friend today at the barbershop and right off the back i could see time had done him well. fresh suit. beaming with confidence. he's older and everything but it was still amazing to see where he is right now in his life. and as the conversation we were having continued on it was even more of a treat to hear his future plans. i truly do wish the best of luck to him. he's definitely headed on the right path. but it got me thinking about myself. now it's taken me a while to find my "passion". i was never into school or college much at all and spent a lot of time wasting time. but talking to this dude and sharing my own progress and goals and things of that nature gave me a sense of pride i guess i had kind of ignored for a little bit. granted i didn't need any approval from anyone on my goals to feel validated, hearing from this guy who grew up in the same hood i found myself hanging out in when i moved to California, and see him make it out and have business in the State Legislature [right?!] was very inspirational. and for him to applaud the efforts i've been making and the strides i've been taking to reach my goals was quite a humbling experience.

i'm going to be a history professor at the college level. almost a year ago i realized that my major of interest is history. because everyone's history ties into each others. a victory. a fail. an alliance. it all relates somehow. but i believe that it will ultimately give people a greater sense of where they can go and what they can do knowing the history of their people or their country. in a sense, where they have been and what they have been through. i do however plan to focus on African-American history. because i feel like that's the best opportunity for me to reach the unattended of a generation. i work at a continuation school in Compton, California and it is a heartbreaking experience to see such a population of a generation so unmotivated and uninspired while we have a Black President in The United States of America. i mean seriously! President Barack Obama is among the biggest inspirations for me when it comes to taking school as well as life decisions a bit more seriously. and i feel like presenting the history prior to such monumental moments as the Presidential Election of 2008 will give all races and cultures inspiration to make a difference in whatever way they can. because to understand the history of slavery and to see a President Barack Obama around the world representing the United States of America AND just being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" is absolutely amazing. there is no way you can stop me now! and it's this sense of pride i plan to share with as many students as i can as a Professor of History. and although i plan on focusing on African-American history, being a history professor, i will be able to provide as much assistance as possible in helping motivate all other cultures and races as well. i also plan on working with inner-city youth programs like the one i work for now to provide all kinds of further assistance in the most needy of areas. like i said before. i'm ready.

the conversation also included my barber who was willing to come to the school and cut hair for free just to have a chance to talk to these kids and help provide whatever motivation he can. and just seeing how he and my friend were so willing to help the cause. to see how willing they were to assist me in working against the odds just refueled my spirits. i have to admit, i had kind of lost a bit of inspiration letting my thoughts get to me: thinking i was too far behind being that i got serious later than others. feeling like my goals were unattainable. but i'm ready. it's definitely the right time to get more focused in school and hurry up and transfer so i can do some damage. i'm hungry to taste this life that i know is just waiting for me. it may sound crazy but i can feel that this is my calling. no matter how i may fall back or start to lose interest, something ALWAYS keeps pulling me back. whether it's random run-ins like this. or something on the news. or something at my school. or reading a blog about someone else realizing there passion. i just feel like this was meant for me. i've been through more than anyone could ever really imagine i have. but i'm sure everyone feels like that to some extent. and rightfully so. but it all leads to something. and i realize that all my ups and downs, twists and turn arounds have led me to this. this life. i'm ready.

and although i focused on my career goals in this blog post, i'm ready for so much more in all aspects of my life. i can't keep delaying things until i "feel" like i'm ready. i have to be ready at all times. failure is inevitable. but it's how you come back. how you grow. what you learn. there is no success without failure. i once read/heard the key to success is to not be afraid of failure. and i am no longer afraid of failure. i'm ready to succeed. i really hope others are as well. it's getting to be that point in life where we as a young generation NEED to start being able to live in this world and help make a difference. help make some long overdue changes. i refuse to not be apart of the success of my generation. and i plan to help guide the next generation towards their own avenues of success just as the generations ahead have helped me. i can't stress it any stronger. i am ready!