Keep It Pushin ….
So I haven’t blogged in a while because it is hard to talk about things that leave you so raw and exposed. Maybe it is just me…it wouldn’t be the first time.
My wife talked about 3Bird, and I don’t think there is much more for me to say…
So the 17th is my 38th Birthday! Wow, 38….believe me, I know of at least 5 times in my life where this day was NOT guaranteed, at all. I can’t believe I have made it this far.
I have a KEY rule for myself, on my birthday. Take a quiet, alone, few minutes and reflect on how my life has changed over the past 365 days. I hold myself to one rule: I should be in a better place than I was on my last birthday. Simple. I spend every morning reminding myself of that rule, knowing a birthday is coming. I firmly believe life is meant to be lived, not to just exist in. Every year, I should be improving something about myself. Hence why I say, “Keep it pushin…”
Wow, what a year it has been. To say ANYTHING has been stagnant in my life would be a bold-faced lie. My Super Princess has: lost her front teeth, started Kindergarten, and started Daisy Scouts…just to name a few. My Super Rockstar has quickly become her own person…not at school being “Ayanna’s Little Sister”, her personality has shined, and shined. Both girls have experienced their first REAL winter, with snow days. Again, these are small things, but important to me.
Damary has changed in so many ways, I don’t even think she realizes it! Even the fact today, she will be going running when we get home. I am so proud to be her husband. I try to make sure she knows that everyday, in both my words and actions.
All of those changes have helped to make my life incredible, but they aren’t what I mean as far as “Keep It Pushin..” By that, I mean have I CHANGED in the year. And with that, I start physically. This time last year, I was,... well here is a pic
And I am here now…
Yes, I have more work to do, but I am headed in the right direction. I have dropped weight, built muscle, had my doctor take me off my blood pressure medicine because of the work I have done, had another doctor tell me that they were impressed. Yes, I had planned on having done my first half marathon by now, but because of injury, I will spend next year’s birthday talking about the first half and full marathon. According to RunKeeper, since April, I have logged 624 Miles, and burned 77,165 calories. Not too bad.
Spiritually, I know I have grown because of the hardships I have faced personally. Not getting too much into those, but I stand here FIRMLY knowing that my God has brought me through some horrible things. Speaking of, the other day someone asked me if I was a very-religious person. I took offense to that. I told them, “I am not religious…I have Faith.” HUGE difference. I have worked to become more of a positive person/influence. I have walked through too many fires, untouched by the flame, to not pay it forward to everyone I know.
Emotionally, well, I think when you are a Father raising daughters, you have to grow emotionally…everyday. To paraphrase Taylor Swift, in her new song, “Mine”, I don’t want my daughters to grow up to be a “Careless Man’s, Careful Daughter”. I want them growing up, always knowing they were/are loved, and being with me was a safe place for them. Not a place where they had to be afraid of me.
Emotionally Part Duex: I think I have grown emotionally in my love for Damary. In our short 7 years of marriage, we have faced things most married couples of 20+ years never have to. And we are a better Husband and Wife for it. I wake up, making an active effort to make sure she NEVER has to question how I feel about her. In this last year, we have laughed more than any of our years together.
Random Stuff: Thanks to things like Daily Mile, Facebook, and Twitter, I have reconnected with people I haven’t seen in 20 or more years, and met some EXTRAORDINARY people I learn from, everyday.
So, whether I met you on my 13th year, or my 22nd year, or my 36th year, I want to say Thank You.
Addendum: Yes, there is sadness attached to my birthday, this year, double the normal. But that is between me and God to handle…I am not ungrateful for Him, or any of y’alls love
Addendun Part Duex: Thank You Damary. Thank You for our Beautiful Daughters, Thank You for your love, Thank You for our life we have together
-Until The Wheels Fall Off (not for a while, hopefully)
-Corey
My wife talked about 3Bird, and I don’t think there is much more for me to say…
So the 17th is my 38th Birthday! Wow, 38….believe me, I know of at least 5 times in my life where this day was NOT guaranteed, at all. I can’t believe I have made it this far.
I have a KEY rule for myself, on my birthday. Take a quiet, alone, few minutes and reflect on how my life has changed over the past 365 days. I hold myself to one rule: I should be in a better place than I was on my last birthday. Simple. I spend every morning reminding myself of that rule, knowing a birthday is coming. I firmly believe life is meant to be lived, not to just exist in. Every year, I should be improving something about myself. Hence why I say, “Keep it pushin…”
Wow, what a year it has been. To say ANYTHING has been stagnant in my life would be a bold-faced lie. My Super Princess has: lost her front teeth, started Kindergarten, and started Daisy Scouts…just to name a few. My Super Rockstar has quickly become her own person…not at school being “Ayanna’s Little Sister”, her personality has shined, and shined. Both girls have experienced their first REAL winter, with snow days. Again, these are small things, but important to me.
Damary has changed in so many ways, I don’t even think she realizes it! Even the fact today, she will be going running when we get home. I am so proud to be her husband. I try to make sure she knows that everyday, in both my words and actions.
All of those changes have helped to make my life incredible, but they aren’t what I mean as far as “Keep It Pushin..” By that, I mean have I CHANGED in the year. And with that, I start physically. This time last year, I was,... well here is a pic
And I am here now…
Yes, I have more work to do, but I am headed in the right direction. I have dropped weight, built muscle, had my doctor take me off my blood pressure medicine because of the work I have done, had another doctor tell me that they were impressed. Yes, I had planned on having done my first half marathon by now, but because of injury, I will spend next year’s birthday talking about the first half and full marathon. According to RunKeeper, since April, I have logged 624 Miles, and burned 77,165 calories. Not too bad.
Spiritually, I know I have grown because of the hardships I have faced personally. Not getting too much into those, but I stand here FIRMLY knowing that my God has brought me through some horrible things. Speaking of, the other day someone asked me if I was a very-religious person. I took offense to that. I told them, “I am not religious…I have Faith.” HUGE difference. I have worked to become more of a positive person/influence. I have walked through too many fires, untouched by the flame, to not pay it forward to everyone I know.
Emotionally, well, I think when you are a Father raising daughters, you have to grow emotionally…everyday. To paraphrase Taylor Swift, in her new song, “Mine”, I don’t want my daughters to grow up to be a “Careless Man’s, Careful Daughter”. I want them growing up, always knowing they were/are loved, and being with me was a safe place for them. Not a place where they had to be afraid of me.
Emotionally Part Duex: I think I have grown emotionally in my love for Damary. In our short 7 years of marriage, we have faced things most married couples of 20+ years never have to. And we are a better Husband and Wife for it. I wake up, making an active effort to make sure she NEVER has to question how I feel about her. In this last year, we have laughed more than any of our years together.
Random Stuff: Thanks to things like Daily Mile, Facebook, and Twitter, I have reconnected with people I haven’t seen in 20 or more years, and met some EXTRAORDINARY people I learn from, everyday.
So, whether I met you on my 13th year, or my 22nd year, or my 36th year, I want to say Thank You.
Addendum: Yes, there is sadness attached to my birthday, this year, double the normal. But that is between me and God to handle…I am not ungrateful for Him, or any of y’alls love
Addendun Part Duex: Thank You Damary. Thank You for our Beautiful Daughters, Thank You for your love, Thank You for our life we have together
-Until The Wheels Fall Off (not for a while, hopefully)
-Corey
Corey, you and us have grown this past year! I love you and I am the one that is thankful for you and your love and for creating beautiful children with me! I love you!!
ReplyDeleteYou are SOOO right - you're going in the right direction!!! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteVery well said, Corey. I really enjoyed reading about your 37th year.
ReplyDeleteMy heart fills with warmth reading this post and how much you love your family...thats wonderful...I hope my daughters find a man like you!!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteFaith is such a great and strong thing- gets me (and has gotten me ) through some crazy things and my day to day-
THanks for sharing- be blessed!!