Ahhhhh……It’s so relaxing to be back at my favorite blogspot of all time (Starbucks).

*Stretches fingers*

By the way, yes, I took each of these photos, making a collage on http://www.picnik.com.  Sadly, Picnik’s website will close on April 19.  Oh, how I’ll miss you so.

I’ve been on Spring Break since March 31.  Can I say how sad I am for it to end (I go back tomorrow)?    Well, I guess you get the point.  However, I am glad that i have a job to return to.  Let’s see: I traveled over 1000 miles, by way of trains, planes, and taxis (automobiles, naturally).  The excursion spanned from DC to Orlando.  This trip had a purpose.  I wanted to be sure to spend much needed time with family and very few friends.  A majority of my time was spent in my hometown, Charleston, SC.  For those of you who have never been there, you should definitely visit!  I am more enamored with this place, since my move back in 2005.  I am captivated most by its hospitality, beautiful scenery and attractive women (of course).

While I had a fantastic time there, I realized something:  My parents are getting older.  Each time that I visit, my parents’ hair gets more grey, and their faces seem to exhibit a new wrinkle or two.  I read someone’s status update that said, “While you were growing up, your parents were growing older.”  It was as if I had written the status update myself.  Were they inside my head?  I mean, c’mon.  At any rate, I understood the essence of the thought.  Cherish your parents or simply put, “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12-Get it?  2012?  Nevermind.  I’m still a nerd).  As a teacher, I see children speak to their parents as though the parents are the ones being raised.  What is that about?  I digress.  I find that the older I get, the more I realize that people were never meant to live here forever; that’s what eternity is for.  I speak to my parents about once a week.  I am “stepping my game up” as a result of last week.  It’s not that I’m a horrible son, it’s just that I just want to do more for them, while they’re around.  I have many friends who have lost one or both of their parents.  Some of them only had one to begin with, for various reasons.  While my parents tell us often that they are proud of us, I want them to feel even more honor (instead of pride) for me.  I want to do the will of my heavenly Father, which will in turn bring honor to my family. After all, that’s how they raised us to be.

From my understanding, this idea of maintaining a good family name has been a long-forgotten tenant over the years.  A good name is easy to get, but harder to maintain.  When people hear your name, they will either feel elation, sadness, or be indifferent.  People rarely remember what you say, but will always remember what you do.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you should live your life to preserve a name, but there’s something to be said about keeping the principle in mind.  I have seen many times when a particular name is called, people will say, “Ooooooh.  So-and-so’s folks.  Ugh….”  It rings true in other situations as well.  Just look at our current POTUS (President of the United States): While his name may bring joy to the hearts of millions, it equally provides cringes of disgust as well.  Do you “get my drift?”  Have you ever thought, “What do people feel when they hear my name?”  It may not be such a bad thing to ponder.

At the conclusion of my Spring Break, I realized that I would be returning to an empty, yet clean, condo.  I imagined that the deafening silence would only briefly be interrupted by the shuffles of me unpacking.  It sounds really sad, right?  Well, I was for about the first hour, after returning home.  I thought to myself, “C’mon, bro.  You gotta get outta this!  You can’t be sad.  You’re better than this.  You gotta call somebody” (yes, I speak to myself in broken English.  Doesn’t everyBODY?  LOL).  I immediately called a couple of people, in hopes of deliberately shoving me out of this melancholic tantrum I was having.  It did just the trick, too!  After I had gotten off of the phone, I immediately felt better.

I am constantly reminded that we all have a choice.  I had a choice: to wallow in self-pity, or to do something about it.  I chose to do something about it.  It’s amazing because the older I get, the more I realize that it’s all in what you believe (and what you’re willing to “put up” with).  You totally have a choice.  Granted, some moods are harder to get out of than others, but you must “fight with all of your might” (as I have written in my bedroom).  You just can’t give up.  No way.  Don’t do it.  Ever.  Choose to do better.  Be better than you were yesterday.  That’s my hope for you.

Until next time, Love and Peace.

-Herbie