David J. Weeks

To know where your going, you need to know where you are.

Recently, my son Tanner (grade 4) had 1-B, 1-C and the rest A’s on his report card. His mother and I sat down with him and asked him why the C. After a shrug of the shoulders and a dropping of his head he gave the infamous”I Don’t know”. We then spent the next 30 minutes reminding him that he is incredibly intelligent and that a C is only acceptable if that was the best he could do. Once we finished with our side of the conversation, we asked him to give his input as to what he could do in the future to improve this. At first he was defensive like any of us would be and mentioned that he was not really sure why he got the B and C. We both then stated to him that since his teacher gave him the grades, wouldn’t it be wise to ask her why. He agreed and that was it.

A few months later, Tanner came home to his mother and stated that he had been talking with his teacher to check his progress and was shy of straight A’s by only a few points. He had asked his teacher what he could do to make up these points and the teacher had given him some extra assignments to complete. We both agreed with him that it sounded like he was making it happen and we were proud of him. Now, 1 week later and he has “Straight A’s”.

Now, am I proud of his perfect grades? Yes, of course I am. But more than his perfect scores, I am proud that he took initiative and took his destiny into his own hands. I am glad that he is growing to realize that you will never know where your going if you do not know where you are.

If you are not happy with your current results or where you are headed, change your course. If you always do what youv’e always done, you’ll always get what youv’e always gotten!

Once again, Great Job Tanner! Your mother and I are so very proud of the boy that you are today and the man you are becoming.

You need sometime off!

Plans for a New Year.

I just returned from another reboot trip to Brazil. I feel so good and refreshed and wanted to share what I’ve learned.

Reading through the posts of my Facebook friends can be so very enlightening. As I am sure you are aware also, I can tell you who works hard and who hates their job. I can see who has a loving family and in turn who just wants to be loved. Even though we all are so different, there are also some core values that most of us share. It is these values, these dreams, hopes and aspirations that ultimately binds all together. Each winter when I go to Brazil, I use this time to regroup and think deep about each of these. I make plans and goals for the new year and reevaluate my attitude and perceptions to myself and others. It is during this time that I like to rewrite my “New Year Statement”. This statement not only helps me keep my focus on what is important but also helps to remind me of areas in my life that need improvement. I challenge each one of you reading this to take sometime for yourself and give your mind a chance to rest. Forget about bills and obligations and take a deep breath. This regrouping time will help you, your relationships and your sanity more than you will ever know. Even though my “New Year Statement” is on the personal side, I still felt like sharing it here would not only help some of you, but would also help reaffirm it to myself. I usually write in the form of sentences, but a poem started to emerge this time. So, I just went with it. I hope you find it inspiring. .

Today is the day!

Everyday I wake to see, this wonderful man I grow to be. The place in my heart I long to reach, is just a stop before my keep. There is so much I want to learn, I want to see, I want to earn. I love myself and focus lots, but love my Lord through every plot. I feel so strong with vibrant health, I long for change, I long for self. Though fear may come and bring self doubt, I will prevail come rain or drought. I know my love for others too, should burn so bright with every hue. So when others need a helping hand, I’ll be there first with one to lend. Each day I’ll speak of only good, and not of bad like others would. I love my work and I love my life for which I’ll pray for and which I’ll fight. I love my wife and my kids too, and hope it shows through all I do. My tongue I’ll bite when insecure, when angry now and when alone. I’ll bite so hard to train myself that pain I feel will soon be gone. I’ll think good words and think of hope. I’ll think of times when nothing’s spoke. But know my time here’s so brief, so every second I pray for peace. Peace in my heart and peace in my head, and I know well done sure beats well said. A nice house, nice car which all I’ve had, but still long for love from mom and dad. I long for love and a gentle touch, I don’t need lots, I don’t need much. So with this fact my kids must know, they’re loved so much that they’re “The Show” I pray they go and find themselves and find “The Lord” above all else. The world is theirs and all she knows, they must apply themselves and then “Press GO! They can go to school and earn some wealth, or read the books and learn thyself. I pray that love will find them too but pray that they know when to choose. I love their moms though bonds were broke, and bear their pains and bear their yokes. Forgive I must, forgive I do, because I’ve felt the pain of both their shoes. And to the one I share my bed. I share my dreams, both live and dead. I could say more but know she knows, knows my love forever grows. She knows my thoughts both good and bad, she comforts me like no one has. So to my wife my love will stay, forever more plus one more day. Now here I go, another day. I’ll dress up nice, I’ll make my way. I know this day may be my last, so I’ll wear a smile for all good I’ve had. Everyday I wake to see, this wonderful man I grow to be. The place in my heart I long to reach, is just a stop before my keep.

David J. Weeks

Jan.6′ 2013