Intro to My Book (prologue)

Names were changed to protect the innocent

"Can i get you anything else?"
"Yeah, how about your number?" What was my aunt doing? I had playfully mentioned how cute the drive-thru attendent was a few moments earlier. I didn't think she would take that as an open invitation to get the digits for me.
I sat there speechless, embarrassed, and nervous. 
"What?" she said as if she was hard of hearing at the young age of seventeen.
"My nephew think you cute and he about to go off to college and he need a friend to talk to before he leave."
Our eyes met for the first time. I was blushing like my crush had finally noticed me, though that was my first time seeing her. I wanted to tell her it was just a joke or don't worry about it, but I couldn't cause I really did want to holla. I don't remember what happened next or what was said, but next thing I know my mama, who was driving, passed back the number written on receipt paper fed through the printer with the name Smiley written on it. That look you get when you open that one present you wanted for Christmas painted across my face. I don't think even the Chesser cat would consider competing with that smile. I was excited.
"Bye"  I guess she was too, because she didn't bother handing our food out the window.
Needless to say we all got a good laugh on the way home. I could barely believe it, there I sat between my grandpa and my lil brother in the back seat of that green explorer programming the number into my phone. I began to wonder was this even the right number. A fear started to creep up; had she just written a number down to save me the embarrassment of rejection in front of my family.

"Is this Smiley?" The first ever text, my suspicions must've been showing. "Yes lol" she replied. Then "Who else would it be?"
"Oh just making sure."
"Lol you thought I gave you the wrong number?" I actually did but I wasn't bout to admit it to her fine ass.

Should I keep writing?

Success Requirements

Success Requirements

1. Purpose
2. Struggle
3. Sacrifice
4. Planning
5. Discipline

1. Purpose- My purpose is to ensure through my actions my children, family, friends, and all that I encounter are prepared for a life without me. A life that will, itself, be purposeful and fulfilling.

2. Struggle- The struggle that endure is against the status quo and expectation of me, as well as the flaws within myself. Being a Black American male in his mid-twenties comes with preconceived notions of ignorance, violence, senselessness, and a lack of class. Through my actions I have the, sometimes overwhelming, task to show the royalty in our DNA and prove we are not America's image of us. The flaws within myself hinder me from meeting requirements 3-5.

3. Sacrifice- A simple enough concept, but often a phrase used in vain. True sacrifice needs no presentation, it is obvious. One of the lessons learned in Economy in high school was opportunity cost; the principal difference between man and God. By creating one thing or committing time, money, focus, or other tangible and non-tangible resources to a certain thing you, by force of nature, neglect something else that could have used those same resources. The universe works with a bartering system; to receive, you must give. No Sacrifice, No Reward. 

4. Planning- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People instructs to begin with the end in mind. This "end" which is envisioned can be reached a number of ways. Planning is a working GPS on how to get to that goal. It keeps you from getting lost and lets you know your distance from your destination. It only works when you follow the directions; in other words plan effective.

5. Discipline- This is probably the hardest requirement to meet. It takes in count aspects from each other requirement. Doing Things that don't have foreseeable benefit or outcome makes it really tough to keep doing them through a struggle or "the struggle" (and I guarantee it's real). The essence of sacrifice is giving up something you want for something you want more. Discipline maintains that no matter how you feel or how much easier it is to get something you want you still overlook it for what you want more. Planning was related metaphorically to a GPS but discipline is staying the course even in traffic jams, car trouble, or inclement weather. Discipline requires focus and values not just hard work and determination. 

These are the requirements. Wondering why you aren't successful yet? Which requirement are you lacking. These are just my reflections on these simple requirements for success. What are your requirements? Your Purpose? Your Struggle?