The Business of Change

Change is bewildering

Change is beautiful

Change is upsetting

Change is uplifting

Change is stressful

Change is strengthening

Change is intimidating

Change is incredible

Change is nerve-wracking

Change is necessary

Change is exhausting

Change is exhilarating

Change is spooky

Change is special

Change is sickening

Change is significant

Honestly it's all about perspective. There's good and bad. You can look at change from either side and focus on what you choose to but it won't eradicate the opposing point of view. Every big game has a winner and a loser. Take March Madness for instance. The beauty of the college basketball tournament isn't tarnished by the fact that the losing team is crying on the court. The focus is on the joy of the kids that get to live another day in pursuit of a dream. Same thing with change. If a door is closing, sitting in front of it dwelling on the fact that it's closed won't do you any good. Instead, focus on finding out what doors must have opened as a result of the previous door's closing. That's the key. It's all about finding the next venture, the next big thing. Revert to the poem up top, take the first letter from each comparison and you'll see that Change is business. It's just the way things operate. There's no way around it, it's inevitable. And if you don't manage it properly, you'll collapse. You can even substitute business for change in the poem. It's important to focus on the positive. A wise man once told me "Life is too short to dwell upon your sorrows. Stressing about today will make you miss tomorrow." Don't be sour about the lemons life has given you. Find your lemonade. I'm at a point in my life where a lot of things are changing and I was/am utterly terrified. It's tough. But change isn't the end of the world, the absence of change is. When things change don't panic, just make a path. Cause if you follow your heart, you're guaranteed to make it back. Every single thing happens for a reason. So focus on finding the reason as opposed to being caught up on the change itself. Contrary to everything we've ever learned about coins, change doesn't always make sense.

#FindYourLemonade2016

                                                                                        -Swaggy T

You Never Know

This post is sort of like that one random episode in Season 6 of your favorite show that's full of flashbacks revisiting moments from previous seasons. Yes, I am referring specifically to the episode of The Office where Toby is giving an HR report to the potential buyer. Anyway, it just dawned on me that my blog is a year old now. Time flies. I went through many ups and downs over that time, some of which may be shown in the writing or lack thereof. Despite a 6 month period in which writer's block caused me to collect stress and the blog to collect dust, I feel that I made immeasurable progress; Not even so much as a writer, but more so as a person. March 11, 2015 at 10:45 p.m I sat down as a misguided kid with a lot to say but no platform who finally decided to go to blogspot.com and start what I'd been putting off for years. I had no clue what the premise of the blog would be, let alone what the first post would even be about. I literally wrote my initial blog post about how I was starting a blog. A few days later and almost a year ago to date, I wrote an entry titled "A Left At The Second Light" which was essentially a post about how lost I was and how I had no clue what I was doing. But my understanding of the fact that I was lost is what lead to me being able to find myself. Small quotes such as "We're all searching for direction, but I think sometimes it's important to get lost" and "No matter how strong the winds may be, there's never been a storm that didn't pass" really helped me to see things a bit more clearly. At that time not many people were reading but I was helping myself by finally finding a way to silently verbalize the thoughts I never got a chance to express. As I wrote more, I began to realize that more people were paying attention and that it was really helping some people just as much as I was helping myself. I received compliments and thank you's just for sharing my thoughts and it was an amazing feeling. But the best feeling of all was knowing that I was able to help even one single person that was feeling the way I was on March 11, 2015. In my initial post I stated "Now I highly doubt this blog is going to change my life in a major way". Fast forward a year from that post and wow I was so wrong. I really like where this blog has taken me, even though I'm yet to go anywhere. I'd like to thank myself for finally starting the blog and I'd like to thank all of you for reading and giving feedback because that's what inspired me to continue writing after I'd stopped. I was lost, horribly. Through this I was able to find myself, and go back to where I once was and help other people who were there as well. This is not only my canvas, it's my Underground Railroad. If you would've told me a year ago that the blog I was starting was going to help numerous people have a better understanding of themselves, help my parents understand me more, lead me to finding myself and inspire multiple people to start blogs of their own I simply wouldn't have believed you. So I can honestly say I'm really proud of myself. I started this with no premise and no promises and a year later I know exactly what I want to use this for. Whenever someone asks me what my blog is about I describe it as "Me talking to myself while attempting to speak for others." With that being said, I've talked to myself for long enough in this one. Here's how it can apply to you. You really never know what impact what you're doing right now can have on your life going forward. Your next move may be your best move, make it carefully. But most importantly, make it. Had I turned on my Xbox and played 2k(wow it was 15 at that time) at 10:45 p.m on March 11, 2015 there's a very high chance I'd still be lost to this day. A foolish man once said "How ironic I thought I couldn't do anything right, until I started writing. And you're never in the fight, until you've started fighting." For you it may not be writing. Everything isn't for everyone but there's something for everybody. Everyone has something. Whatever it is that you do, do it. Find what makes you happy and dive into it. Make your decisions carefully but don't fear the idea of making a decision. Take a chance, especially if the risk is low. You never know where it might take you. A year in and I feel like this is only the beginning. So if you've been reading or even if this is the first post you've ever seen, thank you so much. Please understand that even if we don't know each other personally, I'm more than happy to help you if you need me. That's what this is, that's what I'm here for. A foolish man also once said "So I'm speaking for you, let me be your voice. Decided to chase a dream cause I was glad to have the choice. I was tired of keeping quiet, time to bring the noise. Cause it's he who Rolls the dice, that pulls up in a Royce." #TakeAChance2016

Thank you all so much for reading.

                                                                One Love, 

                                                                           - Swaggy T

                                                                       

Call It What You Want

I was reading my last blog entry with the letter to my parents and one of the lines in there inspired me to start writing again and then I lost track. This was an accident. It doesn't fit the blog and is a side of me I don't often show so it'll probably be deleted soon. Enjoy while it lasts...

The more I grew up, the more I understood the magnitude of all the things they did when they were doing what they had to do. All the things they taught me even when I had an attitude. All the time they dedicated to their hustle not to hassle you so now adults that you don't know will ask you what your dad would do. Then the lights came on, people realized they were both grinding. While others invested a little time, they were bulk buying. When others were flexing but really lying, they were both quiet. There's no way that these parents are really mine, yo they're both giants. But now I'm realizing that I'm bigger than I thought I was. And it's my job to finish what they started up. I know that other people had to get it from the bottom up but my parents gave me a head start, that's iconic love. And that's the kinda love, that's like a diamond love. That I'm willing to die for it once I find it love. That I'm really focused on finding love. Not just romantic but that reliant love. Cause in war time, you'll need that alliance love. Everything I do is for it like I'm signed to love. That kinda love that when you're down it helps you rise above. That kinda love that I could never put these rhymes above. That's my main purpose, can't let the little things distract me. I'm realizing I don't want to be anything but happy. Been running circles in my own mind, it's really been a track meet. In a world of superficials only the realer things attract me.  These words are my therapy so I can't feel a thing attack me. It's therapeutic, these words I use em but don't abuse em. They're starting to see I'm a problem and that's word to Houston. And I'm moving in silence they never heard him shooting, but one day I'll be getting buckets like I'm bird or Ewing. That's two 3's and a double entendre, now they know I'm shooting and it's time to put shots up; surgical precision when I'm cutting these rhymes up. They're all looking for a leader, I was trying to help em find one. Like a middle page in the dictionary, I define one. Time's up but I'm so down that I find some. 6'5 but I hold it down like I'm 5'1. To show you how nice I am with these rhymes I think I'll rewind some. It's therapeutic, these words I use em but don't abuse em. And now they see I'm a problem, and that's word to Houston and because I'm moving in silence they never heard me shooting. I grew up an underachiever making the worst excuses, now it seems like every motion I make is the perfect movement. Right now you probably are baffled by what these words are doing. How could I be such a strong writer but not the perfect student? The school thing really made me feel like a worthless human, but with this pen I've got power, I've got nerve, I'm ruthless so letter to the game, this is the field that I'ma murder you in. While they're observing the body, I will observe the viewing. This is probably the first chance you've had to learn I do this. I may never tell you directly but bet these words will do it. A few will read this and think oh wow his rhymes are sick. A couple will read this and think okay he can kinda spit. Others will laugh and be like "omg he's trying to spit". My mother may read this and say "omg what Shaun is this?" She might call my dad up like "help me find our kid. He said he's done with the games and doing what Simon says" there's seats on the bandwagon for whoever wants to doubt me. Read this and think whatever you want about me, but look at your life and see it's not as fun without me.  Once I found myself it's like everybody found me. I'm just trying to spread love to everyone around me. Cause I decided to be happy regardless of who allows me. I've been quiet for some time, welcome to the loud me. Jaw dropping lyrics, punchlines make your mouth bleed. Growing up, I met a world. It was better when I found peace. Told my mother I grew up years ago, she responded "child please". She taught me to be selective with the ones I let surround me. So there's strength in my circle, I love the ones I keep around me. Like dropkicks in Mortal Kombat, everyone is 'down b'. I wouldn't have found myself if I didn't find my friends. Cause when I wanted to jump they're the ones who climbed the ledge. Pulled me back to safety and then helped me clear my head. So let's recap. I'm done with the games, through doing what Simon Says. If you're not trying to be happy you're either blind or dead. 20/20 vision and I'm trying to be alive til death. Living and spreading love, that's what my assignment is. So I'm in the field in the trenches, like a lineman is. Package these bars with delivery, that's what consignment is. Like Foster Home visits, they're praying somebody signs the kid. I lost myself in this rhyme, wow what time is it? This is not at all what I planned when I started writing it. The flow's so sick I've gotta stock up on my vitamins. I'm not a rapper, I'm a writer, but I'm not afraid to rhyme. Either way I choose to do it, I've just gotta take my time. Cause I plan to let the pen take me where it takes my mind.