“The most powerful words ever said to you are your own,” said Garrett Hubbard. The self-talk we do can be the most damaging or uplifting. We are in charge of which that will be.
“Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground.” – Wilfred Peterson.
I have some of my best friends. James Dockery, who currently works as a top video editor for ESPN, is leading the way in incorporating innovative editing and communication techniques.
James has me laughing as much as anyone these days. I love his teaching style, and most of all, I love his positive attitude and joy in living.
We didn’t drink all these by ourselves. We had a few students in the workshop help us with all these macchiatos.
When I first met Morris Abernathy, I knew I had found a good friend. No one has ever had me laughing as hard as Morris. He has helped me see the world in new ways.
Morris provided coverage for the Dallas Cowboys, the Tennessee Titans, the Texas Rangers, California wildfires, the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, and five U.S. presidents.
Morris and I have had so many heart-to-heart conversations. He was a good friend who helped me during tough times with work and personal life. He is one of the best listeners I know.
Everyone needs a Morris in their life.
For many years my agency was Black Star. Howard Chapnick had told me about Robin Nelson, another Black Star photographer, in Atlanta when I first moved here in 1993, but it would be more than ten years later that we would meet.
Robin has a passion for social justice and human rights issues, which I also have a heart for doing. I quickly realized how outstanding Robin is at capturing people’s stories. Robin always says, “Everyone has a story if you dig deep enough.”
Now my best friend of all is my lovely wife, Dorie Griggs. She has helped me grow in so many ways. Her heart for serving others is truly inspiring.
I have met more interesting people from all walks of life because Dorie has made it her purpose to be inclusive of people from so many different backgrounds.
Now, my family has also been a great support system for me. My and Dorie’s family have been there for us throughout everything.
Now with all this support, you would think this is the key to success, but people with this type of support and more have been depressed and even suicidal.
So every Friday on my Facebook feed, I see this:
Garrett continues to build up each other. He knows this can help each of us with our inner voice.
An old Cherokee told his grandson, “My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all.
– Author Unknown
One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and truth.”
The boy thought about it, and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf wins?”
The old man quietly replied, “The one you feed.”
If your self-talk is negative, then it needs to change. One of the best ways to do that is to surround yourself with positive people. I have done this all my life.
Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you. – John Wooden
Surround yourself with the right people, and realize your worth. Honestly, there are enough bad people out there in the world – you don’t need to be your own worst enemy. – Lucy Hale
“Be a star in someone’s dark sky.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo
While finding your support system, also remember to be the one who lifts others.
“Some say, “Once you learn to be happy, you won’t tolerate being around people who make you feel anything less.” My Christ says, “Your job is to get off your self-righteous butt and start reaching out to the difficult people because my ministry wasn’t about a bunch of nice people getting together once a week to sing hymns and get a feel-good message that you may or may not apply, depending on the depth of your anger for someone. It is about caring for and helping the broken-hearted, the difficult, the hurt, the misunderstood, the repulsive, the wicked, and the liars. It is about turning the other cheek when someone hurts you. It is about loving one another and making amends. It gives people as many chances as needed because God gives them endless chances. When you do this, then you will know me, and you will know true happiness and peace. Until then, you will never know who I am. You will always be just a fan or a Sunday-only warrior. You will continue to represent who you are to the world, but not me. I am the God that rescues.”
― Shannon L. Alder