If you really want something to happen in life, you have to make it happen. You have to make a plan to achieve your goal or dream. If it really matters to you, you think about how and then take the actions to make it a reality. I call that "getting on your grind".
At the tender age of ten, my older cousins and their friends looked out for me. I would get all over the hood following behind them. One of the things I remember most was that being in the hood never stopped us from thinking big. Also, as young people we never thought things were bigger than us. If we wanted a basketball court, we made one. It started with a single crate and backboard, made from ply wood snatched from a construction site discard pile. When we brought it back the next summer it went full court. Then the next summer it had a free throw line and soon team logos. We had a three on three league with no adult supervision. All on our own. The oldest of us was no older than fifteen, 15!
As we get older things seem to take so much time, and money. Always the money! When did watching a sports game with friends become a $50 bill? Not to mention the time away from personal responsibilities. Once you start a family it's like you have no time. The key word though is 'like'. In truth we have time. What we lack is a schedule and true passion.
I need to ask all of you to get on your grind.
Make a schedule for yourself. Know when and where you need to be each day to accomplish your goals. Write your goals each day. Make it your first accomplishment of every morning. Doing little things might seem like nothing but at the end of the day it's the phone call you made, the visit you kept, the application you submitted that come together and equal achievement and success.
It's not a 'just you' thing when you get frustrated and feel the overwhelming desire to just 'hate people' in general. Everyone that breathes has moments like that. Just be sure they are moments and not the regular. When you think about it there are always a few people; even during your most dark moments; that you care for. Then there is the fact that you are a person to, which means you annoy the hell out of someone as well.
None of us are perfect, but we can pursue perfection. We can all strive for mastery, but we should always be students. It's the journey that makes us better. The goals is just us deciding which path to follow along the way. Once you meet a goal you have to decide what's next.
I graduated from high school
I experienced higher education and got certified as a computer technician
I moved out of my parents home and started a family if my own


Right now my goals are:
Be a good husband
Be a better parent
Be a leader in my family
Be a true businessman


It means I work hard everyday to find resources for my personal projects
It means I address the tough topics with my wife and kids
It means I have to initiate connecting with my people


If it sounds light, give it a try.
If it sounds heavy, I'm here to be an example and cheer you on.
If it sounds unreal, I pray you wake up…. Cause this is life.


Grind On!

There's a common notion that "All females"...

While there are some statements that start this way; and have true evidence to support them; there are also a large number of false claims. What does this mean? It means, regardless to what you've been told or taught, you should approach each female as a new person. Do not assign prejudices and stereotypes to an individual without confirming them.

All men need to endeavor to remind themselves that there are females in this world that they love or have loved. A mother, a sister, a cousin, a niece, even a grandmother if your fortunate. If you think about how you would respond to anyone treating one of these ladies in a disrespectful manner, you should understand why you should treat other ladies with respect. When you disrespect any female you disrespect all the ones you care about. Every time you disrespect a female you lose credibility when it's your turn to stand up for a female you care about. How can you verbally and emotionally assault another female then condemn someone else for the same action?

Females are people. Weather male or female they can become annoying if to much time is shared. Only a select few will ever really makes you feel the best version of yourself. Those are your true loved ones. They include family, friends, family friends, and even coworkers. Each relationship is its own journey. Some are short, some long. Some bitter and some sweet. But each one is its own, and special. Treat each person likewise.

Reach one, teach one, and oh yeah...

​Stay F.L.I.

I would like to apologize for the late posting this week. Please read on an understand why.

There are some crazy days and then there was this weekend. My world was changed in quite the dramatic fashion. It would be overwhelming except I'm not alone. I have my Family with me. They comfort me with their presence and their love.

When a family loses a member; it doesn't matter how or why; it hurts. There are so many ways that we bond and connect in life. Your family will always hold a special place. They exceed your understanding in ways that come out through sharing memories. Discovering who came before you and pursued similar dreams, passions, and loyalties. The same type of bumps in the road and the same type of victories and achievements. This weekend participated in the Home Going ceremony for my Uncle. As with all things Uncle Boozer it wasn't the sweetest and easy to handle moment, but there were smooth talkers to calm all the hot tempers and we made it, as a family.

During the services I intended to speak but there was no shortage or hesitation by others to speak, so I let them share their thoughts and feelings while I took it all in. Now I'll put my thoughts here.

My Uncle, Bruce Edwards, was a good man. He wasn't always understood. He didn't agree with being limited or directed. He forged his own path, and it was beautiful. Uncle B could always make a moment light. He could shrug off the tension and awkwardness of any moment with just a few words. I wont say those words here but if you knew the man, then you knew the man.

Some people might be worried about his passing because of the religious rhetoric about Hell. But even with thoughts of Hell there are other teachings that tell us God doesn't work like man does. Three such points that I think of right away are:

First, God gave us free will. - Not so that we could give it up and be puppets. Free will allows us to find and explore the truth of things. So that if someone tries to deceive us we have the right to challenge the lies and know the truth.

Second, God's view is not mans view. - We see pieces of a person. We can't know all of them, because we are not with them and apart of them for every moment of their life. The experiences of life have a big impact on how you handle the challenges you face in every tomorrow. If someone doesn't find compassion with the discipline, or encouragement and reward for hard work. It makes a difference. What I'm saying is that no one knows the whole of a persons story. So remember not to judge, but strive to understand.

Third, God is very clear about the need for order and discipline, but he is also infinitely merciful. While God may not agree with an action, God has the capacity to understand the action and truly teach us better.

Excerpt from the Bible [New International Version (NIV)]
A letter from one of Jesus's disciples
Titus 3 
…. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.


From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+3&version=NIV>


Ultimately I believe that Death is a part of Life. That without death people wouldn't understand the value of time. If you know you have forever you can wait on anything and everything. If you understand time you know the time to get something done, is now. Tomorrow isn't promised.

Also, death isn't the end. The soul or spirit of being isn't the flesh and bone. It's the energy that's inside that body and the character and personality that make each of us unique. That energy doesn't disappear. It moves on and finds the next realm of possibilities. In God's house there are many rooms….


Well clearly so far it's been about the worst of times, but oddly enough we found some joyful moments during such and incredibly dark moment. My sister and a newly found cousin found each other on Facebook. Once the introduction via phone were done a date was immediately set for a get-together. The idea that something this sad would happen anytime is hard to understand but days before we are reunited with another half of our family?! Unthinkable.

That's happened though. A Family Uniting in joy was tinged with sadness. That family was amazing though. They stayed by our sides throughout the service and help to return us to moments of joy and excitement with their stories of even more family that didn't make it for this trip. This trip was all about the siblings. The Children of Rose Edwards! What a unit! They are loud, loving, loud, sassy, loud, quick witted, honest and just in case you missed it LOUD!

They bonded as if the years apart were just a minute. They didn't stop short with hugs or curses. They laughed through it all and never stopped talking about Uncle Bruce.

As it's titled, so it was.

F.L.I.

 What Fam Love Is...

The vision is for this site to connect me with my family in a way that is open, honest, and sincere. I want to express my thoughts and hope to inspire others to share theirs. However, this isn't a Facebook or IG thing. This isn't the holiday or family event where we should be focused on the theme of the moment or just being there and supportive of each other. No this isn't one of those times or places. Instead this is where you take the time to consider what you want to say before you ever get close to hitting the 'Post' button.

You know, people like to claim they keep it so '100%' out here. Of course they say that and the next week they want to explain how they had to make an exception for this time or this person. It's not that they are being phony or fake. It's not even that they are playing a part or trying to show up for the next person. Usually, it comes down to people talking in absolutes. When in reality there are very few absolutes. You can be a very strong person, with grit and determination. However, life is fluid and so must we be. We should try to be brave enough to accept these changes and face the obstacles with courage , as we accept the rewards with excitement.

I say these things with love and pray you except them in love. Please help me make this a place that lifts us all. 

Blessings,
B. Bigby 3rd