Positive Energy

Keeping your energy positive can make all the difference in the world. A high vibration and positive mindset can help you avoid adverse situations and navigate life with greater ease. For instance, as a rideshare driver in a bustling city like Atlanta, I often encounter road rage. However, I've noticed that when I maintain a positive attitude, I’m far less likely to attract those negative encounters. On the other hand, leaning toward negativity seems to invite unfavorable situations, almost as if our energy dictates our experiences.

Reflecting on my upbringing in Dallas, Texas, during the 1960s, I recall a profound lesson my father taught me amidst the challenges of the Jim Crow era. When I was just a young boy, my father took me to an ice-skating rink where he worked part-time. At a time when “colored” and “white” water fountains stood side by side, he carefully checked his surroundings, lifted me, and let me drink from the "white" fountain. Then, he said, “Tastes the same, doesn’t it?” That moment stayed with me. It took years to fully understand his message: I was just as good as anyone, regardless of skin color. My parents reinforced this belief throughout my childhood, teaching me that racism was a construct that didn’t define my worth or dictate my path.

This mindset shaped my experiences growing up, even in a deeply segregated society. For example, during my twenties, I drove a flashy red Trans Am in Dallas and frequently sped around the city. I was often stopped by the police, yet not once was I asked to step out of the car or treated poorly. While others may have faced harsher outcomes in similar situations, I believe my energy and outlook played a role in avoiding conflict. Even in the presence of systemic racism, a positive energy can act as a shield, steering us away from hostility and negativity.

Racism, unfortunately, remains alive and well, even as we step into 2025. Yet, I’ve learned that if you don’t lean into that energy or expectation, you’re less likely to encounter it. Now in my sixties, I find that interactions with law enforcement are often respectful. Officers see an older man who isn’t causing trouble and usually let me off with a warning. Though I avoid tickets as much as possible, these experiences remind me how far a calm demeanor and positive attitude can go in diffusing potential conflict.

This philosophy extends to my work as a rideshare driver. In the past, I sometimes reacted poorly when other drivers became hostile. If someone honked at me or flipped me off for a driving mistake, I’d return the gesture with equal frustration. Over time, however, I realized that mirroring negativity only invited more of the same. Spiritual growth and maturity taught me to let those moments pass without reaction. Now, when someone honks or makes a rude gesture, I either ignore it or keep moving without engaging. As I’ve adopted this approach, I’ve noticed those situations happen far less often.

One of the challenges of rideshare driving is navigating the constant pressure of traffic and app directions. Sometimes, I’ve had to make quick lane changes to reach a destination, inadvertently cutting someone off. Early on, I’d try to justify my actions or retaliate against other drivers’ anger. But over time, I learned that staying calm, apologizing mentally, and focusing on the task at hand kept my energy positive and defused tense moments. The calmer I’ve become, the fewer confrontations I experience on the road.

The key lesson I’ve learned is that positive energy doesn’t just affect your mood; it shapes your reality. Whether dealing with road rage, systemic challenges, or daily stressors, maintaining a high vibration helps you avoid unnecessary drama. Life will always present challenges, but how you respond makes all the difference.

By staying grounded in positivity, you create a protective barrier against negativity. This isn’t to say challenges won’t arise, but your response determines whether those situations escalate or dissipate. Choose peace, maturity, and positive energy, and you’ll find that life becomes smoother, calmer, and far more fulfilling.

Consequences: Remember The Nine

When my children were young, we had a simple phrase that became a cornerstone of our family values: “Remember the nine words.” Those nine words—"Think about it before you say or do it"—were a constant reminder to pause and consider the consequences of their actions and words. It was my way of instilling in them the understanding that everything they do or say carries weight and can lead to outcomes, both positive and negative.

The concept of consequences is straightforward: they are the direct results of our actions. Whether good or bad, consequences are inevitable. They function as a universal law, much like gravity. While gravity’s effects are immediate—what goes up must come down—the consequences of our decisions often unfold over time, sometimes in ways we least expect. This understanding became a guiding principle for my children as they grew.

In reflecting on consequences, I often think about the people whose lives take tragic turns because they fail to consider the outcomes of their actions. I used to watch crime shows like Snapped and programs on the ID Channel, but over time, I stopped. The negativity and pain depicted in those stories became too heavy. Yet, one recurring theme stood out to me during my years of watching: many criminals never seemed to think about consequences until it was far too late.

On these shows, the courtroom scenes are especially striking. In the moments when guilty verdicts are read, the reality of their actions finally dawns on the defendants. Their stoic expressions crumble into tears or anguish as the judge announces sentences of 20, 30, 40 years, or even life without parole. It’s a profound shift—from defiance or indifference to devastation—as they face the irreversible outcomes of their decisions. However, some individuals remain expressionless, unmoved even in the face of severe punishment. These are the ones who never thought—or perhaps never cared—about consequences.

But consequences are not always negative. Just as poor choices can lead to regret, good choices can bring joy and fulfillment. When we treat others with kindness and respect, we often experience the positive ripple effects of our actions. These moments of serendipity—unexpected blessings or fortunate events—are the rewards of living a life rooted in decency and thoughtfulness. The small, seemingly insignificant acts of kindness we extend to others often come back to us in meaningful ways, creating a cycle of positivity that enriches our lives.

Life offers countless opportunities to make choices that lead to positive consequences. Whether it's helping a neighbor, offering a kind word to a stranger, or simply listening to a friend in need, these actions not only brighten someone else’s day but also contribute to our own sense of purpose and fulfillment. Conversely, when we act out of anger, selfishness, or carelessness, we often find ourselves facing outcomes we’d rather avoid—strained relationships, missed opportunities, or feelings of regret.

Teaching my children to consider consequences wasn’t just about avoiding bad outcomes; it was about encouraging them to create good ones. I wanted them to understand that they hold the power to shape their own lives through the choices they make. By pausing to think before they act or speak, they could ensure their decisions aligned with their values and aspirations. This principle has guided them into adulthood and continues to serve as a reminder of the power of deliberate action.

In the end, consequences are life’s great equalizer. They remind us that our actions matter, that our words have weight, and that every decision we make shapes the course of our lives. Whether we find ourselves reaping the rewards of kindness or facing the fallout of poor choices, consequences teach us invaluable lessons about accountability, integrity, and the importance of thinking before we act.

Guided By Grace

Looking back at my adolescent years, I can say with certainty that I was never a manipulative person. For the first two and a half decades of my life, I was both good-natured and remarkably naïve. These traits, while admirable, often made me susceptible to being manipulated rather than the other way around. I never sought to take advantage of others, yet many attempted to exploit my trusting nature, especially women who crossed my path.

Through it all, one constant has been the guidance of what I believe to be attentive spiritual forces. From the very beginning, I’ve felt a protective presence, especially during moments of imminent danger. There were times when I was entirely unaware of the threats I faced, yet somehow, I was spared from harm. One vivid example is a head-on collision on a Dallas expressway. I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, and by all accounts, I should have been thrown through the windshield. The crash obliterated the engine of my Pontiac Trans Am, yet I emerged relatively unscathed.

Another near-death experience occurred in my tiny one-bedroom apartment in Oakland, California. After a night of partying and drinking, I fell asleep while cooking chicken in the oven. The fire department had to pound on my door to wake me, nearly resorting to a battering ram. By the time I stumbled to the door, black smoke had filled the apartment, a silent threat that could have easily taken me and my toy poodle, Tiff. Quiet and shy, she didn’t bark to warn me. A firefighter stormed in, threw the burnt chicken outside, and left with an air of frustration. It was a close call, yet somehow, I survived.

Looking back, I understand these moments as reminders that my time here wasn’t up. My life’s journey still had chapters to unfold—my children had not yet been born, and I hadn’t met the woman who would become my wife, and later my ex-wife. My “Sacred Contracts,” as Carolyn Myss describes in her book, had not been fulfilled. These are agreements made in the spiritual realm before incarnation, charting our paths and purposes.

Throughout my life, I have always strived to treat others with fairness and honesty. This approach has created positive karma, which I believe manifests as serendipitous moments in the future. Some people call these blessings, gifts from a higher power, but I see them as universal grace available to everyone. There is no favoritism, no exclusive “chosen people.” The grace of Source Energy flows to all who are open to it.

As I grew older, I came to understand the truth in the saying, “You reap what you sow.” This principle of cause and effect operates in every facet of life. Our actions, however small, ripple out and return to us in kind. Every decision creates an effect, a chain reaction that shapes our future. It’s a simple yet profound dynamic, the relationship between what we do and what comes back to us.

In hindsight, those near-misses were not mere accidents but part of a greater design. They were wake-up calls, urging me to stay on course and fulfill my purpose. Life has a way of teaching us lessons, often through experiences that seem chaotic or random. Yet, when viewed through the lens of time and reflection, they reveal their meaning.

I’ve come to appreciate the interplay between karma, grace, and our choices. None of us are perfect, and mistakes are inevitable, but it’s in how we learn and grow that our paths become clear. The idea that everything is connected, that nothing happens in isolation, has been a guiding truth in my life. It reinforces my belief that we are all here for a reason, bound by unseen agreements and lessons to be learned.

At the heart of it all is an understanding that life is a balance of effort and surrender. We must sow good seeds, treat others kindly, and act with integrity, but we must also trust the unseen forces guiding us. That balance has carried me through, turning moments of vulnerability into opportunities for growth and grace.