My Mom's Favorite Things

Many of you know that my mom is now in the greatest fight of her life, one she may not win.  God has the final say and we will let Him and her determine this. Meanwhile I will spend the next few weeks of posts honoring her and celebrating different parts and facets of her life. This one includes her favorite things. 

These include: her children, her brother, Roseanne, Seven On Your Side, Judge Judy, birds, cooking (especially biscuits, meatloaf, sweet tea and many other dishes), Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, shot glasses, animals, fresh Sunbeam bread, the Lord, the Bible, Charles Stanley, Andy Griffith, the 70s and music such as the Bee Gees, Doobie Brothers and Michael Jackson, flowers, cleaning and keeping a neat house and yard, collecting cigarette lighters, marigold plants, CK-1 perfume, Eggo pancakes, shopping at Food Lion and Dollar General, fish and fish camps, a well done steak, a good hamburger (no cheese), chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, arguing with others and defending family and children, babies, miniatures (what nots), Bruce Lee, keychains, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, 

STARS: How I Built Up #ImJustDrew

The weekend was not only one to celebrate resurrection but to also celebrate the 7 year anniversary of #imjustdrew. 

7 years ago, I didn't think I would create a brand that has been sustainable and part of my identity. 

I simply wanted to help bring folks together and showcasing the power of networking. Also I wanted anyone and everyone to see that if a shy, stuttering, overweight, country boy from Kings Creek could do it, it's doable by most anyone else. 

I formed a second blog post on WordPress separate from my world of random knowledge and information. I would do vlogs that later became FB live videos a couple of times/week. I then expanded my brand in 2017 by writing and publishing my first book "From Darkness to Sunshine: Making Unlimited Friends and Connections". I then changed up the brand, mission and vision as COVID began. I began focusing more on the human side and treatment of humans through social inclusion and excision, social justice, police brutality, and mental health. I learned a long time ago with any business and/or brand you either evolve or cease to exist. 

I also now have a weekly podcast on Spotify, #imjustdrew podcast discussing many topics related to these cornerstones of the brand and movement. 

By the numbers, with over 300 book sales, an average of 120 listeners per vlog and live, and 260 listens on the podcast, I would say #imjustdrew has quietly made its mark and will continue to do so. I will continue to adjust year over year and celebrate each milestone.

STARS: How I Decreased Stress In the WorkPlace Over a Decade Ago

I definitely get having to work to support your family and many environments will be stressful and hectic. One must have time and stress management skills. I absolutely put these to work when I was in a toxic situation that I needed to get out of. Names will be omitted but this was at the end of my 12 year stretch with the Robert Allen group. 

I identified the department I ultimately wanted to work in and the managers (buffers) I wanted to be around. They would treat me like human beings and give positive vibes. I had to keep my nose clean behavioral wise and at the same time keep my eyes out for anything that I could document and report to HR.  I simply had to wait for my moment for something to open up there or outside of the company. I had already taken a huge paycut and I knew what amount I needed to make to sustain a living wage. 

I had my opportunity come and I interviewed for the position and job I wanted and I was immediately given an offer. It was going to be a position in which I would not be unfairly rotated and it would be less stress and more fun. One of my counterparts noted that I needed to smile and laugh more. 

The laughter and smiles definitely came over 3 years where everything was 90% less stressful, I enjoyed my management 100% more and I had a schedule that allowed me to work on my physical and mental health. I was at my peak at both during that time, losing 70 pounds, eating cleaner, and feeling more clarity and sleeping better.

STARS: How I Have Improved My Speech Tremendously Throughout My Life

I have had a speech impediment since I was a child and it still affects me in my mid 40s. I don't stutter as often but I definitely will talk rapidly when I'm nervous, excited, upset or all the above. I also have a thick country accent that comes out more when all 3 of the aforementioned surfaces. 

This has affected my confidence, my social status and even caused road bumps throughout my career. 

I was in speech therapy in school for 6 years (big shout out to Mrs. Carolyn Fowler for being patient and believing in me.) and learned how to properly pronounce and enunicate certain letters and phrases. I also have taken plenty of public speaking courses and even leadership positions. I have traveled to conferences to strengthen and sharpen my voice. 

I later channeled my energies in therapy through the gym, breathing, mediating, and slowing down my speaking pace through practice. I would record myself and even video myself to have my voice crisper. 

Present day, I have held 10 leadership positions, 3 of these being in management, have appeared on radio shows and podcasts, have been guest speaker and MC at 5 different events and have simply found my niche: control. I know if I maintain that, the sky is the limit for myself and my voice.

I am human and do still slip up especially when I'm around people I don't know or people I'm the most comfortable with. I am 90% better and more confident than I was as a child..

Crutches, Boots and Scooters Part 11: A Month Into Normalcy

It's been a whirlwind and a relief over the past month. 

I've seen myself improve both physically and mentally while still needing to maintain both states of my life. I'm glad and blessed to be out and about though. 

I've seen every doctor and specialist except for the chiropractor (hopefully today on that one.). My ortho likes how my ankle looks and my ankle and leg have been holding up well. I've noticed it mostly acts up if I consume too much sodium. It's all motivation to return to the gym along with continued clean eating and IF. 

It's fascinating how many orthopedic stories I've heard from folks that I come across and how this ordeal has shaped my everyday life and those around it. 

I don't see my ortho for 3 more months and I just am trying to continue to improve and maintain so I'm not having a repeat surgery or a setback. 

STARS: How I Trained for and ran a marathon

Spring running season is basically here and although I'm currently not running, I know the craft and the process. I am here for anyone that wants my guidance. 

I chose my first marathon to be closer to home so I could drive and not be overly sore going back to a hotel or hours to home. I would advise taking that into consideration, along with price, travel and hotel accommodations, and overall planning for time off from work, family, etc. 

I then know my terrain and how I needed to adjust my regimen. I give myself 4-6 months to train. I was running 3 times a week anyways with a long run on Saturdays so I was halfway there. I have found numerous training programs online and in runner's groups. I have found that the best ones are the ones that break the training down week by week with total mileage being nearly 20 miles minus the week you run a half marathon (running a sanctioned half a month or two prior is beneficial) and then the week you run your 20 mile run. I and other runners know the importance of that 20 mile run to the overall training. It gauges you halfway into training and allows you to see where you need to adjust and what. This goes down to the shoes to even what hat you wear that morning.

I used this format to successfully run and finish 3 full marathons, 2 in back to back months. I have found this template to be successful if the work is put in.

STARS: Ensuring My Uncle Had a Nice Safety Net Upon His Release From Prison

Here's the backstory on my Uncle Kenny. He's been in and out of prison most of his life and recently turned 70. I took over managing his finances in late 2017 and wanted to ensure he had enough money to start some projects and relax some at his age. 

His money was not managed as well as possible prior and a lot of hands were in his pot. 

I first put everyone, including him, on a budget. He was expected to be released in 5 years at that time. I wanted to ensure that even when his own children wanted money, it was on a need only basis. There had been a lot of problems I won't go into details on due to it being family. I will only say they were bleeding him dry and I wasn't afraid to tell them no.

Additionally, I attempted to ensure that if someone needed a loan or large sum, it had to be valid. He paid for his wife's funeral in 2020 and this was obviously one of those cases. 

I was able to help him increase his monies tenfold in 5 years and this was with him spending $300-$400 per month on average. He's enjoying his freedom and retirement and has little financial concerns.