The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.
- Madeleine L’Engle
I’ve been a blessed young man. Well, I’ve been blessed my whole life, but these past couple of years have really made me realize how fortunate I am to have two loving, supportive parents, as well as a group of special people in my life always rooting for me.
As my 24th birthday draws near on Friday, March 28, I can’t help but think about my good friend, Andrew, who died in 2002, a few weeks shy of his high school graduation. His birthday is a couple of weeks after mine, and I’m deeply saddened that he’ll never have the chance to experience life after the age of eighteen.
I think Andrew’s death motivated me even more because it showed me how truly precious life is and how we all must cherish it and live every day to the fullest. I’m often reminded of this on a regular basis when friends ask, “How are you doing?” or “How’s it going?”. My immediate response is typically, “I’m doing great…just living and loving life.” Life is a blessing and once you realize that, you begin to love it even more.
“I guess when it comes down to it
Being grown up isn’t half as fun as growing up
These are the best days of our lives
The only thing that matters is just following your heart
And eventually you’ll finally get it right”
- The Ataris, “In This Diary”
I’m now well aware of my own personal strengths and weaknesses, have examined my limitations and will continue to learn as long as I live, and, as a result, I am who I am. I do not, nor will I, attempt to define myself by anyone else’s definitions. I answer to a much higher authority, and, in my opinion, that’s the only authority that matters.
In retrospect, I’ve done some things I’m not entirely proud of; I’ve done some things I suppose I should be ashamed of; however, I regret nothing, knowing that everything I’ve done in the past has made me who I am today. I ask that I be forgiven for said things, as that is all any of us can do.
I appreciate my supporters for continuously believing in me as well as my endeavors. I also want to shout out my detractors (you know who you are) for forcing me to work even harder to ensure continued success; how about you read Psalm 27 some time?
Infinite thanks to you all; the best is yet to come.
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Thanks for visiting!
Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar
Monday, March 24, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Funny that sometimes it takes a tragedy to motivate us.
Something similar happened to me in middle school. One of my classmates who was much brighter than I was, and had better prospects, was killed. It definitely motivated me, although sometimes I feel like I’m in the only kid from the class who remembers him.
Friday, March 28, 2008 at 5:30 am
heyyy J. happy birthday!!
i am definitely not the same person i was when i was younger…and i think getting older makes you appreciate just how far in the journey you have come.
i’ve been enjoying you on C&D…great stuff homie! you definitely added something to that site. i am looking forward to seeing you blossom and grow into a huge success.
hope your birthday is wonderful, you youngin’. lol.
Friday, March 28, 2008 at 5:33 am
geesh…just realized i put C&D. sorry they were both open in the next tab….totally meant Concrete Loop. LOL.
Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I’m with Jansen - there are a lot of moments in our lives that motivate us to make those necessary changes in order for us to NOT take life so granted. It’s so easy to do - especially when you’re young and healthy. I’ve had my own experiences from 2 cousins being murdered to being in the lobby of Tower 1 on 9/11. Those moments I will never forget - however - not simply because of the tragedy but also of the promise to live, love, and learn.
Friday, April 11, 2008 at 10:50 am
I will just bless you with my quote of “keep doing you, you do it so well” In a world of turmoil and immaturity from people who grew up with no guidance it is always refreshing to have a young black intelligent brother to step out and make the world know you and for that I and I am sure many other’s just want to say thank you for having the courage to share you with us.
Friday, May 2, 2008 at 8:12 am
[...] all honesty, I had completely forgotten all about it until I rediscovered it a few days before my 24th birthday. By that time, though, I had actually completed quite a few of the items on the [...]