10 Years Later

            Sometimes I think it’s good to reflect on the past just to look at where you’ve been and where you plan to go. It’s coming up to 10 years since I graduated from high school and I took the time to go thru my HS yearbook. This is what I discovered:

• I am old as shit
• I was ugly
• If these people tried to get buddy-buddy with me now I’d tell them to fuck off
• All these people got kids and families
• I’m working on my 2nd passport
• I got 2 degrees and a non-profit

 

            I would have to say I came a long way from being ugly since 1988, graduating from ACHS in 2006 and being the great person I am today. Would I go back and re-do anything in my life? No, why would I? The things I did in my past made me the great person I am today. If someone ever tells you they would re-do certain situations in their life that made them who they are today, then smack them one good time. I feel certain situations good or bad lead us on a particular path to greatness. Not saying that you don’t want to live a particular moment over again it’s the fact that some people want to change that moment. That moment could have made you who you are today, if you change it you may not know where that new path will lead you.

            I always get people who say “oh you changed,” of course I changed. I don’t stay the same; I just grow and evolve as a person. Every day is a new day to be better then the person you use to be. The person from 10 years ago shouldn’t be the same person you see today. When I look back at this very moment 10 years from now I want to be in a better place then I am now. I want to be doing something different, married, kids, taking more trips around the world and just being genuinely happy. It’s all about setting your life goals and pushing yourself to meet them. The person that I was 10 years ago made me who I am today but I am not the same person from 10 years ago. I have become a better version of me and have not let my past define who I am. It’s good to reflect on your past just to make sure you’re not still doing the things you use to do that don't benefit your growth. Upgrade your life and your next 10 years will be the greatest time of your life.

“Your past never defines your future”

*DISCLAIMER: I'm aware its not exactly 10 years yet but this blog is in reference to going ON 10 years from graduating from HS

Chasing The Queen

On one of my daily commutes to work I was talking to an elderly couple who had been married for 52 years and they where revisiting the site where he proposed to her. He proposed to her in Time Square and just wanted to spend the day with her in that area. My conversation with him went as followed:

Kevin: What was the key thing that kept you guys together for so long?

Elder Man: Everyday I treat her like it’s a brand new love, the love I met for the first time. I do everything I did in the beginning to try and win her heart so no one else would take it from me.

Kevin:  What did you do?

Elder Man: Back then we didn’t have phones or the internet so I would walk to her house everyday or write her letters. I would tell her exactly how I felt and try to impress her. Take her out to dinners, picnics and bring her flowers. What we did back then was try and court young women back and stick with the one we had an eye for.

Kevin: Do you feel that people have lost that aspect of courting?

Elder Man: Yes because my grand daughter told me a guy liked her but he didn’t even take her out yet. They would hang out at his house because he had his own place. I’m assuming they are just having getting it on but I told her if he isn’t trying to open your mind to new experiences he isn’t for you. A man that truly wants to be with you will go out of his way to treat you different. He will fall in love with the person you are and not just what he sees on the outside. He will continue chasing you even when he has already won your heart, just to make sure you are forever his.

To cut this story short this had to be one of my many conversations I’ve had with someone older that told me that “courting” someone was an essential part of getting the person you wanted. The thing is does courting in 2015 still exist?  Courtship is defined the act, period, or art of seeking the love of someone with the intent to marry.  I feel once you get past a certain age the games and BS need to stop because the clock is ticking. You don’t want to be 40 and alone with a number of animals named after people you dated, that could have been “the” one. Does courting only apply to men? Women are extremely aggressive now and won’t wait around forever for a man to make up his mind. She will either quickly move on or ask him what is up. Some cases women actually propose to men but that’s a different topic and never in my life do I want to see a woman get on one knee to propose to a man.

Being from this generation I get the difficulties of social media, rumors being spread and things not being serious. The thing is we shouldn’t stop striving to be with someone great and doing great things. Seeing one of my friends get married and seeing him have his Drake moments inspired me to take a more serious look at life. As you get older and wiser things change so you have to change with them.  

 "Chasing the Queen
That inspires me to be a better man
The better man that isn't like your last
. . .but plans to be your last" - Kevin Pierre

Music For The Moment 2015

Five years since I wrote my first post regarding music for the moment and I would have to say my music taste has greatly changed. Like I stated in my first post 5 years ago, music is the gateway to our souls, so listening to it and relating to it always makes us feel better. I personally have a lot of different types of music I listen to just because it's just one of those things I like. Yes I can express exactly how I feel through writing but if you have a song RIGHT this moment that can do that for you, why not play it?

Ask yourself this, " have I actually listened to the words to the music I like to hear?" Of course you haven't because it's really catchy but when you hear it enough you start to pick up on the words and start to understand it. At this very moment the music you are listening to you really like. I would have to say this summers music selection as been very good to me. Future definitely killed it with the release DS2 which has one of my favorite songs on it (Where Ya At). Fetty Wap has been dropping smash (679) after smash (My Way). Depending on your mood and your life situations you can definitely relate.If you trying to be in your feelings you definitely want to listen to some Drake (Hotline Bling) but also Mr Wes (Ride With Me). Definitely some smooth tunes if you are trying to Drake and Drive. If you don't know what Draking and Driving is, just listen to Mr Wes song and you will definitely feel it. Of course I had to throw in some Calvin Harris (How Deep is Your Love) just cause it really feels good.

I use spotify to listen to my music but here are some of my play lists that a lot of my friends like to listen to.

PreGame Mix (click here) - This is the play list that gets me turnt up all the time when I am on vacation or just hitting the gym.

Draking and Driving (click here) - When you are in the car alone and just want to be in your feelings. Trust me you will be in your feelings with this one.

Carnival/Caribana Lituation (click here) - This is a new play list I started just because you need to switch it up sometimes and start a carnival at your desk on Friday's at 4:30 in the afternoon.


No matter what life has to offer you just remember that music is always the greatest escape you can have. Embracing different types of genres and artists will allow you to grow outside of your box. Experience more from life and always have an escape.

"Good music doesn't have an expiration date"

#365DaysOfHappiness

Dear Happiness,

Thank you for the people in my life and the ability to see a new day. I never show enough appreciation for the people in my life but I try. I am happy because I am not the same person I was yesterday. Thank You.

Always Happy,
Kevin Pierre

So my non-profit (@levofoundation) has a social media campaign that we have been sharing with people called 365 Days of Happiness. The purpose is to help uplift people and give them a reason to be happy. I always say that you define your own happiness but with everything that is going on in the world, it makes you more depressed then happy. So our goal is to share that happiness that you have with other people.

Think about all the good that is happening in your life compared to the bad and just be thankful that it it isn't all bad. Even the little things should make you happy and move you forward. We tend to forget that every day is a new day to find something new to be happy about. If we allow sadness and depression to rule our lives, how will we ever accomplish anything? Sometimes we have to be able to share our own happiness with others so they can stay positive and keep pushing forward.

Wake up knowing that today is another day to be great, share your happiness, love as deeply as possible and be thankful for all the wonderful people in your life. Life is so unexpected its better to live it with a smile.

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have"

Dear Black Queens

Dear Black Queens,

Its not that we don’t love you, society just doesn’t know how to love you. Society can say what they want about you but we know the truth. The truth is you are undervalued, underestimated and unappreciated in a world that barely understands your greatness. Only used for your physical attributes of rump shaking and sexual pleasures. Society not really exploring the Queens intellect that educates supports and loves those that want nothing to do with her.

To my Black Queens, that support my drive and ambitions as a black man, I want to say thank you. You may not hear it enough from me but I love you. We may have our ups and downs but I still appreciate you in my life.

To my Black Queens, I want to say thank you. You may not hear it enough but WE love you. Even when society hates us and throws us under the bus, you still are around. Loving us, supporting us and providing us with the necessary energy to keep us moving forward. That love is forever appreciated and much needed.

To my Black Queens who are educated, driven, outspoken, supportive, classy and all around beautiful I want to say thank you. Thank you for not letting society define who you are. You are what the world needs so keep being the beautiful Queens you are.

Respectfully,

Kevin Pierre