Redemption Song....

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind.”....

Bob Marley....

Lately, I’ve noticed I took many things for granted, and now I’m seeing the same things, but from a new and fresh perspective. Bob Marley’s Redemption Song is an example. I’ve never paid attention to the lyrics until now. Reread the lyrics: “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind.” ....

          What is holding you back? Better yet, what imaginary all-powerful force is holding you back? Mark Twain once said, “In my life, I’ve had thousands of problems, most of which never occurred.”....

          We tend to worry, it’s human nature, and unfortunately, we prefer to be in a situation that we know is bad for us, but we stay only because we fear the unknown. Ask yourself this; “what is there really to fear?” Seriously, what is the worst case scenario? Cubans have a saying “que quiere que hago? Que me pongo a llorar? Me van a llevar preso?” Translated it means, “what do you want me to do? Cry? Am I going to prison for this?” It’s the Cubans’ way of saying “don’t sweat the small stuff.”....

          Lots of things have held me back in the past. I’m working hard to prevent that in the future. I’ve come to realize I lose more by doing nothing, than to continue to do the same. ....

Tomorrow is an important day for this country. This country has elected an African-American President, something I thought I would see in my life-time, but not now at the age of 36. I thought this country was a good 20+ years away from electing a black president. Now I wonder, did those who voted for President Obama, did they “emancipate themselves from mental slavery?” I think they did. They opened up their hearts and their mind, and for that I congratulate them.....

In closing, all I can say is don’t be afraid. Not of our country’s future, not of your life, not of anything. Failure is part of life. If you don’t realize that, then it’s time you stop living in denial. You only learn from your mistakes. It’s time I learn from mine and you learn from yours. Cut loose from those imaginary handcuffs, as you are the only one who holds the key. “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind.”....

          Below are the lyrics to “Redemption Song.” Maybe it’s the hoopla surrounding the Presidency, but the first paragraph reminds me of what this country has been dealing with lately. Thank you and good luck!....

.. ..Redemption Song lyrics
Old pirates, yes, they rob I;
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the ‘and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfill de book.

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom -
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

First of all, I would like to thank all of you that send me emails asking when I will write my next BLOG. I guess like most of you, I've been caught up with other things lately, but things happen for a reason, and when my eyes opened at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday, I thought to myself, "this is the time for my next BLOG."

Today's BLOG will be about what lies ahead. These times are tough, actually, these times are scary, and it will get scarier. Hopefully, some tips I've learned along the way will help you somehow. So here I go….

               Do something different!-- Yup, that's it! That's number one on my list. "Do something different." By now you are thinking should I keep reading? This guy is an idiot! He hasn't said anything. Well, yes I have, think about it. Whatever you are doing right now, isn't working. If it was, you wouldn't be in the situation you are in. So, do something different. I don't care what it is, just make sure it's not the same thing because you already know the same thing is not working! I'm not sure if it was Einstein, but if it was, he once said "if you keep doing the same thing over and over again, and expect different results, then you are just crazy." Simple in thought and philosophy, but extremely difficult to apply.

               Friends, Family, Neighbors, etc… -- Remember them? Yeah, we haven't seen them in a while. We all know why; responsibilities like children, work, and home. Our lives are definitely more complicated today than it was compared to our parent's generation, but you know what's great about friends and family, they always take you back and they need you now more than ever, too. So hook up with old friends again. Have them over for a BBQ, some beers, maybe catch a movie. Skip that trip to Home Depot to buy mulch and forgot about killing those pesky weeds. I know, by now you might be thinking all this costs money. Look, we are all cutting back financially. So, how about you stop making excuses and get creative. Make plenty of popcorn and rent a movie, have your friends chip in. It didn't cost you much and everyone will have a good time.

               Exercise--- Isn't this simple? A very important activity that in the good ol' USA we have been ignoring for a long time. I know, I blame "time" again, at least that is my excuse. But you know what, I joined a gym yesterday. It truly does make you feel good. Now, you don't have to spend money and join a gym. Just get that old squeaky bike out of the garage or those old dirty sneakers and go for a nice bike ride, a jog, or a walk. Trust me, it will distract you and the benefits of exercise are more than well documented.

               Nature --- Look around you. I live in Miami, and the Everglades is a 20 minute motorcycle ride away. How can you go somewhere dominated by nature and not be relaxed, impressed, and at peace? Enough said!

               Education --- I like this one. I have bankruptcy clients that due to a cutback in hours at work or even lay-offs, have gone back to school. Don't want to get a loan or you are done with higher education, although, like chicken soup, it can't hurt. Fine, take a class that is free. I don't know what, but try  cooking, pottery, underwater basket weaving. It doesn't matter, just do it.

               Volunteer--- I like this one a lot. It truly, truly makes you feel good. It can be anywhere for anything. It doesn't really matter. Volunteer organizations always could use your help. For me personally, I'm trying to get involved in volunteer projects for the Everglades. I've been donating a portion of my book proceeds to the Susan B. Komen Foundation, but to be honest, it takes one minute to write the check and another minute to mail it out, and once those two minutes are gone, so is the feeling of 'good.' So, join your church, a homeless shelter, etc…. The feelings last longer and are just as effective as money.

               Read--- Even though my dream is to quit the practice of law and continue writing novels, the truth is, I don't really read a lot of novels. I don't enjoy them, oddly enough. In part, it is because I get frustrated that my book hasn't sold as much as the one I'm reading ;)  but I do enjoy reading biographies, etc… A good friend of mine gave me a book on physics by Stephen Hawkins, so that is what I'm reading now. And don't say you don't like reading, you're reading this aren't you? Buy my book, that would make me happy, but more importantly, see 1, 'do something different.'

               This is a short list of little things you can do daily to help you get through the day, if not, the next few years. I wish I could sit here behind my laptop and write how great things will be in a few months, but realistically, it's not going to be. For me personally, I've lost a lot of money over the last couple of years, and to be honest, I keep thinking about it, and it hasn't made me angry or depressed in any way. This was necessary, at least for me, in order to focus once again on what I consider is important in life. Hey, I'm just as guilty as anyone else when it comes to wanting money, but it doesn't motivate me anymore. And that is why we are all so nervous and anxious these days, because it's about money. Don't get me wrong, I still want money, and lot's of it, but it's not my motivator anymore. For 2009, I have a new goal, I will work to live, not vice-versa. Just like my "do something different" statement, very easy to say, but not so easy to apply.

The CYCLE?
We hear all the time on TV regarding business and the economy that it's just cyclical. Wall Street is down, it's just cyclical. Consumer spending is at an all time low, the real estate market downfall, etc… it's just cyclical. Of course, when business is up, the economy is doing great, and the Dow Jones closes high, they never say it's cyclical, even though it is.

But somehow, at least the tangibles like business, is cyclical. What goes up, always comes down, and vice versa. But I don't believe I can say the same about people. Our behavior works in cycles too, but unlike Wall Street, people don't always bounce back and if they do, it seems it takes longer to do so in comparison to business. Think about this: take a moment to think back to your highest high in life, whenever that was and whatever caused it. Now think back to your lowest low.  Which one lasted longer? How come our lowest low doesn't ever seem to be as intense or last as long as our highest high? Well, I don't have the answer to that, if I did, I would have a TV show with higher ratings than Dr. Phil's. But, that is the Cycle!

Think about it. You got into some sort of funk (cycle) when things were low. Moped around, dressed down, whatever it is, I guarantee you did it. So you have to notice this and break the Cycle!

Let me give you my little example. Business is bad for everyone these days, including lawyers which is truly rare. Be that as it may, every morning I watched CNN and I would hear how bad the economy is in, gas is high, consumer spending low, the War in Iraq, etc… Then, I jump into my car and turn my XM radio on to Fox, CNN, and listen to more of the same going to and from court. I just created a cycle! And I did this for probably a month and a half. I don't need to flood my brain with all these messages that the economy is bad. I just have to go to work and listen to my clients to figure that out. But think about it, an hour of TV in the morning, and hour plus in the car, then all my clients. No wonder I'm stressed out! Well, the good news is that I broke the cycle.

I stopped watching the news in the morning and I found the 80's station on my satellite radio and "pumped up the volume.". I sang all the way to and from court. I probably looked a little crazy, but f---- it, I felt awesome! Nothing like a little Madonna, Skid Row, Michael Jackson, and The Police to kick start your day. Just please guys, no Flock of Seagulls haircuts and ladies, stay away from the Flash Dance leg warmers! It was 95 degrees and people here were wearing leg warmers! That's insane!

Point is, I broke the cycle! The hard part, is to continue to do so consistently, and to continue to do things you haven't done in a while to avoid the bottom of the cycle. I'll never know why it is so much easier to be negative than positive, but it is. But, I've learned that you have to make constant adjustments, whether in life, relationships, or business. It's comparable to taking things for granted. Gary Player, a well known golfer, said something recently that I will never forget: "Change is the price you pay for survival."

Anyway, I have to go; Bon Jovi is coming up next on the radio. One more thing, thanks everyone for reading My BLOG, I'm enjoying all the great comments I'm receiving.

I just received my first Quarter Check from the sales of Eleven Roses, I'm proud to say I'm sending the full amount to Breast Cancer Awareness (read my profile, I explain with further details). It wasn't that big of a check, so don't be super impressed, which is fine, b/c of my law practice, I can afford to donate the money, so the way I look at it, its a win/win situation.

"Day by day." Now, after 36 years of living/surviving, cliches are beginning to make more & more sense to me. Times are tough; for me, for you, and everyone I know personally. No doubt, times have changed, and not necessarily for the better. So, I'm writing this BLOG, hopefully daily, to share my views, values, opinions, and the ups/downs of this rollercoaster I'm riding. Personally, I'm afraid of rollercoasters, as are most of you, but on this rollercoaster called LIFE, we are not alone.

I hope that by my sharing my life and my struggles, we will all realize we are not alone, and hopefully, that makes our day a little bit better. Writing surely makes me feel better, and maybe by you "sounding off," or sharing your problems, you'll feel better too. So, join me. Let me know what you think. We're here for the long haul!

Personally, I believe our hectic lifestyles has resulted in us focusing on things of little value, yet, at the that particular moment, we gave "it" great importance and value.But now that the going has gotten rough, we are re-evaluating our lives and focusing our energy on what's important. What's important? Well, that is different for everybody. But for arguments sake, lets just say health, friends, and family. These are tough times for us all, lets lean on our friends, have a beer, cosmo, or BBQ with those you appreciate. Let's distract ourselves, even if only temporarily, at the minimum, we deserve it!

One more thing, I don't know about you, but I feel better ;)

Reviewed byKam Aures for RebeccasReads (3/08)

Reviewed by Terry Studer from Front Street Reviews
 
Eleven Roses by Alexander Hernandez is not quite what I expected and not your typical romance. It starts out slow but once we go from reading past and present to a more stable look at the affair of the past, the story does indeed improve dramatically.

Michael Alvarez is a struggling law student who is proud of himself and his culture. He is the youngest of two sons and good looking, independent and extremely bright. Like most young men of his age once he sees what he wants he is determined to get it.

Alexis Stanton is beautiful, smart, sexy and bored to tears with her marriage. With the figure of a goddess she can have any man she wants. She’s not looking for love but it’s funny how something you’re not looking for can come up and bite you in the butt when least expected. Bar hopping with her best friend leads to unexpected results that spiral into places she never thought she would go.

This story is hot, sultry, steamy and erotically sexy. I found this to be more towards erotica than romance but it could classify as both. From the female perspective I found it to be more like a raw soap opera but trying to place myself in the male perspective frame of mind I could see it looking more like a romance.

There is a a bit of cultural history here about Cuba and most of the story does take place in Florida most likely Little Havana. I did find this part of it quite fascinating and actually enjoyed it more than the sex scenes. Unable to speak Spanish, I did have a bit of trouble with deciphering the language. Also the parts that were written in what would be considered a Spanish accent were also a bit challenging. Nothing that can’t be overcome and understood though.

Overall, the author did a good job especially for a first novel. I would recommend this for anyone who is looking for something a bit different. It’s not often you find a man writing romance novels let alone read them. Also, once the storyline does pick up it is anything but boring so give it a try.

BOOK REVIEW By Miami Herald

Detective tales draw lawyer to pen

A Hialeah-based lawyer makes his literary debut with a subject he knows intimately. But his inspiration goes back a lot further than law school.

Special to The Miami Herald

Alexander Hernandez flirted with writing as a career but he also wanted to prove that he could be a lawyer and, when the time came to decide, he picked the law.

Then he found out that law school was stressful and he needed an outlet. He found it in writing.

The result: Hernandez has been practicing law for several years, and he also published his first novel.

In Eleven Roses, Hernandez weaves his experience as an attorney and his Cuban background into a tale of torrid love and raging jealousy.

The 186-page novel tells the tale of the affair between Michael Alvarez, a young attorney in the prime of his career, and Alexis Stanton, a mature woman married to a successful real-estate attorney. Set in Florida, Key West and Cuba, the novel takes the reader through a powerful story of love and loss as Alvarez reflects on his life. Sitting in a Key West bar watching the sunset, retracing relationships and promises made along the way, he ponders the decisions he has made.

’’This is a different kind of lawyer story, that shows they don’t have it all,’’ Hernandez said. ....It shows mistakes and regrets. Eleven Roses is a story about real characters with real issues. It is not your typical boy-meets-girl story. It is a story about romance, love and mistakes.’’

Intertwined in the story of love and law are allusions to Cuban customs. Hernandez, 35, born and raised in Miami, reinforces his culture with the use of Cuban slang, Spanglish dialogue and a trip to Cuba.

’’The novel is also an outsider’s perspective as to what happened to the [exile] Cuban family. It’s a way of giving something back that shows I am proud of being a Cuban American,’’ he said.

Hernandez first became attracted to the law -- and to writing -- in third grade.

’’I came across a series of short stories titled Encyclopedia Brown,’’ he said. ....E. Brown is about a kid detective trying to solve crimes in his neighborhood. At the end of the story, you have to figure out who committed the crime with the clues given to the reader throughout the story. The answer is given at the end.

....At first, I could never figure out who committed the crime. That frustrated me to the point that I started taking notes, writing down clues, etc., to figure it out -- which, at that point, I was able to, but it was also fun and challenging. I felt the career of a trial lawyer best paralleled those kid detective novels I read.

Hernandez describes the practice of law as a form of story-telling.

’’I enjoy the challenge of having one simple idea converted into a complex process, like writing or trying a case while making it interesting,’’ he said. ....I consider writing comparable to trial law because I have to convince the judge assigned to the case of my story or my version, just like you would with a reader.’’

Maria Celeste Arraras, Today Show guest host, NBC Telemundo anchor and author, was impressed. She described the novel as ....an amazing story of passion between two unlikely lovers, a remarkable story of romance lost, but love found, with a unique and surprise ending.’’

Hernandez’s inspiration for the novel came from his experiences at law school and a deep connection to Cuba. He began writing it at the end of 1998 while studying law at Nova Southeastern University in Davie.

Eleven Roses was released on Jan. 11 and was awarded the Editors Choice and Publishers Choice awards.

’’Writing is something I pushed to the side, wondering if it was ever going to happen,’’ said Hernandez, a Hialeah-based attorney. ....I am so caught up [working on publishing and selling the book] that it still doesn’t sink in that it’s done.’’

And, just as happens in the Encyclopedia Brown stories that captured Hernandez’s imagination as a boy, he leaves the reader in suspense as to why he named his novel Eleven Roses. You have to get to the end to find out.

www.elevenroses.net

There they were, sharing a private sunset in the Key West of his youth. They faced the calm, drowsy ocean, his arms around her, her head resting against his chest. The last rays of the sunset reached out to envelope them like warm, golden fingers, caressing their bodies and the one soul they shared. He turned her around, pulling her down to lie beside him on the cool sand. Their eyes locked in a dream-induced gaze that spoke without words of lost time and unfulfilled longings. No one had ever looked at her that way. His fingers stroked her face and brushed her hair back behind her ear. With the first touch of his lips on her neck, her head gently fell back, flooded with memories. 

As his hot, liquid kisses found her throat, she arched her body to meet his intoxicating smell and taste. He covered her beautiful breasts and traced the taut, curved outline of her slim, toned body, with lazy summer afternoon kisses that charged her with anticipation of the exquisite love they had always shared.

Later that evening, they returned to the Key West Conch home they had rented for the remainder of the week. She stood at the open French doors of the balcony. There was an ethereal aura to this moment. She stood barefoot, the thin straps of her white silk dress fell from her shoulders. The rhythmic whisperings of the ocean were their only music. The soft breeze, like her lover's hand, swept her long dark hair to one side, making her appear as a quiet angel stepping from a Monet canvas. She was more beautiful than ever. "God, how I loved her! How much I always loved her!"

She walked slowly to his open arms as he reached out to kiss the woman of his dreams. The glow of the candlelight caught the sparkle of the antique diamond ring he had given her.

As she lay beside him, her arm draped over his chest, she continued to be the only woman he could fall asleep with after making love. He drifted into a dream-like state, breathing in her scent and aura that wrapped around him like Christmas-morning memories.

He lit the candles that would fill the room with the scent of lilacs … the scent of so many yesterdays that would feed his anoetic sensations.

He poured himself a scotch and water, the first of the day, the first of many that would nurture and comfort his emptiness.

It was a cool, damp, Key West morning. The wind and rain whipped against the French doors. The ocean was a confused state of misdirected currents. With drink in hand, he walked over to the sofa and lay down.

He wanted her again. He needed her again, as he always had.

All those years of his youth he was driven by an overwhelming obsession to achieve and succeed.  Always the need to finish in first place, he never stopped for anything or anyone.  And now he knew that the part of himself that could breathe life into his being and make sense of it all, was gone. All those years she discretely guided and encouraged him, walking beside him through each phase with love and pride brimming.  Her eyes like shy tears, she needed only a small part of him for herself. He never noticed how quietly and unobtrusively she fell behind watching him charge full speed ahead knowing the futility of trying to avert the force that fueled the need he desired. He never lost focus on what lay ahead, but completely lost focus on what lay behind.

And now she was gone, his lady of grace and style, his wild woman untamed, spontaneous, loving, passionate without limitations, his little girl shy and insecure, needing only his words of love and compassion. A tear escaped his eye, then another. His eyes spoke of their pain. Each tear told a story of its own.

www.elevenroses.net

Her body was bathed in the natural beauty of the morning sunlight. She defied her age. Michael wrapped his arms around her and kissed her once; she left him breathless. Holding Michael's hands for support, Alexis lowered herself onto the floor. Michael untied his bathrobe and followed her lead. As he pressed his body against hers, he felt the stimulation of a lost desire he was never able to capture with another woman. 

As Michael cradled his hand underneath the curve of her back, Alexis arched with anticipation of Michael being inside of her. With each deliberate, slow, and passionate thrust, she yearned for more. She raised herself slightly off the floor and wrapped her legs around his waist. She squeezed hard as she felt the intensity of her orgasm rising deep inside her body. Like the rapturous applause during the grand finale on opening night, their climax thundered and rocked their bodies as one; their sensations and sensitivity heightened. Alexis's body shuddered and shook as she felt Michael's soul pass through her.

With his head buried between her breasts, Michael looked up breathlessly into her eyes where he saw the reflection of his innermost being. This was where he needed to be. This was where he belonged.

No one had ever looked at Alexis like Michael did, and no one ever would. Her eyes told a thousand stories of their shared romance. One look had never revealed so much. It was their love that inspired her and healed him.

They lay entwined for hours, their bodies drenched with perspiration. Her body still quivered from his touch. Neither of them wanted to get up and break the spell.

"Do you know how much I love you, Alexis?" he whispered.

"Yes … I do, but please tell me again."

www.elevenroses.net

Inside, the smell of lilac-scented candles permeated the room. Flames from the fireplace cast a golden light around the room. Alexis walked around the room admiring the elegant French provincial decor. Alexis removed her coat and turned around as Michael locked the door. He reached for her hand which glided into his. With the first touch of her lips, memories of the thousands of kisses they shared in the past rushed through his body. Michael reached behind Alexis's back and unzipped her dress with one hand. With her dress clinging to the curve of her breasts, she raised her arms, and she shamelessly allowed the dress slide down over her hips until it rested on the floor.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered. The soft glow of light outlined her perfect silhouette. This felt so right. They belonged together.

Michael looked beyond her. Against the wall, their shadows blended together making one. It was a sign, Michael thought.

www.elevenroses.net