Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People

I wonder, out of the amount of people who read this post, are going to be in the category that I'll be speaking about. And I really want each and everyone one of you, to ponder this. Seriously, think about what I'm about to tell you. I'm not asking you to, I'm TELLING you to take it to heart.

So, the category I'm talking about is the average person. Average person? Now what could I mean by that? Cause, that could mean anything. Here's my definition of the average person. Eat, drink, sleep, go to school, graduate, college-graduate, get a job, have a family, have kids, die. This is the average person's mentality. If I can AT LEAST do these things, I'll be fine. Interesting thing is, if you talk to anyone who has had some life experience, the life they envisioned never turned out the way they had imagined. Why is that? People tell me, it's because life is unpredictable. Want to know my response? The best way to predict the future, is to invent it. That right there is the difference between the average person and the champion. Because your belief level will determine your outcome, and if you're sitting back in your chair believing that the average person's life that I just described is for you, then that's where you'll be.

Or, maybe you're the kind of person that envisions a better future for himself, but never acts on it. Something seems to be holding you back from dreaming to doing. I'm going to tell you, the only thing that's holding you back, is you. Bottom line, it's you. And something else you need to consider because if you're waiting for "the right moment," it'll never come. Because honestly, do you think if life is rough now, is it going to be easier or more difficult in the future? Do you think that time is endless? The intelligent person would tell me, no, I can't say that I'd believe those things to be true. And if that's the case, how come you aren't doing anything about it?

Another thing that you need to think about. What are you putting in your mind? Because the things you read, watch on tv, or hear from your associations is going to affect your outcome. Look at your current situation right now, and I gaurantee you, unless you do something about it, your life won't be much different in the future. The way you speak, the way you think, and the types of associations you have probably won't change. And I always emphasize associations because they're your primary influence, and what more people need to be thinking about is this. Are their influences serving me. Is what I'm listening to, serving me. Is what I'm watching, serving me. And I want you to really think about these things because every single decision you make in this life is an investment in your future outcome. Think about that. Everything you choose to let influence you, determines the kind of person you'll be 5, 10, 20, 30 years from now. Is that the kind of person you envisioned?

So, if you're the kind of person that doesn't want to settle for the minimum in life. If you're the kind of person that is living and not dying, what are you going to do about it?

--Clayton

Just wanted to say I'M LOVING LIFE! WOO! Yes, I really did just WOO! :) Man, I have to tell you, I am over the world's way of thinking. That thinking, is the voice that tells you life is hard, life is always a struggle, society is making things too difficult, we're dead by the age of 20 and just aren't burried until the age of 70, etc...I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. So, you're working two jobs and going to school full time. Stressed out? Get over it! Having a hard time making friends? Be one first! Life keeping throwing you curve balls? Just expect it! If you are alive well, you're doing just fine! The reasons things don't go your way, is because you don't expect things to go your way. You are what you think! I'll say it again, you are what you think! If you believe things will go well and your dreams will come true, they will! The reason we die at the age of 20 is because we let our dreams die! Don't blame it on the world, don't blame it on your parents, don't blame it on any of your surroundings, because I know most of you CHOSE to let it happen. Something I've always believed, you are who you associate yourself around. Wondering why you're never advancing, or feel like nothing new or eventful is happening in your life? Look at the people around you. The ones who influence your life the most. What are they doing? How are they living their lives? And no matter how much you may think you are an independent thinker, people influence people! You ask me how? "Because the things that we should hate, we'll eventually tolerate." Mediocrity isn't what you should settle for! You want to do well? You want to constantly feel on top of the world?! Seek those who want the same thing! Because people feed off energy! If you're constantly quiet, mopy, bitter, whining, complaining...Well no wonder nothing is going your way! You're killing that competitive spirit inside of you!

And yes! I know it's 2006 and achievements, greatness, and success are more difficult to obtain versus 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago. But if you look at the happiest, most content, successful people around you, I'll show you people who never gave up, and never let their dreams die; people that whenever they were knocked down, came back up stronger than before. And no, success is not measured by one's wealth, but by the one who needs no more.

And I know this may be a common one, but really, how often do you think of those who are less fortunate? How bout terminally ill children who's lives are going to end early, and they know it. I wonder how those children would treat the life you have if given the chance to live a full one?

Here's something else to think about. What did you do in the last few days to pursue your dream? I'm not talking about taking classes at your school or college (though it is a start). I'm talking about something you did personally. What extra effort did you put in? What did you do outside of your classes to help you achieve your goals? Look, I know everyone knows this, but how many of you actually think about it? You're dying! Every day that has gone by, and you've done nothing but the minimum, was precious time wasted. Time that will never return. How will you be remembered? How are you going to put your mark on this earth? How will your peers remember you? If you want to be a leader, then be one! Otherwise, go ahead. Live your mediocre life. Be like the people whose life revolves around this mentality..."We're born, we go to school, we get a job, get married, die." Remember, you are what you think. Life is what you make of it.

So, my challenge to everyone! 1. Be a positive thinker! Tell yourself every single day that you're going to accomplish the plans you have set for yourself. 2. Seek the companionship of those you see excelling! 3. Be energized and never quit because people feed off of your energy, and then you'll feed off of them! And lastly, 4. Be thankful for the life you have. It's not a birth right. It's a gift. Put it to use!

Now, if you're not inspired or moved to think in anyway, you're either dead and need to find a way to come back to life!, or you're already living your dream. Hopefully it's the second one. And the reason I say inspired, is because inspiration is caused by the heart. It is a deep emotion that should move you to excell!

A personal quote I made for myself, "When we discover the person within, that is the moment that we will win." I don't care if you think it's cheesy, I'm going to live by this because if you can't help yourself, how are you going to help those around you? Simple, you won't. You'll just be part of the never ending cycle of the quiet, mopy, bitter, whiny, complaining people. May sound harsh, but if thats you, don't hang around me because I'm planning on achieving my dreams, and I don't mind having everyone one of you coming with me to the top. And you can either do it along side me, or by hanging by the end of my coat tails, but i'm not stopping either way!

~Clayton

First Steps

I look at your lips

In search of words

And hoping you'll slip

And tell me it's yours

Cause if it is

I want to thank you

I never knew how this could feel

I'm living day by day

As if each were the last of a dying crusade

It's amazing

How the dark escapes

Through the cascading light

And it's amazing

How the shapes of the clouds

Dim our hearts or open our eyes

Allowing possibilities

And I want to thank you

I never knew how this could feel

I'm living day by day

As if each were the last of a dying crusade

To find hope

In the fading hearts of mankind

I can't stand the frustration

Their faces have no expressions

I wish to God that I could tell everyone

There's nothing you can't do

The person to believe in is you

Little steps is where it begins

Your smile will bring the world to its knees

So smile for me

Let's hope this isn't where it ends

The meaning behind this song is a realization I've had to deal with for awhile now. I know it's probably not new, but to me, it's still a shame. Too often our dreams are dashed. Not because we failed or became lethargic in our efforts, but because there was no choice. Unfortunately, society today has made it difficult for any of us to pursue a dream or a passion that will allow success in life. Primarily, I'm referring to a career. We're forced to go to college and often times, earn degrees in something that we only chose because we knew it's one of the things the world demands in order to survive. But something I've come to learn. True success comes in finding something you enjoy doing. (This isn't an excuse for any crackheads out there. The people with common sense know what I'm talking about.)

So, for those of you who have achieved this successful life, my hat off to you. You're the reason I still have hope. Now for the song.

Symmetry

Verse 1

Haven't you ever wondered why

You'll never wake up and die

In a world that free

From insecurities

So I ask what will you bring

To a world that has everything

It's up to you to decide

How will you ever

Chorus

Survive in a place that never sleeps

I wish I could be

All the things that

Lead to a place of rest and peace

Haven't you ever

Had a dying dream

Verse 2

Through it all there'll be lights

Dazzling your perfect eyes

And I hope that you

Will never forget the few

Who were there by your side

How will you ever

Chorus

Survive in a place that never sleeps

I wish I could be

All the things that

Lead to a place of rest and peace

Haven't you ever

Had a dying dream

Bridge

I know I won't

Fall from the stars

But I won't quit

Just to stop and follow

A path that's chosen

Not by me

I'm tired of all this insanity

Verse 4

Haven't you ever wondered why

You'll never wake up and die

In a world that's free

From your lack of symmetry