PowerThinker: Jason Wiley

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PowerThinker: Diane Houslin Wiley

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Category: Relationships

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My new song

October 30, 2008

Trading Places is more about the world and life and less about just sex.

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My new song

October 30, 2008

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December 31, 1969

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PowerThinker:

Sometimes We Need to be Reminded

October 5, 2008

Recently, I was in Atlanta on business.  I frequent the city quite often because there are a lot of musicians living there now.  So as a part of my job I have to go down there and work with different artists.  There is a very popular chain in the South called Waffle House.  It is basically a grease spoon similar to the diners of Jersey.  But you always know what you are going to get and it is fairly quick.  So recently I happen to go in for an order to feed 6 people.  Nothing too expensive but the bill was around $37.  I find that if the waiter/waitress is semi-pleasant and quick with my order I will usually give a 20% tip. 

A 20% tip has actually become quite regular for me.  I think I will have to change that though, because most of the time these restaurants don''t have the service that deserves 20%.  I mean, a tip is for the service, not the food.  Anyway, I say all of this to say, that since the bill was $37, I found myself giving the woman a tip of $6.  After she seen me writing on the credit card slip, the amount of the tip, she began saying how grateful she was of me and how nice I was to give her such a nice tip.  She then began to tell her fellow co-workers, I am so glad that I didn''t cash out my tips yet. 

We also had conversations about my blackberry and phone, while she explained to her co-worker that the blackberry was like having a computer.  First, let me say, I wife and I began typing away on our 2-way pagers as we began our relationship so from there we moved on to a blackberry.  I remember getting a blackberry from Nextel for free in 2003 and selling it to a friend for $100, because I had no idea what to do with it.  Little did I know, I should have invested in the stock.  Anyway, to give a $6 tip wasn''t even a thought; it wasn''t anything but a reaction to the number 3, in $37.  I just simply double that first number for a tip.

While for this woman, I had just made an impact on her.  I had just been so generous.  I had just given her a "big" tip.  Obviously we are in two different financial places in our life, but it doesn''t mean that she does not have the same dreams as me.  I have been very fortunate.  Don''t get me wrong, I have worked hard for what I have accomplished and always tried to do better for myself and my family.  But this woman reminded me that I have to be grateful for all that I have and that I am capable of attaining in the future.

Some days it is hard.   You turn on the news and all you hear about is the bailout, the Dow dropping, and the impact on the housing market.  All which I have a huge interest in as I own a home, have money invested in the market and am concerned about what kind of tax breaks I will receive with this new plan.  I doubt any of this is what that woman at Waffle House is concerned about, as she probably has other worries; worries that I am fortunate enough not to have at this time. 

Some days it is hard.  Some days my wife and I are very concerned about money.  Some days I am unsure.  But I will remember that $6 difference I gave and how, even though I might believe it to be hard, it can be much worst.  I am reminded of how much I do have and will use that as my barometer of hard.  Not just because I want more.  Wanting more isn''t hard; not having and needing is the HARD.  Luckily I can say, all I want is More.  I have all I ‘need’.

No responses yet | Make a commentBy Jason


PowerThinker:

Is Matt Damon Right?

September 26, 2008

I have never met Matt Damon so I can't speak to his intellect, speak to his mannerisms or to anything else about him.  My judgements only come from what I see and read.  I always thought of him as being smart and capable, but listening to his recent statement to the AP, I can't help but respect him even more.  But, I do wonder, is he right?  Is he missing the point?

I have my opinions of all the nominees for the Presidency.  I hope that everyone has or is forming opinions.  For instance, why is the most important job in America only between two parties and two serious candidates?  Why is there a debate tonight and I am only hearing from two candidates?  Aren't there more people running?  When I get to the voting booth, won't I see more than just an Obama and McCain ticket?   So why is it that only two people will be at the first debate?  Honestly, there are so many questions and not enough answers.

Either way, Matt Damon makes a great point about the person who is on the Republican ticket as the Vice President.  I think it isn't good for our country to have someone who will have such an important job and such an important position to not have made their plans and agenda clear to the American people.  What does it say about our people and our country that we are willing to vote in someone without knowing how they will run the government?  It's really scary when you begin to truly understand how this country is run and how people think. 

Voting is so important and so necessary.  I hope no one is taking this as a joke and doing the research necessary to make an informed decision.  This is our life and our future.  We can't sit back and let anyone make that decision.  Lets learn and lets vote!!

No responses yet | Make a commentBy Jason


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