The Weekly Dream: The Hardest Task Ever
May 11, 2008
Today, I found myself watching “Tribal Odyssey” on the Discovery Channel for a couple of hours. What struck me is how the children had skills at an early age. They were trained on how to fight, the festivals and how to provide for each other. I started to wonder, “What skills are we passing to the next generation?” Read more
The Weekly Dream: Back In Full Effect
March 16, 2008
It seems that I am back online now, so I will be back with more activity and new material. Glad to be back.
Truth and Peace,
Steven M DeVougas
The Weekly Dream: In Search of Character
January 18, 2008
Good day all,
My life is beginning to take on some semblance of normalcy, so I am back in the saddle. I recently returned from the Dominican Republic, so I am rejuvinated. I will write about that experience in a later post and put pictures up.
While I was on holiday, I was able to do something I had not been able to do as much, and that is read for pleasure. I finally was able to read a book Garlin got for me last Christmas called “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell. In it, he lays out a pretty convincing argument for environment over genetics. Read more
The Weekly Dream and The Marriage Chronicles
December 31, 2007
Hello folks,
I would like to thank you for your advice and the support as I embarked on this new adventure. The wedding went extremely well, the vows came out better than I thought and we have enough stories to last us a lifetime. I wish I had enough time to tell you about the reception. But I am sure as I get the pictures up, I will post some for your viewing enjoyment. Special thanks to all of those who were able to attend.
Now we are on the verge of another New Year and I cannot help but be excited. 2008 is going to be a big year. Some of my friends have already gotten their catch-phrases and mottos for 2008.
Let’s Get Married…I think
December 26, 2007
So, ya boy is getting married in three days and I need to write my vows. Me and My ol’ lady are saying some words to each other before we give it the standard heave ho. As such, I need to write something sweet.
However, I have always been of the opinion that you should promise to do or not do certain things when you write your own vows. So I figured the blogosphere is far better than my one head and a stack of R-n-B cds. Thus I am asking for your assistance. What do you think I should promise to do for my future wife that is not a rehash of the standard vows? In the words of the late Ike Turner, I need to put some stank on it.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I am also open to any advice the vets have for a young whipper snapper going through this life changing event. And dont worry, I will chronicle all of the changes of married life for posterity. Because at 24 1/2, this should be quite the adventure.
Wish me Godspeed and thanks in advance,
Steven M DeVougas
The Weekly Dream: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
December 21, 2007
“In this world you will have trouble, but rejoice, I have overcome the world.”
-John 16:33
”The crown of life will go to those who endure to the end”
-James 1:12
A couple of weeks ago, I was in Madison, WI as a guest speaker for a group of African-American sixth grade males. I was asked to speak about my experiences in law school and undergrad, things black men face and how to overcome them.
At the end of the hour long discussion, I wrote on the board “Steve’s Seven Pillars of Success.” At the very top of my list was Stamina and Discipline. As I reflected on this, I realized that most of life is about how much you can take before life breaks you. Read more
The Weekly Dream: Habitual Line Steppers
December 2, 2007
Good Day Sirs and Madames,
I hope your holiday season is well underway. I recently heard a ridiculous story about some houseguests from hell. A coworker of mine related to me that she had some of her boyfriend’s friends come stay with them during Thanksgiving. Well, the visit started off on the wrong foot. First, they stumbled into her house, drunk, at 3AM-after walking into the wrong house first. Then, they violated the one house rule my coworker had, which was keeping their bedroom clean. And to add insult to injury, they ate all of the leftovers, single-handedly after Thanksgiving.
I was in awe of the sheer audacity and lack of respect these people showed this woman, upon first time meeting her. And it got me thinking that some people are habitual line-steppers. Read more
The Weekly Dream: The Purpose of Thanksgiving
November 19, 2007
”I once was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet…”
-Ancient Proverb
“But love your enemies and do good…and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
-Luke 6:35
I know everyone thinks they know how the tradition of Thanksgiving began in America, with the Pilgrims breaking bread with the Native Americans. I watched the Mayflower like everyone else. However, no one ever explained to me why we pick a random day in November to be thankful. And what exactly are we being thankful for?
The Cares of This World
November 5, 2007
“Do not wear yourself out to become rich; have the wisdom to show restraint”
-Proverbs 23:4
“One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.”
-Proverbs 13:7
“Havin’ money aint everything, not having it is”-Kanye West
I have spoken of this many times, but it is a topic that has turned up many times as of late. So I am taking that as a sign that I should revisit this topic. And topic has to do with money and our relation to it. Read more
The Weekly Dream: The Power of Reinvention
November 5, 2007
I love the winter. In Milwaukee, the winters are legendary. I was recently talking to one of my friends about the two Michigan winters I did not have a winter coat. All winter I wore hoodies and thermals underneath my fall windbreaker. That experience made me tough. I definitely learned to layer up.
But aside from that, winter always represented something more. It represented the ability to transform. Read more
