Take Time To Stop And Say Hello...

How many times have you said to yourself...I wonder how such and such is doing or what they have been up to? With life moving fast in this day and age we often forget about family and close friends. Yes, we e-mail, we text, we even catch people on Myspace. What happened to human interaction? Calling a friend or relative on the telephone just to say hello, I was thinking of you. Taking the time to stop by and say hello just to see how they were doing. I am guilty of it as well but have tried over the past two years to do better.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. To wake up and live to see another day is a blessing. A blessing we tend to take advantage of. Some might not live to see another day. The ones you love, are close to, admire or just enjoy being around. Do you greet them with a kind word and part with I love you? I charge those who read this to reach out to those close family and friends and let them know you love and appreciate them. What is ahead for tomorrow, we don't know.

I had the opportunity to speak with a good friend two weeks ago. A childhood friend I grew to respect, admire, look up to and love. He was what one would call a renaissance man. For as long as I could remember he was always ahead of the latest and greatest of what was hot. He used to spray paint/air brush jean jackets for the kids in the neighborhood. If you needed a fresh haircut with the fly design in it, he was your guy. When it came to music, he was an M.C. with the most prolific and intelligent lyrics, he could DJ like the best of them he looked up to...Jam Master Jay and Grand Master Flash. If you wanted your jeans with the permanent crease or switch up the look of your Lee jeans...He was the future of clothing design as we know it today. This young man truly had his hand in everything and did them all very well.

Time had past and going through my phone book I came across his name and gave him a call. I was glad to know he was doing well and enjoying life. Our conversation was electric as we spoke about life, what was going on with each other. He was proud of my accomplishments as I was of his as well. We promised to see each other soon to meet about another young man he was thrilled to mentor at church. He was called to ministry and was obedient in his calling. I was looking forward to seeing and speaking with again...On Monday October 29Th 2007 the lord called him home. His stay was very short however, his legacy, memory and friendship will last a lifetime in my heart. I see his smile as I write these words. It was a blessing to speak with him that day. It was a blessing to be his friend. I look forward to seeing him again. Until then I wish him peace and blessing. I pray for his family and friends that they will heal with time. They should know they have a lot to smile about for just being able to spend what little time he had here on earth with them but know the day will come when they will see him again.

I'm glad I had the chance to take the time to stop and hello. I won't say goodbye but for now I'll say see you later.

My Friend, my brother I will surely miss you.
We love you Anthony (Tony) Mason
Rest In Peace 1970-2007

In My Lifetime - June Archer

Realize Your Potential Today!

After having an in depth conversation with a few friends a week ago I realized that I had more potential than I could imagine. It's funny as you go about life and accomplish certain things you tend to forget how blessed you truly are. Never once did I think that I could not be good at something. But never did I think that I could possibly waste a few blessings along the way.

My friends and I spoke about what happens to a person when he or she gets bored. Bored with life, school, marriage, jobs, etc. It seems as we looked back and think about things that were new and dear to us we might have taken for granted. Have you ever been so good at something that you never thought to challenge yourself to further greatness? Have you missed the opportunity to put some spark into your relationship or marriage? Too smart to attempt to challenge yourself that you just waited for the rest of the class to catch up while you got distracted by things that did not need your attention? How much further would we be in life had we only stuck to something and challenged our self to become even better?

We cannot change the past. Who we are today is because what we did yesterday but we can strive to be even better tomorrow. With technology much further advanced than the past you can dream bigger than ever. There are role models and idols that are doing what some of us wish we had the confidence to do or just the discipline to apply ourselves. Make a change today! Pick up on the passion that you once had and see where it can take you. If that is too late then encourage our young people to do so. Let them know they can do anything they so desire if they put their minds to it. However, help them to understand that it will take faith, patience and trust to accomplish these things. It may come easy it may come more difficult than others but always challenge yourself to become better than you were the day before.



June Archer ...In My Lifetime!

Man, Isn't Life Funny...?

Thinking back to that morning the towers were hit was somewhat of a dream. I hesitated to write this on the anniversary of the date but still felt the need to share how life can be funny. That Friday night before the tragic events I went to Boston to attend an affair given by some friends. The party was held at the Hotel in which the terrorists stayed before they so-called hijacked the planes. On Monday night I hung out at the Soul Cafe, NYC and drove by the Twin Towers before heading home to Connecticut to get a few hours of rest before heading into work.

That Tuesday Morning I sat at my desk when the events took place. I heard about the first plane and thought....what kind of craziness is this? At that time who would have known the second plane would have been making it's way to follow. I wanted to stay the night and take the day off but decided against it. To learn I was in Boston and then in New York where I could have potentially been harmed...Man, Isn't Life Funny?

Every day we live to see is a blessing. Live well with those close to you as tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

My heart and prayers continue to go out to the families and friends of all the victims and service men that lost or gave their lives in the devastating events.

June Archer...In My Lifetime!

Yankees Vs. Red Sox: My First Professional Game

It must have been about 23 years ago that I had the opportunity to attend my first professional sports game. There I was in Boston, Fenway Park on a nice August evening. Unaware of the impact of the rivalry between these two teams, it was the day that would confuse everyone who ever asked me who my favorite baseball team was. The excitement of the day had my adrenaline going. The crowd of fans, the screaming, the players I'd seen on the television made the day somewhat of a dream. It was then I made up my mind that those two teams were my favorite. It was a great experience.

This past week I had the chance of attending the second game of a 3 game series between The New York Yankees and The Boston Red Sox. I have since favored the Yankees but still remember why they were both my favorite. I was thrown back in time to that first game and I felt like a kid again. All the excitement was there as it was before, the crowds, the cheering, the players and the celebrities...Paul McCartney, Billy Crystal, Venus Williams, Penny Marshall and the diamond encrusted smile worn by the one and only Hip-Hop artist Paul Wall.

One day when I have children I hope to bring them to witness the same thing. Maybe create the same emotions...to watch it live is so magical! I pray that my kids will one day say I remember when I went to my first professional sports game.

June Archer...In My Lifetime!

It Was A Pleasure To Meet You Mr. Dick Gregory...

I went to attend a hair show in Atlanta, Georgia over the weekend and had the opportunity to introduce myself to Mr. Dick Gregory. In that instance as I recognized him while we walked toward each other I had so many questions for him. How was the experience growing up as an activist? What encouraged you to want to be a comedian? As a vegetarian what kinds of different foods do you eat? Do you think Barack Obama will make a great President if given the opportunity? What is your opinion on the Michael Vick situation?

For a moment it felt like we spoke for hours and all I did was ask the questions one by one the whole time. I wanted to learn so much and hear about everything he had to share. However, all I had the chance to say was...Hello Mr. Gregory it is a pleasure to meet you, my name is June Archer. He said, "It's a pleasure to meet you" "How are you?" I said, great! He replied, "How's your family?" They are great, I said with total confidence. The elevator arrived and I was left with all those questions to be answered until the next time we meet.

It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Dick Gregory.


June Archer - In My Lifetime!

Kids Just Being Kids...

Recently I had the pleasure of judging a showcase of talent that was given by a few BET executives. To my amazement I was brought back to the days when I grew up having fun. The days when singing and dancing was the greatest feeling in the world. The young people that participated in "Blaze The Stage" were not only talented but very manageable, polite and respectful. There were singers, rappers and dancers that took the stage as if they were seasoned veterans. The excitement in the theater was electric.

For the first time in a long time I was convinced that despite the years that have passed by and how much things have changed due to the age of Myspace, Facebook and the almighty Internet kids are still having good clean fun. I charge every parent to assist in the development of their child in the arts and entertainment. It encourages teamwork and the ability to develop their personalities. Yes, school work is important however, beyond that, we are missing human interaction with each other. Every now and then put down the blackberry, sidekick and iPhone. I am guilty as well for being so dependent on one of these gadgets. However, human interaction cannot be replaced as communication is very important. Spend time with these young people, support them. If it presents itself share with them those old videos of you at your high school talent show. You were a kid once...

June Archer...In My Lifetime!

What Is Success?

Success is realized when you are able to balance everything. Family, friends, career and extracurricular activities, etc. When those around you are satisfied, when those around you are inspired, that is where true success will find you. What is business success if you have no one to share it with and are able to enjoy it?

Never consider yourself a success if those around you are not successful or inspired by your passion for what you do or have achieved. Think of it as "The sum is greater than the whole of it's parts" The ability to make all things work in conjunction with one another is the ultimate challenge and goal...but the best pay-off, ever.


June Archer...In My Lifetime!