So I was in the gym this morning doing some cardio listening to one of my favorite 2 Pac songs from back in the day.
(I know, you can’t believe I listen to 2 pac? Well, I don’t much anymore.. just a few of the clean ones from time to time)
Anyway some songs just have the power to “take you back” if you know what I mean.
As I was reflecting on my life, my changes and some of the crazy things I’ve gone through, I started to realize the sheer power in some of the ideas in these songs.
This song reminds me that there are a lot of hard things the world.
Jim Rohn says we need to be acquainted with the both the highs and lows in life. We need to understand the good and some of the bad.
You’ve to to taste some of the bitter to really appreciate the sweet.
I used to think that rap music, football, partying and picking fights were “cool” things.
This song by 2 Pac was a favorite of one of my good friends Rayce. We used to love listening to this song together.
Rayce was a popular guy.
An amazing athlete, smart, funny and someone who would light up whatever room he walked into.
He was also someone who would always have your back in a tough spot if you know what I mean.
He and I ran around together & had some crazy times.
Towards the end of my college career I started making some “changes” in my life. Changes that I knew had to happen if I were to have any kind of a future at all.
I actually decided to go on a mission for the LDS church.
Regardless of what you think of “The Mormons“…
You can’t argue the fact that going from partying, fighting & rap music to riding a bike around & telling total strangers that they should love one another and “do unto others as you have them do unto you” is a good change.
My buddy Rayce didn’t some of those changes.
Unfortunately, he continued to get deeper, and deeper entrenched in the path we were both on.
So while I decided to change, serve a mission and put my life on a different course… he continued to hang around with the “wrong” crowd and move in the opposite direction his loved one’s wanted him to move in.
I remember one time, Rayce even told me that he believed he was put on this earth to show others how not to live their lives.
This blog post may show those words to be somewhat prophetic.
I returned from Taiwan (where I was serving my mission) got married to my sweetheart and started to have a family.
I would see Rayce from time to time but we were now living really different lives and there wasn’t much we had in common.
Then I got the news.
It was all over the local papers and television.
State Champion wrestler killed after high speed chase with police. I was sick.
Choices do matter my friend.
As 2 Pac says in the song…
We gotta make a change…
It’s time for us as a people to start making some changes.
Let’s change the way we eat,
Let’s change the way we live,
And let’s change the way we treat each other.
You see the old way wasn’t working so it’s on us to
do what we gotta do…
To survive…
We may not like the way things are going in the world.
We may not like the way things are going in our own lives.
Here’s the beauty…
We can change!
“& if you will change, things will change for you”. ~Jim Rohn
Here’s to helping each other make those changes we MUST make in our lives so we can all enjoy a better future together.
I’m pretty sure that’s what Rayce would want us to do.
Randy And Jerilyn,
So great to hear from you.
Rayce HAS touched so many people and continues to do so.
I think about Rayce often. I have so many good memories with him.
Just 1 experience with Rayce was enough to make you smile, laugh and never forget him.
I do believe his tragedy has helped people and will continue to help people make changes in their lives. It’s definitely done that for me.
I don’t know if Kade ever told you g8uys but I talked with him a few days after I wrote this post & he told me about the special work you guys had been doing for Rayce in Idaho Falls (the exact same time I was thinking about him).
I almost got the feeling that he had been hanging around that day prompting me to think of him & some of the important things I learned from out time together.
Really strengthens my testimony that this mortal life is really just piece of our overall eternal journey.
Thanks for your comment and I wish you both the best.
Sincerely,
Paul
Thanks Paul for sharing your thoughts about Rayce. He told Randy and I the same thing about His life being an example of things not to do. Interesting that his life has touched alot of people’s lives and hopefully his tragedy has helped some individuals make some changes that needed to be made in their lives. I Can’t believe he has been gone for almost 4 years. Although Rayce’s life was somewhat reckless he will certainly be in our hearts forever. We sure miss his smile and that electrofying big personality!!:-)
Hey Paul…
I knew there was something special about you the first time I heard you talk. Wow, the Spirit speaks through you so load and clear. I am proud and honored to be part of your team. You must have been one incredible missionary and have carried what you learned in the mission field to help others examine their values and where they are headed. Thanks for all you do. Love ya buddy.
Bill
Bill.. I truly appreciate those very kind words and let me tell you.. the honor to work with great leaders such as yourself is all mine. It’s going to be an incredible year.
Lol. Great follow up to my cussing post 🙂
Glad you liked it “Brother Wood”. 🙂
I actually wrote this before your cussing post. Kinda funny we were both thinking about Mormons at the same time.
Anyone reading your blog already knows that you’re a good person. This is just one more example. I enjoyed the story, and as I reflect, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed over the years. I’ve done my share! I’m glad I’ve gotten to know you Paul! Thanks. Let’s rock!
Hey my friend. Wow… I don’t know if I can accept your pronouncement of being a good person (I’m definitely a work in progress).
That being said… I truly appreciate that compliment. I’m grateful to have you as a friend and can see we’re going to do some great things in this industry.
Here’s to making it happen!
Change is all well an good but with out christ in our life we are nothing. I am a born again christian an i love JESUS because he died on the cross an shed his blood to cover my sin.
All we have to do is ask him to forgive our sins an come into our hart an live for him. It is not
any religIon It is CHRIST AN HIM CRUCIFIED WE LOOK TO THE CROSS FOR OUR SALVATION.
HAROLD ADAMS
[email protected]
Hey Harold.. Thanks for the comment.
Very well put Paul.. Used to be a favorite song of me and many friends of mine.
🙂
powerful blog post Paul, thanks so much for sharing, you and I have so much in common, it’s mind boggling dude.
Love that Pac song too, Pac was of the light, no different than a prophet, just happened to be trapped in the rap game, same as MJ. These amazing soul’s have touched humanity.
1love
Justin Verrengia
Thanks Justin. You’re welcome. We do have a lot in common. Kindred spirits you could say.
Love & Light,
Paul