Where would I be without you?

Hummmmm. Sometimes I have days like today when after I’ve gotten away from people and get alone with my computer I reflect and write about the impact my relationships have on my life.

Monday morning my day started with time with God (a great relationship for me by the way); this time helps me get ready for the day. I have my Monday morning meeting with my good friend and webmaster Rick Brock at 9 am. This meeting lasts about an hour and we discuss BanginBeatsByREL.com, developing a new website to host my complete body of work and two other websites which will support the larger vision I have for my business. I’ll share more about this with you in the coming months as it all take shape.

My relationship with Rick began in 1994. We met at a local Dept. of Motor Vehicles office and our connection was a video gaming magazine he was reading. While today we run a business venture together, our relationship started through a mutual passion: video gaming.

My next meeting was at noon with “Deuce”, currently the director of a program called Impact with a YWCA in the Twin Cities area. We spoke about the implementation of a music production / creative writing / empowerment program for youth that I am to develop for them. I first met Deuce in 1992 through my first business partner.

Near the end of the meeting, after discussing program particulars, I asked a question I have never asked anyone before; “Would he mentor me through the process of creating a world class program fusing music and youth empowerment?” He said yes. Nice!!!

After my meeting with Deuce, I stopped by my boy Kev Duke’s office to pick his brain a bit and share some of my previous meeting details with him. Kev and I go back to around 1996. We met while I was working with Minneapolis Public Schools doing conflict resolution and social skills training. Along with Rick, Kev is one of my most intimate and close friends; however, my visit with him was mostly about letting him know that I wanted to set a time to meet with him and tap into the 20+ years of youth work experience he possesses.

Later in the evening, I spoke with my friend and personal assistant Tina Gatewood as she began pulling files for three clients who will be signing production contracts this week as well as tending to other things on her task list. Tina has been with me just over a year. We met at a church I used to attend. I was a part of the music ministry and the music ministry director was interested in meeting a woman sitting with Tina so I made an introduction and went on to offer that we go to my place and I would cook dinner for the four of us.

During the course of the evening, I was moved by Tina’s peaceful style. Today I’m impressed with her patience and truly grateful for the work she does and the genuine friendship she provides. In some respects, I’m still learning how to have a personal assistant because while I’m clear I can’t do everything myself, old habits of attempting to do so die hard.

I spoke with and interacted with more people than the four I have mentioned today, however, each of them speak clearly to the point. These people are investing in me and are contributing to my life in ways that differ greatly from what I expected. They believe in me and are willing to offer their best to help me create my best. These are my God-delivered people; the perfect ones that have arrived covertly disguised as folks who just seemed to be passing through.

The truth is they have been planted here for a time such as this! I am grateful they have said yes to me in the many ways that they have. I desire that I serve them in their time of need however that need may show up as gracefully and faithfully as they have.

It is 3:27 am on Tuesday as I type this and I can say I got what I prayed for nearly 18 hours ago; guidance, discernment and insight from God which came through them. I could say so much more, but I will save those words for a point yet to be made.

Where would I be without you? Hummmm . . .

Just my thoughts.

-REL