Striving for Excellence Without Relent..

Striving for excellence without relent: While doing you utmost to get the job done, always believe you can and will achieve whatever you put your mind to. At no point while striving for excellence you should let negativity enter into your mind.

Forget about the critics and their criticism. Ignore the cynic and their cynicism. Don't be deterred by cynicism or criticism.  Isms and schisms shouldn't be a negative factor in whatever you're trying to do. Be relentless in your pursuit of happiness.

Life is far from easy, but so easy from a far. It won't be easy getting to that place you're trying to reach. But at no point you should be thinking of turning back. You can change direction, but don't give up. The hotter the battle the sweeter the victory. When you finally reach the place that you've been trying to get to. You might be exhausted, but you also will be overwhelmed with satisfaction, joy and happiness. And memories that will last you a lifetime!  

Know your ABC's..

AVOID life pitfalls.

BE CAUTIOUS, but be relentless in the pursuit of your dreams.

CHALLENGE yourself and you will overcome life challenges.

DISCOVERY: Be the first to know.

EXPECT the best from yourself.

FORGIVENESS: Learn to forgive and you will be forgiven.

GIVING is rewarding.

HUNGER for knowledge is a good thing.

IGNORE the critics and their criticism. INVESTIGATE before you jump in.

JUMP for JOY when you accomplished something, but don't stop there.

KEEP your head up, stay positive at all times.

LOVE often, LAUGH a lot and LIVE LIFE to the fullest. Make sure you don't have any regrets.

MAKE good decisions.It's not easy getting to the top of the MOUNTAIN. MEANDERING and wandering wont get it done!

NEVER, ever, give up on your life!

OPULENCE: Don't let it cloud your mind.

PREVENTION is better than having to fix it.

QUESTIONS were meant for us to ask.

RESPECT yourself, that's the only way you will learn to respect others.

STRIVE to be the best. STRIFE isn't necessary.

THINK before you act.

UNDERSTANDING yourself and what you want to do, makes it much easier.

VICTORY is achieved by working hard.

WORK hard for what you want. The harder you work the easier it gets.

  XCELLENTLY,  is the way that it should be done.

YOU have to believe in what you're doing. YOU are in control of your destiny.

ZEAL is a good quality to have.

The Consequences of Lies and Alibis..

A lie is a intentional deliberate false statement, meant only to deceive. An alibi is an excuse used mainly to avoid blame. An alibi is normally used by someone as a part of their defense against something they were accused of, or alleged to have done.

I am not going to say that I've never told a lie. But after seeing the negative impact that lies had on so many people's life, as got older in life I made a pledge to myself, to practice telling the truth.We know that the truth can hurt, and it does. But when you tell the truth you shouldn't give a damn who it hurts. As far as I'm concern, there's no good lie!

Ninety nine percent of the time, before you tell a lie you know that it's a lie. The person you're telling that lie to, you can't look them in the eye, so you turn your head and say it anyway. Don't giving a damn who you hurt. Lies that has an alibi to back it up. Is a lethal combination that could make someone cry, or even worse, getting someone killed or send them to jail.

If you've to cry to convince someone with a lie, that your reason not to lie. Before you tell a lie. Ask yourself, why? Why do I need to tell a lie? What will be the consequences of my lie? Am I going to hurt someone with this lie that I'm about to tell? We should never put ourself in a position where we have to tell a lie!

A True Nightmare of a Story..

I was tossing and turning all night long.

I didn't get enough sleep.

I woke up late in the morning, it is a Friday morning.

I realized I was running late for work.

I got myself ready and rushed off to work.

I rushed off to work driving on the highway, going down the wrong way.

Mental lapse, guilty feelings and embarrassment abound.

It didn't take long for me to realized, that I was having a bad day.

Mental lapse, chaos and confusion causing a lot of frustration.

Everyone on the highway, is thinking that I am crazy.

At this point, I'm feeling like I'm going to cry.

I feel like I need somewhere to hide, now that I know today wont be Good Friday.

I was tossing and turning all night long.

I didn't get enough sleep.

It's now late Friday morning.

 I woke up from my nightmare, with cold sweat washing me.

I now realized, that I was having a nightmare.

I said, thank God! For letting it be a dream.

I wouldn't want something that bad to be real.

It took me a few minutes, before I realized, that I was running late for work.

I got myself ready and gathered my composure.

There will be no driving on the highway, going down the wrong way.

There will be no mental lapse, chaos or confusion, causing frustration.

There won't be any guilty feelings, or embarrassing moments. I am not going to have one!

No one will be thinking that I am crazy. I won't need a place to hide, and there will be no reason for me to cry! I'm going to do my damn best, to make today a Good Friday.

I hit the highway driving the right way.

Carelessness, we become reckless.

We have to slow down and take it easy!

Doing Good For Others..

One of the best thing we can do with our lives is to show others how much we care about them. By showing other how much we care for them, we inturn reward ourselves, by seeing the joy and happiness that we give to someone else. Loving, caring, sharing and giving is not easy for a lot of us to do. But loving, caring, sharing and giving are some of the best mind nurturing things we can do for ourselves, while doing our best to help someone else.

As difficult as it may be for some of us to help others. If you feel like it's in you to help others, but there is something stopping you from doing so. Don't let the difficulties that come with helping others change your perspective. Dig deep down inside of you and do what you've to, in order to overcome it. After you start doing good for others you will see the joy and happiness you bring to yourself while making others feel good about themselves.

I firmly believed that doing our best to help others when we can enhances our lives mentally and spiritually. The appreciation you get from the person or people you help, greatly out weighs any negative you might incur while doing your best to help someone. If you're someone like me who believes in helping others, but haven't started doing so. My suggestion to you is, go for it, give it a shot! Start doing it as soon as possible. In no time you will see the positive changes it brings into your life.

There is Nothing Like a Mother's Love!

Each and everyone of us has or had a MOTHER in our life at one point and time. It doesn't matter if you were given up for adoption by you maternal MOTHER at the time of your birth. At the time of our birth there was a MOTHER who nourished us, nurtured us, and give us unconditional love from the first moment we entered the World.

Some of us, who is without a doubt in the minority, takes their MOTHER'S love for granted. That is a big mistake! There is no love in the World like a MOTHER'S love. Always try your best to show your MOTHER how much you appreciates and cares for her, and for the love that she has shown you throughout your life-time.

Although sometimes our MOTHERS tends to overwhelm us with the out-flowing  love and affection that they have to give us. We who are adults should never reject their love or make them feel like their love is being rejected. MOTHERS get joy and happiness from giving their children unconditional love. There is nothing more precious to a MOTHER, than to watch their kids grow up and become responsible adults. But it's also not easy for some of them to give up parenting us. I know we would like to show our MOTHERS, that we're responsible, and we know how to make good decisions, and we know how to take care of ourselves. But we should do it in the most loving and respectful manner that we can.We should always make our MOTHERS feel loved and wanted. Don't forget that you're never too old to learn. Your MOTHER has been there, and done it before you. Who else is it better to learn from, more than your MOTHER?

No matter where you end up in life, or how successful you've become. You probably wouldn't have gotten there without your MOTHER nourishing you, nurturing you, and giving you unconditional love. MOTHERS should be held in high esteem until the day they dies and beyond! There is no love in the World like a MOTHER'S Love!

The Battle is on for Florida..

Mr. Romney better quickly realized that he has a Republican Presidential Primary fight on his hands, in the name of Mr. Newt Gingrich. It's time for him to start focusing on Mr. Gingrich and forget about President Obama, before he has the biggest Political disappointment of his Political career.

After winning in New Hampshire, Mr.Romney must have thought it wasn't going to be too difficult for him to win the Republican Presidential Primary. He quickly turned his focus on President Obama, as if to say he knew something we don't know. Hold it Mr. Romney! Not so fast. About a week ago I said the result from the South Carolina Republican Primary  was going to tell us how difficult it would be for Mr. Romney to win his party's nomination.

Judging from the result in South Carolina. I think Mr. Romney will be in a protracted battle against Mr. Gingrich for their party's nomination. Mr. Gingrich is indefectibly not dead. Mr.Gingrich seems to have more lives than a cat. If Mr. Romney things that Mr. Gingrich is going away anytime soon, he is making a huge mistake. A mistake that could eventually cause him to lose to Mr. Gingrich.

With all the Political baggage that Mr. Gingrich has. It seems as if he is going to give Mr. Romney the Political fight of his life, that in it-self tells us a whole lot about Mr. Romney. What is it about Mr. Romney, why his Political base don't like him? This is why I love Politics so much. For the life of me! I can't figure it out. But this is why we have an election, so everyone can choose the candidate who they think best represents their Political views and ideology. I never thought Mr. Gingrich had a shot at beating out Mr. Romney for their party's nomination. But what do I know. It's going to be a long Republican Presidential Primary race, at least it seems that way. This is not good for Mr. Romney.

The Importance of a Good Friend..

Some of us, if not most of us, heard this saying at least once in our life-time. Good friends is hard to find. It might sound simple, but yet it is so true. There are signs we can look for when a friendship is in the process of developing between two people. Simple things such as, how much each individual listen to each other and shows you that they care about you or what you're doing or whatever you might be going through at that particular time.

Based on the things I've learned from in my life-time.  A very long life I might add. With good friendship there is always give and take. You should be able to tell each other when you're wrong without offending each other. With good friendship there is no room for hate, but there is always room for growth. From my perspective, a good friendship is loyalty from one individual to another.

For most of us a good friend is someone who is always there for us no matter what the situation or circumstance. A good friend isn't someone who is only there when you're happy and having the best time of your life. A good friend is someone who is always there to support you and have your back when times are tough or when you've a tough decision to make. Some friends might come and go in your life. But a good friend is always there for you even when they're a million miles away. In today's day and age of social networking, a good friend will be there for you via the Internet or the Telephone. No matter how difficult it is, a good friend will always find a way to support you. A good friend is always there to pick you up each and every time you stumble and fall.

Make Everyday The Best Day Of Your Life..

I know this is easier said, than done. But all of us should try our best to make everyday the best day of our life! Challenge yourself! To make everyday the best day of your life. As I said earlier, this is a challenge that is easier said, than done. But it should at least be uplifting, inspiring and make you feel much better about yourself every single day.

Stop and think for a minute, about taking this challenge. Picture yourself doing everything positively possible to make each and everyday of your life the best day of your life. Think of all the fun-filled and rewarding things you  will be doing while trying your best to make everyday the best day of your life. Everyday you will be thinking of something new, positive, uplifting, inspiring and rewarding for you to do. Thinking of doing those things in it self is going to make your day much better. But thinking of doing those things is not enough, you've to make sure that you do them. I think this is something mentally and physically possible, for each and everyone of us to accomplish, regardless of your situation.

In essence, what I'm trying to say, is. When you're trying your best, to make everyday the best day of your life. You will be stimulating, invigorating and consuming your mind with positive thoughts, you won't have any time to be thinking of anything negative that might be happening in your life or happening around you. This does not necessarily mean you shouldn't be helping out someone who might be in a bad situation. What it mean is, you will be more incline to have something positive to offer that person who is in a bad situation.

Try your best to make everyday of your life the best day of your life.Give it a shot! See where it takes you. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Besides, what is there to lose? It's your life. Make everyday the best day of your life!

Mr. Newt Gingrich...

Mr. Self-aggrandizing, Newt Gingrich! Stole the show at the Republican Presidential Debate last night (Thursday) when he went after moderator John King in a confrontational manner defending himself against an allegation made against him by his second wife "Mariane." Mr. Gingrich went after the moderator of the debate, John King like a caged lion who was just set free and couldn't wait to go after it's prey.

The allegation that was made against Mr. Gingrich by his second wife "Mariane." In an unbelievably sensational interview on ABC news in which Mr. Gingrich second wife "Mariane" alleged that her ex-husband (Newt Gingrich) wanted her to have an "open marriage" so that he could continue his affair with his aide Callista, who later became his third wife. Mr. Gingrich was thrown out as speaker of the House of Representative by his own leadership. What Mr. Gingrich second wife "Mariane" said about him, goes straight to his character. I know what his second wife said, is only an allegation. But those are some of the reasons why  Mr. Gingrich is considered by some as despicable, immoral individual. I can't see how this man can become the next President of the United States, with all the political baggage that he has!

I have one thing to say to Mr. Gingrich. The tooth paste is out of the tube, you can't put it back in. Instead of attacking the moderator of the debate. Trying your best to deflect the negative attention you were getting from moderator John King. Why didn't you try to explain the situation, by telling the American people the truth? The American People is very forgiving. I think that would have worked much better for you.

Governor Rick Perry Finally Drops Out..

On Thursday Governor Rick Perry officially drop out of the Republican Primary. And wasted no time endorsing Newt Gingrich, a candidate a lot of people think is actually much worse than Governor Perry himself. It took Governor Perry a very long time for him to make his decision. A decision which was more than likely a very agonising one for him, to say the least. I guess Governor Perry finally realized what most people knew all along, that he wasn't going to be the next President of the United States. Governor Perry's exit from the Republican Primary comes as a surprise to no one, it was just a matter of time. But why did he endorsed a candidate who has so much Political baggage?

Mr. Gingrich has just as much chance as Governor Perry did, when it comes to winning the Presidency of the United States. No chance at all! That's Mr. Gingrich's chances, NONE! Governor Perry endorsing Newt Gingrich is like a drowning man grasping at straws. Governor Perry endorses a man who is sinking as fast as he was. Governor Perry wants to stay relevant so he endorses Newt Gingrich. Makes no sense to me at all. One thing for sure, the members of the media will miss the Governor's colorful character. With the Governor dropping out of the race, the Republican Primary has become much more boring, much more boring than it already was.

"I Am More Than Just a Girl".

Do you want to empower young women? Check out this new book for free online. "I am More Than Just a Girl". This book includes resources, information and creative resources that will empower girls and young women.

Topics covered in this book: *Positive thinking *Self defense *Beauty and image *Anger and stress Management *Confidence *Women's rights *Career *Education *Empowerment *Individualism *Volunteer and Community involvement *Acceptance of others *Sexual assault *Domestic violence and bullying.

Resources and creative exercises included in this book: Journal Pages *Self expression *Affirmation *Inspirational and motivational activities *Meditation *Self defense guide with instructional images *National Hot lines.

This book is part of a project to encourage more women to be strong, independent and intelligent. I want women to feel empowered, keep informed and be equal. You should feel that as an individual you matter and with the tools in the book you can accomplish your dreams that may seems out of reach. Realize the circumstances such as your economic situation, race, cultural upbringing and prejudice from others does not have to control your life.

Read the book for free here: http://www.bookemon.com/book-profile/am-more-than-just-girl/159069

Visit the website here: http://morethanagirl.webs.com/

Being Yourself Is The Easiest Thing In The World To Do..

No matter what people think of you. The way they feel about you or the many bad things they might say about you. Don't let what people think of you, the way they feel about you or the many bad things they might say about you, change the way you feel about yourself and stop you from being yourself. There is nothing easier to do in life, more than to be yourself!

Love yourself for who you are. That's the way you were created to be, you can't be like everyone else! You don't have to change yourself to fit in. You don't have to change the who you are, and start acting the way others think you should act to be apart of society. Who told them that the way they're is the right way for everyone else to be? Why don't they change their ways and start acting like you? As long as you're not disrespecting others, lying, murdering, robbing, cheating and acting like you can't say hi and hello to your fellow human beings. Be yourself! It's the easiest thing in the World to do.

Low self-esteem has a lot to do with the way some of us feels about ourselves. And because of low self-esteem, sometimes some of us is easily led to believe that something is wrong with the way we are.  There is never a time when there is something wrong with being yourself. There is no acting, rehearsing, ad-libbing or second guessing yourself, when you're being you. Being yourself is the easiest thing in the World to do!

A Poem For Martin Luther King Jr.

"The Man"

Martin Luther King Jr!

I have never met Martin Luther King Jr.

I have never been close to him in person.

But from watching footage of him and
 listening to his very influential speeches, I feel
like I've known Martin Luther King Jr. personally. If most
 people in the WORLD had one tenth of Martin Luther King Jr.'s

 CHARACTER, INTEGRITY, DIGNITY AND COURAGE.
 The WORLD would be a better place for everyone today.
Martin Luther King Jr! Was a man who has done more for the WORLD, than the WORLD has done for him. Martin Luther King Jr! Was a man who has done much more than many KINGS! Martin Luther King Jr! Was a man more than fit to be a KING! Martin Luther King Jr! A GREAT MAN  of his time! A GREAT MAN of our time! Martin Luther King Jr! Your legacy will live on through perpetuity. Thank you Martin Luther King Jr! For showing the WORLD how a human being should conduct themselves.

The Infinite Possibilities Of Life..

All of us knows that life has a lot to offer. There are INFINITE POSSIBILITIES in life. Each and everyone of us wants to live the best life possible. Whatever our Philosophy is about what the best life is, that's what we want. Many of us think that having a great healthy family, a big house, a fancy car and the most money in the World is the best possible life there is. Others might think that having a great healthy family and living in a hut and not having a lot of money is just fine for them.

Whatever your philosophy of what the best possible life is. While doing your best to attain it, by knocking down the doors of life INFINITE POSSIBILITIES. Don't be so zealous that you forget to do the little things that will make accomplishing the big things as special as you want them to be. Don't let the INFINITE POSSIBILITIES of life be the cause of you neglecting your family and friends to point where they feel abundant. Involve you family every step of the way so that they will feel as good about you as you will feel about yourself when you finally accomplish your goal. Besides, what good will it be when you accomplished your goal and don't have anyone to share it with.

I love and respect all of us who are passionately driven and willing to do their due diligence to get the most out of life. But not at the expense of the ones we love. We should be very careful not to forget the those who are closest and dearest to our heart. Knocking down the doors of life INFINITE POSSIBILITIES, should be something all of us strive to do. But what good will it be if we gain the World, and lose those who are closest and dearest to us while doing so?

A FOOTNOTE:
"When you look at the possibilities instead of the problems, the future is filled with endless opportunity." -Zig Ziglar

The Journey Of Life..

    Although life is easy for some of us, typically, the journey of life isn't an easy road. Life is filled with a lot of ups and downs, highs and lows, peaks and valleys. However you choose to phrase it, all of us has been there at least once in our life. The way we deal with the numerous challenges that we encounter from day to day in our lives, goes along way in determining the quality of life that we live.

    Some challenges in life is much more difficult than others. We have to resolve to find the strength inside of us, that will uplift us, and keep us pursuing and driving towards our goals. Goals that we set before we encountered these challenges. As difficult as some of these obstacles we face in life may be, some very hard to overcome, and some we may never overcome. We can't afford to let life challenges, paralyze and immobilize us with fear, to the point where we feel like giving up and doing nothing. Giving up and doing nothing, shouldn't be an option. Even when we feel like the problem is too much for us to overcome, we've to keep on reaching, digging deep down inside of us to find the strength, to do whatever it take to make our life better.

    When the hands of life deals you one of those surprising challenges, that life has to offer. And it feels like the World is crumbling around you. With no where to run, and no place to hide. And it feels like everyone is trying to desert you. Never, ever, give up on your life, always believe in yourself! Life is filled with ups and downs. What's happening tomorrow, today we don't know. Tomorrow there might be a pleasant surprise. Don't let the challenges of life be a road block that stops you from achieving. Keep on dreaming, keep fighting, keep digging, keep on reaching. Never give up on your inner feelings. No matter how bad your situation is. Never, ever, give up on your life!


A FOOTNOTE:
Deep thoughts, comes from great minds!

"Real optimism is aware of problems but recognises the solutions, knows about difficulties but believes they can be overcome, see the negative but accentuate the positive, is exposed to the worst but expects the best, has reason to complain but choose to smile." -William Arthur Ward

Mitt Romney..

    Mr. Romney is the clear cut front-runner in the Republican Primary. By winning the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire Primary, something John McCain didn't do when he ran in the 2008 Republican Primary. Mr. Romney virtually assured himself of becoming the candidate who will represents the Republican Party in the 2012 Presidential Election. With that said, Mr. Romney still has a fight on his hands.

    The January 21, South Carolina Primary will go a long way in letting us know how tough a fight he is going to have to deal with, before he eventually win his party's nomination. South Carolinians is known as a tough, Conservative Evangelical voting block of the Republican Party. A clear decisive victory in South Carolina by Mr. Romney, will show more than less that the Republican base is starting to coalesce around Mr. Romney.

    Will Mr. Romney capitalize on his victory in New Hampshire? By taking the momentum he gained from winning the granite state's primary yesterday, and make it count in the South Carolina Primary? South Carolina's Primary wont be easy for Mr. Romney to win. If Mr. Romney wins in South Carolina, you can rest assured that it will be smooth sailing for him from here on in. On January 21, we will know for sure how easy it will be for Mr. Romney to win his party's nomination.

A Poem For My Mother..

Mother Ruby!

What can I say about the GREATEST MOTHER who has ever walk the face of the Earth? I guess I can say. Kids give pleasure to their parents, but for me it's the other way around. MOTHER RUBY! It's a pleasure for me to be your son. You're always there for me, always caring, sharing and giving your unfailing love to your children. MOTHER RUBY! You're the GREATEST MOTHER a son could have! You're the GREATEST MOTHER on the face of the Earth! Thank you for being my MOM! 

The Music Industry..

I am an avid music lover and a very passionate song writer. Even though the music business is extremely difficult for anyone to break into,  I think the music business is a great business to be involved with for anyone who thinks they have what it takes to make it in the industry, such as myself.

In my experience, the music business is as tough a business as there is in the world to get into. Even though it is difficult, I am still very encouraged by what I see and with where the music business is headed in the future. Although my experience in the music business is very limited at this time, because of good people in the music business the likes of Mr. Chris Keaton who encourage me to "just do it" As difficult as it is for me as a struggling song writer, I am pushing forward with my song writing aspirations of becoming a big time song writer.

The experiences I've had in the music business thus far tell me that the music business is not for everyone, but if you're one like myself who thinks the music business is for you, don't give up.  Being involved in the music business offers you great opportunities of touching so many peoples lives in a positive manner, much more than you will ever imagine. I had the wonderful opportunities of meeting a few executives in the music business and seeing first hand how the business operates. It encourages me to keep moving forward with passion and determination to become a big time song writer, and made me fell very comfortable getting involved in the music business. I wouldn't trade my limited experiences in the music business for anything in the World. The music business is a great business to be involved with.

The Iowa Caucuses..

    The winner of the Iowa caucuses is Mitt Romney. What does it meant to win the Iowa Caucus? For someone like Michele Bachmann, losing meant dropping out of the race. For the winner I'm not sure. But it make it much easier for Mr. Romney to move on to the next primary contest, and it put Mitt Romney in a better position to stay in the Republican primary for a much longer period of time, than if he had lost. Coming into the 2012 Republican primary, a lot of people thought Mitt Romney would be the last man standing when it's all said and done. But there are just as much people who aren't sure about Mr. Romney. People who who don't like him, some people who don't believe in him.

    The victory in IA. by Mr. Romney, means a lot to him and his supporters, I'm sure. Because he won IA. Although by the slimmest of margin, a few hours later he picked up the endorsement of Senator John McCain, which isn't surprising to say the least. Will Mr. Romney's win in IA. propelled him on to winning the Republican Primary? At this point no one knows for sure. Mr. Romney is still having a tough time capturing the evangelical vote from his Republican base. A voting block that he needs to win over in order for him to win his party's Nomination  and become the candidate who will represent them in the 2012 Presidential Election on the first Tuesday in November. His win in IA. put him once again at the head of the field as the front runner. A position no on seems to be able to hold on to for TOO LONG, and it won't be easy for him. Mr. Romney has a tough road to hold. But with this mediocre field running against him, who knows!

The New Year..

    Now that the year 2012 is few days old, what can we expect from the year 2012? Maybe I should ask, what are we expecting from ourselves in this year? (2012) Everyone is wishing and hoping for the best this year. (2012) After coming off what was one of the most challenging year, (2011) for a lot of us, the onerous is on us to make sure what we are wishing and hoping for come to fruition. I am expecting the absolute best from myself this year, and for that matter I'm expecting the best from each and everyone of my fellow man in the entire world. As human beings we have to do our best to make the World better, so that we can achieve the best the World has to offer. There is no better time than right now in the early days of 2012 to start doing our best to make the World a better place for all of us.

    Making the World a better place for all of us wont be an easy task. 2011 was a very volatile year across the globe. From the Arab spring, to the occupy Wall street movement, which became a global issue. The World wide economic uncertainty, financial insecurity for a lot of us, the high unemployment situation, that cause so much frustration for millions of people World wide. Those are some of the things that tells us it wont be easy this year. (2012) But it's up to us to do our best to overcome any challenge that we might face in 2012, hopefully there wont be any, but we know from passed experiences that wont be the case. We as people across the globe can't be dependants. In order for us to help ourselves, we have to be pro-active. Although our government should be there for us, we can't depend on them for everything.