Isn’t it interesting how when you first meet someone, everything seems “perfect” because it’s new, fresh and exciting.

Does Your Face Tell Who You Really Are?

But as time goes on, people get comfortable and remove their “best” image so you now see the “real” deal.

And sometimes, you are shocked because the “real” person is not who you originally thought he or she was.

Well let’s be honest, we all show our best image attempting to impress others.  And when the mask gradually comes off over time, people get to finally see who you really are.

So who are you?

Who are you really?

How do you perceive yourself?

These are some important questions because once you have clarity as to who you “really” are in your core, life takes on new meaning.

It’s FREEING to release mistakes, what others say, and past hurts as you tap into the TRUTH about who you really are.

For me, from this day forward, I have made the decision to be loving to myself and to others.

And what does that really mean?

It means that I will be kind, show respect, and have compassion.

And what happens when I slip?   I will be forgiving of myself.  And because no one is perfect, I will also be forgiving of others.

Today is a NEW Day! 

So beyond your mistakes, what others have said, or what you have experienced, who are you?

Who are YOU really?

Post your comments below…

Happy New Year!

So the NEW Year is Here!

2012 is HERE!

What does that really mean to you?

How is this year going to be different from previous years?

How will you keep the excitement rolling?

For me, I love NEW Beginnings because there is a fresh start where I reflect on the past, learn lessons and restart with new goals.

So what about for you?

2012 is here!

What are your New Year’s Resolutions?  What are your goals?  What will be different this year?

I ask these questions because at the beginning of a NEW year, there is usually excitement.  There are New Year Eve parties…. There are Night Watch church services… There are family socials.

Bur the real question is:  “How do we keep the excitement and positive energy flowing throughout the entire year?”

That’s the question!

To help my family keep our excitement alive beyond the initial New Year Eve celebration, we have posted our “FAMILY BLESSINGS AND MIRACLES” poster board on a wall in our kitchen.  Each day, we individually write blessings and miracles which we appreciate.

Our “FAMILY BLESSINGS AND MIRACLES” poster board allows each of us to celebrate every day.  And the beautiful thing about this is that we are now appreciating each day because what we focus on is what we experience.

So what are you doing to keep the excitement of the NEW year rolling?

Do you think writing on your “FAMILY BLESSINGS AND MIRACLES” poster board will make a difference for you?

Post your comments.

Be sure to watch our online RELATIONSHIPS TV show, every Tuesday, at 9pm at http://TVShow.MarlonAndSyreeta.com  You may watch previous episodes and share your feedback.

Why are couples having so many challenges in their relationships?

How can a couple be so much in love during their honeymoon and end up in divorce court?

Where is the disconnect?

These are some deep questions!   So what are the answers?  What do you think?

In my marriage, I’ve experienced a range of emotions… from love to disappointment to excitement to joy to anger to sadness to ecstasy to peace.

And there are times when Syreeta and I feel completely in love and then a few hours later, we’re having a “heated” discussion.

So what’s this all about?

The 5 Love Languages

This past weekend, Syreeta and I completed Dr. Gary Chapman’s “Love Languages” assessment so we could better understand how to give each other the type of love we are wired to receive.

It was amazing because I truly realize that Syreeta and I are “wired” differently.  And by completing the “Love Languages” assessment, we now have a better understanding of how we receive love.

For me, my top-3 love languages are:

1) Quality Time, 2) Words of Affirmation and 3) Physical Touch.

For Syreeta, her top-3 love languages are:

1) Quality Time, 2) Physical Touch and 3) Receiving Gifts.

Syreeta and I learned about ourselves and each other by completing this assessment.  For each of us, Quality Time is our #1 love language and we’ve realized that we MUST make spending quality time a priority.  This morning, we took a family walk and it blessed us.

So what’s your #1 love language?  And what’s your partner’s #1 love language? 

Do you know?

How will knowing your top love language and your partner’s love language strengthen your relationship?

Share your feedback.  Post your comment here.

Watch our next episode of “RELATIONSHIPS” TV, on Tuesday, December 20th at 9:00pm EST, because we will discuss this topic in greater detail.  Watch at: http://TVShow.MarlonSmith.com  Watch previous episodes and post your comments too.

Be sure to participate in our poll (below on the right column) to identify your #1 Love Language.  We are excited for you to share.

Do I Love You More, Less or the Same as When We First Met?

This is a deep question.

Having been married for 5.5 years, I know that I’m traveling toward a potentially huge argument based on how I answer this question.  (Smile)

Jade's Birth Announcement

Well before I can honestly answer this question, I must remember my feelings when we first met so I have a benchmark to compare my feelings for Syreeta now.

So how did I feel about you when we first met?

Great question!

In the beginning, it was NEW… It was Exciting… There were Adventures…

And today, 7.5 years later, there are two children… diapers to be changed… waking up in the middle of the night.

So what do you think?  Do I love you more, less or the same as when we first met?

To answer this question honestly, we must define LOVE.  What is love?

In the Bible, in Corinthians Chapter 13, it states, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not easily irritated. It keeps no records of wrong doings.”

So what do you think?  Do I love you more, less or the same as when we first met?

My answer is… I love you MORE now because marriage is the ultimate opportunity to be selfless rather than selfish, to be caring rather than confrontational, to be loving rather than unforgiving.

Truth be told, in the beginning of our relationship, it was so new, so exciting and so fresh that there was no real love because it’s true….. REAL love takes time.

On the outside, it’s easy to say, “Oh, how much fun we had when we were first dating.”  But in our heart of hearts, we know that real love is experienced when we stick together while facing challenges or forgiving your partner when he or she made a HUGE mistake.  That’s love!

What do you think about this?

Post your comments here because we are excited to hear your feedback.

Remember to watch our “Relationships” TV Show tonight, Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 9:00pm EST.  To see our TV show, just go to: http://TVShow.MarlonSmith.com

It’s happening!

Yes! It’s happening!

The “Relationships” TV Show series will make its debut on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 9:00pm EST.

Get ready because this TV show will make a positive difference!

Is this show for you?

• Will you enjoy a program which shares real-life solutions to everyday relationship challenges?

• Will you enjoy a program where individuals come together to celebrate Healthy and Positive Relationships?

• Will you enjoy a program where success stories and amazing testimonies are shared?

If you answer “YES” then this “Relationships” TV Show series is definitely for you.

Why are we creating this TV show?

Since January 15, 1992, I have personally been blessed with the opportunity to give motivational keynotes and facilitate leadership programs in 45 states and 14 countries.   In my travels, I have come to realize that many people are experiencing unhealthy relationships.

So rather than talk about the problems, my wife Syreeta and I have decided to focus our attention on solutions.  We have facilitated “Real Relationship” seminars!  We co-authored “REAL RELATIONSHIP DEVOTIONALS.” And now we are launching this new “Relationships” TV Show series.

How can you support this vision of more Healthy Relationships?

1. Share what topics you will like to see addressed in upcoming episodes.
2. LIKE our Facebook Fan Page so you are connected to this positive community.
3. Encourage your family and friends to watch the “Relationships” TV Show series, airing online, every Tuesday at 9:00pm EST.
4. Join our “Healthy Relationships” coaching program so you receive continuous encouragement, winning strategies and supportive friendships.

We appreciate you!

So what topics will you like for future episodes of the “Relationships” TV Show?

Post your topics here.  Share any additional feedback too.

Thank you!

Marlon Smith

Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner?  The food smells so good. Did you eat too much?

Thanksgiving Dinner - A SPECIAL Time

What an amazing gift Thanksgiving represents?… A time when families and friends are intentional as they come together to fellowship and celebrate their relationships.

Today was very special to me because I asked an intriguing question of myself, “Beyond the turkey dinner and watching football, what am I really thankful for?”

The reason why this question was powerful is because it made me stop and reflect upon all the blessings in my life.

Isn’t it amazing how we can sometimes get caught up in the busy-ness of life and our hectic schedules forgetting to appreciate all the many blessings we have.

Why is this?

Why are most people not truly living each day with an “Attitude of Gratitude” being consciously THANKFUL for all that they have?

I know I’ve been there, just caught up in the busy activities of the day, forgetting to appreciate my blessings.

But today, I am making a NEW declaration… From this day forward, I, Marlon Christopher Smith, am living each day with an “Attitude of Gratitude.”

To continue the spirit of Thanksgiving so it’s not just a once-a-year holiday but rather a way of life, I make the commitment to let at least one person every day know how much I appreciate our relationship.

What do you say?

How does this resonate with you?

Are you willing to live each day where you are grateful and thankful for all the blessings in your life?

Question of Reflection

How will your life change by living with an “Attitude of Gratitude” each day?

Share your feedback.

Appreciate who is in your life and all the blessings you currently have because it truly makes a difference.

Stay Blessed!

What do you remember from your childhood?

I can remember a dozen memories that are forever engrained in my memory.

I remember how my brother Sean and I would play a game of counting the most out-of-state license plates while we were on a family trip.

I even remember when my Mom would bathe Sean and I in the same bath tub.  When I return home now, it’s hard to believe that both of us could fit in that bath tub together.

Jade, Cory & Dad creating a lasting memory

The reason that I ask what your childhood memories are is because we as parents have a responsibility to create lasting memories for our children.

Just the other day, I bathed Jade and Cory in the same bath tub.  For me, it brought back memories to how my Mom would bathe my brother Sean and me.  Now will this be a significant memory for Jade and Cory?  I’m not sure but one thing is for sure…  It’s wonderful to pause and be fully conscious to what’s happening right now in the moment.

Unfortunately, many people are so “busy” that they never slow down to enjoy the “moment.”  I encourage you to be intentional with how you are living life because once a day is gone, it’s gone.

Yesterday, it was raining hard and as Jade, Cory and I looked out the window, a thought crossed my mind… “Why not go outside on the porch and sitting on the rocking chairs?”

And that’s exactly what we did.

We just enjoyed the moment together on the porch.

It may seem simple but in so many ways, it was priceless.

I encourage you to create lasting memories NOW.

Give this gift to you, your children and your family.

So what do you remember the most from your childhood?

Share your comments…  

Recently, I watched the PBS Documentary entitled, “FREEDOM RIDERS” and it was powerful.

This documentary truly touched me.

Watching these brave people, male and female, black and white, risk their lives to challenge injustice was so inspiring.

1961 Freedom Riders

As the film continued, I became more intrigued by the Freedom Riders’ faith, courage, and willingness to sacrifice their lives for a cause greater than themselves.

I highly encourage everyone to watch this “FREEDOM RIDERS” PBS Documentary because it truly highlights the power of commitment in creating change for the greater good.

While watching this documentary, I kept on saying to myself, “Wow! It was only 50 years ago when Jim Crow laws existed.”

Seeing these young people (mostly college students) step onto buses knowing that they may be killed as a result of their desire to challenge the Jim Crow laws touched my heart.

Seeing their commitment had me ask myself, “What am I willing to die for?”

And the first thought that came to my mind was, “My Family!”

So how can I demonstrate this?

By being willing to spend quality TIME with my wife and children on a regular basis.

By being willing to spend my MONEY in a way that contributes to my wife and children growing into all that God has called them to be.

And by being willing to sacrifice my PERSONAL DESIRES for the greater good of my family.

So this is my commitment to being the best husband and father that I can be!

What are you doing to demonstrate your commitment to your family?

Do post your comment below because we grow stronger as we learn from one another.

For more information on the “FREEDOM RIDERS” PBS Documentary, check out:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/about

FREEDOM RIDERS is the powerful harrowing and ultimately inspirational story of six months in 1961 that changed America forever. From May until November 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives—and many endured savage beatings and imprisonment—for simply traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the Deep South. Deliberately violating Jim Crow laws, the Freedom Riders met with bitter racism and mob violence along the way, sorely testing their belief in nonviolent activism.

Wow!  It’s been 5 years since we said, “I do!” in front of our family and friends, making a covenant before Almighty God.

5 years equates to… 1,825 days which equates to…  43,800 hours!

What can I say, “I’m analytical… I studied electrical engineering!” (smile)

These last 5 years have been quite a journey.  There been been UPs, tremendous Highs, as well as some character-building growth!

Marlon & Syreeta's 5-year Wedding Anniversary TODAY

And I must say, “Marriage has truly blessed my life!”

My marriage has allowed me to grow in ways that have made me a better person.

Marriage has chiseled me to be more selfless, giving and caring!

And this did not just happen immediately after we said, “I do!”

Rather, it’s been a process!

For any two people to live together under the same roof, there will be times when you have disagreements, difference of opinions, and maybe even some blown-out arguments.

Trust me!  It happens!  Yes, even in the life of the “Motivator.” (smile)

But I must say, what has been and will continue to be the glue to our marriage is keeping God in the middle of our marriage and family.

One of the BIGGEST ways that marriage has personally blessed me is that it has allowed me to grow in my faith and trust in God.  I pray more often and seek God’s wisdom by reading the Bible more consistently.

7 years ago, I truly do believe that God orchestrated the opportunity for me to meet Syreeta.  Everything was in alignment for us to meet at the exact right time, in the exact right place, for the exact right reason.

AMAZING!

Years ago, a deacon at our church shared with me that the prayer he prays daily is: “God, please make this the best day of my wife’s life and use me to make that happen!”

Wow!  That’s deep!

So today is our 5-year wedding anniversary!

I thank my family and friends who have personally blessed our marriage with loving prayers, kind words and thoughtful actions.

I thank God for bringing Syreeta to me and making her my wife because as the Bible states, “He that finds a wife, finds a good thing.”

And I thank Syreeta for loving me and encouraging me to be ALL that I am destined to be!  “Baby, you are a blessing to me! YLFK”

In closing, join us in our celebration by watching this “Anniversary” music video by Tony Toni Tone.

\”Anniversary\” by Tony Toni Tone

God Bless!

Marlon

P.S.  Feel free to post any comments!

This morning, my wife Syreeta and I decided to do something that was Important but not Urgent.

There’s a lot to do today with our businesses as we prepare for an upcoming trip.  So we were both feeling some anxiety about whether or not we will have enough time to get “everything” done.

Can you relate?

However, instead of “rushing” to do work, we did something different.

Jade & Cory's morning Adventure

We decided to take a morning walk with our children, Jade and Cory.

Isn’t it really amazing how fast time moves?

Jade is now 4 and Cory just turned 1.

During our walk, I shared with Syreeta how I have specific memories from my childhood.  Although I don’t remember a lot, I do remember a few specific instances while in elementary school and during certain family trips.

So what about you?

Do you remember any specific experiences from your early childhood?

It’s amazing how we can vividly remember certain experiences that took place, 20, 30 or 40 years.

I’m not sure if this walk will be a memory that Jade and Cory will remember forever.  But one thing is for sure… today will always be special to me because I put truly “first things first” by making a conscious effort to spend quality time with my family.

Now it’s time to get to my “busy” list of work.  And although there’s a lot for me to do today, I’m smiling now because I was conscious and intentional in creating a special memory for my family this morning.

This family walk may be forgotten tomorrow but today, it makes the world of difference!

Do share what you are doing to create “Lasting” memories!

Post your comment here because we are excited to hear from you.