JA's Jibba Jabba

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JA 7:08 pm on November 24, 2009 | 1 | # |

Oops, have been away for quite a bit have I not? Almost a full year without posting anything personal.

What am I up to?

Where shall I start.

Am working on an event in recognition of volunteers in Montreal. Working on it is harder than I expected because getting people from various industries, fields and backgrounds to play nice together is a full-time job in itself that drags everything down. I started the project cruising at 300km/h and am now at 20km/h! Thank goodness I started way before the deadline.

Also working on another project that should keep me pretty busy in the next ten years and God-willing should land me in the Guinness World Records but most importantly help fight hunger through awareness and fundraising and make knowledge available to everyone in the world. As I always say (and so did many before me), knowledge is power and sometimes people are stuck not because of the lack of ability or will but because of knowledge. I am going to dedicate my thirties to making a difference one day (and kilometre) at a time.

As you may be aware, I turned 30 in August. While I did not feel any physical difference, I realise that the times for games and living for myself are over. It’s time to use my God-given potential to serve Him and others. As days go by, you will probably read about what I am writing about now. I cannot go into details as of yet but when the wheels are in motion, you will definitely hear and read about it.

So good to be back. When you see that I am missing in action, please feel free to shout at me and get posting. Unless you don’t give a flying hoot of course which is a whole other debate!
JA 10:32 pm on February 12, 2009 | 1 | # |

Stay tumed!
JA 2:57 am on January 23, 2009 | 0 | # |

Where to? How come that it’s only one way? Am I skipping the country? You curious you! Stay tuned for more details!
JA 2:37 am on January 23, 2009 | 3 | # |

Time just goes by quickly!!! A little secret… I am posting this from my iphone.

Yes I got one! Next week i should get a Blackberry Bold. Will compare the two and let you know.
JA 5:08 am on September 30, 2008 | 0 | # |

Just in case you’ve been wondering where I have been for the last couple of months (seven to be precise), I have been around. If you want to know what I have been doing and why I have been quiet, the answer is simple: I have been learning a few lessons about life.

I am now 29 years old, I have sailed through life effortlessly. I know that I was a rather spoilt child. I did not starve, I did not lose anyone precious to me. I am cherished and adored by the great majority of people I meet. I have no trouble making friends, money and the older I grow, the healthier I am.

A blissful life begets complaisance and sometimes arrogance. Like most people who have been blessed by God and life, I took it for granted and actually fooled myself into believing that the blessings and mercies were birthrights instead of privileges.

I am at the very senior level of the hard learner’s club. In other words, all lessons that are worth learning, I learned them the hard way.

2008 turned out to be a year of learning about life the very hard away.

I learned that:

– Being too smart can be a curse. I earn my living by advising entrepreneurs to avoid killer mistakes. I thought that I was exempt to my own advice and sailed into some business deals with an ultra dose of confidence. Result: lost a great deal of money and wasted time. Money is replaceable (that’s a God given gift that I am grateful for), time is not. But I had to learn that, the hard way.

– Being too secretive can be a killer. I am probably the most secretive person you will ever meet. My parents and other relatives don’t even know half my life. I am no criminal or freak but there are aspects of my life that I keep to myself. I share as little as possible. Just the bare essentials. In my books, being an open book is a liability. My friends complain about that. I learned that keeping some secrets can be a killer. While I will not be publishing an autobio by tomorrow and spilling all my life out, I have learned that some things need to be shared so that when decisions are made, all parties are better informed.

– People need to be treated with respect. Just because people volunteer their time, money and/or energy is no ticket to abuse of that and basically treat them like slaves. I can’t get into it much without compromising the integrity of some of the people that are close to me.

– Tough guys don’t act tough. That’s a piece of advice that a lady friend dropped on my lap and it revolutionized my thinking.

– God gives but we have to reach out. I depend on God for everything. But I am learning that I have to actually get up and get stuff done because He will not drop it at my doorstep. God is no delivery person.

– Anyone who can claim to have a better family that mine, please step up. At least, that was before all of us started looking for significant others. The keyword here is tolerance. Tolerance towards new additions to the family. Of course God and His wonderful sense of humour… He’s bringing in people that I have a hard time standing. The sooner I start standing them, the better off I will be. In other words, the problem is with me and not with the people coming into the family slowly but surely.

– Girls are trouble

– Girls are trouble

– Love is trouble

– Love is trouble

– Trouble brings the human side out of me

– Opportunities should be acted on right away. Again, I advise entrepreneurs and when they ask me when the best time to start a business or project is, my answer is always: “When an opportunity presents itself”. I should heed my own business advice and realize that it also applies to everyday life.

– At long last, my commitment issues are dealt with!

Where have I been? How have I been?

You have your answers.

But I still want 2008 to get lost. I hated the greater part of it because I was under submission of these lessons that I was learning the hard way. I got it, now please bring my normal life back!

PS: I also learned that I look good in a suit. Never before in my life have so many people who do not each other commented so positively on the way I dress! For that, I am flattered : )
JA 5:52 pm on August 8, 2008 | 0 | # |

“By the time you decide to even date me never mind marriage and kids, I might just become infertile”
JA 4:45 am on April 13, 2008 | 1 | # |

Today’s it’s been two weeks my dear Salima left to start a new chapter of her life which is an accomplishment of a life dream.

For the 5 years that I have been in Montréal, we have met weekly for dinner, movies and other social moments.

But with her gone, I am now feeling the heat because her presence was one of the stable things that allow me to operate my unstable life.

I am kind of clueless and feel like I have no sense of direction. I like change and strive on it but I have to say, this is one I do not welcome because I am already facing enough drama at this stage of my life.

Of course, I could go out there and find a new person to fill the place that Salima held. But I don’t want to. Just like in professional sports when they retire a certain jersey number, Salima’s void will not be replaced by another person. I will just have to find activities to do.

I don’t want her to come back though. Why? Because that would mean that she did not accomplish her lifelong dream to serve those who cannot help themselves. I pray that God bless her wherever she goes and that He uses her as her instrument in this tumultuous world.
JA 2:19 pm on April 6, 2008 | 0 | # |

I hope so! It seems that winter is over at last. I don’t know how to put this but this has probably the worst winter I have had in my life and I certainly do not look forward to it.

It seems that the weather is the biggest topic in Canada but what can you do, it’s part of everyday life and personally, it affects everything I do or how I feel inside.

With warmer temperatures, I look forward to 2008 really starting. This year is going to be event-filled with a wedding and a festival to name the two majors in my summer.

While 2007 started off on an excellent tip, I cannot say the same about 2008 but one thing I know is that with the right attitude and series of actions which are directly in my control, I can pretty much set the rules for the next eight months.

To all those who have seen a different Jean-Aimé, many apologies. He will be back just. For those I have not kept in touch with, don’t worry, I have your number and other contact details so will be getting back in your radar very soon.
JA 1:34 pm on February 16, 2008 | 0 | # |

Found this in my inbox. It was sent to me sometimes in December but today it feels more relevant.

So to all who may be concerned, here goeth:

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed .
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or whether you are a lifetime.
JA 5:15 am on December 19, 2007 | 0 | # |

I found it strange that I got messages from five lady friends wanting to hang out. They’re some of the busiest people I know and hearing from them the same day seemed like a strange coincidence.

After a few thoughts, I remembered that Montréal is paralyzed with 30 centimetres of snow and so everyone has a lot of time on their hands.

While I am enjoying my stay in Miami and am glad to be here and not in Canada, I wonder I should not be home when the next big snow storm hits because at least I know that I will be able to get in touch with some almost lost friends.

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