Be encouraged with my new original song ”Get Ya Power Up!” Let’s Go! -Your neighborhood hope dealer!
Tag: #ccm
Hitting The Pause Button To Express Appreciation!
From retro themed poetry to moments scrolling down memory lane, I truly love what I do as a writer. When I started http://www.vintageretroman.com, I began a journey of self realization and creativity through writing. I am aware that I do not think or operate like many people. I enjoy everything from Christian Hip-Hop to Pac-Man. I like to wear masks and costumes. I am entertained by everything from Nascar to Marching Bands. Most importantly I love the vintage and retro cultures of the past.
I never would have thought that 100 people would actually see my vision. For many years I did not showcase my writing ability because I simply thought that it was not good enough. I purposefully try to surround myself with other bloggers who are much better than me. It keeps me humble, and I learn so much from them. As I continue on my mission to provide the best content possible for the masses, I want to take a quick moment to hit the pause button and say thank you.
To my 100 followers on my blog, and almost 1000 followers on Instagram, I genuinely appreciate your support. I have been through so many things this year that were negative, but my blogging community has been a true blessing in my life. When I lost my father in March, you have been there. When I was in the hospital 2 weeks ago, you encouraged me. Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for understanding me. I may not be the best at many talents, but rest assure with me you will always get sincerity and authenticity. It is how I live my life and how I will continue on.
Thank you for every like, every kind word, and every thought and prayer. You are appreciated. Please remember, my only goal is to make you feel like a kid again. Operate with passion. Structure your heart with love for others. Remember not to take life too seriously. Lastly, never let life dictate how far you can make it! On to 200 followers! 🙂
V.R.
Back From The Present- My Wake Up Call
Throughout my life there have been times where danger lurked in unexpected area’s and I had to push the pause button to refocus on the things that are most important to me. To my readers, I apologize about my short hiatus. I have been so busy, trying to work hard at my day job and even harder on my blog. The stress of work, parenthood, losing my father a couple of months ago, along with a few health issues and too much caffeine through my core out of balance. Recently, I spent some time in the hospital from everything going on in my personal life. Because of this, I was forced to take a quick break from my blog.
As I sat in the room of the hospital with EKG’s and IV’s attached to me, I laid back for a while and just thought about the simpler times in life. The times when things were not as serious. I thought about my childhood, when life was less stressful regarding responsibilities. Time seemed so much slower. The world was less complex than today with smart phones and social media. With my loving wife by my side, it was surreal me being in that position. I felt scared, anxious, and not in control of anything. I started to think of something that I feel we all need to be aware of.
Self-sufficiency has real limitations. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that we need to work hard and be ambitious. As important as that is, I do believe that there are times in life when we need to realize that we cannot do it all on our own merits. As a Christian man, I do believe what the Bible says in Philippians chapter 4 which states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I also know that there are times when God give’s us a wake up call to get our attention. This was one of those times for me.
As I waited anxiously for the results of the tests to come back on my heart, it seemed as if the minutes and seconds took an eternity. Honestly I am not a fan of doctor’s and hospital’s, so the fact that I drove myself there and checked myself in was a big step for me. I am a pretty stubborn guy, so it has to be something really wrong for me to check into the emergency room. I laid back in the hospital bed, still in my work attire because I left work early to check into the ER.
As each nurse came in, my heart rate would raise. Then as they encouraged me, it would fall again. Soon the doctor would come in and tell me that all of my tests came back normal, and gave me recommendations on things that I can do to become a healthier person. I praised God, kissed my wife, and was able to be discharged. When I saw my 4 children again, I kissed them and they hugged me and asked me how I was doing. I looked into their innocent faces, and realized just how fragile our bodies are.
I am writing this post because I know how powerful God is. I know that He is a healer. This is my testimony. He is the great comforter. He allows doctors and nurses to obtain their positions. He gives them the knowledge to do their work and help people, even save the lives of some patients. I believe that when we realize the limitations of self-sufficiency, it forces us to rely on something bigger than ourselves. Bigger than our work, and larger than our agenda. I am grateful for my life.
I just wanted to take a brief moment to share a wake up call with you. I don’t know what you may be going through right now, but God does. I know that life can be hard at times, but it is only temporary. I know that anxiety and suicidal thoughts are real. Remember, you are not supposed to be the victim but the victor in your situation. Is God trying to get your attention like He was mine? Do you need a moment to pause, pivot, and refocus on Him and what is really important like family, friends, and taking care of yourself?
Remember, your body is a temple. God gave it to you to be a good steward over it and take great care of it. This is a simple reminder that you cannot take care of anyone else if you do not take care of yourself, and that is not selfish at all. Take that vacation, enjoy some time off work. Do not let anyone make you feel like you are less of a person because you want to take time to invest in your most important asset, yourself! Please use my situation this past week and learn from it. I surely have. I wish you all nothing but love, peace, and happiness. Remember, “never let life dictate how far you can make it”.
V.R.
Mayday Mayday! It’s going down!
May 1st, 1983 a king was born. As I look back reflecting on the events of my life the past 35 years on my birthday, I cannot help but feel grateful for the people and experiences I have encountered for my own personal growth. Many of you know that my dad passed away in March this year, and it left me searching for answers in many area’s of my life. What is amazing, is that I woke up this morning on my birthday feeling different. I had the deepest feelings of peace and gratitude as I sat out at the lake with my wife eating breakfast before work. I thought back to my childhood, and how I used to love going to the lake with my dad. I looked over at the picnic tables and thought about how myself, my 7 brothers and sisters, and my parents would enjoy the natural beauty that God almighty created. With all of those thoughts and emotions, I wanted to take a brief moment to express them through an original poem. It is entitled: MayDay. I hope you all enjoy it!
MayDay by Vintage Retroman
Everyday is a holiday, everyday is a blessing/
Even when it does not seem like it from constantly stressing/
Take some time to enjoy the beauty within the struggle/
Like the butterfly in the cocoon while the leaves rustle/
Life may seem like a challenge, the only thing constant is change/
Have you ever felt how good it feels to dance in the rain?/
Have you ever seen the trees, the grass, or mountains complain?/
Don’t get me wrong I understand the reality of pain/
Hang in their soldier, you are almost at the finish line now/
And as the curtain calls and the show ends, only then take a bow/
Until then, live life to the fullest while you work hard and pray/
My only wish is that you enjoy the experience of this Mayday/
V.R.
Memory Lane Moments Part 2- The Chapters That Were Never Written
Incomplete, inconclusive, fragmented, all words applicable to the past of certain situations in all of our lives. We have all heard the cliche statement time and time again, “Life goes on.” This is true, but sometimes in everyone’s life a certain person, event, or thought may trigger a response of a wide range of emotions. As difficult as these hidden emotions may be to deal with at times, it is necessary for clarity and closure to address such situations.
So question, have you ever hurt someone in your past either intentionally or by mistake? It’s easy to play the victim when we’re on the receiving end of pain but how much harder is it to accept responsibility for pain you directly or indirectly caused another individual? Even then, once you’ve accepted responsibility how do we deal with the guilt? Think about it, in some extreme cases we’re no longer able to communicate with those we have wronged due to losing touch or maybe they have passed away.
I truly believe our lives are written by God, the author and finisher of our faith. I find peace and comfort in knowing that God knows the end before we start the beginning. What I have a hard time understanding is the correlation between the free will that God gives us to live out the chapters He has already written, verses His omnipotence that has already finished the book. By the end of this article, I hope that you my reader, will receive some insight as well. Stay with me.
I recently had a conversation with a good friend of mine. She shared with me a story of how in the past she unintentionally hurt one of her best friends in college. She recently ran into him after several years and he was acting noticeably distant. When she questioned him about his demeanor he finally expressed all the feelings of both love and anger he had towards her. He told her how it hurt when he had to find out via text message, only one day before the wedding, that she was getting married. He expressed how at that time it felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest yet all he could respond was a reluctant “Congratulations”
Fast forward 5 years and my dear friend is going through a painful divorce. When she finished telling me her story I responded, ‘Have you ever heard the statement, this is a closed chapter in your life? Unfortunately, when it comes to your college friend this is what it is, a chapter closed. She responded, ‘How can the chapter be closed if it was never written in the first place?’ Interesting synopsis, I thought to myself. I stopped to really digest that question and after some contemplation realized her frustration was not because it was a completed chapter but because there wasn’t closure in one that was never written. So now she is living with thoughts of “what if’s” and “I wonder.”
Some of us have situations from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s that are incomplete chapters in our book of life. If we are honest, sometimes regret can creep into our thinking and negative emotions may flare from seemingly missed opportunities in our past. Not everyone has the Peaches and Herb experience of “Reunited and it feels so good”. Some of us have the Katy Perry experience of “The one that got away”. What do we do with those feelings?
I unfortunately don’t have the magical answer for the chapters that were never written. One thing I have learned as a writer though is that the chapters never written have snippets of wisdom and experience that we can use in the current stories of our lives. There is a reason why you are not with that person, did not get that job or promotion, or couldn’t qualify for that home. Could it be that in your story, God is completing an even greater masterpiece of art,such that when others read your story that will draw strength and hope from it?
I challenge you my reader not to run from your past. Give yourself permission to dissect the intricate details of the chapters never written or completed. I know it hurts, and although you cannot go back and write those chapters yourself, learn from them and use that wisdom to positively impact your story currently being written. After all we are only human, which means we live out what is written. Even the best writers are limited in their creative scope which means that the inspiration to do more has to come from somewhere. Find the beauty in your struggle, and use it in each future chapter of your story as you reflect back from memory lane. Signing off for now.
V.R.
Why Should You Dare To Be Different? An official VR review.
From the moment the VHS tape was inserted into the VCR, I knew it was something special. Then I saw the old school vintage style television with the turn knobs and got excited! The young version of Christian rapper Andy Mineo wearing the 1980’s style Adidas red jacket, priceless. Finally, watching a young Lecrae, playing Nintendo with a retro style hoodie over his hat, I knew this video was going to be something special.
Sure the late 1980’s, early 1990’s references are fantastic. The video snippets of an old school laundry mat, the arcade scene of kids playing Pac-Man, and the kids riding bikes may even put the viewer in the mindset of something that you would see on the popular Netflix show Stranger Things. I love the delivery of the visual messages in the video. It does a great job of bringing me back to my own childhood. Back to a simpler time where kids rode bikes and played outside. Then there is the lyrical message.
“Say I won’t, why ya’ll scared to be different? And I bet I will, you can say I wont!” It’s a fun song, how Hip-Hop used to be throughout the 80’s and most of the 90’s. When Andy Mineo states “Say I won’t rap over bag pipes? Say I won’t talk about that price? To know Christ and live life like every night is my last night woah?” I chuckled at the delivery, and then realized that i appreciate anyone being true to themselves and their faith. Although the song is silly in nature, the subliminal messages from both rappers are fantastic in this song! In a Hip-Hop culture today dominated by clothes, wealth, and fame, I love how Christian rapper Lecrae starts his verse. He creatively states “Say I won’t sell my shoes and take my kids to Chuckie Cheese with the money? Say I won’t bring my own bottle of Pellegrino to the movies with me, say I won’t? Pellegrino is some refreshing mineral water, I must agree Lecrae. 🙂
I love this song! The reason I love this song, is because it is counter cultural and takes a bold stand for positivity in a primarily negative Hip-Hop culture today. It let’s children know that it is not only okay to be an anomaly in today’s society, but more importantly it gives the listener confidence to question others about being part of the status quo! I have 4 children myself, and I play this song for my kids all the time. I believe that both children and adults should realize that their God given potential grants them the ability to be different. I believe that if God wanted us to be like everybody else, He would have created us all the same. So ask yourself the question, why would you want to be like everyone else? Dare to be different! Do you not realize that you were created not to fit in, but to stand out? You are special! You do matter! You are here on this earth for a reason! Do something original and creative today, and if someone doubts you, simply say to them “Say I won’t?”
V.R.
Tribute to My Father, 03/22/2018 from V.R. Rest in Peace Dad.
I truly can remember back as far as about 1987 in my life. I was born in 1983 so I was around 4 years old. My earliest memories of my dad was of him taking me and my older brothers and sisters fishing. I am the youngest of 8 children, so this was significant to me. My dad was the best fisherman I had ever met. We didn’t have much money growing up, so when we fished we did it not for sport, but to eat. My mom had a garden and kept fresh vegetables to cook. My father worked 2-3 jobs just to meet the basic necessities of life. We rarely went out to eat and even more rarely went anywhere outside our town. As I grew up I watched my dad work so hard with our family based cleaning business. My dad built his business in the late 80’s and early 90’s through hard work. My father was such an example of a strong man, not only to his 8 kids but his 25 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, my friends at school, the church and the community. He loved my mom more than life itself. They were married for 47 years! My dad is my hero because despite his mistakes he proved that you don’t have to be a perfect man to be a darn good one! Growing up I remember my father taking us to the drive-in movie theater because it was much cheaper and they had better food than the traditional cinema. He sacrificed to purchase our family the Nintendo Entertainment System and other forms of entertainment when he really didn’t have the money. He played football with us in the back yard. He took us to the Blockbuster video store on Friday nights to check out the latest new releases on VHS. He showed us how to have simple fun and save money through visits to the parks and picnics at nearby lakes. My love of all types of music came from him. To this day I love and appreciate every type of music, from folk to hip-hop, from 70’s and 80’s soft rock to contemporary Christian. My love for sports came from our family sitting in his room watching football and wrestling. Our family was and still are diehard Carolina Panthers fans (Being that we are from North Carolina). But before the Panthers came into the NFL in 1995, all of us loved the San Fransisco 49ers since I could remember (except my brother Deshawn who has always been a Cowboys fan). I’m talking the Joe Montana, Jerry Rice 49ers. I remember the funny talks my pop had with my brothers and sisters. I remember the political debates between him and my mom in the 1988 and 1992 presidential elections (my mom being a moderate republican and my dad being a traditional Kennedy Democrat at that time). Then after their debate I can see my dad hugging my mom and giving her a kiss and a sarcastic “You don’t know what you’re talking about, but i love you anyway.” 🙂 He taught us all how to never give up! His marriage was a testament to that. Through example he taught me how to love and support my wife and our 4 children. As I sit here with tears in my eyes still finding it hard to believe my pop is gone, I cant help but reminisce on the times we had. Most importantly, my dad loved His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave his life to Jesus about 7 or 8 years ago, so i find comfort in knowing that my dad is in the best place, Heaven. Rest in peace to my hero, my dad, my best friend Edward T. Price.
V.R.
Welcome 