1. I don’t want it, you keep it! There is a scientific theory that if a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to hear the crash, then it is not truly a sound because no one was around to receive what was transmitted. Well, using this theory we should be able to avoid letting others upset us through their negative speech… If it takes away from you, rather than fulfills you, treat it like that tree, act as if you didn’t hear it… Author~ Devin “Dutchie” Robinson 180 Degrees…Going Against the Grain. All Rights Reserved

2. All dressed up… nowhere to go! Ever notice when we are all dressed up, people always ask, “what’s the special occasion?” But when we are having a bad hair day, those same people snicker behind our backs? Well, maybe because it’s true, we usually only dress for special occasions yet we expect to receive the same accolades as the daily diva. Statistics show that the average American manages to save 1% of our annual income, while the average Asian saves 30%. So an income of $40,000 per year leaves $400 in the bank at the end of the year versus $12,000. This is because we are occasional savers… We manage to save when we want that expensive car, summer vacation or to purchase a home. Then when an unexpected financial situation occurs, we cuss everyone under the sun except ourselves. We have managed to become the wealthiest country, but what about, on average, the people inside it? We can’t stop having bad hair days, but we can better prepare for them. Just as u take showers even with nowhere 2 go (I hope), save money! Just as u brush your teeth daily whether you are going to work, church or going to the living room, save money! Let’s re-classify ourselves into daily financial divas, rather than the occasional one… Author~ Devin “Dutchie” Robinson 180 Degrees…Going Against the Grain. All Rights Reserved

3. The Ark… The story of the Ark is a powerful, popular but simple story. Noah was instructed to build an Ark in preparation for a flood and inform the people to get onboard. The people laughed. Once the Ark was sealed there was no more entry allowed. Raindrops beat on all sides of the Ark, but everyone inside was safe. Let’s look at our lives as the Ark. Ever notice when you are beginning to do positive things, is when it starts to rain? Rain, meaning the people on the outside start to throw negative energy (i.e. rumors, criticism) at you trying to penetrate your Ark. This is just a test. There’s a popular motto that says, “Misery likes company.” This test will eventually end and it will stop “raining” when these people realize that they cannot penetrate your Ark. Then the Sun will shine on you. I wonder where they will be at this time. Probably still trying to penetrate. Construct your Ark. Seal it tight where the rain cannot find a seam to get through. Brush your shoulders off. Be a person of thick skin and don’t allow things that are beneath you to sink your vessel or cause it to lose momentum. Be above the rain. Rain eventually ends up in a place where we walk on it, ride on it or float on it. After all, these people are the ones on the outside of your Ark being flooded out! Author~ Devin “Dutchie” Robinson 180 Degrees…Going Against the Grain All Rights Reserved

4. Do not resuscitate… Healthy friendships and relationships are something most of us look forward to having and keeping, however we all do not expect the same. If losing a friendship brought you peace and happiness and that person(s) is attempting to re-enter your life but you felt better off without them, do not resuscitate. As we enter into new realms of our lives, we outgrow certain activities and sometimes this includes certain individuals. You shouldn’t feel guilty for letting them go. They will replace you, just as you should replace them. Performing CPR on an unhealthy relationship/friendship can cause this relationship to be “mummified”, no brains just purposeless movements causing you to lose momentum from your positive direction. Breathing new life into old situations can give you the same old headaches. Do not allow unhealthy conditions to hinder your growth. New friends and relationships that are heading down your path are on the way. (By the way, if you have never experienced unhealthy friends, then you might be the source…) Do not re-live the same nightmare twice, know where you’ve been and do not resuscitate!!! Author~ Devin “Dutchie” Robinson 180 Degrees…Going Against the Grain. All Rights Reserved

5. And the race is off… And the race is off… Bad Habits jump way out front with Paycheck close behind. They are racing neck to neck but Bad Habits seem to have control of the race. (I’ve never seen a horse run with a grin.) Income extends his stride and overtakes Bad Habits but only for the time being as Bad Habits does the same and fights back. Here comes Immediate Desires out of nowhere taking the lead over both of them. But wait, Common Sense just realized that she is in the race and makes her way to the head of the pack (note: all races don’t have Common Sense). Common Sense appeared to only have had temporary energy because as quick as she sped up she slowed down. Bad Habits is now overtaking Common Sense. In an act of desperation, Common Sense’s jockey whips Bad Habits making Bad Habits speed up even more. Little did that jockey know, he needed to be using Common Sense to win the race. Here they come to the head of the stretch. Bankrupt comes from out of nowhere and overtakes Bad Habits, Paycheck, Immediate Desires and Common Sense to win by a hefty lead. This was no blanket finish! Next up: Foreclosure, Repossession, Depression, Bad Credit and Therapy.” Is this how your race will end? Feed more energy into Income and Common Sense and those will be the entities to win the race. Strategies that you employ today will position you for your future. Think about it… Author~ Devin “Dutchie” Robinson 180 Degrees…Going Against the Grain All Rights Reserved

6. Your direction… Ever notice that trees grow straight up towards the sky even if it was planted on a hill? Well this is because trees [and plants] grow towards the light. So actually from the ground’s perspective it would seem like the tree is growing crooked. No matter what angle the roots are planted, the tree remains focused at the light (sun) and goes in that direction growing as much as possible thinking that the sky is the limit. Storms may come and temporarily cause the tree to lean, but after weathering the storm, the tree gets back on track. The tree doesn’t focus on where it came from, but instead where it wants to go. Are you growing in the same direction as your roots or are you focused and growing towards the light? Trees can do this with no brain, so you have no excuse. Don’t feel ashamed to go against the grain… Author~ Devin “Dutchie” Robinson 180 Degrees…Going Against the Grain All Rights Reserved