Today I was refinishing a shower and bathtub out in Lewisville and I overheard the lady on the phone talking to someone that she called Rufus. It reminded me of A murder that happened back in 2007. At that time I was doing refinishing work for Town homes along the I-30 corridor around the Lake Ray Hubbard area.
I had talked many times to A Gentleman named Rufus, he was a survivor of Hurricane Katrina. The man had no Family, very little money and was an older Gentleman but appeared older than what he really was. He was relocated to the Townhomes after Hurricane Katrina and was just so appreciative of everything that some of the maintenance guys (2 of which were always smart asses) and would give him a hard time. I would always stop and talk to him since back then I employed (5) full time guys and all I would do is make sure the work was being done and take care of minor issues. I was in the office of one of the town homes when I heard he had started a kitchen fire (grease fire) and scorched his counter tops and cabinets and I stopped by his apartment and he was just down in the dumps. He just new they were going to kick him out. He didn't have the $1000.00 they wanted for the repairs. I was a close friend to the regional Vice President at that time and I called him and since my company would be doing the work anyway, I said it would be at no charge. I would just take care of it. About a week went by and I seen detectives out there but never thought anything and learned 2 weeks after the fact that Rufus had been murdered out off of HWY. 175 it was a hole in the wall club out there and I can't recall the name of it. He was killed in the parking lot, then his body was dumped in White Rock Lake. I learned all of the details while watching 48hours on A&E and honestly was shocked! The guy that murdered this man claimed self defense and he too lived out at the Apartments. I don't know his name but I remembered him because I always loved the 70 and 80 model Chevy pickups and he had one that ... just stood out to me and I had complimented his truck in the past, then went on with my day. I don't know why I felt compelled to blog about this today but maybe just to remind myself of how fast things happen and how I miss A man that I briefly knew. A man that had his life taken from him and I don't know if it was self defense or not. I heard it was the second time he had killed someone and claimed self defense and rumors swirled it was drug related... I have absolutely no Idea one way or the other but he was a frail man and I ... have no right to even speculate one way or the other.  It just brought back a flood of memories when I heard that name and writing about this on my blog ... If for no other reason is proof that I have not forgotten this man. He may have not had family, at least none he claimed but he will not be forgotten... not by me.
Dallas Bathtub Aces

I want to open with just a couple of thoughts that will integrate a little positive energy in to the negative we are all hearing.

• I learned along time ago I cannot make a positive change on this world without making a positive change in my life and a positive change in the life of my family.
  

I really don't know the exact moment that the people of the United States started turning against one another. I have seen the finger pointing and I see the division along different lines. I hear how politics has divided this country.
Well, how can anything have an effect on you if you don't allow it to? Have we become so weak that someone's opinion effects our life? These few short years we get on earth are all we get. There is no more. Every day we spend angry is a day lost.

I know, I am no different than most of you. I have allowed anger to consume me and consume is a perfect word for it. Anger is so consuming that you shut out any other emotion because you concentrate on the anger. I ask again, what have you done while thru anger that has benefited you or your family?
We have heard people say "I got so mad at work today I quit my job" (did that benefit you or your family?) Maybe you were right to quit your job but if you did it through a thought out plan then another job was lined up or if you are in a position that you don't need to work then a notice may have benefited a person under your position that had to work harder and longer because of the abrupt job opening.

I have found that when I portray anger I get back poor results. I sure can't put my best work out if I am angry. Other people around me feed off the negative energy and before you know it the toxic attitude has affected everyone I'm in contact with.

My promise to my customers is simple. I respect you! I do not care if you are young, old, black, white, pink, gay, straight, 600 pounds overweight or the perfect physical specimen. I will treat you with respect, I will maintain a professional attitude and I will put forth the absolute best job I can. Truth be known that is all any of us can honestly do and if we all simply did those things then we would start seeing this division in America fade away, because if you show people respect I know they will be put at ease with your presence. If we simply respect each other, then our lives will become a little more influential on other peoples lives. In return our own lives will become happier and more enjoyable.
This "TOUGH" image a lot of people are trying to portray is quiet juvenile when we think about it. I mean we are grown people networking together for business and our children go to school together by God we are a community! Just because you are kind does not mean you are weak! In fact that makes you one of the strongest people around! Your not trying to intimidate others, you are trying to be humble, peaceful. You don't feel a need to show up another person because you are confident in the unlikely event trouble does occur you can handle that situation.
Why not try it starting today! I think you will find your today will be much better than your yesterday was, when we move forward like that it has to make us all just a little better.
Dallas Bathtubs