We have a new tradition in our family and it revolves around a healthy, nutritious little baked creation called a donut.
How did Donut Dursday come about, you ask? Well it's quite simple. I have a 15 month old son named Gannon Nelson White and he is a tremendous source of happiness in my life. He eats all kinds of healthy foods all the time so of course I was looking to shake things up a bit and give my better half, Sheena White, a reason to roll her eyes at me (humored, with a partial smile). I showed up one Thursday morning with a sprinkled Donut from the Race Track gas station and Gannon's face had quite the confused look when I plopped it down on his breakfast tray. Off the top of my head I said, "It's Donut Dursday!" And it stuck.
It's goofy, it's fun and I think days like Donut Dursday are absolutely necessary for individuals, but even more so for families.
It gives you something to look forward to in the week. It gives an amount of decompression from stress. It brings your family together (or friends or coworkers). It creates memories. Things like Donut Dursday are the bricks and mortar to a relationship. I encourage you to take a minute, get creative, find your Donut Dursday idea and run with it! Doesn't matter if it's a stupid name or a goofy concept. If you dont care to find your own idea, use mine! Your family will love it and when you show up with donuts in any situation, suddenly, you are a HERO! Be a HERO. There is nothing like it when my boy gets to pick his donut from the box and then gets to make a mess enjoying himself. He loves it. I love it. And Sheena loves it as long as it's after he eats his normal healthy breakfast. *wink Speaking of my better half, Sheena White is an excellent online marketing expert and is very knowledgeable in the ways of social media and sales copywriting. If you have any need for her services, you can reach her through her website www.sheenawhite.com. As always, while you are enjoying Donut Dursday, please go to iTunes and download my album "Long Road". You can also check out the songs on Spotify! Please share this blog with your friends on Facebook and #feelthelove and tag @gregwhitejrmusic!
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You know... when I was writing my introduction blog I completely left out the fact that I have been in the fitness industry for about 12 years now working as a Fitness Professional. That's just a fancy way of saying Personal Trainer. It's been a lifestyle to me, but not necessarily an easy one. Hours of sacrifice and massive amounts of energy have gone into my career in the gym.
Now that I'm transitioning from wanting to be a Fitness Professional to wanting to be an artist and songwriter, I sometimes ask myself if it was all for nothing. My usual conclusion is, "Hell no." Why? For one, my sanity and mental clarity... Whenever I had a bad day in the Navy, I would go straight to the gym, load up a barbell with some solid 45 pound bumper plates (those are the think rubber ones), pick that barbell up over my head and slam it down on the ground as hard as possible. I did that until I was no longer angry or frustrated at my day. Then I would put a smile on my face and get off to the rest of my workout. Thank God I had that outlet! Two, my health. I've always had very good numbers when it came time to get a physical check from the Dr. I've always been thankful for that. Someone once asked me if I would trade my health, wellness, and fitness for a 6 figure job. My answer was, "Negative. I won't trade a 6 pack for 6 figures. I'll earn my 6 figure job eventually because I will be able to out work the other guy for it." Three. It gave me a purpose, inspiration, and motivation. I've been surrounded by wonderful people who are successful and who have worked hard regardless of their stress or energy levels. They were dedicated when nobody demanded them to be. I've seen thousands of pounds lost from people who had weight loss goals. I've seen extreme fitness goals accomplished by people who never started working out until they were in their 40's. I woke up before the sun to train clients and I stayed until late at night after the last person left to make sure my gym was tidy for the next day. I had the drive because people counted on me. That is priceless. Four? I got to look good naked all these years! And last, but not least, I got to overcome adversity and had the sports of CrossFit and bodybuilding to fuel and satisfy my competitive nature. When I did bodybuilding, I felt like something was missing and I didn't like how it was all about aesthetics. It was fun while it lasted, but when I found CrossFit and I had to outperform the other guy, that was a high like no other. There have been countless workouts where I was neck and neck for the win and based on my final leg of performance, I either won or I lost. But I had that competition and I had something to work for. Best of all, I've had the camaraderie. The only other place I've found that kind of connection to other people is the military. There is just something about having to share a bucket of suck that brings people very close together. I'm telling you right now, the people and the friendships you make in a gym family can fill the holes in your life. Each person I've come across in the gym has been a lesson to me. I hope I've been able to touch some lives along the way because my gym families have done that for me. SO what are you waiting for? Get out there, get a gym family, get healthy, be happy, and be a better you. If there is anything I can do to share some knowledge and experience, let me know. I'm happy to help. While you're at it, please make sure to iTunes and download my album "Long Road." Music is how I put food on the table so I appreciate your support! Thank you! Share this with your friends on Facebook too and be sure to tag @gregwhitejrmusic! #FeelTheLove I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July holiday! Mine was absolutely incredible. I played a show in Safety Harbor, FL, got a spend time with my family and friends, and the fireworks were fantastic! God bless America!
I've been asked why I do music for a career. Isn't it obvious? I want to own my own island, strum my guitar in front of thousands of adoring fans, and come up with a ridiculous contract rider that includes, but is not limited to, only green M&Ms, random action figures, and some form of construction work necessary to ensure my personal comfort. No, not really. *wink Although the aforementioned ideas would be nice, it's certainly not why I choose to do music for a living. Can you remember the first song you ever loved? What was it? How many songs have you loved since then. What song do you love right now? I remember one of the first country songs I loved was Alan Jackson's "Living On Love". I also loved Mel McDaniel's "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On". To me, it's all about the song. Songs shape us and put imprints on our lives. If one day, my music puts an imprint on someone's life, I will consider myself successful. I was asked once if I had any encouraging words for songwriters or artists who were struggling in this brutal, ever changing industry. Yes, I do. These words can really apply to any job or profession out there. Keep a smile on your face and feed the love for music that you have often. Keep writing songs. Write good songs, write bad songs, write long ones and short ones too. Write a song for the world and write a song just for you that nobody else will hear. Be joyful, have fun, and be easy to work with. That type of attitude is needed and wanted in this industry. It's stiff and hard and everyone wants a person around who is going to make life a little easier or at least more enjoyable. Don't fall into the nonsense that everything you write has to be a hit. Some songs will be hit material, but most will not. That's just the way it is. Don't get so tied to a song that the outcome of that song defines you. There's always another song. There's always a better song. If the smile leaves your face and you find yourself getting angry because of the industry, then it is time to reevaluate. I've heard songwriters literally getting mad at conferences because somebody didn't like a song or collection of songs that they had written. They got mad and actually mouthed off to the speaker. Well, I think it's easy to say that person isn't getting a gig anytime soon. They didn't help their situation at all and they forgot why they were there in the first place; the love of a song. For you songwriters that are reading this... I learned a wonderful tip at an NSAI (Nashville Songwriter's Association International) conference in Nashville last year. I believe Brent Baxter was the speaker. He said when you are writing a song, write no less than 200 words of that song and then finally the good stuff will start to come out. Trust me, it works. Don't always settle for the first words you write. Most times those first words will be cliche and typical. The fresh and original lyrics will eventually come out. Just keep writing! Hope you all have an amazing Wednesday! Please check out my album "Long Road" on iTunes or Spotify and don't forget to download them! Music is how I put food on the table. Thank you for your support! |
My Mission
To assist my brothers and sisters through their spiritual awakening. To teach by my personal experience so that others can make informed choices on their unique journey. To be called advisor and friend to those who may feel alone and unable to speak to others for fear of being alienated or labeled "weird" by society. We are all facing challenges through this time. Now is the time to be alive and awake! You are not alone! Greg White Jr.I am a "Florida Country" music Artist- songwriter, family man, Navy Veteran, and a lover of all things creative. Archives
April 2024
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