Archives For respect

Cartoons That Can Teach, Part 3

March 26, 2013 — Leave a comment

Production Company, Xilam, created and produced "Shuriken School," which aired on CITV and Jetix in the UK and Nickelodeon in America

It’s been a while since I’ve seen the cartoon series, “Shuriken School.” The lessons and thoughts from the show were tightly knit into the storyline. The characters were relatable and in a cute and funny sort of way really gave the feeling of watching an Elementary or Jr. High version of an americanized ninja school.

But, besides the point!

Several of the episodes dealt with taking responsibility for ones actions, protection, honor and respect.

Who would’ve guessed, right!?

Also, there was a bit of service and faithfulness mixed in too. I was very surprised! You don’t have to look too hard within each episode (and that’s if you can find it on the air or on DVD or online).

The last time I saw this series it was on Nicktoons Network back in the mid to late part of 2000s. That brings back a LOT of memories. I was just out of college, it was 2007, and I was working for an NBC affiliate that allowed me to operate the assignment desk and monitor both NBC NewsChannel & Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon at the same time!

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Not Necessarily Accepted

January 3, 2013 — Leave a comment

Screen Shot 2013-01-03 at 12.35.11 AM

You’re looking at a guy who was not necessarily accepted by the masses. I was pointed out as different by my peers, and they were right, I was different.

I didn’t like the same music kids my age listened too. I didn’t watch the same TV shows. I didn’t even read the same literature!

I was 11-years-old when I started watching the “State of the Union” address on TV and analyzing the speeches myself, literally rolling my eyes at the commentary.

But, there’s something kind of fascinating about that kind of experience growing up. You realize quickly that you won’t be fully accepted by EVERYONE!

And you know what, that’s fine! I have come to terms with it!

What about you?

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Again…What Is A Man

December 6, 2012 — 1 Comment

Operation: Spring Break

A while back I wrote this article for another purpose. Its short and to the point! Enjoy! – The Editor

A few days ago, I started asking myself the question “What is a Man!?”

Believe it or not, I always thought I knew right especially since I AM one!

But wait…truth of the matter is I know I am a man on the outside but the inside is what truly counts, right!?

Oh sure, the hairy exterior, the muscles and the ability to quote sports scores or worthless trivia is one thing, the status of ones “manliness” goes so much deeper than that.

My responsibility here is to tell you that a man is someone whose likeness is like that of God!

That means love of the one who created you, loving your neighbors, your family and then yourself, not to mention taking care of what has been entrusted to you.

The man who refuses to stand up for what’s right and take responsibility are those who choose to remain in perpetual boyhood.

 

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Drawn by Kendall Lyons (c) Cartoon Daily News

Drawn by Kendall Lyons (c) Cartoon Daily News

One of the harshest lessons I learned as a teenager is that sometimes you have to go it alone.

I was usually the one kid who would volunteer first because the other kids were “too cool” to do the job, whether it was in my youth group at church or in class at school. Trust me, I wasn’t trying to come off as THAT kid who was trying to impress anyone. I just hated dead air, silence and slow response time. I was pretty impatient!

Sometimes, in the face of career paths, family matters and even lifestyle, it’s no one else but God and you facing today and tomorrow. And to be honest, that’s all you need anyway! And if you think about it, if you absolutely can’t do one simple task without somebody, then I would suggest taking a serious, long evaluation of yourself and the matter at hand.

We all need help from time to time! By no means am I advocating the notion of “every man and woman for himself.” But if you are depending on a human being so heavily to be your guide it says more about your spiritual capacity as well as level of self-esteem and confidence then it does about the other guy.

In the book that I’m writing, I make the point that being different does mean that you have to go it alone. Then suddenly, you’ll blow up in popularity and prosperity, and THEN all of a sudden, people will start noticing you and will want to go with you.

Beware of THAT! Because people will try to leech off of your energy, your creativity, your success and your drive. Why, because they don’t have the courage or the audacity to go on their own and make something of themselves!

You can’t afford that! You don’t have to accept it! You certainly don’t have to go with it or settle!

Perhaps the reason you haven’t got to where you are in life is because you are afraid of walking alone and in that alone time you know very well what will come out: Thoughts you couldn’t bear to wrestle with, issues that you couldn’t face and talks with God that will HAVE to happen in the midst of seemingly annoying silence and loneliness.

Posted on November 5, 2012 In Lessons, LIVE , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Drawing At My Desk (c) Kendall Lyons, Cartoon Daily News, 2012

Drawing At My Desk (c) Kendall Lyons, Cartoon Daily News, 2012

 

I have a cousin whose about 19, and he’s the only one whom I have ever heard say something like “I’m 19 going on 20” and his birthday is 9 months away.

I can legitimately, as I write this article, say that I am 27 going on 28 by August 12th.

Am I excited, happy, nervous!? A little bit of everything, actually!?

I have changed…I truly have changed. My relationship with God and Christ is better. My relationships with others are growing and I am learning how to communicate better with other people outside of my sphere of influence.

I even have a stronger grasp of my purpose, my vocation and my manliness…yes, that’s what I wrote…but that’s for another article to deal with!

But, one thing does kind of bother me, and perhaps it should!

I know a lot about a few things. I know youth ministry, I know cartoons and I know broadcasting and communications. But, do I have authority to speak on these things!? And if I do, when will that time come!?

When I go to different conferences and conventions, I ask myself (and the people who do keynotes and speak) what do I have to do to get to that place. After all, it is one of my dreams and career goals to speak and share in various places and I want to have my background straight.

So, the question is this, do I have to be a content expert in one thing or many things? Does the length of time, education, age or anything of that nature matter to get into that place?

Based on what I’ve observed, I learned that it’s good to know your craft in a specific area and use that to help people and have the ability to speak on that topic.

For example, I can speak on using cartoons and illustrations to reach out to people and to share a specific message, especially when it comes to preaching the Gospel!

Posted on August 11, 2012 In Creative Talk, LIVE, Research & Development , , , , , , , , , , ,
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