🫶🏽 About "Me" 🫶🏽

I have to admit, many people say I'm "different."

In the United States, every entertainment business maker, like me, stands out in their own way. After all, what customer would pay double for two identical entertainers? That wouldn’t make sense! So take it from me—I’m different because I’m expected to be. Whether it’s modeling, DJ-ing, talking, or just my everyday vocabulary, I’m always finding ways to set myself apart. I’m not acting; I’m just being me. In fact, I won a Hospitality award for my uniqueness and was nominated for half a dozen other awards. If you want to simplify it, I’m a Business Owner. Now that you know who I am, let me share what I believe—the "5 ABCs of Me."

***  The 5 ABCs of Me ***

1. I am abstinent from alcohol, caffeine, and recreational drugs.

I choose to live a lifestyle free from substances that can cloud judgment, which helps me stay focused and grounded in my work and personal life. This also extends to my social circles, as I prefer to surround myself with like-minded individuals. That said, I’m not distant or cold—I believe in showing affection and kindness to those who earn it. Some might confuse this subtlety, but for me, it’s about being intentional in how I share my life with others.

Several Saturdays ago, on April 13th, less than a week before "National Hanging Out Day," I was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the church of Mormonism). This was a deeply personal decision that I kept private until recently. With my baptism, I also became a Priest in the Church. (A Priest there is not to be confused with a Pastor there or with a Pastor in other Christian denominations. I do not give sermons.)

About my faith: This is my third baptism and the third Christian faith I’ve embraced. Rather than discarding my previous beliefs, I’ve added Latter-day Sainthood as a robust layer on top of the foundation I had already built. Like putting the final icing on a cake, I see this as the culmination of my spiritual journey, and I’m proud of what I’ve created.

Some people call me a "Mormon," but here’s what you should know: Latter-day Saints often refer to themselves as "Saints," while "Mormons" are specifically the family who published The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a historical record, meant to complement The Holy Bible, not replace it. Its purpose is to provide a chronological account of events, to help clarify the Holy Bible, which many Holy Bible readers, including myself, have found confusing. We find it confusing because The Holy Bible is non-linear, i.e., The Holy Bible is not chronological.

While it’s faster to call me a "Mormon," I prefer the term "Latter-day Saint," or just "Saint," to "Mormon." However, I will not cringe if you call me a "Mormon." Some in our faith will, so your "mileage may vary," from 🤯 (concern) to  🙄 (indifference) if you call us that. Fair warning from me! 😬 I offer this because to found out by researching this, that in the U.S. News Media, keywords like "mormons" and "mormonism" yield good results. When the media uses words, the community thinks those words are ok to use. So it's understandable.

Now back to The Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is distinct from The Book of Mormon. This distinction is important because this is one of the biggest misconceptions about we "Saints," that we believe our Book of Mormon is a replacement for the The Holy Bible. My faith is about more than just a book, any book! 

It’s about our community, our history, and a commitment to living a Christ-centered life, for me, personally, it's also about why they saved my ancestors from Slavery. I have confirmed the records! It's about why I'm with them and why my ancestors survived Slavery, which is why they were free to have me! Because of "Mormons!" 

So I don't have a problem with Sainthood. I have a deep problem with racial discrimination and racial bias, however. I hope you do too. After all, don't you have to be a "Saint" to risk retribution from Slavers to save a stranger without a car, without electricity, during a war, and while traveling across country across strange new worlds and strange new lands? They did all this while traveling by horses and carriage!

As for the Book of Mormon, it's a book of what we did, a book about the Latter-day Saints, a way of being in the world, a way of loving, and a way of making tough choices. It reveals much that is missing in The Holy Bible, however, The Book of Mormon does not seek to replace The Holy Bible. 🤨 We know because we know the family who wrote it and that's what they say too! Doh! (that "Doh!" quote is from Bart of the Simpsons Television Show.) Doh! 🫨

2. My connection to faith shapes my business.

This website exists for my customers, who are also my friends, so that I can curate music and experiences aligned with both my values and theirs. While I’m not perfect—no one is—I do have guidance from my faith. Being transparent about who I am and what I stand for is important to me, which is why I’m sharing this here.

In a world where most businesses keep their owners hidden behind the scenes, I’ve chosen to take the opposite approach. Now that you know where I stand, you can make an informed decision about whether to support what I create.

3. I live a down-to-Earth lifestyle.

This part might seem less exciting, but it’s essential for me to share because it’s a big part of my life. I enjoy many "normal" activities, which help me stay grounded and balanced. Here’s a glimpse into what that looks like:

I love sports—right now, it’s Basketball, Football, Soccer, and Pickleball season. I dance daily for fitness, I play video games on Xbox (which I stream on Twitch), and I explore new worlds in streaming communities. When I’m not working, you’ll find me cooking (I make a mean fresh crayfish with sweet corn and I cook fried catfish better than any establishment on this planet). I love home cleaning (yes, I actually enjoy house-cleaning), paying bills ahead of time, and doing laundry at home. I prefer to wash my delicates in warm water because it’s gentler than my machine’s gentle cycle.

Other joys? I wash my own dishes since I live alone. I dust my own surfaces because why let someone else into my home to do what I can do myself? I don’t enjoy in-person shopping, so I buy clothes online and do returns when necessary. I don't buy that much so it's easy. On nice days, I ride my electric bike around town and shoot hoops outdoors (when the neighborhood kids are behaving). Some folks know I can nail a solid three-pointer, but I play for fun, not for points.

While these may seem like ordinary activities, they bring me a sense of peace and balance. After enduring what felt like a "zombie apocalypse" (to me) during the 2020 pandemic (which lasted until 2023 for most of us), I’m just happy to return to normalcy. However, the pandemic opened my eyes to the failures of emergency services where I was, and now I approach life with a renewed sense of purpose and preparedness. I don't trust them because they're overwhelmed and may not be around if I need them.

4.  Mister Mom:

Yes, I’m a "Mister Mom"—it’s a funny title, but it’s true. I’m fully in control of my home, and I’ve decided not to share domestic responsibilities with anyone. Fortunately, I have no children to share with so that's not a problem. I no longer have those "power struggles" that come from managing a household with another person. I love that! Instead, I’ve embraced the role and find satisfaction in being the sole person responsible for the well-being of my "safe, fun space."

5. I'm outstanding for the right reason.

The final ABC of me is simple: I’m different because my talent stands out. Meaning: I'm outstanding. I’ve built a life and a career on that I make no apologies and I don't brag either. It just seems to be obvious, so so be it. I wouldn't have it any other way.

-Updated by Michael "Mike" Widener: Friday, 27 August 2024.