The Lamp

In all his imperfection, God displayed his light through him, the lamp. 

The lamp that carried the light which guided me in the early days of my election.

The lamp who's hinges I held onto as the light guided me into the water.

Thank you Father for displaying your light in the lamp and allowing your light to transfer to me for the purpose of illuminating the way for others.

May God rest his peace on the lamps family and comfort his soul throughout eternity. Good bye Isaac Hunter.

Kyle Christian Steele

The Uncrossable Chasm

Even before this journey started, you wrapped yourself intricately around every detail of my life. At many times during this walk, I felt very weary and like a was falling apart. You always continued forward but I sometimes chose to collapse onto the dusty road like a child and soak myself in tears, defiance and frustration. Faithfully, you always came back for me and sternly, but lovingly, order me onto my feet and to keep moving.

Along this journey, you told stories about your plans, the past and my purpose. Although I have to admit, even though I nodded my head in agreement, sometimes your plans didn't make sense to me. 

We sang songs loudly and laughed together. I showed you tricks that surely you had seen a million times before but you always acted like it was the first. In return, you showed and taught me wonderful things but unlike you, I was truly hearing and seeing for the first. 

If I misstepped or got to close to the edge, you rebuked me. You always stood back and watched as I interacted with other travelers. Like a teacher, hovering over every one of my words, actions and thoughts. Never failing to point out errors and to request corrections.

At night, when we rested from our daily travels, you would sit next to me, hand me a cup of your water and wash my face and feet with your linen cloth. Beside the crackling fire, I rested my head on your shoulder and closed my eyes under your sky. Always a peaceful sleep that ended with a gentle kiss, a welcome to a new day and food for the next part of our journey.

Now the road has abruptly ended at a wide chasm and starts again far on the other side - a stretch that's beyond my human reach and ability. I'm looking at you in confusion and you keep saying:

"Step into the palms of my hands."

Not possible. Possible. May be possible. Possible? Nope, not possible. This is impossible! All things are possible.

Kyle Christian Steele

I Am Thankful For You

First and foremost, I am thankful to my God who has blessed me with so many things and sacrificed his son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that I may stand in front of him blameless. You have shown me a clear example of how to live in this world - a willing servant to all who are in need, continuously striving to love everyone and forever thankful.

I am thankful for those who have antagonized and stood in opposition to me. I use to hate you but now I love you because I see how your agitation has greatly benefited me. I am thankful for you.

I am thankful for my mother and my father, who laid the foundation that this man is built on. I am thankful for you.

I am thankful for my sister, who I love more than the number of stars in the heavens. You have always been my rock and provided life giving wisdom. I am thankful for you.

I am thankful for Tyronne Jolly , who has been my brother and best friend for many years. Your wisdom and insight, has always steered my thoughts and open great doors. I'm very thankful for you.

I am thankful for Himanshu Pagey and his wife,  who have walked with me through this journey of entrepreneurship. Through it all, you've remained steadfast, true friends and family. I am thankful for you both.

I am thankful for the men in my Bible study. You have shown me the virtues of good men - God loving, vulnerable, humble, strong, honorable, patient, loving and kind. Surely because of you, I will be a better father and husband - God willing. I am thankful for you all.

I'm thankful for Doug S. and Pete K.. You two are simply phenomenal men and I'm thankful for your living example and leadership.

I am thankful for the men in my crew - Ja Ja Wade, Eric Dean, Julio Garcia and Chris Romer. All of you are great men and highly trusted friends. Finish strong through the tape fellas and I am extremely thankful for all of you.

I am thankful for the people associated with Urban Rethink in Orlando Florida. You have provided me with a place for my business to flourish. I am thankful for you.

I am great for the men and women of the Orlando tech community who sacrifice and hustle hard for something greater. Aric V., Robb S., Orrett D., Pam H., David D., Gregg P., Christine O., Eric K., Denise P., Joel M. and a host of other soldiers, seen and unseen. I am thankful for you all.

I am thankful for my roomie and good friend, John Hall. We've been grinding since 1993! I'm thankful for you.

I am thankful for my Dreamit Ventures Alumni Network for providing a friendly place to stop and recharge before, during and after the daily startup hustle. It's more than business and investor contacts, hence the reason why I am thank for for you.

I am thankful for Mr. Conner and Sarah Stack at Ferncreek Elementary for standing by me during our important mission. The nudges we're giving will greatly impact the arch of these children and others throughout eternity. I am very thankful for you.

I'm thankful for my "play play" cousin J.D. Simpson. I just simply love you and your family. I'm thankful for you!

I'm thankful for Rick and Cake. Yes, I put you two together because it was the two of you together that served as the foundation of our lasting friendship. I am thankful for you both.

In conclusion, there are so many people I am thankful for, so I apologize if you're not directly mentioned. Ultimately, the point of this post was my way of publicly acknowledging that every thread of my personal and professional growth was only possible because of my God and those who he has surrounded me by - I am nothing without any of you.

Kyle Christian Steele

Decay, Life and Truth

DECAY

My name is Kyle Christian Steele and before I took my first breath, death tried to take me. The world I was born into was not traditional according to the "standard image." My mother was a young catholic school girl from a blue-collar family. My father was a Corvette driving kingpin who owned clubs and earned a substantial living from the streets. I had the perfect blend of ultra-morality, hustler and street stamped onto my DNA.

By the time I was 6, my innocence was taken from me and by 7, I felt abandon and unheard. 

People moved in and out of my life throughout my childhood. Relationships never seemed stable. 

In high school I was a poor kid from the hood of Detroit. Surrounded by the rich and elite, I felt self conscious, inferior, unaccepted and misunderstood.

During my second semester of college, I reacted wrong to my racist roommate. I allowed him to get the best of me. One week later, I stood at "parade rest" in front of the VMI general committee and felt helpless as they kick me out of school. I loved VMI but no one spoke up for me during that trial. I was alone. I didn't know what to do.

Anger towards my father consumed every molecule of me. He was always suppose to be there and I hated him with gnashing teeth for not standing with me. I never invited him to my college graduation and didn't speak to him for 8 years. 

I made my first $100,000 by the time I was 24. A big shot who was outwardly living the dream but inside, I was hurting and selfishness, unkindness and inpatients rode shotgun with me. The more I made, the emptier I felt. To fill the void, I sought the comfort of women. I knew early on that it was a woman's nature to give everything but unfortunately the gift would never be returned. They loved me at 11PM  because I promised everything but by 3AM, they hated me because I was finished and now promised nothing. 

No one loved me but everyone loved the illusion of me. At least that's what I thought.

One night, I stepped out onto the balcony of the loft I built from the ground up with a half drunk bottle of premium vodka in my hand. I gazed at the flickering Windsor skyline that sat on the banks of the Detroit river and I realized my business was ruined and life was quickly crumbling. Overcome with anguish, I crashed to the ground and contemplated ending everything. The illusion was gone and the emptiness I felt was too heavy.

LIFE

In my mist of my most intense anguish and tears, He sat next to me. 

He: Why are you crying? 

Me: Who are you?

He: Kyle, I'm the one sitting next to you.

Me: Who the fuck are you?

Then He leaned over and whispered into my ear and from that moment, I put all my hope on the truth of His words and promise. He told me these things:

• Death tried to take me as unborn child because he knew I would become a significant enemy.
• My mother was afraid, lonely and loved me.
• My father saved me and his imperfection greatly benefited me.
• Unforgiveness was poisoning and leading me to death.
• The trials of my youth prepared me to be a steadfast and resourceful trench solider.
• I'm beautiful.
• Instability lead me to my sister.
• It's OK that I'm not perfect and continuously fall short.
• Happiness can't be found in the embrace of money.
• Hardship made me keenly aware and extremely sensitive to those who are in distress, disadvantaged and in need.
• When I look at you, you're as imperfect as me.
• Getting kicked out of school allowed me to find my best friend.
• The crumbling of my life in Detroit was necessary for me to find my destiny and many blessings in Orlando. 
• I don't have to hide and can live in the light because I'm accepted and loved unconditionally.
• I have an Advocate who goes before me and petitions on my behalf. He levels mountains, rips down bars and subdues things that oppose me. He is my Helper and there's nothing a mere mortal can do to me.

TRUTH

We all have dark spots and sometimes our lives do not go according to plan. I want you to know it's normal, you don't have to be ashamed and the imperfect you is awesome and loved. Things have and will get shaky at times but don't look to the right or to the left. Instead, keep your eyes locked forward and on the truth and the light which guides and illuminates your path. Ignore the lie and allow the decay to nourish your life.

Kyle Christian Steele

A Gray but Far From a Gray Man.

He was a powerful figure to me and every time he entered a room, I felt his presence. It was good. The son of a pastor and former president of Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University, I always knew I was in the company of something special, great and unique.

As a confused teenager, he sat me down on the couch and told me pride would kill me. He looked me in the eyes and helped me understand the value of education.

When I got kicked out of Virginia Military Institute, he let me stay at his home, so I could make up lost credits at a local community college during the summer. Later that year, in one phone call he gave me a second chance to continue my education.

He is the reason why the president, Dr Perry Bronson, on my very first day at Bethune-Cookman University personally greeted me in his office and let me sit in his leather chair to pick my classes while every other student sat in long registration lines.

As long as a kept over a 3.0 GPA, I never had to work and could focus on education because of him. When my buddy needed a scholarship to stay in school, I called him and within days it was done.

He put me in rooms with former presidents, world-class athletes and the political elite. 

He often introduced me as his 4th son.

His birthday was August 20th and mine August 19th. That made me feel special.

When I took his car one summer night, he yelled at me. When, my grades slipped, he explained to me why I couldn't afford to be average. When I disregarded a phone bill that I ran up, he made me pay every cent of it. He held me accountable for everything.

Because of the way God shaped his heart, he had the tolerance to deal with a confused, prideful, angry, scared and arrogant kid. His blood and hands run through the spirit of the man you see today. 

Oh how I grieve.

I remember so many intimate moments and times where I would mimic him - the way he combed his hair, walked and talked.

My heart is heavy for his sons, my brothers, and for his wife, my mother. 

In the end, I find comfort in knowing that he has already heard the words, "Well done good and faithful servant."

Thank you Mr. Gray for every thing. (August 20, 1941 - June 1, 2013)

Kyle Christian Steele

Everyone Deserves Good Love

Everyone knows I'm a Christian because I'm  pretty open about my faith and how it governs my life. Being a Christian doesn't make me perfect but actually exposes me as very imperfect. Being imperfect means I often say, do and think about things in the wrong way. Being imperfect doesn't absolve me from the duty of being accountable and making corrections, in fact, I'm constantly in the process of examining and correcting my actions. All Christians have been charged with this command by the one they call their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

"Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15:12-14).

This is a pretty serious command because Christians should know what the love of Christ looks like, how much it cost him and what we gained as a result of his love. For this reason, I'm constantly measuring my actions against this but unfortunately things can get a little squirrely in my head. For example the other day, I was faced with a situation that was very challenging for me to deal with. When I think back on my response, I'm forced to ask myself if I responded in the way I've been called to respond - with love. First, I need to remind myself what pure love looks like, so I jotted down it attributes.

Love is...

Patient

Kind

Doesn't envy

Doesn't boast

Not proud

Doesn't dishonor

Not selfish

Not easily angered

Keeps no record of wrong

Doesn't delight in evil

Rejoices in truth

Always protects

Always trust

Always hopes

Always perseveres

Love never fails

First, whether you're a Christian or not, we can all agree that it would be pretty awesome to receive this kind of love from people. Second, I majorly failed at showing this kind of love in my response. 

Okay, so this doesn't make me a bad person but it does tell me that I need to keep this list in my pocket and refer to it before shaping a response to every relational challenge I encounter. Ultimately, keeping this list in my heart, on my tongue and in my hands will allow me to love you better.

Kyle Christian Steele

Awkward Timing

Michelle Cloney is a high school classmate and founder of Le bibble, a 6-in-1 organic and designer cotton baby bottle bib that sops up leaks & dribbles while keeping baby focused on feeding. 

Michelle and I have known each other for over 20 years. Although we grew up in the same town and went to intermediate and high school together, our interaction has always been very limited. We simply didn't touch each other much and even 2 class reunions and the invention of Facebook couldn't push our conversations beyond "what's up's," "good to see you's" and "nice talking to ya's."

I've never could understand why our interactions were so limiting or awkward in my view. Matter of fact, during our recent class reunion, I felt our conversation became increasingly awkward because I simply did not possess the mental capacity to work through a dialogue of vague high school memories. In addition, Sir Mix-a-lot's "Baby Got Back" was blaring through the speakers, so instead of talking over this golden nugget, I'd rather "raise my hands up" on the dance floor. Frankly, whether it was that or any other night over the past 20 years, our timing has never been right until June 6th, 2013.

While cruising Facebook on this day, I saw a news segment done by a former classmate called "More US Women Becoming Breadwinners." As a man who looks forward to taking my place as the breadwinner in my future family, this title quickly grabbed my attention. While pushing the play button, I expected to see a male bashfest of epic proportion but instead saw a story centered around Michelle. As I began to watch, I noticed that Michelle was openly putting her humanity, vulnerability, hustle, love and sacrifice on full display to the world as she talked about her business and life. By the end of the video, less than 4 minutes was able to pull off what 20 years could never do, meaningfully connect me to Michelle Cloney.

The segment showed me that Michelle and I shared something very special  in common - entrepreneurship. Being entrepreneurs meant we've both jumped off the same cliff, fight the same fights, hold on to the same faith and dream the same dreams. Knowing we shared these experiences allowed me to truly understand the expressions on her face, tones in her voice and her word selection in a very unique way. Shortly after watching the video, I sent Michelle a thank you message for sharing her journey in a way that was inspiring and connecting. 

This is proof that Life's sense of appropriate timing is completely different from ours. I tend to want everything on my timing and when that doesn't happen, I disconnect and label the situation as awkward and meaningless. Thankfully, Life knows better because it structures timing with infinitely greater wisdom and foreknowledge in a manner that perfectly serves our greater need. In the case of Michelle Cloney, Life applied a timing that allowed her to fully impact me at the optimum point. Her impact filled in a missing and intangible component that helped me nail down a cornerstone deal for my business. So thanks Michelle and thank you God for your timing.

Kyle Christian Steele