Christmas is right around the corner as well as the new year of 2010, meaning, a lot of us are about to begin making our New Year's Resolutions. A lot of times, we say that our resolution is to lose weight, or eat less sweets, or be more kind, or to volunteer more, things of that nature. But this year, one major step that a lot of us need to take in the new year is to decide to be free.
What do I mean? Be free? I'm not bound to anything, a lot of us are. When I say be free or be freed, I say that because a lot of us have been trapped all of our lives. A lot of us have been suffocating our entire lives, many of us have not had any fresh air to breathe for our entire lives. What are we trapped by? We're trapped by what people think about us, not just that, but we're also trapped by trying to meet the status quo of someone else, keeping up with the Jones' as a lot of people would say. This has many of us trapped!
We spend so much time trying to measure up to someone else that we don't even know who we are anymore, a lot of people spend so much time trying to be like someone else or trying to compete with someone else, their entire life has been nothing but a game of catch up and it's sucking the very life out of them. A lot of people are depressed, bitter, always looking upset, and it is for those very reasons. You weren't created to be like anyone else, and you weren't created to be someone's duplicate, or Christ would have just made two of that person.
Don't spend your life trying to measure up to someone else, and don't spend your life always comparing yourself to somebody else, it's honestly not worth it. Stop being governed by the opinions of others, stop listening to "If I were you, I would...." THEY'RE NOT YOU, that's the point. You have to learn how to make decisions for yourself and measure things up for yourself! Don't let other people make decisions for you because you will have to deal with the results and after effects of those decisions, not those people!
As we end this year, make the decision not to be trapped and make the decision to free yourself of others' expectations, others' decisions about your life, and others' opinions of you. I'm not saying disregard being held accountable for responsibility by others, I'm talking about when someone else is trying to completely and totally remake you and take you over, which happens to a lot of people. Wake up, keep on praying, and get your identity back, be you.
Over and Out
Friday, December 11, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Don't Digress, Move Up
Back in the day, gentlemen were just that, true gentlemen, we opened the door for our ladies, put our jackets over the puddle (definitely old school steeze), we pulled out the chair, put our jacket over them when they were cold, etc. Basically, we treated our lady or even a friend that was a young lady like she was gold, because that what she was right?
Guys used to go out of their way to impress a young lady, not only that, but it was like we were about to win a million bucks as cautious as men were when courting a young woman. But as time has gone on and as we've reached 2009, on the threshold of 2010, so much has changed, not only in our demeanor and our behavior, but our standards as well. Many have said chivalry is dead, it's not that chivalry is dead, but it's the fact that our change in standards as well as conduct has caused the opposite sex to respond in that manner.
Back in the day, there were two distinguished types of companions for males and females. You had the guy/girl that was presentable, that you took home to meet mama, and then you had the guy/girl that you knew for a fact would NEVER come home with you and NEVER meet your parents and your family, you knew not to even bring that person on the same block! But as time has continued to move, and the clock has continued to tick, slowly but surely, our standards have began to lower and lower. These days, we call having high standards being too shallow, we call being real judging people when it's not judging at all, you call a spade a spade. Judging is simply speaking on something that you know nothing about and giving it a conclusion or verdict, before you even know all of the facts. But, if something is out in the open, and you call it out, that's not judging at all, you're calling it how you see it.
In this day and age, too many of us are trying to turn that rebel, that hoe, that slore, that person that you would never bring home, we're trying to turn that person into the one who we bring home to meet the folks, into the one that we treat like gold. But that's because so many of us are so anxious to be in a relationship, and so anxious to put a title on someone that we've lowered our standards to get there. You won't be respectful or show chivalry to someone who presents them self as a hoe or as a rebel. In some cases, people do, but let's be realistic, it's all in how you present yourself as well as how you carry yourself, not only that, but the type of lifestyle that you live.
Don't become so anxious to be "booed up" that you lower your standards just to have someone to call your own, because people can cause you to digress, people can pull you down, not only that, but can take you through so much that you don't have to go through. Keep your standards up, go for people that can challenge you to become better, those who will do well by you and those who have their head on straight. So many females are after the thug and after the male that's into the street life, thinking that the respectable and nice guys are too "weak." That is one of the biggest deceptions that many females believe. Males always go out saying "where da hoes at," if you look for a hoe, you will find her, but that's not what you want, so all I'm saying is, raise your standards, you're better than that, don't be anxious just to get into a relationship, sometimes being single is healthy, it gives you the opportunity to polish your relationship with God as well as learn more about you and work on you.
That's all folks.
Yup yup
Guys used to go out of their way to impress a young lady, not only that, but it was like we were about to win a million bucks as cautious as men were when courting a young woman. But as time has gone on and as we've reached 2009, on the threshold of 2010, so much has changed, not only in our demeanor and our behavior, but our standards as well. Many have said chivalry is dead, it's not that chivalry is dead, but it's the fact that our change in standards as well as conduct has caused the opposite sex to respond in that manner.
Back in the day, there were two distinguished types of companions for males and females. You had the guy/girl that was presentable, that you took home to meet mama, and then you had the guy/girl that you knew for a fact would NEVER come home with you and NEVER meet your parents and your family, you knew not to even bring that person on the same block! But as time has continued to move, and the clock has continued to tick, slowly but surely, our standards have began to lower and lower. These days, we call having high standards being too shallow, we call being real judging people when it's not judging at all, you call a spade a spade. Judging is simply speaking on something that you know nothing about and giving it a conclusion or verdict, before you even know all of the facts. But, if something is out in the open, and you call it out, that's not judging at all, you're calling it how you see it.
In this day and age, too many of us are trying to turn that rebel, that hoe, that slore, that person that you would never bring home, we're trying to turn that person into the one who we bring home to meet the folks, into the one that we treat like gold. But that's because so many of us are so anxious to be in a relationship, and so anxious to put a title on someone that we've lowered our standards to get there. You won't be respectful or show chivalry to someone who presents them self as a hoe or as a rebel. In some cases, people do, but let's be realistic, it's all in how you present yourself as well as how you carry yourself, not only that, but the type of lifestyle that you live.
Don't become so anxious to be "booed up" that you lower your standards just to have someone to call your own, because people can cause you to digress, people can pull you down, not only that, but can take you through so much that you don't have to go through. Keep your standards up, go for people that can challenge you to become better, those who will do well by you and those who have their head on straight. So many females are after the thug and after the male that's into the street life, thinking that the respectable and nice guys are too "weak." That is one of the biggest deceptions that many females believe. Males always go out saying "where da hoes at," if you look for a hoe, you will find her, but that's not what you want, so all I'm saying is, raise your standards, you're better than that, don't be anxious just to get into a relationship, sometimes being single is healthy, it gives you the opportunity to polish your relationship with God as well as learn more about you and work on you.
That's all folks.
Yup yup
Monday, October 12, 2009
TRUE LIFE
One issue that is plaguing many mentor groups, churches, and others places of outreach is the fact that we're not dealing with true life. Usually, when you get into some of these groups or you see projects that are Christian based or have some positive moral to the story being told, it's not realistic enough. We have to get past the young child not listening to his/her parents, or one feeling left out at school, and the nicer issues that we've reheated over and over again trying to tell a story or teach a lesson, but as these times get worse, we have to get more radical and a little more aggressive in our methods to reach the youth and to reach those out there in a never ending war with the everyday issues of life.
There are people out there depressed to the point of suicide, cutting themselves, on the verge of completely losing it because they don't know where their place in the world is and they could care less where they end up after death, we have young males on the streets selling drugs and robbing people because of issues in their own homes, or because they have been deceived into placing so much value on . We have young ladies becoming more and more sexually promiscuous for the simple fact that they're looking for love that they had never received at home, we have young ladies that were raped by their own family members, we have young ladies who don't understand that sex is not love and they're giving themselves to every knuckle headed boy that comes along. We have parents that are strung out on drugs who are trying to raise their kids at the same time! We have pastors and preachers that are money hungry and pimping church goers to help build their own houses up. We have pastors in pulpits that are inputting their own doctrine and agenda and completely ignoring what the Bible says.
I could go on and on, but we all know what issues exist out there because some of these things are going on in our own backyards and in our own families. Make sure that if you are in a leadership role, no matter where or how important you think it is or isn't, be a positive role model, set an example, be a leader and don't just follow into the trends that many people are setting. A lot of the trends being set are taking many right down the path to destruction and despair, stand out, BE DIFFERENT, FORGET WHAT OTHERS THINK OF YOU AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT. As MLK Jr. said, "The time is always right to do what is right."
IF YOU WORK WITH YOUNG CHILDREN OR YOUTH, YOU HAVE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLES. YOU HAVE TO BE THE EXAMPLE AND YOU HAVE TO GET THEM ON THE RIGHT PATH, you may be the only true parent that they have. Just because a child is coming to school or is in a class doesn't mean that he goes home to a whole and sound minded household. Let's start meeting people's needs not by handing them some change along the way, but mentally and psychologically as well, let's help them through what they're going through. We're not going to be able to help every issue, but we can definitely pray for a person and lay before God for someone! Let's get effective prayer back into our lives like the old days!
Never think you have an unimportant role in any team effort, if you're apart of a team that's trying to do something positive and help to better others, every single person is important. We have to remember and understand that it's not about us and that we have to put the well being of others before our own, as a leader, we must be willing to sacrifice time as well as put in hardwork. So let's make a difference.
Yup yup
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Analysis
There comes a time in every person's life, especially when in their young age, that they must sit down and evaluate their life. Evaluate meaning, sit down and think about decisions that you have made, the good and the bad, while also evaluating where you are in life and if you are getting closer to your purpose.
A lot of us are in places right now that we may not want to be or we may feel unfulfilled, or we may be doing so much but at the same time feel like there is something missing. But a lot of us have not took the time out to stop and look over where we are and what we're doing. Your talent can not be all that there is to you, the amount of people that know you can not be where your confidence lies, and working to please everyone is not what you were made for.
You will not know what your purpose is or why you were placed in this world until you talk to the person that gave you your purpose and formed you from the inside out, the Lord Jesus Christ.
When evaluating yourself and looking at where you are and the road that you're walking down, always remember that if you do the same things that you will get the same results. So, if you wonder why you've been stuck in the same place going through the same cycle for years, look at the decisions that you've been making, the people that you hang around, and what you place so much emphasis in.
You can't live up to the expectations of others and you can't work to chase an image of what others have painted for you, it's like chasing an allusion. Bottom line, take time out to pray, meditate, and evaluate the road that you're on and where you are going, or else you will continue to walk blindly into an area that you know not of.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Clinched Fist
In this day and age, with the economic struggles as well as the unemployment rate rising, houses foreclosing, etc., it becomes quite easy to only focus on self. It's easy for us to simply say "We can't afford..." or "I just don't have..." But I dare to challenge that mindset.
The clinched fist doesn't give, but at the same time, a clinched fist can't receive either, we have to open our hands up. Giving is the quickest way not just to be blessed, but giving is the quickest way to receive joy within yourself, one of the quickest I should say, the only thing better than being blessed is being in the position to bless someone else. It's contrary to our nature not to be selfish, but selfishness will only plunge you further into shortage and debt. Always remember, there is always someone in a much worse situation that you are in.
Even though you may be short on cash or low on funds, or trying to figure out how to make ends meet, don't allow your situations to keep you from sowing into others who are in need. Sowing doesn't always mean money either, sometimes you need to sow your time, sow a listening ear, sow good advice into someone, it isn't always about the financial. But at the same time, sometimes sowing financially does help. It's not about the amount that you sow, but the heart that you sow with. If you're going to give with an attitude, keep it, because then it was done in vain.
Yes these are difficult times, but we still have to remember that when we're in the position to help others, we are obligated to help them. We can't progress together if we're constantly pulling down other people and not helping others to get up. God loves a cheerful giver, not only that, but He blesses the giver with more than they even gave. But if you're heart isn't in the right place, then you are giving in vain. Vain giving is not blessed, nor is hypocritical giving, simply doing it to be seen.
Even today in the church, people are refusing to tithe what is required of them, which allows the devourer to attack their finances and wonder why they struggle financially. YOU CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO TITHE, it's only ten percent of your earnings, God even allows you to keep the other ninety percent. Not only that, but the money that you make isn't yours anyway, everything in this world belongs to God, He's just allowing it to be in our possession, but He's trusting us to give back what is rightfully His. He doesn't need it, it's just the principle through which He chooses to bless us.
So please, I urge you all, don't have a clinched fist, help others, freely you have received, so freely give. You can't reap anything if you don't sow anything, and what you sow is what you will reap.
Adios, yup yup!
The clinched fist doesn't give, but at the same time, a clinched fist can't receive either, we have to open our hands up. Giving is the quickest way not just to be blessed, but giving is the quickest way to receive joy within yourself, one of the quickest I should say, the only thing better than being blessed is being in the position to bless someone else. It's contrary to our nature not to be selfish, but selfishness will only plunge you further into shortage and debt. Always remember, there is always someone in a much worse situation that you are in.
Even though you may be short on cash or low on funds, or trying to figure out how to make ends meet, don't allow your situations to keep you from sowing into others who are in need. Sowing doesn't always mean money either, sometimes you need to sow your time, sow a listening ear, sow good advice into someone, it isn't always about the financial. But at the same time, sometimes sowing financially does help. It's not about the amount that you sow, but the heart that you sow with. If you're going to give with an attitude, keep it, because then it was done in vain.
Yes these are difficult times, but we still have to remember that when we're in the position to help others, we are obligated to help them. We can't progress together if we're constantly pulling down other people and not helping others to get up. God loves a cheerful giver, not only that, but He blesses the giver with more than they even gave. But if you're heart isn't in the right place, then you are giving in vain. Vain giving is not blessed, nor is hypocritical giving, simply doing it to be seen.
Even today in the church, people are refusing to tithe what is required of them, which allows the devourer to attack their finances and wonder why they struggle financially. YOU CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO TITHE, it's only ten percent of your earnings, God even allows you to keep the other ninety percent. Not only that, but the money that you make isn't yours anyway, everything in this world belongs to God, He's just allowing it to be in our possession, but He's trusting us to give back what is rightfully His. He doesn't need it, it's just the principle through which He chooses to bless us.
So please, I urge you all, don't have a clinched fist, help others, freely you have received, so freely give. You can't reap anything if you don't sow anything, and what you sow is what you will reap.
Adios, yup yup!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
What Do You See?
As time goes on, television continues to get worse and worse. Years back, there were certain things that you just wouldn't put on the television, but now, slowly but surely, these tv shows are pushing the limit more and more until we get to that point where you'll pretty much have TV nearly completely uncensored. Some of these stations show nothing but junk! Some of these stations paint a false picture of what life is really about, stressing nothing but the glitz and glamour. The younger kids growing up now in most cases are raised by the television rather than their parents, this is a big no-no.
Black Entertainment Television, or BET as we all know it, continues to plunge deeper and deeper into foolishness and into mess. A lot of things shown on BET honestly portray African Americans in a negative light, from certain videos that are shown, to certain TV shows that air, even to the movies that BET chooses to air on the station, there isn't too much positive being shown in the community of African Americans. A lot of these music videos portray us as nothing but wild party thrill seekers with loose promiscuous women, chasing the fast lane 24/7. A lot of the movies shown on BET portray blacks as violent, always living the savage life, and not having any good sense whatsoever! EVERYBODY DOESN'T NEED A REALITY SHOW, some people need to keep their business in house until they handle their business. Is everything that BET shows bad? No, not everything, but a lot of things that are shown just need to be cut out! It doesn't help that a lot of African Americans live up to the stereotypes placed upon us, but BET isn't helping the issue! BUT, at the same time, BET somewhat mirrors a lot of what we place so much value on in our community, meaning we need to prioritize and evaluate our values.
We have to step it up, I was watching the BET Awards, certain things were alright, but then after a while, it began to sail right off of the cliff. I was so glad when they acknowledged successful people that had made it through school and had become doctors or people that came from being poor to becoming the mayor of their town, that was great! WE HAVE TO DO MORE OF THAT! Let's acknowledge successful men and women who are truly making differences, not just those that make the best video or those that made it rain in the club (which I still don't understand, even if we weren't in a recession, why toss your money?)
Let's focus on the truly important things and carry ourselves in a manner which is respectable and not foolishness. Am I saying that it's wrong to appreciate different art forms and be creative? NOT AT ALL! There's nothing wrong that, but it's about where your mind is and what comes out of you. Even in today's music, you all know that there are some artists out here that are talking about NOTHING BUT FOOLISHNESS. There are still some good artists, but then you have those that encourage and talk about the very things that destroy the community. So all I'm saying is, let's make sure we don't fall into the mold of stereotypes and truly become distinguished men and women of the future.
Adios, yup yup.
Black Entertainment Television, or BET as we all know it, continues to plunge deeper and deeper into foolishness and into mess. A lot of things shown on BET honestly portray African Americans in a negative light, from certain videos that are shown, to certain TV shows that air, even to the movies that BET chooses to air on the station, there isn't too much positive being shown in the community of African Americans. A lot of these music videos portray us as nothing but wild party thrill seekers with loose promiscuous women, chasing the fast lane 24/7. A lot of the movies shown on BET portray blacks as violent, always living the savage life, and not having any good sense whatsoever! EVERYBODY DOESN'T NEED A REALITY SHOW, some people need to keep their business in house until they handle their business. Is everything that BET shows bad? No, not everything, but a lot of things that are shown just need to be cut out! It doesn't help that a lot of African Americans live up to the stereotypes placed upon us, but BET isn't helping the issue! BUT, at the same time, BET somewhat mirrors a lot of what we place so much value on in our community, meaning we need to prioritize and evaluate our values.
We have to step it up, I was watching the BET Awards, certain things were alright, but then after a while, it began to sail right off of the cliff. I was so glad when they acknowledged successful people that had made it through school and had become doctors or people that came from being poor to becoming the mayor of their town, that was great! WE HAVE TO DO MORE OF THAT! Let's acknowledge successful men and women who are truly making differences, not just those that make the best video or those that made it rain in the club (which I still don't understand, even if we weren't in a recession, why toss your money?)
Let's focus on the truly important things and carry ourselves in a manner which is respectable and not foolishness. Am I saying that it's wrong to appreciate different art forms and be creative? NOT AT ALL! There's nothing wrong that, but it's about where your mind is and what comes out of you. Even in today's music, you all know that there are some artists out here that are talking about NOTHING BUT FOOLISHNESS. There are still some good artists, but then you have those that encourage and talk about the very things that destroy the community. So all I'm saying is, let's make sure we don't fall into the mold of stereotypes and truly become distinguished men and women of the future.
Adios, yup yup.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
On the Road to Dreams
This I can honestly say is the road that is less traveled. Why? Simply because, many people settle for less in the world today. There are so many people doing things that they honestly don't have a heart to do, and they're truly unhappy and living an unfulfilled life. You only live once, you have to make it count.
People, you have to dream big, and you have to think large. Don't keep your mind inside of a box, in the world that we live in today, this is an era where only the big dreamers and the go getters will make it. Don't let people tell you what you can and what you can't do. Nine times out of ten, the people that doubt you or the people that try to keep you down aren't doing anything major themselves. Those are usually the people that allowed their current situation to kill the dreams that they had inside of them. All of us have dreams or visions that we would love to accomplish, nothing is stopping you. Don't let family, finances, or anything stop you. Certain things may try to delay you, but don't let them stop you.
Everything in life happens for a reason, everything is a learning opportunity, every day that you are living, see it as a learning curve. So when you're stuck in a certain situation, understand that it isn't your final destination. Even when life hits you with trials and tribulations, don't allow them to change your mindset. Always keep your goals on your mind, and keep your vision in your focus so you can advance towards it.
There's so much more to life than just clocking into an eight to five every day and collecting a paycheck at the end of the week. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with that, because you have to start somewhere, and you have to be productive while in pursuit of your dreams and what you desire to do. BUT, don't let your pursuit stop there. I'm simply encouraging you to go after what it is that is in your heart to do, don't settle for less, don't become content with what people say you are supposed to be. Follow your dreams and don't stop, but of course pray and seek God first, in all that you do. Sometimes we may chase things that are not always meant for us. Don't let anyone tell you that what you dream to do is impossible, and don't let anyone down you about your vision, they haven't envisioned it like you have. There are certain things that you can just see yourself doing so profoundly, you already know how you want to do it, you can almost smell it! LoL. But if you hang around habitual naysayers and people that are satisfied with being ordinary rather than seeking after the extraordinary, they will cause you to quench your dream and stay exactly where they are.
Evaluate your circle, make sure you keep yourself around some driven people, some go-getters, and those who want big things out of life, and are determined to get them. Keep negative people out of your circle. Make sure your mindset isn't set on where you come from, it doesn't matter where you come from, you have a chance and an opportunity. DON'T TELL EVERYONE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO, meaning, you can't go around just letting everyone know what you've got planned, because some people will take it and pick it apart just to try and discourage you. Some people you just have to show them that you mean business. KEEP GOD FIRST, this is the most important part of being on the road to your dreams, don't let your desires in life outweight your desire for God, or else you can not go forward.
Please go out, follow your dreams, and make something happen! You aren't designed to live an unfulfilled life! Be blessed, adios.
People, you have to dream big, and you have to think large. Don't keep your mind inside of a box, in the world that we live in today, this is an era where only the big dreamers and the go getters will make it. Don't let people tell you what you can and what you can't do. Nine times out of ten, the people that doubt you or the people that try to keep you down aren't doing anything major themselves. Those are usually the people that allowed their current situation to kill the dreams that they had inside of them. All of us have dreams or visions that we would love to accomplish, nothing is stopping you. Don't let family, finances, or anything stop you. Certain things may try to delay you, but don't let them stop you.
Everything in life happens for a reason, everything is a learning opportunity, every day that you are living, see it as a learning curve. So when you're stuck in a certain situation, understand that it isn't your final destination. Even when life hits you with trials and tribulations, don't allow them to change your mindset. Always keep your goals on your mind, and keep your vision in your focus so you can advance towards it.
There's so much more to life than just clocking into an eight to five every day and collecting a paycheck at the end of the week. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with that, because you have to start somewhere, and you have to be productive while in pursuit of your dreams and what you desire to do. BUT, don't let your pursuit stop there. I'm simply encouraging you to go after what it is that is in your heart to do, don't settle for less, don't become content with what people say you are supposed to be. Follow your dreams and don't stop, but of course pray and seek God first, in all that you do. Sometimes we may chase things that are not always meant for us. Don't let anyone tell you that what you dream to do is impossible, and don't let anyone down you about your vision, they haven't envisioned it like you have. There are certain things that you can just see yourself doing so profoundly, you already know how you want to do it, you can almost smell it! LoL. But if you hang around habitual naysayers and people that are satisfied with being ordinary rather than seeking after the extraordinary, they will cause you to quench your dream and stay exactly where they are.
Evaluate your circle, make sure you keep yourself around some driven people, some go-getters, and those who want big things out of life, and are determined to get them. Keep negative people out of your circle. Make sure your mindset isn't set on where you come from, it doesn't matter where you come from, you have a chance and an opportunity. DON'T TELL EVERYONE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO, meaning, you can't go around just letting everyone know what you've got planned, because some people will take it and pick it apart just to try and discourage you. Some people you just have to show them that you mean business. KEEP GOD FIRST, this is the most important part of being on the road to your dreams, don't let your desires in life outweight your desire for God, or else you can not go forward.
Please go out, follow your dreams, and make something happen! You aren't designed to live an unfulfilled life! Be blessed, adios.
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