Blog

Patience

Rome wasn't built in a day they say. In contrasts with one’s life to live, one may question which is their way. We have all got caught up in a rush for something and most times get frustrated when things don’t come fast enough. In fact a lot of us have adopted get rich schemes in this capitalist country for example. So I think about when Damian Marley raps on the classic “Patience”…“can you predict the future? Can you see storms, coming?” What is our rush that has you and me in almost a state of panic? I would argue societal pressure has our biological clocks on double time. I remember coming up as a kid we’d have conversations in class about where we’d be and by what age. It was hypothetical and comical to entertain years from realizing that reality but some find they are stuck to it psychologically. Would you get distraught if things don’t go the way you want them when you want them? Life is very unpredictable. We never know our final moments or obstacles that may cause us to detour from our goals. It doesn’t mean that we won’t arrive at our goal, but it may take some more time to do so. Nas raps, “Gotta have land, gotta have acres… So I can sit back like Jack Nicholson/
Watch ni**as play the game like the Lakers.” We want the so called “American Dream” and most want it now on top of a home family, kids & a pet. We find ourselves under the impression of what society presents us and follow it as if it’s fact. “Scholars teach in Universities and claim that they're smart and cunning
Tell them find a cure when we sneeze and that's when their nose start running,” Marley spits. Sometimes information can be misleading. It’s up to you to build your legacy through wisdom & experiences. Respiration is the source of energy so take a deep breaths when things aren’t going your way. Patience definitely is a virtue to practice. Regroup if necessary, stay vigilant & motivated.

 

HERO

HERO - A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent orcentral personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person.

When I listen to this song I ask myself if people are really ready to take that role or position in this generation. Nas spits;

 “If Nas can't say it, think about these talented kids / With new ideas being told what they can and can't spit / I can't sit and watch it”

Leadership is a quality that requires much sacrifice. Resentment, out casted, ridiculed is just a few of the negative conations that associate with coming into your own as a leader.  In a land where speech is a freedom society finds its ways to utilize censorship. So we end up with this “monkey see, monkey do bullshit.” I had a conversation with a queen today about how the school system encourages you to be who you want to be but subliminally under someone else’s control. No one ever told me that my God given talents are enough to provide for my own enterprise or business. They preach education heavily but I believe we’ve been mis-educated. It becomes so embedded in our subconscious that some take high risk seeking that degree only to bury themselves in debt, including myself.

            I come from a family that is deep into football. Sports has helped many inner city individuals get out of the hood & into an upscale lifestyle. Problem is we haven’t been educated on managing our finances so these young millionaires later find themselves in lower living circumstances with a battered body while the U.S. happily appreciates their stimulation of the economy.  

            Be a hero by separating yourself from the bullshit. These kids are watching just like you were when you were a kid. How many times have we heard “I’m not a role model?” When actuality you are but just a shitty one by deflecting responsibility for your actions.

Nas spits… “So I can be more clean, as I grow yearly/ I can see things more clearly / That's why they fear me”

Only God Can Judge Me

I can never really find myself pointing down on another person for their deficiencies or infidelities. Neither will I hold a man higher than myself in that regard because of the simple fact they too are human and are capable of the same highs and lows in life. There are many to be inspired by, but too many times I've seen followers almost idolize certain leaders to ultimately be disappointed when they fall short to a standard almost beyond human. By no means do I justify one's indiscretions but the reality proves 100% that we all sin and for one to stone another is a direct contradiction of your own personal being. They say every person has a breaking point. We pick our poisons practically daily and its the management of the dosage that determines our demise. Some fall weak to flesh, anger, drugs, sex, and all things that can alter our lives, bodies, and careers. Will I turn my back though? I say no because we all need help becoming better men and women. If I'm in a storm I'd like to know there's someone willing to share an umbrella. It can be as simple as words that can trigger motivation. We watch Presidential speeches all the time looking forward to what will become of the next four years. Everyone isn't polished but the wisdom achieved from surviving storms is a story worth sharing. It provides proof to show you can stand strong still and pave a path of knowledge so that a person descendant can dodge places and times where temptations lie prevalent. I believe only God can judge my heart although we as men judge the mind. Tupac rapped, "And in my mind I'm a blind man doing time." I think about this in regard to me being blind to the fact of what society may paint you. We're playing by the rules of society and that to me represents the time we're serving. Despite the rules I recognize truth in individuality despite the stereotypical classifications society places on us. Life is a journey of many twist, turns and terrains so when its all said and done its only God that can make the judgement on my life as a man.

Politicians Dating Rappers?


To be simplified it's the black & white of things that is America.
It's the thin line of right & wrong, good & bad but yet these classifications remain subjective due to the vision of the eye. People see what they want to see and read into what they want to read into. A felon can be considered bad right? Yet sometimes that line is crossed when that felon is your child. Is it a parent's love that some say blinds them from their wrong doings? Or is it the fact they can see through a mistake and look further within to see that there is truly good person that made a poor decision. Despite that fact, it has been documented in records and America paints you the color bad for those to see. When speaking publicly as someone held with a certain standard it is ideal and encouraged to be politically correct despite the truth that lies under the tongue. We are all one people so we shouldn't single out the Hispanics or African Americans ectetera. Ironically those in politics group us all individually as black vote, white vote & so on. Another example of the line crossed again for the purpose of demographic statistic tracking. It's that same compromise that leads a person to speak in reverence to the relevance of the demographic that they aim to please. That same correlation is direct a relationship with business. America is a nation of capitalism, and everyone wants to capitalize on the opportunity for maximized wealth. There are many ways to succeed and reach a status of an aristocrat but they all have different circles and if those were to merge; then that line crossed would compromise careers and damage reputations. Despite the truth of things its standards that people see & once again this compromise is strong enough to dilute the mind & the heart. It makes me ask something that I can't fathom becoming a reality... Will a politician ever publicly date a rapper? Perhaps it's that day that we can progress from the black & white of things that still hold America captive in our communities. I find myself inspired by Tupac Shakur who was intelligent for his age and considered a trouble maker, thug or whatever. Despite his trials & tribulations I watched a man with an ability to reach a nation despite race, or creed. There are many positives in the expressive world of hip-hop culture not much different than those writing a book or a movie. Yet like the news if we constantly point out negativity than the image painted before our eyes has been distorted. Just as if a politician publicly dated a rapper.

C.R.E.A.M.

Jamming the classic Wutang Clan song "Cream" I was contemplating the idea of opportunity knocking. Do people really sit & wait for a break? The answer I've seen in most cases is a definitive "yes." I personally cringe at the idea of placing my destiny in the hands of another man or entity. So how does Cream apply? Well in the land of opportunities we must make a buck to spend a buck. Its that process that opens up doors of opportunity even at the lowest levels. For example, you hustle up a few bucks and invest that money in a nice outfit and a haircut for a job interview. Well that worthy investment might've just scored you a job and stable check. The foundation of manhood or just making adult decisions is determining needs vs wants. Ask yourself what is the balance of your budget? If the percentages weigh more to the want side of things you need to reevaluate your spending habits. Regularly partying, clubbing, drinking, smoking and so on is the difference of getting by and getting money. We have the resources to create opportunities as long as we try. Failure is just the learning phase to success. Every successful businessman will tell you to take some risks. Doing what we need to do now is the difference of doing what we want to do for the rest of our lives. Its not easy, but neither impossible. You have the drive well floor it and push hard for your goals. "Cash rules everything around me."  You can argue money isn't everything  but it takes money to make money. Its that far liberal perspective that creates a passive mindset and the idea of settling for less. "Money talks, bullshit walks." These phrases remain relevant for a reason. The cycle of our society is how much money can I make for myself and my family and how much money can my affiliates make for me as well. If you've struggled financially you can testify to the stress of making ends meet. Yes indeed money should not be the end of your life but perhaps the beginning. Its with that foundation that you can comfortably grow in your journey of knowledge, health & love. There's a fine line between vigilance and greed. Make your money, take care of yourself and those that you love. For its Investing in those you love that I feel is when the true feeling and definition of rich will present itself.