A new year...yeah, I could have written on the first day, but why? Everyone starts something on the first day, so I wanted to start on the 7th, but here, on the 8th day of 2008 I struggle to put words and thoughts together-stir them like a flavorful beverage for the "of age" and pour them out across cyberspace for any and all to sample. 2008...how many human beings will ask themselves the most common start of the year question- "What will become of this Year-for me?"...or some variation thereof. Basically, what does this new year hold? We want to know, but not really. The new year is the final Christmas gift, that you open every day for another 365 days...never quite knowing just what it might be-perhaps having an idea, but each day the present could be a surprise.
Maybe that is why Christmas was placed right next to the New Year, in our oh so conveniant Roman calendar. You may escape God on Christmas, by taking Christ out with your bevy of expensive gifts and shopping mall attitudes, but you must reckon with your past sins and deal with the possibility of a new beginning on the New Year...some may say whatever, but most of you to include myself, think of some type of change come January 1st. Some sort of resolution we, deep in our hearts desperately wish to hold on to. The New Year brings forth reflection and evaluation...and at times repentance and the quest for forgiveness. Still, by February, most of that newness of renewal of virtue and all that jazz has faded from our short term memory and many-to in the past include myself-are back to being the same person we were prior to the resolutions. But there is always next year, right?
Maybe, and maybe not. Still, this year, 2008...well, I want to try and stick to some of that which I told myself. I want to complete some chapters in my life and possibly become the man that I have been putting off. The man I have been putting off. Think of that. I have been, like many, procrastinating with regard to becoming the best I can be in life. Acting as if what I have been giving, to myself no less, was enough. Like saving the best of me, for later...but later has no date, no time stamp, no actual address or destination point. Later is simply that. Not now but sometime in the not so distant unpromised tomorrow. 2008, I want to do better. Work toward that man...the guy I see myself as. The man I long to be.
I know all this may sound like much of the conversation that has gone on in your own head, or some melodramatic movie that played over the holidays-a Christmas Carol comes to mind, but it comes a time in a man's life when he must make decisions about his future. I mean a woman must too, so in a human's life...but there does. It is like I see people younger than me who have life by its reigns and who seem totally in control of their future...their destiny tied entirely to the desires of their heart and mind. Then there are the other millions of us who plod along the path of existence merely existing. Alive, but our spirits are dead...souls without a song.
So I testify here, before the entire free world that I...well, I begin the revolution today. The revolution to take charge of my life, and to encourage others to do the same. It does not have to be alot, just do something this week that is of your heart's desire...anything, and enjoy yourself. Live, if only for a minute and escape the mundane. You are truly all that you wish and think you can be...allow yourself to cast off fear and exercise a bit of those dreams locked up in the cavities of your mind. Be more human...and then, by next year this entry will be pointless. You may come back to it and say it means nothing...for everyday is to be lived as if it were the last one here. In 2008, make no excuses...just live. As for me, well, I will keep you posted on my new adventures oh so frequently...peace and happy new year.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Chillin in the ATL
I am on a world tour, flowing dolo my man...in the ATL at present just chillin' with fam...word. I have been on the road for a few weeks now, with the job joint, but just checking out a few cities all the while-San Fran, the CHI and today, right now the A...or Hotlanta so to speak. It has been cooler than cool, you feel me. I have enjoyed the time away from homebase, the folk I have interacted with and the freedom it has offered. I am ready to head to the crib, but I have the night to enjoy. I have not posted a blog in a minute, but it seemed so appropriate right now. I mean, I am at my cuzin crib, on her laptop dropping my thoughts. That is sweet.
I have hung out with her and her husband for a few days now. They are artists, they live it and breathe it you dig. I know in time they will be more than successful in their craft, because they are dedicated to their passion. It drives them, gets them up in the morning and even feeds and clothes them. That is real. As much as I love the arts, it does nothing for me that is tangible today-at this very moment. It helps me maintain my sanity, but it does not feed me. That is a different level of dedication I have never known. Be it fear, or practicality or simply an amalgamation of both...it aint happened. I admire that about them, and they are fam. So I will always support their dream.
Now, ATL is hot. It is different from DC-not better or worse, just different. I would say a cooler more laid back vibe, which is peace for a brother at this stage of the game. Maybe we will get out tonight and feel the city...the next post may reveal the night...
I have hung out with her and her husband for a few days now. They are artists, they live it and breathe it you dig. I know in time they will be more than successful in their craft, because they are dedicated to their passion. It drives them, gets them up in the morning and even feeds and clothes them. That is real. As much as I love the arts, it does nothing for me that is tangible today-at this very moment. It helps me maintain my sanity, but it does not feed me. That is a different level of dedication I have never known. Be it fear, or practicality or simply an amalgamation of both...it aint happened. I admire that about them, and they are fam. So I will always support their dream.
Now, ATL is hot. It is different from DC-not better or worse, just different. I would say a cooler more laid back vibe, which is peace for a brother at this stage of the game. Maybe we will get out tonight and feel the city...the next post may reveal the night...
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Family Day...
Have you ever watched someone, maybe it was a child with his or her parent-perhaps the entire family and just wondered how did they live? I mean, what would it be like to spend some time with them-really get to know the people and have conversations-laughter, emotions-with them. I am right now, at present, being allowed that opportunity. I sit in the midst of family, not my own, but possibly in time. Regardless, I have been offered the most precious opportunity to be at a family reunion and to become a member of this most insular club...if only for the weekend. It is funny, family is so much alike, I mean different families. They all have the same components-love, loyalty, laughter, lineage, and generations of people. That is family. This weekend, it has become clear to me that though they may differ in color, race, ethnicity...they are all one in the same. Humanity needs family. Thank you to the Creator, for opening my eyes to the commonality of the human family.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Silence...
Is not always golden, it can be very loud. Like when two people who love each other are not speaking, or when you are in need of help and no one seems to step up...when you wanted a partner in elementary school and when the teacher said your name...and there was nothing, nothing but this loud, head-banging silence. The kind of silence that gives you a headache because you keep thinking about what is not being said. The kind of silence that allows a President to have his way with a country's national identity. The kind of silence that allowed a nation to legalize discrimination because that was just how it had been...silence.
America, today...is silent. Many would argue that it, or the proverbial she, is not. That America and its subjects speak out on all things...they act against the tyranny in the world, injustice at home and wrong-doing everywhere. I would not rebut, but, I would add that in doing some of that and not all, and choosing where to do this at because it is directly attached to future gain, well, that is not exactly doing anything...and the lack of doing anything, saying nothing-is silence. In other words, America does intervene all over to include at home, on issues that she finds immoral or unethical or just down right bad...except maybe when it comes to how those immoral, unethical or just down right bad issues may push our own political or economic agenda.
In this, I would then argue, is the illustration of America working most often out of benefit to herself, and not out of a so elevated sense of Moral Leadership. This to me, only acting when it is advantagous to oneself, is like not acting at all. Some good will come of it, but it is not in an effort to do good but simply to do better for self. In that, I feel that the actions are unworthy of praise, making them without true merit. Silent.
I sit here in the Nation's Capital...some call it the center of the political world. Right down the street from where I am seated is the Capitol building, where the business of government takes place. I have visited the building before, and the architecture and design is truly breathtaking. If you have never been there, in the grand Rotunda, you need to go. I have heard of the designs in famous buildings around the world-the Egyptian tombs, the great Cathedrals of Italy, but I have never been to them so I cannot do a comparison...regardless, the Rotunda inside of the Capitol building is a wonder.
An architectual wonder, and within it the story of America. However, the story is not entirely told in the carvings in the walls. No, much of the beloved story of American Emergence is not recorded...not etched in stone is the history of death and denial of rights. No where are there images of chattel slavery-the trail of tears cannot be found anywhere in the round...not even the Civil War is clearly identified.
So why is the Rotunda, seen by millions of tourists each year and within it the "presupposed" history of America serving as the major design element in its walls, why then is the place...upon entering and full of people, why is it so...silent. The walls of the space spoke not of the contributions-of love, labor and blood, of generations of people. The space itself, built by slaves, makes no mention of their labor in the construction of the Capitol. There are books on the building, the architecture, the beauty and splendor but not mere mention of the men who erected the place. Silence.
I could truly go on and on about different aspects of our American community, where not a word is uttered with regard to the treatment of our citizens...but for the moment ponder what has been written. I will delve more into the silence as the blog gains its voice over time.
America, today...is silent. Many would argue that it, or the proverbial she, is not. That America and its subjects speak out on all things...they act against the tyranny in the world, injustice at home and wrong-doing everywhere. I would not rebut, but, I would add that in doing some of that and not all, and choosing where to do this at because it is directly attached to future gain, well, that is not exactly doing anything...and the lack of doing anything, saying nothing-is silence. In other words, America does intervene all over to include at home, on issues that she finds immoral or unethical or just down right bad...except maybe when it comes to how those immoral, unethical or just down right bad issues may push our own political or economic agenda.
In this, I would then argue, is the illustration of America working most often out of benefit to herself, and not out of a so elevated sense of Moral Leadership. This to me, only acting when it is advantagous to oneself, is like not acting at all. Some good will come of it, but it is not in an effort to do good but simply to do better for self. In that, I feel that the actions are unworthy of praise, making them without true merit. Silent.
I sit here in the Nation's Capital...some call it the center of the political world. Right down the street from where I am seated is the Capitol building, where the business of government takes place. I have visited the building before, and the architecture and design is truly breathtaking. If you have never been there, in the grand Rotunda, you need to go. I have heard of the designs in famous buildings around the world-the Egyptian tombs, the great Cathedrals of Italy, but I have never been to them so I cannot do a comparison...regardless, the Rotunda inside of the Capitol building is a wonder.
An architectual wonder, and within it the story of America. However, the story is not entirely told in the carvings in the walls. No, much of the beloved story of American Emergence is not recorded...not etched in stone is the history of death and denial of rights. No where are there images of chattel slavery-the trail of tears cannot be found anywhere in the round...not even the Civil War is clearly identified.
So why is the Rotunda, seen by millions of tourists each year and within it the "presupposed" history of America serving as the major design element in its walls, why then is the place...upon entering and full of people, why is it so...silent. The walls of the space spoke not of the contributions-of love, labor and blood, of generations of people. The space itself, built by slaves, makes no mention of their labor in the construction of the Capitol. There are books on the building, the architecture, the beauty and splendor but not mere mention of the men who erected the place. Silence.
I could truly go on and on about different aspects of our American community, where not a word is uttered with regard to the treatment of our citizens...but for the moment ponder what has been written. I will delve more into the silence as the blog gains its voice over time.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Never-ending Story
I had a conversation this morning about life...well, it began about the end of the world. Is the end of the world coming? I mean, with war and rumors of war-as stated in Revelations...false prophets, Global warming, increase in natural disasters, and people just seeming to be less...well, humane. Is the world coming to an end and in turn, is life too...coming to an end? My response was a simple no. Not that I can tell. I mean all things change, and the world or Earth is changing, but ending...not in our lifetime. Unless you know, someone pushes the button...otherwise, we are merely in a contiuous state of evolution. I would even go further as to say that the story...that of the world and life and some kind of terminal date, is a fabrication and in fact the story-the world-never ends. Life, is a never-ending story.
The person I was talking to just looked at me, like what are you talking about-sensing some confusion, I simply continued. I said that we are just a part, a small miniscule part, of this much-incredibly larger thing called life. I mean, it is broken into a billion little pieces, but it is nearly impossible for us to grasp-even conceptually, the entirety of life. For us, right now is all there is. We can think of yesterday, and read of yesteryear and perhaps even dream of tomorrow but we never really leave the right now. Thing is, that nearly 5 billion other people are in their own respective "right nows" too, and they all have thoughts about the world and life and the continuation of it. All never venturing to far from the common thread-what does it mean to me? But none of them, not one in the 5 billion people that exist, control today nor tomorrow.
They cannot predict the end, or even agree unanimously on the beginning. It is all, this life, the perspective of the individual living it. However, regardless of how it is written, it will never end. All the fears we have are centered on the one true reality of life...Death. The end of the world, nuclear war, terrorism...the fear associated with any of that is the fact that we do not want to die and again cannot truly conceptualize what death is. We do know, or so we think, it is forever...but perhaps it is another beginning. People have written on this, religions are founded in it and yet most still fear that which is inevitable. But the fact of the matter is there were people before us and there will be those after...that is truth. What is also truth is that one day we will no longer exist as this...truth. But will the story end? No.
The person I was talking to just looked at me, like what are you talking about-sensing some confusion, I simply continued. I said that we are just a part, a small miniscule part, of this much-incredibly larger thing called life. I mean, it is broken into a billion little pieces, but it is nearly impossible for us to grasp-even conceptually, the entirety of life. For us, right now is all there is. We can think of yesterday, and read of yesteryear and perhaps even dream of tomorrow but we never really leave the right now. Thing is, that nearly 5 billion other people are in their own respective "right nows" too, and they all have thoughts about the world and life and the continuation of it. All never venturing to far from the common thread-what does it mean to me? But none of them, not one in the 5 billion people that exist, control today nor tomorrow.
They cannot predict the end, or even agree unanimously on the beginning. It is all, this life, the perspective of the individual living it. However, regardless of how it is written, it will never end. All the fears we have are centered on the one true reality of life...Death. The end of the world, nuclear war, terrorism...the fear associated with any of that is the fact that we do not want to die and again cannot truly conceptualize what death is. We do know, or so we think, it is forever...but perhaps it is another beginning. People have written on this, religions are founded in it and yet most still fear that which is inevitable. But the fact of the matter is there were people before us and there will be those after...that is truth. What is also truth is that one day we will no longer exist as this...truth. But will the story end? No.
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