http://youtu.be/J2bMwsF9qp8
Please check this video.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Build or Destroy (Part 1)
People, we only build or destroy. It's that simple. We unfortunately categorize our experiences, dealings with others, and conclusions by the emotional effect they had on us. However, that is a moot point, at best. Let's start by asking ourselves "did I build or destroy" in situations. You see, we can fool ourselves into thinking that we can live this life that is only surface, but any intelligent mind cannot rest with that assumption. We know "for every action, there is a reaction;" we also know "you reap what you sow;" among many other idioms. I believe they all stem from a general principle: you either build or destroy.
To share an experience, I recently discussed this concept with a sister about the same age as me. She has a tendency to allow her work environment, her children, and her own insecurities to take precedence over reason (which I am guilty of as well, at times.) So I explained to her that there are only two things that we can produce (destruction and life, for this example,) and the acknowledgment of how we are performing is representative of how well we manage those two. So she asks me, "what does 'building' have to do with my bad ass kid? I want to 'destroy' bad behavior!" Good question/point. We would have to go back to the beginning to tackle that...
As parents, grandparents, uncles/aunts, etc, the proverbial rod-of-correction is one that is wielded without much regard. But as you seek to destroy bad behavior, what do you build up in it's place? I get it, you want your lil man/girl to make better grades. But is whupping them for failing an adequate response? What does that instill? Does it teach them that the world beats down someone who makes mistakes? Would that encourage them to try ANYTHING again? Probably not. So we continued the discussion on what can you do to build them up? Get a tutor? Maybe. I think it's deeper than that. I suggested providing another outlet altogether. Where one struggles in academia, they will succeed elsewhere. Let's face it, school and the routine is a skill within itself. It's a skill that not everyone is proficient in. So why not find out what someone's strength is? I summed it up by asking what else is the child interested in and why can't they do more of that?
I am not that old or too young. What I have learned so far is only because I listened to those around me kind enough to put a lil nigga up on game. For every "C" student, there is an entrepreneur, dancer, actor, broker, musician, philanthropist, etc, inside. What I urged my friend and anyone else for that matter, is to focus on "building" as a lifestyle. No one is good at everything. Even more so, a lot of people aren't good at what you THINK they should be good at. Look at me... I'm 6'6", Black, athletic build, and can't play basketball for shit. This country says I'm supposed to be good at it though. Matter of fact, people ONLY ask me if I play basketball! LOL!
I am going to continue this discussion and hopefully I am going in a direction that you dig. If not, then "build" up a wall to keep the swag out. Chuurch.
To share an experience, I recently discussed this concept with a sister about the same age as me. She has a tendency to allow her work environment, her children, and her own insecurities to take precedence over reason (which I am guilty of as well, at times.) So I explained to her that there are only two things that we can produce (destruction and life, for this example,) and the acknowledgment of how we are performing is representative of how well we manage those two. So she asks me, "what does 'building' have to do with my bad ass kid? I want to 'destroy' bad behavior!" Good question/point. We would have to go back to the beginning to tackle that...
As parents, grandparents, uncles/aunts, etc, the proverbial rod-of-correction is one that is wielded without much regard. But as you seek to destroy bad behavior, what do you build up in it's place? I get it, you want your lil man/girl to make better grades. But is whupping them for failing an adequate response? What does that instill? Does it teach them that the world beats down someone who makes mistakes? Would that encourage them to try ANYTHING again? Probably not. So we continued the discussion on what can you do to build them up? Get a tutor? Maybe. I think it's deeper than that. I suggested providing another outlet altogether. Where one struggles in academia, they will succeed elsewhere. Let's face it, school and the routine is a skill within itself. It's a skill that not everyone is proficient in. So why not find out what someone's strength is? I summed it up by asking what else is the child interested in and why can't they do more of that?
I am not that old or too young. What I have learned so far is only because I listened to those around me kind enough to put a lil nigga up on game. For every "C" student, there is an entrepreneur, dancer, actor, broker, musician, philanthropist, etc, inside. What I urged my friend and anyone else for that matter, is to focus on "building" as a lifestyle. No one is good at everything. Even more so, a lot of people aren't good at what you THINK they should be good at. Look at me... I'm 6'6", Black, athletic build, and can't play basketball for shit. This country says I'm supposed to be good at it though. Matter of fact, people ONLY ask me if I play basketball! LOL!
I am going to continue this discussion and hopefully I am going in a direction that you dig. If not, then "build" up a wall to keep the swag out. Chuurch.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Keep it 100
"Keep it 100" is a phrase that we use commonly without much of an afterthought. We say it when we want people to be honest, we say that when we want to show our own fortitude, we say it ad-nauseum actually. But little is considered in terms of what is "100?" You see, we define and redefine so many things without giving credit to origins, in most cases. For example, my "keeping it 100" may mean honesty one week, then flexible morality the next week.
So in the spirit of questioning this "100," I started with the sources. I know a cat that swears he keeps everything "100;" he's real with his circle of friends, tells niggas how it is, etc. However, this same cat also does not work, does not care for his children, or care about his future. Is that 100? Or does is this concept relegated to only specific instances? If that's the case, then we need to say "I keep it 100... for now."
Outside of sourcing this colloquialism, I asked myself if I am "100?" Now, defining that can take many tangents, so let's keep it simple. Certain qualities are requirements across the board, despite race, age, preference, etc. Those can be things like having a strong spiritual foundation (that you adhere to,) employment, plans for your life, or a desire to do good. All those qualities with more can make one 100, in my opinion. So taking inventory of my life and the thing in it made me question my "100"-ness. Am I 100 with God? Am I 100 with my woman? Am I 100 with my job? Am I 100 with my health? Am I 100 with my finances? So on and so forth...
That brought me to the realization, that I may not be. I firmly feel from a religious perspective that there is only one religion that can truly be applicable to Black people in America: Islam. Particularly, The Nation of Gods and Earths (Five Percenters.) The reason being is that Christianity (for example) has become perverted and on top of that, it is the youngest religion with the most flexible tenements. It is also not created by Black people or for the interest of such. Now to shed more light on Five Percenters, the belief is that the Black man is the original man and he is an embodiment of God Himself (in not as many words.) We are "God-Body" by that principle and have the ability to operate without limitations, just as God can. You see, if we are made in his image, why would not have any of his "powers," insight, or balance? Of course we have those things! And as a result, to be "100," could simply mean God-Body.
We all require a balance in our lives in many areas: physical, emotional, spiritual, creative, social, etc. But there has to be a foundation, a common denominator that glues it all together. My point with mentioning Five Percenters is in that their common denominator is simple: act as God daily. Act as if you have no limits and feed your mind. Simple. But for those not muslim, the principle can still be applied. Conduct yourself in the realm of a higher authority when constructing your life/lifestyle. There's an old saying "dress like the job you want, not the job you got." Taking that logic in play, I'll quote this different: "live like the salvation you want, not the damnation you are in."
Are you 100?
So in the spirit of questioning this "100," I started with the sources. I know a cat that swears he keeps everything "100;" he's real with his circle of friends, tells niggas how it is, etc. However, this same cat also does not work, does not care for his children, or care about his future. Is that 100? Or does is this concept relegated to only specific instances? If that's the case, then we need to say "I keep it 100... for now."
Outside of sourcing this colloquialism, I asked myself if I am "100?" Now, defining that can take many tangents, so let's keep it simple. Certain qualities are requirements across the board, despite race, age, preference, etc. Those can be things like having a strong spiritual foundation (that you adhere to,) employment, plans for your life, or a desire to do good. All those qualities with more can make one 100, in my opinion. So taking inventory of my life and the thing in it made me question my "100"-ness. Am I 100 with God? Am I 100 with my woman? Am I 100 with my job? Am I 100 with my health? Am I 100 with my finances? So on and so forth...
That brought me to the realization, that I may not be. I firmly feel from a religious perspective that there is only one religion that can truly be applicable to Black people in America: Islam. Particularly, The Nation of Gods and Earths (Five Percenters.) The reason being is that Christianity (for example) has become perverted and on top of that, it is the youngest religion with the most flexible tenements. It is also not created by Black people or for the interest of such. Now to shed more light on Five Percenters, the belief is that the Black man is the original man and he is an embodiment of God Himself (in not as many words.) We are "God-Body" by that principle and have the ability to operate without limitations, just as God can. You see, if we are made in his image, why would not have any of his "powers," insight, or balance? Of course we have those things! And as a result, to be "100," could simply mean God-Body.
We all require a balance in our lives in many areas: physical, emotional, spiritual, creative, social, etc. But there has to be a foundation, a common denominator that glues it all together. My point with mentioning Five Percenters is in that their common denominator is simple: act as God daily. Act as if you have no limits and feed your mind. Simple. But for those not muslim, the principle can still be applied. Conduct yourself in the realm of a higher authority when constructing your life/lifestyle. There's an old saying "dress like the job you want, not the job you got." Taking that logic in play, I'll quote this different: "live like the salvation you want, not the damnation you are in."
Are you 100?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)