lifestyle

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Heart Chronicles

As the journey throughout life continues one thing that you will eventually reckon with is your decisions and how they affect you in the present life that you live. I don’t think it’s something that’s meant to be a negative but it’s something that will make you look deeper at yourself, before you look at the person you’re with, if you’re in a relationship. If you’re single, then it will make you evaluate your choices before or while you’re considering your next love. This thought process and evaluation is one that has no timetable and in fact, can take quite a while to sift through. It pulls together the emotional highs and lows that you feel or felt. It presents goals achieved and failed. It reminds you of the things you said you wanted and still have left to accomplish.

What it does, if you’re honest with yourself, is it makes you be patient with the process of growing yourself and having patience for the partner you share your life with as well. Now to be honest, patience is not something that I’ve ever been really good with on the whole. In relationships I tend to have a quick trigger to remove something that I think will not work, and at times I have overcompensated and been too patient in situations where I knew the right thing to do was to leave, but I didn’t want to appear to be a quitter so soon. It’s a challenge that I’m sure many people struggle with, not just myself. It’s something that I feel is a result of not giving enough time for healing and self reflection from past relationships before engaging in the next one.

What happens is that your mind starts to really dig deep into where you have been, what you have been through and what you really want from what you’re doing now and where you ultimately hope to go in the future. It makes you have reason to attempt to try things differently if you really want success, because if you know prior relationships failed attempting things a certain kind of way, it would benefit you to try to do things a little different. What you learn about yourself will be helpful, either to the person you’re with currently or the next person that you allow to enter your world if comes to that. It is the need to say that you are flexible and not sedentary. To me, the person who is open to change and willing to accept that they don’t have all the answers is a person that can navigate the uncertainty of the mind.

You know I was watching something that said you have to have patience in a relationship sometimes. While that wasn’t news or anything new or earth shattering, the comment after is what gave me pause and has really had me in more a reflective and learning state as of late. The comment was, sometimes if you can get over the discomfort and struggles in the relationship, that person will give the best time of your life. That is what stuck with me more than anything. It’s the concept that sometimes you really just have to have the patience to allow for all the edges to be smoothed out so that the two of you can have the harmony and desires that you want from each other.

Something that I think is often forgotten is when you decide to get into a relationship with someone, you really don’t know what’s going on in their world, if you aren’t connected to them prior to you dating. The thing is most times, the person you’re choosing to be with is someone that hasn’t been in your orbit prior to the beginning of the dating/relationship process. So just like you’re dealing with past things and working on being a better you in the present and the future, that person could be doing something similar. They most likely are in a different stage in the process than you and that’s something that the two of you have to manage as well. Maybe one could help the other progress or the two of you work together if you’re closer to each other in your rebirth process.

It honestly feel uncomfortable to not really know how you feel or think from day to day. What I mean by that is, when you have a solid grasp on things, there is a consistent thought process usually. You wake up wanting to further yourself in the goals that you’re working towards. But, when you’re in the middle of changing and growing your mindset isn’t stable. It’s more scattered and it’s definitely not confident in some of what it feels or thinks. This is when that patience needs to be practiced more than ever. Because when you’re in this state you question things really easily, and you’re more prone to make snap decisions to want to change things because you see it fitting in with what you feel in the moment. That moment can last for a day or two or three and you have to have the discipline to understand that you’re changing and something that’s stable needs to remain present.

It’s hard because even as I’ve been writing this my mind has wondered from being confident in the thoughts I have regarding relationships. There is disconnects sometimes between the physical self and the emotional self. I yearn for sex with my partner, but I also try to be patient and understand maybe he’s at a different stage in his process and he isn’t feeling the sexual tension because he isn’t satisfied with parts of his life and sex is an afterthought because of it. I challenge myself to stick with it and go through the wave of inconsistency hoping that things square up and improve. Desiring for things to become closer to how it was in the beginning. When the affection was obvious and the intimacy was consistent. Hoping that with a return of those things, the physical, sexual activity will increase and the balance will be set.

I have always said that when you take away any one of the critical areas in a relationship you hurt the balance and create tension. It creates a feelings of uneasiness because things or something is missing. When you aren’t able to have a full and complete relationship, it leads to feelings of neglect and unwantedness. This is something that needs to be treaded upon lightly in my view. It’s also something that at some point needs to be discussed. When you’re going through your own person changes and reviews, you want to feel that your relationship will provide a stability that you can rely on, but the fact that you have two people who are making adjustments can make that not be a reality.

Undoubtedly, I’m sure that this is something that has occurred to others. Surely, these are things that people work through daily. It’s something that can be an easy quick fix, or something that can take time to overcome. There are so many things that can become attached to this. Self esteem issues can become part of the dynamic and lack of appreciation thoughts become more prevalent. How you work through these challenges will really determine whether or not the relationship lasts and sustains itself. The decisions that you make yourself and the ones you make together will really determine how you come through this uncertain time.

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Keep Your Hands to Yourself

I was watching a show earlier today and the argument that was had was over a man putting his hands on a woman in a fight/altercation. The friend of the females confronted the male after the situation was over to question why they would put their hands on the woman. The man said it was an error in judgement but the heat of the moment in the situation caused him to react and not really think about the fact that it was a woman challenger. Now, I’ve had this discussion a number of times with people and I’m sure I’ve previously written about this before, but my stance on this is probably controversial and some may not like it, but my thing is this.. If you don’t to get punched in the mouth, don’t put your hands on anybody. Period!!

This rule has no exceptions. I do not give a pass to a woman for hitting a man first at all! I think that has got to be one of the most stupidest excuses for violence that I’ve heard. If a woman hits a man, then a man shouldn’t hit back because in theory they are genetically stronger. I say bull shit to to that. I was taught and raised to not let ANYONE put their hands on me. There was not an exception made for a girl or boy, man or woman. So as I got older and was able to freely form my own opinion on this topic, I have stuck strictly to this rule when handling and discussing this subject with people. There shouldn’t be any excuse given as to why a woman can hit a man in anger but the man must simply take it and either hold the woman or take her punches or slaps because they are “superior.”

I want someone to help me understand why in the legal world and in the society at large, we felt the need to have this unwritten rule be the norm. I really can’t understand why this exists. In the gay community if a trans woman get into a physical altercation with a cis man or conforming man, it’s taboo for the man to hit the trans woman. Why the hell is that? I think it’s a complete farce, and it had nothing to do with the fact that I don’t view the transgender person a woman, it’s because it goes against my principle of keep your hands to yourself. For me it is very simple, if you feel that you are agitated enough to want to hit someone be prepared for the consequences regardless of what gender you recognize yourself to be. Also, lets make this a bigger point. Women are always says that they want to be considered equals to men. That they just as strong and aggressive as men, well if that’s the case, definitely all is fair in a fight.

See I’m not one of these folks who says lets separate when to consider women equal and when to say a man is superior simply because it makes for an easier situation. I want things to be as complex as they should be and as simple as they really are. And to me what is really simple about this topic and to squash any complications, make it very easy.. assault is assault. If your a woman and you hit a woman…assault. If you’re a woman and you hit a man… assault. If you’re a man and you hit a man… assault. See that way there is no favorite or predetermined situation that makes the man always guilty no matter what. If we operated with this premise then all these unnecessary conversations after the fact about why a dude hit a woman is unnecessary.

Stop playing like this is really hard. I know many were raised not to put their hands on people, but there was a major emphasis on the man not ever hitting a woman. This was mostly said because one, the man is supposed to be the protector and two, primarily because the man is stronger than the woman so it’s an unfair fight. While that may be true in a majority of cases, that isn’t always the case and should never be the rule to begin with. So as I keep saying, to make this a easy and simple conversation let the rules be the rules for all. If you don’t want no smoke keep your damn hands to yourself. Otherwise, fair game when throwing hands.

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A Self Reflection

One of the things that has happened as a result of the Covid pandemic is people have had lots of time to be home. A lot times alone, to think about themselves, their lives and where they are in life. Many people have talked about feelings of depression and sadness because they haven’t been able to be as socially active, not able to interact physically with friends and family. It has forced, in my opinion, people to think about things they’re happy with, but more deeply, things that they’re unhappy about. Things that may have hurt and people that have been lost. It has forced people also to look at themselves and see if they are truly happy with where their life is or are they feeling a sense of dissatisfaction.

I find myself, of late, in this position. I have been thinking a little more often about where I am in this stage of my life. I don’t see the level of personal or professional satisfaction that I expected to have at this point. Most of it is self inflicted wounds. I haven’t always allowed myself to stay focused on my goals, be it professionally or personally and it has started to really bother me. I think what also makes it more difficult is I really don’t know just yet which way to turn in order to make the changes that I really want to make. I feel a sense of being stuck and just spinning my wheels in the same type of pattern. But, there are also times where I see progress being made. I see things getting better, I see certain facets improving and I’m happy in a couple regards, but I see too much inconsistency and it bothers me still.

I’m not really sure why it is that I feel so incomplete at this point honestly. There really are good things happening but something inside tells me that it’s not enough. Some things are also telling me that it feels like I’m out of place now. I think this may be what some have talked about when they say they’ve felt despondent and listless. Like they just don’t want to anything and not feeling inspired. Then they get help to reorganize and stabilize themselves. Maybe for me I’m at that point of needing that type of assistance. The truth is though, I don’t really have anyone that I trust to really get into the depths of things like I need to and talking to a professional ain’t cheap.

For me sometimes, I just really feel like I’ve failed myself and let myself down so much. I figured that by this time in life I would be much further along in my professional career. And if I’m being honest, I would’ve been had personal issues not impeded that progress and blown up all the great work I had accomplished. At least three times that I can count where this has happened. Personally, I thought I would have been married by now and had a family started. Real shit, I was close to both things happening on a couple of occasions. I’ve been seriously engaged three times and each one failed to produce a marriage. I’ve been on the verge of having kids twice, once lost to abortion, against my will and without my knowledge. Second time, due to a miscarriage.

It just feels like for me each time I get close to things and take three steps forward, something happens and there are five steps back. It gets to a point honestly, where you feel exhausted and worn out. You think and question whether or not it’s meant for you to have it. Even though you start working on those goals again, you just wonder if you’re in the right place at the right time/ And you realize that it’s a matter of time and opportunity for those things to show themselves and that is one of the most difficult parts to it all. All I really want is a sign of some sort. Something to confirm or deny what I’m doing. I know that I never plan to stop trying to attain those goals. Time will tell if it’s going to happen.

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Heart Chronicles

I’m sure if you read down the list there are quite a few blogs written about this topic, but I’m going to write about it again because I think it is one of the most underrated and least understood concepts in relationships. Just talking about the type of person you are, just telling someone about the types of things of you like doesn’t mean that you actually do them. Nor does it mean that it’s the end of the situation and because you said it, then it’s true so there needs to be no actions to demonstrate what you said. I think people get confused because when they are approached in conversation about the things talked about not happening, too many times the response is why am I proving myself or my love to you?

The truth is we all have to prove ourselves. Yes, you do have to show that what you is real. It has always been like that in all walks of life and in all things that we do. What it does is it shows that you are not just about talking about something, it means that you do what you say. It means that it truly is your character to act that way, not just talk. It means that you are dependable to hold true to what you say you’re going to do. More than proving your love, what you’re doing is proving yourself. We always know what the old saying is.. Actions speak louder than words. It is true all the times because anybody can say anything. You can tell me that you are the best athlete in the world, but if you can’t demonstrate that in a sporting event, then it’s just simply words with no proof.

Love is a lot like that. You can say that you’re a lover, an affection person, but if you don’t show that action then what does that really say? It means that you’re just talking, you’re not really that person because you can’t show the action that verifies what you say. If you say that you are highly sexual but there is no sex life, it’s scarce at best, then what does that mean in regards to your person? It means to me, that you’re not really that person. It means that you talk about something but you have no intention on showing this to be true. Actions and words have always gone hand in hand in life and they always will. If you’re the person who tries to push back against complaints of not being genuine to your words by saying, “Why I gotta prove myself to you?” What you’re doing is telling someone that you’re a lie and you just want to ear hustle. You know, use your mouth to get what you want, but not actually do what you say.

This type of person is one that makes being in a relationship complicated. Because on the one hand, we all love to hear the things that make us feel good or the things that we relate to, or that syncs up with us. So when that person tells you these things it makes you feel good, and while you’re still in the learning phases, you are inclined to believe them and give them the chance to show that they are that person. Yet, what happens when those opportunities present themselves and the actions don’t follow is you learn they can’t be trusted, because they aren’t being real and legitimate about who they really are. Again, actions show who you really are as a person, not just the words you speak. You must be able to show that you do what you say.

What will happen over time, is you will wear out your welcome. Meaning, people will sour on you because you say one thing and do another. You don’t follow through and that makes you unreliable. I can’t explain to people how much a lack of action leads to relationships ending more times than not. Sex is the leading thing that this shows up. A person talks on the phone or through text messages about being very sexual, then when the in person action comes, there is nothing that happens that verifies that. Talking about it honestly won’t solve the issue unless it gets backed up with action. This is true also when it comes to just affection and intimacy. It’s very to say that you like affection, but when you’re together, do you actually show it? If not, it usually leads to issues because nobody wants to be in a relationship where shit is boring and mundane. Where all you do is just have simple convos, or convos about days past, yet no actions that build memories and moments in the present.

If you read this and you can relate, I wonder which end are you relating from. Are you the person who has no problem delivering the actions and your partner struggles? Or, are you the person who loves to mouth hustle? You can talk a damn good game but can’t back it up with your actions? How fair do you think it is if you want real love, that you can’t show the love you talk about?

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Heart Chronicles

Something that I urge everyone to do is to think about what the word vulnerable means to you. In more detailed words, how does you being vulnerable affect you and your decision to get into a relationship? How likely are you to take your guard down to let someone in? Because it is my belief that once you have amassed some baggage from being hurt and disappointed in relationships, you tend to restrict the level of vulnerability to show in order to protect yourself. And believe me I truly understand why you would want to do that, but the question I have is are you willing to alter yourself so much to the point that you might miss the one for you, because you don’t want to be vulnerable enough to let them in to see the true, full you?

This is a discussion that I know has many different view points and there may not be a majority opinion to be had because it’s so subjective, but I truly believe that you have to make a decision at some point after you’ve been hurt, to allow your heart to be open to being loved by someone. If you are truly a hopeless romantic then this really isn’t a problem for you. As you naturally are predisposed to allowing yourself to be open to love. It’s your nature so you will want to let someone in to see if they’re going to make you feel how you want to feel. If you’re the shy type, it will most definitely be difficult for you to open back up to love. But that is the test of your heart and your mentality.

As someone who has a significant amount of baggage in his life, I truly think that this situation is multifaceted and it can ebb and flow with the emotions that you feel and the affection that you’re receiving from people or that special someone. I feel like there is always a push pull when it comes to being vulnerable. You feel the need to let your guard down to some extent in order to go through the process of finding the one you want or letting them find you. But on the other hand, you may also feel the need to hold back and reserve some until you truly feel as though that person is going to hold you down the same way that you’re holding them down. That can sometimes be problematic as well. Consider this point.. what if both of you have some baggage and are needing to feel the stability from each other to really release that hesitation? Who takes that lead to say I’m going to pull you and you can pull me too?

I think more times than not that happens in relationships between people with a past. One of the parties recognizes that there is a need for one to pull the rope for the other to follow. And it is in that moment you find out who is true to their words. You also find out who is willing to be the alpha. the lead person in the relationship and who will be more of the submissive person. Yes, I know that may be a little controversial but I do believe that once someone steps up to take the lead role that person will hold it for a prolonged period of time, until it is necessary for the other partner to lead on something they feel comfortable carrying their partner through. The ability to show that vulnerability of leadership and support, while the other submits and follows along is critical to a relationship. Truthfully both people don’t lead at the same time, it doesn’t work, neither can both parties be submissive it doesn’t work either.

When you are truly vulnerable, you allow all of your true traits to show. And if you are compatible with your partner they will respond accordingly because they are open enough to trust what you put forth. Honestly, that is how it should and needs to work. Anything else and you’re being disingenuous and that will always lead to failure. So take the time to make sure that you are ready to be vulnerable and then you will allow yourself to be open to be found, or to find your love.

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Quality Time Versus Quantity Time

If you know anything about me then you know that I always tell people to be careful of how they describe time spent together. I believe that there is a big misconception that simply because you are around someone that it means you’re spending quality time with them, or just because you live together it means all your time is quality and that just isn’t true. In fact I believe that more people misjudge and often times neglect to have meaningful time together with their partners when they live together. Typically because one or both parties think that living together automatically means quality time together.

So here’s the thing about that. There is nothing quality about laying in bed together while one person or the both of you are just scrolling and typing away on the phone, not really interacting with each other. There is nothing quality about one person trying to be intimate or just have real quality time while the other does just sit on their phone and dismiss the offering of time from their partner. That is neglect in the purest form and something that can lead to trouble in your relationship. Just because you have a high quantity of time together, you have to make sure you get quality out of some of that time. That will and is always the key to healthy relationships, making sure you get quality time out of every day possible.

I think that when we’re younger we have a greater tendency to mix up the two because we maybe haven’t had the experience to better inform us of which one we really are performing, and we haven’t been shown or told how to really have quality time until we have had that relationship that puts a focus on it, causing us to pay more attention to just how we are spending time with the one we love. It’s a loophole that doesn’t get covered as much by parents or people who are influences to us. If it is discussed it isn’t given the requisite time it deserves in order to be properly understood. So here’s the deal.. Being on your phone all damn day and laying under your partner doesn’t equal quality time. Not focusing on each other for a period of the day without your phones is not quality time it’s just time, quantity time.

Now if you two are making a Youtube channel video while you’re online, that’s one thing, but the overwhelming majority aren’t so it wouldn’t apply. I really get tired of people trying to make the argument that all they need is to be next to the person they love and that’s quality time for them. Have you looked up the definition of the word quality. Laying there with no interaction or limited interaction isn’t a definition in the world quality. So how about if while you’re laying there y’all put the phones down and watch a couple movies or have dinner together or play video games together or get real intimate, where you fuck or not, that time is valuable. Or have a deep conversation to learn things deeper about you two and your desires together.

Do any of those activities for a bit, or sing and dance together, whatever it is there is where you have created quality time. That will make the both of you feel a lot better than just your face planted in the phone not or barely acknowledging the others presence. It is great important and value in making great use of the time you get to spend together. It is my belief that things operate on cycles. There will come time where the two of you won’t have that time to spend lots of it together. Work, children, family will intercede and require you guys to have less time together, making quality time less available and even more important. If you lack having it then, when times have gotten tighter, it could be the relationship killer.

I challenge you all to take time and think about what kind of time to you spend with your partners? Is it more quality than quantity or is it more quantity than quality?

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Friends With Benefits

Simple title, should be simple concept but apparently it’s very complicated and too many people seem to not take the nondirect clues or they want more than what it is. Now, just to give disclosure this doesn’t apply to me, but I’ve been watching some shows and know many people who this situation has happened to and I still don’t understand why people try to place blame on someone when this situation unfolds and one parties feelings gets hurt because a dynamic shifts. I’m going to explain this and try to make sure it’s understood why this type of setup should be very simple and not complicated.

If you’ve ever had a situation like this then you already know what the title of this writing means, if you haven’t well I will tell you. A friend with benefits is someone that you have a friendship with but you guys do extra and other things. Not just like going out together or having dinner, but you have a sexual, intimate component to your situation. But, it is an understanding in place that you aren’t exclusive, you aren’t building towards a relationship, it simply means that you don’t want to restrict yourself to only platonic dealings, you want to get sexual and not have to worry about feelings being caught behind it. Plain and simple that is the jest of the situation. This is what should happen in this type of arrangement, but, it’s commonly not how it goes.

In this situation what usually winds up happening is someone catches feelings. One of the parties likes all the attention and the intimacy and so on that happens, which leads to one getting feelings where it should just be fun and casual. I have been in these types of situationships before and I can say that while I do have an understanding for why one person catches feelings, I don’t agree with or accept it because when it’s clearly understood what’s going to happen, then there is no reason that blame should be assigned or angry feelings felt if the feelings aren’t mutual. If you are the type of person who can’t handle a setup like that, then I suggest you never agree with someone who says that’s all that they really want from you. Or, if you drop hints about being serious and they never really commit to it or talk about it, take that as a clue that you’re going too far and the whole situation may be called off.

If you are the person who is a hopeless romantic type person, this type of situation will never work for you. It will always leave you unfulfilled and wanting more, so don’t waste your time. If you’re the person who doesn’t like to be alone, but you also aren’t sure that you’re the relationship type this situation could be perfect for you. You have a friend that you kick it with and fuck around with, but you know that there is nothing serious between you two. Sounds like you’re getting the best of both worlds. You know the occasional sleep over and shit. Now, if you’re the person who is kinda broken and you might not be ready for a relationship then you could also be perfectly setup to benefit from this situation. But you also be setting yourself up for failure.

See the person who is trying to heal and recover from a relationship usually wants someone to keep them company and help to ease their pain. Usually they can rebound too quickly and jump into a relationship before they’re ready, but if they’re smart they also get into a friends with benefits situation and that can generally appease them until they feel they are ready to put their heart into it again. Then there is the person who doesn’t want anything serious and just wants to fuck around. This setup works for them too as long as it doesn’t seem too personal or exclusive. It’s pretty self explanatory too.

Hopefully this post will help people understand why if you aren’t a direct talker but you exhibit these actions and someone says they were misled or anything of the sort, this will clear it up. It should always be understood that physical actions work as well as actual words. Pay attention to the situation and the person. Don’t overplay the deal and you will be fine.

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Insta/Snap/Book Influencer

Yea if you on social media then you are likely to know what these apps are. Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. And I can’t forget Twitter either. All of these social media vices are where most of the country absorbs it’s content. From news to sports to entertainment to social activities and events. Social media has become the largest influence over society. Print Media and Television media have become second and third in whatever order you want, but their importance has definitely diminished as instant news and idealist news has become the it thing in society. When you can have someone who looks like you and talks like you deliver what you think is the news. It’s usually their slant on what’s going on in the world and more specifically the country we live in.

It’s gone so far that now we have people labeling themselves as influencers. What does it mean when you call yourself that? More important what does it mean when a generation of people believe it without questioning the source or the validity of such a claim? It means that we are living is a bit of dangerous times. Social media as a whole is and has been a positive. It allows for people to unite far quicker than needing to call and get people in place. It allows for messages to be disseminated to the masses quickly and efficiently. It allows for you to find someone that you need to find, for people to memorialize themselves without having to pay lots of money to do so. It allows for people to be discovered without sacrificing their livelihoods to do so. All positives and things that have helped move us forward as a society.

However, it has also come with a great cost. It has allowed for social media thugs. People that pretend they’re hard or living a tough life, while really they are the total opposite. It allows for an alarmingly high rate of bullying, especially among teens. That has led to far too many deaths because of these hurtful actions. It had lead to pressures of having sex earlier than one wants, just to fit in with the crowd. It has led to people fighting and being killed over the go live culture. People who need to feed their egos and fan the flames rather than put them out. There are so many things that social media has been used for that is unhealthy and it has been used for many helpful things as well,

What it means is that the more that people, societies and cultures gravitate towards this vice for business and personal use, it is incumbent upon us to be more respectful and thoughtful. We all know someone who has benefited from the rise of social media and someone or people who have been hurt and as a result of social media. While we will never fully remove the negatives that are associated with social use, we can definitely control how much we allow people to attempt to tear each other down. Remember that even though you can’t be “seen” doesn’t mean you are all powerful. Consequences come with everything that we do, both good and bad. So with the rise of the influencer title, comes a rise in responsibility.

If that is something that you don’t want to assume, responsibility that is, then don’t label yourself as a influencer and don’t seek that mantle. Truth it that is millions of people out here looking for someone to believe in. Someone that will speak to them in a way they understand and can relate to. Someone who may be able to relate to their life and maybe help better their life and in some cases save their life. There is more to social media than just crystalizing a moment, or shaking ya ass for the camera or mike dropping on somebody. It is also to inform, connect, build, and inform. So choose your social media outlets wisely, Whether you know it or not, whatever you indulge in is influencing what you believe in and the view you take on things.

Be smart, be wise social media influence is on the rise.

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Religious Masters

You know I really wonder just how is it that White and Black people see God so differently and yet the same in many ways? I don’t know if it’s the theology being taught, or if it’s the history of religion that makes the two races have similar and differing places from which they come from. I thought about this because I was watching a movie yesterday and the characters were all white. The main antagonists were heavily religious zealots who felt that they were doing God’s will by abducting and killing young White women. It’s a concept that I have seen in almost every single movie where religion is the main plot and the focal characters are white.

I sat and wondered to myself why is this the case. Why is it that when I watch a Black movie about faith, there is a rigidity there but it’s also an undertone of love and compassion for following the rules of God. And then a wrath or a damning if you don’t follow what that person sees as God’s will. White people, their movies always say that one or two characters are the conduits for God. They’ve been spoken to and told to do harm to others who are devils or devil worshippers in order to please God and secure their place in heaven. When you think about that, to me that isn’t what God is all about. It shouldn’t be what religion is all about either, but unfortunately it is. Religion is suppose to be about guidance and togetherness. Bringing people the gospel and letting them decide how to incorporate it into their lives.

Both of these paths though, have tenants that I reject, and is why I am a Spiritual Christian not a Religious Christian. I believe that there is a gang like mentality to Religious people. They don’t want to accept people who aren’t like them. That don’t walk and breathe like they do when it comes to the God and scripture. I am very despondent as a Black, Gay male because people are so quick to want to take that Bible and castigate me if I don’t subscribe to some kind of Exorcism to take the gay away from me. This premise is stupid in every way to me. You know people keep saying that Gay is this major sin and so on, but there have been Gay people on this planet since the beginning of time. So what does that mean? Because to these Bible toting Christians God created it all and hates Gay people. But answer me this if God created all and knows all, then God created Gays and we should be accepted.

It is something that has split families and households apart because there is religious rigidity that seems to settle in amongst the religious folks. Like they’re the only ones who are right. Like they have all the answers. It’s as though they forget about the fact that they’re human and the only perfect being is God, who created the son Jesus. How are we to ever assume that in all situations we have the answers just because we are religious believers of Christ. If you read in the text it doesn’t say that at all. It doesn’t say that you are always correct or you always have the high ground because you base your bias or prejudice on the text. It is in times like these that we should be looking to the text for what it really is, a guide and a blueprint. It provides some structures and foundations upon which we should operate and conduct ourselves.

The Bible gives you moral and philosophical basis from which you can take lessons and grow towards. The text also preaches about love for each other and respect for each other. Yes it gives things that also shouldn’t be done and it also tells of things that shouldn’t be done when rebuilding a society and that grown men shouldn’t be sleeping with children. These are the places that we should be building from and understanding that religion is to be a common gathering ground. It’s suppose to be a way for people who believe in God and Christ to come together to bond spiritually, not act like thugs and judges and determine who is deserved of the love of God.

Some point in time we will finally realize that faith is something that should be a uniting thing and not a diving thing. From television shows to movies to real life, religion is always painted in a oxymoronic position. It serves to be the judge for some in terms of people they don’t agree with or feel represent God, but then it serves as their moral compass and compassion for when they want to try to reach out and bridge a divide created unnecessarily. How about we change the way we use religion and think about it. Use it for the purpose of love and support, growth and togetherness. Then we can possibly bring more souls closer to God.

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The Week Sports Took A Stand

As a black man, I’m so proud of the statement that was made this week by the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL and WTA. Due to the great courage and leadership of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, sports stopped and athletes said that they will not continue to be marginalized and ignored. Black athletes said that they will no longer entertain the masses on television and be killed in cold blood in the streets. I’ve heard many people say well what did that accomplish. The answer is it accomplished a lot. It made the world stop and ask why. It caused the issues of police brutality and racial inequality take forefront once again. It brought some of the families of some of these black people who have been murdered by police back into the spot light.

We got another march on Washington today. We got more actionable items by sports franchises, including voter registration and calls to legislators in their states. More conversation on the demands to be made and those demands becoming more crystal clear. Demanding new legislation to tackle the police unions, legislation to address racial inequality in the justice system, rooting out prejudicial and racist police officers. All these things are necessary if we are going to advance the cause and movement for equality. These are the things that happened as a result of the athletes taking a stand and refusing to play games on television. So if you think their boycotts did nothing, well I guess your view is a little narrow.

The women of the WNBA have taken it even a higher level and it has to be applauded. It’s a shame that because their game isn’t as popular that their messages aren’t seen as much, but they are just as powerful. They have taken a stand and refuse to not be heard. This to me is exactly what should happen. Entertainment is not more important than lives. Black lives are just as important and critical as the black athletes that entertain you night after night. They give all they have so you can be distracted from the daily grind, but you won’t respect their views and lives when they’re off the court or if they’re not entertaining you. Enough is enough. This has been a watershed week and one that will never be forgotten.

This is the time to continue to put pressure and energy on this issue. Voting in two months on November 3 is so critical. No exceptions and no excuses. No need to try and say that there is nothing in it for you because that’s a lie. Your future is at risk. Your equality and freedoms are at risk. When will we say that it can no longer be about ignoring what’s difficult. For all you people who are tired of hearing about this subject, close your damn ears, shut your eyes or just go somewhere else. You’re probably the same people that give lip service about supporting the movement but don’t really want change. Or maybe you’re the people who are happy with how things are now, because it favors you and your family and people so this struggle isn’t relevant to you.

If you can’t understand why this shouldn’t and won’t go away anytime soon, maybe you need to sit down and listen more closely. Maybe you need to find some black people and talk to them about why we’re demanding equality and justice. I will not stop writing about the issue. No matter whether it gets may clicks and views or no clicks and views, I will continue to memorialize my thoughts and feelings. So when history is written, my children and grandchildren and generations of my family yet to be born can know that I was here and that I stood for something relevant and important to my people. That I have done my part voting and engaging in the process.

The message from the week that was is stand up and stand for something. Don’t let your actions be dictated for you or to you, dictate what you do. Change is something that never happens overnight. Grand scale change happens day by day. With little steps and big steps. It starts with a call to action and ends with tangible action. We are in the midst of change, don’t stop, won’t stop.