A Heart Without A Home

You know oft used phrase “Home is Where the Heart Is”, is a statement that rings true in so many ways, but it flawed in very demonstrative and tangible way. What happens when the heart is do torn that it doesn’t know where home is or how to find it?

I challenge this statement at it’s core because I’ve seen many people who spend time retreading relationships, hurting new people and running from the prospects of long-term happiness with one individual because their hearts have been so damaged that they don’t know how to heal it or where to start.

I will freely admit that as a consistent Church goer and seeker of inner peace, I still struggle with this dynamic quite a bit. I struggle to understand when it’s time to open up to someone and when to just exhibit that cold, uncaring spirit that just brushes off attempts at interactions with someone new.

I am a social butterfly, filled with life and energy, passion and fire, warmth and love, but at the same time, I am also beginning to understand the darker side of failed love. The abuse of the heart, the torment of the soul, the destruction of individual worth. Maybe it’s because so many in this state would rather find that dick or ass to suck or fuck, rather than find that person whose heart is genuine, intentions are good and build a life together.

Too many people run under the guise of self improvement and that is the justification they use to break off something good; when in reality, they’re scared of being hurt, afraid of losing another good thing and most importantly they don’t want to used, abused and thrown out again. I see the conflict that others wrestle with because I myself grapple with the same internal fight. Do I allow someone else to come in and potentially light up my life or shun them away because I just don’t want another cold, lonely night.

I’ve started on a journey to figure out why am I really under so much strife. I’m finding lost loves and the cleansing is an amazing one. But even as I find them, see them, talk to them and reflect, I’m still torn. The thoughts of what was and what could have been mix with the thoughts of peace and happiness that closure is coming.

Maybe that’s because there are two big pieces missing that I have yet to find. Two huge holes in my heart that I’ve struggled to move beyond and one big piece that seems to never want to commit. My goal is inner peace with these situations and I’m working as only I know how, but I also know that it’s been tormenting me for a while and I finally think I’m ready to put them all to bed.

My Personal Nativity

So I just got done watching for the time Black Nativity and I’m not ashamed to say that there were a couple parts in the movie that pulled at my emotions and brought me to tears. Yes the end of the movie was the part that opened the flood games for a multitude of reasons. Now before I dig into this blog, let me give a little more background. I have researched the word Nativity, and I am not comparing my birth to that of Christ because I am not that good, nor am I that person. I am, however, taking the definition that Nativity is the explanation of the circumstances surrounding a birth. And it is that part of the definition that brings me to this blog.

I’ve come to realize that my life has two births. One is my physical, literal birth, the day that I came out of my mother and begin to live my life on this earth. That was 30, soon to be 31, years ago and my second birth was when I was truly born into the gay life, and that was 11, soon to be 12 years ago.

See these are two distinct and different times in my life. It also is starting to help me see why, I think, there has been so much struggle in my own personal life, but also as to why so many gay people struggle once they’re born into this life.

See when I say born into the life, don’t take that as a literal meaning because I am of the belief that you do not get to choose if you are straight or gay, it is inately determined when you are born. When I say born into the life, I mean the day that you come out and begin to live your life as a homosexual individual. See the day that happens is a new birth.

My Nativity into the life is one of most gay males, but especially Black gay males. It started with my mama questioning me and not understanding why it is I chose to be this way. Her desire to try and quote scripture in her justification as to why I should not be the way that I am. As I commonly refer to it, the brain washing of Black folks from the pulpit.

It continued with the disapproval and disgust of my father. Him not wanting to accept or understand why his son is gay and would choose to live an openly gay life in America. Not really realizing that there were other children of his who walked in this taboo lifestyle. See my birth in this life was made challenging because contrary to my traditional birth where I had a mother and a father to nurture me and help me navigate the obstacles of life, I was born into this lifestyle with someone who was just two years older than me. And yes that two years meant everything because he was born into the lifestyle though many years prior, so he had experience to give but he was still just a kid really trying to learn his way.

See to me the point of the play and the movie, Black Nativity, more so than detailing the birth of Jesus, is to get us to understand that the challenges and hardships we face in life are a product of what you born into, but it does not have to be the definition of who you are. Jesus was placed on Earth to absolve us of all our missteps and wrongdoings. And God is executioner of Grace and Mercy.

So as I look back upon my birth into this life I see that all the mistakes I’ve made, the holes that exist in my development have been absolved. I’m learning and growing into what I can be because I refused to let the absence of a mother and/or father who was gay and could help guide me through this lifestyle be my failure.

That is part of the reason I decided to start my own gay family. I realized that the best way to leave a mark on this planet was to make sure that I could reach folks like me.. born into this lifestyle without biological parents who completely understand or accept who you are. I’m proud to say that I’ve been able to do just that and my prayer is that I will be able to leave an even stronger impact as I get older and am able to share more of the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained with those who are infants to this life.

My Nativity is one that has taken so many unforeseen turns and obstacles. It has challenged every thing I ever believed and molded me into a person that tries to lend that helping hand. So I hope this piece helps those who read it to understand that you will have multiple births in  your life and how you handle the deficiencies that happen during your birth will ultimately determine the end result of the life you get born into.

A Thief Comes In Many Forms

You know this has probably been the most challenging start to a year that has not involved money since I’ve been a grown man. I’ve had to sit back and reflect on all the relationships and friendships I’ve encountered over the years. I’ve also had to take inventory of my emotions, in addition to my clothes I’ll get back to that in a second, that made me realize that a thief can steal from you in a multitude of ways.

The first kind of thief you have, is the most common thief, is the person who steals materialistic things from you. And I’m not diminishing how difficult and emotionally draining it can be to have someone steal your possessions from you, but trust me there is another type of thief that puts this one to shame.

We all have had someone, either friend or lover, whose stolen something from us and it made you feel some kinda way. You got all in your feelings because they violated you by taking something that either you brought, or someone gave to you, and therefore it has a value that goes beyond the financial price tag.

Yet, it’s exactly this kind of thief that you can recover from relatively quickly and without much of a thought, so long as the items taken can be replaced with little effort. I do admit that the more the item holds that intrinsic value that we cannot quantify does it become more challenging to move on from this kind of thief.

The second type of thief is the one that can a lot longer effect because what they take from you is much more close to you and it cannot be brought, and in some cases, explained. This is the thief that steals your emotional and mental stability, which means they are stealing from your soul. See this is the person that winds up holding control over you to an extent because they’ve tapped into the deeper parts of you that the world doesn’t get to see.

I’m absolutely certain that once again we all have experienced this type of individual too. For most of us all we have to do is look at our former lover, spouse, or close friend that has now become estranged or completely removed from the picture. See that person is special; those types of people don’t come along often so when you have one of those types of relationships and it sours, it takes a piece of you and your soul with it. You’re left with a little void and the reality is no one knows how long it will really take to get over that emotional scar.

And then there is the final type of thief and that’s the combo thief. You guessed it, this is the thief who steals both the materialistic possessions and the emotional, mental, soulful things as well. You know my ex falls into this category. While at first I thought it was just the mental and emotional drain from him, I took a look through my closet this week and realized that during the time I allowed him to stay with me until he moved into his own spot, he stole a couple pairs of my pants and was sly as fuck about it.

See I guess that’s that problem when you have a lot in your closet and you don’t wear the same thing each week; someone can come along and pick your pockets before you realize what’s missing. But you know as I have always said, the bitch that steals from me is the bitch that’s too afraid to ask. I hope he gets good wear out those pants and while he portrays to have that manish appeal on the outside, all the shit I’ve dealt with as a result of him shows me that he really is a bitch on the inside.

So touche to him and I hope he’s happy with the thievry he’s pulled off, because if we cross paths, I’ll show him what it’s like to steal your smile. And no I’m not going to physically touch or harm him, but ask around I got that asshole like attitude that will leave you with a inner void.

Do you know who your thieves are?

Inside The Writers Mind

Over the past few weeks I’ve been struggling with a very personal issue, very close to my soul. I know that many who’ve read these blogs and have interacted with me throughout my life would say that I’m a very extroverted, eccentric person, who isn’t bashful about telling you how I feel. And while on the whole that is very true, there are times where I feel as though revealing those feelings at times can cause more harm than good.

I have developed into the guy who believes that your actions are worth more than your words. Because in truth, words can be manipulated and twisted but your actions are pretty concrete. I have tended to let my actions speak more that my words when I feel that I’m either unable to speak my thoughts with careful discretion, or I don’t want to cause something that makes me be in my feelings to become a front line story.

What I’ve found is that in doing this, you accomplish your goal. For me it’s to let you know that I’m not really happy with you right now, but it’s not a dagger or a gavel banging situation. I think because I’ve spent so much of my life with a smile on my face and an appearance of always being in control of my feelings and thoughts, that people tend to forget I’m human and entitled to be in my feelings, and subsequently, get out of them without being questioned or chastised.

As hard as I try to always be fair and impartial, I have to state the obvious, which is that I am inherently flawed and wrong at times because I am human and I make mistakes like anyone else. I have feelings that just don’t always go away with the flick of a wand or snap of some fingers. I am more sensitive that folks realize because I don’t let the inner softness always display on my outer core.

I always write in my blogs that I am a complicated melody, and I don’t do it just for show or to borrow lines from an artist I adore. I use those two words because it is a complete definition of who I am and what my beliefs are and the makeup of my life. I challenge anyone to take the time to learn a little about me and who I am and you will probably come away saying the same thing, but I also promise you will know why too.

There are times I feel that change is needed in order to maintain a sense of control over these feelings that float thru my mind and body, but I will freely admit most don’t understand the methods to my madness. I am very thoughtful and careful with these changes, so always know I am always a melody, just complicated in spurts.

Scared of Lonely

You know I’ve had conversations lately with friends and fam and I must say that the theme coming out of the past few weeks is.. I don’t know how to be alone. When I say that I don’t mean to be negative or condescending, but I’ve learned that until you can learn to be ok with being by yourself, you are likely to struggle when you’re in a relationship. And the reason is because you don’t allow yourself a chance to heal from the past relationship and make the necessary changes going into the next relationship.

Now I’m pretty comfortable with saying that 99% of the world has struggled with the complex in their lives. And no there is no specific thing that can be done in order to conquer this issue. I think it just comes along with growing and learning how to be comfortable with yourself. You know I even have to admit that while I’ve become very comfortable with living by myself and comfortable with sleeping alone, I will admit I miss the daily affection of another man.

I miss coming home and being able to kiss and hug that special someone. I miss cooking dinner for one another, for going on dates with that special person. I miss telling that one special guy I love you. Yes, I know that to some I’m a cold-hearted. insensitive, uncaring bitch; but that is quite contrary to my personality and character.

While I sit back and wait for the next real relationship to arrive, and yes I got eyes on someone, I ask have to admit that thinking about you makes a little weak in the knees; hearing your voice and seeing you up close makes me wish you’d never leave. Cuddling up and holding you tight, hearing you breathe makes me think about the life we’re breathing into this bond forming.

Scared of lonely is more of a realistic norm than people know. See there are people who stay in relationships for fear of lonely; people hop from man to man or woman to woman, because they can’t or don’t want to be alone. They don’t want to face themselves and allow for the self-examination process to work itself through.

One of these days very soon the game will change. One day soon the world be revealed to someone who might just be the one to make some noise and disrupt the lonely situation. I’m learning to be patient when it comes these things and while it scares me death sometimes to think about being alone, I’m nervous because I feel my heart trying to reopen again, my feelings stand on edge again, my love start to be robust again.

Once upon a time I was scared of lonely and would never be in a situation where I didn’t have man, now I’m scared of lonely, but I’m more scared of destruction of my soul. I cherish my heart more than I cherish sharing my bed. But make no mistake about it, this complicated melody over here will soon have the perfect song writer that makes this melody harmonious.

The State of This Union…

As I sit back and reflect on the address just delivered to the nation by President Barack Obama, I must say that I’ve never seen a President so cool, calm, relaxed and swagged out as he was giving this prestigious address to the nation, in front of Congress.

The first African American President of this great nation delivered, what was in my opinion, the best address yet. I listened with great intent as he talked about programs and initiatives that spoke to my interests and frankly the interests of the majority of the country. I heard a President who really felt free and loose, as though he was finally back in his element.

I heard a President who sounded like candidate Obama and Senator Obama, delivering what was a galvanizing speech that millions rallied behind. I was apart of the Pulse MSNBC poll, that was constantly seeking feedback to the President’s address, and it was amazing how many Republicans and Independents were in support of his proposals and ideas.

And OMG, my damn the shade he threw all throughout this speech was simply epic. I have to admit my favorite line of the was: “I have no more campaigns to run…I know because I won both of them.” HA! If that was not the best shade he could ever throw at those who continue to bash him as an illegitimate President and not having any real juice. Well bitches I think he has all the juice cuz he was elected twice, and by clear comfortable margins both times.

You know it’s times like this when I must say that I am really proud to be an American. I get to hear the President deliver his goals and thoughts for the country. He gives his reasons why he thinks the country is so strong and why we are rebounding so strongly.

You know I heard so many opportunities for Republicans to join with the President to get these objectives accomplished, but as you already know they don’t wanna do anything with this President that will make him look good. See for as much as President Obama and others want to believe that we can reach a post-racial America, the reality is that quite a few members in Congress do not want this Black President to be successful and have his Presidency be a huge success.

Thank you President Obama for all that you have done in this post , despite all the odds that have been put in front of him. I love how he referenced the events in Missouri and New York, but still paid respects to the good police officers that protect and serve the communities. I am very impressed and thankful that this President has presided over the nation during these trying times. See as most of us already know, when times are really tough and we need to get thru, put a Black person in charge and we will get the job done.

I don’t know who will be elected the next President in 2016, but I do know that thanks to all the hard work, energy, and fight from this President there will be a much better economy and world standing for this country. As we enter into the twilight of his time as President, I think President Obama is setting the stage for a grand exit and definitely leaving an indelible mark in history. When we look back at his time in office, I think he will much more credit than he is now.

#SOTU #Obamasmackdown #Politicaltheatre

Being Rough Can Make You Go Soft..

So listen I’ve had many different experiences with people trying to be hard and firm with me in order to prove a point or teach a lesson. And to honest most people fail and fail miserably; typically because I’m just not the type of guy who really responds well to that kind of tactic and also because if I don’t really have strong feelings for you, all you gone by being a “bitch” is close the door and I’ll walk away.

However, if you have my interest, and a piece of my emotions then you really can get a lot of this tactic. But you still have to know how to correctly blend the tough love part with the sweet conversationalist part. See I try to let it be known that I am a complicated melody. In order to get the right harmony out of me you have to stroke the right keys and listen carefully. Because while you may think you’re hitting the right cords and you’re in the pocket, in reality you could off just enough to see the other side of me.

I don’t try to do things to make it necessary for the hard ass approach but I guess there are times when I need a lil tough love to make me understand why I don’t always need to be so complicated, and maybe there are times when I need to lower my guard and just let that special someone in. You know I guess it’s true what they say, that once your heart starts to turn a little black, it takes a pure form of love to turn you back.

I’ve been in some situations where I put my all out there and was the nice, sweet, harmonious melody from the beginning, only to be destroyed and left to pick up the pieces. So now I have a style that makes the melodies a little harder to reach, it makes the notes more effort to attain, but once you figure out the right style for you to tickle my chocolate ivory to get that perfect sound, well…you’ve opened Pandora’s box and the sky is the limit for what I’m willing to do for you.

It’s funny because you would think that someone who is well seasoned in the life would be able to figure out how to be the hard ass and get what they want out of me…but the funny thing is sometimes its the person that you least expect to give that hard ass love, that makes you feel like you’re right where you should be.. I laugh so many times because only a person whose really close to me would know how to use this trick.

So yea, I’ve kinda given the playbook away as to the trick that could unlock the box, but once again I say beware…because like I said earlier in this blog, if I don’t no fucks about you the hard, rough line you try to draw will be the benediction line, and I’ll be saying in my head ” May the Lord watch between me and thee, while we’re absent, one from another.”

Remembering The Dream

Today we as a nation pay homage to the great legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a Morehouse Man, there is a special significance to honoring his great legacy, because it was the college where King really began the journey to become the revered figure that he in today’s society. He has statues and a building named in his honor and the school is all to happy to pay tribute to the legend that he was with countless images  and quotes that he made.

You know it’s kind of funny that in the lifestyle I live, we use this holiday to symbolize the unofficial start to the Gay Pride season. When so many flock to Atlanta and other major metropolitan cities to celebrate themselves, more than they really pay tribute to this great legend.

I am always taken aback to the great speech he made that galvanized this country. When he stood on hollowed grounds in Washington D.C. and delivered one of the most timeless and referenced speeches in American history. See he outlined the way forward for our country during a time when we were deeply divided and trying to find the stability between freedom and tradition.

He dreamed of a society that did not judge you based upon your skin complexion, but how intelligent you were and what you could bring to the table. He talked about a country that could see past all the racial, gender, and stereotypical divides to become the beacon that shines in the darkness. He talked about leaving behind a country that could flourish and come together as a people to advance all social issues that led to inequality.

As we sit today looking back, we have come a long way since King. We are not in a civilization where we have separate bathrooms for Black people and White people. We are not in a time where Black people can’t get into schools that were founded and protected for Whites. We are not in a time when the KKK is a rampid organization terrorizing the world.

But, we are not completely realizing the dream that King had. Yes, we have realized the election and re-election of the first Black President, but we still have a country that is starkly divided among racial, gender, sexual orientation, and financial backgrounds. So if I were challenging people today it would be, to think outside of your own box.

Take some time to see the world from another one’s point of view. One that doesn’t look like you, act like you, sound like you. See once we realize that even though we all come from different backgrounds, we are all one people that have common interests that cut across all divides we can humanize one another so much better and begin to heal a lot of the scars and wounds that have developed due to the history and lineage of this nation.

What Happened to Bring Your A Game

So my final sports rant of the night is really more of a disbelief situation. I read the story about a basketball team in California that won their game 161-2. Yes that’s not a misprint, it was 104-1 at the half. The coach of the basketball team that won was suspended two games, for apparently poor sportsmanship, because of this monsterous blowout. Now reading further into the details of this story, the head coach of the winning team tried to impose a running clock in the third period but the officials denied his request; only to grant the request for the entire fourth quarter.

The coach also pulled his starters after halftime and did not play his signature press defense after the first half. The result is that in the second half his reserves outscored the other team 57-1. Now his comments were that if he had to do over, he would play his starters after the first period, and then he said he would have just not played the game at all.

Let me be clear, I think that this is the biggest case of overaction and bullshit I’ve seen in a while. So you punish the head coach because he has a team that was prepared and clearly shot the lights out, and you also penalize this team by not letting them have their head coach for a couple games, because they’re too good. Why the fuck didn’t they suspend the opposing team’s coach for putting such an attrious team on the court? Maybe he should be looked at for not properly preparing his kids to play this game.

Then he calls the coach of the winning team unethical because he didn’t bench his kids in the first period. I thought the point of playing competitive sports was to stop the opposing team from scoring and to do your best to score?? If you can’t do either of those things is someone really suppose to have mercy on you for blowing your doors off?

is it poor sportsmanship to have your best performance of the year? NO. Is it poor sportsmanship to remove your starters after the first half, institute a running clock, and try to institute it sooner? NO. I’m now getting sick of this overaction that somehow it is the responsibility of the winning team to not embarrass the losing team by not beating the shit out of them.

I was always told that if you can’t stop the other team, you have no right to bitch if you get your ass beat. Maybe that means you need to focus better in practice. Maybe you need to play better, and sometimes on a given night, the opposing team just has it going on and they’re gonna kick  your ass. But never should you penalize a coach for doing his job and for his team masterfully doing their job.

The Big Brother Bitch Slap

You know I like to think of myself as a mix between a sports purist and a contemporary. By combining these two, let me explain what I mean: I believe that college sports is the best and purist form of sport. See to bench a kid in college means something. They have to sit and stew, but also learn that the game they play is not all about them. But also, I am contemporary enough to know that sometimes your punishment has to be creative to fit into today’s culture. In the pro game if you bench a player you don’t know if they’re going to respond to the coach or call their agent and work a deal to change teams.

So with that back drop let me say that reading the story about the NCAA doing a mia-culpa and basically reversed all the sanctions levied against the Penn State program for their gross negligence in the Jerry Sandusky sexual assault case. I have to say that I’m a bit pissed off that the governing body did not have the spine to stand tall in the face of their penalties imposed. I hate everything about this agreement.

Lawmakers and lawyers filing suit because they think their valued institution was over punished for a heinous crime allowed to proceed unchecked on their campus, under their legendary coach, in their football facilities, with no concern for the young boys who were molested. To say that there is anything fair about this ruling is insane.

And yes I understand the argument that some make that the innocent football players shouldn’t be penalized for their head coach and assist coaches misconduct. But, exactly what is Lack of Institutional Control, but the university not providing the correct oversight to their athletics programs. SMU was given the death penalty for infractions committed by their coaches towards players. Other institutions have been placed on probation and had victories and titles stripped because of benefits provided to players by folks associated with the program.

Mind you while these things are a violation of the NCAA rules, they are not criminal in nature alone. Jerry Sandusky was breaking the law for years, hell decades without so much as a investigation by the university and you mean to tell me any one with half a damn brain can say that the NCAA over-reached in their punishments. For all I care, you could have given them the death penalty and I would have been satisfied.

It’s time to stop propping these college programs up as “Too big to fail”, and let them learn the hard way that control and oversight are essential elements of institutional control, no matter how big your sports programs are, or how legendary of a coach you have on your sidelines. Hey NCAA, you screwed the fuckin’ pooch this time and I hope you are eradicated very soon. Your oversight has been biased, weak and lacks any real teeth.