I am even more proud then I can stand!... The media is broadcasting the memorial service for Michael Jackson, as I write, it has not yet started. Nevertheless, the processional has.
I have never seen the LAPD so focused, organized and together. I have never seen in my life time, a BLACK MAN, an African American man honored in the way he should be. I am proud! I am excited! I am a fan.
As the processional begins, there are 6, yes… count’em SIX black ROLLS ROYCE’S and a fleet of Bentleys and Range Rovers, trucks etc., that are totting this remarkable black family to the Staples Center.
The media is complaining that this city can not afford this type of police presence, and to them I say… “figure it out!” As much money you and I pay in taxes, which by the way recently went up another quarter percent, as much money we pay for in fees, in dues etc…. This city can and should figure it out! This man, Michael Jackson has given more then anyone, even as much as his life!
As I’ve written before about Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry…. This is another Proud Black Moment for me.
Six Rolls Royce’s! YES
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
MJ 4 LIFE
It isn’t ironic that my last blog talked about having NO REGRETS. With so many people dieing all around us, we should love and love today. Now the world is feeling a sense of lose, of pain, of this eerie thing we call grief. We feel this way for a man that some say “they grew up with Michael” others say, “if it were not for his music…” and others even as far as, “I feel like I’ve lost a brother.”
So what do we take from this? So much can be said; 1. Stop being mean one to another. 2. We never really know what someone is going through. 3. Death, no matter how expected, is always a sudden shock (Farrah Faucett) 4. Pictures aren’t always worth anything…. The list could go on. But my words are these:
I miss you Michael and I know you’re somewhere that cameras can not flash, people can not harm and words are not heard. You can dance now, you can sing as loudly as you like, you can simply be you.
Love and do it TODAY.
So what do we take from this? So much can be said; 1. Stop being mean one to another. 2. We never really know what someone is going through. 3. Death, no matter how expected, is always a sudden shock (Farrah Faucett) 4. Pictures aren’t always worth anything…. The list could go on. But my words are these:
I miss you Michael and I know you’re somewhere that cameras can not flash, people can not harm and words are not heard. You can dance now, you can sing as loudly as you like, you can simply be you.
Love and do it TODAY.
Monday, June 15, 2009
No Regrets!
In the last five months I have either known or knew of, through my family members of seventeen (17) people that have died. Let me say it another way... 17 people have died within five months all within a very close-net-circle! None through gang violence or a shooting or some act of violence, thank God. But because of elderliness or health issues (cancer of course). I am going to write something on cancer soon... just gotta let the anger settle first.
So what does this mean? Most are saying God is soon to return, some say that God is taking His saints so that they will not have to endure what is to come, and the list could go on and on I'm sure. But to me, not that I exclude the other reasons, 17 people dieing within five months says to me, don't waste time. Not the usual, "don't waste your life" speech. This is different. What I'm saying is tell your family members, friends, lovers whomever that YOU LOVE THEM.
I cringe to think of how many family members, (sisters, daughters, mothers, sons, brothers, husbands, wives) of the deceased, are unable to breathe because they didn't express their love and forgiveness with them.
Have no regrets. Don't allow pride to get a hold of your tongue and ego to tie your arms behind your back. Show that you care. Don't wait until the funeral and fall out all over the casket, screaming about how much you didn’t get to say. Because regardless of what you believe about the after-life, I think we can all agree that at that point they can't hear, nor will you get the satisfaction of being heard.
Don't waste another minute... Love and LOVE NOW!
So what does this mean? Most are saying God is soon to return, some say that God is taking His saints so that they will not have to endure what is to come, and the list could go on and on I'm sure. But to me, not that I exclude the other reasons, 17 people dieing within five months says to me, don't waste time. Not the usual, "don't waste your life" speech. This is different. What I'm saying is tell your family members, friends, lovers whomever that YOU LOVE THEM.
I cringe to think of how many family members, (sisters, daughters, mothers, sons, brothers, husbands, wives) of the deceased, are unable to breathe because they didn't express their love and forgiveness with them.
Have no regrets. Don't allow pride to get a hold of your tongue and ego to tie your arms behind your back. Show that you care. Don't wait until the funeral and fall out all over the casket, screaming about how much you didn’t get to say. Because regardless of what you believe about the after-life, I think we can all agree that at that point they can't hear, nor will you get the satisfaction of being heard.
Don't waste another minute... Love and LOVE NOW!
Monday, May 4, 2009
What are you WORTH?
Life itself is not as simplistic as we once believed. The fairytales with knight and shinning armored men haven’t once shown their faces and my castle is an apartment. Life has proven to be a journey full of experiences, trails and triumphs based on your outlook, intake and realistic view.
So I ask, what is your interpretation? What is your viewpoint on life? Moreover what is your self worth? Most of us would answer that; yes we know who we are and therefore what we’re worth. We all try to have a positive outlook on life, regardless of the circumstances. We all try to “make” ourselves feel better about our daily lives. But how much better would you feel about yourself if you stepped outside of the chaos every-so-often?
Today, I went to a Thai spa. Purchased a full body-scrub, went and got a facial and a mani-pedi. Not that my finances could afford such and extravagant adventure, I just came to the realization that I deserved it. Then I said to myself… IT’S TERRIBLE WHEN I HAVE TO CONVENCE MYSELF THAT I “DESERVE” SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS SELF MAINTENANCE!
How much are you keeping from yourself because you don’t think you deserve it? How much time do you deprive yourself of because someone else needs it more then you? How many morals have you bent to glorify someone else’s pleasures?
I challenge you to discover YOU. To take some time out for you! Read, meditate, and spend quiet time away from the cares of the world and CARE ABOUT YOU!
So I ask, what is your interpretation? What is your viewpoint on life? Moreover what is your self worth? Most of us would answer that; yes we know who we are and therefore what we’re worth. We all try to have a positive outlook on life, regardless of the circumstances. We all try to “make” ourselves feel better about our daily lives. But how much better would you feel about yourself if you stepped outside of the chaos every-so-often?
Today, I went to a Thai spa. Purchased a full body-scrub, went and got a facial and a mani-pedi. Not that my finances could afford such and extravagant adventure, I just came to the realization that I deserved it. Then I said to myself… IT’S TERRIBLE WHEN I HAVE TO CONVENCE MYSELF THAT I “DESERVE” SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS SELF MAINTENANCE!
How much are you keeping from yourself because you don’t think you deserve it? How much time do you deprive yourself of because someone else needs it more then you? How many morals have you bent to glorify someone else’s pleasures?
I challenge you to discover YOU. To take some time out for you! Read, meditate, and spend quiet time away from the cares of the world and CARE ABOUT YOU!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Cowboys and Indians
The Bible tells us that children are a gift from God... but I thank God I don’t have any! This is harsh, right? Not when you live in Los Angeles and everyday, or at least every other week, there is a shooting at or nearby a school. What is the problem?!?! Our children are in the middle of a war without enlisting. Not only is the government making unreasonable budget cuts from the public school programs, not only are the schools overpopulated with children with questionable origins, but now we are overthrown with gang violence that doesn’t consist of logical gang concepts.
Gangs used to fight over territory, then it was “colors”, then drugs, well that was always the foundational reason, then it was race (African Americans vs. Mexicans), and now there is no rhyme or reason, they are literally playing Cowboys and Indians! At any moment any of us can be caught in the crossfire. I’m strongly considering joining, I need some protection, this is getting crazy.
If you have children, they are a blessing from God, cherish them, protect them…..overdo your parenting. They need it! We need it!
Gangs used to fight over territory, then it was “colors”, then drugs, well that was always the foundational reason, then it was race (African Americans vs. Mexicans), and now there is no rhyme or reason, they are literally playing Cowboys and Indians! At any moment any of us can be caught in the crossfire. I’m strongly considering joining, I need some protection, this is getting crazy.
If you have children, they are a blessing from God, cherish them, protect them…..overdo your parenting. They need it! We need it!
Wasting Money…for no reason!
“If our coffee was any more expensive, you’d have to wait in line.”
I was in a 7-11 and read this quote from the coffee cups used for their coffee. Not only is it a good marketing quote, but more so it speaks volumes to the programming that we have undergone in this country. If we’re not spending money, ridiculous amounts of it, then it’s not worth it, or we are worth so much more, like a $4.00 cup of coffee when you can get it for $1.25.
Why do we feel this way? Well we can easily conclude that the media contributes greatly to these illusions of unfathomable wealth. We are in a recession and stretch to great lengths to buy Nikes for our children, scarfs from Bloomingdale’s and $4.00 coffee! We must realize and change the way we think. Stop comparing ourselves to the Jones, when the Jones have lost their money in the stock markets, their homes to foreclosure and are at 7-11 buying their morning cup of joe!
I was in a 7-11 and read this quote from the coffee cups used for their coffee. Not only is it a good marketing quote, but more so it speaks volumes to the programming that we have undergone in this country. If we’re not spending money, ridiculous amounts of it, then it’s not worth it, or we are worth so much more, like a $4.00 cup of coffee when you can get it for $1.25.
Why do we feel this way? Well we can easily conclude that the media contributes greatly to these illusions of unfathomable wealth. We are in a recession and stretch to great lengths to buy Nikes for our children, scarfs from Bloomingdale’s and $4.00 coffee! We must realize and change the way we think. Stop comparing ourselves to the Jones, when the Jones have lost their money in the stock markets, their homes to foreclosure and are at 7-11 buying their morning cup of joe!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
THERAPY
THERAPY
Why don’t you think you need it? Ohhhh, it’s only for “crazy people”. That’s right I forgot you felt that way. Well this just in… YOU ARE CRAZY, if you don’t think you need therapy.
Most of us have come from troubled homes; verbal and physical abuse, fatherless, motherless, drug and alcohol influences, battery, you’re the “dark” one in the family or the “light” one… and lets not go into sexual abuse. The list could go on and on as I’m sure you would agree. So, if you think these issues are not oozing into you daily life and relationships with others you have been more bamboozled then when the Plymouth Rock fell on us.
Life is a complex journey by itself and must be handled with intelligence and forethought. The wounds that we all have are not healed, simply covered with layers and layers of excuses and distraction. The root of what we feel is not cured, just sustained and not very well maintained.
The next time you have an argument with your love one, you yell at your children instead of talking to them, you complain about a person at work that you just can’t stand, you curse the driver in front of you… take a minute to consider, really consider what you’re feeling at the time, in your heart. I’m sure it will be a striking pain in your chest that you can’t explain. Your head may hurt or your stomach is somehow in knots. This is because the source of your anger, grief and short-temperedness has not been handled and resolved.
Therapy, life-coaching and counseling is not for crazy people, it’s for people conscious enough to know they need it.
Why don’t you think you need it? Ohhhh, it’s only for “crazy people”. That’s right I forgot you felt that way. Well this just in… YOU ARE CRAZY, if you don’t think you need therapy.
Most of us have come from troubled homes; verbal and physical abuse, fatherless, motherless, drug and alcohol influences, battery, you’re the “dark” one in the family or the “light” one… and lets not go into sexual abuse. The list could go on and on as I’m sure you would agree. So, if you think these issues are not oozing into you daily life and relationships with others you have been more bamboozled then when the Plymouth Rock fell on us.
Life is a complex journey by itself and must be handled with intelligence and forethought. The wounds that we all have are not healed, simply covered with layers and layers of excuses and distraction. The root of what we feel is not cured, just sustained and not very well maintained.
The next time you have an argument with your love one, you yell at your children instead of talking to them, you complain about a person at work that you just can’t stand, you curse the driver in front of you… take a minute to consider, really consider what you’re feeling at the time, in your heart. I’m sure it will be a striking pain in your chest that you can’t explain. Your head may hurt or your stomach is somehow in knots. This is because the source of your anger, grief and short-temperedness has not been handled and resolved.
Therapy, life-coaching and counseling is not for crazy people, it’s for people conscious enough to know they need it.
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