Daily THOUGHT #53 "Slaps In the Face"

There is more to life than just what's in front on you!

This will be the second of three Daily THOUGHT's today. I think that it will be very informative for most, because it seems that everyone is enduring something. Whether it's family, school or job related...there is something that is going on. But little do we know, the answers to our problems are right there in our faces. When are you going to stop ignoring what is around you?

I like to believe that I do pretty well with words. Whether it's reading, speaking somewhere or writing something, that field is something that I kinda own...and when I found music, I knew how my gifts would one day combine. I feel like I have been put here to deliver a message to the people through writing words and the solicitation of sound and art. This was not a difficult discovery, it just took forever for me to realize it. If you pay attention to the places you go, the people you hang around, the organizations you join, the clothes you wear the forms of entertainment you indulge in and any other hobbies you may have, you will understand how to organize your talents to meet a need in the society.

Do you have a favorite super hero or favorite number? What's your favorite color? Do you see things consistently in the most random of places? Do certain things always seem to appear when you are around certain people or do you have things that remind you of situations and they only seem to occur right on time for an ironic reflection? Well these are what I like to call signs. Because we have industrialized our environment so much, we forget that the original form of interpretation was through sign. Before anyone knew what words meant or how sounds would distinguish emotions, people and other living creatures relied on the signs of the earth and it's surrounding to dictate how things were.

We must begin to walk with the same quest of knowledge and understanding. "We must learn to be a witness to fact versus being an audience to irony." Sure things may be ironic that they happen when they do, but do not allow that to be your last stop on the trail of life's discoveries. We seem, so often, to be amazed that something happens in the spur of the moment or in complete disregard to our anticipations. Because of this we then spend all of our time analyzing the instant, to the point we forget to recollect on why this moment in time is actually taking place...The enemy will especially find ways to manipulate the mind, using any person or issue to draw us away from what we need to be doing at a particular time.

Just yesterday, I was in the Patton Building at AAMU. I saw this guy with a Batman backpack...Now mind you, Batman is my favorite super hero in the whole world (I think I will explain it next week, I will do a special on super heroes) anyways I really wanted to ask him where he got his backpack from because I had never seen one like that, but instead what did I do? I was caught in the irony of the moment, so I started thinking. This guy had in headphones and didn't seem to want to be bothered, so I thought, and seeing that so much else was going on in the hallway I was like forget it, if I am meant to ask him we will see one another again. So I am going to my 2 o'clock class, six hours after I was in Patton, and guess who I see and paths cross yet again...Yep the guy with the Batman backpack, I at least speak this time as I always advise people to do but that was about it, also consider there were only 3 people walking on that part of the campus at time including the two of us.

Finally, I go to my class and there is a young lady who is in the course as well but she has a class conflict. This means that she is enrolled in two classes that meet at the same time. So she comes and gets her assignments and turns them in at here leisure, just by the due date. It was amazing to me though, when she came in she had already completed the assignment that we were currently working on, so she asked if she could introduce herself to the class and tell us about her work and of course the professor was enthused, so she did! This was crazy, because she didn't know any of us or how our reaction would be to what she had to say, but this didn't stop her. She shared with us things about her and then we returned the gesture. This was indeed a Slap In the Face for me, because I knew that I should have done the same thing earlier in the day.

We never know when it will be too late to handle something. Nor do we know the outcome of our opportunities when we wait until the last minute. When you know you have something that needs to be done, do it. And when you get a sign that is reflective to a situation acknowledge it and progress from it. Don't allow visuals to serve as coloring books. The art of life is deeper than that. Keep your eyes open and you will be amazed the things that you begin to figure out. Take notes on the sequence of events in your life, you will then discover how you operate. The chance is yours. Live to be wise, don't get slapped in the face forever unless you like that kind of thing...

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #52 "But the Simple Things"

Don't make life so Complicated!!!

Hello my people! I hope that all is well. It's the weekend, so get ready. Football season is here so make room for all the fun and excitement. Best wishes to all those who are going out of town to see a game or something. May you have traveling grace. I believe the last time we had a discussion was Tuesday, so today I will be posting 3 Daily THOUGHT's. There has been a lot going on energetically the past few days, I had to collect my visions. Things seem to be so much more obvious when the weather changes.

Interestingly, I had a slight encounter with someone the other day who really wasn't that fond of history. Now depending on who the teacher is, what frame of history is being taught and the time of the day when the class meets, yes...History can be a bit boring. Now don't get me wrong, this isn't because of the content of the text, but simply because of the societal atmosphere that we live in. Everything now is so accessible, today is so quick...like a microwave.

The importance of research and discovery is slightly fading away, basically because there is no need for it anymore. Anything that anyone wants to find out is more than likely on the internet of some CD where you can listen to it...and yes I know CD sounds so outdated for some of you all. The emphasis of book production, like pandas, is almost extinct. There seems to be no room for imagination anymore. Even on television, there is usually nothing left for the eye to wonder about anymore, everything is just displayed and thrown around as if to say there is no need to develop your own ideas, just base your understanding off of what you see and hear, that's what the folks behind the screen want us to do.

Humans have the tendency to be fooled so easily, simply because we are ignorant to how society works, starting with those who control the industries. There are religious industries, political industries, food industries, every day need industries and of course the temptation industries. All of these which can and do work positively but just like any great movie, there is something in the milk that isn't clean eventually. We find ourselves in overwhelming amazement simply because of the actions administered by those who have the access to deliver. All of this is because we thrive on adding complexity to tradition and creating our own legacies based on the works of the past but with new and innovative developments.

We find churches who emphasize on the value of the dollar in regards to salvation. A lot of these ministries then find themselves as indoor Christians, not really living up the responsibility sent from above to lead others to Christ. It becomes a show and people are conducting their own business rather than God's business. We listen to and then are led to believe the promises of our political leaders, as they feed us mumbo jumbo that serves as nourishment during campaign time but becomes non-existent during the term of office. Why is this why is everything so corrupted? It's simple...Personal Agendas! When you do things for yourself versus the impact it will have on others, you are doomed for trouble! What may seem to be working out great is only footsteps away from disaster!

We make things difficult for ourselves, simply because we don't enjoy facing the reality of things until it beats us up! Seems like you can't get much done when you are being polite to people, but when you raise your voice or act out of the stereotypical professional character, things seem to get done! We must move away from this mental war of believing that force is needed to control any situation. We must begin to reflect upon our surroundings just as a young child would. Young children always look at situations as a new journey, a new direction to see life. We as adults must do the same thing. Each day that we start our day, do the Simple Things that will make you be at peace. Remember simple gestures that will make things move smoothly and even swiftly. Pay attention to detail, so that you can recognize how everyone feels during an altercation or celebratory occasion. We are but who we are around, remember that...It's deeper than anything you might be able to think of!

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #51 "Observation"

Don't let TV time be your only time of "Observation"!

What's going on everybody? I hope that everyone had a wonderful Labor Day! If you were in the Huntsville area or pretty much anywhere in the south, it was probably a wet celebration. It has been raining the past 2 and a half days here, but thankfully the weather people say that things will clear up tomorrow! We are already in the third day of the week, oh how swiftly these days go by. What progress are you making on your plans? Whatever it is that you want to accomplish in the week, go ahead and be sure that you are on the move. Procrastination is usually the only thing that holds us back from doing the things that we want to do.

Ever been in a situation where you just don't understand what in the world is going on? I know that I have. It seems as though in a lot of situations we find ourselves a little unsure of things because our vision is a bit blurry. You think that you have all the pieces to the puzzle and right when you get ready to place the last piece on the grid you realize that one or maybe even more of the pieces are apparently missing. Why is that? Simple, because we don't ask questions.

Now is this because we don't know what questions to ask? Usually not. It's usually because we have a little bit too much pride to look as though we don't know what's going on or simply because we already assume that we know the answer. Let's take a look at the food industry for a minute. Normally when you got to a restaurant, especially fast food joints...the waiter will repeat your order back to you to see if it's right or the drive thru technician will ask if the order on the screen is correct? What this does, regardless of what someone thinks it is, is reaffirmation to exactly what the order is.

Because we live in a microwave society where everything has to be done in an extremely fast fashion, we tend to loose the attention to detail. We tend to rather risk something being wrong and we being upset, than to just ask questions and get to the solution in an accurate manner. We find this in friendships, politics, education settings and even in the judicial system. If you are going to take on a responsibility why not do it fully? If you are going to handle a task for someone why not give it your 100%? If you are going to instruct someone on something why not be accessible to answer questions? How else do we learn?

Patience is said to be a virtue. I believe that it is a test. Patience is a test that will determine if you are able to balance human emotions with spiritual and energetic intellect. Having to combine these three elements is a very hard task and not for the faint at heart! We find ourselves always wanting our ambitions to go our way, always wanting our ideas to come across and be accepting by others initially and of course always wanting people to agree with what we say and regardless how others feel about it, to just deal with it. Selfish mentalities as such will only prolong the chance of things staying positive. Now sure enough, situations may appear to be going great, but trust me that too shall pass.

As we go through our everyday lives we will be surrounded with opportunities to test the knowledge of ourselves and others. We also will be granted the privilege of being exposed to things that we would have never imagined in our own minds. We have to be submissive of the common views in order to understand the uncommon. We have to humble to new understanding in order to be able to adapt to any circumstance and prevail at the end. We must also be stern in our effort to know exactly what's going on around us. So when your in a situation where you are a little oblivious to the atmosphere, be bold enough to ask for assistance in understanding. If you don't agree with someone or something and you have a valid reason that will probably be beneficial to more than just yourself, be wise enough to make an "Observation"...because that one moment in time could prevent some unwanted times in the future or simply show everyone exactly what's going on in that current situation.

Always observe what's going on around you! Analyze your every movement and watch the difference in the concept of living. You will be grateful. Speak to someone you don't know today! Peace...

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #50 "Distant Memories"

Find peace and structure, even in the roughest of places!

Hello my people and Happy Labor Day to you! I hope that everyone had a safe weekend. It's football season again, so I know my deep South viewers are too excited. Shout out to the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs, even though the football team was unsuccessful, I know that MMW showed out and stole the show. I love my school and of course War Eagle!

Today I think that my topic of discussion is rather fitting for the holiday that we are celebrating currently. Labor Day, what exactly is this celebration about? Well it is designed to take place on the first Monday in September. It was adopted by President Cleveland way back in 1894. The first recognition of the day however was actually in 1882. Amazingly after a labor strike across the U.S. it only took six days for Congress to pass the law of making this a Federal Holiday 0_O, I would love to see Congress pass a bill in six months, let alone six weeks or days in this current time of Congressional Administration. That would be like Christmas actually being in July..."Distant Memories"...

This past weekend was rather awkward for me. This was the first time since 2005 that I would not be making the band trip. I really didn't know how to feel. It seemed like everything was so ceremonial. My line for the Trumpet section met up in the computer lab earlier that day before the band left. We always seem to be together. It was the current Interim Director of Bands birthday, he as well is a former member of the Trumpet section. I got to sit in the band room and watch them rehearse after we continued the tradition of the entire section storming into his office and giving him his birthday gifts. What an experience!

Work is something so hard to deal with at times, but it is necessary. Unfortunately, all things as we know come to an end. This however is only a physical state. I personally feel that the true work of an individual is never depleted if it is done genuinely and effectively. I like to believe that if you know how to do something, you should be willing and wanting to show someone else, so that things will live on, tradition. I sent a message out to the current members of the Trumpet section expressing the continuation of a task set many years ago. After reading I am sure they understood the responsibility that rested on their shoulders. Their performance gave evidence.  

Why do we retain memories? Simple, something impactful changed our life. Whether it was positive or negative, it left a mark on us that would remain for quite some time. We must ensure that we are creating memories that last a lifetime. We should aim to create visuals that will serve a reminders to the way things should be and what served as a positive influence in our life! In your family, school house, work force and all relationships this task is hard but worth it.

Anytime that we are placed in a situation, we have an opportunity to manage the end result. We have to be able to examine the current state of being and construct actions that will be beneficial to something positive being gained from the experience. This simply means we will have test in all aspects of what we do, how we respond is key to what memories we will create. Many people say that you only get one chance to make a first impression, but why? Who knows what someone is dealing with at the time that this impression is being made? Who are we to decide whether something was approved or not? We can't judge our people the way that we do.

You do however only have one time to react to your instinct and it go the way that it should go. You must decide whether you are going to go all out or if you are going to find another way to the solution based on the surrounding situations. A lot of times we find ourselves in unneeded predicaments simply because we don't fully think things through and because we want an instant result. You must shew away from that mentality in order to foster great memories, things that you will want to reflect upon in the future. Why work at something if it truly isn't going to serve as a gain in your life?

Eventually we all will find ourselves moving away from whatever current situation we are in. The question is how will your past and present dictate your future? Be sure that always keep in mind everything that you do does not only effect you, but others as well. Be sure that you understand, even when you think you are alone...someone is watching your every move. We must be role models to our own minds before we can attempt to guide others. We must be construction blueprint writers of our own life, to build houses that will serve as shelter for all those who may one day endure what we go through. And finally we must be thinkers of our own fate, that those involved in our life will not reap something that is not good for theirs.

Continue to work hard and it will pay off. Eventually all of the work you put in will be recognized by others as it becomes a distant memory for you! What do you want to be remembered as? How do you want to be thought about? What help to others do you want your journey in life to give? These are questions you should ask yourself and then answer. Love that you are living and follow your heart and mind. Adventure into the world and explore it. You only have one life. Find what you love to do and use that gift to make a difference. When you are long gone, someone will tell your story. Will it be good or will it be bad. "Distant Memories"...Enjoy your day my people!

-rjhii

Sunday Reflection #4 "OUT OF THE STORM"

Give all praises to HE that gave us all things!!!

Hello my good people. I pray that all is well with you. What a beautiful day it is. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and we are living. It is so amazing to be able to know that God woke us up this morning and for that we should be happy. It's been a while since I have done a Sunday Reflection, but I feel that it is so necessary at the moment. It seems as though everyone is in that season, where everything seems to be headed in a direction but where to is a little confusing. I am here to tell you today that all is well!

It's so difficult living this life, not knowing what to expect or where to go. Seems like we take one step forward and then our destination finds a way to take three steps back. When we come up with bright ideas or solutions to our problems, it seems like the light at the end of the tunnel is so bright, but as we take our steps towards point b from point a the light just get dimmer and dimmer. Why is this? Why do we find ourselves struggling the way that we do and always sitting around without an answer? Well my friends this is simple. It's because WE attempt to create a resolver for things that we should automatically know is not is our hands.

Human nature calls us to think on the level of humans...Now Reggie how else are we suppose to think? That's what we are! Well I like to look at things a little different. See the Bible tells us that we are made in HIS image and what that means is that we have the ability to do all things through Christ who strengthens us, but when Christ is not involved with our situations...well what do you expect? Of course we will struggle. Anyone who knows me, knows that I strongly feel that everything that happens in the world is for a reason. They also know that believe that everything that is supposed to happen will happen.

Lets examine how doctors began doing test on lab rats. They would place the rats in a maze and at the end of the maze place some cheese. Now for us humans, imagine the cheese as money, a lifelong goal, a relationship, graduation, a big project in the work force and ultimately eternal life! Of course this is something that we can see or in the mind of the lab rat, something that we can smell. However, you know there is no straight shot to this desired destination. There will be road blocks, trials, tests and signs that serve as a road map. As the lab rat begins his journey, he usually gets turned around, lost and sometimes even has to start over but his persistence is what eventually leads him to his goal. 

Just as the doctor watches the travels of the lab rat, God does the same for us. The mazes that the doctor makes for the lab rat is not very easy, but it is manageable. God does this for us as well. As well explore this great creation Earth, nothing is really laid out for us to just grab but neither is the task of receiving unbearable. We must make sure that we are examining everything that comes our way for it is a sign that will serve as a clue to discovering the treasure that we so anxiously anticipate. People, situations, locations, timings, weather and of course emotions and energies all play an important role in figuring out the direction in which we need to go.


"A storm is nothing but a prelude to sunshine" Remember this when all things seem to be failing. Life is nothing but a storm that has certain pauses that will allow you to regroup and figure out what exactly is going on. Now what you decide to do during your time of observation is on you, but I would pray that you are taking great notes. Allow god to be your pen and pad as you write down the experiences of life. Also allow him to be your voice as your solicit the testimonies of struggle and prosperity. No storm will last always, but even while in it there is hope. Use your brain as an umbrella. Let it protect you and keep you dry as you walk through the rain. Use your heart as a rain coat, so no matter what hits you during a storm, it can just role on off and you keep it moving. Use your inner spirit as your rain boots, that you may stand tall regardless of what happens, knowing your foundation will never be withered. God loves you, he knows your pain and is just waiting for you to allow him to do what he does. Let go today my people, give your worries and your goals to him. He will see you through it and "OUT OF THE STORM"!

Be blessed and have a great week. Speak to someone you don't know. Keep your head up regardless of how bad you feel or how hard your circumstance wants you to break down! Peace!

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #49 "From the Earth"

Grow, that others may be planted through your experiences...

It's me again, as you already know. As I stated in the last blog, I think that I am going to write 2 or 3 of these today. Some days you just have a lot on your mind. Be sure you speak to someone you don't know today, it may make a difference in someones life. It will eventually play a large role in yours trust me, speaking from experience.

Ever been to a funeral and actually paid attention to what the preacher says before they lower the casket into the grave? It goes something like ashes to ashes and dust to dust. That pretty much means that we came from the Earth and will eventually go back. I like to believe that while we are here we are experiencing the things that come from the earth. Now how we analyze that object or person is on the individual. Different lifestyles, surroundings and human influence generally determines the mindset of an individual. What they take from this and give off to others determines character.

Ever pay attention to your life and recognize how God puts people and opportunities, that are of extreme importance, right in your face? Probably not, because half the time we don't even recognize what's going on. Today was really interesting to me. I was chatting with someone who I hadn't seen in years the other day on facebook, saw her today on the yard (university campus). I had a purple shirt and gold bow tie on today and as I was walking to the student center there were two people talking. The girl had on army fatigue pants and the guy had on a shirt that said Washington D.C., figure that out. Then I interviewed a faculty member for the book I am writing, went to the computer lab in the same building and who do I find?...the other members of my line for the first organization that I did at Alabama A&M. This was no coincidence. These are signs.

Yesterday I met someone because of an earthly substance...and come to find out we have a lot of things in common and will both be beneficial to each others careers in the future. Had it not been for that situation yesterday, we would have never met. Next time you talk somebody up, observe how quickly your paths cross. I love how things work out like a movie. Yesterday I had an interview with the Dean of Student Activities, and silly me left the ink pen. I tried calling the person that I rode on campus with, but couldn't reach them. So, quickly I was like God I need a pen. Now this is the killer as I was walking I pass by a friend of mine who happens to be playing with a pen. I immediately look up to the sky in amazement. This is how things are supposed to work.

As you go through your daily life pay close attention to every single detail, I guarantee it has some importance in your life. As you observe others be considerate of the life interpretations. Everyone doesn't think like you. Make priorities exactly what they are called, priorities and make sure that you exemplify what you claim you mean to people and what they are to you through your actions and not just your wonderfully put together words. There is something exciting out there for you, go get it!

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #48 "It Feels Like School Again"

So much diversity in the world...Go draw a picture...

My people! Hello there! I hope that all is well with everyone. I am living, so I guess that things are on the up and up. I think I am starting to develop my routine for writing these blogs. I know that it is sporadic, but I have learned to go according to how mind and heart join together and come up with things. In this life you must be willing to observe. Be establishing a desire to live by given signals, you really begin to learn a lot about the world that we live in.

For the majority of our nations student body, the time to get back in school has crept around the corner and planted itself directly in our face again. I am happy to be enrolled in my last semester as an undergraduate, yes clap for me, but as I came back things really didn't seem like school. I guess I was still in summer mode, needing to be in my own agenda versus a planned agenda provided by the university. Things seemed to be going according to consistency. Students were complaining about things and the staff was given people the run around, but when there is so much change in policy, perfect accuracy shouldn't really be expected.

Have you enrolled in the class of Life 101? If you haven't then you should immediately. This is not a BS course I may add. You will begin to see things and recognize situations that you would have never imagined. But see there is a, I guess what you would call a prerequisite. You must be open minded and free spirited. What does that mean? It simply means that you must be willing to accept other opinions and points of view, while embracing change through opportunity of enhancement. One may be enhanced in several lights. You may learn a new word or do something as extravagant as getting a free trip to Hawaii.

I like to believe that you don't need a degree to be considered a teacher as well I believe that you don't have to be enrolled in school to be a student. We must get to the place in our life where we allow everything that surrounds us to teach us something. We also must get to the state of mind where everything we do is in reflection of how it will affect others in your life and not just yours! We must begin living that we are vessels for the improvement of the international society. That's what education is about right?

Enjoy your day my people! I will probably post 2 more today, I just feel like writing...

-rjhii