Daily THOUGHT #59 "Eyes Alone"

Be cautious of how wide you open your eyes...and how soon you close them...

...takes a seat after hitting multiple back flips...Ow! It's Friday baby! That means the weekend is here and what greater time for a college student than football season? I am so amp-ed about the game this weekend between Alabama A&M University and Tuskegee. This is promising to be a great turn out and a great day for my people. If you are in the Huntsville area, be sure to meet the Normalites at the Old Gym for the pep-rally at 6 tonight...Good Times! So how are you all doing? Regardless what your answer may be...devote the rest of the day to making yourself feel great. You will be happy you did.

You know there are somethings in life, that you try to avoid but no matter how much you try it never fails you end up directly in the situation with no ability and sometimes no desire to leave it. We allow our curiosities to get us so tangled up that our sense of pride kicks in when there is trouble, only to increase the level of concern for the matter however. We then move on to make rushed decisions in attempts to avoid further confusion, only to risk even more the chance of making the incident worse. Why do we always seem to add weights to our race? This will only slow you down. Think about it.

I think it's so wonderful though, the energies that the human body releases when surrounded by others. If you're happy you want everyone to know it and usually to know why. When you are upset, normally one will bottle up their emotions not seeking the input of others at the time...and of course when you are mad, everything kinda just seems to flow on out easily, attempting to knock down anything that seems like a wall as you pass by. For some reason we are very protective of our emotions and rarely seek the acknowledgement of others. We get upset when people can read us, but should we? If everything is for a reason...why not?

Ever watch politicians speak? They use a lot of hand gestures to express there points. Preachers use a lot of continuous dipping and voice fluctuations. Teachers use various head nods and parents we all know have more emotions and ways of getting messages across than there are colors in that huge Crayola Crayon box, real talk. I feel like we as individuals do similar things and in the act of trying to avoid reaction we crate entirely new atmospheres in our mind. When this happens, one expects immediate relief because this is something completely new. All of this could be avoided when one is straight forward with expectations, feelings, goals and just life in general.  

Sure enough, the tongue is the most powerful thing on the body, but I truly believe that the eyes are a very close second. No matter who or what you are, your eyes tell just about everything about you. From how you feel, what you've went through, what's on your mind and whether or not you are sober, these are just a few things that the eyes solicit. Whether you believe it or not, it's possible to tell someone exactly how you feel about them without saying a word. My father tells me stories about his childhood all the time. This one story about him in church is quite fitting for today's topic. He told me about how he may be in church acting up, and all Grandma had to do was look and he knew what to do! He said that she had the "Boy if you don't stop that right now, I will..." look, the "Ooo son, when we get home from church, my, my, my, O_o" look and finally the most hated look of them all, the "Get yo a$$ up right now and meet me outside, obviously you aint ready for church" look.

What expressions do people see from you? I know that you do realize, every time you walk into a room full of people, they observe you and then think about you. See the brain remembers initial encounters, OMG moments and immediate past experiences. Those three traits then combine with right then and there in that moment. Eyes will either seek and find or give and show. Depending on how strong one is emotionally a lot can be displayed creating awkward atmospheres. There is no need to worry about this if you learn to control your emotions. To control your emotions doesn't mean shut everything out, it only means be able to adjust with your surroundings and give off what energies you want to release and all those around you completely understand. Don't be afraid to ask questions, just ask them in discretion. What one wants the world to know, he or she will tell it. Be safe this weekend. If you are traveling I wish you traveling grace. Make memorable experiences. Peace!

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #58 "Classic Timing"

Right on time is so hard to find...

Man do these weeks fly by! How is everyone? Judging by the weather here, everybody is still in rest mode. The approach of autumn does that to the body seems like. I am doing pretty well. Trying to balance my desires alongside life's situations is still the task at hand...gets more interesting everyday. It's Thursday, so go ahead and get your weekend plans together if you hadn't already.

Do you ever ask God to just lead you right into what it is you feel you are supposed to do? Well, I have been doing that recently and let me tell you...when you ask him to show you something, he will do just that. The struggle in the mission however is truly understanding the given message all while fighting to ultimately do what you want to do...I look at the many temptations of life and wonder why are our minds so programmed to have things a certain way, more constantly...our way. Is it really that difficult to entertain a different perspective or choice of opinion?

When in search of something, patience is really not your ally in the battle. Now don't get me wrong, when you are training for a task, patience is vital in understanding what you need to do, but when it's time to go to work all of that kinda goes out the window. See when you are patient with a task, you allow for so many other situations to come a long and distract you. You need clarity. When one has clarity you then can organize timely and put things in it's proper order. With clarity you also know the objective, so you can know how to avoid road blocks.

Many times in life we will encounter altercations where we feel we are the victim in a situation. Do you look at this experience as a negative or positive influence to your life? Remember even in the midst of bad, there can be good. Sure enough, who in their right mind wants to be submissive when the outcome doesn't seem beneficial? I know I don't...but I also know that mentally, we are all on different levels. Life's various journeys will lead us in many different directions, a lot of times to only be redirected to a central location with people that are of importance in our life. So many times we go through something and do all we can to prevent it from happening again and then right when you least expect it, BOOM...you're going through it again.

Just imagine this...Say you have a roommate, you buy food for the house and you don't mind sharing, but every time you come home nothing seems to be saved for you, your living environment becomes more like a hoovering environment. Because of this you decide you want a new roommate. Again you imply that you have no problem sharing and surprisingly this time the other person feels the same way. One weekend before you leave to go out of town, you go and buy let's say $200 worth of groceries, because you know your cousin who has no money will be in town next week. Ironically your roommate plans a party the same weekend you go out of town...long story short you come back all your food is gone and your roommate has no money to pay it back. After this encounter you decide you want to get your own place. Now is that really going to solve anything?

By being placed in similar situations on more than one occasion, the mind and physical emotions begin to analyze and formulate an idea on how to feel and how to react. It's kinda like how people treat intimate relationships at times...too often we base our present state off of previous experiences. Once a day is here that is the first time that we see it right? So why not start a new...because whether you want it to or not, yesterday and all the days before that, we will never see again...Any who, so while at this new place you find your lover and devote your time and energy into making things work accordingly for the two of you. Then along comes a friend of yours who constantly asks to eat with you, they never really contribute to the dinner but they always show up. Imagine that. What is your expected response? You have already went through this before, now even in your own place you feel this spell has followed you. UGH!!!

One thing we must always remind ourselves of however is that we never know the story of another individual unless we take the time to understand it. We never will realize why we go through what we go through until we take the time to understand everything that leads up to something happening. If you catch a head cold in the summer, you probably slept under too much cold air or you had some allergy problems. Something led you into having a cold. This is the same to how something led your first and second roommates into doing what they did. With your new encounter, the storyline might not be the same. This may be a good person who is going through something and is seeking assistance. To decipher what it is, is on you. By seeking understanding, you will find it and from there you will be able to make the right decisions. Everything you do leads up to a moment. Analyze and think more about the future before you decide how to react. Sure enough every tiger has stripes, but those same stripes vary in size, count and design.

Things will line up in a timely manner if you let them...but you have to seek that kind of lifestyle. Search for clarity and be responsive in  your situations. Have a great day...Peace!

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #57 "Stability in Hostility"

Tough Times call for Tough People!!!

What's up world? How are you? I am doing...okay today. Seems like things get lined up the way they are supposed to be and then something happens all the time huh? Well at least that's how things have been going for me. I love my life because it is filled with so many people who teach me so many things. I also love my life, I guess because I am loved back. It just seems like all the time in between where I am deep in thought, the entire balance of life being productive is thrown off.

I was watching a cooking show the other day. I could not believe how intense things get in the kitchen. Emotions were flaring, tempers were rising, there was constant screaming, some were cursing up a storm and a lot of personal remarks were being thrown around...it was crazy. Sure enough it was a competition and the viewing audience does need the entertainment, but some things are just a bit too far. Surprisingly I am a person that has no judgement on the use of words I just have an opinion on the context for which words are used. Take for example the word ignorant, most people you know get heated up if someone calls them ignorant, right? Myself, I use the word all the time...simply because it means not knowing something. If you haven't been exposed to it or you don't understand it, you are ignorant to that matter, simple.

"The fuel of competition may burn too fast for most engines." Think about yourself and others that you associate with. How do we react in times of competition or when we are under extreme pressure? Do we take initiative and find a solution to the issue? Do we get involved but then panic and retreat, allowing someone else to figure it out? Do we act as if we know the answer when we really don't or do we just sit back and see what happens? All of these traits are what make up the society that we live in, along with the people that antagonize and create negativity. As humans we are under extreme pressures even when we don't know it. Every idea that comes to our brain will lead to our next action. Examination is vital. We must make sure that we manage and organize our thoughts in order to remain stable in any situation.

Yesterday was my Grandmother's birthday, sadly this was the first one that any of my family had to experience without her being here. Indeed this was difficult, but bearable. This year was also the first year since '05 that I wasn't packing up with the band to travel and perform. This too was very difficult but bearable.We as human must understand that the Stability and Hostility of any circumstance lies in our hands. "We can control the fate of occurrences when we learn to control our emotions..." What would life be without hardships, failing at something and bickering with the persons that you care about the most? Pointless, unappreciated and dull...There are matters that we don't have control over, but we can control our conduct.

What does it mean anymore to be loyal or confidential? Is there any more belief that word is sacred and bond is everlasting? These are questions that so called best friends, organization members and leaders should ask consistently. We find ourselves so many times involved with projects that calls for the opinion and ideas of other people. We must realize that every time will not go smoothly and everybody will not always agree. Respect is key in order to remain stable. I feel that once humans realize that each person has their own individual thinking pattern, we may then begin to embrace one another in more healthy relationships.

Health is not just about fitness, just as hostility is not always a dual or grueling match up between two hated parties. Health also deals with positivity, production, effort and purpose. Hostility is anything that is opposite of what health represents. Are you working towards a healthy life or a hostile life? Think of things in the long term before you make decisions and listen more to truly understand where your peers, colleagues, friends and family are coming from when they are expressing something. Don't be so quick to be offensive. A strong, stable and humble defense will always win! If you are going through a trial right now, keep your head up! If you are the cause of  tribulation, fix things where you can. Move swiftly with integrity. Remain stable in all hostile situations. Peace!

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #56 "All In Search..."

Sure enough...Seek what you value! But above all things, value what you seek!!!

Greetings everybody! How is your day going THUS far? Thought I'd start it off a little different today...and only fitting, seeing today's topic of discussion is "All In Search...". I figured it'd be pretty interesting to reflect upon your day even up until this point whether it be early in the morning or late in the evening when you read this. Map out where you've been, what has led you to this occasion in your daily story; read this "Daily THOUGHT" well and see how it fits in your life at this moment. I promise it will help you in the future. Let me know if it does.

You know when you go off to college, there is this feeling in your mind to how you hope things will go. There is this vision in your heart to how you expect experiences to go. It's not always like we imagine however. What I feel is ever so interesting about life...is the fact that we spend so much time attempting to create things a certain way, when we really never know the outcome...or do we? Everything is a mental state is it not? We create emotions, that create statements, that creation reactions, that create atmosphere. Simple enough. Our atmospheres are like the steam that comes from a boiling pot of water on the cooking stove. There has been so much put into process from walking into the kitchen, picking the pot, filling the pot with water and much more before the steam has actually had an opportunity to rise. The steam is the release.

Depending how involved the energies are in something, the larger the outcome will be. Many people gathered in a location to feel a certain way will come into that place initially expecting to do something in a particular fashion. For instance, when you go to a party, one would expect to ultimately have fun, right? When you go to a music recital, one would want to be enlightened and entertained by an artist's interpretation of various pieces of musical literature. And of course if someone goes to a wedding, one is or SHOULD be expecting to attend the culmination of two souls finding each other and linking harmoniously in an everlasting bond...but that's for another days discussion. So...those people involved, now bring their immediate previous experiences along with the long haul memories which fuel their personalities to this particular gathering. From here people will begin to express themselves through words or visual gestures that pertain to the scenery.

Do we really initiate enough things in life? I know there is a lot that comes to your brain constantly, it's human nature...but when it comes what does it do? I am very happy that I am reaching that point in my life where I sit down and really analyze everything that is going on around me.When you do this, it allows you time to process what's next. See we are all messengers and the people that are in our life give us the directions to where we should be going. Ever really had something on your mind and then you talked to someone randomly and they answered what you were thinking? If you haven't be patient; it happens to me all the time. The quest is before us. The drive is in us. The clarity of purpose is always the question.

Murderers to me are so over rated compared to some of the people who aren't incarcerated. I witness everyday, people who are so fortunate to have life, but have several misfortunes simply because they kill ideas, not just others but their own as well. Pride has been become so important in the lives of our society now that we are willing to do some of the most hateful things only for the boasting of our own "good character". When this becomes your lifestyle...what are you really in search of? Material is just what it is, material. In the age of adolescence that is hard to realize, simply because our materialistic fantasies become our believed to be necessities.

Let's say there are nine letters, three each of A B C...they all go to a place called # in order to retrieve the numbers 4 5 6...in the process the letters get scattered...Situation I- A1 gets connected to a C3 who is connected to B2 who knows A3, mind you A1 knows A3 as well (may wanna read that again), but because they are on different missions A1 and A3 have been separated....Think about that. Situation II- C2 knows B1, who knows A2 who knows C1, mind you C1 has never met C2. They are both C's, but never crossed paths. Each of these letters were in quest of finding a certain number, because there were others that had similar ideas, various letters became connected . Also in the process the letters that were unaware of previously existing connections were now connected on another level. We as people do the same thing. Go look at your connections and tell me what you figure out.

We are "All In Search..." of something. What that is only God, you and the people who truly know you can elaborate on efficiently. Affirmation may come in the least expected of places, be sure that you are ready and prepared to receive and accept it. When you go outside at night time, you realize even bugs come to the light...We always want to see where we're going. Sometimes we don't need to see, we can see all that when we get there. Live your life knowing that it is for a purpose. Express yourself knowing it will only lead to the answers of questions that you and several others have pondered on for lifetimes. Everyday leads to another piece of what seems at times to be a puzzle that can never be finished. Keep collecting and continue storing. Your harvest will reap before you know it. Peace! Speak to someone you don't know today...

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #55 "The Follow Up"

Sometimes it may take you a while on your most challenging endeavors...but keep pushing!

Hello my fellow citizens of the world! How are you? I hope that all is well...I'm making it around these parts nowadays, one foot in front of the other and one day at a time. Do I sound really old when I type like that? Just curious...I like to think that I am just a little more wise than my age wants to allow me, but that subject is for another day. This is the beginning of the work week so get to work! Organization for the week is key on this day, so get everything done.

Now tell me this...maybe someone has figured out the answer. Why is it so hard for people in our society to Follow Up with things? And I ask this, because I am a victim of the same behavior. We see it all the time with proposed agendas, appointments, rehearsals, events, individual progress and the list goes on and on. We look at our initial opportunity as enough to settle any progression. This means that our mind tells us the fact that "something" is done should be enough...there should be no need to go any further. A lot of times in the business world, you well see executive professionals present a plan and give a deadline. Not quite that simple with us common folk per-say.

The forest is filled with a plethora of trees. Many are in the same family, but no one tree is made identical to the next...people are the same way. Not to say that deadlines are always included, but even when they are set...a lot of times people, especially of the middle and lower class brackets, tend to deviate from what was intended. I am currently working on my first book entitled "The Study of Progress and Redemption" and though it is based on creating cohesive learning environments for students and teachers alike, it fits for the type of comparison that I am trying to do now. This book is a complete dialogue on understanding the ways of the mind of how it functions at certain ages and because of surroundings, family backgrounds and life situations. Not to make excuses, but this too is what happens with the people of our society. This has great effect on this matter.

There must come a time where we are able to sit down and not only analyze but forecast the events that are to take place in our lives. Things happen when you speak them into existence, but only when you follow up on what you speak. Just like the old saying about the horse, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink"...that is so true with our lives as well. We can dream and imagine some life changing ideas, but what do we do with them? When something goes wrong how do you react? Does this now dictate the mood you will carry wherever you may go? Does this push you into a state of solitude because you develop a feeling that pushes you away from the world? Or do you analyze and forecast for the future? These are questions that we must ask ourselves.

I want to challenge everyone to be a coach for the week! This means that as things happen you will be taken notes. As situations occur, you will be analyzing and as you move from one exercise or responsibility to the next you will evaluate your progress and purpose. Don't let these great minds go to waist,because everyone is of great meaning and importance. As the day gets close to the end recollect on what happen, jot down what you feel was positive and what you thought was negative. Make adjustments and ensure that the next day and all those to follow will be better! I wish you all well, please feel free to comment and spread the word to your friends! Peace...

-rjhii

Sunday Reflection #5 "POSITION & ABILITY"

Remember, Research, React!!!

Happy Sunday everyone. I pray that all is well for you. As you know, today commemorates the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attack of the World Trade Center in New York. Let us be sure to be mindful and respectful to this life changing national disaster. Also let us keep in our prayers, the individuals and families who had their lives taken or completely changed in the course of an hours time, during that terrifying moment in history.

I find it so interesting that my topic for today's Sunday Reflection is so fitting for this national day of remembrance. I know that some would not agree with the approach that I make with some subject matters, but I believe that some things are pretty obvious...we just have to stop dumbing down our interpretations. We find that to be the way of society now. Our people have become gullible and very vulnerable. Why is that? Simple...by being this way, our people believe that opportunity is created. By going along with something, because of the presentation alone, in makes a mindset of trust and hopeful assurance that what is being sold or delivered through verse is exactly what will be given at the designated time.

Why do we run for offices in organizations or politics? Honestly I believe that since the beginning of time it has been divided into two sectors...The first being those people who had to give and because of this they did. Whether it was knowledge, skill, industrial development, resources or monetary assistance...they used their gifts to help others. And then of course on the other hand, you had the people that were a little different...These were the people that usually possessed the same traits, but were not to intent on providing for the people. These individuals were just that....individuals.

I believe, as I always state, that everything happens for a reason. You are in a certain place and point in time for a purpose that you normally don't even know...but when you open your eyes you usually can tell exactly what is going on. Yesterday was quite an eventful day for me. I helped one of my brothers move in to his new apartment and of course, this put me on a quest of testing my brain. I ended up at my old apartment, because my friend knew a friend that now lived there...amazingly the four roommates that used to stay there were together the previous evening. It had been a while since this happened. Finally when I went to Waffle House I got my last sign of the evening. My change included a New York quarter...mind you the date is September 11...

What does all this mean? It means that I have been put in a position to witness something and because of that, I either have the ability to tell others that they may be able to manifest things in their life or I can keep it to myself and be selfish! God has put all of us in positions. What will you do with yours? Will you be selfish and watch others continue to suffer or will you embrace what has been given to you and attempt to make a difference in the world. Time is not promised forever but timeless effort will continue to live on as long as there are daring people in the world. Don't be afraid to test your abilities and don't be afraid to call those out who may be pretenders. It is time for us to get on board and do what we gotta do to change the world! What's your "POSITION & ABILITY"?

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #54 "Silly Rivalries"

Some rivalries aren't meant for the Playground...

I know I said that I would post 3 Daily THOUGHT's yesterday, but the sleep spell definitely took over my body. I was knocked out early. But, I will just post the third THOUGHT today and you may read it along with the World News.

As I contemplated on exactly what I would write about for #54, it kinda just came to me. Football season is here, the food industries are battling it out with the most entertaining commercials and forms of advertisement in history and of course we all know that the political scene is boiling up dramatically, especially with the 2012 Presidential Election right around the corner. What are we doing to embrace these visuals? Are we taking notes and analyzing or are we just going with the given flow of things and responding verbally when something doesn't go our way or according to the instructed plan?

Too many times when we are in altercations based on a siding of parties, we tend to forget that regardless what something says on paper, it too is liable for inconsistencies or even complete disregard to the foundation of the initial idea. Who are we to blame for this? Do we blame the particular parties or do we take time to investigate the implementer of the action? Rivalries, like what we eat and how we live can indeed be healthy. But at what measures based on pride and popularity are we willing to risk in order to tackle serious issues head on? No one can surely cast judgement on another, but one can examine the facts and the records and come to a feasible conclusion.

In all lights where there are various parties involved, there is still always a common factor or an origin to branch from. We look at U.S. Politics, sure over the years there has been the establishment of multiple independent sectors, such as the Tea Party, Socialist Party USA, the Labor Party, etc. but the known dominating parties have always been the Democrats and Republicans. This is the catcher, see our nation is built on reform based on the occurring situations. Our leaders have always been people who should be able to render solutions to the problems of our society, at least that's what the documentation says. Because both parties, over the years, have had people to come in and adjust somethings to fit their own liking, you have found other leaders step up and create other ways of getting answers.

This still does not take away from the fact that the origin of all of this was to govern the people and remain steadfast to the ideals set by our founding fathers. We see this is organizations today as well. We find ourselves joining groups based on what will be afforded to us more so socially than in the efforts of service and meaningful projects that will indeed bring relief to the masses versus our own self righteousness. We find even in our churches, "good" Christians speaking out against the association with "bad" sinners. What kind of world is this? What many people wouldn't believe is that at the beginning the Republican Party probably had more benefits to minorities than that of the Democrats, but based on the people...look where we are now!

There is nothing wrong with a little rivalry amongst friends and even the nation, but we must learn where to draw the line. We must observe the true meaning of that which we give oath to. My best friend is a student at Alabama State University. Many people to this day can't understand how that is even possible with the bitter rivalry that comes from this bad blood between two institutions...but we have a common denominator and that is Music. Because we are both talented, have mapped out and stamped our own journey's and have ideas that will propel ourselves and others in the future, we have respect for one another. This is indeed the key!

I hope for the day when people will realize that we are all different, but because we are made in HIS image we are too all the same. It's just up to us to find where we agree and manifest that into understanding the rivalry. Please don't misquote me now! I still despise of anyone or anything associated with 'Bama State as we call them, but the people there, some are those who I have grown to admire and cherish as friends very deeply. We may not agree with the source of something, but learn why you don't. Don't just base your assumptions or analogies on what people offer you. Do the research for yourself. Find the truths in all that you do. I promise it will be for a more positive outcome! Peace! Have a great weekend...

-rjhii