Daily THOUGHT #67 "The Wrong One"

"Don't let your life get turned around because you behaved in the wrong manner with the right person..."

Hello there my people! How are you? Happy Thursday. I pray that everyone has had a great week thus far and that you are getting prepared to have an even better weekend. My apologies for those of you who were expecting to read a blog yesterday. The laptop I use at home was stolen Sunday and I didn't have a way to the yard yesterday, so I had no way of writing it. I am just going to do and extra thought between today and tomorrow to even everything out, so just stay tuned. Have any of you caught on to what I was doing this week? Well I will reveal everything this weekend in the World News, so be sure you check it out.

Don't you just hate being the first person that someone sees when they are mad or ticked off about something? Sometimes it doesn't even matter if you are first...if one gets too worked up, they tend to take everything out on anybody they come in contact with. What's quite interesting to me is how when people do get upset, everything else around them seems to irritate them even more. If one is driving, the traffic begins to get on their nerves, if one goes somewhere to eat, please don't let the service be poor or you will never hear the end of that...You try to reach somebody and they don't answer the phone or reply, go ahead and add them to the $#!+ list too (excuse my symbols for all my sensitive readers).

I like to believe that the enemy works just as hard as God does if not harder to lead us in certain directions. I think God takes the best friend approach and the devil takes the evil professor approach. You know how your best friends tend to know everything about you right? Well they always give you advice based on how they know you act, trying to lead you in the best possible direction...but when you are stubborn, they let you learn on your own and then comfort you when you fall on your face! Whereas the enemy will give you all the facts, prepare your for a test and then assess you on material that had nothing to do with what you were learning. Not to mention he's never in during the expected office hours.

We as humans miss out on so much simply because we get distracted or we base our actions on our own agendas. We, at all times, must be mindful of what our true mission and purpose is at all times. I guess it would be smart to figure out what that is first...Do you know? Follow the signs, it's probably directly in your face, you just aren't paying attention. Life works in phases, so be careful that you aren't just going through a phase. I laugh all the time when I think about how my fashion taste and personality developed over the years. Somethings that I wore and did "back in the day" I would never do now...quite hilarious.

Why do we allow material things and the actions of others to get under our skin so much. Do we ever sit down to take a chance and ask: "Is it time for this in my life?" Do we ever analyze the surrounding situations in order to guide us in the direction we need to go? Or do we just rush everything...wake up and hope for the best? Believe it or not, the majority of the people that live in our society just get up and do whatever. We have to break this cycle. We look at the elegance of a young lady, how she should be graceful, elegant and sweet mannered this is what we expect. But when a young lady is using strong profane language, dressing inappropriately and doing things out of good character because of anger how do we respond? What do we say...what should we do?

I would love to see the day where humans actually acted on their intuitions. We make eye contact with so many people, but continue to walk past them. We run into the same people, whom we don't take time to know, all the time but make no effort to find out why we keep doing it. We go places and silence our own characters and personalities just to fit in with our surroundings. When will we understand the respect of individuality? When this day comes so much will be better here in the world.

If you are mad about something...be mad, because sometimes we are mentally or physically tough enough to endure certain life problems, but don't let that interfere with you interactions with other individuals. You never know who you may run into or what they may be able to do to improve your life, how you can improve theirs or how collectively you can change the world. Don't be so caught up in your own understanding that you dismiss the emotions and feelings of others. Don't be so overwhelmed by the actions of humans that you retaliate negatively to those around you. Life was never promised to be simple, easy, fair or always enjoyable, but as long as you make the efforts to keep things positive, positivity will follow you and those who you may come in contact with. Leave the stress alone. Smile my people. Peace!

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #66 "Look at Me Now"

MJ said it best...Start with the man in the mirror...

It's Tuesday my people! What's the word? How are you? I am doing pretty well...starting to feel as if this storm that I have been in for quite some time now is beginning to settle. Because of the life path that I have chosen to travel, I know that the storm won't completely die out, but at least I will be able to find comfort in life's daily situations, versus them pulling me down or holding me back. It's almost Wednesday, and you know I like my readers to examine the mid week status...so go ahead and get things done today. Put a little more pep in your step.

I love watching people grow up for some reason. When you meet people and they stay connected with you for a number of years, you are allowed an opportunity to witness the progression or regression of that particular individual. If they are truly important to your life, how they live will effect you also. It's imperative to have friends in your life...people who won't necessarily carry you through a situation, but more so be there as you endure what it is that you go through. Sometimes just the security of someone else being with you is enough to take on the tasks of the world. When you find someone that you know is dependent on your personality, abilities or even just presence, you should offer the same assistance.

We look at how people place things together, either in hopes of self glorification or the benefit of others. Sometimes this is short term related or long haul intended. You examine founders of organizations who put in place a chance for long term relationships and service methods to be constructed and endorsed...whereas you find members of these organizations who attempt to use their rank in order to manifest some self indulgent idea that righteously is only beneficial to the individual. Why is this? Why is it human nature to gain attention in any and every aspect of life? You ever been in a conversation with two or more very competitive people? If you have or have not, the next time when you are, notice how intense things will get. People will start interrupting each other, some will even keep talking as someone else is in mid conversation and of course you will have those that profess that "Oh I already did that...I do that all the time...see when I do that I" and so on.

1966, to me, has a lot of "Look at Me Now" situations. The first acid test is conducted in San Francisco up rooting the Hippie Movement, Robert Weaver becomes the first African American to be appointed to the Presidential Cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Texas Western, now known as UTEP, with five black starters defeats the national renowned Kentucky Wildcat basketball team opening the door for black recruitment. Gene Cernan completes the second space walk. Caesars palace opens in Las Vegas. The idea of the first video game is constructed and Star Trek debuts. Because of several riots, the U.S. Department of Transportation is created. The AFL-NFL merger is approved by the U.S. Congress creating the NFL as we know today, no to forget the highest scoring game in league history was played this year by the Washington Redskins and New York Giants (35 years before 9/11...NYG scored 41 points 9+11+20+01= 41). Funny how Walt Disney would die and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" would appear huh? Well at least Kwanzaa's initial celebration took place shortly after.

We look at HUD today and how it really plays no role in the upkeep of our housing, particularly in the urban areas. Why would this department be so poor in action? We examine politicians that come out of Texas and their lack of concern for African Americans, but look at the difference those five blacks made on collegiate sports. Amazingly, I saw a light skinned young man yesterday with a black and whit Kentucky shirt on. This year the NFL season openers included the New York Giants versus the Washington Redskins and also a match up between the Dallas Cowboys (America's Team) and the New York Jets (self explanatory). Disney films are constantly changing the face of the world and we all know that the Grinch is a tradition every winter. What now will effect the future generations? What are we doing to prepare a safer and brighter future for our youth?

Surprisingly a lot of times those type questions are not our concern. We tend to do things with intentions of helping or pleasing ourselves. Eventually we have to realize that actions like this may seem great temporarily, but sooner than imagined it will take it's turn. Some mentioned yesterday that when you become a parent you must engage a selfless attitude. I feel we must be selfless at all times. We are placed in situations to give a message to someone, as well someone is also placed to give a message to us. Let's start working as one that we may be able to progress together. Believe it or not when we open the gates of opportunity anything is possible. When you look at yourself be thankful and know that if you are living, have family and friends and you are doing something you want to do in life...then you are rich beyond measures. The more open you are to the world, the richer you will be! Peace!

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #65 "A time of Laughter"

Even a child can sense when something is not right...Laughter is the only things that will get us through some of today's foolery!

Hello My People! How are you? I am hoping that everyone has started their week off properly...All smiles and organized in an orderly fashion. If not you still have time to regroup and get things the way that you would like to have them. Go ahead a plan ahead for the upcoming days. Don't procrastinate on that assignment or task you need to complete and be sure to find ways to relax and enjoy yourself. I am doing pretty well. Things aren't exactly how I would like them to be, plus a lot of stuff is just piling up...But I am so blessed to be living and to have the people in my life that I have. Because of this, all is well.

How many Tom & Jerry fans do we have out there? Can you believe that this show debuted 46 years ago yesterday? Yea, that show is old. 1965 was just a year of laughter, if you look at it from a 2011 point of view. What do you mean by that Reggie? Well let me tell you. Did you know that Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock and Bill Bellamy were born in 1965? Oh yea and those guys are hilarious. Martin is my favorite of the three. i think that I connect to him a lot. There were three more very serious events that took place that year, but like I said if you look back now, it was a time of laughter.

This indeed was still a time for our nation where people would shoot first and ask questions later. Majority of the shooting was from White supremacy, so there was really no need for questioning anyways, we all know they just did what they wanted to do. Many people were disheartened as Sir Winston Churchill died after falling very ill, while others were in turmoil and confusion upon the assassination on Malcolm X. Did not this man just profess his thoughts of society and attempt to reach solutions to a failing country. I guess that didn't matter if your skin tone wasn't approved by the hierarchy...We can notice this in the massage age difference and way of death experienced by these two individuals. But hey what significance does their lives have anyways? Society is in a completely different direction.

President Johnson was sworn in to his own term this year in 1965 after having to complete the term of previously assassinated President Kennedy. Johnson's main idea was implementing his "Great Society" Plan. This was very similar to that of the "New Deal" and "New Frontier" plans proposed by President's Roosevelt and Kennedy, only it was more ideal to the current national crisis' that were at hand. The main concentration was of course poverty and segregation. Shamefully many states, particularly in the south, were still not ready to conform to the new ways of the nation. Sad that people actually thought like that, but when I look at the world now...People are just as uneducated as they want to be, only in different subject areas.

The Voting Rights Act was signed into law on August 6, 1965. Has it truly served it's purpose? If you look at it as just giving us a right to vote, then yes it has. But if you view it for the principle of what certain minorities were then allowed, then no it has not served it's purpose. People kill me when they complain about how things are in the world today but say nothing about it, to people who can make a difference. I have yet to understand why our nation has moved to this mental state which makes us to believe that the government controls us. When will we again realize that we control the government. WE decide who goes into the office and it is left up to us to make sure they adhere to what they campaigned on as well understand and work to fix the problems of society. How can we complain if we do nothing about it?

I just got through watching Obama live in the Silicon Valley as he informed the people how we would begin moving our country again, fixing unemployment, bettering education and securing a better fiscal budget. In his closing statements he urged our nation to be vocal and express to their elected officials how we felt about what is going on in cities and states. He emphasized that we must make moves that will benefit all not just one particular political party. As we look at Congress and other politicians, it seems they are focused on the now and temporary political positions rather than trying to do what is best for the future of our people. When are we going to step up and stop allowing this to happen. In the 60's, when there was no internet, bills and laws were being passed swiftly because people took action.

All these privileges we have been granted have made us lazy and complacent. Since we don't have to go out and get anything anymore, we have become satisfied with the little that we have. People have died for the right to be vocal in a country that is said to manifest freedom of speech. People have been tried in our court system because of race and religion, in a land where everyone is supposedly created equal. And now, we witness as a minority holds the highest position in our country...only to have blashpemy spoken to his name and constant attacks from people who would allow the country to fail and fall down to unrecoverable states before supporting him. Sad day...have things really changed here?

As you go forward in your daily walk, understand that something got you where you are today. In the words of President Obama, someone invested in your life, that you may go on to be something spectacular if you put your mind to it. Why not be all that you can be regardless of what situations may come your way. Why not take advantage of all opportunities that have been provided and why not support those people who are trying to make a difference in the world. "Where many are joined for one cause, there will be change...but where many thoughts are joined with no support, there will be complete confusion!" Speak to someone you don't know today. Don't make our life something to laugh at. We can do all things...Remember that and let Christ be your strength. Peace!

-rjhii

Sunday Reflection #6 "STILL PRAISING"

Dear God,

Hello! How are you? I assume that you are looking down wondering why we do the things that we do in our daily lives...pondering about how we get to the conclusions that we reach, which lead us to act and react a certain way. I guess it gets frustrating, seeing the people that are made in your image drifting off from the passage in which you paved for us. I can only imagine how heart breaking it must be to see our living conditions this day in age. I feel like it's only more disheartening having to watch as we allow situations to pull us further and further away from our abilities to implement change, simply because we don't know how to deal with trials and tribulations. I won't even begin to attempt to compare that to anything in my life.

I am at a state of need...That's how I am feeling. I'm not feeling bad, but I am just in need of clarity and direction. Seems like regardless what I do, the enemy is there lurking and waiting to attack like a predator in the jungle does his prey. Please don't mistake my words for fear or disbelief in who and what you are to me, but I need you to lead me where I need to be. I thank you for my ability to remain calm even in the most hostile of situations, but please work through me that this will remain forever consistent...because the circumstances are becoming more and more overwhelming. Only you can guide me through this.

I wish that I could just see things sometimes. I wish that I would be able to recognize the signs as soon as you place them in my surroundings. I wish that I was able to truly interpret the atmosphere of wherever I am located at any time. It has been my belief for quite some time now that all things are indeed for a reason. The days events take place, the people involved with the action and everything that led up to that moment all linked up somewhere down the line. Any great professor can explain what something is by reading material from a book, but it takes a true teacher to be able to explain how everything came together in order to make something happen the way that it did and what will be the latter result in the future. Make us to be great teachers.

For so long we ask the question why us? Why do we have to suffer? Why is it that we always seem to take 3 steps forward and then out of nowhere, 5 steps back? Why do we have dreams that give us visions of great and marvelous things, only to have them taken away from us or blocked out of our reach for some reason or another? What happens to that same spirit that gets us to the point of belief, when things go wrong? Does it flea as well...was it really there or was it an allusion? Every thought imagined down to the number of steps we take on a daily basis are for just cause right? I know so, make me to cultivate the who, what, where, when and why, that what is to be fulfilled will be fulfilled.

As I look at my life, dating back to my previous birthday, I realize that I am on a specific journey hand made by you God! I thank you for chosen me to fulfill whatever mission it is that you have before me. From the death of my Grandmother and Great Aunt, from my uneasy departure from the Music Program, from the lost of my car, from my iPhone being stolen, from my other phone line being cut off, from my job and university screwing over my funds placing me in a horrible financial bind, from various attacks towards my band and business, to my home being broken in today and we having a 40 inch flat screen television and two laptops stolen, one of which containing the only remaining pictures I had from my grandmothers funeral and every song that I ever wrote on it...I STILL PRAISE YOU!

The Bible tells us the story of a man named Job, who had everything taken away from him by the devil but his life. The devil asked if he could attack Job and you granted him permission as long as he knew and understood that he could not take Job's life. Today when my home was robbed, I was sleep. You spared my life and for that I am so grateful. Sure enough these material things were taken, but I am still here able to testify about your many blessings and continue on in my journey of fulfilling a task that you had for me long before I even existed. Thank you! Show me how to think, walk, talk and live like you! Help me understand, that I may be able to help others! Live through me that others may see you!

I guess the enemy wants me to be worked up and against you, since all this stuff has been happening. I thank you for allowing me to see who my real friends are during these situations. I thank you for helping me to recognize how the world thinks and I truly appreciate you seeing something in me that will one day be beneficial to others. Bless my International Family. Help us to be more like you and guide us daily that we know you are there with us! Love you dearly...AMEN

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #64 "What In the World?"

In this two toned world, life could be all smiles...But we chose to live differently...

Hello there my people! How are you? I am doing okay...I hope that all is more than decent on your end. I know that everyone is excited about the weekend =D What do you have planned? Share some ideas with me, I would really like to know what you guys and gals get into. It's kinda muggy outside today, so I guess that's relaxing weather for me. I have been trying to settle my nerves lately. A lot is going on and you know when you preach something it's pretty difficult eating your own words, but it teaches you a lot all in the process. Think about that as you go on with your daily activities.

I used to pick a weekly theme and branch off of it daily when I wrote these blogs. I am going to do something similar to that, today and next week. Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I love the 70's. It was just a time of open expression. From the hairstyles, to the style of clothing, all the mixtures of various colors and designs, the funk that was introduced to music, the humungous framed shades, the revolutionary movements put together by the last remaining rebels and of course all the new TV shows that would be hits for ages. If you saw my hair now, you'd think it was the new version of back then. But even with my passion for the 70's, I feel the most influential time of our nation was the 60's. This was the time everyone began making their own rules and judging actions from individual morals versus the tradition of given morals. Blacks were fighting for civil rights. The nation was at war overseas and technology was booming. Not to mention the political scene was monstrous.

Let's take a glimpse at 1964. Lyndon Johnson declares "War on Poverty". The Beatles release their first album in the U.S. and claim the top 5 spots on the Billboard charts. Magaret Smith, the first woman elected the the House and the Senate, becomes the first women to run for President of the United States. Television cameras make it to the moon. Nelson Mandela is sentenced to life in jail. The Ford Mustang is revealed. The HEMI racing engine debuts at the Daytona 500. The final Looney Tune is released. United Kingdom witnesses it's last two executions ever and of course President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964, abolishing racial segregation in the United States. Ironically Michelle Obama was born this year as well. That's how God works, better pay attention. Oh yea the man, who shot the man that shot President Kennedy was arrested too. Amazing how things work out the way that they do.

Our nation was under so much turmoil that it was effecting the entire world. Surprisingly it was both good and bad. Pope Paul VI and Athenagoras I met in Jerusalem. This was the first time since the 15th century that the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches came together, so this was positive. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. became the youngest man to ever receive the Nobel Peace prize for his Civil Rights efforts; this was world changing. But of course there were wars and attempts to create bombs and use them. Was technology advancement such a great thing, or did it only propel our people into lunatic mentality having citizens? You had those who moved into the decade and enjoyed the new fashion trends and use of bright colors, but really had no interest in what they called "all that extra mumbo jumbo". They were satisfied with the cannabis alone.

This was indeed a time of change, that I feel many in our nation were not prepared for. Our public school systems witness outrage from day in to day out. This was also the first time that we witnessed student riots developing all over the nation. What use to be safe ground had turned into open field to open opportunity. Are you familiar with the federal reserve? If not you should research them, those are the people our nation owes for taxes. President Kennedy, along with designating funds for the advancement of technology, attempting to involve minority races in societal ordinance and having world changing experiments in outer space, was formatting a budget proposal that would rid our nation from having to pay taxes. Guess the man who was learning how to get rich and stay rich wasn't to happy about that. That's for another day as well. People never cease to amaze me!

Do you ever imagine, while you are in your history class, what in the world would make our people act the way that they do and go through with plans of destruction and self manifestation that they propose? It's so hard for the bad guy to stop because of greed and misunderstanding. Most bad guys are usually good, but someone didn't want to hear their plan or someone stole their idea and reaped the benefits. Can you blame them for retaliating the way they do? It's just like our society today...Government continuously raises taxes, gas prices are sky high, there are no jobs available, schools are unequipped and not secure, communities are UN-kept, some even disregarded and the term inflation is an understatement for our market economy nowadays...So why is it confusing when the crime and robbery rates are up, when school drop out rates are at an all time high, teen pregnancy is booming like a sub-woofer and no one seems to really be connected as neighbors anymore? Ha! This doesn't shock me one bit.

Look around you my people! What in the world is going on and what are we going to do to change it? Many people are confused about why Obama hasn't just gone into the White House and fixed all the problems...well that's simple, because he has no support. See in the 60's people voiced their opinion and had no fear about standing up for what they believed in. This was true because many people then focused on the bigger picture and that was progression for the masses, not just opportunity and royalties for the self. We must once again find the spirit to stand up for what we believe or we will continue to suffer as a nation. We must also learn to base our decisions off the effect that it will have on the masses, not just ourselves. Are you willing to make sacrifices in order to have a better nation. Are you willing to speak against wrong doing or do you want to foster the traumatizing condition that we have currently become accustomed to? The choice is yours!  

Enjoy your weekend! Make the best out of every situation. Be sure to find time to rest, you'll need it as the week begins again in a few days! Speak to someone you don't know. Peace!

-rjhii

History in the making...Kinda described our fast pace driven society at the time...

Daily THOUGHT #63 "Writing the Script"

"In life don't be fooled by the cover...There is so much more on the inside!"

Hey there my folks! How are you? Hope that all is well with everyone and that your week has been progressing forward smoothly. I am slap dead in the middle of a storm right now, but I am so grateful for life, so I know there is only room to improve and get better. Seems like troubles come in the most horrible of times and when they do...My, my, my, like the old people used to say "When it rains, it pours!" Dealing with the time before things begin to slack up is the most difficult, but realizing that the shining sun is only around the corner should give us all hope and relief.

Since I started doing this blog thing a few months ago, my mind has really began to wonder about all the chances that life has to offer. There are so many places that one may travel to. There are so many movies that could be watched. There are so many innovative opportunities to be fostered and manifested in various societies. And finally, there are so many people that could play such great roles in our life, if only we'd let them. I often wonder why the human mind is so nerve racking. Why do we think about things so much that we pull ourselves away from possibility...? Even with the simple task of flipping a coin, one experiences possibility. It will either land on heads or tails and if you are fancy it may land on it's side. Who knows? But we do know there are options.

I talked yesterday about variety. Variety and options really go hand in hand. When you go to the grocery store, especially the larger and more furnished operations...you will see that there are several different versions of the same things per-say. Why? Simple...Our society is broken into several classes. There are economical classes including wealthy-making it-and poor, educational classes basically those exposed to different cultures of products-and those not exposed and the "what I prefer" classes, basically people who just stick to what they like. By creating options, our market based economy is able to flourish, well at least until the people who are supposed to govern the market get completely deviated from the matter at hand to deal with unrelated issues, usually turning their attention to be focused on the concern of personal matters and unnecessary topics of discussion...but anyways, we'll talk about those people and that situation on a later date.

It seems like when things are going well we make plans, but more so allow events to fall into place. Whereas when we are going through things, we find ourselves making road maps to A). Get the heck out of the situation and B). Making it so we will never have that experience again. But see with option B, that's where we mess up. See here on earth there is nothing that is definite. There is nothing that man can say will be a particular way and it have no room for error. So why do we expect our life to be that way? Why do we assume that there is a possibility for us to write the script in our life and everything work out the way that we want it to? To me, by having this belief you are only making matters worse in your mind and eventually in your reality. See there is a difference in the director and the composer. We have to learn our role!

What's so great about our creator is that he gives us options. He allows us the opportunity to make our own decisions and live with what decisions we have made. Our tests come as quickly as someone asking us a question...How we respond could possibly determine how the cycle of events will occur for you in the next series of days, maybe even months or longer. Imagine someone giving you a script and then saying you were the director. What would you do? Would you attempt to make the script your own and fill in parts the way that you think they should be...or would you analyze the product before you and find ways to embrace what was given and make the material the best that it could be? Life is the same way.

God has given us each a gift, which is supposed to be used to foster our purpose here on earth. Our gift is our script. See there is already a plan for us, but how long we take to get there and if we get there at all is on us. See each day we have a chance to surround ourselves with various characters who play many different roles. In our mind we are thinking of what has happened most recently in our personal life on the majority of occasions because of this we then base our emotions on how we interact with other people and surroundings as they begin to become involved in our life in a timely manner. What we then must be able to do, is decipher who or what is actually for us at that time and most importantly who or what is of the past time or sign of something to come in the future.

Just yesterday I made plans to do something. Because of the people involved, my plans were deterred and I was lied to. Now any normal person would have been highly upset with the situation that I was in...Honestly at the initial point of the experience I was very upset, but then I realized that it must have been for a reason, all the things that took place. I made special preparations and even a few sacrifices to get where I was going, only to get there and everything be changed. "Some people make things so personal that in the long run they end up hurting themselves."...Don't end up like that, because when it's all said and done, you're going to wish that you took advantage of given opportunities. Although things didn't go the way that I wanted them to go, I learned so much in the midst of the circumstance. I saw people that I hadn't seen in ages and it made way to a great evening with friends that I will never forget.

When storms come, they wash away certain elements of your life. Sometimes these elements will never return, other times they will return when you least expect it...only to answer questions that you have pondered on for a long time. Be sure that you are ready to take notes when the signs speak to you. Endure but for a little while. The humble man will find much great fortune in the future. The greedy man will reap...but only temporarily. Do not be one of those doing whatever to get whatever. Make the proper life adjustments to receive what you desire. Stand firm in your beliefs and know that soon a change is going to come. There is no way that we could possibly determine the complete outcome of how situations occur...but we can select the characters carefully, the plot and our role in the production. Enjoy your gift --->"the script"...If you are a reader, make it a best seller and if you are a movie person, make it a box office hit. In the words of the guy from the movie "Water Boy"...YOU CAN DO IT! Peace!

-rjhii

Daily THOUGHT #62 "Excitement In Variety"

"The fruits of Life will only be discovered when you release the chains that imprison your mind!"

Hello there my people! How are you? I am pretty well. You know my motto...One day at a time. I like to believe that by looking into the future while reflecting on the past this will allow you to pace yourself in the everyday journey of life, piece by piece and experience by experience. It's the middle of the week, so if you have something pressing to do by the end of the week, at least go ahead and start on it today if you hadn't already. If you haven't made plans for the weekend, think of something exciting that would be beneficial to your personal growth and then let things happen, something will probably come up anyways.

Anyone who knows me understands that I love tradition. I adore the history behind events, organizations, cultures and people in general. These are the foundational elements that build our everyday society. What traditions have influence on your life? Is it the school that you attend or graduated from? Are you a member of a club or social/service group? Or do you just have a long cherished family lineage? Either of these fall into the same category of continued tradition. I know for myself, each day I start with a reflection of all the things that the Lord has done for me and I know it leads my path to what I endure as the time progresses. This is a tradition for me per say.

As I examine fashion, style, music and television it's amazing to me how different things are compared to decades ago. The type of programs that are on various networks, the songs that are on the radio and of course you already know how intense the internet life is. It seems like everything is so accessible nowadays...but do we really reach out to see what else is out there in the world? I know that I have trouble doing that a lot because we all tend to get complacent in our individual territories. See my typical day will include ESPN, The History Channel, Centric, facebook, YouTube and all forms of music. I guess it's safe to say that these are my daily necessities.

I like to believe that everything in the world is pretty accessible. It depends on the approach, who all is involved and of course the timing to determine how the outcome will be. We as humans, tend to base opportunity off of our personal experiences rather than acknowledging the moment. Like today, I have been calling several service lines, only to be welcomed by bad attitudes and unanswered questions. Most people would respond according to how a reaction was received...please understand this will probably only result in more drama and you still being at point A, versus making progress. We have to learn to remove our personal issues from various encounters with our fellow man. You never know, the person that you are communicating with may be the person that will change your life in a direction that you never imagined.

Why not find ways to explore cultures and different ways of living? Why not go eat somewhere that you have never eaten before? Why not listen to a radio station that you would normally despise of and of course why not interact with people that you assume would have nothing in common with you. I like to reflect on the April 27 tornado disaster in Alabama. I had never really spoken to my neighbor other than the daily "What's up man, how you feeling?" simply because I thought we would not be typical friends. Come to find out, this man plays the violin and cello and had been playing for twelve years before he gave that up to travel to Italy and pursue the culinary arts. Mind you he is currently the kitchen manager at a local Ruby Tuesday. What's significant about that? Ruby Tuesday was my first place of employment. I used to say how ironic coincidences like that used to be, but that was before I REALLY realized that God just works in mysterious ways.

As I always say, you are put in a particular location at a particular time for a particular reason! Embrace that in your everyday life and allow there to be room for variety. When you buy the bulk bag of chips, there is a variety of flavors on the inside. This gives everyone a chance to not only pick there favorite, but have options if one has a different desired taste. In school, our places of employment, churches and neighborhoods we are blessed to be surrounded by so may different personalities, backgrounds and opinions. Love that you can contribute to the make up of our local and international communities. Find where people can help you out and make the effort to uplift others. With variety you create spunk, life and reasons to be enthusiastic. Don't be afraid to try or do new things in life. You may find that your next move was all you need to jump start yourself in the direction that you have be waiting to travel for quite some time. Be nice to the people you communicate with, even if they are ill mannered to you. All that you sow will be reaped. Peace!

-rjhii