PROPER VISION

Today I just wanted to share a notion: BE GRATEFUL! I realize that constantly live our lives in pursuit of the chase, chase of money, chase of prestige, chase of greater accomplishments, etc. I by no means feel that we should live our lives settling on things that we feel are beneath us, yet I do feel we might have a different perspective the more we take time to appreciate what we actually have right now! It occurs to me that most times in life we figure the value of things after we have tarnished or lost their possession. This is something that cant be undone, as none of us have an ability to go back and change the past. Yet the greatest lesson learned from the many mistakes we make is to treat the upcoming and present moment with much more thoughtfulness and insight. Knowing you will appreciate whatever it comes for exactly what it is relieves a ton of pressure off of you. I believe if each day doesn't have to be the day we strike it rich, but rather the day that we learn valuable lessons that will increase to our wealth or knowledge and understanding. Appreciate what you have and nothing ends up being that bad. Also the goods end up being great because you've turned your bads into goods. THIS IS THE TRUE KEY TO HAPPINESS, RICHES AND SUCCESS!

I feel this is my best one yet
SO I wont try and over do it
An Obstacles is now viewed as opportune door
I cant wait to go through it
With a smile I pursue it
As I eagerly endure it
Embodying the definition of a purist
Not to mention he that endures
Is granted VICTORY
SO each painful step brings one closer to the epiphany
GREATNESS awaits those to wait on GREATNESS
PACE IS A Derivative OF PATIENCE
I AM Grateful FOR THIS INSIGHT FOR I FEEL THAT ITS TRUE
SO MUCH SO THAT I SHARED IT WITH YOU
I WOULD LOVE TO ELABORATE
BUT I FEEL THE SUBSTANCE HAS BEEN SERVED
NOW GO OUT AND GARNISH GREATNESS FROM TODAY
FOR ITS MORE THEN DESERVED
LIVE SUPERB!!!!!!

BLAH BLAH BLAH

Enough is enough
People always want to persectue so tough
Yet they rarely can stand up when times turn rough
I see it all to often
So I had to address it in my poem
Folks with a laundry list full of sins
Adamently throwing stones
Leave it alone
From Plaxico to Ron Mexico
Even Brittney Spears
All have suffered enough folks
Society has become so low
That we now turn our attention on the misery of other folks
Its almost always been like this
But due to technology
Its now world news in a few minutes
Ironically
We all pay attention
And I am not faulting that
Im faulting the judgemental attitudes especially towards blacks
I dont wanna step on too many toes
So Ill bring this to a close
By saying one day I hope
Medicine is tasted by those that use to serve it
Empathy is a life lesson
AND WE ALL SHOULD LEARN IT

THUS SAYETH THE LORD

This morning I read Mark Chapter 7 verses 10-18! It surely wasnt coincedence that I came across this passage of scripture as I had a conversation last night with my sister and seemingly with one of my good friends in the recent days that weighed heavy on my mind and heart. This passage of scripture deals with tradition, as Jesus is saying to the disciples and those around him that it isnt what a man eats from the outside that makes him unclean, its the things that come from inside that make him unclean. I realize that in this country, in this world, in this day and time tradition has almost become synonymous with religion. This has kept many away from the "light" and pushed many to the darkness merely because they saw the contradiction in "one human being" or a "select group" deciding what it was that GOD said and how we should live our lifes!

I feel that its foolishness and a ploy for power and money when these things are decided, dictated and forced upon the people that may be seeking guidance, advice, wisdom, direction, etc. So I share that a personal relationship with GOD is the greatest gift one could have, because if you have a relationship with him directly you get a much better deal, much more of a benefit, etc. As with anything in life, like the drug game for an example if you go through someone who gets it from someone else, your ultimately paying more then you normally would have, but if you get it right from the source you find that your ability to receive a great deal is imminent. I dont mean to mix GOD and DRUGS, but I feel the analogy was obvious enough to allow my point to be made.

Fret not over what someone at your church feels about how you dress, or what time you do your devotion, or what kinds of foods that you eat during whatever periods of time, because GOD knows your heart and if your in relationship with HIM, HIS WORD already says your all to the GOOD!

I use to fret
Now I dont loose no sweat
All because of the ONE THAT I MET
NOW I wager safe bets
No question in my MIND
GOD will work it out in TIME
YET I STILL GRIND as if ILL HAVE TO DO IT MYSELF
IM NOT SAYING THIS IS THE ANSWER BUT IT HELPS
AND WHEN I FEEL LOST OR CONFUSED
I CALL ON MY DUDE
I PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE PEOPLE THAT SCHMOOZE
WITH OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY DECIDED THE RULES
IVE BEEN USE TO EXCEPTIONS AND SPECIAL TREATMENT SINCE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
EVEN BEFORE THAT
SO I DONT ASK A MAN
I ASK "WHERES THE LORD AT?"
I KNOW HE HEARS ME
ALWAYS IS NEAR ME
HE'S A BIG REASON I HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR CLEARLY
SO WITH A HEART FILLED WITH PRAISE
AND MY ArmS RAISED
IM DETERMINED TO TRUST, PRAISE AND FOLLOW HIM FOR THE REST OF MY DAYS!!!!!!!

Pass The Gochi My Friend

So as I woke up this morning and I was reading CNN's different articles for the day, my attention was grabbed by a poll question. Should the US Decriminalize Marijuana in this country? I naturally voted yes, at which point the results of the poll thus far were posted. I wasn't surprised to see that Yes( 67% 87456) had a decisive lead over No(33% 42767) and I think its only a matter of time before marijuana is legalized! It has always been my feeling that marijuana is far less dangerous then alcohol or even cigarettes. I have had to stop trying to convince this point to non smokers or smokers that have quit because I realize they must believe what they do because its their life, however the same holds true for me. I also say to anyone that says smoking weed isn't wonderful, "you probably weren't smoking the stickiest of the ickiest!"

Quality always makes a difference as there is a vast distinction between suede or silk and cotton or between expensive champagne and cheap champagne, between aged wine and wine that was fermented yesterday! I honestly feel that when weed is legalized our economy will go up because not only will there be an influx of purchases of exact elements, but also snacks, eye drops, air fresheners, lighters and even DWH tickets (Driving while HIGH) will create even more cash flow. I am excited enough at this notion that I may in fact leave my room today in search of the Bombay though I currently am not smoking! Its such a great thing, I look forward to a time when I am a grandparent and can sit down with my son and his son and roll up a phat one and tell funny stories about what I recall about my life!

ITS HARD BEING FROM THE NORTH SIDE

Today I learned about whats been going on with North Korea. I have tried to ignore all the news and propaganda over the recent months and years about North Korea because I know I am biased. I feel like being a Northsider I share the pain of the North Koreans. They have sought two things aggressively most since the 50's and those two things are the unification of Korea and the assembling of a world class war arsenal. Its funny how there soft neighbors the South Koreans must rely on outside aide and help whether its the U.S. or others because being a beast from North Minneapolis Ive always been baffled at how the South Minneapolis people needed St.Paul and others to validate there strengths. Generally the weak band together and the strong are made to feel as though they are the weak.

I am not an advocate of war, however as we look at world history it is evident that war has been an imperative instrument in the fight for any cause. Whether its chemical, propaganda's, territorial, verbal, etc. war makes people come to grips with the fact that certain things wont be tolerated and sides must be chosen. I love the fact that the U.S. and its historical powers always deem others behaviors as so heinous when we have generally either aided or involved ourselves in many similar actions. Let the South Koreans get rolled on as it may signal the time for what is much needed and as usual my allegiance is with the NORTH!

Someone Else's Dream

In the Bible it says do unto others as you would have others do unto you! We think about this passage from time to time (we being the general masses) yet I feel that we do not think about it in a broad enough way. Doing unto others truly can and should be a constant testimony for people because not only are we constantly interacting but were constantly interacting with other people as well. When we think about dealing with every person how we would be dealt with in return, I guarantee that interactions would be different. I have received such help and support in the pursuit of my dreams that it feels great when I have the opportunity to do the same for someone else. Later today a three generation dream will be fulfilled when I bring my mother in the studio to sing!

My maternal grandmother Mary died in a fatal car crash as she was taking a cab to the airport in Minneapolis, headed to L.A. to pursue her musical dreams of being a recording artist. My mother attempted many different times and in different ways to achieve this yet due to a lack of support and later having a family, she was never able to do so. She had purchased recording equipment like an 8-Track, amongst other things but she has never even been in a studio to record. Now this might not seem like anything special to you, however my mother grew up in a family childhood band that included her brother (my uncle) Charles, Prince (her first cousin) and Tyka (Prince's sister and also my mothers first cousin).

I cant express the joy and excitement that has been about my mother leading up to this moment, even as she second guesses her talent. I have no doubts on what the outcome will be and you will also get an opportunity to appreciate it, because the songs she records on will debut on my next mix tape!

The More You Know

It is easy for us to decide who we think is best for our lives, and who is going to come through in the times when we need them most, however like my father says "the proof of the pudding is in the eating!" I have been able to find out more and more who's really in my corner, who can really be counted on, who really is reliable, who really does what they say and who is generally and genuinely happy for my success'. It can be looked at improperly and taken as hurtful information when you find out that someone you thought was in your corner actually wasn't, yet better to learn that now then down the road. The next biggest step is accepting these discoveries as what they are and not making excuses for people being who they are.

I continue to feel that I have been blessed with an incredible team of supporters and though that group might not be as large as I initially thought, it is however stronger then ever imagined. My sister, my brother in law, my mother, my little brother, my cousins, a few of my ninjas, etc. make up a group of people that I wouldn't trade for the world. I appreciate this group because their not just there when I need them, but they tell me what I need to hear when I need to hear it. I would encourage everyone to take a real assessment of those in your circle and find out who's just taking up space and who's really contributing.

Truth sets you free and Trust sets you up
The air leaves the room once the bubble gets bust
I use to see through a clouded perspective
However the clearing of the smoke has made me much more selective
Peoples flaws I have accepted
None of us are perfect
Yet some are in our lives that are quite undeserving
If you can accept this fact without becoming emotionally attached
You'll find letting these people go
Allows you to interact
With those that contribute
So instead of experiencing a lapse
You find your circle is even more now intact
I have come to grips with people and the truth
No question about it
The only question now is....WHEN WILL YOU?