THINKperiod

A day made in glass: Possible future.

2011-08-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

Dot-Com Bubble 2.0?

2011-07-08T19:06:00.001-07:00

In recent news, we have all read article after article about newly formed technology companies going public or filing for IPOs. It is safe to say that there is an incredible buzz behind potential investment opportunities in many online companies. About a month ago, the professional networking site LinkedIn, had its IPO and saw its shares rise 80% on day one. This spectacular reception of the stock speaks nothing to LinkedIn’s ability to make money (though they did see profits soar over 200% from 2008-2010), but speaks volumes to how desperate investors are for the next big thing.

In a time where not even Bernanke himself can figure out what is going on with the economy, investors are trying everything possible in pursuit of better returns. But who can blame them? U.S. treasuries are paying close to nothing, and the S&P 500 has been all over the place. With everyone sharing the same sentiment, people can’t help but gossip about the possibilities of investing in popular web companies that are looking to go public. The companies people are most excited about include:

· Facebook

· LinkedIn

· Twitter

· Groupon - daily deal site

· Zynga - social game developer

· Hulu - online video service

It has been quoted that the investment environment is at a “frenzied level not seen since the late 1990’s dot-com bubble” (WSJ 6/29/11), and it is easy to see why. There are countless articles written about all of the above-listed companies, when half of them haven’t even filed to go public yet. LinkedIn is currently trading at $98.70 (up around 5% today), though is it only earning a mere $0.04 per share. That’s a PE ratio of a ridiculous 2,720.03!

At the end of the day, the only people who actually benefit from all of this hubbub are the Private Equity guys. A good example of this is GSV Capital Corp: they recently saw their shares rise 40% after purchasing 225,000 shares of Facebook (after valuing it at $70 billion). It was the Private Equity firms and Venture Capitalists who were able to make these internet companies what they are today.

Nobody can blame any of these companies for wanting to go public at a time like this. Myspace recently sold for a mere $35 million dollars last week! With technology CEOs looking for a big pay-day and investors desperate for something new, it seems that another dot-com bubble is inevitable.

-Sam

Try.Live.Do

2011-06-15T08:07:00.001-07:00

How To Rule The World & Obtain Black Power

2011-06-08T10:42:00.001-07:00

Are you willing to do what it takes?

Shadeism

2011-05-31T13:21:00.000-07:00

Shadeism from Shadeism on Vimeo.

How can we be upset that others hate us
when we hate ourselves?

What always comes first: Love yourself

Mind the way you refer to others.
If it reflects anything other than love
make sure you remembered what comes first.

Dichotomies of the Diaspora

2011-05-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

Do you get it yet?
Do you love yourself?
Are you sure?

Lack of Black Love [pt. 2]

2010-12-23T17:32:00.000-08:00

Second entry:

23 Dec 2010

For some reason I was never keen on reading Hill Harper’s book The Conversation. I picked it up the other day at the book store [since I do have much time on my hands]. The beginning of this book amazed me. I honestly thought this book was written for the whining females and impatient men who cannot have genuine relationships. Which I guess is true to an extent for it does focus on fostering healthy communication. BUT the driving factor for this book was based on our crisis of the black family. Yes a crisis. Read below:

"In 1966, more than 84 percent of all Black children were being raised in two-parent households. in 2006, just forty years later, fewer than 33 percent of all Black children were being raised in two-parent households. That’s a precipitous 51 percent decline. We could blame it on the change in attitudes about marriage over the past forty years, but that still would not explain why, in 2006, more than 80 percent of Asian American children, nearly 75 percent of White American children, and close to 70 percent of Latino American children were being raised in two-parent households."

This is more than complaining about the black man or woman. These relationships that we put NO kind of strength into effects our future. And literally. It effects our children. Who are our people of the future. Our relationship seeps into our babies. Their minds. Their characteristics. Their whole entire being. And well if mama did it alone, so can I. I can hold my own. I don’t need a man…. Catch my drift?

This is a problem.

Lack of Black Love

2010-12-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

This was a blog I posted on my tumblr. Wanted to share and get some feed back on. Tried to organize my thoughts without being to long winded or by rambling. But it was hard:

14 Nov 2010

My best friend. Her boyfriend. Very much so in love. They had a problem. Sat down to talk about it. Said a few things that might have hurt one another. No raised voices, yelling, or screaming… Realized that there are some things that they both needed to work on. Internally. There wasn’t any external factors involved. None whatsoever. After the discussion, they went on to cook dinner, talk some more, clean, go to bed finishing off with an I Love You. End of story.

They are both African Americans. Attend a majority school. Now sadly to say, if you were tell someone a story like this (in my environment) to your homegirl and n*gga (a term that we commonly use with no guilt) they wouldn’t believe it. That’s the perfect relationship. “Ain’t no body have all dat.”

This pains me to no end. Why is it so hard, painfully hard, for black love to exist. I’m pro-interracial dating as well. But black love - we have a problem here. And its internal. I have a beginning to the unsuccessful black relationship (in the environment that I am in), but no end. So help me out here:

Education and black love. Back in the day, when African Americans finally had the right to attend universities and colleges they pushed themselves to do better and be better. Thrived in academics. Made a point that I can be just as smart as anyone else lighter than my skin color… We attended HBCUs to be surrounded by amazing black people who too wanted to do something for themselves. Blacks found comfort in their profound people. Wanted to look for a spouse, who the same, wants so much more and BETTER. And then today’s generation decided to slap its disease in our schools. I love my HBCU but I can only count two genuine and heartfelt relationships on this campus. No one comes to school thinking “I’ll meet the one who aspires to be like me or greater…” Because half of these schools are starting to fill with individuals who have no business being here…

50/50. What I have realized within HBCU’s (today and near future) is that there are two crowds. The one who came here to surround themselves around educated beings of the same race and color. The ones who did amazingly well in majority schools. The ones who wanted to find something within their race. Something profound. And there are the ones who got in with there 1.9 GPA and lack of vision in their future. The more-than-a-handful crowd that got in because… well… we wanted more people. So now you have the talented ten looking for another talented ten spouse in a pool of, excuse my words, incompetent individuals.

No pain, no gain. Now our talented ten, who have amazing potential in this society of ours, do not feel the need to push so hard. Because we already know this handful of people are 100 times better than the ones who slipped in, so why give it an extra push to be better and do better when, naturally, I AM better… No more academic pain in our systems. Sad but true. Even I feel the lack of competition in my field. Even I’m guilty for my shamming and effortless work. Which then trickles into the way we carry out our daily deeds. We become lazy with people. We have no patience to work things out with the good people. Because there’s others around who won’t give us so much trouble. We don’t need the difficult. The lack of trust begins. Then society takes over our insecurities with that lack of trust… And then females become crazy by “policing” our men with their every move. And now men not having the patience with the one female who wants to take her time, because there’s another next door that is quick to let you have whatever. it. is. that. you. want. There’s no more “good” pain in our society because we’ve become impatient with it…. Hence we have no great gains in our relationships.

It’s one thing to see it with a group of people who don’t know any better. But this nasty disease is trickling into our own being. We have no healthy relationships. Not even the healthy minded and educated souls of our race have the patience anymore.

That story up there of this “perfect” argument is far from perfect. It’s being real. It’s about understanding. Our relationships die so quick because the minute we get into an argument we leave the option on the table for the other person to walk away. But why does every relationship have to end? Why can’t it just grow?

Now why am I relating this to school? College years are our prime years. Where we grow and we learn and we fall and we jump back up… If this is the example we set in our school… Why would it change when we leave?

My HBCU builds us up for the real world, but slowly took the hope of amazing healthy relationships with our people… I’m trying to figure out when and how it will reverse. Change of action? Change of thought? It’s an aching pain for me…

That’s all for now.

——————

**Side note: I speak from attending an HBCU and seeing the difference in successful relationships after leaving here verses attending a majority university.**

Feed the World

2010-11-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

A lengthy piece, but definitely worth the watch. -LK

Discussion: The Pathology of White Privilege

2010-09-22T01:24:00.000-07:00

"From the DVD:The Pathology of Privilege Racism, White Denial & the Costs of Inequality. For years, acclaimed author and speaker Tim Wise has been electrifying audiences on the college lecture circuit with his deeply personal take on whiteness and white privilege. In this spellbinding lecture, the author of White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son offers a unique, inside-out view of race and racism in America. Expertly overcoming the defensiveness that often surrounds these issues, Wise provides a non-confrontational explanation of white privilege and the damage it does not only to people of color, but to white people as well. This is an invaluable classroom resource: an ideal introduction to the social construction of racial identities, and a critical new tool for exploring the often invoked - but seldom explained - concept of white privilege. "

special thanks to Damany Jenkins.

Documentary: Corporations

2010-09-22T01:21:00.001-07:00

Corporations.

Banning Burqas

2010-09-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

Interesting topic that hit the news and global views.

I just was curious about other people's views. Overview: France has banned women from wearing burqas (the black veil that covers the whole body) that predominately targets Muslim women. Now in my opinion, why would you take a right from anyone? The covering of a veil is not a privilege, it's a right. I feel like France crossed the line to become in between people and their cultural beliefs. I'm sure no one would appreciate the government telling them what to do based on their tradition. It does no harm to anyone else.

[Read more.]

Sharing a Thought

2010-09-07T22:47:00.000-07:00

written by: Gaby Blanco, HonduranQueeen

Though I haven't posted a blog in a hot minute, my creative writing has not ceased. I owe no one any explanations, or "excuses," therefore I will not bore you with my life; however, there is a thought I would love to share. Especially with all of the ladies who read this blog.

Here it goes: since life is a movie and you are the leading role, why don't you make the effort to co-produce the script?! Why not be an OWNER of what you present to yourself?

I notice a lot of my peers suffer from what I too have become a victim of in the past, and that is feeling sorry for yourself. Though it can be healthy for the ego (maybe twice a year to almost once every few years), I see more women into their superficial selves and what their heart desires rather then cultivating EXACTLY what they want for their future and well-being.

To all of the those who believe in FAITH and the divine (not necessarily on a religious level) you cannot under mind your efforts in meeting God halfway with what God has planned for you. <<< & that is for EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND on a universal level actually, just THINK. >>>
Personally, I've become irritated and slightly annoyed when a woman voices out her weaknesses. And I do not wish to offend ANYONE!.. btw just know I can understand where you are coming from because I too have been there. Those thoughts are more of my timeshare rather then my vacation home now. I visit only when I have invested into feeling/thinking that way because I've placed myself in a situation where the outcome leads me DIRECTLY to that spot. It's never because I seek attention or want a pity party. That is far from a good habit for a lady to have, and I KNOW this. Whenever I notice myself getting down, I think about WHERE MY CONFIDENCE LIES. I know better then to think I require validation from anyone outside of my world, my mind, my spirit. My family cannot even tell me who I am without me KNOWING where I am heading first. Constructive criticism is healthy, however what others feel like YOU should renovate should first be mutual, and second be respectful. Know yourself because you ask and receive advice.

Be an OWNER:
What I mean by BE an owner is, when creating and enforcing a relationship (whether friendly, romantic, or business-orientated), know what you are getting into. Understand your feelings when getting involved with anyone. Understand every step that you are finding challenging to step on. Understand that nothing in your relationship with a person will have you in %100 full control. As women, we are vulnerable, however stronger and more intelligent then a man. Understand THIS! I shouldn't have to say, "only you make yourself happy," BUT I also extend my hands to those who want and need help. Trust me, I lack communication in the "help-me" department, but I kindly let myself know, I am simply getting ahead of myself. It doesn't make me or anyone weak when asking for help. It makes me stronger actually, and trust me, it should make you feel the same too!
Do not be an actor to what you want to call reality, because then you are just as superficial as a wax doll. What it is, is what it should be taken for, at all times. The truth isn't meant to hurt. It's mean to soothe and heal. It meant to set you free, and if you feel at any bit "sorry for yourself" then I challenge you to answer me this question: Where does your confidence lie?

Love yourself, better then any person can ever. Have high expectations when it comes to matters of your heart. Do not C H E A T yourself in believing something because it's easier to handle or swallow. CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO SEEK CONFIDENCE. Everything in the light shines onto your personna, your aura, which then snowball effects to your overall attitude and perspective of things. Life is truly as beautiful as you are and you MAKE it be.
I speak highly of love because I know that is the one element of freedom that is often manipulated for power. You don't have to believe in God, Jah, Allah to know that love exist at your sole core of your being that is your heart. Don't allow for your heart to trick your mind. You are more powerful then you {THINK.} LOVE is more powerful than any of us wish it was. Everything good, positive, loving, intelligent, resourceful, questionable deserves you energy. When you put your energy into light, knowledge illuminates your heart, spirit, mind, and core.

I want all of my peers& readers to know that CONFIDENCE is the one things no one can ever strip you of, unless you have never been in the face of adversity or humility. Don't become a victim of your circumstances because of your past. Remain humble, pick your battles, and KNOW when to shine! Look forward and be EXCITED to know that you possess the POWER to change your every curve on your body, every feeling in your heart, and ever negative thought in your mind to work for Y O U! The beautiful you is given the privilege to continue to seek your passion and live out your dreams.

Set your confidence meter and create a humble limit, and check it every day. Your ego will thank you later for it. Stay up even with knees bent!

Be at Peace. Cultivate Love. Consistently Complete Tasks.

Video For Thought:

2010-08-31T05:46:00.000-07:00

This is a typography project for the Citizen Cope song Let the Drummer Kick. The songs speaks volumes in itself but add the animation and it really brings life to the words.

-International DA

Waiting for "Superman" Trailer

2010-08-28T14:18:00.001-07:00

Jon Stewart vs. FOX NEWS vs. The 'Ground Zero' Mosque

2010-08-28T10:08:00.001-07:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Extremist Makeover - Homeland Edition

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Artists and Social Responsibility

2010-08-25T05:50:00.001-07:00

Did You Hear the One About the Iranian-American?

2010-08-19T17:41:00.001-07:00

Comedy can break down walls.... This is good stuff!

Be Like Mike: In The Zone!

2010-08-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

POWER.

2010-08-11T05:38:00.000-07:00

I think that even today, we are approaching a new age of identification conflict; The prospect of "becoming" or our state of "being" is in a sense dependent upon our environment. Sociologically, for one to be self actualized, the full potential of his/her character must be unraveled. In seeking answers to problems that are at this moment products of causality, we must undoubtedly embrace the 'questions' which have eluded us [or us them] so. Questions like 'how do me and my surroundings affect the one another', or inquiries such as 'who I am' are linguistic veils which are discoverd in the establishment of our sociopolitical identity. However, in a world that is becoming increasingly synchronized, neither the role of the identity nor its path to self awareness coincide directly with the interests of a modern day unified, clandestine empire. This new found crisis of awareness lies as a resultant factor of a systematic expansion on a global scale. Before we delve any further to view the juxtaposition of identity and power, The contextual meaning of power from a philosophical standpoint, can generally be derived from Hannah Arendt's definition of power and strength:

"...Power corresponds to the human ability not
just to act but to act in concert. Power is never the property of an individual; it belongs to a group and remains in existence only so long as the group keeps together. When we say of somebody that he is "in power" we actually refer to his being empowered by a certain number of people to act in their name. The moment the group, from which the power originated to begin with (*potestas in populo*, without a people or group there is no power), disappears, "his power" also vanishes. In current usage, when we speak of a "powerful man" or a "powerful personality," we already use the word "power" metaphorically; what we refer to without metaphor is "strength,"

*Strength* unequivocally designates something in the singular, an individual entity; it is the property inherent in an object or person and belongs to its character, which may prove itself in relation to other things or persons, but is essentially independent of them. The strength of even the strongest individual can always be overpowered by the many, who often will combine for no other purpose than to ruin strength precisely because of its peculiar independence. This almost instinctive hostility of the many toward the one has always, from Plato to Nietzsche, been ascribed to resentment, to the envy of the weak for the strong, but this psychological interpretation misses the point. It is in the nature of a group and its power to turn against independence, the property of individual
strength..."

The definitive structure of the persona is inadvertently connected with the aspect of strength, whereby strength is an intrinsic property derived from the individual. As power is only conditional, it is only natural for it to reach a state of unified equilibrium. Whether or not we see it as a continuing process through globalization, or an already overt structure in the form of the esoteric mean little in the grand scheme of things; for the conditions of true power are met through one governing body, one governing law, so on and so forth.

Hypothetically speaking, if we were all part of a unified government right now, the idealistic view of the "person" would then be considered defunct, as inner strength seeks to naturally be absorbed by the constant coagulation of power. The constant need for power to be in concert as an infrastructure of people, or systems, compels it to either destroy, or assimilate the 'identity'. In such, as the true "self" is contrived of behavior; it is also composed of the potential action that person would commit in his or her future. Of course, there could be a lot of argumentation that challenges the definition of identity; but if the real world actions of the self are not actions of the 'self'...would that person still be a person?

History has shown many times over that actions which are manifested behaviors of real, individualistic thought is generally met with opposition if it does not appeal to the agenda of a global power. Leaders, terrorists, heros, villains; are all determined by their position as it plays in respect to a moving agenda. In conclusion, the self/system conflict of consciousness is a battle which must not be lost if we are to herald in a new stage of life for our future sons and daughters, as it leaves us today to define our "todays" not in terms of "the powers that be", but in the words of our own.

THINKperiod, Eric D.

Black People = Natural Geniuses

2010-08-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

Comparison of African and European Pyschomotor Development

1. Two (2) days old, with head held firmly, looking into the face of the examiner; the European child (8) eight weeks.

2. Seven (7) weeks old, supporting herself in a sitting position and watching her reflection in the mirror; the European child twenty (20) weeks.

3. Five (5) months old, holding herself upright; the European child nine (9) months.

“The Black man being the first man to walk this earth, to establish civilizations, to build institutions, governments and so forth, I think it’s still genetically represented in the Black child.”

~ Amos N. Wilson (author of Awakening the Natural Genius of Black Children)

What you see above are some of the results found in a study on the development of black and white children. If the three comparisons that I posted don’t paint a certain picture for you, I’ll go ahead and paint the obvious one.

What’s obvious about the research revealed in this study is that black babies develop faster than white babies showing the possession of natural genius. Now, isn’t this something wonderful to hear? I think this is great news … but wait! Black people are natural geniuses, and we compare ourselves to our white counterparts for evaluation. Why do we compare ourselves to people who are naturally inferior?

Examining yourself on a scale that’s beneath your full potential places you on a scale for failure. We shouldn’t compare our intelligence to that of others because their best is less than what our best could be. We need to develop standards that do not include or compare to white people. If not, we’ll always fall short .

Last note: If we’re natural geniuses, you must wonder how do we fall behind as children. The study revealed that black babies can do many things before white babies, but black children fall short because the genius isn’t stimulated. I know you’ve heard relatives talk about their babies saying “they’re too grown” or “they’re too fast.” The truth is that they’re too smart. Too smart because they’re little geniuses.

The little black geniuses fall short at about age three (3). This age is when language becomes important. Many blacks don’t speak standard American English well, and they pass this on to their children. I’m not saying to let go of e-bonics and other dialects that are prominent in our culture, but if black children are to compete for survival in this country, this is something to think about.

Lastly, if you’re a black adult, it’s not too late to stimulate your genius either. Read a book!

Until next time.

Peace, Love & Transcendence.

~ Kemi Lotus

The American Dream

2010-08-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

George Carlin - The American Dream

"You have to be asleep to believe it."

A short excerpt from the video "Life Is Worth Losing" (2005).

WTF is in the WATER?! The LITHIUM debate... and more

2010-08-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

I hate to come off in a negative light or even appear to be a "FEARmonger" but I believe that if we pay attention, there are moves being made without consent of common people that will affect EVERYONE. It's 2010 and it's a very important time to pay CLOSE attention to the decisions being made on every level that will affect us. Once we research and understand these decisions, we must next ask ourselves the PURPOSE for these decisions and the CONSEQUENCES.

The following video featuring Alex Jones of www.infowars.com speaks about the content of the water supply and how we could all be put in serious danger by the consequences of things that are being put IN the WATER that can have an extremely hazardous affect on your health, judgement, and free will as a human being.

This is SERIOUS:

I've also placed a few links below that talk about the Lithium in the water debate:
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2009/05/lithium-in-drinking-water-has.html
"In Japan's Oita Prefecture, cities with higher levels of lithium in their drinking water experienced lower rates of suicide. The study, in the British Journal of Psychiatry, made me wonder if governments should add lithium to the water supply.
Hirochika Ohgami and colleagues at Oita University found a slight, but statistically significant correlation after analysing suicide rates in 18 municipalities between 2002 and 2005. "

http://www.drudge.com/archive/128142/doctor-floats-idea-lithium-water-supply
"Georgiou does not explicitly call for adding the mood-stabilizing drug to the water system, as suggested by Japanese researchers, but she does not denounce the proposed practice. Instead, she says the draconian proposal is a "very interesting concept."
Interesting?
Agreed.
Well, ...in the Arte Johnson sense of the word.
Very interesting... but stupid."

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/05/15/lithium-water-suicide.html
"I do not think [cities should start adding lithium to the water supply], because our study is a preliminary one and further studies are required to establish evidence."

PLEASE, LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS AND MAKE THE CONVERSATION RELEVANT WITH OUR FRIENDS, FAMILIES, CLASSROOMS and SO ON.

This is an issue of life and death..

20 Things to do in Your 20's

2010-08-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

The twenties are an amazing time in life. For most of us it is the first time that we are truly on our own and free to choose our own path. It is an age where we essentially get to start with a clean canvas and begin painting the type of life we have dreamed of since childhood. It is an opportune time to try new things, new jobs, develop new habits and enjoy the lifestyle that comes with having little responsibility and endless amounts of energy.

The twenties are also foundational years for us and should not be wasted or lived unintentionally. With the help of some friends and mentors, the following are some of the best things we could think of to do in order to make the most of your twenties:

Surround yourself with wise mentors – you don’t know how to get somewhere you’ve never been. that’s why you need mentors– insight and help from people who are where you want to be. None of us know the answer to every curve ball that life throws our way, but with the help of others that have been there, our chances of making the best decision grow exponentially. Choose a diverse group of mentors and utilize their experience.
Become a lifelong learner – as mentioned above, the awesome thing about your twenties is that you gain a tremendous amount of freedom to pursue whatever direction in life you choose. With this freedom comes an opportunity to study things for your own enjoyment rather than because you were told to. It’s easy to think that because, “school’s out for summer,” that learning is out as well, but keeping your mind active and continually challenging yourself are key parts of living well and developing these habits in your 20′s will help keep you from becoming dumb and irrelevant.
Travel – the practice of leaving home to experience new locations and cultures is fundamental, and one that nearly everyone I posed the idea of this list to told me to include. There is something magnificent about traveling that goes beyond just snapping a few photos or placing thumbtacks on a map. Traveling helps us understand that life is much bigger than ourselves and inevitably leads us to the wonderful question, “why?” as we notice the differences from place to place. It is this lifestyle of “why” that is so valuable as we learn to question the way we all live rather than just taking everything at face value.
Learn to listen and handle criticism well – if there’s one deadly mistake I’ve seen made by many of my peers over the past few years it is the inability to receive criticism. Guess what, all of us have things we could do better at, especially in our 20′s. Toughen up a little and have enough maturity to realize that criticism is a healthy part of life and doesn’t require a poor attitude, excuse or rebuttal on your part. Most importantly learn from criticism.
Develop an active, healthy lifestyle – by adopting healthy habits such as eating well and exercising regularly in your 20′s you are setting yourself up for a much better quality of life. No great experience or event matters if you are not healthy enough to enjoy it. Learn to cook healthy meals and join a gym…if you’re really adventurous, run a marathon. Developing these habits at age 24 is far easier than age 44.
Read a classic – even though we are required to read a few classics here and there throughout school, if you’re like me you have forgotten most of the characters and plot twists by now. Take the time to read something by Dostoevsky, or if length is a big issue for you, try something like “Catcher in the Rye.” The issue isn’t so much the specific book, just developing a habit of reading for personal enjoyment. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this list made by my friend Brett at Art of Manliness.
Go on an overseas missions trip – Traveling is wonderful, but it is possible to travel the globe without ever really stepping outside of yourself. Some of the moments that have changed my life the most came serving others in the poorest and most broken places in the world such as helping in the rebuilding effort in Thailand after the devastating tsunami in 2005. It is well-known truth that we often find ourselves the strongest when we spend our lives in the service of others.
Create a monthly budget – often the big advice from financial planners for young people comes in a cheeky remark about cutting back on the Starbucks lattes. Well, I love Starbucks and don’t plan on giving up my coffee. Instead I’ve built them into a monthly budget. Building a monthly budget is foundational to a healthy financial life, by starting one and living by it in your 20′s you can ensure a solid financial situation for years to come.
Start a Roth IRA – I know of no better retirement vehicle than the Roth IRA. A Roth is unique because your money grows tax-free meaning at retirement age (currently 59 1/2) when you finally decide to pull out the money you have accumulated, you don’t have to pay any taxes on any of it. For a layman’s guide to the Roth IRA including how to start one, read my post on the subject here.
Buy a used car – it may be tempting to show how independent you’ve become by pulling up to your friend’s house in a brand new car, but fight the urge. You are losing thousands of dollars the second you roll out of the dealership parking lot. Even buying a year-old car will save you tons of money while still providing you with a relatively new vehicle. I mention this for twenty-somethings because I’ve seen so many of my friends bury themselves in debt over a car, one of the few “investments” in the world almost guaranteed to do nothing, but depreciate during its lifetime.
Understand basic investment principles – there is no doubt that financial illiteracy is rampant among young people mainly due to it’s weak to non-existent standing in secondary school curriculum. Most people do not truly begin understanding the basics of investing until they are at an age where it won’t make much of a difference anyway. The three principles I have written about here at Schaefer’s Blog which I think every young person should know include: 1) Time Value of Money 2) Pay Yourself First 3) Dollar-Cost Averaging
Go to a concert – Ever noticed that many people’s fondest memories start with, “One time we got tickets to (fill in the blank).” There is something amazing about live music and thousands of screaming fans that turns up the volume of our lives in all the right ways. Whether it’s Coldplay, U2, Celine Dion (my wife drug me to her show in Vegas and….it was actually pretty good) or Willie Nelson (one of the best I’ve seen) pony up and buy some tickets to a good concert.
Learn a foreign language – there’s something wonderful about communicating with someone in their native tongue; it breaks down cultural barriers like nothing else. The 20′s are a wonderful time to learn a new language as you travel the world and immerse yourself.
Start a blog – the ability to communicate one’s ideas in writing is an incredibly valuable asset. Blogging is similar to journaling, but with the added bonus of exposing your ideas to the scrutiny of millions of eagle-eyed online viewers. It’s amazing how quickly your writing improves when you realize that people will actually be reading your work. For more great reasons why you should start a blog read here.
Get your college degree – according to a recent report from the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau a college graduate can expect to earn approximately $900,000 more over their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma. Whether you like it or not, a college degree is one of those things that society considers an entry ticket for most well-paying jobs. Instead of lecturing everyone on why a college degree is overrated, just take the time to get one and save your lectures for the classroom.
Pay off credit cards – We’ve all heard the alarming stats yet few seem to be changing their behavior. The average college graduate it now entering the workforce with approximately $3,200 in credit card debt. Add to this student loans and it is easy to see why most in their 20′s take the attitude of, “I’ll deal with it later when I’m making more.” The problem is credit card debt can affect things like qualifying for a home loan, saving for retirement and building a solid credit rating. If you can’t pay off the full balance of your card every month then do yourself a huge favor and don’t use one in the first place. Secondly, whatever debt you do have, pay off as soon as possible – it will save you a lot of headaches in the future.
Stay in a hotel that costs over $200 a night – My wife and I had a debate about this one. I said you should do this in order to see that it’s not that much better than the $89-a-night Holiday Inn down the street. She disagreed, stating it was normally much better and one should stay in a nice hotel at least once in their 20′s just to treat themselves with a nice experience. So, I guess whatever way you look at it, staying in a nice hotel is something every twenty-something should do.
Read the Bible cover to cover – no other book has been cited by others, recounted in the arts, or debated in the public arena more than the Bible. And yet, very few have actually read it cover to cover. Being that this book covers so many fundamental issues central to life such as the role of God, man, sin, death, salvation, etc. it is something every person should read for themselves instead of relying on hazy quotes from the university philosophy professor or television evangelist. Man’s decision of what to do with God is one of the most integral he will ever make. Better to make this decision based on a personal encounter rather than off-hand information.
Explore your family of origin issues (positive and negative) and pursue growth – so many studies in sociology always end up pointing back to one’s family life growing up as the major factor in their growth and development. No doubt some of us experienced a wonderful family life while others went through something more akin to a nightmare. Either way the 20′s are a key time in understanding any family issues that may be holding you back and taking the necessary steps to find healing. It may require some counseling or may be as simple as calling your parents and telling them how much you love them.
Figure out the type of person you want to marry – I happened to get married at the age of 22 to my beautiful wife. This may seem young to many, but it has worked well for us. While I don’t think getting married in your 20′s is for everyone, it is definitely the time of life to start deciding what traits and values you desire in a future spouse. I’m not saying you need a 3 page checklist, but deciding on some of the non-negotiables will allow you to narrow in your focus and keep you from jumping into one poor relationship after another.

original article can be found at: http://www.schaefersblog.com/20-things-to-do-in-your-20s/

The Fence

2010-07-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

"The grass is greener on the other side"
Yes?... No?... Maybe so?... Who knows?
Only the wanders at mind and fearless at heart.
It takes more than just energy to hop it...
That Fence...
In fact, energy is what is needed least.
Intrinsic insights of Inspiration serve as the Fuel to motivate one
To take The Risk...
The Ultimate Risk...
to hop it and See...
Just how green that grass is.

You never know what you have until its gone, of course
But you never can enjoy what you don't experience, right?
So, what's worse?
The Joy of the Jump?
Or the Agony of the Apathy?
You tell me...
There's no Right or Wrong
Just do... what feels...
Best
And only then can you be content and peaceful at heart.

Now, I'm not sure if this is reversible...
This, Risk of Leap
But, I am sure
that great triumph can be found in fortifying the Ambition...
To explore
So either way, you win... At least once.
...Sometimes twice
Which is better than stagnation
Which does nothing but make the mind wander, wish, and hope
You lose at least once that way...
...Sometimes twice.

So the answer is clear:
Don't wish... DO
Don't see... EXPERIENCE
Don't wonder... WANDER
Don't limit... LIBERATE
And whatever you do...
Don't straddle the Fence... It could hurt you.
It is always greener... Somehow... Someway.

-TeeL

The Dream State Tracklist and Snippets

2010-07-29T21:12:00.001-07:00

click to enlarge

This is the second installation of the two-part Beautiful Mind projects. The first one dealt with my life and all of its harsh realities. Part 2...The Dream State takes more of an imaginary approach, all the while dealing with my real life. Part 1 was where i WAS in my life, and Part 2 is sorta where i need to be. I've poured my heart into this project for the last 3 months and i'm finally ready to release it. Here are some 30 second snippets of each song. Part 2...The Dream State due out August 13th! Get your iPods ready!

1. Inception (Prod. by Project Prospect; Co-Prod. by Terrence F)

2. What Love Is (Casual Part II) (Prod. by J. Dilla)

3.A League of Our Own feat. Cosmo (Prod. by The Stuyvesants)

4. Detail feat. Stevie Crooks (Prod. by Michael Uzowuru)

5. Bring The Horns (Prod. by The Stuyvesants)

6. Interlude (Prod. by The Stuyvesants; Co-Prod. by Terrence F)

7. 4:24 am feat. Exquisite (Prod. by The Stuyvesants; Co-Prod. Terrence F)

8. Fame (Prod. by The Stuyvesants)

9. Deficiency (Prod. by Freddy Finger; Co-Prod. by Terrence F)

10. The Ills of the World (Prod. by Myke Forte)

11. Someone (Prod. by Freddie Joachim)

12. The Dream State feat. Taryn Loren (Prod. Freddy Finger)

13. Build & Destroy (Prod. by Kelley 'TKS' Chapman)

Dream State Snippets by HipHopSince1989

Be an IDEA

2010-07-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

Just DECIDE. Once you do that, the universe will move out your way.

Truth

Complacency

2010-07-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

"Complacency is on its last leg."

-Q Tip

A Conspiracy of the Universe

2010-07-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

"Every event is a conspiracy of the universe--now. Knowing this, let go & let flow."

- Deepak Chopra
http://www.deepakchopra.com

Kymatica

2010-07-28T05:32:00.001-07:00

If you're worried about the global tyranny, natural disaster, or the future, this is a great film to watch.

Give it a chance, and I beg you to make sure that you are thinking for your SELF.

Hidin’ Like Thieves in The Night

2010-07-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

Stop hidin' your face. -LK

www.lkallday.com

Self-Interest

2010-07-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

"In this relationship called society, every human being is cutting himself off from another by his position, by his ambition, by his desire for fame, power, and so on; but he has to live in this brutal relationship with other men like himself, so the whole thing is glossed over and made respectable by pleasant-sounding words. In everyday life, each one is devoted to his own interests, though it may be in the name of the country, in the name of peace, or God, and so the isolating process goes on. One becomes aware of this whole process in the form of intense loneliness, a feeling of complete isolation. Thought, which has been giving all importance to itself, isolating itself as the `me', the ego, has finally come to the point of realizing that it's held in the prison of its own making."

- J. Krishnamurti
http://www.jkrishnamurti.org/

The Art of Being Receptive

2010-07-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

Being receptive is just as hard as it is necessary. Just as desired as it is elusive. Just as rewarding to attain as it is punishing to pursue. But it can bring you closer to not only your dreams and desired place in life, but God and all things associated with inner peace.

Let me start by saying that I'm not in any way shape or form perfect or 100% receptive, but I try each and every day to get better, and I have, am, and will.

This Earth we live in and on is full of energy. A universal, powerful, and fascinating energy that affects every single inhabitant through a marvelous synergy events, people, and thoughts. This energy, in my opinion, is God. The ultimate orchestrator of all things and Earthly dimensions (plus Time, the 4th dimension).

The reason why we can't understand or come close to fathoming exactly what God is or does can be explained relatively simply. Doing research one day, I came across a book entitled "Flatland" by, Edwin Abbot Abbot, that had an excellent explanation of the 4th dimension, or God. He explained that trying to fathom God could be compared to trying to explain to a person living in a 2 dimensional universe (one with just length and width) what a cube or a sphere was. Impossible, don't you agree? Yeah, me too. It just wouldn't work, its literally beyond the 2 dimensional person's realm of understanding, and could never be grasped. Period.

Now, we are just mere 3 dimensional beings to God, who can control and fathom all 4 dimensions (length, width, height, AND time). With this being said, I feel that it is important to always remember that things are constantly happening around us that we don't understand, and that these things aren't meant to be understood at all. Have you ever heard that God works in mysterious ways? We It does and its in a way that is mysterious, to say the least.

This is why being receptive is so important. Don't confuse receptive with passive, because they are two totally separate things. Being receptive and taking a more holistically observant role in your life can lead to awesome results. This combined with prayer can put any and everybody on their chosen path to meet with their destiny. Keeping in mind that things actually DO happen for a reason is extremely helpful because it allows you to live in the moment and follow your thoughts and inklings with little or no regret.

Whether you're a 25-year old virgin filled with purity, or a 5-time felon that steals and kills, God is a part of you, your thoughts, and the people in your life. Next time you pray, don't pray for a sign from God, or a miracle. Instead, ask for a receptive and discerning spirit that will allow you to take heed to the many signs, opportunities, and warnings that God gives us all constantly.

Its not always what you can do with your Life, its mostly about letting your Life (God) lead you to your destiny.

Stay strong y'all,

-Teel

"There is a universal fear, that of a lack of confidence in yourself."

2010-07-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

Could YOU touch the sky without hands? Really? This Outlier did just that:

Do what you LOVE (no exceptions)

2010-07-11T15:46:00.001-07:00

Do MORE choices make life BETTER or WORSE?

2010-07-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

We all value our freedom of choice and boy do we have a LOT of them. But, with so many different choices on the market all the time, it's makes it a little more difficult to make decisions; it also puts the blame on ourselves if we don't find perfection. Barry Schwartz talks about this Paradox and gives some creative insight.

.::We are the Facilitators::.

2010-07-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

Black life today means less than when we were slaves. Now that we're "free," we hold less value to caucasians, seeing as how they don't own our very lives anymore. So a black life owned by a black person is worthless. Time and time again, caucasians' and their corrupt system show and prove to us that our lives mean nothing. We live in a society where you will get more time for dog-fighting (Michael Vick) than you'll get for the unprovoked, unjustified MURDER of a young, black male.

Caucasians love their animals, but they hate us niggas.

We live in a society where black people get more time for non-violent crimes than caucasians will get for violent crimes! We live in a society where a black and a caucasian can get arrested for the same crime, but the black person will do a longer sentence (if the caucasian does time AT ALL). We live in a society in which a caucasian girl that goes missing gets national coverage, yet the black got who went missing at the same time, got NO coverage (and was found dead). Today's society is no different than that preceding and during the "Civil Rights era."

Never forget that being black/brown is a crime punishable by death, here in the wilderness of North AmeriKKKa.

We live in a society that will allow a caucasian to go free, after that caucasian is VIDEOTAPED unlawfully MURDERING an innocent, unarmed, held down black man in his back. Black life means nothing to these people.

We are harassed, dragged, raped, threatened, brutalized and murdered by these "people," yet you defend them. You throw yourself in front of them to defend them, and as your back is to them, they stab you in it... Repeatedly.

Time and time again, they take our lives and we do nothing. Black life means NOTHING to caucasians... But as little as it means to them, how much can it possibly mean to us, when we sit by and allow such tragedies to take place?

We are the facilitators of our own demise. We are the facilitators of our own genocide.

More to come.
Written by: Genesis/Queen Tiye

*author note* These are the thoughts that just came to my mind, as I contemplated this INjustice. Remember Oscar Grant.

Oscar Grant . . .

2010-07-09T11:32:00.001-07:00

I'm not here to tell you what I think. What do YOU think. I want this to be a place to express yourself. Please do; Comment Below.

How to Power the World Without Polluting it

2010-07-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Lonnie Johnson, Creator Of The The Super Soaker Watergun , is on a mission to figure how to power the world without polluting it. They have created a battery 10x more powerful than batteries on the market.

Drive your car for 1,000 miles without stopping. . . if they can only get funding.

He's also invented the J-Tech, an engine that turns HEAT into ELECTRICITY and it "has a good chance of being the best thing on earth."

Check it out

A Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

2010-07-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

What would you do if you knew the end was near? Pray? Shout? Cry? Mourn? Well, Professor Randy Pausch continued to get the most from life via a trademark display of courage, aplomb and humor. His Last Lecture is a TALL act to follow:

What We Do and Why We Do It

2010-07-08T10:45:00.001-07:00

Do Our Schools Kill Creativity?

2010-07-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

One of the Coolest Things I've Ever Seen

2010-07-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

BIG BANG BIG BOOM - the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

This video is one of the most intricate pieces of art that I've ever experienced. They had to think outside and around the box and ultimately just throw the box away and it tells a story about evolution that's pretty deep too.

Check it out! You might want to play some of your favorite music while you watch it too..

Progression Recession

2010-07-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

The time has moved forward
but we have not progressed
The only change is growth
from a womb to bassinet.

It is interesting how we have
learned but neglected to teach
Putting a future bright enough for
the blind 2 see 2 far out of reach.

Our kids shouldn’t fall pray to
the same mistakes they we haven fallen 2
We learn so they can prosper but we have failed to foster
Foster a home filled with love and encouragement
Instead we are our child’s biggest discouragement

Sometimes a battered household makes for the hero
To government created capital punishment

The years have changed but the time has remained the same.
Clothes have changed but minds have stayed the same
From Bugle Boy to Polo to so and so and no one knows
Because as we are learning and they have always known
That it matters not what is on your back
but when you keep in your head
And it seems the only thing to sticks is
A nice pair of jays or what’s in between
a nice pair of long brown legs.

Or the staple event of a Thursday night Smackdown
Am I loosing u, well hold on 2 ur seat while I bring it back around.

What happened to giving, teaching, being able 2 pass along?
Why is no one mature enough to acknowledge where they went wrong?
Instead we have displaced aggression and anger toward ones who
Did nothing but be born victim 2 things that we did wrong

Instead they are the one who takes the
repeated blows to the face.
A face that has been bruised and
battered and a head filled with chitter chatter
So now the only things we can see
are dreams that have been painted
With words that stick in our brains because when u can’t
See hearing is the only thing that matters.

Because the future as I mentioned not 2 long ago
That future bright enough for the blind
2 see being put to far out of reach.
I can now clearly see and that is why
I give the gift that GOD has given 2 me

Because I won’t be the reason
the next generations changes but stays the same
The clothes get different names but the actions remain.

As this flows from my brain,
the back of my eyes feel w/ pain

I jus encourage brothers n sisters
of the revolution of an evolution of the mind state
To be the teachers and educators,
griots whatever you preferred 2 be called

If we have been invited on the excursion of knowledge

Why not bring our offspring along?

Desktop Wallpapers

2010-07-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

Click on Pictures to get the full size image to be used for desktop wallpaper.

Special Thanks to: http://evolutionezine.com/

Follow @THINKperiod on Twitter

2010-07-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

@THINKperiod

Random Pictures

2010-07-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

.::Complacency::.

2010-07-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

I'm going to keep this blog short and to the point. I was thinking (something I like to do often...) and during my morning reflection, I thought about complacency. Do you know what complacency is? It is stagnation.

Complacency is self-satisfaction. Being overly pleased with oneself. To me, complacency means we're too comfortable with ourselves and our abilities. If you're satisfied where you're at, there's no motivation to rise higher. Don't misunderstand. We should be confident in who we are, comfortable in our skin, etc, etc.

But the type of comfort I'm talking about is dangerous. You know, that kind of comfortable people get in relationships--the kind that ruins relationships. When complacent, we begin to take things for granted. We get lazy, sloppy... Comfortable.

Complacency is stagnation... And stagnation is death. The opposite of stagnation is circulation, flow, movement, motion... LIFE. So stagnation is death, you see?

We should never be so satisfied that we become complacent and allow ourselves to commit the deadly sin of Sloth.

You see, the 7 deadly sins have nothing to do with religion and everything to do with the devils that exist within self. They are deadly because they lead to your own physical, mental and spiritual death.

More to come. Peace, Love and Elevation.

Written by: Genesis/Queen Tiye

Love's Echo

2010-07-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

Posted By: Zeal [R. Bettis]

As a very content Business Systems Analyst pursuing loftier career goals turned Personal Caregiver by tragedy turned Independent Contractor by necessity, I really felt Lillie Love's (RIP) testimony regarding management of the vicissitudes of life:

I have learned to just let the universe give me what it is I need.

Ms. Love's tour of duty on the physical plane ended recently at 53 years but she's already greatly contributed to NPR's StoryCorps oral history project, a most valuable body of work. She was very persistent in pursuing the opportunity to listen to the stories of our American lives and found whilst in pursuit of her passion that love itself was her greatest reward:

...Love really is all there is-as trite as that sounds. All the other stuff does not matter in the end. When you take your last breath, you remember the people you love, how much love you inspired and how much love you gave.

Ms. Lillie, I never met you but your posthumous words matter greatly to me since I'd become greatly discouraged over the last few years watching the validation I'd worked so hard for in all spheres crumble into the vapor trail of my mother's final transition. Your words now reside on my insides and in the minds of others smothered by the griping of the calloused and the wining of the bored.

May we be so blessed as to count our wealth by those we loved... at the gateway to eternity.

Creativity.

2010-07-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

There are infinite ways to be creative, and when you think something's already been done there's just another way to do that no one has thought of before. Comparable to looking at the same lens from a different view. I leave you with this video; BE CREATIVE!

by internationaDA

The Power of Going Green

2010-07-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

Posted By: Zeal [R. Bettis]

Arthur George Gaston: I initially found it hard to grasp that this colored man from Demopolis, Alabama born in a one-room cabin during the Jim Crow era became a multi-millionaire by application of Green Power but this fan of Booker T. Washington did just that and left behind 10 Rules for Success in the process:

1. Save a part of all you earn. Pay yourself first. Take it off the top and bank it. You'll be surprised how fast the money builds up. If you have two or three thousand dollars in the bank, sooner or later somebody will come along and show you how to double it. Money doesn't spoil, it keeps.

2. Establish a reputation at a bank or savings and loan association. Save at an established institution and borrow there. Stay away from loan sharks.

3. Take no chances with your money. Play the safe number, the good one. A man who can't afford to lose has no business gambling.

4. Never borrow anything that, if forced to it, you can't pay back.

5. Don't get bigheaded with the little fellows. That's where the money is. If you stick with the little fellows, give them your devotion, they'll make you big.

6. Don't have so much pride. Wear the same suit for a year or two. It doesn't make any difference what kind of suit the pocket is in if there is money in the pocket.

7. Find a need and fill it. Successful businesses are founded on the needs of the people. Once in business, keep good books. Also, hire the best people you can find.

8. Stay in your own class. Never run around with people you can't compete with.

9. Once you get money or a reputation for having money, people will give you money.

10. Once you reach a certain bracket, it is very difficult not to make more money.

Sources -

Gaston, A. G. (1968) Green Power: The Successful Way of A. G. Gaston. Birmingham: Southern University Press
Carol, Jenkins; Elizabeth Gardner Hines (December 2003). Black Titan, A.G. Gaston and the Making of a Black American Millionaire. New York: One World/Ballantine. ISBN 0345453476.

Echoes at the Crossroads

2010-06-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

Their muted voices are again heard.

We dwell upon their discourse for meditation and reflection.

We appreciate them for their survival against titanic odds and for their inestimable suffering inter-latticed with faith and hope in a better tomorrow.

They accompany a pantheon of souls worthy of reverence and rest in the bosom of the Creator. - Amen.

Posted By: Zeal

[R. Bettis]

Individuality.

2010-06-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

Where do you stand as an individual? You are your own person with your own journey. Individuality is the blood that runs through the veins of creativity. Most importantly, your purpose in life is predicated on how you travel on your personal journey. In a world where individuality is rare, go against the social grain and just simply BE YOURSELF!

-International DA

Echoes: Fountain Hughes

2010-06-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

Fountain Hughes (1848 - 1952) understood the perilous institution of slavery because he'd survived it. It can safely be interviewed from his interview that he was averse to accepting debt service in the form of "buying on time" because this scheme was rooted in the doctrine of unequal exchange, a vivid reminder of his chattel slavery past.

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. - Proverbs 22:7 (KJV)

Mr. Hughes was a man determined to live freely in every sense of the word and to help future generations also know how to live. Although living before the credit card era, he knew what we're never officially taught but too often discover firsthand:

Debt = Slavery.

Many of us would rather forget the sorrowful details of the interview above but just as the novice fitness seeker knows that muscle pain only disappears through a continued exercise regimen, we may only exorcise the damage of the past like Mr. Fountain did, by letting it flow like healing streams of water into the parched mental and spiritual gardens of posterity. We share his compelling testimony according to the oral tradition of our ancestors.

Fountain Hughes: Once is Enough

2010-06-29T13:35:00.001-07:00

Fountain Hughes survived involuntary servitude and his heartfelt advice was recorded for our benefit in this 1949 interview.

Those things, are for people with big offices - educated people. I'm not educated so I never worry about those things. Anything you don't bother about, you don't need. All these people bothering about automobiles and television - and others bothering about getting paid for them. Now I don't bother about anything - so I'm 104 years old.

- Fountain Hughes

Mr. Hughes' testimony should make anyone today think twice before volunteering to pay exponentially for material possessions that in fact, may be possessing us.

Posted by: Zeal
[R Bettis]

Economic Footprint Calculator

2010-06-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

Take the quiz at this link to find out your economic footprint.

Wisdom.

2010-06-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

Wisdom.

Gross Domestic Product vs. Gross National Happiness

2010-06-27T14:19:00.001-07:00

Good Food for Thought here!

What is the GDP? The gross domestic product (GDP) measures the value of all goods and services, and is considered the best gauge of economic health. . . . but what does economic health of the entire country have to do with the general well being of citizens of a country which I would argue is MUCH more important.

"The GDP measures everything in short EXCEPT that which makes life worthwhile" - Robert Kennedy

Find out more about the Gross National Happiness Here...

"The AURA of LEGALITY" . . . Does The Law Know Best?

2010-06-27T13:49:00.001-07:00

We look to the laws for the guidance to find what is right and wrong, but are these really the moral directions that we've been granted by God, or are they just the guidelines provided by government to stay within the confines of the lives that we've been awarded.

What are Civil Rights and how do they differ from Human Rights?

What should we really be fighting for?

Who makes the LAWS, and are these same people susceptible to be punished by these laws?

What rights do we have today, in the wake of disaster and FEAR caused by a "war on terror". . . I encourage you to research REX 84 and examine what could LEGALLY happen to us.

The aura of legality will claim that all is RIGHT, when common families know all is WRONG.

Stay awake.

The Piney Woods School: 100 Years & Running!

2010-06-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

People of color have traversed a very unique path out of necessity and often had to grasp education by the limited means at their disposal. In Brewton, Alabama, James Dooley founded the Southern Normal School (aka SNS, now inactive) for this purpose in 1911. While many alumni have debated the forces driving her closure, it's always better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Fortunately, one flagship of preparatory distinction remains in Mississippi, the noteworthy Piney Woods Country Life School.
The Piney Woods School didn't submit to the standard plagues that beset her peers. Instead, Dr. Laurence Jones (Founder) wisely told her story on the "This Is Your Life Program" and established a 700K endowment that had grown to approximately 7M when he passed away! Their Facebook fan page proudly states a sovereign mission:
The Piney Woods School recognizes that throughout the United States there are students, especially African-American students, who have the capability to make their lives extraordinary through excellence in education and development of moral and ethical attitudes, but do not have the opportunity to do so for financial or other reasons.
Piney Woods mission is to provide that excellence in education within a Christian community through creation of an exceptional academic model which supports the tenet that all students can learn, develop a strong work ethic, and lead extraordinary lives through academic achievement and responsible citizenship.
At The Piney Woods School we are changing the world, one student at a time. We are preparing tomorrow's leaders who are:
Educationally Astute
Morally Responsible
Civically Equipped
Technologically Proficient
Globally Perceptive
...and Full of Faith and Compassion
Long live this valiant educational endeavor and her champions.

Posted by: Zeal
[R Bettis]

Inaccurate Account

2010-06-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

Just because they write it down and call it history

Doesn’t make it the truth!

Using the sinister to Minister with ill guided
Intentions not to mention that they aren’t pleased with there
Own disposition.

So they make us out 2 seem worse then we are, and themselves
Better then they are.

Like a three inch Satan sittin on the left of your shoulder
from the time you breathe you first breath.
Their words are a resounding. “It’s Over”
But I have a question. Pick Me, Pick Me.
Yes me the little nappy-headed boy, who out grew the streets
with the slight ashy knees.

How can something be over before it starts.
I haven’t even had the chance to do my part.
You telling me I stand no chance
Because of what History says.

Deceive who?
Believe Who?
Little do you know that what you
Wouldn’t let my ancestors do, I cud before the tender age of 2.

Read, write, hell even recite.

You see that’s the difference between my history and yours.
You were told that you went on world wide expeditions and tours
And I was told all I was only good for was household chores.
Mopping, scrubbing, cleaning floors.
That my food wasn’t even good enough for animals on all fours.

But while your back was turned, busy pillaging, raping, killing destroying.
Sounds like a guy I heard of before but I want open that door.
I decided to sprint away from misery, erase your imagery and
Learn MY HISTORY!

-Keith R. Oliver

Humor: You Got The Hookup?

2010-06-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

A Unique Plight

One of the rights of passage that blacks in small business must endure is the freebie expected by associates. Why do family and friends believe they're entitled to your services 24-7 when they've never lifted a reciprocal finger on your behalf?

A doctor may find that Cousin Louella needs the cure for lung cancer now but her children will hold her liable when their mama smoked cigarettes like a chimney for 40 years. The lawyer inevitably finds that June Bug must be free today although he clearly doesn't have an alibi, smells like a "pound of sess" and by the way, where'd he get that new 50-inch plasma because he hasn't worked an honest day in his life? You're barbering? Mookie really needs a free haircut and can pay you ASAP after La Amistad returns from Freetown. I fondly recall from my real estate days those pals who passed on home acquisition by the straight and narrow path:

Get PRE-APPROVED
FIND a House
COMPLETE Paperwork
CLOSE!

Who knows? Perhaps they beat me like a piñata for market analyses and rode my tires bald because they liked seeing their favorite agent starve. Thanks, guys!

Personal Accountability is one of the best things left in the United States of America. For instance, you can still undertake purchasing a home or defending yourself in court if you understand the pros and cons. Save some money. Why not, right? Realizing I needed dental work and in stark contrast to the something-for-nothing scenarios described above, I approached a dental professional who's done excellent work for 25-30 years. For the clueless, here's how I got the help I needed:

I went to his office.
I inquired about the costs of the required procedures.
I arrived at my appointment on time.
I paid him for the procedure (and yes, my grill is tight).

Notably, I didn't pepper him with the following stereotypical scenarios:

State "You got the hook-up, holler if you hear me!"
Ask for free dental work since I had no insurance.
Ask for extended time to pay my bill.
"Poor mouth" him just because... you know how we are.

If you're LF3 (Leaning on Family and Friends for Freebies), wake up and smell the coffee, please! Otherwise, here's some snappy comebacks for your favorite small business parasite:

Come over and fix your computer that Geek Squad couldn't? Dude, you should've bought a Dell.

You want to see some houses but aren't pre-approved? Here's a phone book for contacting lenders and real estate companies.

You need yet another emergency loan and promise to pay it back this time? What about all those other unpaid loans? Where's my money and where's my mama's money?

Somebody out there feels me and knows "the touch" all too well. Sing the blues freely but don't you dare ignore those pseudo-911 calls from Mookie because he'll tell Big Mama and you know she doesn't need to be agitated with her high blood pressure and all... Wait a minute, is that Jerome on TV? Can he get tickets to the big game? Word? Holler atcha' boy for me, then!

Posted by: Zeal
[R Bettis]

IF...

2010-06-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

IF you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

-Rudyard Kipling

MOVING FORWARD -LK

Love.Energy.Knowledge.Time

Quotes.....

2010-06-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom." -Malcolm X

This inspires me because it applies equally to mental and physical bondage.

Dwight Bullard

"Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, but our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous. Actually, WHO are WE NOT to BE? We were born to make manifest. The glory of God is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people to do the same."

- Marianne Williamson

This inspires me because it reminds me that anything is possible no matter how strenuous the task may seem. This quote is a reminder that I was born of greatness because of the God that my ancestors and I serve so therefore knowing and acknowledging this fact invokes me to act as such. Often times we belittle ourselves or under mind our accomplishments to make others around us feel secure. However this quote lets me know that doing so does not benefit anyone. In fact, I believe that by telling of your accomplishments others will be more apt to better themselves as a result of YOUR own successes/accomplishments. #thatisall

Sherifa C Williams

"Permanence, perseverance and persistence inspite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak."

-Thomas Carlyle

This inspires me because it is the true definition of what it means to work hard regardless of what stands in your way. This quote keeps me focused whenever I hit a roadblock in life. It makes me work twice as hard to get past it.

Darren Shivers

"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out."

This quote inspires me because i know that has its ups and its downs, and we are all subject to this. This quote speaks to me and says instead of letting my obstacles bring me down, I should find lessons in everything whether it be good or bad. As long a we can grow from our experiences we are never losing the battle.

Da'Ron Thomas

My favorite quote is MADE. M-A-D-E is an acronym for "my attitude determines everything."

Attitude is shaped by thoughts, and my thoughts shape how I feel about EVERYTHING. If I can control my thoughts to accept things and to see all things in a positive light (kinda like looking at the bright side) then I am able to persevere and succeed through any situation. Attitude really does shape everything.

Here's another one: "The attitude is the mind's paintbrush; it can color any situation. :)

Charyl Montgomery

Alert! Russia and China are Seriously Talking about a Post Dollar World... Are you?

2010-06-20T19:38:00.000-07:00

source: www.inflation.us

Don't take anything for granted. . . find out for yourself

Idea Of Love

2010-06-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

Written by Keith Oliver:

This is the latest of my pieces world. Hope you all Like it. Shout Out to Steve. But uh, this was inspired by a special friend and a great movie. Hope ya'll Like my idea of Love.........

The idea of love we share is cosmic Your the type of woman that has those intrinsic qualities that most wouldn't have if they were built by their mate. And I had nothing to do with it. So this must be faith. And I don't wanna taint your ideas Or smear you glass house frame. Because while u've taken a dip in the Euphrates, I've yet to test the waters with the tip of a toe scared to make ripples on still waters. So what exactly am I trying to say? That I'd wade in your Euphraties, bath in your river, delight in ur ideas of this thing called love all day. Let it baptize me, so that I can be born again in your arms, Cuz second, third, Hell even forth times a charm. Cause once upon a time you said to me as effortlessly as it rolled off your Lips. "I guess I'll see you next life time." And I wasn't one to trip because next lifetime doesn't mean we have to spend this one alone. Our lives start over everytime we make a vow to never make the same mistakes again. So what do you say, we defy the laws of gravity do what they say can't be, cause the idea of love we share is born outta cataclism. So deep that compared 2 our shit the word Love is a euphemism. Cause Love is about the possiblities And it seems 2 me that they're endless And that's why we can't end this. Cause as much as we've tried 2 subside and divide we can't because its our responsibility to entertain the possiblities. Do you follow me? And I ain't neva been one to be controlled or control but all we missin is the chains. Cause we're trapped No chance of release: Modern day slaves. And like a hole in the ground baby I dig you like a grave. So what am I trying 2 say? That I'd wade in your Euphrates, bath in your river, delight in ur ideas of this thing called love all day. Cuz Second, third Hell even fourth times a Charm.

The Pantheon of the Option-less

2010-06-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

As yet, the Negroes themselves do not fully appreciate these old slave songs.
- James Weldon Johnson

Through a stroke of good fortune, I once met the late, great playwright August Wilson years ago in Minnesota while volunteering as an usher in exchange for free tickets to a fund-raising event. Wilson's magic first entered my life via the 1995 screen adaption of The Piano Lesson and later by virtue of the Penumbra Theatre Company in Saint Paul. The scene residually active in my imagination is when Charles Dutton, Carl Gordon, Lou Myers and Courtney B. Vance delivered Berta Berta.

Mesmerized, I researched the Parchman Farm so brilliantly and tragi-comically lamented by Wilson's characters. Results quickly yielded that Brandford Marsalis had also paid tribute to this same forgotten culture in 1992, several years prior to the film.

Everyone should view the aforementioned video to grasp these chains forged for a specific people so long ago but which now shackle all Americans psychologically via the proliferated sociopathy of the race construct.

Meanwhile, the Idiot Box (TV) programs into our skulls more pressing concerns such as Oil Spill 2010 but don't chickens come home to roost in the strangest of ways? Is Black Gold still Texas Tea or A Spoiled Sea? Aren't we all now cooped in the same holding pen, slaving and fighting each other for less but hoping for more?

The slave had many means of resisting the dehumanizing effects of slavery. Religion became one of them. And through religious songs they made up from Biblical stories, they expressed their real feelings.

- Julius Lester

Singing was liquefied religion. We sang because it temporarily freed our spirits from torturous states of involuntary servitude while synchronizing our bodies with the exercise of brutal labor mandated by the framers of this society. We sang to maintain our humanity. We sang to resist. Most importantly, we sang to keep it real and steel our psyches for hell on the horizon.

Don't forget to remember those who were railroaded into building the infrastructure of this nation. From Birmingham, I share a final brief video in tribute to these people, our Pantheon of the Option-less.

Posted by: Zeal
[R Bettis]

Human's Passionate Desire

2010-06-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

“Most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things that we misapprehend as enduring entities.” ~Dalai Lama

I have a big heart, and I've often confused a big heart with being filled or over capacity with love. You know the phrase, "love hard," yea, I have that "problem." Truthfully though, when I read that quote it was like a light blub went off in my head onto where I have placed myself with people I've grown to love, respect, & honor. Now, at first glance of reading the quote I understood it to translate:

:: the reason you cannot let go is because you put your passion and energy into a physical, life-like form, than giving it reason to 'stay alive'::

But after reading it over and over again, I understood it as:

:: Don't confuse passion with power. You are in control of what has a soul, spirit, and live when it comes to what you give. You give water to a planet so it can grow, not so it can stay a seed::

Now we can agree to disagree, but I do want to know what you think it means!

---------------------------------

When it is all said and done, we are what we want to see in people. Often in times we get into relationships with partners, {romantically or just platonic, and even when handling business} and respect what others say but we secretly want things to go our way. That same limited thinking is the energy that charges or discharges the relationship. People get drained from being passionate about something to only have it transpired into an entity that has no soul or spirit!

That leads to confusion and attachment to WANT to make things work between the two {three, four, five, etc.}; which then leads to people feeling like they GIVE too much, or they don't get ENOUGH in return. Attachment to things & people with no sense of lust just makes you feel empty because lust itself is a blind factor of love.

Love is mutual and it is the root to everything you desire, materialistically or not. You love money right? You love the expensive life right? You love to feel wanted right? Than don't put your passions into the result you want, but rather YOUR OWN ENERGY to achieve everything you desire.

What others think of you is none of your business anyway, so be passionate. Love hard, Laugh often but remember, be the best version of yourself. People will only treat you as good as you treat yourself.

Peace.Love.Happiness

HonduranQueen

.::They're Only Kids!::.

2010-06-15T07:57:00.001-07:00

"...there is no single, simple word in Japanese for "girl" or "boy." The correct way to say "girl" is onna no ko and "boy" is otoko no ko (literally, "woman-child"/"man-child")..."

I'm currently learning Japanese, so in my studies, I came across that information. I want you to read it again and take that in. "no word for boy or girl... only woman-child and man-child." Language plays a huge part in the way people think. Languages shapes how we view and define our world. For example, the English language is a "male dominated" language. So is any culture that speaks English.

[excerpt] "Through its history the English language evolved in a patriarchal or male-dominated society and, as a result, its vocabulary and grammar tend to exclude women."

"...Male-based generics are another indicator—and, more importantly, a reinforcer—of a system in which "man" in the abstract and men in the flesh are privileged over women..."

These are just a few examples of the point I'm getting to. Now, in our culture (here in North America) we think of children as children, babies... Beings not able to think for themselves or care for themselves, at all. I feel that our way of thinking towards children leads to children who are unprepared for adulthood, once they find it upon them. This leads to adults who still think and function as children.

Perhaps if we thought of children more as a man in child form or a woman in child form, they'd be better prepared for life and adulthood. Too often we think that our children need to be sheltered from all. It is true that they need protection, love, guidance and support, but they do not need a crutch, a wheelchair... We tend to cripple their growth. Rather than prepare them for reality, we shield them with make believe and fairytales. Then when the harsh reality sinks in, they're unable to cope in healthy ways. They're unable to function.

Perhaps we should spend less time trying to keep them "innocent" (gullible, naive, etc) and focus on raising them to be productive, healthy, functioning men and women. Perhaps we should treat them less like "children" and more like our future.

That's all for now. More to come on this.

Written by: Genesis/Queen Tiye

Quick Financial Reads

2010-06-15T05:59:00.000-07:00

Bob Doll is Vice Chairman and Chief Equity Strategist at BlackRock (BlackRock is well known for global investment management). He gives weekly updates of what's going on in the market, economy, and about good investments. Of course opinionated, but from a smart man in finance. EASY TO READ. That's why I posted it. If you would like to start somewhere this is good -->

Bob Doll Weekly Investment Commentary
(you can also get weekly emails sent to you)

Also a good site to use to understand financial literacy --> www.investopedia.com

Posted by: Aylin
[Leen Marie]

.::Lost In Time...Lost In History::.

2010-06-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

"...A haunting 150-year-old photo found in a North Carolina attic shows a young, black child named John, barefoot and wearing ragged clothes, perched on a barrel next to another unidentified young boy. In April, the photo was found at a moving sale in Charlotte, accompanied by a document detailing the sale of John for $1,150..."

This is a part of our history that so many try to trivialize, try to write away and say "Oh, you should just get over that! Forget about that. Time to move on."

But how can we? How can we move on when our ancestors blood, sweat and tears have been poured into this land... Yet they receive no recognition. They receive no honor. We, their children, do not honor them.

Look at the faces of these two, little boys. A tragic scene of two black children, frozen in this moment forever. When I look at the boy on the right, I see a dull look in his eye that a child should NEVER have. I see child ready to burst into tears.

On the little boy on the left, I see pain. I see anger. I see a face already aging and hardening...

These children are unknown and shall forever remain so. They could be brothers... But we will never know. One of us could be the descendant of one of these beautiful, black children... But we will never know.

Their story--our story--goes untold, unwritten... And we have those who attempt to "water-down" the truth of what our ancestors went through. Those who want to wipe out history... More than they already have. They would remove ALL signs of these two, black children and all signs of what they went through.

We read about the horrors of the slavery and we live the psychological effects of it... But these two children LIVED the horrors we read about. We don't know how they died, if they lived long, if they loved... This is the only record of their existence. A photograph and a slave name. "John."

So much of our history is gone. Millions of stories like this that will never be told...

Slaves weren't important. They weren't human. Records of their births, their names, their marriages, etc, etc wasn't important enough to keep up with or even record.

We were stripped of our history, our heritage, names, our spirituality, our childhoods, our mothers, our fathers, our brothers, our sisters... Our very humanity was taken from us.

And they debt has yet to be repaid.

So don't you dare tell me to "just forget about it" or to "let it go." Until the sounds of my ancestors cries are heard by everyone and not just me, I cannot let it go. Until my ancestors have been honored... Until my people are TRULY free... I cannot, I will not let it go...

And I shall never, ever forget.

Written by: Genesis/Queen Tiye

Live Below Your Means

2010-06-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

"The White man is holdin us down!"

"Niggas aint gon neva have shit!"

"Man when I get older, I'ma have a MANSION!"

Ever heard any of these phrases?

I have. Hear 'em all the time as a matter of fact. I've got three responses to those statements.

"No he's not. He's holdin them UP."

"Not if we make a change."

"True. But you need to read this blog first."

So as you know, we as a people have a problem with money. We make the least and we spend the most. Troy has mentioned it on this site before. Aylin wrote the amazing post under this one which tells precisely why wealth is so hard to acquire in the Black community. What we need to learn how to do is live below our means. Step one on a journey of a thousand.

The "black bourgeoisie". "Uppity Negroes". Both terms used to describe our middle class. Our middle class likes to show off. They like to "keep up with the Jones's". Well the other day at work (a financial services firm), I was having a conversation with one of the loan officers, and he told me something simple, yet truer than true. I tweeted it like right after he left my cubicle: "Most millionaires were typically working people who made good money, but emphasized saving." That's it. Most millionaires aren't CEO's, CFO's, and athletes. They're CPA's, doctors, and engineers.

I'll tell you a secret. You've probably been standing next to a millionaire at least 20 times before, and never had a clue. They're the most "regular looking" people ever. They drive Honda's. Us? Our people who make "decent money"? They drive Benzes. You see where I'm going with this?

At work, I've actually seen this wealth that our parents try and tell us about! I've seen doctors who have $2.5 million conservatively invested across a diverse range of categories, who's money MAKES HIM $85K a year on a bad year like '08. That's what he live's off of. He doesn't touch his $2.5 million. His life savings. That's for his kids. So they too can go to John's Hopkins. It's crazy.

If you're reading this, you're probably in college. You're probably within a year or two of graduation. You're gonna be in the real world soon. Just do me this favor. When you get finally get that salary you've worked oh so hard far, pretend nothing changed. Live with a roommate for a while. Bring your lunch to work. Because then you'll stack up. Like Leen said, screw corporate America for what it's good for. Start building some wealth for your future family.

This is step one towards the future.

-Sam

The Black Market

2010-06-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

In between these past few weeks all three major indexes (DOW, NASDAQ, S&P 500) fell below 3%. The third worst slide of the year. The DOW closed under its 10,000 mark. This week it closed roughly 200 points above the 10,000 mark. One day WSJ reports the 300 point loss making it seem like the world is falling apart. Then the next week the DOW did an amazing 200 point jump, and the world is becoming better. The investors can stop pulling their hair. In my opinion, we don’t even know if we are in a bull or bear market.

No matter what major, there is probably only a hand full of African American students who could understand what I just said. And what I just said wasn’t even deep. At all.

I’ve been slowly reading up on the markets, figuring out how the market works and learning different investing tips. What it means to invest in mutual funds, bonds, and stocks. What will make me lose money, and what will make me some profit.
Reading up on the financial news sometimes gets me excited (nerd yes I know) but when I turn to find someone to talk to so I can get an opinion… I realize I have no one to talk to. We’ve become lazy in learning. If it isn’t in our books at school, why should I bother understanding anything else? I’m beginning to slowly learn that what has tortured us in this new generation is not the other races or our country, but ourselves. I don’t think we understand the fact that people who we think “get over on our race” do it with the strength of their minds. What they know. Using it against what we DON’T know. If you haven't learned, our nation and Wall Street work hand in hand. Whether we like it or not.

The richest people in the world make money off of investments. It’s almost impossible (unless inherited) to make millions without investing. And as hard as our African-American community works to do better and provide for their families, why do I feel like not even 5% of our race is living the wealthy life.

You know how they say “If there’s something you don’t want the black person to know, put it in a book.”? Well if you don’t want the black race to build wealth, don’t let them learn about the market and financial industry. Now I am definitely a beginner. Sitting at the front seat in this Investment 101 course. But in the very short time that I’ve taught myself the ways of this system, I’ve made over a grand. Now the motivation for most is money. I’m not going to lie and say that I didn’t become interested in finance because of the money I can make. But in the middle of my researching I began to learn so much about our government, economy, and the businesses that literally control our nation. You begin to build your intellectual capacity about the country you live in. And just by understanding the American financial industry. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

What I plan to do about it? Since every criticism I chose to make should be put into action – I plan on obtaining my CPA while continually working for one of the top 4 accounting firms. So when I’m finished messing around with corporate America, I can come back and be of assistance to the black community. I plan on opening a private accounting and consulting firm for the middle class. Maybe even for the African-American upper class. Since many of the rappers, artists, and professional players we see have someone working their money for them… Which means they don’t know where in the world their cash is flowing.

I’ll continue this post after more research…

The link below is a research/survey done relating African American and their Financial Literacy level. Just a source to see how bad our race is against others in saving money, spending less, investing more, and even being knowledgeable in the field of money.

Financial Literacy of Young African-Americans

Written by: Aylin
[Leen Marie]

...From a Decent Man

2010-06-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

1-2-1 w/jeffstaple feat. Futura from jeffstaple on Vimeo.

MOVING FORWARD-LK

Love.Energy.Knowledge.Time

.::I'm Afraid of Your Hair::.

2010-06-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

"I'm afraid... It's your hair..."

Imagine being a child and hearing that from your teacher, as she escorts you out of your honors class. Then imagine being removed from honors classes and shoved into regular classes, as if you've done something wrong.

The only crime being that you're a natural hair having, black girl.

The 8-year-old girl had been in class, without problem, for half of the school year and suddenly (in the past 2 weeks) it's affecting the teacher's allergies. She's allergic to the girl's hair... I'm allergic to bullshit. Is this teacher allergic to the hair product, or is she allergic to blackness?

To add insult to injury, the school actually stood behind the teacher, by allowing this to go on and removing the child from her honors classes.

Natural hair tends to offend Caucasian people (not all, but a good portion). I have experienced this first hand time and time again. The stares, the glares, the dirty looks... Even rude comments. It's as if our natural hair is threatening or menacing.

Us embracing our blackness and our natural beauty is threatening to white supremacy and the eurocentric beauty standard/ideal. All throughout the media you see beautiful, black women who are pressing, perming, dying... And trying to be less than black. There aren't a lot of natural hair wearing women shown in media.

Even the commercials are full of black women with long, straight, relaxed hair blowing in the wind. I very rarely see (and it's only recently that I've seen it at all) any commercials of black women with beautiful, natural hair.

Top black movie actresses and entertainers? Straight, relaxed hair... Or wigs and weaves that are long, blonde, straight... No traces of natural hair.

A lot more of us are going natural. This is a beautiful thing... But there are even more of us who are giving into a standard of beauty that we can never meet.

"The relaxer makes white people relax."

To me, this is a sign or gesture meant to show our willingness to assimilate and to conform. It symbolizes us "renouncing our crowns" and rejecting our blackness. It shows how we, too, believe in the eurocentric ideal of beauty.

This 8-year-old little girl has had what is probably her first taste of discrimination and hatred of her blackness. We black women should be up in arms about this and any instance of a little girl being made to feel unpretty for who she is.

The message we are constantly sending to little black girls, is that they are not pretty and they are not good enough. We are not teaching them to value themselves or see that they are beautiful. They are queens! Yet no one tells them nor shows them this.

Some people think that hair isn't a big issue. I argue that it is a big issue. It may not be the largest obstacle we face, but it is an important issue, none-the-less. It is one way that we act out our oppression on ourselves. Sistahs not being able to find the beauty in themselves is a very big issue.

Furthermore, I consider the outward appearance a reflection of what is going on within the person. If I wear blue contacts, dye my hair blonde, try to make my nose thinner, relax my hair... What am I saying to the world about what beauty really is? What am I saying my ideas of beauty are? (Read my blog on natural hair HERE)

My thoughts on the teacher: She should be fired. She needs a job where she doesn’t have to be around people and their “chemicals” (melanin). This doesn’t just need to be “looked into,” as the school said. This needs action. Why would we trust the school to “look into it,” when they’re the ones who allowed this to go on?!

In closing, let me say, kudos to the mother. I have never seen a caucasian and black mixed child that had a caucasian mother who knew the importance of natural hair. So, give thanks for that. That will be one less bit of confusion for the young girl.

Peace, Love and Elevation.

Written by: Genesis/Queen Tiye

Apple is Raping Us: & We Like It :-)

2010-06-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

Written By: Sam Floyd

As you all know, Steve Jobs unveiled Apple's next "big thing" on Monday: the iPhone 4. Personally I'm stoked about the thing, and plan on getting it the day it comes out. (smiley face). This is one of the those times that Apple actually releases something that's actually different enough for people to actually run out and go get it. Other times...eh, not so much.
How much cash do you think Apple has at it's disposal? Around...uhhh $40 Billion -ish. Do you know how they acquired so much capital? RAPE. Good, clean, old-fashioned rape. They lube us up real good with their awesome "trendy" commercials, then give it to us in the rear with their high prices (paying for the brand) and new releases.

...and you know what's crazy?

We like it.

I'm a total Apple freak (a part of their small, but loyal, market share), and don't know what I'd do without my MacBook Pro or my iPod. Their stuff is damn good and is the epitome of the word "functional". Simple, yet great technology.

But the reason Apple's revenues are so high isn't planned obsolescence, but planned upgrades. They take advantage of their loyal fan base, which they know is gonna go out and buy whatever new thing they come out with, by strategically planning when and what to put out next, while it's already developed. (just my opinion, course)

Take the iPhone for example.

First it was the regular iPhone. Then they add 3G capabilities and GPS, lower the price, and release the iPhone 3G. Then, they add video recording and voice control (which many other phones had by then), make it faster, and you have the iPhone 3Gs. Now we have the amazing iPhone 4, which in my opinion as stated earlier, is actually an upgrade.

Rape.

Like the video feature...come on. I don't believe for one second that the geniuses over at Apple's lab couldn't figure out how to put video recording on the freakin ORIGINAL iPhone. These guys are pioneers. They're always the first. But, they want the $$$, so they PLAN to just add that feature on later so they can make even MORE money off of you. Simple. (Like I said in my last post, "gotta get the dollas, baby!")

There's ALWAYS a new iPod, a new MacBook, a new iMac, a new whatever. It's just the way they do it. (rape). And it's always little, yet important shit. Like adding more gigs of memory, or making them faster while keeping the price the same. (rape).

And don't even get me started on the freakin iPad. They gave us an amazing super-portable labtop, an amazing phone that does absolutely EVERYTHING, and then gave us something in between. There is no need at ALL for an iPad, yet they're selling 1 every 3 seconds. 2 million in 2 months. (rape.) And think about this. That new amazing screen that the iPhone 4 has, the iPad doesn't. So look for a new one coming sooner than later. ;-)

They're only being released about 3 months apart. Is that long enough to develop THAT kind of amazing screen? Hmm...(rape.)

I'm not writing this to bash Apple, but to give my opinion. I love that company, I'd invest in their stock, and I buy their stuff. But I'm also AWARE of their evil ways. (and you should be too!)

...but like I said, I DON'T CARE. Because the stuff they make is awesome, to say the least.

Your World Revolves Around You

2010-06-09T06:12:00.000-07:00

"The World doesn't revolve around you!"

I heard this statement plenty of times growing up in a household that was always had more values and love than income. Times were sometimes hard and the selfish things I would ask for (gas money, new clothes, shoes, phones etc.) weren't always feasible. I would then complain and beg until eventually the conversations ended with an exclamatory phrase similar to the one above (which only made me more mad). It was like this for most of my life until I realized the value of hard work and the reality of the struggle that most of us are in. Eventually it culminated to the harsh realization that from a financial perspective, the world truly doesn't revolve around me, or any of us, and everything I wanted couldn't be attained. There wasn't enough money to accomodate my every want and desire.

I, recently, have realized that we all live in two seperate worlds. One of them is the above mentioned one filled with physical things that can be seen and touched (family, money, computers, cars etc.). The other, however, is just the opposite. It is one that is totally intangible but just as present. Its the world of your mind, body, and spirit. The sanctuary of your thoughts, habits, and feelings. Though it might seem abstract at times, your intangible world has so much of an effect on your tangible one and vica versa.

The combination of these two worlds is your UNIVERSE. And its all yours. A place where you can be selfish and demand things that you want. A place where you can manifest your dreams into meshing with your actions to produce a desirable future. A place where theres always enough dreaming to go around even when money is short. A place where you have the choice to be whatever you want. Literally. It all starts, though, inside. It has to. This world is a marvelous place and it has its way of delivering the physical circumstances which you attract by obssesive thinking. This works for both good and bad circumstances (trust me, I know), and the combination of thoughts and actions make up your personal universe.

We all see different things, which are percieved in different ways, which are applied differently to our different lives. Everyday. This is why we're all different and have different perceptions of reality and separate personal universes. You are the sun of your universe. The power. The light. The fuel. The inertia. Whatever you want to happen can and will if you have the confidence to dream and the patience to believe.

It is YOUR universe, and it really does revolve around you.

- Troy "TeeL" Harris

Risk Taking

2010-06-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

Risk

If you don't take risks, there will be no dramatic improvement in your life. You must embrace courage and risk–taking. What is important is outrageous thinking, thinking that is not of the normal nature. Don't follow the normal path, the path of mediocrity. Seek the adventure of life. Take the express elevator.

Risk-taking means living the moment. Every moment is new. Time is of the past and the future. Those who live in the present live in the NOW which is eternal freedom, a field of all possibilities. So it is important for you to examine yourself. Examine your path. How much risk have you taken? However you should not close your eyes and get involved in some risky action. You must first find out "What is out there for me if I take this risk?" It is always important to find out what the outcome is going to be. Depending on that answer, you take the risk or stay away from it.

NOW at every point you have a choice. The choice is to live in the NOW and then make important decisions. When you get into the NOW you move in a sphere that is beyond logic. So far we know a way of life based on logic. We do not want to enter into the sphere that is beyond logic. We are afraid because it is so terrifying. But once you get into the territory of the NOW, there are infinite possibilities. Remember, I am not telling you to disregard your appointments or your logical reality. You have to do that because you have not fully learned to live in the NOW. Until you make this transition, you will do what you have to do. And then for a time you will be in a state of awareness in which you will see the two worlds, the world of logic and the world that is beyond logic. And then there will be an integration of these two without conflict.

While you are still engaged in doing things which you have created, just float in the NOW. If you learn to float there are a lot of possibilities for you in this lifetime. Only when you feel you are stuck, things go wrong. If you are not stuck inside, you are not stuck outside.

Be prepared to undertake this journey of exploring and being adventurous through risk- taking.What makes you avoid risks are your old concepts of safety and security. In order to make significant changes you must take risks. Before you risk see the pros and cons. Do not take blind risk. This is the practical side. On the Mind Science side, first you need courage that comes from the Higher Intelligence. The Higher Intelligence, in order to help you, gives you courage. It encourages you by saying "Come on, do this."

Find more about the Author, Dr. Pillai:

http://www.pillaicenter.com/pillai.aspx

Perception of Riches

2010-06-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

Written by: by Garett P. Williams

“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.”
- Camille Pissarro

Do you remember what you considered a lot of money when you were a child? More importantly do you remember what was important to you, what it took to make your day, when you were a toddler?
A few days ago I did my grocery shopping for the week. I wandered through aisle after aisle, head down, staring at a grocery list that was too long to match up with a budget that was too small. I went to ring up what I’d compiled in my shopping cart, items that were absolutely essential at the front of the conveyor belt and those that were least important at the end in case they needed to be put back. A few of the items had to be.
I walked out of the grocery store stressed about my bank account, discouraged about the modest days that would lie ahead. On cue I was blessed by a visitor with an important message. A lady, aged beyond her years, in tattered clothes and a desperate look on her face approached me at my car. With her head down and hands together she told me that she was homeless and asked me if I could spare any amount of money to help her feed her daughter. I’d just nearly cleared my bank account to buy groceries, but I did have some change the car. I scooped up what I had, a measly three dollars maybe and poured it into her cupped hands while apologizing for not having any cash to give.
In the past few months I have not seen a larger smile on anyone’s face than the one that she gave me for those three dollars in quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. She thanked me endlessly, that smile never leaving her face. What could she do with that? Maybe get her daughter one of those $2.99 happy meals with a toy to keep her occupied. It was hard to understand how her outlook could have been altered so drastically by such a small amount of money. Then I realized how wrong I’d been prior to her arrival. Stressed and discouraged with a cart full of groceries, a car to put them in, and a shelter just for me.
This one lady, seemingly heaven sent, showed to me the error of my ways. I was embarrassed to be so ungrateful when the majority of the people in the world have much less than I do and ever since I’ve been so happy to be anywhere near as fortunate as I am.Now when you were a child what did you consider a lot of money? A childhood friend of mine, when she was four, got to ask her uncle for however much money she wanted she asked for $100. Best day of her life. I once watched my 14 month old cousin McKenzie laugh hysterically because she was running and being chased. When that constituted a game were we not much happier? I believe we were but the misconception is that life was better when we were younger. How were we so much richer in our early days when we had so much less? -Perception of riches-

If there is so much power in thought why are we not more protective of our minds. When a few moments of reflection can illuminate a situation for us, or bring us peace and happiness why do we not focus our thoughts on things that are truly important.

Riches are whatever you percieve them to be. Let us be grateful every single minute for the riches we posses.

The Sky Isn't The Limit ... The Limit Is Where You Set It

2010-06-08T18:20:00.000-07:00

Recently, a group of friends and I went skydiving. Yes ... you read that sentence right. We went skydiving! Skydiving is an extreme and highly dangerous activity, but this did not phase us. We refused to let fear limit us, so we didn’t think twice. Had we given it extra thought our minds might’ve talked us out of doing it. Just like the many minds of our peers who called us crazy for doing it, and even worse, we were told that skydiving was not “acting Black.”

Hmmm ... “skydiving is not acting Black.” There’s something wrong with this statement. This statement says that there are limitations to being Black; it says that we shouldn’t delve into activities that aren’t dominated by us. American society has barricaded our minds. As a people, we don’t engage in certain things because we’re conditioned to believe that certain heights aren’t for us to reach.

Living in America alone is enough reason to believe that anything is possible. So much has been accomplished in this country by Black people, and so much has been given to the world by Black people. The world wouldn’t have the advancements it has today if it were not for Black people laying the foundation during Ancient times, yet we limit ourselves by saying that doing certain things aren’t “acting black.”

We need to do a better job of what we allow in our heads, and a better job of what we let manifest in our minds. Society is repeatedly sending messages to us that says you can’t do this and you can’t do that, but you can be a rapper, you can be a football player, you can be a comedian, you can be a basketball player, etc. Yes we can be those things and what’s better than this is that we could BE and DO MUCH MORE ... like skydiving. : )

Skydiving was a great experience, and I recommend it for everyone! I am a different person since my landing, and doing it was just another reminder that I and my people can do anything that we choose to do because life comes with infinite possibilities.

** Kemi Lotus

If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.

Henry Ford

God Listens...Hope You Do Too

2010-06-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

***Disclaimer, I believe in God; Now I understand not all of my readers do, however if you have a faith in something, someone, or any energy or power greater than you, working for you, that is who & what I am referring to when I say God; take it as a metaphor if you please.***

Let me cut to the chase....

God listens when you speak, and he delivers when you believe. Therefore when you ask for the most at your lowest moments, are you paying attention to yourself? I know it can be easy for people to say, "Things will get better..." but do you believe that? Because when you ask for things like happiness, love, courage, strength, etc., are you paying attention to the way you respond to those things when they come before you?

Please understand the power of prayer {which I truly believe prayers are poems that sing to the divine heart} because often times when we are down we ask to be picked back up immediately, selfishly ignoring and disrespecting the pace and time things works for us.

Believe you me no judgement is being passed around here though, because I, too, can be impatient for the things I want most. I also understand, however, the more I resist experiences manifesting at their own speed, rate, time, pace, etc., the more I am resistant to this limitless plan God has made for me.

Now on that ride back up, how does your ego feel? How does your spirit respond to others and their words? How do you respond back to what God places before you? One of my favorite things to often ask for is the courage to know the difference when it's placed before me. Here is a real life example: I was heavy into substance abuse{drinking excessively and smoking pot on more than regular basis} and I immediately felt like I had to be on defense. How could anyone say that I overly use anything when I don't believe and act as so? Like come on, do I really drink more than others?? Ignorant to my own truth, I felt righteous at a weak time in my life.

It took a lot of silent treatment from God and prayer for me to understand that by having others (i.e family and friends) say that I was abusing liquor and weed it was only their way of showing me what is truly UGLY. I had to recognize the damage I was doing to myself in order for me to want to change that aspect in my life. I had to recognize the damage I was doing to myself in order for me to know what self-esteem meant; to know what real love means when it comes out of to and it is charged back to you. The best love is SELF-love and I did not recognize that love until I was alone and vulnerable...

I believe whole heartedly that in order for you to feel your best you have know what is BEST. In order for you to LOVE at your best you must know who LOVES you at your best. You cannot go on through life without relationships, therefore cherish the people who support you, the people who keep it real with you, and the people who are always there even at their busiest moment.

Love is real. Love is God. If God listens, and you are too focused on the things and materialistic beings that have NO soul, you will miss out on the best parts of your life, & that is cheating!

Don't cheat yourself out of what you deserve and what you ASK for. Pay attention!

"If you feel like you are going to cheat, look up, look forward, & look within..." -Dr. Dennard

Laugh hard and often, God is great comedian.

By: HonduranQueeen

"Money Over Everything"

2010-06-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

Written By: Sam Floyd

Search your iTunes for the number of songs that contain the word "money" in the title. Mine has 97. Today's hip-hop culture is all about getting more and more money (and wastefully throwing it up at the club, of course). But is money really the answer to all of our problems? Money comes, money goes... Ask MC Hammer.

"Money money money is my intuition, money over bitches such an easy decision..."

-Weezy F. Baby

Remember learning about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in psychology?

Well, to refresh your memory it's basically like a food pyramid that displays your needs instead of food. The most important/basic needs at the bottom, and the most unnecessary/advanced ones at the top.

The chart, in a nutshell, says that you can't worry about safety, love/belonging, esteem, or "self-actualization" respectively, until you first have your physiological situation (food, water, and shelter) under control. Pretty basic stuff.

You can see right away that money plays a pretty important role in our needs, seeing as food, water, and shelter are not free. If you're struggling to meet these most basic needs, then clearly money is gonna be of grand importance to you.

But...

At what point do you see money's ability to satisfy our needs stop? Safety. Leaving love/belonging, esteem, and most importantly, self-actualization up to be achieved through other means. A small percentage of people actually make it to the top of the pyramid because they spend way too much time worrying about MONEY. (Gotta get the dollas, baby!)

Now. Money is very important, don't get me wrong, but it's nothing that should be worried about. If you're worried about money, it should be because you don't have enough to put food on the table for your family, not because you're gonna have to settle for the Honda rather than the Beemer. In very basic terms, if one remains wrapped up in material things, one won't be able to reach his/her full potential as a human, according to Maslow. Put this on a large scale and there you have it: us (black people).

If your main focus is money (assuming you're already living comfortably), then you could potentially have pseudo-love, pseudo-esteem, and pseudo "self actualization" in your personal heiarchy of "needs". We all know that money can't buy you love. Any woman you get based on the things you buy her is not fit for a wife. Any friends who hang around you because of how much money you have are not friends at all. Any self-esteem you gain from having these "loved ones" has a foundation in relationships that are fostered by money, rather than genuine human emotion. Thus, any "self-actualization" that comes from this esteem is not "self-actualization" at all.

Don't get me wrong, money is definitely a must, and nothing is wrong with having plenty of it. But don't let your life revolve around getting money! When you get older and the opportunity presents itself, go to your little girl's ballet recital recital rather than working overtime if you can help it. The things in life that we value most are priceless. Money comes, money goes...

Some of the richest people in the world are also some of the most miserable. Realize money's importance, but at the same time realize it's unimportance...because money isn't everything. So why put it over everything?

...

Because we just wanna be "successful" of course. The money, cars, clothes, and hoes. You know the lyrics...

.::Fix Me. I'm Broken::.

2010-06-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

I was on twitter today and I noticed someone say something interesting. She said, "You cannot fix a man. Only when a man looks to God when he's in need, can he be fixed." I grew up in a Christian, conservative, Southern Baptist home, so I know all too well how strong the shackles of Christianity can be. Yes, shackles--As in they bind you. They hold you back. They limit you. That is what religion does. It teaches you that you are incompetent and that without this all-knowing,

all-powerful and perfect being, you are helpless, hopeless, and irreparably flawed. You are taught to look to everything but yourself for answers and for all things. You are somehow not good enough and no matter how hard you try, you can never be good enough. The only thing that saves you is the so-called mercy of this mystery being. The only thing that governs your actions and keeps you from being a total savage who gives in to all sorts of vile things, again, is this mystery being. My response to this girl was simple:

"Only when a man stops looking to external forces and starts looking within himself can he be fixed."

Do you wait for this mystery to feed you? Or do you go to the store and buy food? Do you wait for this mystery to give you money? Or do you go to work to provide for yourself and your family (if you have one)?

You don't sit around and wait for God to provide your needs. So why sit around and wait for him to fix your flaws? Why not stand up, take responsibility and look within yourself to fix anything that you feel is wrong? Quit letting your religion and your god cripple you. It is within you to control your actions, control your thoughts and correct any flaws.

Quit looking outside of self, when all that you need is within. Get off your knees, open your eyes, and stand up on your own two feet. Throw the crutch of religion away and realize that you are both the one needing healing and the HEALER. Any prayers you have will only be answered by you.

Peace, Love and Elevation.

(Read my blog on "Filling The Void" here)

Written By: Queen Tiye/Genesis

Freedom vs. Liberty

2010-06-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

Webster says:

freedom- exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.

liberty- freedom from external or foreign rule; independence.

Sounds pretty similar, right? Well I'm here to tell you that they're actually pretty different. Completely. In America, we are all free, which theoretically constitutes liberty; by definition. Unfortunately, though we all have our inalienable rights and the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, we're not all internally liberated. (and its nothing our precious forefathers can do about that.) In one of my earlier posts, I responded to a quote that stressed that the power of any given nation is directly dependent on the percentage of individuals in that given country who are personally liberated. I believe this to be true because when people follow their passions; success, happiness, and efficiency are sure to hop on for the ride. With this being said, it might be true that Blacks, the race suffering from the most oppression in America, are the least liberated (powerful) of all.

In our school systems, we aren't taught much about our own people. At all. A vast majority of us (including me for a long time) have some mental picture of savagery and stupidity in our heads when we envision Africa. In fact, a lot of people sometimes mistake Africa for being a country without thinking twice. (Africa is a continent with 54 countries) Think about literal African-Americans for a moment and they're journey from the slave trade to 2010......

In a nutshell, you probably saw half naked dumb people captured and starved on a ship, beaten while singing hymns, killed, freed, segregated, water hosed, integrated, and discriminated against. Throw MLK, Obama, and Oprah in there and you've got your portrait. Now, compare that to what we know about our European friends. With the great artwork of Da Vinci and powerful leading capabilities of Napoleon Bonaparte. Or the buts bravery of Columbus and the pioneering genius of George Washington. Don't get me wrong, these people were great, but something is missing... US. Most of what we learn is about US being LESS than our counterparts. After all, they didn't originate from America either yet their history is out there to dominate our thinking and most importantly, inspire and liberate theirs. If all we read about and see, from birth, is people that look like us being worse off for no apparent reason, it'll take some kind of toll on a group of people eventually. The problem is this: Our schools system is not conducive to liberating the minds of people outside of the Anglo-Saxon bubble and it forces people to think that they have to be Malcolm X or Marcus Garvey just to make a difference. And honestly, people like that aren't born everyday. So a lot of us don't even dare to try. It becomes perpetual to the point that apathy and under achievement isn't abnormal and when a Black person puts the "i-n-g" on the end of his action verbs, he gets his lunch money taken. We don't have any power (liberty) like this!

I say all of that to say this. Freedom is given, but Liberty is found, cultivated, and used. Thats the difference. In a convo not too long ago, a very close friend came to the conclusion that the main factor in the lack of liberation of a people isn't their circumstances in the past or the present, but its the thought that they can't be anybody important or do anything great, which affects the future. It hit me hard. Because its true. If you can't think it, then you can't be it. People who don't know that planes can fly don't go to pilot school. So, our mis-education from school combined with the suppressed thoughts that the same mis-education puts in our heads leads to what we have today. A constitutionally free and nominally liberated people. Just nominal. We can say have liberty, but do we really? As long as we shy away from our passions and ignore knowledge and cooperation with each other, we'll be weak.

"Forget what you've been taught. Its about what you will learn. We value, many times more, the knowledge we attain ourselves than that which is shoved down our throats."

Freedom is tangible. External. Its a strength. Liberty, however, is intangible, intrinsic, and an opportunity. Opportunity to succeed. Opportunity to grab some energy and multiply it for your benefit. Opportunity to envision a powerful future.Opportunity to GO. You can't cry over spilled milk, but you can cry over spoiled milk. Milk that just sat in the cup until it was useless and unhealthy. Freedom is our man-given entitlement to equality. Liberty is our GOD given ability to spark change in ourselves and others, and if we don't use it.... (I think you know the rest, just look around).

Spread this energy. Go inspire someone.

Troy L. Harris

Great Minds

2010-06-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

RT: @HJayBee: "SMALL minds discuss people.

AVERAGE minds discuss events.

GREAT minds discuss ideas."