Nobody Greater! Vashawn Mitchell Singing Praise!

Racism Is Over? Says Who?

High school students are hit by a high-pressure water jet from a firehose during a protest in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963, as photographed by Charles Moore.

Bill Hudson's image of Parker High School student Walter Gadsden being attacked by dogs was published in The New York Times on May 4, 1963.

This is continuation of the previous entry.  When an Afro-American President was elected it meant to some people that America was ready for change and that it was the end of racial separation.  How can that be when there are still simple issues regarding just flying the Confederate Flag?   To some its a symbol of heritage and hate.   The flag shouldn’t even be an issue.  Illiteracy among teens and adults, teen pregnancy, unemployment, gangs, and just downright disrespect for the elders are serious problems, to name just a few.   In other words, we have a lot to overcome and fifty years since the Civil Rights Act is just not enough time.  Good and bad eggs come in every box.   Bad eggs always stink but you never know when you open the box.  You have to crack the egg.  Now sometimes you can get an idea that you have a bad egg(s) in the box and sometimes you can’t.  The stink is confined inside the shell.  But once the egg(s) face the heat from the frying pan, you’ll find out real quick.  There are good and bad people everywhere, we even work with some of them.  They can walk right by you and not say a word.  Sometimes, you might even hear a grunt but they can look right at you and not see you.  I’m sure some of you know what I’m talking about.  I’m not saying these people are racists, this can happen within a race.  I am saying these people have issues far deeper than they would admit.  Maybe they’re miserable, unhappy, and just don’t like the life their living.  I’m willing to give them the benefit of a doubt.  But, there are some people who just don’t want to get along with others and would prefer that we all remain separate.  Personally, we all need each other.  You can’t make healthy meals without mixing the right ingredients.  We need each other to survive and accept the fact that our diversity can help our growth.  Many of us minorities have been poor all of our lives and were never taught how to spend our money responsibly.  You have to understand when we did get jobs our pay were less than our white counterparts and our loan payments and interest rates were much higher.  Let’s face it, inequality and racial biasness is rough.   I’m not making excuses, I’m giving an explanation.  And for some, once they do make a little money, they make frivolous purchases instead of paying the loans down and becoming more financially secure.  Who can our youth look up to?  Too many entertainers and athletes are spending their money on many purchases that are questionable.  Remember, it’s their money but it would help the community with educational purposes and at the same time be an example for these kids to manage their dreams for success.  I ventured off the subject because there is too much not to be ignored in our society today.  When will America come together as truly one nation under God?

Don’t Put Your Faith In Polls, Get Off Your Duff, Go Vote!

I know how surveys work and I know what they set out to achieve.  But who I don’t know are any of the people that have been polled.  I don’t have a huge circle of friends and associates but I do know quite a few people and they say that they haven’t been polled.  What makes matters worse is that so many people believe that the polls have the final word on who’s elected.  That is pitiful because these so-called poll results managed to convince folks sitting on the fence, not to vote.  They feel that it’s no use voting since the polls say that one candidate is ahead of the other.  “What’s the point of me voting”, they say.  Or, “My vote won’t count.”  Voting is a privilege and an opportunity to voice your feelings about local, state, and national government.  Too many people, young & old, Black & White have given their lives for this right.  And yet, there are too many people who don’t see the real picture.  Don’t let these people die in vain.  And don’t give up on your beliefs.  This nation is at a turning point in its history.  People are so outspoken that they have become hateful, spiteful, and nasty.  Mean voices are calling people dogs and animals.  Emails sent with racist humor but its okay.  Where those foul emails years ago?  Voices are saying that this country is going in the wrong direction and that they want their country back.  I’m concerned on many fronts from these words.  Wrong direction?  For whom?  Their country back? Their being whom?  I grew up in the Jim Crow era and when the Civil Rights Act passed, I remember this same hostility and hate.  Get real, people, minorities had their place and it wasn’t in leadership positions, especially, as President of the United States with a funny name.  It’s a shame that so many people still carry such resentful feelings towards minorities.  And if given the opportunity, they’ll turn this nation back to the direction of separation and returned to those hypocrites that want to continue those old racial practices.  And don’t even try to play me with political correctness or if you don’t agree with the President, then everyone else is a racists.  Don’t fool yourself because you are not fooling me.  Show your true self and I’ll respect you as a person.  Hell, we don’t have to agree on everything but because you think you’re right doesn’t make me wrong, either.  The Democrats think that because you’re a minority you’re supposed to vote their way.  Wrong!  My vote is not to be taken for granted.  The Republicans used to be the party of Lincoln who had sincere values and concerns but lost it to the ultra-conservatives who seemed to see the world only through eyes like theirs.  My affiliation has never been taken for granted with them then, but now as a moderate and a minority, it doesn’t even matter.  Personally, my perception of the Republicans has changed.  This country needs a stronger third party and I am not talking about the Tea Party.  Where were they the past 8 years?  I guess nothing was wrong then.  The country was still going deeper in depth with an unnecessary war, forget about the direction.  The country was just fine so it didn’t need to be taken back.  People have short memories but that’s the way they are.  Too bad they still have a problem of acceptance.  These are my views, my feelings, I’m writing.  I’m not giving up on what so many people sacrificed and died for.  Our soldiers and sailors are still fighting and dying for all of us to voice our opinions.  I know that I appreciate what they are doing because I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now.  Remember to vote November 2^nd!  Exercise your right while you still have it!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I thank God for blessing me with 56 wonderful years with the best mother in the world!  I hope many of you feel the same way about your mom being the best mom in the world.  If she was still here, this would have been her 80^th birthday.  I will always love you, Mom!

Golden Rules For Finding Your Life Partner

Relationship coach, Rabbi Dov Heller, M. A., lays out his 5 golden rules for evaluating the prospects of long-term success. When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no one wants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50 percent, it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding Mr/Ms Right! If you ask most couples who are engaged why they’re getting married, they’ll say: “We’re in love.” I believe this is the #1 mistake people make when they date.

Choosing a life partner should never be based on love (alone).Though this may sound not politically correct, there’s a profound truth here. Love (alone) is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: You can’t build a lifetime relationship on love alone. You need a lot more.

Here are five questions you must ask yourself if you’re serious about finding and keeping a life partner.

QUESTION #1:

Do we share a common life purpose?
Why is this so important?

Let me put it this way: If you’re married for 20 or 30 years, that’s a long time to live with someone. What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose. Two things can happen in a marriage. You can grow together, or you can grow apart. Fifty percent of the people out there are growing apart. To make a marriage work, you need to know what you want out of life bottom line – and marry someone who wants the same thing.

QUESTION #2:

Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person?

This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship. Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust i.e. trust that I won’t get “punished” or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings. A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.

QUESTION #3:

Is he/she a mensch?  A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person.
How can you test?

Here are some suggestions:

Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis?
Are they serious about improving themselves?

A teacher of mine defines a good person as “someone who is always striving to be good and do the right thing.”

So ask about your significant other:

What do they do with their time?
Is this person materialistic?

Usually a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character refinement. There are essentially two types of people in the world: People who are dedicated to personal growth and people who are dedicated to seeking comfort. Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing. You need to know that before walking down the aisle.

QUESTION #4:

How does he/she treat other people?

The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give. By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure.

Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up themselves and self-absorbed? To measure this, think about the following:

1) How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as a waiters, bus boy, taxi driver
    etc?
2) How do they treat parents and siblings?
3) Do they have gratitude and appreciation?
4) Do they show respect?

If they don’t have gratitude for the people who have given them everything, you cannot expect that they’ll have gratitude for you - who can’t do nearly as much for them!

Do they gossip and speak badly about others?

Someone who gossips cannot be someone who loves others. You can be sure that someone who treats others poorly will eventually treat you poorly as well.

QUESTION #5:

Is there anything I’m hoping to change about this person after we’re married?

Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to “improve” them after they’re married. As a colleague of mine puts it, “You can probably expect someone to change after marriage... for the worse!” If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.

In conclusion, dating doesn’t have to be difficult and treacherous. The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart. It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating, to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues. Falling in love is a great feeling but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don’t want to find yourself in trouble because you didn’t do your homework.

“When A Person’s Temper Gets The Best Of Him, It Reveals The Worst Of Him.“

Thoughts!

Most of my young adult life, I sought after riches, fame and love.  I thought I found love but the others were always beyond my reach.  I’d gain a little and lost some but never considered myself successful.  I’ve even lost relationships because they felt I wasn’t making enough money or showed enough material gain for them, even my love wasn’t considered loyal enough.  It becomes a challenge when you think you’re always being tested.  In the process, I realized that I was blessed that even though I didn’t always have what I wanted, but I didn’t lack for anything I needed.  I was always contented but still tried to grab the brass ring.  I’ve seen enough of those that were considered “successful” struggled so much that they never had time to sit back and enjoy their results.  They wanted more.  Some laid awake in the middle of the night wondering and hoping that they’ll make the payments on the eye candy that were being shown to the public.  Yes, they left me because I wasn’t making the money they wanted, but my God, my God, He never left me.  And I am still happy!  It just goes to show you that the standards of success are in the eyes of the beholder.  I’ve been searching for the wrong things.  As a young man, my faith was in what I could do.  I limited myself because it was not enough.  Young people should seek wisdom and understanding while they are still young.  Faith and patience will follow!  Remember that your faith in God will accept the fact that you are where He wants you to be.  So be patient and faithful, God will never leave you.  It is still never too late to develop faith. God is good all of the time!

Suit Up!!!

Times are getting tougher every day!  People are literally getting hostile.  Look around you, they are mean, frustrated, and uncivil.  Our politicians, religious leaders, radio celebrities, and TV personalities can insult you, apologize, and still mean what they originally said.  This country has become a nation of fear and hate and the loudest voices, though a minority is being heard the most.  Get your suit of armor on, people.  Election draws near and the candidates that we have to choose are questionable.  Some of them do not have the American interests at heart but they say they hear the peoples’ voices.  We might be going back in time, folks.  State’s rights will take away some civil rights and if we think times are bad now, if some appeals and repeals are made and accepted, we haven’t seen anything, yet.  Forget about jobs, public safety, and all social programs.  America is prepared to raise some of the most uneducated people in the world.  And some of our leaders prefer keeping us dumb, anyway.  Then we won’t be able to see through their lies.  Put on the suit of righteousness and pray that we listen the Holy Comforter words.  We need help and right now its all about getting rich off of somebody else.  Big businesses got these politicians in their pockets and they will lie, cheat and steal to keep it.