Go Green ©

When you are through changing, you are through

Bruce Barton

As an African American Male born, raised and currently residing in the South I write this entry in a state of extreme exasperation.... but with the utmost objectivity. It is truly a sad, sad day when people have to put disclaimers on what they say or believe is true in a society that champions free speech. Unfortunately as some of us know or have been led to believe “Perception is reality”. I, however honestly don’t subscribe to that mode of reasoning. Reality is reality, not one’s perception of it. To me, that train of thought is for the sensitive, the weak or the undereducated. Those individuals that are too scared or too proud to have a properly grounded moral code or live a life of true integrity. Regretfully a great many individuals within our society have become too content with being followers instead of leaders. Nonetheless, I digress.

That is not the topic of today’s discussion…

Pollution comes in many forms. One type of pollution is often overlooked. Inspirational Author Chuck Swindoll calls it verbal pollution. This type of pollution is generally passed around by grumblers, complainers and criticizers. In an age of environmental conservation and preservation for the planet on which we live, it’s only fitting that we do the same for the spirit that lives within us.

The Word of God says that we are to let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouths, but what is good for necessary edification. Short version: If you don’t have anything good to say…. don’t say any thing. For some people that I have had the displeasure of interacting with were they to actually put that into practice today, they would never utter another word.

The 10^th law of the 48 Laws of Power written by Robert Green and Joost Effers, states:

Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and the Unlucky. You can die from someone else’s misery – Emotional states are just as infectious as disease. You may feel that you are helping the drowning man but you are only participating in your own disaster. The unfortunates sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they may also draw it on you. Associate with the happy and fortunate instead.

Ask yourself this question: If you could do one thing to make the world around you a better place what would it be? We all have the ability to make the world in which we live a better place to live one random act of kindness at a time. Do your part. Make a vow to yourself to make wherever you go a better place than it was before you arrived. Try to see the good in every person and every situation (Disclaimer: Tying to see the good in people should stop the minute you realize that the person refuses to see the good within themselves and has no intention of changing. Stop frustrating yourself wanting something for someone when they don’t even want it for themselves). You don’t always have to have a reason to do something to help someone. It doesn’t always have to be something in it for you. So many of us miss an opportunity to enrich our lives by helping someone else because we don’t want to risk being abused, used or misused. Now granted we aren’t to be doormats or naïve. There are predators out there that take people’s kindness for weakness. There are unsavory individuals out there that look for any opportunity to “get over” and try to take what they have absolutely no right to. However, that does not exempt us from doing our part to enrich the lives of the people around us in some way. Always remember that GOD honors effort.

Go Green.

Clean up YOUR environment today. Your life and your planet most definitely depends on it.

A Letter to the Government ©

Just because things are different doesn’t mean anything has changed

Irene Peter

In light of recent world events and the upcoming 2012 presidential election (It will be here before you know it), I figured I would change gears for a second and put together some questions to ask the current members of our Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal Government.


Now I want to preface this entry by saying that I am not a Pundit or expert political analyst in any way, shape or form. However, I am observant. If I were ever granted an opportunity to voice my concerns in Washington, here are just SOME of the questions and commentary I would have for the Big Whigs on the Hill:


Why are oil companies paying so many millions of dollars per barrel for oil from the Middle East and we have oil resources off the coast of the Gulf States and in Alaska that we haven't truly tapped into. Hybrid energy is great but will it be made affordable to all? Ethanol sound like a wonderful alternative fuel but how will it be presented to the masses?


How are you going to lower the price of fuel? Will we ever see $.99 per gallon regular unleaded and if so when and if no why not? At this point I'd just be glad to see $1.99 per gallon unleaded gasoline.


What plans do you have to bring our troops home? Saddam is dead. Bin Laden is dead. If there aren't any plans to bring our troops home immediately why are they still fighting and what in Heaven’s name are they fighting for? Not to mention I thought it was the CIA's job to make sure that the wars we fight are little ones. The Iraqi and Afghanistan conflicts have been anything but little wars. I know many a soldier and soldier’s family that will attest to that. Now granted there has been an extreme amount of unrest in Northern Africa and the Middle East as of late with uprisings in Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen and all along the Israeli border. Not to mention the Somali Pirate issue. Consequently I can understand the need for some U.S. intervention, but it just seems like our Government officials have no idea of when to say when. It’s like once our Military is inserted into a conflict, no one in Washington knows when to pull our troops out. Case in point.. our troops have been in Afghanistan for nearly ten years primarily to hunt for a man that may have been hold up in a neighboring country for six.


When will we stop sending aid to other nations while our infrastructure and affairs domestically need the Federal Government’s attention? Now, I’m not a sadist… I’m all for international humanitarian efforts. The recent rash of global natural disasters have reached staggering proportions. I understand assisting those that are in need as result of acts of God. However, I don’t understand why we are in Syria messing with a man that has been in power for over 40 years. Why all of a sudden must we now interfere with their civil conflict. Hell the entire Middle East region for that matter. Why is America always the nation that always has to place it’s brave Servicemen and Servicewomen in harms way while rest of the world has the audacity to sit back and criticize out efforts? I don’t recall our nation receiving any humanitarian assistance when we experience natural disasters and acts of God. Ask the people of New Orleans how much global humanitarian assistance they received after Katrina. They barely got any assistance for the US Government let alone from other parts of the World. Ask the tornado and flood victims of the Southeast and Northeast how much global humanitarian assistance they received. You have people in Nashville being asked to return FEMA assistance checks that they received after the great 100-year flood. In my humble opinion it’s pretty despicable to ask an 84-year-old woman to return a $15,000 check that she received as a result of losing every earthly possession she owned in a natural disaster. How do you ask someone that has nothing to pay back much needed assistance money? Let me just move on to my next question. I could write a whole entry on this one question alone….


What will you do to stabilize the nation’s economy and bolster the strength of the dollar internationally? The Euro is now worth more than the US Dollar. Not to mention that China (a communist country) is obtaining superpower status. Word on the street is that they will surpass us as a Superpower on every level by the year 2014.


What steps are being taken to lower the National Debt? If all the countries that we owe money called in their markers today we'd all be slaves and indentured servants again!


Can Democracy survive all of the bipartisan grandstanding that occurred during President Obama’s first term as President? I mean to be quite honest; it seems to me that the principles and values that once separated the Democratic Party from the Republican Party have all but vanished. Not to mention it seems to me that the Democratic Congressmen and women on the Hill have offered more resistance to President Obama’s (who the last time I checked was a Democrat) attempts to correct the years of mismanagement of our great nation’s resources by the administrations that preceded his than they ever did his predecessor. As of late Democrats on the hill and all over Washington are more aggressive with candidates from their own party than they are with candidates from other parties. The in fighting has gotten ridiculous. I thought we sent our Representatives to Washington to represent us … their constituents.. the American People. It seems all politicians care about is cheating on their spouses and lining their pockets with special interest money.


Now I’m sure as you are reading this that you may have some questions of your own. All I can do is encourage you to make your voice heard. I think the American People have been ignored long enough. Voice your opinion! That is your God given and First Amendment right. I also ask that you become informed. Never tire of learning new things and asking questions. The only dumb question is the one that is not asked. Don’t fall into complacency with the status quo. Don’t be apathetic towards questionable policymaking and quit settling for politics as usual. I honestly don’t feel that anyone has a right to complain about anything if they are not willing to pursue change. Get out and exercise your right to vote (Too many people lost their lives and sacrificed their livelihood so that you can have it.) One person truly can make a difference. History has shown us this time and time again.


Let me call the roll, if I may…


Jesus Christ
Noah
Moses
Prince Hall
Shaka kaSenzangakhona
Hannibal Barca
Harriett Tubman
Marcus Garvey
Cesar Chavez
Ernesto “Che” Guevara
Bantu Steven Biko
Nelson Mandela
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Sojourner Truth
Rosa Parks
Martin Luther King, Jr.
EL-Hajj Malik Shabazz
Muhammad Ali
Dick Gregory
Angela Davis
Gordon Parks
Arthur Ashe
Jackie Robinson
Jesse Owens
Jim Brown
Rep. Maxine Waters
Reverend Al Sharpton
Barack Obama


And these are just a few of history’s boundary smashers and trailblazers. Individuals that just would not take no for an answer or just would not be denied. Honor their sacrifices and their attempt to leave a legacy by doing your part. After all…this is our obligation. Not only to those that have come before us but also to those that shall come after us.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, but concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Buddha

There are some individuals that are just determined to live a life of anger, frustration, pain, jealousy, and/or dishonesty. Granted, all of these emotions will pay us a visit during out time here on this little blue marble. Nevertheless amongst life’s little irritations are moments of happiness and bliss. Unfortunately, too many of us (I count myself among this group at times) focus too much on what we don’t have or what the next person does have instead of just being grateful for the wonderful things that are in our possession. I mean I’ll be the first to admit that it’s easy to focus on the negative. I mean after all, we live in a sensationalist society. Bad news trumps good news everywhere we look. Case in point, Harold Camping’s doomsday prophecy or the forthcoming end of days scenario predicted by the Ancient Mayan calender set to expire on December 21st, 2012. Now we all know that Christ is coming back for his church. Even nonbelievers know this. We will most definitely not be on this Earth forever. It is with that in mind I was moved to pen this piece….

Keys to living

Every day of your life should be a good day. Primarily because we should be thankful to have been blessed with another one. However, the reasons most definitely will vary depending upon the individual and/ or their beliefs.  Nevertheless one thing is for certain, you should live it like it's your last.

One day, we will not have to worry about going to work or how we will make that mortgage payment. Nor will we have to worry about where our next meal will come from or how we will make ends meet.

At anytime (Not just 5/21/2011, 10/21//2011, 12/21/2012 or any other date that man has decided that this world will come to an end), God could take us off from this Earth. It is for that reason you should appreciate today and not worry about tomorrow. For nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. When you wake up each morning, thank the Lord for waking you up. When you lie down to sleep at night, thank the Lord for blessing you with another day. If you have a job, thank the Lord for your place of employment. Ask that he may bless you in everything that you do. Ask him to give you the knowledge and the wisdom to do your job. If you don't have a job, thank him anyway. Ask him to direct you to the job that is right for you. When you are eating breakfast, lunch or dinner, say a prayer. Thank the Lord for providing food and nourishment to your body. If you are healthy, thank the Lord for the health and strength in your body. If you aren't, thank him anyway for life, and ask him to heal your body.

Learn to count your blessings and not your troubles. Be grateful for your blessings. To me there is no such thing as large blessings or small blessings. Only blessings. The next time that you get mad or wish to be vengeful, please think twice. Karma has no respect of persons. You most definitely reap what you sew. The next time you complain about something at your job, think about that unemployed person out there that wish they had a stable source of income that would allow them to provide for their family. The next time you say you wish you had steak instead of chicken, think about the millions of people the world over that are starving and wish they had something to eat. The next time you feel yourself becoming envious of what the next person has, be thankful for what you have and the life that you have been blessed with. Besides… the person that you are envying may wish that things were different for them. You can never judge a person’s situation or predicament simply by looking at them. You also can’t possibly know the dues that have been paid by that person to get what they have simply by looking at them either. Anyone who has accomplished anything of great importance in this life has had to make some type of sacrifice to obtain it.

Pray and ask the Lord for guidance and please be sincere (God knows whether or not we mean it from the heart). Help those in need as a gift from your heart, and not just to receive something in return. Put forth an extra effort in everything that you do. For God honors effort. Go after what you want in life, and do whatever it takes to achieve your goals. Lastly, no matter how perfect you think you are, there is always room for improvement and an opportunity for you to do better.

If you are depressed, cry if you must; then hold your head up and know that the Lord will help you through. Pray and ask the Lord to deliver you from your state of depression. Whatever it is that you are depressed about, God will take that pain from you heart. It may not be at the very moment you ask Him to, but He WILL do it if you just believe in Him. Trust me, depression is a condition I know oh too well. God may not show up when YOU want him to, but he's ALWAYS on time. God will never give us more than we can bear. Sometimes he will present us with challenges that will test our faith. The key is that you have to be courageous and strong enough to believe that God will do exactly what He says he will do. Now let us review shall we? My Keys to Living are as follows: Praise the Lord, have faith in the Lord, give thanks to the Lord, and live every single day like it is your last. Theoretically speaking, if the Lord never does anything else for us other than wake us up each day and provide our every need, we should be thankful.

Oh…

I almost forgot..

This is for that guy that said the world was going to end May 21,2011 or anyone else that has ever attempted to predict the end of days with their numerological theories and biblical computations. The Word of God says that no man knows the day nor the hour of Christ’s return (Matthew 24:36). I doubt that God would trust the actual day of an event of such great importance and significance the likes of the Rapture and the return of His Son to Harold Camping. I heard the guy spent a mini fortune to spread his doomsday prophecy around the world. Now I don’t know a lot about the guy.. as a matter of fact I just learned about him and his doomsday prophecy because of the sensationalist media (They just love messiness and dysfunction, don't they). Nonetheless, I wish that he and others like him would focus that sort of effort and those kinds of resources on making the world we live in a better place instead of scaring the hell out of the masses with fire and brimstone rhetoric. I don’t know what’s sadder, man’s continued attempt to predict when Christ will return or the traction we give those predictions. You got people paying in advance for Rapture Protection for their pets for heaven’s sake. Hey, man… too each it’s own. I just find it a little distressing how you have individuals in this world that care more about animals than they do people.

But I digress..

Clean Up Your Camp ©

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.

George Washington - Rules of Civility

“Be careful of the company that you keep……”

Wise words that I received from a dear friend and mentor from what seems to have been a lifetime ago. Unfortunately, despite all of the effort that has been given and strides we have made in leveling the playing field racially as well as economically, we still have those that wish to judge individuals by the number of zeros behind their annual salary, their bank account balance, or the still sadly the color of their skin. However, in the overall scheme of things these superficial measurements of character and credibility are truly insignificant.  Experience has truly taught me that you can never judge a book by its cover. The only way you can know whether or not the book is worth reading is to pick it up, check out the table of contents and maybe even turn a few pages. This analogy applies not only to books but to people as well. You can’t really judge people by their outer appearance. The true measurement of a person’s character and substance comes from taking the time out to  learn about that person. Where they are from, where they’ve been,  what their dreams and goals are, what drives them, what they stand for and what supreme authority  they answer to.  These are things that you just will not be able to determine by the clothes that they wear, the home that they live in, place where they are employed or the car that they drive.

For me personally, I judge people by three things. Do they keep their word? Do they mean what they say and say what they mean? Are their words lining up with their actions? All else simply does not mean a whole lot to me. There are a lot of people out there that are have been wounded. Wounded by those that have professed love to them, wounded by situations, wounded by past failures and disappointments, wounded by some of the very things that they placed their faith and trust in.

Thankfully with time,  wounds heal. However, the scars that remain serve as reminders of those things that have caused us pain or discomfort. No matter how ugly the scar, the lesson tied to that scar insures that we will think twice before placing ourselves in the situation that gave us the scar again. This I know about all too well.  What is your scar? That last relationship, that get rich quick scheme or hustle, that adulterous affair, that one night stand, that beat down you handed out or received because you did not exercise self control  and discipline (That was for you Mama Tia). Whatever that scar is, just know it’s never too late for a new beginning or an all but overdue ending. A dear friend told me just the other day that the pain that we experience daily is merely conditioning and preparation for your destiny. The Word of God alludes to this in the Book of Proverbs:

“Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.” Proverbs 20:30

It’s basically like the diamond from coal analogy. The greater one’s goal and purpose, the stronger the opposition. Nonetheless, because of the wounds we receive at the hands of this cold, cold world that we live in it can be easy for someone to lose sight of who they are and what their true purpose is. For example, bad relationships can make one bitter, constant disappointments can make one skeptical, lack of progress and development can render one hopeless. Nevertheless, those that know who they are and whose they are know that the end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride for all things truly do work together for the good of those that love Him and are called into His purpose.

This is exactly why it is so important for us to be extremely careful of who we surround ourselves with. Now I know what I said earlier in this passage about making character judgments but there is another side to that coin that needs to be discussed. The belief in people’s “potential”. That is a slippery slope primarily because the potential that you believe someone has doesn’t amount to anything if the individual doesn’t believe that they have the capability to live up to your potential. It may not even be something that the person wants for themselves. I come up on this situation a lot (Mostly among my female friends talking to me about their relationships). When we place our hope in people solely based upon their potential we set ourselves up for possible disappointment. This is why it is extremely important for us to be selective when labeling people our friends. We sometimes make the assumption that everyone that calls us their friend has our best interest at heart. This is simply not the case. Sometimes people have their own best interest at heart and what’s best for you is an afterthought.

 With that said,  it is high time that everyone one clean up their camp. By this I mean people need to make a sincere effort to surround themselves with positive and progressive people no matter your race, creed, color, or economic status. Rid yourself of negative people and associations. They stunt your growth and keep you from realizing your full potential (I am living witness to this… I just finished doing some purging and pruning myself.) For some of you this may prove extremely difficult at first but I promise you the payoff is tremendously satisfying. The amount of peace that you will have when the dust settles will more than outweigh the discomfort of the process. To be quite honest with you, if I had to choose between peace and popularity, I’d choose peace. Peace is priceless and you can never have too much of it. However, your associations, friendships, relationships and affiliations can either grant you an abundance of it or it can outright rob you of it. That’s why it is important to never take anything or anyone at face value. Do your research and read the fine print. Don’t be lazy because I promise you if you don’t do it going in, you’ll definitely wish you had coming out.

Clean up your camp. Now by all means if you are comfortable with where you are and with your current “situation” or “arrangement”, who am I to come in and upset the balance of things. However, I just ask you to think long term. Is your current situation a healthy one, a lasting one, a fruitful one, a blessed one. If you answered “no” to any of those questions then I strongly recommend that you consider cleaning up your camp. Change can be uncomfortable. Nonetheless, at times it’s essential to growth. Complacency is the number one enemy to self-discovery and the discovery of one’s purpose. It’s so easy to settle for a situation that makes us comfortable. However this mindset - albeit comfortable - can lead to a future of regrets and “shoulda, coulda, wouldas”.

Ask yourself this question:

When you look back over your life do you want the reason you did not fulfill your dreams, reach your goals, or discover your purpose the company that you kept? If you are sincerely honest with yourself I believe the answer would be an emphatic “no”! Clean up your camp. It may sound like a tremendous task but I bet that if you look back over your life you have had harder tasks. You have had to overcome much larger obstacles. I heard a quote recently from Counting Crows front man Adam Duritz that pretty much sums it all up:

“The decision to change in and of itself means nothing. It’s the work that follows that means everything.”

With that said, my hope is that you stay encouraged and know that almost everything that is worth anything has been obtained through some type of sacrifice. 


God honors effort. So roll up those sleeves and get to work.

The Right Foundation ©

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world. - 1 Samuel 2:8

In order to build something the ground considered for construction must be broken. In order to reorganize there has to be a moderate amount of disarray. In order to repair something you have to take it apart, make the necessary repairs and then put the item back together again. Experience has taught me that people and the lives they lead can be viewed in this same manner. I use these analogies to set the tone for my newest entry concerning the importance of laying the proper foundation for one’s life.

Having the proper foundation before building anything is essential. The foundation of a structure means everything to its construction. A solid building foundation can mean the difference between a building’s structural integrity lasting a few years or a few centuries. The weaker the structure’s foundation the shorter the structure’s life span. It is amazing how much the human life span parallels that of a building’s.  For example, as previously mentioned a building with the proper foundation can stand for centuries. Likewise, families that have been blessed with a solid foundation (With a spiritual core and spiritual reinforcement) leave legacies that last for several generations. Without the proper care and maintenance a building will begin to deteriorate internally as well as externally. This can apply to the human body as well because the body is considered in some circles to be the temple of your soul. Improper dieting, lack of adequate exercise, serious physical neglect and dangerous habits (excessive drinking, recreational drug use, chain smoking, careless sexual behavior, etc.) can cause one’s body to deteriorate both internally as well as externally.

 I have seen first hand the effects that come from abusing or neglecting your body. I have seen individuals who at one point seemed invincible sadly reduced to a vegetated state all because they refused to take care of themselves and protect their health. Insuring good health is one way to insure that your physical as well as your emotional foundation is solid. However, there are several factors that can cause one to begin neglecting their health.  Stress, anxiety, lack of knowledge, bad decision making, and stubbornness can all lead to unhealthy behavior which can have life altering effects if let unchecked. Later on in this passage I will elaborate on what is necessary to “storm proof” your temple. Insuring a solid foundation for your life is nothing more than remaining grounded and not letting exterior factors define the course of your life or your identity. Time and time again I have seen what happens to people who place their trust in tangible things such as their money, their vehicles, their homes, their status, their Blackberry Address Book, and the list goes on and on but you get the picture. Now don’t misunderstand me or misconstrue what I am saying, There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting the finer things in life. However, the loss of your soul in the pursuit of or in the midst of the accumulation of material wealth is a serious issue. People have completely lost their identity trying to “keep up with the Joneses”. When you are truly grounded, the tangibles matter very little. The intangibles (Check out some of my earlier entries for these intangibles) that so many of us take for granted are the things that keep us grounded and guarantees that we don’t forget from whence we’ve come. What good is that multi room mansion when there is no peace within its walls? What’s the purpose of a fleet of high end or exotic vehicles if you don’t operate them responsibly? What good are all of those degrees if you don’t have any common sense (There are way too many educated fools in this world)?

A Solid Foundation’s significance in the discovery of Purpose

 Now in order for people to reach their full potential and truly understand the Creator’s purpose for their lives there are certain things that must take place. The first thing is that a spiritual foundation must be laid. For this to occur all of those negative associations, relationships, or affiliations (however, you wish to classify them) often times need to be laid to rest. No matter how uncomfortable the process may become, it must be done. Otherwise, you may find yourself unable to progress and leading an unproductive life. This is simply because building your life’s foundation upon unleveled and shaky principles all but insures that eventually there will come a time when you will have to do some serious rehabilitation and renovation. The earlier you learn this, the more fruitful and progressive of a life you will lead.

Discovery of one’s purpose involves several factors and is essential in establishing the proper foundation for one’s life. Having the right mindset, the right affiliations, the right perspective and a spiritual base are essential. The right foundation allows you to withstand storms and turbulent times that would all but destroy your peers who have laid their life’s groundwork improperly. The true test of how characteristically sound someone is, is adversity. No adversity, no testimony. No testimony, no growth. No foundation, no hope. No hope, no peace.  Nevertheless, there are several ingredients that go into creating a solid foundation. Proper planning, vision, foresight, unshakeable faith, knowledge of self, knowledge of your history, knowledge of your supreme authority, resolve and resilience are just a few of the ingredients one needs to become enlightened to their purpose and the divine design their Creator has for their life. 

Yet another key ingredient in laying the proper foundation for one’s life is a dependable support system. Anyone that has ever realized any sort of success knows that for every success there have surely been countless "failures". This is one of the main reasons why establishing a solid support system is extremely important. Resilient and successful people have phenomenal support systems. This is not by accident or coincidence (Nothing that ever happens to us is accidental or coincidental).

You have heard all of the clichés’:

There’s strength in numbers

Two heads are better than one

It takes an entire village to raise a child

No man is an island, entire of itself

Iron sharpens Iron

The point is that laying the proper foundation coupled with having a dependable support system assures eventual success. Laying the proper foundation - whatever the endeavor - is a thing of true beauty to progressive people and true beauty that is just not superficial but is the result of an extraordinary evolutionary process. 


Despite what may come and what circumstances may arise, being properly grounded keeps you focused. This is why it is so important to have an unshakeable support system. Successful people understand this. Successful people also understand the importance of having individuals around them that challenge them to overachieve and never settle for less than their best. It is also important that you understand that you will definitely meet with opposition when your actions and beliefs are rooted in positivity and spirituality. Nevertheless, no matter the opposition stay the course. A strong foundation and support system all but assures that you won’t quit when the going gets rough. Hence the importance of solidifying your foundation..... so when time and chance happens for you, you are grounded enough to handle success. 


Lastly, always remember that the successful person is the one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him.

In Pursuit of Perfect Peace ©

Peace.

Perfect Peace.

Peace refreshes and frees the soul. To truly know perfect peace is to me the most Euphoric feeling one can ever experience. Perfect Peace is the kind of peace that only can be derived from having a spiritual connection with the Creator or whatever deity one serves. The wonderful thing  about this type of peace is that it is not conditional nor does it depend on tangible things or external factors. God’s love for us ….just is. God’s peace is the type that according to His word surpasses all understanding.

I have in recent years have been fortunate enough to experience God’s Peace. However , it did not come overnight and it required sacrifice. In order to experience God’s love you have to do your part. You have to put yourself in the  position to experience the Peace of God. Even if it makes you uncomfortable. All positive change is uncomfortable at first, but in order to obtain something that you have never had you have to sometimes do things that you have never done. The reason that so many of us are unable to experience God’s Peace is that we never put ourselves in the proper position to partake of it. We often move ourselves out of position of receiving the blessings and peace that God would so freely bestow upon us by being rebellious or disobedient to HIS word.  I know from experience. I have been guilty of this on so many occasions. I have made my share of mistakes and have been quite hard headed at times. I am just thankful that the God I serve is a forgiving and merciful one.

 As I have gotten older and more mature, I have come to realize that one’s quality of life depends solely upon the choices that they make. Every choice has possible life altering consequences. Don’t be deceived, every action has a consequence. That’s why it is always best to sow good seed and try to have a positive influence on any environment you are given the opportunity to be a part of. That is why personally my goal everyday is to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person that I am blessed to meet. In this life I have learned that you always eventually get what you give. The key to my spiritual evolution and rehabilitation (Yes I said rehabilitation…  mainly because brokenness in any capacity and on any level requires rehabilitation) has been to learn the lesson that comes from the consequences reaped as result of my disobedience and rebelliousness. The pain of our past can also keep us from obtaining the kind of peace that we seek. I promise you that no matter how horrific you past may have been, you have the chance to move into a new and brighter future regardless of what your current situation may be. The first thing you have to do is forgive yourself for whatever happened in your past and understand that no one can judge you for your misdeeds or mistakes. Nobody is perfect and we ALL make mistakes. The main objective is to learn for those mistakes and press on. Secondly, you have to truly want a new way of life. I can want something better for you all day long and twice on Sunday, but until you want it for yourself your quality of life will never change. The Chinese Philosopher Lao-tzu said it best:

“The Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

So many of us let fear, guilt, circumstances and/or  complacency keep us from making that all important first step.


Your circle or the people that you allow into your space can most definitely hinder you from obtaining the kind of peace that you seek. Over the years I have found that the old adage “misery loves company” is so very true. Now given the challenges and obstacles that face today ‘s society,  it is easy for a person to get caught in a cycle of pessimism and negativity. High unemployment rates, ridiculously high prices at the pump, our elected officials outright disregard for the welfare of their constituents, the aftermath of unprecedented natural disasters and just the grind from making ends meet from day to day could easily turn the most optimistic person into a cynic. Nevertheless as dark as things may appear to be, we are to think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect nothing but the best from every situation we encounter. I know that this at times can be easier said than done. Even so, there is nothing that you can’t do. Just think on the many promises of God. I always reflect on one in particular…. I can do ALL things through God who strengthens me.

Now…. a state of perfect peace means different thing to different people. As for me, the kind of peace that I seek is the kind that money can’t buy. The type of peace I seek is the kind that nothing or no one can take away. The kind of peace that I seek is the kind that can weather any storm. This is the type of peace I seek. This in my opinion can be considered perfect peace. I strive daily to be so strong that nothing in this universe can disturb my peace of mind. For years this kind of peace has eluded me. However, I am pleased to say that that I get a little closer to obtaining it every single day. Experience has taught me that the key to obtaining perfect peace is to remain focused. By remaining focused I mean that you do not let anyone or anything keep you from obtaining the type of peace or serenity that you seek. Now please understand that the road to perfect peace is littered with countless detours and distractions (Notice I didn’t say attractions). That’s the nature of the journey. If perfect peace was easy to obtain then everyone would have it…. Well maybe not. There are some people just live for drama and dysfunction no matter how much you try to lead them to a place of peace. People with a spirit of dysfunction will never be able to coexist with someone in pursuit of a state of perfect peace.  Never.

The pursuit of perfect peace is not for the faint of heart. It requires a strong emotional constitution and a never say die attitude.  Dictionary.com defines Pursuit as an effort to secure or attain; a quest. A couple of words stand out of that definition for me. The first being Effort…. nuff’ said. The second is Quest. A quest is a search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something. These two words stand out to me because they imply participation and engagement. You have to be personally invested in the improvement of your own quality life. No one else can do it for you. The world we live in today is so full of stressors that can discourage and frustrate the most optimistic of us. Nonetheless, the obtaining of peace…. perfect peace ….  is the ultimate motivator. Once you get a taste of how it feels to have peace of mind you will never again tolerate messiness or messy people. You will not entertain unnecessary drama and foolishness from anyone. You become more decisive and you will be able to easily discern what is best for you. Peace of mind brings clarity. Peace of mind brings stability. Peace of mind provides you with an overall sense of well being.

I made an earlier reference to the promises of God. I leave you with one that has helped me during those times when the enemy has unleashed an all out of assault on my peace of mind and state of well being. It comes from the book of Philippians and I pray that it blesses you:

“Be Careful for nothing; but in every thing  by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the Peace of God which surpasseth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. “ – Philippians 4: 6,7

Perception is Reality: Fact or Fiction Part 2 - Power vs. Pride ©

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. – Proverbs 16:18

Ok, let’s review. In my last entry I discussed facets of America’s war on terror and correlated it with how Washington big wigs justify the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts by creating the perception that we are battling evil and our very survival depends on us winning this “war”. I also discussed the lack of accountability and responsibility among our leadership and the affect this has had on the American Public's view of our elected leaders and American Policymaking.

Now I’ll try to bring the discussion a little closer to home by discussing the “Perception is Reality” concept from a different perspective.

Power vs. Pride

The word of God tells us that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The word of God also speaks to the issue of Pride. (See the scripture that precedes this entry). Every single solitary world empire, regime, republic, or superpower that has based their expansion by military force has experienced extreme opposition and ultimately hindered their nation’s internal growth in the process. The Greeks, the Romans, the Persians, the Ancient Egyptians, Islamic Extremists, the Former Soviet Union, and now more recently the United States of America have all experienced this. The aforementioned nations infrastructures and populace have suffered as a result of their pursuit of military conquests and the globalization of an ideal or principle.

As I mentioned in Part 1, there are those of us with the perception that any victory is a good victory. However, it is these groups of individuals that believe this concept that seem to be influencing policymaking. Then there are those of us that do not agree with this concept that are basically left to the whims of these individuals who either don’t see the folly of this mode of thinking or actually could care less one way or another.

What we need now more than ever is a paradigm shift in Washington, the halls of Justice and everywhere that a Chain of Command exists. What we need now are policymakers that put the best interest of the American public before their own. What is needed now are people in positions of authority that truly understand the meaning of accountability, integrity, and accepting ownership and responsibility for the results that their decisions and policies have on those in their charge.

It is time out for “do as I say and not as I do” leadership. I don’t subscribe to the old adage “Those that can’t do teach” simply because I believe that if you are going to be an effective instructor that you have to get a better understanding of the subject that you intend to teach. In my opinion, the only way you can do that is to actually be able to effectively do what is it that you intend to teach.

Here are some practical examples of exactly what I mean. How exactly can you teach me how to fire a weapon if you have never held one or pulled a trigger. How can you teach me how to drive if you have never gotten behind the wheel. How can you teach me how to Box if you have never stepped into a ring or even had a fistfight.

Or better yet……

How can you teach me how to love someone if you don’t love yourself. How can you instruct me on weathering life’s storms if you don’t have a testimony. Last but certainly not least how can you tell me how instruct me on how to raise a child if you are a individual of questionable character and moral standards (Bump that. What I’m saying is how can you tell me how to raise my child and you were a piss poor parent) and these are just a few examples of my point that the only way you can be an effective teacher is to actually be able to effectively do what is it that you intend to teach.

Nonetheless, this is where many of our appointed leaders and elected officials fall short. They preach accountability and integrity, yet we never see these attributes manifest themselves in their actions or their lives. To be completely candid… I do not accept instruction or criticism (no matter how constructive) from anyone of questionable character, leadership ability, and values without questioning their motives or intentions. That is unless you have a proven track record of sound decision-making and have exemplified unquestionable integrity.

Perception is truly not reality. You simply cannot base fact on something as opinionated as a person’s perspective. What if the perception of a something is flawed. What if your perception has been improperly influenced by circumstances and other’s opinion. How can you get a truly unbiased perspective on something if your facts are based on circumstantial evidence. Time and time again prideful people cause so much damage because they are not willing to admit that their initial perceptions were wrong.

Perception is reality. I hear this statement quite a bit as of late. There have been a countless number of repercussions reaped from choosing to follow this mindset. This why I believe the world we live in is in the shape that it is in. Somewhere, we lost sight of the legacy that the individuals that came before expected us to carry on.



Now don’t misunderstand or misconstrue what I am saying. I am all for helping those in need the world over (Stopping the spread of debilitating diseases as well as the industrialization throughout the continent Africa are nearest and dearest to my heart) but not at the expense of the American People. We have people dying of debilitating diseases, the plight of the homeless (some of them are the very people that have bled for this country) and a crumbling infrastructure (just ask the residents of the 9th ward in New Orleans, those in the Midwest affected by massive flooding, or those survivors of that horrific bridge collapse in Minneapolis) right here at home. Yes I am all for making the world a better place. That is our mandate as children of the Most High. However, I believe before you can make the world a better place ……. You have to clean up your crib first.

But I digress.

Yes there are those that believe that Perception is Reality. However, I am not one of those people. I base my reality in truth and what’s real and not on something as circumstantial as perception. Nonetheless, if that is your belief then who am I to argue with that. I just pray that if your perception is your reality that your vision is 20/20.

Honoring Obligations ©

Obligations. 


People all but too easily abuse people’s unspoken obligations. A person’s title does not automatically obligate a person to do what they are being asked to do.

 For example, just because you are someone’s parent does not mean that your children are obligated to do what you tell them to do. Once children reach adulthood they - in my opinion - are no longer obligated to do what their parents tell them to do. However, unless your parents are abusive and neglectful or you are no longer living under your parent’s roof you do have the responsibility of doing what your parents tell you to do primarily because of the tender loving care that they have shown you. Nonetheless, even those individuals still living with their parents (whatever the reason may be) are allotted some leeway because once you become an adult you have the right to do what’s in your best interest. Nevertheless, I believe that as long as you live under someone else’s roof your liberties and freedoms are severely limited.

 Here’s another example of one’s title not necessarily obligating someone to doing what is asked of them. Just because I am your employee does not mean that I have to do things exactly the way you ask me to do them. An employer’s fair and equal treatment motivates employees to go above and beyond what their superiors ask of them. However, productivity is a by product of leadership. Too many employers in today’s workplace exhibit a serious lack of professionalism and have an unspoken “do as I say and not as I do” policy which in turn leads to a hostile work environment, diminished productivity and extremely low workplace morale. This mainly comes from employer’s holding employees to honoring obligations without offering any type of incentives that are of any true benefit.

Still another example. One that I think many individuals may possibly relate to. Just because you tell someone that you love them does not mean that they have to love you back. However, I am obligated to reciprocate when your actions line up with what you say. I say again, obligations are not mandatory. Now granted, we are supposed to keep our word, do what we say we are going to do and fulfill our promises, but not at the expense of our sanity or standard of living. It’s ok to help people monetarily but not at the expense of our financial obligations. We can offer emotional support and encouragement but not at the expenses of our peace of mind. I honestly believe that we are obligated to offer assistance to anyone at any level but not at the expense of what is valuable to us or to our detriment. Nevertheless, the thing to remember is that anyone that truly cares about your well being or has your best interest at heart will never ask you to do anything that they know will cause you discomfort unless it is actually for you own good. I personally have had to sacrifice and go without on several occasions simply because I did not want to inconvenience the ones that I love by asking them to provide assistance that I knew that they were not able to provide.

A word to the parents whether your children are young or are grown, have moved on and/or have created families of their own.  Please understand that your children are only obligated to do what you ask them to do as long as they live under your roof. Once they become adults and become self sufficient, anything that you ask of them going forward is a request not a mandatory obligation.  That is why it is so important that you give children what they truly need……..  Devotion. If you notice I did not say Love, food, shelter, clothing, and things of that nature simply because that is what you are basically supposed to provide to your children until they are old enough to obtain these things for themselves. However, providing your children with Devotion is essential. Devotion towards your children will insure that when it is their turn to take care of you that you will not suffer neglect.

Dictionary.com defines Devotion as earnest attachment to a cause or person and profound dedication and consecration. Establishing an earnest attachment to anything in my opinion requires two things: Communication and Motivation. Communication mainly because a) it is the life blood of any relationship and b) I personally don’t know any mind readers. Motivation simply because action is more desire and strength of character than performing the act itself. This is definitely the case when it comes to showing someone or something true devotion .On the other hand,  I can want to show devotion to someone all day long but unless I am properly motivated I am not able to maintain true devotion for that individual. Case in point, the wife or husband that after years of marriage say that they love their significant other but are no longer “in love” with them. Motivation is prompted by a variety of things but as it applies to true devotion it is only prompted by one………. Honesty.

Now if you are anything like me then you understand the importance of honoring your obligations and keeping your word. Nevertheless, the time will come when you are just incapable of honoring your obligation. When an instance such as this arises all you are required to do is be honest and notify the recipient of your pledge. Preferably well in advance of the agreed upon deadline. Experience has taught me that it is better to be proactive than reactive. Damage control is never pleasant. 

In this writer’s honest opinion, I believe that people today do not understand what true devotion is all about. So I feel that it is my responsibility, my obligation to provide a little enlightenment on what it means to express true devotion.

Note: Your definition may differ from mine and that is perfectly fine.  If you are a free thinking individual that does not let the world around them determine their perspective then you do not let external factors determine who you are or what you believe.

This writer humbly believes that true devotion comes from:

Recognizing what a loved one needs and providing that need (if humanly possible or spiritually feasible) unconditionally. Recognizing a need and earnestly working toward providing what is needed unconditionally. Showing loyalty unconditionally even when conditions are not favorable. True devotion is measured when allegiances are tested. It is during these times when you actually find out who truly loves you and who your real friends are.

This passage is truly devoted to those individuals who are battling with whether or not to continue honoring certain obligations. There comes a time during any relationship where you have to take a step back and look at a situation for what it truly is. Is it an obligation of convenience? Is it an obligation born of oppression? It is an obligation born of guilt about some past transgression? Are you - as a beloved friend mine says – in a constant state of victimdom (For the uninitiated - this means that you are always looking for pity or sympathy) forcing individuals into obligations simply because you don’t have the courage to stand on you own and accept responsibility for your actions?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you may want to revisit why you are honoring certain obligations. Family can sometimes be the number one violators of what I call “Obligation abuse”.  They take for granted that loved ones “have” to honor their obligations merely because of blood ties. This is simply not the case. Taking loved one’s affection and devotion for granted can lead to resentment from the individual offended. Nonetheless, when it is all said and done it is not the act that we want appreciated but it is the effort behind the act. Honoring obligations is more than lip service and gaining bragging rights. We are to honor our obligations simply because it is the right thing to do. If people focused more one keeping their word and doing what it is they say they will do, this world would be a much better place in which to live. Like I always say….. It is not what you do but it is who you are that is most important.

I leave you with a little something that a trusted friend of mine told me long ago.  If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything. I just ask that you make sure that the obligations you honor today aren’t actually the sacrifices you that will regret tomorrow.

Warrior Spirit ©

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed. 

Buddha

I am cut from a different cloth.  I am absolutely cool with that. There are so many sheepish and undisciplined people in this world. Their's is a group that I try to avoid like the plague. I am truly tired of having people around me that are so inconsistent and have what I refer to as  “worrier” spirits. I personally need individuals around me that are willing to go to war for what they believe. Individuals that are willing to stand on their principles in the face relentless opposition. Those that aren’t conformists or will switch sides at the first sign of defeat.

People with “worrier” spirits frustrate me to no end. Why? Simply because they can be nerve racking and pessimistic. They infect every environment that they are in with their negative energy. The unfortunate thing is that most of the time these people work themselves into a frenzy over stuff that they have absolutely no control over. As for me .... I have a Warrior Spirit. Now don’t get it twisted…. I used to have a “worrier” spirit. However, God delivered me from it. I used to expend ridiculous amounts of energy worrying about stuff that was completely beyond my control. Nevertheless I was delivered. Delivered from many of my worries and fears. The day I placed all of my cares on HIM, my life changed… for the better. Once you know who you are and Whose you are you honestly don’t have time to worry or stress over things. You are too busy working towards what you have been divinely appointed to do. I no longer sweat the small stuff. Now certain things that I witness from day to day concern me (i.e.,  our children’s lack of respect for their elders, people’s lack of compassion for one another, the alarming amount of trash that is considered logic in society these days, people’s simple lack of common sense to name but a few) but  I actually don’t worry nearly as much as I used to. One day it just clicked…. Things just are what they are. Simple enough, huh. It took me years to learn how absolutely liberating that mindset is. All the things that I mentioned in the preceding few sentences are things that I have absolutely no control over. Things are what they are and no amount of worrying in the universe can change that. I have found that the best solution to worrying is to expend that energy on something constructive and productive.

I have wasted so many years of my life stressing over stuff that I had absolutely no control over to begin with. All praise be unto Almighty God for delivering me from a “Worrier” spirit. The word of God admonishes us to be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. Once we have done that God, promises that His Peace ( which surpasses ALL understanding) shall keep our hearts and minds guarded against the disappointment and frustrations of this world (Philippians 4:6-7). Listed in the preceding verses from the Book of Philippians are in this humble author’s opinion the key components of having a Warrior Spirit. There can be no fear or indecisiveness in the heart of a warrior. My father tried to teach me this while he was here. I sometimes think he is still taking me to school from the great beyond. So many of the conversations  that we had in my youth I remember as if I had them yesterday. He would tell me that there is absolutely nothing wrong with standing up for what you believe in….even if you have to stand alone. He would tell me to never conform to anything unethical for the sake of keeping the peace. He would always tell me that the measure of a man is what he stands for or what he submits to.

Just a word or two about the man I called my father. My father was a veteran of the US Army and served this great country of ours for 22 years through two conflicts only to come home and have to wage war all over again for his God given right to be treated equally and fairly by the country he nearly lost his life defending. May father spent his entire life upon his retirement from the Military trying to be true to the man God wanted him to be in the face of opposition from people from all walks of life. My Father had a Warrior Spirit. He had a fire that could not be put out by the powers that be. He believed that a man has the right to fight for what he believes in…even if that means that he will be ostracized and blackballed for those beliefs. In many ways my father and I share many of the same convictions. Some we differ on as far as the methods one goes about standing up for their beliefs and “fighting the good fight”. Where my father favored the “bull in the china shop approach”… my approach is a little more for lack of a better word “tactical”. Nevertheless, I am the man I am today because of the man father was everyday of his life until the day he passed away. He was not perfect by any means but even his flaws taught me valuable lessons on what it means to stand by ones convictions. (A quick word to the fathers that may read this ….. be the man that you want your son to be and he inturn - following your example - will make you proud. My father’s last words to me before he died was how proud he was of the man I had become).

I am truly grateful to God for granting me discernment. With discernment comes wisdom and ultimately with wisdom come patience. All of these characteristics are essential to those of us with warrior spirits. However, the acquisition of wisdom through discernment can be bittersweet. I say bittersweet because discernment does not always reveal things that are necessarily to our liking. Sometimes enemies rise up in the unlikeliest of places. People’s actions can go from harmless to sinister in the blink of an eye. Attacks can come from out of nowhere and from people we never thought would do us harm. I know. I have experienced “friendly fire” on a number of occasions.

Nevertheless, my Heavenly Father continues to test my resolve. Making me stronger and wiser by the day. Yes… I said stronger and wiser. For the world’s greatest warriors did not depend strictly on brawn and brute strength. Having a warrior’s spirit not only requires strength and stamina but it also requires a moderate amount of intellect and wisdom as well. Plato said that courage is knowing what to do with fear.  However, the wisdom of which battles to fight and which ones to concede is not easily acquired and requires a tremendous amount of patience with not only the world around you but with yourself. The key is to stay vigilant. Discretion is truly the better part of valor. Many a battle has been lost in order to win a war. A retreat is not necessarily a defeat. Sure there will be casualties. In wars there always are. This unfortunately is an inevitable fact.

I leave you with a few words that I share with the Almighty on occasion (Some parts of it may sound vaguely familiar to you) I pray that they bless you:

Lord God continue to grant me with Serenity to accept the things I cannot change…. the courage, strength and resources  to change the things that I can.. and the wisdom to know the difference. Continue to grant me your protection from the evils of this world, Your discernment to know which battles to wage and those to concede and the spirit to fight on when my soul has become weary and wants to give in to the attacks of the enemy. I know that there is no enemy in the universe that can defeat me as long as I stay true to the plan you have set forth for my life God. There is no one I would rather have by my side as I wage war against the enemies of your will and your word than you God. Please continue to grant me the strength and spirit of a warrior and not one of a “worrier”.

A lesson in R.A.C.E relations – Part one ©

Judge not that ye be not judged. – Matthew 7:1

Individuals are so quick to say that they care for, love or respect someone without truly knowing or even understanding what all is involved with the use of these terms. I personally not only want one’s declaration of love or respect, but I also want the corresponding actions that are supposed to go along with the use of these terms.

Thus the reason for what I believe is a much needed lesson in R.A.C.E relations.

Now, this lesson in R.A.C.E. relations is more than likely not what you are probably expecting. It’s not concerning the issue of skin color or discrimination (well at least not directly). R.A.C.E. relations for the purposes of this passage is regarding how we as human beings are mandated to treat one another.

The acronym R.A.C.E. stands for:

R – Respect
A – Appreciation
C – Cooperation
E – Encouragement

Sounds simple enough.

However, experience has taught me that sometimes the simplest things can sometimes be the hardest to understand. I was blessed with this simple yet complex analogy one afternoon and at that very moment it occurred to me just how amazingly the smallest pearls of wisdom can convey the most profound sentiments (Good looking out, G!). I say the acronym R.A.C.E. is “simple yet complex” because the methodology is simple in the manner in which it is delivered to the listener, yet complex in the manner in which it is put into action.

John Cogley Commonweal once said:

"Tolerance implies a respect for another person, not because he is wrong or even because he is right, but because he is human."

In a nutshell, I believe he was saying that nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes. This writer has made his fair share. Yet we live in a society that will literally ostracize someone because of a momentary weakness of character. Now, don’t get it twisted…… Karma is not a respecter of persons. What you sow you will most certainly reap. Nevertheless, forgiveness is the zero sum quotient that we ALL should operate from. I know that sometimes that can be easier said than done (Trust me I TRULY understand). However, that does not give the abuser an excuse to continue abusing. Turning the other cheek is all good and everything….. but you only have two. We are mandated to forgive but we are NOT….. I repeat NOT ……..to be anyone’s doormat.

The beautiful thing about the R.A.C.E. acronym is that it can be applied to so many different aspects of the human condition and human relationships. The four components of the acronym speak to practically every situation that we as human beings will face on an everyday basis. To this writer it is merely a shorter version of that age old adage “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. In a perfect world we would be able to respect, appreciate, cooperate, and encourage someone and the recipient would reciprocate in kind.

I guess I don’t have to tell you that this world that we live in is far from perfect.
Everyday - if we are truly honest with ourselves - we see examples of an imperfect world trying to hold people to standards of perfection. Show me someone who thinks they are always right and I will show you someone that is seriously delusional. No one knows everything. Everyday that we live we are learning or at least we are supposed to be. Life is a lesson and the lessons aren’t always pleasant. We experience things for a reason. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding any situation, there is a lesson to be taken from it. The important thing is to learn the lesson. The problem is …. We are too busy reacting to what’s happening to us ….. instead of understanding that everything happens for a reason and that nothing in this life is accidental or coincidental.

Those of us with a relationship and connection to our Creator understand the R.A.C.E. acronym. The beautiful thing for those of us with a connection and relationship to our Creator is that we understand that we have been made promises and that with the completion of every lesson we come that much closer to those promises being fulfilled in our lives. We truly understand that because of our relationship with our Creator we are not to provide anything less than the utmost Respect, Appreciation, Cooperation, and Encouragement to every single solitary individual that we meet and not to accept or tolerate anything less than what we give in return.

So in closing here is just small piece of advice. The very next time someone tells you that they love you or are down for you..... ask them are they willing to R.A.C.E. you. Their answer (for better or for worse) may just surprise you.