INVISIBLE CHAINS - tribute to CNN BLACK IN AMERICA

The Chains are no longer visible.
They are no longer made by iron causing us to tremble.
They no longer make an audible sound with the shuffle of feet,
and they no longer keep us from physical defeat.


The chains are now in our minds
causing our neurotransmitters to shoot blind.
These invisible chains make us think we are weak,
which then cause us to be a part of the streets.
The streets?.... They give us invisible chains you would not believe,
one that makes our souls sad and our hearts bleed


So, where do we go with these invisible chains,
when we can not visit memory lane?
A lane which gave us our chains as a child,
from the shoot ups, shoot outs and, tribulations and trials


How can this culture grow up and break thru
when the familiar pain of the chains is all we know to do


The pain from the chains is no longer causing our wrists and ankles to bleed,
but it is now causing our future to become bleak.


Because now it seems we are no longer running from
"The Man" but each other.


Tag Your It!!! You have the invisible chains on now, my brother.

A Crowd Is Not Needed

I had a visit from a friend one afternoon and it was one of those conversations filled with laughter and insight. A conversation where you walk away feeling better about each problem in your life.

We began to talk about my birthday. I had a few friends come to the Walnut Room on a Thursday night (highly recommend) and we drank, danced, and laughed. There were about five friends of mine that were there and I had a very nice time. My visiting friend and I began to talk about how it feels good to reach a point in life where you do not have to be surrounded by a lot of people to have a good time, but you appreciate the time spent with friends. The people that know your good and bad, and still want to celebrate your life. You may not speak with them often but you still feel that friendship the next time you interact.

Whats great about this time of growth is that there are certain things you begin to appreciate and other things you could do without.

You begin to appreciate those intimate moments with friends and strangers, which hopefully you learn something new.

You begin to realize you do not need a booming system and flashing lights to feel fulfilled.

You begin to look forward to having a drink with a friend just because.

You stop realizing that you do not need to be seen by everyone but just by those that are important to you.

The best lesson of all, is that you figure out that time is not replaceable; the moments are precious and the minutes are few. So why waste time with people that do not add some type of value to your life or spend time worrying about things that only create thoughts full of conflict and unease.

Be at peace with your divine moments.

Each day add something that gives you peace.

Those things which do not give you peace release them whether its thoughts, people, or the past.

Cheers to the celebration of life!!!!!!!!

VALIDATION

At the end of the day, every human being yearns for validation. Validation that their life on this earth is worth something. Validation that they are needed and appreciated. Toddlers test the strings of validation by getting attention from their parents through drawing a picture or playing with building blocks. The smile or clap they receive, validates their existence during these moments. We become friends with certain people because they validate us in some way whether its our lifestyle, our interests, or our purpose. Divorce, break ups, arguments, disgruntled co-workers, and wars occur most times because validation has not been exchanged.

I was watching a CNN report on South Korea which it summarized the history and present condition of this country. The report also mentioned how South Koreans have been molded to dislike Americans, and this attitude has been prevalent since the Vietnam War. South Korea has waved fear and intimidation over the US by parading its powerful army and very detailed nuclear system. As a result, this has caused the United States and other countries to stand and take notice. But this is South Korea's way of trying to get validation. In other words they are waving their hands like a child and screaming for attention. The fear and intimidation for South Korea, validates them as a powerful country. Recently they have began to dismantle their nuclear system, the Philharmonic Orchestra performed there which is huge, and they have started to allow the trade of American beef back into the country. Why all of these recent changes: validation has been given.

Validation says to people, you recognize me and appreciate my purpose on this earth. When that is not done then people begin to find ways to get it. A toddler has a tantrum, a spouse starts an argument, a youth turns to violence, or citizens of a country have an uprising. All of these scream look at me, tell me I am ok and I have a purpose here.

When it becomes complicated is when people continuously look for validation outside of themselves, and depend on a person, a car, a job, or success to bring them validation. True consistent validation can only come from the love of self and the defining of one's own purpose.

As you busy yourself with the fleeting things of this life, ask yourself where does my validation come from? and why?