BootlegPsych

EQUALITY, not to much!? (aka YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL)

2011-09-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

Equality is a great thing! Thank you to the leaders who fought for it. Unfortunately, it’s not how people get on in this world. Advancement seems to be based on how well you overcome what has made you unequal. You are graded cumulatively as a whole self not graded linearly on race or any other factor. Thus equality would be the equivalent of none advancing or falling behind, a wonderfully community approach but unfortunately more appropriate to the times of Robin Hood.

Likewise, when you bend toward equality you shave down your strengths to imitate the majority. XMEN Quote: Magnito/Erik Lehnsherr: "If you're using half your concentration to look normal, then you're only half paying attention to whatever else you're doing. Just pointing out something that could save your life. You want society to accept you, but you can't even accept yourself."

What has happened in more current times are that some cheat the system to sacrifice who they are, to be more like the end result of those that appear to be excelling. This does two detrimental things. It hinders your growth allowing you only to evolve so high as the thing you are imitating. And it leaves you unprepared for a time, a time that will surely come, when the first become the last, and the last become the first.

America didn’t just become about shedding your skin. I can admit to times i've cloaked for acceptance. But it is important to realize no one is accepted..peoples acceptance stops at the front door to their mind. And they will fight to be right and you wrong, pretty and you ugly, strong and you weak, smart and you dumb. Maybe, just maybe if three is a crowd of people, foes will become friendly momentarily. But the moment there is an opportunity for competition, be ready to feel stingers come out. So always tune in to self...and work toward it.

_______________

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE...
attractiveness is not measured in comparison to others.
It’s measured in comparison or former selves. The more closely you reflect higher self the more attractive and beautiful we are.

When we meet people for the first time, they accept us fully as we stand, at times more fully than we accept our own selves.

People...immediately place you somewhere on their own beauty scale. That scale is based on their own belief systems from the time they were born. Needless to say, it hardly ever coordinates with at least one other person, let alone many people. For we make tweaks to even the status quo or mainstream definitions of beauty when we gain our own confidences and sensitivities for ourselves or loved ones.

When someone says, you’re beautiful they mean, you have realized your own beauty. Think of yourself as legendary. When you see a picture of Maya Angelou, you don't think...she has a pimple. You think, wow every hair on her head, every mole on her face is beautiful just because its apart of her.
_____________

So what happened in the past has no indication on the future except what we let it impact….we cant be in the world and not be of the world unless we have a vision of what is not on this world (i.e. current consciousness). Anticipation of what is next is our only path through our dry seasons.

What you know...and what you admit to...

2011-09-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

Awareness and Acknowledgement

There is absolutely no turning back from Awareness. You can’t hid it. When you learn something new, you walk differently. Now the task is how you acknowledge what you’ve learned. That is the art.

Some choose not to acknowledge it at all. However when you are old and gray, or possibly tomorrow, you will hold yourself accountable for what you know…not for what you acknowledge. So when you’re building a house, the foundation should be on your current truth. That is hard to do, but very worth it.

It’s interesting that good acting is recognized not by “acting” like you don’t know something you know, but reacting to knowledge immediately.

When I learn something new. I’m IMMEDIATELY embarrassed! And then slowly, something happens. I feel freed up. See you’re just coming into awareness but it’s something anyone who has met you has observed. (And when people meet you, they accept you for who you are right then and there. Most people don’t anticipate what other layers there are to you, or what your potential is.)

So now, that I have been made aware of something, say...my worth (career-wise), I will need to acknowledge it in my conversation, in my promotions (resume) and in my disposition. I have classically not demanded my worth by inadvertently not meriting myself on potential, or even accomplishments, but grading harshly only on a base level. Which is interesting because I’m all too eager to merit others based on potential.

The Correction: “You don’t get to take credit for your genes…the way you were born. You had nothing to do with that” -Morgan Freeman
…to take it a step further, if you depend on what came naturally the assumption is that not much has evolved from that point. So one could assume, you have not much else to offer than what came naturally, than yourself in the raw.

Turning it on its ear...

2011-09-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

What looks like lazyness is a planning stage (time to acknowledge your reluctance to an idea and determine an alternate route)

What feels like pain is the birth of an idea or you piercing into another realm. Solve that and you release yourself into the next level. You are at the apex, that's why it hurts. Learn what that pain has to show you.

What looks like exposure is fame. I'm still accepting this message but when people pry, it's not necessary to meet that with anything but an attitude of "its for the fans!"

What looks like a trial is experience and thus research. This is like pain. It's a field study that are uniquely yours. In the positive it can be a once in a lifetime opportunity and in the negative a jail cell we're destined to repeat...like Groundhog Day.

What is perceived as insanity can be genius. Do something out of the box and give it a purpose. It will be measured by it's effect not it's approach. (Keep it love!)

What feels like anxiety/fear is your adrenaline rush. What should you be doing with that energy...something surely!

WALLS (aka...why you're such a MEANIE!)

2011-09-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

BEING MEAN protects …but if I am firmer with people I have let into my heart (not being nice for nice sake) I wont find a need to be so guarded with strangers

BEING MEAN vindicates…for the times I feel wronged. But it also harbors negative energy within me. It also displaces the punishment because you’re rarely in present of mind, or are unable to direct (or rather reflect) the energy back to whomever you perceive is being mean to you. Loved one’s usually get the worst of it.

BEING MEAN is intimidating…to others (puts me in a stronger role). But as I am learning, it is not my job to protect everyone…maybe somewhere in me; it is my job to be protected so I can reach my vulnerability, or innocence, as a woman. And there will be times I need to show strength in protection of a child or weaker energy. But this is a conscious choice and not a blanket approach to life.

BEING MEAN is defense…. But you are defending against the negative thereby acknowledging and even drawing it to self by assuming it.

BEING MEAN is cool... But it actually works against a personality that is more about love by housing that love in a crusty outer shell….

Scared to lose the edge? Well as a wise person told me, everything is a scale. If I’m like an 8 on this scale…ill spend my life trying to become a 2…or what we might consider pushover status. So go ahead…stretch as far as you can, jump wayyy out of your zone, you still will be you. Even when the shockwaves calm and the dust settle, you will look…and it will still be you.

Keep it Positive!

Change is good...aka the social consequence of evolution

2011-09-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

The other day, I received a stern side-eye glare and was admonished not to “ forget where [I] came from.” Not able to just let it roll off my back because of a need to analyze it down to its worth, it prompted me to think about what makes me, me. In the past I have vehemently denied having changed. I’M STILL MEEEEE! And I can prove it!! I feel like the movie characters who are trying to prove they are the REAL one and in desperation they’re like “ask me anything.”

But a wise person told me once. You have changed, and that’s ok. Which shook my world…

It seems life is about the balance of defining oneself in what one wants to one day become (potential) vs. who am I now vs. where did I come from (roots). One is not more important than others although one may have more focus at various points in our lives. You can be bound by your roots, and you can also lose yourself in the clouds. And this is a pendulum you should ride on one extreme or the other when appropriate, just because you can.

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:12.

Remember that the only requirement I have to be me, is to still be in my skin. I believe this is terms of race, intelligence, gender-identity/sexuality, and love. I don’t have anything further to PROVE, than to just live my life in my best interests (see BE KINDA SELFISH post) and by my convictions.

Be KINDA selfish...

2011-09-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

Have you heard someone say before to consider your motives when you give a gift? I have and for the longest time, couldn't understand it, until recently...

We do best when we live and act in own best interests. This doesn’t mean ONLY in our own best interest, but AT LEAST in our own best interest. I know, it may sound selfish especially if you're living by giving (love) vs. receiving. I think the distinction comes in when you make sure you always put yourself in the decision. Act in ways that will improve your world, and if you have a mission of love, that will include giving to the less fortunate and preserving life, love and hope in people. But it will always include you. When you exclude you, you turn the tables in an opposite way which actually reads horrible from the other direction. And works against your goals.

I have a friend that is always thinking of others. She’s a giver in life. Not having realized this, I’ve heard her say things that come out differently than she means them. For example, if a friend says, I’m thinking of getting something to eat, she’s thinking so hard of that persons approach, or better yet her feeling of how they should approach their eating choices that she suggests low fat, low carb items on the menu. The person is possibly offended because…who is she to suggest what I should eat. And she’s later unsatisfied because she wanted to go to the subshop…or whatever.

We are taught that love is not selfish..and it isn’t! But it also isn’t self less…selfless is a setup.

We are so accustomed to selfishness, than when someone does something nice for us, we think it’s because they think they owe it to us. And that’s where abuse comes in. Worse, the thought comes to mind when you do someone a favor that “they owe me one”. If you act at least in your best interest at all times, the favor is the reward.

Truth...

2011-09-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

I’ve spent a lot of time letting what you say be true and what I say be true at the same time. In compromise, in consideration, in the name of “love”. I’m now entering a time in my life where one of those ideals has to be sacrificed. There are too many missed opportunities, letting what you say is true, and I believe to be a lie exist in the same space at the same time. Let your lie be true somewhere somewhen else where I don’t have to share space with it. Let my truth be my light and let it never flicker lest I be in darkness.

The Purpose of Energy

2011-08-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

My spirituality has foundation in the Penecostal/Apostolic leg of Christianity. If you’ve ever been to an Apostolic church, the focus is on the praise. Every program says “Service is subject to change by the leading of the Holy Ghost” This disclaimer is the hope. It is also the right of the apostolic church service attendee to participate in the praise. The release of praise is something I still adopt. My hope is by the end of this read you understand that not only is it a requirement but is something we are wired and created to do. It will happen whether we direct or induce it or not.

Many a preacher has taken liberty to say “God wants our praise”. This is the distinction and where my opinion turns.

TRAP: I’ve heard people who have visited an Apostolic church observe what happens when the praises begin to release among members of the congregation. Usually their question is whether or not this is “real”. I’m amused by that because they have often missed the movement of energy by trying to validate it. We do this in our everyday life. That movie inspired me, should I be inspired by it. What does that say about me?

God is not a being that exists or is edified by our praise. However we have the ability to affect our own situation by giving that reverence or energy back to God. You see, praise in its many forms, is essentially a release of energy. When we begin to stir our spirits, in the many ways we do, we initiate a chain reaction that must end in release. If not, it’s like taping your anus.

TRAP: Looking for familiarity as a means of validation. I can’t tell you how many times people have come to talk design with someone else’s concept in their hand. MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THIS! It says, I don’t believe its possibly to create something great more than once. And it’s the type thinking destroys the true nature and intention of praise or creativity.

Your creativity, or praise, can produce in any form. There really are no rules. The only wrong thing to do is to hold it in. You should feel a welling up of spiritual energy and that can be released in any form. That piece of work is their praise. It is their reverence back to whom they credit for their creative energy. The act of praising edify’s the being giving the praise, not the one being praised. How well others can read your concept, has everything to do with how well you have connected with God, Source, Higher Self, etc…

TRAP: We burn that energy out in ways we later regret. One major way I noticed in my own life is by eating. It takes energy to gather food and eat. Maybe not like when we were hunters and farmers but tell that to our bodies. I guess a way to think of it is anything you do that is more about consuming (receiving) than release, is working against your energy flow. Likewise any energy you release in an area contrary to our goals also works against you. It really is a cyclic process in which we are refueled from within if we follow it.

So, the purpose of energy is to be released. Let it out!

Downpour...

2011-07-27T09:07:00.001-07:00

The water is flowing. How big is your bucket... #twitterovercapacity :)

Overcoming Fear

2011-07-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Leggers (Bootleg Psych Readers),

I've been thinking a lot lately about overcoming fear. There are the major fears, or should I say tangible fears like Fear of Heights and Fear of Germs but there are similarly non-tangible (spiritual and mental) fears that hold us back before we ever get to the physical realm. Realm has its own connotations so suffice it to say, before you ever make it to a height, if fear persists in your heart, you would be stopped by a fear like Fear of Change or Fear or Love.

So here is my little list of ways that we can overcome fear.

First, there needs to be a beam of focus when applying any of these. That focus is a sign of faith. Half-hearted application is waste of your time. Where applying multiple options on this list you might jump, but only with faith do you hold your head high, push your breast bone out, spread your wings and fly.

1. Forcing yourself- This option means removing the choice. Deciding in yourself that this is not just important but vital. And using that authority to push yourself to the door of the skydive plane.

2. Minimizing the fear - This means you maximize you. It also means you step back from the risk (which isn't the same as ignoring it) either piece by piece or mountain that it is.

3. Reward System - Although overcoming a fear has an innate reward system because the fear is often the only thing blocking you from your evolution.

4. Practice - ...makes perfect. You learn your own capability, you are in-tune with your own progress and you become automated. This also makes the fear more approachable having visualized it to overcome in practice.

5. Temporary Blindness - This is that split second when you close your eyes and step without verifying floor below. It's that temporary disconnect from the fear itself. The goal is to learning how to induce it, spontaneous act that it is.

6. Peer Pressure - Tuning out of self and out of the fear leaves your audience. This is quite a motivator. This is the same as giving yourself an authority for reinforcement.

And while they could all work together, each has its trade-off, preventing them from overuse.

This is my message first. And on and on to Abstractia.

Yours in love,
Lyricallye aka the Bootleg Psych

Song Component: Natasha Bedingfield - Weightless

I Tweet!

2011-06-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

Chirp Chip..Name: Lyrically_E
Would love it if you visited me there sometimes too...

New blog entries coming soon...sorry it's been so long coming

From Thought to Action...

2011-05-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

every thought sends off a chain reaction in your body.

To think you naturally begin to hope
to hope means your looking
to look you then seek
to seek is to pursue
to pursue you then trust
to trust means you have faith
to have faith is the beginning of belief
What you believe, you know
...and once you know you do.

(If you know but don't do, you don't fully know. doubt exists.)

be free to live your life out loud!

Don't throw yourself in

2009-10-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

LMAO!

Start at about :52 seconds.

With the same haste and energy and force and heart you attempt to throw someone else to the wolves, to bring harm to someone else, to destroy someone else...in that same matter will you throw yourself in.

A Pregnant Mess

2009-08-28T23:45:00.000-07:00

I watched the newest episode of Project Runway today (caution spoiler).

It's on Lifetime now if you didn't know and I don't like it. It's too much drama included in the editing. There is spin everywhere and it leaves my head spinning.

At one point in the show, when one particularly discheveled model came down the runway, our lovely, quirky Heidi Klum said she was "a pregnant mess".

There was one designer on tonight's episode that really sparked my interest. He was an Asian guy with a deeper center than the others. That was all the pull I needed. At some point in the episode he commented that "I think there are some designers in here that have something to say they just haven't quite cracked the egg". That, if anything spoke of his evolved consciousness of design and concepts and even where fashion is going.

His concept was to me, true art. I would wear it. I would wear it to wash dishes in and morph it and wear it out dancing. And when he said that, I said if he doesn't win this challenge I cannot watch another episode. Let's just say he didn't win. See, genius is sometimes mistaken for failure. That kid has something to say, watch for him. Melvin Vien, http://www.malvinvien.com/.

I immediately knew what he meant in that statement though about creative people needing to "crack the egg". The devil is in the details, as they say. I've been thinking on it for the past two weeks. And now put into words I understand I need a strength. Need a specialty...need to crack my egg. And until I do, I am just a pregnant mess!

I'm hoping they saw his genius and thought, he only needs to be seen once. His work only be glimpsed rather than him being tied up in contracts, they did that for him. That's my spin anyway

Three More Shirts

2009-07-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Game on!

2009-07-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Everything in our environment suggests ways that we should problem solve. Today, I watched a tennis match on You Tube. (Which by the way is so hardcore if you listen to it against rock. Recommend: Mos Def Rock N’ Roll) and man, sometimes you need to return what life throws you with a double backhand thrust. And sometimes you gotta give that shit back with a Venus serve.

I’ve watched local baseball matches where the feeling of team spirit was directly proportionate to how well the team did. How well they overcame individual fears and inter-team conflicts.

And if football doesn’t show that you might meet a scuffle but you keep it moving. And even if you cant, you give the crowd a wave. And you reach an impossible goal, a little bit at a time. Down by down.

But instead we approach the tennis ball hurling at us at top speed with caution and apprehension. Doubt. Let me ask you. What’s the difference between falling and landing? A prepared fall. MOVE WITH PURPOSE. “You got to be more deliberate in your movement, son” (Ricky Bobby’s Dad upon suggesting how he should approach the cougar in the car).

All’s my point is…is that we should be reminded of how to problem solve by those things around us that are the most successful. And of course once you have a plan to solve the problem, you relieve the anxiety about the situation.

Upcoming Shirts

2009-07-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

Visit the Craigslist!

2009-07-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/crs/1262763193.html

Re-lease your faith!

2009-06-30T03:23:00.000-07:00

Premise I

We are born with faith. Children are the most faithful creatures ever created. Who else would believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth fairy? That’s also the reason people feel they need to hardwire their kids with religion from their first years.

I would like to take it a step further to say that we are born with all the faith we will ever need.

There are a few authorities on Faith and Children:

The Child's faith is new -- by Emily Dickinson

The Child's faith is new --
Whole -- like His Principle --
Wide -- like the Sunrise
On fresh Eyes --
Never had a Doubt --
Laughs -- at a Scruple --
Believes all sham
But Paradise --

Credits the World --
Deems His Dominion
Broadest of Sovereignties --
And Caesar -- mean --
In the Comparison --
Baseless Emperor --
Ruler of Nought --
Yet swaying all --

Grown bye and bye
To hold mistaken
His pretty estimates
Of Prickly Things
He gains the skill
Sorrowful -- as certain --
Men -- to anticipate
Instead of Kings –

Mark 10:15

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Premise II

People are searching for ways to increase their faith. Doing a search on Amazon about increasing your faith yields 4,488 book results. In a time where there are so many unexplainable things happening in our world, our faith is VITAL to our survival.

Premise III

We are able to muster faith when the time becomes appropriate. Think of the moment of the initial spark of an idea, when a child graduates from high school, when we discover a new love, and usually after Disney movies. In that moment I believe again. Even if only briefly.

Conclusion

Our faith never left. We just continually place it too heavily in things, that will surely fail eventually, or people, who have not proven they are worthy of our faithfulness.

What’s worst is that I have not often taken the time to renew the faith that has been placed in people or things from even long ago. You find this when you meet people who never try new things, never try new foods anymore, never date outside a set template of beauty, never go to church anymore, etc… Really, any fear we exhibit is indication of a time when we invested faith and were left disappointed, even if it’s someone else’s story.

The solution is to release the faith that has been held captive by that old stale experience. Live everyday brand new. Use wisdom, not fear to dictate your decisions.

- - - - - - -
“It is not your faith that has betrayed you, but your fear.” – Great Grandmother Nanita from Fools Rush

Michael Jackson - Rest in Wonderful Peace

2009-06-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

Know that Genius is insanity. Know that faith will fuel your life. Know that we have lost a great one. Please let his good live in your heart.

Perceived Weakness is Strength Beyond Measure

2009-06-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

More here

INDIVIDUALITY...

Her Love Don't Cost No-thing

2009-06-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

I've got a good post cooking but in the meantime...

This is on some silly shit.

This girl:

is auctioning off her virginity. Here's the link to the article:

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/22-year-old-auctioning-off-her-virginity

I got a few ideas on how she can maximize her commodity.

1

First of all, she went about this all wrong. She should have partnered up with Planned Parenthood or one of these groups that advocates abstenance. Maybe the Jonas Brothers, ah! Now that's using your noggin. She might have gotten away with not having to do the nasty with a stranger. This would have really raised the real estate for virginity...if it had been done right.

2

Her face is made up entirely to much. It's a different color than the rest of her body!? Clearly this is not her everyday look. With the hair and body positioning, I think she was going for a look other than something virginal. And the low cut spaghetti strap dress fails. It's like shes saying once she does the do with you, there's a slut inside waiting to come out. A man that goes for that look, doesn't care that you're a virgin.

3

Now that we have identified your audience, we know you are appealing to men who have a fetish for this sort of thing. So, to really sell yourself you should have worn a tennis skirt and polo. Maybe throw some Pom Poms on the wall behind your head and pigtales. DEFINITELY PIGTALES!

4

You need to set clear goals. First she say's this is about trying to pay her way through college. Well doll, that means you need to get all your money in one swoop because once your no longer a virgin, your campaign will come to a screeching halt. Maybe you can make a few extra dollars selling your virginal undergarments.

Then she says, "Through this process I'm not just looking for the highest bidder," she says, adding, "I'm looking for someone who is a genuine, overall nice person."

Pick one, Sally. This is your virginity we're talking about.

5

Although a virgin, your mind is perverted. And that's probably the worst thing about this. Though inventive, it reminds me of a bad VH1 Flavor of Love rerun. And it say's something really bad about the cost of education in our country and what is really valued in our culture.

Bruce Lee: Be Water

2009-06-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

One Size Fits One

2009-06-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

Premise Statement I:

There is nothing like a tailored suit. You can really some extra time, care and attention has been given. The only thing better than that, in terms of clothing, is when it's made especially for you. It fit's like a glove. Like skin.

You are in on the beginning of the process where fabric is chosen, you might pick out the pattern or style your item will follow, and it is fitted specifically for you and your body type. It's custom. No labels.

Premise Statement II:

I get such a crack out of the two teenagers that are in my life. They were in the 10th grade showing a definite style, a definite taste. As I looked closer however, I saw some parts of that look replicated on the model in the store window. Since it's more likely the latter influenced the former, I had to consider that my creative little sister and cousin were trying to find individuality in an already quite distinct (read: individual) look.

In other words trying to customize a look for themselves from a look that was created for the mainstream.

Premise Statement III:

Hegemony is the "processes by which dominant culture maintains its dominant position." (wordpress definition)

Counterhegemony is "an alternate normative interpretation of the functioning of social, economic, and political institutions." (wikipedia definition)

These terms seem abstract given those definitions but are used in the advertising industry as well. In that industry they are indication of how at some point, there may be a dominant style, and a subculture emerges with a simple or elaborate twist to the hegemony, making it theirs. Ultimately however, Gap, Forever 21 or some other company comes along and makes the creation, first brought about as a counterhegemonic trend, the new mainstream.

Conclusion:

I went to Arundel Mills the other day to see The Hangover (good movie) and everyone looked like everyone else. Regardless of age, race, height, build or personal appearance. It was gross. It was like some weird cloning social experiment. My roommate and I who both wear our hair natural and are the complexion of special dark chocolate really stood out. I know so because we were getting scary looks, repeat glances, and touch avoidance scenarios that were ridiculous.

So my point is? We must show originality. That's how world revolves, and how your universe will revolve. Allow your kids to show individuality. Allow your natural talents and beauty and style to flow, uninhibited. Allow your friends to show originality. Don't ask questions like, why are you wearing that? why do you like that car? And allow your significant others to show originality. This might be the hardest for some people. Especially women who seem to want to reformat the hard drive of the one's they love. If he wants to wear a blue tux to the wedding...well more power to him. What your loved one wears or does is a reflection of them, not of you.

We must strive to always show individuality. Make our look, our voices and our portrayals, custom. Really unlike anything anyone has seen before. Where do you find the inspiration? Deep within your mind.

Only when you dig deep and arrive at as custom as persona as possible, will you truly be able to avoid labels...just like a custom outfit.

Falling from the Tree

2009-06-14T22:33:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, in a dimly lit bar, after the smoke has begun to settle from someone's last cigarette, and after the sound has died from the crowd when their team reaches a goal, sometimes, we overhear the conversation of someone who know's their heritage. They can tell you that they are 1/8th Scottish decent, that their grandmothers grandmother was Cherokee Indian, or that their grandfather rebuilt his home by hand after a fire. And when we hear that spark, that surety, we notice. It shows that they have roots. And well, we all want to have roots.

I've been reading that book of Thomas that I gave the link to the other day and have come across some quite remarkable scriptures. One in particular has captured my interest. Verse 84 says, "Jesus said, "When you see your likeness, you are happy. But when you see your images that came into being before you and that neither die nor become visible, how much you will have to bear!"

One part of my conscious mind says, this is speaking about your spirit self, having different physical destinations and you being floored but what they all look like. But another part, the part that invoked the spirit of this blog, says that it's speaking about ancestors. Those that have carried our physical and spiritual makeup before us (or what others might call DNA). To detour a moment, lets ponder that many of the strength's you have, are often credited to Great Uncle Whomever, who did this thing that you do very well. It's a fact that we share physical, spiritual, emotional and mental common threads with our ancestors, as we will wit our descendants.

But before you celebrate realize that before you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your ancestors strength's and likenesses you will first have to "see your likeness [and become] happy". You must first look in the mirror and smile at what you see. You must first realize that the beauty of Alek Wek, and the beauty of Angelina Jolie, and the beauty of Jill Scott, and the beauty of Coretta Scott King, and the beauty of Kenya Moore (and Ashley Judd, and Glenn Close, and Nina Simone, and Charlize Theron) are all separate beauty's. They are to be appreciated in their own separate ways.

I watched Bride Wars the other night. Hilarious!!! It struck me when they said "you don't alter a Vera Wang, you alter your body to fit a Vera Wang". UGH! To think that we must alter to become a type of beautiful based on someone's else's definition. I'm not saying you cant achieve some beauty by jacking other people's beauty definition. I mean after all Beyonce and Ciara are becoming such pretty white women. So is Little Kim! But you will NEVER achieve YOUR TRUE BEAUTY, your highest level of beauty, looking in someone else's closet. You will never understand why you are beautiful, until you play up your own personal uniqueness. Play up what you see as imperfections, they are what makes you, you and thus are you biggest strengths. Stop beauty jacking!

And remember, before you can appreciate your ancestors, you must first, appreciate yourself.

Focus on the Good
Back away from the Paranoia!

-Ebony

TOXIC!!!

2009-06-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

GOOD QUICK READ: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/8-toxic-personalities-to-avoid-461078/;_ylt=ApmVt9WoVX.qfCmtt39e2qOkfqU5

Are you on this list???

The Definition

2009-06-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

You must first define what being healed means for you before you can pursue any method of healing.

Princeton defines healing as "the natural process by which the body repairs itself"

Although there are probably a number of definitions that include allowances for prescribed medicine and incorporating external healing methods, this is the definition I happen to favor. And because it's all up to me, when it comes to me, I can choose what definition of healing I want to adopt.

For some people, healing is the feeling they feel on the inside when a preacher lays hands on them. Healing is the light they saw in their dream last night. And some people define healing solely as having a doctor run a test that declares you as healed. And they take their healing to the bank. They believe in that healing above all else. However you decide your healing will come, make sure you recognize that spiritual, mental and emotional healing is just as important as physical healing. If your physical illness is caused by you mishandling your stress, a pill will give you an immediate effect. It will make you feel euphoric in some cases, depending on the dosage, but you have not solved your problem. And it's only a matter of time before your body becomes accustomed to pill and the effects become minimal.

The root of it all is within you. The healing is within you. I believe my body has a natural process of healing itself, and thus it does. I'm not advocating that you not take your medicine. But I am advocating you realize you are masking the symptoms and you must get to the source. Think of a cold, you can certainly mask the symptoms (The sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever, so you can rest medicine) but none of those concoctions (no, not even a Hot Toddy) will heal the cold. The healing comes from within.

Guaranteed Success!!

2009-06-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

The answer is faith, there, I gave it to you right up front.

Your success will only grow as big as your faith has grown.

Think about a basketball player. He/She has to believe they will make the shot before you ever take the steps to attempt it. And only then will they have to rely on a perfected craft to execute it.

Let's Review:
1. Pick a talent within you
2. Define success for yourself (possible or impossible)
2. Have a tiny bit of faith
3. Do the faith (take lessons, practice, tell people about it, submerge yourself in the field)
4. Grow your faith (by continually pushing your talent to the next level, honing your craft, and seeing successful results)
5. Arrive at success

As a creative professional I find it a constant pursuit to maintain a level of healthy confidence in the work I create. When you venture out into the real world there will be plenty of critiques and places where you can stop along the way to lick your wounds. However, the best thing you can do is work as if the talent you have has the potential to change the world. As you feed that faith, that means doing some physical things to back up the spiritual.

If you had faith in yourself, like the faith that is required for you to reach success, however you define it, you would live even this moment differently. There would be no spare moments, you would spend it honing your craft, perfecting your art, training, maximizing focus and winning.

Having faith is not just believing, although that is how the story is told. Having faith is doing. It is feeding that thing inside you until it shines through you. Personally, to really absorb this concept, I had to imagine I met someone with a real talent. A talent that they have fed and polished to the point that it is recognizable as talent to someone other than themselves. Without fail, I would do everything in my power to further their efforts. In a sense I would place faith in them. Keep in mind, sometimes that means doing something unlike you've ever seen it done before.

The next time you sit and watch a basketball game at the nearby court, see a street artist drawing, or listen to a poet at a local open mic think about the faith it took for them to get to that point. Think about how you can see some indication of their level of faith in themselves, just in how they approach their craft. In their very posture.

Build your faith...daily. You will be floored at the results.

The shirts came!

2009-06-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am a rockstar!!!

2009-06-05T00:30:00.000-07:00

Here's the link:

DigginUIIAAC - Ebony Kenney

NEW Quiz!!

2009-05-31T21:09:00.001-07:00

Right Panel

Wise Ol' Owl

2009-05-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the Gap. I’m back…I’ve been taking notes on life but I’m back on writing assignment.

So about 2 years ago I had a lucid dream. Anyone who knows me well knows that I delved into some crazy type of hyper-research on this strange thing that had happened to me. I really love going into hyper-research mode so I wasn’t a hard sell. I did it so deeply that I learned how to induce one. Lucid dreams are commonly defined as simply another level of consciousness between sleep and awake states. You are aware that are sleeping, and from personal experience, you can sense details from your physical surroundings but you might still be dreaming full on. There are some beliefs that this is the route some people use to astro-project. That’s way further than I’m trying to take it but I’m just sharing.

So, about two weeks ago, I was about to drift off to sleep and decided to try and induce a lucid dream. This usually makes me go to sleep faster and sometimes gives me funny sensations. When I attempted it after a few seconds, I saw a Lion. Still lying there I saw a picture of an Owl. And then I pictured a Leopard. I say “pictured” because the last image felt forced.

About 4 days ago, I went to Barnes and Noble (my hangout spot), and I picked up about 15 books on spirituality, religion and philosophy. Among them was a deck of cards that I just picked up because I liked the design of the packaging. This was a deck of Animal Spiritual Guide cards. Apparently some people believe there are Spiritual Guides that are given to us at various times in our life. We can call them to us, or if we feel we’re seeing this animal physically, or on some other level of consciousness, they may be giving us insight to our lives. Well naturally, I let fear take over (I know, I know, back away from the paranoia) and decided this was way too much like what I perceive tarot card reading to be like, and chose to block that information.

Today, my mother invited me to a Cocktail Sip. It was supposed to be grown and sexy but left a lot to be desired. The name of the venue was Poets Athletic Club and along the entire length of the floor was a sea of owls. It was equivalent to the amount of elephants that Deltas (of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated) have in their homes. There were maybe 100 owls, all different types of owls.

Tonight I Googled Animal Spiritual Guides, looking specifically into owls, and this is what was given to me:

Animal Spirit guides: The Owl

To our past ancestors, the animal held great spiritual power and symbolic meaning. In Native American culture, mythology and ancient civilizations, each animal is embodied with its own symbolic meaning and held its own unique spiritual power.
A particular animal crossing your path had deep significance to your life and indeed a strong message to impart. The presence of animal wisdom may appear to you in a dream, on the physical plane or intuitively.

We can also utilize and tap into the energy of animal guides around us to assist us in the daily challenges that life some times brings to our door.

By calling forth the energy and spirit of a particular animal guide.

We can ask that we be imbued with the energy and strength. Endowed with the character and special abilities that is unique to that animal.

Utilizing that energy to assist us in general life, or in a specific situation that we may be facing.

This month we take a brief look at the OWL.

The Owl is the bringer of wisdom. The all-seeing owl possesses supernatural qualities and is often associated with intuition, clairvoyance and clairaudience. The Owl’s energy is at its peak in the very heart of darkness. When we are plunged into blindness and disorientation. He penetrates the darkness of the blackest night. Seeing and hearing that which others cannot.

A magical creature of the forest enigmatic and powerful.

If the owl is calling you, or you are aware of the owl being present in your life, dreaming or waking.

You are being called upon to open your eyes, ears and mind to the truth of a situation. To listen to the wisdom deep in your heart and soul. That still small voice is trying to reach you in some way. To assist you or help you in a current challenge you may be facing.

Tap into the power of the Owl by calling on your own intuition, listen to your own wisdom for there is something you need to see or hear. As the owl is so strongly associated with the night time, his wisdom may come to you while you slumber. So take the time to be aware of your dreams or make a special effort to remember and write down any important dreams you have. The Owl is a messenger that can bring clarity and illumination.

Affirmation:

I open my heart and soul to the truth.
And ask that my life’s journey be illuminated before me,
I ask for the wisdom to see.
Even in the darkness of life’s challenges.
And the ability to manifest my true path.

-Follow truth and Focus on the Good (I’m going to try to start signing my posts this way. It’s a good thing to remind yourself, myself, oneself as often as possible)

T Shirts Available!

2009-05-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

CLICK!

Mine is in the mail!

Snakes are a common thread

2009-05-26T22:38:00.000-07:00

Here are a list of Creation Myths

Some of these are wild!

Also, could you please do the survey on death in the right border. I'm really curious what you guys think.

Reorder your lists

2009-05-26T22:21:00.000-07:00

On a scale of 1-10 where 10 is extremely breathtakingly beautiful/handsome and 1 is ugly, take a second to grade yourself.

If you didn’t grade yourself @ a 10, why not?

I mean, what sort of society have we created that when given the chance to decide what beauty is, we don't place ourselves at the top of the list. The same theory applies when you try to grade yourself on the scale of success and intelligence. You must specify goals, yes. But you must also acknowledge the goals you have reached at this point. That means when you talk about yourself, you speak of yourself as successful. When you do this, there is a far shorter stretch, mentally to feel you will succeed again.

This is particularly relevant for me. It’s my nature to downplay everything, including my achievements. But I must continuously remind myself of my own track record. Even if it didn’t include anything more than putting my pantry in alphabetical order. There is strength in building upon our successes, not our failures.

Focus on the good.

Banned from the Bible

2009-05-25T23:00:00.000-07:00

There are 12 of them and I haven't even watched them all but I thought it was relevant and interesting.

Angels and Demons and GODS

2009-05-25T21:25:00.000-07:00

So I saw Angels and Demons today.
I was also introduced to God of War!

Of Angels and Demons I will say, I was a bit disappointed. It seemed to be more of a pick at the Catholic Church, than having any new ideas about religion or spirituality. It was interesting to take a look into how things are run in Vatican City. It’s always a pleasure to see Tom Hanks act, although in the back of my mind I am always expecting him to suddenly begin playing chopsticks on the floor of a huge toy store. I love that there was no pressure for the female lead, Ayelet Zurer, to be rescued or woo’d by her male counterpart.

I was surprised and pleased to see a few statements about how religion is flawed because man is flawed and how Religion and Science are like Nike vs. Adidas. They are doing the same thing, just using a different language…material.

I had a problem with how much of the thinking that was done for me, especially in comparison to what I got from the DiVinci Code. Overall, I didn’t feel like I was in the theatre for 2 hrs and 20 minutes and so for that, the movie was ok.

Now to the fun part!!

God of War kick’s ass and tickles your philosophical mind to boot! My roommate had a friend over who was playing God of War. Its based on some premises of Greek Mythology and the fighter, Kratos is half god and half something else. You can get more information here On this particular level he had to kill a huge aqua colored god, Colossus.

Now most accounts agree god is a spirit. He can usually take on any form but it’s the spirit that’s god not the outer shell he embodies. It holds from Christianity to those beliefs that had people worshipping the gods that lived in rocks. And I’ve been doing all this thinking lately about how developing our spirits is the true path of immortality. More on that later. So in this game, Kratos is making limited leeway trying to come in from the outside. But at some point he gets inside Colossus. Inside looks like an old warehouse, complete with wooden pallets, with many levels. In the center is a blue streak of electricity that runs its height. Kratos must drain the electricity, or spirit, of the god, into his sword, the Blade of Olympus, that Zeus gave him on each level until he has drained all the spirit/power.

What happens when a god is drained of his spirit, the thing that makes him a god? He becomes defeatable. He becomes man. So isn’t it the same for us. We are only as strong as the endurance our spiritual powers. Our spirits is what gives us life, immortality. Did we just get a peek into Greek Mythology’s belief system on the spirit vs. physical?

Later Zeus is on some serious power trip. This really sends my philosophical mind on a journey. Why was Zeus so adamant to have Kratos join his belief system or be dammed? Isn’t this the approach of many organized religion? Why didn’t he think Kratos would be led to his way of thinking if he followed truth for himself? Why was it Zeus’ job to shove his beliefs down Kratos' throat? Kratos was adamant, “no, I bow to no one”. Mind you, he was smelling himself as well. But Zeus was already a god, why did he need Kratos’ admission. Is it the same situation where in order for him to maintain his faith in himself as a god, keep his spirit strong, he needed to make everyone he encountered declare him as a god? Well if that were today, and I told everyone I was a good dancer, and everytime I encountered someone I made them declare my footloose genius, than yes, by all means its 1. Easy for me to believe it and 2. It becomes true, by everyone’s account anyway.

So Zeus displays all the traits that we would declare tyrannical. But he’s a god... You’re going to kill me if I don’t agree with you. You act like you’re helping me out by giving me the tools I need, and then you use those same tools against me. And you kill me violently. Heavy Shit!

Tyrants are always such sloppy killers.

Label-less

2009-05-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

Gay
Straight
Studious
Stupid
Husband
Wife
Weak
Hard

Each time we take on a label we take an outfit that someone else purchased, that was laid out for someone else, in someone else’s size, on their bed, in someone else’s room and we pick it up, and we put it on. The whole outfit. Sometimes, we leave the hat off, or maybe switch out the shoes, but by far we pick them up and make them fit. We will go on a diet to fit someone else’s outfit.

Under any other circumstances this is crazy talk, but it happens everyday.

We get a promotion at work so we think about what a promoted person might wear. We think about who they would associate with, even what kind of car they would drive.

We get a new boyfriend that’s a doctor and we think about what a doctor’s girlfriend might wear, we think about what a doctor’s wife (that’s a women for you) would talk about, what’s she’s interested in.

We get a new car and we think about what an Audi driver might do?

I have a business. How do I promote it? Newspaper ad, or television commercial.
What does a typical Blackberry user look like?
Am I a typical Target or Wal-Mart shopper?

Now, these scenarios are all good. It’s fun to pull the references in our brain of how the doctor’s wife on some soap opera might act, or how the other girl that got promoted acted on her new job. However, there will be a downswing eventually.

“My wife and I are breaking up, the automatic reference is that divorces are rough. So we use this to set our course. “

I’m sad today but I was happy yesterday. Some program on television described this as bipolar.”

God help us with the label of a good mother and what the fuck she does and if one every existed.

Why do you have to do anything in your life the way anyone has ever done it before? Just as the person before you was equipped with the proper survival tools so have you been equipped with the tools you’ll need.

It’s a dangerous thing to take on someone else’s label. And for the labels mentioned at the beginning of this post, many are stale, old references, like what it means to be a husband or wife. The one’s on television are watered down, and for the people we know, well most of them have taken on someone else’s label as well.

When two people come together with their own definitions of their labels, and haven’t reconciled those ideals, that spells trouble. “You don’t act like a husband is supposed to act.” “You don’t act like other gay people.” “But you said you love me.”

Reconcile your labels, and then shred them if possible.

Lyrics to Lauryn Hill’s, I Get Out. Remember you can accept her lyrics, without accepting the rest of the things that you may have heard about her.

But I get out
Oh, I get out of all your boxes
I get out
Oh, you can't hold me in these chains
I'll get out
Oh, I want out of social bondage
Knowin' my condition
Oh, is the reason I must change

She said social bondage….tell me she isn’t talking about the very same thing.

Put the Bible in it's Place

2009-05-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

A car comes around my curb and flips right at the main intersection. Someone was stuck inside for a period of time, eventually the cops came and everyone went home.

Which is more accurate, my account (no matter how detailed) of the events or if you had been there?

What would you say if I told you shouldn't follow the bible? No more than you would use a memoir of someone’s battle with an illness as a law on how you will handle your illness. That miracles didn’t stop with biblical times and that it’s simply an account of what happened, good or bad, right or wrong.

Everytime we write something down we tell our minds that we don’t think we can remember or hold the information. What if when people began to see the great works that were happening in the world they began documenting them thinking surely these works, or signs would never be seen again. And that although inspired by God, the bible is a summary instead of a guide. A reference. Granted, the oldest one we have.

Remember how having faith is the opposite of having fact, how just believing is the opposite of having evidence? Well chasing the bible for direction is like chasing facts. Believe God, or whatever you believe in just because you do, not because you were convinced by something concrete, by evidence.

Mark 16:17 says, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Let’s try to identify what it means to follow the signs. The signs are the miracles. And the bible is a collection, an account, of the signs. Today, signs can be a variety of things. Let’s take a scenario where someone is choosing a profession. The promise of money, success, fame, title, a posse, and an overall plushness is the sign. When you think of people who are passionate about what they do vs. someone doing it for the money (someone following the sign), it’s clear to see who has the most longevity, fame and money.

The laws of the bible were appropriate for the times each passage was written about. It’s full of examples of insecure people who tried to prove their blessedness instead of just knowing it. People made mistakes in the bible everyday, just like we do now. The same things that happened throughout the bible are still happening because there is nothing new in the earth. Read the bible with this theory in mind, just as an experiment. Things suddenly make sense. The moment you take the pressure off it as an instruction manual, you see how the same things are happening today. For example, I walk on water everytime I go to the gym and swim laps.

Follow your dreams with faith and fortitude (pride, passion and justice). The signs will follow you.

Trying to BEBE

2009-05-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit. That happened right after looking through a BEBE catalog. The models were so unhuman, like mannequins. Their skin looked olived (yes, a word I just made up) and at times there was dramatic eye makeup that seemed to simulate a black eye. There was nothing voluptuous about their bodies whatsoever, and their expressions were lifeless. It became immediately clear that I was not the intended audience. “Whew, I’m off the hook”. I don’t have to try to achieve this definition of beauty

Note: This system also works in the marketplace. If you’re intimate with someone, and they aren't absolutely loving every part of your body, than that’s a problem. There is someone out there who will worship your lopsided breasts.

Advertising is my field. There is no better outlet for my creativity. I love to hate to love it! (Shout out to UB!) What angers me though, is that it is no longer following consumer trends, it’s impacting them. And then you find yourself in the place where people, real, diverse, beautiful, individual humans are identifying with the perfect version of themselves, as depicted on television. And well, that’s following the signs. And it’s just a lie, we trade in our truth for the lie. Unfortunately, reality television has made it worst. The people are still acting and now people are convinced, this is how real people act.

So why would women that present just like a dead body on Law and Order be the chosen audience and reflection of BEBE brand? Why would that image sell clothing? And to whom? Everything is a message. Everytime you accept those images in excess of your own image you are telling your brain, BEBE models very good, every other refection of beauty lesser. And we are constantly reprogramming, your brain is a monster process server.

So the next time you leaf through a catalog, surf a website, or drive past a billboard think about who that product is showing you. If it’s a bland disassociate perfect version of yourself, reject it immediately. Reject it like you would too much cayenne pepper in your food, like you would a derelict licking you in the mouth. Reject it like it’s poison making you think you aren’t good enough. And stop following the signs.

Back Away From the Paranoia

2009-05-21T15:45:00.001-07:00

“Why you so scurd…”

Paranoia is such an extreme word. Anytime someone uses it in an accusatory way, it’s like they just called you a name. But let’s explore….

First we have to debunk the association that is made with people who think the government is taping their calls, or that someone is tapping their phone. Not that this association to the word paranoid, is incorrect, but it is an extreme of the everyday paranoia that I see repeatedly.

For example:

My teacher doesn’t like me.
My boss is trying to stop me from excelling.
My boyfriend is cheating on me.
A certain race/gender/class is holding me down.

To the even more common…
Someone is going to steal my stuff.
If I go out at night, I will get robbed.
I’m not buying items from online because my identity will get stolen.

(Note: Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean you aren’t being followed, but it also doesn’t mean you are.)

And in most of those scenario’s you are giving the antagonist way too much power…they would have to be super sly or a mastermind to be able to pull the heist you are suggesting.

Everytime you make these paranoid conclusions, you give them focus…and thus power. Take my word for it, focusing on evil is what makes it more present for you. That’s why if you resist evil, it will flee from you.

Let’s define Paranoia.

Google says:

Paranoia is a disturbed thought process characterized by excessive anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion.

A developing pattern of unfounded thoughts and fears, often based on misinterpretation of actual events. People with paranoia may consider themselves endowed with unique and superior abilities or may have the delusion that others are conspiring to do them harm.

A mental condition in which an individual unjustifiably feels threatened by other people.

My personal definition is that paranoia is a sort of fear. And if you are just the slightest bit curious of what the bible says about it…Well 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

That tells me, to give into ANY FORM or QUANTITY of paranoia, is to move away from a sound mind and to move closer to insanity. The DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) has already given us, along with countless movies, a good depiction of what happens when you embrace the paranoia.

So crazy and sane aren’t on separate planets?!?! Come to find out it’s a sliding scale, a slippery slope.

Those definitions of paranoia aren’t as extreme as I thought. That means it can sneak in. And when you see that demon poke up its ugly head… you need to back away from it.

Trust that if someone you love is doing wrong by you, that it will be revealed when it needs to be.

Trust that if that boss is sabotaging you, that you are making it so hard from them to that, that they will not succeed.

Back away from the paranoia…then turn, and focus on the good.

So Insecure Pt. I

2009-05-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

Everytime we speculate we give away our insecurities.

We give them away without even meaning to.

When you go on a job interview, and they don’t call you back, you will probably tell the story, with your assessment of why they didn’t call you back. That reason, more often than not, is the thing you are most insecure about. You might assume you didn’t answer a particular question well or that you don’t have enough experience. We all know that there is no telling why they didn’t give you the job, unless they actually tell you. You pulled it out the sky, or more accurately, out of your fears.

Again, you are telling yourself and others your biggest insecurities by speculating, by offering information, or really by talking or acting in general.

Now, every secret you have is not an insecurity. Some secrets are just things you aren’t allowed to tell. However ever insecurity you have, is a secret.

Now, if you consider the Bible as an authority, consider Matthew 10:26.

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed and hid, that shall not be known.

This is exactly what I’ve been saying, except it isn’t going to happen as a result of some mystery, as I originally thought. IT”S SIMPLE. We will tell our own secrets…our insecurities…and the harder we protect them, the more prominent they are.

Consider this:

-You do it every time communication wanes between you and someone else. Most of us will try to make sense out of what happened. Within those guesses, are your worst fears about yourself.

-You do it everytime you mourn the loss of a relationship for an extended period of time. You are saying you have insecurities about your ability to find this type of love, or connection with someone again. A lack of faith in yourself.

-You do it when you are out socially and you touch or reposition your clothing around your stomach. (GUILTY) You are showing that your stomach is a source of insecurity. I know of a few of my friends who feel their chests are too big, and they can’t resist fiddling with their low cut blouses.

-My favorite is when I go shopping with people. You get great clues into how prominent in their mind their money situation. Are they only interested in looking at items of a particular brand name? Are they only interested in being seen in certain stores vs. stream of conscious shopping?

-I passed out blog promos yesterday. I showed my insecurity about confronting strangers and ended up putting some on a few cars. For fun, I played a little game to see if I could make some assumptions by characteristics of the cars. I know, so judgmental. Sorry. But for the people with a lot of bumper stickers, I imagine they are the collectors among us. Maybe they have a lot of friends, maybe their browser favorite list is extensive. In my mind, I got some indication about who is practical, who is traditional, and who is in a transitional point in their lives.

Know that with all of these, you are speculating. So that means you have your own bull, I mean insecurities, mixed in with your assessments. This tool is best used as a way of considering someone else’s point of view. People who overreact to minor conflicts, very often are so scared of being taken advantage of, or being seen as weak.

So, the next time someone show’s you a picture of yourself at last years birthday bash, resist the temptation to tell your secret by immediately critiquing your nose, complexion, weight, stance, outfit etc. It’s a universal rule that we give away our secrets. Apply it to yourself, make it personal.

A chair is just a chair...

2009-05-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE IN EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE Series:

Your body positioning can be indicative of your inner psyche in how you relate to people.

Think about this in terms of you having an ideal seating arrangement. How you sit when you’re relaxed vs. at work.

I sit in a chair like a real special person. :) While at my computer, I have a swivel chair that I sit in. My butt is toward the side of it. One leg bends and my foot rests on the floor. My other knee, I bend and point to the other side of the chair.

The other day I took real note to this and realized the back of the chair serves as a barrier to whomever else is in my room.

It creates a fort where I can put my phone and my dry erase marker. I can send a text message and look as if I haven’t missed a beat in the conversation…well maybe not so smooth…and I peek at the TV over the back of the chair.

If I’m really assessing myself, its possible I do that from an emotional standpoint with people that I love…and that love me. I build a fort, as my mom and dad used to help me build when we would go on fake vacations to hunt valley hotels. And behind my fort…I am building a mastermind machine to guard my heart from you in a custom sort of way.

Unfortunately/fortunately my friends ignore my forts and build bridges to get through to me…a good army I have.

So that said, think about how your bodies positioning gives you an indication of how you relate to people, your work, or the world. Let’s take sitting in a regular chair with four legs:

Do you sit:
-to the side (with your feet off the side of the chair) –
Maybe you give people ready access to yourself but there is a side of you they will never see.

-with your feet in front of you- you are a more direct person possibly. You believe in dealing with people straight on.

-with your feet in front of you and your leg crossing at the knee (like my best friend does)- that is a direct show that she is direct and even open but there is a protective shield always present

-with your legs are crossed- there is some finagling someone will have to go through to get to the real you, is my guess. Maybe you have a guard up but it’s not real hard to penetrate.

-do you turn it backwards and sit like the guys did in the show Welcome Back Cotter. – maybe you are totally protected…or either totally trusting…depending on which way your faceing. Maybe you are very un-open to people getting through to the real you.

-I sometimes put my knee up beside me- that knee is a weapon…of either protection or possibly war.

As you approach people take note of their body language, including how they are seated. it will tell you easily who is approachable and who is just trying to look approachable.

Stop It!!

2009-05-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

Starting in January 2007 until October 2008, I began Michael Thurmond's 6 week makeover. In total I have lost about 95lbs.

But when the diet ends, the real work begins.

As I lost weight, I noticed some of the attachments I had to food. Some that you could guess like social attachments, but others less obvious. So since there are so many voices telling you what you should be doing about your weight, read my 10 things you need to stop doing.

1. Stop pushing away from the table….get closer. Eat better foods more often.
2. Stop making something to eat while you wait for your food to cook. Peanut butter and jelly cracker marathons while the chicken bakes.
3. Stop getting appetizer, drinks, dinner and dessert everytime you go out.
4. Stop cleaning your plate and eating all the candy (it’s yours, there’s no time limit on when to eat it)
5. Stop avoiding the mirror. Stand there and take it, get familiar with that figure until its beautiful to you. If you can’t bear to gaze at yourself, how can you expect anyone else to?
6. Stop celebrating with food!
7. Stop eating so late at night.
8. Stop babystepping yourself…If you told yourself no ice cream for a while, do exactly that. If you can’t trust yourself to keep your promises, then you won’t cooperate with yourself in any other phase of the process.
9. Stop skipping breakfast.
10. Stop with all the sauces.
11. Stop parking so close to your destination,driving to the gym,and avoiding extra movement.
12. Stop eating fast food. (period)

Learn to Laugh...

2009-05-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

Start here.

Work and Reward

2009-05-18T05:24:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I am super excited about something I created called a productivity ladder. In my imagination, it is ideal for a creative thinker in the area of getting tasks done. It’s based on a work reward system.

I have attached it here.

Breakdown:
-There are 10 solid lines to be filled out with big tasks that need to be done. The order should be from most to least important, from the bottom of the page. As a freelancer, my tasks could be to finish a logo, work on business cards, reply to Craiglist ad, etc, etc.
-Below each line is a reward (with the star next to it). So if you’re starting from the bottom you have a reward first, then you do a task, then you have another reward, steadily moving up the progress letter. (Mark Says your reward should increase with each level of things you complete…so for me a first level reward is getting to go outside and take a walk, then it’s maybe watching a half hour of television, and eventually, a weekend getaway or SWIMMING….love swimming!!)
-DeepEnd. If you were a diver, and the big black lines were your diving board, please know the further you get from your task, the closer you get to falling off the deep end. Sometimes you welcome the deep end (meaning some interruption that is not in the work reward schedule). These are things you are not likely to come back from. If I don’t limit my walk to a half hour or less, I am likely to walk all over Baltimore City.
-Last thing to note, this is a machine. Once you get things done, cross them off the list when they are COMPLETELY DONE…and then more onto the next.

You will find a lot less guilt while you are taking your reward and a lot more focus while you are completing a task. Make the promise to yourself not to stray from the list (like Jim Carrey in Yes Man) and you'll be fine.

GOOD LUCK!

Dont Fuck with People's God Pt. 1

2009-05-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

Philosophy Series:

Don’t Fuck with Peoples God Pt. 1
Response to Bill Maher’s Religulous

I just watched a bootleg copy (that I DO NOT OWN) of Bill Maher’s 2008 documentary Religulous. My roommate brought it downstairs with a coy look. In other words, I could tell this was going to be something I would enjoy because she was trying hard to hide her devious grin…that she’s no good at hiding.

So anyway, “put it in, I don’t care” over my shoulder. I’m all on my Productivity Ladder (more on that later) so I’m determined that nothing will distract me.

I watched about two scenes of the movie before I opened up a word document and started an outline. I was going to write on the dry erase board but no…I would have too many points to make and because I type lightening speeds faster than I write, I decided, Microsoft had it. Really me writing this blog about my response is like asking for a receipt after a dinner with friends so you can later write it off.

So I will start with the positive. (It’s the inner artist in me that always expects to hear critique in the compliment, compliment, compliment, room for improvement, you suck, you fail, compliment, compliment, form). I loved the dissection into the various religions. I loved the order of the movie…starting with Christianity off the bat was genius, loved Bill Maher in terms of who he represents. I think the funniest part was when he was in the mosque and the guy came up saying how unfunny this “Jew” was. LMAO! I didn’t like the end, where his pitch came, and didn’t like that he was so cynical…you’re fucking with people’s God (you will hear more about that later). And that’s just something he shouldn’t take so lightly. I loved that he kept it funny though. Also I kinda agreed with the message wedged between the religious critiques and his pitch. There was a moment of genius again when he said something to the effect that religion will have to go away for the world to survive.

I think the moment we take a picture we are saying, I want to capture this moment because I don’t know if it will happen again. We are displaying our lack of confidence that we will witness this scene again. In that same vein, when we try to persuade someone else of our beliefs, we are showing a lack of confidence in our own faith, and lack of confidence that if they open their eyes, they will see what we see. We are saying, please believe in me. And the harder they preach, the more you know they are hanging on by a mere thread.

The first thing a person does when they first join a religion is what? They tell people. Quick to discuss ideals their peanut brain (and believe me, we all have peanut brains) hasn’t even begun to know for themselves. They are telling you what they heard. Half quoting or misquoting scriptures they don’t fully understand. That’s because they are recycling messages and when they get your agreeance, they feel more confident in it. If they get your disagreement, it gives them a chance to show their passion, so that’s welcomed and expected. But the neutrals…now they are the trouble. And if hey are a thinker, and not apathetic….well, it’s pandemonium. (So the moral to the story is don’t debate religion). People will kill you, not for believing in their God, but what happens as a result, you fuck with their belief in their God, depending on how good your argument is.

Some people have no religion…the best thing you can do is offer them one. But you will see the lack of solidarity and inner peace that not having faith gives you, they will be easy to spot.

You should have enough faith in your own faith to not debate it. Don’t fuck with my God…I put him deep within where no one can get to him, let alone criticize him. When I say my God, I mean my core, my center, that which keeps me. He must stay in tact so I have some unknown element to believe in to get me thru the hard times, so I don’t panic when it gets rough, thinking I’m the only one I can believe in. People put their God on their chests...and they have to defend it everyday, and when it comes time to rely on him, they’ve let people chip away at it with doubt. (Another good movie….go see DOUBT today!!!)

The hell is in the convincing.