An Odyssey of Creativity and Wisdom: Day 3

one thousand words daily

Day 3

“Hope in essence is birthed from miracles that have yet to escape the confines of the occupied mind, resurrected from the spirit to preserve life and resurfaces within the smiles of the future generations we raise.”  ~ S.M. Black

               The rainbow, as I learned when my mother converted from Buddhism to “Born Again Christian,” at Mt. Erie Missionary Baptist Church was a sign from God himself, a promise to Noah and his family that HE would not hurt the Earth in that manner, as in The Great Biblical Flood.  When I think about rainbows, many things come to mind.  I think about Leprechauns, a big pot of gold.  I’ve been within the end of one and never experienced any pot of gold. I think of the breakfast cereal Lucky Charms.  I think of when I was a small child and my mother, before she left, used to turn on the hose and lift it high so that I could see the rainbow. 

               This is a picture I sent my son after he sent me a picture of a rainbow he took with his mother’s camera.  When I see rainbows I think of him.  His middle name partly means rainbow in Hawaiian.  I have been to Maui once and there were very beautiful rainbows there.  Although my son does not live with me right now and although he may be moving further from my ability to visit, there are things which make our bond strong.  

               All in all, when I see a rainbow in from of me, I think of new life and I automatically think of this faith-filled substance we sometimes neglect or often forget called Hope. What does Hope look like to you?  Does it cost anything to simply… hope?  Does it hurt to hope? If you think hope hurts, then why?  How can hoping for something good, positive or greater than any current state of things be a bad thing?  I feel as if Disappointment and the knife that hypothetically stabs folks in the back are two of the sharpest knifes in existence.

               Vision is a gift rarely given, however when we can envision the positive result through some stretch of time of defining action, we can clearly see the outlines of hope there on the bigger picture, somewhere. Completing actions within a plan or getting oneself on the path towards some change we can see are some ways in which we tend to find ourselves getting hopeful.  As long as we make some moves, it is then when we then know and fully conceptualize that we are or can be on the path towards something great.

“Hope resides on wings of the willing. How willing are you to invite and evoke hope?” ~ S.M. Black

getting shot down

               There is nothing wrong with having belief in what others might deem mediocre, outlandish and even impossible. Let’s take into account that will be instances when no matter what the feat, idea, dream, hope, invention or story, some just chose not to believe you or believe in you.  Perhaps it was an event from the past which they hold against you or perhaps they themselves lack the faith and the positivity to see anything good coming from you.  Is it your fault, no, we are judgmental as humans by nature.  It could simply be that yes, life is unpredictable yet it is very possible that the negative party or individual simply lacks vision. 

               For us to fit into the carefully crafted criterion which makes another person feel comfortable sometimes can be impossible.  It is literally impossible to be responsible for another’s expectations and happiness.  As I was reminded by a simple post by a friend Cara Luhring that “We are responsible for our own happiness,” and that is very true.  We as humans oftentimes build mental, non-physical barriers inside of our mind which prohibits the growth and sprouting of such ideas, hopes & dreams. We often do this to protect ourselves from future heartache, confusion, even from responsibility and decision making.

               Perhaps a dream of theirs was killed, they are now perceived a “Realist,” and just wants you to see things from the “Realistic” “Plausible,” point of view.  I am, in no way, making excuses for this type of negative behavior and I am not reinforcing it, just simply throwing some dots out there for you to connect.  This “psyching out,” of sorts can seem as a deterrent, perhaps throwing you off from your initial goal by making you think that you are not capable or that the task is impossible to reach, at fault for some action you had no control over, or a danger or “in the way,” of having something done the “Right way,” whatever that means.  I have found that looking at problems through different lenses and offering new solutions often stops future issues or problems to occur.   Sometimes it is because they were once hurt in some way when an important plan did not materialize and perhaps the breaking of promises upon them has something to do with their mistrust.

               It is literally impossible to be responsible for another’s expectations and happiness.  As I was reminded yesterday by a simple post by a friend Cara Luhring that “We are responsible for our own happiness,” and that is very true.  Within our being, we hold the foundations to our own happiness especially since we are the navigators of our own emotions.  Don’t take this the wrong way, for we can be influenced by what others say, how they say it as well as the timing in which they chose to say it but… we have total control over how we choose to deal with what they are saying.  Straight up though, when someone you care about, or is close to you puts you down or shoots you down using negative language to any degree, even if from a co-worker or supervisor, it can hurt and cut deep. Back to the “Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me,” mantra I used to try to recite to assholes as a little boy in elementary school.  Did I say that when the kid called me a Nigger at Palo Verde in Kindergarten? I wonder. 

               What we can choose to be responsible for is how we treat others, what we teach our children, the hopes we instill in them whether intentional or non-intentional as well as the love we show to others.  Those positive memories you leave with people whether you know it or not, help to influence how they deal with others as well as how they treat others.  Since we as humans are creatures of habit, let us develop some good healthy habits which the generations below us automatically swoop up to nurture and protect.  Let us be that listening voice, that shoulder to cry on or that catalyst in a positive decision leading another to some type of peace, understanding and/or feeling of freedom.

An Odyssey of Creativity and Wisdom: Day 2

one thousand words daily

Day 2

August 1, 2018

               The image I chose to share with you today was these groups of redwood trees.  I call them “Baby Giant’s Convening.”  These trees, if given the opportunity, and if intense winds do not blow them down, will grow to be over two thousand years old and perhaps tower above two hundred feet.  Yes they are baby giants.  They are all each roughly between twenty to forty years old.  When I was young many of my friends as well as myself, did not see us living past the age of 21 due to the inner-city violence.

               For us the strong winds were the police and the jealousy by others that could also kill.  I grew up in a suburb of The Village, named after Nairobi Village shopping center in the city of East Palo Alto.  When I was a small boy the city was still unincorporated and often called Ravenswood. East Palo Alto is translated as East Tall Trees.  Palo Alto is the contrasting city next door where corporate sharks and sub-prime mortgage lenders are still living luxuriously while others across highway 101 remain taken advantage of, suffer.  Things must change for the better, for us all and especially for the children.  It is when greed goes unchecked and another decides what is important in your life that shatters dreams of not just whole generations, but the dreams of their ancestors before them.  These are the eroding fabrics and overstretched sinews that hold this country together.  The people that built this country are now experiencing hardship due to this… unchecked greed.

               I was taught that it takes a village to raise a child however I find that it also takes a village to raise a conscious nation.  Without the outside opinion of those directly affected, governments and societies often have the tendency to underserve their populations in the simplest of ways.  We can look at ancient populations and folks such as the Romans.  As their morale declined and they cared less and less about the people, the people grew uneasy and eventually rose up, allowing for the conquering and destruction of Rome.  If we look recently at the conflicts in the 1990s in Rwanda and the genocide that took place.  Those actions were directly aligned with how the Germans, for work as well as other controlling purposes, classified, one group of people, separating them on a basis of facial features and skin color in that geographic region. 

               Once someone else tells you who and what you are, they not only have power over you but have power over generations after you.  If we... fail to think for ourselves, as well as the future of all children and perpetuate the given myth, what type of future can you imagine being left with? What things were you told that you later found out to be false?  Let us once again look at those Redwood trees.  We know what they are by simply looking at them.  No one looks at them and tells them that they are not, in fact, redwood trees or trees at all! 

               If a tree were conscious in a personal sense, as some attribute also to animals and not just human beings, what would they think?  What would one think if a human person where to walk up to it and tell it that it is something completely different than it was used to being, different than it was meant to be? Would the tree shake its branches and leaves in protest or just stand firm in the breeze as it is used to doing.  Trees are remarkable, even the Redwood with its short roots.  Trees are able to withstand flames, as well as winds and storms.  Can you weather the storm?

               Trees are known to bend as the wind blows, or else it would snap its branches, and trunk.  Leaves dance majestically in the breeze, shimmering in the sunlight like the tall Poplar tree.  Are you able to bend when you are faced with strong pressure and natural forces known to happen in human life, or do you break?  In many ways we can learn to be like the water moving around rocks and the trees, dealing with the strong winds to one day bear pine cones, seeds and fruit.  We too can leave something behind to teach future generations how to bend and how to fruitfully grow.  We can leave seeds of wisdom in words, inheritances and land for others to grow from.  There are also three redwood trees at the entrance to Illinois St. my childhood block and someone once placed a sign there on one of the tall trees when I was about six or seven.  The sign read "Down With Dope, Up With Hope."

              When we build for another other than self, build a nest for family, house, a legacy, it often carries beyond our years in physical existence.  The trees we plant provide shade and fresh oxygen not just for us but for future generations as well as homes for wildlife.  The legacies we build in faith, home building as well as simple conversation with love and morals plants seeds.  Whether it is in the minds of all who hear and benefit, thus often leaving impressions with lessons that they also want to teach, or on solid ground through owned land, cultivating of any kind takes some special type of talent and work.   Cultivation of any kind takes hard work, persistence, and passion.

               Legacies we chose to build with faith often leave individuals morally richer than they once previously were as well as more peaceful.  Some stray from organized religion for many reasons as well as the congregation of churches.  Many cultures are centered on religious beliefs which dictate a certain type of lifestyle and way of living.  Many of these belief systems overlap in the most basic and fundamental of ways in which, they are built to help guide a society spiritually and in some cases not just spiritually but financially as well. For one to have a strong moral foundation, one does not necessarily have to attend a church or find a church home, but be open to the simple lessons in a safe and healthy society which boast, brotherly love, being considerate, taking care of others as well as fostering healthy relationships and building strong communities that benefit each other.

                The strongest societies all the way down to the coolest neighborhoods I have seen are ones where everyone is inclusive of their cultures, family events, music, food is offered, and where everyone communicates with one another.  Tolerance and understanding is key as children should be allowed to learn, ask questions and see difference yet togetherness in ways of love, care and community across one family to another.  Let us plant some seeds as well as some strong trees for our future!

An Odyssey of Creativity and Wisdom: Day1

one thousand words daily

An Odyssey of Creativity and Wisdom on 7-31-2018

By: Sekou M. Black

               

               This exercising of the mind is my first new attempt at pulling creativity and inspiration simply from images around me. This task is one out of twelve that I have challenged myself to.  I just can’t back down from a challenge even when I challenge myself.  “Hey, I have an idea… How about you also send me a picture of some type of image and I will blast off from there!”  When I was a teenager I used to freestyle on a corner at a park nearby (freestyling: a form of improvisation through rapping) to any subject or word folks would bring up.  So the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Let us see what ideas, wisdom and anecdotes that I find within my mind from each random picture selected.  Be adventurous and send me your own images to write from.  I will give finder’s credit in a shout out to each picture selected. The subject can be items, scenery, distinct places and even people.  Write on and right on!

               

              As I sit down in the doctor’s office I fill out the questionnaire and see a scenery picture on the wall of a small river with trees surrounding it on both sides.  The trees I notice are all unique in some way, one beginning to change colors with the seasons.  I thought of how hospitals want us to be relaxed so often they try to use colors and images that are pleasing as well as relaxing to the patients.  For those that can’t swim, looking at water might cause them to either look away or perhaps want to learn to swim in order to take a dip in that cool stream.  The peaceful scene depicted might also call someone to have a picnic on the side of some gorgeous stream somewhere.  

              Originality as I say is a very big factor in a person building a good character as an individual.  The uniqueness the tree turning colors displayed in the photo gives us a sense of although the trees were virtually in the same type of spot, taking in the same sunlight, that there were factors that caused this tree to turn colors before the rest.  Perhaps the tree was a lot closer to water. We can look at ourselves in the same context.  Oftentimes we find folks that go grey before us, have certain illnesses before us and so forth. Timing is relevant to each unique individual.

              In our experience we often find some that mature faster or “Get the picture quicker,” than others might.  I have always wondered whether or not environment or exposure was a determining factor is why some folks are the way in which they are.  In some cases my answer turned out to be “Yes,” however I am reminded through daily interactions with people, even from what I see on the media, that the psychology of an individual from home-bringing to who they choose to be today is solely guided by a wonderful variable that we humans take advantage of called Choice.   Christian’s know this as something called Free Will, which was written as a gift the Creator bestowed upon us, a curse from knowing too much and wanting to know too much in the Garden of Eden.  Regardless of your belief system, the reality that we have some say in the choices we make is power within itself.  For those forced into some type of slavery or forced servitude do not know the luxury of choice and only dream of the freedoms that both me and you, share automatically and naively without much thought. 

               At the beginning of this exercise, I believed that I would merely write about one picture, however when I made my way from the doc’s office to the x-ray imaging place I was compelled to write more.  Why?  Well another one of those trees with a very wide stream painting was hanging on one of their walls.  This time the picture was done with dots to make up the picture instead of brush strokes.  What wisdom could I find in this?

               First of all, I’d like to one day be adventurous enough to jump butt naked in a river or stream somewhere.  After watching “Stand By Me,” a movie about little white boys in the 60s coming of age, jumping in a watering hole to get leaches all over them, I didn’t see that as such a good idea.  Who knows, maybe I’ll grow a solid pair and not care about leeches, or little fishies that are known to swim up the urethra, then spread out the fins, causing intense pain and dying.  That is only if you live in some South American country I believe. If I were to take the philosophical approach about this cool picture using dots, I could talk about patience or how often times we are only given dots when we are trying to figure out who we are or what exactly we are to become.  Those dots can represent lessons as well as experience.  It is only after we learn certain lessons or gain a certain level of life experience or work experience when we can fully get a clear picture of how we can make it happen for ourselves and determine our place on this planet.

               Being able to jump freely into anything takes more than determination, but takes the right conditions. Whether influenced by a hot summer day wanting to cool off or having the freedom from a short day of work or vacation to jump off one of those bridges to make a heck of a splash.  Sometimes it takes ability and will.  I for one can’t physically jump, but I remember when I could.  That doesn’t stop me from wanting to try.  I know I might need to know the currents and whether or not it is safe to do so, no matter what type of leap I decide to take.  One thing for certain is that the simple fact that I want to eventually relax, feel mentally as well as financially free, whether making a business move or making a fun move in a natural environment set’s me directly on a path towards happiness. Often the most courageous thing you can do is simply taking the first step.

Living vs-Existing: The Great Love Story

every story about personal struggle, sacrifice or preserving life in some way… is always a love story!   ~s.m.black

               Purpose, as I was never taught, is one of the fundamental foundations at the base of our being in what we know and qualify as existence.  As we wake up in the morning, we are driven to some type of achievement whether spoken or unspoken. There are determining factors on how we choose to spend what we choose to define as Time.  Deciding to take a step, put food into ones stomach for energy, or head in the right direction towards a means to make some money. Every decision I make is carefully planned to a “T,” being both disabled and now, unfortunately without income. 

                I have to decide how much gas I will throw into my van, which foods I can afford to get until the church feeding later.  I have to think and wonder how I will get to my disability hearing at the end of this month but one thing is for sure.  Along with being homeless, having some new strange health stuff going on like a seizure last week and some more bs… I cannot forget to live!  Although I’m in my own situation, when I see someone worst off it doesn’t hurt to lend a hand and it doesn’t take much just to take a moment and send a prayer. 

               Living for me, is making sure those that care for me and that I care most about live well and remain happy.  Living happy is very important, as for someone who has overcome being depressed for many years in a row, being unhappy is definitely not living.  Being negative and losing focus can take away one thing you will never get back or understand which it this concept we have built called Time.  Living is enjoying moments, nature, family, people, smiles and personalities in this short burst of sunshine we’re granted called an existence, or a human life.  In telling my fiancé I constantly love her, the eye contact, the small thoughtful things, the conversations, listening.  In calling my son because I want him to remember well the last time I told him that I love him.   In my understandings, existence transcends the body as well as what we know as the physical constructs of the mind, for this Life we know is only one journey amongst many.

               I am a firm believer in… a lot of stuff.  I believe in a divine plan, no matter how that plan ends and how I am wrapped up in that plan.  Like the animals of the Earth, I have accepted my callings and purposes.  Fighting against what is natural, inevitable, in a world around me as well as within myself is impossible.  What I can do however is choose to try my best to make the world which I experience around myself and my loved ones, a bit better, as much as I can. 

               We must all ask ourselves these questions at some point, when it comes to self, others we care about such as family and loved ones, “What can I do, What will I do to sacrifice,” or “Is there anything threatening the Quality of life and General Happiness of  those I will do anything to protect?”  When those answers begin flying back at you then it is when you must decide when and how will you… “fight, the good fight?” What stances will you take and what attitudes will you assume in order to get the job done?  If you have children, what type of behavior and attitude will you model to show what it is to live a quality life? How will you relay the compassionate messages about life and existing vs-living to them? 

               If you are in a serious relationship or in the beginning stages of possibly nurturing one, what type of messages will you send them on a daily basis?  I like to remind people that life in general is a miracle and requires lots of elements to survive in our harsh environment. Even dandelions that grow from ghetto sidewalks need to morning dew and rain in order to first sprout forth.  Those dandelions hold nutrients to fight cancers and they even quickly seed to blow away, providing the promise of even more dandelions.  Relationships are the same way except you cannot wait for a miracle to fall on it or morning dew, you have to water it and nurture it yourself.  If you don’t someone else will!   I’m just sayin, some pick dandelions for their salads, I’ve seen it at Whole Check (Whole Foods). Poem below folk!!!  Also, if you are able to contribute and help out this writer in any capacity , please simply support by buying me a coffee using the link below. I can be emailed at sekoublack@hotmail.com Oh yeah, don't forget.,.,.,., Poem Below!!

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fANCrVK

Angels nor dragons are to be found behind any cloud to hide since

Creepy clouds collect colliding in chemical-derived atmospheric skies

While we plant the seeds our grandfathers have not given us

They fought hard so we could be here while we, some forget family begin giving up

As a loving young couple kisses reminding us that this magic does still exist

Or is it that he has yet to hear the drowning sound of selfishness and pride and her

Void of “I can get have that better elsewhere,” when the rain still blows in sideways when it storms but

There are those like the cactus, the yucca

Ones that have their seeds sewn strong like the pine and

Even though there is little flame attitude like, “shoot, it’s go’n all be just fine… trust me”

Truths through flame, pain seed burst however only scorching truths to no lies

Being strong has its perks as years digress with brain cells as well as how well we make fake foods digest

No one steps aside to care whether a dandelion dies

As it is found amongst all of these souls that care none

It still moves towards the light in mornings as the sun comes

Remains still as small hands swoop down to pick it and blow it some

Giving joy to child, pestering the white man with the perfect lawn,

Cousin to the rose, brother to the mustard green, food for the fawn

Reminding us how short our try at our concept of life may be

That our roots are also short and we are not tall strong trees

A sign of strength, life and natural defiance

You’ve become a totally different person the moment you can pick wisdom

From Sidewalk Dandelions

Sidewalk Dandelions

7-24-2018

Healing When Broken: Part 2

July 4^th, 2018

I can only hope to gain the scope of accomplishment and notoriety such as Dr. Sibi, Gupta, or even Dr. Oz and anything close to such would be huge accomplishment to me.  I am a healer by nature and one day I will be recognized for my work, although I have learned that success comes with sacrifice.  For everything that I have already learned accomplished with those whose lives I have already sought to change with compassion and diligence, there is still much for me to accomplish, learn and many experiences I hope to grow from. With being a bridge to health and a guide to wellness, I like everyone else benefits from reminders, refreshers, epiphanies a solid kick in the ass or whatever works for you. In this blog I’ll be summing up a few points previously made in a blog prior as a quick and easily digestible follow up, and I mean BBQ delicious-like knowledge that you’ll want to remember and soak up like melted butter in cornbread.

It has been a while, a few years now since I stood in front of a stove stirring anything and opening any oven to pull out delectable gourmet grub. Although I might be a bit rusty behind the stove, I’m still very sharp with the pen, so let’s begin!  Let me stand a testament to success, a marker for you to gauge that I will be forever determined to reach the pinnacles of success. For myself I hold my own markers high, to have that larger stainless-steel kitchen with powerful hood in that house on that hill, reaching hundreds of thousands with life-saving info and wisdom.  Being broken in many ways from mentally, spiritually to even physical stuph I guess can often give one some perspective.

 

Stigmas & Expectations: Be Your Own Power to Reckon With!

We all mean something to someone and for this reason sometimes it is difficult to say no or disappoint some people we know.  We all mean something to this society, a measurable unit of production yet we must set your own standards of success, or settle with someone else’s misplaced and misguided disappointments!  Knowing who and what we are goes further than knowing ourselves, perhaps even our family’s history and breaches into the unknown and amazing realm of… What it is we can become!  Pushing ourselves, in ways we learn and pushing our limits of understanding makes us more dynamic, unique as well as prepared for different life situations.  It is proven that mathematical concepts introduced to children as well as having exposure to classical music have been shown to boost problem solving. 

Acceptance

We’re going to look at Acceptance now in order to easily Move on to Prosper in whatever type of riches you seek, whether it is wealth in material, health, social life,  a greater peace of mind or simply wealthy financially.  Often times we must chose to Accept, in order to Understand or move forward with the hand we feel as if we have been dealt in life.  When it comes to unfortunate lessons in broken hearts, deaths, things stolen from us, family members or friends that didn’t come through for us when we expected them to, even workplace woes, there is one fact to realize.  That fact is that we are in complete and dire control of our happiness, no matter what happens.  It is all in, how we chose to deal with the hand we were given, how we react and respond to the situation often affects how the outcome is in the long-run.

Since we live in a society where the ones in power keep the majority ignorant, even with the internet, I get asked some audaciously racial questions. The Mid Atlantic Slave Trade, Equality, and “Why are Black people still so bitter about slavery? That was a long time ago!” is often a question and comment I should never have to answer or hear as no one… ever asks a Jewish person to forget about the Holocaust. One saying I like to repeat is “Keep it Positive and Keep it Movin,” for good reason.  Remembering past mistakes and taking adequate time for reflection, even if it requires additional education and research is a good thing to settle the heart and build the mind.

I found that I do not need to totally forget the things that folks have said and done to me, yet taking stock, finding a lesson to learn from it and moving on in a healthy manner helps heaps. I chose to learn from the situations/lessons and educate others so as not to fall into the traps, and then move speedily on.  Some think that holding onto the information and truths prevents the healing process; however, directly addressing the issues head on prevents further/future confusion, allows a space to look at and try to develop a feasible solution for the issue.  I’m just sayin… problems can build just like trash if not taken out and I’m not playin, and it can stink!

I’m not saying carrying a demented fake smile on your face is all good, even when you’re dying but it helps a lot to look on the brighter side of things, be positive about everything, have some humor if you can and laugh some things off.  We can only control what we can control.  On the other hand, we are more powerful than we believe we are and have lots of power as mortal, moral beings with free will. Not everyone is moral ya know but everyone has a chance to lead an honest life if they’d like and positively influence the world around them.

Steer Clear From Blaming

Right now the state Lotto is hitting and I am not playing it however I’m not mad.  I chose not to spend money I don’t have on a lottery ticket although I would like to.  If someone who was just in front of me in line at a gas station wins, will I be mad? No!  Will I blame myself for not buying that ticket? No, because it was not my plan to and if I did happen to buy a lotto ticket, before the moment of purchase, I accepted that my ticket might not be the winning one.  How can we blame ourselves so badly when life events and circumstances happen?

 We believed that if we would have gone this way instead of that way, said this instead of that, or stayed out of the fray altogether that we would have been better off.  This is not always the case, as in we are not necessarily victims of anything or anyone, especially victim of a naughty car that just decided to die without prior warning.  Some people and situations are like that, “POW,” without warning and it is within these moments that we discover how strong, super, and resourceful we can actually be.  In some cases we also find out how much others suck but hey, we can’t hold folks to our high or… hehe low standards no matter what they promise or no matter what we have done for them.

Forgiveness, Realization and Moving On

Letting go is not an easy thing no matter what way you look at it.  It can be letting go of a friendship, relationship, a job that you feel has run its course or the act of forgiveness, which I admit to you guys has one of my most difficult.  Forgiveness shmorgiveness, shoot… “how about they can forget and forgive after my fist connects to their chin!” is how I often feel but letting it go with a big Fuck You (inside of my head, not telling them,) is a lot easier. My mother says “Bless You.”  Realizing that some just lack the intellect, couth, common sense or empathy can suck too but knowing that can help a lot and properly realizing what kind of individual that person is can be half the battle.

This does not mean that you should begin to hate the person or develop super bitter feelings, just remember, that that person is “Fucked up,” and don’t forget!  This does not mean that you cannot love the person either.  By realizing our place in the relationship and taking power to change that situation, we often begin to feel automatically relieved, as well as often find that by removing ourselves from the harmful or unhealthy situation, that things begin to move in a positive direction right away!  Sometimes the only barrier to our growth is ourselves via lack of vision, the repeating of harmful patterns and an inability to forgive another.
 
Sometimes we find that loving someone from a distance is the healthiest thing for us, as well as for them as both can concentrate on what they need to do for self-fulfillment and healthy personal growth.  If you can take the analogy of a plant, a plant grows best when the soil is healthy and the roots have room to grow.  That’s exactly what we have to do constantly, make room for our roots to grow. Now for a poem…

Broken shards of bone once again find the familiar lines they once were whole in

While we heal from the non-physical

Searching for remedies in heart and soul to once again make us feel whole

We instead find others in pain needing also to be consoled

Realizing that pain is relative and what I’ve got ain’t nothing compared to that Shit but still…

We open arms, ears, lock glowing eyes and listen to others with stories that might stop a heart

Giving advice or just listening we become the counselor, the brother, the friend they needed or

Might not ever had

Rejoicing in laughter at common folly’s as we all hunger to smile and live happy

Growing wiser while learning from past mistakes we take time… to explain the pain and offer hope…

So that others might smile easier, move forward with their dreams or even just cope

Becoming more human and less machine we offer realness spilled upon minds and hearts

Like lean in a double cup and more potent than the best strain in the fattest blunt

Reaching to help others smother the fires that desire happiness 

As we accidentally become that cool refreshing water they crave and

We too learn to be Ice Cubes and have Good Days without complaints or even AKs

Sending us back to a place called Community where this thing called Love was somehow ingrained

For we only have time for progress and happiness but now

We no longer have time for pain

No Time for Pain!

7-6-2018

The Update: In Spite Of

   

        I could never be a politician, at least not in a perverted, unjust system.  What I can do is relate to you a means within reason or many ideas befitting mankind under any sun or season.  As I am a conduit, a reminder, poet, philosopher, friend, healer and sage to many who know the truths in what I say as well as what I do.  I do not profess to be any different than I am, for I’m just a man, a dude that likes to write with ideas and dreams.  I write to simply encourage others to think and continue learning, to give hope, to remind those that might have forgotten to dare the impossible, to dream where others considered hope intangible or perhaps lost and above all to encourage others to live without judgment, without fear. I know that things we fail to understand happen around us constantly and I know firsthand that amazing, I mean incredible moments, in life and within people exist. Yeah I believe in miracles and shit… and yeah I cuss sometimes.

        For many reasons I could be dead to the world, even without breath yet for some stroke of reasons we cannot comprehend I’m here to continue to pimp this pen and write like a lunatic. The picture above was from last October where I was in an induced coma due to so many surgeries and a hospital visit that lasted a grueling month of my time.  Since then I have healed much and have done like I said in one of my poems and posts and have succeed to "Write Until My Pen Drips Dry," well I've done it twice.

   

 I’m not perfect and I have vices, problems like anyone else. For instance, without migraine meds because my new neurologist is trippin, at this moment I had to stop writing because I was feeling really nauseous. I’m forced to make some oatmeal when what a brotha really wanted was fish N grits, or some eggs, sausage n shit.

        I’m thankful for just having oats and as a self taught chef I’m thankful I can put a little spank on it and season it with fresh ground cinnamon, honey and perhaps a bit of honey-roasted peanut butter squeezed from the machine. Usually I’d toast some pecans or pumpkin seeds and put it in the mix “hamma, they put me in the mix,” but, but my stomach doesn’t have time for that. No time or circumstance granted where I can truly relax. Learning to properly walk is another task in itself, for I'm glad that although with cane at times, that I can.

         I’d like to do some cool things like be a motivational speaker and even interview Mc. Hammer about setbacks, triumphs and an in-depth view about what success means to him but for now, enjoy reading from this guy, a little controversy, conspiracy and of course hope which can go a long way.  Hey, where I’m from, we learned to stretch out what was given to make it last, whatever it was. I’ve continued to write without a computer, using this phone and have re-starting some projects that were once already written and ready for the printing presses. I encourage everyone to show love where love is shown and to try their best in spite of the stresses. So let’s not neglect those that mean something to you, even share a story poem or two and let’s pray or hope for abundance and make it last. Here’s a thot, I mean a poetic thought for those that like poetry.  A little background on me, I started poetry from rapping on the corner of Michigan and Fordham in my hometown the of East Palo Alto. I like to pun, I like to have fun and I promised all of y'all I’d write about Love or at least something more upbeat than our current state of things.

Persistence lacks anything resembling lazy

As distortion clouds minds and substance

Through circumstance and time

We have learned to live with judgment

We make a way within our means

As teams of opposition creep

Demons interpretation of what we can

Forces us to stand upon weakened limbs

As life we are taught to take unapologetically

So we find many survive on lies and while

We constantly seek light knowing

Believing things could be different only if

Chance were clear on surface and

Purpose is seen in the stare from innocent eyes

We confide in few and through it all

Especially in hard times, we ride

Becoming sharks we, circle smelling blood

Taught harsh realities that there is few love But…

Remember love does exist in the damnest of places

As roses rise from concrete as Pac says and

In my hood it’s dandelions spreading seeds

Although we call them weeds instead

As minds grow stronger with muscle stretched

Those that mean something don’t feel neglect

Our intellect increased with paper earned

Realize having compassion is never going soft, merely showing concern

Thus we gain respect and ankles once shaky

Become flexed, stronger and nimble

Faith is the substance that sticks to ribs

As fear overcomes many like tides and floods

As if It Were That Simple

Blame The Black Guy 101: A Crash Course

"They tell us we are all citizens, that we were born in this country. Well a cat can have kittens in the oven, but that doesn't make them bisquits."
              -Al Hajj Malik El Shabazz aka                                            Malcolm X.

        Politics for me has been quite easy to understand for one stark as well as sad reason. As a Black man, I was born into politics, bred and bled into the sad political atmosphere we all know to exist today.              
        From the moment we are born into this country and given a social security number, all Americans, not just Black Americans are considered a "Unit of Production." For my political education I was given a boost from my community as well as family to survive any political irelevalance or as I say political incorrectness I might face against me. For this reason as well as others found in the history of oppression and togetherness, I hold the idea of Community and Family that much more dear.
        This is simple blog about what it's like to be a Black guy, any more dissection of the facts might prove too difficult for understanding, although factual, or perhaps too difficult for some to digest.
        From birth my education exceeded and superseded any following messages that were thrown at me, for one, I was taught that Black is Beautiful from the git and my father tells me of two times I was affected. My first preschool, where the teachers punished me and we're mad that I could count very far, yet did not know the concept of zero, I remember well. My mother ran a daycare before she chose to leave at age 4 1/2, and I learned reading and arithmetic early. Yet that one day in preschool it escaped me. I remember my first school crush was a White girl with reddish blonde hair named Magan however I didn't know until a teenager that I had asked my father what a Nigger was, for I was called one multiple times and that was the reason he removed me from Palo Verde in Palo Alto and enrolled me in the Schule, a great Afrocentric approach to education.
   
        The second time I had an issue with what we know today, taught as "Race relations," was when a young friend of mine, a little girl, as Black as any I've seen told me that she was not African. I had a serious issue with this at age six, as I knew all people of the diaspora coming from the continent in slave ships are indeed African, a blanket term used to identify a people whose region of ancestry, culture and language was not apparent, in the Black American's case, raped, stripped and whipped out of. Not to mention the millions that did not make the cross-Atlantic journey of tears with sharks trailing ships. Note: sharks still follow large ships til this day, as the atrocities were so herrendous, we, the Black People are embedded in their DNA.
     
        My folks Justin Hunt aka JustBlack from the San Diego based rap group Boon League and fellow academic from Spring Valley Middle school relates his experience as "the only black kid in the class" in a recent post, as he tells the readers, pleads with them not to respond with the escapist yet supposedly inclusive jargon of All Lives Matter.  The fact that he has to ask many to try to have more understanding and compassion while he relays his experience of racism in school is a learning lesson in itself, a reality which expresses our sad political state, which I have coined "The Saddest Political Satire," yet I know of other peoples as well that have experienced extreme injustice, violence and death, many still, just for the simple right to exist. Ours however, the Black struggle is one that affects all of humanity, as we were chosen to be one of the key ingredients in our good ol' American Apple Pie, yet we are in no way American, in fact, we are more, more than any definition placed upon us!
     
        In my upcoming book "The Key to Seasoning Life," written for young Black Men as well as anyone else that wants to revisit how to be the right 🌟 Shining Star of the Party, Job place or Institution, I will address in-depth these ways that we all can achieve to be the ultimate key ingredient for personal fulfillment and success. Now back to the subject at heavy hand. How is one to present themselves with opposition and prejudice? Kaepernick learned the hard way, yet he chose an honest route while uplifting the community around him.
     

  

        The church I am taught was used as a tool of of oppression for blacks, to, "get them back in line," and "remind them of their place," as slaves and servants of an elitist racist society however my experience with an institution which is supposed to teach "Brotherly Love," as Christ himself teaches us was non-existent. As a young historian, I've added some of the earliest dipictions of Jesus Christ, the one that teaches forgiveness and to turn the other cheek. Natually I have learned forgiveness yet a man with my sharp memory can never forget!  I was 9 when my mother forced me to go to church, something she once, as a former practicing Buddhist, told me I did not have to do.  I once received Gojikai and was a young Buddhist at one point, visiting a Large Beautiful temple with monks, and as the congregation from a Buddhist breakoff church called NSA, my leadership qualities were observed and used, as they wanted to teach an 8 year old a song to encourage the younger kids to "receive Gojikai" and something called Shakabuku. I was a skeptic, to everything and everyone, wanting to know why they were praying to a box with Japanese words which no one knew the translations for or questioned themselves.
        With my name alone Sekou Black, I became the head as well as the butt of many jokes in and out of school, yet when asked what my name meant, I would proudly look them in the eye with a serious stare telling them "Wise Leader," so when I was forced I mean indoctrinated into Christianity, I was solid enough to grasp what Jesus Christ meant and my knowledge of the Black struggle helped me understand the Sacrifice portion of the teachings at Mt. Erie, the church my step dad at the time went to. This marriage and what entailed with exorcisms in the household and other madness, which is hard for many to comprehend is another story.  I have found sanctuary in nature as well as the power of prayer, for I would not be here without it.
     
         I was with my best friend Josh at the time when I fully encompassed and tried to accept the White church with White idea of Jesus, as I understood the base of it the megachurch at Faith Chapel in Spring Valley, yet was surprised when the institution based on "Brotherly Love," kicked me out for throwing a basketball at the hoop, after an asshole by the name of Tom, blew his whistle at a faith youth group Bible study. This was not my first experience of "Blame The Black Guy," as I learned, also with Josh at Bonita Valley Christian, how this type of blaming was normal, as I was kicked out of the youth group there and told not to return for allegedly "lieing," about winning a game, where we were tasked with carrying an egg on a spoon while the spoon was in our mouths across a grassy section of the church yard. I won yet one student, a white student, as there were few Black kids there, insisted that I cheated. Did Uncle William or other church members come to my defense? No, as it was a social status thing, and the same bullshit pastor did not show up to deliver the eulogy at Josh's mothers funeral, as I was pall bearer in the place of the Men, relatives that were either too weak or not man enough to assist with the task.

        I can recall, as I was coming into my manhood and had my Cutlass Supreme at the time, the way in which I was kicked out of my friend Max's house, as his mother, Debbie whom I now lovingly call Aunt Debbie, used to blame me for things he as well as his other roommate, a "Sharp," skinhead, not to be confused with the neo Nazi assholes, would eat food not belonging to them. Awakened at the time with Debbie's classic and very funny scream of "Son-of-a-Bitch," I was blamed and asked to leave, only to find sanctuary with Josh, a guy forced to take care of his racist sister since teenager, since his father left them after his mother's death for New York. For starters I was just thankful that I had somewhere to go both times. All people mentioned in this are better and very different people, as growth happens at any age when a mind reaches realizations and heart is allowed open. I was only 20 at the time yet a young leader in the place where I worked, landing me tv spots and news reports from the programs I started to help At-Promise, as I like to say instead of at-risk homeless youth at SDYS, as I was promoted to Core Outreach  Worker, helped design a curriculum to teach HIV/STI awareness and was known in the streets and San Diego community for my methods and persistence for helping those in need.
     
        At this time in my life it was hard for them to point fingers and I quote "Blame The Black Guy," as I was making their institution look good, yet understood how important it was to be the "token" of success, as my friend Max explains it, I was the "Well Spoken Black Guy, as his uncle told me." Today I face other challenges, as without being told directly, it is my fault for being in a tragic accident and having to deal with messed up realities with current disabilities, as my father is at the end of the line and wants me out soon so he can enjoy his life, something which as an adult I can understand. Like a child not asked to be born into this world yet having to wake up everyday to harsh realities, I didn't ask for any of this, yet fully man enough to understand and take it all in stride, as I have everything else.  I thank my community in East Palo Alto, my large extended family as well as those who share similar blood for who and what I have become today. I thank my wife to be for for her help and encouragement everyday,  for her recent experiences have had a harshness as well. Who knows where we'll be in the next few weeks, yet if interested, tag along, sing a song, have an ice cold drink or some type and enjoy the ride...
     

  Babies coo in recognition of love received

As grown men get no reprieve

Where is Lady Justice?

Where found it is just us that we need

In strange lands filled with hope

False senses of progression

Where agression and injustice is all well

Where the coldness of hearts can be felt

Screams from innocent 

Bounce off of walls in blood-curdling yells

Ancestors from all sides weep, turning

As caskets grow moist from dead tears

First Nations know tears as we trail also

On paths knowing no fear

Choked by ropes we once braided

Words in slave songs do not sound elated

Playing the part for masterful role

 The sick art of greed and control
As we, people also desperately hold onto Hope

While young bronze children firsthand

Learn the sad list of demands and grow

Stronger with testament 

The true weight of the precious soul

Hands clap with hope which once knew neglect

For the moment innocence left

Was the moment they choose to acknowledge the disrespects

Clarity, Gifts & Dreams: A Quest for Sharp mind & Sharp Everything

     Usually it's not me to let time go by, important dates to pass without saying something pungent. Oftentimes it's a political or inspirational post. I let Malcolm X's Birthday go by without saying a thing.  I was stirred to post something about the recent hangings and disembodied black men in Mississippi and other things but life has me by the horns. I used to write to help inspire others, to give hope where hope is often lost or forgotten yet I think this is my last post here since no one reads it or comments.  I guess writing for self is as good as it gets, a way to vent frustrations, to tell myself "Alright then... Shut the fuck up now!" But we all need someone that listens. 

As I prepare my inkstone to write with many of my fountain pens, I reflect.  With my bank account at minus $1 and no food to eat, since I'm newly disabled all over again and have no food in the fridge, I know other than planning for greatness I must plan for a retreat.  My fiancé has moved in to help me out and one of my worst fears is not being able to provide for her and keep her happy while trying to be a father... But time is up and Pops wants his house back. A little computer work here and there barely works to pick up slack. Job search for both of us is difficult with super slow internet, an Obama phone and an ungrateful nine year old disrespecting and saying all of the wrong things.  I think I recently put fear into him by "tellin it like it is," the best approach for folks that refuse to see reality and be "woke!" He doesn't understand many things, as he chooses to shield himself from a reality of harshness. He loves that his hat matches one of mine.

     I decided to take him on a trip to my hometown of East Palo Alto, where we were supposed to celebrate Mama Nobontu's 70th Birthday but instead ended up "on the block," waiting for promised gas money from a friend I let lend some.  This was not a happy day for me but made the best of it, visiting with local friends and youth I used to mentor.  I can't stand going on a mission for nothing, especially in my position with all of these real life circumstances.  We were hungry this day, we planned on eating at the Birthday party, ended up making him food late when we got home.

     No poems fresh to post this time yet I've always got dreams and hopes.  On a positive note I've organized some writings and future books of mine to work on.  I'm applying for jobs although I'm seeking disability and I remain focused on finding "A Better Way," I mean, I must remain diligent and I must keep this everlasting fuel called Faith.  With a strong spirit and sharp mind I stay determined! 

A Blog Forgotten

Take this smile and know, that somewhere...
there was some parent beating back harsh winds and praying back forces we can't see with our naked eye, for all of the battles that they themselves knew they only had strength to endure and tomorrow they only held hope, yet no cure for the ugliness they knew was soon to come.

I'm the type of guy that would never let a controversial holiday go like May 19th Malcolm X's Birthday, Memorial Day or day without some sort of uplifting, muck-stirring, or heart-wrenching post about life well, my own has had it's share of ups and downs and my focus has not been in social media or the media. Now as the winds howl shaking the last fledglings from their nests and our loved ones are comfortably in their beds drifting hopefully into a well deserved rest, I think of so much as seasons pass.  I drive pass old stomping grounds like Coyote Point, see friends from high school and my old street in East Palo Alto and begin to see how much things change yet stay the same.

I think about the slaves, my educated parents in their old age and all the dieing bees I see at the beach on the shore at the end of their life's journey. I think of the first nations, the Native Americans, broken promises, my ancestors. I think of my own responsibility of protecting my son and the things and people that have pass and come. I think of my short comings as well and the ways I've been experiencing heaven as well as been living in Hell. All of us experience many Unspoken Battles, however within we see and begin to know many Triumphs as we seek and are also offered solutions, given Victory and begin to carry with us the Hope Which Prevails.

I watch old flames die out as new ones re-kindle and start a blaze such as Louie, Jelly Brooke and their new bundle of joy as they both got recently married and decided to start a family together.  With difficulty comes breakthroughs yet with heartache I've witnessed love and birth with friends Michael Boris and lady Natalie as they just had a beautiful baby Summer Rose. I see a post about my friend Leon about his son passing which tears my heart, I can't even imagine what he's going through. All I can do is pray and offer help. My friend Jabari calls me a few weeks later telling me his lady is in labor. When the time is right I offer to swing by although an hour away or so drive to at least see the child.  Today I see a post that Mr. Gurley, a respected elder and minister in the community has passed. He was a very loved man and very kind to everyone that came by his home that was respectful. I appreciate him and he raised his children, my friends quite well.  There are two weddings coming up, which unfortunately I cannot make.  Good news is a friend's son who was in a terrible accident like I said was in is home now and is doing great. The power of prayer people! I just found out my childhood friend Antwon and his wife just had a healthy baby girl on Memorial Day so a big congratulations to them as well.  We must create the conditions wherever we see fit, no matter the weather and strive towards excellence and for those priceless smiles.

Some days we are called to do more than what other days require. Sometimes we don't know what that is or what exactly we are capable of yet we do it, we rise to the occasion, stand, demand, meet and conquer the challenge with an unknown courage and with a strength within that we sometimes question the source.
Many things remain uncertain for us still however, if there is chance that tomorrow you are granted opportunity to rise to greet the sun... or the clouds and cough loud the n do so and be a little bit proud for the battles you've won. Just sayin!

Shifting weather patterns confuse men
Like women whose ways stay mystery
Although we create what we overly consume
What words have already been written
As paths have already been chosen and
Words that have already been dangerously spoken
While we wait no more for hearts to feel pure or mouths to be fed we
Wait no more freedom to come or for cozy bed we
Struggle til hustle becomes us completely
Love til understanding engulfs our meaning deeply we
Have got no choice left but to salvage for us in savage storms so
I open my arms when the clouds come
When the wind blows wild my heart races to catch up and
Rain is the welcoming of a new beginning
As summer comes to a Spring ending
Death sheds it's shroud softly as wedding bells ring in new destinies and
We some of us are left still with struggle yet
Nothing close to heavenly
We are told we will rise above, tougher than nails
When rains still make ground fertile
Battles are fought yet we are left with
The Hope Which Prevails

Congratulations on being a new father also Stoner Sowell!