Honestly.....

I'll take the painful truth over a pleasant lie any day!!

(More on this to come. Sleep on that fah now!)

Peace & Ble$$ing$ (Ng)

I found the keys to Happiness & Succe$$

If we strive to do even half the things mentioned in these two pieces of writing, we'd live such an ideal life and obviously be better people. I know the happiness we would yield within would not only be perpetual but unbreakable as well. The men who wrote these pieces were most definitely enlightened. These are two of my favorite poems. Both stumbled upon at dear friends of mines houses, titles typed into my "memo pad" in my blackberry to google later, and read every few days to keep myself in check.  Other poems rarely made me think as deep as these two have. They've made me feel like I've gained some special insight or the secrets to life have been revealed to me.  The first is Desiderata by Max Ehrman and the second is titled "IF" by Rudyard Kipling.

Peace & Ble$$ing$ (Ng)

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

IF 

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
YOURS IS THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING THATS IN IT,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

Matthieu Ricard on the habits of happiness

Via one of my favorite websites. Ted.Com where intellects from various fields speak on whats important to them in 18 mins or less. Well, that's what is requested but some do go a couple mins over. Nevertheless one of the most inspiring and informative sites EVER. I'll post at least 1 good video a week.  Some are funny, some may leave you a little more perplexed then you were before and some are enlightening, but all will make you think and at least broaden your perspective.  

Peace & Ble$$ing$ (Ng)

(Matthieu and the Dalai Lama)

Ted.Com - "Sometimes called the "happiest man in the world," Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk, author and photographer.

After training in biochemistry at the Institute Pasteur, Matthieu Ricard left science behind to move to the Himalayas and become a Buddhist monk -- and to pursue happiness, both at a basic human level and as a subject of inquiry. Achieving happiness, he has come to believe, requires the same kind of effort and mind training that any other serious pursuit involves.

His deep and scientifically tinged reflections on happiness and Buddhism have turned into several books, including The Quantum and the Lotus: A Journey to the Frontiers Where Science and Buddhism Meet. At the same time, he also makes sensitive and jaw-droppingly gorgeous photographs of his beloved Tibet and the spiritual hermitage where he lives and works on humanitarian projects.

His latest book on happiness is Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill; his latest book of photographs is Tibet: An Inner Journey. "

"Matthieu Ricard, French translator and right-hand man for the Dalai Lama, has been the subject of intensive clinical tests at the University of Wisconsin, as a result of which he is frequently described as the happiest man in the world."

Robert Chalmers, The Independent

Rest In Peace Sleeping Beauty, Aiyana Jones

I just had to take the time to post this entry for a few reasons....One, because I just posted a piece on the direction of our youth & violence. Two, because I feel that it has been overlooked since the hype has died down. And Three, for those of yall who don't know, should know about Aiyana Jones.

 On May 16, 2010 7-year old Aiyana Jones was sleeping as Detroit Police proceeded with a no-knock raid. The end result, Aiyana Jones died. Now here are the details, simple format:

1. The police were looking for the suspect in the homicide of Jerean Baker.

2. The police threw a flash grenade into the apartment.

3. Aiyana Jones father, Charles Jones, rushed to the front of the apartment, attempting to help his daughter. Instead, the police wrestled him to the floor....his face was forced to lay in his daughter's blood.

4. Aiyanna Jones was burned by the grenade & shot twice by the bullet.

5. Police are asserting that there was a "scuffle" which caused the shots. (In my opinion, false)

6. 7-year old Aiyana Jones died (Shot twice & burned).

Now, some may wonder two things, why did this all start & why would they throw the grenade? As for how it all started....the death of 17-year old Jerean Baker caused the police to search in those apartments for the suspect. People are saying it the dispute between Jerean & the suspect started over  a push or shove. As for why the grenade was thrown? Well that can be attributed to the excitement of having a camera crew around the police. The popular 48 Hour show was being taped. 

Honestly, I am just saddened by the event. How can people be so cruel? Does a father's face really have to be shoved into his dying daughter's blood? Does a simple dispute  have to escalate in the death of two children? I often look around & consider those third world countries & the pics of the ailing kids....and then I think of the Great America.....a place where everything and anythings is possible, yet catasrophe's like this occur far to often. 

Rest in Peace Aiyana Jones & Jerean Baker

-Peace & Ble$$ing$ (KA)

Happy Birthday Malcolm X

May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965

Warrior. He left a legacy that few will match. His piercing intellect, revolutionary thought and fearless approach set a high standard that evoked action and passion from a countless number of people. No holiday or ceremony can really repay our debt to you-but I am forever grateful.

"We declare our right on this earth...to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary."

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole."

"Without education, you're not going anywhere in this world."

"Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today."

"Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression."

"Truth is on the side of the oppressed."  

"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."

"You don't have to be a man to fight for freedom. All you have to do is to be an intelligent human being."

"The price of freedom is death."

"Respect me, or put me to death."

"I don't mean go out and get violent; but at the same time you should never be nonviolent unless you run into some nonviolence. I'm nonviolent with those who are nonviolent with me. But when you drop that violence on me, then you've made me go insane, and I'm not responsible for what I do."

"It doesn't mean that I advocate violence, but at the same time, I am not against using violence in self-defense. I don't call it violence when it's self-defense, I call it intelligence."  

"I don't favor violence. If we could bring about recognition and respect of our people by peaceful means, well and good. Everybody would like to reach his objectives peacefully. But I'm also a realist. The only people in this country who are asked to be nonviolent are black people."

Peace &  Ble$$ing$ (Ng)

Statement of Gratitude

Gratitude- Letting others know you see how they've helped you 

 
I once had an assignment which required me to write a "statement of gratitude".  It's basically a statement of acknowledgment expressing your appreciation.  We were suppose to go beyond the obvious and dig deep and find what intrinsic values it were that we appreciated so much. I enjoyed the assignment because it did bring to surface those things I appreciated most about those that I love and it's not everyday we truly recognize and give thanks for them. Here's mine so maybe today you can also think about what it is you genuinely appreciate about the ones in your life-even if your not feelin 'em right now loll

From my mother, the strength of an unyielding faith, and the power of love unconditional.

From my father, the resilience in times of adversity, the beauty of laughter and joy and the knowledge of wellness that pure happiness creates.

From my brother, the benevolence towards all God’s creatures, the necessity and display of trust he shares with me and in mankind.

From my sisters, companionship like no other.

From my lover, a fire lit from a burning desire, passion in its most intense form and the ability to love with reckless abandon and confide with no reservations.

From my friends, support, and proof that I am not alone. A connection that proves to me that we, the citizens of this earth, are all one.

From my God, a beautiful view.

Peace & Ble$$ing$ (Ng)

A Prayer for our Youth

Just the other day I was in deep thought about the direction of our youth. I spend a significant amount of time on the train in New York and just observe the way they dress, act, and speak. It seems as if they are in a hurry to grow up. I remember at one point and time, I was too, however, I couldn't help but to feel that there was certain difference...between our youth today and the youth of just 5 years ago. Its as if they care less and less about their academics & well being, and more about what is the latest gossip & who is wearing the hottest label. Like, what happened to being able to do your homework, going to the ball game to kick it with friends, and making it home for curfew & having a few words with our mothers after their long days at work. Its like they zoom right past it all, until its too late.

This morning, I ran across this article @ Global Grind entitled " He Has a Name..." and the details of this tragedy just broke my heart. What made it all the more heart-wrenching were the circumstances behind it...they were at a birthday party for a one year old....they were standing up to a gunman....and it was Mother's Day.

It was just last week I had the opportunity of hearing Harry Belafonte speak at Voices 6. I was in complete awe. I mean, there I was listening to Harry Belafonte speak on the need for strong communities to help shape our world, and most importantly, our youth. He was a Harlem man who had overcame extreme adversity, and still found it a priority, at 83 years old, to still go back and speak to the Communities. He continued to say that it is too often that we forget to reach back and help those who have helped us.

There's the irony, a few days after this phenomenal event, a tragedy as this hit "OUR" community. It is far too often, and still nobody does anything to change it. It seems his words fell short of the ears that needed to hear it most. I wonder & pray for the direction our youth is headed in.

Peace & Ble$$ing$ (KA)