Throwback Thursday!

         Back In the Day

 

 

           One of the things that I miss about my childhood is the consistency. Back then we didn't have to worry about having time to hang out, it was routine. Our parents didn't have to kick us out the house, we often begged to go. There was no worrying about getting in shape, we ran around from sun up to sun down. There was a new adventure each and every day. Everybody stayed outside as late as we could and woke up as early as possible, just to get out the crib and continue the fun. The summers were epic all the time compared to now. We rode bikes like it was a sport. There was no urge to seek adventure because it always showed up unannounced. I can't believe we were all in a rush to grow up, this adult thing sucks. Some days I sit and wish I was a kid again!!!

Sipping lean and popping bars; Unhealthy trends

 

What's up with these young people who feel like it's cool and trendy to basically become dope fiends? The past couple of months I have been thinking about the glorification of drug use and abuse. I recently volunteered to coach in a youth basketball league and one of my players added me on Facebook. The first thing that I see when I view his page was a red cup full of lean (cough syrup/sprite). These kids are now following trends that says its cool to take prescription pills and drink lean to get high. We've all seen the health risks that these poor choices present, a few entertainers have lost their lives as a result. I'm from the hood so I know how easy it is to get almost any drug, but how has it become a recreational phenomena? Are the rappers/entertainers responsible? I will say that they play a part in the glorification of certain trends, some good, some bad. I know that its getting out of hand and I hate to see the youth led down this destructive path. Let me know what you think about this subject. Can we blame it on the music? Should rappers be held accountable for their influence (persuasion) of drug abuse amongst the youth? Does this issue fall solely on the individual or their parents? What can be done to reverse these trends?

I Know God got a plan for me!!!

I often hear people speak of God having a plan for their lives. It's a common theme with religious folks. I think that they are absolutely correct with their statement. One thing I want to address is how many of us have our own plans. We can't continue to delegate the tasks that we're destined for to other people. Personally I've set goals for myself but I've never fully committed to actually see them thru. I refuse to sit around and blame my short comings on God's timing, or anyone else. This is completely my fault. Turning 27 last week has truly been an awakening experience for me. I now more than ever want to live the way that I'm supposed to live, walking in my purpose. I understand that a half-hearted effort won't get me there. I'm up for the task and my goal is to inspire someone else to do the same. It's time to stop making excuses, stop blaming life's circumstances. Where you're from doesn't matter, it's time to step up. Set weekly and even daily goals to get where you want to be. Forget about yesterday, tomorrow will take care of itself all we have is the present moment!!!

Happiness

This past weekend I attended the Detroit River Days Festival and I had a really good time. I initially went to support my little sister, she's in the choir at Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences. After their performance wowed the crowd, I decided to stay and enjoy the other acts. I was very delighted to see Chante Moore perform, as well as the legendary Gladys Knight. I had the most fun that I've experienced in a while. I decided to go back to the festival on Sunday. I'm glad I went back, I got to see Dave Hollister, Jagged Edge and Bell Biv Devoe perform. Opening for them was a talented Detroit artist, Shay Lewis. She did a wonderful job entertaining the crowd, before one of her songs she asked the audience members a few questions.  1: Do you have  have dreams? 2: Are you living out those dreams? 3: Are you HAPPY? Those questions are the basis of this discussion. I thought to myself as she asked these things, I found myself in the gray area. I am living out some of my dreams and there are a few more manifesting gradually but I couldn't answer yes on the part about being happy. Thinking back I can't even recall a specific time in my life where I've ever been completely happy. It always felt like the good times were few and far in between. I've always been a glass half-empty guy, which isn't very healthy. I'm learning to embrace the process and accept temporary setbacks. Every experience, "good" or "bad", is a building block on the path of life. I really wanted to release my first book ( Blame It On The Music) on June 30th, but that isn't going to happen. There's no reason to be down or sad about it. I have confidence that when I'm able to release it, it will be a major success. In this process I've learned that personal happiness is something that we all have control over. To me happiness is really about having inner peace. I will stop attaching my personal happiness with monetary and materialistic items. Just like that I am feeling a lot better about my life and dreams. I want to thank Shay Lewis for using her gift as a tool of inspiration and motivation. I hope my words will do the same for others.

Tithes Poem

   

 I can't understand how foolish people really are to give their money to these crooked churches and pastors, are we really this blind? I wrote this to all the Pastors who rob their members. In no way am I saying that all Pastors do that, hear me out!!!!

TITHES

They expect you to give all that you got 

and since "money is the root of all evil", you figure fuck it why not

Five dollars every time is really not that much

Although coming twice a week it starts to add up

But how do you expect them to put gas in the van

Begging for change can you blame the man

Spending his free time invested in youth

And he's really concerned with us knowing the "truth"

Well you see my truth, it goes in this order

When you drop me off at home, we don't even have water

And your daughter, she's concerned wanting me to get the bible verses right

But its pretty hard to recite at night when they just cut off your lights

So when you wonder why I decide to stay out at night on occasions

And you think I'm being rebellious when I reject your persuasions to go inside

it because of my pride, i'm not blaming you for our hard times

in all honesty the money wasn't mine

My father works hard for the wages he earn

It just seems like when we meet its always our turn

And its as if we always have to wait for ours in line

Our time never comes, you say its divine

Hundred fold is what you say we should expect

But really you have become our biggest threat

Now it's like a guilt trip, you know we can sew more

Its tough for you to grasp why were walking out the door

You're sure its cuz we're sinners, you've seen it all before 

Not truly recognizing that your members are mostly poor

Ten percent is all that you ask, but handing over more surely makes you glad

Aside from the fact that he might get mad, i don't really want to embarrass my dad

So when he asks whats wrong, why did my attendance cease

I told that its chaos and very little peace, plus I don't mind getting more sleep

All the taking just made me sick of it and I don't like being around hypocrites

So just recognize that I'm not disrespecting the lord

I just can't afford the fees anymore

If you ever wonder why you keep losing all your people

Don't write us off as the evil beneath you

Just recognize we could never be equal

Accountability (Taking a look in the mirror.)

 I actually got this idea after I heard Micheal Jackson's song Man In The Mirror. There comes a time in every person's life when we have to take a long look in the mirror. It's not easy at all but self-reflection must be done. Often times we let ourselves off the hook by facilitating blame on others. For as long as I can remember I've heard women with children talk down on their child's father. It was done regularly in the child's presence. Men aren't exempt either sometimes guys complain to their boys about how their baby mama ain't sh!t. One thing I realize about it now is how easy it is to speak on another person's shortcomings. It makes us sleep better at night, there couldn't possibly be anything wrong with us.We have to start holding ourselves accountable. We give others too much power over our actions. Adults shouldn't blame anyone for their mistakes and issues. I'm not saying that others don't play a role in our hardships. Sure people help make our lives miserable, but its up to us to get where we want to be in life. I've had people tell me I can't do certain things, laugh at my ideas and just completely ignore my suggestions. I'm not going to act like it didn't affect me, we all want backing and support. I recognize people who don't see greatness within themselves will lack the vision that you have for yourself. People aren't the only ones that tell us we cant do things. If we allow our surroundings to influence us, it will also show us we can't escape them. I don't like other factors having control over my mind, so if the world tells me its impossible, I still push forward. My advice is if you believe in your heart  that you're called to greatness, don't let anything or anybody stand in your way!

Introduction To Dirti Minds Blog

Dirti  Minds is basically about going against the grain. We are not concerned about being politically correct. It means speaking your mind in a creative and effective way, we're all about sharing stories from the disadvantaged person's perspective. This blog will have a wide array of subjects and content. Our mission is to empower the have-nots and motivate every reader to follow their passions.  This is for the kids who have no hope in tomorrow, it's for the underdogs and the misfits. Dirti Minds is for the people who survived the Hard Knock Life. Most importantly this is for the people who want to see positive change in our communities, change starts within.  This ain't about selling no t-shirts either, its about defying the odds. Although we  provide shirts and appaerel, we truely want to create positive change in the ghetto's acrosss the world.


"I'm tryna be somebody instead of just make money off everybody." Tupac Shakur