Your Dog Looks To You

When dogs relieve themselves during their walks around the neighborhood, that makes them vulnerable, so they look to their owner(s) for protection. I didn’t get it at first, but I do now.🥺No wonder my dog follows me into the bathroom when I’m doing my business. 

Good Times vs. Cosby Show

Good Times will be better than Cosby Show for one reason: Good Times dealt with real issues, whereas Cosby Show showed educated parents raising their kids in a good environment. Both shows did a good job of showing a strong family unit: James Evans was old-school, did what it took to provide for & protect his family. Cliff was more laid-back, although if it came to it, Cliff would have no problem going to war for his family.

What Is True Worship?

True worship should flow freely from the mind, through our hearts and out of our mouths. When all 3 are in sync, we will see the evidence of signs, miracles & wonders. 

Accounting: Toxic Generation

We are a toxic generation that doesn’t know how to build healthy relationships. We end up throwing lines like “I don’t owe anyone anything”. You do owe people something, you owe those you offended an apology. You owe those who gave you support gratitude. And you owe those you disrespect, respect.

Accounting is a personal act of integrity and moral principles over what the trends and society say. 

We will forever live in a broken society, until we learn to account for our actions that impact other people’s lives negatively. 

PSA: No Political Party Is Better Than Another

Democrats think they’re better than Republicans, Republicans think they’re better than Democrats, when the fact is: BOTH are trash to a degree. Independents are no better because even though they have no affiliation, I’m sure they have their fair share of 🗑. 

Biblical Thoughts

Humbling yourself before God consist of admitting that you are NOT always operating in divine authority but that you’re simply walking your life out in good faith. 

We could set so many folks free if… 

Following Christ’s direction will ensure we get where he wants us to go, not where we want to be.

Companies Losing Revenue?

If someone pays off their student loan, mortgage, credit card, or any other major bill, it’s a loss to the company? Miss me with that foolishness. Someone reaching debt freedom won’t be much of a loss to corporations because of recurring payments from other customers. People have bought into the lie that it’s bad to be debt free, and companies are no better because sometimes, they refuse to process a client’s final payment because they don’t want to lose revenue from that customer.

Keep It Real

Humbling yourself before God consist of admitting that you are NOT always operating in divine authority but that you’re simply walking your life out in good faith. 

We could set so many folks free if… 

Ministry: Big Congregation vs. Messed Up Family

I’ll also add: Some ministers don’t want big congregations; some are content with the few hundred members they have, which allows for them to really get to know their members. Many preachers lose sight of that, and it’s not their fault. Ministry is commercialized: Who has the largest congregation. The bigger the congregation, the more tithes & offerings. Prosperity gospel has its place & I support that, but a minister can’t claim a successful ministry if their home is in disarray.

Humility Among Christian Leaders

I’m not sure.

I don’t know.

I missed God. 

These seem to be the hardest phrases for Christian Leaders to actually say. Yet, it would be so powerful if they did. 

Roe V. Wade

The outcome of this case can shape America’s future for years to come. Will the Supreme Court make the right decision? I pray they do, otherwise God wouldn’t have brought this case to the forefront.

2 For 1

 

Today’s Gospel: Blessed In Silence

Many people can avoid jealousy from others if they keep their blessing(s) on the low. The reason is that starving people don’t want to see others full. No matter how blessed I get, I will always keep my blessing(s) on the low because I don’t have time for jealous clowns. I do the work to get blessed, and here comes the hate…😒

 

Genesis 6:6

I can’t blame God for feeling this way. If only he knew…, but being the sovereign God that he is, he had a Plan B by sending his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sin(s). That’s one of the pitfalls of free will, some people use their freedom to do wrong, and some use their freedom for good. The problem is that the good suffers with the bad, which isn’t right. If I was the Lord, I’m wiping everyone off the map and starting over, just saying.🤷🏾‍♂️

 

McMichaels & Bryant: Guilty

 

The lead prosecutor Linda Dunikoski was a pitbull throughout this case. She had receipts, so there was no way Travis McMichael could lie. She had video footage, and used Travis’ testimony against him. I’m happy for the family that they can finally get closure.

Ahmaud Arbery verdict

 #JusticeForAhmaudArbery Travis McMichael feared for his & his dad’s life, but it was 3-on-1, and had a shotgun. Make It Make Sense😑.

I’m telling y’all right now…If the McMichaels and Bryant walk, all hell will break loose in this country.

The above ☝️ posts sum up my thoughts about the Ahmaud Arbery trial, but know that if the McMichaels and Bryant walk…we really haven’t come as far as we think.

Pet Ownership: If I was rich…

Ever since I’ve owned my dog, I’ve become more concerned about pet welfare. I’ve despised those who mistreat loving pets more & more. In my eyes, mistreatment goes far beyond neglect & physical abuse, but it includes surrendering your pets for stupid reasons like: having a baby, moving, not wanting to care for it anymore, and so on. With that said:

 

Question: Post-Verdict

Repost from Nikki Brooks:

“ QUESTION::::

What say ye about the verdict Nick? What’s the Solution?  Do we March, vote?  What’s next?  You’re an advocate - what do you think?

NIKKI’S ANSWER: 

We’ve marched for decades.  This isn’t on us to fix because if we could fix this it would be repaired already.

1. Self Preserve.

Do what’s necessary always to get retrieve and solace from the stress of living as a minority.  Take your PTO.  Protect your kids.  Do what you have to do.

2. Master the Game.

Take off your blinders and teach your children that their color is seen and that the best defense is understanding the ways of supremacy and how to protect yourself from it - how to navigate it in the way that’s best for them.  There is no one size fits all. 

3. No Performative Hope.

I’m not Jesus and my name ain’t Holy Ghost, Junior.  Don’t participate in the theatrics to absolve folks guilt.  Make them go to GOD in prayer and find peace like everybody else. 

So when asked simply say “No comment.”

Besides. The change isn’t on the victims it’s on those who uphold the systems and benefit from them.

4.  Understand the end game.

Make no mistake.  This is intended to solidify a precedent - to try and kill the imaginary “race card.”

Stormfront and The Proud Boys and Patriots have been in formation.  

Anyways. That’s my answer.  What’s yours?”

This is not blacks’ fight. I respect what our black leaders have accomplished on our behalf, but this is not our fight. Blacks have marched, protested, prayed, and for what? We’re still struggling for basic human rights & that’s shameful. Blacks were brought over as slaves & forced to work ourselves to death, and folks have the nerve to say we’ve come so far as a country? Oh really? If you still call fighting for equality progress, then we really have gone backwards. Ahmaud Arbery, Kyle Rittenhouse, etc. I see why Critical Race Theory is a hot topic, because it’s exposing the sin of white supremacy. White children will be forced to feel shame for the sins of their ancestors. White parents are upset that their children will learn about rocks being thrown at Ruby Bridges for going to school with other white kids. White supremacy was created by whites, so it’s THEIR responsibility to fix it.

Rapper Young Dolph Murdered In Memphis

Memphis rapper Young Dolph was murdered in S. Memphis yesterday as he left Makeda’s Cookies. He was known in Memphis for giving back to his community. Every year he did a Thanksgiving drive in his old hood, and folks from that same community took him out. I don’t know the details that led to his death, but it’s said he had conflict with a couple other Memphis rappers, so maybe one of the other rappers’ associates had something to do with Dolph’s murder, who knows?🤷🏾‍♂️. All I know is this jealousy has to stop. There’s enough success out there for everyone, so why hate on someone that’s shining? You don’t know what they went through to make it. I’ll repost a post from a FB friend that sheds light on human nature:

Repost from John King Johnson:

“Dolph Opinions:

1. "Hunger, envy and lust, will make any man become a killer." Don't know who said it, but I feel it applies.

2. One of the OG ELs told me "Don't no starving people want to see you full,fat, and iced out in their face everyday. Eventually they going to take it from you or change your plane to get it." 

3. It's a shame, Dolph just wanted to help Memphis. But we live in an era where niggas will literally take your life for looking too successful in their presence. They won't even rob you. They just will stop your existence. 

4. Pay attention to Louisiana rappers that are successful: Master P, Baby, Wayne, Boosie,Kevin Gates... None of them live in their home state. For a reason.”

#3 confirms this whole post. Folks are too lazy to put in work to be successful, but they want to hate so bad on a blessed man that they’re willing to erase him off the earth. So you kill someone because you’re jealous of their success, then what? You go to jail for life, or you may be killed yourself because you don’t know what circles that person runs in. 

#4 is sad, but true. If there’s anywhere you should get more support, it should be your home state/city. At the same time, you get more hate from your hometown because of the people you came up with in the same hood. You were blessed to make it out of the ghetto, and some people are stuck there & they’re mad, so they kill you thinking it’s going to make them feel better about themselves. 

Young Dolph was a father, husband, son & friend to all who knew him. He will be missed by those who loved him.

Your Dog Is Bigger Than You

No rottweiler should be bigger than a grown man. I see these dudes with 150-160 lb rotts and that can’t be good for the dog’s health. A normal sized rott should be at least 100-120 lbs (female & male). 

Today’s Thought: Hurry Up

 It doesn’t take 2 days to figure out whether Kyle Rittenhouse is guilty.😒The judge and jury is dragging this trial out just to give Kyle a reason to walk.

Kyle Rittenhouse Is Guilty

That’s how I feel. Rittenhouse is guilty, period. The jury is dragging this out hoping they can get Rittenhouse off. 

Ministry

 We are called to not minister to the righteous, but rather to those who are lost and in need of forgiveness.

Question Of The Day

 Repost from FB friend Michael ShoNuff Glenn:

The Baby Daddy Don't want to help the baby mother with child support/daycare fees help physically or financially in any way at all with the child,would she be wrong for cutting him off from seeing his child?

My answer: No. She gave him a chance to be in his child’s life and he chose not to, so he needs to deal with the consequences. Sad to say, but some men wouldn’t have a problem putting all the work on the mother because a lot of men are lazy. He had no problem laying down with her, but she’s not good enough to raise his children with…miss me with that idiot logic. Any man can “see” their child, but a good father would be involved in their kid’s life without having to be asked. I’m built different because I’m moving heaven & earth to make sure my kid(s) is straight. I respect all the good fathers who do whatever it takes to make sure their child(ren) is straight. For those deadbeats who make no effort to be in their child(ren)’s lives, you don’t deserve to see your kid(s). They’re not going to know you. What could you show them that they haven’t already learned?

Critical Race Theory

 Disclaimer: I’ll write in-depth about CRT at a later date, but for now…feast on this:

Critical Race Theory has triggered folks. I’ll put it this way: School officials will find a way to sneak it into curriculum, no matter how many laws are passed against teaching it.

Success=Character

It’s dangerous for people to experience success who don’t have the character to handle it. Look at how many high-profile individuals get in legal trouble, cheat on their spouse or do other unsavory things. When you prosper in life, you must move different because you have more to lose.

Ahmaud Arbery: No Justice, No Peace

 Repost from Jay Hamilton McCoy Esq:

Just saw the prosecutor’s opening statement in the “MURDERERS of Ahmaud Arbery” trial (if we are being objective here).  

This trial is going to be hard to watch, mainly because we all know good and dayum well that this Brutha was lynched for BEING BLACK in white spaces and nothing more. Yet, we finna hear every justification for his death... every character attack... every prior bad act he has allegedly done since grade school... all to justify murdering a Black man in cold blood while also on video (just like Bro. Floyd).

What makes this even more tragic is that I can’t even assure y’all that these guys will be found guilty.  Every Black person in America knows what I am saying to be true.  Our violent deaths are par for the course in a Country built on the concept that a Black man is a tool and not a person. 

But because so many of y’all rely on me for the information on these legal cases, I’ll do my best.  Just know that there is always a cost to this whether you see it or not.

#JusticeForAhmaudArbery

#EffRacism

#DeathPenalty

#LetThemFry

My Thoughts: This brother said it all. Let’s say the McMichaels and Bryant get off; They will have to stay within the confines of their neighborhood because if they go anywhere else in Brunswick, and a pissed off black person sees them, it’s on sight. They will need their guns for the mob of angry black folks if they get off. Honestly, I don’t see why there’s a trial. The video shows it clear as day: It was an execution, period.🤷🏾‍♂️Then again, I’m aware the system was never for us blacks, so should I be surprised? No. That’s what being woke does, it opens your eyes to cold🥶 truths.

Thoughts For Today

When we are in sync with God’s purpose, we will have his blessing & protection.

 Our journey in life may be long, but God’s strength will carry us through life’s many trials.

Today’s Thought: In Your Face

Where’s the lie? The enemy is bold with his agenda and he doesn’t care who he uses. Folks talk about how woke they are; I can’t tell because some of us who are spiritual can’t see the writing on the wall.

Teacher Departure

I feel for tomorrow’s students because there is a serious teacher shortage. Between low pay & endless demands, is it worth it to go into teaching? Before many teachers left, I’m sure they’ve asked themselves whether what they’re doing is making a difference. Unfortunately, the departure of teachers signals no. Given these reasons, I don’t blame teachers for leaving. Who wants to put up with constant attacks & low pay? Miss me with that.

 

Ask God

It’s ok to ask God for what we want, but it’s best if we ask for what God wants. God enjoys having his Word quoted back to Him. 

Keep It Real Tuesday

Old folks weren’t always old. Many of them did foul stuff in their younger years, and they’re reaping what they’ve sown. Sin will always cost you more than you want to pay. 

God’s Strength

Our journey in life may be long, but God’s strength will carry us through life’s many trials. 

Abandonment

Abandonment 

The mother abandoned her children, period. If you’re gone for hours and don’t check in with your kids’ babysitter about their welfare, you failed your kids. The friend is stupid for siding with this neglectful parent, and the sitter is right. I don’t know why the mom is worried about losing her children, since she doesn’t give a crap about them.🤷🏾‍♂️

Thursday Gospel

 When God speaks to us, we praise him for the answer prior to its manifestation.

When our eyes are open to God’s light, we are full of light, but when our eyes are closed to God, we’re in darkness.

Confronting Injustice

God has called & still calls individuals & the church to confront societal & individual evil in the form of human rulers. 

Racism: 🇨🇦 vs. 🇺🇸

Canada must be laughing their behinds off at the racial turmoil in the US. One thing I respect about Canada is that to my knowledge, it doesn’t have anywhere close to the level of racial hatred of America. America should be ashamed. 

All In The Family

All In The Family 

How far has society fallen when family members can marry each other? If you ask me, pretty low. What’s worse is people condoning this nonsense with statements like “Love Is Love” or “Y’all are jealous”. First, Nobody is jealous of them. They deserve to be dragged because for one: He’s a family member & 2: They have nothing in common based on the age gap. 3: Anyone who condones this is just as foul as this couple. I’m sick of folks condoning wrong. This fool was grooming this girl since childhood; it wouldn’t surprise me if he was molesting her since she was little. Nothing anyone can say can justify this madness. If there’s anything we can take away from this, it’s that some parents have to watch their kids, even around family. Mess like this would NEVER cross my mind because unlike most people, I was raised right.

Smelling Yourself

Repost from Michael Sho-Nuff Glenn (Facebook friend)

REMEMBER......None of us Sit High Enough to Look Down on NOBODY!!! Be Humble 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯 

That’s one thing about me, I’ll always be humble no matter how successful I get because I know what it took to get where I’m at. Folks get blessed & start smelling themselves.

Question Of The Day: Is It Child Abuse?

Is it child abuse for parents with a history of mental illness to have children who could inherit that mental illness? I think it is because that’s a generational curse. If the parents are mentally ill, why would they want their children going through what they’re dealing with?It’s not fair to the children because they didn’t ask for mental illness, they inherited that from their parents. Unless the parent(s) has their mental illness under control, then it’s possible for them to be good parents. Mental illness is too unpredictable to tell when someone will & won’t have a mental breakdown, so it’s best for parents dealing with mental illness not to have children.

Digging Up Dirt

 Breonna Taylor was dating a dope boy, Trayvon Martin had a criminal record, and now fools are trying to dig up dirt on Ahmaud Arbery. Y’all can miss me with that nonsense as if somehow that justifies their deaths.🤦🏾

Ahmaud Arbery Trial

 The same pressure that was on the jury to convict Derek Chauvin is on the jurors in the upcoming Ahmaud Arbery trial. It’s high time racists get what’s coming to them. Greg & Travis McMichael, plus their accomplice tried to do law enforcement’s job with a “citizen’s arrest”😑. The accomplice was so smart, he filmed Ahmaud Arbery’s murder. Everyone saw Ahmaud Arbery tussle with Travis McMichael before the shotgun went off, killing Arbery. This should be a slam dunk trial, but something tells me the McMichaels’ legal team is going to argue self-defense; “Travis feared for his life, so he shot Arbery in self-defense”. Some jokers are saying Arbery had no business in the neighborhood. Excuse me? Arbery was jogging through the neighborhood minding his business when the McMichaels & their accomplice went hunting. Even if Arbery had criminal intent, it wasn’t their place to do law enforcement’s job by confronting Arbery. I’m looking forward to this trial because I want justice for Arbery’s family; they deserve it after what they’ve gone through with the murder of their loved one.

Age Yourself With A Store

In my 41 years of life, I’ve seen stores come & go. Some were iconic, so I’ll go from old school to new school:

TG&Y

Zayre

Ames

Mervyn’s

McRae’s

Gayfers

Maas Brothers

Burdines

Radio Shack

Service Merchandise

Montgomery Ward 

Albertson’s

Winn-Dixie 

Sam Goody

Woolworth’s

Eckerd’s

Today’s Thought

Police are still respected, just the good ones who do right. Bad cops don’t deserve respect because many of them are on a power trip.

Brutal Honesty

Someone who calls themselves brutally honest is a red flag for me. Honesty doesn't require brutality of any kind; you can be honest while being compassionate, kind, and loving, even if the honesty you're delivering is uncomfortable. Brutal honesty is simply code for being proud of being a prick. I have no respect for those types of people.

The Bible: Atheists vs. Christians

It’s interesting that many atheists know the Bible better than most Christians. Atheists dig deep into the Word, whereas many Christians settle for the surface teaching. A possible reason is that many Christians are scared of the loopholes that may be found. Remember, the Bible was written by man (even though God spoke directly through Paul to write 2/3rds of the Bible).

Free Will Comes With A Price

 #KeepItReal: God’s biggest mistake was giving mankind free will, because if he knew some folks would use their free will for evil…🤦🏾Make it so bad, the good must suffer the aftermath of evildoers. Matthew 5:45

Disabled 14-year old girl violated

Deaf...speech-impaired...gang raped by 6 people. I hate society. What world do we live in where disabled people are victimized? Disabled people have terrible odds against them: More likely to be unemployed (employers are biased against applicants with disabilities, focusing more on their shortcomings instead of what they can bring to the company). Victimized-As evidenced by this story, people with disabilities are much more likely to be crime victims, especially if they're considered "slow". Special needs students are 5 times more likely to be bullied in school, and let's not get on these state agencies and organizations that are tasked with helping special needs people live independent; many of them do just enough or none at all, leaving special needs/disabled folks to fend for themselves. It's a cold world, but it's even colder for special needs people. The good news is the scumbags who violated this girl were arrested; what their sentence will be is another story. I pray for the healing of this young woman, and I hope the scumbags are punished as harshly as possible for their heinous acts. If I was the authority, these scumbags would not see daylight, or I would sentence them to death for the severity of their offense, taking into account the girl's disabilities.

Prophetic Word

   As a believer, I’m into prophetic messages because I want to know what’s next. In my view, this message is a sign of what’s to come. Folks talk about being woke, well…this is it.

Animal Cruelty (Pt. 1)

 

Cruelty to pets is an epidemic in society. I read too many stories of dogs being neglected & surrendered for stupid reasons, and it pisses me off because the dogs can't speak for themselves. They rely on decent humans to care for them, and they give loyalty & unconditional love in return. I have two dogs (one of which is my niece's, but I care for him like he's my own), and I can't imagine neglecting them for any reason, let alone surrender either of them. They've had my back through it all, and I intend to match that loyalty (which I do; they know it). I pray for stiffer penalties for animal abusers because they need to be held accountable for their heinous act. Studies show if you mistreat a pet, you'll mistreat a human, and I'm proven right every time. I despise people who are cruel to animals. How tough does one feel by mistreating an animal? Seriously. If I had the power, animal cruelty would be a felony punishable by jail time. Depending on the severity of the cruelty...death penalty. Some of the animal cruelty stories I read are so heinous that the scumbags can't be rehabilitated, so they need to be done away with. Ever since I've had my dog, I make it a point to fight for pets because they can't fight for themselves. 

I mentioned this on FB, but I'll repeat it: If I was rich, I would build a 24-hour animal shelter for strays and surrendered pets. My shelter would be high-end with a generous play area for the dogs & cats, as well as vet staff on hand 24-7 (in shifts) to give the pets proper care. A buffet area with the best, most tasty dog food for the dogs to eat when they get hungry. None of the pets in my care would be adoptable because people are fickle pet owners: Very few people will care for their pets to the end, and I can't risk adopting one of my pets to the wrong people. Each kennel would have a comfortable bed for the animals.

Today's Thought: Take Everything Personal

I get where she's coming from, but I'm too old to be taking stuff personal. Friends don't celebrate my birthday? Fine, I don't celebrate theirs so it evens out. Family members invite certain family members to gatherings except me? That's fine too, because I wasn't going anyway so they did me a favor. I'm too wrapped up in my affairs to care about not being invited to a gathering. The older I get, the more lowkey I desire to live my life because it's too much foolishness going on to have my name out there. 

Question Of The Day: Why Is It Taboo To Admit Indifference or Hatred For Your Job?

 

The only answer I can come up with is that there are unemployed folks who wish they had your job, so that's why it's considered taboo to say you are indifferent or hate your job. Some people have legit reasons for being indifferent or hating their job: Coworkers, management, etc. Even then, go to work, do your job & go home. The dislike comes from some people kiking with their colleagues, and the moment a colleague gets a raise or promotion, shade is thrown. The shade can become so toxic that it's felt in the atmosphere. In the social media age, colleagues have gotten fired for airing their grievances on social media; that's another reason it's taboo to admit hate or indifference for your job. If I didn't like my job (which is false, because I enjoy my job & look forward to advancing in the company), I wouldn't put it on social media because of rats. It's wild...that's all I can say.

Free Will: Genesis 6:6-7

"6 The Lord regretted making human beings on the earth, and he was heartbroken. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe off of the land the human race that I’ve created: from human beings to livestock to the crawling things to the birds in the skies, because I regret I ever made them.” These verses signal God regrets his creation because they use their free will to do evil in his sight. All one has to do is look at what's going on today with racial division, greed, corruption, immorality, and so on. These things are a result of the free will God has given us. Knowing that, I'm keeping it real and saying God shouldn't have given us free will if he knew some of us would abuse it. That's the downside of freedom: Some people use their freedom for good, others use their freedom for evil. When others choose to do evil, the good has to deal with the trauma from evildoers. If I'm God, I would punish the evildoers and spare the decent folks because I believe the good shouldn't have to suffer with the bad. It's not fair at all. If someone wants to do wrong, that's their choice, but THEY....let me repeat that....THEY will suffer for their choices by themselves. It's like in school: One kid does wrong, the entire class suffers. Is it fair? No. The kid that messed up should be the only one punished, not the entire class. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way & that's sad. We have too much freedom, and because of that...some people use their freedom for evil.

Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated

This vaccine has got people acting stupid. The unvaccinated looking down on the vaccinated & vice versa. The vaccinated accuses the unvaccinated of being selfish because they feel the unvaccinated is putting everyone else at risk by not getting the vaccine, and the unvaccinated accuses the vaccinated folks of living in fear. I feel like this: If you want to get the shot, GET IT. If not, DON'T. I've noticed the unvaccinated has been barking the most about the vaccine mandate across some sectors, saying a mandate is "infringing on their rights". I'm all for rights, but your rights end where mine begins. If your rights starts interfering with mine & others freedom, it's a problem. The Biden administration is pushing for a widespread vaccine mandate, and employees are losing their jobs over their refusal to get vaccinated and bi-weekly testing. If someone doesn't feel comfortable getting vaccinated, that's their right. You can't force someone to get vaccinated against their will. At the same time, if someone feels the vaccine will protect them against COVID-19, they should get the shot and move on. It boils down to choice: Everyone's different, so each person will do what they feel is best for them in regards to getting the shot.

I'm Back/COVID-19 PSA (Pt. 1)

 After a month+ absence from writing, finally I've returned to blogging. This break has given me plenty of time to think & I have lots to say. I want to discuss this pandemic & how it's brought the fool out of people: Ever since COVID-19 hit, it's destroyed lives and the economy. Hundreds of thousands have died from COVID. I'm grateful to have survived COVID due to my strong immune system. I loaded up on elderberry gummies, drank plenty of fluids and rested. I didn't have much of an appetite, but I forced myself to eat because I needed fuel to fight the virus. I feel for those dealing with COVID because they're not able to see loved ones while in the hospital. I pray this mess is over with because I'm sick of this pandemic, as are many others. A bigger downside of this pandemic is businesses struggling to find employees: Drive around the city, and what will you see? Now Hiring. Some companies are offering signing bonuses to attract talent. Nobody wants to work because it's easier to sit home and get free money from the government. Of those who received stimulus payments of $1400, $1200, $600 and so on, how many of them have saved a portion of that money? Very few, if any. Free money won't last forever, and then people will be forced to look for a job. It may not be what they're used to, but at least leverage any job to something better.

Before You Marry

 This is a repost, but it makes sense. These are issues that should be discussed before or during marriage because at any time, these subjects can come up & the couple needs to be on the same page with all of these. Love is fine, but it's not enough. Of this list: Religion, political views and childrearing all go hand in hand because what a couple values, goes into how they will raise their children.

Men Holding Each Other Accountable

 

I like this. Some men have always held each other accountable; but we do things discreet. There's a certain way we move & shake. I don’t think women know all the “codes” and standards guys hold each other to. A real man understands if one of his boys isn't there for his kids, he won't be there for him when or if he gets in a bind.

Black Man Charged With Defending Himself Against Attackers

 Black Man Charged With Defending Himself Against Attackers

Tell me how is this fair? A group of white punks jump this man and threaten to hang him with a noose; then when the man defends himself, HE (the black man) gets charged. Was he supposed to let these cowards lynch him before justice is served (if at all, because we know how crooked the justice system is)? The part that makes me mad is the prosecutor was adamant that Booker take responsibility. The prosecutor wanted Booker to let the men off the hook, but I don't blame him for saying no. He deserves justice for everything he's been through, and I hope he gets it. This country is a toilet. We've come a long way as a nation? I can't tell. If this man ends up hating white people, I can't say I'll blame him one bit.

Avoiding Toxic People

 

There's no such thing as a successful person that hangs around the wrong people. Why? Because the strongest one in the relationship is usually the one who wins. I'm getting better at being choosy with who I hang around because I'm trying to get somewhere in life, and I can't have dead weight holding me back.

Son Forgets His Promise To Always Take Care Of His Dad | Dhar Mann

I went through this with my pops before he left this world on 4/23/2021. It wasn't easy, but I have no regrets because I was there for him until the end. I bet that guilt hit different for that son, knowing the only memory of his father is him getting upset at him.

Let It Ride

 I'm learning this daily because sometimes no resolution will come from addressing the situation, so I don't care enough to address it. It's about picking your battles: Knowing which battles you can win, and which ones aren't worth fighting.

Today's Thought: You Reap What You Sow

 

Why should I or any upstanding citizen feel sorrow over evildoers' demise? These people spent their lives causing pain to others, and they got what was coming to them. A FB friend just told me a story about a sex offender getting his head split in half for molesting a 6-year old girl. That story confirms what I know: Inmates have zero tolerance towards child sex offenses. Make it so bad, inmates know what you're in for prior to your arrival. When you do evil, evil will always follow you.

Today's Thought: God

 

Coming Back Into Your Life/Uncle Tom

By then, it would be too late because once someone leaves my life, they're x'ed out for good; never allowed back in.

Black people, we MUST stop using Uncle Tom as an insult. Uncle Tom was a man who refused to beat black women.

Uncle Tom was a man who refused to tell on other slaves.

Uncle tom was a man who would put cotton in other slaves’ bags at night, so that they wouldn’t get beat!

Uncle Tom was a man who helped 100 slaves get free long before the underground railroad.

Uncle Tom was a man, that once free, established the 1st Laborers school for other fugitive slaves!

His name? Josiah Henson! Josiah Henson was an author, abolitionist, and minister. Born into slavery, in Port Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland, he escaped to Upper Canada in 1830, and founded a settlement and laborer’s school for other fugitive slaves at Dawn, near Dresden, in Kent County, Upper Canada, of British Canada.

So stop calling these sell-outs Uncle tom! That’s a compliment! Its Sambo that was the sell-out, who would do anything for his slave masters’ approval!

Tell me, what's so bad about being an Uncle Tom? I'll wait.

 

Art Imitates Life

 

Shout out to this wonderful painting by the artist. Whoever this artist is, he nailed it. The artist painted himself how he grew up with each TV black dad. You have a variety of TV fathers from all education/socioeconomic backgrounds: Ghetto/Inner City, middle/working class, professional/upper class, etc. I like this painting.

Throwback Thursday: When They See Us

 I'd like to share a Throwback Thursday post I made on 7/17/2019 about When They See Us produced by Ava Duvernay. Even though this is a throwback post, it's still relevant today because blacks are STILL fighting for basic equality.

Mom vs. Wife: Who Comes First

 

Biblically, the poster is correct because Genesis 2:24 does say a man is to leave his parents and cling to his wife, but...not everyone is a Christian so would Genesis 2:24 really apply to a mainstream audience? Let's be real, a man's first example of womanhood is his mom; she gave him life and if she raised him right, she has no problem stepping back when her son gets married. A responsible, God-fearing mom will instruct her son to put his wife first; that's not to say he shouldn't take care of his mom when necessary, but that a son understands that he has a family to look after, so mom shouldn't expect him to jump when she asks how high. Some men feel as though their mom is just as important as his wife, which I understand because mom was the first woman in his life & if they were close, why wouldn't the wife understand that? God forbid a wife leaves her husband, then mom will always have her son's back. I can understand a wife coming before a man's mother if she's a good woman: Why wouldn't a man that has a good woman want to make sure his woman is straight? If a man is unsure of his wife, then I get his reluctancy to put his wife first, but...maybe he should've vetted his spouse before tying the knot.

Today's Thought: Avoiding Fake People & Drama

 

I see why some people are "antisocial", because as much drama that many people involve themselves in, it's not worth it.

No Credit: Behind The Scenes

 

I get it, we all want credit for how we've helped others reach a certain level, but as I've gotten older, I've learned that not everyone will give you credit for helping them shine, and that's fine. You know they wouldn't be where they are if it wasn't for your help, so charge it to the game and move on. I'm a different breed because I've never cared about getting credit for helping someone come up. Watching the recipient shine is credit enough for me, especially if me & that person have history together.

Encouragement

I'm continually learning this daily. 

Today's Thought: Working Hard For The Devil

Putting in overtime & all. The devil promotes his servants, but Satan's promotions always come at a cost. So tell me why some fools are set on putting in work for him? I'll wait.

 

Smelling Yourself

You can tell who's not used to blessing because the moment a person comes up, they start smelling themselves: Acting brand new. Life has a way of humbling those who get too big for their britches.

 

Church: Men vs. Women

 

Even those who don't go to church know this to be true. It's a combination of reasons: Women are more willing to serve in church, the pastor's messages resonate better with women than men, and a big one: Women are more in tune with God. This was a good response from a FB friend:

Looking at this response, it's no wonder many men aren't checking for church, and I can't blame them. Many churches have more ministry groups for women than men, and of the men's groups that do exist in many churches, not many men are willing to get involved because for a lot of brothers, the idea of vulnerability and accountability is foreign to some.

Student Debt Cancellation

 Self-explanatory. At this point, Biden is picking & choosing who to cancel student debt for.

Bible Study

These are some nuggets from different Bible studies I've done on my Bible app. 

Forgiveness vs. Restoration

This is for some people who feel they are required to give offenders another shot at being in their lives. You're supposed to forgive, but reconciliation isn't always necessary.

 

Today's Thought: Old School Relationship

 

A FB friend posted this on my timeline and it caught my eye for one reason: A lot of folks want the old school relationship like mama & daddy, or their grandparents, but do they ask the hard questions of whether their folks were happy? Back then, married couples went through A LOT to stay together. Men wouldn't allow their woman to work, which made them feel like they could mistreat their wives as long as they were taking care of their family. Today's couples aren't tolerating what their grandparents & parents did back in the day. This post sheds light on why most marriages don't last today, because the tolerance level for foolishness among younger couples is very low compared to their parents/grandparents. In some ways, an old-school relationship is beneficial because old-school couples knew how to weather storms.

Give Him 15: Daily Prayer With Dutch Sheets

Our God desires a strong America, whose people are honoring him alone, and are truly for HIM. 

 

I'm Glad You're Gone

 

Some people give themselves too much credit by claiming to have cut you off. Little do they realize that you're glad they're gone. If y'all were casual acquaintances, is it really going to make much difference if there's a falling out? No, because you two don't have enough history together.

Show & Tell

 Maybe I missed the memo, but I'm wondering when was it mandatory for someone to post what they have going for themselves on social media (rhetorical question)? I'm asking because some people think you don't have anything going for yourself if you're not posting it on social media. Privacy may be foreign to a lot of people, but for me: I will always post what I want folks to know. Social media will never know the details of my personal life, except the edited version. Telling too much of your business can get you jammed up, & that's a risk I refuse to take. If you folks want to be an open book, be my guest, but don't start crying when folks use your details against you because not everyone on your FB friends list/Twitter followers is legit. It's some people that are doing surveillance on your social media accounts to use your details against you.

Life Wisdom

 

I feel I do a good job of living by these two gems, but as a believer I will always forgive those who hurt me, but I won't let them back in my life. Once you show me who you are, I believe you and move accordingly. Getting bit by a snake once can be a mistake, getting bit twice is a choice because you knew that snake was poisonous and you let it bite you over and over again.

Question Of The Day: Is It Worth Pursuing A Law Enforcement Career?

 I'm asking a valid question. You can Google articles about police officers nationwide retiring/resigning in today's climate. Some of the reasons are valid: Policies are passed limiting how officers do their jobs in light of the recent police misconduct cases. I do agree that bad cops should be terminated because THEY cast a bad light on the law enforcement profession. What about the good cops who do their jobs by the book? I don't know, but I just feel like cops hands are tied to the point where they might as well let criminals show out because with everyone having smartphones, all someone has to do is record a cop doing something (s)he doesn't like, and next thing you know, that cop gets investigated.

Extending Life With No Quality

 

What's the point of extending someone's life with no quality? A loved one is suffering from dementia or a stroke; they're not themselves, and some family members are so selfish that they'd rather keep their loved one alive as long as possible even though they're suffering. It's not fair to the loved ones or the person. I guess people do it out of love, but for me, it would be torture to be "maintained" on earth. I truly don't understand the mentality. I feel like we are more loving with our pets, that we know when they are suffering and can let them go. But with humans, we think it's some duty to extend life as much as possible even in a sub-human state that will only get worse. I've heard it often said the family's dependent on the patient's social security &/or retirement checks, so if the patient passes away, those checks stop. Or, it could be the family can't bear to let go so they hold on for as long as possible. Either way, if someone's not in their right mind, it's best to let them go even though it's difficult.

Today's Thought

In today's world, everyone's out for self, so you have to act accordingly. I don't mind looking out for others, but please return the favor when or if the time comes.