Is Marriage Dead?

Is marriage dead? I want to say no but looking at long-term unmarried couples who in many cases stay together longer than most marrieds, I'm inclined to say yes. Cohabitation seems to be the new marriage nowadays because there's an upward trend of couples staying together for long periods of time without tying the knot. Whether it's right or wrong remains to be seen. From a Biblical standpoint, shacking up is wrong but from a cultural standpoint, it makes sense. One argument for cohabitation is that you can see the true essence of a person because you're around them 24-7. You see them at their best & worst. Another argument for co-habitation is when the going gets tough, both parties are free to leave without the legal/financial ramifications. I think most people want to keep the option of leaving open, which is why they opt for cohabitation rather than marriage. In marriage, when the going gets tough, you tend to try your hardest to make it work especially since you have years invested in the relationship. Shackers can easily say "Look, I'm sick of this, I'm out". Marriage is a beautiful thing when you find Mr. or Mrs. Right but the reality is, many people marry for the wrong reasons. They didn't take the time to thoroughly screen a person. Start off as friends and see where that goes. Most people look at the outside rather than the inside. Let's be real, nobody wants to deal with someone at their worst. People love their man/woman when they're acting right. When life hits, that love is tested. That so-called Mr(s) Right could turn into Mr(s) Wrong later down the line & you're looking crazy because you got married under false pretenses. The following link supports my argument: http://www.economist.com/blogs/blighty/2011/02/divorce_and_marriage. Don't get me wrong, marriage is beautiful because there's nothing like waking up every day to that special man or woman, having someone to confide in that will have your back through thick and thin. That feeling is priceless.

Black Stereotype

It comes as no surprise that blacks are stereotyped. Whether it's right or wrong remains to be seen. Stereotypes are never ok under any circumstances because usually you're dead wrong when you find out the person is nothing like you portrayed. When you live up to the stereotype, you're giving people a reason to say "I told you they don't have any sense". Everything is not a black and white issue! For example; If 20 of you fools are dressed in all black, in the mall disturbing others from having a nice shopping experience then guess what? THE COPS HAVE A RIGHT TO ARREST YOU FOR DISTURBING THE PEACE! It doesn't matter if you grew up in the hood! That doesn't give you the right to act a fool! Personally, I don't want to hear or see it! If you're doing drops and your flaunting your cash as quickly as you get it and you're bragging about it with your youtube videos..then guess what? YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ARRESTED! Please stop thinking that the world owes you something! If you don't want to be stereotyped, then stop acting like the stereotype! I feel sorry for this generation! Stop being so ratchet and put something in your BRAIN!.STOP ALL THIS SENSELESS GUN VIOLENCE! Why fight every time you're in public? What are you proving? NOTHING! WHAT YOU'RE BASICALLY SAYING IS "I TOLD YOU THEY DON'T HAVE SENSE!". I'm so happy that my parents raised me not to be RATCHET! Read a book or get an education! But most importantly: STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW SOCIETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IS TREATING YOU IF YOU'RE ACTING LIKE THE STEREOTYPE! That's why I don't oblige to the stereotype. That's why I only hang around people (black especially) that want or have the desire to do better. It doesn't matter where you come from, its where you're going that matters. Everything is not a white and black issue, but some things are.

Unconditional Love, Pt.2

Just because a man or woman cheats...doesn't mean they don't love their spouse, right? You would think that to be the case but sadly some people feel otherwise. There are people that feel if their man or woman cheats, they still love them. I respect people's views but this doesn't make sense because love is about honoring and respecting your mate. If a man or woman loves their mate like they say, they wouldn't jeopardize the relationship. They consider how their mate would feel if they cheated. Trust is sacred in a relationship and once it's broken, it's hard to repair. The best thing to do is not put oneself in precarious situations. If you're in a tempting situation where you know you will cheat, GET OUT IMMEDIATELY. If one's home life isn't interrupted by a one-night stand, they're not leaving. I will never understand that logic but that's how some people think. Do people think that low of themselves where they will overlook cheating because they can't stand to be alone? Is that what true love is about? If so, I don't want that kind of love. I want the kind of love that is based on committment, TRUST and honesty. Without those components, your relationship is doomed. If you are willing to risk losing the one you love on a one-night stand, that love isn't strong like you say. Real love entails realizing what you have and staying true to that person. Yes, temptation will come but why settle for a burger and fries when you can have steak and potatoes? People take care of what they value. If you feel a cheating need, you care nothing for that person.

Exercise

I love exercise; it's a way of life. I look forward to going to the gym each week because I know it's going to be great. Exercise is my solitude; my ME time. We all need some me time and what better way than a good workout? I get up at 3:30am Monday-Thursday to get ready for my 5am workout. I spend 1 hr & 15 to 1 hr & 30 minutes doing legs & chest, arms, back and shoulders and arms. I spread the aforementioned workouts over 4 days. I go hard in the gym because I believe if you aren't sweating or exhausted, you haven't worked out hard enough. Exercise keeps me looking good in my clothes, bodyfat down, energy up and I have a reason to replace calories burned. Exercise not only has health benefits but it's great for well-being and confidence. When you look good, you feel good. Professional athletes get paid to work out because they have to stay in top shape for their sports. Some people make a career out of exercise as fitness trainers/consultants, bodybuilders, etc. If I could get paid to work out full-time, I'd do it with no hesitation.

Vacation

For as long as I can remember, vacations were a part of my life. Twice a year, I'd go out of town to see family or just to get away. Vacations are one of life's hidden gems because they allow you to unwind; you don't have to worry about what's going on at home. You explore new surroundings, cultures and overall, a new way of life. If I could get paid full-time to take vacations, that would be awesome. There's nothing like spending a week or so in a different city taking in the sights & sounds, partaking of that city's cuisine & attractions, etc. When you return home, you have a deeper appreciation for your hometown because you were able to see life from a different perspective. While vacations can be enjoyable, they make one well-rounded. I was no stranger to the road because my dad used to drive trucks and I traveled on the road with him just about every summer. Great bonding time and I learned about the road. I'm able to go on the road by myself if I so choose because I'll know how to get to my destination. I love vacations and plan on taking many more throughout my life. My ultimate vacation is a week-long cruise to a tropical island of my choice. I'll either go solo or with a few close friends, or me and the family will take a cruise together. Everybody needs to take a vacation at least once a year, twice at the most.

Entrepreneurship

Many entrepreneurs started off with a dream; a dream of a better product, idea, improvement on a current product or service and turned it into reality. Entrepreneurship is one of the most rewarding experiences one can have because you took the necessary steps to bring your vision to pass. I like to see successful entrepreneurs do their thing because they give hope to aspiring entrepreneurs that if I can do it, so can you. All you need is a creative idea that no one has thought of and once you have an idea, write it down and apply for a patent. The patent is what seals the deal; it says that nobody can profit off your idea but YOU. I've always thought about what entrepreneurship would be like and I've come up with several creative ideas that no one has thought of. Many of my ideas are improvements on current services and products and others are fresh off my head. Several ideas are on the horizon and I want to wait for the right time (which usually comes fast) to submit my idea(s) to the proper company and start profiting. Self-employment brings financial freedom like no other, which is another reason why I want to be an entrepreneur. When or if I have a family, I want them to be straight for life. 

Unconditional Love

Unconditional love is a term that means to love someone regardless of their actions or beliefs. It is a concept comparable to true love, a term which is more frequently used to describe love between lovers. By contrast, unconditional love is frequently used to describe love between family members, comrades in arms and between others in highly committed relationships. It has also been used in religious context to describe God's love for mankind. In an ideal world, we would love unconditionally but because humans are flawed, we exercise conditional love. As long as people act right and do what we ask, they're alright with us but the minute people don't do our bidding, we have no use for them. Unconditional love separates the individual from her or his behaviors. The individual is loved unconditionally as a "perfect" child of the Higher Power. However, the individual may exhibit behaviors that are unacceptable in a particular situation. To begin with a simple example: one acquires a puppy. The puppy is cute, playful, and the owner's heart swells with love for this new family member. Then the puppy urinates on the floor. The owner does not stop loving the puppy, but needs to modify the behavior through training and education. Some secular authors make a distinction between unconditional love and conditional love. In conditional love: love is 'earned' on the basis of conscious or unconscious conditions being met by the lover, whereas in unconditional love, love is 'given freely' to the loved one 'no matter what'. Loving first. Conditional love requires some kind of finite exchange, whereas unconditional love is seen as infinite and measureless. Unconditional love should not be mistaken with unconditional dedication: unconditional dedication refers to an act of the will irrespective of feelings (e.g. a person may consider they have a duty to stay with a person); unconditional love is an act of the feelings irrespective of will.