Values

"Values" is an interesting concept in the way that one can so strongly believe something one day and then the next, that idea can be completely erased from their mind.  Nobody wants to accept the fact that their ideals change, but they do.  And quite subtly soon.  This is why I'm very excited to write this blog post now and then revisit it in about 2 years, tracking my growth and comparing my current values to today's.  That being said, let us delve into my top ten values at this moment.  

1)  You can learn something from everyone.  

Even if you are observing someone that made the greatest mistake of their life and ended up in prison, there is still so much to learn from them.  Of course, it might be hard to relate to their situation, no action passes in vain.  Everything someone does creates an experience. If you interact with someone who is very boring, you can observe them and learn how to be not-boring.  As long as you are open and searching, knowledge will come.  

2)  Listen more than you speak.

Pertaining to my value above, this next one is extremely important.  There are those people in life (the majority) who wait for their turn to talk.  You may think you're on one subject and having a great conversation, and then one of these people enter in again with something having nothing to do with what you just said.  They're not learning in life, they're missing out.  Nobody is all-knowing, and when you listen to those who think they are, you may learn how to not be a snob.

3)  Do what you want to do.

Absolutely no one that you will ever run into will have the ability to make you do something, and this is an idea that is forgotten by many.  Too many people are so influenced by others that they lose a sense of their true sense.  People don't do what they want to do anymore, voiding the world of passion and originality.  Dress how you want to dress, talk how you want to talk, this is the way you will find those friendships that last because there is no hiding who you truly are.

4)  Mow your lawn (plant your garden).

Although looks are not everything, people who own a house with an un-mowed lawn are a burden to everyone.  First off, they are not keeping up there deal with the community.  A lawn is something that represents a person, a house and a neighborhood.  Just because you are feeling lazy, those around you shouldn't have to deal with the lazy vibe you are contributing to their community.  Secondly, a good lawn is a representation of a healthy life (activity, conscious caring, well groomed).  Those who do not mow their lawn are missing out and subtracting from the experiences of those around them.

5)  Enjoy things found around you.

Beauty does not have to be searched for, it can be found anywhere and in anything.  By taking the time to appreciate what you have surrounding you, it adds a sense of deserve.  Why were you picked to be in such a beautiful place? There must be a reason for it, and even if there isn't, embrace it.

6)  Those who can't accept you for you aren't worth it.

So many people spend their time worrying about what others will think of them, but the fact of the matter is that those people will miss out on knowing a great person.  Who really wants to be friends with an un-accepting person anyways?  Why form yourself to fit someone who won't do the same for you? To me, that defeats the purpose of a relationship (something we're all striving for).

7)  Take time away from your phone.

When I go out to dinner, I look around me and see every family on their phone.  This is the saddest sight, simply because we have reached a point where we're not satisfied with the ones we love.  The point of dinner is communication and bonding time.  This is impossible if everyone is constantly updating their twitter and facebook.  

8)  Eat.

Food is, I'd argue, the main necessity of life.  It gives us energy, nutrients and pleasure.  By feeding your body (well!) things will start to find their place in life.  If you are bored, eating will take care of that.  If you are tired, food will take care of that.  If you are hungry, food will take care of that.  People in America have so many eating disorders because they can't accept that they will not look like those people on TV, ever, and they lose track of their biological priorities.  The world would be a happier place if everyone ate anything they wanted, and hopefully we will move away from processed "food" and spend the saved technology money on feeding those around us who can't feed themselves.  

9)  Take time to yourself.

You are the only person that you will interact with every minute of every day of your life, I think it's important for you to get to know yourself.  Take time to sit, relax and read the thoughts of your mind.  Take time away from everything around you, we all know how hectic everything can get.  You are the only person who can shape your life, take time to realize what molding you'd like to follow.

10)  Drink water and wear sunscreen.

The body is an amazing thing.  The different reactions, shapes, sizes and looks can't be found in any other container and the diversity is amazing.  You only get one body in your life, and it's your responsibility to treat it right.  Drink water, wear sunscreen.  Rejuvenate and protect what you have, and never take anything for granted.     

Zen

When I think of my zen, I think of a mind focused only on the event happening at that time. Be it doing homework or strategically winding my way throughout the city on my bike, these are the ways I achieve my zen.

When I find myself not worrying about what might happen and instead focusing on what is happening, I know that I am living my life to the fullest. When I achieve my zen, I find myself working around distractions as if they're not even there. I do not look away, eve when something else that could be important is calling me. 

Zen is one if the greatest achievements any human can experience simply because to not worry is one of life's greatest challenges. We as humans have evolved into predicting creatures, guessers one may say. This quality has led us to many great victories, but wrong guesses have impeded our growth with no allay. Zen still had the capability to lead us to winning, simply because it requires adaptation.  When I find myself in a situation, I strive to look at it as its own entity. Nothing before has ever been the exact same. By subconsciously and consciously applying past knowledge, I adapt. I look At what path to take, and then I take it. 

This is the zen I strive to have. Not only at some points in time, but in all. 

Dear Parents

I am writing to inform you that your children are people too. From the day they're born, they have a responsibility to make their own decisions and create their own path through life. Yes, they need grooming, and be careful how you groom them too. Any extreme will lead to a problem, but then again problems are unavoidable. This is something that every parent should realize and take into consideration.
Problems in mind, parents should decide how they want to punish their children. Punishment is necessary, but sometimes the situation in itself is punishment enough. This is one thing many parents forget, and they also forget that they are supposed to be there for support as well. Children, just like all others, need support and love. They need to know that even when a mistake is made, there will still be people there behind them. Without making mistakes, a child will never learn. By not learning, we will never develop as a society.
One thing my parents have done very well is realize that they were children once too. We experience the same pressures, conflicts and stresses, and parents should take time to talk to their children about how they got through the same situation when they were younger. It is then up to the children to resize that, sometimes, their parents actually know what they're talking about. This may be hard if the relationship is stressed, that is why parents should be open from the beginning, striving to keep a healthy relationship that has mutual learning, love and growth.
Parents are so crucial to development, and they should always Strive to create the healthiest upbringing possible. That is their main job in life, their children are their successors, and they should give their all to make their children learn what they can, but most of all, learn to eventually think for themselves.

Listen!!!!!

If I could suggest one thing that society could do for the betterment of itself, I would suggest that everyone listened to what other people were saying.  There are so many different reasons that this crazy idea should come to fruition, the main one being because it is so damn easy!  When having a conversation, more than half of your job is to listen to what the other person is saying, otherwise you are having a conversation with yourself.  By not listening, people miss out on the easiest and most informative way of learning.
Once people started to listen, so many major problems would be solved.  The first one would be that these politicians that are in complete control of us would most likely be out of power.  When people listen, they hear what others have to say.  When they hear what others have to say, it subconsciously forces them to think.  Once people get to thinking, they are compelled to do research.  Once people do research, these politicians are clear out of luck.  So many embarrassing policies have been pulled over on us simply because these people have been put into office by people who go with whatever their community is saying, etc. Once people learn to think for themselves and realize that the community is not always in their best interest, they will not let others rule their lives, making society better for that many more individuals.
The other effect that listening would bring about is that so many people will feel much more necessary to society, and even if their initial ideas are dumb, they will continue to think so they can contribute information to other peoples' minds.  This could release the next genius of a generation, revealing ideas that no one would have thought of or expressed otherwise.  Although some esteems should not be high, many deserve more credit than they get.  When people don't listen to someone, it takes away the point of talking, making someone question why he or she is even opening his or her mouth.  This is super discouraging and eventually leads to the suffocation of their thoughts and to an absent theory in somebody else's mind.
If every person in society would just bring themselves to listen to the things around them, everyone would be so much more learned and we would truly live in a better and more knowledgable society.            

Povertizzle

Is poverty a choice? No, no one truly wants to live in poverty because they are lazy, they don't want to work, or they don't have qualifications to work.  This is not the case because anyone who is living in poverty because of laziness has something else wrong with their mind.  Something in their mind is telling them that this is the way that they deserve to live, the only real way for them.  Laziness is a disease, and it is developed.  It is developed usually by people telling them that they're not good enough or that they can't do any better with their life.  This is a problem and although it may seem as a choice, it's a unconscious trap.

Poverty is something no one ever wants to deal with.  It gives a feeling of helplessness, incompetence and dependence.  No luxuries are available, and psychologic illnesses develop easily while living in poverty.  When something tells you that you are not good enough, it hurts.  This is the indication that is put on those living in poverty in our modern day society, and I don't think it's fair.  Those living in poverty usually know no other way.  Either they themselves grew up poor, they have a mental/physical condition holding them back, or some other tragic event happened.  There is no generalization we can make about people in poverty because, like everything else, it depends on the person.  My uncle, for example, is living off of welfare because he's a war veteran and he knows that he will be getting more money with his benefits than if he was working.  Although many may see this as a choice, it's not really.  He is trapped by society.  He knows that he will not be able to get a better paying job than what he's getting from welfare, and as lazy as that might sound, it's also quite sad to me.  He has a pinched nerve in his neck from fighting in the war, and this has made him unqualified for many jobs that he would otherwise qualify for.  This was his choice to live off of what the government was offering this single veteran, but when the semantics are broken down, I do not view it as a real choice.

Of course one is going to chose the most beneficial option for them, why wouldn't they?  If options are weighed, and welfare pays more than the job at McDonalds, a mom who's trying to support her family is going to take up that option.  It's not like anyone strives to wait in the welfare office, feeling down about themselves and their situation, in order to get a slight welfare check.  No one wants to be deprived of their feeling of a contributing human being, and no one should have that feeling taken away from them.  This is why I fully support a working welfare system, where participants have to contribute what they can at that time to society.  For those that are mentally down, their work participation could be getting help from a provided therapist, because this will eventually lead to a much more positive person in society.  People living in poverty do not need anyone else looking down on them, I believe that they do that enough in the mirror.

People make mistakes, people make bad decisions.  We've all made them, so we should be able to all understand.  Compassion, although ideally limited, is necessary for a successful community.  One cannot expect all to have the opportunities that they have received  that's simply impossible.  Yes, hard work is probably one of the most important things we can establish in our lives, but not everyone is taught that and not everyone agrees.  Many people in the top 10% were handed their money or given ample opportunities for success, and those on welfare know that.  This leads to a bad view on society, and another reason that I don't believe living in poverty is ever a choice.  It may be a hope, or a given up hope, but people never really want to live at the bottom, and if they were offered a way out, I'm sure each one of them would take it.  So many factors contribute to poverty and people's choices, it's not fair to make any generalized statements about why people are living the life they are living.      

Integration

A personal philosophy of mine is that nothing that happens in life should be forced.  There is no point in stressing yourself out over an event that probably shouldn't even happen.  I believe that the universe holds a powerful energy, and the energy is within all of us, and leads us to where we're truly supposed to be.  This is why I agree with the Nation of Muslim's idea of no integration.  Of course, at this point in time, I'm am so thankful that America didn't see the same truth as I do in the idea, but I cannot fathom why anyone would want to be in a situation that they're not truly welcome in.  This just does not make sense to me.
Ever since white people entered America, they found a way to make people different from them feel lesser and helpless.  This is simply because these groups have not found it important (or possible) to stand up for themselves and their personal rights.  This was seen by the whites, and they took complete advantage of it.  They took the land, money, jobs, resources, everything.  This was completely unfair, but people being discriminated against should realize this and not stand for it anymore.  They tried marching, they tried speaking out against it, but nothing was truly working.  Because I am a person with short patience, I would have gotten out of that environment ASAP.  The blacks were being treated like shit! They had no rights to vote, be in the same vicinity as whites, they couldn't even ride the bus in the same way.  I personally would not have put up with that stuff and I would have left.
Integration, now that is has happened, is so amazing.  All of the different views we are exposed to everyday of our lives open us up to a new outlook, and a new way of life.  It allows us to know that there are others out there living in this same world, going through polar opposite experiences.  It allows us to appreciate other cultures, and it leaves less room for power trips based on false qualities.  Integration was definitely the move, but looking back on the times, when nobody really had any idea of what was going to happen in the future, I would have not supported it back then.  The minorities put up with too much for the diversification of our society today.

X

For such an interesting time in my life, I'm glad I've found a book that adds just that much more complexity to my thoughts.  The Autobiography of Malcolm X is probably one of the greatest (philosophy) books that I have read thus far simply because it's a guide to why and what Mr. X feels.  When hearing why someone feels the way the do, it eliminates all disrespect, close-mindedness and bias from my opinions on their feelings.  This was the only way that Mr. X could have gone about writing this book and sharing his story, simply because it's so different from any other person's experience, and very different from the popular philosophy as well.  Without people relating to a theory that is not backed up very clearly, it provides no paved path to taking what is being displayed into consideration.  So that's my opinion on the format of the book.
The context of the book is something that nobody can really read and forget.  Reading everything he has to say about his life makes me understand completely where his thoughts developed from, but I still don't agree with them.  I am aware of the time period, setting, all of that, but in no situation is it okay to call the "enemy" the devil in a serious matter.  The only thing this can lead to is even more hatred in a society... the last thing America needed.  It's also very unfair to those people who are making a conscious effort to work against the oppressions, and it will ultimately lead to nobody wanting to fight for peace, equality and the rightful treatment of others.
I'm also very opposed to the idea that one's suffering is brought upon them by others.  Yes, there are those people (or groups of people) who are actually out to get you, but the point is to figure out how to overcome the adversities and thrive regardless.  That's life.  Once you start to blame others for the things that happen to you, there is no growth.  It leads to excuse after excuse after excuse, until everything is taken from you.  I believe that Mr. X had some grasp on this idea, but he wasn't presenting it to those who followed him.  This was a dangerous path to run, especially while promoting the idea of violence and rebellion.
One thing I can't understand is Mr. X's subtle constant need to have someone to look up to.  This leads me to believe that he doesn't like being in total control of situations, even his own.  He is very influenced, but this characteristic has helped him relate to the others blacks who have been "brainwashed" their whole lives.  It kind of seems like he's working off of what "White America" has produced... interesting...

Is King Still King?

Who said he ever was? When I think of a king, I think of a man sitting in an engulfing chair with a purple, velvet robe on and topped off with a sparkling crown.  Martin Luther King Jr. was never one to have this image, simply because he was one of the people.  He walked, talked and agreed with them.  He had the same vision as many others living in America, the only difference was that he knew how to gather a crowd, and then how to continue their passionate ideas.  Being a preacher, King knew how to reach out to people and relate to them.  He spoke his vision of peace, integration and equality: others responded quite well to his tactics.  With the help of sit-ins and peace marches, King helped change America forever.
Now, because of King's and his followers' efforts, the world is a different place.  We are legally allowed to sit next to someone that looks completely different from us, and we can legally talk to whomever we please.  Although an amazing transformation has taken place, not everyone has taken the messages spewed by King in the same way.  Some have branched off and took King's message as an excuse to promote their own "kind", while others have truly worked to get rid of all prejudice present in society.  Personally, I believe that King's message was meant to be taken in the latter direction.  By equality, I believe that King didn't want race to even be a quality looked upon and judged by others.  He recognized that one's skin color is simply a pigment of their skin... if he didn't he wouldn't have given his life for equality and fair treatment of all.
When I get on the subject of equality, I think of certain government programs (such as Affirmative Action) that completely dismiss King's message.  I understand why the program was implemented, and I believe that it was a crucial, and helpful, program that helped level the playing field for all races and schools.  Although it was an extremely useful program, I believe that with the continued implementation of programs such as this, people will still have the notion in their mind that minorities do need the extra help in order to achieve the same as White people.  This seems absolutely ridiculous to me.  Yes, I understand that the majority of people living in poverty are minorities, but there is such a large percentage of poverty-stricken people that are white, that programs such as these should be altered and updated.  I believe that Affirmative Action promotes racism by simply making race a current subject of conversation.  I understand that race will always be differentiated, but to a new born baby, there should be nothing (government policies, especially) that confirm that there is truly a mental disadvantage if one is a minority and of a different skin color.  Although this is not the direct effect of these types of programs, implications are assumed, and peoples' beliefs are swayed.
School success is directly related to socio-economic status.  Race is not directly related to socio-economic status.  Thus, race is not directly related to school success.  Because this is the case, and it's socially wrong to say otherwise if you think about it, these government implemented policies should be updated and thought out again.  Why can't every person be judged individually, seeing as everyone is an individual?  This is where my questioning begins.  Yes, I realize that analyzing and digging deep into one's personal life is costly, but I believe that it's a cost that the government should take on.  What's more important that bringing up our future the way they should be brought up?  Certain environments are for all people, and if certain scores don't qualify, I don't believe there should be any type of government rule that says a private institution has to admit someone.  That situation could cost society more than it realizes in the long run; it definitely costs the institution more than it wants to pay.

I understand this is a very touchy and emotional problem that we are forced to face in society, but I believe it is a worthwhile conversation to be had.  By talking about future solutions, we will eventually come up with one.  Please don't take anything I say as an offensive statement, because that's not how I'm trying to come off.  I believe that everyone deserves an equal chance, even though I do not personally think that's possible, I believe in finding a way that can bring us closest to a solution.

Shake Shake

A popular topic around this time of year: What was the best album of 2012?

My answer to this question is hands down Boys and Girls by the Alabama Shakes.  Their debut album blew my mind the first time I heard it.  In April of 2012, I first heard their single: "Hold On".  Thinking it was a man with a feminine-like voice, I was instantly interested in what else this new band had to offer.  I heard "Hold On" about 5 times on WXRT before I decided to download their full album.  This was one of the greatest moments in my life.  The amazing blues yet rock sound this band was producing enticed me without avail.  I found that I couldn't bring myself to NOT listen to the album in its entirety.  Brittany Howard's relatable lyrics and clever guitar riffs have the ability to capture anyone's attention and appreciation.

Started in high school simply for the sake of making a band, the Alabama Shakes were a young, unknown band until their debut.  Since then, they have been making history across towns.  They've had acts all over America, including a 4:15 slot at the renowned Chicago music festival... Lollapalooza.  Unfortunately, there was a threatening storm force coming straight for downtown, leading to a evacuation and cancellation of the Alabama Shakes' performance time.  At this point, I was waiting backstage with my dad and friend Everett, and nearly collapsed to the ground when I heard the terrible news.  About 2 months before my birthday, a show in Chicago was released to the public... December 1, 2012 (my 18th birthday).  I was elated and got tickets ASAP.

When seeing the Alabama Shakes live, it's amazing to simply stand there and look at Howard.  She is so into the music that it's basically impossible for the entire audience to not get into it.  Her mouth has about a 6-inch diameter... something one could have guessed by listening to her music. I was utterly awestruck throughout their whole concert, leaving feeling like a different person.

My experience with the album and concert, I'd have to say that my two favorites are "Be Mine" and "You Ain't Alone".  The passion in both of these songs moves me every time I listen to them.  "Be Mine" could seem like a typical young girl yearning for the love of a boy, but I've found that there are so many other applications of the song.  It can truly relate to anyone going through a rough time with any kind of relationship (something most people face at least once in their life).  It's a tale of pain, something very clear on the whole album.  To be honest, before I saw them live, this song would not have made my top two, but the amazing emotion clearly portrayed Howard's struggle and the jam session that occurred at the end of this song moved my soul.  "You Ain't Alone" tuned me in immediately.  The slower tempo of the song creates a totally different side of the album, leaving one thinking about how versatile this new band really is.  The drumming in this song adds a peaceful idea in one's mood, but the lyrics are the main catch.  "If you're gonna cry//come on and cry with me" is an example of the message of this song.  The emotion is clearly pouring out of Howard during this whole song while she assures people that they're not the only ones dealing with life.  She's offering "her" condolences to her listeners, but in reality, she's informing people that there are always people there for them, even if it doesn't feel that way at the time.

Be Mine... Live at the Riviera (Dec 1, 2012)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VifOrnkHA

Be Mine (recording)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZqdBQfUL0

You Ain't Alone Live (good quality)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HxNtWEIKhQ

Hang Loose (recording)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sSl11GMkMI