A Great Teacher

March 24, 2009
A Great Teacher
Living Like Water
www.dailyom.com


The journey of water as it flows upon the earth can be a mirror of our own paths through life. Water begins its residence on earth as it falls from the sky or melts from ice and streams down a mountain into a tributary or stream. In the same way, we come into the world and begin our lives on earth. Like a river that flows within the confines of its banks, we are born with certain defining characteristics that govern our identity. We are born in a specific time and place, within a specific family, and with certain gifts and challenges. Within these parameters, we move through life, encountering many twists, turns, and obstacles along the way just as a river flows.

Water is a great teacher that shows us how to move through the world with grace, ease, determination, and humility. When a river breaks at a waterfall, it gains energy and moves on, as we encounter our own waterfalls, we may fall hard but we always keep moving on. Water can inspire us to not become rigid with fear or cling to what’s familiar. Water is brave and does not waste time clinging to its past, but flows onward without looking back. At the same time, when there is a hole to be filled, water does not run away from it in fear of the dark; instead, water humbly and bravely fills the empty space. In the same way, we can face the dark moments of our life rather than run away from them.

Eventually, a river will empty into the sea. Water does not hold back from joining with a larger body, nor does it fear a loss of identity or control. It gracefully and humbly tumbles into the vastness by contributing its energy and merging without resistance. Each time we move beyond our individual egos to become part of something bigger, we can try our best to follow the lead of the river.

Passive Agressive Behavior

March 23, 2009
Passive Aggressive Behavior
Claiming Our Feelings
www.dailyom.com


If you’ve ever found yourself repressing your anger and behaving in other ways to get your point across, you may be someone who is adept at engaging in passive-aggressive behavior. Although passive-aggressive behavior is recognized as a psychological disorder, it also describes the behavior that many people use to cope with confrontational situations. Such behavior has the outward appearance of being peaceful, yet it is really an attempt to express oneself in seemingly passive ways—usually without accepting responsibility for doing so. For example, someone who doesn’t want to attend an event with a partner might engage in behavior that causes them to be late or miss the event without ever admitting to their partner that they never wanted to go to the function at all. Procrastination, inefficiency, stubbornness, and sullenness are some of the many ways that anger can be expressed indirectly.

It is important not to judge ourselves when we engage in passive-aggressive behavior. You may want to consider that you are not owning your feelings or your expression by indirectly expressing yourself. Perhaps you are judging your feelings and needs as wrong—which is why you are expressing yourself indirectly. You also may be worried that others will judge you for feeling the way that you do. Remember that anger and every other emotion are never good or bad. They can, however, become toxic of you don’t express them in healthy and proactive ways. When we express ourselves directly, we are more likely to be heard by the other person. It also becomes easier for us to ask for and get what we want.

Once we learn to be honest with ourselves about our feelings, we can begin to directly express ourselves to others. By learning to express ourselves directly, we prevent misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and resentment from cropping up in our relationships. We also learn to communicate with others in healthy and productive ways. It is never too late to start working on ourselves and our behaviors, just take it one day at a time.

What do you think??

African American's and the Gay Rights Movement

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/byron-williams/african-american-communit_b_177790.html

Jill Scott- Crown Royal

This is for the folks who have been asking what kind of music I listen to and what genre really sends me.....get a glimpse!!!






"Crown Royal"

Your hands on my hips pull me right back
to you, I
Catch that thrust give it right back to you,
you're
in so deep I'm breathing for you,you
Grab my braids arch my back high for
you your
Diesel engine,I'm squirting mad oil ah
Down on the floor til my speaker starts
to boil
I flip s**t
Quick slip
Hip dip
And I'm twisted
In your hands
and your lips
and your tongue tricks
and you're so thick and you're so thick
and you're so
Crown Royal on ice
Crown Royal on ice (On Ice)
Crown Royal on ice
Crown Royal on ice (On Ice)

Your hands on my hips pull me right back to you, I
Catch that thrust give it right back to you,
you're
In so deep I'm breathing for you,you
Grab my braids arch my back high for
you your
Diesel engine,I'm squirting mad oil ah
Down on the floor til my speaker starts
to boil
I flip s**t
Quick slip
Hip dip
And I'm twisted
In your hands and your lips
and your tongue tricks
and you're so thick and you're so thick
and you're so
Crown Royal on ice
Crown Royal on ice (On Ice)
Crown Royal on ice
Crown Royal on ice (On Ice)

AIG Gives Out Millions to Execs but Received Billions in Bail Out

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090316/ap_on_go_pr_wh/aig_outrage

I know that you all know that I am intelligent....but this shit right here makes me want to just cuss and slap the dirt shit out of somebody. The freakin audacity!!!

How DARE they receive $170 billion in bailout money but turn around and pay out over $170 million in bonuses to corporate executives. What in the hell are they being rewarded for? Being greedy? How in the hell does that work? What the hell kind of system is this? I am glad that the republicans are going off about this, actually I don't believe enough people have made enough noise honestly. (I will be composing my letters tomorrow when I get to work). Check out the link and read it for yourself....

Set Yourself Free

March 11, 2009 Set Yourself Free Letting Go of Perfection www.dailyom.com It is good to remember that one of our goals in life is to not be perfect. We often lose track of this aspiration. When we make mistakes, we think that we are failing or not measuring up. But if life is about experimenting, experiencing, and learning, then to be imperfect is a prerequisite. Life becomes much more interesting once we let go of our quest for perfection and aspire for imperfection instead. This doesn't mean that we don't strive to be our best. We simply accept that there is no such thing as perfection—especially in life. All living things are in a ceaseless state of movement. Even as you read this, your hair is growing, your cells are dying and being reborn, and your blood is moving through your veins. Your life changes more than it stays the same. Perfection may happen in a moment, but it will not last because it is an impermanent state. Trying to hold on to perfection or forcing it to happen causes frustration and unhappiness. In spite of this, many of us are in the habit of trying to be perfect. One way to nudge ourselves out of this tendency is to look at our lives and notice that no one is judging us to see whether or not we are perfect. Sometimes, perfectionism is a holdover from our childhood—an ideal we inherited from a demanding parent. We are adults now, and we can choose to let go of the need to perform for someone else's approval. Similarly, we can choose to experience the universe as a loving place where we are free to be imperfect. Once we realize this, we can begin to take ourselves less seriously and have more fun. Imperfection is inherent to being human. By embracing your imperfections, you embrace yourself. What do you think?   Stephaun Clipper-Wallace www.stephaunelite.blogspot.com www.myspace.com/christianelite "Hope – Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead."~ Barack Obama

This Weekend: African American Outreach Initiative- Atlanta, GA

GEORGIA: "HIV/AIDS Conference: Message of Hope Goes Out to Blacks"
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (03.08.09):: Gracie Bonds Staples

Some 500 to 600 HIV-positive persons are expected to attend the 10th annual conference of the African-American Outreach Initiative this weekend in Atlanta. The participation of people living with HIV is "what makes this conference different," said Michael Banner, chair of the conference planning committee. "It gives people who are HIV-positive a safe place to come and get information and see role models who are living with HIV but not living in the shadows." The conference takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland St., Atlanta. For more information, telephone 404-284-9878.

Iyanla Vanzant We Love You!!!

In case you haven't heard or read, there is a phenomenal woman (yes, besides you!)going around spreading light and love; and a little more than a glimpse of it hit me sometime ago. So, at the request of a friend of mine, I listen to her CD entitled "In the Meantime" (also the name of one of her more recent books) and I could have disappeared into a state of complete euphoria when as I took in the lyrics.

There is a track on there that talks about being "fully present", and that is probably one of my favorites on there. I wont ruin it for you by attempt to paraphrase what she spits.....you just need to cop it!!!





Why are you still sitting here reading this........go get it now!! (Then come back and read my blog....lol)

Conscience Rule to Be Overturned

UNITED STATES: "Health Workers' 'Conscience' Rule Set to Be Voided"
Washington Post (02.28.09):: Rob Stein

The Obama administration recently proposed rescinding a US Health and Human Services regulation that shields health workers who refuse to participate in care they perceive as violating personal, moral or religious beliefs. The proposal will be subject to a 30-day public comment period, officials said.

Finalized in December, the HHS regulation accommodates doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health workers who refuse to perform abortion or assist in its provision and other similar services. Federal funding would be cut to state and local governments, hospitals, insurers, clinics, and other entities that do not obey the rule.

The regulation was sought by conservative groups who said health workers were increasingly subject to being fired, disciplined or otherwise penalized for trying to exercise their "right of conscience." The conservative Family Research Council and US Conference of Catholic Bishops, among other groups, condemned the Obama administration's move to rescind the rule.

However, women's health, family-planning, and abortion-rights advocates criticized the old regulation's language as being so broad as to potentially create a major barrier to health services.

"We've been concerned that the way the [Bush era] rule is written, it could make it harder for women to get the care they need," an HHS official said on condition of anonymity. "We recognize and understand that some providers have objections to providing abortions," the official said. "We want to ensure that current law protects them. But the Bush rule goes beyond current law and seems to have upset the balance."

A new rule would be more specific to abortion, the HHS official said. Some predict the new rule would ensure access to care while protecting workers who object to abortion.

Illinois House Committee Approves Condoms in Prisons

ILLINOIS: "House Panel OKs Condoms in Prisons"
Chicago Tribune (03.05.09)

The House Human Services Committee voted 4-3 in favor of a measure that would allow Illinois inmates to purchase condoms in prison. "Safe sex is talked about every place except inside the prison," said Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago), the bill's sponsor. Davis argued that even though sexual activity is banned in state correctional institutions, condoms should be available to help prevent HIV transmission among inmates who have sex anyway. Illinois Department of Corrections spokesperson Sergio Molina said the bill would "send the wrong signal." The measure now advances to the full House, but its chances of becoming law are seen as slim.

A Message from Tyler Perry

Hi there,

I’ve been reading the message board and you’ve made it perfectly clear that you wanted me to share with you, so here’s a long one...(smile). Now you know we need to keep our jobs so if this is too long, then read it when you get time and send it to some friends. Okay, here goes.

Every time I have a movie come out I do a press conference, and with MADEA GOES TO JAIL it was no different. I’m always asked a lot of questions. They're usually the same questions, but this time I was asked something a little different. I was asked how did I get to be homeless. I told the story but this part got left out of the article. When I talk about God people don’t like to print that for some reason. Anyway, I ended up homeless following what I believe to be the voice of God. I know that may sound crazy, but hear me out. Here’s what happened.

I wrote my first play at 22. After I wrote it I prayed and asked God to bless it and lead me in the right direction. No sooner than I said that, I was in Atlanta visiting for Freaknick...(LOL). On this visit I realized that there was a small theater called the 14th Street Playhouse that I could afford to rent and perform my play in. So feeling led, I moved to Atlanta, got a job and went to work on saving money to do my show. I just knew this would work. Anyway, there were 200 seats. I thought I would do 6 shows and 1,200 people would come and I would be set. There was one
problem. I needed time off from my job to do it. I asked my boss and he said no. I went to my desk and prayed. I said, "God, if this is for me to do then lead me." I clearly heard the voice say, "Quit, it will be all right." So I did. I did the play and instead of 1,200 people showing up only 30 came over the entire weekend. I said, "Okay God, where are You?" I couldn’t hear a word. Now mind you, I could always hear from God. You remember my parakeet story?

Anyway, of course I was broken-hearted, but I picked myself up and went and got another job. I got a phone call a few months later. Someone who had seen the show wanted to invest in another show. So I was faced with the same decision again. I had just gotten a job and they wouldn’t give me the time off, so I had to quit to go and do the play. Same thing. I went to my desk and prayed and heard that same voice saying quit. So I did. Now from 1992 until 1997 this happened over and over again. I was only doing one show a year, and every time the show failed. So, I would go get another job. But there was always someone new who wanted to invest. I got another opportunity to do a show, but I knew I would have to quit my "GOOD JOB" as my mother would say. I was making $350 a week. Anyway, I went to the boss and asked for time off so I could do the play. He said no. So I went back to my desk and prayed. I said, "God, what should I do?" I
clearly heard the voice say quit. So I did.

I went out and did that show. I think it was in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Anyway, I rehearsed, loaded the U-Haul truck and drove down there. There was a little rain as I was going there. When I got there I found out that a hurricane was coming through. Nobody showed up. I was devastated! As I was driving the truck home through the rain, I was going as fast as I could. I was so hurt and angry. I prayed and prayed and said, "God, You told me to do this. Where are You?" I didn’t hear a word. It’s scary when you can’t hear from God. Anyway, I got home and there was the eviction notice. I went out looking for a job and found one, but by the time I got my first check it was too late. I came home from work to find all of my things out in front of the apartment building. I didn’t care about the stuff. Let me take that back. My stereo, that I had bought from one of those rent-to-own companies (where you pay five times more than it’s worth), was ruined. I was mad about that...(LOL). Anyway, the thing that hurt me the most was that I had so many scripts and songs and things that were ruined from the rain. I sat there getting what I could together. I put them in my car (that was up for repossession) and drove around all night. Finally, I slept in the car. When I got my next check I started staying at this pay-by-the-week hotel. There were drug addicts, prostitutes, and any criminal element you could imagine there. During this time, I was still praying and I still hadn't heard from God.

I called home for a family member to send me some money and I was told that I should give up this dream and that I was never going to make it. I was told to stop doing this play bull$#@t. I think that was one of my lowest days. I cried like a baby because this was someone that I truly
loved.

I was working at UPS. Now I was up to about $400 a week, but I couldn’t seem to get ahead enough to get my first and last month's rent. This kind woman (who I have been looking for for years) named VIRGINIA HARDIMAN, in Atlanta, loaned me the money. She told me to hold on and that God would see me through. I didn’t want to hear that. I felt like He was the reason
I was in that situation.

Anyway, I got an apartment. The one I showed you the picture of. And was so happy to have a roof over my head. My thought was, "God, even though I can't hear from You, thank You! Thank You for this place!" I was grateful. Before I knew it 2 years had passed by and I was getting comfortable in my place. It had become safe. I stopped dreaming. I was taking the advice of
the family member. I had settled in and didn’t want to dream anymore. It hurt too much. I was 28 at the time (you have to be careful when you get comfortable in a place that’s not your home).

Anyway, life was okay, but I was so unhappy. By then I had moved on to another "good job" and I walked into that place everyday miserable. I knew there was something more for me. I had gotten so depressed. All I would do was work, come home, eat and sleep. Thank God I have never done any drugs because I know I would have been strung out. You also have to be careful
when you’re not happy or you will find yourself in some situations that you never thought you could be in. And I did. I started drinking pretty heavily back then. Saturday night I would drink, but Sunday morning I was at church still trying to hear from God. I had given up. Some kind of way the rent got behind again. When I think about it, the rent was $425 and I was only making about $1,200 a month. I had a car and gas and food to buy, so I guess it was easy to get behind.

Around this time I got a call from someone else who wanted to invest, and she said we had an opportunity to do the show at the House of Blues in Atlanta. I said no. I SAID NO! Oh God when I think about this I get a chill. They had to beg me to do the show! It hurt too much to have that
dream be revived in me and not make it. I just couldn’t do it. I said no. With a lot of coaxing I finally gave in. Can you imagine if I wouldn’t have?

Anyway, the night of the play I remember sitting in the dressing room getting ready for the show. I was playing old man 'Joe' at the time. I sat there complaining and talking to God saying, "You always get me out here and You leave me, and I’m 28. This is it! I’m not doing this anymore!" Can you imagine me talking to God like that? That’s crazy! But I was so mad at Him then. So, I was saying what I wanted to say and in the middle of my rant I heard Him. IIIII HHEEAARRD HIIIMMM!!!!! Somebody knows what I’m talking about! He said to me, "I AM GOD. YOU DON'T TELL ME WHEN IT’S OVER. I TELL YOU WHEN IT'S OVER, AND THIS IS THE BEGINNING." I sat there crying like a baby. Then He said, "Get up and look out of the window." I got up and looked out and there was a line around the corner trying to get into
the place! I still get a chill when I think about it. If I had given up on dreaming... If I had not tried one more time... I wouldn’t be here in this place. I wouldn’t have seen all that I’m seeing now. For that matter you wouldn't be reading this email.

So, sometimes following God will lead you into places that you don’t want to go. It’s uncomfortable. It’s scary. It hurts. But if you can just hold on you will see there is another side to it. What you're going through is not in vain. Hold on! Keep the faith! And learn to be thankful for
whatever situation you may be in. It’s not over until God says it’s over. And this is just your beginning. TRY AGAIN!!

There is so much more to this story, but I know you have other things to do. I’m writing all of this in my book so you’ll be able to get the full story one day. I just wanted to share a little bit with you. Please share it with someone, okay?

Be strong and stay well. AND TRY AGAIN, AND THEN AGAIN, AND THEN AGAIN!

Tyler P.