One Of The Realest Things Ever Written

Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)

I got this book from a friend at a job that I was working and hated. It inspired me to reach for new heights in my life, hence this blog and other writings to come. I hope that it inspires you to reach beyond your fears and go after all your moral dreams with a fervent desire and an open mind. This is an excerpt from the book "Succeed and Grow Rich Through Persuasion" by Napoleon Hill (1883-1970). He is the author of the book "Think and Grow Rich" and a pioneer of the "new thought" movement". He has been studied by the likes of Micheal Jackson and Bill Gates.


"Men search all their lives for worldly riches, not recognizing that the source of all riches is already within their reach and under their control, only awaiting recognition and use. The accurate thinker recognizes all the facts of life, both good and bad, and assumes the responsibility of separating and organizing the two, choosing those which serve his needs and rejecting the others. He is not impressed by hearsay evidence. He is not the slave, but the master, of his own emotions. He lives among men without giving them the privilege of encroaching upon his inner thoughts or his methods of thinking. His opinions are the result of sober analysis and careful study of facts or dependable evidence of facts".

"...He avails himself of the counsel of others, but reserves to himself the right to accept or reject it without apologies. When his plans fail, he promptly builds other plans to take their place, but he is never deflected from purpose by temporary defeat. He is a philosopher who determines causes by the analysis of their effects. He gets most of his clues by observing  the laws of nature and adapting himself to them".

"...When he prays, his first request is for more wisdom. But he never offers insult to Deity by asking for the circumvention of any natural law or by demanding something for nothing. Thus his prayers are usually answered in full, for he has thrown himself on the side of the Creator. He does not covet the material possessions of other men: he has a better way of acquiring all his needs by first earning them. He does not covet the material possessions of other men, because he knows that he is richer, in the values which count most in life, than most other men are".

"... He gives aid to others freely and accepts it only when its acceptance has been fully justified....These are the traits of an accurate thinker...The traits are simple and easily understood, but not so easily cultivated, for cultivation requires more self-discipline than the majority of men are willing to exercise.

"..Most people are imitators of others, and many are neurotics who would rather "keep up with the Joneses" than be themselves. Observe those whom you know best, study their habits carefully, and you will realize that most of them are merely synthetic imitations of other people, without a thought they can truthfully call their own. Most people trail along, accepting and acting upon the thoughts and habits of others, very much as sheep tag along after one another to establish a path".  

Blake Griffin: The Jordan-Barkley Experience

3 time All-Star, Blake Griffith

You can argue whether Kobe is better than Lebron. You can say that
Kevin Durant is the best pure scorer. You can safely predict that Chris Paul will be named among the great guards like Magic Johnson and John Stockton. But, you can't deny that Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers is a era-changing hybrid. Blessed with Michael Jordan's electrifying athleticism and Charles Barkley's ferocious disposition and an ever-expanded skill set, Blake Griffin is just simply a BEAST!

The Clippers were perennial cellar dwellers for decades, having only eight playoff seasons before Griffin was drafted in 2009. He sat out his entire rookie season with a knee injury, but came back strong to win Rookie of the Year and be selected as a rookie to the All-Star team. Griffith averaged a double double for 27 straight games, a Clippers record. Griffin proved durable playing all 82 games and leading all rookies in points (22.5). rebound (12.1) and double-doubles.

In his second full season, the Clippers acquired the NBA's best point guard in Chris Paul. Along with Caron Butler and the developing DeAndre Jordan, Griffin excelled under Paul's masterful court vision and put on nightly highlights of aerial dunks and acrobatic post moves. He, again played every game and improved his play.

In a comment after acquiring Paul, Griffith replied,"Yeah! Its' gonna be Lob City"! The team's high flying, fast pace, alley-oop game cemented the nickname "LOB CITY" and revitalized the franchise. The Clippers are a top 3 road draw in the NBA. You can spot several once-dormant fans clad in blue and red jerseys at every road games.

On there way to a playoff season, Griffith soared to new heights as a player and a marquee draw on the rode for the NBA. Griffin and DeAndre Jordan became highlight reels every game soaring above the rim with size and agility. Griffith nearly averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. The Clippers beat Memphis in the first round. They recorded their best record (40-26) in franchise history.

2 for 1: Blake is a hybrid of Barkley's and Jordan's styles

Blake Griffin is a score first, nimble power forward who's high flight creativity is reminiscent of Michael Jordan. Like Jordan and Lebron, once in the air, Griffin is unstoppable. He has a freakish athleticism for a power forward. Like Charles Barkley, he possess above average ball handling skills, play making passes and the ability to beat his man down the floor with or without the ball.

His repertoire of post moves are due to exceptional footwork, an unearthly vertical leap and ferocious desire to win every play in the post. Known for sub par free throws, Blake has began to shoot 66% this year. The emergence of his outside 20 ft. jump shot is becoming consistent. This makes him even harder to guard.

While winning the Slam Dunk Contest in his rookie year, Griffin not only jumped across a Kia Optima sports sedan to win, he glided right into the big screen as an endorsement darling for Kia, Jordan Brand and Subway. He is featured nationally as the star of the "From the Future" commercials with Kia. His recognition in Los Angeles and abroad has begun to rival NBA playing legend, Kobe Bryant.

Hollywood's newest star? Griffins marketability is rising to Kobe's former levels. But Bryant is still King of L.A.

With a straight faced humor, Superman appeal and witty come back lines, look to see plenty more of him in the future. The Clippers are a deep team this year with smart acquisition's like leading sixth man Jamaal Crawford and former Laker talent, Matt Barnes. Griffin's minutes are down over 5 minutes per contests. So look for him and the Clippers to be healthy and rested for an extensive playoff push. I strongly suggest you do what every opposing fan does: Catch the game, root for your team, but anticipate jumping out of your seat cheering a few amazing plays courtesy of Flight 32.

DJANGO MOVES. TARANTINO? NOT SO MUCH

Jackson, Tarantino, Washington, Foxx and Waltz at premiere (l to r)

After much praise from  my from my peers,I conceded and saw DJANGO  staring Oscar winner, Jamie  Foxx ( Best Actor, Ray). I have been vehemently opposed to watching Quentin Tarantino films for some time now. I am appalled by his repeated use of the word "nigger" in his films, how out of context it is used on most occasions and how the media seems to never brand him as controversial as the milder Spike Lee. I admit that I admire Lee's works. He and Tarantino have distinctly different styles.

Spike Lee was critical of Django

I admit to being partial to Lee's story in movies like Jungle Fever and She Hate Me. Whether a story of racial divide between the communities of two unlikely lovers or the over-the-top depiction of an educated, yet morally flawed, corporate whistle blower, Lee brings to life the relevant, but hidden side of our human life. Tarantino, on the other hand, with gems such as Pulp Fiction and From Dusk To Dawn, explores the more macabre and diabolical.. His works depict the rare, and unfathomable sides of humanity with pedophilic murderers and gory, scenic details that rival horror director Robert Rodriguez

Nevertheless, I was impressed by the art and flow of the film, the story line and the acting. Christoph Waltz (Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards) was simply brilliant. He debunked the criticism of being the only White nominee and eventual winner of an Oscar ( Best Supporting) in his role as the German, bounty hunter Dr. Schultz. He carried the film almost single-handed. Foxx, played the familiar role as an angry, Black man with limited self-control. Foxx's acting performance was still noteworthy.He gave Djamgo, a uncanny intelligent and timing becoming a lead man. The character needed more depth and cooperation. Django had the potential to in the African American film community to be a cult icon like  Michael Corleone orTony Montana. Leonardo DiCarprio (Calvin Candie), was in usual overrated fashion, sexy but, flat.

Waltz collects his second Oscar

Some critics had lobbied for Samuel L. Jackson to receive more acclaim for his role as a house slave named Stephan, but it is unwarranted. Unlike, Denzel Washington (Training Day) and Halle Berry (Monster's Ball), Jackson didn't sell me on the "infamous role by the good guy" act. Perhaps, his body of work is too extensive to make such an abrupt transition from what has been delivered and now expected of the Morehouse grad. He's too phenomenal an actor and beloved a hero for such a belittling and limited role.

Overall, the idea of a Black slave killing a bunch of White folks would pay cinematic or psychological reparations, is shamefully false. In typical Tarantino fashion, the idea and reality of slavery and the relationship of Afro-America to Anglo-America is rendered a mere horror-comedy. I believe that real relationship is more of a tragic love tale that continues to be spun. Black people, to most White American relief, are not willing or wanting to kill White people or reverse roles in such monstrous acts of terrorism for retribution or retaliation. And the movie does little to right the wrongs that Tarantino has made toward Blacks in his previous films particularly with the graphic and despicable scene of dogs devouring an unwilling Mandingo slave. In his defense, however the non-education of the true Black experience is not his fault alone or his cross to bear per se.

Nevertheless, a few more positives for Tarantino, who tends to make cameos in his films, is the anachronic use of late rapper Tupac Shakur in his soundtrack during the climatic fight scene, the ability to get renowned actress, Kerrie Washington (ABC's Scandal) to go semi nude and the fact that he, himself, played an Australian mining hand, outwitted and blow up by Django Freedman (Foxx). The purity and rare on-screen afro-centricity of the love story between Foxx and Washington (Broomhilda Van Schaft) was priceless and well received. I count this film as a sold start to Tarantino making amends, but not good enough. I humbly admit that I still find Spike Lee a more superior director than Tarantino. However, subtle, Quentin has begun to finally earn my respect. I give it 4 of out of 5 stars.

Male Apathy Breeds Mother-Man Mutation

"Being a woman is a terribly difficult task, since it consist principally in dealing with men"- Joseph Conrad


I called LaRae Wilson, founder of BiPolar Gear and a lifelong friend, on the phone this morning and I was met with a pleasant surprise. LaRae is always a pleasure to talk to and to be around, but this friend of over twenty years had something very different to say than normal. She told me about her new walk in Christ and how she, like myself, was being tested in her temperament and understanding of the scriptures. She spoke about her new zeal for God's Word and a revelation that she had about herself from the Holy Spirit:

"God told me that I was a mutant", explained Wilson, "I was functioning out of my design as a women and taking on too many things that a man was designed to do".

LaRae Wilson, left, with model, Chanel Davis

I was intrigued by this revelation and, so immediately, I got to my computer and looked up the word "Mutation" on Wikipedia. It is defined as following:

"In genetics, mutation is a change of the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism, virus or extra chromosomal genetic element. Mutations result from unrepaired damage to DNA or the RNA genomes...from errors in the process of replication or from the insertion or deletion of segments of DNA by mobile genetic elements. Mutations may not produce discernible changes in the observable characteristics (phenotype) of an organism. Mutation plays a role in both normal and abnormal biological processes, including evolution, cancer and the development of the immune system."

LaRae, like many women have, whether by force or free will, gone through a mutation in free society over the last 70 years. Though working was never new to women, during World War II, the idea of masses of women in the workplace was put to test. Though out of necessity, yet unlike within poor families, this particular change in American was facilitated by a "propaganda campaign to sell the importance of the war effort and lure women to enter into the manufacturing sector" (Rosie the Riveter).

Some positive of this propaganda is the independence that women gained in realizing their buying power. This power, coupled with expanding voting rights and political awareness, gave women a near equal footing on the social playing field. The "near equal" being made evident today in the fact that women earn $8,000 less annually than their male counterparts according to CNN. Something the Obama administration looked to correct with the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Bill of 2009.

Single mothers are more susceptible to poverty

Though women are being promoted as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, representing districts as Congresswomen and nations as presidents and heads of state, they have suffered from a more less positive mutation. According to singlemotherguide.com, "As of 2011, 11.7 million families in the US were headed by single parents, 85.2% of which were headed by a female". Consequently, this has lead to a spike in poverty and the resulting rise in juvenile delinquency. The Labor Department reports that half of the unemployed women were those with children under the age of 18 (1.2 million). Half of single mother families have an annual income of less than $25,000. According to the Hamilton Project at Brookings Institution, the annual earnings of single parent families plummeted 20% between 2007 and 2010, compared to only 5% for two parent families.

These numbers can be attributed to the inability to receive affordable day care for working mothers, income inequality and a lack of corporate flexibility to the needs of single parents. But, the most glaring negative of working women and single mothers is the "mother-man mutation" of women into more masculine roles in the family and society. Women are forced to do things that men were designed to do and as a result have had to make changes to their God-given purpose in an effort to sustain a viable family and social relavence. And though it has been deemed necessary at times, it is not one that most women desire to do.

Childhood problems linked to absentee fathers

Whether through war, incarceration or indifference, men have greatly lacked in fulfilling their God-given roles in the life of society today. While radical Muslim extremist continue to suppress the freedom and talents of women, many Christian nations like America are exploiters of women in the home and workplace and are unwilling to protect them from danger and social injustice. In recent days, the Republican-lead House begrudgingly sent the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to the desk of President Obama's desk for signage. Several Republican lawmakers dismissed the need to protect American women from domestic abuse, stalking, assault and workplace harassment. Ran Paul (R-KY) was one of eight zealots who voted to strike down the 18 year old measure. Women make up over 50% of the total electorate, but only 18% of the 535 seats in this the 113th Congress This is further evidence that women are being misrepresented in the political arena.

I attend a church of about 2,000 members and roughly half of them are men. However, the majority of the leadership and administrative positions are headed by women. When asking those men to serve, from my experience, most do not desire to be in a position of labor and responsibility. This is not new in church or society. The Apostle Paul, in the Book of Philemon, had to urge Timothy to; "help those women which laboured with me in the gospel". His is an unheard cry that resonates throughout the Church and the home even today.

Music like Rap objectify women

Media and entertainment also continue to objectify women in the most demeaning light. Most of the music on the radio in America that is classified as "love songs" merely sexualizes women and highlight their physical attributes. The nature and beauty of womanhood as the factual persona of purity and wisdom is trampled upon by innuendos of lust and characteristics of incompetence and irrationality. Women who are unyielding to immoral demands or are proponents for equal rights are labeled as "bitches" and cast aside as nothing.

The mutation of "mother-man" has damaged not only the lives of the economic capacity of women and the potential success of their children, with 40% of single mothers below the poverty rate, but has damaged free nations overall. The added burden of women, poor or middle-class, being left to survive unguarded in society, has created a cancerous mutation in the female psyche. Many women are burdened with having to be a respectable women, breadwinner and a male-like figure to their children. This burden has added undeserved stress and provoked a trepidation and distrust of men in general.

"Its challenging at times. We have to find the work life balance and be there for our children", Rebecca Collins, former vice president of Signworks in Indianapolis.

Some critics blame the method of distribution of entitlements as one of the causes for the break up of the family structure. They feel that the welfare system encourages "backdoor relationships" where the unemployed father or male guardian is forced to live outside the home so that the mother can receive full benefits or assistance. Some critics point to the high cost of living that has forced some women to do the difficult work at home, as well as on a job. Theological critics cite a breakdown in the moral compass of the male psyche and his turning away from his God-given dominion of a responsible reflection of Christ toward the women and children in his care and in his culture. Women point to the deterioration of fundamental "old school" values in men such as hard work, chivalry and moral ambition.

Dr. Cindy Trimm, best selling author and former senator, warns women against what she believes is a "culture" that leads women to think they can and must do life alone. She affirms that there is nothing wrong with desiring help from a man. "We all know that God created Adam first and Eve second. I don't mind being second because we all know that the second edition of anything is better than the first", preached Trimm to thousands of followers in Dallas."I'm single. I admit to you that I need a man! Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby! Ain't nothing like the real thing"! 

Men of Project Fatherhood take time with their children in L.A.

Thankfully, some men are getting the understanding and assertiveness to break the cycle of male apathy and insensitivity. Men are joining more male centered groups and workshops in an effort to take back there rightful place as priest, provider and protector of the women and children of their communities. For example, underprivileged fathers meet weekly in South Los Angeles to encourage one another to break the generational curse of fatherless households in their community of Jordan Downs. The group named Project Fatherhood meets every week to steer men away from crime and into the trust and respect of their children and wives. Headed my Craig McGruder, an ex-convict and father, the men in program share advice, network employment opportunities and spread the word throughout their housing project to other men who seek to make right the wrong choices and to make amends with their family and love ones by living up to their full potential.

"Growing up the way we did, during the time we did, a lot of the dads might as well have been in another world, said Anthony Christian, a Project Fatherhood leader, "There had to be a better way at looking at being a dad. That's what we want people to think about".

Paul Washer

Paul Washer, founder of Heartcry Missionary Society, takes a bolder biblical approach when he extols the virtues of manhood in society towards women. He teaches young males on the responsibilities of manhood in society and to it's women in his "Manhood Series" on courtship and dating. He admonishes men to view women as "God's daughters" and to treat them with honor and holiness. He believes that women aren't trophies to "date", but gifts from God that men should not approach intimately except in an effort to marry and protect.

"There is no such thing as biblical dating. If you're dating, I don't care who you are, you are out of God's will. Period", Washer explains, "You can talk to me about it later, you can be mad if you want. But, that's just the truth. There is no such thing as recreational dating. There is biblical courtship, there is no recreational dating".

Much is to be done for women in our society to becoming all that God intended for them to  . I, for one, will definitely do my part to eradicate the hideous "mother-man" psyche that has engulfed the lives of our most precious resource, our women. They are the most valuable asset to any productive society. It is well known that the welfare of women is the infallible reflection of any culture. Women possess a keen awareness, a strategic intelligence, a strong sense of family and a gentle compassion that befuddles men, yet preserves his legacy throughout generations of humanity. Women are designed to be loved, encouraged, protected and free to do all the things that give us all reason to live and dream. I pray that through Christ and the Holy Spirit, my friend LaRae and countless other women are not hindered by the lack of leadership by men in our society, but that they be remain rooted int the woman-mother expression of God, so that we can all live out our days in wholeness, holiness and the love of on another.

President Hugo Chavez Dies, Cheney Still Lives?

"Capitalism is the way of the devil and exploitation. If you really want to look at things through the eyes of Jesus Christ- who I think was the first socialist- only socialism can really create a genuine society" - Hugo Chavez (1954-2013)


Upon hearing the news that President Hugo Chavez died, I must admit, I was deeply saddened. Chavez served as a light in the dark days of the drummed-up conflict against late President Saddam Hussein by George Bush and Dick Cheney. He stood oppose to the war and boldly labeled Bush, at the United Nations General Assembly, as what most Americans would later come to believe: the Devil!

"The devil was here yesterday, proclaimed Chavez, "And it smells of sulfur still today!"

He's opposition to capitalism was legendary in his long, but patriotic speeches to the Venezuelan people. An admirer of socialist revolutionary Sam Bolivar, Chavez even named his beloved country the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela.

"After many readings, debates, discussions, travels around the world, etc., I am convinced-and I believe this conviction will be for the rest of my life- that the path to a new, better and possible world is not capitalism. The path is socialism", said Chavez.

After two inappropriate wars, rising health care cost and unpunished Wall Street thievery, one could find little argument with me on this declaration. For all it's advertised niceties, capitalism has made the United States its perpetual lab rat. It has given cause to lust of material wealth, greed for excess and excuse for murder and war. The quest for monetary social status has infected our youth with low self-esteem and a lack of appreciation for anything just that is deemed unprofitable. America places less honor in hard work and justice then in fame and a fast buck.

The very people- the poor- that capitalism is suppose to inspire, have been used as slaves to ideas by fighting the wars of the rich and bailing them out of the due fate of imprisonment and poverty with stimulus and tax shelters.

Chavez, who died from cancer today at the young age of 58, demonstrated to the world of capitalism just how to take care of the poor. A former paratrooper and coup-plotter, he saw to it that the profits his country's richest natural resource, oil, went to social programs and education for the poor of Venezuela. Such would seems absurd in the States where conservative pols, fight over taxing the wealthiest a percentage equal to the poorest Americans in any effort to sustain Medicare and Social Security. They continually filibuster any jobs bills or social programs, seeking to only cut those programs in an effort to keep the 1% of the richest Americans fat with excess.

Chavez, is not an innocent president.  In 2002, after a coup briefly removed him from the presidency, the revolutionary leader did tighten his reign on opposing leaders and the media like Globovision if they did not agree with him. Furthermore, he consolidated power and made partisan loyalist out of the independent judiciary branch. He was even looked upon as authoritarian for pushing through a constitutional reform that allowed indefinite re-election.

Cancer, did little to stifle Chavez's view on American and what he referred to as the  "Washington consensus"- a model of American economic reforms for developing countries.

"Would it be strange if (the United States) had developed a technology to induce cancer, and for no one to know it", pondered Chavez after he and a string of Latin American leaders were diagnosed.

I wouldn't doubt that conspiracy theory. As an African American I am privy to the Tuskegee experiments of intentionally infecting Black men with syphilis. I believe one of the biggest enhancers of capitalism and the "Washington consensus" is the apathy of Americans. It gives people just enough of their own bread to not grow passionate from hunger for what is best for this world as a whole, while pacifying the palette to the the extent that it is quieted with indifference to the lost of the other half of  bread. Capitalism props up tyrants who rape the country of natural and human resource will denounces the goodwill of all those who seek fairness as radical class-warfare terrorist.

"Christopher Columbus was the spearhead of the biggest invasion and genocide in the history of humanity", explained Chavez.

Few Native Americans and minorities would argue this point. And as the years pass and brave leaders like Chavez are given chance on the world stage, I pray many more falsehood of human history will be corrected.

Hugo Chavez, will leave a legacy of socialist change for his people and the world. The twice divorced leader is survived by his four children...And "the devil" (Bush) and Dick Cheney are still alive.

Person of the Month: Rosa Parks

                                   

                              "Each person must live their lives as a model to others" - Rosa Parks

Though we come to the end of Black History Month, it important to reflect on its historical significance. Black History Month, also known as African- American History Month in America was created in 1926 in the United States by historian, Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Contrary to popular belief, February was chosen, not because it was the shortest month as an affront to Black people, but because it was the month that Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas were born. It is celebrated annually in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdoms in honor of the contributions of African diaspora. It was designated in 1976 as a month long celebration by the federal government.

Woodson created the then-week of celebration and reflection in the hope that one day it would be ultimately eliminated when African-American history became fundamental in American history. Unfortunately, that time has not come as proven by the fact that you still are not required to study Black history in order to receive a degree in History. But we are hopeful because, at least, one month each year all Americans and the world, at large, are given the opportunity to be further enlightened and awed by the depth of historical contributions by some unappreciated members of this very young nation.

This year is more significant still with Rosa Parks, the mother of the Civil Rights movement, being memorialized with a statue in the nations capitol of Washington, D.C. A bronze statue of Parks was unveiled in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol Building along side such figures as confederate general, Jefferson Davis and President Ronald Reagan. Parks (1913-2005), is the first African American women to grace the famed hall. "In a single moment, with the simplest of gestures she help change America and change the world...And today, she takes her rightful place among those who shaped our nation's course", said President Barack Obama, another of this nation's first.

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks became the symbol of the Civil Rights Movement with a peaceful act of defiance during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. She refusing to give up her seat to a white, male patron. She was arrested by authorities, and though she was not the first to defy this despicable law, hers gave a much needed spark to the righteous indignation of the Civil Rights struggle. The U.S. Congress has coined her " the mother of the freedom movement". Parks, worked for the NAACP and collaborated strategy with Edgar Nixon, president of NAACP local chapter and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the most noted of all the Civil Rights icons.

Parks, served as secretary of John Conyer, U.S. Representative from Detroit, Michigan from 1965- 1968. Parks who described herself as a person "tired of giving in", did not go without her share of tribulations. She was fired from her job as a seamstress and her case was bogged down in court. She retired and lived out her days in Detroit, living a mostly private life and writing her autobiography.

Parks is the recipient of 1979 NAACP Spingarn Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. She has also appeared on a U.S. Postal Stamp. Upon her death in 2005, she was the first female and second non- government official to lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda.

Parks left not only a lasting legacy of action, but the encouragement of these words of wisdom: "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear".

For her quiet strength, assertive integrity and ever present spotlight on the contributions of women and minorities to humanity, Rosa Parks, posthumously, is our Write 4 Fools Person of the Month.