Happy Black Friday,
I trust everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving Holiday. Though, like many of you, I had to work I made a decision to enjoy what I could. I hope you all took the time to be thankful for what you have and at least used one day to not fret over the things you don’t have. I wanted to share with you the latest version of the Cata-List. It somewhat matches the theme of being grateful. It’s merely a list of things we should be thankful for but tend to overlook…
Family – These are the people in our life who give us the most love and support while simultaneously being the biggest pains in the (fill in your own blank). Family lets you know that no matter how big you get you’re still going to be the same old you.
Friends – These people are similar to family except you can choose your friends.
Pain – Despite the negative connotation, pain is the reason we feel alive. That’s why doctors smack babies on the bum when they’re born. Pain is why you shouldn’t get down after a failure. The more heartbreak you experience lets you know how much love you actually have to give.
Job – There are a lot of unemployed people out there that would love the job that you so hotly detest. The same job that you complain about and dread going to would be a life saver to those who, due to a lack of employment, can’t make ends meet.
Hope/Faith – Optimism is what gets you out of bed. Everyday is a new day. You never know what the future will bring. Without a positive outlook, you may as well go dig your grave and pay someone to cover you up. You don’t have to be in a casket to be dead.
Love - The thing about love is that it is the only thing in life that absolutely has to be earned. You can’t buy it or rent it. It has to be given willingly. If you are ever so lucky to find someone who loves you…enjoy it while it lasts! (Just kidding but a little serious)
Reason – It kills me how much people don’t use good old fashioned common sense. Reason, which is a cousin of instinct, is our compass in life that points us in the right direction. Unfortunately, a number of us sacrifice reason for a macédoine* of ideologies. Just because something is confusing and/or incoherent doesn’t mean it’s spiritual.
Wisdom – Is the treasure you receive from living a well diverse life. When you explore as many opportunities and possibilities that life has to offer you enter a level of awareness that 95% of the materialistic world will never understand.
Life – The most overlooked asset we have. Our existence is so random that it sometimes seems accidental. There are so many situations and arbitrary acts that went to your birth you can’t fathom them all. Your creation was millions of years in the making. There are certain things in life that you can control. However, most things you can’t although we spend a vast majority of our lives trying. I can tell you from experience that life is about enjoying the ride. Quit fighting the universe. Life should flow like a river. If something gets in the way you should go around it or keep pushing until your problem erodes like a boulder constantly getting pounded by persistence of fierce rapids. Life is meant to be lived. Don’t let indoctrination, conformism, or the mass media tell you have to live and behave. Everyone’s path is different. Some start with more possessions than others while some merely end with more. Some people experience more passion and more love than others. We have to make the most of what we have right now. Whatever makes you happy, DO IT! Over and over again until you get bored. Then try something else that pulls your interested. Never stop learning. Never stop wondering. Never stop asking questions. Never settle for less than what you absolutely want.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melodie Beattie
Dream Big. Live Bigger
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
*Word you’ve never heard…
macédoine /mass-uh-DWAHN/ noun – a confused mixture: medley
Friday, November 27, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Catalyst
Hello Everyone,
The Universe is filled with vast mysteries. With a powerful telescope we can see far away stars, planets, and galaxies. One of the more interesting things found in the cosmos (well at least to me) is the black hole. It’s hard to explain what exactly a black hole is, especially in laymen’s terms. However, a black hole is a region is space where gravity is so strong it pulls in everything (mostly stars and space garbage) around it. The gravitational pull is so strong that once caught in it nothing can escape including light. I bring this up because a lot of times our ideologies function in the same matter. Once we accept that an idea is “true” most of what we do from that point on will go to reinforce the idea. This is good if we are constantly evolving while learning new and improved ideas. It’s not so good if we still believe the same things we believe 5, 10, 20 years ago.
I compare our thoughts to black holes because our worldly outlook gets sucked into our thinking. Like black holes, our ideologies take time to develop. They start when we are very young. We learn that hot is hot. We learn that what goes up must come down. After the preliminary knowledge we learn morals. Certain acts are considered “bad” while others are labeled “good”. Any theologian will tell you that good/bad depends on who or what you believe. But going a bit further, your outlook also depends of economic status, race, and gender just to name a few. This is precisely why it’s impossible for people to agree unanimously. We all have different backgrounds and paradigms. No one sees the world “the way it is”. We always see it through our own rose colored sunglasses. You see, this is why I have a problem with people who claim to have THE absolute truth. There is no way to know for sure because everything we experience is biased. When I say everything I mean EVERYTHING!
We put our trust in politicians, religious leaders, and to a certain extent entertainers. But the fact is we need to investigate life on our own. For most of us, our morals were determined when we were kids. We had adults who told us what to believe and how to behave. Then we grew up and a lot of things that were said to be wrong didn’t seem that bad as we matured. Even though we feel good when we engage in certain acts (fornication, drinking/smoking, lying, etc) our mind won’t let us be content because no matter how high we get our beliefs suck us back into the black hole. We’ve been raised to be nice and courteous, maugre* life telling us repeatedly that the people that make it are the ones who push in line, don’t say excuse me, and take what they want. Of course, many of you are already thinking of instances where that is not the case. All I’m saying is that you can only get so far with being nice and proper. Life is difficult and the world can be an unforgiving place. A lot of millionaires, celebrities, and business owners may seem gentle in front of the camera but behind the scenes they’ll crack the whip as hard as the best of them.
Listen, I’m not saying you should live a no holds barred lifestyle. Everyone should have guidelines that they live by. The point I’m trying to get across is that we shouldn’t hold onto false ideas about life that have no worth. A lot of what we believe is the stuff of fairytales. We believe that our prince/princess is out there waiting on us. We believe that a we should only have to work 40 hours a week. We believe there is a spirit in the sky that makes sure “good” people prevail and “bad” people get what’s coming to them. If that’s the case how come Wall Street can get bailouts and ridiculous bonuses while the working class pays for it? I’m not looking for anyone to back me up and tell me I’m right. The truth speaks for itself.
Here’s an interesting fact about black holes: Nobody has ever seen one. Like I said before, it sucks in light. The only way to know a black hole is present is to look at the orbit of stars and gases around an empty space. This is how our ideologies are as well. I have no way of knowing how you truly feel in your heart just by looking at you. But I can look at the clothes you wear, the car you drive, and the people you surround yourself with and be able to get a good enough idea about your character and demeanor. If your beliefs are so great your life should reflect a contentment that knows no bounds. On the flipside, if your life is lacking its probably an idea or two that keeps sucking you back into an unfulfilling existence. Adjust your ideologies, morals, and decisions as you see fit. You’re going to have to live with the consequences of your actions so they might as well be YOUR decisions. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind. You can’t do the same thing repeatedly and expect different results. Additionally, you can’t stay the same and evolve at the same time. Something has to give.
“What I've learned is not to believe in magical leaders any more [and] that character and compassion are more important than ideology; and that even if it's absurd to think you can change things, it's even more absurd to think that it's foolish and unimportant to try.” - Peter C. Newman
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
*Word you’ve never heard…
maugre /MAW-gur/ preposition – in spite of (<--this was hard to use in a sentence correctly but I pulled it off just for you)
The Universe is filled with vast mysteries. With a powerful telescope we can see far away stars, planets, and galaxies. One of the more interesting things found in the cosmos (well at least to me) is the black hole. It’s hard to explain what exactly a black hole is, especially in laymen’s terms. However, a black hole is a region is space where gravity is so strong it pulls in everything (mostly stars and space garbage) around it. The gravitational pull is so strong that once caught in it nothing can escape including light. I bring this up because a lot of times our ideologies function in the same matter. Once we accept that an idea is “true” most of what we do from that point on will go to reinforce the idea. This is good if we are constantly evolving while learning new and improved ideas. It’s not so good if we still believe the same things we believe 5, 10, 20 years ago.
I compare our thoughts to black holes because our worldly outlook gets sucked into our thinking. Like black holes, our ideologies take time to develop. They start when we are very young. We learn that hot is hot. We learn that what goes up must come down. After the preliminary knowledge we learn morals. Certain acts are considered “bad” while others are labeled “good”. Any theologian will tell you that good/bad depends on who or what you believe. But going a bit further, your outlook also depends of economic status, race, and gender just to name a few. This is precisely why it’s impossible for people to agree unanimously. We all have different backgrounds and paradigms. No one sees the world “the way it is”. We always see it through our own rose colored sunglasses. You see, this is why I have a problem with people who claim to have THE absolute truth. There is no way to know for sure because everything we experience is biased. When I say everything I mean EVERYTHING!
We put our trust in politicians, religious leaders, and to a certain extent entertainers. But the fact is we need to investigate life on our own. For most of us, our morals were determined when we were kids. We had adults who told us what to believe and how to behave. Then we grew up and a lot of things that were said to be wrong didn’t seem that bad as we matured. Even though we feel good when we engage in certain acts (fornication, drinking/smoking, lying, etc) our mind won’t let us be content because no matter how high we get our beliefs suck us back into the black hole. We’ve been raised to be nice and courteous, maugre* life telling us repeatedly that the people that make it are the ones who push in line, don’t say excuse me, and take what they want. Of course, many of you are already thinking of instances where that is not the case. All I’m saying is that you can only get so far with being nice and proper. Life is difficult and the world can be an unforgiving place. A lot of millionaires, celebrities, and business owners may seem gentle in front of the camera but behind the scenes they’ll crack the whip as hard as the best of them.
Listen, I’m not saying you should live a no holds barred lifestyle. Everyone should have guidelines that they live by. The point I’m trying to get across is that we shouldn’t hold onto false ideas about life that have no worth. A lot of what we believe is the stuff of fairytales. We believe that our prince/princess is out there waiting on us. We believe that a we should only have to work 40 hours a week. We believe there is a spirit in the sky that makes sure “good” people prevail and “bad” people get what’s coming to them. If that’s the case how come Wall Street can get bailouts and ridiculous bonuses while the working class pays for it? I’m not looking for anyone to back me up and tell me I’m right. The truth speaks for itself.
Here’s an interesting fact about black holes: Nobody has ever seen one. Like I said before, it sucks in light. The only way to know a black hole is present is to look at the orbit of stars and gases around an empty space. This is how our ideologies are as well. I have no way of knowing how you truly feel in your heart just by looking at you. But I can look at the clothes you wear, the car you drive, and the people you surround yourself with and be able to get a good enough idea about your character and demeanor. If your beliefs are so great your life should reflect a contentment that knows no bounds. On the flipside, if your life is lacking its probably an idea or two that keeps sucking you back into an unfulfilling existence. Adjust your ideologies, morals, and decisions as you see fit. You’re going to have to live with the consequences of your actions so they might as well be YOUR decisions. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind. You can’t do the same thing repeatedly and expect different results. Additionally, you can’t stay the same and evolve at the same time. Something has to give.
“What I've learned is not to believe in magical leaders any more [and] that character and compassion are more important than ideology; and that even if it's absurd to think you can change things, it's even more absurd to think that it's foolish and unimportant to try.” - Peter C. Newman
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
*Word you’ve never heard…
maugre /MAW-gur/ preposition – in spite of (<--this was hard to use in a sentence correctly but I pulled it off just for you)
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Catalyst
Salutations to all,
You may or may not know but recently conservative supremacist Rush Limbaugh was apart of an investment group that tried to purchase the St. Louis Rams, an NFL franchise. A lot of people were against the radio show host owning part of the team. Personally, I could have cared less. One reason being his views probably don’t differ too much from the other owners (not players) in the NFL. Secondly, in a capitalist society as long as a person has enough money he/she should be able to purchase whatever they can afford. However, due to the negative feedback received from all over the country the investment group decided to blench* and drop Rush as an investor. That’s also apart of a capitalistic society. Anyone considered to be a hindrance to the cash flow must go. That’s why image is so important.
If you ask any reasonable person about their feelings concerning Rush Limbaugh or any of the “fair and balanced” talking heads usually words like racist, elitist, and pretentious comes to mind. I’m not certain these guys are racist because I don’t really know them like that. But the image they portray doesn’t seem like their admiration is available for anyone of color and especially for people that are not financially distinguished. I’m not the type of person that believes every bad thing that gets said about an individual. I base my judgments on what a person actually says. With the invention of youtube you can go online and see almost every ignorant thing that anyone says. Some people have more than others. Based on various comments an image develops. Anything that someone says, good or bad, is going to stick in the mind of the public. Some people are going to agree with you while others won’t. Depending on your views, you may be in the majority or the minority. That’s why when Rush’s bid to own part of the team was rejected I wasn’t the least bit surprised. Rush’s persistent inflammatory comments hasn’t endeared him to the Black community. I don’t know if Limbaugh realized it (his head seems to be stuck in his (fill in you own blank)) but the NFL is over 80% black. So really, what did he expect? He has an image. If you’re a white supremacist or a sold out minority then he has an excellent image as far as you’re concerned. You probably say the comment, “Well, the NFL let Mike Vick play and he got convicted of dog fighting.” All I can say is this: Who would you rather have live next door to you? An ex-dog fighter or a blatantly racist blowhard? The answer says a lot about you. I would rather live in a one bedroom studio apartment with Bobby Brown, Gary Busey, and Wendy Williams than live on the same block as a racist. But that’s just me.
Like I mentioned before, I don’t feel sorry for Rush Limbaugh. He has plenty of money and there will be other opportunities for him to make more. He will still have his fans and now they’ll like him even more because they feel he was mistreated by “the man”. His fans just need to keep in mind that he didn’t get dropped because of his views. He got dropped because his image was going to prevent the other investors from making more money. We may live in a black and white nation but green is still king. And if the king isn’t happy heads are gonna roll…
“If people see you the wrong way, chances are, it’s your own fault. You may think that people have the wrong idea about you but they don’t. More than likely your opinion of yourself is grossly exaggerated.” – Rallo
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
*Word you’ve never heard…
blench /BLENCH/ verb – to draw back or turn aside from lack of courage
You may or may not know but recently conservative supremacist Rush Limbaugh was apart of an investment group that tried to purchase the St. Louis Rams, an NFL franchise. A lot of people were against the radio show host owning part of the team. Personally, I could have cared less. One reason being his views probably don’t differ too much from the other owners (not players) in the NFL. Secondly, in a capitalist society as long as a person has enough money he/she should be able to purchase whatever they can afford. However, due to the negative feedback received from all over the country the investment group decided to blench* and drop Rush as an investor. That’s also apart of a capitalistic society. Anyone considered to be a hindrance to the cash flow must go. That’s why image is so important.
If you ask any reasonable person about their feelings concerning Rush Limbaugh or any of the “fair and balanced” talking heads usually words like racist, elitist, and pretentious comes to mind. I’m not certain these guys are racist because I don’t really know them like that. But the image they portray doesn’t seem like their admiration is available for anyone of color and especially for people that are not financially distinguished. I’m not the type of person that believes every bad thing that gets said about an individual. I base my judgments on what a person actually says. With the invention of youtube you can go online and see almost every ignorant thing that anyone says. Some people have more than others. Based on various comments an image develops. Anything that someone says, good or bad, is going to stick in the mind of the public. Some people are going to agree with you while others won’t. Depending on your views, you may be in the majority or the minority. That’s why when Rush’s bid to own part of the team was rejected I wasn’t the least bit surprised. Rush’s persistent inflammatory comments hasn’t endeared him to the Black community. I don’t know if Limbaugh realized it (his head seems to be stuck in his (fill in you own blank)) but the NFL is over 80% black. So really, what did he expect? He has an image. If you’re a white supremacist or a sold out minority then he has an excellent image as far as you’re concerned. You probably say the comment, “Well, the NFL let Mike Vick play and he got convicted of dog fighting.” All I can say is this: Who would you rather have live next door to you? An ex-dog fighter or a blatantly racist blowhard? The answer says a lot about you. I would rather live in a one bedroom studio apartment with Bobby Brown, Gary Busey, and Wendy Williams than live on the same block as a racist. But that’s just me.
Like I mentioned before, I don’t feel sorry for Rush Limbaugh. He has plenty of money and there will be other opportunities for him to make more. He will still have his fans and now they’ll like him even more because they feel he was mistreated by “the man”. His fans just need to keep in mind that he didn’t get dropped because of his views. He got dropped because his image was going to prevent the other investors from making more money. We may live in a black and white nation but green is still king. And if the king isn’t happy heads are gonna roll…
“If people see you the wrong way, chances are, it’s your own fault. You may think that people have the wrong idea about you but they don’t. More than likely your opinion of yourself is grossly exaggerated.” – Rallo
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
*Word you’ve never heard…
blench /BLENCH/ verb – to draw back or turn aside from lack of courage
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Catalyst
Hello All,
Did you miss me? Don’t worry. I made this Catalyst extra long to make up for my absence. Enjoy!
This past weekend Atlanta hosted the BET Awards. I had to work so I missed the show and all the festivities. It seemed like it would have been fun to participate but the older I get the more out of touch I become. I claim to be a fan of Hip Hop although the only MCs I listen to are the same ones I been listening to for years (Outkast, Nas, Snoop, Jay-Z, Ludacris, etc.) Most of the new school rappers I can barely tolerate. I don’t see myself as one of those people that complain that rap isn’t what it used to be. I mean every now and then a song comes out that I put in constant rotation. But that’s kind of the problem. I like the songs, not the artist.
I was born in 1978 so you can say that I’m as old as Hip Hop. I lived in the south so of course we got all the music late but when we did it was a rap (pun intended). I remember “Rapper’s Delight” but it wasn’t until I heard and saw Run DMC that I was hooked. From there I soaked in as much as I could. My parents, more so my mom, was just getting serious into religion so I really wasn’t supposed to listen to “worldly” music. But as you well know, when a person is in love there isn’t anything you can do to stop them. The thing I like about early rap was the fun that was described in the verses. Everybody was partying, dancing, and having a good time. Not only that, these guys were rhyming and having fun even though nobody really had any money. They did it for the love as a way to express themselves creatively. Although it kept a lot of inner city youths out of trouble (legal or otherwise), Hip Hop music was frowned upon by the mainstream which a lot of kids, including myself, could identify with. I think as children we all know what its like to not fit in. Not to mention having our goals and aspirations laughed at while adults suggested we look into a “real” profession. Hip Hop was the alternative lifestyle urban youth flocked towards.
There was plenty of variety in the beginning stages of rap. You had lyricists like KRS ONE who showed how words could come together to make musical masterpieces. Then you had Public Enemy who taught us kids that although black people have a history of being slaves; before we came here we were kings and queens in Africa. And that Africa is where ALL life began. MC Hammer and Kid N Play represented the dancers and 2 Live Crew was an outlet for all the closet freaks. If you was gangsta (or at least thought you were) you had N.W.A. that represented the ghetto in a way that changed rap forever. No matter what type of person you were there was a rapper or group in which you could relate. And I think that is the most glaring difference between rap/rappers of my generation and the new school.
You’ll find most current rap is quite baroque*. I don’t live in a mansion nor do I drive a Phantom and party with big booty (fill in your own blank) all night. Just like government, church, and state universities rap has become about the almighty dollar. It’s so much money being generated rap couldn’t help but get corrupted. Anytime you do something for the sole purpose of getting paid it won’t give you as much satisfaction as you would think. I remember when being a sellout was the absolute worst thing you could do for your career. Being a sellout was like having leprosy-nobody wanted to be associated with you. Then untalented rappers started going platinum (Take that! Take that!) and selling out became par for the course. Today, you can see rappers promoting everything from deodorant to soft drinks. Unfortunately, that’s not the only way they sell out. I remember when rappers used to boycott the Grammy’s because they didn’t have a Rap category. Then, when one was created they didn’t televise the award presentation. Now, you got rappers throwing tantrums because they didn’t win. Most MCs also seem not to mind perpetuating stereotypes. When racists describe black people what do they say? They say we’re hyper-aggressive, over-sexed, misogynistic, and materialistic. Well, if you listen to 99.9% of hit rap records today you’ll find that most rap artists prove these points. Many rappers use the excuse that their music is strictly entertainment and nothing more. (Funny, Rush Limbaugh uses that same excuse for his racially inflammatory comments.) But the image that gets portrayed goes beyond the border of your neighborhood. People in the suburbs listen to rap. People oversees listen to rap. And I hate that the only image of black people they have is bling wearin’, bottle poppin’, tip drillin’ studio thugs that claim Bankhead when really they grew up in Lawrenceville. (For those who don’t know, Bankhead is the ‘hood part of Atlanta and Lawrenceville is the suburbs northeast of Atlanta)
Don’t get me wrong! I’m not a hater. I just want the new generation of Hip Hop to remember the roots. Hip Hop is a gift and it can be used for all kind of great things. Don’t do it just to get money. Even worse, don’t do it to be on TV. Use it as a way to express yourself. Don’t exchange disses on record or participate in Tweet Beefing to make a name for yourself. Just make music, man. Just make music.
“Are you an outcast? If you understand the basic principles and fundamental truths continued within this music you probably are. If you think it’s all about pimpin’ hoes and slammin’ Cadillac doors you probably a cracker, or a nigga that think he a cracker, or maybe just don’t understand.” - Ruben “Big Rube” Bailey
(Don’t be offended. “Cracker” and “Nigga” are derogatory terms which are often considered race specific but really they are not. They come in all colors.)
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
*Word you’ve never heard…
baroque /buh-ROHK/ adj. - characterized by grotesqueness, extravagance, complexity, or flamboyance
Did you miss me? Don’t worry. I made this Catalyst extra long to make up for my absence. Enjoy!
This past weekend Atlanta hosted the BET Awards. I had to work so I missed the show and all the festivities. It seemed like it would have been fun to participate but the older I get the more out of touch I become. I claim to be a fan of Hip Hop although the only MCs I listen to are the same ones I been listening to for years (Outkast, Nas, Snoop, Jay-Z, Ludacris, etc.) Most of the new school rappers I can barely tolerate. I don’t see myself as one of those people that complain that rap isn’t what it used to be. I mean every now and then a song comes out that I put in constant rotation. But that’s kind of the problem. I like the songs, not the artist.
I was born in 1978 so you can say that I’m as old as Hip Hop. I lived in the south so of course we got all the music late but when we did it was a rap (pun intended). I remember “Rapper’s Delight” but it wasn’t until I heard and saw Run DMC that I was hooked. From there I soaked in as much as I could. My parents, more so my mom, was just getting serious into religion so I really wasn’t supposed to listen to “worldly” music. But as you well know, when a person is in love there isn’t anything you can do to stop them. The thing I like about early rap was the fun that was described in the verses. Everybody was partying, dancing, and having a good time. Not only that, these guys were rhyming and having fun even though nobody really had any money. They did it for the love as a way to express themselves creatively. Although it kept a lot of inner city youths out of trouble (legal or otherwise), Hip Hop music was frowned upon by the mainstream which a lot of kids, including myself, could identify with. I think as children we all know what its like to not fit in. Not to mention having our goals and aspirations laughed at while adults suggested we look into a “real” profession. Hip Hop was the alternative lifestyle urban youth flocked towards.
There was plenty of variety in the beginning stages of rap. You had lyricists like KRS ONE who showed how words could come together to make musical masterpieces. Then you had Public Enemy who taught us kids that although black people have a history of being slaves; before we came here we were kings and queens in Africa. And that Africa is where ALL life began. MC Hammer and Kid N Play represented the dancers and 2 Live Crew was an outlet for all the closet freaks. If you was gangsta (or at least thought you were) you had N.W.A. that represented the ghetto in a way that changed rap forever. No matter what type of person you were there was a rapper or group in which you could relate. And I think that is the most glaring difference between rap/rappers of my generation and the new school.
You’ll find most current rap is quite baroque*. I don’t live in a mansion nor do I drive a Phantom and party with big booty (fill in your own blank) all night. Just like government, church, and state universities rap has become about the almighty dollar. It’s so much money being generated rap couldn’t help but get corrupted. Anytime you do something for the sole purpose of getting paid it won’t give you as much satisfaction as you would think. I remember when being a sellout was the absolute worst thing you could do for your career. Being a sellout was like having leprosy-nobody wanted to be associated with you. Then untalented rappers started going platinum (Take that! Take that!) and selling out became par for the course. Today, you can see rappers promoting everything from deodorant to soft drinks. Unfortunately, that’s not the only way they sell out. I remember when rappers used to boycott the Grammy’s because they didn’t have a Rap category. Then, when one was created they didn’t televise the award presentation. Now, you got rappers throwing tantrums because they didn’t win. Most MCs also seem not to mind perpetuating stereotypes. When racists describe black people what do they say? They say we’re hyper-aggressive, over-sexed, misogynistic, and materialistic. Well, if you listen to 99.9% of hit rap records today you’ll find that most rap artists prove these points. Many rappers use the excuse that their music is strictly entertainment and nothing more. (Funny, Rush Limbaugh uses that same excuse for his racially inflammatory comments.) But the image that gets portrayed goes beyond the border of your neighborhood. People in the suburbs listen to rap. People oversees listen to rap. And I hate that the only image of black people they have is bling wearin’, bottle poppin’, tip drillin’ studio thugs that claim Bankhead when really they grew up in Lawrenceville. (For those who don’t know, Bankhead is the ‘hood part of Atlanta and Lawrenceville is the suburbs northeast of Atlanta)
Don’t get me wrong! I’m not a hater. I just want the new generation of Hip Hop to remember the roots. Hip Hop is a gift and it can be used for all kind of great things. Don’t do it just to get money. Even worse, don’t do it to be on TV. Use it as a way to express yourself. Don’t exchange disses on record or participate in Tweet Beefing to make a name for yourself. Just make music, man. Just make music.
“Are you an outcast? If you understand the basic principles and fundamental truths continued within this music you probably are. If you think it’s all about pimpin’ hoes and slammin’ Cadillac doors you probably a cracker, or a nigga that think he a cracker, or maybe just don’t understand.” - Ruben “Big Rube” Bailey
(Don’t be offended. “Cracker” and “Nigga” are derogatory terms which are often considered race specific but really they are not. They come in all colors.)
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
*Word you’ve never heard…
baroque /buh-ROHK/ adj. - characterized by grotesqueness, extravagance, complexity, or flamboyance
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Catalyst
Greetings,
Last week the topic of discussion was assumptions and how they shape our lives. There were so many elements I wanted to talk about but these Catalysts can only be so long. I wanted to pick up from where I left off. For those who don’t recall, my last statement was “And the cycle of frustration, hopelessness, low self-esteem, anxiety, and quiet desperation will continue until we realize that what we assume is the solution could quite possibly be the problem. “. This seems like a good a place as any to continue.
I’ve heard it said that you can tell a lot about a person by where they go or what they do when they’re under pressure. Some people go to church and pray when overwhelming situations arise. Others choose to self medicate with drugs and alcohol when stressed. Some habits may be illegal like elicit drugs. Some may be legal such as overeating or meaningless sex/relationships. Our vices are often different but we all have them (whether we admit it or not). I bring up these points because I want you to recognize the importance of the statement in quotations in the previous paragraph. A lot of times we look outside for solutions to our problems when we should be looking inside.
Many of us have no clue what life is all about. We wonder aimlessly through life waiting to die. For many religious automatons, life is just a precursor to a better life in Heaven. The idea of Heaven is wonderful but if you anticipate the afterlife more than the one you’re currently living, chances are you won’t do much in the present.
In times like these everyone is looking for a little relief. I know how it feels to not be able to catch a break. We look high and low for answers to our questions. Why is life so difficult? We think to ourselves, “I’m a good person. I pay my taxes. I don’t break the law. I’m courteous to everyone I meet. Yet, I’m still single, I still don’t have a satisfying job, and happiness is always in front of me but I can never reach it.” Sound familiar? The problem is that we’ve been tricked, led astray, and bamboozled. We’ve been told that once we get the house on the hill, we’ll be happy. Once we get that better paying job, we’ll be happy. Once we meet Mr./Miss Right, we’ll be happy. If we accept the Lord Jesus into our heart we’ll be happy. The only problem is that happiness is a decision. Better yet, happiness is a state of mind. If your mind isn’t right nothing in this world or the next will help you. We assume that we need help to feel joy. But in reality, you can make a decision right now as your reading this to be happy. You don’t have to put off happiness until (fill in your own blank) happens. Why wait? Drinking won’t make you happy. The emotional high from sex won’t last. Not even church will relieve the pain of life if your thinking isn’t right. The responsibility of your own contentment rests in your thoughts. No external stimuli will give you the satisfaction you crave. You have to love yourself first. Once you learn to love yourself, then you’ll start to think for yourself. Once you start thinking for yourself, you’ll learn how to encourage yourself. Once you learn how to encourage yourself, you’ll learn how to make yourself happy. And when you can make yourself happy bliss will never leave your side.
“If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, there would be little hope of advance.” – Orville Wright
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
http://www.thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles.com <--Follow Me
*Word you’ve never heard…
sternutation /ster-nyuh-TAY-shun/ noun - the act, fact, or noise of sneezing
(I know I didn’t use the word in my causerie* but I just thought it was a cool word. Who knew there was a word for the sound of a sneeze?)
causerie /kohz-REE/ noun - a short informal essay
(2 for 1)
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Catalyst
Hello All,
When I first went to college I was so excited. I had a fairly loose leash growing up so the freedom that most students look forward to I already had. More than anything, I was glad to leave my hometown of Augusta and see what Atlanta..well, Marietta…had to offer. When I first arrived in my dorm I met my roommate. I was praying to Jesus that I would have a descent roommate that respected space, noise, and cleanliness and the lord answered my prayers. Of course, the first thing I noticed was that he was white. He wasn’t the Eminem, whigger-type white dude. He was an old Twilight, 98 Degrees looking white guy with the surfer highlights. Now, I wasn’t tripping because I’ve had plenty of white friends so I didn’t feel weird about it. As we introduced ourselves I let him know that I was carefree and that what was mine was his (except for clothes and condoms). I told him he was welcome to my CD collection and as I explained I rattled off a few CDS that I owned naming the music I assumed he would like i.e. Dave Matthews Band, 311, and few others. Little did I know, he owned more rap music than I did. I’m not talking about the bubble-gum Will Smith getting-jiggy-wit-it rap either. He had some of the hardest rap music of the time like TRU and Tela. In this case, I learned not to assume you know someone especially if the assumption is based merely on race (which is racial profiling). Assumptions can be harmful but how else can you think when almost everything you know about life is based on assumptions.
The problem with assuming is that you’re forming an opinion without real evidence. As in the previous paragraph, based on my experience with white guys who looked like my roommate I assumed he wouldn’t be interested in my rap music. Only after I got to know him I realized the error of my assumption(s). It’s funny how big a role race plays in our judgment of others. There are a lot of assumptions we make that more times than not are incorrect. The word “niggardly”* doesn’t mean what you think (neither does the term “bastardize”*). The assumptions we make about people are even more incorrect. We tend to generalize and put people in categories so that we don’t have to get to know them. We can just look at them and know what type of person he/she is. When we see an interracial couple we assume that something other than love attracted the two. “The thick white girl is too big for a white guy so she had to get a black guy.” “The brother is a sellout and thinks he’s too good for a sista.” Don’t like racial assumptions? Well, how about the assumption that all men cheat? All men don’t cheat. Just the ones you (fill in your own blank) with. Not to mention, I know plenty of women who get their “creep” on with efficiency and frequency.
The tricky thing about life is that we can’t help but to assume. There is nothing in life we can know for sure other than we exist, hence the statement “I think therefore I am”. Everything else is calculated guesswork. We can read any college textbook, religious manuscript, or magazine we want but we consciously choose what to believe based on the assumptions we’ve already adopted. Whether you admit it or not, you know nothing for certain. You may have enough proof to satisfy your curiosity but you can never be certain about anything. I’m always skeptical when someone feels they have the answer(s) with absolute certainty. I mean, it is impossible to be aware of everything that is going on around us. Our brain is bombarded with millions of stimuli per second. So much so that our primitive brain can’t focus on everything at once so it only accepts what it deems important. Unfortunately, most of us focus on the same things everyday so we experience the same things everyday. We never try new foods. We have the same tired friends we’ve had for years. We dress the same. We still have the same beliefs we had since we were 5 years old. We assume that what we’ve been told is THE truth so we never take time to investigate on our own. We stubbornly hold on to outdated perceptions with the belief that we will somehow be rewarded AFTER death. No matter what overwhelming evidence proves otherwise we never change our minds. By doing so, we never change. And the cycle of frustration, hopelessness, low self-esteem, anxiety, and quiet desperation will continue until we realize that what we assume is the solution could quite possibly be the problem.
“The path into the light seems dark, the path forward seems to go back, the direct path seems long, true power seems weak, true purity seems tarnished, true steadfastness seems changeable, true clarity seems obscure, the greatest art seems unsophisticated, the greatest love seems indifferent, the greatest wisdom seems childish.” – Excerpt from Tao Te Ching (translated “The Book of the Way”) by Lao -tzu
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rallostyles <--Follow Me
*Word(s) you’ve never heard…
niggardly /NIG-gard-lee/ adjective - grudgingly mean about spending or granting: cheap
bastardize /BAS-ter-dīz/ verb-to reduce from a higher to a lower state or condition: debase
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Catalyst
Hello All,
Achieving your goals is a special, if not miraculous, achievement. It takes hard work and dedication to become a success. There is a certain tenacity that you need in order to get the most out of life. Normally, June is the month for high school graduation. I encourage you all to go to a high school graduation if you’ve been invited. You get to see all the young people with positive energy ready to take on the world. At one point, we all had that same spark, that same zeal to leave our mark. So what happened?
Life has a certain refining quality. As we get older we get rid of all of our impurities. When I say “impurities” I mean we (should) get rid of all thoughts that don’t serve a purpose. Over the years, our experiences dictate how we live our lives. When I was younger, I used to party with the best of them. Now, the only days I let loose is my birthday and New Year’s Eve. When I was younger I was irresponsible, sarcastic, judgmental, and worst of all I thought I knew everything. Now, I’m the Catalyst (of course, some would say I still think I know everything). If you’re intelligent, you learn from your mistakes. If you’re successful, you learn from your mistakes as well as others mistakes. At times it feels that all we do is make mistakes. This isn’t true but it’s easy to believe when we’re constantly trying and failing. It’s at this point we start questioning ourselves. We start to believe the kibitzers* when they suggest that we quit dreaming and get a “real” job or we use our spouse or kids as a reason to not work toward our goals. But the real reason why people don’t meet their expectations is because they don’t want to work too hard.
We live in a “microwave” society. We want it all, we want it now, and we don’t want to sweat. That is why, among other things, most Americans are in debt. That is why TV is like an additional family member. That is also why there are a lot of single and divorced people out there. Nobody wants to work for anything anymore. Instead of saving for the big purchase, we charge it and worry about payments later. Why meet new people and establish a social life? You can just watch TV and live vicariously through your favorite show(s). You ever think the reason you can’t meet that special person is because you don’t put in an effort to looking your best AT ALL TIMES. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I know getting all dolled up requires a lot (some more that others) but you have to ask yourself, “How bad do you want it?”
As humans we all have goals we want to accomplish. The only difference is that some people are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Doing whatever it takes sometimes requires you to relocate. Sometimes you have to quit your job and step out on faith. I know it’s risky. But in order to have what you want, you have to be willing to give up EVERYTHING. When ascending to a higher level you can’t take everything (or everybody) with you. So I ask you, “What would you give up in order to have what you’ve always wanted?” Could you devote a little more time to educate yourself? Could you give up a night with the fellas/ladies to save money? Can you talk less and do more? Sure you can. I believe in you even if I don’t personally know you. I think you can do anything you focus on. The only remaining question is: Are you willing to do whatever it takes?
“My contemplation of life and human nature in that secluded place [prison] had taught me that he who cannot change the very fabric of his thought will never be able to change reality, and will never, therefore, make any progress.” – Anwar Sadat
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
www.twitter.com/rallostyles
*Word you’ve never heard…
kibitzer /KIB-it-ser/ noun - one who looks on and often offers unwanted advice or comment
Achieving your goals is a special, if not miraculous, achievement. It takes hard work and dedication to become a success. There is a certain tenacity that you need in order to get the most out of life. Normally, June is the month for high school graduation. I encourage you all to go to a high school graduation if you’ve been invited. You get to see all the young people with positive energy ready to take on the world. At one point, we all had that same spark, that same zeal to leave our mark. So what happened?
Life has a certain refining quality. As we get older we get rid of all of our impurities. When I say “impurities” I mean we (should) get rid of all thoughts that don’t serve a purpose. Over the years, our experiences dictate how we live our lives. When I was younger, I used to party with the best of them. Now, the only days I let loose is my birthday and New Year’s Eve. When I was younger I was irresponsible, sarcastic, judgmental, and worst of all I thought I knew everything. Now, I’m the Catalyst (of course, some would say I still think I know everything). If you’re intelligent, you learn from your mistakes. If you’re successful, you learn from your mistakes as well as others mistakes. At times it feels that all we do is make mistakes. This isn’t true but it’s easy to believe when we’re constantly trying and failing. It’s at this point we start questioning ourselves. We start to believe the kibitzers* when they suggest that we quit dreaming and get a “real” job or we use our spouse or kids as a reason to not work toward our goals. But the real reason why people don’t meet their expectations is because they don’t want to work too hard.
We live in a “microwave” society. We want it all, we want it now, and we don’t want to sweat. That is why, among other things, most Americans are in debt. That is why TV is like an additional family member. That is also why there are a lot of single and divorced people out there. Nobody wants to work for anything anymore. Instead of saving for the big purchase, we charge it and worry about payments later. Why meet new people and establish a social life? You can just watch TV and live vicariously through your favorite show(s). You ever think the reason you can’t meet that special person is because you don’t put in an effort to looking your best AT ALL TIMES. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I know getting all dolled up requires a lot (some more that others) but you have to ask yourself, “How bad do you want it?”
As humans we all have goals we want to accomplish. The only difference is that some people are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Doing whatever it takes sometimes requires you to relocate. Sometimes you have to quit your job and step out on faith. I know it’s risky. But in order to have what you want, you have to be willing to give up EVERYTHING. When ascending to a higher level you can’t take everything (or everybody) with you. So I ask you, “What would you give up in order to have what you’ve always wanted?” Could you devote a little more time to educate yourself? Could you give up a night with the fellas/ladies to save money? Can you talk less and do more? Sure you can. I believe in you even if I don’t personally know you. I think you can do anything you focus on. The only remaining question is: Are you willing to do whatever it takes?
“My contemplation of life and human nature in that secluded place [prison] had taught me that he who cannot change the very fabric of his thought will never be able to change reality, and will never, therefore, make any progress.” – Anwar Sadat
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
www.twitter.com/rallostyles
*Word you’ve never heard…
kibitzer /KIB-it-ser/ noun - one who looks on and often offers unwanted advice or comment
Friday, May 29, 2009
The Catalyst
Hello All,
When I send out the Catalyst I normally can’t wait to see how you all respond. Some people will agree and others won’t. That’s ok because I don’t write the Catalyst for philosophical validation. I write because I want the subject to be talked about and discussed around the water cooler. I want to give you something to think about for weeks to come. Last week I wrote about keeping your personal business private. I can tell I struck a chord because I didn’t get my usual tithe of response emails. I take that to mean that I’m in the right choir singing the right song. Since I tapped a sensitive spot there’s only one thing to do: Talk about it again this week.
Back in the day, our heroes were allowed to be heroes because their privacy was protected. Sure a few insiders knew about certain bad behaviors/habits but the general public was oblivious. Now, sealed court testimony somehow gets leaked to the media, positive drug tests from years ago somehow resurface, and the only way to stop identity theft is to have bad credit. Previously, I stated that it would be wise to keep your business to yourself. I say that because we live in “The Snitch Era”. I know different people have a different definition of a snitch. Since I’m writing this we’ll use mine. To me, a snitch is someone who gains from telling other people’s personal information. A snitch tells the police about another criminal so that his punishment will get reduced (like in gangster movies). Sometimes snitches tell other people’s indiscretions to obnubilate* their own. Kobe Bryant snitched on Shaq concerning his infidelities when he himself got caught up. I’m no Kobe hater but it is what it is. Another example of snitching is celebrity blogs. You know what I’m talking about. Perez Hilton, Nicole Bitchie, and a host of other gossip artists make a living by spreading truth, half-truth, and no truths to the masses. All the salacious chitchat seems entertaining because there is no feeling like knowing something that should be secret. Of course, gossip is only entertaining when it’s not about you.
Living in “The Snitch Era” requires that you keep your affairs close to the chest. You hear “experts” claim that you shouldn’t hold things in. “They” say that if you keep your feelings bottled up they could have dire consequences. I’m here to tell you that you have the strength get past any heartbreak, job loss, or any other crisis that comes your way ON YOUR OWN. A lot of times it’s the people we trust the most that violate our privacy. We tell someone something to get the stress off our chest. The next thing you know 10 more people start giving you advice about a situation you only shared with one person.
You can never trust a snitch. Snitches only look out for themselves and will say anything to make themselves look better. They’ll sell out their partner for less jail time. They’ll steal a sex tape from a famous friend and put it online for the world to see. Even if you’re not a criminal or a celebrity you still have to worry about snitches. Snitches are everywhere. They’re the ones who tell your boss thatYOU were late when the BOTH of you went to lunch and came back together. They’re the ones who tell your friends that even though you BOTH were at the club last night, only YOU got drunk. I know what you’re thinking. “Dang, Rallo it sounds like you got some trifling friends.” Well, I have about as many as you do.
“When it comes to privacy and accountability, people always demand the former for themselves and the latter for everyone else.” - David Brin
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
Rallostyles <--Follow Me on Twitter.com
*Word you’ve never heard…
obnubilate /ahb-NOO-buh-layt/ verb – to obscure or complicate
When I send out the Catalyst I normally can’t wait to see how you all respond. Some people will agree and others won’t. That’s ok because I don’t write the Catalyst for philosophical validation. I write because I want the subject to be talked about and discussed around the water cooler. I want to give you something to think about for weeks to come. Last week I wrote about keeping your personal business private. I can tell I struck a chord because I didn’t get my usual tithe of response emails. I take that to mean that I’m in the right choir singing the right song. Since I tapped a sensitive spot there’s only one thing to do: Talk about it again this week.
Back in the day, our heroes were allowed to be heroes because their privacy was protected. Sure a few insiders knew about certain bad behaviors/habits but the general public was oblivious. Now, sealed court testimony somehow gets leaked to the media, positive drug tests from years ago somehow resurface, and the only way to stop identity theft is to have bad credit. Previously, I stated that it would be wise to keep your business to yourself. I say that because we live in “The Snitch Era”. I know different people have a different definition of a snitch. Since I’m writing this we’ll use mine. To me, a snitch is someone who gains from telling other people’s personal information. A snitch tells the police about another criminal so that his punishment will get reduced (like in gangster movies). Sometimes snitches tell other people’s indiscretions to obnubilate* their own. Kobe Bryant snitched on Shaq concerning his infidelities when he himself got caught up. I’m no Kobe hater but it is what it is. Another example of snitching is celebrity blogs. You know what I’m talking about. Perez Hilton, Nicole Bitchie, and a host of other gossip artists make a living by spreading truth, half-truth, and no truths to the masses. All the salacious chitchat seems entertaining because there is no feeling like knowing something that should be secret. Of course, gossip is only entertaining when it’s not about you.
Living in “The Snitch Era” requires that you keep your affairs close to the chest. You hear “experts” claim that you shouldn’t hold things in. “They” say that if you keep your feelings bottled up they could have dire consequences. I’m here to tell you that you have the strength get past any heartbreak, job loss, or any other crisis that comes your way ON YOUR OWN. A lot of times it’s the people we trust the most that violate our privacy. We tell someone something to get the stress off our chest. The next thing you know 10 more people start giving you advice about a situation you only shared with one person.
You can never trust a snitch. Snitches only look out for themselves and will say anything to make themselves look better. They’ll sell out their partner for less jail time. They’ll steal a sex tape from a famous friend and put it online for the world to see. Even if you’re not a criminal or a celebrity you still have to worry about snitches. Snitches are everywhere. They’re the ones who tell your boss thatYOU were late when the BOTH of you went to lunch and came back together. They’re the ones who tell your friends that even though you BOTH were at the club last night, only YOU got drunk. I know what you’re thinking. “Dang, Rallo it sounds like you got some trifling friends.” Well, I have about as many as you do.
“When it comes to privacy and accountability, people always demand the former for themselves and the latter for everyone else.” - David Brin
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
Rallostyles <--Follow Me on Twitter.com
*Word you’ve never heard…
obnubilate /ahb-NOO-buh-layt/ verb – to obscure or complicate
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Catalyst
Greetings,
In an age with blogs, TMZ, and camera phones it’s hard for celebrities to keep their personal business private. I know you’ve heard about Jon from the TLC show “Jon and Kate plus 8”. He was busted creeping on his wife and his photo was posted on the cover of magazines and all over the internet. I want to feel sorry for him but I can’t. If you expose your life to the public, how can you be upset when they see the naughty as well as the nice? Of course, you and I don’t have to worry about paparazzi. But there are still threats to our privacy; our biggest threat being our own big mouth.
If you’re like me you hate to be the subject of gossip. I learned over the years that the best way to keep your personal business inconspicuous is to not talk to anybody about it. It sounds simple but you’d be surprise the amount of people who don’t realize that no one can gossip about you if you don’t put your business on the street. Most of the time, we look to seek counsel from our friends, co-workers, and family when it comes to personal issues. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with that. But you have to realize that telling somebody a discreet matter is like emailing naked pictures of yourself. Once it’s out there it’s out there forever. You may have said something in confidence but there is no guarantee that your confidant won’t tell someone else. Chances are they will spill the beans depending on how “juicy” the story is. It’s sad because most of the personal crises we deal with are often embarrassing and have long term effects on how others will view us if the truth were ever revealed. But you can’t keep your emotions bottled up. Certain situations are so troubling that you have to tell someone. Or do you?
Admittedly, I’m a severely private person. The only personal business I share is business that I don’t mind the whole world to know. Over the years I’ve shared many things about myself in these Catalysts. But trust and believe that I have certain secrets that are going to follow me to the grave. It’s not necessarily because I think that the truth would alter people’s opinion about me. It’s just none of your business (nothing personal). Sure it may be easy for me to work out my own problems without seeking counsel from family and friends. I read a lot of self help books which coincidently trains me to help myself. And if you would open a book or two you’d learn that you don’t have to seek advice on every single issue that arises in your life. If you gain wisdom through books and experience you’ll learn to be your own best counsel. And let’s be honest, most of us don’t listen to anybody anyway so telling our business is otiose*.
I know life can be stressful and sometimes venting our frustrations, crying on someone’s shoulder, or participating in a prayer group seems like the easiest way of relieving that tension. But you always have to be on guard about how much you share and to whom. Not everyone has your best interest in mind. Not everyone practices restraint when it comes to YOUR privacy. I know that some of you like being the talk of the town and all the drama it brings. You feel that if people are talking about you than you must be important. The reality is the less people know about you the more interesting you seem. Conversely, the more someone knows about you the less interested they become.
“Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.” – Ayn Rand
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
http://www.rallostyles.com/
http://www.blestbabyproductions.com/
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
Rallostyles <--Follow me on Twitter
*Word you’ve never heard…
otiose /OH-shee-ohss/ adj. - producing no useful result: futile
In an age with blogs, TMZ, and camera phones it’s hard for celebrities to keep their personal business private. I know you’ve heard about Jon from the TLC show “Jon and Kate plus 8”. He was busted creeping on his wife and his photo was posted on the cover of magazines and all over the internet. I want to feel sorry for him but I can’t. If you expose your life to the public, how can you be upset when they see the naughty as well as the nice? Of course, you and I don’t have to worry about paparazzi. But there are still threats to our privacy; our biggest threat being our own big mouth.
If you’re like me you hate to be the subject of gossip. I learned over the years that the best way to keep your personal business inconspicuous is to not talk to anybody about it. It sounds simple but you’d be surprise the amount of people who don’t realize that no one can gossip about you if you don’t put your business on the street. Most of the time, we look to seek counsel from our friends, co-workers, and family when it comes to personal issues. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with that. But you have to realize that telling somebody a discreet matter is like emailing naked pictures of yourself. Once it’s out there it’s out there forever. You may have said something in confidence but there is no guarantee that your confidant won’t tell someone else. Chances are they will spill the beans depending on how “juicy” the story is. It’s sad because most of the personal crises we deal with are often embarrassing and have long term effects on how others will view us if the truth were ever revealed. But you can’t keep your emotions bottled up. Certain situations are so troubling that you have to tell someone. Or do you?
Admittedly, I’m a severely private person. The only personal business I share is business that I don’t mind the whole world to know. Over the years I’ve shared many things about myself in these Catalysts. But trust and believe that I have certain secrets that are going to follow me to the grave. It’s not necessarily because I think that the truth would alter people’s opinion about me. It’s just none of your business (nothing personal). Sure it may be easy for me to work out my own problems without seeking counsel from family and friends. I read a lot of self help books which coincidently trains me to help myself. And if you would open a book or two you’d learn that you don’t have to seek advice on every single issue that arises in your life. If you gain wisdom through books and experience you’ll learn to be your own best counsel. And let’s be honest, most of us don’t listen to anybody anyway so telling our business is otiose*.
I know life can be stressful and sometimes venting our frustrations, crying on someone’s shoulder, or participating in a prayer group seems like the easiest way of relieving that tension. But you always have to be on guard about how much you share and to whom. Not everyone has your best interest in mind. Not everyone practices restraint when it comes to YOUR privacy. I know that some of you like being the talk of the town and all the drama it brings. You feel that if people are talking about you than you must be important. The reality is the less people know about you the more interesting you seem. Conversely, the more someone knows about you the less interested they become.
“Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.” – Ayn Rand
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
http://www.rallostyles.com/
http://www.blestbabyproductions.com/
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
Rallostyles <--Follow me on Twitter
*Word you’ve never heard…
otiose /OH-shee-ohss/ adj. - producing no useful result: futile
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Catalyst
Greetings All,
There are certain things in life in which we love to indulge. Chocolate, pornography, and celebrity gossip are just a few guilty pleasures that we secretly enjoy. Though I’m a little ashamed to admit it one of my guilty pleasures is the TV series Smallville. For those who don’t know it’s a show about a young Clark Kent and his maturation before he becomes Superman. The show has an adolescent, soap opera-type vibe but I still can’t get enough of it. One of the more interesting aspects of the TV series is the effect that red Kryptonite has on Clark. Instead of making him weak like regular green kryptonite, it actually lowers his inhibitions and causes him to act out of character. It’s only happened a few times on the series but I love it when it occurs because I like to see the nice, clean cut farm boy turn into, for lack of a better term, a Super-Rebel. Clark has to protect himself from red Kryptonite because he thinks that it changes him. In reality it doesn’t change him. It just makes him less afraid to express his true feelings, which if you watch the show causes all kind of drama.
I let you in on my Smallville fetish because I wanted to discuss fear. I’m not talking about fear of dogs, death, or the Boogeyman. I’m talking about your inhibitions. You know, that part of you that creates a sense of panic and unworthiness every time you want to try something new. Inhibitions prevent you from spreading your wings and flying. They tell you that you’re not good-looking enough to approach the opposite sex. They tell you that you’re too dumb to go into business for yourself. Inhibitions are like walls set up to keep you in your comfort zone. The fears that you have make it seem as if what you have right now is the best your life has to offer. They tell you “Don’t try! You don’t know what’s gonna happen next. You don’t have what it takes. Everything is fine the way it is.” What is truly sad is that many of us think this is sound advice. That’s why as we get older settling down and putting our dreams aside seem like the “grown up” thing to do.
Our fears are developed over the years. They weren’t our fears to begin with. Normally, inhibitions are passed down to us. For example, Ladies, if your mom is unmarried or divorced I’m sure you’ve heard this: “If you don’t stop (fill in your own blank) you ain’t never gonna find a man.” Being young and naïve, you took her word for it because she’s older and obviously knew what she’s talking about. So now instead of being “you-nique”, you end up acting like someone else in order to make yourself “marketable”. You don’t want to be yourself because throughout life you were told you’d never be accepted as is. Eventually, you end up with a guy your mom likes while secretly dreaming about a guy that YOU like.
Having inhibitions is like living in a prison with no bars. There’s nothing holding you back except for your fear of disappointment. What’s worse? Most of the time, we’re not afraid of failure. We’re afraid of what other people are going to say/think when we fail. The truth is no matter whether you fail or succeed people are going to hate on you. It’s a fact of life. Once you stand up to the scary beast known as inhibitions, you’ll find that your fears are edentulous*. So go ahead, brother. Go ask Ms. Goodbody in accounting on a date. Of course, there is a possibility she might say no. But the law of averages says that they can’t all say no. Yes, you might be short. Yes, you might be bald. So you’re not super, man. Keep in mind, if Clark Kent was still on his planet no one would think he was special. Everyone on Krypton has heat vision, super speed, etc. It wasn’t until he was taken out of his environment that he seemed special. Maybe if you got out of your comfort zone you would discover you have power(s) as well.
“My defenses were so great. The cocky rock and roll hero who knows all the answers was actually a terrified guy who didn't know how to cry. Simple.” – John Lennon
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
edentulous /ee-DEN-chuh-luss/ adj. - having no teeth; toothless
There are certain things in life in which we love to indulge. Chocolate, pornography, and celebrity gossip are just a few guilty pleasures that we secretly enjoy. Though I’m a little ashamed to admit it one of my guilty pleasures is the TV series Smallville. For those who don’t know it’s a show about a young Clark Kent and his maturation before he becomes Superman. The show has an adolescent, soap opera-type vibe but I still can’t get enough of it. One of the more interesting aspects of the TV series is the effect that red Kryptonite has on Clark. Instead of making him weak like regular green kryptonite, it actually lowers his inhibitions and causes him to act out of character. It’s only happened a few times on the series but I love it when it occurs because I like to see the nice, clean cut farm boy turn into, for lack of a better term, a Super-Rebel. Clark has to protect himself from red Kryptonite because he thinks that it changes him. In reality it doesn’t change him. It just makes him less afraid to express his true feelings, which if you watch the show causes all kind of drama.
I let you in on my Smallville fetish because I wanted to discuss fear. I’m not talking about fear of dogs, death, or the Boogeyman. I’m talking about your inhibitions. You know, that part of you that creates a sense of panic and unworthiness every time you want to try something new. Inhibitions prevent you from spreading your wings and flying. They tell you that you’re not good-looking enough to approach the opposite sex. They tell you that you’re too dumb to go into business for yourself. Inhibitions are like walls set up to keep you in your comfort zone. The fears that you have make it seem as if what you have right now is the best your life has to offer. They tell you “Don’t try! You don’t know what’s gonna happen next. You don’t have what it takes. Everything is fine the way it is.” What is truly sad is that many of us think this is sound advice. That’s why as we get older settling down and putting our dreams aside seem like the “grown up” thing to do.
Our fears are developed over the years. They weren’t our fears to begin with. Normally, inhibitions are passed down to us. For example, Ladies, if your mom is unmarried or divorced I’m sure you’ve heard this: “If you don’t stop (fill in your own blank) you ain’t never gonna find a man.” Being young and naïve, you took her word for it because she’s older and obviously knew what she’s talking about. So now instead of being “you-nique”, you end up acting like someone else in order to make yourself “marketable”. You don’t want to be yourself because throughout life you were told you’d never be accepted as is. Eventually, you end up with a guy your mom likes while secretly dreaming about a guy that YOU like.
Having inhibitions is like living in a prison with no bars. There’s nothing holding you back except for your fear of disappointment. What’s worse? Most of the time, we’re not afraid of failure. We’re afraid of what other people are going to say/think when we fail. The truth is no matter whether you fail or succeed people are going to hate on you. It’s a fact of life. Once you stand up to the scary beast known as inhibitions, you’ll find that your fears are edentulous*. So go ahead, brother. Go ask Ms. Goodbody in accounting on a date. Of course, there is a possibility she might say no. But the law of averages says that they can’t all say no. Yes, you might be short. Yes, you might be bald. So you’re not super, man. Keep in mind, if Clark Kent was still on his planet no one would think he was special. Everyone on Krypton has heat vision, super speed, etc. It wasn’t until he was taken out of his environment that he seemed special. Maybe if you got out of your comfort zone you would discover you have power(s) as well.
“My defenses were so great. The cocky rock and roll hero who knows all the answers was actually a terrified guy who didn't know how to cry. Simple.” – John Lennon
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
edentulous /ee-DEN-chuh-luss/ adj. - having no teeth; toothless
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Catalyst
Salutations,
Time has been flying lately. So much so that I completely forgot that last month was February. If you’re a Catalyst alumni you would know that I didn’t send out my annual Valentine’s Day Catalyst. For those who don’t know, I send out a Catalyst every February to help single people stay patient and couples to, well, stay patient with each other. I know it’s hard because love is a completely irrational and counterproductive emotion. When in love, it seems as if your heart breaks monthly (or even weekly depending on how deep your love is). However, without it life seems somewhat bland and predictable.
Love is a multi-dimensional emotion. It brings out people’s best and worst all at the same time. Love can make a knuckle head change his ways and become a gentleman. It can also make a woman take a criminal charge for her man. Love is strange that way. Whether you’re looking for a man with a future or a woman with a past we all have that perfect person we daydream about. I would describe my perfect woman to you but it’s pointless. She doesn’t exist. It took me a while to realize it but the woman of my dreams is just that, a dream (but if she did…watch out there now!). Don’t laugh because I know some of you are still waiting for Mr./Ms. Perfect. You’ve looked high and low for the “right” person and still find yourself alone. I’ll tell you now that your standards are too high. You’ll NEVER find the person that has 100% of the qualities you want. But you can find someone that has 90% or even 80% of what you’re looking for. Is that not good if enough for you? (Keep in mind that in school you can pass with 70% or above) I’m not telling you to settle for less than you deserve. I just want you to understand that you are not perfect so your mate won’t be either.
I know that some of you are in relationships. You’ve already committed to a person yet you want to change them to fit your flawless mold. You have an idea of what they should be and you nag, manipulate, and complain in order to surrender to your vision of “us”. The only problem is that, for the most part, people don’t change. I’m not saying they can’t change but 9 times out of 10 they won’t. This means that you need to accept how they are right now. One of the reasons most relationships fail is because couples get together based on what they’re relationship could potentially be. One person feels that the other will eventually settle down and be a good spouse. They’ll eventually give you compliments. They’ll eventually lose weight. They’ll eventually spend more time with the kids. You’re setting yourself up for failure if this is how you think. What did we talk about last week? If you want to know how your relationship will be in the future look at how it is currently. If you plant apple seeds you’re going to get apple trees. No matter how much you pray, think positive, and meditate for bananas you will only get what you planted.
Please understand me. My purpose is not to take away your hope. But I don’t want love to take advantage of you. When I look at Chris Brown and Rihanna, I have to shake my head (and don’t get me started on BeBe Winans). Love is supposed to make you feel like you can take over the world. Love isn’t supposed to send you to the emergency room. Nor is it supposed to send you to the psychiatric ward. Love should be a shelter you can go to during the hurricanes of life. Unfortunately, no shelter can protect with a *feckless foundation.
“Love is an emotion experienced by the many and enjoyed by the few.” - George Jean Nathan
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
feckless /FECK-lus/ adj. – weak, ineffective
Time has been flying lately. So much so that I completely forgot that last month was February. If you’re a Catalyst alumni you would know that I didn’t send out my annual Valentine’s Day Catalyst. For those who don’t know, I send out a Catalyst every February to help single people stay patient and couples to, well, stay patient with each other. I know it’s hard because love is a completely irrational and counterproductive emotion. When in love, it seems as if your heart breaks monthly (or even weekly depending on how deep your love is). However, without it life seems somewhat bland and predictable.
Love is a multi-dimensional emotion. It brings out people’s best and worst all at the same time. Love can make a knuckle head change his ways and become a gentleman. It can also make a woman take a criminal charge for her man. Love is strange that way. Whether you’re looking for a man with a future or a woman with a past we all have that perfect person we daydream about. I would describe my perfect woman to you but it’s pointless. She doesn’t exist. It took me a while to realize it but the woman of my dreams is just that, a dream (but if she did…watch out there now!). Don’t laugh because I know some of you are still waiting for Mr./Ms. Perfect. You’ve looked high and low for the “right” person and still find yourself alone. I’ll tell you now that your standards are too high. You’ll NEVER find the person that has 100% of the qualities you want. But you can find someone that has 90% or even 80% of what you’re looking for. Is that not good if enough for you? (Keep in mind that in school you can pass with 70% or above) I’m not telling you to settle for less than you deserve. I just want you to understand that you are not perfect so your mate won’t be either.
I know that some of you are in relationships. You’ve already committed to a person yet you want to change them to fit your flawless mold. You have an idea of what they should be and you nag, manipulate, and complain in order to surrender to your vision of “us”. The only problem is that, for the most part, people don’t change. I’m not saying they can’t change but 9 times out of 10 they won’t. This means that you need to accept how they are right now. One of the reasons most relationships fail is because couples get together based on what they’re relationship could potentially be. One person feels that the other will eventually settle down and be a good spouse. They’ll eventually give you compliments. They’ll eventually lose weight. They’ll eventually spend more time with the kids. You’re setting yourself up for failure if this is how you think. What did we talk about last week? If you want to know how your relationship will be in the future look at how it is currently. If you plant apple seeds you’re going to get apple trees. No matter how much you pray, think positive, and meditate for bananas you will only get what you planted.
Please understand me. My purpose is not to take away your hope. But I don’t want love to take advantage of you. When I look at Chris Brown and Rihanna, I have to shake my head (and don’t get me started on BeBe Winans). Love is supposed to make you feel like you can take over the world. Love isn’t supposed to send you to the emergency room. Nor is it supposed to send you to the psychiatric ward. Love should be a shelter you can go to during the hurricanes of life. Unfortunately, no shelter can protect with a *feckless foundation.
“Love is an emotion experienced by the many and enjoyed by the few.” - George Jean Nathan
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
feckless /FECK-lus/ adj. – weak, ineffective
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Catalyst
Hello All,
Frauds such as psychics, prophets, and fortune tellers maintain they can see the future. These people allegedly know what is going to happen before anyone else. They use crystal balls, tarot cards, or even scriptures to hoke* up the fact these individuals can no more see the future than I can eat BBQ ribs with chopsticks. It’s a shame that everyone doesn’t possess these magnificent abilities. Couldn’t we all benefit from seeing the future even if it was just for one moment? Sure it would be nice. But alas, whether you want to believe it, no one can see what is going to happen next. Personally, I think knowing the future takes the spice out of life but I digress. While some of you have your best days ahead of you, the rest of you have already achieved the apex in your life. No matter which category you fit in there is only one thing you need to focus on: What do I do right now?
Everybody should take at least 20 minutes each day to figure out what they are doing with the life they’ve been blessed with. So many of us take our existence for granted. I don’t think that we purposefully waste our lives. I just think that there is so much information we have to sort through that it’s hard to find a purpose. We have our parents who want us be one thing. Then we have our spiritual advisor(s) who want us to be another. On top of that, society in general takes one look at us and tells us how to think and live based on gender, race, and other meaningless traits. Unfortunately, what gets lost in the shuffle is what “we” want. Not only are we trying to figure out what we want, we also have to figure out how to get it and how long it should take. Not having solutions to these issues brings about a desperate confusion which causes us to question our own judgment, fall into depression, and put our complete trust in individuals who otherwise would have never earned our confidence. It’s easy to become vulnerable to con artists who offer peace of mind in exchange for money especially when you have questions where the answers can’t legitimately be proven.
There is no reason to wonder what the future holds, people. As long as you do the right things now the future will take care of itself. Whether you’re a scientifically minded individual who believes in cause and effect or you’re a holy roller that believes that one reaps what one sows; the same truth applies. If you take care of business now you will insure yourself a prosperous future. If you’re happy now, you’ll be happy later. I know that times are tough. The future seems uncertain and it should be. Like I mentioned before, uncertainty makes life interesting. Knowing the ending of a movie spoils the experience. All you need to concern yourself with is what’s happening right now. If you want optimism look to the past. It will show you all the situations you thought would break you. It will show you the times where you faced tremendous odds and you overcame. Don’t walk sheepishly through the day wondering what will happen tomorrow. March triumphantly because you understand that no matter what your situation looks like you are a survivor and this too shall pass.
“To get up each morning with the resolve to be happy... is to set our own conditions to the events of each day. To do this is to condition circumstances instead of being conditioned by them.” – Ralph Waldo Trine
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
hoke /HOHK/ verb - to give a contrived, falsely impressive, or hokey quality to --usually used with "up"
Frauds such as psychics, prophets, and fortune tellers maintain they can see the future. These people allegedly know what is going to happen before anyone else. They use crystal balls, tarot cards, or even scriptures to hoke* up the fact these individuals can no more see the future than I can eat BBQ ribs with chopsticks. It’s a shame that everyone doesn’t possess these magnificent abilities. Couldn’t we all benefit from seeing the future even if it was just for one moment? Sure it would be nice. But alas, whether you want to believe it, no one can see what is going to happen next. Personally, I think knowing the future takes the spice out of life but I digress. While some of you have your best days ahead of you, the rest of you have already achieved the apex in your life. No matter which category you fit in there is only one thing you need to focus on: What do I do right now?
Everybody should take at least 20 minutes each day to figure out what they are doing with the life they’ve been blessed with. So many of us take our existence for granted. I don’t think that we purposefully waste our lives. I just think that there is so much information we have to sort through that it’s hard to find a purpose. We have our parents who want us be one thing. Then we have our spiritual advisor(s) who want us to be another. On top of that, society in general takes one look at us and tells us how to think and live based on gender, race, and other meaningless traits. Unfortunately, what gets lost in the shuffle is what “we” want. Not only are we trying to figure out what we want, we also have to figure out how to get it and how long it should take. Not having solutions to these issues brings about a desperate confusion which causes us to question our own judgment, fall into depression, and put our complete trust in individuals who otherwise would have never earned our confidence. It’s easy to become vulnerable to con artists who offer peace of mind in exchange for money especially when you have questions where the answers can’t legitimately be proven.
There is no reason to wonder what the future holds, people. As long as you do the right things now the future will take care of itself. Whether you’re a scientifically minded individual who believes in cause and effect or you’re a holy roller that believes that one reaps what one sows; the same truth applies. If you take care of business now you will insure yourself a prosperous future. If you’re happy now, you’ll be happy later. I know that times are tough. The future seems uncertain and it should be. Like I mentioned before, uncertainty makes life interesting. Knowing the ending of a movie spoils the experience. All you need to concern yourself with is what’s happening right now. If you want optimism look to the past. It will show you all the situations you thought would break you. It will show you the times where you faced tremendous odds and you overcame. Don’t walk sheepishly through the day wondering what will happen tomorrow. March triumphantly because you understand that no matter what your situation looks like you are a survivor and this too shall pass.
“To get up each morning with the resolve to be happy... is to set our own conditions to the events of each day. To do this is to condition circumstances instead of being conditioned by them.” – Ralph Waldo Trine
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
hoke /HOHK/ verb - to give a contrived, falsely impressive, or hokey quality to --usually used with "up"
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Catalyst
Greetings All,
Like most of you, I’m always on the quest for knowledge. In order to get this knowledge I have to open up a book or two. Psychology and the human mind fascinate me so it should come as no surprise that a majority of the literature I read deal with these subjects. The interesting thing about the mind is that it determines how we interpret our environment. Since none of our minds work the same way, there are about 4 billion different ideas about life and purpose. Those that agree with the majority are generally classified as normal. These so-called normal people take it upon themselves to determine who is not normal. Some would label these individuals that sit outside the norm as crazy. When we think of “crazy” people we tend to think of outcasts in society who hear and see things that aren’t real. However, on a quantum physical level there is no way to disprove what another person perceives as real.
What is your definition of a hallucination? Come on, this isn’t a trick question. Sure, a hallucination is when you see something that doesn’t exist. Or, you can say a hallucination is when you see something that no one else can. If you’re like me and you don’t get enough sleep, you tend to see things. If you do certain drugs, you can also see things that aren’t there. But just because you see something that others don’t, doesn’t automatically make you delusional. Or does it? I have big dreams and big ideas. I have goals that I’m trying to accomplish. However, my financial situation is ridiculously unstable and on paper my goals look impossible. Yet I still strive towards my goal. I don’t have any type of writing degree but I’m writing a book. I don’t have much experience or training in acting but I act and write plays. I’ve been told plenty of times to stop chasing air and get a “real” job but I will not surrender my objective. Does that make me crazy? Possibly. Some of you may have similar experiences. Some of you decided to have the baby instead of having an abortion. Sure, the baby-daddy probably won’t do right. You may very well not be ready but you’re going to have the child whether your people agree or not. Are you crazy? Maybe. Your friends tell you to get a divorce. Your partner is not pulling his/her share. Being with this person seems to hinder more than it helps but you don’t break up. Some wonder if you’re losing it. The truth is you could be. The truth also states that everyone else could very well be wrong.
Most of the eccentric people you’ll meet in life will also tend to be the smartest. Geniuses normally walk to their own beat. They won’t dress like everyone else. They won’t speak like everyone else. And they definitely won’t think like everyone else. But that doesn’t make them crazy, just different. We all have our ways of doing things. We all have our private journey that will lead to a personal nirvana. The rules that apply in my world may not hold up in your world and vice versa. That is why you must understand everything that goes on in your world. Some times we can get caught up in other people’s world, giving unsolicited advice and such, that we forget that our own lives need to be lived. To me, worrying about someone else’s life more than your own is the craziest idea of all.
“Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit.*” - Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
Word(s) you’ve never heard…
“Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit.” <--Latin for…
“There has never been any great genius without a spice of madness.”
Like most of you, I’m always on the quest for knowledge. In order to get this knowledge I have to open up a book or two. Psychology and the human mind fascinate me so it should come as no surprise that a majority of the literature I read deal with these subjects. The interesting thing about the mind is that it determines how we interpret our environment. Since none of our minds work the same way, there are about 4 billion different ideas about life and purpose. Those that agree with the majority are generally classified as normal. These so-called normal people take it upon themselves to determine who is not normal. Some would label these individuals that sit outside the norm as crazy. When we think of “crazy” people we tend to think of outcasts in society who hear and see things that aren’t real. However, on a quantum physical level there is no way to disprove what another person perceives as real.
What is your definition of a hallucination? Come on, this isn’t a trick question. Sure, a hallucination is when you see something that doesn’t exist. Or, you can say a hallucination is when you see something that no one else can. If you’re like me and you don’t get enough sleep, you tend to see things. If you do certain drugs, you can also see things that aren’t there. But just because you see something that others don’t, doesn’t automatically make you delusional. Or does it? I have big dreams and big ideas. I have goals that I’m trying to accomplish. However, my financial situation is ridiculously unstable and on paper my goals look impossible. Yet I still strive towards my goal. I don’t have any type of writing degree but I’m writing a book. I don’t have much experience or training in acting but I act and write plays. I’ve been told plenty of times to stop chasing air and get a “real” job but I will not surrender my objective. Does that make me crazy? Possibly. Some of you may have similar experiences. Some of you decided to have the baby instead of having an abortion. Sure, the baby-daddy probably won’t do right. You may very well not be ready but you’re going to have the child whether your people agree or not. Are you crazy? Maybe. Your friends tell you to get a divorce. Your partner is not pulling his/her share. Being with this person seems to hinder more than it helps but you don’t break up. Some wonder if you’re losing it. The truth is you could be. The truth also states that everyone else could very well be wrong.
Most of the eccentric people you’ll meet in life will also tend to be the smartest. Geniuses normally walk to their own beat. They won’t dress like everyone else. They won’t speak like everyone else. And they definitely won’t think like everyone else. But that doesn’t make them crazy, just different. We all have our ways of doing things. We all have our private journey that will lead to a personal nirvana. The rules that apply in my world may not hold up in your world and vice versa. That is why you must understand everything that goes on in your world. Some times we can get caught up in other people’s world, giving unsolicited advice and such, that we forget that our own lives need to be lived. To me, worrying about someone else’s life more than your own is the craziest idea of all.
“Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit.*” - Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
Word(s) you’ve never heard…
“Nullum magnum ingenium sine mixtura dementiae fuit.” <--Latin for…
“There has never been any great genius without a spice of madness.”
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Catalyst
Salutations to all,
This may be a rhetorical question but did anyone happen to catch President Obama’s inaugural speech last week? If you did, I know you heard him talk about “putting away childish things”. I mentioned that in the Catalyst a couple of weeks ago when I was asking everyone (myself included) to grow up. What are the odds that Mr. President reads the Catalyst? I guess in the scheme of things it doesn’t really matter. But that lets you know that my thoughts can put you in the White House if you’d only listen. I’m just playing (…but a little serious). As you can tell by my light-hearted banter I was planning on taking it easy today. I know you’re ready for enlightening nuggets of wisdom that will help you throughout the week (and you still may get it). But before we get any further into the new year I wanted to give you a message from my soul to yours: STOP BEING SO HARD ON YOURSELF!
We all were young once. We were all innocent back then. We loved our bodies. We didn’t care what brand clothes we wore. When we are adolescent we were content. Actually, we were more than content. We relished in the fact that life was wonderful the way it was. So what happened? As we grew up, we established prerequisites before we could be happy. “All I need is that raise THEN everything will be fine”. “Screw this apartment. I’ll clean better WHEN I get my house”. I could continue but you see where I’m going. We all started out with the same blank slate. Over time that slate has been filled with pertinent and non-pertinent information. We were innocent until someone else told us that a particular behavior was “bad”. We loved our bodies until we looked in a magazine and saw what passed for beauty. Our clothes were fine until we found out how much they cost and that there were more expensive clothes that (fill in your own blank) wears. Suddenly, we established that we didn’t measure up. We didn’t meet the status quo and that was unacceptable. From that point on we let other people make our decisions for us. So much so that other people’s opinions seem like our own. How we dress to the foods we eat is based on someone else’s idea. Of course, none of us can help that because that is how we learn. But it gets to a certain point where you should begin to make decisions on your own. Not based on what other people tell you but your actions should be dictated by productivity. If you have an idea that doesn’t get you any closer to your goal(s) get rid of it. Everybody can’t/won’t be a millionaire. The only way a person can have a “perfect” body is to have some work done (plastic surgery). It’s a fact that Air Jordan shoes won’t improve your basketball skills. It doesn’t make you evil if you don’t have a god to worship. These are all barbicans* we build as we get older that limit our progress.
It’s Jericho time! The time has come to break down the barriers that have kept us away from our collective promise lands. The only way to do that is to develop a positive self-image. There is no success that can happen without confidence. Anything is possible until you let an “expert” tell you otherwise. What makes them so right and you so wrong? You should be the judge and jury in your life. Nothing happens in your life that you don’t allow. If you want different results you should try a different method. Transformation begins when you stop paying so much attention to suggestions and focus more on progression.
“There are no such things as failures, only results. How you classify those results is up to you.” - The All-American Rallo Styles
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
barbican /BAR-bih-kun/ noun - an outer defensive work; especially : a tower at a gate or bridge
This may be a rhetorical question but did anyone happen to catch President Obama’s inaugural speech last week? If you did, I know you heard him talk about “putting away childish things”. I mentioned that in the Catalyst a couple of weeks ago when I was asking everyone (myself included) to grow up. What are the odds that Mr. President reads the Catalyst? I guess in the scheme of things it doesn’t really matter. But that lets you know that my thoughts can put you in the White House if you’d only listen. I’m just playing (…but a little serious). As you can tell by my light-hearted banter I was planning on taking it easy today. I know you’re ready for enlightening nuggets of wisdom that will help you throughout the week (and you still may get it). But before we get any further into the new year I wanted to give you a message from my soul to yours: STOP BEING SO HARD ON YOURSELF!
We all were young once. We were all innocent back then. We loved our bodies. We didn’t care what brand clothes we wore. When we are adolescent we were content. Actually, we were more than content. We relished in the fact that life was wonderful the way it was. So what happened? As we grew up, we established prerequisites before we could be happy. “All I need is that raise THEN everything will be fine”. “Screw this apartment. I’ll clean better WHEN I get my house”. I could continue but you see where I’m going. We all started out with the same blank slate. Over time that slate has been filled with pertinent and non-pertinent information. We were innocent until someone else told us that a particular behavior was “bad”. We loved our bodies until we looked in a magazine and saw what passed for beauty. Our clothes were fine until we found out how much they cost and that there were more expensive clothes that (fill in your own blank) wears. Suddenly, we established that we didn’t measure up. We didn’t meet the status quo and that was unacceptable. From that point on we let other people make our decisions for us. So much so that other people’s opinions seem like our own. How we dress to the foods we eat is based on someone else’s idea. Of course, none of us can help that because that is how we learn. But it gets to a certain point where you should begin to make decisions on your own. Not based on what other people tell you but your actions should be dictated by productivity. If you have an idea that doesn’t get you any closer to your goal(s) get rid of it. Everybody can’t/won’t be a millionaire. The only way a person can have a “perfect” body is to have some work done (plastic surgery). It’s a fact that Air Jordan shoes won’t improve your basketball skills. It doesn’t make you evil if you don’t have a god to worship. These are all barbicans* we build as we get older that limit our progress.
It’s Jericho time! The time has come to break down the barriers that have kept us away from our collective promise lands. The only way to do that is to develop a positive self-image. There is no success that can happen without confidence. Anything is possible until you let an “expert” tell you otherwise. What makes them so right and you so wrong? You should be the judge and jury in your life. Nothing happens in your life that you don’t allow. If you want different results you should try a different method. Transformation begins when you stop paying so much attention to suggestions and focus more on progression.
“There are no such things as failures, only results. How you classify those results is up to you.” - The All-American Rallo Styles
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
barbican /BAR-bih-kun/ noun - an outer defensive work; especially : a tower at a gate or bridge
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Catalyst
Hello All,
There has been plenty of confabulation* concerning honesty. “Honesty is the best policy”. “The truth shall set you free”. “The truth hurts” and so on. I’ll give you a little truth. I’ve always had a difficult time being upfront with people. Not that I’m a pathological liar or anything. It’s just that a majority of the time when I lie, I’m normally sparing someone’s feelings. For instance, as a man I’ve been asked how I liked a particular hairstyle. Of course I don’t like it but what can I say? The truth? Which brings me to my favorite cliché about honesty: “You can’t handle the truth!”
The Buddha says that truth is neither good nor bad. The truth simply is. But if that’s the case, why do we feel so bad about telling the truth in certain circumstances? I have an idea why and tell me if you think I’m in the vicinity. As a nation, we are so politically correct and so intent on falling in line that we never want to rock the boat. We never want to hurt anyone’s feelings. When in actuality, if someone gets offended by something being said it’s technically their own fault. Why should you feel guilty for answering or speaking truthfully? Exactly, you shouldn’t. But unfortunately you do, don’t you? That’s why you stay on the phone for hours with your girl while she vents about her boyfriend (whom you told dump a long time ago). Or what about your friend who feels emasculated because his wife makes way more money than him. You want to tell him to man up and quit whining but you can’t talk to your boy like that because he’s so (fill in your own blank) sensitive. The facts are, whether you believe it or not, that if you can’t be TOTALLY honest you should question the stability of your friendship(s). You shouldn’t have to debate whether or not to tell someone they have a visitor (booger) in their nose. There shouldn’t be a conflict when it comes to telling mom you didn’t like the gift she gave you for Christmas. If you can’t keep it real you’re fake. And since the truth will be revealed anyway, you might as well be upfront.
Let me be the first to say I understand your pain. The truth can be ugly, disappointing, and sometimes a little embarrassing. But the mere fact that you love a person should give you the courage to be honest. Nobody wins when sincerity is in doubt. You shouldn’t have to lie to the ones you love. However on the flip side, never ask a question if you don’t want an honest answer. The next time someone asks you a question give them this response: “Do you want the answer or do you want the truth?” I know you’re confused so I’ll explain. Depending on the question, the proper response may be different. You may be asked, “Do these clothes make me look fat?” Now if you’re responding as a man, the correct answer is NO although the truth is a resounding YES. The truth is out there for everyone to see. But the question remains, can you handle it?
“I love you, and because I love you I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies.” - Pietro Aretino
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
confabulation /kun-fab-yuh-LAY-shun/ noun - familiar talk or conversation
There has been plenty of confabulation* concerning honesty. “Honesty is the best policy”. “The truth shall set you free”. “The truth hurts” and so on. I’ll give you a little truth. I’ve always had a difficult time being upfront with people. Not that I’m a pathological liar or anything. It’s just that a majority of the time when I lie, I’m normally sparing someone’s feelings. For instance, as a man I’ve been asked how I liked a particular hairstyle. Of course I don’t like it but what can I say? The truth? Which brings me to my favorite cliché about honesty: “You can’t handle the truth!”
The Buddha says that truth is neither good nor bad. The truth simply is. But if that’s the case, why do we feel so bad about telling the truth in certain circumstances? I have an idea why and tell me if you think I’m in the vicinity. As a nation, we are so politically correct and so intent on falling in line that we never want to rock the boat. We never want to hurt anyone’s feelings. When in actuality, if someone gets offended by something being said it’s technically their own fault. Why should you feel guilty for answering or speaking truthfully? Exactly, you shouldn’t. But unfortunately you do, don’t you? That’s why you stay on the phone for hours with your girl while she vents about her boyfriend (whom you told dump a long time ago). Or what about your friend who feels emasculated because his wife makes way more money than him. You want to tell him to man up and quit whining but you can’t talk to your boy like that because he’s so (fill in your own blank) sensitive. The facts are, whether you believe it or not, that if you can’t be TOTALLY honest you should question the stability of your friendship(s). You shouldn’t have to debate whether or not to tell someone they have a visitor (booger) in their nose. There shouldn’t be a conflict when it comes to telling mom you didn’t like the gift she gave you for Christmas. If you can’t keep it real you’re fake. And since the truth will be revealed anyway, you might as well be upfront.
Let me be the first to say I understand your pain. The truth can be ugly, disappointing, and sometimes a little embarrassing. But the mere fact that you love a person should give you the courage to be honest. Nobody wins when sincerity is in doubt. You shouldn’t have to lie to the ones you love. However on the flip side, never ask a question if you don’t want an honest answer. The next time someone asks you a question give them this response: “Do you want the answer or do you want the truth?” I know you’re confused so I’ll explain. Depending on the question, the proper response may be different. You may be asked, “Do these clothes make me look fat?” Now if you’re responding as a man, the correct answer is NO although the truth is a resounding YES. The truth is out there for everyone to see. But the question remains, can you handle it?
“I love you, and because I love you I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies.” - Pietro Aretino
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
http://thecatalystexperience.blogspot.com/
*Word you’ve never heard…
confabulation /kun-fab-yuh-LAY-shun/ noun - familiar talk or conversation
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Catalyst
Happy New Year,
It’s finally 2009, the year of change! I trust everyone has stuck to their resolutions thus far. A new year brings new aspirations and goals. It’s the best time to get affairs in order so that the current year won’t have as many setbacks as the previous year. As the Catalyst is getting close to its 3rd year I’ve decided that there will need to be some changes. Our subject matter is going to be more challenging. I have to be honest. I’ve been holding back a little. I’ve been doing some reading, research if you will. You wouldn’t believe some of my discoveries. Together we are going to question certain beliefs we hold dear. I’m determined to not only change my life but yours as well. Now this process may be a little painful. The truth can sometimes hurt but it’s necessary. The only way we can change our life for the better is to change our minds (for the better). As always, that may be easier said than done.
1 Corinthians 13:11 reads, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me (NIV).” The knowledge behind these statements reign true whether you have an affinity for Christianity or not. I love this particular passage because there are plenty of people, myself included, that need to put away their “childish ways” if they expect to have any type of success in life. You may ask, what exactly classifies as “childish ways”? The answer to this question varies according to the individual. What I think is childish behavior may not be childish to you. For instance, I don’t think a person can consider themselves an adult if they still watch cartoons. Watching Dora the Explorer with your son/daughter is fine. But if there are no kids around and you’re watching Spongebob Squarepants with a bowl of popcorn, you should ask yourself if there is a better way of using that time. The same thing goes for you 30+ year olds still watching 106 & Park. There is a reason nobody in the audience is your age. Another childish trait is not accepting responsibility for your own actions. Accountability is an important trait of maturity. When I hear someone playing the blame game, I know I’m not dealing with an adult. An adult realizes that EVERY action and decision has a consequence. And that consequence is only caused by one person and it’s not your parents, the President, or your teachers.
This is a new year, people. Let’s get excited! Let’s get motivated! And for goodness sake, let’s finally get rid of our “childish ways”! All of the adolescent tendencies need to cease. We can longer afford to postpone the inevitable. In order to have success we simply need to grow up. Don’t you get tired of being in your own way? If you don’t want to be your own worst enemy anymore I dare you, I double-dog dare you (ßspeaking of adolescent) to continue reading the Catalyst. Over the next year I’m going to be the *tocsin you need to implement change. The places where I’ll take you, mentally, will either give you a new lease on life or have you hating my guts. Either way, my life is still going to be awesome. And if you stay true to yourself, yours will be too.
“The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” - Carlos Castaneda
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
*Word you’ve never heard…
tocsin /TOCK-sin/ noun - an alarm bell or the ringing of it: a warning signal
It’s finally 2009, the year of change! I trust everyone has stuck to their resolutions thus far. A new year brings new aspirations and goals. It’s the best time to get affairs in order so that the current year won’t have as many setbacks as the previous year. As the Catalyst is getting close to its 3rd year I’ve decided that there will need to be some changes. Our subject matter is going to be more challenging. I have to be honest. I’ve been holding back a little. I’ve been doing some reading, research if you will. You wouldn’t believe some of my discoveries. Together we are going to question certain beliefs we hold dear. I’m determined to not only change my life but yours as well. Now this process may be a little painful. The truth can sometimes hurt but it’s necessary. The only way we can change our life for the better is to change our minds (for the better). As always, that may be easier said than done.
1 Corinthians 13:11 reads, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me (NIV).” The knowledge behind these statements reign true whether you have an affinity for Christianity or not. I love this particular passage because there are plenty of people, myself included, that need to put away their “childish ways” if they expect to have any type of success in life. You may ask, what exactly classifies as “childish ways”? The answer to this question varies according to the individual. What I think is childish behavior may not be childish to you. For instance, I don’t think a person can consider themselves an adult if they still watch cartoons. Watching Dora the Explorer with your son/daughter is fine. But if there are no kids around and you’re watching Spongebob Squarepants with a bowl of popcorn, you should ask yourself if there is a better way of using that time. The same thing goes for you 30+ year olds still watching 106 & Park. There is a reason nobody in the audience is your age. Another childish trait is not accepting responsibility for your own actions. Accountability is an important trait of maturity. When I hear someone playing the blame game, I know I’m not dealing with an adult. An adult realizes that EVERY action and decision has a consequence. And that consequence is only caused by one person and it’s not your parents, the President, or your teachers.
This is a new year, people. Let’s get excited! Let’s get motivated! And for goodness sake, let’s finally get rid of our “childish ways”! All of the adolescent tendencies need to cease. We can longer afford to postpone the inevitable. In order to have success we simply need to grow up. Don’t you get tired of being in your own way? If you don’t want to be your own worst enemy anymore I dare you, I double-dog dare you (ßspeaking of adolescent) to continue reading the Catalyst. Over the next year I’m going to be the *tocsin you need to implement change. The places where I’ll take you, mentally, will either give you a new lease on life or have you hating my guts. Either way, my life is still going to be awesome. And if you stay true to yourself, yours will be too.
“The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” - Carlos Castaneda
Dream Big. Live Bigger.
The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com
*Word you’ve never heard…
tocsin /TOCK-sin/ noun - an alarm bell or the ringing of it: a warning signal
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