Sitting here listening to a few slow grooves gives me time to sit back and think of the love that I've shared in the past, and of the love I share to this day.

Ladies, EVERYTHING about you is beautiful.....open your eyes and realize it for yourself so that when the right guy comes around who truly appreciates it, you'll know that love is genuine, and not some sawed-off version of lust that many confuse for love.

Admire yourself for who God made you to be, and let that shine through in who you are.  You all are beautiful regardless of what society says beautiful is SUPPOSED to look like.  If you're not a size 6, why let that hinder how good you feel about you?  Allow the true YOU to shine through all the bullshit. 

Your eyes are the windows to your soul.....never let them get dull and lifeless because you think you're not all you're supposed to be.  You are our (Men) lifelines.  Take the time to think of how you can make the hardest thug smile just by looking his way and shooting him a smile.  No man can resist you, and that's what makes you beautiful. 

They say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.......let those eyes that behold that beauty be your own.  How can you not feel beautiful and special when you were created to be so????  I love women so much that I can't imagine not having you around me at all times.  I may not be the object of your affections or attention, but best believe I admire you, and adore what you stand for.

Let your voices be heard far and wide as to how beautiful you are, and that you should be treated with the respect that we all deserve.  Smile, live, love, and just simply BE........you'd be amazed at how much we pay attention to you when you least expect it.  Although most men look with lust in their eyes, allow us to see that you are worth more than just one night of lust.......let us see that you have the potential to be our wives......the mothers of our children......the teachers of lifes lessons.........

I'll elaborate on this more in due time......but ladies, always hold your heads high, and know that we love you no matter what.

Putt

When life has you down, or everyday stress is becoming to much to bear, take time to think about what helps make you calm....

For me, simple things like taking a walk in one of the many beautiful Chicago Parks, or taking a drive down Lake Shore Drive.

Music has always been my euphoric place to escape.....Just the right song at the right time seems to make everything seem so much better.  The things a beautiful voice can do to soothe the soul is amazing.

Sometimes playing a videogame or two helps release that tension that builds up.  There's something about killing a few fools online in Gears of War that makes me a little giddy at times.

Lighting scented candles works wonders.  Turn off the lights, grab some candles and place them in some specific locations in the house to set an ambiance, put on some nice mellow grooves, and let your mind escape.

Hell, going skating with my brother JB & Primo can kill a lot of stress.  Glenwood and the Rink on 87th are sanctuaries for this......and it's damn good exercise as well.

Have you ever just sat back, taken some time to reminisce on past events and people that have graced your life, and just laughed out loud to yourself enjoying the memories of times past?????  All my true FRIENDS that I've met in the military still hold a place in my heart, and I love and miss all of you.

I'm in a very calm and relaxed state of mind, and I just want to share that with anyone who cares to read this........and hopefully I can spread the same feelings of being calm, complete, and just overall happy with oneself to others with this.

 

One Love

Putt

 

How often do you take time to look back at how simple life was when we were kids? I think about it almost everyday, and I cherish those thoughts because they are what helped shape me into the person I am today.  For those that don't know me like that, I'll tell you...........

I'm a silly, fun loving, video game playing, spades stomper, loud & funny, joke crackin', sometime emotional, dominologist, who loves to have fun and enjoy life no matter what.

Back when we were kids, we were never scared to dream about how we wanted life to be for us as adults.  As we start to mature, and encounter a few problems in life, we forget how to dream....we forget that our inner child is what keeps us young, keeps us happy, keeps us open to change......that inner child dares us to be who we want to be.

I'll never "grow up" so to speak, because I enjoy life too much to be stressed and depressed all the damn time......although it happens......it will never consume me for the simple fact that I love being a silly guy who loves to dream.

 

Listen to that inner child y'all

Before you take this small journey with me into my world of thoughts, take time to clear and open your mind, and think without boundaries........

 

What if the world knew how to truly be free......do you think we could handle it, or would there be so much to take in that we would shut back down to our typical life of ignorance thinking that it is bliss.

How much better would things be if we could see things from another individual's point of view.......would we still be as quick to pass judgement on another? Would we honestly like to know what it feels like to be a person of another ethnic background or studied a different religion from that of our own?

What if we truly learned how to love unconditionally.............that thought alone just blows my mind away.  To love unconditionally...........meaning, you love a mofo for being who they are, regardless of what others say, what others feel, and what others think.  You can look past the physical, and love the soul.

People in interracial relationships have that vision......but only to a degree. Those of us who have travelled abroad can see as well, but it is still through clouded vision. If God made us in his OWN image, then why is it we find it so hard to be god-like and free our minds? 

Everyday, our televisions blast images into our heads of how the perfect man or woman should act like, look like, and dress like.........and like a herd of cattle, we follow what is portrayed as perfect as if we weren't blessed with our own minds to think for ourselves.  So what I don't drive a Benz, so what I don't have the newest Jordans, so what my jeans look as if they've been around a few months longer than most would keep them.........what's so bad about me being me, and being comfortable????

Most people are so caught up in trying to have something that the next person doesn't have just to impress them, and the only opinion that matters should be our own opinions about us.......fuck what the next person thinks.

Most of the things that we've come to recognize as a part of society from entertainment all the way down to the "luxuries" that we enjoy are all a part of  a control system. Open your mind, and free yourself to BE yourself.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.........but how often do we take time to see the beauty in things???  Sure, we look at a person, or object that we find "beautiful", but there are so many more things that are beautiful that we never take time for.  The beauty of life itself is simply amazing.  The sun setting over the water......the beauty of the change of seasons.......the beauty of the marvels around the world.........the beauty of true love.  Those that I've loved in my life, I still love and cherish.  It's beautiful how someone can make you feel as if you're the most important person on earth.  It's beautiful how a child can make you see how simple life can really be.  It's beautiful how everyday can hold something new with new possiblities.  Love life, and live to the fullest to enjoy what it is that we take for granted everyday.  Love the beauty of life.

It's funny to me how people stress how much they keep it real, but in all actuality, that couldn't be farther from the truth.  If we're in the age of "grown and sexy", then why the hell can't we even "keep it real" with ourselves???  Everybody is so consumed with impressing the next individual, when that person has little to no effect on our lives.  When you say something to someone, make sure you're being as sincere as possible if that is what you expect in return.  We all make mistakes, and believe me I've made mine, but are you PERSON enough to admit it and lie in the bed that you've made?  Shit, Lord knows I'm far from perfect, and I fall victim to the same things that I talk about, but I know deep in my heart that I'm PERSON enough to admit when I'm wrong, and live with the consequences.

We all need to take a little time out to realize how powerful words can be if they're misused, and try to be a better person to ourselves and those that we hold dear.  If you're on some bullshit, then say so.......you'd be surprised how much more a person will respect what you say when you do so.  To anyone I've ever wronged, I truely apologize, and hope that you find it in yourself to forgive a brotha.......I never intend to hurt anyone.

Be a person of your word, and stand by what you say.  You never know who believes every word that you speak and look for you to be true to what it is you're saying.

One Love

Today is one of those days where I'm just in a mood to think back and enjoy my thoughts and memories.  A lot of times we take the time we have for granted typically thinking that it'll never end......and how wrong we are for thinking that.

I think back on my times growing up on 57th & Hoyne on the South Side of the Chi, and genuinely miss the people I was around.  We used to play tag football in the middle of the streets as if the cars driving by were wrong for disrupting our game.  I miss all of the people who've impacted my life in some way, shape or form......good or bad.  They've served a purpose........helping me become the person I am today and having the values I have in life. 

This is just a blog to show the people I care about who read this how much I appreciate them, and love them.  Everyone who has been a part of my life, I truely miss you, and wish you all well in your endeavors in life.

This is something that will hopefully put a few smiles on some faces, and raise some confidence levels out here.......

Why is it we find it so hard to accept ourselves for whom we are? Why are there so many people willing to be followers instead of taking the reigns and leading the pack themselves? We're all guilty of it at one point in time or another....... We're our own worst critics......and for what...?...so that another person can approve of what they see? Why do we put so much energy into giving a damn about what others think of us.......as long as you're happy and content, that's all that matters.

It pains me so much that people that I care about think so little of themselves, or don't believe or feel as beautiful as God made them to be. We are all beautiful in our own individual rights, and these words are to remind us from time to time that we're worth a lot more than some idiot's opinion of us. If you find certain people being overly critical of you, maybe it's simply because they wish they could be as content and comfortable as you are doing what they're so worried about.

Happiness is all about how you feel about yourself, and how you want to live your life. Don't spend too much of your time trying to adjust whatever it is you like to do, or like to be. No two people are alike, and that is the most beautiful thing on earth, simply because being an INDIVIDUAL is another thing that makes us special.

It's funny how some people miss out on so much in life because they fail to enjoy the simple pleasures that everyday life can bring. 

To me, things like taking a nice relaxing walk to clear the mind really put me at ease.  Spending some quality time with my son playing a few PS2 games.  Going to the Rink on Sunday and Tuesday nights to get my skate on even though I'm a rookie. (LOL)

If you're stressed about anything, just take time out to think of something, or someone that always seems to bring a smile to your face no matter what the situation is.  If we take things too seriously all the time and never take time out for ourselves, then that typically leads to a very unsatisfying life if you ask me.

Hell, get up and go listen to that song that makes you laugh, go buy yourself your favorite snack, watch your favorite movie on DVD, just don't let things get you down to the point where you feel you can't survive or go on.

Just remember, take time for something simple that makes you happy, and things won't seem as bad as they did before.

Funny how times change.

Sittin' here listening to Common's cut "Nuthin' to Do",
I just sat here thinking about how city life had it's ups
and downs, but was always love. 
Whatever happened to kids being bad, but still had respect for the elders in the neighborhood?

Now they curse adults like they're someone's equal.

Remembering how the young
ladies in the neighborhood would have "cheering
competitions" against the girls from the next block.
Out there all fass-assin' it doing "poppin' cheers".
57th & Hoyne vs. 57th & Streeter.  They knew damn well
that if somebody's momma caught them it was over!!!

But these days kids are having sex, and making babies.

Man, back in the day, the boys in the hood stuck together
like glue.  God forbid if someone came around trying to
do wrong......we had each other's backs like blood.
Playing "piggy" softball, getting wet in the fire hydrant,
tag football in the middle of the streets
or tearing up a milk crate to make a basketball rim
because we were too poor to buy one.......our childhood
was the bomb.

Now young people shooting the first mofo to step on they
shoes.

Sega and Nintendo came out back then and we went nuts!
But sitting in the house all day got boring soon, and we
rolled right back out to be with our people and mingle.

These days the internet, PS2's and Xbox's got kids
looking at playing outside like it's a plague.

It's so much more I can elaborate on, but this would be
neverending, so I'll just sit here reminiscing, and
wondering when times will change again as they always
do.

On behalf of all men, I love you.

This is not a poem so to speak or anything of that nature,
it's just me expressing how much love and admiration I
have for women.

Some of us have a hard time telling you how we feel
about you, and it may be for various reasons that we
can't explain, but know that we love you.

I know a lot of times you feel unappreciated, unloved
and so on, but believe me when I say it, we love you.
We would not, and could not accomplish what we have
in life without you in our corners.  Sometimes we're
brash, abrasive, rude, and down right full of shit, but
you teach us how to love and appreciate.  Be it a
mother, sister, aunt, niece, daughter, or grandmother,
there has always been a very strong woman in our
corners.  No matter how much love may hurt you, and
knock you down, stand tall because you are regal.
Know that GOD would never put you in a situation that
you could not work yourself out of.  At the right time,
there will be someone there to show how much he
loves you in his own special way.  I may not know many
of you on a deep personal or emotional level, but my
love for women and what you stand for made me want
to say this:

I LOVE YOU

Sincerely,

A Man speaking for all Men

When is it ok to let go of the past?

Sometimes I sit around and find myself wondering what
it was about you that had me so captivated.  In anger I
lie to myself and say that there was nothing special about
you, but in all actuality, you were very special.

The way you spoke to me, touched me, kissed me, and
looked at me made me feel as if no other person could
bring such joy to me.  It is definately a love that will
always be missed and cherished for what it was, when
it was.  I just wonder if you think about me the way I
think about you........but probably not.  I can't be mad
that you moved on, I should be happy, but I can't be.
Am I being selfish???  It's been a while since you and
I, but I still find myself wishing it never ended.
So when is it ok to let go?????  

I wish I had the closure in that chapter to know..........