Damage...

The summer of 2010 has come to an end! Before it commenced, I labeled it the summer of Damage.

Though its pretty difficult for me to admit, this summer has been THEE most rewarding summer I’ve seen in 22 years.

My senses now react to intangible beings. I feel growth. I taste desire. I smell passion. The manifestation of my consciousness has allowed me to take in every experience, from anyone, regardless of any societal value he or she holds.

I realize now more than ever that there is a purpose behind every experience I have endured up until this point. All of these experiences are charged up in a ball of kinetic energy and it is my time to now explode.

The ego of I has been the only aspect dissuading me from doing. One thing I have seen about the “greats” of our time and throughout history is not their ability to think, but their ability to act and do (though thinking with morals and a human conscience is an important part).

I attempted to achieve one goal this summer: balance. According to my own standards, I failed. However, I learned many lessons with my attempt.

My journey this summer began in Dallas, Texas. The one attribute of Dallas that I fell in love with was its investment in components of humanity that provided ultimate happiness for the soul. Family, children, community and spirituality were all dovetailed into the focal point of the city, all entrenched within the paradigm of progression and growth. People were living, and not so much existing.

The next stop was my Undergraduate Leadership Institute experience in Cincinnati, Ohio. The landscape of the city was not so much my opportunity for growth compared to the people I shared this experience with. For an entire week, I was exposed to brothers whose paradigm seemed to be on another planet (you need to escape to realize your own self worth and then cultivate it upon that crystallized epiphany). They were achieving in a fraternity that was prefaced on achievement (no pun intended).
A lot of times, people want to belong to something/or want to be someone mainly because of it's allure; sometimes because of the principles it represents. What I have found is that these same people have contradictory actions and habits. There is no suggestion here of there losing hope and but rather for one to develop a strategic plan of action that emphasizes an action-oriented attitude versus a goal oriented one.

There was at no point in the week an experience where I was not engaged and that was probably true for all the brothers in attendance. Through this, there was first a realization of consciousness and the crucial component it plays in any manifestation of reality. As this consciousness became realized, it was then easier to have a transformation. This transformation is now what I would consider a constant evolution. Subsequently, an inner confidence and knowing self-worth developed.


My summer continued in Washington DC, in the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. The importance of family; support system and an undesirable quench for more (and it being okay!) was the biggest value add from this experience. The importance of leadership. The rarity of leadership. The ability to be a leader amongst leaders. The importance of developing leaders.

The values of influence and decision making were apparent through this experience. You need to be the chairman of your own board of directors. The keys here: Chairman and Board of Directors. When it comes time for your own progression, there needs to be a very strategic establishment of go-to people that have your best interest who are valuable in the future of your life. However, as Chairman, your gut decisions should never be suffocated and defeated.

The value of being selfish to be selfless was also important. One of the biggest battles that people deemed ‘successful’ face is choosing between their own progression and bringing others up. At my age and early on, its important to choose the path that will eventually lead you to being able to do both.

I have reached another level of life. Dreams are no longer dreams; they are realities. Everything around me is so available. Faith is becoming intergenerational; interpersonal; and comforting. Influence that I have is becoming noticeable. Impact is what I strive to create. I am aware of what I say and am very much confident in knowing it’s the right thing to do. Heart is better equipped from experience.

The growth. The realization that this is what life is. The pressure. The understanding that this is what the driver is. The experiences. The heartful welcoming of the humanistic color that it has in universal life lessons.

Through these experiences, I have become equipped. I am ready to finally do some damage in whatever endeavor it is that awaits me after college!

-SLjr.

22. Life Cycles.

Life Cycle.

Everything in life has a cycle. Every cycle has a purpose. Every purpose serves as the color that will illustrate our lives.

At 22, it is difficult for me to assess how and why I have been so blessed in my life- with family, friends, people, places, accomplishments, etc. From every experience, I have realized that those colors that define us are not always the brightest nor picturesque. However, I have always tried to see the beauty in black and grey. I encourage everyone to do the same. Each and every experience in life, negligent of technique, color and size is a masterpiece.

Blue skies have always intrigued me. When I lived in my second house, my mother allowed me to paint my ceiling the skies. Life is an endless cycle and being under skies constantly reminds me of why I need to constantly be reaching for something that will create better realities for both myself and those directly and indirectly involved in my life and my world.

For those that have seen my growth and have had an influence on it, my hat is tipped to you. Ultimately, I am some representation of you. Thanks.

For those that are not here on this earth, I love you and miss you. Though death is the biggest enigma to me in life, death is apart of our living and I have come to grips with that. Your spirit is with me and allows mine to be enlightened and lifted up. Thanks.

I have been asking God for the same thing since I can remember blowing out my birthday candles, and he has not let me (us) down. Thanks. As everyone alive has a day that they were bought into this Earth, I encourage you to keep the faith in your birthday wish (es).

In this cycle of my life, my birthday has become the starting block for an adventure. I encourage everyone to take adventures. I truly believe that our souls need getaways that would recreate a better material world.

In 10^th grade, I made this picture book entitled “Looking Back” for a project. Its difficult for me to look at my experiences, despite everything, and not have a smile.

5-04-1988. 22 years today. WOW.

Thank you God for blessing my life.

Maturity...

We experience moments when we realize our walk, talk and swag are different. Is it organic within life or a self-controlled ideology?

-SLJr

Follow

What I have realized…

We must always define our own realities. However, we must always be mindful that somewhere along that definition there is a flaw, mistake or bad intention. Therefore, we must be ready to re-define them.

Relationship with God...

Family..

1168..

Bay Academy..

Midwood..

Northeastern..

Professionalism...

Kappa..

Leadership...

Life...

Follow it.

SL-2-21-2010