Thursday, February 17, 2011

“ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE”

BY AL KING

With the dawn of every morning brings endless opportunities ……..each of us rise to the blessing of being granted another shot to better our yesterday. Yet, for so many of us our first thoughts are consumed with the foreseeable obstacles which we know will be faced throughout the extent of the day.  Quietly in thought—our heartbeat begins to pick up speed as we think about the things that are currently creating pressure in our lives. The truth is that we all privately struggle with these feelings day after day. Millions of us are beginning and ending our days the same way¸ stressed with concerns that have deprived us of both—our inner and outer peace. We fight to differ but are common in so many ways, to the point that some will create stigmas toward others in an effort to make a distinction by using prejudices. These biases are usually contingent on financial status, race, sexual preference, cultural background or even the address to one’s residence. Realistically, those that have been led to believe they were immune to disease, economical conditions, political agendas, environmental disasters, and all the inevitable worldly transgressions and events are forced to wake up.
The lack of Money is its own hurdle and monster, it’s also the absence of power and options………..where one stands financially and also their credit will separate DESIRES from tangible POSSESSIONS—the Boys from the Girls. But not everyone is willing to accept not having “Purchasing Power”, possessing the ability to buy what they need or finance what they want. That’s something I’ve witnessed firsthand working with various clients as a Real Estate Broker, seeing many different faces during the process of looking to become a homeowner. After reviewing credentials and crunching numbers, it not only humbled them but devastated them to find out that they were not in a position to make the “American Dream” a reality. Understandably, Banks have been administered by the government to handle, monitor and disperse funds to qualified consumers BUT they have taken a stance as if the money is THEIR OWN.

 
There are many versions of adversity we’re often faced with—none of which are selective in claiming its culprits. Issues such as unemployment, divorce, infidelity, real estate depreciation, rising education cost,  inflation, Cancer, Diabetes, or AIDS—we’re all vulnerable to the risk of being affected by the rising, countless epidemics that continue to plague our lives. In the event, that our endurance is tested—it’s your experience and no one can gauge how misfortune or tragedy will impact you, (as we all may agree) everyone responds to a crisis differently. Usually, challenges hit us from a blind spot, catching us off guard, leaving us to deal with the devastation in shock and panic. Without debate, some of us feel that life would be a lot easier if you knew what to expect—I say all of the time that the game of  life will indeed hand you dilemma’s. Some of which you will have solutions for while others you will not. Interesting enough, once life does hand you a card out of its deck, the question is—are you up for the challenge!   

Saturday, February 12, 2011

“VALENTINE’S DAY MISCONCEPTIONS”

BY AL KING

As February 14th,  “the celebration of St. Valentine” makes its entrance into each year, it’s a day for lovers to express their love, passion and admiration toward one another for an entire 24-hours. Love is in the air, rose petals, chocolate’s, and cards are being exchanged as the potential for new relationships are being birthed and existing relationships gain rejuvenation. On the other hand, what we don’t acknowledge are the many MISCONCEPTIONS the day brings………. Irrationally, some feel their future husband, wife, or soul-mate will magically land in their lap, just in time for Valentines Day. Now realistically, I could see this happening through the combination of both faith and motivation, but not just because the arrival of a holiday called Valentine’s Day. One day will not conjure up a solution to plug the void you’ve been trying to fill for years. Not to mention , the clueless lover that believes they’re in a monogamous relationship. Foolishly, they think it’s all about them when in actuality it may be about someone else—yes, some find out exactly what position they play and that position is not being the main event. For others, year after year, holiday after holiday, they spend alone despite being in a relationship, all the while their partner is enjoying this time with the person they really want to be with. Every Valentine’s Day millions pathetically wallow over a love that truly was never theirs, instead of gladly accepting the true gift---- CLARITY.   

Nevertheless, it’s understandable that no one wants to be alone on V-Day but why do many pretend as if they’re ok with being alone……. Which we know is not anyone’s objective.  It’s an amazing feeling to be loved and recognized so missing out on that is not an easy pill to swallow. Particularly  women, take this day very personal and absolutely dread spending it ALONE.  Men, on the other hand, whether in a relationship or not just go with the flow. Being alone can provoke anxiety and pressure—so it forces a reaction during this season, where people will shamelessly meet someone with the inclination of just fulfilling the purpose of the day. We can’t forget to highlight the economic affect, since  countless get caught up in the hype who can’t afford it; spending money outside of their means to create a image that they can’t withhold. Ironically, this excitement is incurred during “Tax Season” which only  enables  people to finance the false image of purchasing power that they wouldn’t  have any other time of the year. Superficially  adding to the  publicity that the bigger the gift the more your loved. When it’s all over, it’s like waking up from a dream as they resort back to being the same person that’s still  looking for love—Real love lies within the core of our person and not at the mercy of others. Of the remaining 364 days out of the year we’re our own Valentine’s and should be grateful for that possession to the fullest!!!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

"BEING SPIRITUAL, BEING RELIGIOUS"

BY AL KING

  With the dawn of every morning brings endless opportunities ……..each of us rise to the blessing of being granted another shot to better our yesterday. Yet, for so many of us our first thoughts are consumed with the foreseeable obstacles which we know will be faced throughout the extent of the day.  Quietly in thought—our heartbeat begins to pick up speed as we think about the things that are currently creating pressure in our lives. The truth is that we all privately struggle with these feelings day after day. Millions of us are beginning and ending our days the same way¸ stressed with concerns that have deprived us of both—our inner and outer peace. We fight to differ but are common in so many ways, to the point that some will create stigmas toward others in an effort to make a distinction by using prejudices. These biases are usually contingent on financial status, race, sexual preference, cultural background or even the address to one’s residence. Realistically, those that have been led to believe they were immune to disease, economical conditions, political agendas, environmental disasters, and all the inevitable worldly transgressions and events are forced to wake up. 

The lack of Money is its own hurdle and monster, it’s also the absence of power and options………..where one stands financially and also their credit will separate DESIRES from tangible POSSESSIONS—the Boys from the Girls. But not everyone is willing to accept not having “Purchasing Power”, possessing the ability to buy what they need or finance what they want. That’s something I’ve witnessed firsthand working with various clients as a Real Estate Broker, seeing many different faces during the process of looking to become a homeowner. After reviewing credentials and crunching numbers, it not only humbled them but devastated them to find out that they were not in a position to make the “American Dream” a reality. Understandably, Banks have been administered by the government to handle, monitor and disperse funds to qualified consumers BUT they have taken a stance as if the money is THEIR OWN. 

Spirituality and Religious………  the disparity of the two is often debated by those that fit into one or the other, each feeling their outlook on belief is better. Whenever the mention of religion is raised, whether in public or private discussion it is often met with heated input—I join in on the challenge of discussion respecting both sides.  While we’re all entitled to choosing our own methods of belief, it really doesn’t matter when we have to face our day of reckoning—leading to our own demise here on earth. That’s why our time here is truly about filling out our faith and ensuring that we do everything required to do just that. Whether you are ‘Real” or “Fraudulent”, someone is proclaiming to be either spiritual or religious, what has always taken me aback is how people don’t connect their beliefs with their actions. As we all know, there are many hypocrites that hide behind religion—thinking that talking the talk is enough without walking the walk. Truth be told, reciting scriptures because you know the BIBLE from front to back means absolutely nothing when you’re actions predicate something different. 

We have all seen many different variations of hypocrisy, connected to the many different denominations of belief. They use holy verbiage that constitutes a holy façade, an alleged connection with the MOST HIGH that hasn’t been made (at least as of yet).  They find solace in living a lie, walking in falsehood, doing everything in the dark as if the light of truth will never appear.
Some may think that they are exempt from karma because they are church-going or deeply spiritual, I must emphasize that we’re all in a position to make sense of ourselves with how we treat one another. For clarity, “doing bad things to bad people doesn’t make you a good person” and neither is malice and mayhem, acts of someone that’s in unison with the HEAVENLY FATHER. The thing is when you come into the presence of God’s children (which we all are) it is your responsibility to show a discernment for what may potentially transpire from making that connection.  With that encounter, it is then that you should embrace the heart and not just the shell of a person, by seeing their heart which is of more value than concentrating on any other component of the individual.  

We can only make a determination of where a person’s heart is based on the size of one’s heart—Regardless, of what we may perceive in others it’s always our responsibility as “people of authenticity” to do what’s humane and righteous. What most fail to comprehend is that CHURCH is in you and not where you select to fellowship, the misconception is that you have to be in church to be a representative of God. Going Monday through Saturday with Ungodly ways is not authentic and something that most feel they will repent just with their Sunday presence. The fact is we should all live within the confines and intentions of being righteous and not just right, every breathing opportunity we are granted. Unfortunately, that’s not the approach nor the mindset of us all because we live in constant judgment—stones are continuously thrown to intentionally destruct others when they should be used to create bridges of hope. 

Be who you should be, be genuine, be authentic whether you are spiritual or religious—What’s the point of “pretending” when you can actually be “doing”, if everything you do negates the purpose then there is no reason in doing it. Lastly, we’re all connected to our generosity—Good people do Good things.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

"CHEATED ON"

BY AL KING

Anyone that has had to experience the heart-drenching saga of being cheated on, the initial reaction is—should I leave them or should I stay to work on this relationship. Adrenaline is flowing, heartbeat is racing, disappointment, frustration and anger fills the body. What’s crazy is, most of the time it brings two people closer together because the person that was cheated on is usually insecure with losing them to the person they cheated with. How does one find out? Someone tells them, that someone is most likely a friend or the opposite sex just looking to gain some leverage from the situation.  Very few find out from being their own detective or investigator, not saying it doesn’t happen but most people are caught in “denial mode” so a confirmation has to really smack them in the face for them to accept it. But once it hits the fan, that day will forever go down in history. How you found out, where you were, what you were doing and that churning in your stomach feel that hits you at that moment. The person that does the cheating, they are usually unfazed by the hurt and pain they’ve caused. They get to sleep at night without even thinking about this too much while on the other end the one cheated on can barely sleep or eat.

Let me tell you something…….. The person that is cheated on can take their mindset in two places. First, they can become immensely bitter or second, they grow to be cheaters themselves by using this incident as justification to NEVER trust again. On the flip-side, there is no one to blame but yourself, the thing is we are more inclined to take a chance with something that may not work as opposed to something that is more likely to succeed. Basically, from the beginning your partner may have shown you that they had no intentions on being faithful but you chose to ignore it and move further into an emotional web. You have to look at the cause and not necessarily the outcome it is just the way of life. If a person cheats once they will cheat twice so if you think any different you’re only fooling yourself. There is no rehabilitation for cheaters but them getting a dose of their own medicine and once it’s done to them, which may be the only time they feel any kind of emotion. 

I’ve always felt that most Cheaters are born and the rest are circumstantially converted through experience. Whether you have been cheated on or have done the cheating, no one wins. The dynamics are changed for the worse, leading to pain after pain. The person on the [outside] that was used is rarely taken into account because they may have been misled into believing they were involved with someone that was single. Either way, the entire triangle is one that involves a bunch of lies. Cheating breaks up homes, spirits, trust systems and is an unfortunate part of society. Instead of hurting others, if you’re not happy work toward finding the exit without damaging someone else in the process!