“PRISONER OF THE PAST”

BY AL KING

Some of us really want to do better. We may have lived a life in the past that wasn’t good and we have chosen to repent and accept our wrongdoings. God forgives while humans hold onto things just to have something to make you worthy of their judgment. Those very same people are usually not in a position to hold you in a strained regard based on your past acts…… but they do. Do you get angry? Not at all, what you do is gather an understanding that you can then empower yourself with. What’s imperative is that you remove yourself from those realms of judgment and that will decrease the likeliness of it happening, over and over. Move to different villages and place yourself around new people that can accept the NEW YOU. Continue to live your life to be better and don’t ever allow anyone to make you a prisoner of the past!

"VISION GPS"

BY AL KING

Navigating through life requires a Vision……….. One that will lead you to a life of fulfillment which can only be attained once we have connected with and to our purpose. Purpose will equal vision.  That purpose will be defined by what you are most passionate about and what you are willing to place everything on the line to attain.  The lack of a vision will only be a filled with a journey of free-styling and no accountability which we don’t want that at all. We want to experience and benefit from applying our best efforts of this gift and blessing called a vision. Knowing that if we do what we should, we can live a life of fulfillment. A determined mindset will produce a determined mind state. Moving in the direction of accomplishment; a concise blueprint is devised that encompasses our dreams and aspirations in a nutshell.  In order for this to transpire, you need ACTION not lip service. Your determination, focus, dedication, sacrifices and consistency will determine just how much you want it.  Potential means absolutely nothing if it isn’t applied. You must move in the direction that’s conducive to you reaching your anointed destination.  In doing so, you must create a concise blueprint that will encompass your dreams and aspirations. With a plan in full effect, we have substantiated our intent to expedite this vision. Go out there and chase your dreams and put that vision in place so that you can reap the blessings of your gift.  

If it can change your life you must be willing to do everything to make it your life!

“BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF”

BY AL KING

Things are not going your way as frustration grows……it is met with a fight to gain clarity. What’s the reason? Well, life has a way of forcing us to pay attention and think and the only way to get your attention is to throw some challenges in your direction. We don’t realize during the fury of these challenges that we are actually being brought to a conclusive state of peace and resolve. Gathering this much needed lesson will only define that understanding. So stop asking……What did I do to deserve this?  Be thankful that you have been chosen to go through something. It’s often said that “You have to go through something to get through something.” Most of us will still question it all because we have this false sense of entitlement and believe we should just receive without any friction, any hardships or challenges. In no way does life work that way. We should all be the recipients of blessings but don’t get consumed into believing that there’s guarantees set aside for you. There’s one thing that most of us refuse to accept and that’s where we become our biggest detractors to ourselves by not ……….being honest with ourselves.

Being honest requires becoming vulnerable from within and not being self-biased. One must build the courage to face your choices and decisions head on so are you willing to man up? That inner-reflection will only bring forth a truth that you need for your overall clarity which is exactly what you need to move forward. By us dissecting ourselves it makes us accountable. We are achieving balance that most want but refuse to take the necessary steps to attain it. This will eradicate the negative stance of just pointing fingers and blaming someone else for the position that we currently stand in. It will always be easy to do that instead of working on being bigger and better in our holistic approaches. How can we live without having integrity to ourselves? We can’t.   Again, it’s about accepting the ramifications of what we felt at one time was the right decision and choice.  All of us should constantly be under construction by working to be better and more. By making the necessary strides to improve our circumstances we must first identify with what is versus what should be.  

I want to leave you with a few thoughts ………

Are we working to maximize our potential as a person, friend, relative, parent or spouse? Have you learned from your past without becoming a prisoner of the past? Do you accomplish your goals you set and not start something that you never finish? Do you have expectations of others that you don’t have for yourself?  In answering those questions, you have to be honest. Don’t waste time chasing your tail by failing to look in that mirror because you fear facing YOUR truth. Nothing will change if you’re not willing to change your perspective!

 

 

    

“WHY ME?”

BY AL KING

We face some adversity and the first thing we say to ourselves is ……. Why Me? Well, let me tell you something that you need to hear. First, do you say why me when things are going your way? I highly doubt it. In a very interesting way we are specifically chosen for each battle and it’s never one that we can’t overcome. We are taken for a ride where we may even be stripped of everything that we have, getting all the way to our very low. That happens because GOD requires your undivided attention and wants you to have no distractions as he converses to you through the experience. He knows that he must shake your entire world up to get your attention, taking away even some of the essentials that you need but will never leave you with nothing. In the end, you will thank him for being sacrificed and used as an example that will help others as you thicken your testimony and champion your feat. This process has nothing to do with karma but purpose. It’s very important to recognize that we must be refined in order to realize both our plight and purpose. Personally, it had taken me some time to accept that some of the things that had been thrown at me were divinely orchestrated just for me to attain the hard lesson.

Days and nights, I would sit and wallow in my reality and ask that same question because my circumstances seemed unfair and unjust. It wasn’t until I begin to face and accept the choices and decisions that I made that I begin to see the reason behind it all. We refuse to be accountable and responsible for our today and tomorrow based on what we did yesterday and for every action there is a reaction. We can’t get somewhere without going through something in the form of humility to reach the destination. That somewhere is a significant piece of our ultimate purpose. Do you really think that anything that’s worth having and honoring will come without some form of turbulence? Most of us want everything to come our way without any bumps in the road, smooth sailing where we just ride off into the sunset.  It’s not until life intervenes and forces us to appreciate our simplest blessings that we get it. Once we have gotten through it all I can assure you it will feel like we never went through it. I know that many of you may be enduring something that has you wanting to give up but I implore that you continue to push in order to get through it. Remember, all you need is a teardrop of faith to get through anything. The impossible is always a step away from being possible!

"FROM NIGHTLIFE..... BACK TO GOD"

On our latest segment of LET IT BE KNOWN LIVE RADIO we had a very special guest sharing her testimony, Minister and Author Candace Leigh Williams of the forthcoming book "The Day I Tipped out on God, When God's love wasn't Good enough." We have all been through something in our past that gives us both an experience and testimony to walk away with. Through sheer faith and strength, some of us are able to redeem ourselves so that we can share our lesson with others which is the positive of going through it. As we all know, Life constantly reminds us over and over that our life journey will continuously consist of adversity, challenges and even temptation. Despite what we endure, how many of us are courageous enough to share our testimony with the world? Listen to the podcast here ....  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/letitbeknownlive/2012/03/08/from-nightlife-back-to-god

"SPIRIT VAMPIRES"

BY AL KING


  In this journey called life........ We all have different paths leading to different destinations. By taking either the high or low roads, we all cross paths in the process. By gathering experiences from each exchange, we have a choice to either take the lesson as a plus or become warped by making it a negative. Unfortunately, those that are damaged by their own experiences will make it their goal to harm anyone that they come in contact with—I introduce you to the Spiritual Vampires. Their sole intent is to destroy the spirits of those that are happy, stabilized and at peace. It's safe to say that their act of malice is embedded in their second nature. They drain every single drop of substance from their victims, leaving them empty with a wounded spirit. Due to making a decision wallow in their own misery they find an immediate sense of fulfillment in sharing that grief.

Ladies and Gentlemen—if this is not enough reason to be mindful and guarded of who you allow into your precious world, I don't know what to tell you. Yes, there are people in this world that are primarily here to sabotage what you work so hard to maintain and sustain within your spiritual wealth. Our spirits are constantly under attack, so it's important that you do everything to protect. We are most vulnerable in our comfort zones, by those that we least expect. Those vulnerabilities become a prime target and are manipulated by the access that we grant. It would be in our better judgment to remain on point and in tuned to our surroundings toward anyone that is not right. There are just too many people that thrive off of just being negative so I strongly suggest that you AVOID them by all means. Remember, practice and exert Self-Preservation so that you can protect your peace, energy and most of all your spirit!

   

WHOSE WEARING THE PANTS? THE SPANDEX?

On our latest segment and the last show of an amazing 2011 season of LET IT BE KNOWN LIVE RADIO ,  the temperature of the show was on FIRE. As we continue to bring content and dialogue that is "True Life", intensely we had to go at who wears the Pants in a relationship, marriage or any union. The conversation sparked tremendous perspectives from our constantly charged panel and listeners. We may all agree that the roles of both Man and Woman are sometimes cloudy and undefined through the lack of understanding which only leads to a high level of confusion. However, when there is clarity it truly diminishes the possibility of one person being burdened to assume dual roles...... Listen here and enjoy the Podcast http://www.blogtalkradio.com/letitbeknownlive/2011/12/29/women-wearing-pants-men-wearing-spandex

"LETS PULL UP OUR PANTS.... AS ADULTS, CHILDREN AND SPOUSES"

On our latest segment of LET IT BE KNOWN LIVE RADIO ............ this show was certainly on FIRE with many perspectives as we addressed the obvious and figurative aspect of "Pulling up our Pants". The cause and effect has been induced from the lack of direction and leadership from our adults, parents and general collection of support. This obvious plague of inappropriateness is a mere reflection of how we see ourselves, across the board we need to tighten up our belts and do better overall. The changes that we so urgently need begin with us discussing it and following up with effective action. Check out the podcast here and you will be delighted and entertained with the dialogue ..... http://www.blogtalkradio.com/letitbeknownlive/2011/12/22/lets-pull-up-our-pantsas-children-adults-spouses


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"TAKERS and GIVERS"

BY AL KING


In each of our lives, we all come across many personalities in many people. We grow into these rapports, friendships and associations all by experience.  These interactions quickly educate us on one important factor; that people will either add or subtract from our lives. Which leads me to my point that in those processes, we will constantly come across two different types of people; a taker or giver. We all want to be in a position of receiving because it feels good to get something from someone. That part of us is an acceptable selfishness that is innately in us all. But I think we would agree that there is nothing more disheartening than having to deal with someone that just wants to take...take....take. Sadly, we are all surrounded by these individuals. Again, We are all looking for something in return to balance off what we are willing to give. If you have endured the people that don't know how to give, it will force you to worship those that give and provide from the sincerity of their hearts without any conditions attached. 

Some of you may have this special type of person in your life and don't even know.... so I will help you identify them; Takers are inconsiderate and spineless with their methods in order to get what they want out of every situation. Some of them are not even aware of their doings while most of them are the least bit concerned with how they are perceived. Initially, they seldom come across as the "using" type and often give off a very sincere persona. They are usually loners and have very little friends for obvious reasons. The sad part of this all is that they may never understand the importance of being reciprocal in their exchanges because they are not receptive.



The question is.....How do you protect yourself from being used and abused by this individual? First, you have to simply be mindful of your surroundings and dealings. What happens to you will only happen if you allow it. There are times that we all get so consumed with interacting that we forget to pay attention to details. There is absolutely nothing wrong with sizing up everyone that you allow into your world and determining what purpose they are serving. Why not? they do it to you. Ask yourself, is this person going to be conducive to my growth and if not, why should I even bother. Remember, people that have the right intentions will do the right things and that will be defined with the access that you grant.  Now that you have this embedded in your mindset, when you do come across a taker you will already know to keep your distance!

POSSESS AN OPEN MIND

BY AL KING



I wanted to share something really quick with you all in terms of possessing an open mind. You'll never know what can open up your world to countless opportunities and rewards if you are not open. I truly believe that an open mind is usually attached to an open heart. Once you are receptive to being receptive it naturally brings possibilities and probabilities into your life. If you carry this openness it will transcend to your faith and hope which will only broaden your beliefs. It will also force you to understand that what appears impossible is really possible.  

On the other hand, by being closed minded you are refuting what could potentially be and what can work to your full advantage. You will never know what could be if you knock down everything before taking it into consideration. Not only are you doing yourself a disservice but you are most likely shunning a blessing in disguise—one that was tailored just for you. By exerting this type of behavior we become our own oppressor. Remember, we are all presented with options that we're forced to make a decision with either an open or closed mind.  

Be mindful that what's for you will have different ways of finding you. BE OPEN!
 

"THE FIRE"

BY AL KING


Possessing the Fire within is something that we all should be working to attain and sustain. How can we accomplish anything without first having the will to do so?   That is exactly where the fire in your core comes right into the equation. Having that fire pushes the walk behind the talk. For example, we all have ideas that will just remain fancy thoughts if they're not executed and brought to life. Some of you reading this may have already made the connection to this strength within while there are some that are fighting each day to find it. If so, you must first start by assessing everything around you and making some rash changes. There is no motivation without constant stimulation and inspiration. With each of us being eternal students of the teacher called life, our experiences mold and provide us with reason to remain motivated toward fulfilling our purpose. It's often said that we all have to go through something to get through something.


What does the Fire look like? The Fire behind one's drive, determination and motivation becomes a clear indication of someone that wants more today then what they had yesterday. You immediately see the following characteristics exude from person's demeanor; Consistency, Tenacity, Assertion, Aggression and  Focus. These are great qualities that cultivate into a refined Person, one that is set on accomplishing their goals (short and long) by all means. 




Lastly, avoid anything that can dim, harm or destroy the FIRE!

WATCHING THE BOARD

BY AL KING


  Over and over, I have emphasized the importance of being innovative here on this blog site but you can't do that if you're not doing one thing. That one thing—I must share with you is something that should be a non-negotiable skill-set embedded in your person. One that you need to promptly incorporate into your arsenal of characteristics and that is..........WATCHING THE BOARD. Those that understand the vitality of innovation have taken the time, energy and foresight to create something that surpasses what's typically being done. I think that that we would all agree that it's no easy task to accomplish but how did it come into fruition? They were able to make an assessment of what was working, what wasn't and what was needed. By having that information or "being in the know" enabled them to adequately strategize to gain satisfactory results. Doing the opposite, not watching the board and being speculative in your quest will not get you too far.

Allow me to use myself as an example with my own journey as an author and publisher, soon to be releasing my debut book. In a rapidly growing literary industry, I keep myself abreast with the existing practices and new trends by connecting to everything associated with this sector. With respect for what has worked for others I do understand that those same methods may not necessarily work for me.  The bottom line is that if I weren't paying attention, I wouldn't know as much and would just be gauging everything on what I presumed was happening. That information has enabled me to come up with my own formula so that I can be as proficient and effective as possible. 

Regardless of the industry, here are a few pointers that I hope you find helpful;

• Research your market, obtain as much facts and information as you can. The more knowledgeable you are the more proficient you will be. Remember that you never have enough information.
• Study Trends and be receptive to where things are going by respecting where they came from. Keep in mind that there are people looking to make a difference just like you so competition is a sign that there is something to gain.   
• Knowing who's who there is nothing like knowing who is accredited in your field.
• Communicate with colleagues that are in your respective industry. Talking to those that have experienced things first hand is a plus.
• Probe those that have experienced success as well as those that have failed. 

The key is to BE IN THE KNOW and Watching the Board helps you!