HEAL TRAUMA FROM WITHIN
I will never watch the video of my brotha George Floyd being murdered. I stopped watching videos of domestic terrorists beating and killing my people a few years ago. I have seen enough and read enough for a lifetime about what was and is being done to my people. That poison takes me to a dark and dangerous place. I am not at my best in that infected space. I do more harm to myself.
When I was in 6th grade, it was an abnormal day at school. My classmates and I were with Mr. Bell for two hours or so. He did not write on the board that day; no books were opened and no notes were taken. Mr. Bell went off script and started telling this mixed, but mostly Caucasian crowd of students about how racism was the backbone of our current world; he was a griot that day. I remember hearing in horror how there was a one drop rule; if you had one drop off African blood in you then you were African and deemed as the beast, 3/5’s of half a man in ‘their’ eyes.
Hannibal was the great African warrior who is still studied today because of his brilliant strategies and prowess as an extraordinary warrior. Hannibal was white in our book. And Malcolm X apparently talked violently and was killed violently, the end. When Mr. Bell told us that the great warrior Hannibal looked like me, my spirit exploded into an undying pride in my people and thirst for more knowledge. I fell in love with history instantly, black history. If they lied about Hannibal what else did they lie about?
“Who taught you to hate yourself? Who taught you to hate the texture of your hair? Who taught you to hate the color of your skin, to the extent that you bleach it to get it to look like the white man? Who taught you to hate the shape of your nose and lips? Who taught you to hate yourself from the top of your head to the soul of your feet? Who taught you to hate your own kind; who taught you to hate the race that you belong to, so much, that you can’t stand to be around each other? Who taught you to hate what God gave you? He sells you the liquor and throws you in jail for drinking, sells you the dope and throws you in jail for using it to numb yourself from the hell he put you in.” -Malcolm X
Jane Elliot told a group of white people that if they were not racist after going through the American public-school system then they were not paying attention. If white people are programmed to be racist, then my people are programmed to hate ourselves. My history books taught me that my people had it too hard and had to struggle and grind and claw for the idea of freedom. I read this rerun again and again and again. Teaching this to melanated students programs them to struggle and grind and claw for the idea of freedom.
Systemic racism is the true virus that we need to defeat. You must first defeat this dis-ease in your mind before you can defeat it in your world. Defeating systemic racism in your mind leads to a healthier lifestyle. Emotions like anger and rage stings you several times before every stinging anyone else. If you never heal from being traumatized you are living in the past. Dr. Dispenza brilliantly breaks down the power of the mind and how most of us live in the past.
“If feelings and emotions are the end product of past experiences. And you are feeling the same way every single day, doesn’t that mean nothing new is happening in your life. And those feelings and emotions drive certain thoughts. And you can’t think greater than how you feel, because you had events in your life that have branded you emotionally, and you feel sadness or guilt or shame or unworthiness or insecurity. All of those emotions are created from past experiences. And when you feel those emotions, and those emotions drive certain thoughts, and then those thoughts make certain chemicals for you to feel the same emotions; and those emotions drive certain thoughts; the repetition of that cycle then, conditions the body to memorize that emotional state better than the mind. And now your body is literally in the past. Because if you can’t think greater than how you feel, then you are thinking in the past. Most people spend the majority of their life talking about why they never arrived at their vision of the future, because of some past experience.”
So, if you never heal from past traumas, then you are stuck in your personal purgatory. It is like the movie ‘Groundhog Day’; you relive the trauma every day in your mind and body.
That is why I stopped watching those videos. I know what happened and I understand the impact deeply. I realized that watching those videos was like reliving the story of Emmitt Till. When I watched the story of Emmitt on ‘Eyez on the Prize’, I was the age he was when he was lynched. I had nightmares for days after seeing what these white men did to this kid. Carol Bryant, the woman who accused Till of whistling at her said in 2016 that he never whistled at her. She added salt to our emotional wounds.
I focus most of my time on envisioning the world that I want to live in and then I open my eyes and go create it. I go find people who see the world like I see it. Sure, we won’t agree on everything, but those disagreements help us to grow. We collaborate and create this world.
What if you realized that everything you learned in school, watched, and listened to was based on an unspoken theme that Caucasian people were superior, God-like? What would you do? Would you be willing to do the work to free your mind from this oppressive belief? Would you fire the director of the film in your head and hire the divine in you? Or would you stay asleep in a dream for the very few and a nightmare for the rest of us?
Anger, rage and hate must pierce you before it touches anyone else
That poison takes you to a dangerous & infected space
Heal thyself from within
In the words of the Great Earth, Wind & Fire,
“If you can’t find beauty, then make some beauty”
Manifest Heroic Innervisions of your truest desires coming true
Speak Victorious Vernacular to Self
Fall in love with self unconditionally
And you will see love in the sunlight sprinkling through the trees
You will hear love in your daughters’ laugh
And you will feel love when the universe winks at you
Everything is working out in divine order
So, open your first eye and go create your world
Go create your world
Go create your world
Book Recommendation: Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Dr. Joy DeGruy
Blog
THE L.M. LIFESTYLE
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
Nation building is his divine service
Providing for, protecting and nurturing his family is one of joys of his life
A Leading Man is first & foremost love
He knows that the Kingdom of God is the presence of God in in him
A Leading Man starts each day be finding his inner Rah
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
A Leading Man can find his Flow-State on call
He has mastered the art of cool
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
A Leading Man has mastered the Science of the Mind; defining himself on his terms
A Leading Man liberates himself by forgiving himself
He protects, nurtures & fosters his imagination
A Leading Man outworks his potential, finding comfort in being uncomfortable, so that he grows in leaps & bounds
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
A Leading Man is a deliberate creator of his own reality
Life does not happen to him, life happens from him
A Leading Man is a Manifesting Master
He is a Creative Genius
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
THE LM LIFESTYLE
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
Nation building is his divine service
Providing for, protecting and nurturing his family is one of joys of his life
A Leading Man is first & foremost love
He knows that the Kingdom of God is the presence of God in in him
A Leading Man starts each day be finding his inner Rah
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
A Leading Man can find his Flow-State on call
He has mastered the art of cool
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
A Leading Man has mastered the Science of the Mind; defining himself on his terms
A Leading Man liberates himself by forgiving himself
He protects, nurtures & fosters his imagination
A Leading Man outworks his potential, finding comfort in being uncomfortable, so that he grows in leaps & bounds
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
A Leading Man is a deliberate creator of his own reality
Life does not happen to him, life happens from him
A Leading Man is a Manifesting Master
He is a Creative Genius
In-Tune, In-Flow, & On-Purpose
The Spiritual Stimulus Package
So, what do we do? How did we let this happen? Why does it feel like we are in a political television show that is too far-fetched to be believable?
Your Faith is your Currency
Where does your faith lie, in these politicians or the Most-High? Where does your faith lie, in a virus or the Most-High? Where does your faith lie, in fear or the Most-High? I don’t care if you say Jesus, Allah, God, the Universe, Mother Nature, or Dan; you must believe in a power that is stronger than the government. Your faith is your currency now. So, your faith must be plentiful and diversify, with various streams of prosperity. Your God is as strong as your Faith. So, how will strengthen your faith in these times of uncertainty? You must become certain in your conviction that everything is working out in divine order. Even when it seems like your world is burning.
Who are you?
Our (s)elected politicians serve Big Corporations as their citizens. So, what does that make us, in their eyes? The real question is when are you going to stop believing you are not enough and stand up for yourself, your children and grandchildren? America is not a flag or a song or a symbol. America is the people. You define what America is, and what Americans do.
Your Divine Whisper
You know that voice in your head; that voice that only you can hear; that voice that’s never wrong; that voice that can see into the future and tell you not to make that right turn or tells you to take your butt home! We call it our instincts, intuition or our first mind. Make it your accomplished goal to build an intimate relationship with that voice in your head. Become one with that light, the divine whisper. Protect it at all costs. It’s the one sanctuary that can’t be tampered with without your permission. So, how do you connect with your Divine Whisper?
Just as it is vital that we boost our immune system with vitamin c, zinc, and rest right now; we must boost our mind, body and soul with meditation, victorious vernacular and heroic inner-visions. Infuse your spirit with meditation that works for you, uplifting mantras, and 2-minute mental movies directed by you where everything is working out. Vibrate higher, you are what you think. So, feed your mind nutritious thoughts. Below is a Prayer/Meditation:
Close your Eyes
Inhale, Exhale
Take Deep Calming Love Breaths
Let go of Expectations and Judgement
Let go of Trying to Clear your Mind
Just…let…go
You Thrive during Times of Uncertainty
Fear is not fertile, so you become the Seed and the Soil
Your happiness is your Secret Weapon and attracts Blissful Vibrations
You have all your needs coming with Ease & Speed
You have a ball watching the Universe Surprise & Delight You
Everything is working out for you in divine order
You are a Love & Light Being
Live in the Light
Live in the Light
Live in the Light
Thrive over just surviving
We are isolated physically right now. Like senses, when you take one away, the other parts of us must get stronger. So, strengthen your mind with creative stimulating exercises. Writing this article was medicinal and a healthy challenge for me. Ideas that come from you, that do not have easy conclusions enflame your curiosity, creativity and critical thinking skills. Here are a few Activities you can do Today:
· Write a Poem
· Write a Book
· Create a Gratitude Wall with your Kids
· Color on the Floor with your Babies
· Dance with your Chil’ren to a Concert on your Big Screen like you were there
· Create a Unique at Home Yoga Sequence and Share
· Create a Unique at Home Workout and Share
· Create a 5 Minute Stand Up Set
· Fall out of your Comfort Zone and do something that Scares & Excites you
· Start a Company based on what Ignites your Spirit
· Build a Brand from your Core Values
· Create Virtual Care Packages and Send them Out
· Cold Call a Loved One and tell them what you Love and Appreciate about them
Freedom from Time
For the first time since I was a baby, I am not a slave to time. I know for some people that may be a boring or torturous place, but once you realize that you come from a Great Creator and that you yourself are a Great Creator, then you will be able to use your imagination and grow like the flowers and leaves that are budding as we speak.
There is so much fear and misinformation on the idiot box and on social media always, but especially now. So, remember, it all starts in the mind. Something you can do that will relieve stress and fear immediately is to make sure that 90-95% of what you listen to, watch, and read is educational, uplifting, empowering, positive, hilarious, entertaining and/or thrill-creating content. This is key. Watch things that make you laugh out loud; call people who you get excited about when they cross your mind; listen to music that send chills and thrills throughout your body.
Your True Purpose
Are you on this earth to work a 9-5 job that you hate? I seriously doubt that. You are here for another vital reason. It’s that thing that ignites and scares you to death at the same time. It’s what makes you say, “WOW”! That thing that creates chills and thrills from within! It’s the unexpected laughter that knocks you off your feet and flow tears of bliss down your cheeks! Your true self lives in what gives your life love and light. My family and friends give my life love and light. Stories feed my soul. Music soothes my tension. Creativity is my life and my light. What gives your life love and light? Answer that question… and you find your purpose.
Formulate your Crew
Who do you funk with, for real? Google and research masterminds and create one. Video chat with loved ones. Call people who you love that you have not spoken to in ages. Call people who you fell out with and forgive… forgive yourself and others. Connect and collaborate with like-minded people. Once you find the God in you (Divine Whisper), you can see God in people, feel that wonderful presence in the wind, see Mother Nature’s Art Gallery in the flowers and trees; and use your third eye vision to see beyond your potential in caterpillars & butterflies. Whether it’s sunny out or gloomy, your light shines bright! You and your crew stop being conditional and reaction living folks. You start creating your world with the foundation of faith being your currency, becoming one with the God within, finding your purpose and formulating your crew. Looks like you have plenty to do.
Kobe Bryant: Mamba Mentality
They say that when an elder passes on, a library burns down. Kobe Bryant built a library that impacted generations of athletes, fans, business owners and people passionate about improving their life.
Kobe’s rape trial had just been dismissed. That “he’s just like the rest of them” residue was tattooed on him. The Laker team lost in the finals and had been broken up. Shaq was in Miami. And everybody was blaming Kobe for shipping Shaq out of town. The golden boy was not so innocent anymore. Michael Jordan’s sequel looked selfish and vindictive.
Kobe started the process of redefining himself while flying back and forth to Colorado and playing the game he loved. It was at this stressful time for all involved that Kobe created his alter-ego, the Black Mamba; a deadly accurate and viciously violent snake. He got to release his emotions and carried the energy of the Black Mamba when he played; and could be Kobe in his real life. Kobe played the game with passion, grit, fluidity and dire determination. Watching this man play inspired and uplifted his fans’ imagination.
But, this Italian-Philadelphia kid had trust issues. He was a great player, but a bad leader. One of his teammates told him once, “I just want to feel like you need me.” Once the sting of losing to the hated Boston Celtics… let’s face it, it will always hurt. Kobe analyzed the loss and discovered that his team needed to be mentally tougher. They were punked by the Celtics.
Kobe Bryant had one of the greatest sports careers in history. We watched him from a 17-year old cocky kid to becoming an all-time great competitor and winner. His athletic career was a wonderful memoir that played out in front of the world. Kobe’s next chapter was to become a storyteller & active Father.
Kobe wrote a love letter to basketball to announce his retirement. That love letter turned into an animated short. And in less than a year after he retired, Kobe Bryant became an Oscar winning storyteller.
Most people would have made plans to win their next Oscar. But Kobe was never ordinary. He took his life lessons from the court, his greatest teacher, and brought them to business and his griot work.
Kobe turned his nickname into a lifestyle, the Mamba Mentality. He became a philosopher and master teacher through the way he approached the game he loved, and now business. Kobe was not turned on by the glamour of coaching at a professional level. No, our brother Kobe found life’s greatest joys in coaching his daughter’s team and mentoring the lovely Gigi (daughter). He did not give speeches on women’s rights. Kobe actively shined the light on female athletics, including the W.N.B.A. and U-Conn women’s basketball. He developed and cultivated relationships with ballers that happened to be women. Candace Parker, a basketball legend said about Kobe, “The N.B.A. had him for 20 years. And the W.N.B.A. has claimed him for the last four.”
Kobe created stories for sports parents to listen to with their kids on the way to practices and games. He developed the show Detail, to put himself in a player’s shoes on the court and breakdown the game. Kobe wrote a book called The Mamba Mentality: How I Play for athletes and students of mental toughness. He mentored tennis players, soccer players, basketball players, football players, business people, artists, people older than him, people who grew up watching him and people who loved watching geniuses at work.
Gigi, his daughter, played at the Mamba Sports-Plex. A place, created by Kobe, for athletes to go and work on their game. This place inspired a goal of mine for so-called impoverished neighborhoods (it’s coming).
Kobe Bryant built a library in his 41 years on this earth. He believed deeply in following passions with a curious obsession. Surrender to your purpose and build your library. Do not let it burn down with you.
Kobe Quotes
1. Dwayne Wade accidentally broke Kobe’s nose in an All-Star Game. Dwayne called Kobe to apologize. Kobe told him not to worry about. “I love it! See you on Wednesday.”
2. “When the game is more important than the injury itself, then you don’t feel that pain.”
3. “99% of the world is okay with mediocrity; or worse. You are chasing something so much bigger. How do you ever expect anyone to understand?”
4. “This is another obstacle. This obstacle cannot define me. It’s not going to cripple me. It’s not going to be responsible for me stepping away from the game I love. I’m gonna step away on my own terms.”
5. “Now, it’s different. Because it’s not about the awards. You just create something that’s gonna inspire someone; and that hopefully through that inspiration, they can inspire someone else. That’s more significant than any championship.”
New Year's Resolutions?
“This year I’m gonna finally get back in shape.” “On New Year’s Eve, I will eat my last pizza for 3 months.” “In 2020, I will shut the haters out of my life; starting on Facebook.” What if you are your biggest hater?
New year; new you; that is what you tell yourself, right? The second one is mine; but I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions. I do all year long resolutions, or I make lifestyle changes. But to keep it a buck, and so I won’t hate myself later, I already ate some pizza after New Year’s Eve. But, I haven’t eaten it since January 3rd. What are you gonna do, right?
My reason for fasting from pizza for 3 months was to chop off my love handles. They hate on a playa’s progress in this game of life; and their hella sloppy. “Gotta go, gotta go” (in my Robin Harris voice). You get big bonus points if you can name the movie.
What are you doing to ensure that you will keep your New Year’s resolution promise to yourself; and make it part of your permanent lifestyle? Let’s talk about it. 80 percent of New Year’s Resolutions get ghosted by February 1. Why can’t you keep a promise to yourself? If you can’t keep a promise to yourself can you keep a promise to anyone else? What did you say about you, to you, after you dumped last year’s resolution?
We gotta dive deep to find the breakthrough. I add slang and jokes to lighten it up along the way. We are trained to think we have a clean slate every January 1st. So, we get clean slates 70-77-ish times in our life, if we are lucky. What if you gave yourself a clean slate daily? What if you gave yourself a clean slate every time you took a deep love breath? Wouldn’t that be something?
We make commitments for self-improvement. We love to focus on our faults in this society. But, there is a voice inside that loves you dearly. That voice made the commitment. So, what if you got to know that voice a little bit better? {Life Lesson}
Sometimes we break-up with our self-love commitments because the energy we created around it was all wrong. For example, you should be excited to workout, even when you are tired. If you hate the treadmill, don’t do the treadmill. You are setting yourself up for failure.
I am a yogi. I was in in the Men’s locker room after class yesterday. A guy who was taking the next class said he envied me for being done. I don’t get it. I love yoga. The challenging poses remind me of my strength, the sweat is a hard-work receipt, and the deep love breaths relax me. I set intentions to improve myself. I breathe and move through these intentions as I become one with my higher-self. I pop mental champagne bottles when I find mental, physical and spiritual breakthroughs in class. Why would I not enjoy all of that?
Dance classes are a great and fun work out. My first summer in Chicago I worked day and night teaching jobs on Mondays and Thursdays. I was exhausted after my day job. I took an African dance class on Mondays; and a Salsa class on Thursdays. I was dragging coming in, but leapt out, ready to teach my class.
Racquetball is so much fun that you don’t realize how hard you are working (There are courts at the Oak Park YMCA). Pumping iron with the homies is a work out and fellowship. (FYI- Work out or resolution partners keep you on point) Your workout should make you smile to yourself when thinking about it. {Life Lesson}
Shoot, we live in Chicago, its artic cold out there in January! I would guess that more workout lessons get dumped in the Midwest than warm places. It’s like clockwork. Suddenly you can find plenty of parking at the yoga studio on February 1. Consider the following benefits to working out and ask yourself if these wouldn’t make battling the hawk easier:
Ø Less Stress
Ø More Energy
Ø A more Peaceful Rest
Ø Better Eating Habits to stay in the Gym
Ø Greater Sense of Self-Worth
Ø Catching your significant other staring at you
So, what are you doing to ensure that you will keep your New Year’s resolution promise to yourself; and make it part of your permanent lifestyle? Here is a recap of my suggestions: cut New Year’s Resolutions out of your diet and replace them with lifestyle changes, get in-tuned with the part of you that set the resolution, change the energy around the resolution so that you have a positive perception, if your resolution is to get in shape, choose a workout that you will get excited and ignited from anticipation and from the activity, and focus on the benefits from your lifestyle change.