Keeping up with the lingo

I think that the term "Gold-digger" is obsolete. It should be replaced with a more subtle, unselfish, but still misguided term that describes ladies who are extra thirsty for a guy because of extrinsic traits like education, money, religious beliefs, family name, etc. Those things have value of course, but alone they are worthless. For example, it's date number two! I don't know you; and you don't know me! Any guy with half a brain can notice a strategy like this; so if these concerns are not brought to your attention, you are either pursuing an idiot, or you are being taken advantage of. People need to evaluate if they like somebody before betting their entire hand based on what "spouse material" is, what you can accomplish financially together, or the flawed presumption of how a great relationship with God automatically equals a great relationship with you, etc.

The F Word

I’m really not sure if I have been doing this thing right or not. The cliche’ term forgive and forget does nothing but stamp a reminder in the back of one’s mind. Unfortunately it doesn’t stick because the definition is vague number one. Secondly, it’s dependent on the perspective one views it from. From a biblical standpoint, we should forgive and forget. This means we are to think, seek, and perform good to the forgiven individual, without any plans of getting even, AND without any forgiveness being requested in the first place. In addition, we are to let them off the hook for whatever bad deeds they committed against us. From a worldly standpoint, we know that people can be incredibly cruel, unaccountable, selfish, unfaithful, and dishonest; so even though similar characters existed in biblical times, people nowadays generally regard forgiveness as an act of simply not harboring bad feelings towards a person. This part can be challenging, but with some good thought, we can handle it, right? We are all flawed by nature, and we don’t want to hinder our maturity by walking around with a huge chip on our shoulder over things that we ourselves do too. The forget part kind of slips through the cracks though. Hard to imagine forgetting brutal and blatant acts of violence and dishonesty against us or our loved ones, and the association between them and the individuals who commit them. Our concept of forgetting is sometimes unclear, because there is an unsettled war going on between it and our own common sense. Does that mean we have more leeway on forgiving than God does for us? I mean, we may encounter an individual who does us wrong for a day, week, month, or year; but we commit sins for a lifetime, and are forgiven ALL the way. I really don’t think there is one universal definition to what forgiveness truly is. I really believe that forgiveness is a more intricate process than what it is made to be. So I won’t warn you by saying “Don’t say that you forgive someone unless you mean it.” Instead “Don’t say that you forgive someone unless you think really hard about it.” Food for thought. Dinner is served...

The Golden Ticket....

Good things don't always come to those who wait. Time is of the essence, especially for the pursuit and maintenance of just being plain old happy. It's the more abstract objectives like this that cannot be put on the back-burner. Earth is a dynamic place. Our needs and desires waver relentlessly. With forces like Chance and Karma opposing this venture, one simply cannot afford to wait for Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket to be carried by the wind to their doorstep. Everyone has a niche--not only that, but a specific niche, that if sought out and nurtured properly, can lead one to the satisfaction of attaining their greatest desires, appreciating one's diligence, and delivering this contagious state of mind to mankind. Failure is not an option to those who are not appeased by simply living mediocre; and even one were to fail, the benefits of trying far outweigh the possibilities of having to remain "safe and sound" and "idle". Jesus didn't die so that we could live halfway, nor did God fearfully and wonderfully equip us with talents to go to waste. So stop making excuses, find your niche, and tear the candy stores apart looking for your Golden Ticket (or opportunity) to put your talents to work. Above all else, be happy. I wish you well. E

Blurb for the Day

Mistakes are part of the recipe that makes us human. Sometimes the big mistakes can make us Super-Human then right? Yet as each day passes, I'm reminded to continue to act, despite the possibility of another blunder. It's not my goal to be perfect, but if I can minimize my mistakes and faults, I only put myself in a position to learn while at the same time, keep myself out of deep sh*t.

~E.Harris

My Signature Moves

I could sit here typing all day about why its such a great thing to be me. I'm blessed with the greatest family/friends anyone could ever ask for. I have an excellent relationship with Jesus that is growing stronger by the day. I have the means to support myself through school en route to pursue a very rewarding career (thanks Uncle Sam). Etcetera! Now, for you viewing pleasure, an look into a few of the various reasons why it sucks to be me... Sometimes I wish that I could be a careless and lazy bum like a lot of people. Sometimes I wish that I wasn't such a gentleman and didn't care to seek a woman with an honest and respectful heart. Sometimes I wish that I wasn't such a "peace-maintenance" person and could spitefully bomb back when people piss me off. I wish I didn't want to have the right answer all of the time. Sadly, sometimes I wish I didn't have as much Faith as I do. When I think of the things that drive me, there is nothing that comes to mind concerning recognition and/or the approval of others. Therefore, a lot of my motivation comes from...me. At the same time, that motivation within me often gets stunted when I live my life according to my "signature moves" described above, and see that others can exceed even my own expectations at ease, without even caring about doing things the "right" way. So for me to continue on my path, it takes a lot out of me, knowing that I'm doing things the hard way and reaping far less than someone taking the typical, easy, or selfish route. Sometimes you look like an idiot in front of your friends, who think otherwise. That sucks because others are led to believe that my way is dumb and pointless. I don't know what hurts worse; that or the fact that no one appreciates the depths you go emotionally to do things simply based on the fact that it's the right thing to do. Another reason why I have my own way of doing certain things is simple. Honestly, I wouldn't be able to get away with a lot of the things that others do. We must agree that the more knowledge you have on why and how the world works, the greater responsibility and testing you will receive. Every morning it seems I have to remind myself why I do what I do (duh, b/c it's right) and regardless of how I look to others who don't take life as serious, it is definitely worth it to nevertheless expect the reciprocal outcome of my "signature moves", and also continue faith in Faith itself. What factors divide people in the "default decision-making process"? In what ways is it an awesome thing to be you? In contrast, in what ways does it suck to be you? Don't dog yourself. This is simply a means for you to understand why you do what you do.

Long Time, no?

So... I haven't wrote for months, but I've been busy. My program is... uh--nah, it's difficult, but definitely doable. I had a very difficult undergrad and nowadays I tend to invite challenges rather than fear for them. I've been exploring a lot of new things lately, and enhancing other explorations. I recently had sushi. ME! The "yeah man, let me get a bucket of wings and some fries-guy". You know what? It wasn't that bad either. It was a very...cultural experience. I also started a stress-relief regimen, which includes skating and working out on my weekends. Probably the most important is my spiritual growth. If you know me, I'm definitely not a Saint. lol. However, that's not to say I'm still not actively pursuing my relationship with God, because I'm definitely doing that. Me and some friends had the idea to have Bible study at my place. So we did, and it really popped off. We are about to start charging people at the door. Nah, just playin' with that part. The dialogue + the text + everyone's experiences aid to everyone's understanding of our supernatural expectations. Plus it's fun. We still clown around and talk about things that I wouldn't want people at my own church to hear. That's why I like it; we keep it real. But yeah, all of these newly found things are helping me cope with a difficult semester, and I'm enjoying it THUS far. I have realized that I had to cut a few things short--people who interfere with my schooling to an inconsiderate degree, people who bring me down when I want to have fun, people who are going virtually nowhere in life (and have no desire furthermore), these random and insignificant relationships with women whom I may have been involved with at some point, and people who interfere or hate on my relationship with God. There's only so much time to go around these days. Dang, I ran out of time. Computer lab is closing. Stay tuned. ~E.Harris

"When Keepin' it Real in the Barbershop Goes Wrong"

Nothing makes me feel more "fresh to death" than a new fade. A new haircut does much more than the obvious; it changes my whole aura. I just feel better after a new cut. Just like portrayed in the movie, barbershops are like clubs solely meant for the enjoyment of guys. Cheaply priced DVD/CDs, sports debates, bootylicious magazines, and just all around keepin' it real. There is no topic that is excluded from conversation in the barbershop. Well, at least I thought...A few weeks ago, I was due to go out of town early Tuesday morning. Most barbers--mine included, don't work at all on Mondays. I guess I was too busy and forgot what day it was. Nevertheless, I really needed my hair cut. I stopped by the shop that I used to go to back in my high school days--Diamond Kutz. When I walked in, it was completely different from how I remembered it from high school. It wasn't packed...at all! There was no Sega Dreamcast. All the barbers I remembered were gone. I had no other choice, so I sat in the chair and told ole boy how I wanted my hair cut. After about 2 minutes, this cat starts asking me if I knew about the Nation of Islam and their leaders. I told the dude that I am a Christian and although I have mad respect for others and their own individual views on religion, Me and Christ have a mutual understanding that our relationship is exclusive. For the next 15 minutes, he and another barber gave me the whole history of Islam and basically kept reiterating that my own spriritual beliefs are B.S. because it was taught to me by the slavemaster. wtf!? Now their whole barbershop has been converted somehow. I'm not looking down on their beliefs, I'm just owning up to the strength and faithful authenticity of my own, and don't appreciate the annoying persistance of these randoms. While may do some good to network and be a mission to young guys who may need to hear positive words, I'm NOT the one for reasons already explained, PLUS with the help of my God and His son, I have direction in my life and don't need anyone elses angry orienteering. Also, good luck on anybody trying to sell me anything. It is so annoying how when "Craig", who is for some reason or another lost in the cycle of the world is given a pea-sized amount of knowledge one day and from then on assumes he knows everything; and that same day he preaches to the world, assuming we are lost too. Brutha I am not lost. I didn't ask for any type of assistance other than a haircut. Unless you are my pastor or one of my deacons, please don't come at me trying to preach. I don't want anybody knocking on my door at my home or soliciting services over the telephone, regardless of what you are preaching or selling. To sum it up, there is a place and a time for everything. And to my people...can we please work together to find everybody a role model...before they turn 30?

Let it be known

We live in a age where it takes straight up courage to stand in something alone rather than stand amidst the consensus of interest of our peers. At this particular stage of my life, that's exactly what I'm trying to do. It's not so much me not trying to be like everyone else as it is me just wanting to be me more and more. I'm at a point when I want to claim who I am, the things I stand for, even the things I consistently screw up at. It's not about being cocky (an attribute most people say is characteristic of my personality). Why would I admit to being less of what I am? There are times however when I act otherwise. Last weekend, I encountered one of my homies from high school. He wasn't doing anything then; still isn't. He asked what I was up to and I just kind of played it off like I was naively taking life day by day carelessly like him. I don't wanna rub my blessings in other people's face, but if someone was to make a genuine analysis of my character, please believe, I'ma let you know what I'm about. I'm all about progress, honesty, and integrity. At the same time, I give myself leeway for improvement. For example, is it a goal of mine to find a relatable woman whose both values and desires compel me to be all that I can be just for her? Yessir! Will I be ready to get hitched if I meet her tonight? Come on now; no! Am I excited about becoming an optometrist? Best believe! Am I ready to pay over $100,000 in student loans back for the education I am about to receive? Obviously not (Pulling lint out of my pockets). These concepts that are central to what drives me can not only aid in a person's understanding of my motivation, but also convey to them what I do not stand for. If you are a B.S.er, you should know better not to associate yourself too closely with me. If you are lazy, you should know that E ain't here to carry nobody else around so scram! Make sense? Anyway, this is my coverletter to anyone who doesn't know me for me. Understand me a little bit better now? Hope so. Anyhow, I'm off to lab. Keep tabs on my blog for my next entry, "When Keepin' it Real in the Barber Shop Goes Wrong". Much luv.
-E.

Quick!!! Do Something!!!

Is it really that bad having to wait for payday? I mean, I am in school and all. Is it that bad being single? Is it really that bad ______ (you fill in the blank)? We humans panic too much. In every unexpected turn of events in life we panic, struggling trying to reorient ourselves as if we actually knew where we were going in the first place. At a time in my life where things seem like they're "standing still", I'm trying to embrace the feeling of peace...sitting still...relaxing. I've been doing a bit of spritual reading lately, and it's really putting things into perspective for me (Thanks bestest bud). I want to try something new; by this I mean working on this relationship with God. Doing things "my way" has only gotten me so far in life; and if you feel like me then you know it HAS to be a different way to go through life than being hardheaded and taking matters into your own hands. Right now life feels dull, boring, and repetitive. Perfect time for some intrinsic rehabilitation. Therefore, if I have to be bored, broke, tired, or single, instead of trying to fight my way out I'll just have to find content if I ever want to witness the feast that God has been setting for me; and please believe that a brutha's stomach is growlin'. He knows better than me. If I try to escape this realm of dissatisfaction by being ruthless and hardheaded (as usual), I'm bound to find another similar one. I'm good. I think I'll just take my chances and sit still. In the mean time, I need to work on some things, like my attitude, faith, and (oooooh) this bad mouth of mine.

Put it in the Box

There was a scene in Bad Boys II where Will Smith and Martin were talking about things they want to forget. Things like accidentally seeing grandma's titties were put in "the box" and closed, never to be spoken of or thought of again. Me and my boys joke a lot about the box and what from our lives belongs inside. Each of us has at least one woman who belongs inside. I have two. Besides women, we've all got a list of experiences, failed opportunities, and bad times that we no longer want to drag around anymore. Now me and my homies are kind of ruthless when it comes to playing the dozens with each other; but we all stand firm on that we can't clown each other about things or people that are in the box. lol. That's just not right. We are thinking about buying a treasure chest and writing the names of the things and people from our box on sheets of paper to put inside, closing the chest, wrapping it up in chains and sinking it in the Mediterranean Sea. We'd have to attach a scroll to it of course just to warn treasure hunters that by opening the box, all the havoc and grief onced faced by the owners (described inside) will wreak once again to anyone who opens it. lol. Shiver me timbers!