People Are Strange

"Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today." ~Malcolm X, a.k.a. Malik Shabazz

As time goes by, I interact with so many different kinds of people, and it amazes me.

People are like snowflakes. There are no two exactly alike, yet, each is complex and beautiful.

When I was really little, before I had 13 siblings, I always wanted a friend who was just like me. I was an only child, but I was a social butterfly. Unfortunately, it got me into trouble, because I was always in "grown folks' business."

So, I used to have a make-believe friend that lived on the other side of the world who would think like me, act like me, and look like me. When I got older, I realized that I was seeking a doppelganger, an alter-ego. Well, my mom remarried, had a bunch of kids as did my dad, and my make-believe friend disappeared.

I never stopped seeking a doppelganger. But, I realized that it didn't matter. I recognize the beauty in people as snowflakes. I learn so much about myself and others from my new friendships, and through meeting so many different kinds of people.

"O Mankind, We have created you from male and female, made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the best among you in the sight of God is the one who is pious and loves God much. Verily, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware." ~The Noble Qur'an, Chapter 49, Verse 13

You know, eventually I gave birth to my doppelganger. I'm absolutely amazed by my child. She astounds me everyday, and I'm blessed with the privilege of being her mother. My mother, and all my friends tell me all the time that she is just like her mother. My very own Mini-Me. All I can say to that is, "Be careful what you wish for." :)

My Favorite Lyrics This Week:

People Are Strange

~by The Doors

People are strange

when you're a stranger

Faces look ugly

when you're alone

Women seem wicked

when you're unwanted

Streets are uneven

when you're down

When you're strange

Faces come out in the rain

When you're strange

No one remembers your name

When you're strange

When you're strange, when you're

Strange

People are strange

when you're a stranger

Faces look ugly

when you're alone

Women seem wicked

when you're unwanted

Streets are uneven

when you're down

When you're strange

Faces come out of the rain

When you're strange

No one remembers your name

When you're strange

When you're strange, when you're

Strange

When you're strange

Faces come out in the rain

When you're strange

No one remembers your name

When you're

Strange

Where Have All The Smart Men Gone?

I often wonder what will become of Mankind, when many of our "so-called leaders" have taken a permanent brain vacation.

Who shall come to free us from the ignorance that has invaded our country?

It's an epidemic run rampant, and there is no hope in sight.

Unless, we elect an INTELLIGENT POTUS this time around...

(And, I don't mean Hillary.)

(And, I damn sure don't mean McCain!)

Ambitious Notions of Existential Importance

"We all know sometimes life's hates and troubles, can make you wish you were born in another time and space. But you can bet your life times that and twice its double, that God knew exactly where He wanted you to be placed." ~Stevie Wonder

I have Asthma.
It sucks.
I haven't really been well lately, but, I'm better.

And, a lot has been on my mind. The notion that I have that my empirical knowledge has been leading me forward in life, has really been buzzing about in my mind lately.

I mean to say, based upon my own life experiences, I learn and grow and achieve a sort of development in my own existence.

But, I think that's bullsh*t. Well, in a way...

Because everything I am is a culmination of my understanding of experiences, and yet, my experiences are a creation of God. God created me, and created my circumstances, therefore, I am a product of God. And, my experiences are a product of God.

And all of this is important, why? You might ask yourself.

Because, in a wordy way, I'm simply stating the obvious: my knowledge and experiences are not that which make me who I am, but GOD makes me who I am. And, so I must thank God. :)

It all comes back to God.

So, don't get lost in all the sauce.

My Favorite Lyric this Week:
Pastime Paradise
~by Stevie Wonder

They've been spending most their lives
Living in a pastime paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a pastime paradise
They've been wasting most their time
Glorifying days long gone behind
They've been wasting most their days
In remembrance of ignorance so disgraced
Tell me who of them will come to be
How many of them are you and me

Dissipation

Race relations

Consolation

Segregation

Dispensation

Isolation

Exploitation

Mutilation

Mutations

Miscreation

Confirmation...
to the evils of the world

They've been spending most their lives
Living in a future paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a future paradise
They've been looking in their minds
For the day that sorrows gone from time
They keep telling of the day
When the savior of love will come to stay
Tell me who of them will come to be
How many of them are you and me

Proclamation

Of race relations

Consolation

Integretion

Verification

Of revelations

Acclamation

World salvation

Vibrations

Stimulation

Confirmation...
to the peace of the world

They've been spending most their lives
Living in a pastime paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a pastime paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a future paradise
They've been spending most their lives
Living in a future paradise
We've been spending too much of our lives
Living in a pastime paradise
Let's start living our lives
Living for the future paradise
Praise to our lives
Living for the future paradise
Shame to anyone's lives
Living in the pastime paradise

Moment of Clarity

"Thank God for granting me this moment of clarity." ~Jay-Z

I have come upon a milestone. I've hit upon an epiphany. I'm no longer Sisyphus.

I am Athena.

No Ordinary Love

What is LOVE really?

Damned if I know!

Wait, I think I have an idea. It can mean so many things...

I LOVE the way God takes care of me. He LOVES me unconditionally.

I LOVE my Mommy. She is the only human being that I put before all others, except God.

I LOVE my children, and the LOVE they have for me is immeasureable.

I LOVE my puppy, Sugar. She LOVES me unconditionally, even when I don't take her for a walk when she whimpers at me through the screen door.

I understand LOVE to be something that comes from surrender. I mean, I surrender my will to God's. I trust that my faith in Him is sufficient for me, and He provides all I need.

Love is not something to be bargained. It must be given freely. And, in turn, it will be received. The more you give, the more you receive.

Love is a gift. You can't buy it, though.

Love is something of which this world needs a whole lot more.

Spread the love.

Give love.

Be love.

Kick Rocks!

Ever have one of those days where you could care less what people think?

Well, my patience is thin to begin with.

And, the whole "Spring Forward" daylight savings time phenomenon has thrown me off a bit.

So, I'm telling everyone today that they can kick rocks.

Tomorrow is another day. :)

The Unexpected

"It's not what happens to you that's important, it's how you deal with it." ~Nia Malika Dixon

It is often looked upon as a coincidence, serendipity, bad luck, irony, a sick twist in fate, whatever...but the unexpected is the spice of life.

We are often thrown curveballs, or wild pitches. Then, we swing wildly and miss the point.

Stand still when life throws you the unexpected.

Often, we miss the opportunity to learn something from the experience, expending valuable energy on the why and how. Just live in the moment.

Life is meant to be experienced, so when the unexpected happens, it's a good thing.

Go with it, learn from it, and grow.

Ride It!

Life is a huge rollercoaster.

Hold on tight!

Just when you think you're up, you're plummeting and you feel as if your heart is in your throat. Then, you make a sharp turn and slam into the wind. And, you're climbing again.

Sometimes it helps to just recognize that life is full of ups and downs, and they are unexpected. Although, you know when getting on the roller coaster that there are twists and turns, and sudden drops, you are still caught off-guard and scream when they happen. And, it's scary. But, that's what makes it fun.

When I first moved here to L.A., I had no idea how hard it would be. But, I realize that it's a roller coaster. Ups include networking with the right people, and getting positive feedback on my scripts. Downs include living paycheck to paycheck, and wondering if I'll ever be de-stressed enough to write.

After being here for nearly three years, I believe that I've got the hang of it. I understand the ride I'm on, and I can lean into the sharp curves, and ride out the huge dips. I'm actually enjoying the ride. I've had my film featured at a film festival. I've been written about in the newspaper, and on the internet. I actually have fans who support my film and my future projects.

If you have a dream, no matter how big, go for it. Get on the roller coaster and ride it. It may be scary at first, but after a few ups and downs, you'll feel the rhythm. It won't get easier. There will be the same sharp turns and gut-renching drops. But, it will be an experience that you'll have mastered. You will anticipate the dips, and lean into the twists and turns. You will feel the wind on your face, and it will be sublime.

Life is a roller coaster.

Just ride it. And, don't look down.

Tell 'Em That It's Human Nature

Why do we do the things we do? Is it because of when we're born? Is it based on where we're born and raised?

I wonder about the reasons why people do what they do. Sometimes, I think about my life and the path I've been taking.

It really is about choices. Each choice a person makes leads them to the next choice. It's our choices that define us.

I think, by being born in the '70s, I make choices that are reflective of those times. Turbulent times they were. A decade of change. I also think that being born and raised in Baltimore is reflected in my life choices as well. The biggest one being getting the hell out of there.

The one choice that I truly believe is my guiding force in life is my choice to be Muslim. My beliefs keep me stable. My faith in God is my anchor. It's also my rudder. And, the wind in my sails.

I belive that to have faith in God is human instinct. So, trust your instincts. And if they ask you why, tell them that it's human nature.

My Favorite Lyric This Week:

"Human Nature" by Michael Jackson

Looking out

Across the night-time

The city winks a sleepless eye

Hear her voice

Shake my window

Sweet seducing sighs

Get me out

Into the night-time

Four walls won't hold me tonight

If this town

Is just an apple

Then let me take a bite

If they say -Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature

Why, why, does he do me that way

If they say -Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature

Why, why, does he do me that way

Reaching out

To touch a stranger

Electric eyes are everywhere

See that girl

She knows I'm watching

She likes the way I stare

If they say -Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature

Why, why, does he do me that way

If they say -Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature

Why, why, does he do me that way

I like living this way

I like loving this way

Looking out

Across the morning

The city's heart begins to beat

Reaching out

I touch her shoulder

I'm dreaming of the street

If they say -Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature

Why, why, does he do me that way

If they say -Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature

Why, why, does he do me that way

I like livin' this way

Lean and Hungry Look

"Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much..."
~Julius Caeser, William Shakespeare

Hillary Clinton is looking to me a lot like yond Cassius.

She has that 'lean and hungry look' that spells trouble.

I never trusted her as a candidate from the start. Now, she's truly mucking it up for the democrats.

Obama is in the lead with delegates, right? So, Hillary needs to pack it up and go home.

The Dems need a united front against the fundamentalist Republicans. (Yeah, I said it! They are a bunch of fundamentalists over in that camp. Those Republicans have "cells" all over the country. We have to watch out for them! For the safety of our United States of America!)

Let's elect some hope and change, and head into this presidential election ready to bring Democracy to a land that has been under a dictatorship rule for too long.

We don't need troops for this mission, Operation U.S.A. Freedom.
Well, only at the voters' booths.

Can I Get A Little Kindness?

It seems it's going out of style. Random Acts of Kindness are no longer on anyone's priority list.

A smile is even hard to come by these days. Is it because times are hard? Has life got everyone in the pits?

Let's start by giving ourselves a little kindness. Look in the mirror and smile. Then, pass it on. Maybe it will come back to you in ways you might not imagine.

Smile at your neighbor. Smile at the bus driver. Smile at the crossing guard. During your commute, smile at the driver next to you stuck in traffic. As you inch along, give a little kindness to the fellow commuter who may be having a rough morning. You may be able to make a big difference in his/her day.

In turn, you will feel good for having made someone else feel good. And, karma is good.

Try it. And start a Kindness Revolution!

No Community For Old Men

What's goin' on?

Marvin Gaye sang it, back in the day. And I want the question asked again.

There really is no "community" left anymore. Everyone's out for him/herself.

The bees have all flown away seeking bigger and better things, leaving the hive empty.

It saddens me to see our fate: A fractured humanity. No one's raising the children; the village is empty.

To each his own, and survival of the fittest.

If the fate of our future generations is dependent upon cooperation and mutual respect, then may God have mercy on us.

There's nothing in the way of community like it was for my grandparents, or my parents.

I wish the 'good old days' would return.

One Monkey Don't Stop No Show

If you watched the Oscars, you're probably wondering like me what happened to the movies about people who are NOT white, Anglo-Saxon, of European descent, or whatever you want to call it. (Or, you probably didn't even notice.)

OK, so Norbit did get a nomination. But WHY?

So what if Eddie Murphy can act a fool as 12 different characters using the latest technological advances in make-up and special effects!

I really would like to see a quality film about people who look like me. Not that good, old-fashioned, buffoonery gone the way of the Beta-Max, VHS, and HD-DVD...

Oops, my bad. That's my wishful thinking.

I'm tired of the low-rate, dance movie, family reunion comedy, homeboy heist movies that Hollywood seems to like to churn out to make a fast buck at the expense of the dignity of Black people.

Somebody put Bamboozled, on the T.V. so the audiences can wake up!

No, never mind.

I'm afraid of how many people may just not get it...

Well, it appears that audiences are eating it up at the theaters, otherwise studios wouldn't be making such twaddle. A cavalcade of performances from buffoon after buffoon. I'm starting to think that's what America thinks of us: neck-snappin' sistas and their good-for-nothing, sit-on-his ass, churl of a baby-daddy.

And, don't think I didn't notice that a superbly created film called American Gangster got snubbed.

This consistent marginalization of people of color, and their stories, (REAL STORIES) will not continue forever. I'm making my moves. I'm planning some change. And, with God's help I will succeed, because "one monkey don't stop no show."

"It's been a long, long time coming.

But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will..."

~Sam Cooke

Stupid People Shouldn't Breathe

I had a button in high school that said, "Stupid People Shouldn't Breathe."

I saw another one that said, "Stupid People Shouldn't Breed."

They're out there. What can you do about it? Nothing.

I get a little frustrated now and then, but I realize that God has blessed us each differently.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not an intellectual elitist. And, I don't claim to be the smartest grape in the bunch. But, sometimes the things people say and do make me want to hit them upside the head, and tell them to at least TRY to use the good sense God gave them.

Just to clarify, here are a few pieces of information that could definitely help the intelligence-impaired community:

1. Not all Black people who are Muslim are from the "Nation of Islam."

2. Muslim does not mean "terrorist."

3. Islam is not another word for "fundamentalism."

4. Being a Muslim doesn't mean that a person is from the Middle East or Pakistan.

5. Not all American Muslims are converted from another religion, some are born and raised as second (or third, fourth, fifth, etc.) generation Muslims.

That's just the tip of the iceberg.

Believe it or not, there are these things called books that are chock full of quality information to help the thinking-impaired. If you prefer a more digital learning experience, use your friendly neighborhood library. Along with books, they have audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and computers equipped with the Internet. There's also friendly staff available to help you locate the information you need. Proceed with caution. You will have to use your brain to process the information you find, so be sure that it's engaged and properly turned on prior to uploading.