"Waiting on the World to Change" is the most frustrating song. He mentions that people pretty much feel powerless against world leaders. If we were powerless, Mr. Mayer, we wouldn't be a democracy and other countries would not be striving to have our government's structure. I'm not big on politics, but I do know that the US citizens can mobilize for change, and we freakin better not be waiting on the world. Gandhi, and most recently President Obama, said it themselves...we must be the ones to provoke the change. The here and now is us. We cannot wait because tomorrow is not promised.
Picasso said it best: "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone."
Are you willing to wait until change happens, risking even more suffering and turmoil for our future generations? If you are one of those people who think that the future doesn't matter anyway because you won't be here for it...this is what I have to say to that: YO, THIS WORLD IS NOT ABOUT YOU. OTHERWISE, IT'D END WHEN YOU DIE. But it goes on, buddy, and it will long after you're six feet under. We're not on Earth solely to fulfill our individual needs; otherwise, coexisting wouldn't be necessary.
That's just my rant for the morning. Man, John Mayer, you kinda lost my respect, unless I'm misinterpreting the song.
Anyway, have a good day people and think on this.
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label society. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
"Would You Like Fries With That?"
It irritates me when I hear people making fun of others who are working at fast food restaurants, or as janitors, when they themselves don't have work. They're waving their rolled up college degrees tied with pretty ribbon like wands hoping to make magic happen. A college degree doesn't mean anything unless you make it worth something. Congratulations! You've completed 128 credits. Now what? College does not guarantee success, even though it is a valuable key to it.
By the way, I am a proud college graduate, but I have humbled myself in this world of layoffs and hiring freezes. Graduating does not necessarily automatically make you a baller. Yes, it gives you an upper hand. Hell yeah it's an advantage. But baller status? Think again. You still gotta climb that ladder before you hit the three letters C, E, and O. You may find yourself competing with someone who has a lesser degree. You might even be competing with someone without a degree who jumped onto that corporate ladder at the lowest of the lowest of the rungs and now gained more experience than you did while your were studying for final exams year in and year out.
You'll also find people who did not spend thousands of dollars on a college degree who are banking crazy amounts of money. Their secret? Their mind. And guess what? You've got one of those too. Really utilize the most powerful tool God placed in your body. It works wonders.
Life, as it is usually compared to, is a game of cards. Play your hand well, and like Sister Souljah points out in The Coldest Winter Ever, play that hand close to your chest. The hand you've been dealt is the choices you've been offered, and just as you calculate your next move in a game, you need to calculate precisely the next step in your life. Your education level does not mean anything unless you make moves. Like in poker, even if you have a winning hand, it means nothing if you don't take the risk and make those bets.
Long story short, don't pass up opportunities because you've got your eye on that high prize. Success comes in taking the small steps and learning from the bottom up in order to reach the top, not by leaping in bounds without any type of understanding. People respect those who have been around longer and worked their way up because they know more since they've been there and done that. They don't want some snotty college kid in a management position when he doesn't even know what it's like to hold a job of the "little people."
Am I making any sense?
With the world in the state that it's in, be glad you're being offered jobs. And if you're not being offered anything, you're just not trying hard enough. Point blank. That degree, no matter what it's in or what level it is at, is not going to work for you. You have to make it work.
This is my hard lesson learned, and I just thought I'd share it with you. I've been out of college a year and have yet to hold a job that requires a degree. Am I mad? No. "Change, it comes eventually," Lauryn Hill puts it. I am working at my life because that's the only thing we can do. The definition of work is energy, and to let up on that would make you weak. I may be physically weak, but I am mentally tough. I am not here to brag, and I am sure as hell not here to teach you all how to be tough because I am in no position to do any of that. You'll have to learn elsewhere how to be strong. You won't find answers in this blog.
But please don't disrespect the 40-year-old men and women asking customers if they'd like fries and a Coke to go along with their cheeseburgers. They're in the right business right now. That dollar menu is highly desirable at a time when people are pinching their pennies.
By the way, I am a proud college graduate, but I have humbled myself in this world of layoffs and hiring freezes. Graduating does not necessarily automatically make you a baller. Yes, it gives you an upper hand. Hell yeah it's an advantage. But baller status? Think again. You still gotta climb that ladder before you hit the three letters C, E, and O. You may find yourself competing with someone who has a lesser degree. You might even be competing with someone without a degree who jumped onto that corporate ladder at the lowest of the lowest of the rungs and now gained more experience than you did while your were studying for final exams year in and year out.
You'll also find people who did not spend thousands of dollars on a college degree who are banking crazy amounts of money. Their secret? Their mind. And guess what? You've got one of those too. Really utilize the most powerful tool God placed in your body. It works wonders.
Life, as it is usually compared to, is a game of cards. Play your hand well, and like Sister Souljah points out in The Coldest Winter Ever, play that hand close to your chest. The hand you've been dealt is the choices you've been offered, and just as you calculate your next move in a game, you need to calculate precisely the next step in your life. Your education level does not mean anything unless you make moves. Like in poker, even if you have a winning hand, it means nothing if you don't take the risk and make those bets.
Long story short, don't pass up opportunities because you've got your eye on that high prize. Success comes in taking the small steps and learning from the bottom up in order to reach the top, not by leaping in bounds without any type of understanding. People respect those who have been around longer and worked their way up because they know more since they've been there and done that. They don't want some snotty college kid in a management position when he doesn't even know what it's like to hold a job of the "little people."
Am I making any sense?
With the world in the state that it's in, be glad you're being offered jobs. And if you're not being offered anything, you're just not trying hard enough. Point blank. That degree, no matter what it's in or what level it is at, is not going to work for you. You have to make it work.
This is my hard lesson learned, and I just thought I'd share it with you. I've been out of college a year and have yet to hold a job that requires a degree. Am I mad? No. "Change, it comes eventually," Lauryn Hill puts it. I am working at my life because that's the only thing we can do. The definition of work is energy, and to let up on that would make you weak. I may be physically weak, but I am mentally tough. I am not here to brag, and I am sure as hell not here to teach you all how to be tough because I am in no position to do any of that. You'll have to learn elsewhere how to be strong. You won't find answers in this blog.
But please don't disrespect the 40-year-old men and women asking customers if they'd like fries and a Coke to go along with their cheeseburgers. They're in the right business right now. That dollar menu is highly desirable at a time when people are pinching their pennies.
Friday, May 29, 2009
mindXposed Quote of the Week
"A person hears only what they understand." - Goethe
When it comes to listening to other people, we hear words but often twist them in our minds so that we comprehend those words in the best way we can understand. Sometimes we don't realize that we've twisted what was said into a different definition. Hence, arguments, wars, discrepancies, misunderstanding, miscommunication, etc.
It isn't that a person is ignorant or stupid and can't understand what's been said. It's just that how we've been brought up and what we've experienced influences what we hear. That's why racism and sexism exist. Actually, racism only exists in the minds of people who think coming from separate countries determines superiority. Sexism only exists in the minds of people who think what's between our legs determines who is the better sex. We live by what we best understand, by our beliefs, and by our personal levels of knowledge. We all grow up with our own sets of values, and oftentimes that is why we can't comprehend other people's behavior. "Good" and "bad" is arguable because we define things differently.
Goethe's one sentence basically summarizes how our world works, and how our minds disrupt and prevent peace.
When it comes to listening to other people, we hear words but often twist them in our minds so that we comprehend those words in the best way we can understand. Sometimes we don't realize that we've twisted what was said into a different definition. Hence, arguments, wars, discrepancies, misunderstanding, miscommunication, etc.
It isn't that a person is ignorant or stupid and can't understand what's been said. It's just that how we've been brought up and what we've experienced influences what we hear. That's why racism and sexism exist. Actually, racism only exists in the minds of people who think coming from separate countries determines superiority. Sexism only exists in the minds of people who think what's between our legs determines who is the better sex. We live by what we best understand, by our beliefs, and by our personal levels of knowledge. We all grow up with our own sets of values, and oftentimes that is why we can't comprehend other people's behavior. "Good" and "bad" is arguable because we define things differently.
Goethe's one sentence basically summarizes how our world works, and how our minds disrupt and prevent peace.
Friday, April 17, 2009
mindXposed Quote of the Week
"Every man I meet is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
I found this quote in Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People. I have yet to finish the book because I keep losing it, but I am halfway through, and now that it's in my possession again, I'll do my best to keep it in sight. But this isn't about the progress I am making in reading the book; this is about the quote. So let me continue...
Emerson made a great point, which I kind of touched upon in my post "Your Past..." in which I said that everyone, no matter how long or briefly you have known a person, has some kind of influence over you. Every person you come across is someone you can learn from, no matter where they came from or how far advanced they are in their formal education. In fact, the more different you are, the more you can learn.
Everyone's life experiences are different; therefore, you can take something valuable from someone else's story. Life is too short to experience everything ourselves, and human relationships and interaction are important in shaping who we are.
I absolutely love meeting new people and listening to stories. I am constantly learning. We have to humble ourselves in order to better ourselves. We cannot shrug off advice from a young child or from someone who quit high school. We cannot ignore the words of someone of a different religion or sexual orientation just because their beliefs or actions are not like ours.
We are no better than each other, and if we lived by what Emerson stated, imagine how much more intelligent and logical we would be as a whole. Imagine how much more understanding we would be of each other, and how much more grateful we would be for sharing this world with each other.
I found this quote in Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People. I have yet to finish the book because I keep losing it, but I am halfway through, and now that it's in my possession again, I'll do my best to keep it in sight. But this isn't about the progress I am making in reading the book; this is about the quote. So let me continue...
Emerson made a great point, which I kind of touched upon in my post "Your Past..." in which I said that everyone, no matter how long or briefly you have known a person, has some kind of influence over you. Every person you come across is someone you can learn from, no matter where they came from or how far advanced they are in their formal education. In fact, the more different you are, the more you can learn.
Everyone's life experiences are different; therefore, you can take something valuable from someone else's story. Life is too short to experience everything ourselves, and human relationships and interaction are important in shaping who we are.
I absolutely love meeting new people and listening to stories. I am constantly learning. We have to humble ourselves in order to better ourselves. We cannot shrug off advice from a young child or from someone who quit high school. We cannot ignore the words of someone of a different religion or sexual orientation just because their beliefs or actions are not like ours.
We are no better than each other, and if we lived by what Emerson stated, imagine how much more intelligent and logical we would be as a whole. Imagine how much more understanding we would be of each other, and how much more grateful we would be for sharing this world with each other.
Friday, March 6, 2009
"We the People"
Targeted at the ones who work for ultimately selfish reasons; an ode to the ones who don't just think about themselves! :)
------------
Our country's baffled by this recession,
Considered by some as a second Depression.
I see it as a much appreciated blessin',
A hard earned, well-learned life lesson.
People were working their dream jobs.
Now they feel flat broke and recklessly robbed,
Once taking money for granted and being materialistic.
This is God's way of telling us to be more realistic.
Competing for big mansions, the new high-tech trends,
A pair of brand new kicks and a brand new Benz.
What are we trying to get filthy rich and famous for?
To buy fancy things and leave people piss poor and ignored?
We spend our paychecks on new dresses to show off in.
Others struggle to buy t-shirts and jeans every so often.
Manicures and pedicures to stand out are considered a necessity,
While thousands of people sweat and labor forever in anonymity.
The value of the dollar is decreasing,
Not because our economy is depleting,
But because we have forgotten the whole entire reason
For working for a dime so our children could keep on eatin'.
The rich are getting poor and the poor are stuck where they’re at.
What are we doing to stop this downward spiral in its tracks?
Watching and waiting for the ones on top to end this is lethal.
Even though we got leaders, this is a democracy, and we the people.
------------
Our country's baffled by this recession,
Considered by some as a second Depression.
I see it as a much appreciated blessin',
A hard earned, well-learned life lesson.
People were working their dream jobs.
Now they feel flat broke and recklessly robbed,
Once taking money for granted and being materialistic.
This is God's way of telling us to be more realistic.
Competing for big mansions, the new high-tech trends,
A pair of brand new kicks and a brand new Benz.
What are we trying to get filthy rich and famous for?
To buy fancy things and leave people piss poor and ignored?
We spend our paychecks on new dresses to show off in.
Others struggle to buy t-shirts and jeans every so often.
Manicures and pedicures to stand out are considered a necessity,
While thousands of people sweat and labor forever in anonymity.
The value of the dollar is decreasing,
Not because our economy is depleting,
But because we have forgotten the whole entire reason
For working for a dime so our children could keep on eatin'.
The rich are getting poor and the poor are stuck where they’re at.
What are we doing to stop this downward spiral in its tracks?
Watching and waiting for the ones on top to end this is lethal.
Even though we got leaders, this is a democracy, and we the people.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
A Quickie
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to just strap a backpack on with food and water, no cell phone or any kind of way to contact anyone? To be able to just walk in the mountains...I'm not talking about for a few hours, I mean for months. Just to let go and not look back. How freeing would that be? How liberating would you feel, just to walk away? I don't mean to walk away from problems (cause no matter where you go, they're still there!), but just to clear your head, to live like an undomesticated animal without any worries except to find food and water for survival.
Honestly, anyone who can truly rid themselves of all materialism and all of society's barriers and obligations, has reached inner peace. And obviously we know of philosophies that encourage this.
I wholeheartedly believe that once a person can live without worrying about money and bills, a person can truly focus on one's self. This is essentially how life is meant to be lived.
It's too bad it can't be that easy because once you return to "civilized" (notice the quotes, ha ha) life, you return to all of those obligations...but have you ever felt like you should just go off and do it anyway?
Honestly, anyone who can truly rid themselves of all materialism and all of society's barriers and obligations, has reached inner peace. And obviously we know of philosophies that encourage this.
I wholeheartedly believe that once a person can live without worrying about money and bills, a person can truly focus on one's self. This is essentially how life is meant to be lived.
It's too bad it can't be that easy because once you return to "civilized" (notice the quotes, ha ha) life, you return to all of those obligations...but have you ever felt like you should just go off and do it anyway?
Monday, February 9, 2009
QUIT YOUR CRYING!!!!!
*Don't feel like getting up for work because you're dreading another day in the office? ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. With thousands of layoffs weekly in the US alone, and a global recession, be glad you got a boss at all, whether he or she treats you well or not.
*Slacking at college, sleeping in and missing class because your professor is mad boring? ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. There are bright minds out there who cannot go to school for many reasons. Maybe they cannot afford it. Maybe they have to have a full-time job because their family needs their support. Maybe their dream school is the one you are attending and complaining about, but they didn't get in and they are crushed, while you are sitting in the classroom they wish they could be in, falling asleep and anticipating the day you never have to go back to class. (I'm guilty of this one)
*Did Mom cook some nasty food for dinner that you just couldn't force yourself to eat, so you threw it away? ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. One convenience store in the US has more food in it than some cities in the third world. Nasty or not, think about the people who would kill for a plate as full as yours with anything that is edible to keep them alive for one more day.
*Had to take a cold shower this morning and that just pissed you off for the rest of the day? ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. There are places all over the US and the world without running water. At least you don't have to shower with well water in a bucket or in a lake that'll only make you dirtier or sick.
*Parents got you mad because they're on your back for not cleaning your room? Unless they are abusive ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. Be grateful to have parents who want you to learn responsibility. Be grateful to have parents PERIOD. There are families out there with parents who get locked up every six months, who neglect their kids because they think crime and violence will bring food to the table, either not realizing or totally ignoring how much of a negative, not beneficial, effect they are having on their families. They think they're being heroes by giving their loved ones stolen things so they can eat and be happy. Then, there are mothers and fathers who pay no mind to their kids because they are way too busy to even yell at them for having a messy room. There are also families who may be without a mother or father because one of them, or maybe both of them, passed away. There are kids out there who wish they could have one more day with their parents yelling at them because they miss them like crazy.
I can go on and on and ON about the things and the people that are taken for granted. Take a step back and realize that there are people struggling every single damn day for what you have and for what you wish you didn't have. And just because I wrote this doesn't mean I don't do these things. There are times that I complain, but I realize that there is no reason to. On my end, life is good.
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