“These are mediocre times, people are starting to lose hope. It’s hard for many people to believe that there are extraordinary things inside themselves, as well as others. I hope you can keep an open mind.”
M.Night Shyamalan via Mr. Glass

Kujichagulia (Self Determination) - To define and name ourselves. To create and speak for ourselves, instead of having others defining, or determining our paths or selves.

The world is hell. Denying it is pretty hard. Turmoil and suffering are everywhere. People are in pain. Even the places I find joy are surrounded by some insanity. This morning there was a “crazy dude” singing on Eutaw and Baltimore. You’ve seen these people…most of us avoid them. I couldn’t help but smile though. This cat could sing and it made me feel good. From a block away he was still louder than the music coming from the speakers of the Starbucks I stood in front of. People still avoided him, but I thought “Money can blow”. I was talking with the roomie the other night and mentioned how despite failures of the past I have to believe that there is something ahead. Many times I thought I had found what was mine…in various aspects of my life. But when things fell apart I despaired. Now I understand I did find something that was mine. It was my lesson. These are the things I’ll carry with me when I do move on. This is how I’ll know what not to do. Simply stated I’m too stubborn to fail or fade into obscurity. I can’t sit with mediocrity. In reality none of us should be willing too. Every thing in life can be boiled down to concentration and focus. Once my aim is sure everything else will fall into place. Rather I’ll put it into place. I never believed in things happening because it’s fate. I’m more of a “fate is a door” type of person…you gotta step through it and all that jazz. It is our inaction that leaves us in the hands of others. I know that many of us just aren’t sure which direction to turn to. I myself considered finding a priviledged, white sugar mommy to fund my materialistic instincts. But I wouldn’t be happy…my bills would just be paid. Johnny Cash once said, “Being rich means money is the only thing you don’t have to worry about.” It’s those other things that really bother me. That’s what I need to work on. I’ve witnessed extraordinary things and I will again. I’ve done some and as special as I think I am…I know you all have something in you as well. I see the extraordinary in you.