And this whole this person's a girl, I'm a boy, we're near each other so we should try something is so corny.  Give me a reason to be interested.  Show me you're not boring and have something to offer and I'll reciprocate and then maybe we can talk.

Not just because you exist and are nearby.

That's how Covid spreads, not love!

~Craig Williams

If you collect 100 black ants and 100 red ants and put them in a glass jar nothing will happen, but if you take the jar, shake it violently and leave it on the table, the ants will start killing each other. Reds believe that black is the enemy while black believes that red is the enemy when the real enemy is the person who shook the jar.

The same is true in society.

Men vs Women
Left vs Right
Rich vs poor
Faith vs Science
Gossip, rumors, etc...

Before we fight each other, we must ask ourselves: Who shook the jar?

​~Will Adamson

Life is one hell of a doozy.  Throwing punches with your back turned kinda vibe.  That's not cool, even in fairytale land.  What happened to the manuals and the how-to books on what to do for every single aspect and event in your life? 

They don't exist.

Lessons come from experience.  Some are hard, others easy, and just a few of those lessons are a breeze.  It doesn't always have to be a struggle, but at times it is.  Coming to grips with this acknowledgment is part 1 of this thing called life.  Perhaps it's easier said than done, but we all know that just ain't the case.

Not everyone's struggle is the same, and that's a simple and true fact.  If we try to make a better effort at understanding this we might be able to help another in need.

~AJ

In the wake of so many friends and close folk leaving here.
​
#LongOneHere
#IONtTalkMuchButHereGoes

In the wake of mofos speaking on things in a giggly "oh they had this and that going on" manner "why they, what were they" BS. Who knows, but they may have said something that others didn't pick up on. The world is HURTING, rich, pO, every color and religion of us.

It's heartbreaking and baffling to me that folks are consumed with the WHOs and WHYs whenever one of their friends or celebs they admire take their own lives. I feel if WE ALL slowed down just a little and listen, reach out, pay attention to SO CALLED friends, family, peers, associates etc we may be able to be of assistance to one going through things and emotions they feel are dire enough to take their own lives.

It's been rough on most of us over the past couple of years. Many, far too many of those you see as SUCCESSFUL, STRONG, LIVING A GREAT LIFE etc are struggling each and everyday.... with what? Who knows? It doesn't matter, does it? The thing is everyone drops their guards, leaving subtle hints, flags, changes in behavior or characteristics. We have to be better LISTENers and REACHers. Not saying that we can stop it all because we can't. Yet a simple heartfelt "hello how are you?" can change a person's mind, even from a stranger.

In our community it's TABOO or WEAK to open up and have dialogue. We look at it like "I'm ok" "Can't let these folk see me down"

MANNN FUCK THAT!!! LET IT OUT! Everyone goes through shit... even more so those of us that are ALWAYS giving and SO CALLED strong.

I thanked one of my dearest friends recently for 3 things. Her showing me to "Silence The Shame" and teaching me to stop being too busy for my loved ones "Laugh Now, Cry Later" and to take time to take care of me. Thank you Shanti Das and several others on that 3rd one .

That 3rd one is my hardest but I'm getting better at saying "NO!" to people. Me being an introvert and giver, it's hard to ask for anything. I've always suffered the hard road to get my own while giving to others most of my life. Now I'm more expressive and open about certain stressors. My relationship with my parents was always good but I've learned to take time to listen to them even if they said it before. I love each and every moment and get upset if they rush me now .

I'm just a vessel carrying a message. Let's all please make more of an effort to SHUT UP and LISTEN...BE PATIENT and LISTEN... OBSERVE. ACT! Trust me it WILL HELP. I've had complete strangers reach out to me and friends alike to confess an action or words that I shared put a halt to their mindset and detriment.

Love you all!
https://silencetheshame.com/who-we-are/mission.html...
#SilencetheShame
#CheckOnYaStrongFolk

​~Chef DeJoie

If you or someone you know is dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide please know there are people who care and want to help you.  You are not alone!

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1-800-273-8255

Happy New Year to you all...

Now before I begin to share tasteless memes that I love so dearly, I would like to share an under represented thought!!!  What many of you don't know is that I think and ponder REAL topics 20 times more than I joke around....so here is my latest...(it's long so bail now if you don't want the gem! Lol)

Go:
Social media is a spilling zone for many to share thoughts, triumphs, and hardships as a method of being transparent and sometimes to cope with concerns that have presented themselves in their lives...

I often see sadness and depression manifest into other behaviors, followed by progression and moving forward after the smoke has settled...

The under represented topic that I spoke of above is that we have to understand the damage that occurs with every downfall and LEARN how to be genuinely happy again....

The more hardship you endure, the more you have to focus on what happiness looks like moving forward........people think that once you lift the load that you should automatically get back to a place of euphoria.....but you may not...

It is important to close the gate of what you have been through, in order to prevent walking that path again......and this is done by showing your brain and body what it feels like to be legitimately content and secure....

Missing this step can cause you to drag in other hardships of life and repeat the same cycle since your brain is now in a vulnerable state....

This message is not based on anyone specifically, but it applies to us all if we happen to run into this.

Having the tools to preserve your mental health is mandatory for you and your families!!

I wish you all health and happiness moving forward, and just know that time is the MOST valuable thing we have so don't let anything keep you from enjoying all of it!!!  #Hewzisms

~Jesse Hughes 

Every morning I walk into the tower, this guy says, “Good morning Mr. Bailey.”

He doesn’t work for my bank, and he doesn’t say that to any of the other executives. Meaning, he never calls them by their name, however, I am the only one (under 60) that looks like him, talks like him, walks like him.

For those of U whom GOD has placed into leadership, especially if U are a minority or an exception, it matters!  Understand, U you could be making someone feel joyful about themselves every day and their identity, heritage, gender, or height, every time they see U.  

#BeGratefulToday
#BeThankful

~Bailey 

How often do you hear those two simple words?  The words that instantly cause creases along the side of your face, also known as a smile.  The words that can turn your day from a negative to a positive vibe.

Thank you!  How powerful... And how rarely used these days.  As I move about in my typical day-to-day I find myself doing what I was raised to do, and that is to be considerate.  Think of others and extend a kind gesture every now and then.  Excuse me, no problem, have a great day, just to give you an example.  Going above and beyond to hold the door for a complete stranger or simply asking someone how they are doing. 

It's natural to expect the same gestures in return, however, the world is quite busy with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.  I'm reminded to forever have an attitude of gratitude by those who don't understand true and pure etiquette when it comes to showing appreciation for the small things. 
​