When we look at other people, we see many of their qualities in innumerable and seemingly random combinations. However, the qualities that we see in the people around us are directly related to the traits that exist in us. "Like attracts like" is one of the spiritual laws of the universe. We attract individuals into our lives that mirror who we are. Those you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you, and you act as a mirror for them. Simply put, when you look at others, you will likely see what exists in you. When you see beauty, divinity, sweetness, or light in the soul of another, you are seeing the goodness that resides in your soul. When you see traits in others that evoke feelings of anger, annoyance, or hatred, you may be seeing reflected back at you those parts of yourself that you have disowned or do not like.
Because we are all mirrors for each other, looking at the people in your life can tell you a lot about yourself. Who you are can be laid bare to you through what you see in others. It is easy to see the traits you do not like in others. It is much more difficult to realize that you possess those same traits. Often, the habits, attitudes, and behaviors of others are closely linked to our unconscious and unresolved issues.
When you come into contact with someone you admire, search your soul for similarly admirable traits. Likewise, when you meet someone exhibiting traits that you dislike, accept that you are looking at your reflection. Looking at yourself through your perception of others can be a humbling and eye-opening experience. You can also cultivate in you the traits and behaviors that you do like. Be loving and respectful to all people, and you will attract individuals that will love and respect you back. Nurture compassion and empathy and let the goodness you see in others be your mirror.
Showing posts with label Meeting People. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meeting People. Show all posts
December 11, 2008
December 3, 2008
In Order to Be Happy...
We must use compassion. We must see the innocence in even the most abrasive human beings. There is more to a person than their behavior. Beneath the facade there is a tormented sea of underlying hurt, pain and sorrow. It doesn't exist just within ourselves, it is in everyone we meet.
Never forget that everybody struggles. In order to be happy, we must honor the strength and resilience that is shadowed by the frustration of the struggle. We must understand that we are not alone no matter how desolate life can be.
Never forget that everybody struggles. In order to be happy, we must honor the strength and resilience that is shadowed by the frustration of the struggle. We must understand that we are not alone no matter how desolate life can be.
November 6, 2008
Empathy
I am sitting on my back porch,
Cigarette in hand
I lift my fingers to my lips
And take a long drag.
The city has now entered the end of the year.
Today she says to me, "I remember February.
I remember all of the things that I wanted for myself
By the end of this year and now, look, it's November.
Here I am and this what I have,
I've never been happier."
In February, she was sneaking around dark hallways
Keeping secrets that she wasn't capable of handling.
She was beginning a long road to recovery from a life built in dark places,
Carrying a burden and enduring a struggle
That not too many people would understand.
She sits before me, smiles and support all around,
And I see the health, I see the color, I see the change.
I was there with her through those months.
I was there with her through those times.
And she was with me.
I wanted to tell her that I was afraid too.
I wanted to tell her that I had once been in a relationship
That self destructed, that left shards of broken glass
Deep in my skin.
I wanted to tell her that sometimes, they made me itch.
I wanted to tell her that I too
Had fallen in love with a man who didn't know how to love me back
But all I could say was a simple, "I know what you mean."
So I watch her now, standing on the corner
Cigarette in her hand.
She lifts her fingers to her lips
And takes a long drag.
Cigarette in hand
I lift my fingers to my lips
And take a long drag.
The city has now entered the end of the year.
Today she says to me, "I remember February.
I remember all of the things that I wanted for myself
By the end of this year and now, look, it's November.
Here I am and this what I have,
I've never been happier."
In February, she was sneaking around dark hallways
Keeping secrets that she wasn't capable of handling.
She was beginning a long road to recovery from a life built in dark places,
Carrying a burden and enduring a struggle
That not too many people would understand.
She sits before me, smiles and support all around,
And I see the health, I see the color, I see the change.
I was there with her through those months.
I was there with her through those times.
And she was with me.
I wanted to tell her that I was afraid too.
I wanted to tell her that I had once been in a relationship
That self destructed, that left shards of broken glass
Deep in my skin.
I wanted to tell her that sometimes, they made me itch.
I wanted to tell her that I too
Had fallen in love with a man who didn't know how to love me back
But all I could say was a simple, "I know what you mean."
So I watch her now, standing on the corner
Cigarette in her hand.
She lifts her fingers to her lips
And takes a long drag.
October 13, 2008
Living Hero - Allan Frias
When I first moved to the Bay Area my first dance teacher was Allan Frias, who has now become one of my living heroes. You may remember him from the first season of So You Think You Can Dance, breaking it down as Big Papa. While he didn't win the competition, he made a big impact just by making it on to the show. If you've ever seen him, you'll notice that he is a HUSKY fella. If you've ever seen him dance, you'll notice that his size doesn't stop him from dropping down and breaking a motherfucker off.
After a few years, I was able to begin a work-exchange program at Dance Mission on Tuesday nights and got to watch Allan's Advanced class do their thing. His choreography always amazed me as it is laced with subtle sexuality and powerful eight counts that draw inspiration from West Indian dance forms. While I idolize Allan, it is his Sucker Free, real ass human side that makes me love him all the more. He sweats like a madman when he dances; he sports Warrior's paraphernalia; and he allows little kids to sit in on his classes every once in a while, free of charge. One night as I was sitting in the back room counting the night's revenue the familiar tickle of California herb came floating in from the window. I turned around and there was Allan, sitting on the fire escape smoking a blunt making choreography in his head. How could I not fall in love with the man?? He is such a celebrity to me that every time we run into each other, I gush as if he were Justin Timberlake.
Tonight was the first night I've been to one of Allan's classes in ages and, like always, homeboy spouted some knowledge that reminded me why I love him (and dancing) so much.
-----
"How do you bump your booty? Use your tailbone. The PADOW is all there."
"I don't care how big you are, you can get down on your hands. I'm bigger than all of you motherfuckers, you're all smaller than me and I can fucking do it. You can do it!!"
"Dance is all about confidence. Trust, cause ain't nobody watching you anyway. Do whatever the fuck you do, but do it confidently."
"Open your pussy, it's okay! Dance is sexual. If you can dance, then you can fuck. It's all about being able to catch the rhythm."
After a few years, I was able to begin a work-exchange program at Dance Mission on Tuesday nights and got to watch Allan's Advanced class do their thing. His choreography always amazed me as it is laced with subtle sexuality and powerful eight counts that draw inspiration from West Indian dance forms. While I idolize Allan, it is his Sucker Free, real ass human side that makes me love him all the more. He sweats like a madman when he dances; he sports Warrior's paraphernalia; and he allows little kids to sit in on his classes every once in a while, free of charge. One night as I was sitting in the back room counting the night's revenue the familiar tickle of California herb came floating in from the window. I turned around and there was Allan, sitting on the fire escape smoking a blunt making choreography in his head. How could I not fall in love with the man?? He is such a celebrity to me that every time we run into each other, I gush as if he were Justin Timberlake.
Tonight was the first night I've been to one of Allan's classes in ages and, like always, homeboy spouted some knowledge that reminded me why I love him (and dancing) so much.
-----
"How do you bump your booty? Use your tailbone. The PADOW is all there."
"I don't care how big you are, you can get down on your hands. I'm bigger than all of you motherfuckers, you're all smaller than me and I can fucking do it. You can do it!!"
"Dance is all about confidence. Trust, cause ain't nobody watching you anyway. Do whatever the fuck you do, but do it confidently."
"Open your pussy, it's okay! Dance is sexual. If you can dance, then you can fuck. It's all about being able to catch the rhythm."
September 15, 2008
Pulling Knowledge Wherever I Go
"Give love, compassion and positive education to the incarcerated and they will give back love and compassion to society. Give hate and no compassion to the incarcerated and they wil gve back total anarchy to society."
-Todd Ray Abernathy
----
"Grounded is a state of mind. You don't seem to be grounded at this stage and its not a bad thing... it just means that nothing's holding you down right now. You got your wings spread for the next couple years of your life. You have big dreams, girl."
-Edwin, a kindred spirit born and raised in Brooklyn and living in on Long Island. We were sharing stories of our lives and he basically broke my life down for me.
-Todd Ray Abernathy
----
"Grounded is a state of mind. You don't seem to be grounded at this stage and its not a bad thing... it just means that nothing's holding you down right now. You got your wings spread for the next couple years of your life. You have big dreams, girl."
-Edwin, a kindred spirit born and raised in Brooklyn and living in on Long Island. We were sharing stories of our lives and he basically broke my life down for me.
August 21, 2008
"In God We Trust" // OhDang.
The first thing I notice about people is their skin. In the club, on the street, while I'm waiting in line at the grocery store, my eyes are immediately drawn to any indication that a person has been inked.
I recently went to a Hopie show at FatCity where I had the pleasure of meeting a memorable character named Anthony. This kid was a trip. A motherfucking trip if I ever tripped in my life. I met him at the bar before the show. It was about 10:21pm and the show hadn't started so my girls and I were chillin in the back scoping out the scene, right? Out of nowhere here comes this guy, slurring and laughing, smelling like too much alcohol at too early in the evening. He introduces himself to me and taps my drink with his.
Two minutes later his friend George, who looks like freakin Doogie Howser, comes up next to him and introduces himself to my girls. At first we're like who are these guys? So we started making small talk and I notice that Anthony has a tattoo on his collarbone. Peeking out from under his shirt I see thin lines of script:
Now, I believe that a tattoo says a lot about a person. The fact that he had it on his collarbone, a place where he (and the rest of the world) could see it on daily basis showed some signs of confidence. It showed that he wanted to make a statement.
"I believe in God," he says when I ask about it. "I'm Catholic but I don't practice anymore. I just know that there's a God and I trust him."
I recently went to a Hopie show at FatCity where I had the pleasure of meeting a memorable character named Anthony. This kid was a trip. A motherfucking trip if I ever tripped in my life. I met him at the bar before the show. It was about 10:21pm and the show hadn't started so my girls and I were chillin in the back scoping out the scene, right? Out of nowhere here comes this guy, slurring and laughing, smelling like too much alcohol at too early in the evening. He introduces himself to me and taps my drink with his.
Two minutes later his friend George, who looks like freakin Doogie Howser, comes up next to him and introduces himself to my girls. At first we're like who are these guys? So we started making small talk and I notice that Anthony has a tattoo on his collarbone. Peeking out from under his shirt I see thin lines of script:
"In God We Trust"
Now, I believe that a tattoo says a lot about a person. The fact that he had it on his collarbone, a place where he (and the rest of the world) could see it on daily basis showed some signs of confidence. It showed that he wanted to make a statement.
"I believe in God," he says when I ask about it. "I'm Catholic but I don't practice anymore. I just know that there's a God and I trust him."
For myself, those four words conjure up a different image: money. All of a sudden I project onto Anthony my own personal issues surrounding finance and business. My stance and voice become aggressive, but not threatening. I am judging him by my own experience with money.
"Cash rules everything around me," I say as he nods his head.
"Me too. Don't you know I'm gangsta?" Anthony replies, popping his collar. Shellie and I immediately look at each other and laugh.
"Dude, you're wearing a sideways hat."
At this point, bundles of people have filtered into the room creating a conversation buzz. This causes my new friend to step closer to me so that I can hear him. I've never liked the smell of alcohol and sweat so I politely put my hand on his shoulder and push him a step back. I have lost interest in him.
Flash forward about 45 minutes later. Anthony is sitting center stage as Bambu is introduced. He's hella drunk and making out with this white lady who didn't look like she was enjoying it too much. It was really funny cause then her two friends had to come and save her, like, WTF?! What are you doing with this guy?! But Anthony don't care, so he gets up on the stage! And this isn't the only time this cat gets on there. When Jacka came out, Anthony was up there sticking out like a sore thumb. Bobbin' and swayin' with MobFigaz like he was one. Little Filipino guy and Doogie Howser wearing a Lacoste golf shirt smoking a blunt up on stage with Jacka. The funny thing is no one on stage did or said anything. The party just went on and Anthony had the freakin time of his life.
Now he can run back to Concord and tell all his friends how cool he is. I love it.
---
"Conscious is self-conscious. I like being in places where I don't have to worry about the clothes I'm wearing or if my drink makes me look cool. I could just be chill, be myself."
-Arjay, when asked what the "conscious" in "conscious hip hop" meant to him. Thanks for the drink, baby.
August 17, 2008
Rock the Bells 2008
8 hours of bass heavy medleys. Shiiit.
Highlights:
*Rolling up in the parking lot, 8 heads deep and the first thing I hear after the parking break cracks: "Who wants some medicine?"
*Jay Electronica carrying a staff around the theater promoting "real hip hop" in the early morning to "real hip hop heads."
*Two hours in and I turn to my girl Drea, she's wringing her hands and looking HELLA confused, "I think those brownies had a little too much magic in them."
*Climbing solo to the top of the lawn and soaking in the last of the Summer sun while I could.
*Getting DENIED at the VIP bar. This was the funniest thing I didn't realize I was trying to do.
*DJ GI Joe looking absolutely chewable while working real turntables ie. NOT a computer screen.
*Method Man and Redman playing the best set of the night. For some reason, everyone had left to go to the bathroom and I had the whole row to dance my ass off. Redman got that swaaaag that I like!
*Mos Def, incognito. But he didn't slow it down long enough to toss my lace underwear on the stage.....
*A TRIBE CALLED QUEST doing a freestyle acapella that segued into Bonita Applebaum.
Honesty? This shit tired me out. We were so close to the speakers and got lost in so many clouds that walking out of the amphitheater was like waking up from a long dream. I woke up this morning and couldn't remember how the hell I got into bed. My body aches in places that have never ached... and I've got this stuck in my head...
Highlights:
*Rolling up in the parking lot, 8 heads deep and the first thing I hear after the parking break cracks: "Who wants some medicine?"
*Jay Electronica carrying a staff around the theater promoting "real hip hop" in the early morning to "real hip hop heads."
*Two hours in and I turn to my girl Drea, she's wringing her hands and looking HELLA confused, "I think those brownies had a little too much magic in them."
*Climbing solo to the top of the lawn and soaking in the last of the Summer sun while I could.
*Getting DENIED at the VIP bar. This was the funniest thing I didn't realize I was trying to do.
"You're trying to get into the VIP," the boy says to me.
"I'm just trying to party," I reply, shrugging my shoulders.
*DJ GI Joe looking absolutely chewable while working real turntables ie. NOT a computer screen.
*Method Man and Redman playing the best set of the night. For some reason, everyone had left to go to the bathroom and I had the whole row to dance my ass off. Redman got that swaaaag that I like!
*Mos Def, incognito. But he didn't slow it down long enough to toss my lace underwear on the stage.....
*A TRIBE CALLED QUEST doing a freestyle acapella that segued into Bonita Applebaum.
Honesty? This shit tired me out. We were so close to the speakers and got lost in so many clouds that walking out of the amphitheater was like waking up from a long dream. I woke up this morning and couldn't remember how the hell I got into bed. My body aches in places that have never ached... and I've got this stuck in my head...
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