NEVER GIVING UP ON SELF

The Thoughts of a Rootsy Woman who takes Pride in her People

Hi there my loyal readers.  I must say as much as you click on a post & thank you so much for doing so.  Maybe, just maybe - take the time out & "follow me" so that I can keep you updated on all things Simply Said and current happenings within our community.  Not to mention meaningful commentary that should enhance or improve your state of mind as opposed to some of the garbage that we either fill our minds with or end up being subjected to.

Allrighty then - let's talk about self.  Questions number 1. 
Do you love yourself?  Take some time to answer that question.  Do not confuse selfish desires to loving yourself - there is a difference.  Let's take our bodies for instance.  Sickness can come from various sources.  Some of what causes our bodies to breakdown has a lot to do with what we are putting in our systems.  If you LOVE YOURSELF YOU WOULD NOT PUT HARMFUL THINGS AND/OR SUBSTANCES IN YOUR BODY THAT WOULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOU.  If you believe in the saying you are what you eat - then go by the rule I go by "Everything in moderation" too much of anything - is NOT good for you.  If you want tips on how to "Love yourself" feel free to comment below & we can start a convo from there.

See once you figure out that YOU are responsible for YOUR happiness and NOT others a light bulb will go on in that bright head of yours and by maintaining a positive perspective and/or attitude towards matters - all of a sudden you will begin to see the pieces of the puzzle come together.

Now my topic today is "Never giving up on Self".  You see when I walk in and around the neighborhood that I live in and see a grown man who doesn't appear to have missed a meal, perhaps even overweight to the average 6 foot plus black male and you're asking a woman for money and if I give it to you because after all I was taught to share if I have it.  Let me continue to paint the picture a grown man asking other people including myself for money.  Then later in the day you are sitting on a crate on the corner smoking a cigarette or something else, did I just fund your smoking habit?  Let me further paint the picture - a grown man with a name brand leather jacket on, appears as though he's living quite well AND HAS NEVER MISSED A MEAL.  Chooses to ask for money rather than attempting to use those hands on people skills to fill out a job application - not only did you give up on SELF but you've decided to LEAN on others and are content with just that.

What I hate to see in the community are the petty drug dealers that are still on the corners asking patrons as they enter stores if they smoke - because I guess you can buy a "loosy" from them and anything else that would be for sale.  The decisions that we make in life not only effects you the individual but the people around you as well.  The Petty Drug Dealer has GIVEN UP on attempting to make an HONEST DAY'S PAY.  Therefore giving up on self.

I'm sorry Ladies unfortunately, society, the entertainment industry and some women have given the red stamp approval to have you believe that a stripper's pole, having one, using one, being a stripper aka exotic dancer is a GREAT career choice.  As opposed to learning a trade or getting a college education.  For the younger generation to think that it is acceptable to aspire to be on a pole as opposed to a more reputable career where you are not subjected to being seen as only a piece of meat - well yeah with that scenario - you've given up on self.  I do not consider that as survival I see it as a cop out.

When I walk around the neighborhood and see countless people whose priorities consists of substance abuse (to drown or forget about their troubles), violence (because they've decided to loose control within their troubles) crime (because they've decided to break the law to remedy their troubles)  YES you have lost hope & given up on SELF.  

How do we break the cycle?  You can not go by society's fast paced point & click or touch & send speed.  As an individual YOU MUST STOP & PAUSE every day if you could, once a week is great, SELF EVALUATION & REFLECTION IS KEY.  If you can just stop for a second and do self inventory of your life and where you are going with it you can save yourself some serious heartache and stress.  It starts with you, your home, your surroundings and your community.

Trust me, what you do matters.  If you lost hope on the things that matter most to you, than you lost your way and have to do everything you possibly can to return to or restore that zeal you once had on life & your pursuits.

Don't give up on yourself - I haven't given up on you - believe in YOURSELF as I believe in YOU.

Till my next entry...