Reality Check- Do I Feel Like a Pencil?

I recently read a bloggers post who was undoubtedly influenced by novelist Paulo Coelho. (search his bio in Wikipedia) Although I do not agree with his philosophy he had given an illustration of a pencil and how we are like pencils. If you've been reading my previous post you factually know that I am deeply influenced by my urban culture. I am going to put an urban twist to the illustration of a pencil.
Five ways we are like a pencil:
1. There is always a hand guiding a pencil. A pencil has the power to write anything, but without a hand guiding it along it is impossible and very difficult. We are capable of many things but we must never forget that there is a hand guiding our everyday steps.
2. Pencils grow dull and have to be sharpened. Imagine being shaved down, it must hurt. In the end the pencil is sharpened and produces a better and stronger print. We sometimes have to go through many painful things but in the end it makes us a better, stronger person.
3. Pencils come equipped with erasers to rub out any mistakes. Often times we have to correct many things we may have done wrong in our lives but the end result produces humbleness in us.
4. The most important part of the pencil is the graphite inside the pencil. It is not the wood or the color of the pencil. We have something valuable as well, our heart. The inner person we are strengthens and mold us. Beauty is skin deep, truthfully.
5. A pencil will always leave a mark. Whatever it is that we do in life we leave a mark. Whether it is a positive or a negative mark, we must remember impressions are very powerful. We have the ability to help or hurt someone. Be conscience of our mark.
Truthfully, we as a race never examine other things to comparatively better ourselves. We need to think outside the box and expand our thinking ability. We have such a strong spiritual connection but why not take take that same conviction and apply it to other elements in our lives. In REALITY can we compare ourselves to a pencil or is this just another good story we read with no thought behind it?

Black Women Harboring Reality - Empower Them

"Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean."- Dr. Maya Angelou


Often times we find ourselves fortunate to go through life unaffected and unharmed. For the millions who suffer it is a REALITY to harbor. What am I talking about? Black women who suffer. Well, as mentioned in previous blogs I've posted I am affected, nurtured and empowered by black women. I am especially empowered by the ones I encounter daily. Black women have the strongest impact on my life. Black women whom I admire, look up do, and practically are at awe with, who have shared with me their struggles and pain. When they share with me personal experiences it makes me more appreciative of my own life. I appreciate other people. We literally harbor our pain, hurt, sorrow, our REALITY. I will never forget one of my co-workers who always said that she never harbors any ill feelings against anyone because she is so happy to be free. When I asked her why, she explained to me that for so many years she was a prisoner in her own home. She was in an abusive marriage and only felt like a person when she went to work because people treated her with dignity and respect. I was devastated when she told me about her life, I was in disbelief because she was such a happy person. Sadly she is not here today, but she is the reason why I have a change of attitude. When Im at work now or even out and about I make it a point to smile and acknowledge other people. Why? Because I never know what that person is experiencing in their life, what REALITY they are harboring. I hope that I can heal some hurt with a smile...

Reality Check - Empowerment 1.2

"You don’t become what you want; you become what you believe."- Oprah Winfrey

Empowerment isn't a strength we were born with. It is the ability to allow yourself to be lifted to another level of choices. We then have the ability to transform those choices into desired actions and life altering outcomes. In REALITY, we have to believe in ourselves and the lives of others. We are constantly searching for better opportunities to appear in our lives. I have been blessed to recognize the power of influence and network. I've been surrounded by so many powerful people. I am especially blessed to have so many positive black women in my mist. You have to believe in yourself, listen with your eyes and not your ears. I look at all the black women I encounter and learn from them. I may have wanted to become many things but I hope to become like many of the black women I believe in....

Reality Check - Entrepreneurship 1.1

As women of color we should always try to learn from other women. As black women we have difficulty with allowing ourselves to be guided. The REALITY is that we should strive to open our mind, especially to professionalism. There are not enough black women entrepreneurs in our communities. The first step is to learn what entrepreneurship means, and find out are we equipped to be entrepreneurs. First we have to create our own opportunities. Here is good advice from Bobbi Brown- Founder and CEO, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

"I started working as a freelance makeup artist in 1980, and I worried that I didn't have enough money. My father told me I'd just have to figure out a way to make more money. So I started looking through the Yellow Pages and calling agencies, magazines, photographers - anyone I could offer my services to. I'd work for free until I proved myself.

Soon enough, I was getting regular calls to do their makeup. My father's advice made me feel that I was in control of my future. I realized that it was my job to find more opportunities."

Reality of a Black Womans Transition

Being a woman in this society has its limits. Being a black woman in society today should be limitless. In contrast, we are, black women, the limited. When we are placed in environments out of our expected element, we have many challenges. I am just an average young black woman, with a little education under my belt. I have been blessed with a pretty good, reasonable, sound mind. For me i get comfortable in my own element, which has cultural restrictions. I love being around my people, good southern country folk. The thing that most confuses people about me is my ability to transcend. I can put myself or avail myself to other elements and still remain that black woman. I feel the hardest thing for a black woman is making a transition from comfortableness to professionalism. I'm referring here to career seeking, job placement, go getters. We need more black women in our school systems, medical field (professionally), financing and lawmaking powerful positions. The REALITY is how do we cope with transition? Do we put forth the effort to transcend or do we live in our own element?

Reality Check - Empowerment 1.1

As a black woman I know it sounds crazy but I find it hard for women of color to have just a great day. I myself have a very different personality than other black women. I mean I breath easy so to speak. I love being a black woman. We are the best species on this planet. It is because we are so complete because of our circumstances. We are not only mothers to one child (without given birth) but to a whole community. Our life is hectic due to obligations placed on us by society.
We as women of color have to get with REALITY. Given our ability to be stronger than our counterparts we have to take advantage of that. We have to capitalize on our own strength. Okay food for thought, If we can make a dollar out of fifteen cents just what can we do with knowledge?

A Beautiful Reality Check Part 1

By viewing my post and my interest you've more than likely discovered that I am a very REALITY conscience person. I love music so there for I need to adjust some of my settings on this blog. I just wanted to write a post about India Arie for a little while. She is very talented, categorized as Neo-Soul music. I just wanted to speak about her song, Beautiful Surprise or at least share the lyrics for now. Read over the lyrics then I will discuss them later, leave a comment about the lyrics.


[It's like yesterday
I didn't even know your name
Now today
You're always on my mind
I never could have predicted that I'd feel this way
You are a beautiful surprise
Intoxicated every time I hear your voice
You've got me on a natural high
It's almost like I didn't even have a choice
You are a beautiful surprise

Whatever it is that you came to teach me
I am here to learn it cause
I believe that we are written in the stars
I don't know what the future hold
But I'm living in the moment
And I'm thankful for the man that you are, you are, you are
You are everything I ask for in my prayers
So I know my angels brought you to my life
Your energy is healing to my soul
You are a beautiful surprise
You are an inspiration to my life
You are the reason why I smile
You are a beautiful surprise]

Donnie Hathaway Serenades Reality

Donnie Hathaway is one of the strongest vocalist I've ever heard. But, before i go on with my personal opinion, I'll give you a brief summary of his music history. He was born in Chicago and shortly after was raised by his grandmother in St. Louis housing projects. At the age of 3 he became known as a child prodigy because of his vocal ability. He received a full music scholarship to attend Howard University. Not completing his Fine Arts degree he moved on to further his music career in 1967. In 19701 he wrote and recorded the single that went on to be the urban anthem, The Ghetto.
Listening to his music you could feel what he was singing. He had a strong emotion and pain behind he voice. He repeatedly composed songs about the empowerment of his people in the 70s. He realized the harsh REALITY of poverty, deprivation and injustice. He died at an early age. He suffered from depression and was found dead in front of his apartment complex, suicide was concluded.
If you ever listened to any of his recordings what did you conclude?

Rap Music Meets REALITY

Yes, believe it or not I am a big fan of rap. The most important message that I want to convey to my readers is I love the message not the image. I want to get one thing clear, I love rap artist not rappers. Rappers feed off the image and the latest trend. Rappers just babble on and on, making no sense. That is exactly why people say,"I don't understand a word!" A rap artist delivers a message, tells a story. A rap artist career has longevity. Included among the list of rap artist are Tupac Shakur, Biggie, Nas, Jay-z, Common etc. In REALITY what is the difference between a rapper and a rap artist?

Watch this video of a real rap artist.

Afeni Shakur - Speaks Reality in Memphis

Afeni Shakur is a urban reality. She offers empowerment to college students in Memphis. She delivered the reality of urban living. She urges them to use their mind and think for themselves. I really felt what she was speaking about. She urged the audience to think of others than themselves. She brought the reality out about individuals that are so hopeless that they take their own lives.
I am especially fond of her, her words, her movement and empowerment. I am a huge fan of her son Tupac Shakur. Through his music you can hear what she instilled in his mind as a youth. She is very liberated from her past life as a Black Panther activist, former drug addict. From listening to her speech she has a new found hope, spirituality and joy.
Listen to her speech, did she not speak on REALITY!