the BLAQUESMITH blog

Look closely, or miss something special

blaquesmith20 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:29:15 +0000

Every man I meet is in some way my superior. Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is amazing to me how some people can think they are better than others.

We are not all built equal, but everyone you meet is better than you in some area… and whose knows when you might need them for that one skill.

The essence of the human being experience is the universal brotherhood we share. To believe in some manner that you are totally superior to another member of the human race, indicates you are missing the experience of human connection and are actually inferior in the most important ways–emotion and humlity.

The BLAQUESMITH

Up and Down

blaquesmith20 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:11:51 +0000

One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak. Gilbert K Chesterton

Beloved, when you are at your lowest, look up and you will see many things to keep you motivated.

Beloved, when you are at the top, the things that seem small are not, don’t find out the hard way…. either they will meet you at the top or greet you on your way back down.

Beloved, the ebbs and flows from the waves of life will keep you going up and down. Learn to rde the waves and do not be afraid to wipe out.

The BLAQUESMITH

Focus on the Race, Not the Finish

blaquesmith20 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:16:58 +0000

It’s nothing like getting what you want… until you get it.

Enjoy the journey, it is more entertaining than the destination.

Reaching the top is only fun once you reach the top, then it is on to the next mountain.

Seeing your dream manfest comes only second to dreaming it.

Old trophies remind you of your past glory… is that enough to satisfy you or do you want more?

Blessings for You and Everyone Around You

blaquesmith20 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:09:46 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiWwqURevNQ&feature=related

The Prayer of Jabez comes from the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we read: “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”
(read more… http://www.allaboutprayer.org/prayer-of-jabez.htm)

Prayer changes things. I was always taught to pray in this manner:
1) Pay respect and reverence to the deity before you ask for anything
2) Thnak the diety for all that has been done already
3) Pray for forgiveness and strength to become a better person
4) Pray for others
5) Then pray for self

A selfish prayer is one that is only filled with wants and “gimmmee’s” from the one who prays. We honor and respect people who sacrifice their money, lives and freedom to help others. A true warrior, not only fights his battle, but the battle of the oppressed and vulnerable.

Bottom Line: Pray for the moon…. just pray for many moons, so others can also enjoy in the bliss.
Blessings and Prayers
The BLAQUESMITH

Fit for a King

blaquesmith20 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:26:49 +0000

As we celebrate MLK Jr Day 2012 let us reflect on truth and not myth:

MLK Jr. was no saint, but he was still an angel.

MLK Jr. decided non-violence was the best method for pragmatic reasons. It is hard to wage a war when you are the minority in arms, monies, and numbers. He had the chance to chose bloody revolt or peaceful non-resistance. Mandela choose revolt, because he had the numbers. King and Gandhi choose civil disobedience because of the hand they were dealt.

MLK Jr. words were powerful only because there was action to back them up.
He was a man that willingly to die. He gave to us at the great sacrifice to his immediate family. Is that not the love of the divine.

MLK JR. real name was Michael. His father changed their named to Martin Luther after the great protestant reform Martin Luther. Names mean a lot. What is your child’s name? Is it time to change you name (and ways)?

MLK Jr. had a dream. He had the heart to make it relaity. Don’t stay asleep. Make your dreams a reality.

Bottom Line: MLK Jr. set a table for Kings. Are you willing, ready and worthy to sit at it? Out of the Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope. Let’s gather all of our stones and crucify injustice everywhere.

Blessings and Prayers
The BLAQUESMITH

Know Thy Self

blaquesmith20 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:17:06 +0000

Inner truths of the soul are only revealed through hurt, pain, and sorrow.
Most people choose not to really know thmeselves. The ironic twist is, the hurt, pain, and sorrow will still come. At least learn from it.

Gold Digger

blaquesmith20 — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:58:56 +0000

Life is funny and unpredictable. Some people look for gold and never find it. Some never looked for it, but found it anyway. One might think this is reason enough to allow destiny to take her place and not strive as hard for their goals. I would submit for your consideration that their is no lady luck. I would also submit that more people who look for gold find it that than those who do not look at all. Don’t allow the exceptions to control your conduct.

The bigger question for those who dig for gold, is what will yoy if and when you find it. Will the gold have the devastating effects of Midas, will have the sobering effects experienced by Solomon, or will you become a Robin Hood like character and distribute to the needy and less fortunate?

Before you amass your gold, set limits for what you need and want. This will protect you from your greeds. It is our greeds that make the golden tomb. By all means enjoy the fruits of your labor, but also be responsible with it.

Gold does not equal happiness, so ask yourself why do you really want it. Gold can produce happiness or saddness. In the movie Captain America a young, but weak soldier is picked to become a super soldier. When the lad asks why he was chosen, the scientist tells him because his formula will increase his natural emotions and strengths. Therefore, it was important they selected the correct individual to endow with these superhuman powers. In short, Gold has the same effect on a person. It has the power to make you stronger, but is increasing your strength a good thing?

Bottom Line: Dig for gold, but don’t let it dig you an early grave.
Blessings and Prayers
The BLAQUESMITH

TRUE

blaquesmith20 — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:30:04 +0000

Private indiscretions become public revelations. Understand your reputation is only the wrapping, once it is peeled the true character is revealed.

Respect is always given to honest, even when there is nothing else likeable about the person.

Those who prove to be false, see all of their works fall like the house built on sinking sand.

Only the unsure lie, to impress.

I tell the truth because lies are too hard to remember.

Those who talk much should not lie, for the words from your mouth will betray you.

Everyone lies, but everyone does not lie about everything.

Lies are like pockets with holes- everything you think you have is lost before you know it.

The truth lights the way. No matter how dark, it will illuminate enough space to get you from point A to point B. Don’t be afraid or frustrated by moving slowly.

Lies are like one night stands. One bad one can drastically change your life.

Oxymoron: Small Lie

Less is More

blaquesmith20 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:08:46 +0000

Often times many people crush their own dreams. They live beneath their potential because of fear and self doubt. Many people have less than what they should have. Less love, less happiness, less money, less free time, less friends, and less peace of mind.

With that in mind, i would like to suggest that you develop an attitude of less, so you can have so much more.

Be FearLESS and RelentLESS
in all things that really matter to you.
To others be Harmless
Rarely CareLESS
Rarely ReckLESS
Rarely CompassionLESS
and the possibilities will be
LIMITLESS

Bottom Line: You will have less, unless you do something about it. Every minute you waste you have more to do in less time. Make it happen now!

Blessings and Prayers
The BLAQUESMITH

ATB: Child Sex Abuse

blaquesmith20 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:08:48 +0000

Child Abuse is a very hard topic to discuss, but it is even harder to live with, beloved. Multiple abuses of this nature can have lifelong mental and physical ramifications for the victims. Whatever statatistics you ever read about abuse, please understand that those are conservative numbers because these type of crimes are the most underreported. No matter the source you will hear numbers like 1 of every 4 girls will be molested by the time she is 18 years old. That mean at least) 25% of our girls are molested. Hurt girls grow up to be hurt women. The numbers say 1 out 6 boys will be molested before the age of 18. FOR REAL??? We must understand in a hyper-masculine society, boys will suffer in silence before exposing anything that reduces their manhood. For example, look at the number of boys from the Catholic church that disclosed past molestations when they were well into their 40′s. Hurt boys grow into dangerous and violent men. Another shock to most people is that the victims know the people who hurt them, at a clip of 90%. We need to keep up the “stranger danger” dialogue, but we also need to introduce the term “Friendly Enemy.”

What can be done? Parents, Teachers and caregivers please do not ignore the cries of the babies. If a child states they have been abused, please know there is a problem. From my years of counseling with this population I only know three reasons why children state abuse: 1) They were coached to say it; 2) They saw (on television or in-person) a sexual act being performed and falsely projected it unto themselves; 3) it REALLY happened. The first option is usually exposed easily, because the language is not that of the child’s, and the story develops holes after multiple tellings. The second option can also be unearth with good questioning. Also, preventative and proactive discussions with parents and children can help eliminate these sad false positives. The third option is usually true, and if we fail to respond effectively and swiftly, we risk putting the child at multiple risks for future violations. The key to this is to be proactive and talk to your children before anything happens. Predators tend to stay away from children who are educated on how to stay protected.

What do predators look like? Everybody. When you work in a hospital milieu, they cannot disclose all of the patients HIV status, so they tell you to treat each patient as though they have the virus, to protect yourself. I offer the same advice. Understand anybody can be a child molester, predator or pedophile. When we say anybody, we mean biological parents, grandparents, uncles, siblings, pastors, priest, teachers, counselors, coaches, neighbors, and friends of the family. ANYBODY. Predators are quiet monsters with dual personalities (See Penn State). These people are the definition of the SUBLIME. They are mad scientist, the perfect storm because they fool us by their charming personalities, charitable good deeds, selfless and altrustic acts. The average pedophile will molest hundreds of children in their lifetime.

Your child may give you hints of molestation: listen. First, they overtly tell you. Do not ignore, minimize or condemn the child. Second, they may give suttle hints, such as, but not limited to, physical illness that do not have any medical validation; non-age related sexual speech or acts. Third, they may make sudden and sharp changes with wanting to participate in certain activities or go away with certain people. Lastly, the key thing to look for is change… change in appetite, behavior, sleep (e.g., insomnia, night terrors), speech, and overall disposition. This list is not an exhaustive list, but some prevelant RED FLAGS.

This is an issue that affects all races, religious affiliations, geographical regions, gender, and orientations. This is truly a bi-partisan issue and families and communities all need to work together to help the current and past victims and to help prevent future victims. The blessing of the curse at Penn State has made us talk about a topic we did not want to discuss. Let’s not stop talking about it and let’s do something about it.

Asque the BLAQUESMITH was joined by Andre Powell of Urban Sports VIP and former standout Linebacker from Penn State University. During this discussion we talk about the tragedy at Penn State and how to help the healing with victims of child sexual abuse. Watch us on MIlwaukee MATA TV on Channel 14 (Wednesdays at 7:00pm) and Channel 96 (Saturdays at 11:30am).

The best way to heal yourself is help others!