Thoughts on Choices...

The beautiful thing about life is that we have the opportunity to choose. We choose when to give up, we choose when to give in, and when to give it our all. The choices we make mistakenly are just as important as the decisions we come to deliberately. You get a thousand choices a day and each one counts. Choose who you’ll be in life, choose what you’ll stress, and choose what matters to you. Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you can’t be great. Know who you are, know what you do, and know what’s real to you. Nothing else matters after that. Don’t waste time trying to prove how different you are to people who only want to see you for who you used to be. You don’t need people to believe that you can change in order for you to change. Honestly, if you clear some of the pessimistic stress causing people from your life, you might be able to make room for some joy. It’s hard to have a parade around people constantly praying for rain. Changing your circle can really change your life. Choose carefully who you allow to get close to you. Understand that the choices you make in your life are for you, it’s neither realistic nor necessary to expect everyone to agree with them. Nothing is going to happen for you unless you decide that you’re going to make it happen for yourself. No failure or fear should keep you from fighting for your future. If you’re too focused on where you’ve been, you’ll never see where the Universe is trying to take you. Life is all about choices, make sure you choose wisely.

Thoughts trapped in my Android...
Choices...

What you thinking....

If you care enough to assume something, you should care enough to ask about it. Don’t just run with emotions and come to false conclusions without getting facts first. Speak words you can stand by. Nobody wants dirt on their name for things they haven’t done. There’s a difference between knowing about somebody and hearing about somebody. Just because you “heard” doesn’t mean you “know.” Don’t be that person who knows the least but is always talking the most. Respect people’s privacy. If you don’t see it with your eyes, you shouldn’t gossip about it with your mouth. Watch those so-called friends who always have the “scoop”, if they gossip to you then most likely they’ll gossip about you. Minding your business should be a full time job. Be so focused on the life you’re living that you’re too busy to stress, assume, and judge what other people are doing with theirs. “They” is the most popular liar in the world. If you can’t tell who said it and when, just keep it to yourself. Assumptions lead to gossip, and gossip leads to lies. Even if you have facts the standing rule is: Just because you know about it, doesn’t give you the right to talk about it.

 

Thoughts trapped in my Android....

Assumptions: Am i giving him change for a purchase or because he was homeless.. 

Life & Lemons

Life is simple, it’s just not easy. Every day is a challenge, every week it’s something new, every month things are different, and every year flies by. Rising to challenges, accepting changes, and embracing differences isn’t optional if success is something you desire. Life was meant to be lived in a way that gives it meaning. The wise understand that a life with no cause; has no effect. If you’re not living with a sense of purpose, everything you do day to day is worthless. Some will think you’re young and you have time, but reality is; more people die young these days than they do old. Sometimes the pride that you think is guiding you the right way, is the same thing that’s getting you lost. Most people have to party hard because they don’t know how to live happy. You need something to numb that self inflicted pain. Everything you do today should bring benefits to your tomorrow. It is no good working hard for your resume to get longer at the price of your peace of mind and happiness getting smaller. Make moves that not only spark success but also speak to your soul. You can take a million steps forward but if your steps have no direction you’ll never reach your destination. Have a plan and make it plain, because if you don’t you’ll be on the road to doing everything but accomplishing nothing.

Thoughts trapped in an Android...
When life gives you lemons, turn it into lemonade

Changed?

9 out of 10 times what you get in life is a result of what you ask for. Everything you ask for isn’t coming from your mouth either. More than half of it is coming from your attitude and actions. A lot of people complain about the things that come their way not realizing that they indirectly asked for it. Unhappy people attract haters and drama. Bitter women attract game playing men. Boastful men attract gold digging women. The world gives back to you what you put into it, that’s the essence of Karma. It is important for us to be in agreement with ourselves mind, body, and spirit. When your mind wants love, and your body wants lusts, there’s no way your spirit can prosper. Understand the Universe has a never ending desire to bless you and if those blessings require pain, the Universe will give it to you, but for your benefit. You can’t ask for peace and have an attitude from hell. When your actions are inspired by spite expect to catch some slight. Don’t let what you do block you from what you want. Allow who you are to welcome what you’re asking for.

 

Thoughts trapped in my Android..

An older photo, but very relevant.... 

Willing to wait....

If something is really worth it to you; you’ll be willing to wait for it. Though people treat patience like it’s a past time, it’s still a priceless virtue. But these days it seems like patience takes the backseat to convenience. Nobody is willing to wait for anything anymore. If it doesn’t come perfect and doesn’t come on our time, then we don’t want it to come at all. Don’t be like most people who are willing to wait on all the wrong things but are impatient and quit on all the right ones. When you know you deserve things and really feel like something is yours, there’s no such thing as it taking too long because you know it’s only a matter of time. Patience is the key to endurance, and that key unlocks the door to consistency, which welcomes you in the home of trust. Nothing requires patience like love. Nothing respects patience like trust. And nothing values patience more than happiness. Learn to be patient long enough to let life give you the answers to the questions of your heart. Uncertainty doesn’t always mean you’re lost; most times uncertainty is just there to remind you to wait on the Universe. Anybody that willingly embraces patience and waits for what they want will never be denied of what they want. A patient person has perfect timing. Just don’t use patience as an excuse to procrastinate, patience is divine but idle time is the Devil’s best friend.

Thoughts trapped in an Android..

Dissapointment

For a friend going through it.. 

Disappointment is what breaks hearts. None of that other stuff you hear about. It’s the moments where you’ve expected more and received so much less that people are scared of. It’s the moments where a face that was once so familiar, starts looking more and more like a stranger. It’s the moments where that person is all you’re thinking about but their actions show that they’re only thinking about themselves. You see, what really breaks hearts is not the flat out lies, it’s the half truths. It’s that intuition that has you knowing there’s something more to the story that you just can’t prove at the moment. Cheaters don’t break hearts, it’s the disappointers, it’s the promises never kept, and the constant excuses. I’d rather a cheater than a promise breaker. I can handle your flesh being weak, but I can’t make excuses for your mind. You see, what really breaks hearts is knowing how great things can be when they’re good, and the facing the reality that those moments never last. When you have a good heart in front of you, protect it, cherish it, and don’t take it for granted. You’ll never be perfect, but people don’t want perfect, they want effort. Some circumstances you won’t be able to do anything about because "life" happens. But don’t break a heart that risked it all just to love you. When you have somebody good, do right by them. 

 

Thoughts trapped in my Android..

Photo of a flower showing a broken heart. Told ya if change the way u look at things, you'll see things a lil differently..

A Glimpse of Durham Coming Soon

A Glimpse of Durham Coming Soon, a photo by The Durham Journal on Flickr.

Well folks we made our submission to Kickstater this morning. We're hoping we get accepted because we could really use the funding in helping bring this project to full circle. If you aren't familiar with Kickstarter, you should really head over to their site & see what their about. Kickstarters allows artist like us raise funding through their site for projects like A Glimpse of Durham & still retain our creative control. We're giving out rewards for anyone making contributions also which will make the project more personable for anyone wishing to get involved.

We've reached out to the Durham Chamber of Commerce, local businesses & artist who are supporting the project. But truth be told we need a budget or various operational cost.

Be sure to pass the word through all of your social media channels & help create a bigger buzz about the project. Any questions don't hesitate to contact us
www.Kickstarter.com

The Artie Barksdale Documentary

Artie Barksdale documentary dj stamp, a photo by The Durham Journal on Flickr.

Artie is an interesting fellow. From meeting him you can immediately gather he is a man made up of many layers and is passionate about his art. In fact he is his art. Artie is a graffiti artist in Durham NC whose work is becoming a familiar scene among the downtown business scene. You can find his works in Beyu Caffe, Dame Chicken & Waffles and a few other locations throughout the city. Follow us along Artie's journey & career path, the ups & downs of artistic expression & freedoms and what all of this means to him.

The Other Side

The Other Side tone credit copy, a photo by The Durham Journal on Flickr.

The Other Side is an in depth documentary about the homeless situation in Durham NC. I decided to sit down & give a few voiceless citizens in Durham a voice. This is them telling their stories from from their perspectives. Nothing is scripted or sketched out, this is about as raw as it gets.

QT MC Queens

QT MC Queens together, a photo by Darius Goins on Flickr.

I met this biker club down in Rockingham over the holiday weekend.