Words of Wisdom by Raymond Russ - HTML preview

Words of Wisdom

 

When Experience becomes Knowledge, When Knowledge becomes Expression

 

by: Raymond Russ

 

 

February 2014 to Present

 

You cannot and will not grow up unless you go through a few things. What you say means nothing, what you do means everything. Walk by Faith.

 

 

You write the sentences that become the paragraphs that become the chapters in the book of your life.

 

 

Life doesn't get easier, you just learn to manage the clock and pressure better. It's called maturity.

 

 

Eventually you'll stop caring about what others think or say about you. Eventually their opinions and assumptions will have little to no effect on your progress. Eventually happiness will override any sadness that may linger in and around your life. Eventually the sun will overtake the clouds that may hang over you. Eventually love will find a way. Take control and strengthen your faith and good things will come to you...eventually.

 

People overlook, ignore and avoid the right things for all the wrong reasons.

 

Despite your best intentions, conflicts will arise.

 

The people in your corner will tell you one thing. The people in his/her corner will tell them another. Ultimately, their opinions do not matter. It's what you do together, collectively, that determines the progress and outcome of the situation. Combine minds, maintain positivity and look beyond yourself to obtain the best possible result.

 

If we cannot set aside our differences to compromise for the benefit of more than just ourselves, we add to the destruction of tomorrow.

 

Your success (or failure) rate is not based on the opinions, judgement and expectations of others. Live for you and yours. Live within your means. Live to fulfill your dreams.

 

We are all going through something. We are all dealing with something. How we endure and overcome these challenging crises is what defines our character. Perception can be troubling if you are only willing to see things from your point of view. The things that we say and do, affect more than just ourselves. Its like tossing a rock into a lake and watching the ripple effect stretch onward and outward. Not everyone is going to be on your team. Not everyone is going to agree with what you choose to do or how you do it. So what? Everyone is entitled to an opinion just as everyone is granted the ability to ignore, disregard and bypass it. Remember that although there may be struggle now, there is a bigger picture to be painted and viewed. Right now is a mere second, a grain of sand in the hourglass. There is a lot of life left to live and a lot of love to receive and give. What is right to you is not always what is right for you. What you think of something or someone is rarely what is factual. If we are not willing to open our eyes, minds and hearts to see, know and feel, we are left with nothing more than assumptions and opinions. If we are not willing to grow, adapt and learn, we are stuck in a state of ignorance and influence. We must lead, for the sake of our children and future generations. We must love, for the comfort and security of ourselves and those around us. We must progress, to continue to develop our bodies and souls for the sake of our sanity and stability. In order to change the world, you must first change your world.

 

People often wonder why their lives’ appears so gloomy. First and foremost, you must accept the fact that positivity breeds positivity, the same way hatred breeds hatred. Be mindful of the company you keep. If they aren’t yet, they will become a direct reflection of you. People often wonder why certain individuals don’t acknowledge or accept them, with their kindness, sweet gestures, generosity and all. Here you must accept that not everyone is going to care about you or like you the way you desire him or her to. A square peg cannot be forced into a round hole. Most likely, they’re receiving the same treatment from something (or someone) they want to force to become something that it is not. This basic level karma, “treat others the way you wish to be treated”, will never be more evident. People often wonder why they feel so weighted down, burdened, sluggish. Stress, worry and depression are unhealthy for the soul. When you realize that you need not concern yourself with what others think or feel in regards to you, you’ll start to see advancements. You must let the past be the past and focus on the good in and around you today for a brighter tomorrow. The skeletons in your closet are yours alone to acknowledge and deal with. No one else’s opinion will have a thing to do with how you go about your plan, path and course of action. Take your concerns to your Creator, release that which drags you down, break the chains of the weighted stress, break away from misery and watch your progression quicken. Take care of you and treat yourself right.

 

Everyday I see an overabundance of complaints from a multitude of individuals in regards to the opposite sex. This prompted me to acknowledge and emphasize a few ideas that often times get overlooked. First and foremost, you must recognize that happiness is something that starts from within you. Too many people are looking for or relying on others to fill a void, provide joy or rescue them from the point and place they currently reside in on their life course. Secondly, who and what you think you want is not always what is ideal for you and your future. With social media and trends, people tend to be influenced by types and stereotypes. A lot of your prior heartache and suffering is a direct result of you chasing, latching on to and desiring the idea of things and people who are, in reality, no good for your spiritual and emotional growth and development. Next up is the concept of effort. Typically (but not always true) the people who put in the most time and effort are usually the ones who find you the most interesting, appealing, beautiful. They may not appear to be exactly what you’re looking for, but in the interest of attention and effort, there may be one who is deserving of your time and effort. If you cannot reciprocate the appreciation and adoration to one who has a genuine interest in you, why complain when you receive that same treatment from another? Think about what it is you truly want, then think about who is actually willing to provide it for you. Lastly, there will always be a plethora of options, a never-ending list of people, decisions and choices. Use more than just your eyes and choose wisely. Do not get too far ahead of yourself. Do not become too engulfed in the past and what has already come to pass. Truthfully, what you want, need and deserve is already available to you, it is just a matter of making the time and effort to take on the opportunity. He/she/it likely already exists in or around your bubble. Sometimes it will require a bit of change, a bit of stepping outside of your box, going against the grain, taking a chance, but you will never know unless you give it a try. We all want to love and be loved, but what are we willing to do to be in the position to give it, receive it and keep it, the right and righteous way? Just a thought.

 

Look beyond what's obvious, hear what isn't said, feel with more than the ability to touch, learn to avoid assuming. There's more than what's on the surface, more than the eyes can see.

 

I hope you open your mind and see, beyond what you think and believe, I hope you dream amazing things to bring into reality, I hope you give respect and joy to any and everyone, I hope you feel and experience abundant and authentic love, I hope you sing songs of happiness so the world can hear your sound, I hope you spread, positivity and faith all around, I hope you live your life to the fullest with success and few regrets, I hope you commit to your ambitions and responsibilities and always give your best, but most of all I hope you strive for spiritual wealth, by doing this one simple thing, never stop loving yourself.

 

Value the time and effort you invest into someone or something. Time wasted is often time you cannot get back. On the contrary, appreciate the time and effort that someone or something invests into you. Times missed are often times you cannot get back.

 

Some days I wake up and choose not to reach out to anyone, not to initiate any conversation or communication just to see who thinks, cares and feels as I do. Truth is, not everyone you hold a spot for in your thoughts and heart, reserves a similar spot for you. A lot of those same people choose not to reciprocate the love, admiration, respect or generosity you throw their way. At the end of the day, it is quite alright. For the select few family, friends, associates who do give the love right back to you, show your utmost appreciation to them. They get it. And never disconnect from the unlimited, steady streaming source of love, blessings, knowledge and positivity that comes from your Creator.

 

There are people that you know, know of, knew, see, talk to, ignore, dislike, detest, assume about or know nothing about in and around your life and world that are going through and dealing with things you may not know or realize that could be a painful, depressing burden upon them. With all the hatred and negativity floating around and happening on a daily basis, take time out of your day to be someone's light in the dark. Smile, shake someone's hand, give someone a hug, tell someone you love them, kiss your her (or him) like its the first time. We never know what the next second may bring and waiting until it's too late is never easy to endure. If I know you, I love you. If I don't know you, I love you. If you hate me, guess what...I still love you.

 

The easiest way to promote, instill and share happiness and love requires no words at all. A lot can be said with a simple smile.

 

I embrace being uniquely different. I'm often misunderstood, misinterpreted. Those who know me, get me. Everyone else is irrelevant. Sometimes you have to let people know how much they matter to you. On the flip side, sometimes people need to know how much their existence, words, assumptions and so on, do NOT matter. I'm not always right, but neither are you or anyone else. Respect is still a major part of the puzzle known as a relationship. Try knowing folks before you go talking about them. Try knowing folks before you absorb any gossip about them. And if anyone continues to disrespect, dishonor or bash your character...I prefer the old reliable life philosophy myself; Kill them with kindness.

 

Be more than a pretty face, a lovely body, a stash of cash, a collector of material items. Way too much time is spent trying to outdo and impress others. Don't let their "likes" be greater than the love you possess for yourself. Don't sell your soul for the attention or the spotlight. What do you want to be remembered for?

 

Imagine being a part of a group, community, society or world that does not glorify everything that is wrong or goes wrong day in and day out. Imagine being the inspiration or driving force behind a change for the better, as opposed to a provider of opinion without action. Imagine silence instead of hatred, love instead of tragedy. Imagine individuals not trying to impress or outshine one another with possessions, cool factor, imagery. Now stop imagining, stop talking and do something to make it a reality. Be the difference.

 

When you learn to hold yourself accountable for your words, actions, ideas and mistakes, you'll find that you're less concerned with, disappointed in or amused by what others say or do. Those who talk about you will rarely, if ever, approach you with their opinions, assumptions and criticism. So worry not, if you keep God in your heart, no harm will come to your soul. "I'm way up, I feel blessed." Always believe in you.

 

Typically, there are two methods for you to get attention. You can be acknowledged, recognized and praised for your actions, character, personality and effort. On the flip side, by utilizing the shock and awe method, along with flaunting your appearance, possessions and talking down to and about others to make yourself look better, you also can gather the attention of others. Who are you trying to be? What do you want to be known for? Don't try too hard. Don't try to be something you're not. Don't sell yourself for a little shine. One fact remains true, the prettiest people do the ugliest things.

 

Mistakes are God's way of teaching us life's lessons. If we do not learn from them, we are bound to repeat them which in turns leaves us buried in the hole we've already dug ourselves into. Seek opportunity, growth and reform. The goal should always be to become and evolve into a better version of yesterday's you, as you travel upon your road to righteousness and enlightenment.

 

The list will grow shorter, the path will grow wider, the weight will become lighter and the view will become clearer. Cutting off, letting go, moving on and overcoming are all a part of this progressive thing called life. Don't waste time on the wrong ones. Don't overlook the right ones. See the positive in others but do not ignore who they really are when the true colors are revealed. Never be afraid to move forward alone. Sometimes it's necessary to reach our destination.

 

Judge them not on their status, their situation, their money or lack there of, their past, their mistakes, their possessions, their kids, the rumors that surround or follow them, for only God should judge. Remember a diamond is made under pressure and gold is discovered while digging through the dirt. The joy you seek may be right under your nose. Quit seeking perfection and learn to accept and receive the blessings that exist in and around your world already. We all deserve the happiness we long for.

 

Don't allow the idea of being liked, to become larger than the reality of being loved.

 

I will always be the first to admit I make mistakes, that I am flawed and imperfect. However, I wholeheartedly embrace who I am and have become. Never will I ever change my personality or alter my character to fit the desire of another. God created me as I am for a reason. The more time and experience teach me, the more I realize that being exactly what I want and need for me and those that depend upon me is my main obligation in this life. The difference between being alone and loneliness is a matter of how YOU feel. Be thankful for who you are, what you have and who is consistently in your corner. The main point I'm trying to make...be yourself.

 

They say we are all fighting a battle no one knows of. Everyone struggles daily with something that tears them up inside. Skeletons exist in all of our closets. We experience death in the form of accidents, suicide, overdose, murder, natural causes yet what do we do to offer change? We experience pain in the form of loss, lies, cheating, bullying, inequality, war, depression and loneliness. Often times we stay in situations longer than we should. Other times we don't allow enough time for opportunities to blossom. We look past the evil of those who remain evil. Other times we bypass the good of those who may have stumbled along the way. We choose like over love, image over character, media over reality, quantity over quality. There also exist times when we sell our beauty and soul for limelight and temporary monetary gains. At the end of the day what do you have? When the sun sets and you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you know what your purpose is? Do you know who you really are? You can wait on a perfection that will never come. You can seek a fairy tale that will never become reality. However, you can also accept and embrace your gifts and blessings and make the most of them. Too often we settle for less than what it is we deserve. Other times we sell ourselves short by not taking a chance on that which scares us or appears to be a difficult challenge. Nothing worthwhile comes easy in this life we lead. If happiness is what you desire then happiness is what you'll experience if you learn to love yourself and accept what this world and what your God presents to you. But nothing will ever change unless you take the necessary steps to make it happen. Take off the shades, open your eyes and see with your heart and soul. If you think this may be about you, chances are it is. Make a change.

 

Quit complaining about what he, she or they did to you. We've all been through something. Yes it hurts, but so too does a hangnail, paper cut, bruise, broken bone ...to get to my point, this too shall pass. The pain lasts as long as you allow it to by focusing on it instead of a means to fix it. That bruise or broken bone eventually heals. It may very well leave a scar but with the proper treatment and effort, it will fade away and you will get better, and become once again, as good as new. Self love is the best love.

 

I just want to be heard, forgiven, acknowledged, respected, liked, loved, accepted, trusted, supported, pushed, understood, praised, touched, intrigued and blessed. In short, I just want to mean something to someone or something. Let my purpose be worth it. I'm only human.

 

Dear ladies,

I am by no means a woman basher nor the hating type. Just a few observations and opinions I wanted to elaborate on. Before I go in, just know that I love you all dearly...

With that said, enlighten me on what you consider a "thirsty nigga". How can a female post overly enticing photos and statuses to draw in men, gain sexual attention and then turn around and be offended when men respond to certain behavior? What were you expecting? Then beyond that, the quality of men don't live up to your expectations and you wanna down the gender? On top of that, you adore the attention but complain about receiving messages and comments from men responding to your posts, your pictures, your cries for attention? Help me make sense of it all. 

Women are the most confusing species on the planet, yet man can't live without them. Women are the root of our existence but carry the most emotion. What is it that you truly want? You will fight for and go to war for a man who has little to nothing going for him or you, and has done you wrong or currently mistreats and misleads you. But in reality will deny a good man, who has a future and his life together. For what? 

Our generation is a mess all because y'all think that what you see and what you're fed is what you want, need or deserve. Social media and hip hop make it okay to be a baller, yet we overlook the job or work put in to become said icon. It makes it okay to be an entertainer or exotic dancer but just because media glorifies the art doesn't mean it is something to be proud and dignified of. Imagine if your mother was a stripper? Would you be proud of that? Imagine if your mom was half naked with her blessings on display for social media? Would you embrace that? If you had a child, would you be supportive and happy with your daughters decision to sell her looks as a means to gather popularity, money, attention? 

Women used to be the building block of a family. The foundation for what a home was built on. I still believe in tradition, in happiness, love, longevity and the woman being a queen. As I said in the beginning, this isn't a denunciation or meant to cause any drama. I just want women to be and live up to the true meaning behind their purpose and existence. Regardless of the life you choose to lead, you're still a part of the most beautiful and precious species on the planet. Have faith, dignity and respect for yourself. Be the queen you were created to be. Don't sell yourself for a little shine. Don't utilize your looks as a means for attention, survival, or income. 

Be more than you're appearance. Seek more than a "right now" guy. Stop acting like your inbox is some sacred, hallowed location where only certain men are permitted to establish your acquaintance. We all know, in the real world, you get back what you put out. You receive what it is you seek. Our world continues to spin out of control and love has lost its value, meaning, purpose. With that said, what is it that you truly think, hope, believe you deserve or want? By all means....share your opinion. Real men want to know, and, as a real man, I still love you all.

 

Things can change in a flash, how quickly the present can become the past, but the things that are built on faith and love are those that tend to last. You can sit around and wonder, you can wish and hope and dream, trying to decipher every word, every action to see what they truly mean. I don't know where I'm headed, but I know this much is true, there is nothing beneficial for me seen in my rear view, so if you're coming with me, be kind, be honest, be true, I've got a lot left for me to do and see, and I wouldn't mind sharing with you. What lies ahead....

 

Don't leave too soon but don't wait until it's too late. Don't pretend not to care but certainly avoid stressing yourself out. Learn from yesterday but don't plan too far ahead. Be humble when you're right but apologize and correct things when you're wrong. Make choices that you'll love and can live with, no one wants to be stuck with regret. Treat yourself with respect, but let us not forget to treat others the way we desire to be treated. Every word or action that you say or do cannot be justified for God created us imperfect for a reason. Life is not meant to always go your way. Sometimes you just have to put it to your mouth, suck it up and swallow that pride to be or become a better you.

 

We spend much of our adult lives chasing, pursuing and thinking about what it is we think we want. All along, what we need and deserve is placed in plain sight, right in front of us time and time again. For an array of reasons, we tend to overlook, bypass, ignore and shun away the blessings delivered to us for some strange belief that it isn't good enough or what is meant for us. Turning down what God gives us too many times may leave alone in this earthy world, and spiritually, no one is meant to be alone.

 

Expectations still bring about the greatest disappointments in relationships. Learn to accept them for who and how they are, what they do or do not have, as opposed to trying to make them change into what you wish they should be. Be yourself, allow them to be exactly who they are. If it isn't enough, they say the sea is full of fish.

 

The best education we can provide our children is not found in schools. It is the morals, values, experiences and lessons that should be the seeds we plant within them. And it is these seeds we must grow, develop and nurture that make the greatest impact on what and who they will become.

 

It is normal and natural to have differences in opinions, the true testament to us as people, is how we come together to compromise and overcome.

 

When someone thinks they know you based on the opinions of others, they've already ruled themselves out for time, effort and attention.

 

Why are we so set on having expectations of others that we ourselves are not willing to reciprocate?

 

Its quite alright to be weird, unique, strange, different as long as you are being 100% you. Have no shame. Don't worry about the attention or popularity. Being original > following trends. Be yourself.

 

 

If you have to ask for one more chance on more than one occasion, chances are your behavior isn't going to change or improve.

 

God is always working. It's most evident when blessings (whether it be a need, desire, assistance, a person or an opportunity) just randomly arrive when least expected. This is why, whether life is cloudy with a chance of rain or bright with abundant sunshine, I pray and give thanks every single day.

 

The opportunities that you routinely complain about that you do not receive, may very well be the same opportunities, offers and interests that you so quickly write off, ignore and deny. There is no "perfect", there is only the investment of time, effort and faith to reach the destination in life, love and happiness that you so desire. If your life sucks, if your love life is non-existent, if you often find yourself alone and unhappy, chances are most of the blame starts with and within you.

 

 

Effort is commendable. Lack of is shun. You get back what you put in, at least that's what they say.

 

What you claim you want does not become what you have unless you actually put forth effort, try, pursue opportunities and take chances. Otherwise, you'll be left talking about what you don't have and complaining about a lack of opportunities. In most cases, you only have yourself to blame for what or who is or isn't in your life.

 

It isn't always about age. Eventually you reach a point of adulthood and maturity when you don't really care who stays, who goes, who plays and who blows. You learn to appreciate what you're blessed with, you learn to accept what you lose, you learn to improve and build on what you have, you learn to release what isn't beneficial for your journey. In the overall scheme of things, it's ultimately what or who makes you happy that becomes what's worth your investment. Everything else is toxic, poisonous and child play. Treat yourself, don't cheat yourself.

 

The respect, love and reciprocation you desired from the wrong one, imagine when you get it from the right one. The devotion and commitment you poured into the wrong one, imagine when you provide it to the right one. We will lose, we will fail, we will hurt, we will be heart broken....Doesn't mean we stop. Keep loving and keep living. What's meant to be yours, still is.

 

Don't waste your days, hours, minutes and seconds waiting around for a fairy tale, perfection, or a so called "the one" individual. Life will come and go and the things you're waiting for may never come to fruition. What we once knew was a mere dream, but what we know now is better than any fantasy could render. You have to go out and find, pursue and fight for what it is your heart desires. It's kinda like the lottery, you can wait around to strike luck on a fortune, or you can work hard and build your empire with dedication, effort and drive.

 

You can talk about it as often as you feel the need. However, the fact remains, if you aren't doing anything, you're doing nothing. Think about it......

.......then act.

 

Sometimes you have to resort to treating others how they treat you, which means you may have to treat them like they're nothing, or just don't treat them at all.

 

There's no need in regretting the time you invested and subsequently wasted on those who were not in the same place as you spiritually or emotionally. Instead give thanks and be appreciative of whatever emotion they drove you to, whatever lesson they inadvertently taught you, whatever blessing they may have set you up for. Healing follows the pain as sure as sunshine follows the rain. Feel free to take from this what you need, take it to the heart or take it personal.

 

The happiness and peace you desire often resides just outside your front door, outside your level of comfort, outside your list of desires and wants. So what that means is sometimes you have to step outside of your own little box to reach the levels you seek. Risk, chance and opportunity...fear them not.

 

The funny thing is, whomever it is you think you want probably already lives in your friend zone. 9 times out of 10, you've already skipped over, walked by or ignored him or her.

 

What's the purpose of a pretty face if you're pretty ugly on the inside? Is it more valuable to be a leader or to lead someone on? When did communication stop becoming a two way street? When did ignoring someone you actually see and know, become an actual response? Why is it that people will turn to social media to vent pr