7.08.2009

I don't like it unless its brand new...

So as of lately...I've been hitting up the poetry spot at the Starbucks in the Ladera Center. I've been moved to complete a piece and get up and perform it. But if you didn't know...let me tell you...I HAVE STAGE FRIGHT. Yes ladies and gentlemen...I have performance anxiety. Throughout my blog, you will find various poems that I have done. And every Wednesday that I attend the poetry reading...something in me wants to get up and perform one of my pieces, yet another part of me gets so anxious that I freeze up and decide to bypass the opportunity to share a piece of myself with others.

So I question...what's the problem? Is that I'm afraid to just get up and speak or is it that I'm afraid to share a part of myself with people I don't even know? Or is it a combination of both? Only God knows and only time will tell...

7.04.2009

WAIT

My mama always told me
Good things come to those who wait
So why don't we...
Wait
Wait for you to learn more than the curves on my body
Wait for me to learn more than your current circumstance
Wait for a real love to develop and flourish
I want to be your good thing
The reason you wake up smiling
The one you think of when you feel down
The one you call because I can bring you back up
Not quite like Beyonce
I don't need to upgrade you
I want to compliment you
For us to upgrade each other
For us to share ideas on how to become better people
But how can we have this
If you don't
Wait?

6.06.2009

In Loving Memory...

I'm inspired to write
Yet no emotion can formulate
No words come to mind
And no voice comes out
I want to write to release the pain
To release the angst
To release the fear I feel
Knowing that my life is forever changed
A physical disappearance
Has caused an infinite memory
And I thank you
Thank you for your encouragement
Thank you for your belief
Thank you for your dedication and inspiration
Thank you for being you

Rest in peace Janet Elizabeth Brown

4.13.2009

My Progress

I've realized that I made a promise to myself. Where am I in that promise?

Progress: Middle English progresse, from Latin prōgressus, from past participle of prōgredī, to advance : prō-, forward; see pro-1 + gradī, to go, walk; see ghredh- in Indo-European roots.

If that's what progress means in its original form...I haven't been very successful. I look at the ring that I wear as and feel like there is no point in wearing it if I continue to live my life in the parameters of this box I have placed myself in. I firmly believe in becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. So why is it that whenever I want to do something outside my box, I become nervous and regress back inside this box?

Okay...so I actually know the answer to that. It's because I don't like the concept of change. As necessary as it is and as vital as it is to the maturation of people in general, I can't seem to want to change myself. I would rather those around me to change to adjust to what is comfortable for me. And in my mind, I know its not realistic because the only change I have direct power over is the power to change myself.

So what now?!?!?

4.02.2009

Obstacles in my way


Why is that whenever you try and do something positive, or be positive, someone or something comes along and blocks forward movement?

I'm constantly criticized for remaining stagnant in my personal growth. People tell me all the time that the methods I employ in handling personal issues are not garnering effective change. So in my efforts to become a better person, I try a different method. I tried to handle things before it became a big deal. And unbeknownst to me, the same person who hashed out the criticism is the same one that really needs the change. To criticize and recommend change, then be the one not to make forward progression is paradoxical. Not only that, but I don't think anyone is justified in telling someone else how to conduct themselves. The only person who can induce change, is the person who needs change. Until they realize that change is needed, the recommendations fall on deaf ears.

I'm at a loss for words. I feel like I'm stuck in a conundrum. I can't seem to get past the hypocrisy that lies within people. And don't get me wrong, I'm guilty of hypocrisy also, but the difference is that I'm aware of my faults and am actively working on falling in love with myself. And the only way to fully love myself is to adhere to my goal of actively becoming a better person. Most people are knowledgable of their faults and that's where the work stops. I'm removing myself away from stagnation, can you say the same?

4.01.2009

What in the hell?!?!?



UNFUCKINBELIEVABLE!! Two phone calls made as black teens slept in a car and only one for the white teens vandalizing the car during the day. I know racism still exists but this is simply ridiculous.

3.29.2009

If you didn't know...let me break it down for you

I AM COMPLICATED AND STUBBORN. The sooner you realize this, the easier I am to deal with. The way I process information is different than most people. If I could properly articulate through writing, I would. But I can't, so I dare not try. The way I deal with situations is different. This I can explain.

As much as I try to deal with issues, I tend to harbor my emotions. I keep them bottled in. Yes I am passive aggressive and the first step to recovery is acknowledgment. So I'm working on it. But I digress. As much as I try to express what I'm feeling when I feel it, I find it easier to internally deal with the issues that I have with other people. Granted I may not talk to you. And when you do attempt to engage me in conversation, I tend to be very short. I keep my answers short, and plaster on a fake smile. But in my mind, I feel that eventually, I will get over it.

The problem comes when people want to make mountains out of mole hills. If I haven't addressed you about anything, chances are the situation is small. Now here comes the conundrum. Smaller issues tend to upset me more than bigger ones. I had a conversation with a couple of people and the conclusion has been the same. I think that getting upset over smaller problems upsets me more because of how small the problem is. And to make it worse, I know that the issue is small and sometimes I allow it to spiral and become this huge problem.

Nonetheless, people tend to have sudden bursts of boldness when they realize something is off. What's even funnier is that these bursts of boldness happen either over the phone or on aim...{laughing to myself}. I'm waiting for the email confrontation...that'll be the day. LOL!! But people have gotten bold with me over Facebook, Myspace, AIM, and over the phone. The phone for me is the last resort. But the first three tend to be the most interesting. I say this because everything can be misinterpreted. And the more people utilize these forms of technology to hash out issues, the more relationships you're going to ruin. So my disclaimer is that if you want to talk to me about something, let's sit down face to face and deal with it. Most people are scared of that face to face contact which is why they resort to these forms of technology to talk. Here's why I disagree with the phone but will tolerate it. The difference between using the phone and the other aforementioned forms of technology is that true emotions can't be denied...almost. You can still fake it over the phone. And going back to the basics of communication, 90% of all communication is non-verbal, which is why the face to face is so much better. So as a note for all of you who read this, if I start acting different around you...there just may be a reason why. If you want to find out and you don't ask me in person, chances are you're not going to get a straight answer from me.

I know I'm stubborn. Its not where I want to be but I've accepted the fact and am trying to work on it. I know I'm complicated. I see things differently than most people. I deal with things a lot different than most people. And no I'm not going to try and see it your way. No...I don't care how you act in situations and that I should know that by now. I could give a good damn when you say "You should know me better than that." Whether you had mal intent or not, the fact still remains that there was damage done. I can tell you how I feel but its up to you on how you deal with it. I can't change you no more than you can change me. I have acknowledged my flaws and am doing what I can to change that. I can accept being wrong. I can accept the criticism that is constantly thrown my way...its difficult but I deal with it. Here's the million dollar question: Can you?