What if I don't have anything to Say?

I'll keep this short and sweet...

If there's one thing that I can remember that my dad always told me, it would be this:

In his words, "if you ain't got nothin good to say... don't say nothin at all".

Live by this, and you will save yourself a lot of problems.

Hard Work! Dedication! Dedication! Hard Work!

There is this program that comes on NBC called "The Biggest Loser", that I really like.

One of the trainers on the show has this saying "Hard work! Dedication! Dedication! Hard work!". This saying he drills into their head the whole time they are working out. It is something that motivates them and reminds them that they have to be willing to put in the physical sacrifice of pain in order to change their bodies and change their lives.

By the end of the season, he has all of the contestants in his group chanting this kind of "war cry" whilst they are working out. You see his entire team fighting through the pain of a 2hr workout shouting "HARD WORK! DEDICATION! DEDICATION! HARD WORK!".

It is really very motivating. Every time I watch it, it makes me want to exercise.

So the same rule applies to life. Without these two ingredients (hard work and dedication), there is no success. For you to achieve your dreams you have to be willing to work hard at them. You have to be willing to exhaust yourself fighting for your life, and still not quit. And on top of that, you have to be willing to stay at it, to really stick to it, until they become a reality. Sometimes that will happen quick, but other times it will take a while. But those who really want something, fight for it!

Hard work! Dedication! Dedication! Hard work

The fork in the road

Renato Cardoso's Blog: The fork in the road: Every day you're faced with tens, even hundreds of choices about everything in your life. From the time you get out of bed, to what you ea...

The Road Not Taken- A Life Lesson

The poem below is by a poet named Robert Frost. It is one of my favorite poems, because it talks about making a tough decision. Normally in life, the easy, most clear, most beautiful path is the one with the danger at the end. The path that is right, is the one that is the hardest and happens to be the one that the fewest seem to go down. But it's a path that needs more people to follow it.

Please read, enjoy and think about this poem. Especially the last part that is typed in red. That is the meat of the message of the poem.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

All I Want...

There are always movies and songs around this time of year with titles like "All I want for Christmas" or "All I Want in Life", etc.

But do people really know what they want?

One funny thing that I remember about Christmas as a child, is this. Almost every year, with almost every gift that I received, I pretty much wanted it more than life itself at the moment that I asked for it. But after about a day or so, it was like old news. People weren't excited to hear about it anymore, and it seemed somehow to lose the whole "Aww" factor. Sometimes I would literally toss it in the corner and just leave it for weeks or months after that, in search of the next great toy or game.

The point that I'm trying to make is simple. Many times people think they want something, when really they are just fascinated by the thought of having that something. Sometimes a person can think they want to be with someone, like the high school football jock, but in reality he is a jerk and they would hate being with him. Sometimes a person thinks they would love to work at a certain place, when in reality it would be their worst nightmare. Sometimes a person thinks they will die if they don't go to that concert, but once they get there, it wasn't even worth the hype, or the drunken car accident that followed later that night.

Also, sometimes a person thinks they don't want something, when really they do deep inside.

For example, a young man may hate when the parent tells him that he's wrong and that he's on punishment for the next month. But when he grows up and matures he is so appreciative for that, because now he knows what consequences are, and he ends up disciplining his children the same way.

So the point of all this is, you don't really know what you want until you take emotion and enthusiasm out of the equation and slow down and think. To really identify what you want, you need to use rational over feelings, your head over your heart. That will get you to the truth within yourself quicker than ever.

How to get focus

Renato Cardoso's Blog: How to get focus: I'll cut to the chase: The best way I know to get focus is to learn to say "no" more often, to more things, to more people, and to your...

Watch Out!

I have a word of simple advise for everyone today.

This advise, we all need to take, including myself.

Learn to watch out!

I mean, learn to watch yourself and others.

If you see danger coming, don't ignore it, watch out and avoid it. It's like if I am driving down the highway and I see a car swerving lane from lane, I need to immediately watch out, because he may be dangerous. I can't simply keep driving normal as if nothing will happen. I need to take extra caution.

The same is with life. If you see danger coming, then take extra caution. If you see you are about to make a big mistake or could possibly be heading in the wrong direction, don't just ignore the signs, watch out! If you see someone around you is untrustworthy, don't play it off as if it is not true, watch out!

Learn to keep your eyes open, before it's too late.

It only takes a minute for disaster to strike, so WATCH OUT!

When You're Devastated...

Life is not always a bed of roses.

Sometimes it doesn't seem fair. You don't get what you give, you don't get the reward, you don't get recognized for something you worked hard for. You lose someone you loved with all your heart. You mess up so bad, that it seems impossible to recover from. Life can be great, but sometimes it is devastating.

So what do you do when you are devastated by something? When you just got that horrible news, or you just felt the sting of your mistake or you finally have to come to grips with your loss. What do you do then?

Most people have no idea what so ever. They fall into a depression and close themselves off from the world, or they turn bitter and feel that they have been cheated by life or God, or they give up all hope. But rarely do we find people who know how to deal with devastation.

I'm not just talking about small problems here, I'm talking about life changing situations...

It is hard!

Well, in my opinion, sometimes there is absolutely nothing that you can do in your own strength. No matter what advice you are given or who tries to comfort you, it just doesn't work. In those moments, only faith can get you through. In those moments, you need to believe that no matter how bad it looks, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you can't hold onto that belief, then you will lose your sanity. It won't hurt to just bow your head and say, "God, if you are there, I can't deal with this on my own. This is too big for me. Please help me".

Those words may make all the difference.

Truth- It hurts going down, but is better than a lie

Would you rather be lied to, if it would make you feel better? Or would you rather hear the truth, no matter how much it hurt?

That one is a toughie for many of us.

Why?

Because on one hand, no one likes to hear bad news, or correction. But on the other hand, just because someone lies to you in order to spare you for the moment, doesn't mean that you will not have to feel the pain later.

It is much better to feel the pain now, than deal with an even bigger and far worst sting later. I know I am no different from any of you, and I hate to hear harsh words as well. But the fact is, I would much rather hear the truth than the lie. Tell me what you feel. Tell me if you don't like something. Tell me if I offended you. Tell me if you did something I won't like. Heck, tell me you don't care what I think! But please, please, don't lie to me. I hate being lied to, because the truth is so much easier in the end.

So if any of you are anything like me, you will share this with someone else who needs to be reminded that the truth is always better than the lie.

Don't Sugar-Coat it...

I don't know about all of you who read this, but I know about me...

When someone has something to say to me, I would rather they say it straight, just like it is, than to beat around the bush. I know it doesn't feel good to hear things raw and uncut, but it is far better than someone trying to smile in your face, whilst feeling something in their heart.

That just doesn't make sense.

And worst than holding it in, is to sugar-coat it so that it sounds softer or easier to swallow. I can't stand that! If you have a problem, just say it already. Don't act like it is smaller than what it really felt like to you. I may not like or agree with what you are saying, but I want to know that that is how you feel.

And a real man or woman is like this; they don't look for the softest way out. They are strong enough to take the punch and keep their head up. I believe this is the best type of person to deal with. The one that will give you the truth, even when it hurts, and mean the absolute best by doing it.

You just need to be tough enough to take it. So you who are reading this, should stop being soft and sensitive and grow some thicker skin. Take what is dished out and deal with it. You will become stronger and better by doing that.

You may live to regret it...

I read this statement not too long ago which said, "never regret anything, because an one point, that was exactly what you wanted".

The second part is true, whatever you end up regretting later, is something that at one point you choose to do. Or else you choose to do something else that lead to what happened. So we can't blame anyone for the bad things that happen, because we knew the risks involved, before getting involved.

But that's not the point of this blog post. I was thinking, so many times we make poor decisions and then regret them later. But it's as if in the moment it seems to make so much sense to do. In the moment, we are blind to everything we will lose if we make that choice. In the moment it's like there is this evil voice in our head saying "do it, do it, do it"! And we tend to listen to that voice and not think about the consequences.

Then you know what happens later? We feel like crap, and we totally regret what we did.

It happens to the girl who slept with a guy on the first date. It happens to the guy who got so drunk at the party that he took his clothes off or did something else that totally made him look like an idiot. It happens to the youth that yells back at the mom and ends up grounded. It happens to the person who lies and then realizes that there is no way that that lie will stay secret. It happens to the person who was going down the right track in life and slowly starts to drift and follow bad examples, until the point where he or she does something irreparable. And the list goes on and on and on.

Thousands of people are living with regrets. And why? Because they don't take enough time to think about the consequences of there actions. They are living in the here and now, instead of thinking about the morning after. So, they ruin their life.

You and I both need to learn to think first, then act second.

If we don't...

We may live to regret it.

Impatience- we all wrestle with it

I don't know about you, but when I want something, I want it right then!

I hate waiting. Especially in store lines and in traffic.

But if you think about it, isn't that the way most people are? I can't name anybody off the top of my head, who just loves waiting. If you need money, you want it as quickly as possible. If you want to lose weight, you want it as fast as can be. If you need a degree or to take some classes, you want to know the shortest possible way to get it. This is life. Even in a relationship; these days people want to go as "far" as possible (if you know what I mean), as quickly as possible.

No one likes to wait for the prize. But in life, sometimes you have to wait. That's just it. I have been in Wal-Mart before, really needing something and there is a huge line in front of me. My desire at that moment is to bulldoze those in front of me and ram the buggy through the register and just throw the money at the clerk and go on about my day. But I can't do that. So I have to wait it out. I guess you can see that I really hate waiting on stuff. But I have learned the art of patience.

Patience can take you a long way. When you are working and your boss blows up on you, for what appears to be no reason at all; if you are patient, you will think "maybe he has had a very bad morning, maybe he got some bad news or maybe he is in pain", and you will let it slide. But if you lack patience, you will erupt like Mt. St. Helens and say a bunch of things you could live to regret. Another example is when it comes to dealing with family or a relationship, if you lack patience you will be mad all the time, because people close to you know how to push your buttons. And they will do it time and time again, if you let them.

So patience is a very important tool in life. Learn this, everyone has flaws. No one is perfect. So whether you are dealing with people or in a line full of traffic; there is a reason for everything. So if there is nothing you can practically do to speed up things, just be patient, because in the end when you look back in hind sight, it may not have taken that long in the first place.

Do you love me?

I normally don't blog about this kind of subject, but today I decided to.

A lot of people are so quick to say, "I love you". Or "you mean the world to me". Or "no one will ever replace you". And so forth and so on. But the fact is, do they really mean it? When you say you love someone what are you saying? Are you saying, you like them a lot or are you saying you would die for them?

Many people have been really hurt and even killed because they thought someone loved them and found out that it wasn't true. Then after they got disappointed, they ended up doing something stupid. And I'm not just talking about relationship love, I mean friendship and family as well.

I have heard people tell me they loved me many times. But if you love me, wouldn't you be out for my best interest? Wouldn't you care about what I want? Wouldn't you care about what I think or feel or say? If you love me, doesn't that require you to show it through actions? Yes. So don't say it and not show it.

Love can be a powerful force that changes a person for the better, or false love can be a destructive force that tears people down, and leads them to the worst decisions possible.

This may not be a deep post, but it's true.

What's up with that?

Why do so many people act one way in front of some people and a whole nother way in front of others. It's like they have two personalities. Usually one of those personalities is the good one and the other is bad.

But the question is, "what's up with that"?

Be who you are, no matter where you are. If who you are is not so good right now, at least you can get help, if you are honest. But if you try to hide who you are, then you will stay that same person inside and it will come out sooner or later anyway. But by then, it will be too late to help.

People really need to learn to be genuine. That will take you a lot further than being a butt kisser or people pleaser.

Should I, or should I not

Our lives are full of questions...

One of the main questions is that annoying one that is constantly coming into our minds. Which one is it? My blog title says it all... "should I, or should I not".

It's the question that comes to mind when it is decision time. It's the question that stands between us and a horrible choice. It's the question that saves many from utter destruction as well. Because the ability to say "yes I should" or "no I shouldn't", leads to the ability to do what you should and not do what you shouldn't.

It's all about changing how you think. If you know something is wrong, but you like doing it... you probably won't stop doing it. But if you are doing something wrong and you constantly tell yourself, I shouldn't be doing this; chances are you will soon get tired of telling yourself how wrong it is, and decide not to do it.

I know it will not always work like a charm, but it is the start to a change. You have to recognize something is wrong for you, before you will be willing to work on removing it from your life.

That's just some food for thought.

How I used to celebrate Thanksgiving

I woke up today thinking about how I used to celebrate Thanksgiving. Actually, how I used to celebrate any holiday or special occasion.

I basically would use it as another excuse to get wasted. I would smoke as much weed as I could, and drink till I threw up. And that was what I was considering fun.

Oh, how things have changed.

Today, I find myself surrounded by positive people. Not needing to intoxicate my mind in order to have fun. Not needing to run from problems and try to squeeze one or two simple things to be thankful for. Today, I am truly happy. And that is a big change from what I used to feel.

But you know why? Because one day about 12 or 13 years ago; I decided I didn't want the life I was living anymore. I decided, I had had enough of the strip clubs, parties, Crown Royals, blunts, and crazy girls. I wanted more than that. I wanted to be happy! And I knew I had to change me, if that would ever be possible. So I set out on a mission to better myself.

I stopped hanging out at certain places. I stopped talking to certain people. I stopped being influenced by certain things. I began to change the way I thought. I stopped thinking it was cool to be high all the time. I started wanting to make decisions on a sober mind. And these choices changed my life.

Today, I have a heck of a lot to be thankful for.

Christian Rapper responds to "No Church in the Wild" by Jay Z and Kanye West

Christian Rapper responds to "No Church in the Wild" by Jay Z and Kanye West

Below you will find a song that a Christian artist named Bizzle wrote in response to the No Church in the Wild song by Jay Z and Kanye West. The song is at the bottom, and the lyrics are at the top. So if you have a hard time understanding it, then push play and scroll back to the top to read along. Skip the writing in red, then come back and read it at the end.

As a lot of ya'll know, I used to rap and deal with the music industry. I did it for years. And I love music. But when I listen, I listen to more than just the beat. I listen to what they are saying. So I took the liberty of including the lyrics and breaking down some of the street lingo that he uses to explain his point. The notes in red are my explanations of what he is saying. Leave your comments at the end. Some of the things he says will really make you think...

Verse 1:

I don’t need the beat, I can murder ya’ll loose. Knock your tops off like convertible coupes. One claims to be the God (Jay Z called himself Jay-Hova in other words Jehovah), one used to be with God(Kanye Wes). Get the VCR, I’ma rewind it back, so you see it all.

Ye (Ye is short for Kanye) makes Jesus Walk and spits conscious (he did a song back in the days called Jesus Walks that was halfway positive), then he takes Jesus off and did Monster (after that Ye made a song called Monster that was completely the opposite of Jesus walks). Seems in between it all, he lost moms and, when he lost moms he turned against the Father (after Ye's mom died, he changed). And my hearts filled with compassion, from the ills of her passing, but I feel like I still have to mash him. I’m a draft pick for the team you traded on. My life was saved by the Christ ya’ll hating on.

They can’t compete with truth and they know it. Murder your style, bury it down in Franks Ocean.

Ye said he sold his soul, you ain’t believe it, cause you ain’t close enough to Jesus for you to see it. But if he said the same things about your momma that he said about Christ you would go Osama (if Ye said the same thing about your momma that he says about Jesus you would want to blow something up like Bin Laden did)!

So is Christ more like the homie you would die for, or the dude your cool with, but wouldn’t ride for (ride for, means stand up for, fight for, give your life for)?

As for the Christians, how could you listen, to these cats diss the Gospel? When your mission is to push it, like the Apostle Paul went to prison. You scared now; you’ll fall under hostile conditions (he's saying, many people don't want to stand up for Jesus, because they are scared things will get hard for them if they do).

Back to the lecture at hand, who this, cat that sold the Lord out like Judas. Dreamed he could buy his way into heaven, woke up and spent it on a necklace, told God he’d be back in a second (this is something Ye said in one of his rap verses).

Them were his words, not mine. I wasn’t saved then, so I didn’t see the signs. You with satan, fine. But don’t play with God, or the fans. Keep it 100% so they can pick sides.

Verse 2:

They like, who am I to mention Jays (Jay is obviously Jay Z) name, because of Jays bread, because of Jays fame. But if raps the reason you put him on a pedestal, then my last record should’ve shown he was eatable. Ya’ll must got such low self esteem, studded off so much my cats in this game (he's saying, you must have low self esteem, to follow and be so impressed by these rappers that are out there). Like “look at my house, look at my Range (Range Rover SUV), look at you struggling, I can make it rain. Look at my ice, look at my women, look at my life, you are not living (he's saying, this is all these rappers talk about).” You the one that put them on the throne, they sit on. Just for you to look up and get spit on. Socially I am on the same level you on, so if you feel he’s to big and I’m to small to mention his name, if I’m not worthy, you obviously must not feel that you are (he's saying if people don't think he should talk about Jay Z, because Jay Z is so rich, then people obviously don't feel worthy themselves).

Jigga (Jay Z) blasphemed from the get go, this ain’t nothing new, but it’s bout to get old. They say, let him believe in what he wants to believe in. He does not have to believe in your Jesus. True. But why would he just spit rhyme after rhyme about a God he does not believe in. The problem is not with him not believing, why does he keep mentioning what I believe in.

And folks so blinded, I can see what the problem is, compared to most cats Jay sounds positive. So when he gets on Monster and says he rapes women and children, yall don’t even acknowledge it. Counterfeit kingdom, what throne are you on. Big and Pac died, hip hop ain’t you Shawn. You a left over, named yourself Hova, you are not the best in it, you’re just older.

So ask yourself, do ya’ll have a price? If he came out and said F ya’ll Christ, then came to your hood tomorrow night, giving Beamers (BMW's) away, would he be alright?

They saying if you scared go to church, like we just over here sitting scared in the church. Ever last disciples blood shed and was murked, so I signed up for this prepared for the worst.

Does music have the power to brainwash?

Remember that song that I uploaded and showed the lyrics for a few weeks ago (the post was called "jaz z and kanye west...." check it out if you haven't seen it). I just thought I'd post another video about the power of music. This is from a Satanic Cult leader, who decided to speak about the way they use music. I think you will find it very interesting.

Whether you are a Christian or not, that is not the point. The question is, is music that influential? Does it really have the power to brainwash? Listen to this 2min video and decide for yourself.

Why do we keep making BAD choices???

You know... I got some pretty disappointing news the other day, and it really made me think. I keep asking myself, why do so many people around me, just keep making bad choices?

It seems that many times we see the danger in something we are about to do, we know it's not good for us or that it will get us into trouble... but we still do it. It doesn't make sense. Why can't people just read the warning signs? Why not quite whilst you're ahead? Why not "just-say-no", as they say? Why? Why? Why? Why do it? Why destroy your life?

There are many horrible choices that one can make; like smoking that blunt (when you already know how many people around you are addicted), or like sleeping with that girl/guy (when you know that person doesn't really love you), or throwing that punch (when you know it's going to get you kicked out of school). Why do we as a people insist on doing wrong? It's like we have this "wicked button" in us, and it is so easy to get to and push.

You know what... the only thing I know is that, at the end of the day, we do what we want to do. If a person wants to do right, then they do right. If they want to do something wrong, then they do things wrong. But it is our choice in the end.

And you know what else. You can try to help a person to make a better choice, but if they don't want it... sorry, but they will not hear you. They will do what they want to do. This is a sad reality called life. And personally, I think it stinks.

Start on the right foot

They say, it's not how you start, but how you finish...

But really, it's how you start that sets the pace and many times decides how you finish.

Whatever you are going to do, try your best to start well. That goes for in school at work or even in a relationship.

Don't be the class clown for half the year and then you try to cram all the work you can for the rest of the year. Don't be a slacker for the first couple months at a job and then try to all of a sudden to become this great worker later.

The key is to start well. It's like when you button a shirt, the first button makes all the difference. I the same way if you get the first button of anything you try in life correct, the rest is much more likely to work out.

Just some food for thought.

I'm a thug! I'm a killer! I'm a gangster! I'm..... (Part 2)

Why is this image so cool?

How can this seem funny or alright to glorify?

Why did this have to end this way?

These images are hard to deal with. I don't understand, why people promote this stuff as being cool. You look at the media, the rappers, some sports stars, many so called role models, and what do you see? You see an image of a thug. They want you to look at them as being the toughest guys on the earth. And the funny thing is, a lot of them have never even lived this kind of life. And even if they have, they are surely not living it now in their mansions and sports cars (if they are still living it, then they are just plain stupid). But you and me know, that most of them are far from living that life.

So then, why make it seem so cool and exciting? Why make it look so appealing to the youth? Why not warn them of the dark and ugly side of that life style? I don't get it. When I see pictures like the ones above, they upset me. Not in a "feel sad" kind of way, but in an "angry as heck" kind of way.

I lived on the block hustling for years, but it wasn't fun, it was stressful. I sold drugs, because I felt I had no other way. But I didn't want someone to agree with it, I wanted to be told that there was a better way. I fought, I robbed, I did dirt. But my conscience always told me it was wrong. Now why on earth are the role models of our time, not telling the youth that the risk is not worth the gain?

I get so sick of hearing every song on the radio talking about how many girls they've had sex with, but not informing youth about the risk of catching a disease or conceiving a bastard child, who will probably grow up between two parents who can't stand each other, and end up making the same mistakes as them. And the cycle goes on. They sing or rap about being a killer, but never inform the youth that a killer can get killed too, and that it would be far better to save a life than to take one. They talk about selling dope to make money and how they made it from the crack game, but not about how many of their partners never made it out the game. They ended up with 20yrs in prison. I get sick of this.

If they won't tell you, I will. In my upcoming blogs, I will expose more and more as it comes to mind. I will not hold back nor bite my tongue. Someone has to expose this garbage. If you agree than pass this blog onto someone you know, and tell them to become a follower of the blog to get the info straight. You can register to receive emails straight to you as well. But something has to be done.

Stop following these stupid messages and start thinking straight.

I'm a thug! I'm a killer! I'm a gangster! I'm.....

What you are about to see may be disturbing... Please be advised...

These days, everyone wants to be a thug or gangster or some sort of bad guy. But my question is... is it worth it?????

Seriously... Is it worth it?

P.S. More on this subject Friday.

Hurt me, I'll Hurt you Back!

I don’t know why we are like this, but most people have an uncontrollable urge for revenge when they feel mistreated.

I have to admit; growing up I was the same. When someone would do something to offend me, I would immediately start to think of a way to pay them back. I wanted them to feel pain for causing me grief. But I never thought about whether or not that would make me feel better.

I have seen many people sock a person in the face for talking smack, and after it (even if they win the fight), they were still angry afterwards. So you sock a person because you are angry, but after socking them, you still feel angry… What’s the point? It didn’t help anyone.

We have a hard time letting go of things, even when we know we should. Sometimes it’s the people around you who make you feel forced to seek revenge, and other times it’s ego or embarrassment that makes the person want it. But either way, we all need to learn to let it go. Some things are just not worth holding on to. As a matter of fact, nothing bad is worth holding onto. If you pick up a pot with no gloves on and discover that the handle was extremely hot, would you keep holding it? Of course not. Even though it hurt you, you would let it go. So the same should apply to your life. Even if someone hurts you, learn to let it go.

You will be the bigger person in the end.

Why I hate Halloween

Besides the obvious fact that it is a very wickedly themed holiday, that some way has the power to stir up devilish thoughts in peoples mind. I mean people can go from sweetheart to warlock about as quick as you can blink on Halloween day. They want to find some sort of mischief to get into, whether it be egging cars or toilet tissuing some poor lady's trees or knocking on doors and running just to irritate people, it's always something. It seems people just want to get into trouble on Halloween.

But besides that fact, there is the unimaginable amount of money spent during Halloween time. I read in an article that they sell over 1 billion pounds of candy corn each year (WHAT!) during Halloween. It is the second most lucrative holiday overall each year. So where is all the money going??? On costumes, candy, parties, etc, etc, etc. Nothing which will add one thing to your life. The only thing it will add is a stomach ache and a hangover. So why do it? Because the world says you should?

Heck no! I want no part of it. It is a waste, a waste, a waste I tell yah.

So tell the little ones to stay away from my door. There will be no treats here. If you talk to me, I might tell you, why don't you spend this time studying or exercises or reading a good book, I don't know, basically anything else constructive would do.

You won't catch me wasting my time or money. Trick or treat??? Nah, I'll pass, and you kids should also PASS my door... EVERY YEAR.

jay z and kanye west - No Church in the Wild ft Frank Ocean CLEAN EDIT

Below I have the lyrics to a fairly new song by Jay-Z and Kanye West. I took the liberty of highlighting some key phrases.

(Frank Ocean)Human being to the mobWhat's a mob to a king?What's a king to a god?What's a god to a non-believerWho don't be- lieve in anything?Will he make it out alive?Alright alrightNo church in the wild
(JZ)Tears on the mausoleum floorBlood stains the coli- seum doorsLies on the lips of a priestThanksgiving disguised as a feastRolling in the Rolls Royce CornicheOnly the doctors got thisI'm hiding from policeCocaine seatsAll white like I got the whole thing bleachedDrug dealer chicI'm wondering if a thug's prayers reachIs Pious pious cause God loves pious?Socrates asked whose bias do yall seekAll for Plato, screechI'm out here balling, I know yall hear my sneaksJesus was a carpenter, Yeezy laid beatsHova flow the Holy Ghost (my comments: Are you serious Jay-z, why go there. Are you comparing yourself to the Holy Spirit and Yeezy, which is Kanye West to Jesus) Get the hell up out your seatsPreach
(Frank Ocean)Human being to the mobWhat's a mob to a king?What's a king to a god?What's a god to a non-believerWho don't believe in anything?Will he make it out alive?[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/no-church-in-the-wild-lyrics-kanye-west-and-jayz.html ]Alright alrightNo church in the wild
(The-Dream)I live by you, desireI stand by you, walk through the fireYour love is my scriptureLet me into your encryption
(KW)Coke on her black skin make a stripe like a zebraI call that jungle feverYou will not control the three-someJust roll the weed up until I get me someWe formed a new religionNo sins as long as there's permission (Kanye West, are you serious... You made a song called Jesus walks and now you've formed a new religion) This garbage is not funny, it's disgusting. And deception is the only felonySo never f**k nobody without telling me
Sunglasses and AdvilLast night was ma rillSome come in at 5 A.MI wonder if they got cabs stillThinking about the girl in all leopardWho was rubbing the wood like Kiki ShepherdTwo tattoos one read No Apologies, the other said Love Is Cursed By MonogamyIt's somethin' that the pastor don't preach my comments: ("Love is cursed by monogamy") So love is cursed by monogamy, why go there. If you guys want to sleep with all kinds of girls, then go ahead, but it's stupid to teach the youth to do that.It's somethin' thata teacher can't teachWhen we die the money we can't keep, but we probably spend it all cuz the pain ain't cheap ...Preach

I'm really sick and tired of these rappers, sports stars and actors, and influential people period, injecting such a negative message to our youth. I don't care if you are christian or not. I am, though I am not a religious person.But you don't need to be a christian to understand what I am saying. It's a matter of morals. At least christianity teaches good morals, and we should all want our children living by good morals. To say "love is cursed by monogamy" is waaaayyyy tooooo far. So marriage is bad? So having sex with only one person is bad? So putting yourself at risk of disease is good? Leaving bastard children all around the world is good?

Come on! You youth who support these corrupt songs, and just bob your head to it, are very lost. These guys are teaching RIDICULOUS things and people are just accepting it.

This is not a post to christian people. It is a post to smart people. This garbage is killing the minds of the youth. Wake up.

You can listen to the song below, is you think I twisted up any of the lyrics. But the title itself speaks for itself.

What I learned in Chicago schools.

I have been to New York doing book signings, I have been to Houston, to Philly, and have have come in contact with different people. But Chicago was a different experience.

In Chicago the gang culture is a way of life. Whether you are in one or not, you live surrounded by it. And not only that. On the streets it is life or death everyday. You can live on the same block and not be able to go to the park across the street because that is a different territory and someone who knows you live on the other side may shoot you. I have always known that Chicago was a pretty wild city and that gang life up there is pretty tough. I had plenty home boys who were from there and told me about it. But what I didn't know was how close the gangs were to each other. I was astonished to see the heaviness that you see in the eyes of the people, especially the youth. Those who live in the rough areas have seen a lot. I know every city has it's problems. But I'm not talking about every city right now, I'm talking about Chicago Illinois.

Anyway, when I went to the schools there, I must admit I was a little nervous that they would not want to hear what I had to say, even though I was in a gang before, because I wasn't in a gang from Chicago. And as well, I remembered my experience in Philly, how it took about 5-10mins to calm the students down and get them to listen, because they were so rowdy. So I figured if Philly was so bad, how will Chicago be? By the way, in Philly the biggest crown I spoke to was 300 students at once. in Chicago, the first crowd I spoke to was over 500, and the second school (one of the worst in the whole city) had a crowd of 750 students, but get this, ONLY BOYS. Imagine, a crowd or 750 boys, with more than half of them gang bangers, in a school that they have to have a police station inside of. This was a little overwhelming.

But I quickly remembered what I was there for... To help them.

So I figured I had to "go hard, or go home". So I went straight at them with the truth. With the facts.

And to my surprise, these students got quiet and listened from the moment I opened my mouth. They were not like the students in Philly who only laughed and talked for 5 to 10 minutes before finally hearing something that was strong enough to quiet them down. These students listened. And you could see the pain in their eyes. At one school in the middle of the assembly a student stood up and shouted that just two weeks ago his cousin got murdered and his father got deported back to Mexico for being a gang banger. Imagine, cousin murdered and father A GANG BANGER TOO. This is wild.

So what I learned is that sometimes it's the ones who are the "roughest" who will listen to most. It is the ones who society has written off, who are thirsty for someone to take the time to listen to them or try to get threw to them. I am not an idiot to think that all of them will leave and be reformed young men and women. But I am absolutely sure someone listened, someone heard, and someone will THINK about where they are going with their life. And if just one gets it, then it was worth the trip.

My perception of Chicago, was a city that is hurting. The youth are living in a war zone and need help. I am so happy to have had a chance to see it for myself.

I may write a part two to this blog to express more of my experience there. Keep an eye on the website and YPG page for pictures of this great event. We reached out to nearly 2000 students in two days. This is a big step forward for the youth group here.