tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post962659332445251704..comments2023-08-23T03:51:55.709-05:00Comments on Muslim Bushido: The Renewing Of Our Minds, Part 1Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-48090587397257054012009-04-26T19:24:00.000-05:002009-04-26T19:24:00.000-05:00Hello there, Anonymous!
I don't understand the cu...Hello there, Anonymous!<br /><br />I don't understand the current Black popular culture decision to devalue thought. I don't get it.<br />____________________<br /><br />Hello there, Aphrodite!<br /><br />You're welcome! And THANK YOU for your participation. You've raised the level of the discussions here with your input.<br />_____________________<br /><br />Hello there, Southland Diva!<br /><br />Thank you for your kind words about the post. I truly appreciate it.<br /><br />You said, "I totally feel you on the disenchantment with your employment. Six months ago I was employed in a job which, quite frankly, was the most toxic environment I have ever experienced; sadly I remained in the situation for nearly three years. Last September, after enduring 8 months of sleeplessness, loss of appetite, migraines, skin rashes, weight loss (I was not that big to start with), and 1 panic attack, I realized I had to step away. "<br /><br /><STRONG>Lord have mercy.</STRONG>You said, "I am a single, so taking care of me falls on me. I have always desired financial security above all things (out of fear) and I was very secure with this job. But at this point in my life, I understood I was either going to have a stroke (serious family history) or heart attack due to the stress. Long story short....I left."<br /><br /><STRONG>I praise God that you saved your own life by leaving.</STRONG>You said, "Another issue is the habitual nature of our thoughts. We entertain the same thoughts over and over again (habit of mind) and the brute repetition convinces us the thoughts are real because they occur so often. Nothing could be further from the truth!"<br /><br /><STRONG>I agree. It's always been fascinating to me how each paradigm shift that I've had feels equally "real" at the time I experience it. For example, my view of the world when I was a teenager was "real" to me at the time. As an adult, I can see (what I perceive to be) the gaps and flaws in what I believed was "real" as an adolescent.<br /><br />If nothing else, I think that this was the value of <EM>The Matrix</EM> movies. To point out the inherent gaps between perception and reality. <br /><br />There are also "observer effects" involved in mindfulness---how the very act of paying attention to our thoughts subtly changes and guides them in a different direction.</STRONG>You said, "Rather than thinking only positive happy thoughts(a disconnection one cannot maintain)..."<br /><br /><STRONG>Yes, I find the "positive thinking" stuff to be extremely contrived and artificial efforts that cannot be maintained over the long run. [I'm not downing this for others who have been helped by these techniques. I'm just saying that I haven't found them to be helpful for me.]</STRONG>You said, "...I focus on my intention. As negative, fearful thoughts arise, I notice them (witness) and let them go. I am not the thought. <br /><br />My daily practice is about staying in the present; letting go of attachments, expections, the stories I have told myself about what I should have, the stories the larger society tells me about what I should want; and being compassionate towards myself and everyonge else."<br /><br /><STRONG>You've raised an extremely important point. I think that it's critical to be mindful of what it is that we form attachments to. Across the board, including (disempowering) attachments to our thoughts.</STRONG>Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-13935934824912861812009-04-26T15:15:00.000-05:002009-04-26T15:15:00.000-05:00Fabulous post!!!
I totally feel you on the dise...Fabulous post!!! <br /><br />I totally feel you on the disenchantment with your employment. Six months ago I was employed in a job which, quite frankly, was the most toxic environment I have ever experienced; sadly I remained in the situation for nearly three years. Last September, after enduring 8 months of sleeplessness, loss of appetite, migraines, skin rashes, weight loss (I was not that big to start with), and 1 panic attack, I realized I had to step away. <br /><br />While trying to calm myself during the panic attack, I managed to get quiet enough to feel/hear the words 'You don't have to do this'. This was not thought. This was communication. The power of this soul-communication gave me the confidence to step out on faith. <br /><br />I am a single, so taking care of me falls on me. I have always desired financial security above all things (out of fear) and I was very secure with this job. But at this point in my life, I understood I was either going to have a stroke (serious family history) or heart attack due to the stress. Long story short....I left. <br /><br />Did I (do I) have fearful thoughts about my finances? Yes. Do I try to bury them or hide from them? No. They are just thoughts, not truth! I have read a lot on the subject of consciousness, self, and thought; what I have learned is, thoughts are generated by the story-telling ego. This ability of our 'beautiful mind' is not a bad thing in and of itself. The ego helps you orient yourself in the physical world. The judgemental and critical nature of our thoughts creates the problem. Another issue is the habitual nature of our thoughts. We entertain the same thoughts over and over again (habit of mind) and the brute repetition convinces us the thoughts are real because they occur so often. Nothing could be further from the truth!<br /><br />Rather than thinking only positive happy thoughts(a disconnection one cannot maintain), I focus on my intention. As negative, fearful thoughts arise, I notice them (witness) and let them go. I am not the thought. <br /><br />My daily practice is about staying in the present; letting go of attachments, expections, the stories I have told myself about what I should have, the stories the larger society tells me about what I should want; and being compassionate towards myself and everyonge else.<br /><br />Peace,SouthlandDivahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04712054826121949047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-64806610469377595352009-04-26T14:34:00.000-05:002009-04-26T14:34:00.000-05:00Thank you so much Khadija for your feedback! I re...Thank you so much Khadija for your feedback! I really appreciate it. <br /><br /><br />I also wanted to commend you on taking away the "pie in the sky" element away from this and making it more practical and accessible. <br /><br />I know I had mentioned previously that when I was going through a New Age-y phase and was into everything positive thinking and affirmations - the whole nine. And as you mentioned before sometimes people can take something helpful and plug it into a flawed belief/value system and end up doing damage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-71116663279804661882009-04-26T12:14:00.000-05:002009-04-26T12:14:00.000-05:00Hello,
I agree that we should take inventory of...Hello,<br /><br /><br /> I agree that we should take inventory of what we think, and learn to manage our thoughts. It can mean the difference between life or death for us. I wonder why it has become so popular for us to to act first then think it over later?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-79460747170334646352009-04-25T20:24:00.000-05:002009-04-25T20:24:00.000-05:00Hello there, SistaOpinion!
You said, "I feel like...Hello there, SistaOpinion!<br /><br />You said, "I feel like time is running out. (Not the biological clock...more like my overall life satisfaction clock.) I need to take some drastic action. So thanks."<br /><br />You're welcome! I hope you find the book as helpful as I've found it to be for me. I know that <EM>"time is running out"</EM> feeling. I'm amazed and horrified every time I remember that I actually know people my age who are now DEAD. Sometimes, I still can't quite believe they're gone. {sigh}<br /><br />Onward and forward to self-actualization!<br /><br />Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-47997452210387035002009-04-25T19:41:00.000-05:002009-04-25T19:41:00.000-05:00This is maybe my second time to your blog and I ju...This is maybe my second time to your blog and I just ordered this book without even finishing the entry. I already know that my thoughts are what's been holding me back...and I feel like I've tried just about everything. Recently I woke up in the middle of the night with my negative mental tape echoing in my head and I realized: How can I fight this if it's even happening in my sleep?<br /><br />I'm in my 40s, I'm nowhere near where I wanted to be at this age, and I feel like time is running out. (Not the biological clock...more like my overall life satisfaction clock.) I need to take some drastic action. So thanks.SistaOpinionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-55622254648901310622009-04-25T06:52:00.000-05:002009-04-25T06:52:00.000-05:00I haven't commented on this post yet as I'm still ...I haven't commented on this post yet as I'm still taking it all in. I do however, concur with this:<br /><br /><br /><br />"I believe that the quest for self-improvement is generally a good one, but NOT if it is conducted in a manner that causes you to doubt your talents and skills.<br /><br />Here's my 2 cents:<br /><br />DON'T doubt your talents and skills! OF COURSE, you're smart and talented enough to do _______! The question is: Is it worth it to you to make the adjustments/sacrifices that are necessary to do _______________. <br /><br />For BW like us, it's more a matter of the endeavor's cost/benefit ratio than talent and smarts! We have the talent and smarts to be able to do all sorts of things. It's just that not everything is worth the effort involved."JaliliMasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17020248960880215958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-33193006808210969262009-04-24T22:44:00.000-05:002009-04-24T22:44:00.000-05:00More from the book:
"When some individuals realiz...More from the book:<br /><br />"When some individuals realize that they create their own reality, they become keenly aware of their counterproductive and even destructive thoughts. This often leads to a fear of their negative thoughts. Many become afraid that, if they have a negative thought or idea, they will create that reality.<br /><br />So they try to repress or ignore their negative thoughts and focus on the positive ones. This practice does not eliminate negative thoughts. Instead, another layer is added to our onion. It actually strengthens our attachment to the very thoughts we seek to eliminate.<br /><br />You can relax. If you are conscious of negative thoughts, they do not cause a problem. When you are aware of what they are---just thoughts---then you are observing the thoughts. You are not identifying with them. When you are aware of negative thoughts and label them as such, they lose their power over you. They are well on their way out." Amazon Location, 992-1004.<br /><br />"It is the thoughts we hold <EM>without awareness</EM> and at <EM>unconscious levels</EM> that cause problems. This is why self-awareness is key. Being curious about our thoughts, rather than judgmental, helps us to be mindful. Being mindful of our thoughts, as well as our reactions and actions, brings about significant results, as opposed to the mediocre results we achieve when we live each moment unconsciously through force of habit." Amazon Location, 1005-14.<br />__________________<br /><br />I haven't gotten to the section about "pruning" destructive and diseased thoughts yet. LOL!<br /><br />Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-15442375994201430932009-04-24T15:55:00.000-05:002009-04-24T15:55:00.000-05:00Hello there, Enlightened!
You're welcome!
_______...Hello there, Enlightened!<br /><br />You're welcome!<br />_________________<br /><br />Hello there, Lorraine!<br /><br />You're welcome!<br />_________________<br /><br />Hello there, Aphrodite!<br /><br />You said, <EM>"I am always about some kind of improvement, but there are moments of <br /><br />am I smart/talented enough?<br />can I pull this off?<br /><br />I do sometimes have the I shoulds in that I think I should be doing more, faster, better, - hence the people who say I am hard on myself."</EM><STRONG> I believe that the quest for self-improvement is generally a good one, but NOT if it is conducted in a manner that causes you to doubt your talents and skills.<br /><br />Here's my 2 cents:<br /><br />DON'T doubt your talents and skills! OF COURSE, you're smart and talented enough to do _______! The question is: Is it worth it to you to make the adjustments/sacrifices that are necessary to do _______________. <br /><br />For BW like us, it's more a matter of the endeavor's cost/benefit ratio than talent and smarts! We have the talent and smarts to be able to do all sorts of things. It's just that not everything is worth the effort involved.<br /><br />For a trivial example, a while back I was intrigued by the idea of learning how to do "speed math" in my head (without needing pencil and paper). I <EM>like</EM> brain-exercising stuff like that. The same way I like memory-improvement systems. <br /><br />I like these things enough to <EM>play with</EM> these skills every once in a while. I DON'T like it enough to make it worthwhile for me to invest the energy in <EM>mastering</EM> these skills.<br /><br />When I no longer have to work a job and have more free time on my hands, then the cost/benefit ratio of doing the work to master these things might change.</STRONG>Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-42646003949189544782009-04-24T14:02:00.000-05:002009-04-24T14:02:00.000-05:00@Lisa Vasquez
Sure, you can reference the article....@Lisa Vasquez<br />Sure, you can reference the article.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-48881061810479457032009-04-24T12:10:00.000-05:002009-04-24T12:10:00.000-05:00Hello Khadija,
Thanks for another awesome post!
...Hello Khadija,<br /><br /><br />Thanks for another awesome post!<br /><br /><br />I will say that I do tend to be more future oriented rather than grounded in the now. I am always working towards some goals off in the future. <br /><br />"I will . . .<br />I am going to . . ."<br /><br /><br />Are two of my most predominant ways of thinking. <br /><br /><br />I am not negative towards others, but I can beat myself up pretty badly. <br /><br /><br /><br />I have been told that I can be hard on myself and I don't know how to take that sometimes because I always want to be better and I don't know if the person telling me that wants me to lower my expectations in a bad way (after so much bad advice in my life from others) or if they actually know what they are talking about. <br /><br /><br />I am always about some kind of improvement, but there are moments of <br /><br />am I smart/talented enough?<br />can I pull this off?<br /><br />I do sometimes have the I shoulds in that I think I should be doing more, faster, better, - hence the people who say I am hard on myself.<br /><br /><br />I would love to learn to better manage my thought and be able to choose really empowering ones. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-61311106559058388592009-04-24T11:17:00.000-05:002009-04-24T11:17:00.000-05:00Thanks for this post Khadija. It definitely provo...Thanks for this post Khadija. It definitely provokes one to do some serious introspection.Lorrainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-19536290128429773872009-04-24T08:52:00.000-05:002009-04-24T08:52:00.000-05:00Ah! Duly noted Khadija!
There is absolutely a dif...Ah! Duly noted Khadija!<br /><br />There is absolutely a difference between what you're talking about and the "positive thinking" materials out there (although if your goals are realistic and you put in some work, positive thinking can be successful). I honestly have never paid attention to my thoughts the way that author discusses, though. I will certainly start though!<br /><br />As usual, thank you for this post!Enlightenednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-47005465634909596342009-04-24T08:09:00.000-05:002009-04-24T08:09:00.000-05:00Hello there, Faith!
You said, "This is deep and c...Hello there, Faith!<br /><br />You said, "This is deep and challenging as always. I read it and am still processing. I know that I've been told I have had a negative mindset."<br /><br /><STRONG>I've heard this too. We should carefully scrutinize whoever it is that's telling us this. AAs have a cultural preference for magical thinking. Anyone among us who engages in logical, rational, linear thought will be called "negative."</STRONG>You said, "Despite my reading Louise Hay and a doing lots of Affirmations I was still circling."<br /><br /><STRONG>You might have been circling for the same reasons I tend to "circle" with such materials and suggestions---because they feel FAKED and FORCED to me. And so my mind rejects this kind of stuff. Meanwhile, these sorts of things can and do work for others.</STRONG>You said, "But there have been things I wasn't willing to change and now that I've had a lot more time to reflect - or just being tired of fighting them - I'm taking care of them....I've also changed my eating habits and have noticed my clothes are looser. There is progress and I've had to reflect on focusing on NOW and not "oh wow how long is this gonna take to fix it all". "<br /><br /><STRONG>Good for you! I'm still taking a break from exercising. I've decided to NOT "crack the whip" on myself for the past few weeks. I'll get back to doing P90X. Just not now.</STRONG>______________________<br /><br />Hello there, Enlightened!<br /><br />You said, "You are on point with this post. I have exercised positive thought and GOTTEN what I wanted several times in my life. When I moved to the city I currently lived in, I looked at a building downtown and said to myself OUT LOUD "I'm going to work there and have an awesome job." About 6 months later, I got a job in that building and its awesome. I didn't hem and haw...I put the words out there and let God do his/her thing."<br /><br />{raised fist salute}<br /><br />I look forward to hearing how it all works out with the apartment. *Smile*<br /><br />Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-68504549118723960012009-04-24T07:57:00.000-05:002009-04-24T07:57:00.000-05:00Everyone:
Let's NOT use the "positive" thinking l...Everyone:<br /><br />Let's <STRONG>NOT</STRONG> use the "positive" thinking label to discuss this topic. There's a reason why I'm framing this issues in terms of <STRONG>empowering/disempowering</STRONG> thought. Here's why:<br /><br />I know for myself that my mind rejects and rebels against proclaimed "positive thoughts," affirmations and similar such stuff. <STRONG>My mind rejects these sorts of things because they are FAKED and FORCED.</STRONG> My mind also tends to reject things that have any hint of dishonesty attached to them. And that's how faked, forced, "rah-rah" "positive thought" cheerleading feels to me. Dishonest. <br /><br />Also, the author specifically said that she was NOT talking about such things, as I quoted in the post. Ms. Lore said:<br /><br />"I am not talking about developing rah-rah motivational goals, mission statements, and resolutions. I am talking about developing self-awareness, being aware of our thoughts and feelings and making subtle, yet powerful, changes that result in ideas, desires, intentions, and ultimately actions that bring us peace and inspire us."<br /><br /><STRONG>It seems to me that what she's suggesting in the passages I quoted is much more SUBTLE, GENTLE, and therefore REAL. She's talking about GENTLY reframing the thoughts that we're already having into a more empowering format. NOT "rah-rah" forced mental cheerleading.</STRONG>Now, the book does go on to discuss "pruning" diseased and destructive thoughts from our minds. But I haven't gotten to that part yet. LOL!<br /><br />Peace and blessings,<br />KhadijaKhadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-19933641272080235602009-04-24T07:07:00.000-05:002009-04-24T07:07:00.000-05:00Hey Khadija!
You are on point with this post. I h...Hey Khadija!<br /><br />You are on point with this post. I have exercised positive thought and GOTTEN what I wanted several times in my life. When I moved to the city I currently lived in, I looked at a building downtown and said to myself OUT LOUD "I'm going to work there and have an awesome job." About 6 months later, I got a job in that building and its awesome. I didn't hem and haw...I put the words out there and let God do his/her thing. <br /><br />I have multiple examples of times I've done this. I'm moving again this summer and I have already found the apartment I want to live in and I am planning the next few months as if that is my residence. LOL! I will certainly come back and report to you how it turns out.<br /><br />Its strange though...as many times as I have spoken things into existence...I still get afraid to ask for my heart's deepest desires because I don't know if I could take it not happening! LOL! Nevermind that I have had success with this on several occasions...I still try to stop myself from asking for more.<br /><br />But after reading this post and your other blogs, I WILL stop talking myself out of my heart's desires.<br /><br />-Enlightenedenlightenednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-5812547128276378672009-04-24T01:58:00.000-05:002009-04-24T01:58:00.000-05:00This is deep and challenging as always. I read it ...This is deep and challenging as always. I read it and am still processing. I know that I've been told I have had a negative mindset. Despite my reading Louise Hay and a doing lots of Affirmations I was still circling. But there have been things I wasn't willing to change and now that I've had a lot more time to reflect - or just being tired of fighting them - I'm taking care of them. <br /><br />I went back to the gym and exercised for a few weeks - then got really sick. Now I feel out of sorts from not exercising and need to go back. The interruption has been jarring. <br /><br />I've also changed my eating habits and have noticed my clothes are looser. There is progress and I've had to reflect on focusing on NOW and not "oh wow how long is this gonna take to fix it all". <br /><br />So I'll keep returning to this post to push it in a little deeper bit by bit.Faith at Acts of Faith Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150553143062604249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-18120894187236447102009-04-23T23:13:00.000-05:002009-04-23T23:13:00.000-05:00Hello there, Tasha!
Good for you that you're taki...Hello there, Tasha!<br /><br />Good for you that you're taking stock of and managing your thoughts! <STRONG>{raised black glove salute}</STRONG>This is a very difficult and subtle process. It's the mental equivalent of performing aikido throws, which are very subtle and difficult because of the precision that is necessary. <br /><br />Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-65081791738787799732009-04-23T22:28:00.000-05:002009-04-23T22:28:00.000-05:00Khadija,
You asked:
Are you willing to pause an...Khadija,<br /><br />You asked: <br /><br />Are you willing to pause and examine your daily thoughts?<br /><br />My response:<br /><br />It is very difficult to examine your thoughts. This requires conscious effort. I suspect that that is why many of us fail to do so. I am an introspective person. So I think about things very deeply. BUT, most of my thoughts consist of what I am going to do in the future. Those "I will" thoughts that you were referring to. I have been working on bringing my thoughts to the present and turn these "I will" thoughts to "I am" thoughts.<br /><br />You asked:<br /><br />Are you willing to take an inventory of your habitual thought patterns?<br />Are you willing to manage your thoughts?<br /><br />I think that eveything begins in the mind. All speech as well as actions begin with a thought. Unfortunately, African American culture as it stands today is anti-thought, anti-intellectual. I notice this even among those who are supposed to be educated, who are supposed to know better. It seems that we as individuals and as a collective like symbolic progress, the kind that doesn't require real work or conscious effort. And we do this to our detriment. <br /><br />As for me, I have decided to take stock of those thoughts that are holding me back. In the past, I let negativity and self-defeating thoughts take over. I don't think that negative thoughts in and of themselves are the problem, but I think as in everything in life, there must be balance. When I stopped letting the negative thoughts take over, I began to see really good things happening in my life. I realize also that success is achieved in stages. It is the small steps that one takes toward success that leads to our dreams coming true. And the most important "little" step is to change our thought patterns. <br /><br />You said: <br /><br />Are you willing to let go of disempowering thought patterns and embrace powerful ones? <br /><br />Yes, I am definitely willing to let go of disempowering thoughts. I like the sound of <br /><br />I am . . .<br />I choose . . .<br />What can I . . . ?<br />How can I . . . ?<br /><br />These are the types of thoughts I cultivate today more often than I ever have. <br /><br />Peace and solidarity,<br /><br />Tashatasha212https://www.blogger.com/profile/05191746801740115475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-76971623693319136322009-04-23T17:10:00.000-05:002009-04-23T17:10:00.000-05:00Hello there, SupremeUltimate/Ensayn/Victor!
Thank...Hello there, SupremeUltimate/Ensayn/Victor!<br /><br />Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I truly appreciate it.<br /><br />Actually, with the exception of the regular commenters such as yourself, I'm surprised that <EM>anybody</EM> commented on this post! LOL! This is strange, unfamiliar, and therefore scary stuff for most Black folks. Pausing to really take stock of ourselves is deeply frightening to the vast majority of our people. [And I'm going to drive some audience members away by staying on this particular topic for a minute. LOL!]<br /><br />It's so much more comfortable to focus on the external. This is why the conversation is starting to shift back to external stuff. Which I'll cooperate with, up to a point; and then I'll have to redirect it back to the post's topic.<br /><br />Our general resistance to this sort of self-examination also ties into something that I mentioned during the <EM>Inner Slum: Noise Pollution</EM> post---this dread of self-examination is the same reason why Blacks run from silence and why we keep our living environments so filled with noise. Silence forces us to take a good look at ourselves. We DON'T want to do that.<br /><br />Victor, I think you're right about how counterproductive it is to "fight" negative thoughts. I find that actively "fighting" such thoughts leaves me even more deeply enmeshed in them. It feels that "fighting" such thoughts only feeds more of my mental energy into them.<br /><br />I haven't finished Ms. Lore's book, but she has mentioned another way: Inwardly telling your mind <EM>"Thanks for sharing that"</EM> and letting the unhelpful thought slip away, as you move on to a more empowering thought. <br /><br />So far, this has felt more effective to me. I see my nonproductive thoughts as turds slipping away down the toilet bowl. Inwardly, I passively watch them slip away. I don't "fight" them; fighting them means remaining in contact with them. In order to fight somebody/something, you typically have to put your hands on them/it.<br />____________________<br /><br />Hello there, Lisa!<br /><br />Thank you for your kind words about the blog. I truly appreciate it. You're one of the blog hosts that I'm imitating. <br /><br />{raised black glove salute back at 'cha}<br /><br />Feel free to post the link submitted by Anonymous. I read the article. I feel that it's ridiculous and yet another example of excuse-making.<br /><br />Yes, there are a number of behaviors that keep our collective NEGATIVE equilibrium in place: (1) making excuses for dysfunction; (2) self-appointed "thought police" who verbally abuse any BW who mentally steps out of "our" place; (3) self-censoring by many BW who know better (the same as for those living in dictatorships); etc.<br /><br />The moment that we stop playing our assigned part in this negative balance, it starts to fall. As it should.<br /><br />Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-86725247953939755612009-04-23T14:50:00.000-05:002009-04-23T14:50:00.000-05:00Hey Khadija!
Thanks for continuing this rich dial...Hey Khadija!<br /><br />Thanks for continuing this rich dialogue!<br /><br />Do you mind if I add the link below provided by <B>Anonymous 9:12 AM</B> to the current discussion about the new movie that is occurring at my blog forum? <br /><br />http://thedartmouth.com/2007/11/12/news/poverty/<br /><br />I think it pertains to what we are discussing and wanted to ask your permission to refer to it.<br /><br />You said:<br /><B>"I'll check out the article, but there really IS a LOT of laziness and trifling behavior among the Black poor and underclass."</B>Whenever anyone mentions this, then they are accused of being "classist". I suppose we are all supposed to <B>PRETEND</B> not to notice these dysfunctional mindsets in order to prove how "down with our peeps" we are.<br /><br />Energize is right in observing:<br /><B>"What I also noticed people get angry when you start setting boundaries and taking care of yourself."</B>There are so many who cop attitudes when blog hosts <B>ENFORCE</B> rules. Someone came to this blog just last week trying to criticize Gina for establishing and following rules at her <B>OWN</B> blog forum! Imagine that. *LOL* How dare her!<br /><br />I agree with Rosalyn's point that:<br /><B>"When you elevate your thought patterns and truly eliminate negativity, those with a negative spirit can't stand to be around you."</B>I am glad that Halima mentioned the pattern of black women to "stay" within what's permissible thinking according to black community constructs/expectations. There are women who get <B>VERY</B> hostile if a black person expresses a mindset that has not been reinforced by the black masses.<br /><br />I hope that my blog forum <B>crushes</B> all of that. I am certain that yours does!!<br /><br />{raised black fist}<br /><br />Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!<br />LisaLISA VAZQUEZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13583559303233985031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-77879615961690308562009-04-23T10:28:00.000-05:002009-04-23T10:28:00.000-05:00oops!
rescued from these contructed barriers!oops!<br /><br />rescued from these contructed barriers!Halimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13400009793511308799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-91694051937742195392009-04-23T09:15:00.000-05:002009-04-23T09:15:00.000-05:00Khadija, this is the Wisdom Fire you posted. This...Khadija, this is the Wisdom Fire you posted. This is the crux of all things. Without changing our thought patterns (which will lead to changed speech patterns) I believe that most of the ideas, the great ideas, you teach CANNOT be carried out. Khadija, most people operate on the "hindering" (really don't want to say bad or negative) thoughts of the mind, this is evident to me in the fact that, this, truly a foundation post for all that you have presented on this blog and after three days there are only 15 comments prior to mine. Why? You are giving us all the medicine we need and there are few comments in comparison to many of your other post.<br /><br />@ Rev. Lisa you said "So many just want to react emotionally to information and we are challenging women to think through the information that is being offered." Yes, and to think deeply about our own minds leaves very little to react to but will cause us to act and it seems people flee from this. Why? <br /><br />@ DelishMish, You said "How does this translate into everyday life? It literally means "THINK POSITIVE" ...control your thoughts, and immediately dispel negative images from your head (when they enter)..." <br /> I am not so sure it's that easy to dispel negative images. I am of the thought pattern that its normal and natural for negative images to arise, since negative is the twin sibling of positive. It seems to me the more you resist the negative thought causes you to keep it in a holding pattern while attempting to dispel it. Maybe we can work on allowing the negative to come in its natural state, but, not allowing it to linger letting the thought pass as quickly as it enters. This is the way of Bushido.<br /><br />Guidance,<br /><br />EnsaynAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-80685838490290415942009-04-23T08:41:00.000-05:002009-04-23T08:41:00.000-05:00Evia
I was determined that I was going to raise th...<B>Evia<br />I was determined that I was going to raise the level of THINKING there even if I got filleted. LOL!</B> <br /><br />I like the way you put it Evia because that is exactly what it is all about; raising the level of thinking.<br /><br />When bw get together, it is as if they collude to keep the discussions at a level where they remain ‘in the box’; within the perimeters allowed them by the BC and definitely not breaking out of it in any radical way. <br /><br />All one has to do is break this unspoken agreement and allow bw thoughts to be able 'go there' and that is often all that is necessary particularly to rescue those who would be rescued.<br /><br />constructed barriers.Halimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13400009793511308799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-68178530509187779652009-04-23T07:32:00.000-05:002009-04-23T07:32:00.000-05:00Hello there, Selena!
You asked, "Look If gay peop...Hello there, Selena!<br /><br />You asked, <EM>"Look If gay people can literally put their neck on the line like this, KNOW the importance of marriage why can't or won't most of us?"</EM><STRONG>This mass failure of common sense (and HUMAN norms---NO previous collective has approved of OOW) began when masses of BW started taking BM's sex pickup lines to heart: <EM>"We don't need a piece of paper from da White man to validate our relationship..."</EM> <br /><br />The problem intesified when masses of BW stopped applying social sanctions to other BW who had OOW: <EM>"It's 'harsh' and 'unfair' to shun women/girls who have OOW. Wouldn't it be better to 'teach' them?"</EM> All the while refusing to understand that you 'teach' people by enforcing negative consequences for dysfunctional behavior.<br /><br />Embracing these 2 attitudes is how we collectively fell into the abyss.</STRONG>Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.com