I was walking down the street wearing my Malcom X t-shirt and this white girl said, “Hey, I like your Martin Luther King shirt!” While chuckling I replied, “Thanks, this is the Maclom-X edition.”

From out of nowhere my friend shouts, “Dat ain’t Martin Luther King you stupid idiot” She looks back at me, I shrug my shoulders and said, “Well, how could you not recognize Chris Rock. She replied, “Oh yeah! Yeah! That’s it! I thought he looked familiar.”

Definitions:
Ignorance: Lack of knowledge, education or awareness.
Bliss: Extreme happiness; ecstasy.

The moral of the story is: (1) Unless looking like a total idiot gives you an extreme feeling of happiness, ignorance isn’t bliss. (2) ….and no, all black people do not look alike! (3) white ignorance on black history, when will they learn; literally!

Written by Keelan Forsythe Copyright © All Rights Reserved, Image Credit: Untitled image by LunaMoth116 Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.

I was walking down the street wearing my Malcom X t-shirt and this white girl said, “Hey, I like your Martin Luther King shirt!” While chuckling I replied, “Thanks, this is the Maclom-X edition.” From out of nowhere my friend shouts, “Dat ain’t Martin Luther King you stupid idiot”

Proverbs 1: 8-10 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.  They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.  My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.

11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood,
let’s waylay some harmless soul;

12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;

14 throw in your lot with us,
and we will share a common purse”-

15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;

16 for their feet rush into sin,
they are swift to shed blood.

17 How useless to spread a net
in full view of all the birds!

18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they waylay only themselves!

19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Noun  1.    temptation – something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
enticement
influence – a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do; “her wishes had a great influence on his thinking”
forbidden fruit – originally an apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden; it is now used to refer to anything that is tempting but dangerous (as sexuality)
bait, come-on, lure, sweetener, hook – anything that serves as an enticement
allurement – attractiveness; “its allurement was its remoteness”
2.    temptation – the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid; “he felt the temptation and his will power weakened”
desire – the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
3.   temptation – the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire; “his enticements were shameless”
enticement
influence – causing something without any direct or apparent effort
wheedling, blandishment – the act of urging by means of teasing or flattery
leading astray, leading off – the act of enticing others into sinful ways
seduction – enticing someone astray from right behavior
allurement, solicitation – the act of enticing a person to do something wrong (as an offer of sex in return for money)

entice definition
en·tice (en tīs′, in-)
transitive verb enticed -·ticed′, enticing -·tic′·ing
to attract by offering hope of reward or pleasure; tempt; allure

The Bible – Proverbs 1: 8-19 NIV, Image Credit: Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bing Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling Bling by prawnpie, Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher. – Socrates quote

Sometimes reality has a way of sneaking up and biting us in the ass. And when the dam bursts, all you can do is swim. The world of pretend is a cage, not a cocoon. We can only lie to ourselves for so long. We are tired, we are scared, denying it doesn’t change the truth. Sooner or later we have to put aside our denial and face the world. Head on, guns blazing. De Nile. It’s not just a river in Egypt, it’s a freakin’ ocean. So how do you keep from drowning in it? – Meredith Baxter quote

If addiction is judged by how long a dumb animal will sit pressing a lever to get a “fix” of something, to its own detriment, then I would conclude that netnews is far more addictive than cocaine. -  Rob Stampfli quote

Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names – John Fitzgerald Kennedy quote

I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend someone is, they’re going to hurt you every once in awhile and you must forgive them for that.

Fast for Fear of Choking (You can’t refuse to do the thing you need to just because there is a slight chance to fail.) – Chinese Proverb quote

I may have my pride, but my pride does not have me.

A stiff apology is a second insult… The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt. – G. K. Chesterton quote

Never ruin an apology with an excuse. Kimberly Johnson quote

I’ve never known any human being, high or humble, who ever regretted, when nearing life’s end, having done kindly deeds. But I have known more than one millionaire who became haunted by the realization that they had led selfish lives. – Barry C. Forbes quote

You can bend it and twist it… You can misuse and abuse it… But even God cannot change the Truth. – Michale Levy

Judge a person by their questions, rather than their answers. – Voltaire

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. – George Santayana

The coward calls the brave man rash, the rash man calls him a coward.

Try and fail, but don’t fail to try. How long should you try? Until.

One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching.

Nobody can hurt me without my permission. Mahatma Gandhi

My wisdom comes from my own personal experiences, my knowledge from the experiences of others; if it were the other way around I couldn’t trust myself. – Antoinette Forsythe

When thought becomes excessively painful, action is the finest remedy. – Salman Rushdie

We think too small. Like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view. — Mao Tse-Tung

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. -Ecclesiastes

Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours. Cesar Chavez

Love is a decision – not an emotion.

Before enlightenment – chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment – chop wood, carry water. Zen Buddhist Proverb

Arguing with a fool proves there are two. Doris M. Smith

Men soon the faults of others learn. A few their virtues, too, find out. But is there one I have a doubt; Who can his own defects discern? Sanskrit Proverb

Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. 1 Chronicles 22:13

No one ever choked to death swallowing his pride

Are you not ashamed of caring so much for the making of money and for fame and prestige, when you neither think nor care about wisdom and truth and the improvement of your soul? Socrates

Image Credit: Philosophers Club by Thomas Hawk,  Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

What does depression look like? It looks like me. My name is Terry Forsythe and not only do I suffer from clinical depression but I have spent my entire life hiding in shame; hiding because of society’s stigmas towards *depression; they can be *insensitive, *ignorant, and down right mean.

I have come to the sad realization that depression is one of the most misunderstood diseases; it is no different from Diabetes, Alzheimers, Alcoholism or Stigmatism; you are either born predisposed to it (genetic predisposition), a victim of circumstances (triggers), suffer from a chemical imbalance and/or many other factors that may come into play. The reality is, it is not a choice that one makes; depression is a disease that one has no control over; you don’t wake up and decide to be sad and lifeless, you just are.

The insensitive and/or ignorant people may say things like: “What the hell do you have to be sad about? Please, you don’t have any disease you are just in a funk. Don’t let the doctors put that in your head. You’re just going through a rough patch; it will pass. Suck it up, get over it, what kind of man are you; be a man. Just trust in God and you will feel better; come to church on Sunday. Don’t put that in your profile status, nobody wants to hear your gloom and doom stories. It is all about nutrition, if you eat the right foods and exercise, you’ll be fine; you don’t need medication. You are depressed because you have locked yourself up in your house; just get some fresh air. You just need some good sex.” Some may even laugh at you; literally. These individuals do not realize the severity of your disease; that it requires professional medical attention; that your words to them may actually be a cry for help. The mean people are like school bullies, their response is with the intent to hurt you. These people will gossip about you with anyone that will listen.

I was born defective and predisposed to many diseases and illness; the hospital gave my mother a drug while she was pregnant with me; my children also suffered with various medical problems as a result of that same drug; only one survived.

To those suffering from this disease I encourage you to begin your fight by coming out and seeking help; show your strength for seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Cast aside your fears of society’s stigmas. Accept that the mean people will throw it in your face at any given moment; they are mean by choice; you are depressed because you are ill; the mean person has just as much “mental issues” as you do if not more.

Remember that the insensitive and ignorant are simply that, most of the time they really don’t know any better and really mean well. Sometimes it is just their way of dealing with being uncomfortable with the subject at hand.

I have decided to “come out” to empower myself and others; I will no longer hide in shame because there is nothing to be ashamed of and no one worthy of hiding from.

Now that I have “Come out” with my depression, my friends and loved ones may now stare at me and wonder, is she here or just going through the motions; for this you must not worry. Worry when you see me driving towards a bridge while intoxicated. Worry when I no longer say I love you.  Worry when I do not return your phone calls or accept your invitations. Worry when I no longer tell jokes and dance at the parties. Worry when I no longer fulfill my passions. Worry when I no longer support you when you are down. Worry when I no longer comb my hair. Worry when I no longer care for my family or my home; worry when you see that I can no longer fight my disease…

My disease cripples me physically…

• I want to get things done but I just can’t; I am starving, my stomach hurts and my head is spinning but do you really think I can make it to the fridge? I just don’t have the energy.
• I am always tired; I function on 2-4 hours of sleep each and every day; my night is day and my day is night; damn insomnia.
• I know that I need to get that done but I can’t and yes I know the consequences are very serious if I don’t, but could you please just do it for me?

… no society, I’m not lazy, I’m not a procrastinator and I’m not a slave driver. No it is not just mind over matter. Do you know how much energy it takes for me to get up, get dressed and comb my hair? The mere thought of leaving the house overwhelms me; pray I don’t have an anxiety attack.

My disease emotionally numbs me…

• Sure I danced all night but that was my brain automatically responding to my favorite songs; I was simply going through the motions; I was emotionally detached from it all.
• Yes I was the center of attention at your get-together. Yes I had everybody in stitches, but deep down inside, I really wanted to go home and be alone; I’m often irritated when too many people are in my personal space or in my life; I prefer to be alone.
• Yesterday was a great day. Today I feel like I just want to die; I feel so sad and I don’t know why; I hope the sun comes out tomorrow because I am so very tired of crying.

… no society, I’m not trying to be the center of attention and I am not fake. I was actually working very hard to be in the moment; to be sociable. Do you know how that I deserved an award for that night out; realize that it has been 4-6 months since my last social gathering.

My disease puts me in mental slow motion…

• Sure I can build a website but do you know how many months prior to its execution I was planning on doing that? Did you know that each and every step literally took weeks or months to complete?
• Did you know this is supposed to be a DAILY blog site written solely by me; yes I keep trying to get back on track even though I know I may fail; again.
• I have to be self-employed. Who will hire me if I can’t complete a task within a given time frame; I have to go at my own pace; whatever that is.
• Were you still talking? Sorry, I blanked out. No you have to start over, I have no clue what you said and I am so easily distracted.
• I’m not saying I don’t know you I am saying I don’t remember you.

…no society, I’m not avoiding work; I’m actually a workaholic and an overachiever. No, I can not give you a deadline as to when I will be available. I get that you’re trying to work with me but you are not working with my brain.  No, I am not trying to be rude or play you for an fool but realize that I get very little sleep so concentrating is a task within itself. Hell most of the time I have no clue what day, month or year it is. As a matter of fact, I have no memory of my life from ages 1-10; the rest of my life is a total blur; please forgive my memory, or lack thereof.

My disease has my brain in intellectual overdrive…

• I lay awake at night with a thousand thoughts racing through my mind
• I excel at everything I do but I am easily bored by tasks, people, places, things; life in general can’t keep me entertained.
• I often have great difficulty in understanding when people speak; I’ll ask the same question in several different ways or state the same statement in several ways.

…no society, I don’t need to simply write them down. I don’t just need something constructive to do; properly channel all that energy. I am not trying to challenge your authority, I am not trying to be disruptive, I am not calling you a liar or trying to be disrespectful. I don’t just need to shut up and listen and no, I’m not trying to start an argument; I really don’t understand what you are saying; you lost me at hello.

Society, you say you are frustrated with me, well just imagine how I feel; when I’m depressed, each day is a challenge; within that day, I can go from happiness to overwhelming sadness all within a single hour. Each month is an accomplishment and each year that I live, worthy of an award to be hung on a mantle for the entire world to see.

Depression is far more complex than many realize and there are many types: Major Depressive Disorder (Major Depression, Clinical Depression), Dysthymic Disorder (Dysthymia), Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder), Post Partum Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Anxiety Depression (panic disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder), Atypical Depression, Chronic Depression, Double Depression, Endogenous Depression, Situational Depression or Reactive Depression, Agitated Depression, Psychotic Depression, Melancholic Depression, Catatonic Depression.

If you suffer from depression and/or have experienced any of my symptoms, share this story with those who can’t imagine a day in your life; find the courage to tell someone that you are in deep emotional pain; do not try to manage your depression on your own; a doctor is best equipped to diagnose and recommend treatment if necessary. Treatments may include: Medication, psychotherapy, life skills, stress management skills, in home assistance and in severe cases, shock treatment and/or hospitalization.

If you know someone that suffers from depression take the time to support them in their journey by giving an ear when they need it. Support them by checking in on them from time to time; bring dinner and a movie.  Offer spiritual support if they so desire; there are organizations that specialize in psychotherapy for Christians; a combination of professional counseling and spiritual counseling, or you can try to find a Christian psychotherapist for your friend. Support them by continuing to include them in your activities even if they never attend. Show that you appreciate their efforts when they do call, come out, come over or invite you out; show and tell them you love them now, instead of at their funeral.

I encourage everyone to take the time to reach out to that person that has lost their job, their family, their home; anyone going through a difficult time; we have a responsibility to take care of each other. Share this with all your friends, family, health care establishments etc, anyone with young children or teens; you might save a life…

Famous People with depression and/or experienced suicidal ideation, tendencies, feelings, thoughts:

• Lady Diana Princess of Wales struggled with depression and eating disorders.
• Tyler Perry actor comedian suffered from depression and attempted suicide.
• Rodney Dangerfield was diagnosed with clinical depression; Dangerfield believed that it began early in his life due to a father who abandoned him and a mother whose cruel remarks made him feel worthless.
• Beyoncé Knowles singer suffers with Major Depression.
• Terrie Williams high profile publicist to the stars lives with Major Depression.
• Joe Budden hip hop singer suffers with Major Depression.
• Terry Bradshaw football great struggles with depression.
• Harrison Ford actor struggles with depression.
• Jim Carrey comedian struggles with depression.

Christians/ people in the Bible who had episodes of depression and/or committed suicide:

• King David “I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. …I groan because of the turmoil of my heart” (Psalm 38:6,8  – NKJV).
• Abraham (Genesis 15)
• Jonah (Jonah 4)
• Job (Book of Job)
• Elijah (1 Kings 19)
• King Saul (I Samuel 16:14-23, etc.)
• Jeremiah (Book of Jeremiah)
• David (Psalms 6, 13, 18, 23, 25, 27, 31, 32, 34, 37-40, 42-43, 46, 51, 55, 62-63, 69, 71, 73, 77, 84, 86, 90-91, 94-95, 103-104, 107, 110, 116, 118, 121, 123-124, 130, 138, 139, 141-143, 146-147)
• Abimelech (Judges 9:54)
• Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23)
• Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27: 5)
• Saul (1 Samuel 31:4)
• Saul’s armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4-6)
• Zimri (1 Kings 16:18)

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!” – Movie Quote from ‘Rocky Balboa’

*Depression: It is thought that depression is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals. Depression is a serious illness.  It is very different from the common experience of feeling miserable or fed up for a short period of time. When you’re depressed, you may have feelings of extreme sadness that can last for a long time. These feelings are severe enough to interfere with your daily life, and can last for weeks or months, rather than days.

*Ignorant / Ignorance: Ignorance is the state in which one lacks knowledge, is unaware of something or chooses to subjectively ignore information. This should not be confused with being unintelligent, as one’s level of intelligence and level of education or general awareness are not the same…

*Insensitive: Not having normal physical feeling; not having normal emotional feelings, cold, tactless, undiplomatic.

Written by Antoinette Forsythe Copyright © All Rights Reserved, Image Credit: Antoinette Forsythe by Antoinette Forsythe Copyright © All Rights Reserved, Cleveland Prevue of the Week (Back cover of April 17-24, 1948) by Cleveland Prevue Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License, K.O. by Evil Erin Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.

Why are so many strong black women single and unmarried? My response is from a completely different angle…

I don’t believe this is a black issue this is an issue that is now being faced by many women around the world; strong women of all races.

In earlier years the role of man was clearly defined in the Bible and he followed it; it was accepted as law and never questioned. As time passed some strayed away from those traditions and laws, man began to create his own set of rules as to how things should be. Over time he slowly reversed the roles of man and woman thus creating confusion; the ‘natural’ order of things no longer existed.

Today’s woman is physically spiritually and emotionally stronger and is far more educated, as a result more self-reliant; less dependent on men. The men however have been taking on many roles previously only performed by women. They have become more of a nurturer than the men of old. In terms of their educational progress there hasn’t been any; they were never denied such opportunities.

In a relationship a man NEEDS to feel like a man and when he is partnered with a woman that equates or surpasses him in strength, this can very be difficult; it goes against his nature; against the natural order of things. I think that strong women need to know when to wear that ‘hat’ and when to take it off; we need to relearn how to let a man be a man; there is nothing wrong with being assertive and strong however, when a woman displays these characteristics 24/7 it can and will take a toll on any relationship.

From a man’s perspective this woman has to win every argument, she constantly speaks down to him, she doesn’t allow him to help her with anything and every moment is literally a battle. He walks around on eggshells because he has no clue what or how to please her and when he tries, she is quick to remind him that she is quite capable of doing it herself, “Anything you can do I can do it better and I can do it all by myself.” Now if the tables were turned would you date someone like you; someone that by their actions and words made it clear that they don’t NEED you; a man needs to feel needed.

Unfortunately the modern woman is in search of the man of old (strong) and the modern man is looking for a woman from the past (submissive), neither of which is in high supply; both a dying breed. The only solution is to be willing to modify our search criteria to what is available and not what was. We must also be willing to make changes within ourselves; let a man BE a man, let a woman FEEL equal.

My thoughts on this video: These women are looking for the wrong qualities in a man; things that are not going to matter in the long haul; physical appearance, race, age, status and yes a bank account filled with money. They need to stop making ‘a list’ and learn to be open to a little more open; focus more on the character of a man…

Written by Antoinette Forsythe Copyright © All rights Reserved, Image Credit:  VISIT OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT PRATIBHA PATIL TO ARUNACHAL PRADESH. PHOTO SOURCE PRESS INFOMATION BUREAU by rajkumar1220 Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License, _MG_0727 by dbking Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License,  Força! by Roberto Berlim Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic License, Sissy and Bubba by Patrick Q Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 Generic License.

I was walking down a street and I fell into a hole. I wondered how I got there. I asked the Lord for help and he helped me out of the hole.

The next day I was walking down the same street and I saw the hole. I fell into the hole again. I asked the Lord to help me out of the hole and he did.

On the third day I went walking down the same street and I knew that the hole was there so I looked up. Somehow, I fell into the hole again. I ask the Lord for help and he said, “I will be here but you’re going to have to help yourself this time.”

The fourth day came and I went walking down the same street. I knew that the hole was there, so, I jumped into the hole. I asked the Lord for help. He said, “Yes I am still here, but you’re going to have to help yourself out.”

The fifth day arrived and I went walking down the same street. I knew the hole was there so I crossed the street. All the while, watching that hole, I continue down the rest of the street.

The sixth day came and I really wanted to walk down that same street, but I knew that I could not and should not because I may be tempted to jump into the hole. I took another street.

On the seventh day I took the bus.

Written by Lance Howe, Edited by Antoinette Forsythe Copyright © All Rights Reserved, Image Credit: Descent by dilivion Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licence, Trip to Heaven by talba, Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 Generic License.