Um Sir, You Have Race All Over Your Face!

I have to say, over the past few weeks I have become exhausted with all the media reports about race or racism or racially charged situations.  I wonder how much emphasis would be on race if our President were White again.  Yes, I think the two are related.  Now, it seems like every time someone says the words "black" or "white" it makes national headlines.  I know race is an issue.  My next door neighbor's dog knows race is an issue.

Let's be honest, we all have some racism issues.  We all have pictures in our minds that we associate with a specific race.  When I think of trailer parks, I immediately imagine a White person.  When I think of the ghetto, I will most likely envision a black person. When I think of casinos or Oklahoma, I will probably think of a Native American.  I feel at liberty to say these things because I am Scottish, African-American, and Cherokee...in case you were about to be offended.  

Whether we say it at an NAACP meeting, on TMZ, or just think it, it's still there.  Honestly, I believe in some ways racism will literally have to die off.  Those who let their mental pictures or racist ideals dictate how they interact with people of other races will simply have to take a dirt nap.  Yeah, it sounds sensational, but really...some people will never change.  Actually, I think religion will be the new "race" in the next 100 years...but that's a whole different episode of Oprah.  For those who find it hard to let go of their racism, consider this...there are bad things about all races.  That's because it's not really a race thing...it's a people thing.  It takes all kinds of people...as they say.  We just need to learn to take a long look at ourselves instead of letting racism determine how we interact with our fellow man.

The Bottom Line: 
Let it go already!  We shouldn't need TMZ to catch Mel Gibson in a racial rant.  We shouldn't know who Shirley Sherrod is.  Life is about showing respect to all people regardless of what you are taught as a child or what stereotypes are out there.  We all have some hint of racism lingering just below the surface, no matter how small.  What matters is whether or not we allow that to control us.  Color is skin deep.  Peel away our skin and we're all hideously ugly.  Lighten up...no pun intended.  

The Life of a Fly

When I open my front door to let in the fresh air and sunshine, I can't help but be prepared for the attack of the flies.  They seem to be everywhere these days.  They are buzzing in my windows at home.  They are at the restaurant where I eat.  Every once in a while, they even take a car ride with me.  Then, as I walked along the sidewalk in a Dallas neighborhood this past Saturday, I saw a group of flies all nestled on what had to be the largest turd EVER.  I wanted to barf.

Once my disgust subsided, I began to ponder the life of a fly.  Yes, I'm strange like that.  I thought to myself that here is an insect, a being, if you will, that is constantly hunted and swatted at.  Some of them narrowly escape instant death while others are not so lucky.  They spend their lives feeding on things that would make even the most macho of men gag.  They are hated.  They are despised.  They have been labeled by society as one of the worst creations.  There are entire industries built upon the effort to wipe them out.  Even with all of world conspiring against them, they find a way to leave their mark.  They find a way to survive.  They literally make the best of a shitty situation.

That's when it occurred to me that we should all strive to be a little more like flies.  Obviously I'm not advocating a literal application here, but think about it...  Obstacles don't really matter to a fly.  Their persistence is unmatched.  They find ways to survive and prosper all while working with the worst resources in life.  There is something to be said for trying to find parallels in strange places.

The Bottom Line:
The next time life hands you a gigantic pile of shit, make a shit sandwich and keep on dodging the fly-swatter at all costs!  With a little fly-like determination, anything is possible!

One Year - One Billion Dollars

It's a curious thing to me that the measure of an artist tends to be how well they do once they are gone.  Think about it...whether and painter, dancer, writer, actor, or singer...if that person's art outlives them, they can truly be counted as one of the all-time greatest.  This fact was never truer than for Michael Jackson.  In the year that followed his death, the singer's estate generated nearly one billion dollars in sales world-wide.  That, my friends, is astonishing.  His music and life continue to speak to all generations.  As with any artist who's taken too soon, one can only imagine what he might have accomplished in the future.  I think about what new artists he might have discovered or worked with.  For all of Michael's tortured moments, he remains an unmatched musical savant.  On a day where only Michael's music will be playing in my home and in my car, I choose to be thankful for MJ's art and his giving spirit.  In a world of one-hit-wonders and tabloid celebrities, it's nice to know that every once in a while we are blessed with the presence of a true artist.

Here's to one year of rest for Michael Jackson.    

Tabula Rasa

When I started this piece, I had an angle all mapped out.  It's funny how life can sort of sit back and just laugh at your map.  First, for those who might not know what Tabula Rasa is (like me a few days ago...big thank you to my friend Mark Wagner), allow me to take a moment to explain it.

Tabula Rasa, like so many perfectly obvious yet mysterious things in life, is clearly defined in the dictionary, but it's also an idea...a lifestyle...a philosophy.

The literal definitions: 
1. a mind not yet affected by experiences, impressions, etc  
2. anything existing undisturbed in its original pure state


The concept or philosophy: 
It dates back as far as Aristotle, when he described the mind as being nothing until something is thought...a blank tablet.  Deep huh?

The most common understanding of the term is "clean slate".  We've probably all heard of that at some point.
When I fist heard this term Tabula Rasa, I had to figure out how the hell to even say it, but more importantly, I immediately applied the idea to other people.  It seemed like the natural thing to do.  I "slept" on the idea for about a week and began to realize an even better application...  apply it to myself!  Yes, the oft overlooked reflection of one's own image... that's where I needed to apply the principle first.  I can't speak for anyone else, but I know for a fact that I am harder on myself in life than anyone else.  I realized that Tabula Rasa needed to be put to immediate use in my own life.  I needed to give myself a clean slate.  I need to forgive myself for quite frankly, being an asshole...to me.  Look, I don't pretend to have all the answers in life; to do so would be foolish.   I can say though, that this moment of realization is one of the most important moments we can ever have.  We have to learn how to give ourselves that clean slate.  When we refuse to do so, our soul withers under the scorching heat of self-hate.  Our spirit cannot grow or flourish in light of the knowledge that no matter how many times we screw things up in life, things will get better as long as we do not give up on the most important person... you!

I'd like to take a moment to share a short letter I've written to myself.  My hope is that those who read this will be inspired to give themselves a clean slate in life...


Dear David, 


I know your life has been difficult and at times very painful.  I know you've blamed yourself for so many things that have happened...some out of your control yet so many that were within your control.  I'm sorry I never gave you the opportunity to breath and enjoy life like you really should.  I apologize for always being so negative and "realistic" with you.  I should have supported your dreams rather than always shooting them down.  I should have believed in you.  I should have loved you when you were weak as well as when you were strong.  I've been a real asshole to you and I ask you to please forgive me.   I want you to know that from now on, I will be here when you need me.  I will be here to remind you that life really can be wonderful.  I want you to know that I will be your best friend.  I will be your rock.  When life frustrates you, I will be there to tell you that everything will work out.  I know you and I don't really care for clichés but sometimes we need to be reminded that there is truth to be found in them.  I really do love and care for you.  I look forward to this clean slate...this blank canvas that we can paint on together.  We can make the picture anything we want it to be.  Together, we can achieve.  We can breathe.  We can laugh from our soul.  We can get that rest we both so desperately need.  Thank you for being the thoughtful person that you are.  Thank you for always being willing to take all the burden, but you need to know that you don't have to do that any more.  I'm here for you.  I support you.  I love you...flaws and all.  


Love, 
Me    

Part-time Patriots

As the sun sets on yet another Memorial Day, I find myself wondering just how patriotic we really are.  It strikes me as a little odd how uptight some people can get about this particular holiday.  Everyone wants to wave the flag.  Everyone wants to claim their military family heritage.  People make it a point to be proud, verging on obnoxious and boastful, when it comes to their military ties.  Then there the other 364 days of the year...

I was chastised by a "friend" this morning about referring to Memorial Day as perhaps, the unofficial "white-trash" holiday.  (I feel at liberty to use the term white-trash without hesitation, as I am part Scottish-American.  These are also the same type of people I spent a great deal of my life with.)  The statement was meant to be an observation and had nothing at all to do with the military.  It was very tongue-in-cheek, but apparently some of us lose all sense of humor once a year.  I don't know, maybe the comment struck a little too close to home.  This friend started going on about the fact that a family member was in the military and their father and their father's father...etc...  In the two years I've know this person, I've never once discussed or been made aware of any family service to our country.  This lead me to realize how part-time some people's patriotism is.  It's a strange concept to me that so many only get "fired up" about their country on holidays.  These are the same folks who sit by the rest of the year and have nothing of value to add to political evolution, learning, or debate.  They grab their Starbucks, head to work, and plan their next major beer bash or Super Bowl party; all the while never trying to affect change that would honor the men and women of the armed forces.

The Bottom Line:
It's convenient and perhaps even a bit stylish to wear the flag on your back for major patriotic holidays, but what's the point if you do nothing the rest of the year?  Though one person got all bent out of shape over my holiday observation, they failed to remember that the brave men and women fight not just for their freedom to be part-time patriots, but for my freedom to say what I wish.  That's something to be proud of.  Let's not forget that every day should be a Memorial Day.  We should live our lives in a way that honors our brave men and women all the time, not just on Memorial Day.