Apathetic or Ambitious?
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it"
This is the my "bio" description on Twitter and an inspirational quote I took from one of the accounts I follow. But it really set in the other day what exactly it means to me. This entire quote is the reason why some people make it in life while others just make excuses. I've had an ongoing debate with myself and others about those who come from downtrodden upbringings and have less opportunities than the more "fortunate". Are these people justified to be on welfare, uneducated, and without ambition? Is their flawed upbringing to blame? Or is it simply their lack of motivation? How is it that a poor black boy like Ben Carson or poor black girl like Oprah Winfrey can grow up to become something great, yet people use every excuse in the book to become drop outs, teenage mothers, drug addicts/dealers, etc.? Are these people using their environment to throw in the towel? Just food for thought.
In contrast the things I did and didn't have growing up are what gave me the motivation to become who I am today and the drive to become who I want to be. I realize that there are unyielding circumstances in people's lives, but do they warrant giving up on life? Someone made the argument to me that children who grow up in the hood and see drug dealers all their life know nothing else and simply become a product of their environment. Their parents, peers, and siblings do not teach them otherwise and they are never exposed to more upstanding ways of life.
In the same breath you could argue however that there is no way for someone to go unexposed to the high road. Do they not see teachers at their schools or doctors and lawyers on their TV's? Do they not see the violence, crime, and murder that goes along with "slinging" drugs? I'm not passing judgement on anyone, but I just can't see how street life seems morally advantageous to anyone in their right mind. Then again I have not lived the street life and cannot fully understand.
What are your thoughts? I would love to hear the other side. I love a good debate!:)
Basketball & House "Wives": A 1st Hand Perspective
It seems now that my TV guide is flooded with every kind of sport and industry's "wives" as a show. Many of them I watch and get entertainment out of, but I have to wonder what it does to the reputations of mothers, wives, and girlfriends of successful men. In a positive aspect I think it glamorizes the role of homemaker. What went from a role not very much respected in today's society is now an envied position in the world of women. Everyone wants to be a "wife" now. Is this a bad thing? Maybe not. Women are changing the way we see our roles in the home. No longer is the typical wife barefoot and pregnant solely devoted to cooking and cleaning, but also now a mother, wife, businesswoman, entrepeneur, matriarch, role model, etc. I can't help but be proud of how far we've come as women and aimed to break through the "glass ceiling" so to speak.
Conversely, women's depictions as football, basketball, and everything in between wives has shed such a negative light on these types of women. They look as if all they do is party, fight, and spend money. Many seem classless, unintelligent, uneducated, and after money and fame. How do we separate the good from the bad? Some of these shows can be very staged or scripted, and those that aren't are edited sheerly for entertainment. Being a support system to a professional athlete is more than botox parties and shopping. It requires a woman who is confident in herself, supports her man, but can stand on her own two feet. It seems that the women who actually embody this role don't get enough credit from these shows. And who can blame them? It wouldn't make money anyway. At the end of the day I do not to take any of these shows too seriously. I get a laugh out of it and keep it moving. Although many of these women make themselves look likes fools with all the constant fighting and drama, they do so laughing all the way to the bank. I can't support the examples many of them set, but they do provide entertainment while simultaneously capitalizing off their images. I believe that every woman whether tied to an athlete, rapper, investment banker, or McDonald's worker should have goals for themselves and direct their efforts towards reaching these goals in addition to being the best mother, "wife", or girlfiend they can be. When it's all said and done money, fame, and careers can fade away,especially those of someone else. What will you be left with?
Looking Forward To the Holidays
I am so freakin ready for the Holidays. This will be my first year celebrating here in the states in a long time and it makes me extremely happy to be around family and friends. Last year I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in Belgium, the year before that Turkey, and the year before that Italy. Although I love traveling and experiencing how other cultures celebrate, it will be magical for me this year to experience actual...yes I said actual Turkey lol I can't wait for Black Friday shopping with my mom and my family's grand tradition of "Bayou Classic". If you don't know what it is read up on it;) My grandmother also makes some AMAZING Gumbo that will make you want to slap her. Not to mention cold cuddle weather, hot chocolate, peppermint tea, and candy canes. And if it's cold enough this winter here, I may even get to light my fireplace.
Now that I'm getting older, I realize just how important family is, and I can't wait to celebrate another year of an amazing life with mine. I'm so thankful for everything and everyone God has blessed me with. What better way to show him thanks by a ton of celebration and shopping:)
Now that I'm getting older, I realize just how important family is, and I can't wait to celebrate another year of an amazing life with mine. I'm so thankful for everything and everyone God has blessed me with. What better way to show him thanks by a ton of celebration and shopping:)
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