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Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade

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Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade Great Day, Fam. This one right here? It’s not for everyone. If you’re not at or approaching Eldership—defined in our tribe as about 55 years old and up—you might not feel all of this. But if you’re curious, or if you’re one of those younger souls already walking with wisdom, you’re welcome to keep reading. This message is for the Elders. For those of us who should know better. And yes—I’m including myself. Let’s Start With the Mirror I’ve got to confess something. I’ve been guilty. Guilty of being reactionary. Guilty of falling into the trap of conservatism. Guilty of romanticizing the past. Guilty of looking at our young people and calling them “soft”—as if we were born warriors, as if we didn’t have to become who we are through fire, failure, and guidance. Many of us Elders are stuck in a loop. We remember only the highlights of our youth—the toughest times we survived, the boldest moments ...

Guiding Energy & Fake Adults (A Timeless Rant from 2021)

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Peace, Family. Three years ago, I hit the mic and went in on something that's still burning in my spirit today. The video you're about to watch — “Guiding Energy & Fake Adults” — was recorded back in June 2021 , but the message remains just as urgent now as it was then. In that rant, I was fired up about the systems we keep handing our children over to — systems that don’t reflect our values, don’t serve our communities, and never truly loved us. I broke down the idea that childhood is a sacred phase for the guiding of energy , not just about chasing jobs or credentials. I asked the hard question: 👉🏿 Who are we preparing our youth to serve? But I didn't stop there. I turned the lens on us — the so-called "grown folks" and "conscious community." Too many are out here walking around like lone wolves, refusing guidance, avoiding community, and staying uninitiated. That’s dangerous. It’s childish. And it’s time we stopped pretending otherwise. ...

Unity Ain’t Just a Word: Practicing What We Pledge

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Unity Ain’t Just a Word: Practicing What We Pledge Today, I found myself musing on the principle of Umoja , or Unity . I went through my morning meditation and workout, but something was missing — I forgot to recite the Gye-Nyame Pledge . That may not seem like a big deal to some, but it made me pause and reflect. Why do we pledge? Why do we say these words each day? The Power of a Daily Pledge A pledge is more than recitation — it’s a daily reminder of who you are, what you stand for, and what you’re building. Whether you're building a business, raising a family, strengthening a tribe, or transforming a community — Unity is required . Umoja is not passive. It’s not a cool word to post. It’s not just a hashtag. It’s a practice . Or maybe the better word is praxis — not just belief, but action . Daily. Deliberate. Intentional. Practice Over Perfection A pledge helps ground that action. It reminds us not just of where we’re going — but who we must become to get ther...

Carthage Must Fall: How Weaponized Culture Wins Wars—And Why We Must Learn to Play (and Change) the Game

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Carthage Must Fall: How Weaponized Culture Wins Wars—And Why We Must Learn to Play (and Change) the Game Greetings Fam, I was riding home today, my mind turning over thoughts while listening to In Class with Carr , and something hit me hard. A spark of memory, an echo from one of the master teachers—Dr. John Henrik Clarke. Now whether I heard it in person or on one of his lectures, I can’t say for sure, but what I can say is this: it stuck with me. Deep. Dr. Clarke was breaking down history, culture, and warfare—not just the kind with weapons, but the kind waged in the minds of people. The kind that encodes itself into the rhythm of a nation’s daily life. He mentioned something that sent me down a rabbit hole of research and reflection. He spoke about the Roman Empire—specifically how they targeted Carthage, and how a single phrase became a cultural war cry: “Carthago delenda est.” Translation: “Carthage must be destroyed.” Let that sink in. This wasn’t just some wartime speech. Th...

It’s Okay to Be Lost

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  I’ve always called my job an adventure, and I’m proud of that. I love what I do, even with all its challenges. But more than just my work, life itself is an adventure. And for anyone reading this—whether young or old—let me assure you: it’s okay to be lost . Being lost is part of the journey. It’s part of the process. Nothing is always going to line up perfectly. Things won’t always go according to plan, and that’s fine. The key is to learn how to be lost without panicking . Learn how to be lost and still keep your mind steady . Learn how to take a breath, be still, and move forward without fear . Too many of us stress out when we don’t have all the answers. We feel like if we don’t know exactly what’s next, something must be wrong. But that’s not the case. Some of the greatest growth happens in the confusion . Some of the best lessons are learned in the wandering . Embracing the Unknown Right now, I’m in a season of my own uncertainty. For a long time, I didn’t want to leav...

Mastering Consciousness: Overcoming Unbalanced Passions

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Mastering Consciousness: Overcoming Unbalanced Passions Welcome to today's discussion. We're diving into question number six in our ongoing series, and since we're on a roll, we might as well tackle question seven too. These questions build on our previous exploration— "What must the warrior do to become great?" The answer was clear: They must be willing to die. But die to what? The answer lies in dying to unbalanced passions —those forces that cloud our judgment, trap us in cycles of negativity, and keep us from achieving true greatness. What Are the Unbalanced Passions? The unbalanced passions are: Fear Envy Pride Greed Sloth Lust Anger These are not just abstract concepts; they are real forces that, when unchecked, can dominate our lives. They fuel chaos and keep us from seeing reality for what it is. Passions should be tools, not masters. When we let them take control, they distort our consciousness and limit our power. The Enemy of Consciousness Why must...

The Path to Greatness: What Must the Warrior Do?

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 The Path to Greatness: What Must the Warrior Do? Yesterday, we explored an essential question: How does a warrior learn? Today, we take the next step— What must the warrior do to become great? This question holds weight, not just in words, but in action. It challenges us to examine the very nature of greatness and wisdom. What is Greatness? Recently, one of my elders transitioned to the ancestral realm. During his crossover ceremony, I had the honor of pouring libations and speaking on his legacy. I found myself saying, Elder Tony was a great man. But then I paused and corrected myself— Elder Tony was a wise man. There's a difference. A great person leaves behind holes in reality—gaps so deep that it may take generations to fill them. Their presence, their work, their impact shifts the world around them in such a way that when they are gone, the absence is felt profoundly. A wise person also leaves holes in reality. But they do something more. They prepare others to fill those...

Unleashing the Power of Determined Faith: Your Path to Self-Mastery

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  In the vibrant tapestry of African wisdom, there's a compelling proverb that says, "He who fears the sun will not become chief." This proverb is a profound testament to the transformative power of faith and determination. What does this proverb mean, and how does it relate to the concept we're exploring today - "Determined Faith"? At the heart of it, the proverb suggests that fear and hesitation can prevent us from reaching our full potential. Just as the sun is a vital source of life, so too is faith a fundamental element of our spiritual and personal growth. Yet, if we fear to embrace the warmth and energy of the sun or the power of our faith, we limit our capacity to rise to our destined leadership roles. "Determined Faith" is a potent fusion of the principles of Imani (Faith) and Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) from the Gye-Nyame Journey's Self Mastery System. Imani is a faith that extends beyond the religious realm, representing an inn...

Trusting Creativity: Unleashing the Power of Imani and Kuumba

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  Hello Tribe and extended Family! As we stand at the dawn of Imani, a day steeped in faith, trust, and belief, we are called to reflect on the Gye-Nyame Tribe Self Mastery System's principles. Imani symbolizes the trust we embed in ourselves, in our community, and in our collective journey towards growth and transformation. This trust serves as a beacon, guiding us through life's complex labyrinth of challenges and opportunities. Imani isn't a dormant principle. It is active, dynamic, and transformative. Think about the placebo effect, a fascinating phenomenon in the world of medicine. Imagine a person feeling tangible health improvements, simply because they believe they're receiving a healing treatment. This phenomenon underscores the mind's power to influence our physical reality and speaks volumes about belief and trust's potency. This year, we dedicate not only this week but the entire year to Imani. As the seventh year in our cycle, the significance of th...

Curse of Fortuna part 1- short fictional tale

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My father was a different type of dude. He often referred to stories to teach me important life lessons, many of them I didn't understand until after he passed away. This story is one of those, and has proven to be the best so far. On my 18th birthday my father did not show up for my birthday party, but instead asked me to meet him at a coffee shop the day after. Being upset about him missing another major event in my life I showed up with an attitude. When I entered the coffee shop he was sitting at a table alone drinking and reading a book. I approached the table and took a seat, but he didn't immediately notice me. I sat quietly brooding, planning my verbal assault on this man that I felt never really paid any attention to me. Finally looking up at me, and smiling. " I'm glad you came, happy belated birthday." He said reaching his hand out in a gesture of peace. I shook his hand and for some reason my anger subsided, and he began to giggle. "Your 18 y...

On Purpose

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Stop surviving and start living. falling from one event to the other. Allowing outsiders to determine where you go, and what you become. Find your purpose and be on it.

Setting Fire

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This one was inspired by a Nordic Myth. I was recently listening to some book by an author by the name of Neil Gaiman. The titles in the order of my reading were Anasi Boys, which was so good that I decided to purchase American Gods. This was an excellent listen. Now to the picture, in American Gods, one of the lead characters was name Wednesday, and as you read you found out that he was Odin. In the story Odin was described as a god that "Sacrificed himself, to Himself", and I like that Idea and it sparked this thought that hit me at 2:49 am 10-27-14... Here you go: