THE BILLION DOLLAR BLOG

One of the questions I ask my radio interviewees before the show is: "What would you do with a billion dollars?" The answers range from "I would buy my mother a house" to "I would feed the children in North Korea." We all might have a basic idea of what a billion dollars can do, and I'm sure most of us wouldn't mind finding out. Oprah Winfrey is actually living that experience and we're pretty much aware of some of the ways in which she's putting her money to use. Be that as it may, I believe that every one of us would be able to envision what we would do with that kind of money, so let me pontificate, in a minute, on what I foresee doing with my first  billion.

First let's bring the significance of having a billion dollars to the neighborhood. A person having that amount of money would be able to spend $1,000 an hour, every hour on the hour, for over 114 years. One could buy a total of 3,703 houses (for $270,00 each) which is an equivalent of purchasing 74 houses in each of the 50 states. An automobile aficionado could buy 20,000 motor vehicles costing $50,000 a piece. Invest that billion dollars at only 0.5% interest and one could earn hundreds of millions in the first year. That's a lot of money and it's incomprehensible to me how the U.S. government has an annual budget of almost 4 trillion, which is over 1 billion dollars a day, and still owes China and Japan over a trillion a piece. The majority of us can't even imagine what a billion dollars looks like, but I'm sure we can learn, from the mistakes of others, how not to go into debt once we get it.

What I'm going to do is to buy enough land to establish a retreat site for a yet undetermined number of families. It will be a free six month to one year program, with the option of staying indefinitely, and each family will having their own personal residence.  While residing on this site, we will all participate in growing our own crops, raising our own livestock, building and managing our own schools, hospitals, and businesses, and all within the realm of the governmental policies of that as of yet undetermined locale. All of our constituents must adhere to the tenets of our governing body, and must refrain from lying, stealing, killing, sexual misconduct, and the taking of intoxicants that lead to recklessness and irresponsibility. There will be no set religious doctrine and/or denominational adherence, yet each person must be in accordance with some set of spiritual principles that require one to treat all others with love, honor, and respect. While in residence, and/or in good standing while in abstention, all members, of every age, will jointly own every economically related component situated on the premises, and will be directly involved in all aspects of both social and governmental undertakings.

Now this probably sounds like the conversation of a Socialistic idealist, or maybe even a Utopian fanatic. Be that as it may, it's our money and that's how we gon roll unless something better comes along. Check out the future blogs, maybe a couple of the radio shows and let me know of your ideas and what your plans are looking like, and in that way you'll be kept aware of what's going on at this end.

I'll Holla…





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OUR REASON FOR RAPPING

We might not intend or even desire to be, but we are all rappers. Before DJ Kool Herc, Gil Scott-Heron rapped…and before him was the comedian Rudy Ray Moore, and others like King Pleasure who used syncopated phrases to convey a message. Grand Master Flash and others certainly helped bring it to broader recognition as an art form, but 'rapping', in its rawest form, is still the act of conveying a message. It's been around a long time and if you've ever attempted to verbally get a point across, you can consider yourself as a rapper of some sort.

I had the opportunity to interview two up and coming admitted rappers, Omar Zuhair and Zachariah Fahmi, whose intents are to share their gifts with others. They believe that the current world consciousness of greed and selfishness needs to be adjusted, and that they are agents of positive change in that arena. Each of them is talented in their own right, yet feel that working together will exponentially increase the effect they have on those whose lives they touch. These guys are 18 and 21years of age, have no agent, no manager, and no producer, and are employing their own resources to record, produce, and distribute their first recorded message at no cost to the consumer. Once this is done, they will offer affordable performances to both exhibit their talents and to spread the messages inherent in their songs. These two young men have proclaimed themselves rappers, are bound to the commitment of conveying their messages, and have each dedicated themselves to doing so in what they feel is a positive and beneficial manner.

Now for those of us who sometimes view rappers as profanity driven, thug attired conveyors of meaningless lyrical compositions; let's put our opinions aside for a moment and take a look at our role in relation to the big picture. First of all, most people on this planet are displeased with what they view as problems, and are embracing whatever provides them with a sense of peace and well being. Be it food, drugs, or some form of entertainment, we are all seeking a means for getting out of the 'mess' we too often see ourselves in. We look at rappers as purveyors of negativity, yet don't consider that they too are trying to get out of their own as well as the worldly mess most of us see ourselves in. They, for one, are using their marketable skills as a means for doing so. Isn’t it conceivable that the rest of us can at least 'rap' to one another about devising a means to help those whose intent is to help others. Doesn’t it seem only right for us to stop running from the mess we assume others are making, and participate in doing what we can to help clean it up. We can all rap so let's work on changing our lyrics from blame and condemnation to acceptance and participation. Let's start looking more at self and perhaps adjusting our attitudes in regard to how we view others.

Again, we are all rappers even if we 'ain't gettin paid'. Each and every one of us has a message, so let's start conveying messages of hope and endless possibilities whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself. It's all about intent and if we just desire that our words make a meaningful difference, they ultimately will and we can all get paid in allotments of peace, of harmony, and of love.

I'll holla…

To comment or respond click on the word comments at the bottom of the page or email me at grace.calvin187@gmail.com.

WHO ARE YOU AND WHY

Isn't it amazing how we ask younger folks what their plans are for the future and yet we reach the ages of 30 through 90 and still have no fixed idea of what we're going to do with our lives. The best answer I've heard to this date about future plans was from a retired guy. When I asked him what he was doing now that he had retired he said "I don't do anything and I don't do that till 12 noon." Well, some of us haven't accepted our lives as such, so what is it we should be doing? It's not an easy thing to figure out, let alone make manifest, but our first objective should be to prioritize our search methods and begin with at least considering two questions…"1. Who I am?" and 2. Why am I here?" Before making a decision in regard to what we're going to do, it's important that we at least have some idea of what it is we're working with.

As for me, I retired from Ford Motor company five years ago, and since that time I've worked as an 'in school suspension' facilitator at a Chicago high school, a teacher with the Chicago Public School System, and a director at the Lighthouse Youth Center. Since moving to California I've written over 40 blogs, started writing my first book, and am in my third week as a radio talk show host. Sounds busy for sure but let me assure you that my working is just one of the means I use to stay centered. Let it be known right now that from time to time I question who I really am, and I still reflect on whether I'm actually fulfilling my purpose for being here. What works for me, beside staying busy, is that I try and surround myself with those who seek and accept the truth about themselves, I try and do things that I feel contribute to the welfare of others, and I purpose to participate in moments of stillness where I can hear the voice of wisdom and truth. Don't get it twisted though, my life is not free of uncomfortable situations nor is it devoid of personal debris, but of one thing I am sure…I'm on the path and I'm experiencing the joy that's an integral part of the journey.

So who am I? I'm a manifestation of the One. Why am I here? To give of myself, however I can, for the benefit of others or who I call the 'WE'. It's a simple task, but it's not easy because I complicate it with thinking too much and dwelling too long on how I'm going to go about completing it.  However; if I've learned nothing else, I know that persistence and perseverance are the keys. This life is all about being who we are unless we find that it's hurting others. It's about continuing to do what we do until something happens or we decide to do something else. As far as I'm concerned there is no 'right' way of doing it. We each have to do what is comfortable for us and of some value to another. Who I am today is not who I was yesterday and might not be who I am tomorrow, and as you can see, what I might do can go from one extreme to another. Nonetheless; every day is the first day of my life and today is the day I'm going to be who I am, and do what I can... for the 'WE'. That 'WE' is you and it's always up to us to be who we are and to do what we do. Hopefully; in some way, even our choice to do nothing, will play a pivotal role in making manifest the purpose of the 'One'.

I'll holla.


To comment or respond click on the word comments at the bottom of the page or email me at grace.calvin187@gmail.com.

MUSIC MOVES THE UNIVERSE

Since the beginning of our existence music has always been present. What does music do? Playwright William Congreve in 

his 1697 play the 'Mourning Bride', expressed that music has a soothing effect. In the 1977 movie, 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' it was demonstrated that the sound of music could possibly initiate communication between mankind and beings from another planet. Just the other day I was on 4th Street in Long Beach and asked three students what music did for them. Jada of Long Beach College said that music was 'healing'. Eron, also of Long Beach College. said it was dependent on the situation. whether 'bumping some track music' while rolling in his car, or behind closed doors with friends listening to Erykah Badu. Ky, of Cerritos College, said that "Music connects.. all of us, around the world, in different ways." Now whether the foregoing statements are applicable to you or not…it goes without saying that music moves all of us in some form or fashion. Whether we want to turn it up, turn it down or turn it off…all music is going to elicit some type of response. It stands to reason that music is an integral part of our very existence, so the question is: What do we do with it?

My wife Nicole spoke at the TEDX conference in Costa Mesa a couple of weeks ago and said, "...we are all connected... to those outside of us, no matter how different they appear." This same mindset was resonated by our friend Ky when she commented that 'music connects'. Hopefully, it is the intent of every musician and all other purveyors of music, to connect every member of their respective audiences...one to another. Nicole continued her talk by saying, "When I forget me something really special happens." There's indeed something about music that allows you to forget everything, including yourself and whatever else might be on your mind. There's also something about music that causes you to do what I call 'Go In' and stay there until you're either distracted or ready to come out. When you're listening to music with others and they unawaringly 'Go In' with you... that's when the connection occurs …that's when we start feeling that 'something really special' is taking place.

Once I really started enjoying life, my appreciation for the arts escalated, and my connection to others, through music, reached an all time high. Communication, in any form, is the one medium that allows us to maximally connect. Whether it be through verbal or written conversation; visual arts or musical performances; communication is a viable means of reconciling with self and interacting with others. The intent of course, no matter how we go about implementing it, is for all of us to recognize and accept our 'Oneness'. I'm at a place now where I love life and live it to the fullest. Sharing this passion with others is what I do, and until I learn how to play my guitar well enough to perform, running my mouth is how I do it. Let it be known however, that music is just as important to me as words, and listening to others through music is a marvelous means for maintaining my connection to all of you.

Music has always been here and is here to stay…What you gon do with it?

I'll Holla.




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TO TRAIN OR TEACH...THAT IS THE QUESTION

After taking an apprenticeship test, I discovered that a major component for passing was the ability to follow directions. Years later while pursuing a degree in Community Development I was made aware that many of our aptitude tests also have this direction following component. Upon further investigation it came to my attention that civil service exams incorporate this component as well. Now there's no doubt that a professional, a student, and/or an employee's ability to follow directions is and should be a major concern. But, on the other hand, the knowledge of how well one can follow directions can lead  to the gauging of one's willingness to adhere, and allow another an opportunity to establish an undetermined amount of control over that person's life.

Since 2008 there have been discussions concerning the belief that one of the factors used in determining the number of prisons being built, is based on the number of students who can't read at a third grade level. The consensus of the penitentiary planners is that these particular students often fail to improve over time, and are most likely to drop out, do drugs, and wind up incarcerated. Call it conspiracy theory if you will, but it doesn't seem to be a coincidence that these same third grade testing results, that reflect an inability to follow directions, can play a major role in determining, at an early age, who's trainable and who's not. No worries though, because there's a place for either or.

Whether purposed or not, I see our educational systems as training rather than teaching facilities. I see our subsequent involvement in corporate and business institutions as a proliferation of the same type of training that it takes to maintain the existent hierarchical system. Now I'm not blaming administrators, teachers, professors, managers, or corporate execs because they're only doing what we are all being trained to do, and that is to adhere to the directions of the higher ups. This method of interaction, without some contribution from us, is not going to stop. Let's face it. unless one is offered an alternative way of thinking,  one is trained at an early age that there are those above us and those below us. We are taught to seek upward mobility and told that the means for doing so is to follow the direction of those in charge. Now this type of 'education' extends way beyond academia. In a word, from the class room to the board room and beyond, you either pass or you fail. It doesn't matter whether the criteria for passing is biased, unethical, or of little value to you or anybody else; you either play the game the way you're being 'taught' to play it or you get off the field.

What I suggest is that we tell our children and continually remind ourselves that the way in which we interact with one another is not always as it should be. However, our well being is contingent on recognizing the methods employed in our interactions, and figuring out how to circumvent the liabilities that these methods incur. These liabilities can range from harboring feelings of either inferiority or superiority, to creating a platform for unnecessary and aggressive competitiveness. We can play the game, but we can not afford to get caught up in it. We must not look at ourselves as being better than another, but view ourselves and everyone else as doing the best we can with what we have to work with. Until more of our schools teach us how to be critical thinkers, and how to use our individual gifts for the benefit of self and others, we must make a concerted effort to bring some much needed good to the hood.

To train is to condition/prepare; to teach is to enlighten. The world may continue to train us on how to follow rules and to do as we're told. But, at the same time, let us continue to remind each other that we each have a light and it's our obligation to let it shine so that the entire world may one day do the things that Love, not man, leads us to do.

I'll Holla.


Click here for spoken word 

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Between Storms

No matter who you are or what you do, there’s always gonna be something uncomfortable poppin up. The wonderful thing about these turmoils is that nothing lasts forever. A solution’s gonna come ya’ll, the problem is gonna be resolved at some point, and we’re gonna be blessed as a result.  All that’s good when we get to that point. However, the quandary that must be addressed is:  “What do we do in the meantime?”  If I’m in pain right now, be it mental, physical, emotional or whatever; the last thing I want to hear is “Don’t worry, it’s gon be alright.”  What I want to hear is how do I get this thing off me. Now I ain’t talking about finding comfort tomorrow, I’m talking about finding it yesterday. Well, into each life some rain must fall, so let’s see how we can go about opening an umbrella when it comes.

You’ve heard the story of the scorpion and the frog I’m sure, but allow me, if you will, an opportunity to reiterate it. There was this huge storm, you dig, and the flooding had moved the woodland creatures to the other side of the river. During the aftermath, a scorpion approaches a frog and requests that the frog allow him to hitch a ride on its back as it swims to the other side. To this request the frog responds, “If I give you a ride on my back you could sting me and I’d die.”  To which the scorpion replies, “That would be stupid on my part, because if I did that we’d both drown and I want to live. “  Reluctantly the frog gives in but, to its surprise, as soon as they touch down on the other side the scorpion stings him. The frog gasps and says, “I did what you requested, how could you sting me after what I’ve done for you?” To which the scorpion responds, “I’m a scorpion. That’s what we do.”  

The bottom line is that what happens to us is really not the heart of the matter, no matter how serious it may seem.  What is most important is how we respond to the situation that we were confronted with. You see people are going to be who they are,  and until they have a spiritual awakening of some sort, they’re going to continue to do what they do. That’s why we’re equipped with the umbrellas of patience, tolerance, and understanding so that we can open them when people who are in a storm coerce us into getting into it with them. You see, it’s only with these umbrellas that we can discern how we’re gonna get out of those storms..

Now I’m not saying that all people that have played a role in our dilemmas purposefully did so to cause us harm, nor am I saying that we’re stupid for allowing ourselves to get stung. What I am saying is that whatever comes to pass in our lives, there’s going to be some consequences, so we must prepare ourselves for the fallout. The longer we live, the more we experience the storms of life. The idea is to learn how to weather these storms. When somebody asks you to do something you don’t want to do, don’t do it. I know you love them but give them a chance to learn how to weather their own storm, and remember that you don’t have to stay in it with them to do so. If somebody accuses you of doing something that you didn’t do, or of being something or somebody you know you ain’t, don’t go back and forth with them. I know you want them to think well of you, but where they are right now, is trying to push your button cause they ain’t feeling good about themselves and their own situation. So just shut your mouth, put up your umbrella up and let them do what they do till they get tired. Don’t get mad cause they’re all up in your video. After all Froggie, you’re the one who let them in. On the other hand, if you’re playing the scorpion role right now, understand that although the story didn’t speak about what happened, we already know that other storms were on the way and that, at some point, the scorpion was definitely going to have to pay for the harm it caused and, at some point, so will you.

It’s life ya’ll and the sun shines every day despite the clouds, and the storms that follow. It’s a joy when you can see the sun, but what we need to work on is what to do when we don’t see it. We’re gonna be who we are, and we’re gonna do what we do, but let’s remember that every discomfort we experience is an opportunity to look at ourselves and possibly alter the way we look at and deal with what’s going on around us. It’s what we do during the storms that determine how much sunshine we experience between them.

I’ll holla.


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How About Some Heat…It's Getting Cold In This Piece

Facebook is an amazing communications vehicle and without it we would be hard pressed to contact our friends and relatives that we “ain’t heard from in years.” It

goes without saying that I-Pod, I-Pad, smart phones and other devices offer apps and opportunities that allow us interact with others in a multi faceted number of ways. However, my concern is that these socially oriented activities might be taking up too much of our time, and actually depriving us of well-intended, altruistic-minded  interaction.

I was in the airport the other day and took advantage of an opportunity to check out the surroundings, just to see what’s going on with the other people that we’re sharing this planet with.  Well, let me tell you. Out of the fifty or so people I visually surveyed, one adult was verbally reprimanding a child, and two others were conversing with one another. In the meantime, every other person was either LAPTOP ing, I-PAD ing, I-POD ing, or I-PHONE ing in a solitary, and seemingly “don’t mess with me” manner. Whether they were game playing, e-mailing, texting, or on the web; just about everybody present was virtually connected to some kind of electronic doohickey, and that to me was not cool.

My concern is if we will ever stop allowing technology to usurp our time, and then dictate to us what we’re going to do with it. We listen to our I-pods while ignoring the presence of others, and we text upcoming social events and our so-called personal business while at the dinner table. We Facebook happy birthdays, and we use Linked In to announce our career advancements. When, if ever, are we going to communicate in a more personal manner, and is it possible that we might even start actually talking to each other again?

When my procrastination was at its apex, my grandmother gave me a plaque that sarcastically read…”Tomorrow I’m going to get my shit together.”  Well, no one of us is promised tomorrow ya’ll, so let’s start right now and holla at each other a little more warmly. Write a letter sometime like my good friend Jean Ann who does about thirty a year. Call somebody every now and then instead of texting, and find out if you still recognize each other’s voice. Make personal contact with your family and close friends to let them know what significant changes have occurred in your life, before they hear it from somebody else who saw it on Facebook. As my mother inferred in one of her poems:

These actions give opportunity to plant a seed

A seed that will show someone we care

Then they too can plant a seed somewhere.

I know we can bless one another and be blessed ourselves if every now and again we show love through our actions, rather than sending or posting our feelings on a heartless gadget. The time to bust a move is now ya’ll, how bout it?

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