Man,You Need To Look Up: A Message from Author Lela Jefferson

A few months back I had the pleasure of interviewing this positive sister. Author Lela Jefferson has returned to Capricorn Groove as a guest writer blessing us brothers with some words of encouragement. 

Man, You Need To Look Up!
by Lela Jefferson

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Recently I sat down and had a conversation with one of my dear friends about Men. It was not one of those stereotypical sessions where you have two girlfriends talking about guys and dogging them out. Trust me it was far from that scenario. We spoke of how important it is for men to see God as their ultimate source for how to love others unconditionally, to forgive and forget, to trust, to be an example of integrity, knowledge, wisdom and how quite simply provide for themselves and their families.

You see, God is the ultimate provider and father; when he created Man he fashioned him after himself. Man was created because God desired to have a family/people to commune, provide for and share his abundant kingdom with. Just like God, Man has that very same desire ingrained in him; to provide for those he cares for his own family.

In order for Man to be the true provider which he was created to be he has to be whole heartily in relationship with God. Without this relationship it will be near to impossible for him to be a true sustainer. When Man begins to trust in only what he creates of his own hands and things of this earth like money he is trusting in what is temporal. God is forever and will never lose value, dry up or spoil.

If there is no consistent communication between God and Man, the seeds of confusion can be planted and quickly take root and eventually bear fruit. Fruit like fear, lack, despair, depression, anger, and desperation on the side of man. God is confident in who he is. Man on the other hand until he is rooted and ground in the knowledge of God and his love will always try to make things happen out of his own abilities which are limited.

Man should never get this reality twisted. Man did not create God, God created Man. And when he did, he did so with a purpose in mind. Man was to be fruitful and multiple on this earth. He was to further God’s kingdom until it spread across all four corners of the globe; making a perfect copy of God’s kingdom in heaven on earth. Man was created to be the steward of this planet. Yet, when he disobeyed God’s commandment and did not take responsibility for his own actions, he created a communication break down.

First, he ate from the Tree of Life that God explicitly told him not to. Then he hid from God and lastly he blamed Eve who had not been given the commandment in the first place from God to obey. Man/Adam was the one that God ultimately held responsible for following the community / Garden of Eden, his rules. Here is where fear came on the scene and Man began instead of looking up for guidance from God, he began to look down and around himself to see how he could make things happen…

Man, you need to look UP!

For more Lela Jefferson check out her sites

www.lelajefferson.com

http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

http://poetryofablackgirl.podOmatic.com

Back to School: The adventure continues

 I have been so busy this fall but hey I ain't complaining.  October was a very demanding month for me,  I had to prepare for a gospel concert, ( I had two solos), prepare my own solo set for the Sugar Bar concert,  learn my scenes for my acting class and try to maintain my A average at Berklee College of Music.   I don't know how I did it but I di it all. Everything turned out great.   I got standing ovations for my performances, great accolades  in acting class and I am maintaining my A average at Berklee.  This is what happens when you get focused and stick to you guns.  The point I am trying to make is to not get caught up in what you have to or how long it's going take to complete a task.  Don't worry yourself, don't talk about it be about and everything will be alright.

Tyrese Booted From Radio Station!

Actor and singer Tyrese Gibson was escorted off the premises of a Delaware radio station on Tuesday after speaking out against liquor stores near elementary schools.

The “Fast Five” and “Transformers” star, a guest at WJKS KISS 101.7, in Delaware said that while driving to the station he saw a liquor store operating near a public school.

I guess Tyrese offended the station when he told the DJ. “Get them cats out of here selling alcohol right across from your kids’ school, homie put the pressure on them homie. You know how to put pressure on dudes selling in your hood.”

Tyrese was asked to leave the building during the commercial break.

According to reports, the radio station owner felt the actor was “disrespecting” the Delaware community with his comments. Tyrese confirmed the incident, tweeting “I just got kicked out of a radio station from a [program director] who had a problem w/ me speaking on liquor stores that are by elementary schools in Delaware. If you don’t STAND for something.. You will damn near fall for Anything. If you don’t know WHO you are.. Or your purpose in life.. You will go your whole life with people TELLING you who you are.”

I don’t see how what he said was disrespectful, aren’t we allowed to speak our minds and have an opinion? That’s just sad and ridiculous, I take my hat off to Tyrese for not being afraid to speak his mind and tell it like it is. Good job brother.

Update on the your boy!!! My life thus far.

 Okay It's time for me to update you all on what my progress with school. I got an A in my Desktop Music Publishing class,  and I am currently kicking ass and taking names in the Future of the music business course I am taking.   Shout out to Berklee School of Music, these classes are off the hook.   Meaning they are great. Hey to all my hip folks out there do people still say off the hook or am I dating myself?  Anyway as I was saying.......  Where did I leave off.  Oh yes I was kicking ass in my music classes. Well folks  let me tell you how the acting class at Stella Alder went.  My  scene study class ended last week and I was sad to see it go.   I really learned a lot and found out a lot about myself. Who knew that  I could memorize lines so quickly?  I sure didn't. Anyway I received a lot of great feedback from my teacher and my classmates all of whom I thought were great actors.  That's not the kicker!!!! Drum roll please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    I was invited to the invitation only  Scene Study 2 class.  That's right you heard me INVITATION ONLY class.  I was so excited about that.  I must have really made a great impression on the teacher because after the invite he called me to make sure I registered.   I am ready. Look out Denzel there's a new man in town.  I know, I know, I just went too far.   Later y'all.

Please stay tuned............

To the three people that do follow this blog, I want to say thank you. I know this month I haven't been posting a lot. (or at all)  At lot of things have been going, between school, work, vacations and other news.  Please stay tuned folks because I plan to bring you some special interviews and more exciting posts.  Maybe then I can get five people to view the blog.   Peace.

True Inspiration!

 Last Monday evening I took my Scene Study acting course at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC. I must say it was very cool.  There were people for different backgrounds ages 18-40.  When the instructor asked us to introduce ourselves, I was particularly  inspired by this 20 something year old girl, who stated that every weekend she drives to New York City from her home town of Tennessee.  Yes you heard me correctly,  I said TENNESSEE.  The entire class looked at her as if she was crazy. She went on to say how the 12 hour drive allows her to focus and although it sounds crazy she believes in it so much and how acting is her passion and she will follow her dreams no matter what.

I sat there thinking about so many people that are here in New York City surrounded by all this opportunity  and ain't they ain't doing a damn thing with themselves.  Here is this girl driving alone 12 hours chasing her dream. You have to respect that.   I want to thank her for sharing  her because that motivated me to keep going after what I want.   Hopefully the 5 people that are reading this blog with be inspired too.

Take That Birthers: White House Releases Obama's Birth Certificate.

How you like me now?

The White House has released a copy of President Barack Obama’s birth certificate proving that he was born in the United States.   Now maybe all of these birther movement clowns can stop with all this foolishness and let the man do his job.

Ever since this man took office his detractors have tried to pull everything they can out of their hat to take him down.  He has been called a liar, a terrorist, a Muslim an illegal immigrant, etc.    It’s one thing to be against a person but his opponents have turned their hate into a true circus act.

My favorite line is “It’s time to take our country back.”

To that I say who are you taking the country back from?  Aren’t we all American Citizens? Didn’t American Citizens vote and put this man in the White House?   I mean people really need to it with this foolishness.   I get so tired of turning on the news and mistaking it for a Saturday Night Live Skit, people like Sarah Palin and Donald Trump continue to look foolish and are an embarrassment to the country.    I am not saying that you have to like him, I’m just saying stop with the circus acts and the comedy skits it’s truly waste of time.    The previous President ran this country into the situation that it’s in now, and our focus should be working together to get things back on track.  With the release of The President’s certificate the White House released the following statement.

“At a time of great consequence for this country when we should be debating how we win the future, reduce our deficit, deal with high gas prices, and bring stability to the Middle East, Washington, DC was once again distracted by a fake issue.  The President’s hope is that with this step we can move on to debating the bigger issues that matter to the American People and the future of the country.”

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let’s get back to business.

Back to School: The adventure continues!

As you all know I am in the Graduate program at Berklee College of Music. My Music Publishing 101 class ended last week and I gained a lot of knowledge and was sad that it had come to an end. The grades are not out yet but I was maintaining an A average throughout the 12 weeks so we shall see. Well this week the spring courses begin and I am now in my first week of Desktop Music Production. This course is teaching me how to produce music, using the programs Reason and Cakewalk. Well I opened up the Reason software today and didn't know what the hell I was doing. The damn demo started playing fast ass club track. My girl called me on the phone while I was trying to find my way around this program. She heard the thumping beat and I lied and told her it was one of my creations. LOL Before she could get excited I told it was just playing. There is no way I could have learned to make a beat that quick or that hot! I was thinking to myself. "Damn what did I just get myself into?"

But the positive side of me always comes through and instead of having a tittie attack I decided to man up and stay focused. I can't let myself get all discouraged now. I paid too much money for these damn classes and I am going to get my money's worth and then some. So I say bring on desktop production you are going down!!! LOL

That's not a friend!!

 How many of you have shared your goals and or accomplishments with someone whom you thought was a friend?  You  got all excited about that new idea you had or that opportunity that has come your way and you think to yourself.

"Hey  I feel so good, I need to share this news with my people."

You run home get on the phone or meet up with them itching to share your good news or ideas, then just like that bam they have shot you down.

"Oh you shouldn't do that."  "I would never do that." or "That's is too hard."  

A few years ago I was thinking about attending the prestigious Julliard School of music to take piano lessons.  I had planned to enroll in their evening program.  Excited about the news I told a so - called friend my plans.   Before I could complete my sentence he went on to tell how he never liked that school, how it was a waste of time and not really needed to learn how to play piano or get into the music industry.  I never said it was the only option it was just something that caught my interest. Julliard had some classes that I thought would have been cool.   

For a split second I almost let his comments get to me. Then I realized something,  he never attended the school, can't play any instruments, nor has he ever been in the music industry to know exactly what it takes to be successful in it.  

The most interesting thing that struck me was he never gave me an alternative.  He didn't like Julliard but he didn't suggest another school.  That's when it hit me, dude was a hater.  This was someone who claimed he wanted to be a lawyer but never made any attempts to go to law school.  It's one thing to give your opinion and another to just hate on a person.  I realized nothing that came out of his mouth was positive and it wasn't with just me it was with anyone who was pursuing something.   This was a perfect example of misery loving company. My advice to you is be careful who you share your dreams with, some people are not really in your corner.  When the chips are down they love you but when you show signs of greatness that's when the problems start.  Choose your friends wisely. 

I don't owe you Shhhhhh.

I will never understand why those who have contributed nothing to society feel like the world owes them everything. I have a relative who sits on his ass rent free in his mother's house and it is pissing me off. Not because he lives rent free (well maybe a little lol) but the fact that he has the biggest chip on his shoulder and is the most ungrateful son of a bitch I have ever met.  (Excuse my language)

He's upset that his life isn't where he thinks it should be he's constantly complaining how his mother does not support him and the family doesn’t care about him.  Did I mention he is living rent free in his mother's house?  How much more support do you want? Sheesh!!!  Most of us work a  nine to five and have to give most of our paycheck, to rent, bills, college tuition, food etc, and this fool is sitting his too grown ass at home rent free complaining about life.  I tried to help him find a job but his taste was too high for a person with zero experience.

He looked at me and said.  "I want to work in the big leagues like you and then I want to start my own company like P. Diddy!!" 

Does this fool not realize that it took me several years to get to the position that I am in? (I am still not rich) Does he not realize that I had part time jobs in college, worked every retail job you could name and did temp work when I graduated college?  Success does not happen overnight!!! You think P. Diddy didn't work to get where he is? Do you think he was sitting in his mother's house and Clive Davis just knocked on the door and offered him an opportunity to run and create Bad Boy Entertainment?

"Hey Puffy here's a zillion dollars go start a label!"

Hell no he worked his way from the bottom as an intern at Uptown records. He had a vision and stuck to that vision until it came true. I couldn't believe what this fool was saying to me.  How in the hell does he think he's going to make it by sitting at home watching Ellen?   One day his mother will not be there, what is going to do then?  When will people like this learn to stand on their own two feet and start contributing to society? If you don't like how things are going in your life, stop complaining and do something about it.