He Said, She Said ... Truth
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"It's amazing how we sacrifice truth for convenience."
~ Leon Timbo
Freedom from Dependency
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Vulnerable
Susceptible to physical or emotional injury. Liable to succumb, as to persuasion or temptation.
Secure
Not likely to fail or give way; stable. Assured; certain. Free from fear or doubt.
We are all vulnerable, We all must also be secure. A note for you & you, you(s) know who you are.
Photo Credit: "Rule of Thirds" © chris linscott
'WHAT-A-PRINCE!!" An impromtu music review.....
/“The Stuff Of Legends"
By Lena J. Hopkins-Jackson
Before you attend a concert of ANY rock-star around long enough to live up to the term ‘legend’; you MUST realize a few things:1# They are NOT going to do every song in their music catalog, so-get-over-it and enjoy! 2#. Their fans probably resemble every, breathing thing walking the earth; as ubiquitous as water and as unique as finger-prints so the crowd itself is part of the experience!3#...and finally, whether it’s your 1st time or 100th time seeing said performer, ‘Nothing-Compares-To-A-LIVE-show”…especially with an artist who KNOWS how to give the fans their money’s worth ! With that said, I had an abso-freaking-lutely, great time at the Prince concert on Thursday March 24, 2011 in Charlotte, NC….and I recommend ALL fans , especially those who have never seen “His-Royal-Badness” in concert to see him now while he’s still in the prime of his twilight years as a performer.
Here’s why….
Well, the actual festivities began for me @ 5:45 (ahead of the 7:30 ‘shed-yule’) while still waiting in line to get into the “Time Warner Cable” arena. My dear, friend Chauncey who graciously bought both of our tickets the day they came out wanted to get there early AND she was convinced other Prince-fans would be practically sleeping outside the joint and lined-up for miles. I assured her that this was Charlotte, not Manhattan or LA, and our city is a walk-up market so folks would be buying tickets the day of and mosey-ing-on in leisurely-like.( one lady scrambled into her seat 15 minutes AFTER Prince opened…nachos & beer in tow because that’s what REALLY matters after buying $100 and-up tickets, riiiiight?) So after chatting-it up with everyone in our line within a three foot radius and snapping endless photos like European tourists; we hurried to our seats to wait for Charlotte’s own Anthony Hamilton to open the show!
The man did NOT disappoint either: clad in a dark blazer, crisp, white shirt with tie and blue-jeans (as well as his band) Anthony and his background singers resembled a sepia-version of Billy Joel mixed with some ‘Southern-Funk & Soul’. He performed with REAL musicians and his own trademark, church-choir, REAL singing pipes ( an anomaly now-a-days it seems) The crowd showed mad-love, especially his fans but to be honest I knew that as much as some of us enjoyed Mr. Hamilton’s set, there were still others who clapped the loudest AFTER he left the stage. Don’t-get-it-twisted: he was great but the die-hards were there to see “The legend”, who cares who opens?
Still, Anthony did his city proud; kudos and props to him!
After a mercifully quick, break & switch-up in sets the moment we were all waiting for…”His-Royal-Badness” took to the stage! We heard Prince before we saw him as he greeted us with a “Hello-ooo Charlotte!” and the unmistakable guitar rift from “When Doves Cry”! The audience responded with near-deafening applause and screams of ‘Iiiii-Ooooo-WAaahhh” and other indistinguishable, yelps of pleasure! Dressed in signature purple and black (the 1st of about four, dazzling costume changes including a bling-tastic gold suit) Prince turned every one in the crowd over 30 into seventeen year olds again before even reaching center stage. Blazing through his 1st set of 70s-80s medleys, “HRB” gently told his admirers this disclaimer: “If I perform every song I created that was a hit, we’ll be here all night!” Loosely translated: “Don’t-be-mad-if-I-don’t-play-YOUR-favorite-tonight,-there’s-always-the-CD-or-“Pandora Radio Station”-for that!” From snippets of “Alphabet Street” to “Darlin-Nikki” the fans new and old were certain within the 1st five minutes of a two–hour show-stoppa’ that tonight would be legendary! Indeed it was, Prince and his band took the theme of what the opening act started with and amplified it times a thousand: REAL MUSIC IN A LIVE SHOW!!! At 52 years old, “The Artist” still plays guitar, piano, sings and dances like a man half his age! From our excellent lower-level seats ( Thank-you Chauncey!)we could see not only every, funky, “James-Brown-School-Of-Dance” move he did BUT the random, bemused facial expressions he had on his beautiful, well preserved face ( good genes, y’all! I saw NO traces of “House-Of-Wax” Botox injection on that gorgeous visage!)
This is a man who LOVES his job and his fans; he was clearly having fun too and basking in it all! One of the show’s highlights came early on when he performed what was hands-down one of the night’s most memorable moments: a quick tribute to the “King-Of-Pop”, Michael Jackson! Mixing in parts of “Shake-Your-Body-Down-To-The-Ground” with “COOL” ( co-written & produced by Prince under alias “Jamie Strarr” and performed by his ‘royal-band-in-waiting’, “The Time”) Prince told the crowd “ This is my joint!”…and “I am kind of scared to sing this song!” so he let US and his background singers sing Micheal’s lyrics to HIM. For all those old-head fans who remember the ‘Prince-versus-Micheal Jackson’ beef that started in the 80’s, do note that it has been ground-up and finished as one legend paid homage to another who is sadly no longer with us.
Naturally, the audience lost it, and the generosity and greatness kept-on-a- coming!
Prince not only shouted-out local R&B station 92.7 twice but he shouted-out the WHOLE city of Charlotte for its southern-hospitality. He even sang a quick little ditty to us with simply “North Carolina” as the lyrics; proving that some artists can sing ANYTHING and people will love it! He then recognized Anthony Hamilton as continuing the legacy of REAL music and let the lime-light shine on various members of the “NPG” ( New Power Generation for newbies). ..and this MUST be mentioned: Prince had not only an almost all-female presence accompanying him on stage BUT I admire him even more for using mature, full-figured, back-up singers who brought an energy and feline-funkiness of their own! As a member of the “chunky-but-funky” tribe myself, I couldn’t help but ADORE what resembled a “Layne Bryant” runway show at times! As a sign-o-the changing times, Prince’s new band is a complete departure of the old “NPG” or “The Revolution” where most of the ladies-in-waiting on stage were below a size 8, café-au-lait or lighter, long hair and not older than 25. These women were big, bad (bald even!) and FIERCE in an un-Hollywood kinda’ way and I LOVED it!
Finally after inviting two, lucky fans on stage during a cover of ‘Play That Funk Music White Boy” ( one of which had an outfit labeled humorously by Prince as “Sesame Street”) then doing extended performances of various number 1#s such as “Controversy”, “ Nothing Compares To You” ( the beautiful, bald-headed back-up singer replaced Rosie Gaines and rocked it!) “Cream”, You Need Another Lover”, “The Beautiful Ones” and ending the set with “Purple Rain”, which as expected….brought the house down as well as purple confetti and ‘contraband’ camera-phones twinkling into the air for a perfect, near-climactic finale`.
Now the funny but sad thing towards the end was watching a few newbies leave the stadium thinking the show was over…SUCKAS! Any, self-respecting fan of a living legend musician KNOWS this: -Just because the performer says “Goodnight” doesn’t really mean its’ the end-! Presumably Prince was freshening up and relaxing below the stage while the audience gave HIM back what he deserved at this point in his over 30 year career : Screams and thunderous applause for an encore and in some cases….abject adoration!
After a twenty minute wait, he ascended back onto the stage from the hidden platform and rocked two final songs, ending with “Baby, I’m A Star” before telling us ‘Goodnight’ for real this time and like another legend, left the building.
Twenty minutes later people were still waiting in hopes that he was jiving us and would come back out to do any of the ones we didn’t hear that night..NOT!
My friend and I finally stumbled with our sore-feet and even more sore voices out of the arena; blissfully floating amongst a sea of purple wearing fans who were also utterly satisfied and exhausted from standing, dancing, House-Quake-hopping all night as well.( albeit willing to stay for another hour with Prince if permitted, I’d bet!.) It was a magical night and like the man himself……legendary.
My final words: see-the-show-if-you-can….as anybody who was there that night would tell you “Nothing Compares To Him”.
LHJ…..~NPG-fan-4-life~
... Sooooo I had to express what a great night it was; check this review out as my alias "Urban Carrie Bradshaw" and other cartoons like "Bohemian Cafe" that I'm doing on "Urban Tymes" magazine's website @ http://www.urbantymes.com/
DC Premiere of "Men Ain't Boys"
/[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOEAFggm0h0?rel=0&hd=1]
*Hosted by Producers Lamar and Ronnie Tyler*
*The Trailer received over 100K Views in it's first week!*
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=VOEAFggm0h0
Tickets: http://menaintboysdc.event brite.com/
At a time when African American men are often depicted poorly throughout mainstream media Tyler New Media breaks that trend with Men Ain't Boys.
The film offers a thought-provoking look at issues such as stereotypes surrounding manhood, the results of effective fatherhood and the requirements for maintaining lasting love, relationships and marriages. Men Ain't Boys provides a blueprint for men, women and children to learn how real men live and how real men love.
Last year we sold out 540+ seats in advance with our last film You Saved Me! This year we only have 400 seats so early purchase is suggested!
Special Offer: For a limited time buy a premiere ticket and a copy of the Men Ain't Boys DVD for only $20. DVD Prices will go up at the event!
Avalon Theatre
5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20015
Obey. Love. Serve. Excel.
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Someone special shared these words with me a few months back, I believe they were stuffed inside of her fortune cookie on the packaging of her green tea bags. {She reminded me}
How simple, perfect & profound.
I searched for the origin, didn’t find the source but determined that the phrase is a formula for devotion, not exclusive to the pursuit of God & religion. Devotion is viewed as the combination of love and dedication that motivates folk to excel.
The words by themselves have such a broad meaning but together they do create a formula. In my Savon from Love Jones voice… “Let me break it down so that it is forever & consistently broke.”
Obey.
To submit or conform in action to some guiding principle(1), impulse(2), or one's conscience(3.)
As it relates to the other words: “to hear,” “to listen.” The highest significance of its usage, however, is that of the relation of man & (wo)man to God. The first duty of love is to listen…
Love.
“And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.”
—my man, your man, Khalil Gibran I’m gay for this dude & all of his writing(s).
As it relates to the other words: Love is caring in action. Love isn't what we feel, but what we do.
Serve.
To give homage and obedience to.
“You can not live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” —John Wooden
As it relates to the other words: Service humbles us. Obedience, humility & love all begin with service.
Excel.
To surpass others or be superior in some respect or area; do extremely well.
As it relates to the other words: To do or be better; to have your obedience, love & service show in everything that you do.
You have to follow your marching orders, even when the storms come. Obey. Give of your whole self, let you heart go through the pain. When it’s done it will reveal that God’s light always shines through. Love. Hold your commitment no matter what circumstances you cross. Serve. Let “the light” shine through into all that you do. Excel.
Mr.TramueL
TramueL Truism
/Distinguish between Want(s) Something Desired & Need(s) Something Necessary
Don't get distracted by self-defeating diversions.
In RE:Trospect
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We’ve all been there; an event, a place or someone sharing a few choice words, they cause us to re:play the occurrence over & over in our heads. First thought always starts similar to this "I wish I would have responded ..." That thought never goes away. I believe we store it in our mental Rolodex so that we are able to draw on that experience in the event we find ourselves in the exact same place.This might be too much information for ya'll but it is relevant to my story. It's been a long time since I had a strong beat to step to. It started as a lack of opportunity for a dance partner who appreciated my rhythm, it has now shifted to improving my position and improving my routine before committing to a new partner. The last ten years have provided a strong beat to step to simply by turning over and giving that inviting tap & uttering those famous words "Baby? You sleep?" ... the shake & wake is no longer an option as Mr.TramueL is no longer a plus one. Music evolves over time but there is always one constant, it always provides a strong beat to step to, when the music stops you can only imagine the withdrawal your body has; lucid dreaming, thinking about dancing every two minutes and considering dance partners you would never imagine doing the two-step with. Next your mind takes you back and you start to re:member every possible dance partner you've had, wish you could have shared an experience with and then Boom! You start to visibly remember being asked to dance but didn't realize someone was trying to practice their dance moves, wanting you to elevate their feet in the air above your shoulders. This is where the phrase dancing on air gains its meaning & ya’ll know Mr.TramueL loves some feet. Judge me. That would have been a performance neither one of us would have forgotten. I Am Mr.TramueL, get like me.
re:trospect
Mr.TramueL and The TramueL Formerly Known As have been separated for a year, coincidentally almost the same length of time I've been without a dance hall queen. I've always connected with women easily, you know the BIG brother type scenario, cool to talk with, opining about life, all of it's ironic twist and how they may sometimes startle us.Side Note: I would hit. Where were we? Oh! ... I have a few girls that are friends. Platonic. So the connection I shared with "she" <--- We will use this in place of her name to protect the innocent and also me in case she ever reads my Blog. “She” and I had that type of relationship, I had been out of the game for almost 14 years so I didn’t know how to approach women or much less decipher if what "she" wanted from me involved more than talking on the phone, visiting each other or hanging out, it was all relative. I assumed she was being friendly and helping me through some things and I afforded her an opportunity as a willing conduit into the world of men.
the:chase
She: "Hey? What are you doing around five? I'm on your side of town & I thought I would stop by."
Me: "Not nothing, cool. I'm here."
She: "You have anything to drink?"
Me: "H2O & some Hi-C Fruit Punch"
She: "Boy, you so crazy! I'm talking about a real drink."
Me: "Oh, yeah I have some Vodka"
She: "Oh, okay. I really need a drink."
Me: "See you in a few"
the:scene
I'm chilling in the bedroom watching T.V. I know this seems player, however there was only one t.v. & it was in my bedroom she is sitting in a chair across from me. I'm totally oblivious to all of the signs she is displaying It is only in retrospect that I’m able to visibly replay & understand what was going on She takes her shoes off and complains about how much her feet hurt1 obvious that she wanted me to rub her feet she is looking at me like Brian if you don’t turn off that t.v., get off the bed and come get on me. I thought she was buzzed Then “she” begins to talk about dancing and things she’s never experienced, a bucket list of moves and routines no one has ever brought that level of movement to or out of her. Ding, ding, ding! Dude? Seriously? Me being naïve, I go into my spill about being passionate and demonstrative in dance, gave her all of the astrological associations of Virgo’s and dancing.
Blank stare. Blink. Blink.
the:end
I walked her to her car and she said good night.
“She” I didn’t know! Listen, listen, listen! If you’re ever on my side of town again …
Mr. “Sex is Fire, Celibacy is Water. Both can Purify” TramueL
amerie-shoe-7-1024x680
RIM To Android | Week One
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Like(s)
Customizable: I loaded a screensaver from my Desktop to the phone for use with six home screens & three docs.
Screen 1: Weather Widget
Screen 2: 4 x 4 Screen with shortcuts to apps that I frequently use. I ditched the stock icons & used a few high detail icons.
Screen 3: Power Widget (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, Data, Brightness) & Calendar Widget (Transparent)
Screen 4: People Widget 12 of my most contacted contacts
Screen 5: Twitter Widget (Transparent) Linked to Twicca Beta
Screen 6: Facebook Widget (Transparent)
Doc 1: Phone, Google Voice, Home (takes you to all apps), Gmail (Google Apps for tramuel.com) & Dolphin HD Web Browser – I can’t say enough about this browser! So check it out yourself. It has Flash on demand so Flash will not load on default. Click on the Flash area and Boom! Makes rendering the pages faster than the stock browser and the good guys at Adobe gives us Flash 10.1 Beta for free.
Doc 2: Twicca, Plume (Pro), Facebook, Bank of America, Google Reader
Doc 3: Google Search, LinkedIn (Beta) for Android, Evernote, TeamViewer (Remote control for your desktop), Youtube
HomeScreen(s)
Dolphin HD Mobile Browser
Mobile Apps
All in all I spent less than than $6.00 for two apps, Launcher Pro & Plume Pro (Although I prefer Twicca), TeamViewer offered a free non-commercial license.
DisLike(s)
No BBM
No Nike+ Support
Magic Always,
Mr.TramueL
Don’t Call, Come Get Me
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“Don’t call, come get me … “
Short Stories
Transforming, experiencing others along the way …
Friendship is rooted in L
ve. The Latin word for love is amor. The word for friend is amicus. The word for friendship is amicitia.
Self-Analysis. I recognize a lot of compulsive desires as a problem for me, these are symptoms however. The root of the problem is negative self-talk and feeling deprived. Brian often talks me into believing that I’m somehow deprived and missing out on something important. It’s very easy to throw out this emotional attachment once I make it conscious and play it forward.
Brian & Mr.TramueL need a practical modus vivendi.
Great friends exist for each other, they are demonstrative in their concern and care. We all need spiritual friendships that produce truth, fun, inspiration and most important Action.
My problems as lessons give me the experience to be that friend most times, providing the medicine of life. Recently I’ve been on the receiving end … friend(s) have listened, encouraged, prayed, acted and believed. Deep bows.
I took some credit in that last paragraph with references to me, myself & I but there is no “I” in GOD, I know it’s HIM that allows me to counsel from HIS word. Word.
“Call me when you need me … I’ll be right here”
Love & Light,
Mr. Brian “and ‘nem” TramueL
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9gekEoBDa4&w=261&h=195&hd=1]
@LeonTimbo Live Soul Session Columbus, OH
A Day In The Life Of A Tweet
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I can get up early every morning but fail to leave the house in enough time to be early for work, always rushing …
… After further analysis I’ve moved away from spending so much time cleaning “it” because “it” hasn’t been near anything in a long time and by a long time I mean a few months and by a few months I mean almost a year. Although my shower is still 30 minutes, I now concentrate on my face. Here is my logic; beauty captures attention, personality captures hearts. Science!
Face + Beauty + Heart(s) = Someone Touching “it”.
Mr. “Science is true, don’t be misled by facts” TramueL
small Words BIG Meaning
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Thank You |
You Matter |
I’m Sorry |
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I Appreciate You |
I Care |
I Admire You |
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I Love You |
You Can Do It |
I Need You |
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I’m Here For You |
I Support You |
Great Job |
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I Forgive You |
You Are Safe |
You’re Welcome |
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I Admire You |
You Can Trust Me |
You Are Beautiful |
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I Was Wrong |
I Believe In You |
I Understand
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Happy Valentine’s Day. Spread Love.
Mr. “Demonstrative in Love” TramueL
Get Like Me.
What I’ve Been Doing To Improve My Mind Body & Soul
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Release
We worry & stress ourselves to death over things that we can not control. Don’t hang on to past hurts, emotional sufferings & self-defeating behaviors. Learn to let go.
Take Action
There is more to life than just hard work. Find your passion and go after it.
Read
The Bible. “You can accomplish more in an hour with God than one lifetime without Him.” Just like studying for school, you have to engage in what you are reading. Mrs. Wingo my High School Latin teacher used to tell me the best way to learn something was to practice it. Solvo, captus factum quod studying vox of Deus.
To practice what we learn from the Bible is to live truth instead of professing it. I’m still transforming, eternal student.
Running
Right now it’s more like walk|run{ing} but I’ll get there. Advice from experienced runners that I’m following: 1Run slowly, my body has to get used to the action of running. 2Increase the incline on the treadmill {or run uphill if outside}, it strengthens your cardio-vascular fitness. Additionally, it’s easy on my knees and joints because the ground rises up to meet me.
Get like me, but do you to improve your mind, body & soul.
Mr.TramueL
Pay For Performance
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Pay for performance in theory, a great idea.
Pay for performance in reality, is anything but.
That's my two percent & here is a bonus ...
Rhythm Less Nation
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5 4 3 2 1 … I’m In Control
Control – is the ability to purposefully direct, or suppress, change.
Labor Pains (Rambling from the epidural)
As always my post are sponsored by random observations about nothing, yet everything. As I planned my return to the Blogosphere (still not ready) however part of my resolve for Two Thousand One One is to tackle procrastination & my fear of commitment. I’ve committed to posting once a week and I stated that I would return in February, so here I am. Procrastination (check), Commitment (check). Win. Win.
Any who, I thought about my Blog and the content of said Blog. I’ve observed that I tend to shy away from politics, current events and dating. I’ve found that if someone makes three consecutive guesses with respect to any of these they become an expert. I refuse to have conversations about any of these unless it’s with a Professor of Political Science, Economics, Anthropology or Halle Berry naked. Judge me.
Conversation, n. - A fair to the display of the minor mental commodities, each exhibitor being too intent upon the arrangement of his own wares to observe those of his neighbor.
Ambrose Bierce – The Devils Dictionary
People tend to be owned by their opinions. Opinion, position, both so matter of fact, so end of discussion, case closed. … I’m open. There is always more to know, more to learn & consider. I’m okay with “I’ve changed my mind”
“Mr.TramueL where are you going with this?” … I’m glad you asked.
The Baby
I take in a lot from my environment to the point I may over analyze the smallest of details. While I tend to stay away from the above mentioned it’s hard not to focus on relationships, certainly men & women but all relationships; Four Letter Word Beginning With L & Ending in E, Familial, Friendship, Work & Marriage. The women in my life, and by women I mean girlfriends, and by girlfriends I mean girls that are friends. Plutonic. They all seem to be on the same roller coaster ride with the men in their lives. One essential observation is the attempt at control displayed by both parties. That control (or lack of) gives way to power plays and power struggles.
I don’t have a solution, however those struggles can probably be attributed to some mama and daddy issues. I digress. I like to look at things holistically, if you recognize it as control or power you can use your super human power for good not evil. 1 Use power to achieve mutual goals. 2 Tune in to the power of a four letter word beginning with L and ending in E. Recognizing that neither of you want to let up your guard, you should know that defensive posturing prevents real In To Me See.
Afterbirth
Be open. Be susceptible to change.
Mr. “No one {Wo}Man should have all that Power” TramueL
The Greatest Blog Post Ever Written
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I’m Back.
The End.
A Humble Spirit
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"Strategic success is dealing with the real enemy of your purpose the soul (mind, will, intellect and emotions). Just as the strings of an instrument respond to the touch of human fingers so does your body respond to the impressions of your soul. Yes, it really does matter what you feed your soul. A humble spirit wants to change but you will only see results when one desires to change."
- A Facebook Status Update Via T. Brown
I Love Google Voice & I Love This Dude
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Fashion conscious at age seven. He saw something that he liked in a store at the mall & is now asking if I'm coming to pick him up on Wednesday (My evening off from work) because he is waiting. Lol! He volunteered me to go back and get it.
Facebook Status | Negative Things
/"Hey - If negative things continue to happen to you. Stop asking for prayer and change your own situation. Negative things continue to happen to people who are POOR decision makers. Enhancing the ability to make GREAT decisions automatically improves your outcomes. Stupidity - Let's stop it TODAY!!"
Deception About Being Deceptive
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Bad_smile-128
We deceive and then we deceive about the fact that we deceive.
True life storie(s)
Pruning and Cultivating
/The new year provide(s) truth and stimulate(s) us to become active. Resolution(s) are created and we set out to accomplish them.
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