#funkyfreshray

[funkyfreshray]

Sometines, we aren't who we are supposed to be because of others...

Do you want to know what makes us different? It's not only the color of our skin. It's not only our race. It's not only our ethnicity or our culture. Can those influence us and possibly our thoughts or feelings of others? Most likely, but they shouldn't. Those arent reason to hate or judge someone. Our differences should be based on our minds and how we think. Our mind is what convinces us to act a certain way towards others. Whether it's self convincing or someone else convincing us. Let our experiences help guide us if anything, and that alone isn't definite because not all people who act or look similar think the same. Especially when it comes to acting with hate, greed, or selfishness. You are what you feel or think, and what you may be convinced of really affects how you feel because of your thinking. The one thing that we all have in common is that we are all UNIQUE. No two people are the same. Everyone's experiences vary as well as our interactions. So don't judge a culture, a race, or a group of people because of, let's say, someone's actions. Dont tie it into the culture or religion. Although it may be an influence on them, think outside the box. There are many who want to help change that negative behavior and that way of acting or thinking that a lot of us display. This is all over the country, all over the world really. It's an example we ALL need to set for each other and especially our younger generations. No one defines you. You do though. Let's help make a difference for the better. Acting like the bad, whether through revenge or frustration, makes you like those individuals spreading hatred. We are better than that. No matter who you are or where you're from. Maybe it's easier said than done, but we gotta try. Know that having fear puts us on the defense. Whoever you are fearing might be on the defense themselves because they fear for themselves. Understand we have nothing to fear but fear itself...

[funkyfreshray]

Naive? No. Compassionate? Yes.

The quiet little voices tell me things, but I don't pay them much mind. I start to wonder if they mean anything. I've heard of people being considered "off" because there are voices they hear trying to tell them what they need to do. I mean, mine doesn't tell me what to do, so I'm on! Besides, they are little voices and quiet. I realized we all have them in some way or another. Sometimes, what we feel is right is interpreted as wrong by others, but in your mind and heart, it is right.

I have an interaction with someone and someone else takes note of it and Im told I trusted too much or didnt see their intentions in asking me for assistance. The words that gets said to me, the reaction to what I respond to isn't in my favor according to others. I'm pretty much feeling as if I'm a lesser person and maybe I am the one who causes harm on myself by being too available. Maybe something I did is causing this reaction to my acts of kindness or trust. I am very careful with what I do or say because I don't want to disrespect or anger even frustrate anyone. I guess I can say I suffer from something most people describe as naive or Im described as such but I am the way I am because i want to trust and help give others a reason to be respectful towards others aswell. I really don't know if it's bad to be that way but I want to believe everyone has good in them and if someone does act or react to me negatively, i do feel I'm the problem but the little voices I spoke of earlier, do try to tell me something else. I always say I didn't mean to do or say something with bad intentions because it is true. I know that may not convince others to do the same. I do things for others without any expectations. I do good because I just want to make a difference. I realize my intentions aren't what's being considered but the problem with that is our intentions can only be seen or known by us individually. No one else knows. There's a saying, "actions speak louder that words". I believe intentions speak louder than actions and in turn, actions speak louder than words. The problem being no one sees ones true intentions. They can only assume and most of the time the assumption is a negative one. I don't like to disappoint. There's enough of that going around and I am truly trying to help make a difference at least with those around me.

Friends and family have told me that being naive is not a good thing because i tend to believe lies. I do convince myself that when bad things happen because of what someone does or says, its because they happen when good intentions go wrong. That is how I see it but my thing is if I treat most people with a lack of trust, then they may get treated in a way they don't deserve to be treated. Maybe it was a mistake or wasnt meant to end that way. I don't want to believe people are intentionally cruel. If they did something on purpose to hurt or take advantage of me, they will at least see from people like me that there is good in this world and they can change for the better and not display the worst in them towards others. It may be because of something they may have gone through, have been put through, or pretty much experienced that didnt sit well with them. I can tell you that has happened quite a lot to me but I never let that change me or affect me. My being "naive" If you will, is what helps me keep my sanity because I do believe people are good or have that potential to be. I feel good about me when I do something good for someone else. Oddly, that is when the quiet little voices take their toll. I believe most people confused compassion, understanding, sympathy, and confidence in others as being naive. The comparison is not at all the same.

Now, I do see one bad thing about being me. I do believe mostly all of what I'm told because i dont want to believe someone will lie to me for self gain since I have everyone's best interest when I tell them something or intend to do something to provide some type of assistance. I want to believe everyone has good intentions but in reality, that's not the case it seems. I trust too much and I get myself in trouble for it. It has nothing to do with experience. I feel good when I do something good for someone else knowing I'm helping them through something but I'm led to realize I'm taken advantage of somehow but still, I do feel good that I was able to provide for someone else regardless of their intentions or lying trying to get something. Believing we will all get what we deserve is what motivates me when it comes to others doing harm to someone else. Whether it's with their actions, intentions, or whatever else. Its not the lack of experience or knowledge in me as to why i do what i do or think the way i think. All I can do at that point is feel good I did for somebody but there is only so much I can do to make sure im not being misled. Even that doesn't hold me back from doing what I feel is right for others. I can put myself at risk for the sake of someone else. Being the way I am probably plays a part when it comes to the disappointment but it's the good in me that gives me comfort in doing so.

The definition of NAIVE is showing a lack of wisdom, experience, or judgement. So when someone wants to call me naive, it's an insult to me because rather than jumping out with describing me or someone like me as naive, i define it as a way of trying to insult us. No one ever asks why am I the way I am before assuming being naive or maybe they don't know what the word means and gave it their own definition. So why am I the way I am you want to ask? I won't speak for everyone else who is labeled as naive but as for me, I am compassionate, trusting, sympathetic, empathetic, and understanding. Its not a lack of experience for me. It's experiencing too many people hurting and suffering because others won't give them a chance and they can't get any help no matter how hard they are having it. Yet, I see people that don't need help, taking advantage of opportunities. As for judging, I don't judge. If someone does bad to others or voices and expresses mal intent, then yes they will be judged because knowing they want to do wrong or harm intentionally, does affect me. As for my wisdom, being able to see the smile and satisfaction from others because I didn't give up on them, is what helps provide me wisdom. I don't lack anything when it comes to being considered "naive". I have a lot of heart though and we all need more people to show compassion and understanding and help lead us to a better place. Bad experiences can cause many people to take advantage because other methods may not have worked. What's wrong with giving those opportunities. It may be wrong to others to want to do so so, but at least it's an opportunity.

The expectation of, "maybe someday I will receive the same treatment I give to others.", never crosses my mind. I dont go on living expecting something from a certain individual i helped. If they want to provide something to me, I will no doubt accept, but never expect. People sometimes would ask me, "what do you want out of this?" Or, "am I going to owe you one?" No is my answer to that. I just want to help and be available. It shows others there are good people in the world. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I will never treat someone the way I don't want to be treated. Can I be considered a yes man? I can be because I don't want to say no. Not because I feel I have to say yes. I just don't want to disappoint or reject anyone. We all need to feel some kind of hope. Is it insane to think that way? Probably but there are many that appreciate it and would. I can't let the bad paint the picture for me. It's not fair to everyone else.

I know I'm only one man compared to the world and some people may say I'm talking as if I'm going to impact so many but everything starts somewhere. Bad behavior started somewhere and it grew from there into selfishness, hatred, prejudice, greed, etc and that has grown and developed into what has turned many of us into today. I don't understand why good can't outgrow the bad. It's not like we all want to be treated with disrespect or hate. I can guarantee we all want respect and be surrounded by goodness. I believe there are many like me but might be holding back because of an experience they were faced with. That's where doubt will set in and make you think twice about wanting to help the next person or even do good by someone else. Then the question becomes, "I need to take care of me before I care for someone else." Not necessarily though...

Being naive is not intentionally trying to be a certain way. Anyone who considers themselves naive is most likely because they are called naive so we just believe it. If that's the word that describes people like us, I guess then so be it. It isnt a bad thing but for some reason it gets interpreted as unfortunate. The intention of being this way is with good intentions. I don't come out and say, "IM NAIVE!!!!" or plan it or say, "I want to be naive when I grow up." A way of being will always be translated as a negative behavior or problemsome for many but in reality, it's trying to do right by others and providing trust to others because of the compassion i want to believe most of us carry. It's not an excuse to be this way. It's a reason. Unfortunately, there are many who will take advantage of that type of behavior and they will or may get away with it, but I can only assume the risks taken without thinking about the risks we put ourselves in doesn't matter to the advantage takers because as long as they get what they are looking for, thats what matters to them. It turns them into SELFISH LIARS. Then that's who they are and spread that to others and so on. They need attention too as well as compassion and it's not sad for me to say. We all need and deserve it. We don't know what the next person has been theough in their life to want to act that way. It doesn't mean to give up on them. If that's the case, we all will eventually just give up on each other and give people more reason to describe others as naive when they just want to help somehow and not for personal gain. The negative will grow and the positive will weaken

It's hard to see the hurt one does to someone else because the feeling of getting what they were looking for is better than worrying about what was done to someone else. That worrying about someone else is what's called having compassion. I can only speak for myself but I am full of that. If you ever heard the phrase, "pay it forward." Maybe that can help some of you understand more the mind set we have or most of us do as compassionate individuals. I prefer compassionate and understanding over naive. Doing good things for others may come back you. The only difference is we do not wait for someone to "pay it forward" to us or for someone to do good for us or by us. We just do it without expectation, hoping the goodness spreads. Does it seem far fetched? Im sure it does but it doesnt hurt to want to believe I, at least, can make a difference. That is what alot of people don't agree with when it comes to being naive, I understand. I'm not naive. I'm just a compassionate, understanding, sympathetic person who believes doing good for others, whether family or not, will eventually help us change for the good.

I was speaking about intentions earlier and here is an example of you knowing your intentions of doing something and someone you're doing it for not knowing. Let's say you run into a helpless person on the street. You can say to yourself, "I want to help him or her because he or she needs to eat. Maybe even help them find a job." Or help guide them to a shelter with the location of it. Or you can help them because you feel sorry for them. You may say to yourself that those individuals don't care about anything but getting money for whatever they want like drugs, booze, or hopefully food. You're probably doing so because that's what most people are experiencing after they offer money. All I can say is keep the thought positive. No need to feel pity or do anything out of pity or not helping because youre scared of their true intentions. I'm sure some think you're doing it to actually help them because they want the opportunity. But we may want to think as long as they get it, they will do whatever with it and nothing good so maybe you won't even want to help at all. Having the right intentions, if you help, will help the cause and the purpose. Whether they notice it and do right by it is really up to them to decide to do good or not. It's up to them not you. You can only be responsible for providing them something that they can use for their benefit and needs and not for their addiction. The risk is always going to be there.

Speaking of risk, there are many risks with being "compassionate" or naive as many call it. In turn, it can and will relate with people who are considered or labeled as naive. People can sit there and make me feel guilty or bad because I may feel like I need to look out for me before I do anyone else. The guilt trip hits so hard that others get what they want from me and I lose what I need because of their selfish intentions. So my question is, is it bad to be naive or based on my definition, compassionate? Or is it bad being the person or people taking advantage of us being this way. Now that's an interesting circumstance. It almost feels as if the norm is to take advantage of others to get what you want, even what you need. It is a lot worst to be selfish, ignorant, inconsiderate, misleading, than naive, or as I define it, compassionate.

[funkyfreshray]

Once? Learn. But twice? Questions intention.

Mistakes are things that happen as an unintentional result of an attempted action that ends with an unfortunate outcome. Make a mistake once? You learn from it and know what not to do next time. Making that same mistake twice, it then becomes a choice as a motive as to why. Have compassion. No one deserves to be hurt intentionally in any way. We have a mind to think with, a heart to feel with, a conscious to help you understand right from wrong, and prayer to help you forgive. Everything happens for a reason. It's possible that there is something good to gain with our responses and actions. That's a mistake we should not afford to make. Let's not judge or label.

[funkyfreshray]

Measuring Success

Success is not measured by what you accomplish. It's how you face or deal and get past the challenges or obstacles you know are. Proving to others, and more importantly to yourself, that you can overcome these struggles against what you felt were overwhelming odds is what helps make it all possible. In the end, realizing it was all possible without doubt is what makes you successful. Have confidence in yourself and what you can potentially do...

[funkyfreshray]

Lost senses but didn't lose the reasons...

Being someone who lost his sense of taste and smell since the accident, I realized it wasn't about the taste of the food, it was and still is about remembering how it made you feel eating it because of the taste and purpose....(moms cooking, spouses cooking, even friends cooking for example, and the reasons you made a restaurant your favorite place to eat.....besides the taste 🙂)

[funkyfreshray]

"Don't play hard to get. Play hard to forget."

- Drake

[funkyfreshray]

I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, and racked with sorrow, but through it all, I still know quite certainly that to survive and be alive is a grand thing. Opportunities will always come because of life. It's up to you to see those opportunities and not blind yourself because of the grief, suffering, or misperception of the unfortunate...

[funkyfreshray]

You are not alone

Some of you believe you can fight for yourselves, even defend yourselves and need others to mind their business but when the disrespect happens in front of someone that loves you or even has compassion for you, expect them to jump in because it's only right. They are not use to that type of attack on you even though you are or may be....

[funkyfreshray]

The thought because of the song

it's not the song that makes you emotional. It's the people and things that come to your mind when you hear it that gets you a certain way...

[funkyfreshray]

[funkyfreshray]

Our life is what our thoughts make it. It's plain and simple

[funkyfreshray]

It's not about achieving a goal. It's about how you set yourself up to achieve it.

in life, it's not about the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. For example, the importance of setting a goal is not about achieving it but about the opportunity given to yourself to achieve it. Think about it. Your struggles will make you stronger and allow you to triumph. If you fight your battles with strategy and purpose and not with anger or frustration, you will overcome them. As for your goals, if you give yourself the opportunity, you will achieve them. How you deal with what you're faced with is and will be the result. Food for thought...

[funkyfreshray]

Don't ruin today with yesterdays problems. You keep looking backward, and you're bound to run into a wall or lose your balance.

[funkyfreshray]

[funkyfreshray]

Think before you act..

1) Suffer the consequences for the hurt you do to others even if done to you. Revenge is not an option. It's a choice. You have all the control to do right by them or fix it right and if you judge, don't act on judgment. If you're frustrated, don't act on the frustration.

2) forgive those that have made you suffer because of # 1.

[funkyfreshray]

Don't make mistakes. Just make it right..

To those of you who are married: In every marriage, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is continuing to find grounds for marriage. There are many excuses people can come up with for wanting a divorce. We have to find reasons to stay in marriage. Mistakes are made to learn from but not to use as an experiment. Don't make it a habit. Just make it right.