Where is your spark?

Passion - any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/passion?s=t)

It's been a while since I've been driven by passion. Seeing that passion is a powerful feeling my passion leaks out in conversations. Emotionally, I can be all over the place. If I really like something, you will know, trust me lol. But, I keep my emotions under wraps for the fact that they can make one impulsive and behave in a manner that's out of character. No one ever wants to act out of character.

While on the road to recovering my emotional wounds I felt empty. When I get inspired its very quite, almost like it's a secret now. I feel that talking about what you do and being happy about it is the same as being boastful or cocky. No one ever discussed what do to when you like what you do and you are happy about it. No one said the world would feel threatened and turn away from you. You would want to think that others want to hear the positives that are going on around them. And, it's not to say that people do not want to hear it. Maybe, some people do not know how to celebrate anything positive...

Culturally, I know who I am, where I come from and I used to know where I was going. I know what the end of the road looks like. I know where I want to be and I know what I want to overcome to get there. And just like that, I threw my reason for living on the objectives of something else. Not one time have I mentioned what I wanted. There's not too much I've ever wanted for myself. I'm used to simplicity. Just let me do as I please and I'm fine.

I used to love talking. One of my favorite things was sitting around and dissecting a topic. These days I spend time talking to myself. Why? Because what a new question came about: what happens when passion meets reality? What happens when you have all the energy in the world, yet you lack the resources? What becomes of that situation? Do you let the fire die out? Do you simply give up? Please, do tell what happens when passion meets reality?

The Search for Love, Happiness, and Satisfaction

        Throughout the human experience, we come across a variety of people. Inside of those people, exist experiences that have shaped the way in which they view the world. The same thing applies to you. We all want that one person that will love us 100%. In that journey to find the imperfect person, we must go through trials and tribulations that help us appreciate what we are looking for. When it comes to love, happiness, and satisfaction, that person manages to balance all three. Sometimes the road to each of these lanes may intertwine, while others may be off in separate directions. Within the last, few weeks I began to examine just what makes me happy, my idea of love, and what satisfies me. There are men and women out in the world that spend their entire life times trying to find people that compliment them, while others steadily bump their heads without evaluating self. In order for one to know or want love, happiness, and satisfaction, they must have a desire to seek it. From there on you study how you feel when you are in love, happy or satisfied. For me I love people, I am happy helping people, but the lengths to which I am able to help people leaves me unsatisfied.

         In no way have, I thought about bashing young men and women that have kids in their early 20’s. The only thing I stress is that parents have enough respect for them to give their kids a better future and not raise them to be passive, ignorant, and intolerant of people. I personally have suffered from loneliness. That is not something that many people would be willing to admit, but to get anywhere you have to understand where you are coming from. I say that to pose a question: is it possible that young men and women are having kids because they are not loved, unhappy, and unsatisfied? It is very possible to say the least. I see the beauty behind having children despite the economic problems of America. Children make us want to do better, and give us meaning. They fill a void of being worthy to do for someone. For starters, I am an uncle. My niece Zoe brings joy and meaning to my life. She makes me want to do more. I love my niece and I want nothing, but happiness for her, however I still suffer from loneliness. Children can do but so much, however where do we go from here?

        The search for love, happiness, and satisfaction is not limited to physical means. Drug addicts, serial killers, and even those that enslave women for money find happiness in what they do. I am not saying that these behaviors are right, but I cannot judge how another decides to seek out what makes them complete. The only thing that I am concerned with is being too comfortable. From firsthand experience, I can tell you that being comfortable can leave you stunned and immature, but for others that may not be the case. Enjoy the growth that we have been able to experience and learn from it. Think about what you really desire and get it. Wants and needs are different for everyone, but be realistic about them. For me simplicity is what makes me happy. Being able to wake up, look out the window, and stare in the sky can keep a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Above everything, do not sell yourself short from being loved, happy, or satisfied. When you travel down that lane, you are only lying to yourself. Find something to smile about in these hard times. As always, I leave you with food for thought. Open a window and let the sun shine. You deserve it J

The Lack of Understanding in our Education System

        Ok, so I have been on this tangent about learning and understanding how the world operates. With that said, I had to connect with concepts and ideas in a manner that made me laugh. Amongst the laughter, I found out that I had actually learned something. When it comes to learning humans find something to relate to one thing in order to understand another. For example, take boxing. I have spoken with my older brother about boxing, and related it to something that I could understand, which at the time was Yugioh. Later on that day, my brother and I spoke to my mother and it translated to her through cooking.

        Right now, I am taking up Mathematics and Computer Science. The level of understanding that comes along with them is a bit of common sense along with critical thinking skills. In essence, it is about problem solving. Men and women are immature in regards to prevailing through hardship to get to a desired goal. I hate the saying "eventually you'll understand". Seeing as where I am going I do not have that kind of time. I need to be able to connect the new information with something I have already mastered an understanding in. Teachers dictate the new information and do not explain it in a manner in which we will understand right off the bat. Now granted no one is built the same, however due to the nature of parents currently I feel like they do not teach their children to connect new concepts with old ones.

        I have had to sit back and connect everything with something I have already understood in order to progress further in life. Now that I know Computer Science and Mathematics involve problem solving, I look for the issues in the equation. In a sense, life is an equation that is always changing. Variables are developed and issued, and we must calculate how to continue effectively. "The Lack of Understanding in our Education System" is but a sample of the fucked up world we truly live in. Society and the education system do not want you to master being aware, communication, understanding, and being determined. These concepts lead to the "path of power" (DBZ reference). To a certain extent, Goku understood the world he lived in, however he was oblivious to the concepts the defined the world he lived in. Even I, with the knowledge that I have, am oblivious to certain things, but the beauty of it is finding those concepts.

        All of the realms inside the "Education System" involve understanding in a manner, which few can explain. America's education system uses the banking system. For a moment think about what you do when you go to a bank. If you do not have any money you cannot make a deposit or even operate with the bank. With that said, students are considered banks, and teachers are considered those who possess money. This kind of thinking plagues our education system. How can you consider a student at any age to contain nothing? Nothing can be considered as having no morals, values, and information period. Learning from the education system messes you up and makes you an ass. Then men and women of all colors, and creeds, become stigmas and count towards the prison system. Our generation and those coming after us suffer because of the blatant ignorance that is distributed.

        Please parents, peers, friends or whoever you are teach each other young and old, any and every ethnic group to understand and grow as people. We all need to be aware of the traps that life has to offer in everything that is "offered" to us. Learn to understand, and strive to be great in whatever you decide to do with your life. Understanding gives lead way to a level of knowledge that is dangerous to you IF you know how to wield it. Do not strive to be a soldier, but a warrior in life. Warriors master defending and attacking things that hurt them. Strive to master self, and you will definitely come a long way. This and other things are really, what education is about.

The Red Pill and The Blue Pill (Link Magazine Article/Issue #3)

       It has been a month already! I hope that everyone has enjoyed Black History Month. Apparently, I have been watching too many science fiction movies throughout February and came across The Matrix. While I was watching the movie, I noticed something: it covers the topic, The Red Pill and the Blue Pill. I thought it was rather odd that these things would be discussed in movies. As I continued to watch, I noticed that this movie dove into what each pill represents and from there I began to think, “Hmm, what’s up with these two?” As I began my research, I discovered that professors all over the world have discussed these two ideals. There have even been books on them. My question to the readers: Have you heard of The Red and Blue Pills, and do know what they represent? Well, have no fear; Mr. Taylor is here to help you with the answers.

        Often described in the media, these two icons have been featured in movies such as Total Recall and The Matrix. But, what do they represent? The Matrix gives an indication as to what they mean:  The red pill represents the truth or chance, while the blue pill represents the blissful ignorance that some human beings enjoy indulging in. Simply put, the world is a dangerous place, but how dangerous is determined by the individual. We have been given the opportunity to understand the world around us. When it comes to what we “believe,” that is another story. In our households, we are raised to believe certain things as truth. Consider Thanksgiving Day. Some individuals do not know that on that day the Pilgrims slaughtered Native Americans. This is the reality of Thanksgiving.

         The Matrix gives an example as to what these pills represent and illustrates them throughout the entire series. Neo (Mr. Reeves) starts and continues to ask questions throughout the entire movie. Our lives are plagued by questions, which we try to answer during our lifetime. Who, what, where, when, why, and how are examples of these questions. I have found myself asking, “why am here? What is my purpose in life?” By “seeing how far the rabbit hole goes,” we push ourselves against the norms of society and find another way. People who are looked at as different or innovative are the consumers of The Red Pill. They want to see what is going to happen if they decide on this path or test the waters. Scientists do it all the time. People who decide to consume the red pill create all of the businesses, gadgets, and books around us.

        Now I am not here to say that The Red Pill is always good. We have our moments where we want or need to be ignorant to the things that go on around us. Realizing just how messed up something is may be tough to deal with. If Americans had the chance to know the foundation of their country and what it was built on, do you think they would care or want to know? That is for you to answer yourself. Wishing to know and wishing not to know represents The Red and Blue Pill. Even within all this symbolism, we are here to make decisions. There is a part in the first Matrix movie where the traitor, Cypher, states, “if I knew what the situation was I would have told Morpheus to shove that pill up his ass”. That sentence is a little extreme to say the least, but nonetheless reasonable. The man wanted to live a comfortable life without stress.

        The outcome is based on the input, but even along those lines, life has a way of placing us where we need to be. Blissful ignorance is not a delicacy that needs to be consumed on a daily basis. Keeping it real with yourself allows you to understand what is going on in the world as well as within you. Why sugar coat the truth? Some people just do not have the capacity to deal with everything at 100 percent, which is understandable. Nonetheless, ignorance makes people happy. Who are we to say who should not be ignorant? Times are hard, and yes, many people just want to have fun. People all over the world take chances and have times when they are ignorant. However, my question to you is; Are there any questions or concerns that you have about the world, and have you gone about getting those answers? That is for you to decide, readers.

       Mr. Bryan Taylor is a red pill. I have gone out on faith and it has taken me a long way. I have had the chance to write, and allow others to read what I have to say. My articles are based on research and from there I shape my opinions. I want my readers to not only challenge themselves, but challenge me as well. I am not a know-it-all, and I am learning about the world around me right along with you. Until the next issue, please take something back with you. I want to know what my readers have to say. If there are any questions, comments, ideas, or anything please feel free to contact me on FB: B Ra Carter, email: B.Ra19150@gmail.com or twitter @B_Ra215.

Dear Summer... (Link Magazine Issue/Article 4)

        This summer has really been something. With the weather reaching over 100 degrees, it is no wonder that no one has walked the streets, and the evening weather has not been helping. Nonetheless, I hope that everyone has found ways to cope with this intense heat, and remember to keep your water intake up. If you were able, I hope that you celebrated the fourth of July. The Parkway in downtown Philadelphia was really something to look at with all the fireworks working their magic in the night sky. While I was checking out the fireworks, they began to speak to me. I know what you are thinking “fireworks speaking to you?” What I mean is that they stood out individually. I looked at how they all stood out and came together as a showcase of fireworks. To a certain extent, people are explosive. Our individuality speaks for itself. Some of us live on as a legacy, while others fall to the side and just become foot notes in someone’s memory.

         Something I have observed among people is that when the summer or spring comes around people are more motivated to get things done or that is when they begin to dream. The summer brings about growth, but moreover physical growth (from what I have overheard). How can one use the same energy presented during the spring and summer seasons throughout the year? It is safe to assume that the weather plays a factor in the mindsets of humans. If the weather is applicable for going outside then humans will become mobile, but if not then we cling to the house. Even there we can grow as people. Through the summer I have read, traveled, talked, and researched different topics. Not just with the summer, but also our time is what we make it. We as people need to learn to grow all year around. That is not to say that some of us do not grow, however evolution is inevitable. Evolutions comes about through motivation, determination and lastly potential.

        For a moment, think about what gives people the power to do whatever they want. When you wake up in the morning are you motivated, and if so by what? This question plagues the minds of some, while others disregard them. There are multiple answers to these questions, but for one it is potential. Let us see what the great sage of words Webster has to say about potential: existing in possibility; capable of development into actuality. Potential is what gives human beings the power to surpass anything that we want to do or be. Imagine being a firecracker. Think about rising into the air to explode and display who you are for a few moments. At that time, the world sees' you for who you are, whether it is good, bad, or indifferent. Like all things in life, we will not last forever, but our legacy will live on. We give ourselves meaning through our actions and experiences. We hold these things dear once we rest our eyes to sleep at night.

        The summer is about having fun, sharing experiences, and yes growth. All year around, we grow as men and women of the future, but most of our growing experiences happen when the weather breaks. Use the brightness of the sun, the warmth of the air, and the passion of the temperatures to rocket yourself to the next level of who you are. Do not wait for the summer to decide to get in shape or read. Get fit and read all year around. Broaden your horizons through your experiences. Allow yourself to mature that firecracker you dared to be. Use the potential that life has given us to become whatever you want.

        For some, the summer is about aspirations and dreams. Feelings stir in the soul when one speaks about the summer or spring. You just want to get things done. Spring cleaning, getting in shape and getting a car are signs that you want something. Use that same energy to build a constructive future for yourself. Allow those same feelings to brew all year around, and best believe you will feel better about the direction you are moving in. As always, please feel free to debate, talk, or argue me down about anything. My words are not absolute, and I am just presenting some food for thought. If you choose not to eat, then I will go back to prepare a better dish. Feel free to contact me via FB: B Ra UncannyCatalyst Carter, Twitter @B_Ra215, or email B.Ra19150@gmail.com. I look forward to the next issue, and we have major improvements with the Link Magazine team. Stay tuned to the coming updates as we display our growth! BE READY FOR ISSUE/ARTICLE 5!

Understanding – A Forgotten Art

Original Date Written: Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 1:13am

        This note is for all those that are willing to understand other people and compromise with them (when necessary). Just looking at the young men and women of today, I can see that most of them do not know how to have a real conversation. A conversation can sometimes consist of being Question/Answer and allowing the conversation to flow from there. General interests are discussed about varying topics from music, art, clothing, family, even life situations (i.e. What if). This is how people learn to understand one another, how much the other person knows about his or herself, and how much you know about yourself. Conversations like these can be uncomfortable for some people as they realize they do not know who they are.

        From what I can see, most relationships today considering men and women of my age are based on the physical. Some men what to be seen with a particular girl, while some women want to be seen with a particular man. In turn, people get hurt, babies are born, and they have to live with those life decisions. All this can be avoided by actually talking and learning the person, you are involved with. I am not saying be lovely dovey and soft all day, but can I just understand your POV. I want to know the person I may be sticking my dick into if I am a guy, or allowing to come into me if I am a girl. It has not been looked at from this view, but it should be. How do you allow another person to have a piece of your spirit when you do not “know” him or her? Having unprotected sex with a person can have life-altering effects.

        Honestly, I believe that men and women who engage in relationships who heavily consider the physical are shallow and have nothing to offer. Again, this is my opinion. Men play the game because they do not want to be seen as soft, while women begin to play the game because they do not want to be hurt. Women who actually care have their hearts hardened by asshole men. In turn the good men who are out there have a harder time because they have to "soften" women up and show them that there are still good men in the world. Women do the same thing too. Women will damage men because they have been damaged which in turn created these cold hearted and lack of understanding relationships.

        You are not going to die if you have a conversation with a person about who they are or what they are interests are. A good relationship needs communication now only with the person you are with, but with yourself. I know who I am. I know what I want. Men and women who "Play the game" need to understand that talking is a vital part of being human. Communication is the key to everything in life. Miscommunication is the lack of understanding. There is no way that a man or woman should be with a person and not know their prior history of relationships or anything of that matter. These things need to be discussed. Why the relationship ended the way it did, what do you find attractive about a person and general interest.

I hope and pray that the people that read this take something back and can actually relate to what I am trying to say. If anyone can please refer them to this note.

The Understandings of Love

          When a person loves it may look as if they are crazy. Bending ass backwards, taking shit, and doing things out of the ordinary. Things like this is what makes love confusing, great, bananas, heartbreaking, and enjoyable. Some ppl love the struggle of love. Love has so many extremes that its hard to see that a person is in it. 2 ppl may always be at each others throat, but thats a reflection of their love. YOU may not understand it, but everyone is unique in their own right. What makes YOU the official definition dictator of words? Through my hardships of life I have come to understand that it's only my definition of what I believe that matters. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however you have to be able to hold your own and develop YOUR definition of love, self, know what it does to you and determine who you will allow to experience the love that you give out to the world. Everyone is carving out their own existence. Everyone has their personal view of the world. Your love will not be compatible will everyone. This is something that we all must learn to except. Understanding is what makes ppl grow, and learn. The lack of understanding only allows for ignorance to bloom in the hearts of ppl who don't want to know.


          My personal definition of love is: Caring about a person, wanting the best for them, and TRULY understanding the connection you share with that person. Not wishing harm unto them, and giving the level of commitment that is needed to maintain the relationship with that person.

         This isnt a definition for ppl who are in bf/gf relationships, but any relationship. I can say that I love my friends, and I care about their well being. I want great things for them now, and in the future. I want them to prevail over the struggles of life and become a better person from it. To realize their true potential is an understatement. However lol, this isn't about my definition of love rather the understandings of love and how ppl view it. Love is a variable; it's always changing because its something thats not confined to dimensions. It's a trait that all living things share, however expressed in manners in which the person or creature can only understand. THAT is what makes love everlasting and changing.

          Throughout my journey in life I can honestly say I found love 1 time. Other times I thought I was in love until I saw the difference in how hard I went for the other person. During my 21 yrs of living I have only been in love once. I have loved multiple women, but I have been in love 1 time. Still I think about the situation that I'm in and wonder "am I playing the role I'm supposed to?" "Is this how the story supposed to play out?" I can't deny how I felt before and how I feel now. Shit is still the same to me. I just put space between my emotions and tapping into them. Somewhere down the line life has in store for me the woman that I know that I'm supposed to be with. Until then i will continue to play the role that was given to me. Something has to give. In the mean time I will continue to be as productive as possible. I hope that everyone that reads this note takes something from it. I hope that this is food for your thoughts. What I speak isn't always correct in everyone's eyes and I want YOU to challenge me on my thoughts and opinions. I write because I have alot to say and I want what I keep in the back of my head to be heard. You are a great person. Wake up everyday and say that. Know that whatever situation you are in will change. Ppl make mistakes, but thats a part of being human. I slacked off for 7yrs. It's about time that I get up and become the man that I need to be. Not just for myself, but those I care about, and the future that I have decided I want to experience for myself.