.JPG){kind=small}
E.T.
It was good to get a chance to rap with you, even for such a short time. You seem to have your head on and to be in good spirits considering the circumstances. Sometimes we need that period of solitude in order to reflect, something that should be of our own choice rather than a mandate by outside forces. Just the same we gotta make the most of it.
I’m sure you are anxious to get out and put whatever plans you been making into play. Like I said on the phone, everything may not fall in order exactly as we plan them. But that’s life. Even and still we make some things harder than they should be. I know I don’t have to really tell you that. Anyway, things ain't that much different than when you left believe it or not. I've had a few ups and downs, nothing to the point where I’m ‘bout to buckle down and throw in the towel tho’. I’m learning to take things as they come and not be so impatient and irritable. And I realize with all the money I could possibly have or whether I’m penniless, “I AM” my own best asset. Who gonna make it happen for me if I don’t?
$”…you are the withholder of your own blessing and the administer of your own punishment… in your own hands is the balance of Heaven and Hell” ~Akil
I borrowed that quote from a powerful and knowledgeable brother/author of a couple of books I’d like you to read when you touch down. I won’t bother mentioning the titles because a lot of the joints throughout the state won’t allow them in no way lol. Just know that knowledge is most definitely key. And to know self is a must. Still, all the knowledge in the world is nothing if you cannot apply it.
I hear you’ve picked up the Bible (something you said you’d never do) lol. Well you know my position on religion. Nothing has changed in that arena. I still be who I be. However, the Bible contains a lot of priceless jewels if one knows how to read it correctly. I’ve been an avid reader of the word for quite some time now. One of the things I’ve learned, as with any other area of study, is that you must go into it with an open mind and be a diligent student. Seek to gain an understanding of it for yourself, and not just what Reverend Peabody wants you to believe it means.
If you don’t mind taking a lil’ time out to build with your ol’ bro, I’d like to share an eighth of what I’ve grasped through my personal study of the Bible. Cool? If so check it out We about to explore the Book of Proverbs chapter 1 verses one through 9.
Proverbs 1:1-9 (New International Version)
Proverbs 1
Prologue: Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-
6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline.
Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against Enticement
8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
Ok first we should understand what a proverb is don’t you think? Like I said diligence is most necessary. Especially when looking to learn and uncover truth. As a quick note it’s always good to have a few dictionaries at hand. Personally I like the college dictionaries, but unfortunately I haven’t taken time to invest in one. Aight, this is what the dictionary on my computer says:
prov·erb [pró vùrb](plural prov·erbs)
n
short well-known saying: a short well-known saying that expresses an obvious truth and often offers advice
And actually if you go down to verse 6, it basically gives you the meaning. But I wanted to sort of have an idea before starting if you already didn’t know. So we see that a proverb is just a wise saying, parable, or story that usually contains some advice or whatever.
Ok let’s take a look at verse 1:
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
It’s somewhat important to get a general understanding of what sort of dude this Solomon fellow was. If you want you can take time and read up on him if you haven’t already. But to sum it all up, he was THE most revered king throughout the whole Bible. Why else would his proverbs be published and singled out in his own book within a book? Yeah well dude was sick for real. He was most accredited for his wealth, power, and wisdom. He had the biggest concubine and the best army. He had his hang-ups and made his mistakes tho’, some very costly. In short he was the man. So that’s who authored the Book of Proverbs, so they say. And who better to take advice from? Lol
Moving on to verse 2:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
There are three key words in this verse and I’m sure they are already standing out to you right now. WISDOM, DISCIPLINE, & UNDERSTANDING. These three words should be in every person’s arsenal when looking to be successful at anything in life. Now we know that wisdom is basically having good sense and how to apply the knowledge you come across. Understanding is being able to have at least a general working knowledge of something and can actually break it down in explanation form (like how you do with your nephews about the game of football). But where does discipline come in at? Discipline is that repetition in practice that helps you with your follow through. Discipline is having control over yourself. It is the ability to focus in the mist of the utmost extremes. Something we both seem to lack at times lol. Hey! We growing tho’ right?
So if we rewrote that verse it would probably read like this:
These are wise sayings and teachings of an older cat so that we may attain the good sense and self control/focus for gaining a working knowledge of words of insight.
Basically we’ll be ready when we come across it, we’ll know how to use it, and we’ll be able to pass it along to others.
Verses 3 through 6 just reaffirms all that we just broke down. It also goes on to point out that this formula is useful no matter what stage of the game that you are in, or whatever game for that matter. So we must always be open to learning and getting guidance from those who walked before us. You don’t necessarily have to have been and met the person to seek his or her guidance and learn from them. You can do this as easily as reading an biography of a figure throughout history and see what he or she did wrong or right.
Up until this point I did my best to keep this whole study universally acceptable because I don’t know where you are at this time with the God and religion thing. I do know what we have discussed in the past and you seemed pretty receptive towards where I stood on the subject. So moving forward with an open mind, let’s examine verse 7:
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline.
A lot of people get real mystified when they hear or read “fear of the LORD”. For some reason (or I should say lack of reason), they take it as being in an almost trembling state subjected to some hovering being waiting to punish them for being bad. Lol this is too funny to me, but I’ll try to contain my laughter so that we can get downs to the bones of it.
My dictionary has a few meanings on the word fear so I chose the one that I felt was best suited for this topic:
3. reverence: respect or awe for somebody or something the fear of God
So no it’s not to be afraid of, but more to have respect for someone or something. And here’s the definition of the term respect that we will use:
2. not go against or violate something: to pay due attention to and refrain from violating something respect the law respect another's privacy 3. be considerate toward somebody or something: to show consideration or thoughtfulness in relation to somebody or something
Ok then, we are thoughtful and considerate, while paying due attention to and refrain from violating what? The LORD? What is the LORD? Again, let’s define it. This definition comes from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:
1: one having power and authority over others: a: a ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due b: one of whom a fee or estate is held in feudal tenure c: an owner of land or other real property dobsolete : the male head of a household e: husband f: one that has achieved mastery or that exercises leadership or great power in some area Of course it had more than a couple of meanings. I think this one will serve the purpose tho’. For the most part until it comes down to the hubby part lol, it uses the word “one”. Call me crazy but the only “one” that all men adhere to, willing or not, is the Universe and all its natural laws. That would be the laws of gravity, attraction, and so forth. And just to be fair we must take into account the discoveries and foundations made and laid by those who walked before us.
It says to do all this is the beginning of knowledge:
1. information in mind: general awareness or possession of information, facts, ideas, truths, or principles Her knowledge and interests are extensive. 2. specific information: clear awareness or explicit information, e.g. of a situation or fact I believe they have knowledge of the circumstances. 3. all that can be known: all the information, facts, truths, and principles learned throughout time With all our knowledge, we still haven't found a cure for the common cold. 4. learning through experience or study: familiarity or understanding gained through experience or study knowledge of nuclear physics 5. communication transmission of information: information services and the storage and transmission of information, especially within a large organization
And fools:
1. unintelligent person: somebody considered to lack good sense or judgment
To recap and pull it all together:
To have awe and respect for the natural laws, as well as the discoveries and foundations that have been laid before us is the start of learning and general awareness. Those lacking good sense dislike the application of knowledge and self control. They are more go with the flow, my way or no way types that find themselves humbled in one way or another eventually. They have no respect for the mechanics of a thing and they don’t take time out to listen or to study what has been laid out for them.
Lastly verses 8 and 9 goes on to say:
8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
When it says father’s instruction and mother’s teaching, it’s not just speaking of the ones that physically gave birth to us. Solomon was referring to all those that came before, those who have experienced and seen, the things that were in place long before we appeared. We must take it all into account in order to navigate efficiently and effectively through life. And if we do “9 They will be a garland (ornament of honor) to grace your head and a chain (jewels) to adorn your neck“. Meaning we will reap the benefits of having diligent and it will be plainly evident in our everyday lives.
“Life lends us no do-over’s. We accept the good with the bad, even within ourselves, and will that we make the most of the next opportunity.” ~Z. Palmer
I’m sure you know the guy I quoted on that one, he’s still a work in progress too. I threw that one out there just to say we’ve all made our share of mistakes, but we should learn from them and move on. The longer we stand still and dwell on those past shortcomings and whatnot the less productive we become. People can tell you all day long what and how to do something, but it’s up to you to make it happen for your self. It’s your life bro, LIVE IT OUT!!! UNRESTRICTED AND FREELY!!!!
