BALTIMORE, MARYLAND Since our emancipation from slavery there has been this lingering question in our community, are we really free? As we look back over the past century or so my mind has debated with itself and with others as to what is happening in our lives and has life truly gotten better for us? We seem to be fighting some of the same battles that our ancestors were fighting. While technology has given us many great advancements have our minds truly progressed in the same manner? I pondered this question because there seems to be this war that has been raging both in our streets and within our minds.
This fight that we have been in has been for our minds and where we as men are going and have been struggling to get to in our society. The physical chains maybe off of our hands and feet but in some manner it still remains on our minds. Our communities are filled with such hopelessness and bitterness caused both by ourselves and others. What will it take for us as men to get our minds back and let go of the hopelessness that many of us are holding on to? While our educational system has failed and is failing this generation of men, we as the older generation of men must take our part in this responsibility of failing the next generation of men.
These young men are calling out to us on a daily basis as we see our streets are filled with killings and senseless crimes that may not be totally omitted but at
east some of them could have been prevented if we as men of faith and just men period took the time to stand up. I believe that there are 3 things that we can do in order to win the battle of freedom vs. hopelessness and get us out of the prison of our minds.
1.Change our mindset- There needs to be a fundamental change in the way that we see and think about things. The first mindset change needs to come in the way we see education. We have to know that education is not a bad word. Whether it is formal or informal education we need to know that knowledge is power. Knowledge is the key that unlocks the door to access. Knowledge/Education allows you the ability to be an entrepreneur if you choose to be one. Education/Knowledge also gives you access to opportunities and situations that you might not otherwise have access to.
Education is the one thing that can never be taken from you once you gain it. It is the great equalizer.
2.Think Progressive not Regressive- Our communities seem to be regressing instead of progressing. As men of faith we are called to infuse the positive mindset that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ walked with in his time here on earth. We should be that constant reminder of hope and encouragement to all those that we come in contact with throughout our day. My question to you as a man reading this article and reading this magazine is: what impact are you having on those in your family, in your careers, and in your community? Are you pulling or pushing people forward or are you hindering them from moving forward? Our impact, as men of faith, in others is crucial to the direction that we go in in this 21st century and beyond. The next generation of men needs to hear our voices and influence in their ears. The louder our voices the more silent the hopelessness becomes.
3.Create Your Greatness- My mantra for this year of 2016 is Move In Purpose. We as men must move in Purpose if we are going to win the battle over Hopelessness. I don’t care what your history is, you are destined for greatness!!! Your greatness is not predicated on where you have been but it is determined by where you are going. Men of faith should always be thinking that they are headed for greatness. Our men need to know that greatness is within them. We as men of faith, men in business and men of Power and Influence. We as men have to understand that there is great power in the decisions that we make. The decisions you make today will affect where you are five years from now. What are you going to do today to put you in a position to be better off later. In order for you to get out of the prison of your own mind you have to think with greatness in mind. You have to do what you have to do in order for you to get to greatness. Greatness is a mindset and a lifestyle. Many of us as men have to understand that and begin to do and not just sit back and expect things to be done for us. No one is going to give you anything Creating greatness begins with a thought and that thought becomes an idea and that idea becomes a purpose. When you find your purpose you find your GREATNESS!!!!!
If you can begin to use these 3 steps in your life you will be well on your way to building your vision that God has for you and Move In Purpose that is meant for you!!!
Leroy McKenzie, Jr.