Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

When you walk down the sidewalk, do you acknowledge/discuss/become distraught at every piece of trash or debris you see? I don't. I see it, of course... But I walk around it, step over it or even kick it out of the way... And keep moving forward.  

When I work out, I don't get mad at the machines for causing me pain or discomfort, because I know it's necessary for me to reach my intended results.  Going to school, working towards promotions or owning businesses, taking care of a family, nurturing relationships.... All of these and more are complicated and oftentimes difficult commitments we take on REGARDLESS of the burdens that may come along with them. All because we somehow remain focused on the intended goal...degrees, large salaries, well rounded and successful children, etc.  

Treat your Life the same.  Don't focus on the woes and the blows....whether that's a situation, or a person.  Problems (including being hurt by people) are a necessary part of our existence, in order for us to grow and evolve into who God desires us to be.  

Don't allow your emotional energy to be wasted on WHAT you are going thru.  What's important is HOW and WHY you go through it.  Difficult does not equate to Impossible.  Falling down is inevitable... Staying down is Optional.

Until Next Time... D.D. Walker

Drama & Negativity: How to Disengage

For those who consistently find themselves saturated with someone else’s mess and drama...Take heed.

Life comes pre-packaged with Ups, Downs, Trials and Victories. They all come standard. What does not come standard; however, is a life manual instructing us on the best possible way to handle all of the above. (For those that may not have read the Bible) Today, we will address a simple and universal disease that infects our lives all too often. Mess.

I say, make it stop with You. DO NOT allow people to force their stagnant, negative situations on you and disrupt your peace. You have NO obligation to entertain gossip and negativity. Instead, you should focus on becoming a soothing salve to calm any hurt brought to your attention. You can only do that by completely revoking negativity from the controllable aspects of your life. Allow it NO access! Of course, we ALL will experience negative situations outside of our immediate control, but we still have the option IN those situations to control our responses TO them.

He said, She said.
When does it end?

People always want a cheerleader…someone to tell them that they are right and the rest of the world is irrevocably wrong. The problem with gathering those cheerleaders is this: People will always minimize their direct involvement in a bad situation when they relay it to others. What person will have the “back” of someone who is actually the instigator not the victim? People add to stories, subtract from them, exaggerate or outright make things up from thin air…and we ALL know this. Yet for some reason, when it’s a best friend-family member-or even an entertaining associate…we tend to forget that vital rule. We will hold onto every word that spills out of their mouths as if it was the Gospel.

I have always been a firm believer that the first one to talk (especially to outside third parties who have nothing to do with the problem itself), is usually the first one to lie. Why do you think people share negative things about a person WITH SOMEONE ELSE THAT PERSON KNOWS? Unfortunately, when a person has a “problem” with someone- they will often encourage people around them to have a problem with that person as well…especially concerning shared relationships. (family, friends, co-workers, church members, etc) Even though you cannot avoid it, you can ignore it. We, as a people, really need to work on what nonsense we allow into our personal bubble…infecting our Peace.

Whenever someone tries to pull you into a drama-filled situation, I have a very important mental process that I Strongly recommend you adopt. BEFORE you even allow yourself to comment, question, relate or form an opinion at all – Ask yourself these 4 questions and answer them HONESTLY. (don’t worry…I’ve included explanations of each question…)

1. How does this situation DIRECTLY affect me?
(If you are not involved in any fashion, it really isn’t anything you should be discussing…if you really want to be real about it.)

2. What is the REAL purpose/intent behind this information being shared with me?
(Weigh the info being shared. Is it for my benefit, or is it being shared so that I can change my opinion about another person… for a reason that has nothing to do with me directly. Are you telling me this so that I can HELP you, or so I can HATE the other person? BIG DIFFERENCE)


3. What is the TRUE character of the person telling me their situation? Based on what I have PERSONALLY seen/experienced.
(This is a given. If you know you are dealing with someone who lies, exaggerates, leaves their faults out of the equation, etc…you OBVIOUSLY may not want to take everything they say at face value and vice versa.)
4. Did the person tell me ANYTHING negative about themselves (actions, reactions, words, etc?)…or was the entire “fault” placed on the other party involved?
(Beware of ANY negative situation relayed to you…where only ONE party had anything to do with the problem. If you are listening and they do not mention one thing negative about their OWN actions/reactions… I would be very cautious about what I decided to believe.) It cannot ALWAYS be EVERYONE ELSE all the time.

How those questions are answered should directly dictate your responses. I am not telling you to be rude and not listen to a friend bearing their hearts burdens, I am simply advising you to turn on your God-given filter and activate your political correct responses. I personally recommend, “I hate that you are going through this negative situation right now, but all I can do is pray that God will work it all out the way it’s supposed to be. Stay strong and focused on the positive until everything works itself out.”

Remember, the only seeds that will take root in your Life, are the seeds you nurture.
Protect your garden and be very cautious of who you allow to poke around in it. Anyone sowing discord should have their garden privileges revoked immediately. Let them observe your beautiful harvest of peace, productivity and wisdom from a safe distance.


D.D. Walker

DeWun Music: The Man, The Music, The Movement

I introduce to you,  DeWun Music...

Off the Record:

Being the complex critic that I am, I tend to shy away from those things that fall under the category of commercially safe or unoriginal. My attention is very short-lived when I lack the right inspirations. It is a breath of fresh air to meet someone proclaiming to be an artist, and you can actually see…no feel, the confirmation of that claim. With his trendy attire, clean cut appearance and self-assured aura, you might –at first glance- mistake this Ghanaian bred artist as a performer of R&B. Perhaps that is because of the stigma that is often attached to rappers. “I would like to be a game changer and show the world a different side of urban artists”- DeWun Music . Well, consider that mission accomplished. His influential method and ingenuity speaks for itself. From the power of his individual skills to the persuasively commanding results of those talents combined, I can confidently place my Seal of Appeal on all that DeWun Music represents. You know, I can honestly say that I walked away from this interview more than pleased. I walked away Impressed. PMW’s “Off the Record” is exposing you to one of the best unsigned artists to hit localized and mainstream media. As you digest the DeWun Music breakdown, plan to become a fan.

#Trakk Season: Volume 1 RELEASED MAY 23, 2011

FREE download of the album here - http://www.mediafire.com/?0a24lfanlnsxb9n

The Man:

The young man that sat before me had a few things going for him besides the obvious. That was for certain. How would I describe him in a nutshell? A stylish persona wrapped around impressive intelligence surrounded by a humble confidence. Top all that off with one infectious smile, and you have Mr. Kwabena Owusu, aka DeWun Music. At the start of our interview, we chatted about life, listened to some tracks and briefly discussed what may or may not be the current plight of Hip Hop as it stands. I appreciated being able to hold our meeting in his studio as it was very interesting observing how he worked. You can learn a lot about a person by simply listening and watching. What did I learn? DeWun Music personifies dedication, creativity and respect for ones craft. He is an artist you can depend on to remain devoted in his commitment to Hip Hop and consistent in his contributions to the industry as a whole.

The Music:

No gimmicks. Pure Talent. That’s the truth if I ever told it. Starting off as a producer, DeWun music did not hesitate to leave his mark where ever he saw strategically fit. There is a method to the madness and you can’t help but love the end results. Holding a portfolio of over 200 original and sample free beats, DeWun Music breaks the mold of what you would expect from a “newcomer”. Hey, he’s not new to this, there is just a lot we missed. DeWun music has provided production for several well known artists across Dallas/Ft. Worth, performed in sold out venues and opened for acts such as David Banner, Paul Wall, Juvenile, Slim of 112 and several more. (DeWun Music Bio)

Check out DeWun Music representing for Ghana and the South on BET’s 106 and Park!

http://www.ourstage.com/tracks/RPTHJSNVFBHN-bet-park-

The Movement:

Take a moment to check out the following links. Become a part of Wun Nation.

Additional Artist Info

Website: www.DeWunNation.com

EPK: http://www.ourstage.com/epk/dewunmusic

Find DeWun Music:

DeWun.Music@gmail.com

www.DeWunNation.com

www.Facebook.com/DeWun

www.Twitter.com/DeWun_Music

www.Youtube.com/user/DeWunTV

To Be...or Not to Be.

Below, I have composed a relatively simple opinion piece in response to a very intriguing question one of my colleagues presented to me today. The question was- A couple dated for 5 years. The past 2 years were tragic. They separated for 2 years then became reacquainted and decided to try AGAIN. How should they approach this? Start OVER (if possible) and leave the past in the past or Pick up where they left off and try to clean a few things up? What types of obstacles will need to be dealt with?



OK, well first…I think we need ONE more clarification.


Was it a mutual decision to “Start Over”…or was it mutually decided to “Pick up where they left off.” There is a big difference between the two. One has no obstacles to overcome while the other has plenty. Moreover, if each person is “mutually agreeing” on two different things…therein lies the base problem. Some things should remain black and white because gray areas leave too much room for error.


Breaking up means the relationship, as it was, has ended.
Making up means, you have decided to Forgive.
Forgiving means, you BURY the hatchet WITHOUT leaving the handle above ground. (This is one of my favorite phrases!)


When re-committing, some say working through past issues will strengthen the new relationship. I disagree. I believe that you should “work through” issues (reasonable ones) if you have not already ended the relationship and both parties want to make it work. However, once it’s OVER, it’s over. Now, if you choose to look past the pain and start again with the same person who caused it, whatever the offense and whoever committed it should become irrelevant. If you choose to start again, don’t do it half way. If it cannot be done baggage-free, it should not be done at all. This will save everyone, including you, unnecessary stress. Sometimes we try to preserve things that have already reached their expiration date.


Not everyone in your Life is destined to stay a Lifetime- No matter how much a person may want it to be so.
The sting of a hurtful situation always fades with time. That is when you can sometimes “sike” yourself into believing you should save what has already been dismantled. EVERY relationship has had its share of “good times” and if that was the deciding factor in holding on…well, we would never be able to let go of anyone! Every relationship, from casual to committed, is a Lesson- A progressive step towards your growth as a person. Sometimes, when a relationship concludes (no matter how messy)…The ending should not be taken as a Negative thing, but more of a Necessary one.


If you know in your heart that you cannot start over completely, do not Start Again.


Allowing issues that instigated the initial breakup to penetrate and dictate the path and progress of your “new” relationship, is the equivalent of buying a new car and replacing the parts with crap from your old one. No matter how much you repair and polish an old engine, it is STILL an old engine. You are driving around in a ride that looks GREAT on the outside, but you know its 2 miles away from a major breakdown.


You can compare it to anything that makes the point clearer for you. A game, a test, a grade-level in school, a Job, anything! All of these examples are very important things that you MUST start over from scratch if you ever LOSE, FAIL or QUIT. You can’t fail a test, then take it again with part of the answers already filled in! You fail a grade level, you have to start the entire year again...from scratch (taking the same classes, same teachers, etc.) You lose a job; you have to start over with your search and even training when you secure another one. People always want to know how to evolve and progress, but they will not acknowledge what is required to make that happen. You can not "monkey bar" life...holding onto what’s behind you while still trying to move forward. Unfortunately, everyone is different and some people like their comfort zones...no matter how chaotic they may be.


History is supposed to remain in the PAST...if not, you FORCE it to displace your Present.


We have never, in any situation, been successful at re-writing history, so why would you set yourself up for a major letdown? Of course, it is important to remember certain negative experiences because they teach you a safer way to approach the same situation in the future. You speed down a certain street and get pulled over, you will never speed down that street again. You invest time or money into something that yields no return, you will shy away from similar situations in the future. I am not telling you to act as if certain things NEVER happened- that is unrealistic. I am saying,you should not act as if they are happening right NOW. Especially if they are not.
Negative History in your Positive Present is a recipe for Future Disaster.


The point is this; You SHOULD NOT re-commit if you suffer from any issues in the past relationship that you cannot let go of completely. For most people, that will prevent a lot of naive “rekindling” from growing into a tragic inferno…consuming everything it touches.


In conclusion, although my opinions may be expressive, perhaps even assertive in delivery, they are simply that- One Woman's Opinion. Always follow your heart (giving your brain a bit of a say-so as well!) because ultimately, only YOU really knows whats best for you.


D. D. Walker


www.PenMyWorld.com


www.OriginalXpression.com  (coming soon!)

Sip of Inspiration: The Cycle

You will never experience Understanding without Communication.

Communication will never develop without Respect.

Respect is nurtured by Reciprocation. 

For you cannot expect to Receive what you are reluctant to Give.

To revolutionize what your heart Perceives,

You must be Open to Receive….and Retain.

Listen.

It all starts right there…

Step outside of what you think you already know… and just Listen.  

Evolution is Inevitable...

-Dani

The Elephant Syndrome

I had a very enlightening conversation with a dear friend of mine recently.  He opened my mind to a number of things that, I believe, started an immediate evolvement within my heart.  I was told a very interesting story about taming wild elephants.  I was captivated...because of how close to home allot of his words were hitting.  I was convicted.  So in my learning experience, I decided to share with my readers what I learned by the words that were so generously shared with me. 

The Elephant Syndrome

They have a Massive presence, Powerful and Incredibly intelligent. Yet, They say to train a wild elephant, all you have to do is place a chain around his ankle.  He will continue to try and break free until he realizes its too difficult.  He will eventually cease trying. At that time, all you have to do is put a rope around his ankle and as long as he FEELS the presence of a restraint...he wont even attempt to break free.  Some of us are like those elephants.  All it takes is experiencing a setback, a little pain, or disappointment before we lose all focus and faith in what should TRULY matter. Our Success in Life. 
Why would you choose to allow a Person, Situation or even a Current Employer to limit your movement in Life?  Why would you decide stagnation is better than evolution?  Why would you believe MAN when he says that you CANT, when the ONE WHO CREATED MAN says that you CAN?  Why are you clipping your own wings?  Figure out who you are and what you want to do with your Life, then put it into action. It wont be easy and  It wont happen overnight...but what great thing does?  Success is not only measured by what is tangible, but also by what is  psychological. Peace of mind, Confidence, Honor and Courage, Respect for self and others, Self Control...these are all measures of Internal Success that are just as important, if not more so, than anything you can accomplish physically.  You are NOT a prisoner in Life, you are a Guest....

So please Believe this if nothing else in this post hits home. , take that rope off your ankle and break free. You CAN do more.  You CAN have more.  You ARE more.  


-Dani

Stay tuned...

Got something real hot coming for you... stay tuned...




Until Next Time... D.D. Walker

Mind, Body & Soul

The Influence of my Mind is incredible.

Inconceivable how The Thought always evolves into The Tangible.

Applying dedication to the fruits of my imagination,

Persistence with a vengeance.

For Success is mine for the taking.

The Allure of my Body and the class, in which I stand,

Often brings pause to the most confident of men...

It is crucial that the Physical remain Inaccessible.

Lest you be obsessed,

With what is undoubtedly Exceptional.

My Soul radiates an authentic feel,

Captivating the curious with the refreshing appeal of Real.

The Power of its purity nurtures a protective balance.

Offering calm within chaos,

And Resolve for any challenge.

Complicated simplicity,

The beauty Of

The makings Of ….

that which is Me.

Mind, Body and Soul.

All the shades of a Divine masterpiece.

by D.D. Walker

Soul Call

Don't say you're a Christian and Proud

...until you have to repeat it out loud.

 

With Words, your love of God you exclaim.

But your Actions never support that claim...

 

Sunday morn you will tear down the altar,

confessing all your Faults and Sins.
By Friday night, you've turned Wrong into Right.

The Script flipped to "God knows what's within!"

 

"Amen and Hallelujah!", You shout when Life is Right.

But at the First sign of Trouble, Your Praise is out of sight.

 

Don't take the Word, Mix it up, Chopped and Screwed.

Only referencing the parts that don't affect what You Do.

 

Traveling in darkness on a road where Soul Growth is Dead.

If you can't serve God in Truth,

You will continue to be Mislead..... and Underfed.

 

I say this not to offend, For I too represent Imperfection.

I share this to bring Awareness

...to a Self-Inflicted Spiritual Deception.

 

If you feel Shame about The Son while living here on Earth...

You will not be claimed before His Father,

...where you Know it matters the most.

 

 

D.D. Walker

 

 

 

 

The Last Love Letter

Last Love Letter…

 

I told you I could not handle anything Love had to give.

Not Denying it or Declining it. 

I just need to Delay it…for a time in my mind when I can better Receive it.

Believe it. This is real.

 

My heart is Cracked.

So don’t Pack it full of warm promises and tender wishes pressed down and sealed with passionate kisses.

I don’t need it. I see it. But I don’t believe it.

My Body, though Willing, isn’t strong enough for the Feeling that being in love with you would Ignite.

Inside me rages a War, a Battle…this Fight.

I am losing Control of…the Safety of…What I Know of…

Or thought I Knew, Till there was You.

 

I am Sighing inside, Dying to Confide in you all the secrets of my Past.

The ones that Hold me…Grip me…Keeping me from Being me.

Nurturing the fear that nothing worth having will Last.

That Past.

 

Keeping me Cold at Night when your warm arms are around me.

Making me Fight, in Spite of your soothing presence that surrounds me.

I cant. I am not ready. This I expressed in the beginning.

My soul is in need of some heavy mending.

But its not your Duty to see Me through this Recovery.

So I send you this letter to set you Free….Do you see?

 

I will never let you Pay for Mistakes you did not Make.

You are everything I Need, just not what I can Responsibly Take.

What a man like you deserves, is more than I am able to Give.

So take your Desires and this Letter, I beg you to seek someone Better.

Go…. Love…and Live.

 

D.D. Walker

 

 

(this piece is dedicated to all those who have ever experienced any situation similar to the one described above.  Inspired from a collection of experiences gathered from both women and men alike, it is my hope that this poem encompasses a set of emotions all can relate to.  D.D.W.)