Step outside of racism's box

For many years something that has been a passion of mine is the topic of race.  If you have brown skin, and I have white skin we should not be friends or in a relationship.  I often wondered how does any of this make sence. The only race is the human race.  Many years have went by and things once seem to be going in the right direction.  Now it seems after recent events of cops doing dumb things and people reacting in an even dumber way we have now been set back.  I feel there is no reason for racism to exist.  We are all people that should be able to coexist together.   The problem is no one wants to play by the rules of life.  Meaning if you steal you go to jail if you kill you go to jail etc.

This world is full of people that think they can do whatever they want with no repercussion.  These rules were put in place to protect us from bad things.  However some people think, oh the white man don't want me to come up, oh the white man is the reason I do not have a job.  How about educate yourselves, pull up your pants and comb your hair.  I am a black man that will never stop educating myself.  I have dreads and still do not get categorized as a thug, why because I carry myself well.  I have people all the time asking me how to change their lives, and most of them are white.  I know racism happens everyday everywhere, but I feel black people make themselves a target.  How can you rob a store, point a gun at a man that is suppose to protect the community (black or white) and not expect to get shot.  At the end of the day if I am a cop and swore to protect, and you pointed a gun at me your going to die.  The reason is if you feel you can point a gun at a cop and get away with it, you will feel you can do it to anyone.

For every cause, there is an effect.  But it starts at home.  People we have to teach our kids to respect authority.  Black people we have to teach our children to respect others.  I do not expect everyone to understand what I am trying to say because lets face it, a lot of black people are ghetto.  But lets think about this, why do we not make education a main focus.  There are a small percent of us that will talk the talk, but when lil bonequesha come home with a "C"  we are quick to say oh that's ok at least you passed.  What the hell.  Let Billy come home with a "C" dad wants to kicks his teeth in. 

The difference is black people, a lot of us think push your kids to play sports and your set.  Other cultures know the value of knowledge.  If you make a million but not know how to make it grow for you why have it.  What I see happen all the time is people make it in football and in other things, and are broke in no time.  That means they did not have enough knowledge to know how to make what they have grow, they just knew how to as we say in the black community (ball out).  I want to see people especially black people, step out of the box.  I want to see people do the right thing, make better choices.  Remember if you want change, you have to change your household first.  This is Rodney Larkins with Soul Filled Life Step outside of racism's box.

Today is a new day

Today is a new day.  All the cares of yesterday is gone.  Do not focus on what was, focus on what is ahead.  If you were broke yesterday, what are you gonna change today so that does not happen again.  If you were sad yesterday, what are you gonna do to be happy today.  Life is all about continuous change, nothing stays the same unless you let it.

In life some times you have to have a little hope.  Will change sometimes scare you, yes of course.  Do not feel bad everyone is there at least once in their lives.  We can all learn from each other no man can answer everything.  Lets start by looking in the mirror and truly being honest about what it is you wish to change.  Then I want you to say what it is you are gonna do to make it happen.  Then take baby steps at first till you reach the goal.

It is best to take baby steps, because when you fall you can get up quicker.  Do not be afraid to fail, it is a learning experience at first you may fail.  Do not stop moving, you will eventually succeed.  Be proud that you are taking a step to a new day in your life.  This Rodney Larkins with Soul Filled Life Today is a new day

What is Christmas to you and what are you most grateful for?

Christmas to me is all about family.  It is a time to share everlasting memories.  It is a special time to show your love ones that they mean more to you than anyone else.  It is a time of year to put aside all differences and come together.  No matter what your religion is, this time of year we can all agree it is a time for a celebration.  I am thankful for my wife and all my children.  I have 11 all together one of which died at birth and is with God but I know she watches over us.  I have two beautiful grandchildren.  I have so much to be thankful for.  I am surrounded by love.  It feels good to have this type of warmth in my life.

I love giving even more than I love receiving.  The feeling of giving is indescribable.  I love to see the smile the other person gets when I give them a present.  I gave my wife perfume makeup and a gift card to a spa, and she was so excited.  My wife got me two pair of shoes and a fishing pole which are the things I want most.  I felt happier when I saw her face.  I guess her happiness is more important to me, as it should be.  My children got to many things to name lol, but to see their little faces light up was priceless. 

I can not imagine a Christmas without my family.  Take your time out today and hug and kiss you love one.  Enjoy your blessed day.  Embrace the fact that you have all that love around you, some people don't.  I pray right now that the people that do not feel loved know that someone up above cares.  If you are out there and have no one to talk to message me and I will share some of my time with you, because no one should have to be alone on Christmas.  I love you all, this is Rodney Larkins with Soul Filled Life What is Christmas to you and what are you most grateful for?

What is the true meaning of success

One may say success is defined by riches, "Money."  I say one way to define  success is being able to control your time.  Time is something in life someone can never get back, so it is more important then gold.  People in this life often seek to be rich and forget what is most important to them.  For me what is most important is family.  If I have my family I have all the riches I need.  I see people on a daily that has plenty of money, that wish they could trade it for more time with their family's because all they did was chase money.  If you have an extra moment to spend telling your love one's how you feel do so, because tomorrow is not promised.  Why is it so hard for people to say I love you and mean it?  Having good friends is another form of success.  You are who you surround yourself by.  My friends, close friends, I tell them I love them all the time.  I do not want to lose a close friend and not have said I love you.

Success is also the legacy that you leave behind, what people remember you by.  Were you a mean person, loving person, or a giving person.  All these things matter.  I think some people are unhappy, because they can not identify success in their lives.  If some people could just find their success, there would be less crime.  What would be the reason to steal if you had your own success.  It does not take  a lot of money to be happy.  It is free to take your kids to the park. It is free to go to the beach.  Take your time and find out what your success is, make a list but make sure money is not on top.
This is Rodney Larkins with Soul Filled Life What is the true meaning of success

Do not let hate take over your life

Love is a very powerful emotion.  It can make you laugh, it can make you cry.  Love can take you up and it can bring you down.  How Love is given and how it is received determines the way it makes you feel.  The flip side emotion is called "Hate."  Hate is just as a powerful emotion as love.  The difference is, when someone feels hate in their heart for someone or something it consumes them quickly.  When hate comes along, it will not allow you to sleep or eat without thinking of the thing or person you hate.  What does hate really do for your life?  Hate can make you sick, hate can make you want to kill steel and destroy.  Hate does not feel good in any way shape or form.  So why is it that people are able to allow themselves to feel this way?  There are many reasons that can cause hate.  One is jealousy, when people are jealous they will hate you.  Fear is another, people hate what they fear.

Hate can be crushed with love.  If you have a problem with someone, tell them so you can solve the issue.  There is no reason to hold hate in your heart, it is bad karma.  I am sure there are some people that hate you, but be a breath of fresh air to your life by loving them anyway.  You do not have to be best friends, but concentrate  on you.  How you feel inside is what matters.  I have plenty of people in my life that if I were a hateful person then I could hate them, but my life is all about love.  I show love to people everyday, even people I do not know.  I will give my last if I know that I can be a blessing to that person.

I guess I am one of those people that want to change the world.  I hope one day I can rub off on at least 10,000 people.  I do not know why but that is my number.  What is your number?  Do not waist your time hating, because trust me in the end you will love again.  Why hate all your life, and never have a chance to love.  When I say love, I mean the whole world like Jesus does.  The kind of love that people remember.  I would love to hear from someone out there, about what love is to you.  This is Rodney Larkins with Soul filled life,  do not let hate take over your life.

Be careful who you trust your heart with

When you start to date a person, you should know within the first month rather or not you want to
spend the rest of your life with that person.  The problem is people tend to have second thoughts
about what their gut is telling them.  If your gut says run, it might be a good idea to do so.  If you take this person around your family and they can not get along with anyone, that may be a sign.  If this person tend to not take calls while around you, it may mean your not the only one.  If the person really does not want to be seen in public with you, you may not be the only one.  If you are with a person that has no true interest in the things you like that may not be the person for you.

 If you are with a violent person they are definitely not for you.  Do not short change yourself with being with the person that is not for you.  Never settle for second best.  You only have one life to live, find that one true love.  How to find out if that person is for you?  One of the big ways to find out is put it all on the table right away.  If you want a big family say it up front, and if the person does not respond well do not waste your time.  It is a known fact that if something goes wrong, you will be the one to blame because you knew that person really did not agree to children.

 Do not allow yourself to fall in love with the wrong person.  That is hard sometimes not to do, but follow the signs and you will be ok.  If you just happen to end up with the person that is absolutely wrong for you, do not put your all into staying because that person will take advantage of you.  It is hard to see your way out of a bad situation, I know I have been there.  But you have to do what you can to make it out.  Get counseling, talk to people that you can trust; such as a pastor of your church a friend.  When you have fallen for that person yes it will be hard to walk away, but remember you will be ok.  Life will continue to go on, if you let it.

Life is crazy sometime.  You think when you find that special someone that life will be easy, wrong.  Life gets more challenging because you have found that special love.  If you have been together for a long time, but have never been through anything how do you know if and when an argument comes along you can withstand bad times.  And if you are going through something, God do not tell facebook.  Everyone that is on your page is not worthy of having your relationship business.  You have to remember there are some people that would love to be in your shoes.  Protect yourself as well as your heart.  This is Rodney Larkins with Soul Filled Life, remember be careful who you trust your heart with.

Are you happy in your life?

Are you happy in your life?  It is time to evaluate what is going wrong and what is going right.  If what is going wrong is more overpowering, then you need to make a change.  In your day to day life do people constantly give you compliments on something you do well?  If not, then why.  Not that you have to look for a persons approval, but it does show that you are shining for the world to see.  If you are not shining then what are you doing?  See everyone rather or not they know it, need some type of validation on something to feel wanted.  Happiness can be found if you let your light within shine brighter than the sun.  When you go to work, try smiling for no damn reason at all.  Try speaking to everyone even if that person hates you, who cares.  Life is to short to be unhappy, but I will tell you smiles catch quickly.  If you constantly smile, when you do have a bad day, then someone if not everyone will notice and cheer you up.  The key to being happy is to smile.  You may not believe that, but try it and see.  I see people all the time that never really smile.  How can someone help you if they do not know that there is a problem.  Life will always change and yes you do have some bad days, but dig deep smile anyway.  Here is an exercise to try.  Close your eyes and think of the funniest moment you have ever had.  Now think about trying it again.  See life is all about enjoying yourself.  Are you happy in your life?  If not smile.  This is Rodney Larkins with Soul filled Life.

God has a purpose for every man woman and child

We all have a purpose in life, we just have to find out what it is.  In life we all have some type of struggle.  No man is exempt from struggle.  There is an old saying that says "what does not kill you will only make you stronger."  It is hard to focus on what your purpose is in life when you are constantly battling with job issues, marital issues, issues with the kids etc.  You must rely on God.  In times where things are going right, rely on God.  When things are going wrong, rely on God.  The enemy knows that all of God's children has a purpose.  When the heavens and earth were created the devil was there, therefor he knows the word of God as well.  He will use the bible against you if you are not strong in your faith.  It is up to you to know the word of God.  How do you find your purpose?  That is the easy part.  If you are really good at something to the point no matter who comes in contact with your talent they love it, then that is probably your purpose or calling.  Some of us have multiple callings/purposes  because God knows you can be used to do his work in many ways.  Some people maybe able to sing.  Some people are able to minister God's word.  Some people minister God's word while singing.  There are people that are good fixing cars.  It is easy to find out what your purpose is, are you going to walk in its' light and take your place in greatness?  This is Rodney Larkins with Soul filled life.  We all have a purpose, will you follow God and be the person he wants you to be?