Being The Person You Truly Are Can Sometimes Be A Lonely Road (You Have to Be Willing to Walk That Road).

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Every individual is different and unique in our own right. There will never ever be a time where there are two people that are exactly alike and even if we come across people that are similar to us, there always will be something regardless of how minuscule it is that makes us different from the next person. It almost feels ironic even saying that, because it seems that the majority of people in today are constantly attempting to fit in with what everyone else is doing. It's almost like longing for attention from others is like a drug habit that an addict would have a hard time kicking. Due to the things that society deem as being normal, are most everyday people now really afraid to be themselves? Are people willing to stand firm in their beliefs, even when it means being criticized by others? This is ya boy Brad H. once again, and I'll be giving my thoughts on this topic. Welcome to another 'Brad H's. Perspective' blog posting. Thanks for giving me a few minutes of your time.

So, I'm discussing how it feels like many of us aren't willing to really be who we really are out of fear of being accepted by others, and how being who you really are can sometimes be a lonely road to travel. This is something that has been weighing on my mind quite a bit as of late, so I thought I'd spend a few moments giving my thoughts on it. Before I go any further, I want to say that what I'm discussing in this topic obviously doesn't apply to everyone. I'm very well aware that there are many people out there that are living their lives on their own terms, rather than just trying to fit in with or impress other people. Now for the most part, the majority pretty much rules in all aspects of life. Think about it for a second; the majority of us do what we can to keep up with what the majority of everyone else is doing. Instead of us taking our own stance on certain issues we care about in life, we're too busy trying to go along with the "program". Going along with the program is much easier than going against the grain right?

It's an unfortunate thing, but I think that too many of us thrive off of attention from others, which is one of the main reasons why so many of us are always trying to fit in with what everyone else is doing. Don't believe me? Look at a lot of these social networking sites for example. Many of us see the same people constantly talking themselves up and things of that nature. Much of this is nothing but blatantly obvious attempts by people to make themselves look good to others. I'm not saying that a person shouldn't be proud of anything they accomplish. However, how much attention does a person need to feel like they're part of the crowd? How far should a person go to feel accepted? What's wrong with having self-validation, instead of always looking to other people for validation? These are all questions that I've been thinking about.

I think there are two ways to look at a subject like this. If you're one of those people that is okay and comfortable with being part of what's going on with the crowd, then go right ahead and keep living that way. I personally don't see anything wrong with that if you're happy and content with being like that. On the flip side, I don't think that any individual should fake who they really are just to gain attention, or be accepted by others. One thing that a lot of people know but fail to acknowledge is that not everyone that you believe is a friend of yours really cares about you as a person. A lot of the people that you're the closet to be the same ones secretly wanting you to fail. Being a unique person that doesn't follow the crowd can be a lonely, but necessary road to travel. Is it a path that you're willing to walk?

I've stated this before, but constantly longing to be around and/or wanting to be accepted by others isn't going to make a person truly happy. Happiness has to start within you first and a person that can't be themselves, or is constantly looking to fit in with the crowd most likely isn't going to be happy if they're not being the person they truly are inside. So to sum it all up, don't be afraid to walk that potential lonely path if you're different, or some of your beliefs aren't mainstream. The people that really care about you and appreciate you will accept you for who you are. Try not to worry too much about the people that attempt to down you, or make you feel bad for being who you are. As long as you're not hurting anyone or breaking the law, be who you truly are, and don't be afraid to walk down that lonely road.

Well that's it for this week's topic on 'Brad H's. Perspective'. Thanks again to those of you that stopped through. I'll see you in the next post. Till then, everyone take care, stay up, and keep on maintaining. Peace!

Placing Limits On Yourself When Getting to Know Others(Lessons to Be Learned From Everyone We Encounter).

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I recognize that in our society today, the majority of people pay more attention to what they're able to see with their own two eyes. Most of the time, a person will look at someone that they don't know anything about, and they will automatically make assumptions about them. Is this normal? Of course it is. The majority of us judge only on what we're able to see initially. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this in my opinion, as a first impression is often what a person will be critiqued upon. However, it seems that people these days are wary of getting to know other people. When I say getting to know others, I mean really getting to know others. What up? This is ya boy Brad H., and this is another blog posting of 'Brad H's. Perspective.' Thanks for lending me your eyes and your mind for a few minutes.

Before I go any further, I have to say; Wow! It's hard to believe that November is nearly here. This year has gone by so fast, and another new year is quickly approaching. Also, Halloween is my mom's birthday, so that's always a special day. Happy Birthday Mom! Alright, so I'm back once again, and this time I'm discussing how people these days seem to put limits when it come to knowing other people. You may be asking yourself; what do you mean being afraid of getting to know other people, or putting limits? Don't we talk to and socialize with people daily? Well, yes we do. However, I think there is a difference between socializing with people, and getting to really know an individual. As I mentioned previously, it seems that people are quick to judge others without taking out the time to really get to know them. Now more than ever, it seems that people are judged strictly on their appearances, rather than the qualities they may possess inside. If a person doesn't look a certain way, some people won't even entertain talking to them. Lets get into a few examples of what I mean.

Take relationships and dating for example. The majority of us have have certain standards that we expect in someone that we're attracted to. There's normally a certain type of potential partner that we're attracted to. Whether it's their looks, financial status, or education, everyone is different when it comes to what they're attracted to. But, one thing I've noticed is that some people aren't even willing to get to know someone else, or allow someone to get to know them based on very little about who they are as a person. We instantly size up people, and tune out people that we don't deem worthy when in actuality, there may be some qualities that someone you don't think on your level possess that you may like. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to date them, but you could find yourself missing out on learning, or building a new friendship. Anybody - no matter how they dress, look, etc may have knowledge and wisdom that can maybe help you out. How can you find out if you're not willing to at least make an attempt to learn about someone else?

When I think of all this, it almost equates to putting a lid or a cap on a bottle. You've closed off anything else being let it, and anything going out as well. In my opinion, you're putting a limit on yourself when you do this, and certain aspects of life can be some much better when you don't put any limits on your mind. So how do we remedy this? Well there is no single way, but in my personal opinion, I think it's best to evaluate people on a person to person basis. We have to be willing to open our minds to other people, and not instantly assume things because of how an individual looks or dresses. Just because someone doesn't fit your view of what "normal" is, doesn't mean that you can't share interests with someone else. In some cases - not all, there is so much more to a person that meets the eye.

So to recap real quick, it can behoove us to open our minds to all kinds of people. If there's one thing that I've learned while on this Earth, is that you never know whose help you may need in this life. The ironic thing is that it's often the people that we least expect. Be willing to throw about assumptions in regards to people, and don't always be afraid to get to know someone else. You're not going to always be in tune or on the same page with everyone you meet, and some people come into our lives temporarily. However, I think there is something that can be learned from everyone we know, and there is always a lesson that comes with every meeting, and every departure as well. Lets learn to take that cap off, and remove some of those boundaries.

Well that's it for this posting of 'Brad H's. Perspective'. Thanks again for tuning in, and I'll see you in the next post. Hope everyone stays up, and continue to maintain. Peace!

You Can Always Hit the Reset Button On Your Life (Never Too Late to Change for the Better).

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If you owned a gaming system when you were a child, you more than likely remember that there were normally two main buttons on the console. There was the obvious power button to power the game on, and then there was the reset button. Remember playing a certain game and reaching to a stage that you probably had a hard time beating? Remember when you allowed that level of frustration you would feel begin to set in, and what did most of us do? Yep, we hit that reset button more than likely. I know that's something that I done a lot of back in the day.

I don't play video games much these days, but I'm sure most of the systems now still have reset buttons. So how does nostalgic video game consoles of the past relate to this post? Sometimes there are things that happen in life that may cause us to feel helpless and hopeless. Depending on the individual, troubling circumstances can lead to unhealthy things such as stress and depression - which are bad attributes that can heighten the level of despair a person can feel. Although it's not healthy, I think it's normal at times for people to feel that it's too late to change their lives for the better. You know - having that feeling that you're at the end of your rope. However, regardless what others may say, I feel that it's never too late to hit that reset button on life.

Welcome to another 'Brad H's. Perspective' blog posting. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, I think it's never too late to hit the reset button on our lives. I've been thinking about this a lot as of late. I've also been thinking about some lyrics from one of my favorite artists named K-Rino. K-Rino has a song on one of his albums called 'Everyday'. In the song, he mentions that as long as we're breathing we always got another change to make things right. Wise words by him in my opinion, and a way of thinking that we should strive for.

It is indeed true that a single moment - for better or worse, can have a lasting effect on a person's life. However, one moment doesn't have to be the determining factor in how we decide to carry on with our lives. For example, we've all made mistakes, and the majority of us have made questionable decisions in our pasts. It can be a normal occurrence if memories of mistakes and bad decisions from the past enter our minds from time to time. In some ways it's probably a good thing that those memories come. Reliving mistakes from the past can keep us from making those mistakes again in the future. That is of course if they come sporadically, and don't become time consuming.

But, do we allow those previous mistakes to keep us from moving forward? Some people do, but the majority of us don't. We adjust and make those decisions that help us to keep moving forward in our lives. Just because today, yesterday, or even days of the past weren't always the best doesn't mean that it's too late to change for the better. I think it's important that we view everyday that we wake up as an opportunity to reset and start anew.

Well that's it for this edition of 'Brad H's. Perspective'. Thanks for stopping through as always. Just to recap real quick; there's always a chance to change as long as there is breath in your lungs. Don't ever let anyone think you can't change for the better. If things aren't going all that great, take it for what it is, and just hit that reset button on your life. A new day is always a new chance to get better. See you all in the next one. Peace!

There's No Single Way to React To Facing Problems. (Weathering the Storms of Life).

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Personally, this is one of my favorite quotes from Dr. King, as I think it personifies the potential obstacles we as people are going to face in life. Hard times, struggles, difficulties, we all have faced them before, and the uncertainty of what the future possibly holds in regards to these words can be enough to create even more worry within us. Welcome to another posting of 'Brad H's. Perspective'.

How many of us are truly able to keep a smile on our face when we're facing rough times? How many of us are able to keep our heads held high through constant difficulties? There are many people that tout the importance of doing these things when we're facing trials and frustrations. However, I think it's fair to question where most of these people are at in their lives when they are saying these things. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe there's anything wrong with wanting to send positive vibes to others when they're down. But, isn't it easy for someone that is completely happy and content with their lives to tell someone else to be positive?

It is indeed true that it's not difficult to all to maintain a level of optimism and happiness when things are going good. Whenever things are going great in someone's life, they more than likely will be an overall happy individual. When someone is truly happy, the degree of happiness they feel is often clear for others to see. Whatever may be going on in someone's life - whether good or bad is often the determining factor in a person's mood and how happy or sad they will be. But what do many of us do whenever something unfortunate happens that causes our world to temporarily spin out of control? Do we always stay positive no matter what happens? Do we fold up and run from problems? Reactions vary from person to person, but the changing tides of life can be one of the dictating factors of how we feel.

A few months back, I posted a blog post about striking a balance in life. That particular post dealt with maintaining a positive mindset, but also being aware of the negative forces that life often brings. So how does the Dr. King quote, along with everything I've mentioned thus far tie in with this post? Well, I'm here to tell anyone who needs to hear it that it's okay for life to beat us down at times. No one should be made to feel that they're weak if life drags them down from time to time. We're not perfect and no matter how tough a person is, life always has a way of humbling every single one of us.

While I do think it's important to smile and keep our heads held high no matter what life brings, I also believe it's okay to allow ourselves to welcome the difficulties that life can bring. Going through tough scenarios that test what we're made of have a way of showing us new things about ourselves. They can also be a stepping stone that allows us to leap and grow to handle circumstances better in the future. That's what life is all about; growing, learning, and becoming better.

So to sum up the theme of this post, I think it's okay to allow the shortfalls of life to affect us. The important factor is that we grow from them, and not allow them to bring and keep us down completely. Always try to keep moving forward no matter what is happening around you, but don't allow others to make you feel bad about how you handle what you go through in life. We're all different, and how I handle a situation may be different from how the next person handles it. Well that's all for this posting of 'Brad H.'s Perspective'. I hope you enjoyed, and we'll see you in the next post. Peace!

A Person's Character Should Be What Matters Most.

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Maybe I'm the only one that thinks this way, but I think that the society within our world today puts more emphasis on things of lesser importance, compared to the things that really should matter in life. Many of us judge others from some of the most menial things. The way an individual looks, how much money they make, and the level of popularity someone maintains are all examples of this. Am I in the minority in thinking that there is more to an individual and this life in general than the aforementioned? What about characteristics like love, family, trust, and loyalty? Is there not enough emphasis put on these traits anymore? I'm not entirely sure, but I have a few thoughts on my mind that I want to share. Welcome to another concoction of 'Brad H's. Perspective'. Thanks for taking out the time to check me out again.

There was this show that used to air on ESPN back in the early 2000's titled 'Playmakers'. Although it lasted for only one season, it was and still is one of my favorite shows. I still watch the DVD's from time to time. Anyway, for anyone that isn't familiar with the show, it was a sitcom that followed the lives of players of a fictional football team. There was one episode where the team's coach scolded the team for some questionable and dirty antics that several of the players partook in. Part of his scolding towards the team included words that to this point I've yet to forget about. "Character matters, and you all just showed you don't have any." Those were his words, and even though it wasn't a long drawn out speech, I personally thought he said a mouthful.

So why have I brought up the traits and characteristics, and the speech from the television show that I did in the previous paragraphs? Well, they are part of the bigger topic that I have on my mind tonight. To be honest, I've been thinking about this topic for a few days now. The topic has to do with the kind of character that we as people display. In a society where getting ahead and doing whatever it takes to get ahead seems to matter most, it's easy for people to lose sight of how important a person's character can be. So what exactly is character? Character is defined as; "The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual". Now from that simple definition, what words stick out the most?

For me, all of the words are important, but the words "distinctive", "moral", and "qualities" really stick out most to me. Character is something that many of us are lacking in today. It's something that can't be bought, only earned. Instead of us noticing what kind of character a person may possess, we're more concerned with the superficial things in regards to people. Prime examples; there are people in this world that stick with someone that may have little to no character, only because that person may be bringing something that's superficial to their life. Some people believe that because they maintain a certain status in society, they can treat others any kind of way and think it's cool. If you're that type of person, what does that say about your character? What's the point of having all of the wealth and material items that life can offer if you don't possess character? Do you think people will really want to be around you if you're like this?

You may find some people to stick around you - mainly only to use you, but you most likely won't be able to keep and maintain healthy and loyal relationships with others. You'll most likely be one of those people that others will smile around and try to manipulate to get what they want, but deep down they can't stand your personality. Friendships and relationships shouldn't be solely about how a person looks, or what material things they can bring to you. Real and meaningful friendships and relationships should be about people that help enhance your spirit, and push you to want to be a better person. I say all of that to say this; for those of you who don't believe that your character holds weight, it does. Remember, a person that's maybe homeless and on the streets that has a level of character will probably be a better person than someone who may have everything, but devalues another human-being because they feel they're not on their level. Just my opinion.

One day we're all going to die, and the type of character and integrity we displayed will most likely be the defining factor between whether or not we're forgotten quickly or not. Just my two cents. Well that's it for this weeks edition of 'Brad H's. Perspective'. Thanks again for tuning in, and hopefully there was some meaning and some understanding found through this blog post. All thoughts and feedback are welcomed. I'll see you all in the next one. Peace!

Opinion On Confidence vs.'Cockiness'.

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Throughout our lives, we are always going to hear the words "cocky" and "confident". A lot of people associate these two words as basically being one in the same, while many others like myself believe there is a difference between the two. I do believe that there is a fine line between having confidence in oneself, and being so cocky that one comes off as being arrogant. I was taking one of my regular evening walks yesterday, and I thought to myself that it would be a good idea to put down my thoughts on what I consider a difference between the two. This is another edition of 'Brad H.'s Perspective', and thanks for taking out the time to check it out.

Before I begin to gives my thoughts on this topic, I want to say that I'm no expert on this issue, and that these are strictly my own views. As a matter of fact, I think that this is one of those topics that is very subjective in the sense that there really isn't a right or wrong, but rather a topic that's subject to each individual's own belief. I say that to say this, if you don't agree with me on this particular topic, you totally have that right. Alright, lets get into it. Now before I begin to differentiate what I consider to be two different meanings, lets define what confidence is.

The most basic and straight to the point definition of confidence is defined as "having trust or faith in a person or thing". In my opinion, an individual that is confident in themselves normally hold themselves and their abilities in high regards. I think that a confident person is someone that rarely if at all beats themselves up for making mistakes, and are proud of themselves and certain qualities they may possess. For example, lets use a basketball player in this instance. In my opinion, a confident basketball player doesn't waver often on the court. He may come down and miss three straight baskets, but doesn't let that break his confidence to the point where he is afraid to take the game winning shot if need be. Now lets discuss the word cockiness.

When I looked up the standard definition of the word cocky, I found the following definition to be honest and straight to the point. The definition I found for cocky was "conceited or arrogant, esp. in a bold or cheeky way." I personally think that definition says quite a bit when you think about it for a sec. Now when I personally think of someone that is cocky, I think of someone that could be confident in themselves, but also has a level of insecurity about themselves that they've attempted to bury deep down within to shield from others. These type of individuals normally use their arrogant ways to compensate for an area in their life that they may not be totally happy with. Now despite all of that and whether or not a person can be classified as being cocky or confident, here is what I personally think that distinguishes the two. Again, this is just my own opinion.

There is something that I've noticed about people that I personally consider to be cocky. What I've noticed is that individuals that usually fit this bill compare themselves to other people a lot. When I say a lot, I mean A LOT! See, I don't think there is anything wrong with being confident in who you are, and allowing that confidence to be shown to others. I think that society in general is normally drawn to confident people, who know how to handle and carry themselves with respect towards others. However, when you're the type of person that is constantly talking yourself up, but comparing yourself or your abilities to that of others, then you've crossed that thin line between confident and cocky in my opinion. This especially applies to people that know they can perform better at something than others, or have certain things that someone else may not have. Since I like running, I'll use running as an example. If a runner tells other runners that he or she is a good runner, that is an example of being confident in their ability. However, if the same person says that they are the best runner in the world, they're not only lying because there is always someone better, but they're also comparing what their abilities are to those of other runners. In my opinion, a confident person doesn't need to do that. Why be overly concerned with what the next person can do? Shouldn't you be content with your own abilities?

I think it's normal for us to compare ourselves to others. Many of us use that as a motivating factor to strive to do our best. However, it's not necessary to look down upon someone else just because you can do something better. Confident people are content within their own skin, while cocky people compare what they have or can do to everyone else. At the end of the day, if you're a person that's okay with being cocky, that is fine. However, just remember that most people are turned off by arrogance, and you just may find yourself losing people rather than keeping them. Just my two cents. So to sum it all up, I do believe that there is a fine line between being confident and being cocky. Again, this is a subject that can be interpreted many different ways, so I'm saying again that I'm not saying that my viewpoints are right. It's just how I personally feel on the topic. Anyway, that's all that I have this time around, so thanks again for reading 'Brad H's. Perspective'. Feel free to leave thoughts and feedback. Thanks for stopping through, and I'll see you all in the next post. Peace!

Being Your Own MVP(Not Relying On Others For Validation).

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Ever heard that old saying; "If you want something done right, do it yourself." I'm sure that most of you have heard it before and if you haven't, then I'm glad you heard it here for the first time. Now in regards to that statement, it is indeed a very true one. In fact, I'm sure you know or have been around someone that has expressed displeasure with how you done something, but didn't take out the time to do it themselves. Kinda makes me think back to high school when other students criticized those of us that tried out for the basketball team, but were too scared to give it a go themselves. I think I may be onto something using the basketball analogy, and how it relates to my topic this time around. Hmm! This is Brad H., and you're tuned into another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'.

As always, thanks for stopping through, and also for bearing with me in my month long absence. So I titled this post 'Being Your Own MVP' right? I also made a basketball reference in the first paragraph of this post. You're probably thinking that I'm referring to being an MVP in basketball like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant right? Absolutely not! Although I like the basketball reference and the fact that it somewhat coincides with the points I'm trying to make, I'm definitely not talking about being an MVP in sports. In fact, I'm not a LeBron James nor Kobe Bryant fan. I'm talking about being your own Most Valuable Player in the most important game that any one of us will ever take part in. I'm talking about the game of life.

When an athlete receives the MVP award in their respective sport, they've been deemed the most talented and popular player in that sport for that time period. The recipient of the MVP award can change on a year basis, although there have been athletes to win the award multiple times in their respective sport. The difference with being your own personal MVP in life is that it's an award you have to appoint to yourself. Nobody gives it to you, nor is it an actual trophy or plaque. It's primarily a mental state of how you view yourself in this world, and how much worth and value you feel you have.

I think that a lot of us in life rely too much on validation from other people in respects to how worthy we feel we are. Instead of listening to ourselves, we spend too much time listening to what others think of us. For example, you see a lot of women who go for a certain look, or dress a certain way to impress others and gain attention. Many of them take the compliments they receive as validation for being attractive, when it really doesn't matter if a guy or anyone for that matter finds them attractive or not. Same thing with a lot of guys, and I'll admit that I've been guilty of trying to do the following before. A lot of guys spend a lot of time working out and trying to achieve a physique that we feel will make us more appealing to women, when a lot of these women could careless about how our body may look. Now I'm not saying that all men and women do this, but what does these two examples have in common? They both involve partaking in something that we feel will validate ourselves.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's not about how other people view you. It's all about how you view yourself. Of course we all should appreciate compliments of praise from others, but the view that we have about ourselves should always start within us first. We can't always rely on other people for validation. That's an obvious sign of insecurity. Instead, we have to work on being our own MVP, and recognizing our self-worth without the cosign of other people. Now don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that others pointing out positive things about you shouldn't be a confidence booster. All I'm saying is let those compliments and positive feedback from others be an addition to what should already be there. Think of it as an expansion of positive messages.

So to sum it all up, focus on becoming your own MVP. It all starts and begins within us. We have to always recognize our self-worth first. It's perfectly okay to struggle with this, but hopefully we're pointing ourselves in the right direction. Well that's it for this 'Brad H's Perspective' blog posting. I hope that you enjoyed it, and also gained some kind of fulfillment from it. Thanks again for tuning in, and I'll see you all again in the next one. Peace!

Never Tolerate Disrespect From Others(Cutting People Off).

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R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Those are seven letters that resonate with almost everyone in some way. We hear people mention them on television, and in movies. We've heard countless musicians shout out those letters in songs and most importantly, we've heard them from our parents, teachers, and elders throughout our lives. Respect is one of those words that is so simple, but carries a lot of weight. It's a word that we as a people use on a regular basis. However, there are a lot of people that throw the word respect around like it's an inanimate object. From my perspective, it seems like many of us have lost the ability to respect others, and there are too many of us that are tolerating disrespect from others.

Welcome to another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. I've somewhat been on an hiatus for the last couple of weeks, but I'm back once again. So this time around we're talking about the word respect, and how so many people tolerate disrespect from others. Before I get into my thoughts on this, I want to briefly define what respect is. I'm sure that most of you already know the definition, but it never hurts to rehash something that is considered to be important. I Googled the word 'respect', and it's defined as; "a positive feeling of esteem or deference for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem." When I think of the word respect, I think of acknowledging someone else as a human-being.

In today's society, respect is loosely given. I realize that a person must possess various qualities in order to gain respect from others. Any person that engages in unethical actions, or fails to meet their responsibilities in life, are not likely to be respected by others. However, it seems that people are respecting people for all the wrong reasons. Some of those reasons can include; material items, sexual conquests, and physical attractiveness. I think we've lost what it means to have respect others peoples thoughts, ideas, and opinions, especially if they don't match with how we individually view the world. If a person's views aren't considered popular in most people's eyes, that person likely won't be respected by a wider range of people most of the time. You don't always have to like what someone says, but you can still be respectful of their thoughts. Since we're all human and have different ways of thinking, this should both come natural, and be welcoming.

Here is a prime example of what I mean when I say people are giving the word respect to all the wrong things. There are guys in the world who tolerate disrespect from women because the woman is physically attractive. You got women that allow guys to treat them any kind of way because he does things for her, or has a certain amount of money in his bank account. Does being physically attractive and having a lot of money entitle a person to respect if their character is all messed up? I think that a person's character and how they carry themselves is more worthy of being respected rather than how much money they have or the looks they possess. Just because a person is better off or has obtained a certain level of success in life doesn't give them the right to disrespect others. Just my opinion.

It's like this; you never have to tolerate disrespect from anyone if you don't want. Many people are lacking self-esteem, which is the reason why most tolerate disrespect from people who they know don't respect them. A lot of people use a stern tone and tactics to demand their respect from others. I'm also a believer that you can do more without words as well. You can always choose to cut someone that you feel doesn't respect you out of your life. You may not be able to choose who you come across in life, but you can always choose whether or not you want to deal with them. You should never want to deal with a person who doesn't respect you, or what you have to say. It's okay to release these kind of people.

So to sum it up, you don't have to tolerate disrespect. If someone doesn't respect you, leave them alone. Any person that truly cares about you will respect you entirely, and not just for what you have or what you can do for them. Well that's it for this edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Before I go, I want to reiterate that these are solely my own thoughts. I'm far from an expert on anything. I'm just a normal everyday person that is looking to motivate myself and share my thoughts with others. Till next time peace and love.

Complaining Is A Toxic Habit (Complaining With No Action).

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Is it just me, or does it seems like the majority of people today complain way too much? It almost feels like there is something in the air or water that is causing people to hammer down on how certain things are or aren't happening in their lives. I know that we all complain and vent at times; wait a second. My bad, I think there is a difference between venting and complaining. Quite frankly, I don't see nothing wrong with venting at times. Key phrase in that sentence, 'at times'. I'd much rather be around a person that vents, rather than complains contantly. What's up peeps? This is your guy Brad H. with another concoction of 'Brad H's Perspective'. Thank you for lending your eyes to this blog post, and reading up on my thoughts.

Alright, so we're talking about how people complain so much these days. Complaining is a toxic habit in my eyes, and I try my hardest not to do it too often. First off, I want to start off with a question. Could someone please tell me what complaining constantly solves? I mean really, what does it solve? Now I have no problem with people that vent to others with their problems, as long as they're not overdoing it. Heck, lets face it, we all vent at times; we just have our different ways of doing it. However, one thing that really brings me down is people that complain constantly. The wild thing is that these types of people constantly harp, but don't seem to take any action. I'll give you an example.

I was watching this video on Youtube of a guy that I subscribe to on there. He issued a 100 push-up challenge in one of his videos, and he done 100 push-ups before challenging his viewers to do the same. After reading through the comment section of the video, many people were complaining about how he done the push-ups all wrong. So, what did he do? He uploaded another video, and done the push-ups the way that some of the viewers suggested to him. However, this time he told them not to say anything, unless they uploaded a response video of themselves doing the challenge. Guess what? People were still criticizing and complaining. What a surprise right? You got all these people not willing to do something themselves, but offering an opinion? Get out of here.

Now back to the subject. When I think of a person venting, I think of someone that may an issue going on. It may be a friend or relative, and they choose to talk something over with you. The main thing they probably want is just want you to lend an ear. After that, that's the end of it in most occasions. Nothing wrong with that. We all need guidance at times, and it feels good to be able to have genuine people that offer to lend an ear. But a person that complains all the time? Oh man they are the worse. These are people that come around with every single problem or issue that they're facing. They often don't take any actions to solve their problems, but instead attempt to bring you down because they are down. People like this are toxic in my opinion. I personally feel that anyone that genuinely cares about you wouldn't bring their drama into your life. The sad thing is that a lot of the people that we're close to are the ones doing this and because of that, many of us feel an obligation to them. Therefore, a lot of people put up with it when they normally would not.

The main theme that I want to get across in this week's post is that we need to stop all the complaining. It can become a bad and annoying habit, and it doesn't solve anything most of the time. If a person keeps it up, you're going to become a person that no one wants to be around. I can't speak for anyone else, but I can't stand being around a constant complainer. It totally kills my vibe, and I'm sure that it does the same for some of you. Instead of complaining so much, lets focus on taking action and solving our problems. Like the saying goes, "less talk and more action". I'm not saying that my view on this topic is right or wrong, just dissing out my two cents. I hope that there is some meaning and understanding taken from it. Well thanks again for checking out another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. I hope all is good and well with everyone. Keep the faith, and keep staying positive. See you all in the next one. Peace!

Stop Analyzing Others As If You're Perfect. (People Just Aren't Humble Anymore).

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I've noticed that many people in today's society are just not humble anymore. Sure the humble and humility complex has been here for as long as we can remember. However, I think that with the emergence of social media being prominent in our society, it has helped play a large role in people thinking they're perfect. Now more than ever, people are thinking they're better than others because of career, status, looks, and material items. I guess some people think that social media makes them a star in their own right. You probably think that I'm talking about material items when I mentioned people today not being humble right? Nope! I'm talking about people who constantly analyze and criticize others as if they're perfect, but don't take out the time for their own self-reflection. Hello everyone. It's ya man Brad H. at you once again with another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. Thanks for joining me once again.

Alright, alright, alright. It's good to to be back writing again on this blog. So this time around, I'm going to be discussing people that carry on like they're perfect, or seldom make any mistakes. These are the same people that always have some type of opinions(often negative) about what others are doing. They make a habit of talking down on others, or analyzing what the next person is or isn't doing. They tend to focus more on others, rather than wanting to fix and improve their own lives. Wait a sec; Oh that's right. Most people that think this way don't feel that their lives need improving. They have everything figured out, so that gives them a pass to belittle others. I can't speak for anyone else, but I personally find people like this to be arrogant. Let me explain why.

Last time I checked, everyone alive is a human-being right? We as humans are naturally flawed individuals. No single person is perfect no matter how much they believe they are in their minds. We each have different traits and attributes that we are skilled and talented at. Some things come natural for some people, while others have to put effort and work into learning and becoming better at. However, it appears to me that a lot of people think they know and have it all figured out to the point where they can pass judgement on others. Now I don't have a problem with people having their own opinion, and honestly we all pass judgement on others at various times throughout our lives. However, no one is perfect, which means that no single person in any place to to pass judgement on others without taking a look at their own lives first. Some people are so arrogant that they believe they're perfect, which in their heads give them the right criticize others. In my viewpoint, this is all messed up.

As I get older, I'm learning that old statement "damned if you do, damned if you don't" is very true. No matter what a person does in this world whether it's for the better or worse, there are always going to be people that have something negative to say. That's one of the reasons why it's important to not worry about or dwell on what others think of you too much. Since we're all human and flawed, I personally feel that anyone who is arrogant enough to criticize or belittle others should take out the time to examine their own flaws - and work on fixing them as well. Some people may think to themselves, "I don't need to fix anything." Yea right! There is always some area in our lives can be improved. It may vary from person to person, but there is always room for improvement. It's time to step off of that high horse, and keep ourselves more grounded.

So to sum it all up, lets stop tearing down or analyzing others, and start focusing on bettering ourselves. If you're better than someone else in a certain area of life, try helping to make them better instead of talking about them to others. You can help and inspire someone that way, and maybe even feel good about yourself afterward. If you have the time and energy to constantly talk down on others, then I feel you have time to examine yourself. I know that I've said it a lot, but none of us are perfect. Therefore, being humble should be something that should come natural to us. Think about it. Well that's all for this installment of 'Brad H's Perspective'. I really appreciate those of you that take out the time to read and leave feedback. Well till next time, I'm signing off. Take care, and God bless.

The Effects of Stress * 2(Handling Problems).

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Stress, stress, stress. It's a word that the majority of us are familiar with. It's either ourselves stressing out about things happening in our lives, or it's family, friends, associates, etc talking about the stresses of their lives. Stress has always existed, but it seems to be even more prevalent in today's society. You don't need me to tell you that; it constantly shows everyday. I'm a firm believer that stress can be a good thing based on what is causing it in the first place. However, stressing out over problems in our lives isn't good. Welcome to another one of 'Brad H's Perspective' blog postings. Thank you for taking out the time to read.

As you can tell, this weeks' post deals with the effects of stress and the handling of our problems. The goal isn't to solve anyone's problems. I mean lets face it, no one can truly solve our problems but ourselves. The goal this week is to show why stressing out over situations doesn't do anything but make things even worse. As of late, I've been asking people how do they handle stress. I've received mixed feedback from the people I've asked, which I consider to good thing. That's just more evidence that there is never one way to deal with things.

I'm the type of person that tries my hardest not to stress. However, I'll admit that I do at times. I think we all do. There are some situations and circumstances in life that are near impossible not to stress out over. But let me ask this question; what does stressing out really do for us? In what ways does it help us? I doubt that anyone can come up with a reason why stressing over our problems is a good thing, and if you do, please let me know. When we stress over whatever we're dealing with in life, it only takes a maybe already bad situation, and makes it even worse. You already have one problem, and added stress just adds another problem to your life. Where is the good in that?

Most of us already know first hand what stress can do. Besides the normal mental depression that it can make us feel, it can take it's toll on our physical well-being also. A lot of people turn to bad habits whenever they begin to stress. Some of those habits can include over eating, drinking, smoking, and drug use. Although they are different, these habits can really wreak havoc on a person physically if overdone. In some extreme instances, stress has lead to people taking their own lives - which I consider the worst thing that a person could ever do. There is no coming back from that.

So what can we do to combat stress? I don't have any answer for that. We all handle stress differently. Me personally, I like to workout whenever I feel stress. The only thing that I can say is that it's important to keep your mind busy and active whenever dealing with stress. Engage in activities and hobbies you enjoy. Don't hesitate to talk to someone you trust about your problems. Stress is certain to come in life, but we don't have to be entirely defeated by it. Stress only multiplies your problems, so it's important to now allow it to take you over.

Well that's it for this blog post. I hope that whoever read it enjoyed, and hopefully you found some meaning and understanding from it. I'm a person that is always searching for understanding myself, and I find that these postings are valuable to me also. Thanks again for reading, and I'll see in the next one. Peace!

Change: It All Begins Within You(Being the change you want to see in the world).

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Change is inevitable. We all know that nothing or no one stays the same forever. If something indeed does remain the same throughout the years, there is absolutely no growth happening. Let me rephrase that. Growth may be happening, but it's not the positive growth that we should be striving for. One thing that I hear and read from a lot of others is how the world is changing. Most of the time, people say it's changing for the worse. I'll admit myself that I concur that it is, but that doesn't mean you can't provide change. This is ya man Brad H. back at you once again with another blog posting of 'Brad H's Perspective'.

As you can undoubtedly can tell, this week's post will deal with change, and how it starts within us. As I mentioned earlier, the world is changing, and not always for the better. Negativity and unfortunate incidents seem to dominate in today's society. It's almost like there is something bad or negative taking place whenever we turn on the news -- which is one of the reasons why I seldom watch the news these days. However, despite all of the changes along with all the bad occurring, there are still a lot of good and positive things always taking place. There are also a lot of positive and inspirational people out there in the world. Keeping a positive mindset is vital, but can sometimes be tough.

So maybe you're like a lot of people who doesn't like how things are going in general. Maybe it's happening in your household, or maybe in your community. To be even more broader, it could be happening in your city or state. Maybe you don't like some of the actions and things that others close to you are engaging in. Maybe it annoys and frustrates you that so many people are allowing negativity to run their lives. You know what it's time to do? Let go of it all, and focus on yourself. If you want to see change in your environment, it must start within you first. You can't be an individual that wants something or someone to change, but you're not willing to change yourself in order to be an example for others.

It's never guaranteed that others will follow your lead in addressing issues important to you. However, if enough people see that you're trying to spread something you're passionate about through your actions, eventually someone will come on board. The key word is action. Any movement that takes or has taken place, never starts big. It's comparable to a snowball rolling down a hill. It starts out small, but becomes bigger as it gains momentum. It's the same exact way with change. So to sum it all up, we have to focus on saving ourselves first. Only then will we be able to be an example to others. And remember, don't complain about things that are happening if you're not willing to change yourself to be an example. That's basically it.

As always, I appreciate you reading another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. Hopefully you found some understanding via this post. I'll see you all next time. Peace!

Negatvity: Do Whatever You Must to Avoid Negative People, and Negative Factors.

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Many of use are familiar with the term; "You're a product of you the company you keep." I believe this not only applies to our friends and associates, but family members as well. Avoiding the people that we're close to isn't an ideal scenario to be in. However, when people, even the ones that we're close to are putting out negative vibes, then it's time to start considering whether or not we need to be around them. What's up people? It's Brad H with another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. Hope everyone is doing well, and thanks for reading.

As you can undoubtedly tell from the title and the first paragraph, this post deals with staying away from negative people. If you're a person that naturally thinks positive, then alienating negativity probably isn't much of a concern for you. But what do you do when someone that is maybe a close friend or family member is constantly bringing negativity your way? Maybe it's someone that you see on an everyday basis. Maybe a colleague, a classmate, or someone that you live with. Basically, I'm talking about people that you most likely have to be around for some reason or another.

The truth is that as long as we're alive, there is no way to avoid negativity. It's everywhere around us; happening in the world everyday, and with every passing moment. However, just because negative things are going to happen, doesn't mean we have to participate in it. Remember my post from last week that dealt with how our minds control a lot of the factors we deal with in life? Our minds can defeat negativity as well. Negative people are toxic. Their bad energy will rub off on us if we allow it. We have to do whatever we must to avoid negative people. Not only does this mean physically, but emotionally as well.

It's important to learn to tune people out. When people come around you with negative talk etc, you can always go for a walk, or just leave period. If you're around people gossiping etc, you don't have to participate. If someone says something that hurts your feelings, it's okay for it to affect you for a bit. Let it simmer and die down. Remember and know that how you view yourself is much more powerful than what anyone else can say to or about you.

It's impossible to completely defeat the negative forces that come with life, but there is always a way. It can be a daily battle to overcome, but the war is never over. Lets focus on avoiding and tuning out negative people and negative forces. Remember that positive thinking is powerful magic. Lets use that magic to change our minds and our lives for the better. Well that's it for this time folks. Thanks again for tuning into my blog. I really appreciate all of the feedback that I've received over the months, and it's good to know that people are reading. I'll see you all in the next one. Thanks again, and peace to everyone!

Strike A Balance In Life(Being Positive, and Being A Realist).

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Balance is not only a a very important word, but an essential lifestyle tool. Without balance in our everyday lives, it would be near impossible to view things on an equal plane. Balance isn't only limited to our physical being, but also our emotional status. It's important to look for and find balance within our minds as well. In my opinion, it's one of the key components that that keeps viewing everything around us in the proper perspective of life. Once again this is ya man Brad H. Hope you all are doing well, and welcome to another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. Thanks again for reading.

As you can no doubt tell, this week's topic deals with striking a balance in life. Most of us have heard of that saying; "too much of anything is bad for you." Whether you find that old saying to be true or not, it's a fact that keeping things on an equal plane is the best chance for living a balanced life. For example, if a college student parties way too much and doesn't study enough, they're probably going to end up not making it through school. That's just one example out of many that we could use, but the most important thing is that we must learn to find balance through good and the bad that comes with life.

There will always be good and bad times in life no doubt. Some of us bask in the good that comes with life, while others run when the bad approaches. A lot of people maintain a positive attitude when things are going well, but completely lose that attitude when things take a turn for the worst. Some people are too positive, almost to the point where they become naive -- while others never display a positive mindset, and constantly expect the worse to happen. I personally feel that it's important to be positive, but balance that positive attitude with a realist outlook on life. Reality continuously shows us that some people are not who they always claim to be. It also shows that for every occasion that things are going well, the potential of bad occurring can be lurking right around the corner.

I guess I would say that the main point that I'm trying to get across is that life will never be perfect, but it's important to look for balance. Always look to balance out the negative factors in life with positive thinking, but also maintain a realistic approach to your problems. It's never wise to lean too far to any side, but rather find a common ground somewhere in between. That's pretty much it. Well thanks again for tuning into another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. I always appreciate and welcome feedback. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week, and we'll back at it again soon. Peace!

Opinion Topic: Five Reasons Why You're No Better Than the Next Person.

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Opinion Topic: Five Reasons Why You're No Better Than the Next Person.

Importance of Using Your Mind(Your State of Mind Determines a lot of things In Your Life).

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The power of the mind. I don't believe that many of us are able to comprehend how powerful our minds can be. That may sound odd to some people, but it's really not that hard to believe. The fact that many of us fail to use our minds to it's full potential is evidence that we don't grasp the true power of our minds. Hello once again, this is ya boy Brad H. coming at you once again with another of 'Brad H's Perspective'. Thanks for taking out the time again to check me out. We're going to be discussing the importance of the mind, and how our state of mind determines a lot of things in life.

I first want to start out by apologizing for being on a brief hiatus. I ran in a 5K race this past Saturday, and I celebrated another birthday yesterday. I'm going to relate both of those experiences to what I'm going to discuss in this blog posting in a bit. It's amazing to me how powerful our minds can be. Our minds not only control how we calculate and form ideas, but it also controls our outlooks on life. I personally feel that our minds are the single most thing that can get us through anything obstacles that we're facing in life. I just think that we don't use it enough.

Here is a prime example. Since yesterday was my birthday, I was told by several people yesterday that I'm getting old. While it is indeed true that we all get older in age and body, I think that our minds are what age slower. Should I view myself as an old man because I'm getting older in age? Just because my number in years are increasing, doesn't mean that my mind doesn't think otherwise. There are some people in their 60's, 70's, and 80's who may view themselves as old in age, but not in mind. Like the old saying goes; "You're only as old as you feel." If you view yourself as being old, then you will be old. The mind plays in huge factor in various aspects of our lives, especially when it comes to health.

During the 5K race that I recently participated in, I felt myself getting winded around the last .75 miles left in the race. My body wanted to stop, but I allowed my mind to dictate how I would finish. People complain daily about their situations in life, and do not realize that a sound and strong mind can change your viewpoints and circumstances. A person can be without certain things that most would consider essential in life, and find peace through the power of their mind. We as a people need to rely on the power of our minds to get us through a lot of hardships in life. Does it require effort? Of course it does, but a stable and sane mind is worth it.

I challenge myself and everyone else to strengthen and learn the importance of using our minds. It's a powerful tool that can be a blueprint and guide through life. Everything doesn't have to be physical. We have to balance it all out with the mental aspect as well. Well that's it for this week's edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. I hope you enjoyed the post, and hopefully it left you with something on the brain. Keep trying to be positive, and I'll see you next time. Peace!

TV Movie Review: 'Killing Lincoln'.

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TV Movie Review: 'Killing Lincoln'.

Revealing too Much Information(Giving others Ammunition against You).

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There is a habit that a lot of people have that I just don't quite understand. I mean we have have bad habits that we should be held accountable for. However, this is one habit that many people quite frankly bring on themselves. One thing that I can't understand about some people is this; why do you put all of life out there for others to see, and then get angry when people use what you put out against you? Hmm. What's up people? It's me Brad H. once again with another blog post of 'Brad H's Perspective'. Thanks for joining me once again.

So yea I just went there and aired it out on some of you right? Haha. If that's how you viewed what I said, let me apologize now. It's never my intentions to make anyone feel bad. Besides, if that's the case, I should be feeling bad right now myself. I've definitely had my share of talking too much to people who didn't have my best interest in mind. At any rate, it's true that many of us just reveal too much about ourselves to others. I'll admit that I'm one of those people that tries to see the good in everyone, but I also know that a lot of people will change up on you at the snap of a finger. As life carries on, people indeed do change -- and that also applies to the people we believe are our friends as well. Nothing is never guaranteed in life, not friends, not family - nothing.

I'm in no way implying that we shouldn't trust others. It's perfectly fine to put trust in those we feel are worth it. However, trust and putting all of your business out there are two different things. It's definitely possible to trust someone, and not reveal every little detail about yourself to them. We just have to learn what to reveal to others, and what to keep within ourselves. Not everyone is going to see or view things in the light as you, and some people will try to make you feel bad or different if they don't. It's okay to talk and trust, it's just not wise to be that way with everybody.

One example I can think of off top is how people are always airing out their lives on these social networking sites, and then call themselves getting angry because the things they put on there got out to others. Whose fault is that? Stop giving people ammunition to use against you. Learn to wise pick and choose what to tell others. Deceptions and secrets lie within the hearts and minds of everyone. Lets work on being content with our own goals and aspirations. If someone doesn't believe in them, stop telling people about them. Remember, people can only use what you tell them against you.

So to sum it all up, stop airing all of your life to others. Jealously and envy exists, and a lot of people are waiting for you to slip up and use things they may know about you against you. Pick and choose wisely what you reveal. Well that's it for this time around. Thanks again for reading, and I'll see you all again soon. Peace!

Commentary: Piers Morgan, and Why I View Him as A Terrible Journalist.

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Commentary: Piers Morgan, and Why I View Him as A Terrible Journalist.

Boxing: Adrien Broner defeats Gavin Rees via 5th round TKO. - News - Bubblews

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Boxing: Adrien Broner defeats Gavin Rees via 5th round TKO. - News - Bubblews

Your Approach Is Everything(Respect).

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Not everyone that we come across or rub the wrong way is extremely sensitive. Sometimes we as people don't take caution or heed how we approach others. Often times the first thing that comes to our minds, is what comes out of our mouths. In some cases this causes others to become angry or upset with us, which often leads to even bigger conflicts, and even more issues. We have to work on how we approach and interact with others. That's what I'm going to discuss in this blog post. Hello everyone, this is Brad H coming back at you again with another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. As always, thanks for tuning in.

So maybe you have someone that you want to talk something over with, but you're not entirely sure how to come at them. You want to get your point across, but you don't want to offend them. You want to come across as being as respectful as possible, but you want to make sure that you get your point across exactly in the manner you want. These are scenarios that all of us may face on a regular basis. On the flip side, there are some people who don't give much thought or care about how others react to what they have to say. Their approach and tone towards others often times comes off as an aggressive one. Due to their aggressive and forceful nature, they could easily be considered to be downright rude by others. Most of the time, not in cases, a person will strike back if they feel attacked. What does this solve? Absolutely nothing, and it sometimes makes a small problem an even bigger one. That's not what we should be aiming for.

It's true that the direct approach is often the best approach. However, direct and aggressive are two different things in my opinion. I personally feel that a person, who comes at someone else in an aggressive manner, is more than likely looking for a conflict most of the time. Lets face it. We all know that some people are just dramatic by nature, and enjoy seeing or being a part of drama with others. I also feel that a person who chooses a direct approach doesn't necessarily want conflict, but is looking to get their point across in a respectful manner. The key word is dealing with others is RESPECT. It's important to pick and choose the right time and the right place when approaching others. When expressing your concerns with others, try to set a positive and peaceful tone. A person is more likely to respond to you in a non-aggressive manner if they feel relaxed, and not attacked.

So to sum it all up, we must all work on our approach and relations with others. It's kinda like what I said in a previous blog post; we have to choose and pick our words wisely. You never know how a person will react when you approach them, but I think we're more likely to have a better outcome if we think wisely about our approach. Well that's it for this edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you all next time around. Peace!

Review of TruTV's, 'Killer Karaoke'.

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My Celebrity Best Friend(Worshiping of Celebrities).

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I sometimes sit back and ask myself; What is wrong with some of us in America? A lot of us tend to have our priorities all messed up. We spend so much of our time and energy following things and subjects that do little to better our own lives. So many topics of importance are happening right before our eyes, but many of us are not aware. We're so consumed with social media, reality television, and celebrity news. It's no wonder why we have the 17th ranked education system in the world. With that said, this is your main man Brad H. once again, and this is another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. Thanks for tuning in.

So I titled this blog post 'My Celebrity Best Friend', and you're probably wondering why. I'm using this as an analogy as to how so many people seem to worship celebrities in our society. One thing that I've noticed as I've gotten older is that if you tend to think differently than the masses, you're automatically labeled something. You may be labeled as being crazy, an outsider, or even a hater. This logic can relate to anything, whether it's religion, politics, etc. After doing some research, I actually found out that there is a medical term titled 'Celebrity Worship Syndrome'. It's defined as "an obsessive-addictive disorder in which a person becomes overly involved with the details of a celebrity's personal life." I'm not saying that a majority of people have this syndrome, or take it to those levels. However, the way that celebrity news is constantly crammed down our throats via social media and television, it's not hard to imagine how some people can become overly obsessed.

Now before anyone attempts to say I'm a hater, I want to get this out; There's absolutely nothing wrong with liking or admiring an entertainer that you like. Everyone one of us has an actor, musician, athlete or TV personality that we like. However, I think that some people go way overboard in their liking - almost to the point where it becomes an obsession. Some people defend celebrities, almost fiercely. If you say that you don't care for a certain celeb, you're a 'hater' in some people's eyes. Really? So let me get this straight - you're calling someone a hater just because they don't like someone that you don't even know personally? Where is the real logic in this? Even if you're a fan of... lets say Beyonce, what are the chances of you becoming a REAL friend of hers? Sure you may go to some of her concerts, and maybe even get a chance to meet her personally. However, do you really believe that she is going to remember you, or view you as an important person in her life? I highly doubt it. Think about it, celebrities meet thousands of people on a month to month basis. They travel and perform all over the world. There is no possible way that they can remember, or develop a relationship with every fan they meet.

If you really look at things for what they're worth, most of us aren't anything but a business associate to these entertainers and celebrities. We pay money to watch them perform, or to see them on the big screen. We enjoy their talents, and they become rich based on money that the fans pay. That's really it. Don't allow yourself to be fooled either. Celebrities are human-beings just like everyone else. The only things that separate them from everyone else is their fame, exposure, and talents. Other than that, they live, eat, breathe, and bleed just like everyone else. So to sum it all up, it's okay to admire and appreciate celebrities, but there is no need to worship, or make them out to be anything more than what they are. I've had this discussion with several people, and I've received various feedback on it. I'm hoping that will be the case here as well.

Well that's it for this edition of 'Brad H's Perspective'. As always thanks for reading, and we'll see you all in the next one. Peace!

A Fan's Review of Super Bowl XLVII. - News - Bubblews

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A Fan's Review of Super Bowl XLVII. - News - Bubblews

Think and Choose Your Words Wisely(Razors Tongue).

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Some people seriously do not think before they begin to speak. They have an unfiltered mouth, which sometimes results in them saying reckless things. Whatever comes to their minds, is what comes out of their mouth. People like this often find that their mouths tend to get them in trouble. Are you one of these people? Do you know someone like this? I'm almost willing to bet you do. What's up everyone? I go by the name of Brad H, and this is another edition of 'Brad H's Perspective.' Thanks for tuning in.

Many of you may be familiar with the term 'Razors Tongue.' You probably have heard it in a song, or maybe you've heard someone mention it. After doing some research myself, I found that there have been several songs made with this particular title. I'll admit myself that this blog post was inspired by a song I heard with the same title. I first heard it as an instrumental on one of K-Murdock's beat albums. However, this version I'm referring to had a singer on the song. The song was on a free download album that I downloaded towards the end of last year. The album is by K-Murdock, and is titled "Champloo'd."

I don't know who the singer on the song is, but I really thought some of the lyrics hit home. I liked the lyrics so much, that I went on Word Is Bond's Facebook page, and asked who the singer was. Unfortunately, I didn't get a reply. Basically the song was trying to convey that sometimes words can be hurtful, and how we should think them out before we speak. He started the song out by saying "Those words are so much more than a playful pun". I personally found these words to be true. Some people say some of the most hurtful things to upset others. Then we have some people who say things with no intent on hurting someone, however, someone may take offense to their words.

I personally feel that the latter isn't necessarily in the wrong. Lets face it, we've all said things that may have hurt or offended someone - even if we didn't intentionally mean to. We are all different, and react differently to things. Some people know how to brush off a playful joke, while others may take offense. I've always believed that words can be more hurtful than a punch. Think about it for a sec. If someone punches you, it will hurt maybe for a few minutes. Words on the other hand can have a much more powerful effect. They can become instilled inside of our minds, which makes it harder to forget about them. This is how emotional abuse can start for some.

I try to view things from all sides, so I will say that many of us need to develop tougher skin when it comes to what others may say regarding us. We can't always allow what others say affect us too much. On the other hand, some of us really need to choose our words more wisely. I guess the point I'm trying to make is what the song itself was making. Think over your words before you start popping off. I know that some people have no regard for saying hurtful things, but your actions can find you in a lot of trouble. You never know how others will react to what you say, and some people have been known to retaliate in not so kind ways. Always make your points, but try to maintain a level of respect as well.

Well that's it for this edition of 'Brad H's Perspective.' I hope you enjoyed reading, and remember to think before you speak. See you all soon!

I NEED YOU: Only when it's convenient for me.

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What's up people? It's your ace Brad H. hitting you all up again with another edition of "Brad H's Perspective". As usual, I hope everyone is doing well and maintaining wherever you're at in this wide world. I'm not going to waste any time today, I'm going to get right into what's been on my mind in recent days. I'm going to title this one; "I NEED YOU: Only when it's convenient for me". Hmmmm!

Are we as a society and people generally selfish? Do we only think about ourselves a majority of the time? Do we use and manipulate some people to get the things we want? I don't know what you're answer to this question would be, but mines would be ABSOLUTELY! I'm not saying it's right, but it's quite normal and natural for us as a society to maintain a certain self preservation towards ourselves. Quite frankly, I don't see anything wrong with putting yourself first in most situations. Therefore, a certain degree of selfishness is totally fine.

Unfortunately though, some people are selfish and cruel at the expense of others. Now this is something that I don't agree with nor condone whatsoever. The perfect word for some people is "users". Some people are just flat out users when it boils down to it. Who are the people we're referring to? We're talking about the ones that you never ever ever ever ever hear from until something is wrong with them. I'm talking about the people who don't have anything to say to you when they're partying or having fun, but once the fun ends and the issues pop up, here they come running a 4 flat 40 yard dash needing help or advice. I'm referring to the people who act one way towards you when they're around certain people, but act another way when it's just you and them. I can pretty much guarantee that we all know people like that.

Some people are like this and never even notice or realize how much you can hurt people when we carry on with these types of habits. On the other hand, there are others who do it without regard or care, mainly because they feel like they can get away it. They assume that the real friends and family will always be there regardless of what they do, or how they treat them. One of the biggest mistakes that we can make is assuming that people will always be there, and a lot of people are getting fed up with feeling used by others. One of the best analogies I've heard is "I have to break out the scissors and cut you off".

We as a people need to lose the 'I only need you when it's convenient for me' attitude. If people keep this up, you may look around and notice the number of people in your life dwindling down, and it's going to be no ones fault but your own. If you got time to call or run to people when you've got some issues going, then you should have time for them when things are going well also. It's as simple as that.

That pretty much sums up this blog edition of "Brad H's Perspective". I hope anyone who read enjoyed it, and found some type of understanding and meaning from it. Before I go, I want to thank everyone who has left some of the amazing feedback that I've received since I started doing this. I read a comment via a post I put on Redgage last night that really touched me. I can't thank you all enough, and I wish you all nothing but the absolute best. Anyway, I'm out for this week, so thanks again for tuning in. See you all later. Peace.

Generalizations: Why are you letting them bother you?

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Hey what's up people? It's ya man Brad H. coming back at you once again. I know I've kinda been on a near two month hiatus, and I apologize for that. The writing slowed down quite a bit during the holidays, and that's the main reason for the extended absence. The good thing is that it's a new year, which means a fresh start for many of us. Anyone that knows me pretty well knows that making New Year resolutions isn't my thing anymore. However, I'm making a personal goal to keep this blog updated with more frequency. Besides all of that, I wanna begin by wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2013. Hopefully 2013 will be the best year of our lives. Now it's time to get into this weeks topic. It deals with generalizations.

Many people already know and understand what the word "generalization" means. However, I took the liberty to find a definition that defined what the word means to me personally. The definition I found defines it as; "an idea or conclusion having a general application". The words that really stick out to me in that definition are 'idea', and 'conclusion'. We're already aware that the world is full of various generalizations. Truthfully, nothing is limited when it comes to being generalized, or put into a single category. When I personally think of being generalized, I think of a person, a group of people, or anything that is put into a single category. For example, one of the most popular generalizations is the statement "all men are dogs". When I think of how generalizations are perceived, I basically think of seeing or viewing things or people through a narrow tunnel vision. We're all guilty of forming generalizations. Anyone who says otherwise is most likely naive. Everyone does it from time to time. I've noticed that many generalizations tend to rile up some people. This is especially true when it comes to relationships, race relations, etc.

It's okay to voice our dislikes when it comes to certain generalized statements by people. However, we all know that none of us can stop people from forming opinions about us, what we're doing, or a group of people we associate ourselves with. The unfortunate thing is that some people take generalizations from others so personally, when they really shouldn't. If a statement that is generalized doesn't apply to you personally, why are you allowing it to bother you or bring you out of your character? I see so many people getting angry and defending generalized statements, when they don't even apply to them personally. It's somewhat of a lost cause when you think about it. You're basically getting yourself worked up over nothing, and something that you quite frankly can't control.

I'm one of those people that believes that guilty people are the ones who let what others say bother them. The bottom line is that if something doesn't apply to you personally, don't worry about or sweat it. Just sit back, and let all of these other "know it alls" go back and forth arguing over topics that can be generalized. Besides, nobody knows you better than you know yourself. Therefore, what others say shouldn't hold a lot of weight on you anyway.

Well that's it for the New Years edition of "Brad H's Perspective". Hopefully this will be the first of many money topics for 2013. Don't let the generalized opinions of the many affect you personally. Way more important things to entertain than that. Till next time, peace, love, and blessings.