The Urban Renewal Series Blog by Calm Hill

If you are on the outside looking in
You may overlook it then
But take a closer look within
To find the shadow self

Don’t be confused
By the soft words it can use
For the tongue can be the sharpest tool
If choosed- by the shadow self

The spirit detests its taste
Even the mind refuses to face
The fate that the flesh is bound to create
Following the shadow self

She does what no one dares to see
He lives what he is ashamed of being
When the clock winds down to the low teens
Out crawls the shadow self

Whom quickly forgets its many misdoings
And blames Heaven for misconstruing
Like living in a glass house waiting for rocks to ruin
Oh, the foolishness of the shadow self

The heart takes a back seat to pain
The spirit is held in bondage by the ego’s chain
The smile fools the foolish but there’s no other gain
Take a good look at the wonderful shadow self

The flesh is fulfilled but the innocent hangs
On the cycle of innocence lost early with impure games
Nothing is free so who shall you be paying
That’s the cost of hiding the shadow self

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com

How often have you heard fragments of the subject line in your every day converstations? You know the phrases like;

I can’t - go to church, respect others, learn to trust, get a life, exercise, go back to school, read or be happy

Forever - love you forever, I will live here forever, I will love you forever, I will hate you forever, I have been this way forever
At all or - I don’t like vegetables at all, I don’t like men at all, I don’t have any imperfections at all, I just won’t do it at all
With no one - nothing, never, nobody, none, zip, always,
Or always - all the time, the same thing, constantly, frequently…

We use these phrases casually without thinking about how limiting they are to us. If you say something long enough, and repeat it long enough, you are bound to actually believe it eventually whether it’s true or false. This habit can be a good or bad thing. You can say I have never finished anything and I probably will never finish anything. Or you can say I know that I am going to find a job very soon. It’s coming to me. Either way you use this, you have to realize that you are putting that thought into physical motion. In other words, reality. Whatever you focus on and bring energy to manifests. Whatever you ignore will eventually cease.

Be careful when you use the forevers, the nevers, the always, the general phrases that give you the false impression that life does not change. That you are not in control of it. That God doesn’t exist. He is the only constant. Even the laws of gravity and of physics are not constant and depending on size and location - even a conscious person… to be considered a law “at all”

Anyway, the only time we should use words like never and always is referring to God- But because we only know a fraction of Him - we really don’t have the right to use it with Him either. These statements lock you into a very base cycle of thinking - a very common low mindframe of saying things that really aren’t true and then believing them as if they were. This causes you to live under false pretenses. The very world that seems true- is but a figment of your negative mindset you have grown accustomed too. How does it help to believe that the cup is half empty? How does it help to feel like things never change? Even if that is true, it’s far better to think positively for many other reasons.

Think outside of the box - your box and look at the possibilities. The curves on the highway of life that may lead to greener pastures. The end of the rainbows that allow every day evolution to occur within your mind forcing you to reason - forcing us to look at things for what they are. It reminds us to look at ourselves and frequently tune up our measuring equipment thats used to decipher life. Think outside the box and refuse to let old patterns of thought guide you to a mediocre life that you are trying to avoid. Are you still living and thinking like you were 10 years ago? If so, it’s forcing you into situations and relationships that are not what you are looking for. Coloring your reality to seem as if a nightmare verses a beautiful day dream. Consider it.

The Individual, Calm Hill
AKA Quincy Hille Selassie
www.calmhill.com

Your weren’t born in order to learn lessons. But in order to “live” you must learn. You must learn what works. You must learn what does not work. All wisdom derived from life experiences. You will see as I have observed, cycles in your life. Good and bad ones that are symbolic of your current development. Here you will find yourself attracting spirits that mirror your current mindset. That subject you to your own beliefs. That give you what you pay for in the store of life. It’s all about cycles.

Cycles are the repeat button on the radio. The pause and rewind on the cassette player. The skip, thump, and replay of an old dusty record. Regardless if you have heard it a hundred times already, it plays again because you are not ready to hear the next set of notes. The patterns are lifes built in mechanism to ensure before you move to level 5, you must’ve walked through the first level. Once you are done, you are truly done and able to move forward.

It’s all about reminding yourself of where you have been. Or where you are taking yourself. Usually we say, “where you have been and where you are going,” but the somehow takes away the fact that we are the drivers. We are not chaffuered to our destiny at all. God gave us dominion over the animals but not just the lesser creatures….the great ones in the mirror.

Meditate on where you are currently. Happy or sad. Mad or glad. Content or anxious. Is this a new area in your life, or an old song that keeps being replayed over and over again? If so, how do you move on without pressing fast forward?

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com

It is safe to say that everything you do is done by choice. Sometimes the choice is obvious like choosing to get up saturday morning to wash clothes verses sleep in. Sometimes the choice is less obvious like if you become angry when someone annoys you. At that moment of frustration, you may not realize you have made a “choice” in feeling angry, but you have still exercised choice.

Just as you could’ve chosen to sleep in verses wash your clothes even though you were still tired, you could’ve chosen to not get angry. That is a whole book in itself, but you get my drift. It’s really beautiful when you think about it. It’s true freedom of thought. It’s being in control over the quality of your life. It’s navigating karma. It’s purposely creating a better energy in your life instead of being lead by circumstances.

Since you have the ability to choose almost everything you encounter in life, I recommend you choose happiness. Choose to be free of negative emotions. Choose to only see the good in everything and everyone. Choose to smile even when situations happen that will usually make you frown. Choose happiness and create good positive energy around you that would in turn attract more positive energy. Your life is like a magnet, drawing what is most familiar and repelling what is foreign to it. Choosing happiness increases your chances of encountering situations that create even more happiness. Smile and thank God no matter what happens. For everything is either a life lesson or the price of a blessing anyway.

Yours Truly,

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com

I had an epiphany the other day about personal growth. Personal growth seems to be the result of recognizing the issue, finding out the cause (root), and taking steps to overcome it. Even before all of that, the hardest step to take initially is to admit that “the opportunity area” exists. Once you take those steps, you will eventually experience positive change. Yes, change…which takes me to my next point- evolution.

When I think of evolution, my first thought is something undergoing small changes over a long length of time in response to environmental stimuli. This is correct, but it is not the only form of evolution. It won’t help you much in this lifetime anyway. You need something that is more self-driven. Plus, you don’t have a couple of thousand years for your body to learn to make those changes naturally. Naturally as in the sub-conscious having no deliberate help from your day to day thoughts. I forgot to mention most of “you” will have to die using this method of change anyway. And what is left, may be worse than what you started off with. There is a better way, but you must die to find it…

I am not speaking about the physical dying of the body, but more or less then mental burying of what doesn’t work in your life…daily. Everyday you make up your mind that what was yesterday, was yesterday. What was last week is….? Only if it is good for you it can transfer over to the next day. Your dying daily.

Taking an inventory of what you have become verses who you have set out to be on your journey from Heaven to Earth. Striving to overcome things that were ignorantly handed down that your body, being the child it is, had no idea that it should have not been accepted in the first place. You are dying daily.

Laying your burdens down and smiling in the inside knowing that God has a special umbrella for every type of rain. Breathing the crisp air of your morning jog while praying for peace, not for answers. Praying for strength, not a problem-less life… You are dying daily.

Being real with yourself about what is living within you. About what needs to be let go. For if you do not know, how can you change what isn’t workling? Dying daily is cleansing your mind while soaking all the lessons you have learned that day in order to be born again the next moon cycle. Waking up the next day as if you are naked and seeing light for the first time. As if you have a new purpose, with a greater God, in a better life. You don’t need to believe in multiple lives. You experience it every morning. Simply put every night, you let die what needs to parrish in order to live longer and happier. Yes, it sounds strange but dying daily not only prolongs life, it changes your destiny.

Inventor*author*Individual

Quincy Hille Selassie AKA
The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com

If I could do it all again…I’d reach for the stars
(Poem created and read for a scholarship banquet)

If I could do it all again, I’d reach for the stars.
There would be no incline to high and no destination too far.

There are no glass floors in Heaven. Therefore, no blessing is too large.
If I can conceive it, & believe it, then achieving it can’t be that hard.

If I could do it all again, man don’t even start…
Truth will be my first language, but I will speak primarily from my heart…

See for every action there is a reaction so don’t stray too far.
For if you break your divine connection then you may just lose who you are.

If I could do it all again, there would be no limitations.
Especially if it is the Creators inspiration…

Oh I’d avoid my worse temptations and chose an anointed occupation
over your worldly dominated jobs leading to spiritual stagnation

Let me remind you that wisdom and knowledge leads to personal transformation…
That anything you truly want in life may take stubborn determination before it comes into fruitation…

You can easily get up from your knees in that defeated perspiration…If…you
sincerely repent…submit…and vow to renew your personal dedication.

If I could do it all again I’d embrace school, laugh at booze, and trade in my expensive jewels for used shoes. What’s the use?

I wouldn’t care about being cool, about being “that dude”, turn off the radio and hand me some garden tools, kick the TV over so I can read the real… good… news…

If I could do it all again, son I promise I would break all the rules.
If you told me I can’t - I WILL
If you said I had no choice- I’D STILL CHOOSE

If I could do it all again, I would have whispered this yesterday-
Where there is a will- there is a… RIGHT way

So if you will only internalize one phrase I have spoken to day.
Live in God’s awesome perfect will and the rest will fall into place.

By

Quincy Hille Selassie

AKA
The Individual, Calm Hill

-Live For Authenticity-

-For you-

-A Poem-

Is it worth it
To appear worthless
When your mind is set,
But your heart is searching

A Divine Soul set on fire
With eternal desire
Who shall you allow the breathe of life
The truth teller or the liar

If the cute fable
Is accepted
Do you oblige
Or just reject it

For Heavens Sake
For carnal pleasure
For the dawning of a new era
Or for lukewarm measure

Not the good
Because it generally feels bad
Until you live and learn
Until you have made peace with the past

Until you have dug deep
Until you have prayed
Until you have decided that
Today is the day -

For authenticity

When your heart is set
When your mind is clear
When you seperate from the negative
The positives always reappear

But that vision is fleeting
Like a boat with harsh winds
Traveling over the open seas
Where do you start where shall you end

But that was the old you
The new you is much wiser
He realizes that all is well
No matter how life advertises it

What good is a range
Without valleys and peaks
About as good as a life
Without months and weeks

Without laughs and cries
Without glimmers in the eyes
Without hope that once was lost
But found like a hidden prize

The gift is the giver
As whom is unafraid
To cease
Is actually a liver

God hears
God knows
So whatever you exercise
I promise it grows…

Live for Authenticity

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com

What if you could record the moments in time
That captures Heaven’s essence
Like a polaroid picture of joy before it happens

Your candle lite hallway filled with photos of the future
As it unfolds before you in the present with
Each smile encouraging you to create what is before you

You touch the dusty glass and run your index finger
Down the face of the only woman you love and
Smile at your sons standing just as you stood at their age

As the flame flickers and your eyes move slowly
From picture to picture, ages change, nothing
seems to stay the same - although sometime you wish it so

You glance at the black and white pictures
Of the wedding reception that was less than perfect,
but at the same time “perfect” because she shared the aisle with you.

A picture of the white beach at purple dusk
With your baby boy kicking over the sand castle His sister built
While the broken shells leave the moist sand sparkling

A picture of the family gathering when
You finally noticed how much gray hair your mother has
and how precious life is. How short life is…

A picture of the prom night that came much to early
As your significant other smiles warmly seeming less
Worried about what happens after the music stops than you are

A picture of the house taken while the paint was fresh
Before you hid the crayons from your in-house artist
And the cat was a cute kitten who refused to use the litter box

Pictures, so many pictures
Of memories that exist yet in time
But are as real as the deep feelings within your heart

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com

Author of; IT IS WITHIN US, Walking in the Footsteps of God, and The Pristine Life

A short poem by
~The Individual, Calm Hill~

Behind every wall there is hollow place
Walk any winding road and you will find a crevice
The top of every mountain lies a plateau
This is how water seeps through solid glass

The day of birth is the beginning of eternal rest
So a celebration of life is but a celebration of death
Every victory is someone else’s defeat more or less
This is how water seeps through solid glass

There is no dry desert without a hidden oasis
As every door that is closed is evidence of one opening
Faith is dead without works in most cases, but I’m hoping
This is how water seeps through solid glass

THE END

PS: So what is your interpretation?

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com - It Is Within Us (2009), and The Urban Renewal Show With Calm Hill, Future Best Selling book: Walking in the Footsteps of God

Most of the time you already know the answer. The reason. The “Why” and the “why nots” of a situation. It’s there, we’d just rather not acknowledge it. That’s when we have to depend on our courage and belief in self to step up and say or do what is necessary for our own good. People are naturally selfish. We want who we want and what we want, when we want it even if it isn’t what we need. A lot of times, what we attempt to have isn’t ours to hold in the first place. Consider this factor when you are attempting to understand the motives in others in regards to you. Sometimes, it’s not about you at all.

You have to remember to stay focused and strong. There will be times when people see things in you that attract them. It may be your appearance, your style of dress, your morals or values, your sex appeal, and your good nature. It may be your work ethic or your passion for knowledge. It may even be that you remind them of their father. Whatever it is, you have to be careful not to be pulled into someone elses world. For you are not what they are truly looking for, they just don’t know it. No one can complete you, especially another person who is broken themselves. That’s about 99% of people by the way.

You don’t complete any one. Most of the time, all you are doing is giving them a sense of being loved or attention that they have lacked earlier in life or in their current relationship. Be aware of this and try not to get caught up into a fantasy land. You will start to develop feelings and they will be clueless at why you are angry or sad. Not everyone who says I love you does. Not every man who promises he isn’t as bad as your crazy ex is telling the truth. He is probably worse. Sometimes people love themselves and other people pretty much represent their happiness and that’s it. Your happiness isn’t considered. They don’t realize it, but eventually you will. Like a new dress purchased, if that love isn’t genuine, you’ll be hanging in the closet with the rest of them once you have been washed a couple of times. Understand, every one who says you are beautiful doesn’t appreciate you nor will they ever. They are only complimenting you because you please their senses. Kind of like a sweet smelling pastry or a velvet blanket. It is not the blanket that they care about, only how the blanket feels to them. Keep your balance because the love scene will only last for a few seconds. My point? Don’t fall for it.

I am not telling you to live with your guard up and consider everyone manipulative. I am speaking about human nature which is to please itself foremost. Sometimes even fooling a good natured person’s heart into believing it is doing more than just that. But love is not about how that person makes you feel. To truly love is to devote time in to making that person feel as wonderful as you feel around them. It is giving. If you ever question if a person likes you, consider what they give you and you should never be confused again. It’s obvious, confusion or mixed feelings are red flags. Disregard their mouths and study their actions.

See, we fool ourselves enough in life daily just to make sense of everything. We constantly have to justify or forget our “lack” in order to live peacefully. But sometimes individuals don’t realize that you or any man\woman won’t save them from their heart ache. I can’t change your past or fix your self-esteem. I can’t cure your appetite for adventuring out side of home. No one can love a person who lacks love in themselves. For even if I were to try, you’d probably sabotage the relationship somehow. I can’t replace the man that you are disrespecting by being interested in me. For what you do to he is what you will do to me. A universal rule to remember; hurting people hurt others and in the process hurt themselves more. So don’t allow others shortcomings or imbalances sway you to the left or right. That will leave both of you falling. Not in love, but off the rightful path where your true soul mates await you.

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com, It Is Within Us 2009
Inventor * Author * Thinker

It is not the typical morning that shows a man’s true character. It is the hours of extreme sadness or anger that removes the mask. The evenings of uncertainty and unresolve that chip away at the shield of every valient man. It is the situations that cause despair, regret, and doubt that strips away the clothe badges leaving the soldier to depend solely on the badges merit. These are the moments of truth when authenticity meets faith and faith wrestles with fate.

It is not in the moments of earthly happiness that illuminates, but during the dark days where the only source of light radiates from God that does. When His showering love seems cruely distant and The Creator seems to turn a cold shoulder to your requests of grace. A Father’s uncordial denial of your sincere pleas of a second chance to make a tenth mistake. The trying times when your perfect portrait tumbles and falls causing shattering glass to cover your floor of iniquity. These are the moments of truth when back tracking is impossible and your only option is to choose the left or right split in the road where the city of Risk will be crossed either way.

It is not in the moments of blue skies and sunny weather that engages a man’s heart. It is in the sorrowful nights of praying over the sounds of loud thunder followed by the precipitations of joy raining from the Heavens onto a man’s bare head that reminds Him of his place. That causes him to submit and accept His powerlessness against the Creator’s Will. That flips the switch of the soul to autopilot guiding the man to seek divinity and truth verses worldly possessions and shallow answers to life’s hardest questions. It is in the moments of hardships where we can only depend on the merciful hand of God to either shield us or guide us through the rough terrain that undoubtfully gives us a true measure of one’s character…

Be strong and wise you are approaching the land He promised you…

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com
www.calmhill.com/blog

Author of IT IS WITHIN US (2009)

I view sin as a trangression against ones self. Like spray paint on an old church door, or gum stuck on the side of a beautiful sculpture, our misdoings destroy what is simply good. In a sense, we are all guilty of this behavior.

I just finished a biography of Abe Lincoln and was amazed, as always, the true picture (or a picture atleast resembling actuality) of who he was and the depth of his character. As many great men, his life was full of tradgedy, but he never lost site of his purpose. His difficulties seem to have added fuel to the divine power within him. Through the many difficult times, he took solace in the story of Job identifying the universal truth that sometimes hardships are not caused by sin, but just the opposite. God uses what seems to be a negative situation for the positive in the long run. Anyway, it was really interesting to read how his life unfolded- how it ended….

The point I am making about Lincoln is, he was just a man. Flesh and blood just like you and I. Not perfect, but he kept near God. The more he began to trust God, the more he allowed his inner man to make decisions for the outer world. Instead of acting in the carnal, he attempted to act in faith. Abraham, the Father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, who I recently read about too, did the same thing (take this as a lesson on naming kids). Abe understood that he had not simply won a presidency, but accepted a higher calling with the position given to him by God. He was chosen for the task as Barack Obama has been chosen for ours.

When we answer the call, God expects that we will make mistakes just as we expect newborns to need diapers. It is a part of their growth as little human beings, as it is a part of our growth as big human beings to assist them. As the child wets himself, so does humanity. We forget our promises to Him or we simply refuse to keep them. We say things that we regret and keep our lips closed when we should speak. Everyone is guilty of being imperfect. Everyone is guilty of back sliding and falling short. You and I both have to continuously reach for a state of living that God approves of. The stronger your calling, the harder the fight.

Thankfully He understands that “honest Abe” lied plenty of times. That Abraham in the Bible, whom Lincoln was named after, was almost a century old when he began to live in faith. Spiritual maturity takes time. Thankfully He understands The Individual, Calm Hill is many miles away from his destination. Thankfully his omnipotent wisdom understands the corralation between growth and experience. Therefore, we all have been pardoned. Be encouraged and keep moving forward. Never let your current imperfections keep you from resting on the bosom of God. To Him, nothing is hidden and nothing is overlooked. Not the good. Not the bad. Not the ugly….all undeniably human.

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com
Inventor, Producer, Author, Founder of The Progressive Collective

Read about the brain. Whatever you continue to do over time actually does get embedded in your mind. Imagine rubbing your finger across wet cement. If you continue to do this as it dries, it will create an impression. This impression will be in the concrete for as long as it’s there. The same with your habits. The more you do them, the harder it is for your body or mind to do otherwise. Change becomes harder and routine- starts knocking. You might as well shop for dentures… Next thing you know, you have no friends, barely know the city you live in, and will be like Barack who? When do we vote? Consider this. It’s far better to experience the world, than to use God as an excuse to lay dormant. Organization and wholesome living does not have to be boring and mundane. How can God use you if you are hidden away- talking to yourself, small and proud of the box you have been living in? Reality check…

1. If you have your whole week planned out a week early, you are responsible, but unknowingly stuck in a rut.

Add spice to your life. Leave a day open where you have to do something different. Unplug your TV and hide your remote control. Fill up the tank and ride while you can. Refuse to eat anywhere you have eaten before. Visit the museum. Visit a different church. Go out and party till dawn. Let your weekends create themselves. Drive to a different county and window shop. Lay at the park and paint. Roller skate over some little kids. Note: Take special care of the week days though. This is where most of us have a set routine that ages us ungracefully and sets us in our ways. Monday- Friday is still life…duh! Say it to yourself; “Idontwanagitolemama,” LOL

2. If the only people you talk to or hang out with are long time friends, family, and the people you work with- you are loved, but stuck in a rut.

Meet new people. Yeah, I don’t like having a bunch of mess around me either, but if you are good so are others. Most people are okay. You will meet some souls you’d rather avoid, but that’s life. It’s human nature to settle in. That’s okay, but it’s also the main reason why people are bored, unhappy, and spend money on trife materials all the time. If we just socialized more, we will have an outlet for fun, leisure etc. Live it up. This starts with people. Engage. Converse. Give your number away (or ask for theirs). Strike up conversations with strangers, teachers, especially people you fear or that intimidate you. That’s where the gold is. Never do the same “entertaining” thing twice. How do you know what you like if you never tried anything?

3. If you are always home for the same sitcom show- If you only buy black clothes because you look cute in black- If your best friend is a gold fish- If your mother called the cops because she hadn’t spoke to you in 3 hours- If you and your mate “love cuddling,” and make excuses why staying home is best…ya’ll won’t be in love long- If your housing complex put a yellow sticker on your car because it never moves thinking it needs repair- If you get excited about going to church to see “friends”- If you get to work an hour early to browse the internet- If you read so many books that your metro phone starts break dancing because it hasn’t rang in 6 days- If you spend more than an hour online\tv a day- If your sofa has your butt print in it- If you take out your garbage twice a day to keep busy- If you have had the same hairstyle for 10 years- If cleaning your house, your car, or underwear drawer is fun- If you grab a butter knife, and the cordless phone if someone actually knocks on your front door- If all your boyfriends leave you- If all your girlfriends leave you- If you have an excuse for anything I just said because it hit home- Ooh shucks, your stuck in a rut!!!!

My advice? Get a life.

The Individual, Calm Hill
Inventor & Producer (I know it changes every post, but that’s exactly my point) Change is Good…

You don’t control everything that happens in life. You can’t. Life is full of surprises, twists and turns, dark alleys you wished you never crossed, and beautiful views you hope to never lose. These are things that “are” and “will be”, regardless. This world we share is a combination of ideas contributed by everyone who has ever released a thought into the atmosphere. It is not my world, or your world. It is ours. And even calling the world “ours” is questionable, if you get my drift.

It is in our nature to attempt to control what’s happening in our lives. It is also in our nature to attempt to control what happens to others around us as their lives become apart of ours. We may mean well, but sometimes we put our energy into controlling things, circumstances, and especially people that we have no right to control. They lose, because a person only changes when they truly desire change. And for them, change may come to late. And sometimes, even though what we ask of them, or what we advise them to do is for their good, it may not be “good” timing. Nevertheless, the more we focus on things that we have no control over, the less we have time to control the things that we do. Thus, we lose. We waste time, energy, brain cells, emotions, money, love, careers, and just plain life dealing with what we should have avoided if we had thought for a second. Just a second…

I dare you to lose control for a moment. Lose control of what needs to be left alone. Lose control of people who don’t see what you see. For they may be blind where you see. But you may be blind, where they have clear vision. Neither is wrong, both of you are just playing on different fields. Lose control over low priority events in your life, so you can focus on the big picture. Fretting about the past holds you hostage to the very things you wish to flee from. Lose control over proving yourself to people. Lose control over needing their validation or approval. You may never get it. Only you and God know the truth. No one makes you. No one can break you. Lose control over the things you have held on to from fear of not doing better. Whether it be a job, a man, or a superstition. You CAN do better!

Brothers and sisters, losing control is not about losing at all. It is about gaining. Gaining clarity. Gaining simplicity. Gaining strength from having your mind clear enough to leave what isn’t needed on the journey of life. It is about knowing where you are going, and taking just the right tools to get you there. Losing control elevates you. It frees you from the unnecessary burdens you can do without. Losing control empowers you to see reality verses the fantasy so many of us live in. Losing control releases you from the chains of averageness of thought practiced by the masses and places you in a position of elite wisdom. If you want to control anything worth while, control your thoughts and YOUR thoughts only. Once you have control over that, there would be no reason why you would need to lose control again.

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com
Author of Walking in the Fooststeps of God, and It Is Within Us
Founder of the Progressive Collective Organization.

What is yesterday, but memories? What is tomorrow, but forethought? With age comes wisdom. A wisdom of understanding your past. A probable future based on experience. But we should not tie ourselves to either, for they do not really exist. Take a fresh approach to life.

The spices of your great grandmother are a tasty tradition. The school you chose because your father is an alumni was a great choice either way. Yes, your spouse reminds you of your mother, and you’ve decided to stay in the US and not move overseas. While your job pays the bills, truthfully it is just a reflection of the status quo you were raised under. But are these things necessary? Should they stay the same? I don’t think so… Take a fresh approach to life.

Do you believe in yourself? As a matter of fact, do you know yourself? Are you who you are, because they told you so? How come you feel different? How come a part of you wants to break the normalcy of your life to venture into the great unknown. How come a part of you wishes you could break the rules and fly away? That hopes for change and excitement. The fantasy world that the child within you has never let go? You don’t have to let it go, because it’s right in front of you. Take a fresh approach to life and watch a different world appear before your eyes.

Tell yourself that I am where I am because I choose to be.

Tell yourself that anything is possible if you believe.

Tell yourself that everyday I will do something that will move me a little closer to my goals.

Tell yourself that I am not stagnant, I am free as I feel.

Tell yourself that there aren’t any boundaries, only limitations of thought.

Tell yourself that inner wars are the hardest battles fought.

Tell yourself that each and every day you will find a way to live. Really live. A fresh approach to life. At every dawn conception happens in your mind and you become a new born. Exploring the present as if there was no past. No boundaries. No limitations. No baggage. No doubts, only limitless opportunites… Yes, a fresh approach to life. Nothing canned. Nothing concentrated. Nothing preserved. It is as easy as you choose it to be.

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com/blog
Author of Walking in the Footsteps of God, It Is Within Us, The Urban Renewal Show With Calm Hill

Winter has this calming effect
This fresh feel of coolness touching my skin
While a brisk gust of wind warmed by the sun
Swirls past birds nest that are exposed
As the brown crunchy leaves fall to the road

I see my breath as I walk outside. And it
Reminds me that I am still alive. While
Others have already crossed the finish line
I continue to strive. I continue to exist.
Am I the only soul that sees the beauty in this

Listen closely to hear the leaves speak
They say if you want a divine lesson take
A look at me. For I fell, not from failure,
But eternal wisdom can’t you see? If I stayed attached
To the branch, I’d eventually hurt the tree

Listen closely to the whispers of day
The summer season is where the sun
Loves to play. But even the all powerful
Needs a time of rest, so the moon
And the night time are stretched

Take this time to reflect on your past
Letting the leaves fall where they are
Not meant to last- but making way for
The future to come another season of hibernation
Leads to another moment of summer fun.

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com
It Is Within Us, The Urban Renewal Series TV Show

In order to make any one else happy, most of the time, you have to be at least OK yourself. Now, I do not believe that in order to make someone else happy, you have to be on top of the world. That may be true for some people, but that is only because they are so self-centered that it would be hard to give something when they feel they lack. But- I do understand that we all need a sense of fulfillment, a state of balance in order to be our best self. Usually when we are feeling our best or at least good, we have the energy to make someone else feel that way. Simply put, when your house is not in order, more than likely your mindset wouldn’t allow you to focus on the beautiful curtains at your neighbors. You’re too busy worrying about your own issues. I say this to say that we have to renew our own minds first before we set out to renew someone elses. A lot of times we attempt to help other people, yet we can’t face our own dilemmas.

See, our worse weaknesses are the prettiest. In other words, look nice on the outside. An example is the submissive friend. The submissive friend seems to be there for everyone. Always stepping back to make sure everyone else is happy. Never considering their own feelings much. Every one likes them, but they are taking advantage of by the very people that need them. Their lives consists of making others happier than they are. It looks good on the surface, but what’s happening within is totally different. This pretty weakness of self-sabotage can only last so long. Eventually this person would become the opposite of what their friends imagine is them. The smiling, happy go lucky person may turn pessimistic, distrustful, angry and negative. They will probably lose the friends ironically, because their friends would think they’ve changed for the worse. Not really so. If this is you, consider yourself first. Your needs. Your desires. Your future. Your happiness. You absolutely deserve that without a shadow of doubt.

If people are good for you, they will do this automatically. They will turn an ear when you need advice. Open their wallet when you need change. Open their homes when you need sleep. Energy needs to circulate. Like blood when it doesn’t circulate, the body becomes unhealthy. You give they take. You get they give. Simple. You can’t turn yourself into a rug then complain about being stepped on. Yeah, others like wiping their feet, but let them wipe their feet else where. Your job is to be true…to them and you. Yes, you seem as if you are the “bestest” friend they could have but let me leave you with this… You deserve to get what you give. When you receive other than that, you are in the wrong place. They don’t deserve you, but they will once you are gone.

Look at him in the eye and say who am I to you? Look at your boss and say “about that raise?” Get on your knees and pray to the Father about the promise He made. Hold your brother accountable. There is nothing wrong with honesty and truth. There is nothing wrong with being strong and direct. I love people who speak their mind. Who are unafraid to say what is. Who show leadership when others follow. Who speak up when it is necessary. Who will give their last to people, but are not afraid to ask for it back. Who demand respect. Who treat themselves like they are worth their weight in gold. Like they are true children of God. Hold your head up. Say what you mean and mean what you say, regardless of the after effects. Tell the truth, shame the devil. If this is you, you have a fan in me…

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com
It Is Within Us, The Urban Renewal Show with Calm Hill

*A short Poem*

By The Individual, Calm Hill

I picked a peculiar flower
From a lush field of the unfamiliar
While wiping the sweat from my face
I gazed towards the North for comfort

A flower delicate in nature
Yet, strong enough to endure
The winds of the Georgia plains
Comfortably rooted in black soil

The soft petals folded over
Sprinkling the little bud beneath
With the dew of love and affection
It has yet to feel itself…

I lay in your peach aroma delighted
That my rough melodies
Penetrate your leaves like sunlight
Refreshing and energizing your hidden nature

Admirers have admired you
As I have walked a colorful field or two
Embracing many flowers that carried thorns,
But I needed not a glove to hold you

Back and forth I wondered shall I pluck thee
Or leave you as beautiful as I have found
For if I leave you as is, then you are forever perfect
If I pluck thee, you may miss the ground

I hold your stem with care
And have prepared a special place where
You will not only have everything that your field has supplied
But everything it has not….

Sincerely,

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com
Author of; It Is Within Us, Walking in the Footsteps of God
The Urban Renewal Show with Calm Hill

Usually I have some idea of why I am writing a post. During the day, something taps me almost to the point of torture like a drop of water hitting an iron pan in the dead of night. Through out the day, I can barely concentrate until I lay it on paper. In this case, online… This post is different, and I suspect that most posts will be different from this day forth. Now, I feel like there is no need to hold back ever. There is only a need to present the material to those who seek it. Sometimes I’d write about God, other times about life or even religion - Urban issues. But I will always be authentic and help move us forward regardless.

I have about 7 titles waiting in my draft folder that I could’ve published, but when I asked God what He wanted me to write, I heard; “building Houses from scratch.” I am not certain still who He is speaking to out there for this particular post. By the way, the voice of God is heard through your infinite spirit or Holy Spirit and translated by your sub-conscious mind, which is heavily influenced by your day to day consciouness. That means the way you interpret God’s word or influence in your physical life is somewhat filtered by the way you live life.

What you do is what you see. Amazing and scary.

So what does God want me to convey about building a house?

(Sat for a few minutes in silence)

“Foundation. Governmental housing. Condemned.” This is what I heard when I sat for a few minutes. Note: I wrote this post a few minutes ago, but the internet froze and my work disappeared. I am actually writing this twice.

Here is what; http://architecture.about.com/cs/buildyourhouse/bb/beforebuild.htm says about the steps to building a home…

1. Plan Your Budget

2. Choose Your Lot

3. Line Up Your Team

4. Pick A Plan

5. Negotiate your contracts

Here is my interpretation:

House probably symbolizes temple. Temple means the body that you are renting to live. But I don’t consider the body or temple being restricted to biology, but every thing surrounding your existance. Renting is a key word too. No one owns their temple. It’s rented. Consider if you destroy your rented apartment… The same with your temple. Your accountable for what comes out and goes in and the condition of it when you leave.

So planning your budget for building your house is not about money, but about resources. Resources that you dedicate to creating the best house you can. Educating yourself is building your temple. Not college, but awareness. Not just books, but conversation. Not just listening to the sermons but having the guts and trust when it’s your turn to preach. Plan your budget, dedicate the time needed to live in society, but make sure you have enough to give to God. Changing friends releases resources. Changing jobs. Changing you career. Changing yourself is probably key in most situations.

Choosing your lot is choosing where you want to be. Do you see yourself in the north or the south? Do you see yourself close to others or isolated. Anywhere you decide to choose will carry risks. What is better for the overall plan is what you should consider first. If you desire marriage, perhaps you should surround yourself with like minded people. If you see your lot as single for God, then we should act as single and unattached. You can’t be single and be attached in anyway truly. Not mentally, physically or emotionally. Choose your lot in life. Where do you see yourself in God’s grand scheme? What state? What city? What area? What calling?

Line up your team. Count your friends and eliminate the wolves. See past the fact that even good friends could stir you wrong if they dont know right themselves. Associate with people who are on your path. Be careful of individuals who wish bad on you or are envious of your potential. Who don’t know God and really don’t care to. See people for who they are, not for what they present to you. Have your discernment on high. Surround yourself with people that love you, care about your growth, care about you prospering. Make sure your associations are mutually beneficial. The people around you whether planned or not are reflections of a major aspect of your personality.

Pick a plan and stay with it. If you know that you need a certain education to qualify for a job, get the education and stay on target. Don’t give up. Don’t allow your flesh to stir you into an easier route. Create a solid plan that is spiritually motivated. Every house needs a foundation, but even that foundation needs to be planned. The materials. The builders. The area. Your life is your temple and the things\people around you will visit you regularly. Your decisions. Your attitude. Write out your plan and believe it. Speak it to existance. Let a few people who are good for you in on what you plan on doing. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Hmm. This is funny. There are two entitites who can give you a contract. That is God, and Satan. Well, God has given us the manual- all the things we need to know about his contract pretty up front. There is relatively no guessing if you open your heart and mind to the words in th Holy Bible. Therefore, there is no negotiating with God. You can take it or leave it. Satan on the other hand, will “negotiate” with you. If you do this, I will give you this he’ll say. But from my experience, he always has the upper hand. Always has your worse interest at heart. Always is plotting your down fall. There is always a hidden clause. There will always be a regret after you’ve signed the papers. Don’t even try to negotiate with God. Do as He has written. Do as he has asked of you personally. He created you for His own great purpose, not yours. If you live your life with your own purpose in mind, you are lost. Simply as that. So if you ever find yourself negotiating with God, it is the enemy in disguise. With the Father, there is no contract, it has already been signed by his SON…

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com, IT IS WITHIN US, Walking in the Footsteps of God,

Hello…

Yeah, I have time to talk. What’s up?

Go on….

Really?

Hold on. My mother’s calling on the other line…she still hasn’t sent my clippers…

Yeah, I know. That’s where I get it from…

So what were you saying? Then, she did what? No, you didn’t get the job either? Wow, you have every right to be a little heated if he said that to you. How much will it cost you to get your car fixed? That’s alot. Especially with everything else going on. Seems like you have a few mountains to climb. I understand. Been there and unfortunately, still doing that. Before I give you some advice I have to ask you… Do you really want to vent or do you want some advice? There is a difference.

OK

Well, I would say that you are usually a pretty positive person and that if any one was in your place they’d feel the same way. It’s not just you. Have you prayed on it? Prayer should not be the last thing you do, but the first thing. Prayer tells God that we are in need, and it opens our spirit up enough to recieve the answers that we could not get without Him. Prayer is powerful because it allows God to intervene on your behalf. It allows God to speak to you and give you true clarity about what’s really going on in your life. See, everything starts spiritually.

No, really. Everything has a spiritual root. A lot of times our problems are manifestations of inner turmoil. They are the red flag that there are areas of our life that need better management. I am not blaming you. I am just saying that it’s far better to take responsibility, than to blame your boyfriend, your parents, or God. But you know that. What you might be missing is the fact that we all have hurdles and mountains to climb. I read in a book once that every person you meet is fighting some battle. That’s deep when you think about it. So I know how things feel right now. You probably regret some of your decisions and are constantly questioning yourself about what you should’ve did. But give yourself some credit.

You make mistakes, but how many mistakes have you avoided? You may have fell a few times, but how many lessons have you applied to your life and never looked back? Look at what you have done. Have accomplished. You have done a remarkable job with the cards you were dealt. You don’t think God knows this. He is aware of the weight you have so he doesn’t compare you to the other runners. Some of them may not have shoes. Some of them may have one leg. You? A slightly heavy back pack. But…I am certain if you look at the positives in your life, they will out weigh the negatives by far. The things about our nature is; we are designed to focus on the bad naturally (carnally) because our flesh lives in fear. Fear of change. Fear of issues. Fear of death. Fear of economics. Fear of asking God for help. The enemy knows this and tries to create the very situations in our lives we are afraid of…. Consider it.

It’s far better to look at these things as mountains you have been assigned to climb. Because your outlook on a situation can dramatically change the end results. Approach these things from your higher self. The car is trippen, but how many days did the car work well? Yeah, I know. Your fiance has moved out, but he represents the growth that you need to consider for yourself and himself. As far as family issues, sometimes you have to pray for people and allow them to find their way. A lot of times, we try to push people on our time and pace when their natural pace may be different. As far as that job is concerned, it may not be for you. I am an avid believer in trying your hardest. Including God in every decision and putting your best foot forward. If you do all the above and it still doesn’t work, it may be that He is saving you from more mountain climbing in your life.

The point I am trying to make is; pray for God’s clarity when you have issues. Look at things more positively, but consider what role you played in them manifesting. Take responsibility, but don’t be so hard on yourself. You are so much greater and smarter than the few issues you are currently having. They are not you. Stay positive, and one day soon you will be able to tell these mountains to move. Before you can, joyfully climb the mountains. Sit at the top of them and love the view. Soak in the sun. Feel the wind blow through your hair. Listen to nature. It’s a beautiful view once you get to the top isn’t it? Now when you tell that mountain to move, you will never have to go climb it again.

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com, It is Within Us 2009, Walking in the Footsteps of God

I watched the sitcom “Growing Pains” growing up like everyone else did my age. The show was funny and it aired for quite a while. I really didn’t think much about the meaning of the title until recently when I was lifting at the gym. I was reading on how the muscles grow in your body earlier that day and it’s basically from lifting or pulling more weight than your body is used to. You also have to shock your body into believing that it needs to be bigger or stronger to deal with the “stress” you are giving it daily. In return, it grows to accomadate your new lifestyle. Sounds pretty simple. It is.

Everyone that frequents there has confirmed the same thing I researched. So in theory, it is simple. Lift weight frequently, eat right or more calories, lift heavier weight next time. Switch routines so your body can again, be surprised and shocked into growth. But… when I look around the gym and I see dudes 3 times bigger than me who scream, turn beet red in the face, and shake, almost crying to pick up the last rep of weight, it ain’t easy. Yep, ain’t nothing funny about growing pains. It can be down right painful sometimes…but there are rewards.

I am speaking about weight lifting, but we get growing pains wherever there’s a place on us or within us that hasn’t grown or been stretched in a while. Some of us need to train on our attitude. Our mind has been stagnated into believing the cup is half-empty, or that people should not be given the benefit of the doubt, or that everyone has the potential to treat us as bad as our last spouse. Because of this belief system we have adopted, our attitude wil probably push people away and cause them or ourselves much harm. Some of us need help in trusting God as we have had some experiences that make us question if He cares. Some of us need some training in budgeting, respect, tithing, love, diets, and self-worth. With so much we can do to “reposition ourselves” as TD Jakes would say, you would think most of us will be walking around with sore arms, minds, and calves, but that’s not the case.

Growing pains hurt. Fatigue reminds us of our weaknesses. Tiredness confirms our real status. They point at the true reality we like to ignore. So…most of us are content with all-around flabbiness. How about you? Once you grow (unfortunately most of it do to the negative situations we get in) we will experience a few moments of tenderness or aching, but eventually we get used to it. We will get used to being the better stronger person. Compliments about your growth will come from people you didn’t know were paying attention. Consider how much better your life would be if you took an inventory of your weakest “muscles” and decided to work them out. I can assure you, you will never go back to the spiritually, mentally or immature sedentary lifestyle you once lived…

The Individual, Calm Hill - It Is Within Us 2009
www.calmhill.com

Humbly before you, I bow my whole body in respect, love, fear, and admiration of your Holiness. My earthly clothes are dirty and torn and my young soul is in need of spiritual restoration that only you can give. Tilt my head back and pour the pure waters of forgiveness running forth from your stream of everlasting love into my mouth. Touch my face and remind me to swallow the sweet manna of Heaven which will fill my empty stomach with wisdom, love, and knowledge- the spiritual food my flesh cannot sample. Yet my soul cannot live without. I scream out to you in a loud sincere cry in tongues for you to take what little I have to offer and use it for your liking. Feed me, so that I could give them Father.

From the bottom of my beating heart, I crave the comfort of your voice, and your protection in my time of need. You have not yet returned so the battle is still raging on Earth God. Within each of us God. I am fighting to overcome the enemy within me, so that I could help eliminate the darkness within He or She. I am finding that there is no other way to live, accept a life within your divine will. So I lay prostrated on the floor raining on the slippery tiles below me - praying that you forgive me for my sins, my broken promises and ungodly actions to myself and others. I know I don’t deserve your grace. I lay my life, but I need strength O Lord to pick up my rugged borrowed cross and to carry it to my assigned destination. Oh Lord, I am not fit for your blessings. For my actions at times are weak, ungrateful, selfish and opposite of the man I know I am. And I repent once again. Repent from the deep depths of me. I repent from the lite depths of me. I repent from the Holy depths of me.

I lay my life for your work, but it is the tainted flesh, and the carnal passions I have yet to lay that I hurt me. For these passions hold my life hostage, hold my innocent soul under the unlawful conviction of the enemy. My joy and peace interrupted so that I may be of an interruption to others. My spiritually immature tongue aroused and used as a sharp weapon for the enemy while my actions do not glorify you. Father, help me. I lay my little life. Oh, I lay my little life. I lay my life so take me and mold me into the man I should be. A real man of my word. A man of honor. A man of character. An example of a real Christian man. The young man you had in mind when you called me into existance on this beautiful creation of yours. I want to stand in front of you one bright morning while the angels are welcoming me with song to hear job well done. I cannot bare to hear anything else…Amen

The Individual, Calm Hill - It Is Within Us 2009. Walking in the Footsteps of God, The Urban Renewal Series Show
www.calmhill.com

Reader,

I rarely put other material on my blog but this is good stuff. I think I will do more in the future but anyway. I know from experience this needs to be heard by many of us. Consider the spiritual truths within it. I have and I no longer want to participate in this so I broke a soul tie I was caught up in. I can’t explain to you the feeling of taking a part of you back. Not that I don’t love the person, but she absolutely can’t be for me…with the way I was treated. I wouldn’t treat my ex-ex that way and I am a man. So how can we be available for the person that we are supposed to really be with when we are tied to the wrong person? You can love them to death, but if they aren’t with you, it doesn’t matter…

Love is about giving, and not what you can get. It is not boastful. It is not about breaking a person down or acting completely out of touch with their emotions. It’s about seeing the potential, not the flaws. Love is about caring. Love is about sharing your life space with another of God’s kids. It’s about being the best person around them, not other people. Love is about sincereness, and communication. If you can go a whole month, week or day without speaking to them, you don’t love them deeply. If you don’t care about their feelings, you don’t really love them. And last but not least, if you can treat them like dirt, you simply don’t love them. Or perhaps you don’t love yourself. Only time will tell…or experience because what goes around comes around quickly.

Love is not about control, deceit, self-centeredness. It’s not about holding a heart hostage, but refusing to show yours. Love is positive, not negative. Love is about treating the person, like you would treat a king or queen not your enemy. Love is about commitment in front or behind the person. Friends should not see the best in you, your partner should. That is maturity on the deepest level. Love is not shallow, nor is it flighty. Love is not about doing whatever you want to, and expecting the other person to jump when you say jump. Treat her like you wish your mother to be treated. Treat him like you would want somone to treat your brother. Love simply feels good for both parties. Both of them have to be honestly commited to one another. If homeboy is sneaking around when he feels he won’t be caught, he will create a rift between them. She may not know why. He will probably feel bad, and treat her like he feels deeply. Again, consider it.

Anyone who does any of the things above that are negative truly doesn’t love you, and truth be told… Any time you treat someone other than decent, you aren’t a decent person. Because any decent man or woman shouldn’t give or accept anything else. If you are a decent man or woman, than that means the person doesn’t mean much to you if you are honest. You can’t. If you are dating watch how you treat people you like or are interested in and notice how you treat people you are not. There is a big difference. Love is the same way, but on a greater level. Do the right thing sincerely, and when the right thing creates the wrong results- change your direction. It’s probably not you. Anyway, take heed and measure yourself. Will you ignore it? And make excuses? Or blow it off? Or laugh? Or simply refuse to look in the mirror. If that is the case young man, good luck. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes in the future- no way! Because the one you get with will probably finish the lesson- whew. BTW, the grass always look greener dude, but it’s a mirage. Yep, even the cool “christian” girl you met at church is a distraction and you know “who” sends those. Believe me.

Article from (http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/soulties.php)

What a soul tie is

The Bible speaks of what is today known as soul ties. In the Bible, it doesn’t use the word soul tie, but it speaks of them when it talks about souls being knit together, becoming one flesh, etc. A soul tie can serve many functions, but in it’s simplest form, it ties two souls together in the spiritual realm. Soul ties between married couples draw them together like magnets, while soul ties between fornicators can draw a beaten and abused woman to the man which in the natural realm she would hate and run from, but instead she runs to him even though he doesn’t love her, and treats her like dirt. In the demonic world, unholy soul ties can serve as bridges between two people to pass demonic garbage through. I helped a young man not too long ago break free from downright awful visitations from demons, all due to an ungodly soul tie he had with a witch. The man was a Christian, and the only thing that allowed her to send demonic torment his way, is through the soul tie. Other soul ties can do things such as allow one person to manipulate and control another person, and the other person is unaware to what is going on or knows what is going on, but for no real reason, allows it to continue.

How soul ties are formed:
I believe there are other ways which soul ties are formed, but here are some that I am aware of.

Sexual relations: Godly soul ties are formed when a couple are married (Ephesians 5:31, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.”), and the Godly soul tie between a husband and the wife that God intended him to have is unbreakable by man (Mark 10:7-9). However, when a person has ungodly sexual relations with another person, an ungodly soul tie is then formed (1 Corinthians 6:16, “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.”). This soul tie fragments the soul, and is destructive. People who have many past relationships find it very difficult to ‘bond’ or be joined to anybody, because their soul is fragmented.

Close relationships: King David and Jonathan had a good soul tie as a result of a good friendship (1 Samuel 18:1, “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”), but bad soul ties can form from bad relationships as well. Idolizing somebody can cause a bad soul tie.

I have heard too that you can create a soul tie with a rock group by becoming obsessed with their music. Which explains the strong pull towards certain music that seems almost irresistible.

Vows, commitments and agreements: Vows are known to bind the soul (Numbers 30:2), marriage itself consists of vows and binds the two people together (Ephesians 5:31), therefore I have little reason to overlook the concept of vows or commitments as being a means to create a soul tie.

How to break a soul tie

1. If any sins were committed to cause this soul tie, repent of them! Fornication is perhaps one of the most common ways to create nasty soul ties.

2. If gifts were given to you by the other person in connection with the sin or unholy relationship, such as rings, flowers, cards, bras, etc. I would get rid of them! Such things symbolize the ungodly relationship, and can hold a soul tie in place. If you are still friends or in a relationship (just now it’s no longer an ungodly relationship), like say a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, except you’ve repented of and forsaken the unholy practices you used to do in your relationship, then I don’t feel it is necessary to destroy all the gifts and things that you have been given. I would still encourage you to get rid of anything that symbolizes the ungodly practices in the relationship though, such as if a guy gives a girl a bra and panties with his initials on them during fornication. I wouldn’t encourage you to hang on to such things that symbolize sin or that are wrong to give each other before marriage. Things such as flowers and love letters given during an adultery should be destroyed.

3. Any rash vows or commitments made that played a part in forming the soul tie should be renounced and repented of, and broken in Jesus’ name. Even things like “I will love you forever”, or “I could never love another man!” need to be renounced. They are spoken commitments that need to be undone verbally. As Proverbs 21:23 tells us, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” The tongue has the ability to bring the soul great troubles and bondage.

4. Forgive that person if you have anything against them.

5. Renounce the soul tie. Do this verbally, and in Jesus’ name. Example, “In Jesus’ name, I now renounce any ungodly soul ties formed between myself and ______ as a result of _______________ (fornication, etc.).”

6. Break the soul tie in Jesus’ name! Do this verbally using your authority in Jesus. Example, “I now break and sever any ungodly soul ties formed between myself and _________ as a result of ______________ (fornication, etc.) in Jesus’ name.”

I, from the bottom of my heart love you, and was in love with you. Perhaps you will see this one day. If not, then I stand corrected. If I am not He, I send you the blessings and fulfillment on your journey. Regardless of how things turned out, you have been more good than negative in my life. I wish you could see it. I have to allow you to have what you want, not what I wanted. I wish you the best sincerely, and I pray for your safe-keeping and success…May God lead you to where you belong as he will me…

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com - It Is Within Us, Walking in the Footsteps of God, The Urbabn Renewal TV Show!!

Mirror mirror mirage giver
I think you have lied to me
For what I see seems to differ
From others reality

You claim that I am the smartest
And as perfect as I could be
Yet keeping friends is even harder
Than admitting that I cheat.

Mirror mirror mirage giver
How come my reflections dim
I can barely make out my own face
Yet, I notice the flaws in them

You say that I am matching
And my style of dress is superb
Then how come others start laughing
Before my heel hits the curb

Mirror mirror mirage giver
Have you ever spoke the truth
I thought you had my best interest at heart
So I never asked for proof

Perhaps you dont want to offend me
Perhaps you really mean well
But showing me what I want to see
Will one day make me fail.

Mirror mirror mirage giver
I think it’s time to trade you in
Because the more that I lie to myself
The less chance I have to win….

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.calmhill.com

Author; Walking in the Footsteps of God, It Is Within us (2009)

I can’t win can I? I try to do it my way, and I lose every time. He says go right, and I move left. My heart and my mind thinks it’s a good idea but…it’s not. I like to do things my way so I arm wrestle with God quite often. Wasting time, shuffling down the same broken path. Quite frankly, it doesn’t work. When you have a relationship with Him, He expects more from you than he does those who don’t know Him.

Maybe I should listen. May be the next time I feel like I might be able to win arm wrestling Him, I will look back on this blog. Don’t be like me madam or sir. Do yourself a favor, go with spirit. Not with mind, thoughts, emotions, feelings, and etc. Listen to the quiet voice of spirit. There is no comparison to the answer you get when you are alone and God’s voice is clear. He wants the best for me and you and she. Sometimes we don’t even know what’s best for ourselves. We only think we do. God give me spiritual bifocals. I am obviously “nearsighted.”

The Individual, Calm Hill (It Is Within Us)
www.calmhill.com

This isn’t a poem, nor is it an article or blog. Just my thoughts “tempoed”

I sit and people watch amazed at God’s marvelous creations
The smile of a little girl at the checkout counter
I am wondering what she sees in me -
but I know what I see in her

Fresh eyes and a past still pristine
The ability to see people for what they are
The distinct happiness of a soul not yet scorned
A playfulness and innocence that we soon forget

She is on the back of what looks to be her grandfather
His skin polished by age but his aura vibrates with the quiet wisdom
One can only get when you are content with your being
When fashion, and prestige no longer matter. Only peacefulness

The silverish gray in his head is symbolic
Of a tree shedding it’s fall leaves or the orange moon at dusk
Strong summer waves at the beach making crashing noises
On the rocky shore before him, after us and forever more

He hands his crumpled bill to a clerk
Who smiles lightly, mostly admiring the laughing blue eyed girl
With a lolly pop sure to stain her blue ruffled dress
Yet, know one seems to care. We all were once was there.

It reminds her of the days when she was that age
When riding the bike around the neighborhood was fun
And licking Ice cream cones and patching scratches on the knees
From hopping over ants and running from Bumblebees was work

Now she has a little girl slightly older
Who is the gem of her life
She even keeps a picture of her on the desk
To remind her of one of her purposes

The Individual, Calm Hill Author of; It Is Within Us
www.calmhill.com

Readers,

They say you should never regret anything. I agree. On the highest level, I do not regret anything, but this list is to really remind me never to make the same mistakes twice. Or at least “thrice”. As I have said before, unless you learn from the lesson, you have to continue being educated until you do so.

I recommend you take a few minutes and think about where you have been (when it’s not positive) then make a conscious effort not to end up back there again. The next time you almost fall back into old patterns it will be a kind reminder of the consequences. So this list below are just a few examples of self-defeating behaviors, character traits, habits, or belief systems that have hurt my progress as an individual. It’s not good to have regret in your heart, but what’s the use of ignoring where you need work? You should not hold on to regret, but only let it go after you have learned your lesson.

1. I did not take my education\ learning as seriously as I should have: I wasn’t really taught the value of education, and the people around me wasn’t either. Therefore, I did not do the best in school, which of course affects college, jobs, etc. This affects, money, health, credit, relationships. Everything is tied together. I know that now. Everything is tied together. Remember that. Everywhere and from everyone, you should be learning something everyday and applying it. Constantly making yourself stronger or empowered, then you have choices, and no regrets…

What can I do about it? Get more education as it’s never to late. Learn from people around me. Read, attend seminars, spend time that has been thrown away on folly and use it for the good. Get certifications. Surround yourself with individuals who care about growth like you do. Watch the company you keep. Blood doesn’t make relatives. Love does….

2. I did not create my friends and associates with purpose: I was under the assumption that people come into your life for a reason. This is true, but you still have to treat friendships and love, the way you treat everything else. Your relationships are so important that you can’t just allow people to roll in and out your life. It’s hard to be the best person you can be when you have people around you that bring out the worse in you. As you keep your front door locked, and people enter after they knock, your relationships should be the same. I did not do this in the past. My door was almost always open for anyone. I have yet to build quality fulfilling relationships which are balanced and beneficial for both of us. This has caused me to align myself with persons who were unequally yolked (several times), people who don’t have my best interest at heart, and sometimes people who just can’t offer me anything. Life is not about what you can get. But still, it’s not about what others can get either…

What can I do about it? Treat relationships with care. Treat people like I want to be treated. Align myself with movers and shakers and people who want something in life. People that are positive, educated, kind, loving, mature, and stable, who have God and love themselves. If you don’t love and accept you, you can’t do the same for anyone else. That is important. People who lack God cannot treat you the best way you need to be treated. I did not say church or vain Christians who want to be “spiritually cool”. I said God, by the way. This is especially true for intimate relationships like partners. Be careful who you let in your life, and be very careful who you let go. There are a billion people in the world, but God sat a side a few just for your inner circle. What happens when a car is missing a wheel? How far can you drive? Yeah, but how fast?

3. I started the “just do it” attitude later than necessary. Plans. Plans. Plans. I will do it later- tomorrow- next year. I am waiting on God. I am still deciding. I am unsure. I am relaxing for this month. I work hard enough already. I deserve time for entertainment. I don’t have time. The money. The energy… Sounds familiar? It does for me too. Do yourself a favor. Stop waiting for a miracle and create one. Waiting around just makes moving and doing something harder and riskier. I am finding out that the people who have something just take risks more than other people. They trust that they can achieve their goals. Tthey don’t pray for ten years, then claim they are waiting on God. God is waiting on you. Want to lose weight? Stop doing what caused you to gain weight. Want a better job? Put the ball in motion. You want your husband to come home? What sent him packing? Just do it. No more waiting, anticipating, and procrastinating. It hurt me in the past, and I am still cleaning up behind this horrible trait.

What can I do about it? Stop blogging and start jogging. Stop writing and start fighting. Just do it! You hear me? Just do it! You can. God has been waiting on you for how long now??? Yeah, I know. Where would we be if we just took the plunge?

4. I ignored my gut feelings and made bad choices because of it. You know that you know that you know. Don’t you? In the past, I have ignored those little signs that told me to stop, back away, or do not go there, or even halt! I kindly did what my gut said not to do and I got myself into trouble, or at least into some situations I could have avoided. If you find yourself in a circumstance or around and indiviudal and your gut says “no” pay attention. Take heed to the message from your mind. It knows the world a lot better than your ego. Satan is ready to set you up, but his weapon will be tailored towards your weaknesses. Read that last sentence again. Your flesh will justify anything to please it’s appetite. And mostly everything that the flesh enjoys is temporary and shallow. Don’t make this mistake. Follow your heart. Follow your gut about people and circumstances. Their mouths can lie, but their actions aren’t nearly as cunning. This goes for every thing in life.

What can I do about it? Just the opposite. Follow my heart. Live sincerely so that I can see sincerely. If I live a false life, I won’t be able to tell the real truth when I see it. I can tell a liar, but not a truth teller. To trust your gut feelings, you have to be intuned with yourself. You have to know what you represent. What you will allow. Your personal vibration. It starts with the knowledge of God, the love of yourself. You have to value yourself or others will never see you for what you are worth. Your outer world is but a manifestation of your inner world. Who are you? Where are you going? How do you see your future? Who are you taking with you ma’m or sir?

The Individual, Calm Hill - Walking in the Footsteps of God, It Is Within Us 2009
www.calmhill.com
www.myspace.com/calm_hill

Dear Lord,

I want to sincerely thank you for everything you have done for me over my life. Much of what you have blessed me with, I have surely taken advantage of. As well as much of what I have prayed for, I have recieved. Yet, I have been short on praise and true worship more than I would like to admit. Please forgive me, but do not hold back the wisdom and understanding I need to develop a stronger relationship with you in the present. I understand our relationship as Father and son is not based on your feelings as your love never falters or declines, but it is based on my own spiritual commitment.

My heart is in the right place, yet my naive flesh has no home outside of it’s worldly carnal desires. My mind is set on you, but my thoughts sway like weak palm trees in the mild winds in regards to my walk. My everlasting spirit recognizes the eternal, yet it’s my temporary body who only peeks at the surface of the external- that’s all it can understand. I am strong Lord, but I need your divine help. For the greatest battle we have as Christians is not Satan, but defeating the self-serpent. The strongholds of our minds that keeped us locked into the sins of yester year. The reoccuring sub-conscious inklings of where we have failed- and how we are currently failing. Yet, the knowledge of my indiscretions does not give me any more strength to change them, as if I was ignorant of their existance. How do I win except through you? How can I live except through your mercy? For without your mercy, your love, and especially your patience Father, where would I be? Certainly not here.

I want to take this time to not just pray for myself, but for everyone I have interacted with in this beautiful life. Person’s who I have passed on this street not knowing the circumstances they were in. I pray for my family and I equally pray for my friends and associates. All too often, we take advantage of our loved ones, friends, jobs, our health, love and children. We take advantage of your blessings when there is a bright soul who is staring at your wonderful face right now…who never imagined it this morning. Like us, they were thinking about tomorrow. But there is no tomorrow for them. I am blessed, because I am here. No, my life isn’t perfect, and I have many more requests for you in my lifetime. But at this moment, I just want to say thank you. I don’t want anything- just your attention. As you have promised never to destroy our world again with water, I am making a vow that I would try to be a better Christian in all aspects. Along this wonderful journey, throw hints, remind me, send me like spirits, whatever I need to do to please you. Even if all stops now, you have given me more than I can ever thank you for Father. Amen.

The Individual, Calm Hill - (doesn’t matter who I am does it?)
www.calmhill.com
www.theprogressicecollective.org

If you want to see someones true character, be around them in a stressful situation. It’s very easy to call yourself reserved, or calm, easy going, and mature when the situation is pleasant or at the least usual. I got a nice glimpse of this truth yesterday. The gas prices have been see-sawing for a while, but what’s even more hilarious is that gas stations are now running out of gas. It kind of reminds me of the time that I was very hungry and I stopped by Pizza Hut for them to tell me they ran out of cheese. Cheese? “No, seriously- you really ran out of cheese”, I asked? They did. Just like the KFC in Tennessee a few years ago ran out of… You guessed it! Chicken! Wow. I wasn’t mad or angry. I couldn’t do anything but laugh. I should not be eating it anyway, I thought.

So leaving work yesterday, I call myself pulling up at a gas station to get gas. I was unpleasantly surprised that about another 15 cars were in line trying to wait their turn to pump. I waited patiently as the six cars in front of me dwindled down to one car. She was a young lady, white, about 29 years of age. You could tell she was frustrated because when she got out, she swiped her card like ten times and I guess it broke the credit card machine. By that time, she was really angry. She cussed the machine out, and drove off in a frenzy. I tried my card afterwards and it didn’t work either. I was almost afraid to tell the guy behind me that he, too, waited in line for 20 minutes for nothing. I told him it was broken, he said “what!” and I drove away in a frenzy, not because I was upset, but because we live in a nation of surface sophistication. I wasn’t sure what he was going to do, so I dipped. Fast.

As long as we have what we need, when we need it, then we are okay. We are civilized and look down upon everyone else in the world. The minute we have a natural disaster, a financial crisis, a gas shortage, it brings the caveman out in many of us. We turn from smiling and humming while we drive to raging lunatics when traffic is at a stand still. It’s obvious, we are only pleasant because the world around us is pleasant. So our peace is derived from what’s happening on the outside, not what is within us. This is not true peace, but a false sense of security.

When I left that particular station, I drove through about four more, before I was able to find a gas station without too many cars. I pulled up to find another lady attempting to top her car off (it’s already full) while all of us onlookers watched wondering what’s up with her attitude. The manager had to basically take the nozzle away from her and insisted $67 dollars worth of gas is enough. She gave him a piece of her mind, and drove off in a brand new Lexus truck.

So are we really as sophisticated as we think? Or may be we are just comfortable? A shallow happiness that depends on external forces more than our belief in God or humanity. It reminds me of how us Christians are so enthusiastic about God when when we first get saved. Eventually it tapers off as God tests our faith and the devil starts his campaign against our walk. The next time you feel like you got it all together, think back to when things were bad. When more bills came in than money. When the love of your life wasn’t spending time with you. When your car broke down and you had no money to fix it, but you had to get to work somehow. When your health was questionable. Think back to your spiritual struggles, and how much you prayed when the storm was above your head. As long as you remember that God is in control, and this thing we call life is deeper than our five senses. That the stock market is man made, as the gas shortage. If they run out of cheese at Pizza Hut, just remember the world will keep spinning, and even if it stops, God is in control. Are you?

The Individual, Calm Hill
www.theprogressivecollective.org
www.calmhill.com
author of Walking in The Footsteps of God

I hereby grant myself freedom.

The freedom to THINK. The freedom to FEEL. The freedom to STAND for what I believe.
The freedom to expand and reach my true potential. The freedom to live outside the box.
The freedom from conforming to the expectations others.

The Freedom from the strongholds of society and the courage to deviate from the
destructive path of my predecessors. The freedom to proclaim to the world; I AM THAT I AM!
Look beyond my race. Disregard my gender. See that I am Greatness in the making.

I am not bound by time, for I HAVE ALREADY LIVED TOMORROW. I am not restricted
by the wisdom of age, because I am the sum of everyone before me. Therefore, I cannot be
oppressed by others. I am only limited by the repression of my own thoughts and feelings,
bound by self-inflicted injustice.

My destiny is not even IN THE HANDS OF THE OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, it is in my own
hands as HE has given me the freedom to create my own reality. I can see your vision, but I
am impulsed to manifest mine. I can hear your voice but not above my whisper. I can taste
the fruits of your labor, but the fruits of my own will be so much sweeter.

I am the awakening amongst the dosing. I am the star child among elders. The rebel
amongst the radicals. The torch bearer of the past. The spark for the present.
The hope for the future. I am a true individual. EITHER WALKING IN FRONT OR
WALKING ALONE.

Written by:

The Individual, Calm Hill
Taken from www.calmhill.com. All rights reserved…
www.theprogressivecolective.com