Forever Young, H. Rhine

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Forever Young, H. Rhine

A Conversation With My Younger Self.

I had a talk with my younger self, but it didn't go the way you think it might. I didn't give her words of wisdom about not wasting time, seizing opportunities or living without fear. I didn't tell her NOT to pursue things with that troubled light skin boy or that mysterious and talented guy is really just a loser with a bushel of untapped potential he will never turn into anything. No. We didn't talk about any of that. 

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Forever Young, B. TramueL

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Forever Young, B. TramueL

Life and Music 

Soundtrack of My Youth

I’ve expressed my love for music & ya’ll know I’m a bit kooky. I often relate things happening in my life to the music I am listening to. While it is not specific to the songs lyrics or meaning; a phrase, a verse or the hook may spark a thought.

Life set to a few memorable songs from my youth... 

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Forever Young, J. Wilson Ferguson

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Forever Young, J. Wilson Ferguson

Being Present

My son, a rambunctious and zealous 4 year old, has no concept of future, past or present.  What matters to him is what matters to him right now.  For a time, my gift to him is the opportunity to only be concerned with his immediate present and not much else.  Soon, life will begin to challenge his innocence and hurl him into the situations that will mold him into whatever he desires to be whether it’s President of the United States, an NBA player or a window washer.  Through it all, he will gain preparation, humility and awareness about what is to become his future.

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Forever Young, M. Dolphus

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Forever Young, M. Dolphus

Growing Up in The Valley!

The memories I have of growing up in Hidden Valley are fond memories that I will always cherish. Playing outside till the street lights came on and the bats came out. Hearing mothers calling their young-ens "come inside wash up and eat". Sometimes their would be as many as 15 kids outside, on a summer night, in the Valley.  Ahh, the innocence of it all, everyone knew each other and everybody looked out for one another.

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Forever Young, E. Fuller

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Forever Young, E. Fuller

The Rupture

The cocoon had been somewhat comfortable, but it was confining. Worst of all, I could see outside of it.

I had only consumed the mental and spiritual nectar, that my parents wanted me to eat. I hungered for a broader menu intellectually, and for a more diverse range of acceptable companions, besides the ones who were stuck in cocoons like myself.

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Forever Young, B. Wilkes

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Forever Young, B. Wilkes

I often look back over my life, my youth and think about what I "coulda, woulda, shoulda."  Not that the opportunities weren't afforded to me, I just didn't take hold of them… I let go. 

As the saying goes, "If I knew then what I know now..."  

And if I could turn back time, I would tell my younger self, don't just live in the moment, look beyond the right now.  I should have taken time to plan wonderful things for the future.

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Forever Young, EarthAngel

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Forever Young, EarthAngel

My Youth Was Spent At Her Feet

I remember as a young girl, constantly being by my grandmother's side.  Actually most of my elders but especially my grandmother.  I'm her first grandchild, born to an unwed teenage mother but loved dearly by her and my grandfather from the very start. I'm from Louisiana so family and community is everything!

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Forever Young, C. Black

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Forever Young, C. Black

Ahhh Youth…

 

I sat down thinking that this would be a quick and easy topic to drop a few lines for. As I sat brainstorming on how to tackle this theme I thought back to my adolescence. Youth for me was filled with a distinct feeling of not knowing who I was and where exactly I fit in. I was constantly trying to find that comfortable persona that would allow me to freely fit in to the social scene that I wanted to be a part of. Looking back, I remember being impressed by my friends and classmates that seemed to have found their lane. I wished at the time that I could have the confidence in myself that they seemed to have.

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Forever Young, A. Price

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Forever Young, A. Price

Youth,

Just Like You & I

As a child I oftentimes wanted to live inside my dreams. Most were peaceful and unruffled. I was able to blossom as the crocus in the winter snow. However my dreams were soon awakened by reality at the age of 6 with the death of my father and two uncles. In the blink of an eye the three of them were taken away, leaving me to begin experiencing the harshness of life at an early age. 

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Forever Young, The Intro

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Forever Young, The Intro

Youth.

Many of us identify with a period in our youth characterized by a love of exploration and a spontaneous, direct expression that shapes our individual world view.  I've asked a group of dynamic living souls to share their thoughts, stories, memories, prayers, and call to action on the subject of youth. What I believe will be an expansive and altruistic sharing of their home, family, roots, emotions and sense of self-worth will be presented everyday throughout the month of September.

 

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Forty One Years To Life ... W. Stylez

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