Life will throw shit at you, and most of it you can’t control. But this part? This part is yours. Your mind, your vision, your next move — that’s your territory. Stop giving your power away to circumstances you can’t change. Own what’s in your hands, because that’s where your future is built. If you’re honest, which of the three have you been neglecting — your thoughts, your images, or your actions?

Growing up, I always liked complimenting people. It is the nice and respectful thing to do. Some of my first compliments came from men. "Heterosexual Men" to be exact. Like a Barber complimenting you after noticing that your not too sure if the haircut you were just given fits you well. Or your father helping you learn how to fix your tie and telling you that you look sharp as he pats the shoulders of your brand new suit before you arrive to church. Or let's just say it's someone you walked by as you were walking down the street and they admired your brand new Jordan's on your feet. It's just a compliment. Why do men think that when another man compliments them, they take it in a flirtatious way? Don't flatter yourself my guy, who even told you I found you attractive? I was just being nice. These same men are comfortable with sharing their sexual activity stories with their "Bro's" and saying shit like "Bro's Before Hoes". They are comfortable with being shirtless, pants sagging and showing their boxers, hands always in their underwear grabbing on their dick in front of whoever. It's a lot of zesty shit going on, but let me say the wrong thing and it's a problem. Like keep it a buck, it is cool for you to tell your homie about the bitch with the big titties, fat ass and wet pussy you got some head and ass from the other night and how good her throat game was. But let me say I got bent over last night and dude was bigger than a air refreshening can, it's now an issue. Ya girl got a girlfriend and you cool. Ya homie found him some trade last night and now it's "Pause". You don't fuck with the LGBTQ community and don't want your children around the shit, but you rocking Tom Ford classes cause you seen them in a Jay Z music video or you dyed your dreads cause you thought it looked cool on Lil Wayne or you got your nose pierced because you claim you paying homage to Tupac and wearing perms because of Snoop Dogg. Fuck outta here and miss me with the bullshit. I mean, y'all want people to keep it 100 but the truth hurts. This is only me speaking truth. Don't shoot the messenger.

Sitting in the same spot, hoping life magically shifts, is exactly why nothing changes. Change isn’t a prayer—it’s a decision backed by action, even when it’s uncomfortable as hell. Nobody is coming to hand you the life you want, and you know it. The version of you that has everything you crave is waiting, but you’ll never meet her if you keep playing small. You’re stronger than the bullshit excuses holding you back—it’s time to prove it. What’s the one decision you’re willing to make right now that pulls you out of “stuck” and into your future?

Here’s the truth: your habits are either building you or fucking burying you. Most of the time, you don’t even notice the trap until it’s already locked you down. That’s why you can’t keep waiting, can’t keep pretending tomorrow will be different. If you demand change, you’ve got to rip those chains off now—because they sure as hell won’t loosen themselves. What chain are you ready to break before it owns you?

Self Love. Self Acceptance. Self Respect. When I was younger, I must admit that I barely knew what those 3 things were and how they could all come together. I was a young black and gay boy living in the streets of Philadelphia. Barely had a father figure in my life because my biological became a rolling stone and my stepfather and I barely got along. Yeah, I had uncles and I had my great grandfathers on both my mom and stepdad side...... but they had their own children and their own issues and I was too scared to allow them to know the beginning of mine. God made Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve. I was that young boy who played with Barbie Dolls and Cosmetology Mannequin Heads. That young boy who thought colorful shirts were wigs and who would sneak around the house wearing wigs, weave and make up (Sometimes sneaking in my sister's clothing and her catching me wearing her shirts and pants). Some say I was born the wrong gender and maybe I should have been born a girl. Not on no transgender shit, but a natural born female. I turned jump rope for female friends and relatives, but didn't know how to double dutch. I wrote in my diary and kept secrets about what boys I had a crush on or found attractive. I even had my fair share of male love interest I kept on the down low. But I would eventually feel like I was doing the wrong thing. I felt like I would be punished. Maybe someone was going to hurt me. Maybe I would end up dead for my wrongdoings. I listened to all the bashing, terrorizing, bullying, I endured the ass kickings and in school daily beatings or neighborhood fights and constant name calling. I was called sissy, punk, bitch and faggot more than my own government name. I am sure nobody wanna hear this Zesty shit. They don't want a nigga like me around them or the children they bring in the world. I heard it all and damn near been through it all. I remember some of my brother's friends parents not allowing their children to spend the night at our crib because they knew I was gay and barely wanted their kids around me. I even had the parents of some of my secret male love interest questioning them about me. Hell, most of them were older than me and there was a small amount that was around the same age as me. Nobody asked me how many times an older boy forced me not to say shit before he begged me to perform sexual acts on him or wanted to come over my house only to secretly see what he could do with me. Nobody ever cared to know if I ever was raped or sexually assaulted. All they knew is they thought I was gay and they handled me however they felt the need to handle me being gay. So by the time I was 18, I said enough was enough. I am going to do what the fuck I wanna do and stop allowing myself and others to hide who I truly am. I barely had men around to show me how to be a true man, so why the fuck would I change who I am as a person to please men who ain't no good examples their damn selves? Maybe by joining Kings Corner, I will get some pointers and better myself at the age of 32. This is just the beginning and my introduction. Nice meeting you all and have a blessed one.