Where Does The Help Come From For The Entrepreneur?

So where does help come from for the entreperneur? The banking industry has totally ignored the small business community.  Over the years the banksters have been busy creating a economy that makes money from debt. Advertisers claim there are opportunities for the small business owner if we use new technology and their products. You can also find loads of You Tube videos on how to start a small business. Those leading the nation tell us the economy is getting better. Our Christian community tells us, our help comes from the Lord. And yes of course there is our reality, little savings, little time to implement or create a start-up, but even more important a very bleak economic picture staring us in the face.

Our help comes from within, it comes from spiritual discpline. You see everyone tells us what to do and how to do it. However the last time I checked, we all lived in this world, that means we are a part of it and we should be co-producers in it. We throw words out like democracy and freedom, but the defining components of these words are rarely played out in our lives. These words become window dressing to mask our insecurities.

It is interesting that many of us look for help from the outside, as your are reading this blog your body has millions of functions going on. Creative forces that are balancing your body, compensating, regulating and maintainiing all it’s functions. So how much more can we do, as entrepreneurs, begin to use your mind and take these same energies and focus on opening up a garden, a funiture store or a publication. We have the creative force within us to create the help we need today.

                                                                   

The Emerging Artist is More Than a Singer, Dancer, Painter, They Create Alternative Perspectives

In my last post I spoke about how our behavior is based on what we believe. If it is true and it is, then the artist must emerge. My definition of artist is not only the actor, dancer or sculptor. In my mind an artist today is someone who can creatively manage old systems and ideas and change them to enhance the culture. To often we work within the framework of these limited definitions and constructs.

The artist and entrepreneur are interchangeable to me, but please do not place a limit on what this person can do. We need the artist to emerge. They need to create new images, new stories new insights, new paths and alternatives. I believe what we fail to realize is that as African-American efforts go forth to gain respect and a wider audience in media, other groups continue to reinforce their older distorted stories. Many of these stories are steeply set in a racist unfair construct.

Just ask yourself were any minorities represented in any of the best picture nominees? The movies were great, I myself watched American Hustle, Gravity, Philomena, Her, and Nebraska and oh, we were represented  in Twelve Years a Slave. How is it whenever we get a picture about blacks, its a feel good picture? But how do you make slavery feel good? The history books we studied in school are cleverly written to show our countries successes, as the major players have been down played or deleted (Blacks). On that note, check out this interview from Democracy Now with Clarence Lusane. The discussion is about the untold history of more than a quarter of U.S. Presidents involved in slavery and human trafficking.

We Behave Based on What we Believe

In my last post I talked about western belief systems. This post will remind us that these systems are responsible for our day to day behaviors. Yet, I have not forgotten the entrepreneur who needs a solid basis to begin on. But how can anyone begin on a solid footing if our beliefs are tainted by half-truths and mis-truths? We understand who we are as we understand who we are spiritually.

A entrepreneur can obtain solid footing with the proper mobility and resources. Mobility to move within different levels of society and resources to cultivate and create as needed for the community. The New York Times provides ten reasons why businesses fail.  However what I refer to is a need for a mental fortitude instilled through balance and a proper spiritual reflection of oneself. The ten reasons the above article cites comes after a untainted spiritual understanding.

As I look at my own life and talk with people, it is becoming clear that our religions do not have balanced outlets for us to internalize what is happening externally to us. More of us should be able to become successful entrepreneurs. So, why is it that with our intelligence and abilities we are not more successful? Is it because of internal inaptitude or external manipulation? Is a black or African consciousness any less than any other belief system? Why can’t you make the next move? Is it because of what you believe or what you have been told?

What About Those Western Religions?

Olodumare and Lemanja
by Mikaelquite

As I continue on this journey of entrepreneurship, it is important that each entrepreneur know thier self worth. What is your potential? Is the sky truly the limit? On what do you base such an assumption? If you live in America, all our images and information are confusing. Our leaders tell us the economy is getting better, but nobody mentions poverty. Is poverty a curse word? We look at ourselves and we see limitations. Yet, our churches tell us we are made in the image of God.

Our western religions tells us we are made in the image of God, but I am a black man in America. How do I measure myself in the image of the God I have been shown? According to western religions all African religious systems are inferior to western religions. We have been shown and told African practices follow paganism, heathenism, etc.... So how do I develop a healthy image of myself, so that I can truly become independent and on many different levels (balance)? My suggestion, we must take a closer look at African origins of the major "Western Religions." Above is an artist  interpretation of Olodumare the God of the Yoruba people. How does this image make you feel? In comparision to the images of a white God, many have been conditioned to believe?