THE OBSERVATION BOOTH
OP / ED BY ANDREA DIALECT
PHOTO CREDITS & STYLING: ANDREA DIALECT BE ART SERIES
MUSE: DIANA THE DRAGON
When we do wrong, I suppose that Angels watch, and ghastly sounds of gloom are those creepy voice effects that unknowingly fill the air. On frequencies that only dogs can hear. It’s like playing the leading role in a horror film penned by the actor or actress playing the leading role. That ain’t no invisible entity darling; it is all you or all me or all us. Not to exclude those invisible entities that are certainly real and do play a big role in bad things that folks are coaxed into doing in many instances. But I am talking about those things that we personally do…BOO!
When looking out there or in here for that matter, you, me, and we are the “’HAUNTED HOUSE.” Such a house knowingly and unknowingly affects the lives of those loved ones, friends, and passersby, when we are in focus. When doing things that shouldn’t be done or saying things that shouldn’t be said, we all do that. Bad has a wicked presence and we think that we have a handle on it, but oops there it goes again and again and again.
Some of those things might be pretty darn heavy; so heavy that you’d dare not tell another soul and presently you’re closing your eyes cause you dare not look. Other things are pretty light like I’d want to think of my procrastination and potty mouth to be, to tell the truth.
But inner demons are inner demons and sin is sin; which can be pretty darn creepy if you ask me. If you were to die tomorrow when crossing over to the other side, what are the spiritually unacceptable personal effects in that bag that you just might be dragging with ya that shouldn’t be on ya person? That ain’t gonna sit well with that jury or even more so that judge of the highest court, for all that matters? Oh my God, now that’s what you call hellish; pretty spooky huh?
Secondly, what are those things that you need to rid of because it is weighing you down spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically and you no longer want the load that you’re tugging to haunt your future life? Now that’s what ya call a good question. This is the ultimate probing question to ask ourselves. So, I decided to go to my go-tos this week and this is what they had to say. Welcome to the confessional!
“Chasin women – I usta love ‘em and still do. At one point in my life early on that is. I’d take ‘em blind, crazy, or crippled and if they couldn’t walk, I’d drag them!” (Mr. T)
“Cursing – I don’t do it a lot mostly when I’m upset.” (Mama D)
“Lying, laziness/procrastination, and my inability to hold my tongue. Since I’ve gotten older, I realize that there are things that I do not need to say, and I should be successful but because of my lazy a–. If I wasn’t so lazy I’d be better off. All that gotta go.” (Jihad)
“Some of the things that I want to purge are my prejudices. I have this issue because of my nature to be a perfectionist. It’s the criticizing of everything that is my flaw. Mainly when things are not like I think they should be. This is the root of the whole thing and many others suffer from it.” (Chap)
THE HAUNTED HOUSE – A haunting has to do with paranormal activity such as spirits and ghosts. This write-up isn’t about a haunted house per se but about learning to deal with the inner demons or conflicts within us. Our inner demons are the feelings or beliefs that we feel may cause us pain in our life such as depression or anxiety to the point where we feel that we are being haunted or tortured by issues like the fear of self-doubt, or negative thinking.
Have you ever said to yourself I’m not sure if I want to go to get that new job or go to school or buy that house? Some of the inner demons that we deal with may stem from our childhood when someone else told us that we were unattractive or will never accomplish anything.
There are a few ways to overcome your inner demons… *You must acknowledge the issue. *Face it. *Do not allow the past to hinder you from moving forward in life. *Go to therapy. *Speak with clergy or pray. *Speak with a friend or relative that you can trust.
Lastly, you must get the help you need or deal with it directly or it will continue to show up in your life and rob you of your peace and joy! (Omar Liles, CMHC-Certified Life, and Mental Health Coach)
DID YA KNOW THAT…
PHILOSOPHY
characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.
MEDICINE
characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease.
Use Mediation And Self Care
Make sure that you are taking care of yourself. Meditation can help you refocus your mind and stop the bad notions in its tracks. You can meditate easily for just a few minutes whenever you start going left. Self-care is also important. Make sure you are eating well, sleeping well, and taking time out to care for yourself. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.
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