Remember

Organization is key. We have nothing but time on our hands. We finally have the time to do all those projects around the house. We have time to take that online course. We have time to binge watch our favorite shows. Don’t forget that this is not a regular thing that we are experiencing. Remember that family is important. Remember you still need time for yourself. Remember it’s okay to feel. Remember that this is different for everyone. Remember that there are people who are experiencing this pandemic in a different way. Remember the less fortunate. Remember the grieving. Remember this lesson.

New Normal

New Normal is a term in business and economics that refers to financial conditions following the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the aftermath of the 2008–2012 global recession. The term has since been used in a variety of other contexts to imply that something which was previously abnormal has become commonplace.

What's your new normal? What is America's new normal? I remember when profanity was not a commonplace for primetime tv. I remember when songs had clean versions not just radio edits. I remember when games were criticized for excessive violence. I remember when rap music was the subject of congressional hearings. I remember when social meant human interaction. I remember when "live entertainment" did not include being a witness to murder and police brutality. Our new normal has desensitized us. Our new normal doesn't value life. Our new normal doesn't value family. Our new normal doesn't celebrate our differences. Our new normal is fear. Our new normal has created no expectation of justice. Our new normal is depression. Our new normal is violence. Our new normal is distraction. Our new normal is self destruction.

Mass Incarceration

• 1921 -Black Wall Street Internment Camps
• 1934- Holocaust Jewish Internment Camps
• 1942 -World War II-Japanese Internment Camps
• 2018- Immigrant Child Detention Facilities

There is nothing new under the sun. The world has an ugly history of hate. This hate has been directed at minorities for years. Fear what's different. Rape. Pillage. Colonize. We've always stolen each other's resources. We've always been afraid of change. We've always enslaved. We've always murdered and lynched under the guise of medical experiments or government sanctions. We have a history of oppression and privilege masked as tradition and laws. This is America. This is the world we live in. What are we gonna do about it?

Niche

Sometimes, it is hard to find your place in this world. You may know what you don't like. You may not be able to narrow down what you do like. You may be indifferent about some things, and completely neutral about others. Ask yourself, "what would you do for free?" "Is someone else doing that?" "Is there a way for you to do it better?" Sometimes, it's not about doing something different. Sometimes, it's about doing it better. Think about how many burger spots and pizza joints there are in your neighborhood. Pizza isn't just pizza. Papa John's is different from Domino's. Pizza Hut is different from Godfather's. Just like McDonald's is different from Burger King, but they all sell burgers and fries. "Identify your niche and dominate it. And when I say dominate, I just mean work harder than anyone else could possibly work at it."- Nate Parker

X Factor

I've never been a fan of math, especially algebraic expressions. I always felt that letters and numbers should be completely separate. However, my Algebra teacher did not feel the same, and my grades suffered because of it. I eventually grasped the concept. The x-factor was a variable for a number that was unknown. Our lives have a number of x-factors or unknown variables. We are not in control, and x-factors are constant reminders of that fact. Life happens, and we have to adapt or find solutions to problems that arise. Nothing is set in stone. Circumstances change. Few things are constant. When you are faced with an x-factor, you must solve for x. You must seek the unknown. In an equation, whatever you do on one side, you must do on the other. 

(For example, X-2=4 add 2 to both side and x=6)

Create balance. What are the resonating truths in your life? vs. What are the variables or unknown? What is fact vs. fiction? What do you know to be true? Think on these things, and then solve for x. What's your x-factor?