LiFELESSONS

i was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York on December 7, 1976. Being raised by my mother in a single-parent home has seemingly become the norm in "Black America"; so, i consider myself the voice of many... This is my testimony. It really goes without saying that the environment of my upbringing was a dysfucntional one. Though my mother Loved me, she was never equipped with the necessary life skills and parenting skills. Lacking life skills produces the inability to cope with personal issues...

i was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York on December 7, 1976. Being raised by my mother in a single-parent home has seemingly become the norm in "Black America"; so, i consider myself the voice of many... This is my testimony. It really goes without saying that the environment of my upbringing was a dysfucntional one. Though my mother Loved me, she was never equipped with the necessary life skills and parenting skills. Lacking life skills produces the inability to cope with personal issues. As a result, my mother turned to drugs in an attempt to cope with her issues. She gave birth to my little brother in 1983. i was 7 years old at the time. Not being taught the proper life skills to function and progress in life, i also developed the inability to cope with personal issues. An inability to cope with personal issues has a severe impact on the decision-making process. So, i made some bad decisions and embraced the unhealthy part of the Street Life culture. By this time, my mother's condition has worsened. She sent my little brother and i to live with my Uncle Jack and Aunt Yvette. My uncle and aunt didn't really know how to deal with us because we were so damaged. Though they did the best they could, i was engulfed by hate, anger, fear, rejection, and abandonement. i took up residence in those emotions. My bad decisions led me to prison. There, i truly began to learn about myself and the issues i was struggling with. i also learned about God, life, and people. Prison is where i began my journey back to God. Though i'm still on that journey, i take solace from the fact that i'm headed in the right direction. i feel a keen sense of responsibility to be an example for the younger generation that's trapped in dysfunctional families and environments. i started my own publishing company and self-published my book to bring light to this plight of ours and incite action. i'm also in the process of co-founding a non-profit organization which will primarily be devoted to helping children of dysfunctional families. There are so many of us out there, and we need all the help we can get. Please join this movement (email us at arcane_life@hotmail.com or lifeslifelessons@gmail.com). The Change The Game Movement aims to inspire action and effectuate change in The Game (ie, the Street Life). We will begin the Movement with a program for the young men affected by The Game starting at ages 12 to 17. For more information on the Movement and the program, e-mail us at arcane_life@hotmail.com.