I’ve been Muslim since April 2007, and I get a lot of questions about what it’s like to be a Muslim. Some of the questions are thoughtful, while others are more accusatory and xenophobic. However, with the all the media bias and misinformation taking precedence over the haqq (truth), I wanted to put this short list together for others to dig deep on what comes very natural to many Muslims around the world. I have also provided links that point to evidences on each ruling. For any learned Muslim brother or sister that can provide better links as evidences, please comment or send me a message via Facebook.

1. Men and women have to purify after going to the bathroom
Have you ever seen someone walking toward the rest room with a empty water bottle and said to yourself, “Eww, that person is going to drink water in that bathroom?”. Chances are they probably weren’t refilling to get a drink and more than likely are going to “wash up” after they go to the bathroom. Why? As Muslims, we are required to be pure and clean for prayer. Keep in mind we pray five times a day. You are praying in front of Allah, so isn’t it only right that every part of your mind, body, and soul be purified? I probably don’t have to get into the details of how this is done, but with a bit of imagination I’m sure you can figure out how water is used to purify oneself after going to the bathroom.
Evidence: Taharah (Purification)

2. We believe in Jesus..yes and Moses too.
Contrary to popular belief, Muslims believe in Isa (Jesus). As a matter of fact you cannot be a true believing Muslim if you don’t believe in Jesus as a prophet of Allah (SWT). He is one of the most well respected prophets and is mentioned many times in the Quran. As Muslims, we believe he is a prophet, just like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was responsible for delivering the word of God via the Quran, Isa delivered the word of God via the Injeel. (the original Bible)
Evidence: Muslims Hate Jesus (a misconception)

3. Eroticism is allowed, but only with your wife or husband
That’s right, there isn’t any boyfriend or girlfriend stuff in Islam. Many people gasp when they find out this fact. However, there is strong scientific evidence that suggests (meaning no silver bullet) that having “serial” sexual relationships before building a loving bond with your significant other can emotionally compromise the future of your relationship. For about a year, I’ve been working on a 4 part “Science of Relationships” post that will give some food for thought.
Evidence: Marriage and the importance of marriage in Islam

4. There is no Islamic ruling that allows you to beat the living sunshine out of your wife
Contrary to “ignorant” belief, you cannot beat your wife or any other women you know. The first thing that usually comes out of someone’s mouth is “What about Surah 4.34? It says you can beat your wife?”. No, you must have beat your head against a wall too many times. Unfortunately, you misinterpreted the verse.
Evidence: On Beating One’s Wife

5. Men and women must lower their gaze.
As a Muslim (especially men) you are not allowed to look another women up and down unless she is your wife. Same goes for women. You can look at your husband, but not other men. In the summer time, it’s not easy because many women and men are half-naked anyway, but you do your best. I actually started wearing shades because women (even though they see I’m married) try to make eye-contact with me to flirt. I’m not talking about an innocent gaze where you are looking at your surroundings. I’m talking about a “Yo, that girl got a fatty (nice body)” (while you elbow the dude next to you). It’s disrespectful and haram (prohibited).
Evidence: Hadith of the Guarantee by Abdur Rahman

6. Most forms of Music is prohibited
This is a highly contentious topic, even among Muslims. This topic is too deep for me to elaborate in several sentences but for the sake of time, I’ll provide several links that will give you food for thought. As a person who adored hip hop like a first son, this is not an easy task for me. Over the years it’s become easier for me to let go, and I can spend time on more important matters.
Evidence: Is Music Haram (prohibited) by Dr Zakir Naik, Music in Islam prt1 by Yusef Estes, Music in Islam by Yusef Estes prt2. Here is a post I did on music called the True Cost of Music by Malik

7. Most Muslims are NOT of Arab descent
The bulk of the Muslims (roughly 52%) are actually in the South, South East, North, Central Asia part of the world. Comprising around 50% of the entire Muslim population. Indonesia, which has the larget location of Muslims in any one area has a whooping 200 million Muslims! A close second and third, is Pakistan (167 million Muslims) and India (156 million). About 17% of all Muslims are of Arab descent.

34% of Muslims in America are of African Descent (African American and African)
Although the total number of Muslims in America has varied from year to year, but many staticians put the number somewhere between 5 to 7 million Muslims total where 30% are African American and around 4% are native Africans.
Evidence: List of countries by Muslim population

8. We are not interested in interest.
For Muslims, participating in making money off of money is completely prohibited. It’s actually a grave sin. For sake of this brief post, I’m not going to get into all the details but adding on money on top of already existing loan is akin to theivery in Islam. Profit is okay, but not from interest (Ribaa). In most forms of business, all transactions have to have a shared profit. Why? The risk is balanced on each person who is taking part in a business transaction. Handling business in this manner protects both business partners.
Evidence: Part I and Part II of The Case Against Interest By Abu Ubaydah Andrew Booso. If you have extra time you can read my scathing article against interest called Casino Capitalism. | VIDEO: Interest and Islamic Banking by Bilal Philips

9. Are most African Americans Muslims members of the NOI? (Nation of Islam)
I actually get this question a lot. Are you from the Nation of Islam? The best way I can frame this would be this. Is every green plant with a stem a piece of basil? If you can’t answer this question, then I will answer it for you: No. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t African Americans who are still members of the NOI. The majority of African Americans Muslims are not affiiated with NOI.
Evidence: Wiki: Nation of Islam

10. Jihad and Allah u Akbar does not mean I want to KILL you
Uh oh, did someone say the word “Jihad” and “Allah u Akbar”? Unfortunately the media has miscontrued the true meaning of the word “Jihad” and “Allah U Akbar” and most people have associated it with some type of code word for Islamic terrorism. Jihad is the Arabic word for struggle. A good Muslim friend of mine has the name Jihad. For Muslims, Jihad is to struggle to do the just and righteous things for the sake of Allah. This dedication to do what is required of you as a Muslim is our Jihad. Allah u Akbar means God is Great. Not “Let’s kill people” or “lets blow ourselves up”. During any 1 of our 5 daily prayes, “Allah U Akbar” is mentioned at least a dozen times. It’s very common word in Islam and merely reinforcing the greatness and beauty of Allah.
Evidence: VIDEO: Islam and Terrorism | What is Jihad? by Brian Handwerk

11. We get up before the roosters.
As I said earlier Muslims pray 5 times a day. One of the prayers is known as the morning prayer, Fajr. Fajr is supposed to be prayed before the light of sunrise hits the sky. I’ll be honest, it’s not the easiest prayer to catch, but when you do, the feeling is amazing. My day actually starts off better when ever I make Fajr on time. I’m actually utilizing this Ramadan to be better at catching Fajr on time, Inshallah (God willing)
Evidence: VIDEO: Importance of Fajr Prayer. This video is pretty long, but here is a shorter description that explains the Fajr prayer.

12. My ribs are touching
Yes if you ask any Muslim, their ribs will definitely be touching as Ramadan has just begun. Once a year, Muslims fast for one month. Known as Ramadan, we fast from sunrise to sunset. We are allowed a meal (suhoor) before the morning prayer (Fajr), then we break our fast with a meal (fatoor) at sunset at the beginning of the evening prayer (Maghrib). During this month, Muslims reflect on the greatness of Allah, ways that we can improve ourselves within the guidelines of Islam, and do our best to carry out good deeds that will postively benefit society. It’s also a time to reflect on the poor and sometimes forgotten souls of society. (which we should do all the time) Keep in mind that there are hundreds of millions of people around the world who are not as fortunate as ourselves (those of us who have the comforts of food, clothing, and shelter) and it is our duty as Muslims to help those who need assistance and guidance. At least 80% of the world live on less than $10 dollars a day. In addition most Muslim use this opportunity to fulfill one of the obligatory pillars of Islam, Zakat. Every Muslim (who has the means) is obligated to give at least 2.5% of their wealth (minus your debts) to the poor every year.
Evidence: What Are You Required To Do During Ramadan?

Photo is by “Heart Throb Tawd”

What Not to Write: More on Bad Veil Headlines
http://muslimahmediawatch.org/2010/07/what-not-to-write-more-on-bad-veil-headlines/

The above article from Muslimah Mediawatch is by far one of the most accurate descriptions of the often misunderstood purpose of the hijab (known to many as “the veil”). Never have I seen such a piece of fabric become such a point of political bias, ideological conjecture and pontification.


Conclusion:
Mind your damn business—women who choose to wear the hijab are not oppressed and juxtaposing independence with the “oppresive” veil (as if they are complete opposites) is by far one of the biggest narrative fallacies out there.

In the wake of the new maniac and psychopath of the month (i.e Joseph Stack who did a homicide-suicide plane crash into I.R.S. building in a failed attempt to kill hundreds to Faisal Shahzad failed Times Square bombing that could of maimed/killed hundreds, maybe even thousands) who in some twisted sense of righteousness believe that killing innocent civilians equates to some deed of salvation or proper retribution for past misgivings. These characters are some of the more obvious examples.

terrorism, act of terrorism, terrorist act (the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear)

Here is my open letter to “The Terrorists”, current and aspiring psychopaths and cowards who might not have thought they “fit the profile”.

Dear Terrorists,(but not limited to)

The “loose cannon” who claim they are Muslim and follow the Quran and Hadiths in Islam who like to blow themselves up (and others) thinking (Allahhualim) that they are going to see Jenna (Heaven). You better go back to the deen of Al-Islam (if you haven’t already blown yourself up) and re-study because your eyes, ears and hearts are sealed with wickedness and the shaytan.
That’s violent terrorism.

Police officers and those in authority in the justice system who beat down and kill civilians mercilessly because you think they are expendable. You have the disease of cognitive dissonance towards those that you’ve concluded have an “otherness” about them which does not fit into your own cultural matrix.
That’s enforcement terrorism. (not to mention xenophobic and prejudice)

The executives and investment houses/banks/firms sitting in their ivory tower embezzling tens of millions and creating questionable investment instruments (money schemes) while undermining the integrity of the financial system. Impoverishing tens of millions for your own selfish benefit.
That’s financial terrorism.

For the murderers and killers who worship gang violence while killing people in your own community including innocent women and children because you want a quick drug profit.
That’s social and urban terrorism.

Those in the halls of Congress (politicians and law makers at the state and federal level) that play up people’s worst fears to usurp power and mislead your constituents with a divide and conquer strategy. Laying in bed with lobbyists and playing both sides of the political coin for your own one dimensional power grab.
That’s political and institutional terrorism.

For the country that goes into other countries claiming (lying) that another country has WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) because so-called intelligent organizations with fancy acronyms “certified the facts” with a faulty threat matrix then mercliessly kills over 150,000 plus innocent civilians (45 9/11s) for almost 10 years while injuring millions then arrogantly occupies the same country creating more violence and misery for the citizens. Or any country that uses occupation as a foundation for foreign policy.
That’s sovereign terrorism.

For the governments and related banks that are in cahoots with one another who indulge in “too big to fail” bailouts and print money like it grows on trees while causing inflation and devaluing the dollar. Not to mention the draconian practice of fractional reserve banking and usury which buries people under so much interest that they are financially impotent.
That’s economic terrorism.

For the racist bigot (and many don’t even know they are and will read this and say, “Oh that’s definitely not me”….well not so fast, it might be you) individual that foolishly claims to believe in God but sympathies with their ethnic, racial, or tribal identity over the inclusive and humanitarian guidelines of all monotheistic ways of life. Now called religion. 
You are a community terrorist. (Not to mention a hypocrite)

For the so-called news organizations that are muliti-milllon dollar partisan hack misinformation “non-thinking” tanks that spew misleading, demeaning, information and purposely confuse the public with empty politically inspired anecdotes and regurgitate sound bites from their corporate/ political slave masters.
That’s information terrorism.

If there was anyone who thought any one group of people have cornered the market on “terrorism”, you have not done your homework.

“He who kills a person without (the latter) having killed another person, it is as if he has killed all of humanity, and he who makes one person survive, it is as if he has caused all humanity to survive” – (32,5) – Quran

This is going to be short (at least relatively shorter than most of my posts), but over the years I’ve had quite a few online and face-to-face discussions/debates/conversations with people from different walks of life on a lot of political topics. Recently, my boy sent me a Facebook thread on a political discussion that pretty much imploded from the start. Rather than engaging in a respectful discussion about the topic, the discussion exploded into character assassination, dehumanization, and parables of mere conjecture.

In many instances these conversations fall into the trap of incessant bickering about labels and empty political affiliations. We bicker about the minutiae then go back into our social corners and preach to our choirs. Is this not madness, how can we get things done with such behavior? From my perspective, we have mastered the art of condescension, egotism, and intellectual show boating at the expense of empathy and a mutual respect for those who have walked a different path than our own. We demonize each other for cheap political points.

While we divide our selves into oblivion the same political psychopaths from the Republican, Democratic party and various Poli-tocrats will walk away with the spoils. We are all naive for not realizing this. Recently, I’ve been digging deep into a new book, You Are Still Being Lied To: The Disinformation Guide to Media Distortion, Historical Whitewashes and Cultural Myths by Russ Kick and there are several passages that reinforce my point:

Intellectuals have a problem: they have to justify their existence
pg 60 —Normand Baillargeion

Hate has the annoying tendency to turn into hypocrisy. I laugh with glee when my side catches the other’s lies and follies. To a point, that’s healthy and cathartic.

But you don’t hear me laughing when the other side returns the favor. Then I discount the point and quietly fume at the attack itself. Don’t they understand our side is the good one?

And so it goes: They smear us; we uncover the truth about them. They have corrupt contributors; we’re creating a badly needed war chest. Their moral difficulties are untenable; ours, if any, are excusable.

Hate also kills thinking.
— Seth Freeman

So here are some basic conversational rules that can lead to more progress and less pomp

1. Stay focused on the topic at hand.
2. Being a blind ideologue just makes you look ignorant of the topic at hand and biased towards others.
3. DO NOT assassinate the other person(s) character. The conversation will turn into a personal screaming match
4. Do your research and source empirical data. Don’t just say something because it sounds good or it’s some talking point that has been regurgitated from the “choir”.
5. Before you speak, think your thoughts through. If you are getting angry or frustrated about a particular response, take the higher ground. Pause, then break down your response into smaller chunks.
6. “Snarkiness”, condescension, and belittling might make for some good comment entertainment, but it can derail a good conversation into the black abyss.
7. Show a bit of empathy, morals and understanding. Try your best to know who your audience is. It’s not what you say but how you say it
8. Now if all this fails and the person you are speaking to still remains ignorant, just walk away. Although very difficult to do because it’s always nice to get the last word, but sometimes you have to agree to disagree before feelings get hurt
9. As a last resort you can just punch the person in the face. It will make you feel good but the moment will be turned into to fisticuffs (just kidding)

Don’t forget good conversational etiquette and manners. We don’t have to agree on every point to get things done.

• Real change in campaign ‘08: Stop hating the other party By Seth Freeman
• You Are Still Being Lied To: The Disinformation Guide to Media Distortion, Historical Whitewashes and Cultural Myths by Russ Kick

As a teenager I was a rowdy young thing; somewhat of a bully and most definitely a rebel. However, I possessed a teen’s innocence; the innocence of a child. Other than trying to curse every now and then or trying to meet with a boy I was interested from time to time (which I hardly got away with because my parents were hawks in nature), my mind was focused on fun activities like sports, girlfriend hangouts, writing and school.

I look into the eyes of our youth and I see pain, sadness, unnecessary responsibility and emptiness. I see hyper sexualized boys and sexually objectified girls (by both their own doing and parental neglect). I see babies with babies. I see boys lashing out in anger towards one another. I see girls disrespecting their minds and bodies. I see boys disrespecting girls and girls disrespecting boys. I see emptiness. I see aimlessness. I see hopelessness. I see shamelessness. I see adults trapped in youngins’ bodies wishing they could escape; yet, still believing they are grown enough to pave the way to success. Yet, some don’t care to be successful.

I see mothers smiling proudly at an ill mannered young child whose voice is unpleasant and rude to those around. I see fathers neglecting their parental roles in other ways; avoiding being a father or physically present but not mentally there. I witness parents being friends to their children rather than disciplinarians. Today’s youth is lost but not to their own fault. How is a child to direct him/herself when he/she lacks the most crucial thing; a role model to follow and respect.

I remember when I was young it took a village to raise a child. If a child misbehaved the whole community stepped in to educate and direct that one child. The worst parts of American culture seem to dictate new standards to our adults and youth alike. The worst parts of American culture seem to have removed the innocence from our youth; forcing them into an adult-like role at a very young age. Who is to blame? Parents? Media? Technology? The education system? Our youth? Freedom (in an exaggerated form of freedom)? Or is it all of the previously stated combined?

I write this not to judge nor to blame but rather to find solutions; solutions to help our youth heal today, so they can lead tomorrow. I write this with love. I believe that our youth are only as strong as our adults. However, I fear that when today’s babies are having babies and parents are no longer parents, how does our next generation become a Barack Obama, a Sonya Sotomayor, or just simply educated, respectful and successful adults!

I didn’t even intend to write a post today but I found a very interesting link from Kimberly Butler, a well known photographer, who has put together a spectacular short vlog series on the corporatization, politicization and dehumanization of media, or what she calls the “medium”. For the most part, I don’t watch any of the major news organizations because there is so much misinformation, sensationalized content, back biting and hearsay that it’s a complete waste of time. Not to mention you can get to the truth of most things without watching the major news stations anyway. For the most part I seldom listen or watch any television/entertainment to allow my mind not to be bombarded and warped by media frameworks of falsification. Many of you have heard me mention the book Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman or such “media truthologists” as Jarad A Ball, who is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Morgan State University. The following videos speak to many of the criticisms they’ve leveled against the explosion of disinformation inside the walls of many global media companies.

As mentioned in Daniel T Willingham’s Why Students Don’t Like School: A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom or what could of easily been called Why Humans Find Cognitive Thinking on Truth Difficult, this quote from the book sums up why we constantly stumble when dealing with new and useful information. Proper background knowledge helps to identify useful information. As the saying goes, “You can’t know what you never knew“:

Background Knowledge Is Necessary for Cognitive Skills

Not only does background knowledge make you a better student, but it also is necessary to be a good thinker. The processes we most hope to engender in our students-thinking critically and logically-are not possible without background knowledge.
pg 28 —Willingham

This post is well over due but as you know, I have a Boo Bear to deal with, so time is of the essence.

This past Valentines Day I was left speechless with disgust as I witnessed the most horrific scene at our local Applebee’s.

As most of you know, my husband and I do not celebrate Valentines Day for a number of reasons. However, Malik’s mom was visiting us that day and wanted to go out for lunch. Her choice of venue: Applebees. Now, since arriving in the US in 2007, I have never experienced Valentines Day in a public way. Malik and I always stay home on this day; so, to my surprise, I was shocked, literally, into silence, when I witnessed the following scenario.

As we were half way through our meal, a young couple was seated next to us for lunch. At first, everything seemed to be in place. Here was a young man taking his lady out for a meal. Sweet, right? Guess again.

About 15 minutes after they were seated, their food had arrived. From there everything went down hill for this poor young man. His date instantly threw a tantrum. With raised eyebrows, piercing eyes and deathly tone she stated “what is this? This is not broccoli!” For a moment, I looked up at her like she was crazy. That lasted a moment though because it turned out she was a total nut. Her date was like a scared puppy dog, confused on what to do; yet, he signaled for the waiter to come over.

As the waiter approached, she said “what is this? I asked for broccoli.” So, the waiter stated that they were out of broccoli since it was a busy business day and that they had served the mixed seasonal vegetables instead. With her eyebrows now at a 90 degree angle and her eyes piercing anger and fear into her boyfrind and then the waiter, she demanded “I want to speak to the manager.” I thought to myself, how odd, all this hullabaloo over a side of seasonal vegetables.

The manager approached, apologizing for the lack of broccoli, stating that he would change the entire meal with no charge. At this, the young woman just rolled her eyes, looked at her date and waved her hand NO! The manager continued to explain the situation further but she was not willing to hear another word.

After about a 7 minute argument about broccoli and seasonal vegetables the lady stands up, puts her coat on, glares at her date and walks out of the restaurant; leaving her date fumbling with his meal, glasses, keys and wallet. I was in complete and utter shock, as were so many other customers there that afternoon.

This is just one incident that I witnessed of many similarly maddening situations. The sad part about all of this is that I realize that for too many women, a relationship is rarely about the quality time spent together and more so about where they dine, what gifts they receive, what holidays are celebrated and how they define appreciation.

Ladies, a strong and successful relationship is not built or based on what restaurant you dine at or what vegetables come with your side. Ladies, stop looking and man-made holidays for love and appreciation. Focus on finding a good man who loves you 365 days a year, who appreciates you 365 days a year, who will be a good husband to you 365 days a year, who will be a good father to your children 365 days a year and who will randomly show you his love in his own way through the year.

Men, PLEASE STOP CATERING TO WOMENS INSECURITIES AND MAN-MADE HOLIDAYS. Give only when YOU want to and avoid forced traditions because you think it is expected of you. Show your woman your love in your own unique way. Once you begin to do that you will be happier, sincerer and more respected.

I have been pondering over the last several weeks on what my next blog post should be. I actually have a really juicy post coming up on my 6-month fact finding mission on what the Austrian School of Economics is and how it shaped my views on what the economic business cycle should be (or could be). It’s my John Maynard Keynes vs Austrian Business School post. But before I do that post, I wanted to get into several myths that people seem to believe are true, but don’t actually have any empirical knowledge to support their theories. As if thoughts about falsified ideas don’t have a negative meta-physical impact on the brain. As if the truthfulness of an idea does not matter. Yes, people holding on to ideas that are wrapped in falsehood have a negative impact on your mind, not to mention your life. Yes, people who don’t seek the empirical truth behind things and are too inebriated by apathy tend to be less happy.

If you lined up all the myths, there are enough myths out there to wrap around the world 50 times. No matter how much evidence you reveal, some people stubbornly hold on to these ideologies. Lets, just get into the list, this should be fun.

1. The Illuminati, Trial Lateral Commission, Council of Foreign Affairs, The Jason Society, Bilderbergs, Rothschild’s, 33rd Degree Masons, 13 families control the world NWO conspiracies
Let me be honest, I sometimes have a soft spot for conspiracies. I actually own some of these books. By far, Behold the Pale Horse is probably one of the most read conspiracy books out there. Considering the author is now dead (not by natural causes) makes believing in conspiracies even more enticing. Most times these conspiracies are so dubious and deliciously tyrannical that being the only one who has insider information about this secret tyranny makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside. The problem with conspiracies is that they are hard to prove, not to mention cannot be stopped. Guess what? If you know of a so-called conspiracy, it’s not a conspiracy anymore so stop wasting your time. In most cases you are seen as a “ham-fisted clown” [see Alan Moore] anyway and will further ostracize yourself by running up on your friends and family every minute with your, “I know something you don’t know” conspiracies. Living your life in the shadows of a conspiracy distorts your reality, makes you paranoid and often leads to poor decision-making. Please find a new hobby.

2. What he/she doesn’t know, won’t hurt him/her.
I have one question: How long do you think your lie is going to last? I’m not talking about coming home late and your significant other asking you why you came home late and you said, “Oh, I had some extra work at the office”, to cover up the two dozen roses that you had to pick up from this special flower shop to surprise your wife as a gesture of appreciation to her. I’m talking about the infidelity, affairs, relationship dishonesty and cheating that has now become the norm in so many relationships.

Let me be clear on this issue, before you get into a relationship or marriage, know what you are getting into. Personally, I think too many people discount this life changing event. As if they are just going by the Lindt Lindor Chocolate store, pick a flavor, then move on to the next chocolate. How would you like it if someone deceived you like that? It’s not a matter of if they will find out, it’s when. Save yourself the embarrassment of ending up on the show Cheaters, get out of the relationship and move on. Breaking up marriages, deceiving your significant other is…wel….pure cowardice.

3. Understanding Economics and Personal Finance is too difficult
It really pains me when people say this. Whether you are buying a $3 tube of toothpaste or a 300K house, you need to have a certain level of financial literacy to get through the day-to-day grinds of life. Understanding your liabilities and your assets, while living within your means is not optional, it is actually a requirement. I will dig a bit deeper on this topic in my next blog post on economics, but one of the main reasons why we experienced the economic collapse of 2008 is companies, governments, and citizens do not understand the dynamics of leverage (debt), risk aversion (investments), accountability (research) and liquidity (cash). As made very clear in this Wall Street Journal article New Evidence on the Foreclosure Crisis, even so-called “Prime” borrowers were the main culprits behind the Foreclosure crisis, NOT subprime borrowers. We just don’t seem to understand that all four variables impact the type of decisions we make on a day-to-day basis. Or it could just be that we are aware of these things, but we just don’t give a damn. Just Google, “Financial Literacy” and start with this link http://www.360financialliteracy.org/. Here’s yet another great article describing the importance of living within your means: http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/19/pf/expert/below_means.moneymag/index.htm See how simple that was.

4. If you believe or don’t believe in God, you’re an idiot
Regardless of what side of the religious or non-religious fence you’re on, demonizing someone because of their belief system is not doing you or the person you are vilifying any good. I mean, what are you actually getting out of verbally smashing others who have a different belief than you? Just let the right guidance fall on those who have an open mind and K.I.M (Keep it Moving).

5. My race, tribe, nationality or ethnicity is more superior to yours
Oh boy, if there is one thing that really kills me, is people who walk around as ____________ (plug in race of choice here) supremacists. They come in all walks of life, touting the accomplishments of their so-called uber intelligent group. Of course, we all have accomplishments within each respective corner of the globe, but to believe that one race, tribe, nationality, or ethnicity has cornered the market on intelligence is just…well..unintelligent. Over the centuries, every culture has borrowed (in some instances stolen and then said they are the creators) the creativity of others. Some see an original concept of one culture, and then enhance the foundation of that invention into something more productive. So why is behaving in racially loony and supremacist fashion so dangerous?

Well for starters, you ostracized yourself into a corner by limiting your interactions to just your “trusted” group of people. Not to mention the lost amount of collaboration time, friendships, and relationships you could have built with others, but you were too close minded to offer the olive branch. If you consider yourself religious, you are even a bigger hypocrite. Get over yourself. For those who are religious, Re-read your Quran, Bible, Torah, etc. (correctly). For those non-religious foks just google Secular Humanism. I don’t believe in the SH movement’s philosophy of rejecting the supernatural and the spiritual as the basis for reason, ethics, and justice, but upholding these three principles is the exact opposite of being a cultural supremacist. Always gauge someone by the content of their character, you’ll get further in life.

6. I’m proud of being known as a female dog (yes the B-word)
You all know what I’m talking about. Those women who walk around who actually revel in being known as the b-word. They’ll actually say to their friends, “I’m a b______”. Alright then, lets look at some of the definitions of the b-word:

1. A female canine animal, especially a dog.
2. Offensive.
   1. A woman considered to be spiteful or overbearing.
   2. A lewd woman.
   3. A man considered to be weak or contemptible.
3. Slang. A complaint.
4. Slang. Something very unpleasant or difficult.

How far in life do you think you are going to get by being associated with any of these things? Case closed.

7. Gender stereotypes: Nice guys finish last, all men are dogs, women are gold diggers
I would like to actually complete the first sentence. Nice guys finish last in the “I want to be in a relationship with a maniac women who will lead me to a divorce, take all my money, demonize me, and destroy me” race of life. That’s actually a race worth being last in. Nice guys are actually Beyond Stage One Thinkers See Thomas Sowell Applied Economics: Beyond Stage One. I don’t have anything against bad boys. To be honest, I was a closet bad boy in the past. Today I’m a nice guy from the inside to the outside. I have shed my closet, so-called bad boy antics. Don’t be fooled women, nice guys are cool. Yes, he might be a little geeky and nerdy [See Obama: Full-on-geek or just "nerd-adjacent'] around the edges, but you can share a roof over your head, money in the bank, loving person, unselfish and this person will be faithful to you. Do you really want to be in a marriage with the “other side”? You’ll just be a doormat. Don’t be a fool.

Now lets address the second part. “All men are dogs”. Incorrect, maybe it’s the type of men you attract? Maybe it’s how you carry yourself? Maybe it’s your behavior? I used to think that it was true what women said men being dogs until I started analyzing woman’s behavior. Trust me, they were dogs from the start, but you just didn’t do the science on the natural ebb and flow of how genders are supposed to interact with each other.

Third part. Are women all gold diggers? Of course they are…every last one of them…okay, Nah, siked your mind. I know there were some e-fumes for a hot minute. LOL. Personally I can speak to this issue, because I was a enabler. It’s not that women are gold diggers, we men are dumb enough to use our material power (or what appears to be material power) as an extension of defining ourselves. It takes two to tango. No women can just jump into your checking account and start spending your money, and if that is happening to you right now, you are a fool. She is just exploiting your ignorance and naivety. Just like men exploit woman’s naivety regarding “men being dogs”. Clearly money has become the central focus for most relationships. It’s disastrous way of thinking. See my blog post Why are our relationships so disastrous?

8. I don’t have to read books
This myth is up there with “I think the moon is made out of cheese”. To be honest, I think most people read books, but it’s the type of books that people read which is more important. Personally I’m a big fan of non-fiction. Most of the books on my shelf are non-fiction. If I’m reading any fiction (As I’m presently reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand), these are books that are close to real world-life experiences. It’s never a bad idea to drop in a “clear the smog” book in your reading rotation. In my view, “clear the smog” books are those books that can give you cleaner perspective on an already existing idea or concept. My favorite is Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Some other books that fall into this are the following:

• American Creation by Joseph J. Ellis
• Millionaire Mind by Thomas J Stanley
• Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science by Charles Wheelan
• J Curve by Ian Bremmer
• Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman
• The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality by Cheikh Anta Diop and Mercer Cook
• Ishmael: An Adventure in the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn
• Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond
• America’s Great Depression by Murray N. Rothbard
• Buckminster Fuller’s Universe: His Life and Work by Llyod Sieden

Thanks for listening. Feel free to post a comment with your favorite myths.

I’ve been thinking about writing this blog post for a while now. I often break one of the biggest cardinal rules of blogging which is 1. To make your posts frequent. I’ve broke that rule some time ago, but I’m going to make the effort to not only make these posts more frequent, but more diverse. (inshallah)

So about 3 months ago I listened to a lecture by the late Dr. Amos Wilson on understanding the roots of power in culture. By far Dr. Wilson was one of the premier experts on human consciousness and many other pan-African related areas of interest. One very eye-opening area of interest was his explanation of how there are “vehicles” that are used in society to augment and distort your sense of values, consciousness, and level of cultural morality.

Now when he says “vehicles” he is not referring to Maybachs, Hondas, or even an investment vehicle, he is actually referring to mass media vehicles like television, music, print media and societal indoctrination vehicles by cultures outside of your own. One of the reasons I found this topic so interesting is I often find people discounting how the power of imagery and words can control minds and human behavior. A post I did a while back called “True Cost of Music”, touches on this topic quite a bit. This past Friday at Jumu’ah, (an obligatory congregational prayer/lecture that Muslims attend for Duhr [noon prayer] ), the Khateeb (speaker) said, “There are three areas that you need to watch out for when it comes to proper worship”:

1. Nafs (ego/self)
2. Satan
3. The people you keep as friends

For the sake of this post, I want to stay focused on the 1st bullet in regards to culture. There are 7 heads of evil when we talk about Nafs, and they are the following:

1. False Pride
2. Greed
3. Envy
4. Lust
5. Back Biting (Gossiping)
6. Stinginess
7. Malice

The main head I want to talk about is False Pride. If you listened to the entire segment by Dr. Amos Wilson, the root of what he is trying to explain is this: Ideas of self, role of self, and identity of self can be augmented through vehicles under the consciousness of your mind. Not only can your identity be manipulated to your own demise, but you can be used as a conduit to empower the standards of others. Meaning: Just because you think something is not happening from a physical standpoint, while you are unable to identify the point of manipulation does not mean you are not being manipulated. Central to the term, Quiet Weapons for Silent Wars. This is one of the main reasons why I stopped actively listening to music and have severely pulled back on what I watch. My wife and I restrict our viewing to mostly documentaries and other “Front-line C-SPANian friendly” material. Like Pinocchio being a puppet, human beings can be a puppet by identifying with an “Artificial Identity”, hence False Pride.

This is not a light matter, a recent study by Standford and Princeton university came to the conclusion that men objectify women by observing semi-nude images. How is it that a culture of objectifying women has now become normalized?

The research, conducted by a team including Princeton psychologist Susan Fiske, who first presented the findings in mid-February at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, found that pictures of bikini-clad women activated brain regions associated with objects or tools.

Keep in mind that these are “semi-nude” images (e.g bikini) and not full blown nudity. I’m curious what that study would have revealed with full blown nudity. These results by Dr. Susan Fiske have been posted on hundreds of blogs, and the responses are quite dismissive. Not surprising, considering the average person is unwilling to have an honest level of self-critical analysis regarding their personal sensibilities. I have to be honest, I walk by those newsstands on the NYC train platform and the advertising windows are riddled with imagery after imagery of “soft-pornesque” women draped across various covers for profit. I can guarantee that they’ll be a bunch a men hanging around like a bunch of deviant vultures drooling over the next breast or booty sex pose.

Not to say I didn’t dabble in such material in the past, but I’m not going to deceive myself and act like these images did not augment my view of women in a negative light. In the words of Thomas Sowell, This is Stage One Thinking. To think that society is not paying a price for the often hyper-sexualized identity of women is quite shocking. Obviously I am not the gate keeper of women’s identity or sexuality. That is not my role, although many might accuse me of such acts because they misinterpret my language. I just think we have mountains of evidences from many areas of thought (scientific and religious) to realize that a behavioral change is due on the type of images we bring into our minds, and our household, irrespective of gender. To discount the negative impact is being dishonest. There is a severe level of cognitive dissonance when a man says he respects a women, but then indulges in imagery that is the exact opposite of what his belief claims to be.

The study above is just one example, but “False Pride” can fall into many other categories like child rearing, personal finance, culture, morality and various other behavioral sciences. In many instances, certain types of behavior not only disempower you, but destroy the glue that keeps your community and your relationships healthy. Sometimes we want to see an immediate result, like turning a light switch on and off. Self deception is a characteristic that can happen over several years, not to mention your entire life. Like a stream of water that smoothes the surface of a jagged rock over hundreds, if not thousands of years. These changes are gradual and cannot be captured in a moment. It’s not until you pull back, will you then be able to see the bigger picture.

• Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman
• Al-Ghazali on Disciplining the Soul and on Breaking the Two Desires: Books XXII and XXIII of the Revival of the Religious Sciences by T. J. Winter
• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
• The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising by August Bullock
• Applied Economics: Beyond Stage One Thinking by Thomas Sowell
• Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

Welcome to Part III of What’s Eating Malik. You can view Part I and Part II. If you are reading this you are probably asking, “Who are you to give a blog on relationships?” To be honest, I asked myself the same thing, but why not? The things you hear in this post, you will not hear anywhere else. This is the only post that’s apart of the What’s Eating Malik series that won’t cite supporting quotes from books, articles, notes, etc. on the behavioral/character dysfunctions that I talk about. Why? Because there is no book that will provide the silver bullet on a happy relationship. I will cite historical facts, but that’s it. It’s a case by case basis and this post is about my own personal experiences in relationships. Currently I am happily married and have been married for a little bit over a year. I’ve known my wife since 2003. Of course she wasn’t my wife then and was just a friend who I talked to from time to time.

1. I’m really tired of seeing so many people in unhappy relationships and not changing their behavior, then wondering why their relationships are still sour.
2. I have given a lot of advice on relationships in the past (including today) and wanted to summarize all my relationship research, personal experiences and the experiences of others.
3. You might not agree with everything I have to say, but you will re-think a lot of what you thought was the “norms” of your relationship. I was “Jonesed” for a while in my past relationships, but then had the sense to change my behavior which I think was one of the reasons why I was able to find my wife. Of course, all praises to Allah for his guidance.

Okay, so let’s just get right into it. Keep in mind that this post is for people who are looking to get married and who are already married. When I say relationship, that’s what I’m referring to. I’m going to cover a couple of different topics that are related to behavior, character and following questionable traditions. These are the three areas of a relationship that usually undermine most relationships. If you cannot correct these three areas, then the whole entire relationship falls apart. These behaviors cover men and women. They are NOT gender specific.

Let’s cover the first part:
I. Having an arrogant character

By far one of the most destructive traits that any human being can have, but is often fused into the relationship when it comes to getting married and during marriage. I’m going to spend a lot of time in this section, because there are so many acts that are related to this. This character trait usually results in the person setting unrealistic expectations coupled with a bullet-proof superiority complex. You could give this person a galaxy, and they would ask for the universe, give this person a universe and then they’ll ask you if you can provide them with their own version of the Big Bang. It never ends, and trust me, it never ends. Just like the universe, their level of self entitlement keeps growing. Just when you thought you’ve provided complete happiness, they’ll bump it up a notch. It’s a losing battle and best to move on if you find yourself in any of these situations.

Now in the past I’ve met a lot of arrogant women, but they actually don’t think they are arrogant. And I know a lot of women who have told me their escapades with arrogant men. Here are some of the levels of arrogance.

1. Beauty/handsome arroganceThis type of arrogance is really hard to correct, because society has built up this person’s ego to the point where they feel they have the right to be unreasonable because they are deemed more attractive than the average person. It’s awful because society, peers, acquaintances, strangers, and even co-workers play right into their game. They know they can get away with being unreasonable because of their beauty/handsomeness, so they use it as tool for power and control. Now keep in mind that there are different types of beauty/handsome arrogance. Some are body-type and/or face arrogance. There is also intra-racial beauty arrogance. Sometimes a person within a particular race has a unique trait. Because of this unique trait, they sometimes are loved or resented. Skin color, eye color, hair texture, and body-type all fall into the category of beauty/handsome arrogance.
   In some instances, lighter skinned vs dark skinned, wide nose vs thinner nose, woolly textured hair vs straight hair, wide hips vs small hips, heavy set vs slim. In the end, its ridiculous set of superficial circumstances to gauge the character of a person.

   I want to take a moment to really zero in the last set of sentences that I just wrote because I see it as a problem for many. By far the top characteristics that get a lot of attention is skin color and hair texture. I’m not going to specifically call out any culture or race, but whoever you are and wherever you may be in the world, listen up:

   STOP USING HOW LIGHT OR DARK SKINNED SOMEONE’S SKIN COLOR APPEARS AND WHETHER THEIR HAIR IS STRAIGHT OR NOT WHILE USING IT AS SOME TYPE OF EXCLUSIVE SUPERIOR BEAUTY CRITERIA

   Now why do I say this? Because to this day, people in the United States of America and around the world continue to gauge a lighter skinned person more beautiful than a darker skinned person. I want to list specific countries, but I don’t want to offend anyone. Put it this way, if you live or are from any country that resides in any of the 7 continents, then it’s happening in your country or your culture. To be honest, it infuriates me so much that people use terms like “fair” skin, not seeing the repressed self hate behind what they are saying. This link explains it perfectly:

   Fair Skin = Desirable
   http://innerreflectionstranscribed.wordpress.com…

   You know who you are. The bottom line: STOP IT. Stop denying that you are doing it and you should say something whenever associates, especially close friends or family uses skin color without considering the content of someone’s character first. You are just perpetuating self hate and ostracizing the darker skinned people in your race and other races. They are just as beautiful and marriageable as anyone else. Don’t let skin color and hair texture come between you marrying a great person. Now keep in mind that this I don’t have some vendetta against lighter skinned individuals. I would be a hypocrite if I felt that way. My issue is the exclusivity that is sometimes given to lighter-skinned individuals that is allowed to flourish with the different races around the world. I met my wife online, and I didn’t even know what she looked liked until 6 months later.

   Some people might be reading this, and thinking it’s absurd or don’t really understand what I’m talking about. If you feel confused or astonished, then send me an email and I’ll explain the history of self-hate, how it started, and how it’s connected to race. I’m not going to put my email on here because I will get spammed so just go to facebook and search for Malik Abdul Rasheed. Send me your phone number or I can send mine and we should be able to cover this in three 1 hour sessions. If you don’t have a Facebook account, not a problem. I’m sure you have a friend that has a Facebook account and then they can send me an email on behalf of you. I’m very friendly and cuddly. I’m not going to berate you or get mad at you for not knowing or being aware of this. Truthfully I just want people to be informed.

   Also in this category is, “I was considered ugly/poor and/or nerd by my peers when I was younger and now I’m considered beautiful/handsome/rich/successful” arrogance. You have to be very careful with the people who fall into this category. Let’s be honest, teenagers can be mean and brutally honest. During our adolescent years we don’t know how we are going to develop and look. Sometimes we blossom late and like the ugly duckling we turn into a swan after. The problem with people who fall into category is, they cannot get over the people who doubted them, made fun of them, or neglected them in the past. Now they have to prove something and proving something means they will be a tyrant to their spouse and the world around them. They can’t come to the simple conclusion that some people are flawed and superficial and no matter how much respect you show them, they’ll stomp on your heart and make your life miserable. For these people, it’s payback forever and until the world bows to their feet, they will never get over it.

2. I have an advanced degree arroganceBy far, one of the most bizarre forms of arrogance, but the root of this arrogance is this person believes that that their degree makes them smarter than you or gives them a higher status in society. Even if you have the same level of education, for some reason they believe that their degree is better than yours. If you have a lower degree than them, get ready for demeaning, condescending, and passive aggressive remarks that all relate to how unintelligent they think you are. In today’s society, people put too much emphasis on degrees. I have met people with degrees higher and lower than mine and it doesn’t matter. It’s all in the mind. If you have an advanced degree, that’s great. Just be happy that you got an education and be humble about it. No one cares that you went to this or that school. Whether you have a higher education or not, if you have bad character, you could seriously put in jeopardy the human balance in your relationship.
3. I had a hard life but I made it arroganceNow if you grew up with hard life and had a whole bunch of awful things happen to you, shouldn’t you be happy that you survived the turmoil? For some reason, these individuals have to toot their own horn 24/7 about how they got out of this or that situation. Now if you didn’t have it as hard, get ready for deep repressed rage and jealousy because you might have had it easier. Now you must pay for their pain. When I say “pay”, I’m not necessarily talking about money. You’ll have to pay in meeting their unrealistic expectations and you will never hear the end of it. This also falls into the category of “victimization arrogance”

   On the opposite side is “I had a hard life and life is still tough for me arrogance”. I actually don’t have an answer for this situation other than I hope that life gets easier for this person and he or she can find it in their heart to use their hardships as a lesson to turn their life around. There are no easy answers. When life tests us, we will either fold or persevere. I have the most sympathy for people in this situation, but being arrogant is not the answer. At the same time, I have been graced with so many blessings (which I’m so grateful of), so what do I know. Patiently persevere, remain on the straight path, be hopeful, and keep striving.

4. Fashion arroganceI’m not exactly sure why, but for some odd reason, people actually believe that dressing in expensive or trendy clothing is actually an asset. Keep in mind that clothing is a depreciating asset, so I’m not exactly sure why anyone would expend thousands and thousands on clothing that goes down in value. As if I should respect you more because you have the latest fashions off the rack. I have encountered numerous people who have somehow brainwashed themselves into believing that dressing like Hollywood actors/actresses, entertainers, following the trends of models means that I’m owed more respect. Let’s be clear, stained pieces of leather and cotton with pagan symbols on it does not mean anything. Many people have bought into the so-called “status” that comes with being perceived as someone who dresses in the latest fashions. Now I’m not saying that dressing in the latest fashions is a problem, NO of course not. It’s the attitude that comes with the clothing that you need to drop. Fashion arrogance’s closest cousin is “I have money or I look like I have wealth” arrogance which I explain below. If you have good fashion sense, great, but this exclusivity you think comes with your clothing is imagined.
5. My race, nationality or tribe is superior arroganceSome people obsess over nationality and the history of their ancestors or tribe at a dysfunctional pace. It’s nice to reflect on the achievements and greatness of your past, but keep it in the past. In many instances there are actions that our ancestors did, that have transformed the life that we live today which makes us feel proud, knowing we are tied to that greatness. Be very careful, because there is thin line between inner pride and prideful arrogance. When I say prideful arrogance, there is this tendency for people to believe that there race, nationality, or tribe is better than another race, nationality or tribe. Basically they act out this inner pride in select circumstances and situations. This “acting out” can happen anywhere, the way they practice religion, how they treat members in the family, friends, work associates and obviously their marriage
6. I had bad relationships in the past therefore I’m going to compare you to my past relationships arroganceThis is really simple. If you are going to live in the past, then your current relationships will share the same level of insecurity and failure that you had in the past. Both men and women are guilty of this. I just don’t understand why a person would compare apples to oranges. If you have someone that has a different character and behavior, why hold him or her to a standard that existed for someone else?
7. I have a prestigious job arroganceAlthough somewhat related to “I have money” arrogance, it’s a little bit different. This type of person lives for the status and wealth that their job provides. All they talk about is their job and how much money they make. They enjoy the exclusive lunches with executives and the movers/shakers in their respective industry. It will take them less than 1/100th of a millisecond to start blabbing how they had to fly to this and that country for a business trip. They won’t say it, but anyone who has a lower pay than them is seen as a serf. Their nose is so high in the air that airplanes will clip their noses as they come in for a landing.
8. I’m friends and/or associated with people who are wealth/famous arroganceAnother word for this is “coat-tail” arrogance. For some strange reason these people feel they are important because they might know someone famous or hangout with other people who are wealthy or famous. Now keep in mind that these “coat-tailers” don’t necessarily have to have any wealth or fame, but they live vicariously through their wealthy/ famous friends/acquaintances. Now if you don’t live up to the standard of their acquaintances, you get the passive aggressive, “Uh why can’t you be like _____________” or “You should do stuff more like ____________”. This type of arrogance usually morphs itself into “I don’t have money but I’m going to look like I do” arrogance.
9. I can change him or her arroganceBy far, one of the most stubborn forms of arrogance. The root cause of this arrogance usually stems from “I think I’m smarter than you or I have a better way that you can be” arrogance. Basically who you are and how you behave is seen as something that needs refining. Now it doesn’t necessarily matter whether their constructive criticism is valid or not. As long as they think you should change, then you should change. Once again, be very weary of people like this. Let’s be clear, you can’t change the behavioral foundation of a person, unless they want to change. If you don’t like the general behavior of a person, then why are you with them? Once you make the choice to marry someone, it’s only right that you respect them. Who made you judge and jury anyway?
10. I think I’m smarter than you arroganceAlthough this is somewhat related to the “I have an advanced degree” arrogance, I decided to separate this out, because this type of arrogance is based on a set of criteria that has absolutely nothing to do with reason and more to do with personal opinion. Irrespective of facts, this person feels that they are smarter than you and will demean you at home, in public, in front of family just to show how smart he or she thinks they are. In many instances this person is devoid of logic and reason. As long as he or she feels they are right, then they are right. If you tell them that 1 + 1 = 2, they’ll say, No, 1 + 1 = 4, because if you count the 2 lines that make up the plus sign (+), then that equals 4. Regardless of the topic, whether it’s politics, social issues, family matters, child rearing, etc they always think they are right. You’d be better off trying to figure out how a black hole is created, than trying to figure out why they think so illogically.
11. I have money or I look like I have wealth arroganceI saved this one for last, because material arrogance supersedes all other forms of arrogance. When a person takes on this type of arrogance get ready for plantation treatment. He or she is nobility and you are the serf. Because this person appears to be financially empowered he or she will remind you constantly on how poor you are. Things like, “Hey why don’t we do _____________ or why can’t we do _____________ or why can’t we buy _____________”. Now either you will be forced to stretch what little money you have to meet their unrealistic life style demands or go into bankruptcy. Now clearly this person has more money than you, so obviously he or she would pay a larger portion of the bills than you. Nevertheless you are caught in this rich vs poor passive aggressive behavior in your relationship. This arrogance is the epitome of “Jonesing”. It’s all about their lifestyle, material assets, and how good both of you look together. You’ll have a never ending list of material goals that you’ll have to eclipse every year. Credit cards will be maxed out, living check to check, no cash in the bank with a net worth in the negative. This person is a cash destroyer and doesn’t believe in saving for a rainy day or being modest. For them saving for a rainy day is buying a $300 dollar umbrella. This is also related to “Material things makes me think I’m better than you” arrogance. Typically they lust after the so-called “finer” things in life like exclusive neighborhood, expensive watches, digital devices, exotic getaways on some far off island. If they don’t own or can do any of these things, inside their minds they are constantly lusting after these things. Also keep in mind that people who fall into this category are not always cash rich or are actually wealthy. In many instances, they actually look like they have a lot of money, but a lot of their purchases are bought on debt and they are cash poor.

Below is an animated chart that shows the relationship between arrogance and unrealistic expectations:

II. Why am I participating in these traditions?

If you thought the above was controversial, then you haven’t seen anything yet. By far, this section is the more debatable part of this post. Some will accuse me of gender bias, but for those who know me personally, know that I’m the last person to fall into this category. My wife Sarah will provide her opinion on the topic in this section so we can get a woman’s point of view. I’m probably the only man on the planet, other than Tom Leykis that is diametrically opposed to the following traditions, but here goes:

1. Valentine’s DayBy far the most hated, dreaded and feared day for hundreds of millions of young adult men around the world. I’ll never forget the first time I was indoctrinated with this pagan tradition. It usually starts out around kindergarten during an innocent class project where you create little valentines cards then give them to your classmates. For some daring students, they might give each other plastic flowers. Maybe we were even tasked to create a little Valentine’s Day card for our mother and father. We bring these little crayola stained pieces of construction paper home for our parents and there are instant smiles from ear to ear. Awww..how cute.

   As the grades go by, and we enter into adulthood, somehow the stakes start getting a lot higher. The construction paper made card has now transformed to $5 dollar hallmark cards. The plastic flowers have now transformed to $100-$200 dollar roses. The McDonalds meal for 2 has now transformed to expensive dinners, and so on and so forth. Expensive gift exchanges for the so-called “sake of love”. The amazing part about this whole entire charade is not once, and I do mean this literally, once did any person ever ask me, “Do you want to express yourself to me in this way”? One of the biggest issues with Valentines Day is it’s a corporate tradition. A mindless tradition that has been imposed on men, with no consideration of our feelings or how we’d like to express ourselves. Just do what you are told and keep you mouth shut. No human being wants to be told how to do something and when they should do it, and if they don’t do it, they are seen as loveless and inconsiderate. What happened to the other 364 days of the year? Let me be clear, although most men don’t have the nerve to actually tell the truth about how they feel about Valentine’s Day, I’ll be the first to put out the truth. Most men hate this day. They do it with much contempt and actually resent you for imposing such a ridiculous pagan holiday on them. They do it, because they don’t want to hear you complain. Not all women do this, but I have talked to enough of my married friends, to know that they would rather jump into a pit of sharks than go through another mindless and imposed routine of Valentine’s Day.

   How do you think a man feels when he has to bow down to a tradition because society says so? For the record I love my wife and don’t need the help of some foolish pagan tradition that was spawned from some Christian martyr name Valentine of Tern that was killed by Catholics in the 200th century. I find it ironic that the fans of Valentine’s Day talk about how important it is to feel special. Hmm…let’s look at the definition again, shall we?

   Special: Surpassing what is common or usual; exceptional: a special occasion; a special treat.

   It’s interesting that a person would feel special on a day that billions of people mindlessly do the same thing. Same ole overpriced flowers, over-crowded restaurants, stale chocolate, etc. “Joe” and “Jane” public expecting gifts and other forms of lavish treatment because of the killing of the now so-called St Valentine. I treat my wife like a queen everyday, and I don’t have to prove my love on Valentine’s Day. As if our whole entire relationship is riding on the perfection of this one day. I’m not saying that there aren’t some merits to spending quality time with your significant other and making them feel special, but how Valentine’s Day became the de-facto standard day of love is just ridiculous. Most men resent being financial fleeced for the so-called sake of love, and if they go against this day, they are treated like hot steaming pile of smelly garbage. No venom could be hotter than the criticism you’ll get if you don’t participate in the Valentine’s Day routine.

   When you really love someone one, you come to an intelligent consensus on the minor and the major things in life, not to mention you are mindful of their true feelings. When Sarah and I feel like treating each other to something, it’s dynamic. There is no concrete prescription to our love. It flows like water and effortlessly moves about however it’s sees fit. Every molecule moving to the next moment in a shapeless, but controlled fashion. On Valentine’s Day, I look at the glib and distant faces of the men, and I have to laugh. Why? Because I was there and remember the deep seated resentment I had for being told like dog, how I should express the love I had in my heart. As if, Valentine’s Day is the only moment where I have to prove myself to my significant other. I’m sure there are some women who feel the way a lot of guys do on V-Day, but they are few and far between.

2. Anniversaries and other mindless events that fall into the “lets be special today” tradition.I’m not going to spend too much time on this section because some of these things are not that big of a deal. Our (Sarah and I) 1 year anniversary just passed, our marriage date was September 8th, 2007. Want to know what my wife and I did for our 1 year anniversary? Absolutely nothing. And when I say nothing, I do mean nothing. I came home from work and I gave my wife a hug and a kiss. That was it. We reflected on what has happened over the first year and that was it. No jewelry, gift exchanges, no fancy dinners, no hallmark cards, no roses, no special dinners at home. Zero. Not to say that we won’t do any of these things in the future, but we are not going to relegate 365 days after the point we made a decision to do something as the climax of celebratory appreciation for that day. Whenever we feel like going all out, that’s when we’ll do it. Everyday I come home to see my wife is an anniversary.

   There are so many day-to-day acts where Sarah and I show our appreciation for each other. We don’t have to play the “lets be special today” game. In many instances a lot of couples play this game. Before and after the so-called “anniversary” they might resent each other, then they play the “lets act like we love each other game”, not to mention trivializing the merits of what a marriage means and acting like there are not serious underlining problems in the relationship.

   What’s really interesting about the “lets be special for today” traditions, is no matter how much the relationship is in turmoil couples persist in participating in these traditions. How about addressing the core issues with your relationship first before you camouflage the problems with blind tradition? I say this, because this is something I used to do, and it was a pattern that I recognized in a lot of other relationships. As if, the magic in your relationship will be sparked by playing “make believe” for a day.

   The root problem in many of these “lets be special for a day” routines, is it’s just that, a routine. In many instances there are unrealistic expectations attached to these “special” days, as if fireworks will fly out of your eyes and your heart will be so moved with romance that it will explode with emotion. Sorry, but life is not a romance novel, romantic movie and the intimacy that you build into a relationship is based on true and honest intentions. Being selfish and not considering how the other person feels is not a recipe for success. It’s a recipe for resentment and mistrust, not to mention long-term unhappiness.

3. Engagement RingsAs usual I save the best for last. Many of you are probably saying, “Oh no, not the engagement ring!” Oh yes, Oh yes my friends, we are going to talk about the engagement ring. In my view the history of the engagement ring is DeBeer’s, Tiffany’s, Blue Nile’s, Zale’s and host of other diamond/jewelry companies’ best kept secret. As long as we don’t talk about the manipulative tactics of how the engagement ring was marketed into the homes of millions, if not billions we can be rest assured that the practice of the engagement ring is a well warranted tradition. I’m here to tell you that the tradition of the engagement ring is unwarranted and in many instances creates unnecessary financial pressure, not to mention a pocket full of resentment to boot.

   Before I get into the current state of the engagement ring we first have to go back roughly 130 years to find out how diamonds became a girl’s best friend during pre-marriage. In 1880 DeBeers (started by Cecil Rhodes) eventually owned roughly 60% of the diamond market, including supply, distribution, and manufacturing. Within 10 years the now famous De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. was formed by the Englishman Cecil John Rhodes to control the sale of diamonds throughout the world. Even today they control 65% of the world’s diamond trade. Now here’s where it gets controversial the concept of “diamonds are forever” was psychological cemented into the minds of millions:

   

   The History of the Engagement Ring
   http://www.diamondwholesalecorporation.com

   From 1880 De Beers were able to control the supply (and price) of diamonds but how were they going to control demand during a period when sales began dropping dramatically (up to 50%) in the 20s and 30s onwards through the great depression?

   Just as platinum started to become popular in diamond engagement rings, diamonds were becoming less valued. Platinum was banned for all but war use during WWII and so the platinum diamond engagement rings as we know them today almost died out.

   The answer to the problem was a new marketing campaign commissioned by De Beers that began in 1947. Perhaps you’ve heard the slogan “A Diamond is forever”? This was to mark the beginning of a change in the history of the engagement ring.

   Subsequent campaigns would convince families to hold on to their diamonds as family heirlooms… and it worked! Used diamonds were not being released back into the industry which in turn created the demand that De Beers were seeking.

   Jewelers were unofficially educated by De Beers to instruct men that two to three months personal wages were an ideal price to pay for the diamond engagement ring that their prospective fiancée’s would gladly accept.

   In 1953 the world’s two most glamorous women of the time Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell were the stars of the hit film musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

   The plot involves Monroe and Russell chasing potential husbands on a cruise to France. The movie also features a very famous song sung by the blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe, Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend.

   This film would have undoubtedly influenced public opinion at the time and will have advanced the popularity of diamonds for years afterwards through Hollywood glamour.

   The film is now 50 years old but it’s still a firm favorite of all who love Hollywood and the legend of Monroe. (Of course there are others: High Society, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Diamonds Are Forever among them)

   This is where the tradition of the diamond engagement ring really started, all from an advertising campaign that literally “rocked” the world! (Get it? “rocked”…. okay I’ll shut up!) So you see buying a diamond engagement ring isn’t really a popular ancient tradition.

   It’s more a combination of “dreaming of being a princess”, a clever marketing campaign and compelling Hollywood glamour that ultimately promotes diamonds as the only jewels with which to furnish your loved one as a sign of engagement.

   Now keep in mind that this history was unashamedly provided by a diamond wholesaler. If you look at the bottom of the page, the company shamelessly concludes with the following:

   The 21st Century
   The history of the engagement ring has moved on and demand for diamonds and platinum diamond engagement rings is still rising. The tradition is here to stay. Estimated 78% of all engagement rings sold every year are diamond.

   It would seem that no matter what you personally decide, she’ll be expecting a diamond! Free expert advice on diamonds and diamond engagement rings will be given by our Gemologists, via E-Mail or Phone:

   Call Toll Free: 1-800-555-5555 for your Engagement Ring

   See Engagement Rings-Click here!

   The arrogance of these diamond companies is beyond words. Here’s a short story that really captures the essence of why I’m opposed to the engagement/diamond ring. This is a true story that happened around 2000. I can’t remember all the details of the moment, so I’ve have plugged what I can remember, but it went something like this:

   I’ll never forget, let’s call him Jim, was telling me his engagement ring escapades. He was telling me how he was really stressed about finding the right engagement ring. He says this, with glibness and unseemliness, “Dwayne, doesn’t it have to be 3-4 months of your annual salary?” Unknowingly I shrug. He continues, “Man it’s perfect, I got the perfect diamond, but whoa, did it cost me. Roughly around $6-7,000 dollars”. My eyes go wide like an owl. Now inside my head, I’m going, “Say what? Who created these dumb rules anyway? Why should I spend 4 months of my salary just to let someone know that I want to marry them? Shouldn’t our courting be enough?” Nevertheless, Jim continues to go on and on, swooning between regret, fear, excitement, anxiety, resentment, “I guess I just have to”, feelings, and uneasiness throughout the conversation.

   I’ll never forget Jim’s face as he told me this story. Like Mike Tyson when he got punched out by Buster Douglas. Just completely defeated and had no idea what to do next. No guy in his right mind would ever say what they really think of this tradition, because he knows the level of critical heat he will get from his wife to be, the family of the wife, the friends of the wife, and the fear of receiving society’s disapproval from his so-called “cheapness” and “lack of love”. He’ll be labeled as a bum and accused of not really being serious of commitment. Now how DeBeers got to have more “say-so” in what is deemed acceptable and not acceptable engagement tradition is what I have issue with. The fact that the engagement ring is now a requirement before marriage because of a slick marketing program is insane. As if it wasn’t bad enough that Oprah, Dr. Phil, Ebony, the relationship sections of magazines, Seventeen, Men’s Health, Mademoiselle, King, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Glamour, Marie Claire, Men’s Fitness have more say so on how a man is supposed to “behave” in a relationship, now multi-international diamond companies get to set the pre-guidelines of a decision that will impact me and the women I marry for the rest of our life. Is this not absurd?

   Then we wonder why the divorce rate for marriages in this country is 50%, and of those relationships where the couple is still married and it seems like only 38% of marriages would be considered “happy”. Now what’s wrong with this equation? That means roughly 20% of all marriages are somewhat successful. Under no circumstances am I saying that the diamond ring is exclusively responsible for the divorce rate. What I’m trying to say is imposing traditions on people because “that’s they way it is” creates resentment. Now with all the technology we have to disseminate information, books on relationships, countless books on why divorces happen, and how to maintain a healthy relationship with your spouse, how is it that we still can’t get it right? As individuals, we are such an arrogant, narcissistic, inconsiderate and conceited group of people, while being ignorant of some of the most basic human characteristics, which is required to maintain a happy relationship. Irrespective of how dangerously inconsiderate our behavior is to the one we say “we love”, whenever there is some entity out there, whether it be some so-called celebrity personality, opinionated friends, uninformed family members, corporations, or societies that caters to our superficial desires and fears, we fall for it hook, line and sinker. Now if you are not going to think of how the other person feels about something, why are you getting married? Are you just getting married because society says it’s time to get married? Do you have some type of tyrannical vendetta against your spouse?

   Now for everything that I’ve said, I realize that we live in a free country and if you’ve chosen or succumbed to the diamond engagement ring as the pre-marriage tradition of choice, I’ll assume that you did it for the right reasons. If you are a man, and you genuinely wanted to participate in this act for the sake of love, then that’s great. If you are a woman, and you genuinely felt the diamond engagement ring was optional and it was irrelevant whether he did or not, then kudos to you. It’s really about the giver’s and receiver’s intention.

   One of the main reasons why I chose not to participate in the diamond engagement tradition, because I felt the tradition was imposed on. Why should so much pressure be put on my shoulders because Cecil Rhodes decided to start a diamond company and create a slick marketing company to make his company more profitable? The merits of his marketing campaign symbolizes the superficiality and blistering ignorance that contributes to unheard of levels of resentment in today’s marriages? I mean, how would woman feel, if a company called DeMean marketed a campaign that said women are required to cook and clean the house for the first 3 years of marriage while the man sits on the couch and does absolutely nothing? Now if you opposed the idea, society accused you of being a bad would-be wife. Then magazine writers, and celebrity journalists started jumping in the fray saying all women who don’t do this are inconsiderate and don’t’ deserve to be with any man?

   Another reason I didn’t participate in the diamond engagement is I didn’t want the engagement ring to become the “make it or break it” on whether my soon to be wife would want to get married to me. One of the most important decisions I made was to tell my wife to be, that I don’t and will not participate in the diamond engagement ring tradition. I told her this in the first year. Here is Sarah’s response after I told her that:

   “Had you bought me a diamond engagement ring, I would have given t right back to you because I am not with. I’m not with you because of some pagan ring tradition, I want to be with you and you don’t need to offer expensive externalities for the sake of love to prove that you want to spend the rest of your life with me. Your behavior, consideration, and actions over the past few years are enough. How could I believe otherwise?”

   In the end, it’s a personal choice that everyone has to make. Keep in mind that this is not just my opinion. I have talked to enough married and soon-to-be married men, that they only did it because they had to, but didn’t really want to. Not out of inconsideration for their spouse, but for many of the reasons that I just mentioned above, but didn’t have the courage to say anything. For some women, they don’t care. Irrespective of the intention, they are getting, as they say today “a ring on their finger”. It’s nice to know that a man’s feeling means nothing, while DeBeers profit margins and how your friends/family/random strangers thoughts about the value of your marriage mean everything.

   My last and final point is I also think the engagement ring is putting the cart before the horse. Now you just got married and people are making this staggering investment into the engagement ring. I think it would be more appropriate to participate in such a tradition maybe 5-10 years in when the marriage has a bit more meat on the bones. The way people do it today is as if they won the marathon already. You are just in the first lap and you are already celebrating. The celebration doesn’t really come, until a bit more time has passed. Once again, just my opinion, but some of these pre-marriage acts are a bit premature.

   Here are some words of wisdom from my wife Sarah:

   As a woman, I have found it hard, one too many times, to stand by and watch other women claim this right to self-entitlement and a twisted form of self satisfaction. Women today seem to feel that a man is only “worthy” of her time and love if he is providing material “rewards” in return (sometimes even ahead of time). Since when has a good relationship been measured by how much money a man has or how much he can provide on a material level? What happened to a man being measured based on his character and ability to be a good husband and a good father? Unfortunately, today’s relationships consist of all these dates and events that were dictated by corporations and expected of people (specifically men) to adhere to.

   I will start with Valentines Day. Who is St. Valentines? Why does he have such a strong hold on us today? Why do we, as women, feel that men should wine us and dine us and over spend on this day? Why should we, as loving spouses limit ourselves or limit our loved ones to feel special or fully loved only on this specific day? Why should this day dictate to us how and when to show our love to a spouse? Why should material objects be the measurement for how much we love someone? What does this day really represent? As Malik already pointed out, it is a mindless, corporate holiday that most men are forced to participate in; unwillingly I might add.

   The truth is, we, as human beings are easily manipulated into participating in holidays and events that mean nothing in reality. Women, you have to understand that men generally participate in this day ONLY because they do not want to hear the drama or be accused of being cheap or unaffectionate or not caring enough. Women, this is a selfish way to behave. Not to mention that such an event actually makes the occasion of gift giving or love sharing less unique and meaningful. How special can this day really be if everyone all over the world is doing the same exact thing only because society said so? Is it not more meaningful to make the effort to show love in a way you choose, when YOU or your SPOUSE chooses to. Why make it this ridiculous chore.

   The same goes for anniversaries. Now, it is nice to remember the day that you and your husband got married, or shared a first event together. However, expecting gifts, flowers, dinner, etc. on this day every year for the rest of ones life is unreasonable. Life is not about what material object can be provided on a certain day to make a person feel special. It is about remembering the event in a positive light and being thankful to God for allowing this person to be in your life.

   What starts off as an innocent celebration soon turns into an unrealistic expectation. Let’s say this year, your husband and yourself go out to a nice Italian restaurant and you exchange gifts. Next year, the expectation will be bigger, may be a nice restaurant with bigger gifts. Then, let’s say the 3rd year, your husband forgets the anniversary; now, there is a sense of betrayal. “How could he forget our anniversary” will run through the mind of most women. In turn, this leads to an argument and the whole meaning of this day is swallowed whole in anger and unrealistic expectations. Do not put so much emphasis on expecting something for an anniversary. Enjoy the day with a smile, a hug, a kiss, and talk about the day’s significance. And, then, if you feel that you want to celebrate in a more traditional light, do so, but don’t make it an annual ritual just because that is what everyone else is doing.

   As a woman who is in love with a strong and loving man, I can tell you this; Valentines Day, anniversaries, and so on do not dictate our relationship to us. Why? Because everyday with Malik is a special day filled with love, respect and warmth. For us, the importance of our relationship is emphasized with a cup of tea made with love, a dinner cooked with care, a warm smile, a sincere thank you, the sharing of cookie or just the peaceful silence of each other.

   Now, I am not saying that Malik and I never enjoy gift giving or special days. Of course we do. However, we do not need a specific day of the year to dictate that to us. We also do not follow an annual ritual for our birthdays, anniversary and other events. When we do share “special” moments it is always random and unexpected. Additionally, we make it a point to not go over the top; we keep it simple filled with characteristics and events dear to us as a couple.

   Now ladies, a separate topic that needs to be addressed; Engagement rings! Ahhhh…the ring! Malik has already done a phenomenal job in explaining to you the history of the ring so I won’t bother to write anymore on that. However, ladies, what is a ring? A piece of metal with a diamond in it that depreciates over time? Yes.

   Who said that a ring is what makes a happy couple? Who said that a ring means that a man loves you anymore that if he didn’t give a ring? Who said that a diamond represents forever; thus making a marriage last forever? Who said that a ring equates to a legal marriage? We all know the answer to these questions yet we still feel the need to pressure our men into buying us these rings of “love” and “eternity.”

   A mans love for you has nothing to do with a metal circle that is placed on a finger. Your worth is not measured by that same metal circle. A mans love for a woman is only measured by the way he treats you, the care he shows you and the respect he gives you. A mans love for a woman is strictly measured by the day to day emotional support and physical fulfillment that he shows you. A mans love is measured in his touch, his smile, his hug, his kiss, his support, his ability to be a good father, his righteous character and his ability to be there for you.

   We as women need to wake up. We need to understand that a man is good when his character is good, when his soul is good, when his heart is good. A good man, a true man, a real man, an honest man cannot be measured by what he provides on a material level. We need to revaluate what society deems as a “good” man and look back into the days of simplicity and humbleness. We need to look into ourselves and understand what truly makes us happy as women. I know for me happiness is attached to Malik. In my eyes, that happiness comes from a strong, intelligent, sincere, righteous and supportive man who is an exceptional husband and is going to be an exceptional father.

III. Conclusion:

Although I’ve only been married for over year, I have a lot of relationship experiences and talked to a lot of married men and women on their experiences. One of the things that really sent the light bulb off in my head was talking to a lot of married and soon-to-be married men/women right out of college. No matter where I was in the world, I took to time to talk to married men and women about their marriage. The problems that they were talking about, were no different that the problems that I had in my relationships. The only difference is they had kids, a mortgage, and a legal contract, binding them together. Let me be honest, a lot of these guys/gals felt dejected and defeated. They made some big mistakes and had unrealistic expectations about married life and what it would be like. I would say to myself, “How is it that I’m in my twenties, just starting life out, and I can identify with this older man in his 50s who’s been married for 20+ years, has 3 kids, a dog, white picket fence, etc. The problem was, is there are tons of these women/men who feel this way. I would just sit and listen during lunch, and hear horror story after horror story. One argument after another, one inconsiderate act after another, one unrealistic expectation after another. At an early age I could trade war stories with them and it troubled me. I could not believe that I was suffering from the same problems in my relationships. The same feelings of resentment, powerlessness, and hopelessness gripped them every night they went home. Unfortunately, that was how a lot of my relationships played out as I got older and older.

I realized that the problems that a lot of people see in their marriages started way before they even got married. They never addressed their past issues and like luggage, just carried it into the next relationship. Like a boulder rolling down a hill, it just accumulates more and more causing more destruction in its path. Some people feel marriage and kids will some how be the elixir to all the ills of the relationship. Don’t believe the hype, there are many who thought so, and have been disappointed. I have concocted a simple list that offer a soothing environment (in my view) for many relationships, and will at least offer a bit more stability in today’s marriages. Considering we aren’t seeing a decline in the national divorce rate, my opinion is a good as anyone else out there.

1. Be Humble/ModestHere are several definitions: Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful. Showing deferential or submissive respect: a humble apology.

   Whether by choice or necessity, be humble. No matter how pretty or handsome you think you are, or others think you are, no matter how successful or accomplished you think you are, no matter how smart, intelligent, or brilliant you think you are, no matter how wealthy you are and no matter how great you think your race/tribe/culture is, BE HUMBLE!. No one wants to be with an arrogant, prideful, self-absorbed narcissist individual who puts the world last and themselves first. You might think it’s amusing and you might revel every time someone stingingly submits to your whim, but you are not helping anyone by behaving this way. You are only destroying the closes person to you.

   Be appreciative of the physical or spiritual assets that you have been blessed with. Some of us are very fortunate to have the things we have and the best thing we can all do is be appreciative of those gifts. Humility is a beautiful character and is often ignored in a lot of relationships.

2. Set realistic expectations and when you set expectations use some level of logic and reason to come to the conclusion that this is the right expectation.One of the biggest complaints I have heard and seen are people setting unrealistic expectations on each other. What is really fascinating is these expectations are set without using any set of wisdom behind the expectation. It’s important that you consider the other person’s feelings. Now if the person does something that you don’t approve of, berating them into submission is not going to get you any closer to an answer. Sometimes you don’t have to lower your expectation, but a more appropriate term is you have to “change” your expectation.

   We often get into this circular argument of “lower and raising” the expectation. Did you ever think that maybe you had the wrong expectation from the start? Why do we have this superiority complex of whether the expectation is at the right height? And where did you get this expectation from in the first place? In my view, if you don’t have any information to support your expectation, then maybe you should rethink having that expectation? No one is perfect, and as human beings we should know whether our expectation’s can be realistically met. Have the same conversation over and over again is pointless. Either we are going to solve the problem or we are not. Unless someone in the discussion can find common sense reasoning and wisdom behind why they feel the way they do then the argument will be circular

3. Playing follow the so-called “leader”These are destructive or questionable acts that people do, but they do it because everybody else is doing it and it seems like a good idea. It’s important to know why you are doing something and take into account how this something, impacts the other person. Doing something because you feel like doing it, does not mean that it should be done. One thing I’ve noticed is people have a bad habit of doing something because it’s always been that way. Now there’s nothing wrong with following a tradition or pattern of behavior but you should know why you are doing it, and its impact on others.

   As I stated earlier, a lot of traditions we have blindly followed to our own demise. We look around and we are the only one holding the bag wondering “What happened?” It does not have to be this way. Don’t be stubborn. Seek out the reasoning and wisdom behind things. If you are going to put all your energy into a particular tradition or behavior, it’s only right that you seek out the history of that tradition or behavior. Many people, who know me, know that I’m anti-blind tradition. If the act is based on a lie, misinformation, trickery, pagan worship, etc, under no circumstances am I following it. Not to mention from an Islamic perspective, participating in any bidah (innovation) for the sake of anything other than Allah is haram (prohibited). In my view, wisdom and intellect must underscore your decisions. You can see where society has gone when they do things “just cause” with no intellect behind the decision. Verdict: 20% of marriages are considered happy. Running after someone else’s dream and life is not going to make you any happier. What is good for someone else might not be good for you. Pick your choices in life wisely

4. The importance of righteousnessAn often neglected characteristic when people are searching for the love of their life, but seeking out a person who wants to uphold the utmost truth is critical. A person who wavers on the truth for others or themselves is someone who is aspiring to selfishness. Selfishness is the death knell of any relationship. Having a “me” attitude is not cute, it’s actually a very ugly characteristic. Nothing makes someone uglier than being selfish. When you find someone who wants to make sacrifices for the truth, they’ll more than likely make sacrifices for you. For them, the truth is that important.
5. Being genuinely respectful of othersHow many of us say we want to be respected, but don’t really give it out? Do you know how many arguments my wife and have had? 0. Zero. We’ve have discussions but we don’t argue, talk down to each other, never curse at each other, and we definitely don’t use verbal attacks to assassinate each other’s character. If you can’t talk in a calm and controlled voice on a disagreement, then something is wrong. There is no reason to get excited. You put your thoughts on table, I put my thoughts on the table and then we have an intelligent discussion on how to get to a resolution. If we don’t come to a resolution then we wait a day to collect our thoughts, then go back to find a resolution. Every time you violate the regard and esteem of another person, you are not being respectful. By acting in this way you are lowering the quality rung of the relationship. Not only does disrespectful behavior create resentment, but it also positions the other person in a situation where they are dis empowered. Their word does not hold as much value and often can lead to hopelessness and depression.
6. CommunicationWe hear this all the time from some of the biggest and best marriage counselors in the world. Make sure you communicate your feelings. Now the only way you can achieve number 6, is if you do 1 through 5. You will not be able to communicate with someone if you are missing 1 through 5. 1 through 5 has to underscore the way you communicate. If you do 1 through 5, you’ll be able to communicate effectively with your spouse. Very simple.
7. Dealing in self-deception and escapismYet another destructive blow, and probably one of the most dangerous characteristics of any relationship, is denial. Denying that maybe you need to change a couple things, or denying that maybe the person you’re with might have some good intentions behind why they want you to change some things for the better or denying that you need to remove yourself from a destructive relationship. (sorry, run on sentence) Once the self-deception has kicked into full throttle, then the next thing a person does is escapism.

   Now rather than dealing with why they might be struggling to find the “right” one, many people escape into cognitive dissonance. Escapism is a result of self-deception and denial. Some of us may be too quick to use the word “hatin”. As if someone offering constructive criticism is somewhat dealing in jealousy or as the word is used contemporarily, “hatin”. I think in some instances, many of us maybe dealing with a bit of self-deception. By denying the obvious, we accuse others of simply being jealous of something we have. It can be money, status in life, material things, beauty/handsomeness, intelligence, or some other facet of our life. Unfortunately we can’t control how others perceive our behavior, actions, and existence. The best things we can do, is be true to ourselves and that is a bigger and better question. Are we really acting, behaving, and dealing with people on a day-to-day basis in a truthful and reverent manner?

   I’ve seen too many people deal in self-deception for years upon years, only to live a very lonely, secluded and escapist type of life. Is that the purpose of life? I’m right, the world is wrong, so I’ll do what ever I feel like? Can any sensible person really believe in this philosophy?

8. Watch out for the negative “by-myself” meetingGleaned from the words of Cappadonna, the full quote is “every evening I have a by-myself meeting”. Simply it’s a matter of pondering with the thoughts of your conscious to come to a proper conclusion on a particular matter. Now in the context of this relationship post, the negative “by myself” meeting is a conversation that you have with yourself, where you deceive yourself into believing that you are correct on how you are dealing with a particular matter, but you are actually incorrect.

   As human beings, we have these “by-myself” meetings all the time. Normally we take our own personal experiences, pieces of conversations, outside advice and try to come to a conclusion on what to do. Unfortunately our egos can block proper resolve, and rather then getting to the right answer, we fall into a defensive pose of circular arguments (like a dog running after it’s tail). Not realizing that we are spinning around in the same circle over and over, we can miss an opportunity to resolve a particular issue. Be very careful of the negative “by-myself” meeting, it can lead to denying the obvious while encouraging anti-intellectualism and poor judgment.

9. Keep things simpleOne of the biggest gifts that Sarah and I have is we are very simple people. We occasionally do things, but we spend a lot of time at home. Remember what I said earlier, that seeing my wife every day was an anniversary. I wasn’t saying that just to say that. Every single day I can’t wait to come home to my wife. The home
   should be a place of tranquility and peace. The outside world is a stressful place. After we all come home from a hard day’s work, whether you are a woman or a man, the last thing you want, is to come home to a stressful household. Try making the home a place of relaxation. Behind every good man can be good woman, and behind every good woman can be a good man. I truly believe that. We don’t have to be control freaks, we don’t have to be overbearing, we don’t have to be inconsiderate, and we don’t have to be stressed out because of the minutia of life. We actually have the power to simplify things and enjoy life. Life is too short to continue imposing our will on each other. Be patient and enjoy the simplicities of life with your spouse. Thanks for reading and I wish you all well in your future relationships.