Never let it be said that Allah won’t test the believers. I was taught long ago that I’m no better than the prophets who came before me, so why should I expect to have it any easier than them? That’s why I promote the platform everywhere I go, and that’s why I believe self help and self determination are so ubiquitous in today’s tough financial climate. I’ve done numerous speaking engagements on the power of the FBI or Four Basic Ideals. Sometimes spoken word, other times in more informal settings like a movie set, or on the streets hustling mixtapes. In every case the person I was talking to was more than willing to hear the positive message I was bringing especially when I related it to everyday circumstances they were going through.

The fact is, there is so much negative propaganda and subliminal hatred being force fed the public through the media, that it can be nearly impossible to wade through the bullshit to find something useful. It’s no coincidence that celebrity gossip shows and (un) reality television are the greatest sources of entertainment along with their counterparts in cyberspace. People need escapism and celebrities provide a glimpse into another world in which the bills aren’t piling up and luxury cars and million dollar homes are the norm. Even the so called serious cable news like CNN will frequently derail themselves with ignorance about the latest Kanye West stunt, or whatever minutiae they can dig up about non-celebs like the Kardashians and similar black holes of personality. Any environment where a toxic show like TMZ can flourish ain’t a healthy one.

The common thread in all this obsession however is the vitriol the average citizen holds in their stomach for these people they follow so religiously. The greatest thing going on the internet for example is not checking for creativity or excellence, but lurking around to witness the latest epic FAIL or meltdown. People take a certain perverse pleasure in seeing their fellow humans degraded and humiliated in the most public manner imaginable. (Yung Berg and Charles Hamilton being some of the more obvious examples, but we’ll throw Joe Budden in there to round it out). Even the music biz which once had an element of journalistic integrity has deteriorated into a feeding frenzy where shock bloggers and petty individuals that normally wouldn’t have had a voice eek out a meager existence taking shots at those more courageous than them who actually try to contribute to the artform.

The problem with this overdose on the hate germ is that it’s a temporary crack high that diminishes rather quickly and leaves everyone feeling lethargic and depressed. No amount of hate directed at the latest celebrity embarrassment on YouTube or World Star Hip Hop is going to fulfill your existence, only the creator and self meditation can do that. If we want to stimulate the economy and bring America back to some form of prosperity we’re going to have get off our ass, log off the computer for a change and stop hating if at all possible. Energy is a powerful thing, and negative energy only serves to rob others of their power, but it also robs you of yours in the long run. You can’t possibly effect the kind of change in your life that generates income and wealth if you spend all day being petty online or wasting your time watching Maury to see who is or is not the father. I’m not saying I’m innocent in all this, I’m saying that I’m at least trying to present an alternative despite how contradictory it may seem coming from me. That’s the essence of self help, taking stock of who you are as a person and making the EFFORT. Positive energy elevates and motivates people to build, not destroy. Let’s build with the Four Basic Ideals. One.