This video was a trip. And sadly, I was actually not too dissimilar to this growing up. I admit probably without the dew rag and braids. And maybe a different kind of language and hostility. But I was disrespectful to authority. The worst part about it, is I have been also disrespectful to my mother and family and even some close friends. People who otherwise liked me, for me, loved me even.
This kid will learn the hard way about love, or the streets, jail and prison will turn him into a bigger monster. What I found ironic about this video, was the pillow. Something so simple, and ironic.
From looking at this photograph, I am not sure if you notice. But I think this might very well be the focal point of the entire video. And this kid, better recognize and see the meaning of those words. Because he is going to be placed in an environment, where the bright side isn’t going to be so easy to find.
I do remember myself, have several if not 100s of different phrases and quotes, even some speeches from friends and family, or random strangers even. Some of it I discarded, and other things stuck. And what is odd, is that some of those things that stuck, I couldn’t rationalize them or even understand them. But for whatever reason they would enter into my skull, and I would have reason with them.
In the case of this young man, I am not sure what his bright side is. But I would hope that its God. Because the tangible and physical things that guarantee relief, are finite, just like our physical lives. But what is inside our physical bodies is what is most important, and what will carry on into eternity.
Eternity? I myself cannot conceptualize that or even reason with it. As a kid, the entire idea of both a painful and a peaceful eternity scared me. Because I didn’t want anything to do with eternity. I wanted to do whatever I can in this life, as quickly as possible, and I wanted to get off this rock asap.
As it turns out, the more I actually stopped running from God, and started running to God, I started to like Him. And as a result, I started to actually like life. I admit, I did it on my terms, but this knucklehead that I am. That was the only way I could get it through my skull. And some people are unfortunately like this.
So yes even in times and situations that seem like there is no hope, or no way through or around the adversity and struggle. You absolutely have to, and need to find the bright side.
This was something that was constantly introduced to me, while in the mental health industry. Viktor Frankl who was a survivor auschwitz, introduced it as logos therapy. And while not exactly finding the, “bright side”. Its finding the meaning in suffering.
How can I reason reality and life with a jew? well I cannot. Because he doesn’t believe in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. I pick and choose what impacts and helps me from people. But what helps me is Christ. Always has, and always will.
