All Falls Down

Being the music fanatic that I am, I find a lot of truth and inspiration in the songs that I hear from time to time. One that I remember sending me into deep thought was the song "All Falls Down" by Kanye West. If you strip away the nice beat and catchy chorus, you'll be left with some words that are sure to reach out and slap you, or at least send a few people walking through your mind. Here are just some lines from the song:

KANYE WEST (f/ Syleena Johnson) - All Falls Down

Man I promise, I'm so self conscious
That's why you always see me with at least one of my watches

Then I spent 400 bucks on this
Just to be like nigga you ain't up on this!
And I can't even go to the grocery store
Without some ones thats clean and a shirt with a team

It seems we living the American dream
But the people highest up got the lowest self esteem
The prettiest people do the ugliest things
For the road to riches and diamond rings

We shine because they hate us, floss cause they degrade us
We trying to buy back our 40 acres
And for that paper, look how low we a'stoop
Even if you in a Benz, you still in a coop/coupe

We buy our way out of jail, but we can't buy freedom
We'll buy a lot of clothes when we don't really need em
Things we buy to cover up what's inside
Cause they make us hate ourself and love they wealth
That's why shortys hollering "where the ballas' at?"
Drug dealer buy Jordans, crackhead buy crack
And a white man get paid off of all of that

I wanna act ballerific like it's all terrific
I got a couple past due bills, I won't get specific
I got a problem with spending before I get it
We all self conscious I'm just the first to admit it

Now if you can read that without doing some soul searching then you might as well just quit reading now but if a nerve has been struck then you're well on the path to recovery.

The truth is that we all are in some way superficial. We all want to look the best, be the most outstanding and be the one sitting at the top of the ladder. Don't get me wrong, this is all well and good and works in the spirit of being ambitious. The issue is, how far are you willing to go to get to the top? Who are you willing to step on, back-stab or kick in the a** to accomplish your goals. Be honest, we all get jealous at times and secretly plot in the back of our mind to "take someone out". This make us human. What is however important, is that we don't allow these thoughts to manifest but rather we conquer them and allow ourselves to be happy for others.

We are told to love our enemies. We are told to be good to those that have hurt us. We are told to turn the other cheek. I sometimes think that the people who remind us to do these things are never truly on the receiving end of hostility. For these are the hardest things to do, but I have learnt throughout the years that the wost weapons are a smile and a few kind words. It is difficult for people to feel good about treating us badly when we've be so good to them. As a friend of mine always says "conscience is a b***h".

So how do we conquer jealousy, insecurity, vanity and spite? Its not always easy, but remember that there is always a time and a season for everything. We get nothing before its time and you never know what is coming to you, and patience is indeed a virtue. But as you progress through life, just remember that you sometimes need the people you step on during your journey up the ladder to catch you when you fall off.