The Mind of KLH

Well it was a little hard to hear, but it was indeed just like music. I just made a major renovation to my website KLH Beats.com and when I finally hit the enter button it was a beautiful sound. I will now be offering Hip Hop and R&B beats (that’s instrumental music tracks) for free…yes FREE!!!! It’s quite a move and I’m excited about it. Why??? Because I did something important to move my business and consequently my life forward.

Whenever we do something positive no matter how small on our own behalf, it confirms us. It make us know a little bit more, that we are important. It puts another block in the wall of our self esteem. When we feel better about our self, our power is enhanced. People who are powerful make this world a better place. When I say power I’m not talking about power over other people, I’m talking about personal power. Personal power is about being all WE can be. It’s about being comfortable in our own skin and in our own place in this world. People who impose their power over other people, usually feel inadequate in some way, so they in effect, leech power from weaker people to strengthen themselves.

But I digress…today I had a victory. It might not be that important to some people but that’s not the point. Personal power is about what we do for ourselves, and today I did it!!! Because I did it, I feel great. Because I feel great I’m going to do more, and as I do more to build this business of mine, I’ll feel better about me…which in turn will empower me to do greater things. Do you get it??? It’s a delicious cycle…a cycle that started with one thing…I hit the ‘Enter Button’…and it was music to my ears.

What one thing can you do today on your own behalf? One small thing I promise you will lead to another, and then another. Imagine a world filled with people with enormous personal power, all adding to the greatness of our planet. Now that…is music!!!

Please be sure to check out my new site at – www.klhbeats.com

Stay Fly and Fly High!
KLH

We are so much smarter and more powerful than most of us give ourselves credit for. We grow and mature, we learn things and gain experiences that equip us quite well to live wonderful lives. However many times we don’t live up to our fullest potential…why? Because it’s hard. It’s hard to be successful at anything. It’s hard to live an enlightened or righteous life. It’s hard to be powerful. Sitting on the couch with a big ass bowl of vanilla ice cream slathered on top of a giant chunk of apple pie (oh my god I have a craving) is so much easier, and quite tasty.

The truth is that with success, power, and enlightenment come responsibility. In many ways doing the right thing limits your choices in ways that may be very uncomfortable. Successful people get up early and go to bed late, they work harder, and sacrifice things that average people aren’t willing to give up. Enlightened people say no to things that compromise their core values. People who live mediocre or average lives compromise so much that they often can’t even identify their core values. It’s hard to live to your fullest potential, so most people opt out on their own lives. They won’t say it but it’s true.

Ask a person what their dreams are, or what success is to them and rarely will you get a clear answer. Ask them why they are here on this planet, you probably won’t get a meaningful reply. I think the reason why people don’t want to think about being fully realized is because somewhere in their mind they know the cost is more than they’re willing to pay. So we trade down to a cheaper model. “I just want to take care of my family” or “I want to go to school” (I love that one) or “I just want to be comfortable”. Let me be clear there’s nothing wrong with these things, but they’re often ways of deferring your dreams, or even worse deluding yourself. Why? Because it’s so much easier than saying I want to run for Mayor, or open a women’s shelter, race NASCAR, or sing opera.

A lack of clarity is often just a delay tactic. As long as you don’t know, you don’t have to do anything..Hmmm. I suggest that we be real with ourselves, somewhere inside we know what’s right for us, and we’d do it if we knew we wouldn’t fail. But, unless we are willing to take that chance we will never live our lives fully. I am convinced that success in anything for anyone resides outside our comfort zone, which is why most of us would much rather sit on the couch. I got two words for you…Get up!

Stay Fly and Fly High
KLH

Hey check out my other website www.klhbeats.com

Trust me on this one…I get it.  For a lot of people out there this economy is like “The Nightmare on Your Street”.  People are losing their jobs or their hours are getting cut.  People losing houses, health insurance, and most importantly self esteem.  There are people who have done incredibly thoughtless or even criminal things to drive our economy into the ground.  Those people should be held accountable…but that ain’t gonna pay your mortgage or rent next week…trust me I get it.  President Obama keeps saying that things will probably get worse before they get better.  Or that it’s going to take some time before the ‘Stimulus Plan’ begins to yield results, but that in time it will help us.  None of our politicians seem to understand that we the people have to actually survive to three or four or God forbid eight years from now.  Our car payments, rent, groceries, and kid’s college tuition will not wait for the Stimulus Plan to kick in.  Those things demand money right now…trust me…I get it.  All this is true…so now what?

Recognizing or even bitching about the rotten ass hand our elected officials have dealt us will not pay one single solitary bill for anyone.  What it will do is make us more mad, more hopeless, and still up the damn creek without a paddle, or maybe even without a canoe.  So now what?  One of the things that makes life so difficult in the tendency to live anywhere but where we are right now.  By that I mean we worry about what happened to us yesterday, the day before or even twenty years ago.  We also like to worry about tomorrow.  The problem with this is that not matter what, we can ONLY live right now…in this moment.  Right now in this moment we can make a choice, and that is where our power can be utilized.  

One of the greatest things we can do for ourselves is to be responsible for where we are in life.  When we are having a really tough time, taking responsibility for that can be extremely difficult.  It is always easier to blame someone or something else for our troubles…and I do understand that.  However there is power in responsibility…that is… the ability to respond.  So what we need to do as individuals and by extension as a nation is to take responsibility for where we are at.  Then we can make choices about how we can improve upon our situation.  Without our consent the future will indeed come…and it will go. The question is what will you and I do with the time between now and then. The choices we make today and everyday are what will shape our future.  That is the power of taking responsibilty.  If we are responsible for our difficulties, then we can also be responsible for our success.

We are creative beings of unimagined possibilities.  We cannot fathom the spectacular things we can achieve, because there really are no limits to our potential.  I believe we are made in the image of God.  and that doesn’t mean we look like God.  I think we have god-like super human capabilities.  We can summon that power, by having faith in our own greatness, and opening our minds and hearts to the infinite wisdom of the universe.  Then we can use that creative power to make whatever kind of life we want to have.  

So now what?  Let’s all resolve to face our challenges head on.  The great dragon will cower when you look it in the eye.  Challenges, even seemingly impossible ones, cannot withstand the withering offensive of a determined will to overcome them.  I said it before “Obama can’t save you”, neither can the government stimulus plan.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that you can save yourself.  That’s what I’m gonna do.

Stay Fly and Fly High!
KLH

I just got through watching and listening to some YouTube videos.  I just got it in my head I wanted to hear some great bass players.  After about 30 minutes I just, closed my mouth and resumed breathing.  I used to play a little bass so I have some strong attraction to that instrument.  I heard Victor Wooten, some unfamiliar players, and the god the late Jaco Pastorius.  In these players I saw and heard greatness.  In math “greater than” means more than.  Clearly that’s what these men are …they are more than the average bass player.  They probably had a propensity for the instrument early on, but they certainly invested countless hours in perfecting their craft…and became more than the average player.

When I went to see Jaco in concert I knew I was in the presence of greatness.  Not in a groupie kind of way, but in an almost reverential kind of way.  Jaco was what I aspired to be.  His talent made me go home and practice my bass more.  When I saw Stanley Clarke, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, The Jackson Five I knew that they were “more than” me, not as people but as craftsmen.  They put in the work to develop their talent and that talent blazed from the stage.  Part of the allure of concerts back in the day was to see and hear things that I knew I couldn’t do…at least not yet.  

These days concerts are more like dance recitals, because that’s usually the only thing actually happening live.  Today’s music is filled with mediocrity.  You can go in any karaoke spot and hear singers as good as most of the singers you hear on the radio, and that’s ashamed.  Often they’re not even called singers, now they’re “artists”…and even that title overstates the case most of the time.  What about musicians?  Most young people think Chris Angel is a musician…(think about it).  Music tracks are “beats” now, and  producers are usually glorified Deejays. 

I long for the day that music comes back into the “Music Business”.  It would be great to see young boys and girls taking piano, guitar, and saxophone lessons.  I long for the day when a singer says to the producer “Why would I need Auto-Tune?”  I long for the day that singers sing because they would die if they didn’t.  When a guitar player plays because he can’t not play.  Music is the voice of God fixed to a melody and set to rhythm.  I don’t know what that is they’re playing on the radio.

For the sake of profit, music has been critically injured and is on life support.  Let’s make sure music doesn’t die.  It is imperative that music be a part of every school curriculum.  Us older folks should dust of those old 45′s and play them for our kids, and tell them our stories about the great concerts we saw and how we were affected and moved.  If we really try we can save music and oh… how really worth it that would be.

So …What is great, really?  It’s breathlessness, it’s wonder, it’s vision, it’s profound.  If any old Tom, Dick, or Mary can do it, it ain’t great.

Stay Fly and Fly High!
KLH 

Check out the hottest Hip Hop and Rap Beats on the internet at: KLH Beats.com

Let me count the wayzzzzzz!  Whew!!  Computers as great as they can be…are determined to make me go freakin’ crazy (I just know it’s a conspiracy).  As I sit here typing on my beautiful I-Mac computer, I long for the days of the Smith Corona, or a good IBM Selectric.  When those went bad you could lift up the lid and spot the problem.  When you have a problem with your computer, first you have to determine is it really a computer problem or a software problem.  Usually it’s a mutant hybrid problem which means you’re going to have to figure the problem out on your own. Or… 

You can call tech support if you hate yourself enough to deal with that torture.  The reason I say that, is tech support people  are usually good at one thing, and that is reading what is in their stupid ‘Tech Support Manual’.  This manual is designed to drive people who know a little bit about computers absolutely NUTZ!  The tech support person will start out by asking you a couple of aggravating questions like:  ”Hi, who am I speaking to?” And…”Would you please validate your address?”  It wouldn’t be so bad if you hadn’t given all that info to the robot chick who asked for it at the beginning of the damn call.  

After they’ve interviewed you they offer some suggestions that rarely solve your problem and sometimes add to your problems.  After they finish wasting your time they often will pass you along to another person or department so they can have some fun with you as well.  At this point I usually want to curse somebody out, but I know I’d get hung up on and have to start the whole happy process all over again, so instead I internalize the pain and stress.  I am certain that tech support is largely responsible for my high blood pressure.  I’m sure most of these tech support people are quite lovely.  But they would probably be more well suited reading bedtime stories to kids and not reading stupid solutions for my freaking computer crises!

Computers are like a beautiful person, that you love, but sometimes seems to get sick pleasure out of driving you out of you mind.  I get a lot done with my computer, but right now I think it wold look great if it was buried half way in the wall of my office.  How do I hate thee???  I think I need  calculus to add up the ways…but just like a beautiful woman…I ain’t giving it up. Call me a hopeless romantic.

Stay Fly and Fly High!
KLH

To those of you who know me this may sound surprising…however it is true… Obama won’t save you.  Obama can’t save you.  (Side Bar – I wonder when ‘Obama’ will be in my spell check) Anyways…  I know that in these perilous times that we want someone to save the day and make everything alright.  As great as I believe Obama is…he can’t make everything alright for you or me.  Why?  Because only you can do that.  The government can build the road, but only you can drive the car down that road, to wherever you decide is the Promised Land.  

We humans are creatures of unlimited capacity for great accomplishments.  We sell ourselves short so often, however.  We think we need peoples approval, or governments programs, or Barack Obama…we don’t.  We need to get in touch with the divinity that is inside each and everyone of us.  These hard times are a gift.  They are a gift because they will unlock the creative genius of many people…maybe even you.  The challenges that we face will break many people, and that is sad.  But, these challenges will also allow us the opportunity to expand our personal power.  This is done by utilizing the creative power within us to make our circumstances better.

Now don’t get me wrong…to have a great leader in the White House is very useful in helping us to live better lives.  The thing is, that it’s not necessary…it’s beneficial…but not neccesary.  I am convinced that all we need we have within us.  I’m not saying that things aren’t hard…because they are.  I’m not saying that I never get scared…because I do.  What I am saying is that you can prevail over any and all adversities.  I’m saying that if you have faith in the greatness that is you…things will be just fine.  Maybe they will be great.  It’s not up to Obama…it’s up to you.

Stay Fly and Fly High!
KLH

To say we are living in challenging times is an understatement.  So here it is…’We are living in challenging times’.  The near collapse of our economy has affected most Americans, yours truly included.  However, with challenges come opportunities.  I know that sounds cliche, but it’s true.  This downturn in the economy is forcing us all to re-examine our choices.  Do we really need the gigantic house? Do we really need two cars? Do we really need to eat out at restaurants 5 or 6 nights a week? etc. Blindly living beyond our needs is foolish, and ultimately destructive to our financial welfare.  Greed and short sightedness are why the  economy is in such a horrible mess.  The problem has been inside of us…likewise the solution is inside of us.  (is this a long paragraph?) Anyways…

Within the problem is it’s own solution.  We the people are not at the mercy of ANYTHING that we don’t willingly submit to.  When we submit to the financial crisis, the financial crisis wields power over us.  People hear on the news how bad things are and they stop living well.  They don’t buy cars, houses, they don’t go to the theater…they shut down.  Many times we can actually have moeny and still act as if the news determines our own well being.  This…is madness.  Now I am not suggesting foolish spending.  I am simply saying that we should not allow ourselves to be hypnotized into powerlessness.

I believe that the solution to this truly bad economy is to first  realize that we are not our things.  A car or frankly the lack of a car does not define who we are as a person.  Who we are is not tangible.  Life has a way of ‘pimp slapping’ us when we need a reality check.  I think that’s what this is all about.  We forgot who we really are. What is really valuable is peace, love, security, and happiness.  All these things reside first and foremost inside of us.  When we really get in touch with that fact, then those things will manifest themselves in our outer world.  The paradigm of quick easy wealth is faulty and it was destined to fail.  The real road to long term abundance is to add value and give service.  The more you do this, the more abundance you will have in your life.  

So…our challenge in these trying times is to find ways to give value.  From an abundant and creative spirit you can create a beautiful, long lasting, rich life for yourself and your family.  So if you need or want more money in your life ask this question “What service or product can I provide that will add value to peoples lives?”  The answer to that question is the answer to your financial difficulties.  You must give to get.

Stay Fly and Fly High!
KLH

What a wonderful day!  No matter what your political persuasion, if you are an American I think that you have to be proud of what happened today.  On the veranda of the capital building that African slaves helped build, we elected our first African American president.  Mr. Obama our 44th President looked out over the National Mall where there where slaves were bought and sold several hundred years ago, and charted out a new day for America.  The pomp and circumstance was heart warming and inspiring.  This peaceful and orderly transfer of power is the envy of the world.  What a truly wonderful day.

Well…tomorrow is a new day.  A day that will start early for the new president.  He will have on his plate a TON of challenges and responsibilities.  I believe he is up to the job.  Perhaps a more important consideration is whether or not we the American people are up to the job.  While we really do need a great leader at the helm of government, each and every one of us needs to be responsible to ourselves and our American community.  We got into this economic mess because so many of us failed to live responsibly.  We consume ridiculous amounts of energy, we spend money we don’t have or can’t afford to spend, and we let our political leaders run amok without answering to us.

I as an American am so very proud of Mr. Obama and this country for the progress we’ve made.  But please be clear there is still real work to be done.  I do know however, that if we put our minds and hearts to it, we can bring back prosperity to America.  We have to believe, and then act persistently upon that belief.  Today was a wonderful day…and if we are determined, tomorrow will be even more wonderful.

Stay Fly and Fly High!
KLH

Be sure to check out the Hottest Hip Hop Beats on the Internet at KLH Beats.com

It REALLY does suck, so you have a right to put on that great big sour-puss. I believe in the power of positive thinking, I think the “Secret” is really great stuff. However, I think it’s totally unreasonable to expect anyone to simply “make lemonade”. We are built (quite awesomely I might add) to feel a full range of emotions… sadness and grief among them. The problem is not feeling sad it is becoming immobilized by your sadness.

Someone recently asked me “Why do crappy things happen to good people?”. First of all I think the question is incomplete. Bad things also happen to bad people. Even though it is possible to ‘attract’ certain things into our lives, many things simply happen to who ever was there. A hurricane is not selective, nor is a lightning bolt, or tsunami. Sometimes difficulty comes to us as a result of certain things we’ve done. If you don’t pay your bills you get phone calls. If you don’t respond to those phone calls they come and take your stuff…’cause and affect’. If you eat lousy food you may get fat. If you ignore your weight issue it may lead to more serious health conditions like heart disease or diabetes, ‘Cause…and…Affect’.

Now I realize that these answers to the question may not be satisfying, but the simple truth is bad things happen to everyone. A more interesting question may be “Why do tragedies happen at all?”. Or “Why does God let tragedies happen?”. I believe that the reason is this…Tragedies and all difficulties give us an opportunity. We human beings are made in God’s image. That doesn’t mean we look like him. I think it means we are mighty creators. I think it means we are powerful like God is (maybe not quite as much power). Tragedy and difficulty challenge us to use our power to improve upon our circumstance. When we overcome an obstacle or tough situation or tragedy we expand our power.

All of us know people or know of people who have prevailed over extraordinary odds. The little secret is that we all have that power. But we can only access that power with faith. Not simply being hopeful, although hope is useful. We have to KNOW that we can prevail, and when we do the universe will bend to our will. When we KNOW WE CAN the circumstance will accept that as fact and the universe will comply.

So, when life hands you a lemon, go ahead an put on the big sour-puss and then kick that difficulty’s ass.

Stay Fly and Fly High
KLH

Check me out at KLH Beats.com
The Hottest Beats on the Internet

Tuesday January 20, 2009 Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th president and I hope that’s what it will be…a New Day.  I’ve been into politics for several years, and pretty heavily in the last couple of years.  I’ve seen some good politicians and I’ve seen some bad ones (George Bush)…Ahem!!  I’ve also seen some good ones do some bad things (Bill Clinton) Ahem!!  This new guy Barack Obama seems to be different.  He’s young, good looking, in great shape, and is a master of words.  Those words make me feel better, bigger, and stronger.  They make me feel like I can do more.  His words make me feel hopeful.  I don’t know him but I feel like if I were talking to him, he’d actually care about what I had to say.

The world is very different than just seven or eight months ago.  The economy has slowed to a crawl…and backwards at that.  Israel and Palestine and killing each other…again.  Terror attacks in India, a senate seat for sale (allegedly), on OJ is in jail (I’m not sure where that came from).  There are a lot of gigantic problems on the plate for our new president.  I happen to think that we’re all here for something great.  I think Obama was destined to become president.  I think his temperament, his style, his inclusiveness and his grand rhetoric make him exactly the right person at the right time.  I’m certain he understands the gravity of the problems we face, and I think he’s up to the challenge.

Now, I’m under no delusion that he is our saviour.  I’m sure there will be plenty of missteps.  But January 20th will be a new day.  I think Obama will change the world, and I think he will do it by inspiring us to change our own world.  I think things are about to get really interesting…what do you think?

Stay Fly and Fly High
KLH