Giving Back to the Community

People are quick to tell someone else what they're doing, or what they're not doing. How often do people evaluate themselves, and try to find room for improvement? I'm also guilty of this. I feel as if i'm an upstanding citizen, but sometimes it's not enough. I haven't done community service since I was in high school, and even then our school had a mandatory 40 hours of community service to graduate rule, so it's not like I did it out of the kindness of my heart. It's time I evaluate myself, and my grade is a "D".  I didn't give myself a "F" because I'm a good citizen.  I don't start trouble, I donate to the homeless, and I help others when I can.  Even though my grade isn't a "F", I still have tons of room for improvement.
Things i used to say: I want to walk/run a marathon for Breast Cancer Awareness. (Even though I've shown my support for the cause by buying everything from (BCA) t-shirts, tote bags, and an umbrella, it doesn't take away from the fact that I haven't walked the marathon.  I wanted to talk to inner-city kids about how important the decisions they make now can impact their future.  But of course this never became a reality.  I visited my old elementary school last year when I just moved back to Chicago from Las Vegas, and had a talk with the principal, who said she needed me to speak to the students because they were just out of hand.  At the time I was just concerned with finding employment that I put it on the back burner.  Now I regret it.  Especially seeing children around the city, and how they talk and act, and how little respect they have for adults and authority.  My words of wisdom can't save the world, but it could of done something.
I will work harder at being a better me, a more helpful, caring, sharing, motivating individual who's not self-centered and doesn't just care about things that affect me. What I'm trying to say is that I don't want to be 90 years old and realize that I didn't give anything to the world.  Just a user of the world's resources.

Common on the Wendy Williams Show

Common stopped by the Wendy Williams Show today to promote "Just Wright" (which I saw, and loved).  While on the couch he talked about being a ball boy for the Bulls, Serena Williams, and the Common Ground Foundation. The foundation's goal is to help and empower Chicago's youth (especially since we have an increased amount of violence occurring in our city).  Before today, I haven't heard of the foundation, so I decided to check it out.  The website is nice, and they're trying to help, but the website seemed outdated.  With the internet being a quick source of news, and events for a lot of people, something this important should be updated on the regular. But don't get me wrong, I do applaud Common for taking a stand and helping our youth.  We have to stand up and make a change, because if we do nothing, it makes it seem as if there isn't a problem. STAND UP CHICAGO!

SIDENOTE: Do you think Chicago artists do enough to help their community? 

Learn more about the "Common Ground Foundation" click here and check out a clip from the Wendy Williams Show below.