Controlling Stress...

To Control Stress is to TAKE ACTION in your life.  It is to say ``NO'' to allowing the established Order to dictate to you how you will interact with the people of our Nation and the Culture we live in.  Reducing stress also allows you to take greater control over your life and to discover more, new positive things about you.

I am NOT a doctor or a psychiatrist but some of the things that have worked for me in my personal attempts to reduce stress have been:

*Calling a good friend and talking out what's bothering me.

* Turning off Network TV, especially the news, and violent Police Shows and reading a good book, listing to classic jazz [or even some classical European music] or exercising instead.

* Calling my Pastor at church to discuss any serious problems I might be having.

* Going for a good rudimentary walk.

* Having sex with a significant other or your special partner.

* A Good Professional massage will help lower stress also.

*Going to see a good old-fashioned comedy at the movies or an exciting OLD FASHIONED action movie.

* Other exercise like Aerobics, Jazz Dance or Push Ups or SIT UPS.
[I have to be honest, at my age, 56, I rarely do these.]
* Do house work such as cleaning, or wasing the dishes or dusting or fixing something that you know for sure how to fix.

* Attending church service or visiting with friends...

* Writing a letter about something that is bothering you or to someone who has hurt you, even if you so not mail it.
*Listening to the Calming ocean waves and the ocean crashing on rocks or the shore [This really helps me and is REALLY fantastic...]

Stress reduction, in these difficult economic times we live in, can actually save lives and make life easier because it helps to:

* Reduce interpersonal conflicts.

* Relax the mind and body.

* Lower blood pressure.

* Burn off dangerous fats.

*  Act as a coping mechanism.

* Help you get more enjoyment out of life.

*And make personal interactions more meaningful and enjoyable.

* The exercise aspect can also help you lose weight which is very helpful health wise.

It is important to remember to ``Do Something''  about stress, take an active Roll, instead of get angry and let it eat you up inside.

Black Business Guidelines

* Competition and Cold profits should NOT be the main goals of Black corporations, companies and foundations...

* The Main focus of Black Corporate, companies and foundations must be to work together to break down the barriers that are keeping us separated as Black people.
AND:

*TO: Help raise our children and youth with higher ethical and moral values.

*TO: Help explain the importance and substantial contributions of Black Business innovators and Black investors.

* TO: Promote those within our race who excel politically, economically and morally who do so without selling their high ethical standings in the community.

TO: Instill better values and ethics among the general National and International business community by serving as an upstanding business interests as a Black Business.

*TO: Support the activities and Policies of Corporate Accountability International which have been critical of North American Big Business interests

* TO: Find new and innovative Ways to interact positively with White-Owned businesses; Latin Owned Businesses; Asian-Owned Businesses; Arab-Owned Businesses, as well as businesses owned by Other Ethnic groups to encourage them to be more ethical in their business practices and develop new and progressive business practices that uphold positive community standards.

*TO: Work Positively with government bodies to expand on and uphold high ethics.

Goals of the New West Philadelphia Real Estate Group.

* We will act as a forum for the exchange of information on Real Estate and related issues such as: improving personal finance; increasing credit ratings and keeping them up; developing oneself as a trusted financial entity; and other avenues to establish good credit.

* We will serve as a forum which partnerships are formulated (mostly from within the group). Said partnerships are going to be developed to further the financial interests of those interested in the group.

* Some of our partnerships will actually be able to buy ad rehabilitate homes for a profit.

*We Will also establish for profit companies; LLC's and corporations for the benefit of our members and through this process, improve on and increase trust levels with our trusted members.

*We Will interact positively with Realtors in the area for the benefit of our association and our membership.  Some of our Realtors will be Black, but not necessarily so.

*We will be a central point for our members to get the positive reinforcement they will need as people of color trying to get ahead and we will be there to help refute any and all negative forces and information that says we can't get ahead as Black and Progressive People.

* Many of our members will be Black, but not necessarily so. Other members will be people of all races who have a proven grassroots record of struggle and a/ or a proven record of working with members of the Black COmmunity for that community to get ahead, prosper and move forward.


A Work In Progress...

Charles S. Gibson's Obit...

Charles S. Gibsonwas a husband, father, family man, worker and landlord who took ALL these roles seriously and faced life with fortitude and conviction.

He was born to Mable Camille Fitzpatrick and Joseph Saint Clair Augustus Gibson on March 15, 1927—the Ides of March—and was the eldest and last remaining of five boys, Lionel, Ken, Lloyd, and Raymond. Charles was baptized at the Episcopal Church At Saint Thomas. He was educated at Kato Middle School, which is now the Paul Robeson High School, at 43^rd near Chestnut in West Philadelphia. He also attended Dobbins Technical School, where he excelled in sheet metal work. With the encouragement of his cousin, Enid, he later attended Lincoln Prep. Due to heart problems as a child, Charles did not join his brothers in the sports of track and field. Instead he spent hours constructing model airplanes which developed into a passion for all things having to do with flight, aeronautics and engineering

Paul Robeson High School, at 43^rd near Chestnut in West Philadelphia. He also attended Dobbins Technical School, where he excelled in sheet metal work. With the encouragement of his cousin, Enid, he later attended Lincoln Prep. Due to heart problems as a child, Charles did not join his brothers in the sports of track and field. Instead he spent hours constructing model airplanes which developed into a passion for all things having to do with flight, aeronautics and engineering. After being inducted into the Army during the Korean war, Charles Gibson’s interest

He had a lovely wife, Mrs. Jessie Mae Gibson, who he met on a blind date arranged by is cousins. He would always say,” It was love at first sight”. They married in the spring of 1951 and remained married for 55 years. Their union produced two children—Claudia Helene, and Tracy Charles. The children were raised at their home on 49^thstreet in West Philadelphia, which became a showpiece of Mr. Gibson’s own workmanship and construction skills. He took the family to Canada, the World’s Fair in New York and on several camping trips. Mr. Gibson was a devoted and dedicated family man and father who strongly instilled the work ethic in his children and in others who knew him. Once asked what his life’s credo was he answered: ``Work, Work, Work!!’’ Known to his cousins as “Nipper” he was a stabilizing agent in his immediate and extended family. He encouraged the education of his children and grandchildren. Charles and Jessie successfully urged both children to complete college educations. The graduations of his grandchildren were exceedingly anticipated and joyful events.

Together Charles and Jessie operated a real estate business. Charles Gibson loved his St. Clair apartments located in University City, his crown jewel. Many of his tenants considered him ``one of the best landlords that ever existed," because Mr. Gibson was quick to respond to problems with his buildings and assured the building’s “curb appeal” was more than adequate. His life became a relentless struggle and balancing act

Together Charles and Jessie operated a real estate business. Charles Gibson loved his St. Clair apartments located in University City, his crown jewel. Many of his tenants considered him ``one of the best landlords that ever existed," because Mr. Gibson was quick to respond to problems with his buildings and assured the building’s “curb appeal” was more than adequate. His life became a relentless struggle and balancing act to refurbish and improve the buildings he owned, extend his real estate holdings through purchases, maintain a “day” job, and to provide for his wife and family.

Mr. Gibson loved his community, and became a role model for many young men, teaching them skills in carpentry, electronics, brick laying, house painting, plumbing and more. In his younger years, French Creek, and Fairmount Park were a few areas of the city he would travel to enjoy nature with community youth and other adult leaders in the neighborhood. For many young people, Mr. Gibson became a surrogate father.

Mr. Gibson was seen as a trailblazer, family man, a community man, and a Renaissance man. His wife Jessie preceded Charles in death. He is survived by two children: Claudia Helene; and Tracy Charles, a Son-In Law; Dr. Keith Hunter; four grand children; Kamau, Anoa, Thandiwe, and Muata, his senior cousin Ruby, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, his faithful friends Sheridan and Joe, and his companion, mentee and care-giver Beverly McCullough.

Charles S. Gibson made his transition on July 10^th, 2012, due to advanced heart disease. He was 85 years old. Services will be held on Friday, July 20^th at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, located at 6361 Lancaster Ave. The viewing will be from 9:00-11:00. The service will start at 11:00. The internment will be at Fernwood Cemetery.

A short subject on Religion..... By Brother Tracy C. Gibson

Some of What I Believe as Far as Religion, Spirituality and Why People Believe What They Believe.....

By Brother Tracy Gibson

Yes, it is true, I am GOD, but no more GOD than you are.  It is all a matter of spiritual evolution and how much time you have taken to work on your issues.  We all have issues.  If we don't admit that, it will just take us longer to deal with the truth and get real with ourselves. If you actually think you came up in North America and don't have any ``issues'' than that in itself IS one of your issues. I have taken the time to evolve--{politically, emotionally, Spiritually and psychologically} to deal with the personal issues that were dogging me for years--decades, such as sexual addition, food addition, depression, excess anger, self hatred as an oppressed member of a so-called ``minority group'' {I am BLACK and as part of the African Diaspora, I AM NOT A MINORITY!!!} Other problems I have faced:  jealousy, skepticism, lack of faith in GOD, poverty, Spiritual Poverty, lack of direction and purpose, lack of intimacy with other people, lack of finding that special someone, and a lack of relating with people on a real and honest level. Therapy and medicine, legally prescribed by a medical Doctor or a psychiatrist {A psychiatrist IS a medical doctor and someone trained in human behavior}, has helped me realize and come to grips with many of these issues.  I was in therapy for a long time, about 30 some years.  The benefits have been tremendous.  You might discount what I have written here because of the therapy itself, but I am NOT a crazy person.  There are, however, Mad Men running our government.  I don't mean the President himself, per say, but he has surrounded himself with some people who don't have the Common People of our Nation's best interests at heart. It takes time and work and reading to come to grips with these issues and work them out in our heads and our hearts.... {Please read the ``Getting Help'' Section of this Blog if you are having trouble adjusting}... The best thing one can do is read. Turn off the TV and stop going to the movies so much because what we need to hear and see is NOT being televised or put into major movies.  Look who owns the TV Stations and runs the major Hollywood studios and you will see what I'm talking about.  Try it for a week and you will see what I mean.....  I attend the Unity Fellowship Christ Church of Philadelphia {At 55 North Broad Street in Philadelphia} and I also go to BibleWay Baptist Church, Bright Hope Baptist Church and Zion Baptist Church from time to time. I was born into Saint Thomas African Episcopal Church at 63rd and Lancaster Avenue, a Black Episcopal Church. Finding a church home is NOT an easy thing, but Unity Fellowship Christ Church of Philadelphia is MY HOME CHURCH.... Don't believe anything else.  If you have any questions of me, write me at BLockBoi75@Yahoo.Com

Signing Off, Brother Tracy Gibson  

When Are We Going to Take a Stand Against Gun Violence?

There has been yet another rampage of gun violence in Colorado. This time in a crowded movie theater at a ``Batman'' Premier. I won't go into the details. Suffice it to say, if we as Black people gave just $5.00 a year to either the www.BradyCampaign.Org or started our own anti-gun advocacy group {There may be one, I haven't done the research as yet}.....  We could make the National Rifle Association {NRA} a thing of a past or at least an organization that is basically a Toothless Tiger because we would, as a people, be armed with the truth about what the facts are on this issue.  The endless violence that occurs in our country is shameful and it wouldn't have to happen if we stood up and did something about it besides read the horrible news in the papers and went back to work the next day.  I will give my $2.00 to the Brady Campaign in October, when my budget will allow it.  What are you going to do?  If 200,000 Black people just gave $2.00 once in their lives, that would be $400,000.00. Believe me the Brady Campaign could do a great deal of work with that money.  They could advocate for better fairer gun laws; actually get positive and progressive legislation passed; and pay for a positive ad campaign to bring up the level of public awareness.  I am too lazy to do the research to find out of there is a Black group that works on researching Gun Laws for Black people, so let me know if you hear of any.  I can be reached at: BLockBoi75@Yahoo.Com

The Great Black Amerian Black Out!!!

                              Black Out!!!

Black men and Black women need to stop smoking, regardless of the age they were at when they started smoking and regardless of how old they are NOW!!! They really need to stop smoking because it, smoking, is costing us millions of dollars as a community, in health care cost, millions of terars in early deaths and it is costing a great deal of physical pain and economic hardship as we try to ``make the price'' of a $5.00 or, in some awful cases, a $6.00 box of cigarettes.

The new thing in the community is the sale of what have lovingly, and I say this sarcastically, ``loosies''.....  This is the sale of single cigarettes, usually ``Kools'' or ``Newports'', at a cost of $1.00 per cigarettes.  This has the impact of costing about $20 per pact and is the cigarette sale equivalent of the pay-day loan that the great banking system in this country gave us about five years ago.

The health risks from smoking are quite evident.  They can and do cause lung cancer, emphysema, other forms of cancer such as thought cancer, and they can stunt your growth and be dangerous to pregnant Black women their so-to-be babies.

I don't think I need to spell it out any further.  Don't Smoke.  And if you have already started, and live in the Philadelphia area, please log onto: www.smokefreepilly.org or call 1.800QUIT-NOW and get some advice about stopping and now not to give up the fight.  As I said, smoking is a costly thing. Remember, if you relapse, don't despair. Get help and keep trying to get off the cancer stick.