9 Ways To Level Up In 2018

Reflecting upon how positive and progressive 2017 has been for me and looking towards 2018, I just wanted to take a moment to share some of my thoughts with all of you. First and foremost, I want to THANK all of you who invested time in reading these articles, researching the links/information I share via my Facebook Page, checked out and subscribed to my Youtube Channel (A.S.I.A. TV) and Radio Show (Atlantis Build Talk Radio), purchased my literature/music (Quanaah Publishing) and connected with me in whatever capacity we were able to. It is very much appreciated!! The numerous dialogues, testimonials, emails, messages, questions and constructive advice I receive on the daily lets me know that what I do is not in vain. It's serving my intended purpose; inspiring, empowering and educating people. There are some of you I’ve had the pleasure of meeting for the first time this year and others I’ve had the opportunity to build/rebuild relationships from all over the world. None of us are in each others lives by chance and I look forward to what these bonds continue to positively produce for the future. I also want to THANK all of you for staying in tune with the renovation and establishment of the Atlantis School For Gifted Youngsters. By far, this has been one of the most excited and monumental projects of my life and I look forward to continually sharing with all of you its development. As far as Resolutions are concerned, I don’t have any. I am a work in progress so I’m always exploring ways to improve myself so that I can be a greater resource to others. Living a way of life that includes the phrase ‘striving for perfection’ as a part of its fundamental principles is the essence of any/all Resolutions. Therefore, I will continue being as resolute as I have been.

Atlantis School For Gifted Youngsters

   For those of you who making Resolutions for 2018, here are 9 Ways To Level Up in this upcoming year:

1. Although it is your personal Resolution, your Resolution should be something that improves (progresses) you with the intent/consideration of making you a better resource to others and this world we share. Life is interdependent, we all play a role in how the world turns, and there is a constant process of giving and receiving. This intent/consideration ensures that our Resolution is in tune with the universal order and is something that is sustainable -because we are actively providing a service (and/or products) that others, and the world, needs. If all we are thinking about is what we can get (keep), and not what we are able to consistently give, what we get (keep) will eventually run out. If you don't believe this, try it with your breath. Keep it to yourself and see how long it takes for your oxygen to run out...

2. Make sure our Resolution is real and obtainable. It’s less likely we’re going to change EVERYTHING at once so it's important to work on what we can change, one goal at a time. Also, take things one day at a time.... It took a while to create habits/routines and it’s going to take time to change them. The smaller goals we accomplish serve as stepping stones; helping us build confidence and gain the tools and experience that are necessary to forge our larger goals. And with any goal, one of the first and most important steps we need to take, and habits we need to create, is to "Get our day underway with a positive, productive attitude." That attitude sets the stage for our altitude.

3. Make your goals specific. Instead of saying something like, "I’m going to read more" say something more specific like, "I am going to read two novels every month." This is called Specificity. This not only helps you better focus on your goals, but it encourages you to be more responsible and committed to your goals. If you were to say, "I want to be healthier in 2017" there is no sense of ambition or plan of action to achieve that goal. Now if you said, "I am going to only eat baked chicken once a week and go to the gym three times a week for 1 ½ hours" that has a sense of ambition and provides part of a plan of action to achieve your goal of being healthier in 2017. If it's not clear, our path won't be cleared.

4. Set a projected time/date for your goals. Setting a time/date creates a sense of urgency, responsibility, and accountability to meet your goals. If you don’t meet your time/date then set another one. Without setting a time/date then we’re saying our goals aren’t really a priority (important) -because under these circumstances they can happen any time and any day. That is not resolute, and if you don't have a time/date, there will probably never be a time/date.

5. Write down your Resolutions. I’ve known people who had challenges with organizing their day, appropriating their time and focusing on achieving their goals. One of the solutions I shared with them was writing down their goals on index cards or signs and posting them in visible places around their home. This helped reinforce/remind them of their goals so they wouldn’t allow themselves to get lost in the hustle & bustle of the day.

6. Only share your Resolutions with those who have shown themselves to be supportive of you fulfilling them. If they’re not there to help you, they’re only going to hinder you. If they're not an asset, they're a liability. If they're not in your life to build, they will destroy. 

7. Look into networking with people/organizations that will help you fulfill your physical and mental health goals. If you want to cut back on the substances you’ve been using like drugs/alcohol, or have some mental health issues going on, reach out to any local, regional, national organizations that specifically deal with drug/alcohol abuse and mental health. There are no Resolutions when you don't have your health.

8. Keep a Positive Outlook! Some days it will be easy to maintain a level of positivity and other days you need ‘social equality’ (fellowship) with others -who share the same goals and are just as resolute as you are about positivity. This means, whatever religious, cultural, or secular organization you are a member of or affiliated with, invest the time to be there and learn as much as you can about the positive principles/values they’re sharing with you. This is part of your foundational network and will help you maintain a Positive Outlook when you need the support, which we all do.

9. Your Resolution is not the end all be all. Some people live to have a Wedding while others strive to be Married, have a family, and etc.. While the former is a place, the later is a state. So although your Resolutions may help you arrive at a place, the ultimate goal should be to achieve a state of existence. And this state of existence should set the stage to help us achieve even higher/greater goals! It’s all about constant growth and elevation, not stagnation. Life is constantly changing & evolving, and so should the living.

PLUS DEGREES: 
*"Be a shark, not a peacock" as one of my homegirl's would say. When a peacock walks into a room with its feathers fanned out everyone can see it. It's not necessary to be showy and strive to get attention. You also attract predators that way. Sharks move in silence and by the time you see their fin it's too late. In many cases staying below the radar and not revealing what you're doing until it's actually done is a sure way to be successful in your undertaking. When we talk a lot we're also subject to the expectations of others which are usually unrealistic. If you tell people you're writing a book and you know you don't even have a manuscript yet, they may assume you're going to be publishing a 300 page book next week and expect it. Now when you obviously don't deliver, people begin to look at you like the boy/girl who cried wolf. Always remember that light travels 186,000 miles per second and sound only travels 1,200 feet per second. People will see what you're doing before they can hear what you're saying so your reputation proceeds you. So talk less in 2018 and let your work speak for you.

*Just say "NO." Sometimes we put too much on our plate because we don't know how to tell people "NO" and we feel guilty about it when we do. Here's the thing, if you literally don't have the time, you don't have to agree to do it. Let time be the reason that you are literally not able to commit to something. It's unreasonable for someone to expect you to create more than twenty-four hours in a day. Just. Say. NO.

   In closing, I want to will every one of you and our families a very safe, happy, healthy and productive 2018! I also will that while reflecting on this past year, we consider those negative things we've held fast to that has not only destroyed our ability to unify with others, but undermined our ability to accomplish anything significant on our own. Begin your new calendar year with the right mindset, on the right foot and making the right decision to move forward. We’ve all had challenges within ourselves, and with others, this past year, and I will that 2018 is much more positive and progressive for us all!

Peace,
Saladin

What The Hell Does "No More Net Neutrality" Mean?

What the hell does no Net Neutrality mean? Net Neutrality restricted internet providers like AT&T, Comcast, Verizon and etc. from controlling the traffic on the information super highway; speeding up, slowing down or blocking any content, applications or websites people use.

Now that Net Neutrality has been repealed by the FCC, these same providers have control over that traffic and can speed up, slow down or block any content, applications or websites people use. They can also start offering paid prioritizing for websites to have access to "fast lanes" while those websites who don't pay to play can be regulated to move as slow as dial up internet. These providers can also block websites sharing products/services that violate their policies. Not porn sites or other billion dollar industries of course, I'm talking about those so-called Black Identity Extremist brands selling products/services...

If these providers want to start shaking down major traffic websites folks use in order to get more coins, these websites are going to eventually put the squeeze on folks who use their site. "squeeze on folks" means "update their policies and packages" they offer. Some of these providers have already gone on record to state that they will not engage in MOST of the paid prioritization, but not ALL, which means we need to expect changes. Changes won't be abrupt, yet over time we will see incremental changes to how we access websites and how traffic moves along this information super highway.

The bottom line is this: DATA is the real cryptocurrency in this modern technological age. The repeal of Net Neutrality is a method to better corral and ultimately control that data. So that question we must ask ourselves is: What can we do about this? Here are some things to consider:

• Be more intentional with the way we use the internet. If you're whole social media platform is sharing non-substantive, ratchet content or to simply ghost follow people to be nosey, you may want to reconsider your social media habits, especially if you make have to literally pay to do this.

• If we have an online business or desire to start an online business that provides products/services, now is an excellent time to seriously consider it, and its budget.

• Like I shared via Twitter on November 29th, if you're invested in Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and etc., use it to acquire land. Since it's decentralized and doesn't belong to a country, acquire land in different countries in the interest of controlling resources and building institutions. If building institutions seems a little too out of reach, just buy some land. The vehicles, clothes and accessories we buy depreciates in value as soon as we drive it off of the lot and wear it. There is no more Earth being created so land appreciates in value over time.

• Speaking of Cryptocurrencies, recently in New York a 27-year-old Pakistani-American named Zoobia Shahnaz was charged with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and three counts of money laundering for taking Bitcoin and Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (“ISIS”). According to the DOJ [Department of Justice], Shahnaz wired the cryptocurrency to individuals and shell corporations in Pakistan, China and Turkey. This isn't the last incident so pay attention close attention how the DOJ handles this...

• Back in the day coal miners used to carry caged canaries with them when they went to work in the mines. If there were any carbon monoxide or methane gas the canary would die before the levels reached those hazardous to humans. This is where the saying "the canary in the coal mine" comes from; it's a warning. I know some of us are into cryptocoin mining nowadays and just like the coal miners back in the day I encourage you to get yourself a 'canary in the cryptomine'.

If your only platform is social media, create a website where your content can be centralized and accessed. Start consistently directing your social media traffic there. If there ever comes a time where you're required to start paying a fee to sues these social media platforms you won't need to lose all of your content if you decide not to pay to play. 

Peace,

Saladin

American Rape Culture: Are You Surprised?

One quarter of high school girls in America have been victims of physical or sexual abuse or date rape. This means that it is probable that a female in our life has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse or date rape whether it's our mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend or girlfriend. Equally important to understand is that the lasting effects of a female being sexually assaulted increases their susceptibility to pregnancy, more domestic violence, STD's, eating disorders, substance abuse, addiction and attempted suicides. 

What the above statistics communicate to us is that the culture of sexual violence simultaneously creates a culture of silence. There are females we unknowingly speak to and closely interact with each and every day, oftentimes in our own household, who are victims of physical or sexual abuse or date rape, yet they never shared that with us. 

The fact that people were/are actually surprised about the multiple sexual assault allegations coming out of Hollywood, Government and Corporate America confirms some things:

1. People don't study "history" and how it shapes current systems and predicts future outcomes. This New World [America] is the face of Old World [Europe] misogyny. We live in a society that labels women 'minorities' even though they are the numerical majority... Thus their issues and concerns are also of minor importance UNTIL it financially impacts the so-called majority [men].

Culture Bandits

2. Rape Culture is exactly that: a culture. It's a way of life which includes a language, social agreements [norms] and various other people activities that reinforces its institutions and economy. Holding those who are responsible is a start yet not good enough. The culture itself requires a systemic paradigm shift to insure that this doesn't continue to happen.

3. "Some", NOT all, of these Sistergirl Networks and Feminist Groups are nothing but misandry. A vagina with teeth is not the right weaponry to behead the snake. Again, the culture itself requires a systemic paradigm shift, not Nola Darling collective freedom.

4. In this country, the most degrading insults you can hurl at a human being refer to the degradation of women: b*tch, p*ssy, mother f*cker, f*ckboy, c*nt, f*ggot and etc. This reflects the psychological framework behind the culture that we live in, that men and women perpetuate. Suing or firing someone for sexual misconduct/harassment doesn't change that mentality. It's usually just a public warning by men for men to keep some of those thoughts to ourselves.

5. As men, we are adorned with the phallus bearing costume of the misogynistic status quo in the same way that white people wear the complexion of white supremacy. Because of this we must work hard to demonstrate that we're not with the sh*ts when it comes to publicly denouncing dudes who are sexual predators, even if that's our brother. Our voice and action is important because it provides evidence to neutralize the rhetoric that all men are sexual predators. Obviously since this kind of culture has been allowed to live it confirms that there are many men who cosign this bullsh*t. The only way people are going to know and trust that some of us don't cosign that way of life is when we're proactively engaged and aligned with others who are against this Rape Culture. 

It's easy to talk about how horrible issues like this are yet the real question is, "What are we doing about it?" Prior to these reports coming out in mainstream media I started the above "Boys as Allies" Rights of Passage Program; the first official initiative through my Atlantis School For Gifted Youngsters. Boys as Allies is a FREE 10-Week Rights of Passage Program for boys ages 12 to 14 that explores ideas and myths about manhood, masculinity and is a proactive deterrent against sexual violence. Some of the topics we cover are: Self Knowledge, The Male "Box", Misogyny and Sexual Violence, Respecting Intimate Partners, Being Allies with Girls and Woman and etc. Also, participants earn $100 upon completion of my program surveys! If you would like me to do a workshop on my program in your city, speak on a radio show or include me in a panel discussion on any of the related topics, you can email me at: atlantisbuild@gmail.com. 

Peace,
Saladin

Wisdom Be Born; Earth Science Interview

In Episode 52 of Atlantis Build Radio I feature an exclusive build with one of my Earth Sisters, Wisdom Be Born. Wisdom began learning this culture at the age of 12 and in this episode she talks about her journey of gaining KOS [Knowledge Of Self], 120 Lessons, her experience with First Born Prince Allah, some of the Nation initiatives she's been doing in Southern Ontario, Canada specifically with sisters other cultural elements.

Peace,
Saladin