My environment... back in the day....

 progression....... A movement or development toward a destination or a more advanced state, esp. gradually or in stages

 Forward or onward movement toward a destination

 Advance or development toward a better, more complete, or more modern condition

or to some it up, to keep it moving.

We have been conditioned to believe that we are a product of our environment. Where ever we have so happened to migrate and live for a certain period of time, that is the mindstate that we are to carry
Though our standards and conditions vary
My hood niggas feel as if, if we stay in the hood, or even just hang in the hood for a period of time, because of the dudes you have just spent your time with, have you thinking that it is good to be down in the hood.
and if you are not dealing with the best of the best, you are a snithch or a hoe ass nigga, and you are up to no good.
now it is easy for you to do because your mom is working a job that is not paying much of anything, and you punk ass dad is either cracked up, hoing in the streets, or just left you dry.
either you never met him at birth, or he just up and said good by
so a family you seek, and now a family you got, now someone now has your back
someone will look out for you as you make a little change to help around the house, yyyeeeaaaa, no now you got that
You see i was a part of the hood where we dealt the crack rock out of a little match box and put it in our pocket
we  did that for a minute until the cops got hip to those shenanigans, so we either had get smarter, or we had to stop it.
so instead of one matchbox, we started carrying around two
one box would be smooth on the side, and the otherone full of matches would have to be new
so if we were caught, we had a Velcro pocket and we would open that pocket, and matchbox would drop
oh, we also had on 2 pair of pants sowed to the other pair, and the leg of the pants would be placed in our sock
you see, at that time i use to think that progression was being able to come up with a newer and better idea, to keep from being stuck in one place
not the case
progression is a state of mind that keeps a person from staying in one place, but knowing that our minds are open enough that when we say i can do anything, that spirit of God that already dwells in us will be free enough to make that thought, become an actual verb ( action) this is called faith
it did not become understood until my boy, standing around at a local skating ring was shot literally right beside me
whose to say that bullet was not suppose to be named and dated for me
sometimes that is what it takes for us Niggas to get away from that very thing that holds us back
When will we learn that God is looking out for HIS own. and is waiting to show us that there is always something better us, through HIM that was sent
and it is time for our lives to start being more purposely spent.
through progression......
"xpressurself"

Even an exotic rose has thorns

Even an exotic rose has thorns

(from the eyes of the flower)

When I first saw you, I saw you as you were,  raw, uncut, totally in your element

I was in the process of trying to blossom, while my heart was collecting on a settlement

But you caught me and you drew me in, and it seems as if there was no escape

I allowed you to take me in, and I broke every rule that I set for myself

I was not going to be pulled in by no one else

well i allowed you, unintentionally, and you have consumed me with your presence

hoping for a quick release, but instead you gave me waterfalls from constant erect injections

but the waterfalls after waterfalls, continued to rise

not once, but two times, that tsunami flooded through my eyes

as you continually injected me the river from my eyes never stopped

though i got what i asked for, I did not expect what i got

as the river ran, pouring, i was suddenly held that much tighter

your eyes began to drizzle, a little, and our future SEEMED that much brighter

i guess after too long, while i continued to blossom, i think you handled me a bit unaware

i informed you how to treat me, and you did for a minute, then things just became for the both of us, just a bit unfair

i had to remind you that i am yet a rose, and you pointed to my pain

i have thorns on my outer body, and you touch them all the same

i have been exposed to you, so you were aware, but seems as if you have forgotten

and as much as i want to just be blown away, you have this damn hold on me as if my life is yours to own.... well no...

the truth of the matter is, you have placed a permanent tattoo on my heart, but my soul has been scorned

you would always consider me your exotic rose, but even an exotic rose has thorns......
"xpressurself"

sovereign protection...psalms 105

He chastised me when he needed to,
yet he carried me through my mess
even when the unexpected, and totally out of my control came up,
he realized that i am only flesh
he made me a promise, and he stated
that he will stick to it to a T...
and he never held me to anything, except to
be who i said i am going to be
he said,

"UNTO YOU I GIVE, AND NO MAN
SHALL I ALLOW TO TAKE IT AWAY"
YOU WILL BE BLESSED WITH LAND, WISDOM, MANNA,
WHILE MILK AND HONEY IS DELIVERED TO YOU ON A TRAY.
WHEN YOU ARE BUT A FEW, AND YOUR ENEMIES SURROUND YOU
FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
YOU WENT FROM NATION, TO NATION,
EVEN WHEN I TOLD YOU TO GO HERE FIRST
I SUFFERED NO MAN TO DO YOU WRONG,AND 
REPROVED KINGS FOR THEIR SAKE,
WHEN YOU WERE WEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHERS,
STILL YOUR LIVES THEY DID NOT TAKE
YOU WERE WEAK AND I AM MIGHTY,
I GUIDED YOU THROUGH THE SUNSHINE, AND THE DEMANDING STORM
HEAR ME WHEN I SAY, NO ONE, AND I MEAN NO ONE
WILL TOUCH MY ANOINTED,
NOR DO ANY OF MY PROPHETS ANY HARM"
THE LORD thy God has spoken...
"xpressurself"