I believe each day we awake, we have an opportunity to add something good to the world around

565. It could be something as simple as saying good morning to a stranger or helping an elderly

person with a bag. It could be as complex as finding a safe place to stay for an abused mother of
three children or helping an addict resist taking another injection. It's up to us to decide what that
day will be like.

Being an optimistic person, I try to focus on those things that can make life better. I know not everyone shares the same outlook I do. If I'm always making an attempt to remain focused on the upside of possibilities, it will have a positive affect on some people. Those people will feel optimistic and pass their good feelings onto others.

As a young black man, one of the first things people will think when they see you is something negative. We, as a society, have been conditioned to be on guard when approached by a black male. It's understandable that you would become resentful and defensive as a result of this. This only increases the insecurities people feel when they see you.

Don't allow someone's misconception to dictate who you are or the way you want to be received. The television, internet, radio and magazines have greatly influenced our sense of what people are "supposed" to be like based on appearance. The most evil person can be dressed in the best clothes. While the nicest guy is dressed in rags.

Your actions and the way you present yourself is your first and most important business card. People will look at the things you do and listen to the way you talk and decide if they want to "do business" with you. That doesn't mean you have to dress like a nerd. Just take pride in the image you present.

Each morning you look in the mirror, you must decide what type of energy you want to put out into the universe. You often receive what you put out. Make an effort to dispel the preconceived notions people have of most young black men. Decide if you want to add something constructive to society or become another negative statistic in a politicans climb up the government ladder.

I pray that you take a look at your communities and think of ways you can help improve it. You can make a difference each day you awake. Make that difference a good one. Thank you.

M R Imaginative Works

Hello. This site is for young men to view words of advice, and more importantly, read words of encouragement from adult men and some of their peers about living a positive and productive life.

I realize there are many our young men feeling as though no one cares about them or will give them a fair chance in life. The truth is there are many more people than they know wanting them to be the very best they can be at anything they want to achieve. Unfortunately, there are louder, negative sounds grabbing the spotlight and constantly telling them all the wrong things they are doing. In order to counteract this attack, we need to be as viligant in providing our young men with more examples of men doing things the right way. My goal is that this site will help foster that growth and open the dialogue needed to develop an understanding with our young men.

Each month will feature words from adult men in a wide range of professions and diverse social groups. These men will be writing open and honest messages to our young men. Toes may be stepped on and feelings may be hurt, but it is meant to make our young men better citizens. I have encouraged each man to present his message in a way that our young men understand the intent is to help them grow.

I pray this site touch the heart and soul of our young men and motivates them to follow a positive path in life to achieve the goals they seek. I pray they then become an example to the genration following behind them and help them become respectable young men.

Thank you for your time and any help you can provide promoting this message.