A Man's Perspective...Life & Love (Part II)

I'm a few months late, but Happy New Year! It's been a minute since I've blogged, but better late than never. 2020 was crazier than any of us ever imagined, but let's be grateful that we're still here. So many didn't make it due to Covid-19-- the death rate is currently at 519K in the US. Tragic to say the least. For those of us who have sense and want to get the numbers down, let's do our part by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing/sanitizing our hands, staying home and to yourself if you feel sick, etc. If you've gotten vaccinated, please still take the necessary precautions because it doesn't guarantee that you won't get the virus. Let's remember that there are new strains emerging and the vaccine doesn't protect against all. No one is invincible regardless of what you might think. Lord, help us.

I'm starting 2021 off with part II of the "A Man's Perspective...Life and Love" Q&A because it's looooonnnng overdue. I switched it up and didn't ask my male readers to answer, but instead, had the same person who did the first Q&A, answer these set of questions. A little background info on our guy, "Jay." Jay is an over 35 year-old, black professional from the South (USA). He is a product of an HBCU, a former athlete, a musician, and has been in several relationships. Read on and perhaps these questions might help you get to know someone better. :wink:

• Did you ever get an answer to the question, "What's the fondest memory you have of your mother's love for your father, and your father's love for your mother?" Your last answer was, "Don't really have any, sad to say. I'm going to mention that to them."

Update: Unfortunately, my answer to this question hasn’t changed . I’ll ask my brother

if he has any memories of our parents showing affection towards one another.

• What impact did the George Floyd and other racial injustices of 2020 and their responses have on you?

George Floyd and other examples were disgusting of course, but the impact on me

honestly was minimal. What did I see in the George Floyd's murder than I haven’t seen

before when it comes to police brutality/injustice? Now the severity of the matter was

surprising with the officer’s actions KNOWING he was being filmed, but it all fits in the

narrative of how black people have been treated for years. I do think however, recent

events have opened the hearts and minds of more white people who have been living

unpretentiously behind their white privilege. Having the mindset of “not on my street

so its not my problem.” I see more white people speaking against racism and willing to

play a role in civil rights. That’s what needs to occur in order for real change to happen.

• What was one of your biggest lessons of 2020 and what's one thing you're looking forward to in 2021?

Biggest lesson was to enjoy your people while they are here. I lost several friends/family

last year due to Covid. Who saw 2020 coming and disrupting our way of life like it has?

Well there was that one guy in a book who predicted a respiratory type disease would

come from Wuhan China in 2020 but he doesn’t count. As for 2021, I’m looking forward

to traveling and enjoying my new home.

• Can you recall a distinct example of your proven growth/healing? Did you actively take any steps towards that growth and if so, what were they?

An example of growth and healing would be being ready to date again. That’s a baby

step I understand, but when you exert yourself all into something and it doesn’t work

out, it's completely draining. You just don’t feel like putting forth the effort anymore or

at least anytime soon. I’m in that place now where I’m done with the past and have

moved on to someone new. One of the biggest items I remind myself of, is don’t let

previous relationships dictate or have an influence indirectly on future interactions.

Everyone is not the same even though there may be similarities. That took some growth

and healing for me to understand.

• What's the most difficult thing for you as a man?

The hardest thing for me as a BLACK man is knowing some people in society do not

approve of me solely because of skin color. I must be more consciously friendly and

work harder than others because I am a minority.

• What's the most rewarding thing for you as a man?

Knowing that I’ve made someone smile and add value to their life.

• What is one thing you hope for your future son(s)? Future daughter(s)?

For my son to treat people the way he desires to be treated and appreciated.

Daughter, understand her worth in this world.

• If you were a woman for a day, what would you do?

Go to a bar, have a guy by me drinks and have a one-night stand.

• What makes your life worth living?

Friends, family, faith. The unexpected makes life worth living as well.

• What do you wake up excited about?

Being alive, healthy, the amazon alert saying “package delivered” and being

employed.

• Bonus: Wings: flats or drums? Flats. People who say they like drums better push doors that say pull.

I hope these questions got your brains churning! What was your favorite question? What was most difficult for you to answer? Any questions for Jay? Drop them below in the comments section and we'll answer. Anything else, comment below!

Thanks for your participation and willingness to open up, Jay!