Tag: Life

Ambition, Empathy, Helpful Conversations, Inclusion, Life, Parenting And Relationships

Walking in your shoes

Anthony Dixon

Walking in your shoes : Walk in your shoes

Available on Amazon

https://a.co/d/em0wwD7

The Ebook is live on Amazon The Paperback is soon to be Published. Walking in Your Shoes: A Children’s Story of Following in a Parent’s Footsteps Chapter 1: Walking in Their Shoes Book description This Book is for every young person who wants to make something of their lives Learning from the Best In life, we often look up to someone who inspires us and sets a positive example for us to follow. This person could be a parent, a teacher, a friend, or even a famous role model. By observing and learning from the best, we can gain valuable insights and skills that will help us grow and succeed in our own lives. Parents are often the first and most influential role models in a child’s life. They teach us important values, skills, and lessons that shape who we become as individuals. By watching our parents navigate through challenges and achieve their goals, we can learn valuable life lessons that will help us in our own journeys. Whether it’s learning the importance of hard work, perseverance, or kindness, our parents serve as guiding lights that show us the way forward. Filling the Void – Walking in Your Shoes Growing up without someone to look up to can feel like navigating a vast, empty landscape. It’s a void that can deeply affect your sense of self, your education, and your overall upbringing. When you don’t have that guiding star, it’s easy to feel lost, like a ship adrift at sea with no clear direction. This void can shape the way you view the world, the decisions you make, and ultimately, the person you become. Parents, ideally, should be the first role models in a child’s life. They are the ones who should guide you, not just through their words but through their actions, living their lives in a manner that teaches you the right way to be. This guidance isn’t just about telling you what to do; it’s about showing you through their own choices and behaviors. When parents live with integrity, kindness, and responsibility, they lay down a path for you to follow. They become the first examples of how to navigate the complexities of life. P.S. When my kids were teenagers, my Wife and I would argue in the Basement, not in front of the Children. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to have parents who fulfill this role. Sometimes, through no fault of your own, the people who are supposed to be your guides are absent, either physically or emotionally. Maybe they are caught up in their struggles, unable to provide the support you need. Or perhaps, they never learned these lessons themselves, and so they have nothing to pass on. In these situations, the void can seem even larger. But even if your parents are unable to be the role models you need, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to wander aimlessly. The beauty of life is that it offers countless opportunities to find inspiration, even if it’s not in the people closest to you. If your parents don’t provide the guidance you need, it’s up to you to seek out someone whose life or lifestyle you admire. It could be a teacher, a coach, a neighbor, or even someone you’ve never met—an author, a historical figure, or a public figure who embodies the values you aspire to. Finding a role model is like finding a map in that vast, empty landscape. It doesn’t fill the void completely, but it gives you a direction, a path to follow. When you admire someone’s life, you’re not just admiring their success; you’re admiring the steps they took to get there, the values they held onto, the choices they made in the face of adversity. By studying their journey, you can start to see the path they followed and begin to chart your own course. Walking in your shoes : Walk in your shoes https://a.co/d/aAxTXUv
Ambition, America, Black History, Dr King, Emotional Intelligence, Helpful Conversations, Inclusion, Life, Motivation, Parenting And Relationships, Self help

Individual thinkers

Anthony Dixon

The Silent Curriculum: What I Wasn’t Taught in School

Introduction

The powerful lyrics of The Cars’ song, “You can’t go on thinking nothing is wrong,” resonate with me now more than ever. These words echo the sentiments I’ve carried for decades, especially when I reflect on my own educational journey. Fifty years have passed, and the realization has dawned on me: the education system failed me. This isn’t just my story; it’s a narrative shared by many who felt that their schooling did not prepare them for the world in all its complexity.

The Shortcomings of Traditional Education

Albert Einstein once expressed similar frustrations, famously noting that his teachers never taught him what he truly wanted to learn. He wasn’t alone in this feeling. In many ways, my experience mirrored Einstein’s. The curriculum was rigid, focused on rote memorization and standardized tests, rather than fostering curiosity and critical thinking. History, in particular, was sanitized, with key parts of our past either glossed over or omitted entirely.

Slavery, for instance, was a seldom-referenced word in all my history classes. The horrors and implications of this brutal institution were treated as a footnote in a textbook rather than a significant part of our nation’s history. If it hadn’t been for a real educator—one who saw beyond the curriculum—I might never have understood the importance of continuous learning or the value of the knowledge that wasn’t readily provided by the system.

The Importance of Lifelong Learning

This educator offered me a piece of advice that has stayed with me: “Even if you decide not to go to college, never stop learning. When you stop learning, you begin the process of dying.” These words, echoed by the wisdom of Einstein, have guided me through life. They motivated me to seek knowledge outside the confines of formal education, to question the narrative I was given, and to discover the stories that were left untold.

It was through this self-directed learning that I came to know about the great Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia, a leader who successfully defended his country against colonial powers. I learned about Enoch, a biblical figure who is often overlooked in mainstream teachings. And I delved into the life of Hannibal, one of the greatest military commanders in history, whose story was barely mentioned in the classrooms I sat in.

The Need for Open Dialogue

Education isn’t just about the transfer of knowledge; it’s about fostering an environment where ideas can be discussed openly, where grievances can be aired, and where uncomfortable truths can be confronted. In a marriage, if there’s a gripe, it must be discussed. Ignoring a problem is like ignoring a tumor—it only grows, eventually becoming malignant. The same principle applies to education and the way we address our history.

In high school, it wasn’t until 1971 that Black History began to be taught, and even then, the subject matter was vague, superficial, and often sanitized. The silence around slavery and other uncomfortable truths spoke louder than words. This silence was not just an oversight; it was a form of complicity. By not addressing these issues head-on, the education system showed a level of indifference that left many students, including myself, searching for answers outside the classroom.

Silence and Complicity

When it comes to subjects like slavery, silence is more than just a lack of information—it’s a powerful statement. Silence in education amounts to complicity in the perpetuation of ignorance. It shows an indifference to the suffering and struggles of those who came before us, and it denies students the full picture of the world they live in.

The curriculum I experienced was more about maintaining the status quo than challenging it. It was about creating obedient citizens rather than critical thinkers. This is why it’s so important to continue learning, to seek out the stories that weren’t told, and to ask the questions that weren’t asked.

Conclusion

Looking back, I realize that my education didn’t end when I left school; it only began. The gaps in my formal education led me to become a lifelong learner, constantly seeking knowledge that wasn’t readily provided. The words of The Cars, “You can’t go on thinking nothing is wrong,” remind me that we must be vigilant in questioning the world around us, especially the narratives we are given.

Education should empower, enlighten, and challenge us. When it fails to do so, we must take it upon ourselves to seek out the truth, to learn, and to grow. Because when we stop learning, we stop living. And in a world where silence still often speaks louder than words, we cannot afford to be complicit. We must continue to ask the hard questions, to confront the uncomfortable truths, and to learn from the past to create a better future. This type of thinking should overlap our efforts to protect and prolong our great Democracy. Making America great should mean, creating a Nation of individual thinkers, not a Generation of Sheep.

Ambition, Emotional Intelligence, Life

Excerpts from my next book

Anthony Dixon

The Complexity of Morality

In the labyrinth of human existence, where the paths of virtue and vice intersect and intertwine, I find myself grappling with the age-old question of morality. As I ponder the teachings of Christ, I am struck by a profound realization—perhaps the simplicity of His message is not a flaw, but rather a beacon of light amidst the darkness of human complexity.

In my attempt to unravel the tangled threads of the human condition, I am reminded of the timeless wisdom of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn—a voice from the depths of suffering, echoing across the annals of history. “The line separating good and evil,” he wrote, “passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either—but right through every human heart—and through all human hearts.”

These words resonate with a clarity that cuts through the fog of confusion, illuminating the very essence of our shared humanity. For in the crucible of our own hearts, the battle between light and darkness rages on—a perpetual struggle that transcends the boundaries of time and space. And yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, there exists a glimmer of hope—a small bridgehead of good, retained even within hearts overwhelmed by evil.

As I reflect on these profound truths, I am confronted with a sobering realization—we are not mere bystanders in the theater of life, but active participants in the unfolding drama of existence. Our thoughts, our deeds, our actions—they carry weight far beyond the confines of our own consciousness. For we are not only the architects of our own destiny, but the custodians of each others.
In the quiet solitude of the night, I pondered the essence of our interconnectedness, the inherent responsibility we bear for one another. We are not merely individuals navigating the journey of life; we are custodians of each other’s well-being, bound by the sacred duty to uplift and protect.

Reflecting on this profound insight, I contemplated the notion of a “good” age to depart from this world. Is there a predetermined threshold, a point at which our purpose is fulfilled, our contributions deemed sufficient? Or is the measure of a life defined not by its duration, but by the depth of its impact, the legacy it leaves behind?

As dawn began to break, casting a gentle glow upon the world awakening anew, I realized that the answer lay not in the hands of time, but in the way we choose to live each precious moment. For in the end, it is not the years we accumulate, but the love we share, the kindness we extend, and the lives we touch that truly define the richness of our existence.

And so, as I watched the homeless man fade into the distance, his silhouette merging with the landscape, I vowed to embrace each day with gratitude and compassion, knowing that in the tapestry of life, every thread is woven with purpose and significance.

Ambition, America, Autobiography, Bio, Black History, Christmas, Dr King, Empathy, featured, Helpful Conversations, Inclusion, Life, Motivation, Parenting And Relationships, Religion, Self help, You can face life

Book Description:

Anthony Dixon

Available on Amazon https://a.co/d/aQ3X7wj

Book overview

“In the Shadows of Hate: A Journey of Love and Redemption” is an extraordinary tale that delves deep into the realms of human emotions, exploring the eternal struggle between love and hate. Set in a world consumed by hatred and darkness, this poignant story follows the transformative journey of one man as he navigates through the tumultuous landscapes of prejudice and discrimination, ultimately discovering the redemptive power of love. In this gripping narrative, the author skillfully weaves a tapestry of raw emotions, unveiling the destructive consequences of hatred and the transformative potential of love. The book illuminates the profound need for love, understanding, empathy, and inclusion through vivid and evocative storytelling in our fractured society. At its core, “In the Shadows of Hate ” is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, encouraging readers to see life through the eyes of others. It challenges the reader to suspend judgment, look beyond appearances and stereotypes, and embrace diverse experiences’ complexity and richness. The story is a poignant reminder that understanding and compassion can only be achieved by walking a mile in another person’s shoes. With each chapter, the author draws readers deeper into the protagonist’s world, painting a vivid portrait of his internal struggles as he confronts the relentless hate that threatens to engulf him. As the story unfolds, readers witness the power of love as it gradually erodes the barriers of prejudice and bigotry, illuminating a path toward healing and reconciliation. Through compelling characters and gripping plot twists, the author exposes the devastating impact of hate on individuals and communities, leaving no room for complacency or indifference. In the face of adversity, the protagonist’s journey becomes a beacon of hope, demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for love to conquer even the darkest corners of our world. “In the Shadows of Hate: A Journey of Love and Redemption” is a profound and profoundly moving exploration of the human capacity for both good and evil. It challenges readers to examine their beliefs and biases, encouraging introspection and fostering greater empathy and understanding. This book offers a compelling testament by spotlighting the universal need for love and its transformative power.”
Read less
Product Details
Available on Amazon https://a.co/d/aQ3X7wj

Through Her Eyes: Revised
In the shadows of hate a journey of love and Redemption

Ambition, America, Autobiography, Bio, Black History, Dr King, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Inclusion, Life, Motivation, Religion

Inscasable

Anthony Dixon

Inscasable: The Urge for Going Back for Seconds and Thirds

Have you ever experienced that irresistible urge to go back for seconds and thirds? It’s a sure sign that something is exceptionally good. Interestingly, I never considered applying the term “inscasable” to a book until I read Cannery Row. Now, I’m confronted with my own book, Through Her Eyes Revised, and realizing just how inscasable it is.

After employing four different AI software programs to edit the book, I’ve read it over twenty times. Today, I downloaded the Kindle version, and to my surprise, I still found it just as interesting. This experience has made me reflect on my journey as a blogger and writer.

When I started blogging, I made a promise to myself: each blog post would be better than the last. Over the past eleven years, I’ve written more than five hundred blog posts, and this book is the culmination of all that work. It’s a product of continuous improvement, dedication, and a passion for storytelling.

Through Her Eyes Revised isn’t just a book; it’s a testament to the power of persistence and the joy of revisiting something you love, time and time again. Whether it’s a beloved meal or a cherished book, some things are simply inscasable. The Book is available everywhere my favorite place is Amazon.

P.S. just published my first Children’s book: “Children with big Ears and Potty Mouth”. Also on Amazon

Book overview

Book Description:

In “Children with Big Ears and Potty Mouth,” young readers are taken on a journey filled with laughter, lessons, and unforgettable characters. This engaging and thought-provoking tale explores the importance of making wise decisions early in life, emphasizing how these choices shape who we become.

Through a series of entertaining and relatable stories, children will discover that their words and actions have a significant impact on their future. As they follow the adventures of the protagonists, they will learn about the power of kindness, the value of respect, and the joy of growing up to be the best version of themselves.

Perfect for parents, teachers, and young readers, “Children with Big Ears and Potty Mouth” is a must-read for anyone who believes in the potential of every child to choose their path wisely and grow up with integrity and character.