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(I apologize in advance for the ranty nature of this post. I also apologize for the bitchy title, which might seem counterintuitive to what I seek to accomplish by writing this. Still funny, though.)

I’ve started sharing quotes on Twitter and Facebook. I know, I know. I used to roll my eyes when I saw people doing this, but it was because I didn’t find any of what they were sharing particularly useful. I even found some of it harmful, in spite of the multiple co-signs such quotes would receive. As for my own, if it’s a wisdom-based quote, I tag it as prajna. If the words are meant to encourage benevolence and generally not being an asshole toward others, then I’ll tag it metta. I try to keep my quotes, or the dispensation of what I believe to be shareable wisdom, out of the motivational realm because motivational quotes are ass-stupid.

Validation is not motivation. Try detaching yourself from your ego first.

Most motivational quotes are designed to make us feel good about ourselves without much self-reflection. We like to be told over and over again how beautiful and strong and worthy we are but rarely do we want to hear that we are getting in our own way. It’s the proverbial can of Red Bull that gives you wings for a few minutes until you crash because you haven’t learned anything about yourself.

Not to evangelize (which is so totally what I’m doing), but showing genuine interest in other people, the world around you, and understanding that you are a part of something larger puts you at a far enough remove from your inflated concept of self to make room for proper reflection. There’s a way to be self-involved without the ego, and that’s how it begins.

I bring this up because there are people, visible ones, with black skin and lots of money and lots of juice that like to parrot this motivational trash, cultivating a generation of Black 20-, 30- and 40-years olds that believe there are haters lurking around every corner attempting to pull them down (where is down?), which leads to a steadfast refusal to take personal responsibility for anything. A lot of it, unfortunately, is dispensed by the brother of a supposed Buddhist (I’m quickly coming to learn that Celebrity Buddhism is vastly different from what Us Poors practice) and many others who, if they would only shut their mouths, would be exponentially more useful.

I’m not saying we don’t all need a motivational kick in the ass every now and then, but that kind of advice is only effective when your concept of yourself is not drowning in self-victimization, self-aggrandizement or delusion. It is only effective when your goal is inner-contentment and not to be Dark Overlord Of The Universe. And when you understand those things, you won’t need that Fortune Cookie advice anyway. It also helps when your perspective and worldview aren’t shaped by someone on the teevee.

Let’s go!