Being African American nowadays is difficult. Especially for those of us that don't succumb to the status quo. The way were portrayed in the media circus does nothing but hinder any progress of civil rights my ancestors have fought so long and hard to build; while also providing a stronger foothold for racial stereotypes. In my city, people see me as a ******, ****, player, or whatever else they may have heard about me. But I promise you this; the majority of the information they were provided with is more than likely false. I am simply an evil and spiritual being trying to adapt to a world that I cannot comprehend. It's not that I don't understand it, it's that everything about it seems so wrong.

In my 22 years of life, I've learned about two main invisible forces that have a profound affect on the way people carry out their everyday lives; Pain and Pleasure. A plethora of events throughout mankind's could be attributed to a quest for pleasure, a desperate escape from pain, or a number of other circumstances. In my personal journey, however, I've endured both while looking for something else entirely. My father used to tell me, "Those who seek out love the most, are the ones it will most likely avoid." I can safely say after 5 years of looking for love, I've experienced more pleasure and pain than I ever thought possible for a life time. But now that love has found me, I wouldn't trade those 5 years for anything in the world. Looking back, I realize you have to experience the trials and errors of true love long before it ever finds you. Of course things will happen, nothing is going to be perfect 24/7. But the experience from previous relationships you've had have more than likely taught you to ask yourself 3 questions before taking things too far:

1) Is this real?

2) Is this healthy?

3) Will this last?

At The end of the day, If all signs point to yes, than be prepared for a spiraling rollercoaster full of romance and despair combining to make for the perfect storm that finally feels like home.