Everybody Love Everybody.

– Jackie Moon, Semi-Pro.

We here at MultiPOPtural operate by a certain standard. One Rule. ELE. Everybody Love Everybody. And it’s as complex as is it is simple.

The most simple and automatic parts of this life that you are in fact in control of, are your tolerances, expectations, and reactions. No one is perfect. I am 100% aware of mental diseases, financial difficulties, trust issues, pride, parenthood… I’m not only a client, I’m the playa president. I’ve finally come to the point of ‘with age comes wisdom’. Thing is, my path to being “middle-aged” has been unforeseeably expedited. My perspective is rather unique. However, I proudly proclaim that as corny as it sounds, Ringo was right. All You Need Is Love. Bobby too – Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

It is my duty as a father and as a man with a second chance that I spend the rest of my days being the Greatest Influence I can, and help my children make this life as stress-free as humanly possible. Which may very well be an impossibility. I’m not sure I can accurately convey the peace I’ve found, and I certainly do not recommend mimicking my path to it. But if I see stress take hold of you or even the potential of it, I’m stepping in. After my experiences, I realize that I have something of a responsibility to spread the same messages of love and confidence to family, friends, You. As we all know, Its Always Something. But you really do have to take the good with the bad and keep things moving. Progress. Always Progress. Innocence and ignorance can be a delicate balance for us all. This world can eat you alive. Umm.. your own thoughts can eat you alive. I Seent It. The Darkness is real. Worrying does not change anything, shits gonna happen anyway. Just gotta be okay with accepting it, changing course, and keeping your balance.

I Lift each and every one of you up. Because I love you. I’m legit rooting for you. When we all are Up, there’s no space for toxic energies to exist. This is not naivety, because I am firm in my tolerances, and my delivery is that which demands respect. Respectfully. Anger breeds anger. And just like worrying or complaining, being angry is not going to have any influence towards a resolution to what you’re angry about. What I have come to practice and expect from others (whoops) is to address issues head-on, make your position known via definitive statement (fact-based, not anger, not open-ended), and leave it for them to interpret. You’ll feel really good, too. There does not have to be so much hostility in this world. I always tell the kids (who are half Puerto Rican, so they’re naturally loud), ‘Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument’. Harness your peace. Once you find it and own it, live by it, confrontation is not so abrasive and if correctly executed, stress-free.

In my particular case, there is no flight in ‘fight or flight’. Physically, I can’t run very far, but more importantly, I’m comfortable where I stand when challenged. So you can catch these gems or these hands. Probably not the wisest position for a heart transplant recipient still in recovery, but that’s what it is. And now I can say, ‘I Told You So’.

Just… Be Good. Be Nice. Be Responsible. Be True. Be Loyal. It really is as simple as that. I charge you to lower your expectations, concretely define your tolerances, demand the respect you deserve, with authority AND grace, and react accordingly. People fuck up. It’s a Guarantee. I know I’m still paying for previous blunders. Consciously establish your standard of what you will allow being Right or Wrong. Consider your worth and your tolerance for bullshit. People can take it or leave it. Stand firm in you truths, be open to compromise, and K.I.M.. Whats wild is – all of this comes to you from my Darkness. its where I currently reside, and not by design. But I suppose I already know it is temporary and I’ll get through it soon. So, pardon me while I burst, and rise above the flames. I’ll see you soon.

You can live as long as the last person who remembers you. Make it count. Positively.

Paz,

-Mateo.

Notorious B.I.G – One More Chance remix

AZ – Rather Unique

The Beatles – All You Need Is Love

Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Gregory Porter – Be Good (Lion’s Song)

A Tribe Called Quest – Keep It Moving

Incubus – Pardon Me