Rising Like A Phoenix

It's been a long journey, filled with sadness, surprises, and new revelations. We lost our home due to fraud a while back. It was devastating. I saw who my friends and enemies are. It was a surprise, but not really. It had to sink in. My father used to say, "Sink or swim, which one are you going to do? Are you going to break or bend?" Reminds me of Bruce Lee, who said, "You have to become the water." And this is how I flowed. People expected me to break. They wanted me to cry, be angry, and be depressed. But that's never been me. I knew there was something better coming my way. I had to stay focused. Most of my family and friends turned their backs on me. It was like - GOOD FOR YOU! I didn't mind that. I knew better. I went to work. I didn't stop creating my art. I was full of hope and love for myself. I began complimenting myself, like I used to do when I was younger. I became my own cheerleader. No one can do what I do. I'm so awesome. After creating my inventions, writing hundreds of books and songs, there is no time for giving up. That was never an option for me. I went to a shelter, got kicked out. Then I stayed at a friend's house. Then another friend looked out for me and gave me a room. I'm grateful. I'm thankful for everything I have. When I had the house, I was grateful. I realize the true dangers of not having a roof over your head. You're open to many "bad things," even your health can be compromised. Still, I walked with my head high, knowing that my situation wasn't going to get the best of me. I have work to do. I made the room as comfortable as I could. Set up my computer and went to work. I'd sit at my computer and work until my hands got cold, then I'd sit in front of the heater, warm myself up, and then go back to work again. I worked 11-hours a day every day for three months straight. I don't know if it was because staying busy took my mind off the house or the fact that Greatness was in my grasp. I know now, it was both. Stella got her groove back. And I realized, I never lost mine. I made new friends, built new avenues, and made new connections. It didn't matter whether I was driving or walking. I realized that I was the Bentley. I was a person who never needed money, labels, or fancy things to feel good about myself. These things are on the outside. I had so much within. That's what I've known ever since I was a youth. It's not what's on the outside. It's what you have on the inside that's going to carry you through. The philosophy I learned from my father and mother carried me through when nothing else could. Sink or swim, bend or break, and no matter what happens, remember God is right there with you because he is inside you. How the hell am I going to lose? Come on now. That's what kept me going. I can tell those who are discouraged to keep moving. Don't give up. Don't give in. Don't stop. Don't let the negative things and people around you influence your mind. Shake that shit off. Keep on knowing yourself. You're capable of being exactly who you want to be. This is The Virtuous Hearts Foundation. I'm am Virtue. I created this non-profit over 18 years ago. I'm going to turn it into The Best Non-Profit in the world by doing things differently. This is the promise I made to myself. Everything on this website was created by me. This isn't an AI-generated website. It's not cold and perfect looking. Every piece of it was created with thought and wonder. And I'm still working on it, so please be kind. Wink. Wink. Our main website (VHF/ORG.) is being worked on and will be the site with classes, workshops, Etc. This has been a learning experience for me. And I'm thankful for everything I've been through. It has made me stronger, and supports that fact, "I SO AWESOME." Thanks for taking the time to read this. Peace & Love. Always, Virtue.