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Every morning I have the pleasure of riding the metro to work with millions of people who don’t look all to happy to be going to earn a paycheck in today’s struggling economy (I’ll speak more on that in another blog).

Fortunately, I get on at the second stop with only 12 more to go, about a 40 minute ride, so there are plenty of seats available. Majority of the people are just like me, working class professionals. Going to work isn’t a problem at all. It’s the ride home that bothers me.

After a hard days work, soon as I get on the train I look for a seat. Usually, I can get one, but it wasn’t long before I realized that at the stop after mine, a ton of men and women get on. Mostly women.

See I have always prided myself on being a gentleman that acts as like chivilary is alive and well. So like any gentleman, I offer my seat to women when I see one standing. The problem is it appears that I’m the only one who thinks this is normal. So I try to lead by example and offer my seat to a lady who may have been standing on her feet all day or needs to clear her mind before she goes home to some bad ass kids or a mooching husband or she could just be tired.

Without fail, another brother will do the same for another lady. He may not have forgotten that we are here to take care of our sisters, but sometimes we need to lead by example to help remind those of us who get lost in society’s trap of lost consciousness.

Some young brothers may not know how to treat a woman or how to be a man, so maybe if enough brothers will stand up for sisters on the train, we can start standing up for our families in our communities.

It’s not really a choice. It’s a part of being a man.

Insight: Isn’t it amazing how 500 people can be crammed together on one train and no one says a word to each other.

In today’s world when we hear most of our African-American youth share their career dreams, I’ve seen more than a few adults roll their eyes or shake their heads when the child states aspirations along the lines of becoming a professional athlete, dancer, rapper, singer, Oprah, or essentially anything that would put them in the spotlight instead of “having to work hard.”

In the past few weeks I met a young man who is a musician, but is probably working just as hard enough not harder to live his dream as those of us punching a clock on weekdays.

Darnell Levine (www.darnelllevine.com) is a name that’s probably unfamiliar to most but once you hear his sound and see his dedication to his craft for lack of better terms, you get “it.” Darnell is a singer/songwriter who excels in the jazz and pop genres and some might say comedy as well. He’s released two solo albums, and his current CD “Journal Entries” is available on amazon.com.

This summer he is trying to make (are you listening Magic Johnson) history by becoming the first artist to ever tour exclusively at Starbucks. He’s named his mission “The Darnell Levine Summer Music Tour Experience Exclusively at Starbucks” and so far, he’s hit several cities around the southwest side of the United States including Lexington, KY, Cincinnati, OH, Nashville and he has one more week of touring.

Darnell is responsible for booking the locations, mapping routes, looking for sponsors, maintaining his website, creating design elements for the website, selling merchandise—and really, need I go on?

As everyone knows the rising economic costs have been hard on most, so can you imagine what it’s like for a (young) musician funding this tour exclusively on tips and merchandise sales because he’s following his heart and a lesson we all learned as a child, “finish what you start.”

So, while some of the children today just may be looking for the easy way out and the quickest way to the red carpet, maybe a few of them will be like Darnell Levine and try to make history as they pursue their dreams.

- L.C. Butler

My cousin sent me this and I have to let you know that I’m feeling it. If you feel it too, let the world know on Super Tuesday.

We all want what’s best for our kids-right? Well along with food, love, prayer, support and encouragement, you better believe they will need an education. The public school system works as a school system, but I have learned that a “school system” is different from an “educational system.” The school system is in the business of running schools, not educating (That’s only part of the problem). A school has an educational system.

The problem is that the public “school system” hasn’t evolved nor implemented an effective “educational system” that allows our kids the proper tools to succeed in today’s world. Some school systems can’t provide an adequate learning facility for our children to learn, yet we put our children in this environment and expect them to learn and be able to compete on a global scale…that’s bullshit.

Since the public school system is under serving our children, those of us who can afford private schooling for our children usually do so, but a friend and team member of mine, Sandra Frazier, recently wrote a book entitled “Private School, It’s Not Just for the Wealthy Anymore” that puts economics aside and reinforces the importance of a parent’s passion, commitment and dedication to their child’s education. Her book guides you through the process of applying to private schools and shows you how to cut costs on everything from uniforms to fund-raising.

Sandra says,”The biggest part of the process is preparing your child through parenting. Being an involved parent in your child’s activities and learning is essential to making the best educational choice for your family.” Visit www.abettertomorrowpublishing.com and order your copy NOW!

So, before you exercise your right to vote, make sure you are an educated voter that votes for someone who cares about the education of your kids.

Sometimes I get so caught up in the trials and troubles of everyday life, that I forget to pray and thank GOD for the many blessing he has given me. But my greatest blessing, reminds me every night to be thankful. Before I tuck him into bed he ask can he say his prayers? I have taught and listened to him pray over the past couple of years and I can hear his voice and prayer getting stronger and stronger. He says it with conviction and I love hearing it.

Lately, just thoughts of my son’s voice when he prays, reminds me of how blessed I am. Of course, that started me to think about how GOD feels when he hears his children praying to him. It’s has to be a wonderful feeling because it’s a wonderful feeling for me to hear my son pray. (Click on the link above to listen)

For all the blessings, God has given me, the least I can do is pray.