African Proverb
The ConTextos Authors Circle was developed in collaboration with young people at-risk of, victims of, or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017 this innovative program expanded into Chicago to create tangible, high quality opportunities that nourish the minds,,expand the voices and share the personal truths of individuals who have long been underserved and underestimated. Through the process of drafting, revising and publishing memoirs, participants develop self-reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie and positive selfprojection to author new life narratives.
Since January 2017 ConTextos has partnered with Cook County Sheriff's Office to implement Authors Circle in Cook County Department of Corrections as part of a vision for reform that recognizes the value of mental health, rehabilitation and reflection. These powerful memoirs complicate the narratives of violence and peace building, and help author a hopeful future for human beings behind walls, their families and our collective communities.
While each author’s text is solely the work of the Author, the image used to create this book’s illustrations have been sourced by various print publications. Authors curate these images and then, using only their hands, manipulate the images through tearing, folding, layering and careful positioning. By applying these collage techniques, Authors transform their written memoirs into illustrated books.
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ALN 21.027 awarded to Cook County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter
-
Joshua Johnson The Tri
In modern times we see brothers and sisters growing up in broken households. We know or see or even hear about people or friends with one or two or more baby mothers and the question I have to ask is why? Why do we get in relationships and they don't last? Why is society perpetuating the idea of this ongoing problem and making it okay? Why do brothers and sisters grow up in single parent homes?
The answer is that Society is going through generational trauma / curses, where you have brothers and sisters growing up seeing their mothers/fathers in and out of relationships and kids growing up thinking that it's okay. Or they think this is how life is supposed to be and parents don't know or understand what type of effect this is putting on their child. Just imagine a young girl growing up seeing her mother getting beat up, arguing or even in and out of relationships or even seeing her father getting in and out of a relationship. Now she's growing up seeing and thinking that’s how she is supposed to be treated.
Even a boy growing up in a single mother household and he sees his mother in and out of relationships, arguing, getting beat on or even a drug addict mother. Or he can be over his father's house and he's watching his dad in and out of relationships. Now he thinks it's okay to treat females any kind of way, and I'm here to tell you brothers and sisters it's not okay. Okay, what if they both met someone and everything is good but what about the child? Kids don't want that, they want their real parents in their life. We barely see homes built on Good Foundations. Why?
People / kids grow up spiritually unnourished, so they grow up not knowing how to love themselves. They grow up not knowing how to be loved or don't know what love is. To top it off they didn't grow up in the house of God. God is the most significant part of life and aligning yourself with God changes your life. I'm going to put it like this: your relationship is a reflection of your relationship with God. In life we see the Holy Trinity everywhere. Genesis 2:24 states this is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife and they become one. Relationships will be more purposeful and more fulfilling when you and your spouse/wife are aligned with God.
I grew up without a mother and a father. Yes, I knew my mother but she came in and out of my life. She was on drugs honestly. She chose drugs over family so that's a good example. Growing up I used to see kids getting picked up by their mom or even dad. I hated my life. I was getting jealous of other people's lives all because I wanted my mom and dad in my life.
I didn’t have the best childhood, no mother and no father. Only me, my two sisters and my grandmother. My mom was the magician in my life. One minute she was there, the next she wasn’t. My grandmother loved us but she had her days where she resented us and it hurted my feelings. She showed favor to my little sister which made me to be jealous. I was a straight A student but my sister wasn’t, yet she was getting spoiled more than me. She had new shoes, I didn’t. I eventually started to give up on school and when it happened things got worse. Instead of whoopings, she could have decided to motivate me, but she didn’t. I grew up dirty, no self love, just dirty.
I didn't grow up with that motherly love or have that action figure role model father in my life, so I didn't know how to love myself properly. I didn't even know how to love. I found myself in and out of relationships playing with other females feelings hurting them and not even knowing what I was doing. I was breaking God's law. It is sad to say I didn't know how to love myself until I got locked up.
If you ' re not aligned up with God the relationship won't work.
Her name is Jasmine. She's my soulmate. Future wife. And my best friend. I met her in 2020 in August. I was celebrating my cousin's birthday. He passed away. My sister wanted to invite her friends over. I didn't mind, I just wanted to relax and chill. I didn't want to be bothered. I just wanted to please my sister. They came as soon as she came and I saw her. And in my head I'm like she is cute but I don't know her and I'm not trying to get to know her. I wasn't looking for a girlfriend. Time passed now I'm rolling my wood and one girl asked if she hit my wood I replied no I don't know y 'all, roll your own wood. Then I told my sister to give her some weed. Matter of fact give all them some weed, leave me alone.
One girl is cool. He lets us roll our own wood. I'm in my head I'm like it's just a wood bro. I saw Jasmine she kept looking at me, I'm like she tweaking fuck she looking at. Time passed and my sister asked me to go get some liquor. I'm like cool and she asked for a pill. I gave it to them and now we ' re on our way to get some liquor. I didn't want to drive so I sat in the back and guess who decided to sit next to me, Jasmine
During the ride she kept telling me you ' re fine as hell. I guess she was high so I told her baby please enjoy your high. She quieted down and kept going. I laughed at how high she was then she said you got a cute smile. I said thank you and it went on from there. During the times we kept linking up and we were matching without her telling what she was wearing. She was perfect for me. Later on I planned for us to move in together and I got locked up.
Unfortunately since I didn't know how to love myself or love a female properly I treated her wrong and I take full blame for it. I didn't know how to love myself so how could I love her. I just thank God she stayed in the picture. I tried to kill myself. I was cursing her out for no reason putting stress on her while she was pregnant with our child. That same person opened my eyes, she helped me love myself. I remember when she told me to focus on myself and that I didn't love myself and broke up with me.
She has a history of Mental Health hospitals, trying to kill herself to top it off. I got in the car accident with her so it left a big scar on her face and she stayed devoted. I kept motivating her to be the best her. I love her and I still do. We are currently not together, but she is still by my side. Now when she sees the new me she will see how I transform with our handsome son who is finna be 2 years old this year. And once again all the glory goes to God. Jasmine and I are aligning ourselves, but with God that's how she still by my side.
I believe the only way a real relationship can work is if you and your spouse are aligned with God. Let me school you on relationships or soul ties. Relationships are supposed to be with 1 person 1 family. Why? Because there is one God and sex is so powerful. I say this because when you have sex you are technically marrying that person and that creates a soul tie with them. Imagine a person who has sex with multiple people and a female who does the same thing. All them Souls they tied with comes together. You see brothers and sisters, this is more of a spiritual thing that's happening. This is why 1 Corinthians 6:14 through 17 states so should I take part of Christ's body and make it part of a prostitute's body absolutely not. The reason why is saying that, because when you have sex you ' re marrying that person which creates a soul tie. So you pick up whatever Soul tie she had or you ' ve had.
Imagine you and your spouse creating a baby. Now all themselves you and her join and become one. You wonder why your son has an anger problem. Relationships with your spouse should be with one person. Why? Is because there is one God. This goes with anybody and this also works in business. If you surround yourself with people who love you and they're chasing God and the relationship / fellowship will be more purposeful and fulfilling.
If you are currently single, it's okay it's good to be single. I say that because you will have more time to understand yourself. Only you can make you happy. God loves you he knew you before you were born Jeremiah chapter 1 verses 4 through 5 states I choose you before I formed you in the womb. I sent you apart before you were born. I anointed you a prophet to the Nations. God chose you, he knew you before you were born and God has better plans for you so the single stage is good. You know what you like and want and God knows it so long as you ' re chasing him he will give you whatever you desire. In Genesis chapter 2 Verse 18 God said it's not good for man to be alone. He gave Adam a perfect spouse for him and he can do the same for you. Self-love plays a big part in life.
Let me give you 10 reasons why self-love matters.
The first reason is your life is precious. I know it can be a hard reality to come to terms with, but our days on Earth are finished. By cultivating self-love you'll live a richful, God fearing, more fulfilling life. Second self-love is good for the mind. Loving yourself leads to taking better care of yourself. When you take better care of yourself you'll be able to manage life's ups and downs decrease anxiety and depression and reduce the level of stress. You plus God equals majority. Three, self-love is good for the body. Caring for your body is one of the greatest acts of love you can give yourself. With a strong healthy body you'll have more energy to invest in God, people and activities that bring you the most joy.
Four, self love is good for the soul. I say this because we are Spiritual Beings having a human experience and acts of self-love are like medicine for the soul. Jesus said the greatest commandments sums up two Commandments. Love God with all your heart and mind and soul. Second is to love your neighbor just as you love yourself. Five selflove is to Greater personal fulfillment and success. I say this because self-love increases self-worth. God loves you he made you in His image. When you believe you are God's child and you are made and in him, you believe you are worthy of everything your heart desires. You won't settle for less, you are a king or queen.
Six self-love builds confidence through acts of self love that ultimately build your confidence. So you ' re able to celebrate your successes while learning from your failures. When your confidence is built on you are and not what you achieve. You'll feel unstoppable and fulfilling your greatest potential and purpose for what God's plan for you. Seven self-love leads to more fulfilling relationships and by loving yourself you attract people who align with your positive energy. When you ' re living in your relationships and your relationships with God you will create a deeper or meaningful connection.
Eight self love increases your capacity to love others whether it's your partner, children, parents, friends, staff, colleagues, animals or even strangers. Loving yourself opens your heart to experiencing greater love for others. When your heart is open to loving others and they are, you'll receive the same love back. Nine, self-love creates self-awareness. So by honoring your needs through self love, this expands awareness of your personal values. When you live in alignment with God and your values, you'll be more intentional about leading a more authentic life. The last reason self-love matters is that it makes the world a better place. Self love cultivates greater compassion, empathy and vulnerability. For both yourself and others. When you are able to show up in the world with modeling self-love and these qualities, you inspire others to do the same. So don't worry about being single. Love yourself and line yourself up with God and he will provide you a perfect wife. God never fails.
I didn’t have what I have while I was spiritually sleep. When God woke me up it’s like my eyes could see like nothing before. I could understand. Now reading the Bible became more pending to me. I had always knew about the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit but then a chaplain came and told me how we see the Holy Trinity everywhere in life. The example he gave was me, my baby mother and our son. You see the triangle? That’s when it all hit me and I asked God to give me more wisdom and understanding on him and his word. When I notice how me and my brothers were chasing God, I noticed the triangle in my head and boom, it all hit me. The Holy Trinity is everywhere and me reading more into it. That’s the deal for me. I found the solution to the generational trauma / curse, it’s God. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
This page is a secret I give to you all, whoever reads this book. what evaluate their mind on this spiritual journey. So if you have a business or planning to have a business you must want to flip to the next page. I encourage you to start a business. Be Your Own Boss, put your crown on because you ' re precious in God's eyes. This works with business. Slso if you own a business it doesn't matter what color you are. When you have people who are lined up with God, the business will grow good. People are good for the business. The number one thing you need to learn in growing your business is to surround yourself with people who tell you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear. That's it, the secret of building a business. I say this because people who align themselves with God will not perish but grow. Another thing, don't call your staff. Staff is the family. You need to have your team know that they matter.
Joshua Johnson
I Am From
I am from Chicago
From no mother and father.
From basketball and ball is life
To selling drugs and serving hypes.
I am from ketchup on bread.
I am from God
Loyalty and Love.
I am from Catana Johnson and my son Zire.
From cooking with Catana Johnson
And from hard love and a caring spirit.
I’m from never give up
And from the world is yours.
I’m from Jesus Christ
I’m from Chicago
From spaghetti, barbeque and jerk chicken
From Tonio and Depareyon
I am from Joshua Johnson
I am a man who is devoted to raising his children.
I am a family man and I’m a mentor.
I wrote this for my readers to give you guys the answer
To broken homes families and how to Love yourself
The Answer lies within. Enjoy.
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb
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