Because My Grandfather Told Me, Nothin’ From Nothin’ Leaves Nothin’, But…
Everyone gathers inspiration from somewhere. The inspiration is something that drives a person upwards or downwards. Yes, it is possible in case you may have forgotten, for a person to be inspired to become addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, drama or what could be the biggest addiction going at this time, which encompasses them all…ATTENTION. Yeah, being addicted to attention…insert that selfie HERE.
But, this piece is not about negative inspiration. I want to discuss positive inspiration that motivates an individual to be all that they are capable of. In the process of that personal movement, the individual mind find that once they have grinded and studied for so long that they have exceeded their expectations.
The spark of that positive motivation may have came out of a negative situation, which is very possible. It may have come from the following of intuition or it may have come from an elder member of the family.
For myself…I remember having a conversation when I was 11 years old with my grandfather Mitchell Tyler. I would often call him by the nick name that he was known by and called with, the upmost respect, which was and still is “Mick.” He was a dark skin black man with gray hair and he stood about 5"5" tall. He wore brown rimmed glasses and even when he was at home relaxing, he always seemed to dress in a style of “dress casual.” He kept at least five applejack hats or woolen flat caps on his hat rack in the living room. He was in his late 70’s and he wore lines of knowledge and experience along his hands, his forehead and cheeks.
In 1983 I was at his home just off of East Boundary Street in Augusta, GA. I was sitting on the footstool in his living room looking up at him, while he just happened to be sitting to my left on the sofa instead of his armchair. He was taking a pull off of his wooden pipe, while I was moving a football around in my hands, slowly in a circular motion.
There was a football game on the television, however the volume was turned down completely. Perhaps, he had planned it that way. I was very good at playing football, baseball and soccer, in addition, I was doing very well in school. My grandfather was one of my biggest supporters, as he noticed how I was able to play these sports with ease and still do well in school. He did not mind sliding me a 20 dollar bill every once in a while and telling me to keep up the good work.
On that day however, he wanted to give me more than money or our usual playful, funny talk, with bits of wisdom. He wanted to give me straight wisdom, without interference. Looking back I can understand why he wanted to have the television on while he made his point, even though the volume was turned completely down.
He started his conversation off with his usual, which was by calling me by the nickname he gave me, which was “Peewee.” “Peewee, I see you playing all of these sports and you do so well in them. Boy…I’m proud of you. You doing good in school, also you help in the yard here, at your home and with your other grandparents. That shows that you not scared of taking care of your responsibilities.” he told me. “Thanks grandpa, I do my best,” I humbly replied.
“Sports is good, but you have to be smart. You have to learn how to use your mind and think.” I looked at him as he began to get into what he really wanted to say, in his casual way of speaking which was unhurried and yet deliberate.
“Reading is…very important. You can’t be scared to…read. You always have to be willing to learn…something…new, do you understand what I am saying?” he squinted his eyes and looked at me even closer when he said those words. “Yes sir, I do,” I replied as I could tell he was serious. “Education is…important, even if you can play sports…you have to be…educated. When you are educated…there is no limit..to what you can do,” he continued.
“When you educate yourself…you always have a place to start from…even if for some reason… you start from nothin’. When you educated…at least you got a place to start from. If you aren’t educated…then you got nothin’. Nothin’…from nothin…leaves you with nothin’. I want you to remember that, do you understand?,” said with even more emphasis. “Yes, sir I understand,” I said. “Make sure…you…are…on…top…of…the…books…you…read…in…school, read books on your own.”
“But, if you ever…find yourself with nothin,’ you still got somethin’…to start with, you got it Peewee?” I said “Yes, sir,” but he kind of lost me with that jewel he passed to me. “Make sure you on…top…of…the…books…you read in school, you read…books…on…your…own. Teach… yourself… like the teachers teach… you.” he told me.
He put his pipe out and dumped out the ashes in his favorite burgundy ash tray, we then watched the Georgia Bulldogs play the Florida Gators. I believe famed Georgia running back, Herschel Walker was playing that day. As we watched the game with volume turned up now, I was silently trying to think about what he was trying to tell me.
Everyone is not fortunate enough to have a positive role model in their life like I did with my great-grandfather. Not only did I have him in my life, I also had two grandfathers Sonny and Quincy and my dad as well. Not to mention my mother, grandmothers and my great-grandmother Georganne. She had a few mint leaf plants in the back yard. I always enjoyed plucking from that plant, which had an aroma that would be carried from the back yard to the front by the breeze. I liked placing a few of those mint leaves in my iced tea back in the day.
But, lets take a look at this word “Nothing” that my grandfather Mick dropped on me all those years ago. Nothing means insignificant thing, something that is nonexistent. However, where does something created originate from? The (0) zero-nothin’ has great significance, despite the fact that (0) zero is often overlooked and deemed to be a thing that is looked at in disgust.
However, allow yourself to take in new information.
(0) Zero is understood by those who study divination by way of the Tarot, as the number that represents the Tarot card The Fool-
There is a metaphorical story written by Eden Gray who was a writer on the esoteric meanings of Tarot cards and their use in fortune-telling. Her most recognized work was published during the 1960s and 1970s. The story I am referring to is called The Fool’s Journey. The Fool’s Journey is a metaphor for the journey of life which appeared in her book A Complete Guide to the Tarot. It details a quest or difficult journey through life by utilizing what is known as the 22 cards of the Major Arcana in the Tarot Deck. Each number 1–21 and the number 22 which is connected with the Fool card, is representative of steps in an upwards direction towards a goal to be achieved, lessons and obstacles to be overcome towards those lessons, before one can move forward.
Thus, the Fool (0), nothing, represents beginnings. The Fool stands for each of us as we begin our journey of life. The figure in the card is a fool because only a simple soul has the innocent faith to undertake such a journey with all its hazards and pain. Only a “fool” often is willing to do what others will not do.
At the start of his trip, the Fool is a newborn — fresh, open and spontaneous. The figure on Card 0 has his arms flung wide, and his head held high. He is ready to embrace whatever comes his way, but he is also oblivious to the cliff edge he is about to cross. The Fool is unaware of the hardships he will face as he ventures out to learn the lessons of the world.
The Fool stands somewhat outside the rest of the major arcana. Zero is an unusual number. It rests in the exact middle of the number system — poised between the positive and negative.
The Fool is set in the middle of his own individual universe. He is strangely empty (as is zero, having little to nothing), but inspired with a desire to go forth and learn. This undertaking would seem to be folly, but is it?-Eden Gray
The Fool card and number (0) also represent the God force. It represents the energy, the “power generated” before something happens or before the physical representation of something visualized in the mind.
The Fool in the card looks like he is about to fall. You would look at this guy in real time and yell “Heh Fool stop! Your about to walk off of the cliff, dummy!” However, it does not represent that he is about to fall, it represents that he has room to take one more step. One more opportunity to realize full potential or to not realize full potential. The Fool card is worthy of study and I would suggest taking a look and research this card.
But let’s take a look at the word Fool. Let me hit you with the etymology once again. Fool-silly, stupid, or ignorant person; madman, insane person; idiot. The flip side of this meaning is the English definition of the 1300s, which points to the notion of the fool sage, whose sayings are ironically wise. Sage-wise, knowledgeable, learned; shrewd, skillful.
Once again The Fool=0-nothin’
The word zero has its origin in the word cypher or cyphering, meaning “to write in code or occult characters” from 1560s. Before you write something which is an action, you have to THINK IT first and to take on an action or not is still a choice, which has its origin in nothin’ zero (0).
Secret or occult is just another word for something that is unseen or hidden as in your thoughts. The average person may look at you and if they see you doing nothin’ they have no way of knowing if you are thinking of a plan or not. It is hidden or occult in nature. All they can see is NOTHIN’. Is NOTHIN’ really a bad thing?
Ideas come from nothingness, creation of all things come from nothingness, nonexistence, just as bullshit can come from nothing (insignificant thing).
The definition generally agreed upon by those who study what is known as Sacred Geometry is; the basic fundamental building blocks of our Universe based on mathematics and form that can be found in all of nature.
According to the book Advanced Medical Awareness by Robert & Kerrie Broe — A healing occurs when one knows one’s connection, to the entire fabric of the universe.- Another quote from the book reads “all our geometry, whether sacred or profane, springs from ‘nothing.’ That word NOTHIN’ again zero (0).
Did my great-grandfather understand the metaphysical and occult meaning of what he was saying when he told me, “nothin’…from nothin…leaves you with nothin’, but, if you ever…find yourself with nothin’ you still got somethin’ to start with?” I’m sure he felt power from what he was telling me as surely as he believed I needed to hear his wisdom. Maybe some people just know, without having to slap scientific definitions on what they are trying to say.
Slang terms or words always have more meaning than what is on the surface, “It’s all good,” “Is it good to ya,” “Ain’t nuthin’ but a party,” “It’s Lit,” give off and create a certain energy, that is positive and makes you feel good.
“You ain’t nothing,” “You ain’t ever gon’ be nothin’, “You ain’t ish,” “You ain’t bout nothing’,” “You’ll never amount to nothing,’” ”You’re not going to do nothin’ with your life.” I could go on and on in regards to how the word nothing has been used to hurt and mentally damage people.
I am simply pointing out that there is more to the word NOTHIN’ than you think and if someone is reading this who may NOT have had a loving great-grandfather or other family member. Whom may not have had anyone to give them positive encouragement at any point in life, I hope you were able to read something that set off a spark in you. A spark of encouragement and curiosity to read and learn more about the world around you. A spark to learn more about yourself and to reframe or change the way you recieve the word nothin’.
It might not take the sting away completely from a teacher, parent, relative or anyone else verbally abusing you with it, but if you understand the occult meaning of Fool, Nothin’, (0) Zero, you have an understanding that can empower you, that the dumbass does not have an understanding of. No one should be made to feel like zero but with self knowledge you can be your own inspiration and motivation. When it is your turn, you can inspire someone the way you would have liked to have been inspired. Dig it, Got it, Good.
Thanks for reading.
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The Fool- Awareness, pure potential, spirituality, the world of emanation, the traveler on the journey.
