Respect Your Struggle

Photography: Jewel K. Estephanos

"Respect your struggle it is your greatest teacher." posted via twitter by russell simmons july 25

I used to think that struggle soley meant facing a massively oppressive or aggressive opponent. You know, like working out a problem with a co-worker or facing procrastination. Now, not so much... Sometimes the real struggle lies within that more calm or easy going situation. The struggle to not be comfortable or complacent. To not SETTLE is the biggest one, I think. That is a massive struggle when it comes in such a beautifully wrapped package. It's all warm and cozy inside. Why get up and workout today when I did yesterday and for oh, I don't know the last 3 days in a row...because I can't settle. I won't even buy a pair of glasses that aren't exactly what I want because I refuse to settle. But what about when it isn't so overt. What if it's a job that's going to pay the bills but doesn't have anything to do with your career? What if it's a relationship (business, platonic or romantic) that is past it's expiration date. A lot of times we don't want to walk away from these situations, myself included, because it's uncomfortable to deal with the repercussions. The fallout of of how the other party will take the demise. When I fight my gut instinct that tells me this is over because of how hard it will be to face a person who may be disappointed I take myself off of my path. I don't want to walk away because I feel like I "can just deal with it." It'll be easier for me to deal with than the other person because I'm stronger and far better equipped with being inconvenienced. Moreover, I don't want to be the "bad guy". What is the worst that could happen from being honest? Are you going to die? I mean really...that's the question I always try to pose to myself when I come up against these situations..."Am I going to die?" Usually the answer is "no". lol Sidebar: I'm going airborne in a few weeks and I think I'll leave that question off the table when I get nervous before jumping out of the plane. lol Anyhoo...life is made up of tough decisions. It seems like those of us who are leaders happen to have an unusually high number of those decisions to make in their lifetimes. Well, I guess that's what we get for being "Spartans...birthed in the flames of fire...." Sorry, I love how melodramatic "300" really is. And yes, I am a spartan.... Check my stats.

100.

Bright

The News...It's just not that Inspirational

So I came up with a plan.

I couldn’t help but wonder why I just can’t get into watching the morning or evening news, I wouldn’t even know what’s going on in the world if it wasn’t for Twitter/Facebook. I mean even with the breaking news story of M.J.’s death (rest in peace) and the financial crisis, the reporters just can’t seem to hold my attention. And that’s when it hit me. I think someone needs to write Mr. Murdock a letter and tell him to fire human reporters at once and hire PUPPETS.

I don’t know if it’s their AMAZING puppet personalities or variety in their skin color that holds my attention (ok kinda racist). I haven’t even watched a commercial until the Nike ads aired with the pseudo Kobe/Lebron puppets. Is it just me or are they much more interesting than the real players? And if you recall the last muppet recession email I sent; they could use a few gigs too. Wouldn’t you guys watch CNN more if Grover was reporting on U.S. unemployment? I mean he was a struggling waiter, hell he’s probably still unemployed…I would listen to what he had to say.

P.S. Miss Piggy born in Iowa, entered beauty contests to make money before her career took off. Everyone starts somewhere. (I know useless, random trivia, but I though someone might appreciate it or become inspired).

Shak

100.

Freestyle Friday...Who's Next?

The Recession:

By Me...Shak

Everybody talkin’ bout the recession

But folks been at recess

While im countin dollars w/ aggression

Im sorry to be rude, pardon my expression

Got lil time for all the whining

I rather sip wine, while wining and dinning

Focus on what’s good

The rest will come in time

Don’t drink life cheaply

Go all out and put in on the line

I’m top shelf it’s gotta be gentleman jack

Not into countin’ pennies, gotta be stacks

It don’t make sense, if ur dough subtracts

Key to success is bout stayin on track

Like timbos beats, snares and high hats

U can go after the do-re-mi and not get rich

Like a chick who sings high but stays off pitch

Wealth is where ur heart is, it’s a test

Some pass Go others stop, cardiac arrest

I'm Inspired By Jay-Z: (D.O.A.) Death of Autotune)

By Me: Shak

These dudes lost their attitude

So they spit verses straight autotune

It’s not groomed it’s outta tune but

U spend some dough, u can be my groom (haha)

My plate been full, but I’ll make some room

I’m a million dollar baby,

Switched up the dowry, u gotta pay me

Hustling foreva, u can’t save me

No holy water or anointed oil

Can kill my cool, my blood don’t boil

My face familiar like mom’s fish and oil

Sizzlin’ in the pan, hand’s fresh out the soil

Plantin’ so many seeds, can’t match my toil

HA HA…

Pleeeeease u know who this be…

When u think me…think ROYAL…

I'm Inspired By: Tyler Perry

Here's my response to CNN's article on Tyler Perry.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/07/23/bia.tyler.perry/index.html

The lesson here is simple:

Those who create and retain ownership (Think Cash Money & George Lucas) are those who win. Therefore, struggle if we must, but by all means keep our content. It’s like u said Bright, we gotta keep the right to our MASTERS.

I love how he says the critics are missing the point about his messages. I’m sure the majority of middle to upper class Black America turns their noses when they hear about Perry’s success. But shouldn’t a film maker be able to create whatever his little heart desires? I mean damn, why is that Black film makers always have this pressure to create master pieces that break earth-shattering boundaries? Give me a break, a film should be enjoyable, and looking at his box-office receipts…his audience tends to think so.

But I really love this dude because he’s a maverick. He’s a modern day Mary Poppins giving his audience doses of inspiration hidden behind comedy and common stereotypes found in the black community. I hate to say it but when you look at the Great Debaters (dope movie btw), and you look at the box office numbers; the proof is in the pudding. In large, Black folks did not go out to see that movie. Why? Well some may argue the Debater’s theme about integrating blacks into higher academia might be a bit overbearing. But it’s an important message right? So what does a black film maker who wants to convey an important message do? This is where other brilliant artists like Kanye West succeed and many others fail. In large people go to the movies to laugh, to be moved to tears and to escape life’s REAL PROBLEMS. It’s the art of sugar coating the medicine that allows some artists to disguise their hidden agenda of giving us the “Message” without us ever noticing it. Remember these lyrics, “They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus. That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes. But if I talk about God my record won't get played Huh?” LOL, Only Ye can stick it to the radio heads and make them play a song mentioning God. It’s not that great messages can’t prevail in today’s society; it’s simply that they can’t be explicit in nature. Hasn’t it always been that way? The message is always in the details, look closely and you’ll find them there. Whoever thinks Star Wars is about space ships and battles in other star systems is WRONG.

But for today, I’m smiling because an ordinary dude with big dreams becomes the first owner of a black film studio, not a USC Film Grad or a major Hollywood producer. Just proves our point even further. It’s not skill, it’s not genius that guarantees success in this lifetime; but rather sheer determination and the BELIEF that one can do it. T-Perry, I see you boy!

Shak

100.

May the force be with yall.

On Change and Selling Out...

Photography: Robert Buelteman

Today, I took a look at a blog my mom posted on her facebook page (sidebar: yes, my mom is on facebook. Your mom probably is, too. lol weeeiiiirrrrd awkwaaaarrrd. But at the same time kinda dope because my mom lives back in Atlanta). Anyhoo, so this blog was about photography which I'm really into and working on getting better. The guy the article was about (one of his photographs is above), Robert Buelteman who at 51 decided to change up his game a bit. He'd already seen success, his work published countless times over, a staple in Yale University Art Museum and so on. If he's winning in his career, why the change?

"It isn’t that I was running from dissatisfaction so much as I was seeking new possibilities for myself and for my art,” he stated.

That's the thing, "seeking new possibilities". When I feel complacent, I feel like I'm dying. Much in the same way Natalie Portman's character felt so compelled to do something unique in "Garden State", I HAVE to do something...anything. I love the people I consort with because they inspire me. My friends are so dope and I feel so fortunate. Diesel(Shak) and I can come up with a trillion ideas without even trying just over our phone convos. I try to fill my life with more people, more books, more websites, movies, etc that really inspire me. Even if that inspiration is just to laugh, you know? As a creative, sometimes I feel stuck. Where will my next treatment come from? Are my thoughts becoming too predictable or gen pop-ish? The worry starts to creep in... did I lose it? The fear is all too real even though I always come out of it. Will I ever have another idea? It sounds crazy when I think about it now, in times of boundless creativity because I know that well is endless. As long as I keep creation in my mind and not competition my creativity will forever be bountiful.

As Buelteman stated, "Dancing is its own reward, and once you try to do it right, you’ve lost the rhythm."

Once you try to create for your audience's sake soley then you've lost your authenticity and with that your audience. People think that artists of any genre sell out when they start to make money. Money is not the "root of all evil." In fact not making that doe-ray-me(tm Shak) off of your natural talent is a "sin". What else is it for if not for you to live from and help others? The real is that when people lose themselves and start making their art to fit a mold instead of constantly growing in the way that is natural for them because of that fear of losing the success, they've already started to falter. It's hard, I'm sure, to stay on the path. That's where that inspiration comes in. I want people to tell me if my ish sucks. Not on some hater type situation but people that are truly for me will tell me the real because that's what I do for them. I have to keep honest people around me who are also working on bettering themselves so that we all grow. No one grows from tons of "yes men", no one.

100.

Bright

Authenticity - Persevere - Inspire

excerpts from http://blogs.photopreneur.com/sparking-new-life-into-a-photography-career