Can You Be Too Happy?

Today as I walked in the office a co-worker stopped me. She said she had decided to ask me, "Why am I always so damn happy"? She said, "Shak, can you just give me a bit of what you have and sprinkle it in my coffee"? Man, if she only knew. I've been trying to find a way to scientifically reproduce happiness and SLANG it to the masses since I was about 4 years old. I've been ridiculed for being "too damn happy" since a child. “You’re too nice” I still hear all the time. “You have to learn how to deal with the REAL WORLD”. Recently, a sweet guy I was dating knocked on my door while I was singing in the shower. I can't remember what I was getting ready for at the time but we weren’t in a rush. But he started knocking on the door angrily, "Shak, what are you singing about, why are you always so damn happy?” REALLY????? No, I mean REALLY????? Isn't that an oxy-moron, can you really get angry at someone for being too damn happy?



That’s when it started to sink in I’m not from this planet. No it’s the only logical explanation. Maybe, people are right. I must not be a part of “THE REAL WORLD”. I can't help but to find the joy in the GRIND. My cup has always been full not half full but really full. And as a result, folks from far and wide have taken it upon themselves to try to drag me down to their level of misery or rather take me back into “THE REAL WORLD”. But I don’t live there. I’ve tried being miserable and depressed like most other people. But the truth is I’m just no good at it. I’ve even tried being really mean and totally inconsiderate of other people, and it ended up hurting me more than the folks I was trying to intentionally hurt. Remember, what goes towards comes back towards. I’m happy because I give off happiness. My other co-worker said, "Shak you're like a Disney princess, singing while you work for 7 dwarfs like Snow White". NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! That might be taking it a bit too far. A Disney Princess?


Perhaps the real truth is no one sees the amount of effort and sweat I put into taming my inner beast. We have to fight every day the good fight to be NICE people. The reason it’s such a fight and uphill battle is that we live in a world that doesn’t see the value in treating each other nicely. Sure there are several books that preach it’s the RIGHT way to live (the bible, the Koran, the Torah…Aesop’s Fables). But who reads and believes those books right? I mean it’s one thing to quote a parable or two, but no one is crazy to live that way right?


"The honey bees that fetch the nectar from the flower to the comb
Never tire of ever buzzing to and fro.
Because they take a little nip, from ev`ry flower that they sip.
And hence, they find their task is not a grind.


For a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.
Medicine go dow-wown, medicine go down.
Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down
In the most delightful way."
---Mary Poppins




Shak aka The “happy” alien
100.

Scarcity or Abundance?

Photographer: Jaques Slade

"Pawn Shop"

Chess Board

S: 1/10

A: 1.8

FL: 35mm

ISO: 400

I really dig the above photograph for a few reasons...

a) I love chess

b) I love photography and

c) because Jaques shares his camera settings

Now, chess and photography are things that I'm super interested in, in part because I have, by no stretch of the imagination, perfected my skills just yet.  I'm still learning and that's cool with me. 

Regarding the camera settings...it's just dope to me because instead of hoarding how Jaques Slade got to that point so that no one else could match it, he decided to share.  I'm sure it's partially to remember his own growth but to also give his knowledge away.  That's a large part of the reason Dies and I decided to start this site because the information we were trying to get we couldn't find ANYWHERE.... Well at least not in one place.  We're talking scouring the world wide web, magazines and picking at bits and pieces from random conversations.  We wanted to know..."How do you sustain a winning life?"  "How do you get to actualizing your dreams?"  I mean, you read the articles and see the shows on how someone got there after they've already done it but what about the PROCESS?  That's the key.  Think: Life/Happiness/Success is not a destination, it's a journey.  So, we want to share our process and that of other grinders we come into contact with along the way.  We wanted to build a home for grinders and dreamers.  A place where..."everyone knows your name" lol...ok, maybe not Cheers but, a place where other people like us from anywhere could tap into and see themselves..right. now.  Because life is about right now.  What I'm doing right now to be more.  So, I share what I've learned in hopes that it helps and that I'll get the next piece of my puzzle through this self discovery.  Already, I've "met" so many people who are incredibly fresh (what up 365ers?!) and I never would've had the opportunity if I'd subscribed to the scarcity mentality.

Scarcity (think: greed, hoarding, being withdrawn, etc) begets more of itself.  What I know for sure is that scarcity is:

a) something learned and

b) something that will not allow me to become my very best self.

I truly believe in abundance.  I know that my thoughts are my own, just as my vision is, as well.  I have something incredible to share on so many different levels and when I continue to open myself up to experiencing life abundantly that's precisely what I'll get in return.  It's pretty a-ma-zing and it's quite simple.  The difficulty resides in remembering to remember it when people who love me tell me to "be wary of...."  I must be wise, learn from my mistakes, of course, but I don't have to guard myself from anyone.  I'm here to help you and you are here to help me.  So, thank you so much in advance!  Preeesh!  hahahaha

100.

Bright

I'm Inspired By: New Years Resolution-ish

This year I’ve decided to part ways with my ol’ pal, a real gentleman.  That’s right, no more Jack Daniels #7. It’s really nothing personal against him. I’ve had so many good times; I can’t begin to recall all of them. But every good thing comes to an end right? Or perhaps it comes to a stopping point, only to rediscovered later. That’s how life is…ebbs and flows.


Bottom line: Shak ain’t drinking no more. And no I didn’t come to a religious understanding about the subject. Nor did anyone tell me about my personal health demise from abusing it. I made the decision to stop based on a cost/benefit analysis. I want to be a great runner. I want to be in the best shape in my life. I want to be able to perform in front of crowds with explosive, contagious energy.


I can not accomplish this and be a DRINKER. That’s it, it’s really that simple. I just made a decision. And I could write a blog about how important and how powerful it is to make decisions BUT that’s not what this particular blog is about kids.


This is about how people will react when YOU decide to make a decision about YOU. Come again? That’s right, when you get ready to make up your mind to do things a bit differently, you can expect a bunch of folks to start acting crazy based on a decision you’ve made about yourself. Case in point: I stopped drinking but I didn’t stop partying. As a result, the last 4 outings I’ve been to, I’ve heard at least one of my friends get real “pissy” about me not drinking. One chick said, “No, I can’t believe you’re not going to take at least one shot. This is ridiculous! You’re at least taking one shot”. Am I? Really? It seems so trivial until it happens at every event you attend.


Ever wonder why your friends/fam-bam get so upset at you for changing? It’s because we are all MIRRORS. When ever you change a pattern or behavior that’s incredibly consistent with who you are; it challenges what people think about you in the first place. But more importantly, it challenges what they think about themselves.

Shak
100.

Why I've turned off my tv...

At first it was necessity.  I needed to eliminate some bills that I could live without.  Then, I just didn't desire it any longer.  I mean how many reality shows pitting people against one another can I really watch stomach?  Sad and disturbing news shows...Gossip tv....  I've found better use for my time.  I was writing more and reading a hell of a lot more.

I remember when I was in high school and found out over convo after school one day that my art teacher, Mr. D'Andrea, didn't own a television.  WHAT?!  You've got to be kidding me!  I told him about all there was to watch on tv, "You're missing Seinfeld!"  lol  I told him about Bob Ross ("Happy Trees"), gotta love that guy..he was hilarious and so sincere.  Anyhoo...I digress....  But Mr. D'Andrea was a G(enius).  He could play most instruments, paint, draw, sketch, was dope with graphic design, an amazing photographer AND he found time to do all of those things at my school and teach us how to as well.  Only now does it dawn on me that he could be so prolific because he wasn't spending his time watching Dynasty reruns and Dawson's Creek.  hahahahaha

If there is a show I'd like to watch (Entourage), I netflix or hulu.com it.  I know I've expanded myself exponentially from cutting the cord.  A year or two ago this guy basically ripped me a new one stating that he would never hire me if I came to him for a job because I worked in the entertainment industry and didn't have cable.  
A) Dude, I'm not asking you for a job annnnnd 
B) I'm probably more in tune with what really matters in my industry...Hello, I LIVE it everyday!  hahahahaha  Bless his heart.

I keep up with new directors I really dig and continue to expand my horizon on the classics.  I have no desire to recreate what already exists.  I seek to strengthen my own vision.  By and large, television for me was a distraction.  TV was something that allowed me to "zone out" when I really didn't need that, I needed to delve within.  I'm creating what I want to see because I definitely don't need filler, I desire substance.

100.

Bright

p.s. check out http://georgetwopointoh.com.  An example of what we can do with what we have when we turn it off for a sec.

I'm Inspired By: 365ers

Photographer: Tony Price

Gotta love technology.  Thursday, the homie, Yohance, tweets, "ART, 365 days of it. http://www.365ers.com/"  The name alone is the hook.  I go to the site and check it out.  It is, in a word, "fresh."

Their motto:

"Every year, we all make resolutions of some sort and end up breaking them at some point. So instead of making a resolution, we all decided to document our growth over the year through photos, video, audio clips, or simple words. This is our story ART...ONCE A DAY...EVERYDAY"

The 365ers are a collection of 10 artists and you get an opportunity to see a myriad of visions and thoughts.  For instance...

"This week has taught me that excuses will just lead me to a non-life where I don't really do anything or truly live."

-Sui Solitaire reflecting on her lack of shooting this week because of rain

Woooow!  That's real.  When I honestly sit down and look at myself, being a "non-liver" = certain death.  Everyday I have to make a succession of decisions that keep me on the "liver" path or else life just just ends up being something that happens to me.

What's so dope about this site is that like us, they've decided to chronicle their individual growth along their ascension.  It made me take a sec to think about what I do everyday.  What I do and "don't have time for."  The mind tells the body what to do, right?  Can't I create something EVERYDAY?  When I initially thought about it, I found trouble in that sometimes I feel like I have to "tap" into my creativity, kinda like turning on and off a light switch, because of work stuff.  I am soooo tired after these 18-20 hour days (remeber 3:30a? lol).  But that just sounds like an excuse to me because we make time for what we want don't we?  Granted, often times it feels like there aren't enough hours in a day but I have to make it work...somehow..someway.  How else will I "be the change [I] wish to see"?  Then, it occurred to me...the fact that my "work" consists of creative problem solving ("so, we need to come up with a plan to recapture the elephant in case it escapes." real talk but, more on that another time. lol).  My creativity is a large part of me, I don't have to outsource it.  As long as I'm diligent, I'm golden...I will make it happen.

100.

Bright
aka
Liver

p.s.  thanks Tony for letting me use your piece :)

Thanks, Dave

 Alternatively entitled:
"Why you have to be on top of your game even at 4a"

My dramatic interpretation of "Random Dude" aka Dave 

So, this morning I was at the gym doing my warm up.  Today it consisted of 15 sprints up 4 flights of stairs.  OK.  After about the 9th one this random dude who'd been sitting at the bottom of the stairs watching me comes up and tells me he wants to race me to the top.  O.....K....?  So, I said, "sure."  He literally raced me to the top...and beat me!  Ugh!!  I was on his tail though.  lol  Anyhoo, so as he's panting (lol classhole move #43) I say, "Is that all you're gonna do?"  He's like "huh?"  I said, "Yeah, that was my 10th one.  I've got like 4 more to go."  He calls me on it and tells me he's gonna get me at least 3 out of the 4.  Wow.  Ok.  So we go for it.  He gets me every. time.  Damn!  Right before the last one as he takes a sec to catch his breath (classhole move #46) and he gives me pointers.  Dope.  The last go I almost got him.  I was on his heels.  At the end, he lays out at the top of the stairs and tells me he's gonna pass out.  I give him some dap, say "Thanks, Dave" and I walk down the stairs to finish my work out. 

Now, old uber prideful Bright might've been insulted or pissed that "random dude" aka Dave decides to race me at 4AM.  But, I am appreciative because I want to be better all the way around and the universe was giving me what I asked for.  I was open to hearing Dave's critique which really made me work smarter not harder.  I didn't really view him as an opponent but more as an ally.  He was, after all helping me.  He helped me to max out myself in my warm up!  Seriously, my pride wouldn't let me do it in front of him but, as soon as I got downstairs I had to sit down because I thought I was gonna hurl.  lol  But that 's what it's about.  I gotta go hard even at 4AM.  I mean, what's the point of going if you're not going to give it your all in every. single. moment.  Thanks for the reminder, Dave.

100.

Bright

Don't Worry, Be Happy...Doo do do doodoo doodoo :)

My belief #268: Clemies are definitely purely made of smiles

What gives me chills up my spine?  What makes me cry tears of joy?  Beauty.  When I think of beauty, I think of beautiful spirits...art...and determination.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I'm starting to realize that happiness is as well.  We are taught that happiness fits into a box or is intangible by most but I believe that it's in everything all day long.  I pray every morning and evening that I am able to see and experience how wonderful my life is moment by moment.  What I am learning is that gratitude is a major component of that happiness..that beauty.

Never compare your best or worst days to someone else's.  Why?  Because it just never compares.  We all have our struggles and when we try to do a side by side the scale always tips someone's way.  Who am I to say that my accomplishment of running without wanting to just stop already every 5 seconds isn't as dope as someone who's run their 19th marathon?  I always try to focus on the good even when it seems like it all sucks.  My motto#472 (yeah I've got like a trillion) is that "it's gonna work out because it has to."  That's it.  I am hopeful and thankful.  A friend was sleeping in her car and I could provide a place to shower and sleep for the evening.  I was so appreciative that I could help.  I've slept on couches before and this chick was just on her grind.  She hadn't given up at all.  She reminded me to be thankful I could be there for someone I didn't know that well.  I'm learning new things to be thankful for everyday.

Some stuff I am appreciative for in no particular order:

My homie, "Fat Steve", is in remission 
I love Clementines, and I like to call them "Clemies"
My sister
The rain when it comes every now and again in LA
Hot tea 
NetFlix
Faith in my practice 
My existence
Movies = my life
Love
Green
Blue
Music = soundtrack of my life
My mom
The amazing way that eyes work (think about it...you can focus on something close or far away just by thinking it, even if you don't realize you are)
Friends (every last one I've ever had and will ever have)
Passion
Celeste
Having my apartment
Daddy-o
Uncle Lo
My bed
LAUGHTER
Wine
Getting paid to eat sushi for dinner tonight (awesome!)
Learning to run
FreeStyles!
Missy Hardesty
Inspiration (because it's everywhere) 

Gratitude allows me to appreciate this grind.  To see all the people I can learn from and all the people I can help along the way.  It allows me to be inspired and not block out the inspiration because I'm waiting for something else to come along to make this very moment better.

Gratitude=Happiness

100.

Bright

I'm Inspired By: Gnarls Barkley

Can’t stop all these stories from being told
U crazy?
I want to unfold…evolve
I'm tyring to solve
sh** that ain’t been done
Since nothing is new
I’ll find it under the sun
Never run from
go towards
Keep rollin gotta get the rewards
U can keep the applause
Always movin never a pause
Well maybe for a minute
Jack & coke n’ it,
Livin it up…then feelin sick with it
I’m slippin
Swayin from my vision
Thank god she sewed me up
Made a lasting incision
In my heart
So when I stray
I’m still on a mission
Can’t get lost
God knows
I’ve made wrong decisions
I’m the come back kid
Tightly swingin
in the last inning

Shakira

100.

I'm Inspired By: Kids Doing Their Own Thing

This reminds me of one of my fav SNL skits "Baby Toupee"...

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/baby-toupee/27129/

Fame Does Not Equal Success

If I allow my success to be based on how much money I net or what other people think about what I do then I've lost.  It's akin to looking for happiness outside of myself.  My friend Michael Curry, II and I were discussing this at length before I left Atlanta.  He told me that he stopped thinking about whether or not he was successful based on anything other than the effort that he gave to what he was going after.  This speaks to "100%" on the logo and "100." at the close of every post.  If he gives maximum effort then he has won.  I haven't fully liberated my ego to that extent just yet.  Meaning, I have not completely freed myself of the financial parameters of success.  I do not believe that anyone has to be broke to live from their passion.  However, I do believe that it should not be the sole basis for traversing the path.  What I am discovering though is that my love of storytelling is trumping my initial fear of perfection.  I was afraid of doing anything because of it possibly not being perfect.  The reason we made our logo with "FAME" crossed out and "SUCCESS" written above it is to illustrate that they are not synonymous.  With all that's being thrown at us everyday in the media, sometimes it's hard to remember that our success is truly subjective.  There are people who remind me of this on the daily, Michael Curry, II, George Peters, II and now Guy Ritchie.  Guy Ritchie stated that "Revolver" was his favorite movie to date because of the subject matter it tackled.  He addresses the fact that a lot of people didn't like the film at all.  He took another look at the it and decided that he was in fact proud of his piece and confident that people will come around when they're more open to seeing themselves.

Sometimes, I get so scared about whether or not anyone will get "it."  That "it" being the story I'm trying to share.  What that equates to is that I'm afraid people won't get me.  I know now, though, that is merely the perceived self rearing it's ugly head again.

Here's the thing...Success is doing what you're inspired to do no matter what anyone thinks.  It's sharing your voice in whatever capacity you are drawn to and living life "100." everyday.  As Shon, my trainer, says, "Time waits for no one, Bright."  Time to get it in.

100.

Bright

My Life's Purpose

http://www.inner-cityarts.org/who-we-are-campus.php

There was an opening article “How to Discover Your Life’s Purpose in about 20 minutes” from Steve Pavlina that I remember reading a few months ago. http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/01/how-to-discover-your-life-purpose-in-about-20-minutes/

He said in order to find your life’s purpose sit still and then write at the top of the page “What is my TRUE purpose in life”? At first most of the stuff that you write is surface crap according to him. I guess one could write things like to become a millionaire and to have plenty of women. Then your purposes may get a bit deeper like to become an actress, to be a director, or to be a librarian. But after awhile if you force yourself to keep asking the question, it will APPEAR…it’s the purpose that makes you cry uncontrollably. It sounded interesting enough but I never got around to actually taking the test but…

This morning I got a text from http://www.idealist.org/. Dope website BTW. And as part of the text message they send 2-3 job postings per day. One of which was a gig for an Inner City Arts Theatre Manager. Now I had no intention on applying for the job, but “Inner City Arts” peaked my interest. And when I went on their site to learn more about the organization, I spotted their headquarters. The building was BEAUTIFUL! I mean the type of design and architecture that would be featured on Kanye West’s Blog. But this wasn’t located in Beverly Hills or in Brentwood, or even in Santa Monica; it’s was located in, well, the inner city of Los Angeles. And when I imagined a scene of kids pouring into the building, I started crying. I remember the first time I saw my school's campus in Brentwood, it was beyond belief. And at my desk, the tears swelled up in my eyes, it was out of my control. Then I remembered Steve’s blog.

My life changed when my environment changed. I remember going from having bars outside my apartment's windows to driving through neighborhoods filled with mansions. But I had to travel to a whole new world to experience the beauty. Little did I know back then, that when a person changes inside so does her environment. I was a BIG dreamer even as a child.

But to dream is one thing, to set out to fulfill a life's mission is a whole 'nother thing. Thanks Steve, who knew my purpose, was so simple. It’s the purpose that makes you cry with or without your permission.

My life’s purpose:
To become the most brilliant (light-bearing) person I can be in this lifetime by helping to ignite the fire and passion in others whose light is barely flickering; to inspire “inner city youth”, the have-nots, the edge-dwellers, the outcast, the forgotten to dream beyond seeming limitations and in the process, transform barren landscapes of hopelessness to expressions of beauty and unparalleled art.
The words just came. We are here for a purpose. And it ain’t got nothing to do with your mortgage, your rims, or your iphone.

Shak
100.

Breaking the Ego

Freud, Jung and me

*"I'm the only thing I'm afraid of" - Kanye West "Amazing"

*This bears repeating because I am my only formidable opponent.

Let me begin by stating that I love people with what are deemed to be huge egos.  I listen to music that talks about having a big ego...T.I., Jay-Z, Kanye, Lil Wayne, etc.  Because when people call that type of person egotistical I really see confidence.  Now, I don't mean the type who puts down the little guy who is struggling because that's just posing.  But the kind of person who is self aware enough to know their strengths and works on their weaknesses are using their ego to the best of their abilities.  They are constantly working on getting better.

That being stated, I watched Revolver, by Guy Ritchie, last night and again today (I love the dvd extras lol).  The concept of the film is man versus self.  This has always been my favorite of the basic story types.  The others are man versus nature and man versus man.

Anyhoo...I realized that I have always been attracted to this theme and it is only fitting as it's what I'm researching now.  The "coincidences" are still coming and I love it.  The deal with Revolver and all man versus self stories is that the hero/antihero must face himself in order to "win."  What this brings to light in my life is self reflection.  Breaking down myself and seeing how I let my ego hinder me is the only way I'll win in my life.  Allowing the ego play as it likes makes my life a swinging pendulum as opposed to staying the course.  The negative aspect of ego is what tells me I'm afraid.  The undeveloped ego is what brings about hardships in the form of false allies.  When I really sit down and think about it my focusing on something negative is what actually brought that negative (fill in the blank) into my life.

The trick, I'm finding, is not to just fight those negative thought tendencies but to really break them down.  Who told me I couldn't do something in my life?  Why do I feel small when I don't know some type of factual information?  I know that the answer to the latter is that I based my self worth for a large portion of my life on how intelligent I was.  That was the ego, in it's negative form, showing up as my perceived self.  People perceived me as smart so that's who I was.  When that was challenged I felt like my entire life was at stake so, I would go into uber defensive mode.  Protecting that perceived self at all costs, because without that, who would I be?

"The only way to get smarter is to play a smarter opponent."  

- Fundamentals of Chess, 1885

The unfortunate part of that equation is that I was in fact retarding my growth and thereby my intelligent quotient by not asking questions or allowing myself to be informed.  Ahhhh, hindsight is 20/20, right?  My sister and her friend call them "hiccups".  lol  Sometimes we don't know ourselves well enough to see ourselves and are unable to come back from a massive perceived self attack aka a blow to the ego.  So, last night while I was sleeping I started to think about my perceived self versus who I think I am.  This is not to say that I don't listen to people who tell me what they think about me.  The trick is are they completely informed?  Meaning do I present my most authentic self?

"I want to be seen here in my pure natural ordinary fashion without pose or artifice for it is myself that I portray."
- Goethe

I have definitely been working on making sure that comes through.  If I'm peeved or extremely pissed off, I've been working on sharing that sooner rather than later and in a method that conveys what I really mean to say.  I share what I think is dope about people, too.  Too often people only know what we think sucks about them.  If they knew what we thought rocked about them they would probably do more of that, feel me?  I digress.  I am flawed and that's what makes me awesome.  I can relate to people on a host of different topics if I listen and share me...all of me.  The good, bad and not so hot.  lol  So here's to revamping the ego.  Not allowing it to control me, and it fights me tooth and nail to that end.  But I'm a winner so, I'll do what I do...win.  Sorry, baby ego, someone's gotta "not win."  lol

100.

Bright.

I'm Inspired By: The Grind

I realize for the artist and for the creator, it’s not the final destination where the payoff resides. It’s in the pursuit…it’s in the grind itself. That’s where the inspiration is, that’s where the beauty lives.

It came to me after reading this blog by a down-to-earth casting director, Bonnie Gillespie. She’s one of the good guys, telling actors to pursue their dreams despite the objections and fierce competition. Similar to her, I find it very comforting to encourage others to follow their dreams. Oddly enough, I find it very difficult to push myself. I’m still fighting myself daily to except the call of being both artist and entrepreneur. Because the real is that it’s the actual being up on stage that feels like a million dollars to me. It’s writing this piece that feels like bliss. It’s analyzing a character and making her real that feels AMAZING. It’s the becoming, the molding and the figuring-out of what it is to be really human that is the life of an artist. To bring that sincerity and utmost level of honesty to a story, a movie, a sculpture, a business deal…to stay true to his/her GRIND. Ahhh but what about those illusive, tangible results? How are you a business man without a tangible, money-making, business?

The majority of the world gets into things when there is a clear end in mind. If you want to become a teacher, there is a coherent system in place to become a teacher. It’s the same for doctors, lawyers and even pro-athletes sort of speak. Play ball, practice, train hard and perhaps you will be given an opportunity to play pro. 2+2=4. But what about the kid who wants to share his new vision with the world? Little Billy wants to invent the Space Mobile. Sorry kid no road maps, only mentors that have left hints behind for the same path you want to create. Why? Umm because it doesn’t exist quite yet, well not in the “real” world.

It’s like when I run; I gotta know where the finish line is. But as artists, as entrepreneurs, as people traveling along paths without a clear end; we have to fall in love with the run itself. It’s like getting in a car and being told to drive. Well where and the hell am I going? What if I run out of gas before I get there? All the other cars have tangible road maps, where is mine? What if I’m not fast enough? I’m an older model, I’m already at a disadvantage; will my tires last? But there is a final destination. It resides in our hearts and minds. We can see it even if no one else can.

This is the life of the edge dwellers, the rebels, the creators of a new path, the trouble-makers, the taste makers, the trend setters, the originators, the outcast, the weirdoes, the crazies, the inventors. This blog is home for them. We want more from this world, this space and this lifetime. It’s the questions that drive us to become more. Why doesn’t this exist? Why haven’t people tried this? What about this? Why haven’t people heard this story? And we know the answer is…No one has done this before, why can’t it be me.

Don’t stop asking the questions. We need them. We need you to find the answers. Grind AWAY!

Shak
100.

I'm Inspired By: Cecy Galvan

I remember the first time I met Cecy at a friends house.  She'd just flown in from NY and was exhausted.  Now, Cecy is petite with a swag on about a hundred thousand trillion.  Because of my experience in the commercial industry, I assumed she was a stylist or makeup artist.  They all have that certain jene si quoi...fly makeup and boots, etc.  Wrong.  She's a Publicist and had just finished putting together a photo shoot with all of the Wayans', 1st and 2nd generation, to promote their (at the time) upcoming movie "Dance Flick".  Cecy hails from San Jose, CA and has been here for 9 years.  She's a super grinder and went through the struggle that we all go through.  She started out at one company, helped to build up that company only to not get her just due and was treated like she was expendable.  The difference, you may notice a common theme here, is she decided to continue to press on.  She didn't take the slight sitting down or give up.  She continued to build up her relationships with clients that she devoted energy to when no one really believed in them and gave them her all even though she was getting paid pennies...at best.  When she left the company, one by one, all of the talent she helped build a name and fan base for, followed her...all the way to her own public relations company.

The real is this, when you put in the maximum effort, you give "100." someone will notice.  Someone will see that your gift and work ethic is something they cannot do without.  The talent Cecy was helping could see easily that she truly cared about their success and wanted the best for them.  She didn't go about it in a shady manner.  She kept her nose down and kept grinding with the faith that her passion and drive and determination would bear fruit.  When it did.....she didn't have to wait years to become a senior PR or possible partner of another firm.  She made her way by herself, started her own firm and continues to break boundaries and barriers.  She makes herself, at all of 5ft, a force to be reckoned with through tenacity, creativity, a love for what she does and a vision that she sees through to the end.  Cecy is definitely a grind star, she's probably right now moving on no sleep but doesn't complain a bit.  She's doing what she loves and best of all, like Frankie says, "My Way".


100.

Bright

p.s. check out Cecy Galvan via www.bleuentertainmentpr.com