Who's Bad?

"Out beyond the ideas of right doing and wrong doing there is a field and I will meet you there." - Rumi

There's a lot of talk about who should and shouldn't be revered.  Amber Rose, for instance, received a lot of flack and probably still does about who she is/was.  She's a stripper "turned" model with tatoos, short hair, shapely (she's got curves like real women do and some wish they had)...what is SHE doing being a model and no less in ELLE?!  The fact is, she is a force to be reckoned with because she has tenacity and the will and the courage to BE herself no matter what people think.  The same with Ye, you know the outspoken guy with so much to say, who is a "rapper" who made an album of singing songs, who wears sweaters, polos, leather, all white suits...ummm whatever he so chooses and who designs stuff for Louis Vuitton.  And there's Jay, the guy from Marcy who used to sell drugs, who grew up in the projects, who was accused of stabbing a guy in a club...who owns his own clothing label, is partnered with LiveNation, was the President of Def Jam, who is part owner of the Nets....  There's Oprah, who came from Mississppi, who built up her own brand including and not limited to a satellite radio station, television networks, a girls school in Africa, a magazine and is one of the most trusted names in, I would be so bold as to say, at least 85% of households in the US, not to mention abroad.  All of the aforementioned accolades are not the summation of the above's accomplishments but just a few.  These are people whose lives could have been ordinary or super crappy.  These are people who could have gone down a totally different path but (and that's a big BUT) they didn't.

"We accept the cards life gave us.  But we decide how to play." - Paulo Coelho via Twitter

They each made a decision to make their tomorrows bigger than their yesterdays.  What will you do with today? 

"Do, every day, ALL that can be done that day." - S.O.G.R.

I've taken the above statement very seriously.  The adage of "why put off until tomorrow what you can do today", is so real.  That's the difference between those who want to become and those who are.  It's in the little things that I accomplish that become bigger things.  How can I expect to be more in the here and now unless I am more right now.  Unless I fill the space that I have with maximizing my life and my potential every moment of everyday how will I really succeed?  It does not mean that I don't have fun; I went to a hockey game today.  I also took a 6 hour mentoring training class early this morning and met with a screenwriter right after, to get some mentoring of my own.  I still have a lot of growth ahead of me but as long as I see more successes in my days to come then my life as a whole is a success and I will be the embodiment of more.  If I do things half way then I will only be at 50%.  Here's to being 100 all the time.  

100.

Bright

If You're Even Thinking About It...Don't

Over the last couple of days there's been this recurring concept of "Don't Give Up".  I believe that everything is meant and in stating that, that message was meant for me and for me to share.  I've seen this message in different forms like Jay-Z on "On to the Next One", "can't be scared to fail in the search for perfection".  Regardless of how one may feel about his artistry, Tyler Perry's life story, is something to revere.  He put everything he had into making his vision come to life and no one showed up to the play.  He lost it all, was homeless AND persevered.  It may seem like it's easier to stop, to turn your back on what you dream of, to turn over and hit the snooze.  The consequence?  An emptiness will creep in and cover your heart and turn it against you, like the Alchemist said to the shepherd boy.  Here's the thing, there are a host of obstacles that you will encounter at any moment on any day.  Sometimes I fear those obstacles...fearing that they'll break me, finally.  I have to constantly remember my own courage, because nothing can come that is insurmountable.  My track record stands and I have to occasionally look back at my stats; I always persist no matter what.  I cannot base my worst days against someone else's nor my best.  I've overcome depression so, I "remember to remember" (tm Russell Simmons) that the mere fact that I don't want to die everyday means the world to me, for real.  Financial difficulties come and they go, relationships evaporate and a new one comes around the corner, people may pass away but you'll always have the experiences.  Life is constantly changing, accepting that reminds me to be in the present and in preparation for the future.  I know that I'm making it sound like it's a dire situation and that's because it is.  You are the only one who has your gift and you are the only one who can stop you from sharing that with the world.  Don't. Give. Up.  

p.s. I promise not to either. 

100.

Bright