Stay on Course

With so many people talking about living your dreams in this horrible economy, I always find it interesting how they lack the intricate details that will take you over the edge into what you envision yourself accomplishing. In my current book, Live with Passion for your Purpose, I plan to help dispel the how-to's of moving into owning the business you have dreamed of.

Here's a little preview of what's to come:

1.Check your ID. Do you know who you are? When people are asked this question, they will answer with what their occupation, title, or daily function in life is, ie, Dr., mom, engineer, teacher. Where these may be roles that we play in life, there was a function that God designed each of us to do through out our lives. We have these assignments and then we have life. And life takes precedence over what we were designed to. Life takes over bombarding us with horrible bosses, busy lives, soccer games, church obligations, taking care of family and other things that weigh down on us making us feel overwhelmed and that we don't have anything more to give. Let alone do what we actually want to do. Why? Risk is involved. Following the plans God has for us will be the most risky decision that you will make in life. Why? You don't know the entire plan! See, with making our own plans, it's very easy for us to assume the projected outcome, that is unless unexpected events occur. We can navigate our way through life by setting goals that will yield a projected and calculated result. Therefore we know in five years we can get to a certain point but unfortunately, for most people when they attain those goals, it's not enough. Life still isn't fulfilling because the accomplishments made are what we calculated, not what God designed. When we yield ourselves to the plans of God, we lay down our plans and open ourselves up to the splendor of developing a relationship with God to know the plans He designed us for.

So, who are you? Do you know what you were designed to do? What burns in your soul and fills you with urgency? Knowing who you are is key to leading a fulfilling life.

Back on the Saddle

Today was a day of getting back on the saddle for my endeavors. It actually felt good, getting rejected by people who were so into their own thing, not wanting to be bothered, they didn't even hear the question, "Are you a coffee drinker?" Many times, the answer was,"No thank you" as opposed to, "No, but thank you" which is a major difference. The first says, don't bother me, I don't want to hear what you have to say, the later, answers the question and thanks me for asking... I was asking to be able to invite coffee drinkers, and art lovers, to see my art, while enjoying a FREE tall coffee at a local Starbucks, this Friday evening. I was outside of the neighboring grocery store. Amazingly though, as I approached others in other areas, they welcomed the invitation. Granted I didn't have to ask if they drink coffee, I politely excused myself and invited them out. I supposed I could have asked another question, but this FREE coffee is most appealing to coffee drinkers...and if they don't drink coffee, more than likely don't frequent Starbucks. I hear you, Starbucks offers more than coffee...but that's what is going to be free and people come for free stuff!

What's my point in rambling on about my encounter? When you are starting a new business, the not so glamorous work has to be done, initially by you because if you don't, you won't know how to better meet the needs of the people. You won't identify with the people you will hire later to do the grunt work. I met some great people, people that had seen my art in the shop and now can connect the art to the artist. Had one person ask about a painting I did and titled it, "Mean Green Joe" he wanted to know if I named it after the football player. I didn't, but have been asked that before.

If nothing else, it raises awareness of my art. I was asked if I have a gallery, and am hoping to have one this year. It also helps me to remember what being the everything of a start up feels like, it reminds me to not take No as a rejection, and it reminds me that the destiny of my business is up to me. Although it doesn't feel good to get rejected by people who don't know me, my cause or my product, I can't take it personally...and ultimately I still get excited when people say no, because it means a yes is right around the corner.

Stay on the saddle, you'll get used to the soreness!

Overwhelmed

I am sitting here trying to take in all that I am witnessing via live TV. We have, finally, a president of color, a black man, a man who represents me, who resembles me, who I can identify with.

Yesterday, I briefly spoke with my best friend, who is a video and photo journalist in Baltimore, who also has white house clearance and was called upon by CNN to work this entire weekend, about what he felt, what he sees and hears...because his perspective is magnified through the lenses he uses...no filtering, just raw footage of real humans and real emotions. He proceeded to tell me about a couple he met, the husband white and wife black and the struggles they faced upon the beginnings of their love for one another because then, it was illegal for them to be together. And had it been reversed and he was black, he probably wouldn't have been here to tell his story.

Then, I spoke briefly to my mom, and listened for a moment of how she and her girlfriend was reminiscing about growing up in Alabama...how the day she was going to take her driving test, the instructor said prior to her even taking off, "Ain't no niggas gonna get no license here today!" And just even now, thinking of the years of struggle my dad has endured as being the only black guy, but never being able to quit because he had to work so that we could eat. But having to prove himself time over time to get to where he is so we could make it. And it seems like now, we all have made it...after the swearing in of our first black president.

It's truly uncanning to even begin to think how this will change America. How hearing stories of the guy I like had been called nigger by his teachers, or my best friend grew up in the racially divided southern state of NC, with dirt floors and rats and no general heating...and he is younger than me. How will we change? How will we move forward in this new day of new unprecedented times, that for the first time in 200 years, the "White's Only" sign has finally come down, from the White House as well as America.

What do we do with this day? There is no way that we can continue on the course we were on, of self-destruction, hate, racism, and division. I can't. This moment in History has changed my life forever, and I pray that the revision of history begins today. Let us tell the story that can never be silenced again! The history of the endurance of our parents, and forefathers. For me, it means taking it to the next level and no longer relying on the strength of our forefathers to just keep us keeping on...holding on...for the need of just barely making it has ceased, and we have been transitioned into a time where we will thrive, we will make it, we will do it.

I am truly overwhelmed.

Greatness

Have you ever said to yourself or someone else, that you know you are destined for greatness? So, if you are...what are you doing to bring it to pass, to see the greatness be demonstated in your life, during your time on this earth? Are you eating right and doing all you can to be the best professional athlete? Are you practicing to become the best writer or musician? Are you taking the extra measures to study to be the next dieases cure specialist? You have the power within to be the best you can be! There is no secret formula, there is nothing you can buy to short cut the hard work that needs to go into accomplishing our dreams, because the reality is, most of us haven't been born into wealth to do what we want, so we have to be all the more creative of getting things done! I only know one way, through prayer and depending on God...see if He gave you the desire to write, then it's up to him to see that gifting be used to the highest. That is the power within you, the spirit of God that enables you to do what He created you to do. Tap into God, tap into your purpose, and see the greatness come alive.

Flop

What do you do when an event flops? Well, today's Forum for Teenagers was a flop! I think it was a culmination between not enough marketing and the MLK Parade! MLK Parade! I didn't know, so next time I have to be more conscious of dates and possible other events because all the teenagers were at the parade or performing in the parade! But then again, I wonder if they even announced my event at the high school next door...I should have done what I knew to do, beat the streets and pass out fliers to parents and to kids.

So, I will take a step back and figure out the best way to re-do this event, would it have been more successful in a different area? What about the time? All questions that are running through my mind. But I won't beat myself up about it. Actually, there's a teen group that meets at the facility that I was having it, they return meeting next month...perhaps we can coordinate with their meet time to speak on the topic. It is a good topic.

The good part out of it...I was able to identify some other opportunities.

Whew

Well, my first week back in the saddle of business development has worn me out! I forgot how cushy and comfy a desk job has you spoiled to limited work. No wonder so many people get out of shape easily. But nothing beats the fresh breeze in you face as you walk up the steps to your next appointment. I was out promoting the Jan 17th Forum, Start the Year Right, for teenagers ages 13-18 at the Martin Luther King Community Center in Dallas, TX. It will be a time for teenagers to let go of the past, assess where they are now and make plans to move into the future. It will be an awesome time!

So much to do this year, and I've just made it through the first week, which is phenomenal because it's here! I have been launched into the new year and it's so awesome. A client/friend of mine and I talk weekly. This week I told him we should strive to have one praise report every week! He concurred...what about you? What are you doing about moving into the deeper things of God and your purpose? Are you doing what's necessary and surrounding yourself with positive people that hold you accountable? Stop talking about what you want to do and just do it! Be creative in your way to get things done instead of making excuses as to why you can't do it!

Over the edge

So many times in life, we come to the edge and back down. Too afraid to explore what is on the other side. Feeling like the leap is impossible to make although what we see over there is what we truly desire, and so in our depressed exuberance, our candor for living, we default back to the safe side where we have always been and know we don't belong.

I urge you, no, I dare you to jump over the edge and explore life from a different angle, from a different perspective, from a different vantage point. It's so much easier then you thought it would be, and it is worth the risk! Life is worth living it to the fullest.

Max out on life and dare to go over the edge!

Dawning of the new day

It feels different this time. The celebration of 09 I didn't participate in because I went to sleep early. But when I awoke, I knew this wasn't just a new day, but was the launching of something larger than I can ever be. Today I spent the day golfing and catching up with a great friend. I was asked what is my focus. I think this is a valid question because in the midst of everything I am doing, it is key to keep focus on what the most important thing is. Not that everything I do isn't important, but there is only one thing that holds the highest importance at one given time. The most important thing to me is doing God's will. I know that is vague, but very accurate. I must keeping doing what God says to do, but that doesn't mean to neglect what He says now. And now can change at any moment... He can change his mind at any moment and I have experienced that. When I first started my nonprofit, the vision was different that what he has molded it into now. Being flexible is key when living a life dependant on God and his plans. It's so refreshing and peaceful. I'm excited.