Monday, July 30, 2012

Motivational Monday: Your life SUCKS!

Well actually...it doesn't, but you seem to think it does.

How many times have you said "FML!" in a situation that seemed like the end of the world? You constantly complain to your friends, family, anyone who will listen about how bad your life is, hoping that they'll side with you instead of seeing it as sad and pathetic. How many rants have you went on? How many times have you went off on a person because they were seemingly too optimistic about life? How many times have you told people, "You don't understand what I'm going through so how could you tell me that my life/ situation isn't bad?"

Is your life REALLY that bad? Think about it. Look around you. Are you wearing clothes? Have food in your belly? A warm bed to sleep in? Are you reading this blog post on your computer or mobile phone? Now think about the last time you gave spare change to a homeless person on the street. Could your life be any worse than that person's? Probably not, but you know what the homeless person has that you probably don't? Appreciation and gratitude.

As you sit at your home, on the couch, ranting on Twitter on your mobile phone, that guy/girl was happy to get that dollar from you to be able to get something to eat for the first time in probably days.

Your life doesn't suck...your attitude does. And I think it's time that you adjusted it before the higher power adjusts your life.

dancing in the rain Pictures, Images and Photos
"When it rains it pours. Maybe the art of life is to convert tough times to great experiences: we can choose to hate the rain or dance in it."
        -Joan Marques

Monday, July 16, 2012

Motivational Monday: Jesus, take the wheel

Have you ever been in a situation expecting one thing but then something happens and you are challenged for the better?

As the situation is happening you ask yourself why and how you were chosen to do whatever it is that is needed.

It's easy for us to see the negative in a situation that we didn't ask for. Think about it, if we didn't ask for this then why would it be given? Step outside of the situation for a moment and think about how you were able to accomplish what you did, what you learned as a result, the new resources you gathered. Think about how your character was challenged and how you became a better person because of it.

When you are thrown in situations you didn't ask for to fulfill the prayers you did, instead of focusing on the negative and asking "why me?" Let Jesus take the wheel and grow from the experience. We all know that He is watching but you never know who else is also watching.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Motivational Monday: Get over yourself

Have you ever felt like the victim? Things simply weren't going your way and you felt like the world was caving in on you and no one understood what you were going through? You whine and complain to any and everyone who was willing to listen to your sorry sob story? No matter how much you tried to forget the situation or person who made you upset, you just couldn't seem to...Well guess what?

GET OVER YOURSELF! Stop playing the victim and start playing the victor. You know why you shouldn't cry over spilled milk? Because 1. it's already on the ground and 2. it's easy to clean up. It's too easy to feel sad for yourself when things don't go your way. How about you challenge yourself and be happy...or rather optimistic in tough situations.

Try it! When you are in a tough situation and you feel like you want to cry, yell, and scream remind yourself that you are more than the situation you are in, smile, and move on to things that are in your control...like your attitude.

Instead of crying over spilled milk, clean it up and pour yourself another glass...after all it's just milk.

"When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves."
       -Viktor Frankl

Monday, June 25, 2012

Motivational Monday: Ride or Die

If you like hip hop, you remember when the whole "ride or die" movement was prevalent? It seemed that every "squad" was proclaiming their loyalty and legion to their particular clique, rap label, or rap mogul. Lately, it seems, that "ride or die" has had a new...let's say modernized meaning for me.

Recently, I had some conversations with friends and acquaintances about building a team that not only shares your vision, but is invested in it. SOA Event Concepts now has a team of five, including myself. With each passing day, I am realizing that my team is becoming more and more invested in my brand and because of it I am willing to go that much further for them...kind of like how a mother will go far for her children, I want to take SOA far for my girls.

"You have to appreciate the people that hold you down, and dismiss the ones that hold you back..."
       -Unknown

What and who are you willing to "ride or die" for?
"A man person who stands for nothing will fall for anything."
       -Malcolm X

Monday, June 4, 2012

Motivational Monday: Hardwork Pays Off

Have you ever noticed how people are quick to think that a person's success was instantaneous; how they neglect the fact that that person ha been working tirelessly for several years to get to the point they are now? Or even they don't see the amount of times that person wanted to quit, throw in the towel and make life easier for themselves.

Nobody gets anywhere without putting in the right amount of work. We like to look at how far we have instead of celebrating how how far we've come. Think about where you were when you started versus where you are now. Do you think you go to this point without putting in some sort of hardwork? Do you think that you have received the blessings you have received without working for it?

Our pessimistic nature forces us to think we aren't doing enough, when in actuality we are doing more than enough. Have faith in yourself and believe that what you are doing will be severely rewarded in the end. Enjoy the fruits of your labor by celebrating where you are instead of where you aren't. Hardwork pays off in more ways than one.

"He that would have the fruit must climb the tree."
        -Dr. Thomas Fuller

Monday, May 7, 2012

Motivational Monday: Changing Lives

What have you done today to change someone's life?

I was watching Long Island Medium, pretty fascinated with how Theresa is always compelled...by spirits to provide information to complete strangers that ultimately changes their lives and their way of thinking. What have you done today to change someone's life? Now most of us are not gifted with those powers to speak to spirits, but we are gifted with ways to impact others. I had my first meeting with my lovely five interns for the Summer/ Fall season yesterday. I spoke with them about finding your passion and achieving your dreams. I could tell by talking to these ladies that we had connected and that we were all on a course to change each others' lives.

So many people believe that they are insignificant and can't really impact others and don't have the capabilities to change lives. But I'm here to tell you that you can change someone's life in such a small way that you don't even realize that you are doing so. Whether it be a kind smile, a helpful hand, or sincere advice, the way in which we impact others is a direct reflection of how others have shaped and impacted us.

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own."
       -Benjamin Disraeli


Monday, April 30, 2012

Motivational Monday: Kicking Closed Doors

You're sitting in your office. You have this idea or information you KNOW will change the fate of a person or your job. You go to your superior, ready to share this idea or information...but their door is closed. You're discouraged. You start to knock, but fear wraps you in a snug blanket. You start to turn around...going back to your desk, but something inside of you tells you to go back...kick that closed door. Do you listen?

Life is like that. It gives you an idea, information or a resource that could change the very situation you are in. Often times what stands between the idea and the execution is the closed door. The closed door represents the obstacles we face to make our dreams, goals, opportunities a realization. We get so caught up in the physical existence of "the door" that we often forget what could be behind it.

When fear (the door) stands in the way of your goal being realized, your dream being executed, that opportunity happening...kick it. KICK. THAT. CLOSED. DOOR. Don't let a closed door stand in your way because the one thing that stands between you, that door, and what's behind it...is your foot and the strength you put behind it.