Happy Holidays

Jobs are closing early, family members are starting to arrive, while last minute shoppers scurry around getting that last gift or two. Not to mention the line in the grocery store of people who are missing that one ingredient needed to complete their famous dish.

As you prepare for the holidays, whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa or just the essence of family, togetherness and thankfulness, I would like to leave you with a couple points.

1. Spend time with yourself – While it is good to enjoy the company of others, remember to take some time for yourself. Use this opportunity to look over your accomplishments and short comings of the past year and find ways to make things better in 2104. Thank yourself for all that you have done, show appreciation for your commitment to show up and do your best, promise to be an even better person next year and make yourself proud.
2. Leave the negatives behind – Don’t take anything or anyone into 2014 that isn’t worth it. Work out what can be and move on from the rest. Not everyone is meant to be in your life for eternity. Your best will come AFTER your worst is gone. Actor/singer Tyrese says, “Change your mind, change your life” – truer words have never been said.
3. Start now – Don’t wait until Jan. 1 to make resolutions, start now. Find an accountability partner if you need to and make those changes today. Start going to the gym, writing that book, sign up for that class, and go on that date. If you are still in need of some help, I have a friend named Robert Kennedy, III, who I know would be happy to help you transform your life in 28 days. You can connect with him here.

Just like most of you, I will spend the next few days engaged with my family and loved ones and planning for 2014, so you may not hear from me until the New Year. I wish you safe travels, lots of love and blessings.

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!

-Your Morning Motivator

Christmas Love

It’s the Friday before Christmas and all through the land, people are scrambling with gifts in hand

Students and teachers stare at the clock, waiting for dismissal to do the freedom rock

Cashiers are busy and sales associates are doing their best, to ensure happiness with all their guests

Churches are decorated and choirs are rehearsing, for programs to enhance their Christmas service

Airplanes, cars and buses are traveling along, to get their passengers home before Christmas morn

The season is here and cheer is all around, share a hug with someone who might be feeling down

Families have lost loved ones and may feel some despair, but remember a smile can bring much cheer

Prepare a dish, share a gift, spend time with those around

Share a laugh, donate some pants

SPREAD SOME CHRISTMAS LOVE!!

The Tangible Dream

Last night, while out with my friend and business partner, we started talking about our drive behind this business we are establishing. We mentioned the need for the service and how we couldn’t go wrong with the plan. I then said to him, that I don’t need to make $1mil in the first year. It would be nice, but the bigger impact would be that the participants gained something and are able to transfer that knowledge to their lives and others. He then said, even if we did it and the business only lasted a year, at least we tried. Our success would have come from taking this idea and actually turning it into a reality. I then told him that I’m so passionate about this idea, that if I never made it a reality, it would haunt me for the rest of my life. (That’s how I feel about dental school, but that’s a story for another day.) I would prefer to give it my all and it not work out, than to just live with the dream.

My message to you this morning is – “The Tangible Dream.”

I’m sure, like myself, many of you have had dreams; dreams of being a famous athlete, or world-renowned poet, a world traveler or Nobel Prize winner. However, not all dreams have to include world fame, some are more practical, such as graduating college, getting a decent paying job, buying a house or being a good parent. Whatever your dream is or was, it required some type of work in order to become a reality. It therefore had to move from the “ideas” category to the “tangible” category. In other words, dreams are like cotton candy – fluffy, sweet and full of air. Goals, or the tangible dreams, are more like clay – messy yet moldable, requiring time and effort in order for it to create a solid, beautiful final product.

I spent a good part of 2013 dreaming and writing down those dreams for future reference. But I knew if I wanted those dreams to ever become a real business, I would have to start setting deadlines, making calls and putting some work in. Now that I’ve done those things, my dream is starting to look more like reality.

As you get ready to say “thanks” to 2013 and “welcome” 2014, set some deadlines to the dreams you hold dear. Turn them from cotton candy to clay and get ready to rock. I look forward to seeing your final product. 

Out of Many

My heart was beating fast and my stomach instantly started to turn, as I awaited the results. No, I wasn’t sick or in a doctor’s office waiting for the results of a test. I was actually sitting on my couch, body crouched over, watching tv; waiting for Carson Daly to announce this season’s winner on “The Voice.” None of the contestants I knew personally, but one truly represented my heart and my home – Tessanne Chin.

While known among the reggae circuit for a few years now, Tessanne broke into mainstream America this past September, when she entered the blind auditions for “The Voice.” People immediately knew she was going to be a force to be reckoned with, when all four judges wanted to mentor her, during that initial audition. She decided to go with judge Adam Levine of Maroon 5. A decision I’m sure she was happy she made.

In addition to her strong stage presence and heartfelt singing, Tessanne has showed people the true meaning of Jamaica’s motto – “Out of Many, One People.” If she were living in America, this part Chinese, part Cherokee, part Black young woman would be forced to identify with one group and place herself in a category. But having been born on an island where people may look differently, but all sound the same, Tessanne had one answer for the question of, “where are you from.” Her answer was simply, “I am Jamaican.” In their homes around the world, I’m sure fellow Jamaicans nodded in agreement.

As the winner of this season’s show, Tessanne has done her part in bringing Jamaica to the forefront. Facebook and other social media networks were alive last night with comments from Jamaicans back home and in the Diaspora, congratulating Tessanne on her performance and making her country proud. As she moves forward with her singing career, I hope Tessanne continues to touch hearts with her songs and make Jamaica proud.

#teambreadandbutta

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Snow is falling (in NY), people are bustling about. Schools are getting ready to close for vacation and families are making plans to get together. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Which by the way, is 8 days away!!

During this time of year, it isn't uncommon to make and receive holiday greeting cards. Some may have a family portrait, while others are handwritten by children. Whichever way they are made, I'm sure they are done in love. As I was browsing the internet this morning, I came across a video of a family's Christmas video card that went viral. It is the best Christmas video I have ever seen! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (Holderness Christmas video card).

Stay safe and enjoy the day.

Please Help

It's one thing for a family to lose a loved one to death. Whether it was caused by sickness or an unforeseen accident, laying them to rest and knowing they are at peace, tends to give the family a bit of comfort. But there is something unsettling about the unknown. When a person seems to have vanished into thin air and all possible leads keep taking you back to the same point of origin, you become frustrated. There are no real answers and you sit, hoping and praying, for the best.  

This is how the Patrick family has been feeling, for almost 2 weeks now. Teleka Patrick, pictured above, is a medical resident in Kalamazoo, MI. A native of NY and sister to an acquaintance of mine, Teleka was last seen on Dec. 5, when she was dropped off at her vehicle, after leaving work. Since that day, all that has been found is Teleka's car, abandoned and in the opposite direction of where she lived and worked.Since Dec. 6, her parents and siblings, along with local police, have been searching the area of Kalamazoo and Portage, IN, where her car was found, but have come up empty. 

If you live in the area or know anyone who does, please pass on this young woman's picture. You never know who may know something. For further information, you can also Google Teleka Patrick. If you would like to make a donation, to help the family with the cost associated with finding their loved one, you can do so here.

Thanks in advance and stay safe.

Don't Be Fooled

One of the hottest trending topics in the news this week is the “fake” sign language interpreter who functioned during the memorial service of Nelson Mandela. Many people are upset, that this imposter was able to finagle his way into such a high profile event, making a mockery of the deaf and legitimate interpreters of South Africa and the world. Others wondered how he made it through security clearance, to be so close to world leaders. Members of various South African and world committees for the deaf and sign language interpreters are up in arms about the matter; feeling disrespected and insulted by this man and the mockery he has made of the country and those who are hearing impaired. Most importantly, his lack of skills prevented those who were watching the service, from fully appreciating what was being said by the various presenters.

My message to you this morning is – “Don’t Be Fooled.”

Way too often, we allow people to come into our lives and fill our heads with information, without any background check. “No,” you say. “I’ve never done that.” Really? When was the last time you received a forwarded email and sent it on to 10 individuals, before checking the facts yourself? Or maybe you saw something on Facebook and shared it on our page without first checking references. (The other hot topic this week was a picture of President Obama taking a selfie with Danish and British premiers, and Mrs. Obama in the background looking “unamused.”) Without any context, definition or explanation, pictures and stories are circulated by intelligent people in an unintelligent way.

But this isn’t about social media exchanges. This is about life. This is about the abused woman, who keeps allowing the abuser back in the house because he said he won’t do it again. It’s about the man who puts his children to bed each night, then waits for his drunk wife to come home and do the same to her, as she tells him “this is the last time.” Or the friendship that isn’t made of friends, as one continually belittles the other. We have to stop allowing ourselves to be fooled, when the information we have clearly points in the other direction.

The interpreter made it to the stage, because someone was too lazy to check his credentials. Make sure you don’t treat your life the same way. 

Things Kids Say, pt. 2

Yesterday the question was asked to a group of 6^th graders, “Do parents always give good advice?” All hands immediately shot up and a resounding, “nooooo,” echoed throughout the classroom. Of course the teacher then asked them to defend their answer. Here are some of the responses:

-          “My mom told me if someone hits me, I should hit them back. I did that, then I got detention.”

-          “They always say don’t listen to your friends, don’t follow what other students are doing. Then one day I was doing something and my friends were telling me that the teacher was coming, but I didn’t listen, so I got in trouble.”

-          “My mom doesn’t know fashion. Whenever she chooses an outfit, it’s always weird and doesn’t match.” (This one seemed common among a few of the students.)

-          “They say don’t hit, just ignore. Then I end up being a punching bag.”

-          “My mom forced me to get this really ugly outfit and made me wear it to school. It was so bad, even the teacher asked me if I had gotten it from the 90s."

Then a brave soul raised her hand and said, “Parents don’t know everything, but they try their best. Because they’ve already gone to middle school and know what it is like. So they are trying to help us avoid some of the things they went through. But they went a long time ago and things have changed since back then and now.”

Awesome Monday

School age children tend to look forward to Monday, to reconnect with their friends and favorite teachers. However, adults in the workforce tend to dread Monday, as they are reminded of deadlines, meetings and supervisors that get under their skin. This has now caused Monday to be treated unfairly, even though it has personally done nothing wrong to anyone. In actuality we have brought the misery upon ourselves, through Monday. Rather than choosing to embrace the opportunity we have to work and provide for ourselves and families, we focus on the negative feelings that are sometimes associated with our workplace, business partners and others.

I remember working someplace, where every day felt like Monday – it was that bad. Every morning the alarm went off and I would lie in bed trying to figure out an excuse to not go in to work. In all fairness though, Monday didn’t cause my misery; neither did Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. My misery came from the job conditions and what I allowed myself to be bothered with. Once I started to approach the job with a different mindset, it became a bit easier to get out of bed in the morning. Eventually I left the job, as the environment was doing more harm than good, but while I was there I tried to make the best of the situation.

Let’s not allow the thought of Monday to stifle our growth and chance at something great. Remember, your day will only be as productive and awesome, as you make it to be.  

South Africa's Finest

True world leaders are not those who occupy seats of power in the G8 or the UN General Assembly. Instead they are found in the ditches feeding the hungry, like Mother Teresa; leading Civil Rights marches, like Martin Luther King, Jr.; breaking down barriers through music, like Bob Marley; encouraging nonviolent civil disobedience, like Mohandas Gandhi; or sitting in a prison cell for 27 years, then being released and becoming President of South Africa, like Nelson Mandela. These individuals did not see themselves are world leaders or icons. They simply did what they felt was right and needed, for the betterment of people.

Nelson Mandela was a world leader, because his efforts to change injustice in his country led to justice being done all over the world. The example that he set, by standing up against apartheid and bringing discrimination to the forefront of the world’s agenda, caused others to look at their personal agenda and call racism, injustice and segregation by their true names. After being unjustly imprisoned for nearly 30 years and then becoming president, he could have easily used his new power to seek revenge on those who mistreated him. However, he saw the bigger picture and understood the importance of “doing good to those who hate you and praying for those who mistreat you.”

Yesterday evening, at the age of 95 Nelson Mandela went to sleep. He lived a long fulfilling life that will be remembered, cherished and reflected upon for years to come. May the younger generation be taught of his self-sacrifice and untiring will to see the human race treated as one.

Built to Win

We all fall, miss a shot or forget our lines. We stumble through a speech, false start on the line of scrimmage or forget an ingredient. At some point in our lives, we have all had a “losing” moment, but that shouldn’t define us. After all, we are built to win.

Never worry so much about the beginning and middle stages of an event, that you miss out on the ending. For the last page, the final shot, the end result matters the most. If you fall – get back up; miss a shot – make the next two; forget your lines – adlib and continue on. What we may see as a loss, is not the end. We were made to win; therefore failure can never be the final product. It’s just a pit stop on the track where we are racing.

Dust off your pants, reopen your notebook, and return to memorizing those lines. Don’t give up on your dreams, as far-fetched as you may think they are, because we are built to win.

Rockefeller Center's Most Wonderful Time of the Year

For some, the commercialized Christmas season began on the 1^st of November, right after Halloween. Others waited a couple more weeks (right before Thanksgiving), before putting up their holiday lights and playing non-stop Christmas songs on the radio. I prefer to give each holiday its fair share of time; which means my Christmas holiday season starts tonight, with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. (Every year I promise myself that I’ll make it to the lighting, here’s hoping this is the year.)

While the holiday season has become very commercialized and money-oriented, from the perspective of stores and marketers, let us not forget the true meanings of the season – love, family and thankfulness. Nothing is wrong with exchanging gifts and showing others your love and appreciation for them in a tangible way, but let’s be sure not to get lost in the gift buying fiasco.

However you spend this holiday season, whether by celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or nothing at all, remember those who are less fortunate. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, donate a coat or warm clothing, buy a gift for a children’s toy drive, as a way of helping to ensure others also get to enjoy the holiday season.

 

Tonight put up your tree, hang some lights and start playing your holiday music accordingly. I think I might even buy myself a tree this year.

Know Your Status

Even in 2013, there are individuals who like to think that they are above this disease. They believe there is no way they can contract it, therefore it isn’t a concern of theirs. Some associate it with a particular group of people, considering themselves safe because they don’t practice that “lifestyle.” When in reality, this disease has no boundaries and cross lines of race, class and sexual orientation. While unsafe practices (sexually and with use of recreational drugs) make you more vulnerable to this disease, unfortunately, not falling into those categories doesn’t automatically exclude you either.

We’ve come a long way from the AIDS epidemic of the 80s and 90s, yet we still have a long way to go. Thanks to advances in medicine, people are no longer dying from the disease the way they were 20-25 years ago. However, this is also distorting the realness of it to many people, as they no longer see it as a death sentence, but something that can be lived with (such as diabetes and hypertension).

World AIDS Day was on Sunday, but we don’t have to wait until Dec. 1 to talk about hope, prevention and a cure.  Just because Americans are no longer dropping like flies from this disease, doesn’t mean others aren’t suffering. Get involved, know the facts and know your status. 

Fast and Furious

Over the weekend car enthusiasts and movie goers alike, were shaken by the untimely death of Paul Walker, star in the “Fast and Furious” movie series. Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks were swarmed with posts and updates from fans, shocked and saddened by his death. Some reporting that they had seen him earlier that day at his charity event, raising money for victims of the Philippines disaster. While others mentioned how they had grown attached to him and fellow F&F co-stars, after following them and the “Fast and Furious” story line for 10+ years.  

While I had never met Paul Walker, those who knew him personally described him as a kind person with a calm spirit. An attribute I'm sure most, if not all of us would want used to describe our character. We are fortunate to still have that opportunity, because we have breath in us. Let us not waste our days thinking about what could have been, but never putting pedal to the metal. Think fast and smart, then attack your dreams furiously and turn them into reality. We're only here once, so make sure it counts.