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Insight on S. Orman's, "How to save yourself in turbulent times"
 "How to save yourself in turbulent times"That was the title of the introduction of Suze Orman's book, "Women & Money." I first saw her book "staring" at me from the newsstands at an airport in Chicago. There was something so enticing about that cover. It could have been because it reflected a happy woman, a strong powerful woman. I did not buy that boo k then. I also read a good review online about it. Even so, I did not buy that book then. I bought the book yesterday after coming back from a charity benefit to provide relief for the people of Haiti. Lately, I have found myself becoming an avid book collector rather than the reader I once was. In my apartment I have stacks and stacks of books unread. It's quite disappointing so it seems the only way to cure such a thing is to be apart of a book club. Now let me reflect back to Orman's first chapter entitled, "How to save yourself in turbulent times." I'd rather place a focus on the phrase rather than the actual content of that chapter. Forget for a moment who " Suze Orman THE financial guru" is. Forget it all. Read this phrase slowly, How to save yourself in turbulent times, now make it into a question: How can you save yourself in turbulent times? I am not talking about the pitfalls that you've made financially nor am I limiting "turbulent times" to the current state of our economy. The fact is we're living in turbulent times. It can be a spectrum of things such as relationships, environmental issues, economic crisis, crime, war, and natural disasters. Steps to save yourself: - Examine your situation.
- Don't become overwhelmed by it, only tackle what you can handle.
- Do your part, many parts make up a whole.
- Get help, assistance yields faster results.
- Stick with your vision even in tough times, these are how results are made.
- Learn the art of delegation to avoid unnecessary stress.
Create a Do It Now Book. Writing things down may help to solidify your commitments. These are a few ways to save yourself in the midst of turbulent times. What are some ways have you saved yourself? Labels: happiness, life application, money, relief, suze orman
I suppose being busy has its perks? Check list of issues equates to blessings
 I suppose being busy has its perks? Yes it does. I am sitting here with issues that others may glance at as being blessings. I suppose I should take my issues as blessings and react to them as such, praise and give thanks.
God is good.
My issues (blessings in disguise):
- booking a trip to see my lovely family
- figuring out if I should take a proposal to go to London early spring-- for a shoot!
- wondering if I should paint this wall-- w/o knowing if I'll be accepted to go to a medical school out of state, if God plans it that way-- If I get accepted this cycle-- let us pray.
- figuring out an article to write for this company about relationships-- it's been 7 days since my last one! This is how I make some money as a writer, besides this website
- Wondering when I'll upload all my work for The Gem Project and get things back up to my "order" of business for 2010
- following up for a possible researcher position for interview no.3 I hope, for brain cancer research--- my life's dream, well besides being a neurologist one day
- Planning to meet new and old friends before the break of 2010
- Being a better Christian than I was yesterday, you shall never rob me of mistakes--- I will make plenty-- I'll just try to do the "right" thing
I want to try to be the best in all that I do. Honestly, I am quite disappointed sometimes-- I am an odd sort off perfectionist, my mind is a circus yet I want order in my surroundings. Funny.
Life is a muffin-- I just can't seem to taste it-- I've found myself walking through it with a cold.
I fear it has robbed me of my senses to indulge in the satisfaction of that muffin. A cold.
I love life. I get bogged down with it all, but I CAN'T seem to shake off being busy. I suppose I won't even try, I was born this way--- I can imagine when everything is said and done---- I'd leave this world shaking in my bones.
Be powerful always my love.
AE QUOTE: Key to Power: Being able to utilize and master all pertinent outlets for your mission-- don't be limited to just one. Labels: faith, goals, happiness, issues, life, life applications
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The double shot expresso---Dear liquid legal crack,
E x p r e s s o of my life  The little engine that could, that's me! I run on my own natural energy and usually don't rely on anything to keep me going throughout the day. As I get older, it get's harder. I'm sure many of you can relate. When you're 20 something and beyond, the world suddenly opens up with its wealth of responsibilities to bestow on you. It may leave you in the middle of the day asking for a "pick me up." I have friends who need that double shot of espresso. The magical shot that rejuvenates and makes them feel alive. What do you use as alternatives ?-- besides the liquid legal crack, I like to call coffee and the like. I vehemently believe that what you consume affects your energy as well as other things. I guess you can say I take to heart that saying which goes, "You are what you eat." I've made an addendum to that and said the following: - You're who you surround yourself with: Your often share common interests with your company. Surround yourself with slackers, there's a great chance that you'll be/or are one too!
- You're what you wear: What you wear does influence your mood. I had my 'crappy' days and you know what? I dressed that way too. This may not hold true for everyone. However, I don't seem to feel out of place when I'm indeed stellar or at my best.
- You're what you allow: You allow yourself to be treated badly, you'll always be treated badly--and feel bad too! If you allow yourself to be treated with respect, you'll command the respect you deserve effortlessly!
I've been letting you all into my first hours of what I do when I first wake-up, which is running--Each day I document my daily morning exercise routines over (here). This has been my alternative to that liquid legal crack--we call coffee. Truthfully, I really don't drink coffee because I don't like the way it stains teeth.. Yes-- that's my reason. I also have similar reasons as to why I never drank or smoke, very very superficial reasons-- I know. Keep in mind, the physiological benefits out weigh the superficial ones. What are the alternatives that you've used to get you off that liquid crack addiction? Or are you an addict who is still mesmerized by that liquid legal crack? Please confess-- you are NOT alone. I had an accident this morning while running my 6 mi of the day. I am still in pain, more information has been recorded over at sugar (here). I am happy that I have ran 56 miles since last Monday. I shall celebrate someday, I just don't know how yet. Tomorrow is my last day of the week to run-- weekends my legs get REST. My best recorded time since last Monday has been 50min/6miles. This exercise comes with an incentive =) I have booked an upcoming photo shoot. The photographer who is shooting me wants me to style the concept. I have a few ideas. I want to go for a rough edgy look/corporate look/ & commercial --sigh-- I don't know! Need help much? Let's all not even start on my cupcake addiction. Yes, CRUMBS-- Has anyone been there?  Labels: happiness, life, work out
At a time where playful tugs became love taps-- I transformed into an innovator
 << Image: A very young Amanda A. EbokosiaIf I could sit back and step outside the box of my life, it would most likely parallel a Lifetime series. I'm certain that I am not the only one, who would describe their life in this way. Life is so precious-- I was so fortunate to see this as a young ten year-old gal, who was clad with a purple trench coat that had dazzling pink buttons. "This" 10 year-old gal was captivated by the world around her-- inquisitive much? Yes. "This" 10 year-old gal would climb hills and fill her red lunch box with ants and millipedes--- and run home and turn into a scientist for the day. "This" 10 year-old gal would lay on her back on the pavement outside of her school backyard to watch the beautiful cloud formations in the sky. "This" 10 year-old gal was I. I dreamed without limitations then-- as I do so now.What did I see in these cloud formations? rabbits, houses, beaches, my family, & everything I ever desired. I saw it all, my visions of life. I had tunnel vision. This was a vision that most girls my age were not quite picking up on. Their body's were changing-- and they were noticing guys. I wasn't really interesting in such things then. Well, what does this have to do with today? Everything. Life was just one big puzzle back then. I don't think life will ever stop being a puzzle quite frankly. There was only one thing that I was sure of. It was that I should remain focused in what interested me, despite what others were doing--even if I was not considered to be in the norm. Who is normal anyway?Now I'm reflecting on a conversation that I had with a good friend of mine, who was dismayed with the negative energy she was receiving with her newly acclaimed success. I started referencing the 48 Laws of Power, which has an interesting passage about friendship & business. In summation, we discussed how the higher an individual climbs up the pyramid of success-- the less persons they would have to befriend in the process. A person can have several associates but it's highly unlikely that a they would become friends-- close friends with each one. In fact, I discussed research findings about the complications of female platonic relationships over (here). We concluded several things in this conversation, here are the results: - Don't take negative energy personal from associates or people who you thought were your friends. Reason: All the energy you're spending time worrying about what they are saying, can be harnessed to fuel you or your projects.
- Negative energy comes from within. It is toxic when you hear it. The person releasing it is also toxic. Therefore, be upset for only one thing-- that this person is not happy with their own current situation-- it has nothing really to do with you. Reason: Negative energy is like a cancer-- if it spreads it captures-- you must win the battle.
- People will do wrong by you, there is no secret to this-- we are all human. Don't take it personally -- focus and flip the switch that turns that tunnel vision on. Reason: When you focus and pay attention to what matters most, you'll attain your goals a lot faster. Don't waste precious time.
Live your life- turn on that tunnel vision.Labels: control, friendship, goals, happiness, life, life application, success
One friend, Two friend, Three Friend--Foe
 One lesson I've learned growing up is that friends come as quickly as they go. True friends-real friends are the ones who stick around. They're the ones who understand you before you give an explanation about an issue. They're the ones who lift you up at your darkest moments, and are the ones who make you desire to become a better person. The majority of my adult life I've lived with a free heart. A heart which greeted pain as well as happiness with the same welcoming smile. I opened new friendship and rekindled old friendship without a trace of cynicism. As I mature I find that friendships are what you make them to be. My discovery is that friendship is only alive if the two persons were benefiting from the relationship. Friendship is real. It is beautiful and the one fruitful thing that truly sustains life here on Earth. "Humans are social creatures.If we all lived in isolation, I highly doubt that we would grow into the magnificent masterpieces we sought out from birth to become. Rekindle your friendships"Recently in life, I have become a skeptic with certain friendships I had formed. This is partly true because I met an overwhelming series of disappointments. The type of disappointments that left you distraught while thinking to yourself, " I can't believe he or she did this? ". I've learned not to take it by heart. I've also learned to not hold it against anyone--we are all human. However, I have the ability to edit& delete people in and out my life, in order to live happily. This is a philosophy I have maintained and won't give up. By doing so I've made room for more positive relationships. With this newly adopted philosophy my friends and family grew considerably. I am lucky to have at least one close true friend. I have a handful to be exact- one hand 1,2,3,4.. not including family. There is only one friend who I can completely let my guard down. I've known Lianna since my freshman year of undergraduate school. We got close within the span of two years I would say, when we lived together at our alma mater. People need friends who make them want to reach for the stars!---and beyondShe is everything I would look for in the ideal friend. I trust her- Labels: friends, friendship, happiness, life, life application
Talk is cheap if you can't walk the walk--the production has started with Stancil
Live your best life your way and forget about what others think-success is only hindered when you follow other dreams that are not your own.
 The above photo was taken on one of the my many early morning runs outside. I am so happy to wake up to that beautiful sky every morning. I almost forgot how running makes me feel. I get the most pleasant feelings from running. It is the one moment where my mind is completely at rest and at one with nature. I excel-inhale-smile and repeat ( More about my fitness cycle please continue: {Click here to _Divatude}). This has been the busiest 36 hrs of life I had in a while.I am studying for my MCATS and taking part in two productions of film--so exciting. This past Saturday the filming for Model Walk started. The show will air this October on Colours TV ( they have local channels for every state) and on the DISH network -9407.The shows has first recording was a runway fashion show in Midtown Manhattan by Columbus Circle. It consisted of four different looks! Urban Street,Twin,Preppy, and Haute Couture. I wanted to add my own flair to it so I went to a few places to get my own accessories. A friend of my requested that I go to a spot called Culture Couture. It was a very cute shop that had a lot of modern to vintage type looks. I have been fallen for printed leggings lately, so I grabbed a few pairs for my own enjoyment. I made sure that I also tapped this cute cupcake spot called , "Jimmy's__________", forget the rest.It was almost as good as Crumbs, a cupcake spot located at Bryant park in NY.  My life tastes good and so does yours, you just have to season it just right with the proper ingredients to provide nourishment and fulfillment. During the recording I had the chance to bond with a few of my cast members, Krissie Judd and her friend Kenitha. During break, I asked if they would like to attend a go-see with me at Bourgeoisie Shoes. We had an adventure that day! We kept saying, "Greg really needs to have filmed our own mini journey here ". Aside from my close friends I never would have thought that I would have so much fun with a group of ladies who I barely knew. I am looking forward in a beautiful friendship and a wonderful production at Model Walk. I am itching to discuss the events which occurred on Sunday and Today--but I will leave that for tomorrow. For now, I will leave you with this photo which was taken this past Sunday while in New York. 
{Click here to _HEAR MY RANTS ON THIS ABOVE PHOTO---RECESSION OR NOT I DON'T CARE})
Lastly, Live your best life-- you are the actor to your own play. Have fun and enjoy today because tomorrow is not granted. Dream BIG-- see BIG --love BIG-- receive BIG... BE BIG-THINK BIGLabels: bold, fitness, goals, happiness, me on tv, work out
Dream Without Limitations, Like a Child...
| I remember a speech I gave a while back, about passion and the importance of fulfilling the goals you set before yourself. It was a funny speech, I openly asked the crowd if they recalled as a child what they "wished" to be when they grew up? |
I responded for them by saying they would have possibly said, " I want to be a teacher, lawyer,fireman, police officer,engineer,writer,artist, and BATMANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!" . I shouted the last one at the top of my lungs. I made sure the last one was known. I love children because they have what we all had but lose as we get older-innocence. It is this quality that often allowed us as children to dream beyond measure. When one dreams beyond measure, they're not hindered by the "How, I Can't,NOT, and No". They're driven by desire and imagination. These are the elements which motivate individuals to feverishly paint their ideal beginnings or endings--only later should they contemplate the how.I have a confession-- I am a big kid at heart. When I am around the right people, I smile to the point where my face looks like its a still art portrait display. A few days ago I swung on an actual swing--in the middle of Central Park. OK OK It was at the edge of Central Park. I've been traveling a lot these days to New York. It has mostly been for business which for me, always leads to pleasure---self-gratification eg.shopping,running,...etc). I am currently working on two films. I will expand on them tomorrow. I never thought I would do a film --like I always say: IT IS THE YEAR OF SAYING YES YES YES. PHOTO: The two above photos above were taken while on the train to NYC  Labels: bold, control, happiness, life, life application, me on tv, opportunity
Reflect
 | I am overwhelmed with mixed emotions today.I've spent time to reflect on various new situations and circumstances in my life.In order to better explain my points in this entry, I feel it is best to begin from the end to the beginning rather from start to finish. The end is always a key to a beginning so why not start with it? After all, the end is never really the end. |
I am sitting at a round table with friends at my Alma Mater. We all are dressed in black and have been discussing the ceremony that had just occurred. I come across being real mellow and quiet in disbelief, as we discuss several different topics and having one of them be life. The importance of life and what it all means to us, that was our topic of discussion. "We all hope that when it is our time to go, we would have made an impact as she has made" "She did so much for our community, school, and her family". I and many others today at Rutgers University-Newark and beyond had the chance to say their goodbyes to a phenomenal woman named, Nelitha Wilson-Michael (Nell). I got to know Nell at the student life and leadership office at my Alma Mater. She always was there to speak to her students and offer suggestions,advice, and support. Nell worked for nearly two decades at Rutgers and served as a principal secretary and ADA coordinator for students with disabilities. I will always remember her smiles in Robeson and talks about my next event. She had direct contact with all the student leaders of Rutgers who had organizations. Her efforts will never be forgotten and her presence will always be missed. At the round table we discussed life and what it actually means. This little puzzle has been talked about for centuries. We felt it fitting to discuss it today as we came back from celebrating Nell's life with her family and friends. We came up with a few conclusions and answers.
- Expectation: Live your life without the expectation that tomorrow is granted.
- Smile: Everyone has issues! Smiling is the first route to happiness. It is also the first thing a person may notice. ' WOW , she is that girl who is always smiling, so happy' . Smiling also brightens another person's day.
- Equate:We are all in this equation called Life, subtract the negativity-let's reflect on the good.
- Two entities:Lastly, we all view life and death as two seperate things because we don't truly understand what comes after. Perhaps it is one.. we will never understand until we all one day arrive.
SET TIME TO TELL THOSE YOU LOVE, THAT YOU LOVE THEM. NEVER ASSUME THAT THEY KNOW.p.s: Live your best life-ALWAYS. Labels: death, happiness, life, life application, sorrow
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