Dream Again
Sep/090
Somewhere along the way many of us stopped dreaming.
We went from “anything is possible” to “you’ve got to make a living”
Along the way we were pigeon-holed by our “talents” “strength” and even our “weaknesses” the transition occurs seamlessly. It happens somewhere along the line when being your favorite superhero was not a good enough answer Our responses to what you want to be when you grow up now included “careers” and things such as doctors, lawyers, firemen and vets. Whatever the answer we now had a “plan”. It was not enough to live we would now have to “make a living”. We now would limit ourselves to the expectations we unknowingly were cajoled unto ourselves.
No need to lay blame; those asking the question believed they were acting in our best interest, and undoubtedly had their opinions on what you’d have to do to become a doctor. “Billy you’ve got to study hard if you want to be doctor.” But thinking deeply what is a doctor to you at age 4, but the nice person than helps make people feel better. Are you living under the constructs of someone else’s ideals of what you should be and how to get there.
We can learn to dream again by first asking your self, have I really “grown-up” yet? I think many of would find something deep down telling yourself “No”. Since you have not grown up you can change the “when I grow up I will …” and instead decide what you will do now. And if you really think you are grown up maybe it’s time to get in touch with your inner-child and recognize the benefits of Play. Play is just as important now as when recess and lunch was all that mattered. Play gives us the ability to try new things without fair of failure, or corrupting activities with motives. Play just is. Play doesn’t have to make any sense. Adopt an attitude of playful ness and dear to dream things you never have before. What if you were a superhero what would your costume looklike, who would you help, what would your bizzaro evil clone do? It’s only in you mind. By engaging in play for playing sake you alow your mind to stretch the possibilities when it’s time to dream you can reach further than you did before and begin with the first step towards something that will test your comfort level and is something you’ll want to accomplish.
Stop waiting for change
Aug/090
I got caught in a complacent loop just waiting on the universe to make the changes for me. While I do believe that changes do come from the universe I believe these changes can be rocky one’s, especially for those who don’t prepare. When the universe sends you a “Change” you are unprepared for, either you’ll miss a great opportunity or you will struggle to overcome unnecessarily, those curve balls that come our way periodically.
Change is a funny thing that you never know if it’s a good change or a bad change, a seemingly good thing such as winning the lottery can be come a bad thing that drives a family apart or leaves the winner with more debt than before. Changes will come. We look forward to some changes and can be caught off guard by others. Change is the only certainty in the world.
Rather than waiting for change I will try to accept change as inevitable and refrain from prejudging them as good or bad. For the things I want more of in life I will actively engage in activities that I believe will bring be closer to those things. For the changes that I want less of I will try to design my life in a way that will avoid those things or minimize those things.
How will you deal with change going forward? Will you wait for change to happen to you? Will you make the changes you can? Or, will you live in fear of the changes that may or may not come of which you really do not know if are good or bad. I say stop waiting for change and do something.
Know the real you
Aug/092
Do you know the real you?
Who are you really?
A friend, a lover, a mother, a father, a sister, a brother, a son, a daughter, a cousin, a employee, a employer, a boss, a confidant, an associate…
You are many people to many others. In this world there are many roles that we play to others. Some even find themselves defining themselves beyond relationships and more by what they do or other physical things. I’m a doctor, an artists, I drive a mustang, I am black, I am white.
When I was younger I hated labels. I did not even like to wear t-shirts that showcased a particular brand on the front or back. My problem with t-shirts and label is that I recognized how fashion changes and association can be detrimental as one day your in style and next week your not. I have grown since and realize that it’s not the clothes that make the man, meaning the suit you choose does not represent the person inside and to put it mores simply don’t judge a book by the cover.
There is nothing wrong with labels. But you must realize that you are more than a label. Labels gain their power in your feelings toward the label, there are good fathers, bad fathers, happy employees, and lazy employees, good bosses, and a large variety of other bosses 
. Some labels such as your race or physical traits can not be changed but are not the real you. The real you is what is inside.
If you do not like a current label you are wearing change it. Change how you feel about the labels have now power on there own it is when you place a value such as this is good or this is bad that changes.
Steps to Change Labels
- 1. Find positive examples of the labels you were born with.
As I stated earlier there are some labels such as your physical traits you are stuck with. Remember the label is not you find examples (read/look for mentors) of those that are similar to negate any self defeating beliefs you may have of
- Try on new labels
If your current role as a employee is not working for you. Find safe ways to try on another role. Look for opportunities to take on more leadership roles, explore your artistic side to maybe become an artists.
- Define what your ideas of the roles you play are suppose to be.
Consider how you can be come a better mother, father, sisters, brother, employee, boss. Sometimes the problem with the roles we play is ourself. Identify how can you improve the roles we play in other lives.
- Recognize it is ok to change
You have the power to choose the roles you take on and your feeling about the roles you have. Recognize it is ok to change. The roles themselves changes overtime and so do your outlooks.
Today I do wear some brands, however, the choice to wear some brands more alligns with those that I feel complements my personal style. I am confident in the labels I take on and am able to seperate my choices from the opinions of others. I am still cautios of the associations I make by recognize that I am an indvidual capable of change and changing my mind.
Looking Good or Doing Good
Jul/090
Are you looking good or doing good. Looking good when it comes to the physical world and how you present the best possible image of yourself in away that makes you feel good about yourself can be beneficial to your confidence. But are you looking good merely to keep up appearances.
At work are you looking busy only when the boss is a round. Are you continuously cleaning your desk. Are you spending hours finding the perfect font. Do you offer help to others only as a while making excuses that you wont be able to provide the help they request. Are you more concerned with making the numbers than how the numbers are made.
Looking good is a new paint job on a car with a bad transmission. The car looks good but will eventually leave you stranded. Think about areas where you are only only trying to looking good and build some substance behind the looking good by doing the work.