Building the foundation + Taking leaps of faith= Success

It is vital to have vision, so that we can begin to create the kind of life that we want in our minds and our hearts. Vision orients us towards the future and pushes us to reach our potential. While exercising vision, we also need to live in the present and lay a foundation for ourselves so that we are ready for what is next. Sometimes, we forget that the universe builds our muscles by presenting us with our lessons in the form of “problems”.  When we handle these problems with a calm heart and the intent to learn, we internalize the underlying lesson and become stronger. Adversity can be a catalyst for positive changes in our hearts and minds when we allow it to be. 


Dr. Wayne Dyer, who wrote the Power of Intention, is a huge source of inspiration for me. He grew up a poor orphan, but unlike his peers, he creatively sought out ways to make money. He collected Coke bottles and exchanged them for money at the nearest grocery store; he carried groceries for little old ladies, and he raked people's lawns. He worked hard even when he owned nothing but a couple articles of clothing. Now an accomplished public speaker, writer, doctor, and father, he said something to the effect of: "I am still collecting coke bottles and carrying groceries for little old ladies. It just looks different now." The point is that he did the best he could with what he had at the time, and as he laid his inner foundation- of a strong work ethic, ingenuity, perseverance, and optimism- the universe continued to present him with bigger and bigger challenges. The universe, which never turns a blind eye, rewarded him for his efforts and creativity. He is still practicing the same principles that he was practicing at the age of seven, it is just that they are manifesting on a larger scale now.  To this day, he relies on the virtues he began developing in himself from an early age. He is a good example that none of our actions are trivial; they build upon each other when we remain focused and patient.

Blackalicious Rocks!

I went to see Blackalicious at the 9:30 club in DC the other night.  One of the MC's of Blackalicious, Gift of Gab, was particularly stable and calm.  All of the Blackalicious members brought upbeat energy to the concert, but Gift of Gab was the anchor. He did not do anything flashy; he is the only performer i've ever seen to stand in one spot during an entire show and barely move, yet everyone in the audience kept their eyes glued on him.  This is because he appeared to be in a state of meditation where nothing could penetrate his concentration and serenity, and it was entrancing.  Watching his flow, it became obvious that he approached his work with a deep sense of calm and the intention of creating a positive experience for everyone. The concert was energizing and inspiring- I couldn't help but smile the whole time.  It showed that it's possible to get people pumped up and energized, yet maintain peace and positivity at the same time.

Keep it Coming

Blackalicious was all about sharing their talent with others, having fun and empowering people to connect to their own source of inspiration. We can find these kinds of uplifting experiences everywhere, for example: by watching movies that aim to educate and inspire,  seeing a special art exhibition, taking pictures of nature, or surfing Zaadz.;-)   My goal is to continue to bring more of these types of experiences into my life.