Motivation From The Master #3: Grindin'

"The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one." -Oscar Wilde

Hope you guys enjoyed your helpings of turkey and ham with your sides of gravy and good cheer this Thanksgiving. But back to the usual grind I guess...

Now for me, I actually worked for Thanksgiving this year which meant no family gatherings or late-night celebrations with friends to express what I'm really thankful. Meh...emotional it sucked working on the holiday but hey I got paid for doing it; that's always a good solution for anything right? Haha.

But in order to survive, you gotta keep your hustle on and do work. Yeah, work might not be the most enjoyable thing in the world since people can possible think of a list of things that are more entertaining than clocking in to start a new shift. However, it's something you gotta do in order to bring some form of income towards your front door.

I worked Thansgiving, the day after, and Thanksgiving weekend. 4 straight days in the hospital fighting the good fight. I kept a smile on my face though as I was thankful to have a job since I'm pretty sure I would be in a bigger struggle if I didn't have it. Plus, I was imagining the dollar signs in my head when the pay period ends and my facial expression when I saw my check.

Ahh money....heals all wounds lol.

Some people don't want to grind, most people definitely don't want a hustle. People on this rock has gotten so lazy over the past years waiting for someone to feed them and take care of them forever like they are wearing a diaper in their middle ages and they got a babysitter waiting on them hand and foot. Newsflash: In order to have success, you got to put in the time and effort first. Whether you flipping burgers, checking registers, filing paperwork, or even running a company...You need to get work done.

Of course people don't want to be around when they don't got no dough. That doesn't mean you get on the streets and start muggin folks in order to get some pocket loot. Doesn't really work like that...there's law enforcement for a reason. Blaming the economy is getting old, we're bouncing back and there are jobs out there waiting for people. Yeah, you might not get six figures but it's a start.

I've been working my job at the hospital for almost 3 years...it's not really an easy job since it involves working in the ED but I love it. Of course being a rookie I started off small and worked my way up to a decent salary for a part-time employee...never complained or looked back. Of course, I had financial trouble at times...seriously who doesn't have a financial hiccup once in awhile?...but I kept doing work. I like being around a hospital environment and helping people...glad my bosses noticed or else I probably wouldn't have gotten a raise. Now I'm still part-time but with a better cut of cheddar.

Get off your lazy asses and find work. Money isn't just gonna roll your way unless your living the lifestyles of the rich & famous on Hollywood Boulevard. And trust me, they do work just to keep up with the media.

It's a hustle for loot out here. You got a find some line of work in order to keep it in your pocket.

DO WORK PEOPLE!!!

Happy Turkey Day!

No words of encouragement in this entry...well maybe just a few.

Happy Thanksgiving and make sure you stuff all the food your stomach can.
Plus spend some time with your family and close friends, it's more fun that way.

Oh...and of course watch the gigantic pile of sports games on the tube while stuffing your face with Aunt May's home-made apple pie. Mmmm...apple pie.

Enjoy your Turkey Day folks!!! :)

Airplanes Pt.3

"Now lets pretend like i ain't got a name before they ever call me B.O.B aka Bobby Ray. I’m talking back before the mixtapes, (yeah), before the videos and the deals and the fame. Before the ever once compared me to Andre, before i ever got on Myspace Before they ever noticed my face. So lets just pretend and make wishes out of airplanes."

-B.O.B. aka Bobby Ray

Felt creative and I saw a few airplanes in the sky...so here's Airplanes Pt. 3; The version not available in your music library. :)

Let’s pretend that my anger got the best of me,

Instead of being in a class I’d be in the street.

Runnin’, shootin’, and lootin’ while chasing the green

And probably dead in my coffin by 23.

Let’s pretend that I was like everyone else,

Blaming things on others besides myself.

Making up excuses on why I can’t dream

Since I think that my vision won’t reign supreme.

Let’s pretend that I wasn’t crazy,

And at age 17 I had a baby.

Dropped out of school becoming a stay-at-home dad

While looking at the vision of life that I will never have.

Let’s pretend I was newest version of PCP.

I go in, take you up, then you cease to be.

Then I got ya addicted and I control your life

Now you’re up every night looking for the light.

Let’s pretend the clock turned back to the day,

Where everything was made on cassette tapes.

And what if my parents abused me and I grew up alone,

While healing up my wounds wishing for a new home.

Looking towards the sky trying to figure things out

But I can’t do anything special except shout.

Then the world shattered and the skies fell down

As I rose from the rubbles and stole the king’s crown.

Let's pretend that I made a turn for worse,

Exposing my unique gift that turned to a curse.

Let's pretend that I don't believe in a change,

But I still make wishes out of airplanes.

Let’s pretend that you’re on the road to your dream,

It’s so close to your face that you see it gleam.

How hard will you work to make that dream come down,

And make that wish happen right now.

Motivation From The Master #2

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe." -Gail Devers

It's great to see your friends that struggle towards something they have an extreme desire for and to see that they are a few steps closer to grasping it. Here's my story.

My friend Shara aka Shahrrah is part of my motivation in this post. She is a young, fighting rebel here in VA and she is very passionate towards the art of music. Seen and met her around VCU during my undergrad days and thanks to Facebook, MySpace, and local venues down here I was able to see her grow musically as an artist.

I would say she's definitely into hard rock and metal, metal, METAL!!! But she does have a softer side when it comes to her acoustic sets. She can really make your heart melt and body warm up with every strum and solo she can do on an acoustic. Seriously, she is pretty damn good. But don't let that fool you, she can grab an electric and shock you up to 11.

But it has been a struggle for her with things going on in her life but it looks like things are starting to pay off for her and then-some. She recently performed with the band, O.C.D, at Norva and she was hyped!!! Now she's gearing up for a show down at Virginia Beach with the band next Sat at the Geared Up Rock Bar & Grill.

If your in the area...you should go to it. Here's a link to the bar. (Geared Up!)

Plus she is working on her album that should be coming out soon. She teased me with Safe In My Own Skin (S.I.M.O.S.) which was really well done both the studio version and her acoustic solo she made herself. Can't wait for it to come out!

Shahrrah is definitely working hard to make her musical fantasy a true reality. Why shouldn't you? I'm not forcing you to grab a guitar or a drum set but get out there and do something that you love and have a passion for. It's out there, you just gotta find your passion.

Don't doubt your dreams...Shahrrah isn't.
Turn your dreams into your passions.

All I Want To Do Is Have Some Fun!

"Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game." -Michael Jordan

I just don't get why people think fun is a bad thing in life.

Fun is needed in every person, building, street, house, radio, job, etc. It just makes everything less stressful and an absolute joy. Yes, life can make things difficult in order to experience this with things such as jobs and busy schedules and whatnot but that's no excuse why fun can not come towards your doorstep.

People just need to create their own fun in the workplace. Let's face it, about 20 of your co-workers sitting at desk rapidly typing reports for 8 hours straight in a silent room where nothing you can hear except for the tap-tap-tap of keys on the keyboard...yeah, sign me up!!!
Play some music while working, talk about the latest buzz at the local water cooler, put a smile on your face, do something!!! Sitting their like a silent piece of flesh won't make your environment magically turn to paradise.

Fun is not needed just at work...it's needed outside those walls when you clock out. Hence why there are things like bars, clubs, amusement parks, libraries, arcades, movie theaters, concerts, beaches, and on and on and on. There is a variety of things out on the streets that can help you find something fun to do. And you could even bring friends to tag along for the ride...shocking huh?

People...get out there and make some fun today!!!

Pictivation: There's Always A Way.

"The soul never thinks without a picture." -Aristotle

Motivation is great with words but sometimes pictures is a great substitute.
Hence I reveal to you my Pictivations.

Basic definition: Instead of my words, I show you pictures to keep your spirits high, your brain ticking, and belief for a better day and an even better you.

So here's my first showing!

I found this picture on one of my favorite art places online, DeviantArt, and is short and simple.

"Where there is a will, there is a way"

Thanks to Mr. Badger for an awesome piece!!!

There's Always A Way...Don't Forget That.

'Motions Defined: Doubt

"There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills." -Buddha

This is 'Motions Defined. A new entry topic on my Moternative blog making its debut.

Blog entries of mine with this topic takes one of the thousands emotions rolling around here and I focus on that as my general discussion with details about it, advice, etc,etc,etc! So let's start with the first one I picked out of my emo top-hat...DOUBT.

From my dictionary doubt is defined as "The uncertainty which exists in relation to a fact, a proposition, or other thing; or it is an equipoise of the mind arising from an equality of contrary reasons." Doubt has an affect on all of us since it can happen anywhere at anytime. I know that I experience this in certain situations so I can vouch that this has personally affected me in my lifetime.

It can be seen very common in young adults since they have a lot of decisions to make in the start of their bright careers if they make the right decisions. Do I go become a doctor? What if I don't like the line of work? Maybe I should look into being a reporter? But I love working on automobiles! Should I find work there? Should I go to college or just jump into working for a living? Where am I gonna live? Questions like these bring up feelings of doubt quite quickly since we are trying to figure out the best scenarios for us but we are scared of committing 100% until we are guaranteed that this is the best choice.

Doubt can make or break relationships. Think about it...if you have doubts that your man/woman really loves you, can you honestly love them back even if they don't? Love is beautiful thing at times but that brings on some challenges along the way that test people to see if what they have is true or just another lust trip.

Don't think that friendships got immunity from doubt either...far from it. Friends are great source of joy but doubt can make friends brutal enemies in just a matter of seconds. Does he really like me or is he using me for something? She wants me to act a certain way around her...that's what friends do right? Things like this can really question what kind of "friends" you really have.

I'm being truthful right here...I have made a bunch of great friends in my lifetime but I only call a few dozen as my true friends; The others are called acquaintances or crash test dummies in my book.

But anyways...how to control your doubt?

• Show No Fear: Approach situations with a clear head and figuring out everything until you are satisfied. This doesn't mean that you will be satisfied with the answer in every situation you jump into. Some things will not go your way and such...but you can feel that you at least got it done with. Finish them!!!
  

• You! Not Them!: People that you don't think like you for you? Give em the boot and make sure the door hits them on the way out of your life. You are special little seed on this dirt rock with your own mind, feelings, style, and energy. If someone doesn't like that, why should you bother changing to meet their own damn standards? Wave em' off and move on in the direction you want to go....and give a friendly honk as you drive by.

• Clear-Headed: Multiple thoughts in that noggin of yours makes doubt drive on the interstate straight to you. Try to not think too much. Now that might be a little difficult but keep it simple. Learn how to just think things through, be done with it, and lock it down. Having a simple thought process keeps you going, makes you less stress, healthier, and most important: happy.

• No plan? Mo' Problems: If your just going through the motions without some sort of plan of attack then your gonna have a few downfalls. Now I'm not saying that you need a bulletproof life-plan in order to succeed. Far from it. You just need a little blueprint that consists of what you wanna do, how you are gonna try to do it, and are you satisfied with the plan. Some plans can go bad in the middle of executing one...so having a few backups would be a good idea. Just FYI...gotta look out for ya right? :)

Doubt is always lurking in shadows but as long as your focused, it shouldn't take over you for very long. Just be yourself, surround yourself with positive energy, take negative things and feed it to your motivations, and go for the gold. Never..and I MEAN NEVER let anyone discourage you or take advantage of you.

It's hard finding that perfect paintbrush to paint your life but keep your head up. It's out there waiting for you to grab it and paint your canvas. Don't let doubt sour you, it's just another roadblock to conquer on your way to a better life.

Never 2.0

"I walk slowly, but I never walk backward. " -Abraham Lincoln

Never drive into the wall.
Never keep yourself trapped.
Never eat more then you can chew.
Never believe you that you should die.
Never think that your worthless.
Never stop for 2nd.
Never walk backwards.
Never be negative towards good.
Never run on neutral.
Never fall and stay there.
Never expect what you expect.
Never rely on others on your future.


Always fight.