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What’s That One Thing That You Are Afraid Of?

Fear isn’t real. It’s something we tell ourselves.
Will Smith

A writer asked a group the Question what is the one thing that you are afraid of. Fear often grips us whether real or imagined. My interest sparked, I peered into the responses of those who were quick to chime in. Here I share:

Just simply taking a quick glance at the responses, most are not real. They are in our imagination and stays there for a while. Personally, I was afraid to jump out of a plane. I did a tandem jump and faced my fear. Many fear things like job loss, health, and loss of loved ones. But today, if there is something you fear as we start a new year, face it and move beyond your fear. Remember, fear isn’t real. It is something we tell ourselves.

Thinking that there is something waiting for me on the other side of the shower
Walking up the basement stairs at night
Ending up alone
The fear of my husband dying from an epileptic seizure due to low blood sugar
Unexpected knock at the door and the person stands in an area where I can’t see them
If I fall sick and no one knows
The concept of eternity scares me. Living forever
I am terrified of plugs being left on when there’s no plug in there. I am convinced it will cause a fire.
I’m afraid I’m going to wake up one day and it turns out I never let my ex
That I will be popular and people will be bugging me all the time
Being held down, weight on me and not being able to breathe as in swimming under water
I have an irrational fear that I rub my eye I will accidentally slop and gouge out my own eye
Dying alone in my home of a heart attack or something and having no one realize it for weeks
Someone staring back at you
Public speaking
A deer will run out in front of my car during a late night drive in the country
Chicken bone being lodged in my throat
Waking up in a house fire
Ceiling fans that one is going to get lose and fall on me
A plane falling out of the sky and crushing me
Falling off a cliff
A plane crash
Fear of Success

Cheers!

That Goal…Clutch It Up

My mom clutched it up! That’s what Jakob shouted when the news came of the neighbor’s new born baby on Christmas Day. To 10-year old Jakob, his goal is not to get just one gift at Christmas for birthday and Christmas. He wanted separated gifts. So he cheered his mom for clutching him up and giving birth early January.

Microwave Society

Caused me to reflect on our goals. Sometimes we give birth to our goals prematurely and it doesn’t last. Our microwave society want degrees in weeks. Marriage before couples meet. We have become so hastened that we find it hard to wait on the 30 second microwave heat. Yep. We have become an impatient society.

The Race Is Not For The Swift

But remember, the race is not for the swift. The race is for the steady. For those who are consistent in what they do. We are not talking about procrastinators. We are talking about consistent effort. Consider marathon runners and athletes, They work hard consistently and in the long run become winners. So let’s be patient and clutch up those goals. We too will achieve and experience success that lasts.

Cheers!

Forge Ahead…

To Look back is to forge ahead.

To make a difference was my simple desire. Most if not all of us want to be successful in life. So I devoted my research to the topics of Success and Leadership. Afterall you have to lead yourself to be successful. It’s hard work.

My research began in 2010 and was published in 2013. To reach the masses I did the peer reviewed business journal article followed by my first book Success Strategies. 8 books later, I am still going. Still making a difference in the lives of aspiring authors helping them to publish their own book, encouraging those new to entrepreneurship and those who wish to switch jobs but are afraid to venture out into the unknown. It’s scary but it works.

Thanks to those who were at my side at the kickoff. Here are memories in pictures thanks to Nordia.

Fear Of Dying With Unaccomplished Dreams…

My greatest fear is dying without accomplishing my own dreams.

A middle-aged woman was deeply depressed. She had helped her children succeed in life. When they bought their first house, she was there. When they had their kids, she was there. A child needed to be picked up, she was there. However through a series of events, she began reflecting. She got stuck and locked herself away from others. When we finally spoke, she shared that she loves her kids and was happy with their success, but her greatest fear was dying without accomplishing her own dreams.

The Selfish Few

Aren’t we like that at times? We are always there for others to the detriment of our own dreams. Those who step out and go after their dreams without considering others are termed selfish. The challenge is for us to find the right balance. The balance to remember our own goals, dreams and aspirations while assisting those we care about with achieving their own.

Dream Home

Lets take for example buying your dream home. Consider what it would take. Search the requirements for you to qualify for a mortgage with a lending institution. Start searching. What location would you like to buy your dream home? Does it need to be close to your job or are you willing to relocate and move to a different area? Out of state or instate? Out of the county or within the county? Next, consider what would you like to have? Two, three or four bedrooms? How many bathrooms? Do you work from home and therefore need an office? Questions, questions, questions. You’re right. Answer them all. The progress will enlighten.

Dream Job

Is it that you would like to change careers? If so, start researching careers that interest you. Do you need to get an education or certification to get into that field? If so, what education do you need? How will you afford the training? Will you need to get a part-time job to help boost your finances? Will your company cover the training expense? And if they do, will they expect you to stick around after you graduate? There is also the option of scholarship or student loan if you qualify.

Aspiring Author

What about a hobby? I’ll use writing because I love to write. Have you dreamed of becoming an author? What will you write about? What are you interested in? Fiction, non-fiction? Biography? If so, where do you start?

The point of these examples is to emphasize that there is always hope for those who dream. They can still come through despite your age, finances, and anything else that you consider a stumbling block. Simply start with clarifying the dream, the goal. Create a timeline. It will help you track your progress and boost your psych as you accomplish each step. Once done, dig deep into making them real. Disregard anything negative that will distract you. Many have accomplished dreams no matter their age. There is always hope. George Foreman regained the heavyweight title at age 45. Colonel Sanders franchised Kentucky Fried Chicken at age 62. The media recently shared a 99 year-old woman who decided to get a tattoo and a daredevil bike ride simply to cross it off her bucket-centennial-list. She is definitely still dreaming.

Today, I encourage you to go after your dreams. Whether you are young or more mature, don’t let age stop you. After all, age is just a number.

Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Traveling To A Place I’ve Never Been…

Corona Air Travel to a place I have never been.

6 Feet apart on the ground.

Masks, face covering and all as orders came for businesses to reopen

Next day mandatory

Embarked on flight observing the usual.

Full flight. Clumped together

White paper bags distributed on entry with tiny pack of cookies and bottled water.

The usual. No changes there

I can see the signs

Less crew to come.

With safe distancing, there’s nothing they need to do besides the initial guidance in preparation for take off

And even then, that’s automated

Three hours later, the friendship State I arrived.

Big airport. Masks everywhere

Until I get to my mountainous destination

Scanty. A few masked ones. The rest on their own.

Free to wander. Free to decide.

Spread the germs

Get the germs

The virus

Will it ever end?

Second leg. Flight empty except for a few dozen passengers

I arrive at my seat.

Backpack in hand and rollercase

I was assigned to sit next to another passenger

I looked around. Why?

The flights empty for crying out loud!

Lovely lady. Kind. Helped me get ‘settled’ into my window seat

Except…. there’s no window.

Oh that’s weird.

A window seat with no window, hmm

Of course I couldn’t settle

One of my pastimes while traveling is to stare out the window

I read. I write. I plan. I stare. Eyes fixed until the earth beneath disappears behind the clouds

Then I gaze at the morning’s sunrise, midday sun or evening sunset

At nights I just stare at the lights until they are gone

Then I zoom into the plane’s flicker against the night sky.

Absolutely love

But then back to my story.

My kind neighbor who looks like a mayor’s wife who bakes cookies and welcomes all at Christmastime agree that I can make haste to the window behind.

No flight attendant in sight. I settle in.

Flight ready for takeoff they asked me to elevate the seat back

The sure demise of a previous passenger

I wiped the place clean … well as clean as I could without looking like a germaphobe

Settled in.

Look around at a passenger dressed in spacesuit

Extra precaution I’d say

Hungry …. had not eaten from morning and airport snack counters closed for obvious reason

I slaughtered a pack of biscuits brought from home

I usually sleep during take off but was too ravished to nap.

I dived in and ate and ate until the pack of biscuits disappeared

Now I await the 3 hour flight to a place I’ve never been

Writing Inspirations From The Beach

Footsteps

Inspirations come alive at the beach. Writers write. Children play. Musicians compose. The depressed are relieved. The sick can be healed.

A person can listen to the waves, cry, laugh, read, yawn, sleep. Such lazy waves forces peace, quiet, and welcomed relaxation.

The beach… a place where moments come alive. Steal away and bask in the sun, sand, and sea.

Swoosh….

South Florida Writers Of Color Literary Magazine, 2nd Edition…

You can. You should and if you are brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free so drink. Drink and be filled. ~Stephen King

The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. ~Dylan Thomas

The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins, South Florida Writers of Color Literary Magazine. An Online Literary Magazine. Read. Indulge your writing prowess in these editions:

South Florida Writers of Color Magazine 1st Edition

South Florida Writers of Color Magazine 2nd Edition

Hope you are inspired to write.

Cheers!

What’s Missing For You To Feel Less Stressed Now?

Culture Change Ethics Leader, Chris Bauer asked the question “what would be helpful for you to feel less stressed right now? Not what’s been helpful but what’s missing for you? Professional jumped in:

More crisis governing and less political posturing.
Seeing disenfranchised people and knowing how much they are going through.
As a parent to young adults it is very sad to see them being neglected by the system.
A hug. To hug loved ones . Miss physical connection with loved ones.
Being able to leave my house and feel comfortable not having to be 6 feet away from everyone. Hand sanitizing constantly. Washing my hands the minute I get home. Not seeing people in face masks, and touching my face without fear. Going to the grocery store these days is a rather stressful experience and I feel so much for our brave grocery cashiers, clerks, stockers and baggers not necessarily getting as much kudos as doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers… but heroes nonetheless.
I just want to hear “you are free to move around anywhere you want, and also that the world is safe now. Won’t happen for 12-18-24 months
The ability to meet with people in person both personally and professionally.
An end date. You can survive anything as long as you have the end date.
An Exit plan.
Staying in the day….always helps

So what about you? How are you feeling in the face of this worldwide Pandemic? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Social Distancing. 21 Things To Do…

With the influx of the pandemic worldwide many regular activities have come to a halt. Kids are home from school. Businesses have closed or implemented work-from-home with only a skeletal staff in office. Things are just basically at a standstill. What can you do when the work stops? When maintaining Social Distance confines you to your home? Beauty Bites and Radical Transformation Projects gave a few tips. Here I share my personal favs of 21 things that you can try:

Sleep. Go ahead. You’ve always wanted to do it. Now you’ve got the time. Do it
Listen to an audio-book
Create a vision board of your dream life and hang it where you can see it
Read a book
Start a blog
Watch motivational speeches online
Make a self-care kit for when you feel down
Write poetry
Plan your week, month, year!
Learn a new recipe
Write a list of things you are thankful for
Dance! Dance in your home
Go for a walk.
Enjoy nature
Make a list of things you’re grateful for
Learn a new language
Make a list of the places you would like to visit
Declutter your phone
Plan to do something different every month for the rest of the year
Update your resume…just in case
Connect spiritually

Try something new!

Cheers!

Time Wasters. Manipulators Among The 5 Kinds Of Toxic People

They give headaches. Increase stress…and Simply make your life miserable. Living with one? Whew! Working with one? May God help you! (yep). But whatever your situation…Do something about it!

In my Success Strategies workbook, I outlined 8. Here are 10 kinds Jeffrey Moore posited. I’ll share my top 5 from his list. Check his 10 kinds of Toxic People for more including descriptions.

Toxic People

1.Time Wasters

2.The Victim

3.The Always Negatives

4.Manipulators

5.The Always Stressed Out

But how do you deal with them? Stay tuned to learn more in my soon to be released book Ditch It. Switch It.

From those listed here, what are your top 5? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Someday I Will…

Never give up; for even rivers someday wash dams away. ~Arthur Golden

Success Strategies

Never give up; for even rivers someday wash dams away. ~Arthur Golden

Someday I will do this. Someday I will do that.

How many of us often sit or live at the ‘wishing well’ that someday I’ll do this, or that. Someday I’ll get that perfect body. I’ll have that perfect house, job, spouse, marriage with the perfect kids; go on that dream vacation, and much more! Oh if wishes were horses so many would ride.

Someday is Today

Why not let someday be today? I reflect on the movie Hidden Figures where each of the three women at NASA — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into space.

The inaugural team at NASA decided to step out and do something that was never done before. From the astronaut, NASA’s president, the…

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Writer To Entrepreneur: Top 11 Steps To Success…

You can make anything by writing.”
–C.S. Lewis

Developing your writing craft is not easy. As authors we stick to it because it’s our passion. The zeal with which we are connected is likened to a web but one in which we wish not to escape.

Many are the traditional thinking that authors hardly make money, let alone survive while working on their craft. But what do you say to the likes of Stephen King, Poet Maya Angelou, Harry Potter’s J.K. Rowling and countless others. You may say that they are successful because they are well known. Banish that thought and delve into the story of Stephen King who was rejected so many times that he actually threw in the trash his best selling novel. Were it not for his wife, the world would not have enjoyed this story’s amazing work.

So here I share excerpts of my presentation on the topic of “From Books to Bucks”, held at the South Florida’s Writers Book Festival.

Books 2 Bucks

Write Quality Work
Books can have babies. Think of workbooks, series, and so much more
Convert your book to Audio
Create an audience through tapping into Podcast listener-ship
Translate your Book into a different language. Oh the new audience it brings
Convert your book to film, movie, documentary
Written non-fiction? Immense business opportunities exists. Think of workshops, Spoken-Word, how-to events and more
In the arts? Use your book as the stepping stone to fashion and design
Want to develop and grow your passion? Stick with the right people
Become a Conference Speaker. Share your expertise
Don’t sit on it, enter your book for an Award

Want to go from Books to Bucks, Select from the list, focus your craft on the point(s) you believe you will get best win, then promote, promote, promote. Marketing your work is the key to success and it does not have to cost you a ton. Use social media wisely. It can help you grow into something you never thought you could be.

I end with encouraging you to Be Serious about your craft. SHOW UP and promote, promote, promote.

Cheers!

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Microwave Society

The Race Is Not For The Swift

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The Selfish Few

Dream Home

Dream Job

Aspiring Author

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Toxic People

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Someday is Today

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Books 2 Bucks

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