Inspirations

Today marks the 8th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The heart always gets a little heavy leading up to the 11th. It is a grim reminder of better times. And what you've lost.

When I started in music, Shawn was always one of my biggest supporters. When obstacles continuously reared their heads, he always simplified what always seemed to be the most complex of issues. And with a smile. Not many things in life seemed to phase him. He showed me the importance of resilience and developing tough skin.

He always said he envied me for being so laser focused at all times. He said he had joined the military and served in the FDNY because it gave him structure and focus.

But it was I who envied him for being able to bring out the best in everyone. I believe that to be an inbred, innate talent, not something you're taught. I have tried since to emulate this natural ability, with very little success. But I'm gonna keep trying.

He said that one day I will be a great leader and I would walk with the greatest in my field. But I have already walked alongside one of the greats.

On days like today, I remember a street I loved to walk, but can no longer go down, because you lit it.

I'll keep working towards being a better person. Thanks for leaving a cool blueprint homie.

Your Big Picture

Some of us spend most of our days trying to stay afloat. Some of us try to stay a pay check or two ahead of the game if possible. The majority of us spend our lives working, pushing and grinding to get into better homes, better cars, and better situations because we were taught that things make a better life.

I ask folks that play the lottery, if you won and after all of the superficial things were out of the way and you took care of family and friends, would you do exactly what you're doing now with your life?

Some of us live self destructively, thinking a facade truly makes a better life. But at the end of the day, who cares what people think? Folks are just judgmental. It's embedded in their DNA. If you're doing poorly, well, misery loves company. If you're doing well, they'll ridicule you for not giving back. And if you do give back, they'll scorn you for the amounts you contribute.

When it's your time to go, will you think, "man, I should have did more with mine", or "I had a great life!"

So, what's the big picture? Live your life. Take it a day at a time. Take those baby steps that'll get you closer and closer to your goals. Don't worry about the noise going on around you. It doesn't matter what level of success you're enjoying or what tax bracket you're in. The noise will always be there. At all levels. In the 'hood and in the hills.

Live now. Act now. Move now. Live your big picture. Go get it.

The costs of abundance.

When I was younger my grandmother used to say, 'you will be abundant when you can manage it'. I didn't agree with her - yet.

Growing up in the Bronx in the eighties I saw three kinds of people - blue collar workers, drug dealers and drug addicts. As a young kid, the dealers' lives seemed over abundant. The allure was strong. As I got older, I realized what dealers go through daily. You have to be strong-willed to be in that line of work. Territory issues, trust issues, looking over your shoulder, death or prison stints breathing down your neck by the minute. The costs of abundance. Granted, a lot of people who "chose" this lifestyle just want to get out of their current social and economic conditions. Nobody wanted to stay in the hood. The blue collar workers were driven by the same motives of changing social and economic status.

As an adult, I now fully understand what my grandmother meant. The management of abundance wasn't talking about bank accounts and financial consultants. Rather, she was referring to the dues you'll pay to get it and your resolve in handling it when it arrives.

What are you willing to pay for change? How much have you paid for success? Are you seeing results? Are you seeing the fruits of your labor? And if so, are you putting back into your soil to enjoy more harvests?

Even the best of us lose sight of our goals and what's important in lean and fruitful times. Sometimes the amount of loss weighs greater than the gains themselves. Stay focused.

The Sistah's Brown On The Edges

Ironhorse Music Group's alternative soul singer/songwriter The Sistah has just released her debut EP entitled Brown On The Edges, produced by yours truly and Slim of The Aqua League. It's a cool blend of Soul, Jazz and Hip-Hop and features one of my favorite rappers (that wears a skirt!) Eternia.

It's posted as a free featured download on the IHMG website. Go cop now!

Download Brown On The Edges - The Sistah

Follow her at Twitter.com/TheSistah

Over The Mole Hills

Your vision can get a little hazy in the midst of world noise, environmental noise. With all that is going on in the world, it is easy to get sidetracked. But don't lose your sight. In spite of environmental issues and distractions, in spite of detractors, in spite of your doubters, don't lose sight.

At times, people who do not have any sense of focus and vision themselves seem to be the first to doubt and belittle your vision. But do not let that hinder your success. Surround yourself with individuals who share your vision. Surround yourself with forward thinkers. Surround yourself with those who thrive on success, big or small. Every step forward is a success. Mutually beneficial success is even better.

Mountains to the oblivious are mere mole hills to visionaries.

Artist of The Week - Doug Simpson

Hey folks. I just did an interview with Adam Bernard and have been featured as Artist of The Week (shwwweeeeeet). Thanks to Adam Bernard and the folks over at Adam's World. Check it out: http://adambernard.blogspot.com/2009/07/artist-of-week-doug-simpson.html

You can also download my project Sketches here: http://www.ironhorsemg.com

The Beautiful Struggle

It's funny, but in general, people are not very complex when it comes to action and accountability. You are either proactive or reactive. You do something about circumstances or you wait and react to a circumstance. Call it what you will "workshopping", "researching", whatever. It is still an excuse as to why you haven't started. Or finished.

As I continue to network, it is always beautiful to see folks in motion. Progression. Whether it's giant steps or baby steps, as the saying goes "slow motion is better than no motion".

How much have you/are you willing to spend to get to where to need to be? I am not just talking finances, but effort, drive, passion and most important, time. Your time. Your effort. Your resource. Every choice you make alters the universe around you. When you do absolutely nothing, the universe continues its motion, bringing whatever is in its movement to your doorstep.

Regardless of what you been told and/or heard, you can change your circumstances. Make choices to grind towards a goal. Your goal. Yeah, everybody wants money. And those that have some want even more. But ask any of those that have it if they love what they're doing. The majority will tell you "yes".

The proactive folks have gotten this far in this article.

If you are just getting started, go in! If you've been at it for a minute, keeping pushing. Hard work towards a goal gets results. It'll all be worth your beautiful struggle.