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.

The Life You Lead

We usually are in a state of shock and disarray at the loss of a loved one. Or someone we admire. Nothing could be farther from the truth than the week of celebrities passing on. From Ed McMahon to Farrah Fawcett to Michael Jackson. Individually, they have greatly contributed to the world of entertainment and to our lives.

What kind of life are you leading? If you died tomorrow, could you honestly say that you've fulfilled your destiny? Could you say that you were truly a blessing to someone else? Have you lived?

I think Reverend Run put it best: "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today. You only live once but if you do it right, that's all you need!"

The hand you're dealt isn't your choice, but the life you lead is up to you. Live it.

Patience in fast times

Growing up my mom used to tell me 'nothing before it's time.' It took a bit of time before I understood that and it took even longer for me to accept it.

Things sometimes need time to develop. And we need to allow that time to pass. That does not mean that you should not do anything and wait. What you should be doing is prepping yourself for change. Ready yourself as best you can for whatever is coming while you wait for things to develop. No one wants to be told they're not ready after a steady bout with impatience.

We all want it now. It's hard to wait. But the wait will be well worth it knowing you are well prepared for what's on the other side.

Take care of what you have control of -- yourself.

Due diligence

In my continuous journey of self-motivation, I do come across moments of sluggishness and reassessment. Sometimes the reason you started something just isn't valid anymore six months down the road. And sometimes you find renewed spirit in what you started. While I have touched on this before, it bears repeating. Follow through! Finish!

Most of us never finish what we start because we never truly needed it to begin with. When you need something - I mean really need something, you will shift the Earth to get it. Assess what you think you want. Are you willing to go the distance for it? You may get over the hill only to see two more hills, each steeper than the one before it. Still want it? Still need it?

And don't worry about the naysayers. Naysayers are usually the ones who don't have the courage to follow through on things themselves. Even when it seems pointless, see it through. Feeling unaccomplished is one of the worst feelings in the world.

We all have different motivational factors in our lives - money, family, friends, material things, significant others. But all of those things are just what helps to get you started, not what makes you finish. You makes you finish! What are you waiting for?