A Time To Review - Part I

While I take a quick "sabbatical" to move, create my back cover for my book, and round up interviews for a new position at Ohio State, I thought I would take the next two weeks to review previous postings. To make points stick home, it's always best to keep things fresh in your mind - otherwise they get placed in your brain's disposal.

The Introduction - Use this time now to start anew. You can start writing a new chapter everyday, the power of that pen (of life) lies in your hand. Use it wisely, and be smart. It doesn't matter what your past has, why let the storm clouds of yesteryear linger into next year.

Attitude Checks - I have to preach this one to myself all the time. You will always come in contact with people whom you could do malicious things to. Don't lie to yourself, we all know that person. Instead of wanting to get somebody -  get anybody, stay positive. As my co-worker always tells me - don't let someone else still your shine. In the same token, don't let circumstances and situations be a detriment to you, who you are, and what you stand for. Move forward, and accomplish big things.

Rising Above - Stay above the fray. Keep your name and your reputation out of debauchery. Don't knell down to those who thrive in idiocy. Repel those who speak blasphemy, and who desire nothing more than for you to participate in their games of ignorance. Life is too short; don't make a mess of everyday...

Move >, Move ^ - Don't take steps backwards. If you feel like for every step you take forward that you end up taking two back, evaluate yourself. Something needs fixed. Press forward whether you're going 1mph or 95 mph. Never fall into the trap of thinking you always need to go 95 mph either, try to adhere to life's speed limits. Or at least, within an acceptable range over...

"Weathering The Storm" - I can't wait to distribute signed copies... Early 2012, mark it down on your calendars! Soon enough, I should be able to give a solid "release" date. And announce my next book project....

Those Seeds You Sow... - We all reap what we sow. If you are continuously throwing around negative "seeds", they will take root, sprout, and destroy your environment. Promote positive things, and positive things will come to pass onto you. It might seem like you're having unending bad times no matter the good you do - but don't be deterred.

Watch What You Do... - ...because your enemy is watching too, and plotting. Don't ever put yourself in vulnerable situations and circumstances. We have enough day-to-day problems to manage, why bring unneeded trouble your way? All the while, your adversaries are watching and waiting for what fuel they can get to bring you down. Don't let it happen. Do what's right, don't cheat, don't lie, and make yourself a trustworthy person. Stay above the fray!

"Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Until next week, keep striving to leave a legacy. Every little thing you do matters in the grand scheme of things. Let your clouds loose, get them out of the way of your sunshine, and live unconquered.

JJR II

7-26-11

Defy All Odds

When you set out to live unconquered, you must realize that you will face obstacles, distractions, derailments, and difficult conquests around every corner you turn. Your personal will can, and will, always be put to the test. There will be situations where your character is pushed to the limit, and that you’re asked to keep moving even though it seems hopeless. You never know what hurdles and obstacles will be thrown at you in your lifetime, but what you can do is make a dedication that no impediment placed in your way will be a deterrent to you continuing along the path of life you set. 

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson   

I’ll turn your attention to Eric LeGrand. For those of you who don’t know, he was a collegiate football player at Rutgers University who was injured this past season. He suffered a severe spinal injury, and was paralyzed as a result. Since his injury October 16^th, he has consistently made it his initiative to defy the odds, stating numerous times that he will walk again. In his latest update, he tweeted pictures of himself alongside his mother in therapy – standing upright. This is the same person in mid-October of 2010 that doctors – for all their intelligence and medical expertise – incorrectly stated he would never walk again. Those same doctors, who predicted LeGrand would be attached to a ventilator the rest of his life. Another misdiagnosis. Whether it be fate, a miracle, or by his sheer will, he has already defied the odds – and continues to every hour, every minute, and every second. Can those of us who complain (myself included) about the simple things, do the same, without complaints or negative attitudes? When I see people such as Eric, or the cancer patients I work with on a daily basis – individuals are defying the odds every second – it gives me the motivation and dedication to hurdle my own hindrances which are minuscule in comparison.

Click for link on Eric LeGrand's progress....

Whatever route through life you choose - always be aware that a detour is available around obstructions if needed. Even if you storm through rough patches like a bull in a china shop – just ensure that you make it through. The saying that “nothing is impossible” is spot on. You are only defeated by a circumstance when you wave your white flag and surrender. Remember – don’t let something conquer you; and in the same token don’t have the mindset that you’ve got to conquer everything in sight. The goal is to be unconquered by your environment, and then being more than a conqueror all-the-while being an example, a leader, a protagonist, and a role model for those who surround you. Don’t feel like you are required to conform to stereotypes or statistics, go against the grain and be a standout.

The odds you experience will vary, but none are too great to be defeated. Have strength, and never succumb to your milieu. Whether you’re in what seems to be an unending and grueling battle with cancer, seeking to walk again, kick that decades long addiction – whatever it is – don’t give up your fight. The road may be hell, but I can assure you the light at the end of the tunnel is there. Always persist, and know that some journeys you depart on may not come to an end. Moreover, if you never reach whatever “destination” it is, it is better to be in the act of traveling, than have given up along the way. Cherish the moment, cherish the journey, and cherish the struggles. A day of struggles is better than no day at all…

Root for those around you to defy all odds too. Do the unthinkable, do what no one believes you can do. I personally believe in vicarious victories. Always support and push forward those in your life with a positive and well intended agenda. All it takes is one person to experience their breakthrough to trigger an avalanche of encouragement, success, and accomplishments. Live united; it’s even better to defy the odds as a posse.  

“Standing tall, we can’t fall….”

- Eric LeGrand

Defy & Live Unconquered.

JJR II

7/19/2011

A Tragedy --> A Triumph

On Independence Day, I spoke of getting out of bad situations, circumstances, atmospheres, and predicaments – in addition to getting away from those who perpetuate inclemency in your life. Sometimes, a lot of the times actually, it is easier said than done. Some events that happen will be out of your realm of control, blind side you, and not necessarily be events and/or circumstances that you prepare for. These tragedies, while they are often accompanied with a horrible set of emotions, must be overcome as well.

Tragedies, misfortunes, heartbreaks, calamity, disaster – whatever you refer to them as – usually strike so hard because of their shock value. That being said, you are expected to have some “depression” or “depressed states” afterwards. The key is to not let this valley linger on so long that it begins to alter you, or leave you in a vulnerable state and prone to slip ups. We all see it, time and time again, how mistakes and wrongs of a person’s long past show up and inflame their circumstance/ situation/ environment of present day. Never let chapter 3 have a direct influence on chapter’s 4, 5, 6, etc. in life – your life should be a direct continuum. Yes this or that may have happened in your past, but don’t let it be the paver of the road that is your future. If you let something that happen ten years ago hover as a cloud and cause turmoil in your present day life – you have essentially empowered that element. Use your knowledge, yourpower, and your keys to get out from under whatever storm clouds are over you, and turn your tragedy into a triumph.

Vow that whatever tragedy happens to you – that you will learn from it, it will mold you into a bigger and better person; then dedicate to create something great out of it. There is no end to the amount of good that can be created out of a personal catastrophe if we all adopt this mindset. Strive to leave a legacy in the honor of whatever misfortune and suffering you suffered. Your goal is to be able to say, “yes this incident happened/ is happening to me (and/or those you know) – but look at what I created out of my ashes of adversity.” You should always be superior to the grief you undergo. Your personal will and strength should always be greater than your surroundings. 

An important key is to turn anything negative that’s happened into something worthwhile. Shape-shift agony into a motivating fuel. Let me break it down with some examples... So someone told you that you can’t/ couldn’t do something? Questioned your skill, goals, purpose, etc.? Work hard to do that very thing. Get it done, BUT don’t do it just to prove your nay-sayers wrong. You do it to prove to yourself you can/could/will do “it” – whatever you set your goals to be. This goes for it all – death, disease, poverty, adultery, employment, disarray, and dysfunction, anything negative. Put a positive light on it. Tell yourself – I’ll accomplish (a, b, c) because of this – then press forward with those plans. Don’t plan for something, only to have the ship you build never take sail… 

I would rather be labeled a failure having dedicated to a great cause and purpose than have great success by supporting malevolence, deceit, and disorder. 

Another important element is knowing that the day you decide to turn over a new leaf that you don’t/won’t/can’t ever go back. Throw out the rear-view mirror. Take the past chapters and tear them out and start anew if you need to. What is the point in turning a calamity into a achievement, only to let your new-found accomplishment be a doorway for more woes in your life? Don’t stumble; keep moving forward even once you’ve reached disaster-induced victory. Lifting yourself out of the chaos and storm clouds doesn’t mean your journey ends. In fact, it’s one of the easier parts if you focus, have discipline, and set steady goals. Instead, you should start sending down “ropes of support” so that those important to you can climb out of the turbulence too.

Anything that causes you pain, disorganization, pessimism, ignorance, debauchery, to be addicted, to steal, to cheat, to hurt others, etc. – let it go. Take out your “mental scissors”, and cut it loose. Everything won’t be something physical, a lot of the times it will be mindsets, thoughts, prejudices, attitudes, and routines. Free up space for your triumph to grow…

The past is just that, the past. It isn’t a foreshadowing experience. It should not have any bearings on your present, or your future. Cut loose any anchors and leeches attached to your side; they’re weighing you down and zapping you dry of your life source. Let a healing onto yourself, get out of any “mess”, and transform your tragedies into triumphs. L-I-V-E….

JJR II, Unconquered.

July 7^th, 2011

Get Out!

If you’re in a bad situation, be sure that you get out. If your circumstance or environment is damaging your essence, get out. Drug addictions, hustling, stealing, lying habits – get out. Bad abusive relationships, a wreck of a financial situation, and depression all qualify as well – get yourself out of those conditions and move into a better area of life. Have things that are weighing you down and crushing you? Get out from under them.

Don’t make excuses of why you can’t get out. Don’t ever say you can’t get out either, because you can if you really want to and set your mind to it. You may struggle when you get out, but in the end it will be for the better. Don’t let fear hold you back from getting out, better always comes when you get out of a bad predicament. I don’t care if you have to crawl, roll, flop, or have someone drag you by your feet, just find a path and get on it, and start moving towards the light. The path to getting out can be just as tough as any hellish situation you were in; stick it out. The road to triumph is not for the weak or ill-willed, be sure to have your priorities, your house, and your courage in order before proceeding. Try to not let stubbornness and the dreading of change move into your way either; you need to move forward with open eyes and an open brain.

Sometimes the reason trials and tribulations in life can seem ever-ending is because of laziness. To get away from a “storm”, sometimes you’ll need to pack it up and relocate. There could be sunny skies just a block away, but if you’re too lazy to move out of a bad environment, you could just continue to have unending rains and storms in your life. Not all storms just quickly pass; sometimes you will need to relocate out of them. Placing yourself in a better surrounding isn’t always “running from the problem” if it’s in your (and those around you) best interests.

If you can’t get out, then plan on working it out. As I spoke of last week, use your knowledge and the power it creates to wield yourself a key, a door of opportunity, a car to drive you through, a better financial life – whatever it is that you need to succeed and allow contentment in. No one wants or deserves to live in continuous melancholy, and to be quite frank life is too short. Get out of and away from a life of “stress & mess”. Move up and into bigger and better things, and live for a purpose.

For the things that surround you that are zapping you of your strength, bringing chaos and turmoil into your presence, taking joy in anarchy – tell them to GET OUT. It’s your life, and your responsibility to keep things away from you with mischievous agendas. Don’t ever knowingly let evil slumber in the bed beside you; kick it out. Tell it to go on, and don’t let it destroy your goals and what you’ve worked hard to attain. The mere association with iniquity can crumble you and everything you stand for. You should desire to live unconquered and not under the control of your circumstances, your environment, or your situations. The closer you are to getting out and telling evil to get out, the next step you take to reaching that goal…

Always live unconquered, and pledge to be more than a conqueror. Happy Independence Day

JJR II