Sunday, December 31, 2023

New Year, Fresh Perspective, Renewed Purpose

 Written By: Bella Vita


You have made it to a new year full of new opportunities for favorable outcomes.

The “New Year, New You” phrase has been embedded in our minds for decades.

For some, the end of the year is the time when New Year’s resolutions abound and the promise of change feels palpable. For others, resolutions feel a bit cliché and unfruitful. The idea of becoming a “new you” can feel daunting, and we sometimes stifle our own ability to change. 

But what if you shifted your focus from a “new you” to a fresh perspective?

Has it ever occurred to you that the same version of you that you have always been is the
perfect portrayal that you are seeking?
As you start your new year, don't discredit your old journey. Being unapologetically you has
gotten you here thus far, take what you’ve learned and who you’ve become, and acquire a new
perspective as you renew your purpose.

I stumbled across a quote that stated this idea in a simplistic form: “Life is like a canvas and
every day is a new brush stroke. It would be nearly impossible to make a masterpiece if you
were continually starting over.”

The “new year, new you” philosophy diminishes the beauty of your journey by accepting what
you have made yourself believe is failure and trying to run with it in a new direction.
Maybe you accidentally dropped your paintbrush and smeared a black streak across the entire
painting, and now your plan to paint a Pablo Picasso version of his famous Guernica painting is
out of the question. That doesn’t mean you can’t still paint something sensational. And the best
part is, when you do, that painting will be a true original and entirely your own masterpiece.
So as the new year begins, embrace the old version of you and simply revamp the best version
that you already are.


Don’t disregard what might look like a mess of a canvas for the ideal of perfection in a blank slate. Because we make real and lasting progress slowly and with grit, not simply when the date on the calendar says so. 

“New year, new you” sounds appealing, but there is something to be said for refusing to give up on yourself. For looking in the mirror and being determined to make something beautiful out of what you see, no matter the state in which you stand.

The important thing is to have patience and treat yourself with compassion. And remember that
you, as you are now, are more than deserving of another year, a new year, to build and grow
upon. You don’t need to start anew, you simply need the courage to start as you.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Going Through The Ugly Stage

Back when I was a young man, Allen Iverson was the newest phenomenon in the NBA, making him a trendsetter for many individuals who admired his style and accomplishments. One of his major character traits was his cornrolls which the females went wild over. And of course, since the females loved the look, a great deal of males attempted to grow their hair out so that they could replicate Iverson's hairstyles. Some were successful, such as myself, while others learned their hair growth was no bueno.



A deciding factor for many was whether or not he could survive the dreaded “Ugly Stage” where the hair had reached an awkward length. At this stage, the hair wasn't long enough to be styled, and couldn't be cut into a style, as usual, as length would be diminished. So for that reason, the more narcissistic individuals never attempted to grow their hair out of vanity.


In your life, don't allow the “Ugly Stage” of your journey to hold you back from attaining your goals. Transitioning from a standard career to that of an entrepreneur will likely require an “Ugly Stage.” One may have to reduce spending and scale down his or her lifestyle temporarily until sustainability is obtained.


In one's personal life, an individual transitioning from one relationship to another may need to endure a period of being single before the right partner comes along that will be an asset and add value to their life.



In summary, the “Ugly Stage” is nothing more than a code word for sacrifice. A sacrifice is required to make progress on any scale. At times, that stage is brief, while other times it takes you to the limits. The Law of Compensation says you will always be repaid for your efforts. That compensation doesn't always come in the exact form in which it was dispersed, but it always comes back. The key here is to have patience and remain relentlessly persistent. Don't allow silence and slow movement to allow you to detour from your journey, both personal and professional. Those who can continuously endure the “Ugly Stage” time and time again in various aspects of their journey, will likely enjoy a beautiful life.

Monday, September 18, 2023

Never Can Say Goodbye

 “All My Life, Been Grindin All My Life” are popular lyrics from from deceased rap star Nipsey Hussle. Nipsey was the epitome of an individual who created a pathway to the success he envisioned in his life. Nipsey's lyrics have become the mantra for many corporate and street hustlers as they navigate to the money bag they're pursuing at any given time.



Let's fast forward. Your “Grindin” has paid off and you are at the peak of your hustle. You're at a bit of a crossroads and you have to make a critical decision that will determine your future strategy and how you move through the boardroom or the streets. In the latter half of my hustle, do I want to be an innovator and branch out into new territory in the hustle? Would I rather maintain a more traditional path and keep riding the train of success I've already created, although, I may have become burnt out from my current path of hustling?



We all face this question at various times in our lives. Do I stay in this relationship or depart? Do I quit this profession and try another? Do I stay in this city or relocate abroad?


The aforementioned questions aren't special and some would say rather normal questions that occur throughout society. I would agree completely. But, let's add another level of complexity to this decision. Normally, when these questions arise, the catalyst is usually from a negative place. In these scenarios mentioned above, you, or the individual you imagine in your head lol, are completely happy in your relationship, career, living scenario, or whatever else you wish to plugin.


Example

In the sports world

NFL QB Tom Brady was at the top of his game, but couldn't walk away while he was at the peak of his game. He played one season too many and lost more than the Super Bowl. 



Boxing Legend Floyd Mayweather ~ This individual is often criticized for his education level, but he was smart enough to leave boxing with a perfect professional record of 50-0. (Not including Exhibitions After Retirement) 



So, let's reel this back to the common individual. If you are in a situation, where everything is working favorably, but you have new goals or desires, it's okay to walk away before you're forced to walk away. For instance, some people have a mindset where s/he prefer to be terminated from an employment scenario, rather than walking away under his or her own discretion. Rewinding back to Brady, he had an opportunity to leave out riding high after winning a Super Bowl and retiring as “The Man.” However, he let the game dictate his retirement as he had a less-than-stellar season that led him to finally hang up his jersey.


In your relationship, regardless of personal or private, it's okay to leave while everything is in a good place. Regardless of our activity level in life, we all evolve constantly and our desires and goals change. Sometimes those changes require an addition of partners or a subtraction of a partner or more. It's just human nature. Change is the only consistent characteristic of the physical world. Everything will change and evolve regardless of how tight you attempt to hold on and preserve it. Your children will grow up, you will desire upward growth or industry change in your profession, your neighbors will move to a new home or city, your pet or loved one will transition, your favorite restaurant will close, & your favorite music group will dissolve for some reason you never imagined.

So leave while you're on top.




Friday, April 7, 2023

The 40/40 Club

 Written By: MrJackBrickhouse IG:@mrjackbrickhouse Twitter: @GotMYShades Linkedin: Jack Brickhouse

                   Blind Drift: Something Like A Screenplay
Spiritual Guidance: www.rmaz.org


The term mid-life crises often has a negative connotation when shared during general conversation. As I say the term aloud to myself, it evokes images of a man who is in his early to mid-40s, who is mentally unsettled as he realizes his youthful days have come and gone, and he is not quite sure how to proceed forward as he moves into what should be a new positive season of life. Stereotypically, this man would make irrational purchases such as a motorcycle or a sports car as he attempts to keep the cool of his youth as his physical appearance changes. So narcissism and materialism run rampant in the mind of this individual.


In real life, I am now that guy heading into his early 40s just over a month from now. So, I'm sure some of you wonder, am I experiencing a mid-life crisis? We'll revisit this momentarily.


As I approach 40, I feel quite Godfident in what the future holds for me as I move into this new season of life. While many others in my age bracket may be in crisis mode, my journey to 40 has taken me more toward spiritual enlightenment than a mental state that is in crisis. My 30s taught me about social engineering, preconditioning, materialism, and consumerism which led me down a path of minimalism in my personal and professional life. Over the past decade, I have committed to remaining a lifelong learner so that I am consistently progressing my knowledge in all aspects of life. Regarding minimalism, I have reduced the size of my inner circle only to a few select individuals. I've narrowed down my belongings to only include the necessities of my simplistic life. I've taken steps to trace my history and ancestry to know exactly who I am and where my origins began. I've learned that the only thing that really matters in this life is loving as God Allah loves, unconditionally without bias. These are only a few highlights of over a decade of work, but hopefully, you get the picture.


So again, I'm sure some of you wonder, am I experiencing a mid-life crisis? I would call it more of a mid-life elevation. I still have many decisions to make regarding my future, however, I'm not confused about any of the opportunities and challenges that will reveal themselves during my journey. I attribute this Godfidience to my faith in a higher power mixed with the preparation I have conducted for myself leading up to this moment. So regardless if you are turning 40, 50, or 75 or entering into a new relationship, job, partnership, or faith..always take time to research and prepare as Preparation is the Separation between mid-life crises and mid-life elevation.