Inspiration & Motivation
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No Heart & No Soul on Bourbon Street
The Day SiriusXM’s Heart & Soul Host, Michelle Wright, Sold Me a Pound of BS at Essence Festival Bourbon Street is more than a stretch of road; it’s a living, breathing experience. It’s where the rhythm of music intertwines with the pulse of life, and for me, it’s where ambition and opportunity once converged. On…
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Never Giving Up:
A Universal Lesson from Cher’s Wisdom” LaTonya was watching Cher receive her flowers at an older Rock and Roll Hall of Fame event when I caught the moment. The iconic artist, radiating grace and triumph, said something that hit like a thunderclap. “I’ve been through so many ups and downs, but I never gave up.…
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The Impostor’s Journey: From Doubt to Dominance
In the journey of life, many of us begin feeling like impostors—outsiders looking in, questioning our worth, and doubting whether we belong. For some, this feeling fades with time. For others, it becomes the driving force behind transformation. My journey has evolved through three distinct stages: starting as an impostor trying to find my way,…
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Old School Hustle in a New School World:
As an old-school novelist whose roots stretch back to the gritty grind of the 90s and early 2000s, my journey has been anything but linear. I’ve seen the literary world transform from a place where books were sold hand-to-hand on the streets to a digital marketplace that thrives on algorithms, social media trends, and viral…
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The Two Sides of Christmas:
My Gentle Hug and a Raised Fist For some, Christmas is a magical time. It’s a season of Santa and Rudolph, of sparkling lights and warm traditions that transport us to a world where joy reigns supreme and anything seems possible. We set out cookies for Santa, write lists for gifts we hope to find…
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Finding Focus
Lessons from A Year with Purpose Life is a series of choices, and each one either aligns us with our purpose or takes us further away from it. In A Year with Purpose, we are guided through a year-long journey of insight, discipline, and fulfillment. Today, let’s focus on three quotes from the book that…
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Prison of the Mind
Let’s Dive In… The cell was a cramped box of concrete and steel, its cold walls closing in like a vice. Bars sliced through the space, a constant reminder that freedom wasn’t mine—it was just an idea, floating somewhere out of reach. The air was thick, sour—a mix of sweat, stale cigarette smoke, and that…
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Struggling by Default vs. Long-Term Success:
A Personal and Collective Financial Blueprint Why Do We Struggle Despite Our Talent? A good friend recently asked me a question that cuts to the heart of many of our financial realities: “I just lost my loved-one, who was one of the family’s creative forces. I speak to another loved-one daily, who is a Grammy-nominated…
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Predictable versus unpredictable outcomes:
When I think about the concept of predictable outcomes, I’m struck by the life of my father. Here was a man who, despite what God had taken away, managed to achieve an extraordinary level of productivity and resourcefulness. With one leg, he still reached 90% effectiveness, outperforming what 99% of men could accomplish with all…
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The Lost Art of Connection: Why You Need Deep Relationships to Survive in Today’s World
Loneliness in a Connected Age We live in a world where we’re always “connected,” yet more people feel isolated than ever before. Social media, text messages, and quick check-ins give the illusion of connection, but deep, meaningful relationships are becoming rare. Humans are wired for connection. Our mental, emotional, and even physical health thrives on…