HUMP DAY HOPE WITH WEDNESDAY'S WORD: DETERMINED

 Author: Dr. Jai, the Leading Lady: www.lihkleaders.com

Charles Darwin, the father of 'Evolutionary Theory' suggested that humans have thrived on this Earth because their digits, mental capacity and upright statures have allowed them navigate the environment and figure out how to live.  His mantra, "Survival of the Fittest" is used in psychology and sociology as the basis for continued  research on human development and extinction of species.

Well, now that all sounds great and 'scholarly', but for real, we just have to do what we gotta do to survive in this crazy thing called life.  Mobb Deep said, "we livin' this 'til the day that we die; survival of the fit, only the strong survive!" (Mobb Deep, "Survival of the Fittest" Song) Strength, which fuels determination, has helped us survive.  Those survival instincts that kick in when we are faced with danger include adrenaline so high that we are shocked by the strength we truly possess.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, we are reminded of the strength of people who fought for their civil rights.  The determination of African-Americans and people of other cultures and ethnicities who support the fight and wanted their voices heard.  The strength of a man, who died at the age of a VERY young 39 years old, that provided a voice for millions!!  But we can't help to think even further back to the determination of a woman, tired from a hard days work, who refused to move to the rear of the bus.

 
We have to continue to think about the strength of those teens in NC who sat right at the Woolworth's counter because it was their right.  The African-Americans who gladly took their 40 acres and their mule to create a life for their newly freed families.  The selfless woman who made tracks on a very long path, many times, to free others!  And, need I say it, the man who shed his blood and gave his life, setting an example of what "Survival of the Fittest" truly means, helping his followers understand eternal life and love.

It is amazing how strong and determined we are when faced with situations of adversity!! So does this explain why some people aren't as determined in the midst of their own dreams?  We talk about it, but you have to BE about it!!  You don't have to rush toward your goals!  All of these pioneers had visions and strategically thought through how it should be implemented.  You have the power to do the same and it doesn't have to be in the midst of turmoil, chaos, adversity, or challenge!

Confidence builds strength!  Strength fuels determination!!  Determination is standing firm in your purpose!!!  Go for what you desire!!  Even trying takes effort!!  So, be DETERMINED!!

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HUMP DAY HOPE WITH WEDNESDAY'S WORD: MOVE!!

 Author: Dr. Jai, the Leading Lady: www.lihkleaders.com

While I am driving into work there are some drivers that I really think fall asleep behind the wheel!!  They sit idol after the light has been green for a minute or they decide to pull in front of you and drive slower than the speed limit because they haven't had their 'pick up' in the morning.  Well, I am wide awake, driving the speed limit, or more, and my pick-me-ups are sitting in the back seat!  So now, you are in my way to get to my destination!  No, I am not rushing!  Most times I am on time or early, but I should not feel the consequences of your lack of motivation!  So, as I am driving, I shout, "Move!!! Geez!"  and my son, taking after his father, shouts, "C'mon Mannnn! 'Outta Wayyy'"  I can't help but chuckle because even a 2.5 year old knows that driver needs to get some pep in that pedal!

Anyway, when I think of someone shouting, "Move!", it is said, mostly, in urgency!  There is a destination to get to or there is a barrier to that destination; therefore, the command has purpose, yet stated sternly for ACTION!  When I think about Ludacris' song, "Move...." and a Baltimore Club Track, "Out My Way...." and how, at parties, folks would respond, moving each other out of the way, in fun, of course, the songs provoked action and a change in position, sometimes forced.  Most times being forced to move is not 'welcomed' or 'preferred'.

Don't wait to move on things you desire to do!  In these economic times, many of us are forced to move out of jobs and positions and it's not comfortable.  Then we are forced to move to other desired levels in our careers and life, quicker than we would have wanted, and it's, initially, not comfortable.  If you want to do something in life, then get started and... MOVE!  Whether baby steps, major steps or huge leaps of faith.... MOVE!!!  If you aren't ready, that's fine; MOVE when you are. If someone is in your way, then tell them to "MOVE... get out the way..." because you have places to go, things to see and people to meet! Don't let the consequences of their lack of motivation affect your actions!  If someone is blocking your progress, say 'Out My Way...' and 'throw them bows' (i.e. elbowing someone out of their current position) because you are trying to move out or up and they are dead-weight.  Get assertive in your demands; get aggressive in your quest!!  You have a destiny!  You won't get there until you MOVE!!!

"A 'dead-weight' in your progress will surely hinder your success" ~ Dr. Jai

Listen to Ludacris' "Move" Here

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"HIP HOP HOPE" WITH WEDNESDAY'S WORD: ATTENTION (Kendrick Lamar Commentary)

Author: Dr. Jai, the Leading Lady: www.lihkleaders.com

OH MAN!!! Kendrick Lamar has stirred up the pot now!!  And you know what? He has ALL OF OUR ATTENTION!!  The thing is, NOTHING that he has done or said is anything new!  Kool Moe Dee started calling people out long ago and many other rappers have followed suit.  The rap game has a voice and with that voice, folks speak truth.  What is funny is that a lot of people are MAD now because of his one line:

"I'm Makaveli's offspring, I'm the king of New York

King of the Coast, one hand, I juggle them both"

Okay, some are mad for more than that but tweets have been off the hook because of his 'claim'. What is even funnier is that he got their attention, got them mad and for what?!?!  From my research of hip hop history and reading the lyrics to his part in Big Sean's "Control", I would venture to interpret the line above as the following:

Kendrick, in my opinion, is saying that he is like TuPac Shakur.  A rap artist that rapped and dominated BOTH coasts (juggle them both)!!  From what I gather, Kendrick is not saying that HE is the king of New York, specifically, but if you research you will find that TuPac's initial rap pen name was "MC New York".  As a lyrical 'offspring', Kendrick is crowning himself king of both coasts!!  In my mind, it is not a diss against anyone who had or has dominated the NY scene.  

Now let's skip forward to calling folks out.  Shoot, it's needed!! I won't agree with all called out, but he has his reasons... if anything to get that attention and wake folks up.  How is that different from giving donations and doing a challenge to other organizations to match what you have given?  He is laying the cards on the table, waiting for the pick up!  

When did the same lyrical mouthpiece that gave our people a voice and a sound get wrapped around a bottle top?  When did that SAME mouthpiece become more important wrapped around a roach?  When did the SAME mouthpiece start to demean and degrade women?  Well, when society changed and THAT was what people wanted to hear or talk about.  Is it wrong?  No, it's storytelling and marketing at its finest.   However, when that is ALL your brand has become or has grown from, then you have deviated or separated from REAL HIP HOP.  This 'marketing' has expanded the business, but tainted the message. It's 'bubble gum' and folks are getting chewed up and chewed out by a man that wants to bring REAL HIP HOP back.  Does the 'coast' really matter?  Surely it didn't as one of rap's icons succeeded on both, East and West, and a newbie to the mainstream is just trying to fill the gap that has been empty for a minute.

"I'm dressed in all black, this is not for the fan of Elvis

I'm aimin' straight for your pelvis, you can't stomach me."

He got our attention; he's mourning Hip Hop.  He's fighting for it!  He has stirred up the pot and everyone is ready to eat now, except for the wrong reason because they are mad!! Now rappers have something to prove, right?  It took getting the ATTENTION to make them move!  Well, I'm not mad at it at all.  Thank you Kendrick Lamar.

So how will YOU get the ATTENTION of those interested in what you may have to say?  Are you chillin' in the corner observing silently or yelling to the hills that something is needed and something has to change and you are the person to do it?  Stir up the pot then!  You may be a jack of all trades, but be an EXPERT in one!!  Get that ATTENTION that you desire.  WHAT YOU HAVE LOVE FOR, YOU WILL FIGHT FOR!  That's what Kendrick Lamar is doing... just loving Hip Hop.

www.lihkleaders.com

H.I.P. H.O.P: Having the Inner Power to Hone Our Purpose ~ Dr. Jai 

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HUMP DAY HOPE WITH WEDNESDAY'S WORD: RISK

I am standing at the top of this very, LARGE tree, looking about 100 feet down, wayyyy down.  It may not have been 100 feet, but that's what it felt like!  I am being strapped into this contraption that is supposed to 'protect' me.  This big, burly dude is in my ear talking about, "What you afraid for? Nothing's going to happen.  It's perfectly safe!  I've done it a thousand times!"  I cut my eye at him so hard that he just stared at me with a look like, "hmmm, I won't say another word".  The brain has two hemispheres and I think I was thinking with both: one in a very, prayerful language with hopes that I will make it through and the other was 'speaking in other tongues' that were far from spiritual and are not appropriate for this blog.  How the two co-existed?  I have no idea, but I was not ready for what came next!  

The rest of the staff were FAR below, yelling up and cheering me on.  As I looked down, something I never do since I am afraid of heights (could you tell?), the big, burly dude bumped me off the platform!!!  I had NO CHOICE but to hold on for dear life as it continued to pass me by!!  ZOOOOMMM!  Down the zip cord I went, screaming to the top of my lungs, calling the big, burly dude every name but his own!  About half way down, I just had to concentrate! I am in mid-air and I needed to land and if I wasn't prepared, it was going to hurt!  As I approached the end, and the other safety attendant waiting, I braced my upper body so he could catch me.  The stop was abrupt and for seconds it was quiet.  I heard, "Are you all right?"  I said, "No".  He said, "What's wrong?"  I opened my eyes and pointed up to the first attendant and said, "He's wrong!"  He's up there smiling and waving.  After I was disconnected from the line, I laughed so hard!  It was unbelievable.  I took a risk to even get up that tree!  Despite my fears, I had to face them.  I had to trust that things would be okay.  It was a risk, but one worth taking.

As you pursue your goals, you will have to do the following:

• face your fears  
• climb 'tall trees' with the feeling of the climb being a never-ending one.  
• trust that you will be protected.
• accept that people push you into places that you wouldn't dare go on your own. You will side eye people and curse them out, verbally or non-verbally, but you will possibly thank them later for challenging you.  
• confront barriers and realizing that the only way to overcome is to just brace yourself and take it!! If you are not prepared, it can hurt!
• experience things that will make you so mad, but after it's over, you can do nothing but laugh and actually be happy that it happened because, as a result of that moment, you grew up.  
• TAKE RISKS!! 

Taking risks may start our nerve-wrecking at first, but will become the thrill of your life when you realize that you needed to do it!

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