My husband and I went to see Tyler Perry’s new movie.   The movie was about 4 married couples that went away for a winter retreat.  The story began with many problems about the 4 couples and in one case 1 couple divorced.  The movie covered many topics and if paying close attention many lessons to be learned.  As my husband and I watched, we saw each other in the movie.  To my surprise, the analysis  of myself was on target.  I appreciate Tyler Perry creating and bringing movies that I can relate to.  As a entrepreneur, I know the challenges in creating and praying that it will work.  In my opinion, Mr. Perry has proven again that what looks impossible when you have a dream and vision and only you believe in (sometimes you don’t even believe) but you press on.  This was a excellent movie and a very timely movie.

…..made a ladder out of a wall.  Words from the late John H. Johnson in his autobiography, “Succeeding Against the Odds”.  In the book, Mr. Johnson shared stories of his mother’s drive and determination for success.  It really struck me because of my own revelation on what it takes to make this statement come true.  Based on the dictionary and our common sense, a wall is a upright structure serving to enclose, divide, or protect an area.  On the other hand a ladder is a structure consisting of two long sides crossed by parallel rungs, used to climb up and down.  To take a structure that is built to block, divide and enclose and make it a instrument that can be used to climb, sounds impossible.  John Johnsons’ mother did not allow this wall to stop what she had invisioned for her son.   The wall can be many things: disappointments, prejudices, distractions, procastanation, lack of support or finances and the list could go on.  When we make up in our minds, get moving and become determined to not allow any walls to stop us from climbing the ladder of success, that is when you have made a ladder out of a wall. 

The Late John Johnson is the Great American Businessman.  Owner/Founder of Johnson Publishing Co., Ebony & Jet Magazine

Successful people always leave track marks. ……….   words from Mr. Ed Blunt, Owner of BluntArtistry, Motivational  Speaker & Actor. 

As I am growing spiritually and personally, I am learning that to achieve success in anything; it must be done on purpose in my heart.  It takes discipline because just when you set out to make changes, here comes trouble, problems, distractions or sometimes the lack of energy to move forward.

As I continue to read and learn more about what it takes to have success or just to be committed, I am learning more about me.   Here are a few of the changes I have incorporated:

- taking extra time for myself (resting more, pampering, eating the right foods); exercise needs to be a part of that group but again, I know my weaknesses too.

- Surrounding myself with positive people.  Even, what I read has changed.  My bible has always been on the top of the list but I have incorporated reading things that encourages, teaches, and motivates.

- I have also incorporated quiet time.  My drive to work was one of my most hectic times when dropping off kids, talking on the cell phone or listening to the radio.  I now keep the radio off and put the cell phone on vibrate because the ride to my destination ushers me into new environments (work, church or business) so I need to have my mind and spirit at peace.

- More tangle things that I have incorporated are taking classes, attending events that are designed to craft my trade and networking with people of like minds. 

- I am also giving my faith a pretty good workout too.  When pursuing success some times you have to believe before you see.

As I continue this journey called life, I will continue to pursue more ways to have harmony and have a purpose-full life with success as the goal.    Everyone has a different purpose, from raising productive children, furthering your education, job advancement, starting a business, learning to swim, eating better, exercising or learning a new language, just to name a few.  My motto: Praying, Planning and Preparing, on Purpose, for SUCCESS.

Thoughts and comments are welcome.

The NEAR Expo & Luncheon

 See the revised agenda

AGENDA

 NEAR Expo & LuncheonSaturday, October 20, 2007

Holiday Inn Select – Timonium, MD

  9:30                                 Registration 

 9:30 – 11:00                     Expo & Tradeshow  

11:00  - 12:00                   Omar S. Muhammad                                                           Morgan State University

 12:00 – 1:30                     Lunch/Network  

1:30 – 2:00                       Ed Blunt, Guest, Speaker 

2:00 – 2:15                      Raffles        

2:15 – 3:00                      Expo/Tradeshow/Network

SUCCESS IS NEAR

Join me in creating a summer suggested reading list.  Reading is a very important aspect of life.  For some people reading is a hobby, it is entertaining, informative, a time of relaxing but for some it may be boring but if you get a good book or a interesting article it is hard to put down.  Here is my list of reading so far this summer:

Bishop T. D. Jakes - Repositioning Yourself

My review: Excellent book especially for anyone looking to change direction in life.

Pastor Joel Osteen - Your Best Life Now

My review: I am currently reading it and so far it is a very inspiring book.

 Entrepreneur Magazine - August 2007 Edition - Features a list of the HOT 500 Entrepreneurs. To make the list the entrepreneurs had to be in business less than 10 years and earning no more than $1 billion.  What was most exciting was not the money they made but that these entrepreneurs built their businesses from virtually nothing to multimillion-dollar businesses.  That is something worth reading.  The first 100 are in the magazine and from 101 -500 are on the website at entrepreneur.com/hot500.

My review:  Excellent article to encourage everyone that if they can do it so can we. 

What are you reading?  Share through this blog your suggested summer reading.

A very good friend of mine gave me a calendar entitled “A Friend Is As Good As Gold”.  The calendar was not like a regular calendar that told you what date it was, instead it gave you a different quote for each day of the year.  No matter what year, this calendar will apply; like my good friend no matter what season our friendship will apply.  Here are few quotes.  Take a moment and think about your friend(s) that are as good as gold.

March 7 - Friendship is the fruit gathered from the trees planted in the rich soil of love, and nurtured with tender care and understanding.

April 3 - The smile on your face is the light in the window that tells people you’re at home. 

June 29 - Time is a very precious gift of God; so precious that it’s only given to us momemt by moment.

July 2 - Some people are so special that once they enter your life, it becomes richer and fuller and more wonderful than you ever thought it could be.

August 23 - Friends are an indispensable part of a meaningful life.  They are the ones who share our burdens and multiply our blessings.

July 7- One does not make friends.  One recognizes them.

 July 25 - Good friends are like stars… You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there.

October 17 - If we had all the riches that we could ever spend, it could never buy the treasures the heart finds in a friend.

October 28 - A friend is someone who reaches for your hand….and touches your heart.

March 4 - When it’s hard to look back, and you’re scared to look ahead, you can look beside you and your best friend will be there.

November 7 - Friends are of utmost importance.  We love, trust, get hurt, sometimes get mad, but we love and trust anyhow, because that’s the best way to let our friendship grow.

February 20 - In God’s wisdom, He frequently chooses to meet our needs by showing His love toward us through the hands and hearts of others.

January 10 - As gold more splendid from the fire appears, Thus friendship brightens by the length of years.

I am rich with friends as Good As Gold.

Welcome to NaeDay Blog.  As I start on this venture to start my own business one thing has happened that has been very enlightening; it is the joy of independent thinking.  This sounds like a small and simple thing but it is not.  In most of our lives, either on the job, at church, school, home or other places we are told, asked and lead by what others think. 

Other’s opinion and expertise are valuable but when starting a business the altimate decision is up to you.  I have been enjoying and welcoming this new freedom. With this freedom comes a new responsibility but again, the results and rewards are mine.

 Independent’s Day was July 4th on the calendar but while I am running this race called life, walking this journey and enjoying the sights, I will utilize my creative and independent thoughts.  My ideas and passions for the first time have a place to land and manifest.  I have always been creative in my thinking but they were always grounded by what other’s thought or misused for other’s to profit.

I welcome ideas and thoughts on the pleasure and freedom that comes with independent thinking.  I have always had it because I have never been a follower but I was never a leader.  I say this because, I would do my own thing in spite of what everyone else was doing.  The independent thinking that I am referring to requires Faith.