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Category: Motivation

The Brightest Light BURNS Half as long

Posted by: Rachel Bryant Lundy Posted on: June 21, 2017 , , , , , ,

tupac 1

(i.ytimg.com)

All Eyez on Me, opened to $27 million this past weekend. The movie was so popular in my city (Baltimore) that we had to leave the first movie theater we went to because all showings were sold out.

I won’t be nearly as critical as some are about the film. I’m just happy a decent movie got made about him, with the exception of Jada Pinkett- Smith’s role. Sorry, but young Jada had a real edge to her. She had charisma and boldness, and in the 3 or 4 scenes that included her, it wasn’t portrayed.

tupac 3.jpg

(p3.no)

After watching the Tupac movie, it’s obvious that his talent made him a target. It’s because he was a bright light, he DIDN’T get a chance to burn. Someone was always trying to blow him out. Whether it was a record label, movie studio, lawyers, groupies, a club promoter, or jealous ones, Tupac had no choice to become a slave to his talent. Kind of a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation.

While we all know the end of his story ends tragically, it’s still hard to believe all he accomplished by the age of 25. It’s also hard to believe how much of a threat your success can be to the people around you. If they can’t control you or keep you in servitude, they no longer are willing to let your light shine.

tupac 4

(i.ytimg.com)

If I could speak to a young Tupac, I would encourage him to discover how to manage his passion for justice and his desire to be heard, instead of being managed by it. Without a doubt, I’m grateful for his impact and influence on music, but I would have reminded him that slow and steady moves with the right people is far better than fast moves with the wrong ones. I would also tell him that while he might be a musical genius, he’s still only human. A little spiritual guidance would have gone a long way.

Rachel Bryant Lundy

 

Ground Zero in ACCOUNTABILITY

Posted by: Rachel Bryant Lundy Posted on: May 3, 2017

REAL HOUSEWIVES 1

(idailymail.co.uk)

So, I’ve just been livin’, hopin’, wishin’, and prayin’ these last 2 months while working 7 days a week so SOME of my dreams can come true. The attention span of an artist coupled with the patience needed to bring a vision to pass don’t always see eye to eye.  The one thing I’ve continuously been able to do that distracts me from how busy I am is indulging in reality television. Specifically, The Real Housewives of Atlanta. It never fails to give me something to talk about with a co – worker on Mondays, and to shine a light on how far we’ve come as women. But, unfortunately it also shows how in many areas we insist on going backwards. And, not just a little backwards, but almost ALL the way back to KINDERGARTEN.

PHAEDRA PARS 2

(idailymail.co.uk)

With that in mind, I ask these questions.
Is it too much as women to not slander someone just because they can’t be manipulated by us? Is it too much to not conveniently revert back to playing the victim when our hands are dirty? Is it too much to have money and integrity? Is it too much to just say sorry.

Must we have high end wardrobes with low budget character? Must we lash out at those around us instead of truly dealing with the pain that is slowly eating away at our hearts? Must we continue to view having love and compassion as traits that only the weak possess? Must we publicly embarrass ourselves after realizing the FLAWED person we’ve worked so hard to hide has been visible to everyone else the whole time?

If so, I’m afraid for our households, classrooms, and work places. Not only are we watching what it looks like when people accept no responsibility for their actions, we are also learning how to boldly and defiantly stand in the middle of our garbage that we’ve created and not ever be able to admit that we STINK.

Rachel Bryant- Lundy

Read More Ground Zero in ACCOUNTABILITY

PERSONALITY- Chile pleez get you some

Posted by: Rachel Bryant Lundy Posted on: January 22, 2017 ,

inauguration-1

zimbio.com

I’ve taken away so much from all that has happened the last few months. But, as I laid on my bed watching the first dance of our new President and First Lady at the Inauguration Ball, I couldn’t help but to feel a little uninspired. And, as the Vice President and his wife, followed by the Trump and Pence children with their spouses arrived on the stage, it all seemed so somber and frankly stiff, very, very, stiff. I guess the reason I was so disappointed while watching was I knew nothing impromptu, silly, or romantic would ever happen with this group. Nope. Nothing real, authentic, or slightly relatable. It felt like the world was truly on the outside looking in on this exclusive group, while it should have been them showing how much they wanted to be “in” with us. I don’t mean to sound like I’m judging billionaires, but since I don’t know any personally this is all I have to go by. I really couldn’t believe no one on that stage with all that money had any charisma. Although, I was certainly grateful to Ivanka Trump for giving us something to hang onto as she slayed in her gown of glory. Thank you.

inauguration-3

footwearnews.com

As much as we shouldn’t be a personality driven society, you really don’t know how much a good one matters until you are surrounded by a bad one.  Like most of us I’m continuing to grow, and while I’ve always acknowledged the factor charisma plays in people obtaining success in the public sector, I never wanted to place significant importance on it. I never wanted to seem shallow. But, I’m afraid to say that my disdain for people who resent those that do have a great personality, who choose to take the easy route and copy or attach itself to a great personality (a leech), or who have decided to forego having one at all has only gotten stronger.

I appreciate people that appreciate the liberty they have to discover and create- oneself. Take my husband for example, he used to love suits, but now not as much. He’s evolving and I respect that. It’s not a life changing decision, but it’s one that he’s decided is important to him in regards to how he presents his self. So, why shouldn’t he explore this change in his personality that is allowing him to take more risk and be more confident, even though he’s fine just the way he is? Why shouldn’t he explore more parts of himself that make him happy? Why don’t people with all they have and don’t have, with all they are and are not decide to explore themselves and develop what they want to or should expand on so they can be INTERESTING?

inauguration-2

abcnews.go.com

As I watched Melania Trump look flawless in every way imaginable, my mind drifted off into thinking about other things. Mainly, the fact that we will have to watch this regime for the next four years. That’s like forty in boring years.  Then, I went back to thinking about Melania, and came to the realization that as perfect as her perfection was…. it just wasn’t enough.

Rachel Bryant Lundy

CHAMPIONS

Posted by: Rachel Bryant Lundy Posted on: August 12, 2016 , , , , ,

(www.emaze.com,www.nbcolympics.com, http://www.kob.com)

A few years ago, on a Sunday morning I got to listen to Michael Phelps mom explain what is was like raising the young man who is now the most decorated Olympic champion ever. I was at a church in Baltimore, and the Pastor had once worked beside Michael Phelps mom when they both taught at the same school. Just like I did back then, I marvel at how physically close we all are to greatness, how close we are to becoming great, and yet at times find ourselves so far from it.

I figure we could all use a page from one of their books, since they are among the most accomplished and distinguished athletes. Here are my quick take a ways as I continue to watch Michael Phelps, Gabby Douglas, and Simone Biles dominate and compete in this years 2016 Olympics.

michael phelps best

(www.indianexpress.com)

Phelps: the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 25 medals .

Develop what you are good at and become great at it. Become so good that you master it. Don’t take your skill or gift for granted. Be okay with making your competition better, because they are learning from you.

gabby douglas

(www.nbcolympics.com)

Douglas: first African American to win gold in the individual all- around gymnastics event in 2012, gold medal winner in 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

Focus under critique, under distractions, under unfair comparisons and expectations. You must maintain your focus.

simone miles 2

(www.forwardtimes.com)

Biles: the most decorated American female gymnast in World Championship history, with a total of fourteen medals.

Always do extra. The little bit of extra goes along way when deciding who wins and who looses. Don’t stop at excellence, stop only after you have given your best effort.

Lastly, stop hiding, and put your greatness on display.

I think they are onto something!

Rachel Bryant Lundy