Positivity – Page 2 – BrideConfesses

GREATNESS: Not always met with KINDNESS

(www.joy105.com)

When there are too many negative opinions about you, something must be right. And, when there is no comment about your good deeds and endeavors, it means you have left them speechless.

A movement is not about a man, but could a man be meant for a movement? It’s ironic that after the killing of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, the next uprising against Police Brutality would be in Baltimore. The cause of the uprising was the death of 22 year old Freddie Gray. The case received enormous attention because it involved several police officers accused of tazing Freddie Gray 10 times, and giving him a “rough ride”, which ultimately led to him having seizures, and his spine being fractured. But realistically, the case probably received so much scrutiny because it was recorded on a cell phone by onlooker, Kevin Moore. Watching the video of Freddie Gray be pushed into a wagon by Police Officers because he could no longer move on his own, and hearing him howl in pain still gives me chills. The results of the incident has caused distrust in the police department on all levels which has led to under policing, and a surge of crime in the city of Baltimore. Leaving the people with little to no confidence in city government, and on the edge of our seats until the officers are eventually found guilty or not guilty in the killing of Freddy Gray. Now, the hope for change is being placed on the shoulders of the church and it’s leaders. Amongst church leaders, one in particular happens to be extremely influential when it comes to fighting for civil liberties, Pastor Jamal Bryant.

(www.tnsjournal.com)

With the attention the Freddy Gray case received it also has given Pastor Bryant a bigger platform to be seen as an advocate for injustice. I knew he wasn’t a favorite of everyone’s in his home town of Baltimore, but it wasn’t until he received national attention, and became one of the first leaders to make statements on the news about the Freddy Gray case and organizers of the protest, that peoples anger about his influence, success, and popularity was too obvious to overlook. Oddly, it wasn’t the typical citizen of Baltimore that would start, write, and provoke conversation regarding the lack of sincerity about Pastor Bryant’s intentions, it was his peers. And of course, the not as successful ones. Lately, I’ve been able to observe how much adversity, jealousy, and hatred some of the most accomplished people have to endure. Especially, when you break the “rules”, and have the knowledge that to cause change you actually don’t need anyone’s permission. That can be a freeing, yet dangerous realization.

I’ll tell you a few other reasons why Pastor Bryant might have the confidence to not ask. After attending Morehouse College, and Duke University, he founded Empowerment Temple, an A.M.E. church in Baltimore, MD with over 7,500 members. He is a successful, renown, and highly sought after author and speaker. While they may be at odds currently, come election time all of the politicians make it a point to stop at his church to show their face and get support from his congregation. Pastor Bryant’s congregation paid for the funeral of Freddie Gray, offered non- violent civil disobedience training to protestors, and has helped to spread awareness of the #onebaltimore campaign to increase the support of unity in Baltimore, an often divided city.

Empowerment Temple Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant speaks in protest of the death Freddie Gray, an African American man who died of spinal cord injuries in police custody, in front of City Hall in Baltimore, Maryland, April 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Yep, it seems Pastor Bryant’s biggest problem with his rivals is that he’s chosen not to go through the ranks. He didn’t ask permission to be successful, and where he’s not welcomed, he doesn’t go. He actually found out that he can be welcomed at other places, and those that feel negatively about him will not limit his impact. I’m sure he’s also discovered that having this kind of influence comes with a heavy price. People will bring up your past, judge you when they don’t know you, blame you for their shortcomings, and never let you out grow your mistakes, or acknowledge that you grew stronger in a weak area. No, they won’t give you credit at all, even if they need your help, even if you are helping them. And, if by chance you benefit in any way, in their eyes you are an opportunist. Yet with all of this, he’s managed to keep moving forward.

Just like him, a lot of us can relate to our biggest antagonist being those who are the most similar to us. It would be easy to justify someone being envious that had less and knew less. But someone with the same resources, talent, level of attractiveness, education, and connections to the same people is questionable? It serves as a great diversion from anyone being able to accuse them of being jealous. Instead of supporting or collaborating with him they would rather compete, criticize, and discredit. Instead of humbling themselves to find out how he has been successful, they would rather be prideful and connect with other people that resent his success. In my book, that is definitely jealousy, but feel free to disguise it as whatever you wish. However, what I cannot comprehend is how calculated the attack is on Pastor Bryant by many who claim to be about progression, and even hold public office? How can they not see that their antics towards him only achieve the opposite? How can business men and women not be able to separate personal differences, and realize there is a greater good that should be focused on? If anyone thought that success always greets you with support, think again.

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There are many other leaders who are just as passionate about the community of Baltimore, and the little attention given to improve the quality of living for it’s residents. So, this post is not meant to pick sides, or denounce the efforts of others in any way. I only hope to shed light on the fact that politics is a very tricky business that is controlled by a few factors that can be both predictable with the use of money, and unpredictable with the influence of a person. Whether we would want a single individual representing what we stand for or not shouldn’t be the issue. There needs to be someone at the center that is able to not only articulate themselves on a global platform, but also garner interest from the media by way of their accomplishments, and ability to leverage alliances with experienced community leaders. It’s that simple.

He said it best, “If people don’t know what you are doing they assume you are doing nothing, and if you broadcast it, you’re a camera hog.” You can not please everyone, but that reality shouldn’t stop you from accomplishing what you know must be done. God works through people, so I will never say Pastor Bryant isn’t flawed, and logically I don’t expect him not to be. No matter your personal feelings about him, he certainly is called, and when it comes down to the people, he is chosen.
This is the first of several articles I will be writing about the Sandtown- Winchester neighborhood, police and prison brutality, politics in Baltimore City, and the outcome of the Freddie Gray murder trial.

Stay tuned.

Rachel Bryant Lundy

The RESULTS of INTEREST

Posted by: Rachel Bryant Lundy Posted on: April 23, 2015 albert einstein , curiosity , nosey , progress , success

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At 17 years old, I decided to request the prospectus of various investment companies. Once they arrived, I couldn’t understand the majority of what was written, and legally due to my age couldn’t do anything with the information even if I had the money to. The world of investing is something that I knew nothing about, and I wondered just why that was? Eventually, I became licensed to sell insurance and investments, and found myself apart of an industry that wasn’t nearly as glamorous or lucrative as I once thought. But, I certainly loved the work hard /play hard mentality coupled with the underlying mafia undertone driven by the Director and his top henchmen. He had a corny, hug it out, “Danny Tanner” vibe, with the ability to make people immediately fear and trust him. The majority of words he spoke were typically about family or business. I’m sure he’s rubbed off on me.

Although I had prepared myself to be a seductive, busines maverick like Heather Locklear from Melrose Place, surprisingly I had never been told more times by men to find a nice person and get married. In their eyes family meant bills, and bills meant you were forced to make money, and that meant make them money. There was no time for a single, sexy, and care free attitude. Imagine that?

About a decade and a half ago, there wasn’t nearly as much marketing done about financial companies on commercials like it is now. And certainly, these companies wouldn’t randomly pop up on your screen to try and get your personal information. At times it could seem like no one wanted your money, and you hoped to one day bump into someone that could assist you with it. The profession of Finance was very vague, and not nearly as accessible as today’s beginner licensees dying to build their book of business.

Like anyone who was a teen in the 90’s, when you wanted to learn about or become something it took a lot of work and research. People truly valued who they were, and so did others. Everyone knew it didn’t happen overnight. Today, people naively assume that all they need to know is given, so there isn’t a reason to dig further. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. An even more laser focus is necessary to weed past the senseless distractions, and seek after the knowledge that can take you to the next level.

In essence, please do not be content with the instruction anyone will easily give you. Do the hard work so you can truly reap the rewards. Even if you end up feeling like a 17 year old girl that can’t do anything with what you have found, there will come a day when you will be able to, and you will be armed and dangerous. In my case, after I had sold enough expensive sunglasses to Financial Advisors I finally had the courage to ask one of them, who is still the best dressed woman I’ve ever met, “How do you become one?” It may not be an industry that many stay in forever, but there are some hugely successful people who spent time in this sector before their curiosity took them elsewhere.

With the recent exposure of the reckless behavior of some politicians, police officers, fraternity’s and members of our own communities, all of us need not assume we know how things work. Many systems and practices are disguised as modern, but underneath are not too far from the way things “used” to be. And, maybe if we had been just a bit more interested in seeing that before, we could have done something about it up to now.

Rachel Bryant Lundy

Ode to AMBER ROSE

Posted by: Rachel Bryant Lundy Posted on: March 30, 2015 amber rose , fame , independence , kanye west , kim kardashian , milf , money , success

(www.tsquirrel.com)

My post this week was going to be about Spring cleaning, but it will have to wait. For some reason I cannot stop finding the opinionated, headline making, soon to be pop culture icon Amber Rose interesting. She keeps my attention more than cleaning so she wins. I never intentionally look for her, but when she ends up on my newsfeed or if I hear about something she’s involved in, she never disappoints. The replies she gives to her critics are audacious and humorous. Not to mention she has pretty thick skin, and is able to take the kind of insults that would make many hide under the covers for days until people forget, but she instead quickly uses them to her advantage. And, of course how could I not love that after she finishes “schooling” her biggest critics online, she lovingly signs her post “Muva”.

What I admire most about Amber is that this African, European, and Italian chick doesn’t conveniently fade into the background just because she’s not a favorite, or at times even liked at all. She’s a bit of a problem child, and that I can relate to. While I’ve never been a former stripper, there are many times I’ve chosen not to conform, follow the masses, or let past mistakes get in my way. She doesn’t mind being unpopular and she doesn’t run from people or situations that are stacked against her because of the bias support they give to her rivals. Ms. Rose refuses to be the only one in a room full of “wrongs” to apologize, just so everyone can get back to business as usual. This mentality hasn’t been seen often in a female, it’s one that will only take responsibility for their issues, and you dare not trick them into carrying anyone else’s. One can only wonder how different things could have turned out for Monica Lewinsky? If she only would have seen things this way, stood up to the President, and not allow society to shame her while the man involved is idolized? Thank goodness it’s no longer the 90’s.

This is increasingly becoming a world where there are so many people famous for nothing, or only for who they are dating. But, let’s be honest even that still has been reserved for a few. I respect that Amber is determined to also become rich and famous for the same, whether people want her to or not. If I had a daughter would I want her to grow up and be just like Amber Rose? No. I whole heartedly hope I can prevent her from having a difficult childhood, and succumbing to the fast money pitfalls that helped to create the persona of Amber Rose. However, what I do hope is that like Amber whatever hand she is dealt, she will play the hack out of. And also like Amber, won’t get up from the table to leave the game until she’s ready, and not any time before then. It wasn’t easy finding pictures of Amber Rose fully clothed, hence the head shots being used. There’s no doubt that as much as I encourage people to be aware of their self- worth from within, that I would be more comfortable tooting Amber Rose’s horn if she wore pant suits like Hilary Clinton, but she doesn’t. And, I’m adult enough to understand that she doesn’t have to be like me, doesn’t owe anyone an explanation, and that hopefully this isn’t her final chapter.

(www.musictimes.com)

Although her unrepentant, in your face, over the top sexual image has helped her gain popularity, I’m waiting to see what else she chooses to do with it. Hopefully, it does not keep her in a box and becomes the foundation that launches her into superstardom, with her business savvy being revealed. Their are plenty who have been successful at doing just that. One in particular, whom I didn’t want to mention, but to be fair I have to…Kim Kardashian.

Rachel Bryant Lundy

EMPIRE: Access to it’s RISE & FALL

Posted by: Rachel Bryant Lundy Posted on: March 20, 2015 cookie , drugs , empire , lucious lyon , money , power , taraji p. henson , terrance howard , tv

(essence.com)

There is much speculation about why this television show has become an overnight phenomenon. Why exactly does it appeal to so many? Is it the unapologetically flawed characters? Is it the allure of sex, music, and drugs? Is it because it offers a rare opportunity to observe a version of black family dynamics? My thoughts are a bit simpler. To me, it’s the same reason we consistently watch any other t.v. show whose characters we don’t completely agree with; it provides escapism from our real lives, and ummm……WE WANT IN! We want to be apart of this exclusive club, that with all its drama and backstabbing, still seems worth it because of the amount of power and influence at their disposal. Viewers are able to easily connect with parts of these complicated individuals that remind us of ourselves. They make us think if only we would have done things differently, we could have had a similar life. But, since many of us do not have the same trappings as Cookie or Boo Boo Kitty, we accept being able to watch those that do.

The transparency of Empire is alike to how a gangster rap album is for a teenager living in suburbia. It’s all in the details. For some it gives instructions on how to navigate life’s “gray areas”, and where the questions they dare not ask out loud get answered. Such as, what kind of attitude should a “Boss” of a million dollar company have? What clothes do you wear when you want to get your ex back in more ways than one? How can you have the courage to be proud of who you are and the life you live?

As often as many of us say we are indifferent to worldly status symbols, the opinions of others, and don’t want or need to be told anything, the outstanding ratings of this ground breaking show proves other wise. Not only do the masses want membership to an Empire lifestyle, they want mentorship on how to get it. And, if the only way we can come close to having it is by watching once a week, then so be it. But, while we are paying close attention, we also will be hoping that life imitates art as quickly as possible.

(memeaddicts.com)

Besides the moments I feel could have gone without someone performing, I have no complaints about the series. I’m simply enjoying the ride that this “hip hopera” has me on, and glad to be able to enjoy a show that makes people want to miss church, get home early, and talk about at work next day. It’s about time!

Rachel Bryant Lundy