DO MORE

In response to a conversation I had on the topics of passions, people, and supporters, I decided to post an encouraging message to people who want to pursue their ambition.

You love what you do, and you do it well. You decide to put your passion on the front burner. You are absolutely pursuing your dream, BUT people are not supporting you, especially the folks you love. 

Put up (you know which fingers), find different supporters, and pursue what gives you excitement.

What I have learned over the years is that people do not define who I am or determine what I should do—it’s my job. So I stepped up to the plate and put my dream into reality, and so should you!!!

If you are excited about a project and always wanted to pursue it because of the lack of support from others— people who are dear to your heart, then you are uninvested in your potential. 

Shake it off and invest in yourself!

DO IT AND DO MORE OF IT. Put your blueprint to work and labor in it every day, noon, and night. After all, your passion is never tedious. Working at it habitually will make you better and better and better (you get the point). 

Encourage yourself. You have a brain that controls everything in your body, so why not direct it towards yourself—opposed to others, especially the non-supporters. What I am saying here is the cerebrum is associated with thoughts and actions. So, take action and think about yourself. Use your brain to give yourself:

• A high-five
• A complement 
• Approbation 

Before you die—and you will one day, pursue the thing that tickles your fancy. Do not worry about support from people you love; your praises will exert through strangers.

                   LIVE~ACCOMPLISH~ENJOY

TEAM TAMARA!

The Tools To Use: For Growth

When you are around destructive people, it is always shrewd to stay constructive. No matter where you are located or what you are doing, there are folks who will try to sabotage you or a project you are trying to accomplish. So stay on guard and be aware of these types of individuals. When you do cross paths (and you will) with these people, create a plan of action. Do you have a plan? If not, feel free to employ mine.

Over the years, I have come across many of people who I deemed to be caustic. These types of people seldom had kind words; they habitually found negativity in conversation, ideas, or concepts that differed from theirs. So, I created a plan of action to defuse the situation.

When I come across disparaging people, I either flip-them or allow them to hear themselves. 

Flip-them, I know this may sound sadistic, but trust me it’s not. My definition of “flip-them” (and you notice I use the hyphen) is a term I use that means to convert the theme of the conversation. Change the conversation from negative to positive. (See how positively smart I am) This method does not only change the order of the atmosphere but also put you in control of the conversation.

Another way to get rid of negative conversation is to allow the ‘Frantic Frank’ himself to hear his negative statements. Hearing his word will make him feel inane and humiliated. Snappishly he will change the topic. Trust me, most of the time, this technique works. So you see, conversion is a powerful tool if it’s used the right way.

Think positive, Speak positive, Play positive! ~Team Tamara~

Love::LOVE

Where love transend

Love is riding the wind even if it takes you through the discomfort of the air. Although some folks use this noun/verb loosely, it is the most important abstraction to exist. It is everywhere. It comes in diverse forms. It is unavoidable. It is pure until it enters the human mind, and then it becomes whatever the mind perceives it to be. Love is Love tantamount to Love is Love.

Academic Writing

Some types of writings are simple and anyone can write. But, writing academic papers poses a problem for a many writers. Although writing is fundamental, the structure of academic writing can be intimidating and frustrating. Nevertheless, scholastic writing is indispensable, so mastering this genre of writing may perhaps result in a promising career.

Writing literature, for example, monopolizes time and challenges the mind. Literary works call attention to meticulous evaluations and thorough analysis within the context and content of a work. But, there are much more variables that goes into composing a scholarly acceptable piece of work.  Reflecting on the days of my 10 to 25 page literature papers, I can remember feeling exhausted after writing one particular paper.

 I had an awful experience with writing when I decided to write psychoanalysis on characters created by Toni Morrison. She writes around mythical elements, such as flying Africans and navel-less birth. I chose to analyze Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon because I thought it would be interesting to examine people who behaved in bizarre manner. However, this project was a challenge for me. I was all over the place with finding sources that would prove my theory of the characters’ odd behaviors. My analysis lacked in vital and tangible details. I tried to analyze specific traits within the characters, but I was having great difficulties in developing consistent organization in theory. I wished I had used a different approach, for the psychoanalysis approach was exigent for me. Overwhelmed, I wanted to give up on writing in an Academic sense. BUT, I REFUSED! (No thanks to Dr. Ladd)   I had to press forward!

Academic writing has made me realize that analysis plays a pivotal part in understanding how to evaluate written work. Academic writing produces positive results if taught accurately. Pinpointing my weakness in academic writing strengthen my planning and organizational approach. As an educator, I want to master and teach different writing styles to eliminate potential writing anxieties that many students may have.

The nature of writing and its aspects is a beast!

              

Defending Character

People should be given the opportunity to protect their character. Giving folks the chance to safeguard themselves is fair—after all, integrity is involved.  When that opportunity is taken away, for some people, the results can be devastating. I’m sure many people have an “I must defend myself!” story. I know I do.

On one occasion, deceitful people assaulted my character. These devious people made dreadful statements to inflict harm to my reputation, but the nasty accusations they made did not belong to my character. I was not offended by their repugnant falsehood because I knew, and anyone who really knew me, knew the truth.

Unfortunately, a few people who I held in high esteem believed the accusers’ false assertions without question.

Because of this, my emotions were perplexed and complicated, for I was hurt and insulted.  “I knew I must defend myself.” But in order for me to defend and win this battle, I had to reexamine the many encounters I had with these vicious accusers. As I evaluated every meeting with these resentful individuals, I could not find any credence to their scandal. Nevertheless, I was confident that my naked truth would make me whole, and safeguard my integrity.

I was befuddled when it did not happen. “The Powers that Be” (People I held in high regards) did not allow me to defend myself. So unfair! I was the victim of the unspoken code.

In the end, I suffered betrayal and injustice. I concluded that tactful people were the very people who served raw deals that were unfair and inconsiderate. The folks that I held in high regards believed the words of deceptive people and deny me the opportunity to defend my character.

Stand up for your character.

At times, we are not given the opportunity to defend ourselves. It is because the powers that be are exerting their arrogance.

I will never allow people, no matter what label they wear, make me feel insignificant or worthless. My hard work, enthusiasm, and sacrifice are what define me.

“One Day All Them Bags Gone Get in Your Way”

“One day all them bags gone get in your way.” As we know, these lyrics sung by Erykah Badu are symbolic for the barriers that seep into our lives. Some folks have different types of strongholds translated into ‘baggage’ that stop the flow of conquest. These bags can stop or limit one’s ability to succeed. In my case, my performance was inadequate; the cause, my ‘baggage’ got in the way.

One particular part of that song resonated with me, “You gone miss your bus, you can't hurry up, cause you got too much stuff.” I thought to myself; of course, I will miss the bus dragging my bags like that. This was the very part of the song that ignited thought. If I miss that bus…I miss…?

First, I had to explore and define my ‘extra baggage’. What was my baggage? Then my assessment began. After a pensive process, I discovered that my extra baggage just happen to be my favorite pleasures. I did not want to connect the two because I so enjoyed these felicific treats, for they made me feel good, kept me blissful, inspired me to do nothing for a short period of time, and always made me believe that I was the smartest person in the universe. My pleasure! My baggage! A bitter sweet revelation!

I guess the smoking screen was the pleasure attached to my extra baggage. I knew I had to unpack those bags and put them in an auction, for I did not desire to miss another bus. The benefits of letting go of the extra baggage: Great Performance!

I have no extra bags in my way today, which is a guarantee that my mind is full of positive energy! Are “All Them Bags Gone Get in Your Way”?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQtg5iUW1fg

Positive: Staying Positive in Disappointment

I can attest to disappointments, for I have experienced plenty. Over the years, I have been turned down for jobs and organizations. Many times, I wanted to cry because it felt like the Green Gargantua slammed me into a brick wall, enduring endless agony.

One disappointing encounter I remember was in the early '80s when I applied for a job at a Subway restaurant in Staten Island, New York. After filling out the application, I was confident that I would get an interview. Several days later, I was called.

 I arrived at the restaurant and walked inside. From what I could remember, the manager was a tall white man with short black and grey hair. He had a large round stomach with a greasy apron wrapped around his huge waist. I respectfully spoke as I extended my hand to greet him. In an insolent tone, he asked me why was I there. I replied, "For the job interview." He bellowed!, “Tamara White!” I squelched, “Yes.” “Where did you get a name like that?” Said the big intimidating white man. My response was “Uh.” It took me aback because I did not know where the big guy was going with this. Immediately after the awkward dialogue, he announced that the position was filled; then he quickly walked away.

I stood there, it seemed for hours, before I gathered my thoughts. I could not believe I didn’t get the interview, nonetheless the job. (I found out later the true reason…that’s another topic). I experienced rejection and disappointment at the same time.

Although I went through such a disappointing experience, I never allowed it to discourage me. I learned that it was not the ending for Tamara, but one of many rejections. I knew I had to destroy the barriers that blocked my blessing. 

I am sure there are many of you who have experienced some type of disappointing situation. After all, it's a part of life. The question is how do we grab it? Or, Where do we grab it?

Yes, it is difficult to stay positive in disappointing situations, but finding ways to annihilate the obstacles that are annexed to our accomplishments will assist in managing disappointment.