The "Grinch Called Grief" came knocking on my door a little over a month ago. He showed up on the night of November 13th when my sister-in-law called to tell me that my dad probably had a stroke and would be kept in the hospital overnight. Through the wee hours of the night, I rehearsed myself for what I would do if the Grinch actually showed his face this time.
Just to give you a brief history, my father had dealt with heart disease for quite some time. This one time, he even coded on the table for more than 30 minutes and came back with no brain damage. God's grace. Another time, he spent nearly 3 months in Vanderbilt hospital. Another time, I drove him to the hospital when he was having chest pains in the middle of the night. That night, I, too, was convinced I was having a heart attack! You can laugh now. There were many more times too, and every time, I was there to hold his hand and tell him it was gonna be okay, or I was there to whisper in his ear in my 10-year-old voice, "Wake up because I need you here." But this time, the next morning, miles away, I awoke, got dressed, and went to work with high hopes of fair news. Then, the dreaded phone call came. It was the phone call that was greeted by unshaken thoughts and floodgates of tears. My sweet daddy was headed to meet his maker. Let me just tell you, there's no rule book on how to react. Literally, nothing can prepare you. I was not prepared. Charles Swindoll once said, "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” He also said, "Anything under God's control is never out of control.” Before I could get to Memphis to my sweet daddy's side, I'd received a host of messages and calls from friends and family. Word spreads fast, and God knows what you need. I needed every sweet word of assurance. I've learned a lot about myself in the past month since the Grinch arrived! My daddy and I were kindred spirits, so much alike! I find myself laughing at the things I say that he used to say. I find myself embracing the features I have that are of him. I find myself enjoying the values of my future husband that remind me of him: hard working, sweet, funny and joyful! He left so much joy here. I could go on for days about it! It's true, we all grieve differently, but I wanted to share that you can grieve joyfully too! My eldest brother asked me at my daddy's hospital bedside, "Are you okay?" I said, "no." He said, "Yes you are. We can't be selfish. It was his time." There was some solace in his words. We don't have the power to decide quite a few things in this life, but we can decide how we react to them. If the Grinch called Grief has shown up at your door, embrace it, but don't let it overtake you. You may be experiencing a different kind of loss: a job, a friend, a loved one and many other worldly reasons to be grieved. When change happens in my life, I call it my new normal and try to adjust. You can't force yourself to be somewhere you aren't, but you can be the best you while you are there. Do the things you love to do. Find your light. People tell me that you don't get over the loss of a parent, and I'm fine with that. I don't really want to get over it. I've made plans with myself since it happened to keep going! My daddy lost both of his parents around the time he was my age, and somehow he raised 6 beautiful children and gave us the best life! He found his light in us. He used to say, I was just like his mother. Oddly, enough, I'd never met her! I was his reminiscence and silver lining in his missing her. As we go into the new year, we reflect on the many gains and losses. Somehow, we hold onto the negative. Yet, wish for light. I've seen social media post after post saying goodbye to 2016. "What a year it has been?" I've seen people openly grieving the losses of loved ones, jobs, situations and just dealing with life in general. I've seen people tell social media how they were cutting ties with others. Remember not to let the "Grinch Called Grief" win! Move forward while you can. Live a lot. Love a lot. Here are 15 ways to help you win your wrestle with the Grinch Called Grief: 1. Talk to someone you love every day! 2. Leave at least 5 positive comments or words of encouragement on any social media channel. 3. Spend at least 20-30 minutes a day in peace and quiet. 4. Watch a funny movie! 5. Listen to a heartfelt song and learn the words! 6. Invest in an adult coloring book. 7. Go on a lunch date with a sweet friend. 8. Pray yourself through difficult moments that you simply can't make sense of! 9. Laugh every day even if its fake! 10. Be kind to yourself. You're doing the best you can! 11. Cry! And cry some more. 12. Document special moments of life through pictures and video. 13. Encourage somebody else to keep going! 14. Read a blog! You'd be suprised how much somebody else's testimony can help you! 15. Find your rhythm in your own workout routine. If you're a runner run! If you love Zumba, dance away! If you like 5 a.m. spin class, get going! In loving memory of my sweet daddy, Emerson Hockett.
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Wherever you are on your journey today in this uncertain life, you should know that your voice is loud. Your voice is so loud and influential that you don’t need to argue with your neighbor, convict your opponent or condemn a candidate. All you need to do is go vote. And do it, consciously. Whatever that looks like to you. Your friends, peers, counterparts and more will soon forget about this egregious day and respect the results. There’s not enough debate to be had to change some minds. There’s not enough proof to lie out to change some souls. There’s not enough studying and enlightenment to do to help somebody make the right decision. We’ve all formulated our truths and our alliances based off of a multitude of life experiences. You see, those experiences have come from the way we were raised, our socioeconomic status and more. Too many experiences to shape into one universal law. Too many consequences to lay at the feet of one person: our new president. Thereof, you’ve got a duty to do. You have a surefire calling to complete as a citizen. Today, as you sit in this uncertain life, you can’t sit there and complain if you don’t vote. You can’t tell anyone what to do if you don’t vote. You can’t talk about your issues if you don’t vote. Because guess what? Nobody cares. No action will be taken to rectify your realm of non-voting reasons. Democracy only works if you are included in the process. Democracy works better when more people participate. As I watch many of you post you are silencing your social media today, I cringe. It is time to get loud on social media today. Ring the alarm. Today is a day many have fought for. Marches and boycotts brought us here. Tears and blood trailed us to the polls. Your right to vote is a debt you owe to those who fought mercilessly for democracy. Rise up. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) once said: “I say to each and everyone of you, in the best way I can. I gave a little blood on the bridge, but some people gave their lives,” Lewis said of the fight to pass the Voting Rights Act in 1965. “The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it. And so you must go out all across America and tell young people, and people not so young, tell all of us: Vote. The vote is powerful.” The world won’t be still for you today. The world won’t stand still for any of us ever. Somewhere across the globe, a child is running through the safari recreating a real life Jungle Book story. A happy couple is enjoying a honeymoon on the beaches of Thailand. A millennial wanderer is truly wondering where, when and how they will make their stakes in this uncertain life. A group of ole’ faithful’s are calling to the most high for answers.
So as the world turns, make your mark and vote. We all want a happy ending. Though you may not get the picture perfect story through voting, there is some solace and humility when leaving the polls that make you feel like you’ve risen to the occasion at a Greek Coliseum. Sincerely, Your friend who voted! Jasmine Hockett Beyoncé already told us how to act in the face of adversity. She said and I quote, “Always stay gracious, the best revenge is your paper.” At Wednesday night’s live Country Music Awards broadcast, Beyoncé showed us that actions are more than words when she slayed the lyrics to her cross-over song “Daddy Lessons” with the infamous Dixie Chicks by her side. She could have said no to performing after receiving hosts of unwelcome comments on social media,but she didn’t. All throughout the day, leading up to the performance, she’d been called racists and much more. That didn’t stop Queen Bey. She gracefully got on stage and proved another song lyric from her masterpiece album, Lemonade: “Earned all this money but they never take the country out me.” Whoever said Beyoncé didn’t belong on the CMA stage shouldn’t have. She’s a southern girl, with a southern twang, that can sing “anythang.” Just last year, native Tennessean, Justin Timberlake performed at the awards with not nearly as much backlash though his genre is usually Pop/R&B originated. She did, however, have the support of Country Music maven, Brad Paisley. Others were glad to have Beyoncé as well. So without further a due, here are 3 lessons to learn from Beyoncé’s performance. 1. “My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana. You mix that Negro with that Creole make a Texas bama.” Own who you are and be that in any crowd. You don’t have to change your dialect, your style and lastly your grace to fit the mold of anyone but yourself. 2. “I’m so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin’).”
Beyoncé ‘s performance was radiating from her dress to her stage persona or should we say, Sasha Fierce. She owned her craft. So own yours too. Be the total package and share your light with the world! 3. “OK, ladies, now let’s get in formation, ‘cause I slay.” Who would’ve imagined such a magical performance with the Dixie Chicks in Nashville, TN would be in Beyoncé’s future? Do you see what happens when all women get in formation? Find your girl power. Better yet, find your people power. The world is a better place when we learn how to collaborate and manifest together! This time last year, I couldn't have known I'd be engaged. Actually, all I could think about was passing MBA Econ and Business Research Methods. I remember starting the month saying, November, please be good to me. 2015 was full of awesome wonder from going to Paris and other amazing travels, but it also presented its fair share of disappointment.
This time last year, I learned how to be a member of November, and that's what I'm hoping you gather from this blog. After my September birthday, I'd decided that my 26-year-old-self was in need of some major changes. I purchased a prayer journal and it changed my life! I was two months in when November hit. The month of thankfulness helped me conquer a few more of my new year's resolutions, i.e, stop shopping. Ha! Seems quite unimportant, but it was my way to minimalism and soul gratification. I learned to be thankful for what I already have. Instead of buying that new outfit for a major event, I wore something in my closet that already had memories of its own from previous wear. I enjoyed the moment with friends and family instead of worrying about my attire. I realized, it is not what you wear on your back, but what you wear on your heart that makes you a member of November. November is more than a month of Thanksgiving. It is a time to be present. As I look outside at this current moment, the leaves are falling as a reminder that we must all adapt to change and be willing to let go of a few things in our lives as trees do with their leaves. It doesn't make the fallen leaves bad. It just makes the ground a little more stable and colorful. So, regain your grounding this month. Finish out whatever few new year's resolutions you gave up on in 2016. Prepare for what is to come. I couldn't have known, I'd graduate with my MBA or be engaged or interview for my dream job at NPR, but it happened. I couldn't have known that all these positive things would be coming my way if I hadn't become a member of November! To be present is to be grateful for the moment that is. I no longer have to tell November to be good to me because it presents some of my fondest memories. It’s at this time that I finish out the year with a full awareness of my year of blessings and resolve the rest of my own 2016 resolutions. I have to say that today kicked off an array of emotions as I picked up a symbolic piece of my life, my bridesmaid's dresses. I couldn't have known that this is what I'd be doing during this time! I'm grateful and open to what else being a member of November entails! So be still my faithful blog reader, your November Membership comes with a lot of cool experiences that require a present mind, body, and soul! The logistics of politics can be so complex that politicians themselves don’t even understand all of the ramifications. They have layered staffs of legislative experts and seasonal interns to help brief them on the most important issues that they’ll encounter. Businessmen, alike, struggle to find a connection between all parties affected by the legislation. Lobbyist work to find common ground; yet work towards their respective objectives. Truthfully, the general constituency isn’t clear on how most of it all works. Grade schools don’t altogether teach people how to file taxes, about interest rates on college loans, buying vs. renting, state vs. federal laws and how it all goes back to the political hemisphere. It takes real life experience to apply these things and a multitude of different experiences to decipher the best plan for us all. Hence, politics. People are confused and conflicted by politics. It’s subjective and objective in its own right. Our ignorance to some political statutes is bliss most days, months and years even, but it's not when it’s time for us to vote. We seek to understand issues better, and we hope to hear 4-8 term year solutions to problems. We hope to obtain this information by all means necessary: social media, news, debate parties and more. Do we get what we are looking for? During many election seasons, we still don’t get the depth we need to vote efficiently or even at all. Therefore, I compel you to just vote. Vote based off of whatever correlation you find your conscience conforms too. The first time I voted at the young age of 18, it was a symbolic choice. I didn’t care how my vote would affect my healthcare choices, tax status or educational advancement opportunities. Honestly, I didn’t know enough to have even derived a thought that way. I’d listened to my peers, watched a few debates and studied history. That’s how I made my choice. As children, we gravitate towards a happily ever after. I knew when I voted for the first time, for our first black president that it would serve as a good ending to a fictional story that never had such a protagonist character before. We all won when the world was able to see the value of the educated, dynamic black family. Regardless if President Obama’s administration could help me personally, I knew he could help the world in need of a visionary. He turned out to be more than that. So, I voted. And, I will vote again not solely for these reasons because my life experiences have taught me I should be concerned about much more. But, I will tell you that I’m really excited about having another happy ending symbolically if nothing else; a woman president. Hillary Clinton. I’m with Oprah, when she told T.D. Jakes, “She’s not coming over to your house — you don’t have to like her. Do you like this country? You better get out there and vote. Do you like freedom and liberty? Okay. Do you like democracy or do you want a demagogue?” So with this blog, I urge you to vote your conscience this time too. If you don’t altogether understand how your taxes and health care are affected by politics, that’s okay. Again, politics are complex. There’s not enough research done and not enough time in the day to do it. You should vote on the premise of what compels you to vote. We’re all compelled to some direction so don't say not anything entices you to vote. CNN recently wrote an article entitled, “ Too Young to Vote, but not too young to hope?” It was about a group of adolescents who were asked what issues they would’ve liked the candidates to talk more about. Perhaps, some of us should take notes on how these students correlate their interest and how they would vote if they could. Rebecca Davenport, back in May, said she may be too young to vote but she wasn't too young to worry about climate change. "I don't think it was in any way addressed like it should have been, even less so than I expected it to be," said Davenport, a senior. "The fact that that hasn't been addressed is so detrimental to the future of our country." Ana Caravela, a junior, who lost her uncle in the September 11 attacks, said the nation's security and protecting veterans should be the top issues for the next president. (Her brother is attending the U.S. Naval Academy.) She feels the candidates could be talking more about what they would do to help veterans. "I think we need to focus on them (veterans) a little bit more than on focusing on people who aren't even in the country yet," said Caravela. "The people that are fighting for us we should be focusing on because they're trying to support us, so I think they deserve the best." A job is a job, right? However, every job's benefits, tasks list and more are all so different. So what constitutes incentives on a job? In most cases, it’s the service or the work ethic behind which tasks are executed. In corporate America, you may get a certificate or a free cup of coffee. In education, you may get a pat on the back or an apple for your reward. In industrial work, you may get a free box lunch or to pull a snack from the break room leftover box. You get the point. True rewards and monetary ones specifically are limited. Bonuses are few and far between. Wage increases are rare. Therefore, some jobs, especially in the food and beverage industry, almost require a tip, even if it’s for take-out. But there is a discrepancy here, why don’t all jobs get tips. A job is a job. Why is it the workforce’s problem to compensate the workforce’s labor? Why are we not taxing companies with this responsibility? I’ve gone into juice bars, coffee shops, ordered takeout and more from places of business that are seeking a tip before they ever even hand me my goods. Baristas have intensely watched me fill out my receipt or edged their tip jars a little closer to me in order to force the notion. Each time, I feel pressured to leave a tip. Actually, I almost always leave a tip. However, when I go to more traditional fast-food restaurants such as McDonalds, Taco Bell and more, no one’s edging their tip jar towards me for the cup of Joe I've just ordered. I’ve found it to be an interesting concept, so I took it to social media to give some insight on how other people felt about this issue. When asked if one should tip for takeout, the majority said, no. This audience included votes on Twitter and Facebook. A few year’s ago CNBC’s digital team took a poll where the answer was also majority no. They even talked to an expert on the matter. "I do not tip for takeout at restaurants even though the workers want tips and many other people do tip them," said Michael Lynn, a professor of food and beverage management at Cornell University who's done research into tipping, via email. "Why don't I tip them? Because the service they provide (bagging food and handing it to me) is minimal and standardized. I don't think they deserve a tip." The issue made me want to delve into a discussion on the matter. When is the appropriate time to tip? What do you do when someone is coercing you into leaving a couple of dollars? What’s a couple of dollars in addition to your already average-costing meal of $12.17? P.S. that is more than what some people make in an hour. In my own opinion, ordering takeout patterns a meet-you-halfway methodology. The consumer made the call using their cellular data. The consumer drove there to get the goods. The consumer paid for the food and services through a set price. That price set by a company includes an array of budgetary items. The laborer took the order. The laborer gathered the order. The laborer rang the consumer up. If it is sure to cause to leave a tip in the food and beverage industry, why not leave one for your mailman too? As a former mail clerk while in college, I can tell you that they do in fact sort mail individually, transport the mail and deliver it specifically to your house. As do many other jobs entail above and beyond service. So again, why are we responsible for certain places employment's compensation to their workforce? There are people like teachers, firemen and more who work their souls with no reward. I’m not telling you not to tip for takeout. My aunt always says bless somebody else. I agree if you have it. It should not be mandated or innately forced. I almost always tip. If you happen to be on the service side of this issue, this is not to antagonize you. It is to make you aware that earnest people come into your establishment, perhaps with just enough money to get food. Perhaps they don’t have anything extra to give. I encourage you all to examine both sides and make the best decision. Moreover, there are more components to the rewards culture that we should all be conscious of as more and more industries are starting to solicit tips: hair stylist, nail techs and more. There are still quite a few who don’t get tips: mechanics, receptionists, janitors, police officers, nurses, marketers, bankers, grocery store clerks and more to name a few. What does their reward look like? But a job is a job, right? Think about it. See more from my inquiry on Facebook here. We woke again to news of another unarmed black man shot to death by Tulsa Oklahoma Police as he tended to his vehicle malfunction. Let’s say his name together as we painfully live this moment: Terence Crutcher. This will be our first step in reigniting the police brutality and Black Lives Matter conversation. We are near the end of September, and I can’t help but recall the hurt that many of us honed at the beginning of July during the police brutality cases of Philando Castille and Alton Sterling. I yearned for the month to close and to never to relive those horrific videos again. At that moment, I realized I was living history. That very moment took me to retrospect when my fiancé and I invited my parents and grandmother out to the movies to view Selma. My grandmother adamantly said, “I don’t want to see it. I lived it.” And here we are today, awoken, yet again, and living a brutal shooting of a 40-year-old “God-loving father who sang at church every week, and had enrolled at a community college in Tulsa where he hoped to earn a degree.” He is human. He was human. What many fail to realize is, there are much more like him. Black men and women alike. Lest not forget, that hurt is an emotion that we all feel in actuality, empathetically or sympathetically. Lest not forget, that we all, no matter our ethnicities experienced humanities mortifying moan during those July weeks. I didn’t want to see those gut-wrenching, graphic videos again. In congruence with my Grandmothers straight-laced statement, I lived them when I saw a child console her mother from the back seat. Here we are today, revisiting the agony through the murder of Terrance Crutcher. So, this time, what will you do? How will you facilitate conversation? Unfortunately, you’re living history, and you don’t have another choice but to participate. Colin Kaepernick is a game changer and a leader as he promotes justice and equality on such issues. He is living historically and heroically. The day my grandmother declined our invitation, I assumed she was just being relentless to our request to get her out and about. Until I put on my Olivia Pope “white hat” and actively engaged in my first #BlackLivesMatter vigil. I was emotionally engulfed in the amount of people who were living historically. People were praying to the deity of their desire. People were speaking out despite the criticism of labels that would be placed upon them. People were gathering in numbers despite national security being heightened. Fearless. Gladiators. Game-changers. Critics say that people “protest for no reason.” Critics say, “They only protest once in a while.” Critics say, “What will you do to help?” There are a plethora of ways to help. You’re an actor of history. Use your role wisely. This blog serves as no script for your story, simply a motivator for individual emancipation. I never asked my Grandmother any details of her living the civil rights era, but I do know she was active in many facets of it: voter registration, etc. My grandfather even ran for offices in their small town. My mother was one of the first to integrate schools in their town. My aunts and uncles all got a college education. As descendants, my cousins and I have all risen to the occasion. Whatever positive change looks like to you, exhibit it. Become a catalyst in history, not just a component. As a reminder, we are all living history, the good parts and the bad. No one protest will heal history, but it will tell history. So, next time, you’re told what you’re doing is pointless, be reminded that you are directing your movie. A riveting one at that. One so good, you don’t need to watch again. Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network, most recently, aired an episode of Where Are They Now September 10th, 2016 featuring the infamous group, Boyz II Men. The next day, they were sending reverberations of soul music through Nashville with the accompaniment of the Nashville Symphony. The most authentic music anyone could witness was happening as the group’s members didn’t sound a day past their days as high school peers, shaping the tone of boy-band, girl-group days to come. Artists influenced by the group includes Beyonce, Justin Beiber, Usher, Justin Timberlake and more. It has been an interesting road for the group that younger generations didn’t quite get to experience. They started in 1985 as high school classmates and by ‘88- ‘89, they were official and would be labeled as the best-selling R&B group of all time. The group won 4 Grammys, 9 American Music Awards, 9 Soul Train Awards, 3 Billboard Awards, and a 2011 MOBO Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. During the Nashville showing, the experience that the group gave was timeless. As expected, they began with the chivalrous approach that modern artists don’t always exhibit. In spruced suiting, the was quartet turned trio, greeted the audience with a classic tone: “Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, we are Boyz II Men.” The experience even included Roseshire, hand-manicured roses that the group gave away to beloved fans coupled with sentimental serenades. In case you missed the experience, there’s still an option for you to have a piece of the moment when you order the specialized roses . They come coupled with a hand signed card by all 3 of the group members. With more than 2 million fans on Facebook, 230k followers on Twitter, the Nashville portion of fans filled the Ascend Amphitheatre to serve as a mighty chorus. Lasting Member, Wanya Morris told Oprah: Where are They Now?, “One of the challenges of fame would be-be, I guess, staying famous. We couldn’t even forecast the actual success that we’d have hence not really recognizing the type of success we had until things actually died down.” He adds, “We’re in an instant coffee type of society where things happen so fast. Gone are the days of hard work into longevity, and talent. It’s just so easy now to be famous.” He also reiterated this at the commencement of the Nashville show, telling the audience, “We will lose what we call real music if we don’t support organizations like this (Nashville Symphony). Strings and oboe don’t come out of a keyboard.” A day already filled with so much emotion in remembrance of September 11th was surely turned into a night to remember as Boyz II Men proved “Where They Are Now”: during the Nashville showing. 25 years as leaders in the industry, they continue to give a personal experience that you may be missing in most concerts. For the next few months through December, the Grammy Award-winning group will be showcasing their timeless talents at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Photography Credit: Lauren thomas photography10+ years ago we were so blessed with the great technological manifestation of social media. It really is quite fascinating that we can be there with our loved ones for pivotal moments and in some cases, real time. To take in life through photographs, articles, blogs, videos and so much more is truly a revolutionary act for all generations. We, millennials, are good for something. We are bringing teaching our ancestors and our predecessors the ways of the world, from various perspectives that older generations couldn’t even imagine and newer generations haven’t quite figured out how to best practice. In light of that notion, social media often gets used for the portrayal of our finest things and the best of our lives. Moreover, it often gets used in questionable ways by users who could simply use some social media usage tips. I’ve been working in social media for more than six years and have seen major brands and small brands scrutinized for how they utilize social media. The power of it is exponentially astounding in its effect. Therefore, I present to you: 5 Ways to Best Use Social Media.
1. Share Positivity Breaking News is happening every day. It may be tough for your audiences to deal with so much negativity. Be sure to shine your light in this world. Focus your social media content on being real, but finding the silver lining. For example, for 9/11, try posting something personal, yet commemorative. EXAMPLE: “I remember sitting in my 7th-grade class, not really understanding the truth of the moment, but feeling the moment through my teacher’s actions. It was also my sister-in-law’s birthday, but my young mind stayed steady in the moment as I watched smoke blare from the twin towers. It wasn’t until I got older that I learned to be extra cognizant of acknowledging both occasions appropriately. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones. September 11th was the day I learned to hold mine a little tighter and love a little harder." 2. Use it as a tool to Learn According to Inc.com, top business leaders, such as Oprah, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and more often spend five hours per week doing deliberate learning. That includes reading, reflecting, practicing and more. Use social media to learn something new. Take a twitter poll. Make a poll. Ask a question to be enlightened on a matter. Share LEGITIMATE articles. 3. Minimize Hounding People Don’t get me wrong, Social Media can be used to sell things but only on appropriate channels and in appropriate ways. Show your audience how your products have worked for YOU! Then, just share a link of how they worked for you! Don’t “SPAM” people by tagging them in things over and over again or hassling them. 4. Refrain from Bragging It’s okay to represent yourself and your lifestyle. Be tasteful in how you showcase material possessions. A bag or your body is not all you have to offer. You may be great and 99% perfect, let your audience decide that, not you. Share real moments! 5. Keep Your Personal Life Personal A picture and a caption are my rule of thumb for social media. Keep it general. The things going on with you, your family and friends, GOOD or BAD don’t have to digress on social outlets. It often leads to cyber bullying and negativity. P.S. I don’t write the rules. P.S. I don’t “right” the rules. Do what you will with what you want. No judgments on my behalf. I serve as a consultant. Love, Your Favorite Social Media Manager Jasmine Hockett Triple P.S. I am taking clients if you’d like help self-branding or business branding. Send inquiries to socialbusiness@agency24.org Let's throwback Thursday to Sunday night when MTV's 2007 Sweet Sixteen star, Teyana Taylor, showed us how to we should be living out the last few months of twenty-sixteen. Taylor was, in fact, the breaking news that the world was waiting for as the VMA's gave notorious rapper, Kanye West, 4 minutes to do whatever he wanted to do. Apparently, a lot can happen in 4 minutes. Teyana Taylor happened in the mounting seconds as she undeniably and most notably changed the health and fitness goals of people all over the world as she danced her way around workout equipment and mopped the floor with her moves. A host of hashtags and memes hit the internet all surrounding this notion. Taylor told E! News, "Dancing is my workout. I just dance. I almost feel like dance is so underrated in the fitness world." You must also note she doesn't diet either. Perhaps, we should've learned this from the way she celebrated her sixteenth birthday! It was then, that her 80s' themed birthday party should have enlightened us on the chart-topping actress's tricks. For those of you yearning for the exact same body. I think the concept here is simply to celebrate life and love through whatever makes you happy not to obtain Teyana's body. It's important that you take this mental note as you watch the video. According to XXL Magazine, "Taylor said she landed the lead role thanks to an impromptu conversation with Kanye. “It was actually crazy because I was in the studio recording and Kanye came by to the other studio next door to record and asked me to come over real quick,” she explained. “And he was like, ‘Yo, you killed the Lil’ Kim tribute.’ And we talked about that a little bit and then I don’t know how we got into a conversation about me and Iman [Shumpert]. We just started talking and I was just rambling and rambling about Iman and to him, it was a dope moment to just see love like that, to see that you can really have it all.” "It was definitely something deep. The whole video is deeper than people probably processed it. So I feel like it's up for the people to figure it out. I get it, but I want them to really figure it out and really understand what's going on. And for them to understand, they're going to have to watch it 20, and 30, and 40 times." Leave it to the creative genius, Kanye to vaguely, yet epically inform us of a bigger picture in just 4 minutes. West proved, yet again, how genius he really is. The Teyana Taylor Effect was a moment that some might even say overshadowed Queen Bey's momentum and Rihanna's multiple performances. After all, its Thursday and we are still talking about Teyana Taylor! Take notes my friends: A lot can be done in 4 minutes. Kanye introduced us to his workout plan in 2004 on the album the College Dropout. This blog is not about the perfect workout plan or Taylor's body entirely. It's about how the magically coded deeper meaning of "Fade" to help us all work our way into a Sweet '17 as the best versions of ourselves! In reference to the 90's style video and the lioness imagery of Taylor, her fiance Iman Shumpert and their baby, Choreographer and Artistic Director Jae Blaze's told Pitchfork, "She has worked her way into that, and she's in a great position right now in her life. She has her family. She's being held down by her amazing husband. She has a beautiful daughter. You know, the lioness always protects her baby. I think it really is about her coming into her fierceness. And that's where she is in her life right now. She is blossoming."
Don't walk away from the Teyana Taylor Effect thinking that her body is the only thing you should try to achieve. Try to achieve the best you! What will you do in 4 minutes? Taylor just landed two epic tv gigs. |
AuthorThe things I write about are the love of my life and the life of my love! Archives
July 2017
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