Exaltation

A photographer and I went to what used to be a confederate monument to take the pictures you see above for his "Enthroned" project. When we got to the location which is in the middle of a busy New Orleans intersection, I got nervous.  The stone is as tall as it looks in the pictures above.  Plus I was cognitive of the recent protests and threats surrounding the removal of the statue that once sat on the stone.  The photographer looked at me and asked, "are you down to do this?"  I looked back at him and simply said, "you got the right one today."  However, my inner Sam was saying, "Ummm, no he doesn't!"  He grabbed a chair and ladder out of his car and off to the tall stone we went. 

In an ankle length skirt, I proceeded to climb all the way to the top of the stone.  People began honking, some recording me on their cell phones, some were yelling "go girl!", others were frowning and possibly yelling expletive language.  But here I was, perched on top of the tall stone, drowning out the noise and posing every time the camera flashed. 

While up there sweating with my legs shaking, I thought to myself...."this is exactly how it feels when I'm reaching new heights and growing." - uncomfortable, unsure at times, constant noise, go girl shouts, voyeurism, shady judgment, and sweat.  But I stayed up there and kept shooting, because I knew that with exaltation comes hard work and awkward feelings.  When I finally came down and saw the pictures, I was grateful for the entire experience. 

Welcome any challenge or chance to be exalted in your life.  Rise to the occasion, sit firmly in your position, handle your business, drown out the noise and wait for the beautiful picture to unfold - it will be all worth it.  

Peace and Blessings,

- Samjah Iman

Cross Choker by www.intuition.la. 

Photo Credit: www.visualalchemyphoto.com

Get Like Oprah...

I woke up yesterday morning and looked at the clock which read 5:00 a.m.  I instantly got an attitude because I had just looked at the same clock 30 minutes ago and it said 1:30 a.m.  I don't know if it was daylight savings or someone stealing time but 5:00 a.m. came too soon, and on this day I wasn't having it.  So I turned on my back, looked at the ceiling and declared that I wasn't doing any work that day.  I was staying in the bed until about 12:15 p.m., and then I would binge watch all the shows I've missed. 

Content with my spontaneous decision, I turned on my radio to get a little news and laughter from the Tom Joyner Morning Show.  When I turned the radio on, Tom was interviewing Oprah Winfrey about the season two premier of her television series Greenleaf.  I was listening to how perky Oprah sounded for an early morning that I was not fond of.  Then with her bubbly voice she said, "Tom, I'm out here working like the rent is due!"  I laughed along with Tom and the crew.  Then I abruptly stopped laughing.  All of a sudden I felt like that joke was on me.  "Hold on, I can't afford to be laughing at/with Oprah," I thought.  "If she is out here grinding like her rent is due, then who am I to be chilling in this bed like my rent isn't?" 

I then got out the bed, got my mind right, and hit the ground running that morning.  I was reminded that hard work doesn't stop for those who want to reach certain heights.  You get back what you put out.  And if OPRAH is still putting out tons of effort, then I have no excuse.  

I know we all get tired at times (and we should take a break every so often), but if we keep going during those difficult times then we will only build endurance.  So the next time we feel like stopping, let's remember - Oprah is still out here working like her rent is due and it probably isn't.....but most of ours really is.  Let's get like Oprah.

Peace and Hustle,

- Lil Oprah

Prepare for the Fight

In continuing my message I posted on Monday, I thought I'd share some insight that I received from Bishop TD Jakes about two or three weeks ago.  During one of his sermons I caught on YouTube, Jakes preached that life is a fight, and God is our sparring partner which means He is training and equipping us to win the fight.  I thought about what Jakes was saying and a light bulb popped on in my head.  Instead of wishing that I won't have to fight life all the time, I'll go into it ready for the fight.

I'm not looking for a break anymore.  I'm prepared to work hard for whatever I want.  I was talking to my friend Fish Plate (funny story how he got this nickname) about the recent events and the message I received from Bishop Jakes, and he said something that was real.  He said, "Everybody wants to be Oprah and have Oprah's money, but no one wants to experience and live through the struggles Oprah dealt with before she became Oprah."  This is so true because we often look up to millionaires and stars and wish we had their lives, but we never know what their fight was to get where they are. And you better believe that each person we look up to has had or is having some type of fight - that's just life.  

“Don’t want to do the dishes, just want to eat the food. ”

— Unknown

There is always going to be challenges in life.  Traffic will be heavy, our bank account will be missing some zeros, people will be mean and bias, unqualified people will become presidents of countries, the hot water heater will stop working, it will cost a lot to start a business or go back to school, our gas tanks will be low, girlfriends and boyfriends will leave, husbands and wives will disappoint, the brakes will go out, the car will stop running, the computer will freeze up (this is a sure way to make me run up and down the street screaming), the boss will ignore our accomplishments, blah, blah, blah, blah. Shit happens.  Many people will experience all these things and feel like God has not favored them.  This is the furthest thing from the truth.  God is actually training us for bigger fights to come because it doesn't get easier my loves, it gets harder.  The more successful we become the more responsibility we will have - and that's when we'll really have to scuffle. 

“Mo money, Mo problems. ”

— Notorius B.I.G

I stopped complaining about every little thing that was holding me back and started mentally preparing for the hurdles.  In the past, I knew they were coming but was hoping that God would spare me.  Now I know they are coming, and I use the strength that God has equipped me with to knock them all down.  Do I get tired of fighting?  Yup.  Do I feel like I have lost at times? Of course.  But I will not be defeated because I've got things I want to accomplish.  I will not let life get in the way and have me waking up one morning with regrets.   

Life won't let up - so we can't either.  The more we fight, the stronger we will be.   

So here's to life - Moma said knock you out.

- Samjah Iman

P.S. - I've been jamming to a Tribe Called Quest's latest album.  It feels good to have some music with depth to listen to.  So far I'm digging We The People, Kids, and Melatonin.  I will continue listening to discover more songs. 

Just Do It

A lot of us are waiting for the perfect moment to begin working towards our dreams and goals.  I got some news for you, THERE IS NO PERFECT MOMENT!  One of the best slogans/advice comes from Nike - JUST DO IT.  It's simple as that.  Just jump in there and do what you have to do to accomplish what you need to accomplish.  I'm not going to preach today or go on and on about this subject.  I just wanted to drop this quick message in your space and tell you to Get up, Get out, and Get something!  

The saying goes " a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  I encourage you all to take that first step today.  Whether it's a major step or very small step - just do it.  It won't be easy, but I'm sure it will be worth it, because you never know where that first step will lead you.        

Make something happen on this hump day. 

Hustle hard,

- Samjah Iman