26 Things to Learn: Black Privilege.♡

Yay!

So today marks the first book I’ve fully read & finished in 2018. It might sound minor, but this is a major accomplishment for me as I’ve been neglecting picking up a book for the past however many years.

But most importantly, I’m glad it was this one!

BLACK PRIVILEGE.

OPPORTUNITY COMES TO THOSE WHO CREATE IT X CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD

I guess you can consider this a book review, but so many gems were dropped that I really just have to share all of what I’ve absorbed from this inspiring piece!

First let me start off with quotes that’ve moved me & then I’ll go into further detail & experiences I’ve had with a few.

G E M S :

(It’s a lengthy list, so get ready for all the Inspo.)

“In order to change your life for the better, first you must change your lifestyle.”
“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” — Wayne Dyer
“If someone is going through a rough period, help them. Don’t ostracize them & make them feel even worse about themselves.”
“In order to reach our full potential, both our bodies and our minds need to be sharp.” — Denmark Vesey
“Design yourself. Construct your own dream. We have to stop thinking that just because we see something working spectacularly for someone else, that’s the only path available to us!”
“Sometimes you have the right dream, but the wrong approach.”
“The key is to remember that no matter who you are, or where you come from, your dream is out there.”
“I’ve been winning by following my instincts.”
“No amount of classroom instruction can ever match the experience you’ll get from actually performing a job.”
“Never say, ‘I’m not ready’ when faced with an opportunity.”
“When there’s an opportunity, you take it.”
“It might sound crazy, but God will be planting a seed in your mind so you can fertilize it, by constantly thinking about it & working towards it.”
“Honesty & intimacy is what forges a real connection with the audience.”
“Every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed . . . To improve your performance the next time.” — Malcolm X
“When someone offers to help you, tell them exactly what you want.”
“Success is a process: No shortcuts, no half steps. When you’re just starting out, be apart of the process.”
“Always follow your instincts, listen closely. Whenever you hear that faint whisper in your head telling you what direction to move in — That’s where you want to go.”
“We get caught up in sweating the results instead of embracing the process.”
“You have to embrace the process, before you can reap the rewards.”
“You supposed to be busting your ass for ‘nothing’ when you’re in your twenties.
“No matter how far you get in the game, there’s always another level to reach.”
“If you’re consistent with it, eventually it will take you where you want to go.”
“Develop some real discipline in your day-to-day schedule.”
“Believe in yourself and all that you are and know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”
“If there’s something out there that I haven’t gotten, it’s because I haven’t taken it.”
“Black Privilege isn’t about what someone else is doing; it’s just about being aware of who and what you are and drawing strength from that.”

This book alone has inspired to me create more discipline in my Day to Day routine in waking up at 4:00am every morning to keep working on my dreams and practicing my craft. Charlamagne may come off as an A-Hole to many of you in mainstream media, but over & over again he expresses his truth & that honesty is an overall theme in his life. Unfortunately, some people just can’t handle the truth so others see it as ignorance.

This book has also been apart of one of my first ever spiritual awakenings . . . Ok, I know that might sound a little unorthodox or creepy, but hear this story —

One morning, I’m doing an interview for my Internship & the phone conversation was literally everything I needed. We chatted about dreams, goals & just the real life hustle & ground work that a lot of people don’t post on social media. Overall, the conversation was so very enlightening.

After I hung up the phone, I just sat for a few minutes, looked up – smiled and said these words exactly, “Yes, this is for me. This is exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

[The place being, following my dreams in social media editing, branding, and blogging.] At this point, it all just felt like this is where I’m supposed to be. And for a while now I’ve been a little confused & just unsure (which is totally fine because it’s apart of life. As we grow & experience new things, places & people it’s bound to happen.) NEVER stop learning, asking questions or growing is also a constant theme in Black Privilege.

Continuing on with the story . . .

After I had this little pep talk, I walked over to my book shelf, picked up this book & randomly opened it to a page. And what do you know? Bolded & highlighted lies these two quotes:

“It might sound crazy, but God will be planting a seed in your mind so you can fertilize it by constantly thinking about it and working toward it.”

“Remember, when God plans something in your spirit, embrace where that energy takes you.”

And after reading — I cried.

Yeah, girl – Just like the first quote started with “It might sound crazy” I thought I was crazy for what I was feeling & how i was just overflowing with so much emotion.

All I can say was that this was a moment for me that I will forever cherish & keep in mind when I don’t feel like doing the work or when I feel like I keep hearing “No” from companies & brands I dream of working with.

One thing I do know is that this book has graced me with the opportunity to really begin tapping into my passions & really unleash them & work super, extra, fucking, got-damn hard towards them. & so, I encourage you too! Believe in yourself, believe in your dreams, be consistent & keep rooting for yourself. Someone will be so connected & moved by the work that you do as long as you stay transparent & honest with all of who you are.

Be great + Do werk.♡