Let your love be like the misty rains, coming softly, but flooding the river.
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CONTENTS The Currency is Love 3 Networking: What’s Love Got to do With it 6 10 Things Husband’s Should Never Do 9 Us: The Movie 14 Dating Deal Breakers: When It’s Time to Get Out 16 Confessions of a Complicated Love 19
For as far back as I can remember, my nighttime slumber began the same way. I lay in bed, cut off the television, shut my eyes, and began to envision my perfect love. My inspiration hailed from the people and images I saw on television. I would envision Chuck D taking me on a picnic. The rapper Special Ed and I would resurrect our inner children by going to the park at midnight and swinging on the swings. Big Daddy Kane and I often wandered around the Magnificent Mile in Chicago; and the most memorable vision involved Kid from Kid n Play. We shared a candlelight dinner that culminated in us kissing one another across the table. As I got older, these nighttime daydreams were my only solace as I found myself in relationships that left me depleted, defeated and sad. My shrink will say I slept alot because I was depressed. I say I slept alot because my dreams trumped my reality.
The Currency is Love By: B.da Oso StarChild
After 3 failed significant relationships and one beautifully failed attempt at marriage, I shut down on love. I stopped dreaming about it and stopped looking for it. I immersed myself in work and began pushing my magazine, StarChild, full-throttle. As I pursued my business with reckless abandon, I began to have visions of massive wealth. Dollar signs danced around my head to the tune of extravagance and comfortable living. I dreamt of green paper with presidents on them giving way to shopping sprees and opulence. I saw myself on yachts, rubbing elbows with old white men who came from old money and who smelled like spiders and Aqua di Parma cologne. Don't laugh. This is what I envisioned wealth to be. And I dreamt about it as faithfully as I once dreamt about love. As the StarChild franchise grew, I became inundated with outside projects that could lead to increased revenue. Several people requested my paid expertise for consulting. Others loved my photographic eye, and offered me money to take family pictures and senior photos of their children. Some wanted to pay me to market and/or speak at their events, and 99% of these requests I did not oblige. Not because the money wasn't good, but simply because my heart wasn't in it. My ah-ha moment came one day as I was having a conversation with my friend, who is also a best-selling author. He had a great idea he wanted to share with me. After he ran down the details of the project, he said "All I need you to do is.." and I stopped him there. "No thanks.” I said. “I don't want to do it." He was strongly taken aback. "Why?” he demanded to know. “ It's already something you know how to do? I'm paying you! You'll be making some extra money." I shook my head and said the words that still make him laugh
I'm not motivated by money." I said, matter-of-factly. uncomfortably to this day;"
When I heard those words come out of my mouth, I admit I kind of shocked myself, too. After all, I was still working at a 9-5 making bare bones money and struggling to find funding to keep StarChild up and running. On the one hand I always prayed to God for wealth, and dreamt about wealth, but on the other hand I was constantly turning down opportunities to achieve it. During this time I was also taking on several pro-bono jobs, again, nothing that was getting me closer to the dollar signs I kept envisioning. What the hell was wrong with me? Didn’t I want to be rich? I tried to convince myself that I was lazy, but my dedication to StarChild and gumption to continually show up to a job I loathed trumped that assessment. So if it wasn't laziness, what was it? Didn’t I dream of being wealthy? Why would I offer to do someone's wedding photography for free but shun the idea of doing paid photoshoots for people? Why wasn't I following up with business owners to run ads in StarChild? Why was I running ads for free for a business owner if I felt enthused or empathetic toward their plight? Why was I so backward? How could I change this about myself? If I didn't change this about myself, how would I manage to achieve wealth? The ultimate question being, did I really want the wealth I prayed for? After coming to grips with my own misshapen reality, and spending countless hours crying and praying, I decided to simply keep it real with myself, at the risk of foregoing yet another one of my dreams. I said to myself, "Self, you could care less about money. As long as your heart is happy, what you have in your pocket doesn't even matter.” It took a while for me to accept these words as truth. In essence, I was giving myself permission to go back to dreaming about and pursuing love. After all, every daydream I had about it had nothing to do with money. Those years spent dreaming of "Mr. Right" had nothing to do with money. I was content to play in the park, have dinner by candlelight, walk (not shop) the Magnificent Mile. My final thought is when I had my "ah-ha" moment. Just as clear as day it came to me; my currency is love. Wealth represents an abundance of currency. And I was birthed into the world with the currency of love. From the minute my father begged his wife (my mom) to bear his child, I was conceived in love. And my entire life could be summed up as me spending my "currency" (love) in the hopes of getting a good return on my investment. And it seems that all of the love I have put out into the universe has finally come back to me; pressed down, shaken, and running over. Now that I have finally identified my currency and acknowledged my wealth, I understand that love was always my expectation. And wealth (i.e. money) shall be my gift. Love, to me, was the hard part. Money is a no-brainer. Here at StarChild we have a saying that ideas are currency and everything else is just money.
LOVE is currency...everything else is just money. Spend wisely, spend purposefully and always pay yourself first. For the year 2010 I’m changing that:
by: michele dugar Networking can be an effective tool to advance your career or grow your business. Through networking you can learn of new opportunities to pursue or gain resources to help get things done. The key word is that it CAN be. Unfortunately, for some of us, face-to-face networking is a stressful thing to avoid or an unproductive exercise of only collecting business cards. I gained revelation a while back that the key to making networking an enjoyable and productive experience is love. Love of self, love for others and the love of God can make the difference. With the right mentality, it is easier to see opportunities for networking, to enjoy networking more and to become effective at it. Networking goals include: 1) making contacts 2) sharing information and 3) building relationships. Following are some love principles that will help you effectively reach your networking goals. 6 StarChild April09
Walking In Love Make it a priority to use networking as an opportunity to help and give to others. Give advice, referrals, and information. Have the other person’s interest in mind. Focus on what you can give and not on how you have to get something from others. Look at your product, service or background as being a tool to help someone else. There is someone who needs just what you offer. You can’t help them if they don’t know what you have to offer, so don’t be too shy to let them know. Seed Time/Harvest Time You give to get. Helping someone may not lead to an immediate benefit directly from them but you will benefit at some point from some where. If we want divine connections, we need to be one to others. Helping others now is a way to sow seeds that can bring a harvest later. God Is Your Source Sometimes networking seems stressful because people are relying on the contacts made as the only way to create their success. Yes, success may come as a result of contacts made but God is our ultimate source for success, not those networking contacts. So relax, keep it in perspective and take the pressure off. God will send divine connections, just put yourself in position to receive. Also keep in mind that what looks like a disappointment may be God getting you ready or in position for a future blessing. Casting Out Fear When it comes to networking, people often feel nervous or fearful. The devil uses fear to keep people from progressing. Yes, we will encounter fear but God did not give us a spirit of fear. That means we are not to allow fear to stop our progress or dictate how we act. Fear can 1) lead to desperate action which is not in line with God’s word (lies, manipulation, & cheating) or 2) fear can cause a lack of action. So do what you need to do even though you may feel fearful. Isn’t it always the case that our worries were worse than the actual experience?
Confidence Confidence is an assurance that you are able. An advantage of being confident is that you take action and don’t let fear overcome you. Another advantage is that you will attract people and business. If you carry yourself in a confident manner, this will build confidence in you from customers and employers. As a child of God you should be confident (greater is He that is in you…). Have positive self-esteem and know that you are able because God has your back. He gives you the authority and the power. God is all that and you are His. You Are A Tool Believers are a tool through which God can bless others. So 1) network so as to be in a position to help others and 2) expect good things to come to you so that you can bless others. Expect blessings to and through you. Patience Be patient. In the words of my mother, “patience is peaceful anticipation”. You know your success/prosperity is coming so there is no reason to stress. Following the principles outlined above will help you to keep up your confidence. Also remember that God has the big picture in mind. Although things may not work out just as you expected, don’t despair. God has the master plan and has good things in store for you. His thoughts are bigger and better. Would you rather rely on your vision, wisdom and understanding or God’s? So chill out and enjoy the ride knowing He has great things in store for you. Bottom line... Obey God, stay in faith, and allow God to direct your steps. Be optimistic and on the look out for divine connections. You may meet someone that may be the key to a victorious breakthrough. Believe and give thanks for divine connections. God can use anyone to be a blessing to you. God can also use you to be a blessing to others. Networking—what’s love got to do it? Everything.
Faithfulness We are called to be faithful. Time is a key element to being faithful, doing what we are supposed to do over time.7When it comes StarChild April09 to networking, consistently do it, if you want to see the full benefits.
Michele Dugar is the Founder and Creative Director of www.GingerSnapsBaby.com, the source for chic gifts inspired by children of color. She is also the editor of www.SweetLifeMagazine.com, which gives tips and inspiring ideas on how to be fabulous at home, work and play. Rewritten with permission by Michele Dugar. © 2009
10 Things Husbands Should Never Do By: Diana Otis Guys, we love you, we really do. But as wonderful as you are, every so often you do something that makes us want to jump out the nearest window (or push you out first). Please, please, don’t ever…
4.
Brag about your driving. This is supposed to let us know that ours isn’t so great. If my husband tells me one more time that he’s been “accident-free since 1978,” I’m going to reach over, grab the wheel and make the car swerve into something, just to shut him up.
1.
Offer to “babysit” your own kids. When your 16-year-old neighbor does it, it’s called babysitting. When a parent does it, it’s called child care, and it lasts for at least 18 years.
5.
2.
Imply that office work is harder than housework. At the end of a hard day, there may be smoke coming out of your ears, but let’s face it: You’ve basically been sitting on your butt. That same smoke is coming out of our ears too—but we’ve cleaned the house, shuttled the kids around, run errands all over town and lugged grocery bags besides. When we say we’re exhausted, we are exhausted.
Be unimpressed by a meal that took a lot of time and trouble. I don’t know whose fault this is (Food Network? Julie and Julia?), but every so often we get the idea that it would be fun to make stock and spend the day basting. If the result is less than earthshattering, say something nice anyway.
6.
Buy clothes without trying them on. We know that the second you get into a department store you start to feel faint, but do us a favor and take the extra five minutes. Otherwise, you know who gets stuck with the returns?
7.
Know it all, especially in public. Oh, honey. While you’re going on at length about whatever it is, we’re taking the temperature of the room, and we know everyone’s starting to fidget.
8.
Say anything remotely critical about our new haircut. Sometimes getting a new cut goes well; sometimes it doesn’t. Usually we know the difference. Don’t rub it in.
9.
Expect a medal for doing a little housework. Umm…it’s your house too, right? For now, we’ll give you the bronze. Maybe someday, if you work hard enough, you can pick up a gold.
3.
Give a home appliance as a gift. Forgive us if we can’t work it up for this one. A new washing machine? Really? Can we get you some new snow tires?
10.Cheat.
Learn from Tiger, Bill
Clinton, the man who made “hot grits” infamous, and Kobe Bryant: Cheating is for suckas. Don’t do it.
ARE YOU READY FOR By: 13 Ways I was joking with someone close to me this morning at breakfast and said, “Damn, I’m tired of learning things the hard way! Her reply was, “Sometime that’s what it takes!” I just nodded my head and said “Yeah, sometimes…” About a week ago I had to learn a lesson the hard way. I learned that I wasn’t ready for a relationship after 5 months of dating a good woman. I learned that my heart just wasn’t in the relationship. It was somewhere else. As the song by Atlantic Starr goes, “If your heart isn’t in it, why can’t you tell me so?” I was beginning to shut down and become lax in the relationship and the feeling wouldn’t pass, so I broke things off because I knew in my heart I was unable to give that person what they truly deserved. I would rather be alone than hurt someone that I know has a good heart. I would rather give her the chance of finding someone better suited for her, because I began to discover that I wasn’t the one for her. I’ve told myself that I just need some time to be alone, that I need to really think about what I need, what I’m able to give and most importantly, what I wanted. I’ll be the first to say that our past relationship experiences should be used as learning tools instead of a crutch or as an excuse to not try being in a relationship again. We should be better people after a relationship fails. It’s very surprising how much you learn about yourself being around another person for a good period of time. In my short time on this Earth I’ve managed to have been in a relationship where I saw every single phase of a relationship and then some with the exception of not getting married and having children, even though at one point that was my intention. I’ve seen how relationships are built. I’ve seen how relationships grow. I’ve sacrificed and had someone sacrifice for me. I’ve argued about everything under the sun with a woman whether or not it was considered to be important or not! At 31 I know what love is and what it’s supposed to be, how it’s supposed to feel and the work that goes into it. I’ve seen how other people’s family becomes your family too. It goes beyond just having a few things in common! It’s a combination of love, respect, mutual interest, and shared experience that evolves with time. I know what love is and I know how it feels and I haven’t felt it in a while. I thought that my heart forgot how to love. Part of my heart died when my mother died two years ago. I can’t regain a mother’s love, but I still remember what it was like to be in love with a woman that loves me.
ARE YOU READY FOR LOVE? Cont’d…
I hear people talk about they want a relationship or how they deserve someone good or that they have so much love to give, but relationships take work! It takes more than love to keep a relationship going. You have to come as close as you possibly can to loving someone unconditionally. Its one thing to love your child unconditionally, but to love your girl, or your man in that way takes work, not to mention a whole different level of trust. Believe it or not dating is easy. Being with someone for 6 months to a year is easy! 6 months really isn’t any time! Do you really honestly think you’re going to know someone after 6 months? I know people that have been married for a number of years and they still are discovering new things about their spouse, good and bad! Were such a “Want when we want it” generation. I can name at least 3 couples that got married, had kids and got divorced inside of 3 years. Everything and anything worth having takes time, effort and hard work and relationships aren’t any different. I see single people who see what other people go through in relationships and say “Damn, I’m glad I’m single!” A lot of people are just afraid of the commitment, while others are just afraid of being vulnerable to another person or being held accountable to another person. We have to do things when we’re ready, especially when it comes to committing to someone. I’ll be the first to say that a man or woman should never play with someone’s heart. I know men and woman that have grown cold because someone they loved and thought loved them did them wrong. Everybody is not able to recover from heartbreak and a lot of times those people are never the same after that. Good girl gone bad and that man that was a puppy becomes a full-fledged dog because they’re afraid of being vulnerable to anyone and most importantly they feel like they can’t trust anyone anymore. Or worse than that they become bitter. We have to take our time people! No matter if you’ve had your heart broken or never experienced heartbreak it’s important that we pace ourselves. Moral of the story today is not to be afraid of love, but prepare to love. And like I always say, “Love yourself, before you love someone else.”
http://13waysthemovement.blogspot.com copyrighted by The Movement Media Inc. 2010
Us (The Movie) By: Shela Moore
The possibilities and opportunities for us are all endless and timeless and extraordinary in the beginning but…can we FAST FORWARD to THE END of this flick and see what’s left of us? Will it be a cheap porno flick like BOOTY TALK with a hand held camera and cheap porno music playing in the background with no script because we really have nothing to say to one another? Or what about a romantic comedy? I’ve heard that once the laughter is gone, the romance dies too. But, I’ve done KNOCKED UP already so can we try something different, like what about PRETTY WOMAN? I’m thinking I could play the charming, intelligent prostitute you sweep off of her feet with your wealth and charm into a new life? Scratch that. PAUSE, that means I’d essentially be a whore, so let’s REWIND that thought and start over. Are you sure that you’re ready to give up your pass to the PLAYER’S CLUB because TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME? So let’s see…our story has gotta have a great ending! So I want a love that endures like THE NOTEBOOK; let me love you, then lose you, get over you, find a new love, and live long enough to find you and love you all over again, for a lifetime this time. I want a love like those CINDERELLA stories…a love story that begins with ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA and ends with and they lived happily EVER AFTER. A love that will make you take me out to EVE’S BAYOU, and lay me down in a bed of wild flowers, as we sit by the river and you wash these feet; remember that SCENE from JASON’S LYRIC? Just the thought of it makes we wanna sang and clap like in GLORY, “Oh my lawd, lawd, lawd, lawd ” I want a love so real that when THE BEST MAN
asks you, ‘Dawg, you ready for this’? All you can say is ‘When I’m with her, it’s like I’m lost in THE MATRIX! I know she will STAND BY ME because THE CONVERSATION we have is so real, but easy. The love she gives me is a MEMENTO I’ll never give away. Hmmph and in the bedroom, dawg let’s just say “SHE GOTTA HAVE IT”. Or will you leave me alone with nothing but TRUE LIES, WAITING TO EXHALE, forgetting the 80/20 rule and asking yourself WHY DID I GET MARRIED? Cause you know, THE BROTHERS are damned good at pulling DISAPPEARING ACTS when the LOVE JONES & DIRTY DANCING are gone and our 50 FIRST DATES are over and there’s nothing left but PARENTHOOD and arguments that sound as loud as that T-Rex’s roar in JURASSIC PARK. I’m writing this SCRIPT for myself really, just like that journal she wrote in on BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY; it’s never meant for your eyes to read or see. This is the real thing, not an IMITATION OF LIFE. I don’t want to be together just to DO THE RIGHT THING only to ask ourselves in ten years. WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, I don’t want either of us to be UNFAITHFUL or the UNFORGIVEN. I don’t want to ask HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK; because we all know how that really ended. Okay! I’m hoping that you’re one of the GOODFELLAS, not a REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE or THE WIZARD OF OZ. I want to meet the real man behind the curtain…because I want us to last FROM HERE TO ETERNITY.
Dating Deal Breakers: When It's Time to Get Out By: StyleCaster
As an eligible single woman, it's only natural to be looking for that significant other who will sweep you off your perfectly pedicured, Louboutin-clad feet. You go out with the girls in hopes of catching the eye of your future Prince Charming and securing that fairytale ending, but sometimes dating trials run amuck, leaving you with an experience that you wish you could have skipped out on. Dating can be fun, but oftentimes we have to weed out the freaks before we find the ones worth our time. Some guys have idiosyncrasies that are just too much to handle, but what are the real red flags that should send you running in the completely opposite direction? Here are some deal breakers that we think warrant an instant end to the relationship. These guys mean trouble:
The Cheater
The Liar
This guy plans dates with multiple girls at a time even when you've been seeing each other for a couple of weeks at minimum. He claims he's keeping his options open, but what that really means is that he has commitment issues and that he's somewhat of a player. This guy definitely is not ready to be in a monogamous relationship, so get out before you get hurt. Keep your eyes peeled for his constant checking of text messages and any smirks that may cross his face while he responds.
Like the cheater, this guy won't be straight up with you. He'll ignore certain topics you bring up and will try to immediately change the subject. If he can't look you in the eyes when you ask him what he did that day, then there's a problem. This should send you running in the opposite direction before he ends up lying about something much more serious than his daily routine. Obviously this guy has major skeletons in his closet, and you won't want to stick around long enough to find out what they might be.
When It's Time to Get Out Cont’d‌
Inappropriate Commentary
The Mama's Boy
This guy's mom never taught him how to properly respect a woman. He probably views you as an object and worships music artists who make a living out of lyrics that oftentimes degrade women. He's the guy that will talk about your rear end beyond the point of sexiness, or he'll comment about other women's assets in front of you. Not okay. Don't get caught up with this type of guy -he'll only make you feel bad about yourself in the end, and that's a definite deal-breaker.
The definition of a mama's boy is a guy with no shame who still lives at home. He'll probably introduce you to his parents right off the bat and tell you that he's still dependent because he's saving up for his so-called "bright future." In our poor economy, we'll give younger twentysomething dudes a break in this case, but let's face it -- if this guy is almost 30, and still shacking up with mom and dad -- DEAL-BREAKER.
The Cheapskate
The Guy with Weird Friends
A cheapskate is cheap. He'll take you to dive bars and pinch pennies even if he's not on a budget. Eventually he'll be asking you to foot the bill or join forces when the check comes. Offering to help out with costly dating expenses is only fair when you're in a serious relationship, but if he requests that you foot the bill on the first date, then politely move on.
This guy takes a while to introduce you to his friends, but once he does, you automatically know why: they're freaks. This should make you wonder about his true character and whether or not you'd be willing to spend a large chunk of your time with these dudes. We think this is your exit cue.
The Tease This guy is just full of empty promises. He'll have a slew of great ideas that just don't come to pass, leaving you high and dry. Don't let him pull you into his negative ways with zero follow-through. It will only turn you into a pessimist, and who wants to be around one of those?
The Napoleon Syndrome This is the short man with the big mouth who feels the need to be outspoken in order to make up for his vertical challenge. He'll most likely end up embarrassing himself (and you) when you're out in public because of his need for attention. Plus, we'd never want to date a guy who has serious underlying issues with insecurity. Confidence is the ultimate form of sexiness.
As parents we all want the best things in life for our children. Candace Danielle Tyler was the best I’ll ever have. She was the best and beyond in my eyes. She was the most caring and giving person and I sometimes wondered how I was so blessed to have received such an angel in my life. Candace went out of her way to help those in need. I just wish someone could have helped her in her time of need. Candace was brutally murdered at the age of nineteen while attending Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPU). Her dream was to become a Pediatrician and to give back to her community. We had many discussions about starting a scholarship after her graduation from college. I guess she graduated earlier then I expected. The Candace D. Tyler Memorial Scholarship Fund was started the same year of her death. It is a $1,500.00 scholarship, which is awarded to an African-American female who is going into the medical field. To date over $17,250.00 in scholarships has been awarded. My Board and I are asking for your support to continue in our endeavor to provide these scholarships. Your donations will be deeply appreciated. Thanking you in advance, Jeanette Tyler Walker, President Make donations payable to: The Candace D. Tyler Memorial Scholarship Fund Mail to: 7227 Calumet Ave Hammond, IN 46320 Attention: Denise Wilbert-Rogers All contributions are tax deductible granted, 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt #131042 v 1/7855-0000010
The Candace D. Tyler Memorial Scholarship Fund
Confessions of a Complicated
Love By: Ronald “3000” Vaughn
If we part..no one wins Though to most..It's a sin We don't want this to end We want us to transcend Where my happiness lies In her smile..In her eyes In her touch..In her talk In her sass..In her walk In the way we connect In the way we respect The decisions we make All the chances we take Know its not all for nothing Cuz weve created something A relationship like Little kids riding bikes She's my lover and friend Through the thick and the thin A connection unlike...any other Ive had She a wonderful mother..Im a pretty good dad All the fun that we have She's my smile..she's my laugh She's my heart..she's my soul We feel young..we think old To be here is our choice And the sound of her voice Makes my day feel complete Im content til we meet To share love and affection A much stronger connection Than just typical passion I like food she likes fashion We share hopes..we share dreams And though sometimes it seems There's a chance we may lose Please don't get it confused She loves hard..I love harder She's enchained..Im the martyr Maybe one day we'll be Simply her..simply me But until then we try To stay close and get by Never games never lies All the stuff we despise We don't trick one another Cuz we value each other Cuz we long for the other For a future together For a home we both dwell in For a bond like no other Like a father & mother For a love made in heaven But until we get blessed in We continue to be Simply her..Simply me
© 2010
"If God is the DJ, then Life is the dance floor; Love is the rhythm, and You are the music." Who would give a law to lovers? Love is unto itself a higher law. ~Boethius
Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit. ~Peter Ustinov
"Love is not about finding the right person, but creating a right relationship. It's not about how much love you have in the beginning but how much love you build till the end."
You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into your lover's arms can only come later when you're sure they won't laugh if you trip. ~Jonathan Carroll
To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness. ~Robert Brault
IT’S NOT STALKING IF I LOVE YOU!
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www.aoifeodonnell.com
You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. ~Dr. Seuss Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds. ~William Shakespeare
The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but to hold hands. Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly. ~Rose Franken Passion makes the world go round. Love just makes it a safer place. ~Ice T
When a man is in love or in debt, someone else has the advantage.
My Heavenly Father, God almighty. My Savior, My Lord, My Guide, My Friend Jesus. My mom, for my life’s support. My son and miniprotector, Sir Pelz. My sister, Dee Dee. My Brother, Terry and his family. My twin, Neko Cheri. My Fifty, Taquaryl, Eric Ransom, Angel Campbell, Jonathan “13 Ways” Woods, Marcus Jelks, A.Wa, Takisha Smith, Walida McClendon-Britton and Family, LC Golladay (Photographer Extraordinaire), Kendria “K-Love” Harris, Monique Kelly and my Godson Zyon, Helaynia Walker and my Godson Cam. LaTreacha (Kayla and Maddie-Moo), Debra and “Justin” Bobby Blackmon. Deborah Willis, Ella Britton, Tamara Stubblefield D.Nyreetheflyestchickinthegame.com, THE BALLER Corey Hornsby (constant source of inspiration), Ric Jilla, The Pride of Indiana, William Ballard, The WE GOT NEXT Crew, The Prestige, and anyone else I may have forgotten who inspired and motivated me this month. May God bless us…every one.