What I Learned From Jay Z

Do you find change difficult? Do the people you surround yourself with, those who knew you from back in the day, when you had no clue who you were and you...let's just say you made some silly choices back in the day that rendered you a bad name. Now you feel that you want to change your life and your friends and family make change especially hard? Maybe they just don't "get you" now that you've got a hold of yourself and are trying to do better? Whether it's family, friends or co-workers, these people exist. What do you do about them?

We have to do what I learned from Jay, and that is to re-introduce ourselves to them. In Jay Z's song- "Public Service Announcement" he says, "Allow me to re-introduce myself...My name is HOV H to the O-V, I used to move snowflakes by the O.Z., I guess even back then you can call me C.E.O of R.O.C HOV..."

I love that line! In other words, he used to sell drugs, but now he sells music--by the boat load.

What is Jay doing now? He's an entrepreneur. He's in an office now and not on the street corner. He totally reintroduced himself. 

I know how you feel. You're changing and you know there is something bigger and better coming in your life, and you want to take your family and friends with you on this promising journey. You want them to understand you. I get it. But you have to grow with or without them. They are going to talk about you. So what. They already are. It's time for you to break away from the crowd and get alone with God. 

Do you realize only three out of every hundred people write down their goals or even plan for their future? What does that mean for you? It means that there are not a whole lot of people like you! The majority of people on this planet think less of themselves, think poverty thoughts and talk about the negative things in life more than they give thanks for the positive things that are happening. So the moment you decide to break away from the crowd and be proactive about your future, be prepared to face a lot of time alone. You will be entering a season of your life where you are going to get to know a lot more about yourself, this is where your character is build and sometimes that can be scary because we have not been taught often enough the importance of spending intentional time alone. Iyanla Vanzant calls it the Value In The Valley. Learn what God is showing you during this season of your life-get the lesson and move on. In today's world we are connected to everything and everyone it's time we get connected, or re-connected, with who we really are. 

Then and only then can we be effective with our friends and loved ones. We can't "save" them if we can't "save" ourselves. You have to break away from them and then come back and re-introduce yourself. Those who are meant to be in your life will, and those who are not, will not. And you have to be OK with that.

You will make new friends that recognize their purpose and are on the same journey you're on. You will have to step outside of your comfort zone to attract them, but they are there. 

I want to hear from you! How have you broken away from the crowd and how is your life better for it?