Hello…How Are You?

Dear Dream Pushers (~_~),

Good morning, afternoon or evening. How are you feeling today? What is your name again? I really pray you are well ( I know you are, even if you strongly disagree). I just wanted to talk to you and check in with your progress. Us Dream Pushers have to stay encouraged and keep one another focused, fed and motivated. The truth is we all have that responsibility whether a Dream Pusher or not,  to own up to that in a world that is changing drastically. I am sure a few of you may have felt like “who is she talking to” in the beginning of this letter to you guys. I am talking to all of you. The world is not perfection. So I have to speak on, acknowledge my own pain and be true to myself when it comes to the subject humility and humanity. We display such an arrogance and selfishness when it comes to those two words across the board. I am not attacking anyone, I am merely having a personal conversation with myself and just happen to be exposing you to it.

humility: the quality or condition of being humble;  modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance, rank, etc

humanity: all human beings collectively; the quality or condition of being human; human nature

I greeted you and inquired about your well being. That was not hard, nor did it cause me pain to take the focus off of myself and truly acknowledge someone other than me. The the truth is I really want to know (so please comment & tell me so). Humility and humanity are two words that are extremely personal and of great importance to myself. Why humility? Well because someone made it extremely plain that I need to not only acknowledge it, but practice the art of it to the point of no return. My selfish and ignorant (yes I said that word, it means lack of knowledge/not knowing, NOT stupid) self was so arrogant and blinded by the focus of me, that I couldn’t see where I lacked this trait. Not because I was better than or had more than anyone else. My pain created these traits in me that were modest in action, but still very present. God LOVES me so much, that He told me personally to address the pain, and embrace humility… Much easier said than done, but it is a task I am forever committed to.

On the flip side…while the Creator himself checked me on my own mess, He also equipped me with a heart for humanity. We often forget that regardless of gender, religion, zip code, race, culture or social class, we are ALL human beings. It may sound like “what is the big deal”, but it is a very big deal. When we have our children being bullied in schools, beat up and dragged through the snow while kids video tape it and the community just watches…it is a very big deal. WE MUST DO BETTER!! How did we get to a point where that is okay. How did we get to point where we are ready to fight,  or have to turn up a stank face because a stranger speaks to us. That is crazy!! How is it that we can walk by someone hungry with food in our hands, but so blinded by their “situation” that we can not see their humanity and the truth is regardless of their “condition” hunger is real. I am not attempting to save the world…not my job. But I won’t pretend about anything anymore. Nor am I the fool, I reside in NYC so I know that you have to be on guard people. I just ask that we at least give the thought of embracing humanity a chance.

I LOVE you guys. A lot, most of you, probably 97% will say “this chick doesn’t even know me”. I do not have to. I have to know you to like you. My LOVE for you comes from and is filtered through God. What that means is because of who He is in my life, I MUST acknowledge who you are in His (His child). That is practiced through simple kindness and respect. It really doesn’t get much deeper than that. We like to make it deep, but it really isn’t… All I ask is that when you ask someone about their day, or how they’re doing, you take a moment and really listen. I thank you guys for listening, and don’t forget tell me a little about yourselves (~_~).

My name is Shantay A. Washington and I am really well this morning…

*Dream Pusher: one who has a dream and pushes past the limits to see it come to pass

Dedicated to the person that inspires and motivates me to really embrace these traits by being an example themselves, my good friend and big brother…Rashi Moorehead. You are the best!

Salut!

Happy Friday *_~ ! Peach Ginger Bellini anyone?

So I thought it would be great to start the weekend off right with a mini celebration in honor of all my literal love bugs and those who dream wide awake. You guys are my “everything” right now. This is nothing deep, just my way of having a literal toast with all of my fellow go-getters that are creating their own foundation while going through the storm. It is so important to not only hold on to your dreams, but to protect them. Remember that everyone who you expect to support you, may not appear to do so. A lot of the time it may seem like criticism and hate. The truth is most of the time it will be. However, it is crucial for you to remember that someone who may have not had a dream of their own or abandoned their dream, may not be equipped with enough hope for themselves, let alone you and your dream. Simple as that. We don’t have to remind them that we’re pursuing our dreams and they gave up on theirs, we can just simply take note and choose what to share with those individuals in the future. Maybe your drive and determination  may rub off and encourage others. But do NOT let the opinions of others, great and discouraging take you off track of your vision. I know you can relate to sharing an idea with someone and they had good feedback with great ideas to improve on your vision…but before you knew it, it has turned into something other than what you desired. This is why it is important to also be clear on your dream and true to yourself. The road is never easy, but the journey helps build incredible character and great stories of learning curves along the way.

So SALUD to you all… Ladies raise your glass with a twinkle in your eyes. Gentlemen fall in line with the confidence of a King (so humble and confident that you never have to utter a word) Here’s to dreaming wide awake and paying it forward!

Try the recipe out and let me know how you guys enjoy it…I feel like it would be heaven with almond pancakes and fresh fruit with a dash of powdered sugar in honor of the beginning of the Spring season!

Peach Ginger Bellini

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence, 2007

Ingredients

• For the ginger simple syrup:
• 1/4 cup sliced fresh ginger, with skin
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups cold water
• For the peach puree:
• 10 ounces semi-frozen peaches
• 1/2 cup ginger simple syrup
• For serving:
• Ice cubes
• 1 bottle Champagne

Directions

Begin by making the ginger simple syrup. Peel and grate the ginger. Add it together with the sugar and cold water to a saucepan. Bring it to the boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain, discard ginger pieces and set simple syrup aside.

In a blender add frozen peaches and ginger simple syrup. Blend until completely pureed then place into the refrigerator to cool.

For serving:

Add ice cubes to a cocktail shaker and fill half way with peach puree. Top off with Champagne and shake vigorously to combine. Pour into Champagne glasses and repeat process as needed.

*Disclaimer: Image and recipe are from the www.thefoodnetwork.com (for those who don’t drink, you can replace the champagne with Sparkling apple cider)

I Am Not Who I Used To Be

I am not who I used to be. Do you guys ever have those moments of revelation when you realized you’ve changed and it is a good thing? Sure everything isn’t perfect and their is still so much to do for the better meant of you. But along the lines of being exposed to different people, places, things, thoughts, books, cultures and anything else that can feed the soul…impact and residence has taken place. How great does that feel?! There wasn’t a marching band present to play to the sound of your evolution, but you took a moment to think and realize…I am NOT the same. I do not mean in appearance alone. I am speaking of internal surgery that has taken place. The kind of change where your mind won’t allow you to entertain certain things because you are past that. You attempt to do things you used to do and realize, I am not even enjoying this any longer. You don’t even speak the same way… We are not who we used to be.

 

Time Doesn’t Hold On

Hey you guys! It is officially March 1, 2011. Where did the time go?! Apparently the days are already beginning to get shorter. This is not intended to apply “pressure” to you, but to excite and ignite whatever dream that may have been laying dormant amongst your lives. It is time to WAKE IT UP! You are not too young, too inexperienced, too old, too this or too that! You are the owner of your dreams, you have power in transforming them to reality. Whatever it is! It does NOT matter! What does matter is how bad you want that dream to live. Time awaits no man, does not hold on, and will not allow a rewind. However do not let that discourage you from starting right NOW! This is nothing new that I have discovered. We all know this, we’ve all heard this. But so many of us do nothing about it. Your personal dream can be anything from learning to ride a bike as an adult, building your first home, or traveling the world. If you do not start giving life to that dream today, it can easily become March 1, 2012 before we know it…

The Beauty Of Pain

We are all aware of the discomfort that pain has the strength to manifest in our lives. However it usually takes going through, not running from or avoiding that pain to blossom into the next phase of your life. Whether it is something that may be of minimal significance or it has an enormous impact. We never realize it until we’ve gone through it. Pain also is the author of another form of what I like to call strange beauty.

Pain:

*the sensation of acute physical hurt or discomfort caused by injury, illness, etc

*emotional suffering or mental distress

How do we maximize our Quality of life or enhance our beauty  through any of that? The treasures that pain brings forth is priceless. There is an extreme process to actually see the beauty of a diamond. There is an extreme process to witness and feel the joy that a new born baby brings into a room full of strangers. Nothing worth having will ever come easy. What’s even more real is that you do not endure nothing you go through personally for yourselves. I know it sounds crazy but its true. Your story is for someone else. Your struggle is for someone else. Your PAIN is for someone else. There is power in sharing your growing pains of life with someone who is going through what you went through. Actually you are required to share it with people. Why? It gives hope to someone who has just lost there mate, job, loved one, home or finances. What ever may be their present discomfort bearer. If you are unable to see the Quality of life that hope produces from your personal experience in pain… well than you have to do something that is a little harder than sharing your pain…you have to let it go

I don’t know about you guys, but it warms my heart tremendously when you can literally look someone in their eyes and see their hope…it’s that Strange Beauty thing again…

The Power Of Broken Language

Happy Monday people!! So although most of us talk everyday all day, except for the hearing impaired (I’m secretly jealous of you guys, you can never say the wrong thing …plus you can smell a lie before anyone has a chance to give birth to it). Rarely do we pay attention to the language that we display with our actions. The seduction of language is oh so serious. How many times do we speak without thinking. Hands up please! Okay so both of my hands are up. But in my defense about two years ago both my hands and feet would have been up (progression is key). Although it may seem like no big deal especially if you are always saying the “right thing”. It is however one of those simple things that make a big impact. We apply the power of BEAUTY to everything else in our lives. Come on ladies! Our hair, skin, body, wardrobe, shoes and anything else that gives us visual pleasure. What about the words that come out of our mouths?!?! How many times do you speak beautifully? And no, the focus is not on an extended vocabulary (although it doesn’t hurt to learn a new word every day). When you respond to a question that the person should already know the answer to does your response cut them to the brink of their stupidity? Or do you respond with the language that can build up and not tear down. We’ve heard it time and time again “it isn’t what you say it is how you say it”. The words we’re using not only affects the people around us, but the birth givers of the speech. You. Moi. Us. We speak ourselves into more headaches than vacations. Think about it..

-I’m so tired

-These kids are getting on my nerves

-I am never going to pay this bill on time

-I can’t afford to go back to school

-He/she makes me sick

This is not some positive thinking exercise (no offense to them and those that practice them). It is a life practice of being conscious. What we speak is a reflection of what’s in our hearts. Are our hearts (the organ that pumps life into our bodies literally every second) really that cold? I know they aren’t. How about you utilize the power that God has given you and flip the base of your language. Not only for those around, but yourself as well. Everyone deserves to talk pretty to themselves…including you.

What Does Your Life Sound Like?

 

I will be the first to admit that I am easily seduced and tainted by most things that has the ability to make me feel something…MUSIC is no exception. Melodies, harmonizing, and the production of written words gets no better for this girl. You can dance in your head while on a subway in NYC with no ipod attached or radio in the background, because music leaves a footprint in our subconscious  (that is why it is so important to pay attention to what you listen to). The power in the presence of a song is insane. We can play a song or album for that matter that matches our mood. Sad? Happy? Motivated? Whatever you are going through, or experiencing, their is a song dedicated to that moment in your life. Even when we think, no one can EVER understand how we feel. Uh, music begs to differ.

I read and fell in love with a book about seven years ago (Beautylicious by Jenyne Raines) that inspired me on what I am about to challenge you all on. Creating a life soundtrack. If someone played your story what would it sound like? Would it be uptempo, or a seduction of ballads? Would it be timeless or have an expiration date attached to it? The truth is none of it matters as long as you are true to you. And while you are at it, do not forget to include those songs that keep you smiling and motivated. It is your Life after all.

“No More Drama” by the one and only Ms. Mary J Blige is most certainly in heavy rotation on my life soundtrack. She is empowered and inspiring! Declaring her own happiness and saying good bye to all the obstacles that are self induced and community driven by her own surroundings.  Gotta LOVE IT!

What song is a must on your soundtrack?

Competition…Huh??

 

This is just a little encouragement for you all to get through this morning, afternoon, early evening, or late night. It is completely healthy and even encouraged to embrace that competitive spirit that lies beneath our modest selves. What is healthy as well and even suggested is this friendly reminder: “You are YOUR own Competition!” You guys have heard it before and will continuously hear it again. Possibly paraphrased a time or two, but you get the point. It is such a great blessing to have had those pave the way for anything and everything we partake of in life. It is extremely smart to have a mentor. Some of us may have a healthy little competition going on with our “rival” counterparts. Which is cool too. However have enough confidence, courage and faith in yourself that the only record you are set breaking is your own. Yesterday you ran three miles, the next time make it four. Don’t be consume with the speed racer you see on your route, you are your own competition. Last month you had five clients, this month shoot for eight. You are bound to have at least six, and a possible or two (just like a spades game). You will never be able to go full speed ahead while looking back on what you think is the competition. No one can do a better job of being you, than yourself (a quote, totally paraphrased, still relevant and true). So the next time you attack a task whether it is getting organized or running for your class presidency. Do yourself a huge favor and stop comparing yourself to the Container Store or President Obama. You are the best version of yourself that the world awaits to gain life from. We are each other’s inspirations and encouragers. So do me a favor if not yourself, be your best self to date so I can be inspired and encouraged by your greatness so much so, that I enhance my own life.

 

How will you beat your own record today?

I Love You

I Love you…I really do. Maybe I never expressed it this way out of fear of what others may say or think. However I do. It is a scary fact because the only reason I know how to Love me is because I Love through you. Vulnerability is an accessory I am wearing proudly at this moment. I don’t want to startle you, however this much is true…I am completely uncomfortable with my Love for you. I celebrate the reality of my presence in you. It is however the choice I made when I finished up my personal talk with you. Keeping it a secret just won’t do. Waiting until the right moment is inexcusable too. You’ve taught me many lessons…this is true. Truth is the subject and the core of you…Love is

God is Love.

Why Do I Have The Blues?!

I thrive off of passion. I will admit…I am easily seduced, tainted and captured by the performance of the manifestation of the word. Intensity drives me to the point of self destruction almost. That is why I am completely emerged in the “Blue’s”. It is indeed my favorite color family. Most of the shades do the trick of satisfying my need on any given day. It’s the color of the sky at times, the base of the ocean, the object of perfection when it comes to baby boys even. But the feeding that represents more than visual pleasure. I feed off of the energy of the color…it most certainly brings life. Whether it is the residue of a deep ink stain, or the familiarity of a certain little box…it’s a place called home for some of us. I am challenging you all to play with your “Blue’s” today, and not in a “woe is me” sort of way. No pity parties remember?! So use your tools (makeup brush, ink pen, fingers to text, type or tweet, voice, hair comb, or measuring tape for that matter) and leave a slight residue of the “Blues”. Whether your presence gives life to laughter, a smile or the ability to think a little harder. Let your Blues be the rainbow after the storm