“We must turn to each other and not on each other.”  I was asked by a facebook friend to post a comment on this enduring phrase today, and so I write:

I’ve realized in life that when times get tough and scarcity abounds we have a natural tendency to lash out at those who are closest to us. It also appears that we often times allow ourselves to slip into a “survival mode” and succumb to our most basic of instincts which is “selfishness”.  I caution you today to resist this tendency at all cost, for it will only lead to more scarcity and heartache.

When times are tough, it’s in our best interest to look for opportunities to be of more service to others and to capitalize on giving more of our time and talents and not necessarily of our limited treasures (money). 

Relationships and being in positive community with others is what makes the world go-round and in light of this fact, I’ve found that you have to GIVE your way out of a “Scarcity Slump”.  So, let’s turn to each other and not on each other and see how we can “Give” and be of “Service” to our fellowman in these challenging times.  For I’m convinced that the only service that will go unrewarded this side of the universe is “Lip Service.” 

So, SHUT UP and GET UP and TAKE SOME ACTION!!!   🙂   Let’s BE OF SERVICE and Make it GREAT!  Just a little casual kick-in-the pants for those out there who need today. 

www.CedricCrawford.com
www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

From Obscurity to Ovation.  From not many knowing who you are to not many NOT knowing who you are.  From leaving her household with a little-known name to becoming a household name.  From “I have a dream” to “I think I’m dreaming”.

Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas is her name and those who know her best prefer to call her “Gabby”.   She just secured herself firmly in the record books of becoming the first African American woman to win goal in the Olympic Artistic Gymnast Individual All-Around Competition.  Yes her story is an inspiring one because it embodies the three absolutely necessary components and elements that make any story inspiring, which are the Dream/Goal, the Struggle/Adversity and the Triumphant Victory. 

To the untrained eyes of the cheering audience her performance at times may have appeared to be one that was executed with ease and little effort, but make no mistake about it, this was made possible only by the countless hours invested in advance when no audience was watching and no voices where cheering. 

I truly believe that her podium composure exhibited the night of August 2, 2012 inLondon,Englandundoubtedly came from the realization of a déjà vu moment of her life long dream.  I’m sure she would say that she’s been there before hundreds of times in her dreams and to finally see it in five dimensional, live view makes all the hard work worth it.  A dream that was ignited and given promise not-so-long ago by the inspiration of her childhood Olympic Hero Dominique Dawes.  This serves as a definitive example that Inspiration begets and inspires Inspiration.

Don’t let the absence of tears during her national anthem ceremony and medal presentation lesson your belief in her patriotism and level of genuine joy for her accomplishment and being honored in that moment.  For I’m sure she can passionately tell you about the countless hours spent weeping and shedding tears of stress and strain behind closed doors wondering if her moment would ever come.  Yes I know you Gabby.  I know your battle all too well.

The struggle for the gold must have been tough but the realization of finally achieving it must have been a bit anticlimactic in the wake of your many victories along the way.  You hung in there during those quiet nights when all was gone and you were left alone to wrestle with your biggest enemy which  turned out to be your “inner-me”.  You stayed the course even when the woman in the mirror doubted whether it was all possible and worth it.  You even fought through that quiet voice that attempted to make it seem Ok to quit, and for your sacrifice to make it great I say to you today, CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

KUDOS for being the exception to the unwritten rule that states when things appear to be insurmountably hard it’s Ok to quit.  You’re not the first to traverse this road of Dream, Struggle and Triumphant Victory and after your outstanding exhibition and performance demonstrated days ago I’m quite sure you definitely won’t be the last. There’s no doubt that you surely will be an inspiration for many more to embrace their struggle and adversity as they attempt to do the same.   You’re proof positive that reasonable sacrifice over time coupled with focus, discipline, perseverance and persistence will not disappoint.  

Thanks for seeing it through and being an inspiration because sooooo many others struggle as you do.  Thanks for your message of “You can too” delivered by your undying efforts and actions.   More AWESOMENESS to be continued no doubt.  Congratulations again and keep making it GREAT GABBY!

www.CedricCrawford.com
www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

An unsolicited word to the wise today to be careful what you pray for and how you pray for it because you just might end up confusing the one you’re praying to.  If we’re not careful we may oftentimes find ourselves praying what I call a “contradictory prayer.”  On the one hand, a prayer for strength and growth while on the other hand, at the same time praying to avoid the rain and strain of adversity can be a bit confusing to say the least. 

I invite you to consider the following thoughts if you will.  How can we expect to grow without the water and rain and strain of adversity and challenges?  The very essence of such elements are designed to make us stronger and wiser.  Falling, failing and faltering are absolutely necessary in the success and growth process.

So understand that no matter how many times you fail you’re still miles ahead of those who haven’t even tried at all.  No matter how small your steps are you’re still yards ahead of those who are afraid to move.  And, no matter how many times you fall, you’re still several feet taller than those who don’t even make an effort to get back up again.

A clear prayer definitely clears the air of contradiction.  So let’s enjoy the rays of the sunshine and embrace the strain of the rain because in it all lie’s the hope for growth and strength and a better tomorrow.  And never ever forget that life’s too short to just make it good, so let’s make it GREAT! 

My Book:    “Make it GREAT”
www.MakeItGreatNOW.com

Just when I thought I’ve seen the worst of what human beings are capable of doing for money or fame or power, someone comes along and restores my confidence in the compassion and loving capability that lies in us all.  The event and individual that I saw the other day on TV was nothing less than awesome as he demonstrated behavior that was indicative of building others up and installing hope.  It’s funny how that happens right when I need a boost in my confidence in the inherent goodness of mankind the most.  

As I look around various industries lately I see over-and-over again the signs of those who are willing to compromise their integrity and good name in exchange for what I call the M&M’s of life (Money & Material things).  I do understand that one of our inner-most human basic desires is to be significant in some way whether good or not-so-good.  With that said, it appears that the chosen source of significance for many as-of-late exhibits a reckless and even flagrant disregard for morals, ethics and common decency in many cases. 

To push the limits and create “shock value” appears to be in vogue and more-and-more common-place now-a-days and it seems the more extreme and risqué the better.  Now let me be clear, I’m a huge advocate for being true to ones self and catering to nobody else, but some of these characters and images of individuals being portrayed appear to be absent of any proper or suitable boundaries.  Some appear to have even adopted a “gain significance at all cost” type of mentality and are sold out to the extreme.

As a result, I invite you to consider the following unsolicited advice today.  It seems to me that pursuing a source of significance is a noble act in deed, but if our source of significance exhaust and compromises the boundaries of personal integrity and sewing “good” into our respective communities and the world, we probably need to rethink our path.  It may be necessary to seriously consider a new course of action, for the ill-gotten gains from such behavior won’t last, guaranteed.

We may be a lot of things in this life, but let us categorically refuse to be the ones who are easily swayed by things that won’t matter much after we’re gone.  Let us not be the ones who are willing to compromise our values, morals, ethics and integrity in exchange for a crack at riches, fame, popularity or “making it BIG”, as they say.

Bad decisions come easy but good ones are hard.  So, let’s agree NOT to take it “Easy” through this “life” thing, let’s take it “HARD” as we continue to make those hard, difficult right choices over the easy wrong one’s.  Making it GREAT can be tough sometimes, but it’s surely worth it and we can do it. 

Let’s be the example that models the basic human quality of compassion and the ambassadors of goodwill and uplifting encouragement as we build others up in a positive way.  Let’s strive to make it even GREATER today than we did yesterday in everyway!  GREAT WEEK!!!

My Book:    “Make it GREAT”
www.MakeItGreatNOW.com