“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

I realized an interesting dichotomy today. It appears that the large majority of us spend the best years of our lives neglecting our body and health in the relentless pursuit of what I call the “M&M’s” of life (money and material things). Then when we get older we end up spending our accumulated “M&M’s” in an effort to take care of our neglected body and poor health.  Hmmm…  I wonder if the animals of this great planet of ours think we’re silly because of this odd behavior. 

I’ve found that when you take a step outside of the picture frame to take a look at the big picture, it becomes painfully obvious that our focus resembles the mindset of a rabid squirrel, not realizing the consequences of our actions.  It’s in our best interest not to wait too late to reverse this trend and start to be more proactive with our body and health instead of “OMG!” (Oh My Goodness) reactive.  

After all, we only get one time through this “” thing and only one body to do it with, so let’s make a point to be proactive in taking care of them as we attempt to make it GREAT!

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

Ok, I’m not sure who this post is for today, but I feel led to encourage someone to cheer up and realize that it’s not your fault that you were born with a heart that’s capable of trusting to the point of exposing yourself to emotional heartbreak and harm.

It’s not your fault that many have taken for granted your ability to be loving and forgiving to the point of being taken advantage of again-and-again.  It’s not your fault for being born with a spirit that desires to please and bring joy to others.  So erase any thoughts that you’re less than adequate when it comes to attracting and keeping a good mate.  They were all just incapable of realizing and recognizing their “good thing” in you and that’s not your fault.

These characteristics are rare and admirable and something to be proud of and soon the day will come when you’re given your hearty approbation and affirmation of appreciation.   The day will come when you’ll breathe a sigh of relief as your faithfulness and trustworthiness is reciprocated.   The day will come when you’ll truly smile and say, “I am enough and a worthy companion is just a plus.”

I encourage you today to hang in there and refuse to let hardships, hang-ups, heartbreaks and hard-times bully you into changing your attitude and the essence of who you really are.  Your true “You” will indeed get you through without major compromise.  So, don’t give up on trusting yourself and continue to be yourself,  “B-U“.

Know and understand today that none of us are without flaws and imperfections and it’s our flaws and imperfections that make us perfect for that perfectly, imperfect person.   So continue to patiently “B – U” and it’ll see you through, after all, everybody else is already taken.  Let’s continue to make it GREAT!