Choosing Your Path

You’re at a crossroad in life aren’t you? Maybe you recently went through a significant loss or you feel deep inside that it is time to make a change but you have no idea what to do or how to do it.

Understand that when you are unwilling to make a move and make a change and you ignore the intuitive nudges that appear prompting you to move forward or move away from where you are, life will make the decision for you. You’ll experience a loss of great magnitude and you will FORCED to take a new direction.

Whether or not you make the choice yourself or you allow LIFE to push you in a new direction, you still have a hefty decision to make.

What do I do now?

Here is a question that you can ask yourself which will lead you to your answer. Ask yourself, “If the world was going to end in 30 days, what are 3 things that I’d like to do?”

Answer honestly and write down what you want to do.

1. Spend as much time with my children as I can.
2. Travel to different cities reciting poetry.
3. Fall in love.

Of these three things, which can you get started on right now? That answers the question.

You have to understand that you created the situation that you are in.

If there is a yearning deep inside for something different, you are creating the signal to the Universe that you need to make room for it. In order to make room for the thing you are desiring , most often you have to lose something.

But no loss is permanent. Everything is replaceable. Everything WILL be replaced with something better so you don’t have to stress a single moment or worry about HOW it will happen. Go with your highest dream. Take the necessary steps to get there and make every decision with the intention that everything will work out better than you expect it to…because it WILL. No matter what today looks like, today is NOT permanent.

Today is just an eye opening plateau in your life where you can decide to sit still and become a statue or take a leap and fly into your dreams.

There are no mistakes. There are no setbacks. Every situation propels you FORWARD into your dream life but you will not recognize your opportunity until you LOOK FORWARD instead of mourning what was once in your past.

Make a decision. Trust yourself. Fly.

FREE Your Mind- Jumpstart Your Fantasy Life

Words by Te-Erika

You can’t cultivate your fantasy life or lay the foundation for one when you haven’t created a fantasy yet.

Here are 3 ways to jumpstart your imagination.

Find Your Recurring Theme
There’s a particular interest or project that keeps coming back to you. It could be to start a dance group or write a book. The idea has smacked you in the face for years but you keep pushing it to the back of the closet because you don’t believe you have the time, skill or the resources to complete it.

This idea will never go away no matter how much you try to ignore it. It’s the key to unlock your fantasy life and until you grasp it and see what’s on the other side of that door, your fantasy life will elude you.

Embrace Your Satisfaction
When ever I finish writing an article or a story I feel like I’m floating. When I see my name in print, there’s nothing that can come close to that feeling of knowing I did an excellent job and others will recognize it.

You have experienced that same sense of satisfaction at some point in your life. You may have allowed the desire for money to push you away from doing that thing that satisfies your spirit but now is your chance to act.

There’s something that you do so well that no one on this earth can shake your confidence about it. You know you were BORN to do it and you pop your collar every time you do it. It could be taking care of children or even painting signs. Sure, lots of people can do it, but when YOU do it, all anyone can do is stand back and applaud.

That’s a sign. That’s your passion. That’s your gift. Don’t focus on the method of making money. What you give, you will receive. Give your gift, expecting nothing in return and watch the money follow. You are a magnet for all things wonderful. The world will make room for the gift you have to give. All things will flow in the proper order as you embrace your gift and give it freely to those in need. The reward will overtake you.


Enhance Your Current Life
Life is great isn’t it? You’ve got the family you want, the relationship you’ve always dreamt of and things are stable and pleasant. That shouldn’t stop you from fantasizing about an even more wonderful life.

Set a goal for your family that would plaster kool-aid smiles on their faces. Save up for a family trip overseas. Surprise your spouse with lessons to a course they always wanted to attend. Instead of hiring a gardener, pick up a book and learn about gardening and till the soil yourself.

Just because you want things to be better, doesn’t mean you are dissatisfied with your life. It simply means you desire the absolute best for yourself and your family. Create regular fantasies for your life and as you achieve them, create more. When you look back on your life you will be filled with wonder and satisfaction that you made the most of what you had been given.

Cultivate Your Fantasy Life

Words by Te-Erika

Write down the answers to the following questions.

1. The one thing in my life that makes me truly happy is…..
2. After a hard day at work I like to come home and….
3. If I could jump up right now and do something I would….
4. I love it when I meet people who…
5. People always call me when they need help with…
6. When I was younger I used to make believe I was…
7. The one habit I have that I KNOW is keeping me from complete happiness is…
8. If I had a magic wand I’d wave it over my life and change…

Now take a look at your list.

Look at it again.

The answers to these questions are chief indicators of your fantasy life as well as the obstacles that are hindering you from achieving it. Don’t be ashamed of what you wrote down. These clues will guide you as you continue to cultivate your fantasy.

Meditate on what you wrote. What skills do you have that people seem to need? Is it something that you enjoy? Is it the same thing that you used to fantasize about doing as a child? If all these things match up then you have a direct line to one of the key factors of your fantasy life.
If they don’t match up that may mean that somewhere along the line you may have been sidetracked in pursuing that thing you love by doing what someone else told you would be best for you.

You can still have the life you deserve but you must first imagine your life as the complete expression of your dreams. Take a minute to enjoy the fantasy. Allow it play out in your mind over and over again like your favorite tune. Embrace the thoughts. Bless the dreams. Awaken the fantasy.

Take the time to visit FutureMe.org. You can write an e-mail to your future self detailing the dream life you hope to have. Choose a date sometime in the future and challenge yourself to take steps toward embracing that fantasy by that date.

It’s your life. It’s your fantasy. Cultivate it by daring to believe you can have it.

Embrace Your Fantasy with Mariah Carey

Words by Te-Erika

Music is a driving force. The music that you listen to everyday feeds your soul and lingers in your subconscious. The accompanying lyrics soon become your mantra as their message engraves itself into your mind and spirit.

While it is okay to let loose and have fun, be careful of what you are meditating on daily. Ask yourself, “Is this good for me? Will this keep me focused on pursuing a bright future for myself and my family or will it shift my attention away from my positive evolution?”

Some artists believe that music is just for entertainment purposes. They use their gift of creativity to make a quick dollar, desensitizing the masses to their greater good by celebrating life threatening behaviors and ill gotten success.

There are others, like Mariah Carey, who uses her talent as an expression for her ultimate fantasies. We sang along happily to the upbeat tempo in the song Fantasy as we reached to define our own. The uplifting tune Hero taught us that we should hold onto our dreams and not be afraid of who we are.And here is the rest of it.

But it was the song Dream Lover that expressed Mariah’s true desire for the perfect mate. She dared to dream out loud, announcing to the world that she hoped for a spectacular man by defining his most wonderful qualities.

Whether it’s your dream job, your perfect medium of self expression or true love, don’t be afraid to shout it from the rooftops. Don’t worry about jinxing your heart’s desire. Your words of faith will release the dream into the universe and it will return to you even more magnificently than you could have ever hoped for.

FREE Your Mind: Top 5 Hindrances To Embracing Your Fantasy

Words by Te-Erika

Don't allow these traps to limit your vision. Expand your mind.

1. Listening to people with limited minds

You want to step out and achieve your dreams but you feel as though you need moral support. You reach out to those closest to you and they advise you to play it safe, step back and appreciate the life you have. Their reluctance to go after their dreams rubs off on you and you give up, resigning to accept your reality as your permanent placement.

This acceptance blocks you from achieving your very best life. No one will cherish your dream as much as you do and no one will set your dream into motion as wholeheartedly as you could. When you surround yourself with people who don’t have a vision for their lives, the fire for your own vision burns out quickly. Don’t listen to anyone who would dare to speak a negative word about the burning passion in your heart. If you have to step away from certain friendships, do it. If you have to distance yourself from negative family members, make the sacrifice. As long as you associate with people who have limited minds, their limitations will transfer over to your life and you will never achieve the fulfillment you desire.

Affirm Yourself: My associations with others will only pull me closer to where they are headed. I will walk away from anyone who is not headed in my direction.


2. Marinating in fear

Experiencing fear is as natural as breathing. The fear of the unknown, that tingly feeling in your body when faced with a tough decision, should no longer be dreaded. It should be embraced and welcomed as the first indication that you are about to move forward into your destiny. Allow the nervousness to drive you to make a decision and stand firm in that decision. Trust yourself to make the right choices for your life. Even if a decision you make seems to be the wrong one, you won’t get a ‘time out’ for it. You’re an adult.

Take that step past the threshold of fear. Recognize it, give it a name and stand up to it. When you approach a stray dog on the street, if you stand confidently, he will not bother you. If he senses your fear, he will run after you. The same principle is found with facing any fear.

Understand that fear is really based on having faith in evil instead of having faith in good. Which faith do you follow? Which do you desire? The truth is, the faith you believe most will be exactly what you attract.

Affirm Yourself: I will embrace my fears and use them to catapult me to success.

3. Becoming tied down by your lifestyle

We all have dreams of living comfortably and our desired lifestyle can be attained through faith and hard work. But don’t allow the trappings of a luxurious lifestyle to keep you away from pursuing your goals.

Instead of graduating from college and leasing that new car, you may wait it out and continue to drive your old one, just until you are sure that your first job is a right fit for you.

So many people are in miserable states in life, on their job or in relationships because they are tied down by the bills they have accumulated. Of course you can’t travel to Europe to gain inspiration for your art when you have just leased a new Navigator. Of course you can’t take an unpaid but valuable internship with your favorite mentor because you just leased that beautiful home. But these were your choices. You chose to become tied to a job that you may or may not like in order to have the lifestyle that you want.

It may be best to wait until you have found the perfect fit for employment before acquiring lavish toys. No, you can’t impress your friends if you’re still driving your college car or living with your parents, but if life is about impressing people around you, you’ll never make it past their expectations for you.

Impress yourself by being responsible and adjusting your lifestyle around the pursuit of your goals. Live as simply as you can, holding firm to the faith that when your gift makes room for your success, you will have more than enough toys to play with.

Affirm Yourself: I will live a simple life now as I pursue my passion. The rest will come easily, in time.

4. Discounting your fantasy as unachievable

Can you think of any inventor or celebrity who didn’t first believe that it could be done? Most often if you ask a successful person how they saw themselves before they achieved their success they will tell you that they always knew that they would do accomplish it. At times doubts creep in, but in your heart you know what you were destined to become.

Your mind marinates on it daily and when you see others who are living out your dream you silently whisper, “I can do that.” You CAN do that! You can do it your way and you can have just as much success.

If your mind can create it, your hands can too.

Affirm Yourself: My fantasy is as real to me as the door I walk through everyday. It is mine to have and to hold, through sickness and health, until death do us part.


5. Failing to lay a proper foundation for your success

Being a dreamer is a great thing, but no dream comes true without first understanding that just as a seed takes time to grow, your dream will need nurturing before it blooms. Lay a firm foundation for your success by learning as much as you can about that dream, believing you can have it and making a outline of how you plan to get there.

I once read somewhere that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Do the groundwork, get the soil just right and watch your miracle spring forth.

Affirm Yourself: I will nurture the seed of my dream by making sure I have the right soil.

Brilliant Minds: I Am A World Renowned Photographer

Words by Te-Erika

“I once read a saying: What would you accomplish today if you knew that failure was not an option tomorrow?" 28-year-old Ross Oscar Knight remembers. “I believe that everyone has a purpose in life and some people settle because of circumstances while others do not dare to step out on faith.”

For Ross, stepping out on faith meant making the transition from his job as an Engineer at Georgia Power to becoming a full-time wedding and event photographer. It meant walking away from a guaranteed paycheck standing firmly on the belief that his talent would lead the way to supply all of his needs.

This act of faith led to establishing Ross Oscar Knight Photography, a business that has seen tremendous growth since it’s inception in 2003 with a clientele that has expanded both nationally and internationally. His most popular clients to date are the Atlanta couple Robert Gray, Jr. And Keisha Williams, whose engagement photographs that he shot and presented in a slide show, has circled the world more than 150 million times.

Ross, who was never formally trained as a photographer, developed his unique vision for photographs by gaining inspiration from photography greats Gordon Parks and James VanDerZee.

In spite of his recent and imminent success, he admits that he didn’t always recognize his purpose. His love for photography blossomed naturally as he took note of other interests.

“I never knew as a child that I would actually be a photographer,” Ross says. “However, I did know that I would do or be something creative. As a child I always felt that I saw events differently than others. I was very observant in any environment that I was a part of. After an outing, I used to ask my family and friends if they recognized or remembered certain colors, scents, people, individuals, music, buildings and they would sometimes look at me like I was crazy. I found it hard to articulate my senses sometimes. Instead, one day I picked up a camera and realized that I could capture the ambiance of a situation or an event and then recreate it as a photo story.”

The art of telling one's story through photography, which Ross calls Lifestyle Photojournalism, requires a strong sense of visual creativity and a natural story telling ability.

“Story telling is always something that I have loved to do. Maybe it was really just talking too much. My father is a pastor and a great story-teller. I used to sit and admire the stories he would tell during his sermons. Everyone in the church would be completely captivated [while I] I would imagine the pictures that went along with his words,” Ross says.

”When I started dating in middle and high school, I always enjoyed writing fiction and other prose for my girlfriends,” he remembers. “I would take picture of them and us and put books together that told stories of our relationships. As I matured, these books changed to memoirs of relationships and how they would begin and end. I always wanted to take something away from the relationship to grow for the next and remind me not to go in reverse.”

Backtracking is not an option for the young professional photographer. His life is a testament of forward movement as he embraces his role as a visionary, accepting the fact that sacrifice and willpower are necessary to achieve greatness.

“I think some people let their dreams falter because society places stereotypes on dreamers and even visionaries, as if appropriate fantasies cannot be manifested. The opposite is true,” Ross says. “The major difference between those who live out their fantasies and those who don't is a direct matter of willpower. What is one willing to sacrifice to succeed? Comfort? Stability? Food? Sleep? Criticism? It is those that persevere through adversity with the mind set that failure is not an option who find the keys to self-fulfillment. Even in failure, true perseverance will prevail as a stepping stone to one's impending success.”

The obstacles that Ross had to overcome in order to achieve his dream presented themselves as a combination of finances, support, and obedience.

“I thought it impossible to become a full-time photographer 8 years ago when I was still in college,” Ross remembers. “The money just wasn't there to achieve my dream of purchasing equipment and supporting myself through art. To not lose hope, I found comfort in visiting galleries, painting at home, and still learning progressively about my art. I sought ways to be artistic for free!”

“Many people, like myself, hold on to baggage in the form of friends, family, and peers,” Ross offers. “I had to let go of my unhealthy baggage in order to be enlightened that prosperity was at my fingertips. Paraphrasing someone from my past, 'You really can pick your friends, family is a different story.' Consequently, having healthy relationships with supporters of your dream is the best way to overcome hard times. Last, being obedient to my conscience and prayers was a major road block for me. I struggle with consistent obedience and patience. I even wonder why because whenever I have the both in line, I am blessed beyond measure. Truly, I accomplished my dream to be a photographer by adhering to my faith.”

Faith Builders: Two Truths & A Lie About Embracing Your Fantasy

Read the following statements about Embracing Your Fantasy. In each set, two statements are true and one statement is false. Can you guess which statement is a lie?

I.

A. A healthy imagination lends itself to creating a concrete vision for your life.

B. No fantasy is too good to come true.

C. Your current circumstances define your future.

Answer: C

Why? No circumstance is permanent. No situation will last forever. Life is ever evolving and it’s important that you embrace the evolution by growing in a positive direction. It’s your choice to lead your life or be led by your life.

II.
A. You can achieve any fantasy your mind can conceive through focus and diligence.

B. It’s best not to move forward with your dream until you have a proper support system.

C. Embracing your fantasy sometimes results in criticism from family and friends.

Answer: B

Why? If the people you surround yourself with never agree with the hopes you have for your life you will be paralyzed by their opinions. Most people have lives dictated by fear and therefore never come into the true realization of their dreams. These same people will try to impart fear into your life so that your life will be as limited as theirs, in the name of ‘playing it safe.’

III.
A. Embracing your fantasy does not mean that you don’t appreciate the life you already have.

B. You can have the life you dream about if you are willing to give up the life you have.

C. The biggest difference between those who achieve their fantasy lives and those who don’t is their belief that they can attain it.

Answer: B
Why? There’s no need to abandon your entire life if there are people or situations that have been a blessing to you. If you are content and loving who you are, use this firm foundation as a building block to improve your life in every area.

IV.

A. Going after your vision for your life should be a personal choice and should not be dependent on anyone else’s approval.

B. Those fantasies that have been running through your mind since you were a child were hints to lead you toward your destiny.

C. If you want to have the kind of success that someone else has, you must do what they did to achieve it.

Answer: C
Why? While studying the methods that others have used to achieve success is a great way to inspire your own success, it does not guarantee the fulfillment of your dreams. Use their stories as a guideline for your vision, but don’t be afraid to veer off of their path. The main thing is to observe the characteristics that they had to develop to see their vision come to pass. The main ingredients to any success story are often similar; perseverance, belief, talent and education. Strive to develop these traits and the rest of your story will flow like the rushing waters of the ocean.

Remember the Ritz: The Engagement Slide Show that Swept the World

Words by Te-Erika

To date more than 100 million people world-wide have experienced the breathtaking slide show that captured the engagement of Atlanta residents Robert Gray and Keisha Williams.

The link to the slide show, set to music by the Chicago based choir from Shekinah Glory Ministries, has traveled the world by email like the whispered words of a common folklore. Movie studios have shown an interest in making a film based on the slide show and women across the nation and abroad have passed along the link as a symbol of renewed faith in love, in life and in God.

Ever since that fateful day on Sunday, June 10th when Keisha, 29, who works in public relations and Robert, 28, a Certified Public Account with General Electric passed along the link to 65 of their friends and family, both say that their lives have never been the same.

“People stare at us whenever we go out,” Keisha said. “When we’re at the bookstore I see people pick up their cell phones and call their friends whispering, ‘They’re at the bookstore right now.’ We’re recognized wherever we go and journalists from all over have contacted us to find out the details of our story.”

It is indeed a unique story. During our interview the couple joked back and forth like childhood best friends. When asked how he knew that Keisha would one day be his bride, Rob replied, “I don’t know, she ain’t that cute!” Then he added, “It was more of how she carried herself as a woman and I could see her passion for Christ.”

Keisha agreed that those same qualities were what attracted her to him. “Much like God, Rob loves me in spite of who I am and what I do. I’m not the easiest person to get along with. I’m not that friendly and I’m very spoiled,” she admitted “Robert says I’m mean sometimes but he loves me anyway. I trust him unconditionally as long as he follows God.”

Although a wedding date hasn’t been set due to the whirlwind surrounding the release of their private slide show, which Keisha insists was not intended for public viewing, this love story doesn’t begin when the first images of the engagement photographs appear on the screen.

Its value is not calculated by the amount of money that was spent to create such an amazing event. The foundation for the silent message behind each frame was built upon a rocky beginning, a love for God and a commitment to honor each other with friendship.



Rob & Keisha: Their Love Story

Keisha paused as she stood outside of her car, one chilly winter day in December 2003. She had agreed to help her good friend Tesha set up for a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend Gavon at an Italian restaurant in Midtown Atlanta.

Fumbling with the birthday cake, balloons and various other packages, Keisha looked up when she heard footsteps in the parking garage. A man walked by, noticed her struggling to manage the packages, gave her a head nod and walked on. Keisha rolled her eyes at the lack of chivalry. She managed to balance the packages on her arms and painstakingly walked into the restaurant’s foyer.

Also standing there was the man from the parking lot. “You’re going to the party too?” he asked innocently.

Annoyed, she ignored his question and turned to the hostess. “I’m here for the surprise birthday party,” she said and was immediately ushered inside.

The surprise party was a hit and by the end of the night Keisha informed her friend that everyone she had met that evening was nice. “Except for him,” she muttered and gestured toward the man from the garage.

“Robert?” Tesha inquired. “That’s Gavon’s friend. He’s nice.”

Keisha silently disagreed, but decided to keep her unfavorable opinion to herself.

A month later, once again, Keisha offered to help her friend set up for Gavon’s housewarming party. The doorbell rang as she and other guests stood mingling in the kitchen and Keisha excused herself to answer it. When she opened the door it was Robert smiling back at her. She immediately slammed the door in his face and walked back into the kitchen.

Since both Robert and Keisha were close friends of the happy couple, neither Tesha nor Gavon could understand why their spirits didn’t mesh.

“He’s such a good guy,” Tesha explained to her. “And you’re such a good person too. You should get along. I don’t get it.”

Both Tesha and Gavon tried several times to ease the feud between the two, but Keisha remained obstinate in her distaste for Robert. Her first impression of Robert remained rock solid and she refused to let go of her displeasure.


Wishing You the Best Now & Forever
On Valentines Day 2004, Keisha was surprised to receive a bouquet of pink roses while at work. The card read: Wishing you the best, now and forever.

She called the florist to inquire about the roses but the florist refused to identify the source saying, “The sender wishes to remain anonymous.”

When no one stepped up to claim the flowers she decided to dismiss the mystery. A month later Tesha invited Keisha to a church-league basketball game at a local gym. She didn’t want to go but her friend pressed her to attend and she reluctantly agreed to her friend’s request. As she entered the gymnasium she spotted Robert sitting next to Tesha on the bleachers. She frowned and thought, “Oh God, here we go again.”

Obviously annoyed, Keisha commenced to pouting during the entire game, never even giving Robert as much as a cordial Hello.

Afterwards everyone went out for dinner and as they waited in the lobby she found herself alone with Robert. She picked up a Creative Loafing magazine to discourage him from speaking to her but it didn’t work.

He questioned her about her life, her career and her goals and eventually she let go of the animosity and responded cordially.

“How did you like the roses?” he asked suddenly and she jumped.

“How do you know about the roses?” she asked him.

“Because I sent them,” he said, searching her face for a reaction.

She laughed to herself at that moment as his good intentions melted the ice around her heart. Later, when he asked for her phone number she hesitated for only a second before giving it to him.

Keisha knew that most men play the waiting game when it comes to contacting a woman they have just met, but Robert proved he was unlike most men when he called her the very next day.

Things began slowly between the two. Robert didn’t press for a first date immediately. They would talk on the phone, getting to know each other’s character through friendly conversation. They both learned that they had the same zeal for Christ and that knowledge cemented their friendship.

Robert allowed a solid month to go by before he asked to take her out. For their first date, she joined him and two of his younger cousins at Olive Garden for a quick dinner and then on to a movie. Watching him playfully interact with his cousins erased all of the remaining negative vibes from their first few encounters. It was that night that Keisha realized she had been completely wrong about Robert Gray.

Over the next four years their friendship bloomed into a stable, loving romance. The possibility of marriage was discussed but it wasn’t a topic of daily conversation. She immensely enjoyed her career in public relations as well as the excitement of being a wedding and event coordinator. She appreciated the thrill of bringing perfectly planned events to pass. “It’s the details that are most important,” she would often explain to Robert after her events garnered rave reviews.

She didn’t think he was listening, but he was.


Tell-Tale Signs
Robert had heard the story of his parent’s courtship many times during his childhood. His Dad and Mom got together in their early 20’s and his Mom worked to help pay his Dad’s way through college. When his father completed his education, he returned the favor by supporting her dreams.

Since Robert attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by earning scholarships, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to meet the self sacrificing woman of his dreams in the same manner so he hoped for a sign.

As he ventured into real estate and invested his time and energy into those goals, much of his income became tied up in his investments, leaving very little for grand tokens of appreciation for Keisha.

She never complained or uttered a negative word. Instead she would take him out or offer to go dutch when they spent time together. As he took note of her selflessness and the passion with which she served others, Robert knew that this was a sign that she was indeed the woman he had been waiting for.


Crafting the Vision
The idea for the engagement came together like pieces of a puzzle as he prayed about his decision to propose to her. The more Robert studied the Bible, the more clearly the vision presented itself.

“The ideas came to me like daydreams,” Robert remembered. “God was testing my faith by giving me such an elaborate idea.” By all accounts Robert would consider himself to be a frugal spender. “I went ahead with my plans because I wanted her to know that even though I’m usually cheap, she has access to all of me in every way,” he explained.

He went about planning for their engagement in secret, attending to the most minute details of the evening just as had seen her do as a wedding coordinator.

Fifty of their closest friends and family were invited to take part in the surprise engagement ceremony. He booked 10 hotel rooms at the Ritz Carlton for April 28, 2007.
He would place members of his family and friends in selected rooms and allow them to speak blessings over their impending union.

He prepared scripts for everyone to read with quotes and scriptures from a book called Married For Life and he even scented the stationary himself by placing scented oil inside a drawer in his entertainment center along with the stationary, checking it every few days for four months to be sure that the aroma was just right.

Robert then secured Ross Oscar Knight, an Atlanta based photographer, to photograph the fulfillment of his God-given fantasy.

He ordered 12 roses dipped in gold as a tribute to the story of King Solomon in the Bible who prepared his temple for God by overlaying it with pure gold. He also ordered 400 long stemmed roses and countless rose petals and candles to place in each of the hotel rooms.

To cap off his signature engagement plans, Robert had the engagement ring custom made to ensure that the symbol of his love for her was as unique as she was. On the day the jeweler called for permission to pour the platinum, Keisha became frustrated with his evasiveness and complained, “You know what? You’re not romantic enough.”


The Main Event
On the afternoon of April 28, 2007, Keisha left the beauty salon and headed home to get dressed for her little brother Terrence’s 26th birthday dinner. When she walked into her bedroom she was puzzled when she saw a garment bag on her bed. Next to the garment bag were a pair of earrings and on the floor she spied a pair of brand new heels.

Since she shared her home with her little brother, she walked over to his room and woke him from his nap. “What’s going on?” she asked him.

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything,” Terrance replied groggily and turned over.

She called Robert but he didn’t answer his phone so she went to her room and sat on the bed next to the gown, a white strapless floor length gown with a black sash that tied around the mid section. She had seen the gown before once when she was out shopping with Robert and had even tried it on.

The doorbell rang suddenly and she rose to answer it. A woman she knew stood at the door with a big bag in her hand.

“What are you doing here?” she asked the woman.

“I don’t know anything. I’m just here to do your makeup,” the woman replied firmly. “Please let me do what I came to do.”

Keisha flooded Robert’s phone with phone calls and still received no response. Exasperated, she got dressed and allowed the make up artist to do her makeup. Robert finally called her phone and explained that they were going to a formal dinner to celebrate Terrence’s birthday.

When Terrence stepped out of his bedroom wearing a suit, Robert’s explanation made sense and she relaxed.

As she and her brother headed out to the birthday dinner, he mentioned that he had to make a quick stop to pick something up from his friend who was at The Ritz Carlton. Keisha shrugged and enjoyed the scenery of the crisp evening as they drove through downtown Atlanta.

They parked the car near a side entrance of the hotel and Terrence ran inside, returning a few minutes later. “Hey, he’s not here yet. Would you mind coming into the lobby to wait for him? He’ll be here in a minute.”

Keisha was hesitant at first but then agreed to get out of the car. She walked into the lobby and watched as wedding guests walked by happily. When she looked around for her brother, he had disappeared.

She sat confused for a minute until the elevator doors opened and Robert stepped out. He strode confidently up to her and made a simple request. “I have a very special evening planned and in order for it to go smoothly, it would be better if you did not ask questions.”

The slide show captures the rest of the story as Keisha is led into the first room which is filled with Robert’s closest male friends from near and far. At this point she still had no idea what was about to happen but she went along with Robert’s game and didn’t ask questions.

In the first picture where Keisha is in the room with all of Robert’s friends you can see that they have their heads bowed and are praying in a circle around her. Her eyes are open because she couldn’t understand why they were saying what they were saying. The man leading the prayer spoke purposefully, ‘Lord, protect her and guide her into this next stage in her life. Prepare her to fulfill her new role.’”

“What role are they talking about?” Keisha wondered. “What is going on?”

By the time she reached the third room and saw her childhood best friend and her husband, she burst into tears at the realization of all that Robert had done for her.

“God you are so wonderful to me!” her spirit exclaimed. “I can’t believe how you blessed me! I am so undeserving of all of this.” All of the years of honoring God and trusting Him to bring about His divine will for her life had resulted in a miraculous union.

Room by room she greeted the individuals who had blessed her life; her Bible study group, her college girlfriends, her cousin and her husband, her friends Gavon and Tesha, Robert’s best friend and his wife, Robert’s parents and her parents. Each room, decorated with roses and soft candles set the perfect scene for her introduction to life as Robert’s wife.

Upon entering the final room, she felt as though someone had knocked the breath out of her when her feet fell upon a path of rose petals illuminated by candles leading up to a throne.

The entire night had been so spirit filled and intense that Keisha was surprised by how “light” the mood now seemed. Robert read a personal note about his views on the importance of marriage. He then pulled her close to whisper a private prayer into her ears. He stepped away asking her to take a moment to reflect on God’s importance in their lives.

His proposal was short and sweet and in the end she laughed and said, “Yes.”

He showed her the ring before placing it on her finger and she grinned when she saw the custom made, Asscher cut diamond sitting delicately in a platinum setting.

After both of their parents joined them in prayer, Robert & Keisha went up to the penthouse where all of their guests were waiting to greet them in celebration of their new life together.

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Brilliant Minds- I Will Secure The Future Of My Family

Words by Te-Erika

Twenty-five-year-old Brandon Okpalobi has always admired his father’s work ethic. As a young boy Brandon heard the stories of how his father traveled to America from Nigeria and worked diligently to provide for his family. “He never changed who he was for anyone else. He worked hard. He worked until 10 or 11 at night. Back then I didn’t understand but now I do because looking back, life was pretty good,” Brandon said.

Brandon’s ultimate fantasy is to use his God given gifts of leadership and intelligence to ensure the financial security of his future family. Although he doesn’t have a family yet, he appreciates the time he has to focus on creating a legacy much like his father who owns and operates an accounting firm in New Orleans.

A descendant of a royal family in Nigeria, Brandon’s father, Chuka Okpalobi, is the Ochendo of Achalla-Ibusa in Delta State. His father’s election as King of a tribe in Nigeria taught Brandon that strength of character and determination will open the doors necessary to receive even more than you could hope for in life.

When Brandon moved to South Florida to attend the University of Miami, he had a dream of securing a place on the school’s celebrated basketball team. In direct competition with other young basketball stars, he tried out as a walk-on and secured a position on the team. Through hours of daily practice, focus and sheer willpower, Brandon landed a starting position and a scholarship. By his junior year of college, he was elected team captain and he held on to the position for two years. He was awarded the team’s Hustle Award, an honor reserved for team members who exhibit consistent excellence regardless of the circumstances.

Brandon now works as an Enterprise Risk Services consultant with Deloitte & Touche. His vision is to open a sports complex for families in Miami, Florida where he lives. “I hope to give families a place to come together that is affordable and fun,” Brandon said. “My mission is to exceed the average expectations of a community center by providing inspiring, educational and recreational experiences with exquisite ambiance for individuals committed to achieving excellence in their community."

He offers four key factors to successfully prepare to achieve your fantasy life:

1) Get a solid education in school and in life. Become an expert at whatever you plan to do.
2) Develop a solid business plan as a map for your vision.
3) Learn how to network by joining strong organizations that support where you are trying to go in your career.
4) Find a good mentor who will open the doors of wisdom and opportunity.

Daily affirmations are the key to Brandon’s success. “I wake up every morning and I get myself pumped by first reading the Proverb for the day. Then I read my daily devotional and afterwards I have a list of affirmations that I go through,” Brandon explained.

“Everyday that you wake up is a special occasion. Every day you get to walk is a special occasion. Treat everyone as if they are higher than they are and watch how doors open for you. All anyone wants is smile,” Brandon affirmed. “You’d be surprised by what a genuine smile can do.”

FREE Your Mind- Your Imagination Leads Your Destination

Words by Te-Erika

An active imagination shouldn’t be reserved just for children. There’s nothing wrong with adults who “wanna have fun” too. Whether you recognize it or not, you already have an active imagination but most times it is filled by images of lack or despair. You imagine the worst, assuring yourself that if you prepare for the worst, you won’t be as disappointed if it happens to come to pass.

When that disastrous imagined end does happen, your preparation won’t make the sting any less uncomfortable. Allow me to challenge your intuition by suggesting that those negative events didn’t occur by chance. Your imagination may have forced them into fruition.

The images we nurse in our minds on a daily basis are the blue print for our reality. The expectations of our mind, both disastrous and prosperous, seep into our being and are released as words or actions ultimately affecting our reality.

Have you ever felt like someone was out to get you? Did you watch them closely, observing their behavior until you found what you were looking for? You probably felt smart then didn’t you? But how smart could you be when you wasted your entire day looking over your shoulder and peeping around corners waiting for the shoe to drop? You were fearful and anxious and most certainly snippy with people who crossed your path creating an even more negative existence.
Imagine what your day could have been like if you had expected happy surprises all day. Imagine what your life would be like if instead of expecting the worst, you anxiously awaited your blessing.

In order to break away from a grim reality, you must first change your expectations. By changing your expectations you unknowingly take the lid off of the juicy goodness of your fantasy life.

It isn’t easy to break the habit of an expectation of heartache and loss. The best way to overcome this obstacle is to replace the bad habits with good ones. Fight through the negativity with affirmations and inspirational words. Step away from friends who want to wallow in despair and stir up fears in your life. Decide that you are awakening to a new beginning and allow a prosperous imagination to breed hope into your situation.

Your imagination leads your destination. You decide where you end up.

Brilliant Minds- I'm the Star of My Own Sitcom

Words by Te-Erika

Nika Williams was just a kindergartner when she began performing poetry in front of audiences. Her favorite poem was Madam & Her Madam by Langston Hughes. She would dazzle the audience with a speaking ability that was well beyond her age group’s capability and people would often tell her that she had a gift.

She realized that she loved the arts and being on the main stage would be a permanent part of her life. “I always knew that I wanted to be in front of people and make them laugh,” Nika said.
For a while she ignored the allure of the stage by actively participating in sports. It wasn’t until she went away to the University of Florida that she decided to pursue an acting career professionally. When she decided to major in Theatre her mother wasn’t excited about it. She asked Nika, “How are you going to get a job with a theatre degree?”

But Nika was headstrong and believed wholeheartedly in her comedic gifts. Once she earned her degree she went home to Miami to save money to make her move to New York. She figured New York was the place to be if she really wanted to achieve her fantasy of starring in her own television sitcom.

After having saved more than $8,000 she became nervous about the big move and blew all of her money on parties, clothes and enjoying the South Beach scene. When her funds were almost depleted she stopped in her tracks and realized what she had done. The only thing standing in her way of success was her own lack self discipline and focus.

Once again, she got her head together and set another target date for her move to New York. The move was successful but once she got there she realized that the culture of the city didn’t suit her. She went back to Miami to regroup and refocus, this time setting her sights on Los Angeles.

When the time came for her to move to LA, she moved forward with no inhibitions. She believed in the gift within and even more she believed in the God within. She spent the first few months hanging out in clubs hoping to be discovered. “I learned that the people who could “discover” me weren’t hanging out in clubs, they were at home sleeping so that they could be on the set the next morning,” Nika said.

It was during this moment of awakening that Nika shifted gears. “You have to do the work,” she realized. “You can’t expect people to just notice you because you’re talented or you look a certain way.”

She participated in sketch comedy groups as she honed her signature comedic style. Feeling the pressure from watching how differently her performances were from other comedians she decided to stick to what she knew despite the proven road to success.

“I have to get up and do my comedy the way that I do my comedy,” Nika commented. “Richard Pryor did the same thing. At first he was trying to be another Bill Cosby but it didn’t work for him. Finally he went his own way and now look at him.”

After having bit appearances on shows like Nick Cannon’s Wild N Out, Nickelodeon’s Hannah Montana and the CW’s All of Us, Nika feels that the time is almost near for her star to shine through.

Amidst criticism, she recently left her day job as a middle school teacher so that she could be open to embrace opportunities. “People don’t understand, but it’s not for them to understand. It’s my story. It’s my life,” she said confidently.

Five years after she first made her move to LA, fears and doubts about her future sometimes creep into her mind but she remains firmly routed in her faith and refuses to turn back and run. “Fear is inevitable,” Nika explained. “The whole point of fear is to overcome it and keep going. At the end of the day it’s about persistence.”

From The Editor- Embracing Your Fantasy

Dear Dreamers,

Have you ever taken the time to indulge in a fantasy? Do you think it’s a frivolous act or a waste of time to simply sit back and allow your imagination to roam free?

As a child you may have sat and wondered about all of the freedom and mysteries of adulthood. Did your life turn out how you thought it would? No? Well, you still have time to change your destiny. Every day you wake up is another opportunity to learn and grow. This week’s fantasy is all about Embracing Your Fantasy.

We’ll provide you with real-life stories of people who are actively seeking their fantasy lives and a few who have already accomplished it. We will also walk you step by step toward cultivating a rich imagination which will in turn allow you to tap into the hidden source of power waiting to be released.

There is power in allowing yourself to dream. There is no dream that can not be attained regardless of your circumstances if you are willing to first believe and then take action.

Sometime within the next 24 hours, take a moment to sit still and meditate. Think about the goals you had that have been forgotten. Think about the life you have now and what you’d like to happen to make it even more sweet. Compile a list of your top 3 fantasies and share them with us in the comments section if you are bold enough to dream out loud.

Don’t worry about being ridiculed or being told that you need a reality check. The great thinkers and innovators of the world defied reality by daring to create a new vision. Don’t allow someone else’s definition of reality to rob you of your very best life.

Sit. Think. Dream. Achieve.

If your mind can create the vision, it is yours to make come true.

In Love,

Te-Erika

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