First, I give honor to the creator and father of all that was and is to come. In whom I hold no belief, but know in spirit, for it is by the spirit that spirit is known!

Second, I give honor to Shanarah Wilson, my mother, Mother Nature, and all energy that produces life. Though the pen is mightier than the sword, a woman’s touch may bring peace, so love her or she’ll make war!

Last, I would like to offer a special thanks for the love and good deeds of anyone from my past, those in the present, and a toast to those in the future!  In the presence of a friend, so is the enemy, where there is an enemy, there is opposition, but I am grateful for the opposition, for it teaches me to conquer the enemy within!

Everything in life is a lesson, not a loss and there is no enemy or victor greater than self; of all the conquests in life find and do not lose yourself. 

 Greeting’s beloved! I assure you this moment is not by mistake, for our actions, are the reactions of inspiration from within. I would like to thank you in advance for your time and congratulate you on the greatest investment there is, you! Dapper Dan, a prominent fashion designer of today, said, “Everything I’ve encountered, I could read my way out of it.” Simply put, there’s something you are facing or will face that this read will, get you out, off, or better equip you to guide others through their life journey. Knowledge can be empowering and reading is just one of many ways to obtain that power. Reading sharpens, as well as maintains our greatest tool, our mind. The power of thought alone can shape your destiny for the worst or better. The impossible is possible, if only we knew the power we hold within our minds!

Life is a journey full of mountains and valleys; and my friend, your journey is not your enemy, it is your guide.

Everyone in life will face adversities, and as my great mentor and godfather Larry Woodson taught me, we are always in the transition of coming out, going through, or preparing for a crisis. Beloved, no one is perfect and neither is this world, me and take no offense neither are you. While on this earth, to learn as much as we can, it is our duty to strive to do the best we can and leave the rest to the invisible hand. We are very extraordinary people, but, to fulfill our destinies, we must be equipped and educated, with the proper essential resources to develop and grow into the best versions of ourselves. Some of us desire to be a better version of ourselves but don't know how or perhaps need to be pushed or encouraged. There are those too, who know better but sometimes get lost along the journey of life. Everyone in life certainly is at a different level and place. The goal in life is to learn as much as you can, about all that you can, to achieve and be all that you can.

It is often said, that if we knew better then we could do better. Many are aware of this quota but knowing is only half of the battle. It can be an uphill battle to do better when your surroundings don't inspire one to dream and envision better for themselves. Society must learn to accept and acknowledge that due to various backgrounds and circumstances in life, many have to make do with what they have and improvise. The environment and culture we grow up in will most certainly greatly impact our mindset and pursuit of happiness.  Poverty and poor education teach one to make poor choices and do not challenge one to pursue better for themselves. Yes, some are more privileged than others and may have a head-start in the race of life, but know this, the race is not given to the swift and if you truly believe it, you can achieve your wildest dreams. Money and wealth are just keys to unlocking doors, but you will discover how to get your piece of the pie or perhaps make your own with the right mindset.

 Regardless of where we come from or how much exposure we have to wealth and opportunity, our instinct is to seek the essentials of food, clothing, and shelter. It is not however common in today's world to see critical thinking as essential. One of the goals of this book is to teach one how to fish versus giving away fish. The key to whatever you desire to catch out of the sea of life begins first with a thought. You must envision and have the vision of what your heart desires. Then you must develop a well-thought-out plan, measure twice, and build your dream.  If you give a poor man, a million dollars, who does not value or understand money, it would not be long before they are poor again. It would benefit the poor man best, to learn the mindset and habits of a successful millionaire first than have grieved him further with money. Rather success is inherited or earned through hard labor, the price of success is not cheap. A trophy on display will only marvel others as long as it's on display, fertile ground that is not plowed will only produce a harvest but for so long.

It is not hard to achieve what you deem as success, as the true challenge of success is in maintaining it, which requires critical thinking and self-discipline. Unfortunately, critical thinking has been neglected and replaced by technology.   Today technology makes life convenient and allows the world to be more efficient but has robbed society in exchange of the essentials of cognitive skills and critical thinking and when neglected or deprived, one may survive, functioning, yet dysfunctional. Many become complacent with surviving the wilderness, not knowing the promised land will have its own obstacles as well. You can live in a struggle for so long, that you become accustomed to that way of life and thinking. The promised land is the point in life that you reach when you have an abundance of what you need and more. It's like being abused and mistreated your whole life, but you stayed strong and eventually met someone who does right by you. Finally, you've reached your promised land, but it will now require you to be reprogrammed, transitioning from a mindset of survival to thriving. If you hold on to the past and what you did to survive, you may never really enjoy that new relationship or find it hard to trust that person. 

Surviving in summary for example is when we trade our time for money, but thriving is when your money or goods produce profit without your time. At this very moment, you must ask yourself, “Are you thriving or just surviving?” You must also ask yourself are you worthy of success and the responsibility that comes along with it? Are you willing to change and evolve in the areas needed to thrive? I myself am a product of survival, inflicted with many dysfunctions along my journey, but if one has the will, they will find the way. One cannot lead others, where they have not been, and if one cannot rule themselves, how can they rule another. I have many areas in my life I must continue to grow in, but I have slain many of my giants and their heads are on display. 

Face your giants, for they are inflicted by sight! Face your giants, for they have no mind, just fight!! Face your giants and soon others will fight!

I have lost many friends, family, and loved ones along my journey and I know it could have easily been me. By middle school, I had lost most of my friends to the streets, drug dealing, and gun violence. At this time, I would like to memoir my childhood friend Felecia Valentine who lost her life to domestic violence, R.I.P. Death is not the end, but it is an enemy, to those who take life for granted. If living, make lively choices because death is closer than you think! 

“Yes!” Life can be harsh, unfair, and unfavorable at times and it seems like in all your good efforts, you get cow manure. It may seem that way, but there is value and a goldmine in every situation we encounter in life. My good friend and mentor, Ronny Ortiz aka Rsen told me once, “Your grass can be green too if you water it!” I mention this to say that often we get so caught up in the end goal, that what seems like crap is actually our way out! Excuse my French, but “When life gives you cow shit, turn it into crops, fuel, and electricity.”  Just imagine how much shit you could produce out of shit, figuratively speaking! People often perish for a lack of knowledge, and sadly, we kill ourselves with ignorance. 

Death dwells where there is no life as darkness dwells where there is no light. The people and land are in danger because they love the dark and know not the purpose and meaning of the light. We are but a bag of bones, dead inside, living but like zombies, if we lose our light. The light is the word, and the word is how all life began. There is no power greater than words, so be careful how you use its power. This power can create and destroy life. Every ancient civilization knew the magic of words and many to include today's civilization have been under a spell. To break the spell, simply with all your heart, speak these words inwardly and aloud, “I denounce every curse spoken over my life by self or another, I am free, and my master is me!” 

Beloved, I may not know you and perhaps long gone by the time you get this, but I put my very soul in saying this, whatever you are going through, you must make it through for there are others depending on you!  My intentions are to aid as many as possible in their self-discovery and become the best versions of themselves possible. It is of high importance to preserve all the good qualities in people and bring healing to the land.  Hurting people, hurt people, and in the name of religion and politics, many people are being wounded. To the victim, learn to forgive, so you may free yourself. To the oppressor and to whom, are inflicting pain on others, may you consider that reward for your actions, for we reap what we sow.  The way is paved with good intentions, and so many of the lost and broken are leading the way only to fill the void of being lost themself. May you be healed and heal others!