Xbox and PlayStation have been competitors since 2002. The evolution of the systems has come to modern-day online services so you can play against your friends. You not only pay a monthly fee to play online but you also receive a couple of monthly games for free. The question is: which one is better?
This month on PlayStation:
PS4
Darksiders 2: Deathinitive Edition
Kung Fu Panda Showdown of Legendary Legends
PS3
Xblaze Lost: Memories
Syberia Collection
This month on Xbox:
Xbox One
Warhammer: End Times – Verminitide (December 1 – December 31)
Tales From the Borderlands (through December 15)
Back to the Future: The Game – 30th Anniversary Edition (December 16 – January 15)
Xbox 360
Child of Eden (December 1 – December 15)
Marlow Briggs and the Mask of Death (December 16 – December 31)
Both consoles offer great game but PlayStation only offers two. Another downfall is that once your PlayStation Plus subscription expires, you are no longer able to play the games you got free. Xbox allows you to keep and those games for as long as you want, even when your subscription expires. Xbox also has backward compatibility where you can play Xbox 360 games on your Xbox One.
When I first got my Xbox One, I was able to download Xbox 360 games I got for free with Gold years ago. As an owner of both consoles, Xbox Live Gold is overall the better buy. If you buy a console this holiday season, you might want to keep these things in mind.
Starting in 2015, I got back into reading and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My favorite genre of books to read are motivational/self-help books, because I’m always in the mood for good energy. I also enjoy memoirs/autobiographies, because reading about how someone else overcame hardships remind me that it’s possible for me to. So, I decided to share some of my favorite books for those that enjoy reading or want to start reading.
1. Year of Yes –Shonda Rhimes
This book is one I’m sure I’ll read for a second time and I benefited from it tremendously. For years Rhimes turned down any and everything that was outside of her comfort zone as most of us do. Until one day her sister Deloris whispered six simple words, “you never say yes to anything.” At that moment Rhimes decided to challenge herself for one year to say YES to everything that scared her. With this challenge, she learned so much about herself and the things that scared her ended up producing her biggest accomplishments. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, because that is when you are really living.
2. Write It Down, Make It Happen-Henriette Anne Klauser
This was actually the first book that sparked my obsession with motivational books and the one that I picked up in 2015 when I wanted to get back into reading. This book Klauser discusses how simply writing down your dreams is the first step into making them a reality. There are many stories in this book of how everyday people wrote down their goals and saw things transform into reality right before their eyes. Klauser stressed that by writing down your goals and being clear about them makes you more motivated to want to do them.
3. Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success-Steve Harvey
I don’t even know where to begin about this book. Mr. Harvey, he helps you to find what your calling is. Once you discover that purpose he mentions how to make your passion your career. There’s a few times when Harvey talks about his personal life and how difficult it was to come from nothing to making a huge name for himself. Success don’t come easy, but as long as you work hard, don’t give up, and believe in yourself anything and I mean anything is possible.
4. Jump-Steve Harvey
Yes, I’m mentioning another Steve Harvey book, because when it comes to motivating people he’s perfect. One day after a taping of Family Feud, a game show in which Steve Harvey host he had an encouraging message to the audience. Well, without knowing someone filmed it and uploaded it to the internet and before you know it the video went viral. That video is what prompted him to write this book. This book talks about how nothing extraordinary can come staying in your comfort zone. All the real magic and joy is on the other side. In order to really maximize your full potential and your purpose you have to take that leap of faith and JUMP. He says that when you first jump from that cliff your parachute isn’t going to open right away. In fact, you’re going to get bruised up, scraped by the rocks but eventually your parachute will open, but you can’t be afraid to take that risk. I highly recommend this book for anyone that has been day dreaming about a goal and need that extra push to get started.
5. Life is not an Accident-Jay Williams
Talk about depressing this amazing memoir inspired me in a way that I can never fully put into words. This three-time Duke All-American player and number two pick in the NBA draft ended his career due to a motorcycle accident. Jay Williams the former player for the Chicago Bulls thought he was invincible until one day that came to an end. This book shows how he hit rock bottom and was still able to rise above and change his life around. I think this book also teach a person to always stay humble no matter how much fame or money you have, because there’s always something in life that will remind you being a good person is key.
I have been a huge fan of Star Wars since I was young. So young that I would sneak into my parent’s room grab the collector’s edition VHS tapes and watch them. The first time my dad found me watching it, he was not happy. Since then, it has become a tradition to binge watch all the episodes, usually when a new movie is about to release.
As the latest release of the Star Wars series is coming into view, fans are eager to have a few questions answered. Who are Rey’s Parents? Who is Supreme Leader Snokes, and what is going on with Luke Skywalker? All these questions will be answered in the second installment of the third wave, hopefully.
For those who are unaware, the second installment of the third wave is essentially the 8th episode in the series. In the past, George Lucas filmed movies four, five and six between 1977 and 1983. Several years go by and then movies one, two and three were made between 1999 and 2005. Ten years go by, and you had the seventh movie debut. Now we are approaching the eighth installment come December 15, 2017. Wait, wasn’t there a Star Wars movie that came out in 2016? Yes, however in typical Star Wars fashion it is out-of-order and doesn’t directly tie into the main storyline. It’s best to think of it like Tokyo Drift in the Fast and Furious series. It doesn’t fit into the story when it is released, but that doesn’t mean it won’t get tied in later.
A recap of the episodes and the order best to watch them to avoid spoilers:
I: The Phantom Menace (1999) (32 BBY)
II: Attack of the Clones (2002) (22 BBY)
III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) (19 BBY)
Rogue One (2016) (15-0 BBY) Stand Alone Spin-Off
IV: A New Hope (1977) (0 BBY)
V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) (3 ABY)
VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) (4 ABY)
VII: The Force Awakens (2015) (34 ABY)
VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) (34 ABY)
IX: Unknown (2019) (Unknown)
Solo (2018) (TBA-BBY) Stand Alone Spin-Off
[BBY- Before the Battle of Yavin; ABY- After the Battle of Yavin. The Battle of Yavin took place at the end of A New Hope (1977). It was the Death Star Explosion.
The Phantom Menace opened the door for Anakin to be trained as a Jedi. Anakin has grown up in Attack of the Clones and has become a skilled Jedi who defeats a clone army and later marries Padme. In Revenge of the Sith you watch Anakin turn into Darth Vader while his wife dies in childbirth to twins. In Rogue One they steal the Death Star Plans. In A New Hope they destroy the Death Star. The Empire Strikes Back by having Lando Betray Solo with the rest of the rebellion determined to rescue Solo. In the sixth movie, Return of the Jedi you learn that there is another death star and that Darth Vader had a redeeming moment. Finally moving into the recent installments with The Force Awakens you discover that the son of Leia and Solo has taken over his grandfather’s (Darth Vader) throne. The bad guys are building an even more destructive death star, and Kylo Ren does something unforgivable in the eyes of star wars fan and Chewbacca. In the end, Rey finds Luke. The Last Jedi picks up exactly where the last one left off which is not the typical George Lucas style. Without giving any spoilers the villain in this installment is called the Supreme Leader Snokes.
Somewhere in the 70-year timeline, the Solo movie will come into play as it reveals more about Lando, Chewbacca, and Han Solo’s history. Most fans will already know the correct order to watch the series, and will already be aware of the basic plots that go along with every installment. Few, however, know George Lucas kept the licensing and merchandising rights. During that time, people did not make much of a profit off of the merchandising rights. However, George Lucas did, and it was the rights to the first Star Wars film that allowed him to branch out and go on to create the following episodes. From their George Lucas created LucasFilm and Industrial Light and Magic. As much as George Lucas enjoyed having realistic props, he also enjoyed using technology which was why he waited so long before producing the second wave of star wars films. He wanted access to more technology and thus started the Industrial Light and Magic studio which is the founder company of Pixar.
December 15, 2017, cannot get here fast enough for most fans, as they are eager to have another adventure. They are ready to fall back into the space western realm and have their questions answered.
In recent years movie theaters have been competing to have the better deal. Cinemark announced their new Movie Club to stay above the competition. The Movie Club will be $8.99 a month for one 2D ticket. At checkout, you can add an additional ticket for $8.99. If you want to cancel you can at any time through your account. Benefits continue through the end of your paid billing cycle. Unused credits are good for six months after cancellation. After you’ve used your monthly credits, you can buy two additional tickets per transaction for $8.99 each. Unused credits roll over and never expire when you’re a member. You can even use your roll over ticket as an additional ticket for your guest. Online fees will be waved on additional tickets. Redeem your credit online, in Cinemark’s app or at any box office. Credits are saved to your Cinemark account and are automatically applied at checkout. Also, concessions will be 20% off! This is an interesting trend that could change the way we see movies. So be sure to download the app and join!
Don’t forget to scan and earn points for every purchase to redeem for great rewards like movie swag, digital downloads, sweepstakes and more!
[Seen it? Skipping it? Read on! Plan to see it? Keep scrolling!]
The Justice League is something I’ve loved ever since I was a kid. Growing up I watched the cartoon series that ran from 2001 to 2004. This movie is tough for me to review because one part of me loves it and another part of me hates it. Going into this movie, my expectations were already low from Batman V Superman, but unlike many people I liked it. I am even a big fan of the “Batfleck.” Out of the list of problems with the Justice League, the first is the same as with Batman V Superman. It feels rushed. They come together like “oh hey it looks like we got to save the world”, instead of coming together more organically. It feels like they made this to compete with Marvel and if so, they should have followed that formula.
Marvel has been making films leading up to the Infinity War film since 2008. I don’t expect DC to be on the same scale or make films for the next ten years leading up to uniting their heroes but we could have seen a Cyborg and an Aquaman movie before they came together. The best thing about Marvels Avengers is that we had time to get to know and care about the characters.
Another weak factor of this movie was its villain Steppenwolf. He was another one-dimensional villain who was so awful that at the end the Justice League forgot he was even there. The final flaw is the cringe-worthy writing. The film is full of one-liners where characters say what is not really something they’d say. For example, Batman rolled on the ground saying something like “something’s bleeding.” The Flash came off as more annoying than funny. Then there was the very cliché line “Do you bleed?” said by Superman that was kind of painful to watch. The worst thing to watch, however, was the famous CGI done to remove Henry Cavill’s mustache during the filming of this movie. His mouth looked distorted. The film had a much lighter tone, not a bad thing, but almost too light for me. I go see Marvel for a lighter toned movie and I go see DC for a darker tone movie. Most of the problems could be because of Joss Whedon’s takeover since Zach Snyder had to leave because of his daughter’s suicide.
Now that I’m done with the flaws there were many things I liked. I really enjoyed seeing Superman come back. Until he came back, it felt like something was missing. This movie is overall a lot of fun and really gorgeous. The actors are amazing for what they were given. Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot are Superman and Wonder Woman. I am just pleased to see these characters come to life and be on the big screen. Despite my negative comments, this is still a good movie to watch and I recommend seeing it if you like any of these characters. I have watched this film twice and probably will again one day. Also, unlike the other DC movies, be sure to stay after both sets of credits for a very cool scene that could be important to future DC films.
The Punisher has been on-screen many times, in The Punisher (2004) and in Punisher: War Zone (2008). Both films had strengths and weaknesses but neither could fully get the character right. There was also a film in 1989 that doesn’t count as part of the modern Marvel Universe of today. For those of you who don’t know the Punisher, he is a guy named Frank Castle whose family gets killed and then becomes a vigilante known as “The Punisher.” So, in other words, he’s like Batman only he kills people with guns. The Punisher got his start in The Amazing Spiderman comic in 1974 as a foe to Spiderman. Military and law enforcement use his symbol which is up for debate if it is appropriate or not. The Punisher is an anti-hero that does not care about the law but just killing criminals so they don’t commit crimes again. There is even a comic where he kills everyone in the Marvel universe including himself.
The Netflix Punisher is a newer take on the character. He started out on the Netflix Daredevil show and he was so good that fans petitioned for this series. This could be because of actor Jon Bernthal’s performance. He is one of the most underrated actors and is now starting to get recognition. Most people know him from The Walking Dead as Shane or most recently in Baby Driver as the guy at the beginning of the film that you never see again. Just as Robert Downey, Jr. was born to play Iron Man, Jon Bernthal was born to play The Punisher.
The supporting cast is also terrific. I greatly enjoyed interactions between Frank and Micro. There were some reviews that said the series dragged but I found that it didn’t. The other Netflix Marvel shows like Luke Cage feels twice as slow to me. It does take some time for things to heat up but it is fun and refreshing to see Frank in a new environment.
It starts out with Frank living life day-to-day and dealing with the loss of his family. This show handles modern political issues like gun control and other topics such as how veterans deal with PTSD. The show gets better and better with each episode. Towards the end, there is a scene that is so brutal I could barely keep from turning my head away from the screen. The finale was satisfying and makes you want more. I have high hopes for another season since the series is though with all the character development. I highly recommend binge watching The Punisher whenever you can.
Christmas traditions are about more than just celebrating a season. They are about celebrating family and keeping the magic of Christmas alive for generations to come.
Christmas is my favorite time of year, and though my family gets busier and busier, our traditions bring us together and keep us close. We always make a big deal out of Christmas. However, the gifts are not the main focus of the holidays for my family. Keeping the magic of the season alive is the most important thing.
Today, I am sharing a few of my most precious Christmas traditions. These traditions truly make this the most wonderful time of the year.
During the Great Depression, money was tight. That didn’t stop my mother’s side of the family from giving the gift of love. On Christmas Eve, and again on Christmas Day, the family members would hug each other and say, “Christmas Eve Gift” or “Christmas Gift.” In fact, it became a game to see who would be the first to offer their Christmas Eve or Christmas “gift.” The tradition has evolved over time, and now we race to be the first one in the family to greet someone with Christmas Eve Gift or Christmas Gift. We even wake people up at midnight with the greeting, just to win the game.
Christmas isn’t just about gifts in my family. We celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by helping others. We all try and help others all year round, but at Christmas, we try and make it extra special. We want our children to be grateful for what they have and to always have a giving heart. With that said, every year, we, along with the Texas High School Tigersharks, adopt a family for Christmas. We all buy gifts for the children and adults alike and provide them with a full Christmas dinner. If the children we adopt are young enough, my dad even volunteers to play Santa and pays a visit to the children personally.
My family and I get a real Chrismas tree from Evergreen Christmas Tree Farm. This tradition started about 5 years ago because my husband was frustrated trying to put up our fake tree. We drove out to the lot, picked a tree, and watched as they cut it down and shook all the lose needles out of the tree. The kids LOVED it. We drink cocoa with the family that owns the tree farm and huddle by the wood burning fire inside the barn. But the most special part of this tradition is finding random golf balls, from the nearby golf course, throughout the farm. Each year, we bring home a golf ball and write the year on it and hang it from our tree.
This tradition is very messy, and not for the faint of heart. Every year, we buy each person in our family a package of tinsel. But before we put it on the tree as decoration, we have our annual icicle fight. We run around the house, jumping over dogs, furniture, and occasionally each other, throwing tinsel at each other, like snowballs. It is not uncommon to find tinsel buried in the couch in February.
Christmas Eve night, we make cookies for Santa and reindeer food to scatter outside for Rudolph and the gang. Here is the recipe I use for reindeer food.
Photo courtesy of http://www.amodernmrs.com/2013/12/magic-reindeer-food-recipe-and-poem.html
6. During the day on Christmas Eve, my sister and I “plant” individually wrapped peppermints in a soil-filled small pot, with my three-year-old nephew. When wakes Christmas morning, the peppermints have magically grown into candy canes.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest
7. Lastly, on Christmas Eve night, the kids are allowed to open one gift each. Each of them gets new pajamas, house shoes, and a coffee mug. After they open the gifts, I make homemade hot chocolate, while they change into their new pajamas and we all sit down to watch a Christmas movie before bed.
These are just a few things that make Christmas extra special for my family. I hope the traditions are passed on when my kids have children of their own. What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
People all over the world show their Christmas spirit with festive light displays. Thomas Edison started the tradition of Christmas light displays in 1880. Edison was so proud of his light bulb invention, he strung them together and hung them proudly from his Menlo Park laboratory compound.
Photos courtesy of edisonawards.com
Christmas in the South may not always be snowy and white, but Southerners are just as proud to celebrate the season with lights and all things magical. See the list below for information on displays and festivities, in and around the area, to enjoy this holiday season.
Photo of Federal Post Office, Downtown Texarkana. Courtesy of Arkansas.com
– Texarkana, Texas – The owners of the home at 4904 Lesley Lane, bring joy to the community with their animated light display. The display is set to music which can be played from the comfort of your vehicle.
– Texarkana, Texas – The residents of the culdesac on Spotswood in Pleasant Grove, located beside Williams Memorial Methodist Church, spell out “We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas,” in lit signs. In fact, the tradition is so important to the residents, they even leave behind their signs, if they sell their home, so that the tradition may continue.
– Texarkana, Texas – First Assembly of God Church, located at 3401 W. 7th Street will host their annual drive-thru, live Nativity Scene. There will be over 100 people in costume, bringing the story of Jesus’ birth to life! When you enter the parking lot, you will be able to tune in to a specialized radio broadcast and be greeted with hot chocolate and candy canes. There will be live animals; sheep, cows, mules, goats, camels, and more. This event is open to the public and FREE for everyone. The event will take place on Friday, December 8, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. And again on Saturday, December 9, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. See video link below to see a recap of the 2014 Live Nativity. Video provided by Matt Cornelius, YouTube.com.
– Ashdown, Arkansas – The K.C.S. Railroad’s Holiday Express will make its stop in Ashdown, on December 6, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The train will be stopped at Main St. and Hwy 71. The Holiday Express is a six-car train, carrying Santa and his Elves. The train has a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, a smiling tank car named Rudy, reindeer and a miniature village, a gingerbread boxcar, the elves’ workshop, a reindeer stable, and a little red caboose.
Photo courtesy of TexarkanaFYI
– Shreveport/Bossier Lousiana Boardwalk – A blizzard is forecast to occur every night at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as 12:30 p.m. on weekends. While at the Boardwalk, please be sure to visit Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop. In Santa’s Wonderland, kids get free digital pics with Santa and can make the Bass Pro craft of the week for free. This place is magical for children old and young.
Photo courtesy of Louisiana Boardwalk
Photo courtesy of Louisiana Boardwalk
– Tyler, Texas – Santa Land is a 24-acre drive-thru Christmas Park with over two million lights, Christmas music, a 250-foot long tunnel of lights with 12-foot Toy Soldiers, themed areas, a gift shop, and snack bar. Santa Land is located at 11455 I-20 West Tyler, Texas. Information and pricing listed below.
Photo courtesy of SantaLand Facebook Page
Video courtesy of YouTube.com
– Marshall, Texas – Enjoy the Wonderland of Lights Festival in downtown Marshall, Texas this season. The festival includes an outdoor ice skating rink, rides on the Holly Trolly, Wonderland Express and the vintage 1948 Herschel carousel. Visit the brand new Santa’s Village for cookies, train building, and pictures. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride on one of three carriages through Historic Downtown Marshall, then listen to live music at Telegraph Park downtown performed by local musicians, area churches and school choirs. Visit https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wonderlandoflights/items/?full-items=yes for prices on the various attractions. And don’t forget to pay a visit to Central Perk Coffee House and warm up with a cup of gourmet coffee or hot chocolate.
Photo courtesy of Marshalltexas.net
Photo courtesy of Marshalltexas.net
The Harrison County Courthouse in downtown Marshall on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. (Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo)
– The Louisiana/Texas Holiday Trail of Lights – The Holiday Trail of Lights includes multiple cities in both Louisiana and Texas. You can visit one leg of the trail or all of them. All cities on the trail are connected by I-20 and I-49. The two legs of the trail, nearest to Texarkana, are Jefferson, Texas and Shreveport/Bossier, Louisiana. Check out the video below for more details on the Holiday Trail of Lights.
Paying a visit to any of the Christmas displays listed above is sure to brighten your Christmas. Be sure to check Facebook Events for more on local holiday events. Have a safe and Merry Christmas from the staff at Eagle Eye Media.
Between paying for tuition, books, the dining hall, and a dorm room your budget probably seems a little slim. What if I told you there are tons of discounts you can get just for being in college? From everyday essentials to specialty items, these companies want to treat you to savings created specifically for college students.
Also, don’t forget to pick up a personal discount card designed for Texas A&M University-Texarkana at the front desk of the University Center. It has great deals for businesses in the area.
FITNESS
Anytime Fitness
One Week Free Trial
Legends – State Line Texarkana
One Week Free Trial
Sportsplex By Health Care Express
$42 Student Rate
FOOD
Chick-Fil-A
Free Drink with Student I.D.
Chipotle
Free Drink with Student I.D.
Gusano’s – Texarkana
Show Student I.D. and Discount Card for 10%.
Subway
Show Student I.D. For 10% Off
Taste & See
Show Student I.D. For 10% Off
Twisted Fork – Texarkana
25% off All Pizzas with school discount card.
Waffle House
Show Student I.D. For 10% Off
General
Amazon Prime for Students
6 Months Free
50% off Prime Membership After Trial
ALL Prime Benefits including FREE 2-Day Shipping
Added College Deals
FedEx Student Discount Club – With Student ID
20% Off Envelope Shipments
30% Off Package Shipments
Available at FedEx Stations
Sam’s Club
Offers Student Membership and Benefits
See Local Club
UPS – Richmond Texarkana
10% Off Printing Services
MUSIC
Spotify Premium For Students
$4.99 a Month
Includes FREE access to Hulu.
Services
Geico
Students can save up to 15% on select coverages with a minimum of a B average.
Nationwide Insurance
Drivers up to 24 years in age can get discounts with a minimum of a B average.
State Farm
Offers up to 25% off insurance for students in good standing.
TECHNOLOGY
Adobe Creative Cloud
60% Off Creative Cloud Application Bundle
Includes PhotoShop, Lightroom, AdobeXD, Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Dreamweaver, Acrobat Pro, 20+ Desktop and Mobile Apps, Free Tutorials, Regular Upgrades
When you see the title of this book, what do you think about? I know some of you are probably thinking, “there’s no such thing as black privilege in America.” So, what does this title mean? Charlamagne defines Black Privilege in a different way, although some may agree to disagree, racism and white privilege are very real in this country and that’s fact not just my opinion. The subject of race can sometimes be an awkward topic to talk about, but if society keep sweeping it under the rug as if it means nothing, how are we supposed to fix the social issues that are going on? When asked about the title he says, “when you’re talking about black privilege you’re talking about something spiritual, not something systemic…I feel like we’re able to tap into a divine system that gives us abilities to prosper in spite of all the obstacles we face in America.”
Charlamagne Tha God is a cohost of the nationally syndicated hip-hop iHeartradio program “The Breakfast Club” and a featured television personality at MTV and MTV2. He is also a social media influencer; an executive producer with his own production company, CThaGod World LLC; cohost of the popular podcast “The Brilliant Idiots;” and author of his own Marvel comic. Born and raised in a small town in South Carolina, Charlamagne quickly rose to become one of today’s most unique and compelling media personalities. His point of view and proactive celebrity interviews help drive the daily national conversation about issues related to hip-hop, race, society, and politics. (CharlamagneThaGod, Black Privilege)
He can now add New York Times best seller to his resume`. Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create it, discusses eight life principles to help people find what it is they were meant to do in life. He says, “live your truth, so no one can use your truth against you,” he explains that living an authentic life is the best way to live and that will bring you ultimate success and happiness. Within this book Charlamagne is unfiltered and give the raw honest truth about his upbringing and how he managed to completely change his life around coming from a small town called Moncks Corner, South Carolina to working in the city that never sleeps. After being kicked out of school, fired from multiple jobs, he found mentors that helped him to see what all life had to offer.
I’ll share three of my favorite principles that resonated with me most:
1. It’s not the size of the pond but the hustle of the fish: Principle 1 “Geographical location doesn’t determine what kind of success you will have, but your psychological position always will. How are you going to make waves in a bigger pond when you haven’t even learned how to cause a ripple in the pod you’re in? When you stop complaining about where you are physically and start focusing on where you are mentally, that’s when you will start to transcend your circumstances.” (Black Privilege, page 1)
I love this principle because I was raised in a small town that don’t offer many opportunities that correspond to my dream career. I’ve always thought, if I could just get to a bigger city then I’ll be successful. When in reality that’s not necessarily true. I’ve learned to just start where you are and make do with that, if you’re passionate about what it is you’re doing everything else will eventually will fall into place.
2. There are no losses in life, only lessons: Principle 4 “Always look for the lesson in any situation you think didn’t go your way. Understand that your plan isn’t necessarily also God’s plan for you.” (page 107)
This is one that really resonated with me because sometimes when something bad happens we take that as a loss. However, it’s not a loss just a lesson that you needed to be taught. Often times in life we get impatient and we want things quick and easy. I’ve always heard that “the things worth having don’t come easy.” You have to understand that all of your setbacks, roadblocks, and detours are necessary if you want to get to the next level in life. So, the next time you feel defeated by life think about the lesson that you needed to learn.
3. PYP (Pick your Passion, Poison, or Procrastination): Principle 2 “There are three primary “P’s” to choose from life: (1) Passion, which leads to prosperity. (2) Poison, which leads to pain. (3) Procrastination, which doesn’t lead anywhere at all, because you sit around waiting for things to just magically happen. Please don’t pick “P’s” numbers 2 and 3. Instead of hoping you’ll be successful, follow your passion and make conscious decisions that will help you realize your destiny.”( page 33)
What I like about this principle is that whatever you’re passionate about it’s important to follow that particular thing. Yes, it can be scary to step outside of your comfort zone, but don’t keep procrastinating on a dream that have been on the fore front of your mind for years. In the process of following your dreams separate yourself from the things that don’t bring you any joy. Surround yourself with people that are going to make you constantly want to evolve.
