Monday Motivational Minute: "It's OUR Time!"

Happy Monday Friends! You know what time it is so I hope this week's message finds you in good health and gives you that extra push to make this week count!

"It's OUR Time!"
While I would never consider myself a Michael Eric Dyson or a Cornell West, I do have very strong feelings about being black in America. The media and politicians would try to make us believe that everything is OK now, and Blacks are crazy and anti-american for being upset and speaking out about the injustices we see.

From Hurrican Katrina, to The Jena 6, to "Jeremiah Wright-gate" to the Sean Bell Verdict to most recently the remarks by DNC Chariman Howard Dean that "One of the presidential candidates should drop out of the presidential race by June for the sake of the party.", blacks have repeatedly been ignored and had our rights stolen and our voice muted.

I wonder which candidate Howard Dean had in mind? It's hard for me to believe that if Barack Obama were the candidate trailing by an insurmountable number of votes and delegates that Dean (and others) would not be calling Obama out by name to drop out of the race. In my eyes, this is shaping up to become the biggest crime against democracy in the history of the US (yes, even bigger than the 2000 election).

So what can WE do about it? Well of course we can scream from the mountain tops and stage protests, rallies and boycotts, but we can also do more. WE can get involved and become the change we want to see! Let's face it, most of us are between 28-45 and we are still riding on the coat tails of the generations of 65-80 year olds who fought before us, FOR us.

I know it sounds cliche' but the torch has been passed but WE have not taken it and ran with it. It's OUR time to be the voice of change! It's OUR time to fight for what's right! It's OUR time to sacrifice today for our future generations! It's OUR time to run for office, lead organizations, take back our communities and set OUR course instead of just trying to fit into someone else's course!

I challenge you this week to determine a way that you can get involved politically and socially in order to make difference year round and not just on election day. Wearing an Obama T-shirt (or whomever you support) is not enough, WE must go from "t-shirt wearer" to "torch bearer" (hey, i like that. lol)

Be Blessed,
Ryan
www.ryancgreene.com

Monday Motivational Minute: "Can You Hear Me Now?"

It's Monday again and you now what that means. Time for this week's Motivational Minute. I want to welcome all my new friends whom I've found since last Monday and I wish you all the best for another blessed and prosperous week.

"Can You Hear Me Now"
Has anyone ever told you "I can't hear what you're saying because your actions are speaking too loud"? Do you know someone who always knows the right things to say but when it's time for action they fall short?

This week I want you to focus on the words you use and the promises you make to others. I want to chalenge you to DO what you say you are going to do. If you tell someone you'll call them back in 20 minutes, then call them back in 20 minutes. If you promised someone you would help them move, clean or watch their kids then DO it. If you said you were going to start losing weight this week, then DO it.

You never know how much your words and promises may mean to those whom you make them. Choose your words wisely and only say it if you really mean it and plan to DO it. The old saying goes "Actions speak louder than words" so if your actions don't back up your words, eventually people will stop listening.

Monday Motivational Minute: "Are You A Legend?"

Due to the overwhelming positive responses from last Monday's message, I've decided to make the "Monday Motivational Minute" an ongoing thing. Hopefully this little "pick-me-up" will help you start your week on a positive and purposeful note.

"Are You A Legend?"
Throughout the week I have had many laughs at the conversations in the "HU Legends" group on Roundup (Thanks Rassi ;-). Some true legends have joined the group and some not so legendary people have also snuck in. LOL. This got me to thinking about my own LEGACY. Not just at Hampton but in all aspects of my life.

I define legacy as the impact, imprint and impression one leaves on history and the generations that follows him/her. What will people say about you and your work long after you are gone? How many legendary people will you help to create? What will people 50 years from now be thanking you for doing today?

As Hamptonians we are part of a rich legacy that has been passed down through generations. From the Emancipation Oak to Ogden Circle to the Memorial Chapel to Booker T Washington, we understand how important those who came before us were to our success.

My challenge to you for this week is to understand how important YOU are to the success of others around you. Understand that if you quit on yourself or give up on your dreams then you are quitting on your legacy and those who stand to be impacted by your legend. Legends don't live their lives trying to become legends. They live their lives trying to help as many people as possible become legends. Don't strive to be the Legend, strive to be the Legend Maker!

How will you build your legacy this week?

Be Blessed,
Ryan

Check out my recent interview on 92Q's "Big Phat Morning Show"

Intoducing the "Monday Motivational Minute"

I began this motivational email with a group of alumni from Hampton University and the response was so great that I decided to post it to my public blog as well. It's called the Motivational Minute because it is short and to the point and should only take you a minute to read it. What better way to fuel your mind for a tough week ahead of you? So beginning next Monday, I will post the "Monday Motivational Minute" right here on my blog every week. If you like what you read then take a minute to respond and leave a comment. Here is last week's message:

"Do You"
I want to challenge you this week to take that
dream you tucked away in the back of your mind and
pull it out to the forefront of your thoughts.
Dust it off, shake away the excuses you used to
convince yourself that now is not the time to
pursue your passion, and take ONE action this week
toward YOUR DREAM!

Write one page for your best selling book, apply
to that post graduate school, record one song for
your platinum cd, file the paperwork to start your
new business, call that special someone whom you
can't get off your mind! Whatever it is for you,
>DO IT this week! Success does not happen in a day,
t happens daily! Start moving toward your dreams
one day at a time.