Oana

Everything started with that sexy dress I saw on display one lazy afternoon while I was window shopping downtown. I wanted that dress, but she did not want me. She stretched desperately on my body, but love was not there and we could not become one. I have to give up, and put her back on the size -2 mannequin. As soon as I get home I call the local gym. Can they help? They sure can. I pay the gym fees over the phone, with my mouth full of chocolate donuts. They will give me a tour of their facility tomorrow afternoon. The trainer greets me with a smile. He tells me that workout has to be a pleasure not a torture. Pleasure? Did he just say pleasure? This might work for me, especially with the fitness rooms reminding me of the medieval museum of tortures I had visited years ago in Europe. And how am I going to attain the state of pleasure while slimming down to negative sizes and fitting into that sexy dress? He explains politely that their friendly and skinny staff is here with support and advice. They also have nice music -- carefully selected tunes that will motivate me to work even harder. This is what they say. I am thinking they use loud music so the screams of their tortured members do not carry outside the building. I see. I explain the way Oana’s system works to the trainer. Nice words of encouragement...

Interview with Dr. Will Moreland America’s #1 Leadership Life Trainer There are so many African American males who served or currently serve in the military and risk their lives for us every day, yet no one seems to acknowledge their existence. They do exist and their presence should be honored. Dr. Will Moreland is one of these men. He is a military veteran, a businessman and an inspirational model for young males. I had the honor to meet Dr. Will Moreland at the launching of my dear friend Evelyn Holden’s youth organization Extreme Change. He was there to teach the young how to stay in school and become a pride in their community.   Dr. Will's passion is to help individuals, organizations and companies develop into world class leaders. That is why he writes books, speaks to countless audiences each year and why he founded Will Moreland International. A company that is dedicated to developing world class leaders in life and business. Dr. Will authored the critically acclaimed book Genius Potential. He is also author of 13 other books that range from finances to relationships. Known as America’s #1 Leadership Life Trainer. Thousands follow Dr. Will's wisdom from around the world, following him on Facebook, Twitter and attending his live events. Dr. Will helps individuals navigate a better life, allowing them to grow their personal leadership and Live In Victory Everyday.    Dr. Will you are so young yet you have accomplished so much, and there is so much still ahead for you. What is behind your success?  The is a loaded question, I always tell people I am...

   The Black Man as a Protector                                                                                    Pretend you are walking towards home or towards a store entrance and you walk past an African American male. How many of you assume that he must be a bad man seeking to harm you rather than someone who could save your life? Sadly, most people (especially women) would think that a black male’s presence means danger never protection. Why? Because as we all know, we are biased, we are shown images that depict the African American male as a thug and potential rapist. This mentality has to go. There are so many African American males who serve in the military and risk their lives for us every day, yet no one seems to acknowledge their presence. They do exist and their presence should be honored. Dr. Vernet A. Joseph is one of these men. I had the honor to meet Dr.Vernet at the launching of my dear friend Evelyn Holden’s youth organization Extreme Change. He was there to teach the young how to stay in school and become a pride of their community.      Dr. Vernet A. Joseph Jr. is a mentor, speaker, potential, passion & productivity expert, serial entrepreneur, consultant, trainer and a military officer. Having received his tireless work ethic...

There is an old Romanian saying similar to, “It is only the dead who do not return.”  Indeed, in the aftermath of tragedy and life loss there is nothing we can do for the person who is no longer with us. However, there are many things we, both as a society or individuals, could do so Trayvon Martin’s death does not become yet another American racial crime. I have struggled with the idea of writing on racism in this country. For the past ten years I have been watching in silence, and have tried to listen to those who – in their best intentions – advised me to stay away from this particular topic. “Better stay out of it,” and I also heard, “Why would you care? It is not your problem.” There were other bitter personal experiences and labels that were attached to my person as well, just because I was hanging out with people outside my race. I had tried to move on and just leave them in the past, where I thought they belonged. Yet they did not belong in the past. To me ignoring any form of injustice is more than cowardice or selfishness. I grew up watching the effects of indifference. How can I look the other way when I come from a place of censorship, terror, surveillance and greater social injustice? Maybe some of the people who witness injustice can claim they don’t know what they’re looking at, and if they really don’t that...

In this short informal series I will analyze the so-called “nuggets of wisdom,” or old sayings that are passed on to us from one generation to another. We, the passive recipients, rarely question these words, if at all. We rush to share them on Facebook and elsewhere but… have we ever stopped and analyzed the words and the possible unwanted meanings/interpretations? Is wisdom a set-in-stone type of deal? Who invented those “wisdoms”? We have the right to suspect that in most cases the quotes about hard work and how to succeed in life were created by fat scholars who sat on their asses, never worked and just popped out smart words for you and me to follow. That is why we should scrutinize them carefully and see if they really work in any situation. Not having a steady portable “wisdom” that applies successfully to any environment is like having to make a new umbrella for every rainfall. Let us start with the popular proverb, “Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it.” How touchy. But how real? While it is true that we all make mistakes in our lives, and love can help someone changing their evil ways, I am not sure we should share this so passionately. Let us stop and think. There is a difference between someone who is battling addiction and needs your support and someone who is a serial killer or rapist and shows no remorse. Would you love a killer...