I’ve learned to invest in my own ideas, my own thoughts, my own feelings. I’ve had so many businesses…I can count way pass ten digits. NOTHING but users and abusers and naysayers around me…or people who wanted to change my ideas…or decide what their idea of support is, which was usually the opposite of what I asked, if at all. We automatically think because we have a product, that the greatest thing someone can do for us is buy the product. But then what?
If you all are not aware, on new years eve, a celeb felt of good cheer and sent out a message of monetary support to fans who shared their need of funds for various reasonings.
There was one woman who asked for “people support”. In other words, she asked to be connected to supportive people vs giving her the money. The celeb in turn asked how much money she needed, she settled on $5000, and made it known that she would preferred the people support, the tone sounded disappointed.
I thought to myself, why not just give her the “people support”, maybe she has money, “people support” would help her elevate her business. That sucks.
If you’ve been in my home, you’ve seen several paintings on my walls and have commented however you felt about them. In asking who the artist was…you eventually found out it was me. I have been offered money for them and commissioned to paint for others. I’ve refused it all.
Recently a very good friend of mine, mentioned that the paintings are just sitting there three years now, when they should be shared with the world. I never thought of that. I consider these paintings as stages in my life. He noted that they aren’t stages, they are who I am, and that other people would be able to relate when they see the paintings…and would buy prints for their living rooms and offices, and cards and other merchandise.
Then he said, “You want to sell a successful product, make it personal. Don’t sell a t-shirt if it isn’t personal. Sell hair products that you use yourself, and definitely do not sell makeup, because you don’t even wear makeup…maybe lip color. Like you sell your perfumes and body oils; if it smells like your father, you can still share that. Personality sells. Share your personality! You are a multi-millionaire and haven’t collected your check, because you’re hoarding your most profitable product. You. YOU are creative if ever I seen a woman create. If you say it smells like Heaven, share that! You’ve written in other people’s names for so long, put YOUR name on the books! Put out the products you create…even if it is just one at a time. You have a house full of products; every time I come here you’ve created something new, and you explain their existence very well from wherever you travelled in your sleep, but share them with the people. Personality sells! You don’t have to have a gimmick..be yourself. How many people have you supported and the product was no good or those people knew you until you bought their products, then they didn’t know you anymore. Those are gimmicks. Those people don’t last. Sell longevity and impact more than temporary and trendy. In the meantime, I’m going to support you by paying for three trademarks, you decide which three and let me know in 30 days.”
That was the best support I’ve had in many years. Not the buying of the trademarks…the ASSESSMENT. The DISCUSSION. And my friend and I have disagreements every so often! But the truth is the truth and he came through with prime support! People tend to void disagreements with me…directly with me anyway. I tend to speak up…as I assume friends disagree, talk about it, and then move forward. But instead of doing that, they ignore me, and tell everyone around them, ask strangers who don’t know me for the answer, they write subposts, they don’t respond to my texts or calls, or they simply stop engaging with me. And that says a lot to me. Lack of respect, or that I’m not worth their time. Which contradicts their supposedly interest in having a friendship in the first place. Friends disagree. So therefore how can I support a person that doesn’t even want to talk to me just because I may disagree with something? I’ve gotten rid of my phone number…no need for it.
Last night, I dreamed a Crone told me that my (omit) left me some money when she died, and the Crone offered to help me find the money. However the Crone lead me on a dark path that was littered with accidents, and people I thought I was cool with were walking around in the dark. The Crone hit one of them with her car(a baby blue Cadillac 1970ish) like the person was a rag doll. I thought me and that person was cordial..even shared some stories…but who knew. Envy isn’t always blunt. And there was nothing but storm after storm. I decided it wasn’t worth getting that money if I had to go through such a dark energy, and she tried to give me hell. I couldn’t tell if she was trying to help me or hurt me. So I decided to close that book and changed dreams for something more inspirational.
I’m looking at CONFLICT differently. I think people approach us with personal interests of friendship, and their own intentions of which we are not often aware; and when we don’t go along or support something, we’re a problem, and they begin to stay away or just in the edge for a while. However, in us thinking something is wrong with us, God done in the meantime blocked their access to you, but you don’t know that, because what you hear when you reach out is “I’ve been busy.” You further pull up thoughts of nobody is that busy that they can’t make time to say hi or whatever. But the truth is they ARE busy. And it’s not about you, it’s about them.
Again if you have a disagreement with someone and they choose to ignore you rather than address it, stop reaching out. No everyone can handle conflict or see their way through, some can and choose not to conflict with you, and ultimately, people have every right to consciously cut off access and engage with those who will agree with their intentions without conflict to themselves. Let’s not get back into sacrifices. Just don’t sacrifice your own well-being and fool yourself into thinking you’re being SUPPORTIVE.
I woke this morning and the last words I heard coming out of sleep this morning was, “Keep failing until you succeed.” I felt like that was a good start to the next three years. I am a multi-millionaire. I know that. I just never admitted it and committed it to myself. And it’s ok. I am supporting myself and all my dreams, intents and purposes. You know, self empowerment.