7:07pm Self Motivation Freestyle...

To be honest, I feel like http://www.stopsellingdreams.com/ not only speaks for Ivan S. Harris the photographer, but every artist going through the trials and tribulations searching for success from that goal or dream they seek to reach.

Every once in a while, the speed bumps of life will slow you down. When that happens, its human nature for you to start second-guessing yourself.

The difference between truly successful people and those that never find the pot of gold is successful people take risks, fail, and get back up to dust themselves off and try again.

Success is a subjective state of mind because it is based off the individuals conceptual abyss of what it means to be successful.

The sad part is most people have a materialistic, media based, warped view of success including me. The truth is you shouldn't base the idea of success solely from a monetary value because there are people making millions doing something they absolutely hate doing.

Success is a state of true happiness. If you can make a penny from doing something you love and continue striving for greatness without giving up, that is the only key to open the door to the path of success.

Personally, I feel like to be happy, you have to do something that touches others while making you feel good inside as well.

You also have to think if someone wants to pay you, that means that client respects your art enough to say its valuable to them. Take that as a compliment.

Truthfully, doing something you love and getting paid anything for it is a blessing because some people have dreams that either never get started or give up on before the miracle happens.

The reason I am even writing this is because deep inside yourself (myself) you may feel you are not successful but from the outside looking in you could be viewed as great.

I had a long conversation with my cousin and we both went to college together talking about our dreams. He made me realize I am doing what I said I wanted to do and to not stop at all no matter what.

It's important to remember not to compare yourself to anyone elses progress. You don't know what they have been through to get where they are and the grass could truly be greener on the other side.

As long as you continue to strive for greatness and don't let anyone hinder you from your goals at hand, you will get to where you are going. I believe that wholeheartedly.

I haven't written a piece in a long time and I was inspired by a new freestyle from Drake... I know you're probably saying, "Oh no, not this guy Drake again." As I said before, I relate to Drake's music.

This piece is as Jay-Z would say, just my thoughts man, right or wrong, just what I was feeling at the time." And in my heart, I have a voice that must be heard and a talent that must be exposed.

Drake - 9am Freestyle in Dallas

Anyway,

7:07 Pm Self Motivation...

Set a goal for yourself, don't let anyone tell you different. Make sure you keep it moving when the haters try to tip it.

The bandwagon that is, charge more now you're significant. When your stock rises everyone will try to jump ship.

No one at the bottom now they want to ride for free but didn't help you build the arc so now they pay a fee. Where were they at before?

Remember they thought you were small timin', so for now keep grinding until you're dying. There's always better so you might as well keep trying.

Hold on for dear life, just know your soul's limit. It's only smart to continue if your heart stays in it.

Don't look back just keep pushing, move it forward, positive is your only gimmick. Stand true to your morals never get stuck in the dark. This art vs commerce is a battle very strong.

Remember the people that inspired you keep that in mind it won't take you long. Success will find you, so be prepared to coast, its not work if you do what you absolutely love the most.

Take a look back at your timeline and tell me you want to quit? That would be dumb, your resume is already way too thick.

It's too late to turn back now, so what are you going to do?

Pack up your bags and go back to being regular? That job as a teller doesn't sound to stellar. So get back on your horse and ride it till the end. You were meant to be here, now show the world no fear. And tell that doubting Thomas to shine your shoes and pick up those bags in the rear. -I.$.H.

Just a little self motivation for everyone. I write to inspire myself as well as other that choose to follow their dreams.

By the way, remind me to tell you the story about the picture of the Hollywood sign that I climbed the mountain to take. Hmmmm, dedication is a motha...

*Drake - 9Am freestyle in Dallas courtesy of http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/

*Thanks To Cousin Mike Knight for the talk.

*Thanks to Cheryl for taking me to see the sign.

Epidemic...

Most people that know me personally, know that I write literary pieces of work to go along with certain photos that I take. Sometimes my writing is used sort of like an emotional release valve and sometimes I write because its simply a way to clear my thoughts.

Since I am an artist, my mind becomes scattered with chaos, madness, clutter and perfection. An oxymoron? Yes, I know. And until I finish my memoirs book, which may be never, I have no outlet to expose my work.

So every once in a while I will post the work here on SSD!

I decided to post "Epidemic" because I actually love this photo and it matches the feeling that a lot of my actual women friends have been sharing with me as of late. (Why? I have no idea, but If I can help someone out then my job is done.)

The whole idea about women not settling, but accepting wine, a good book and alone time as being better than true companionship is just crazy to me.

Obviously, no one wants to deal with the hassles of relationships but at the same time, spending every Saturday night being alone becomes redundant as well. This is why I was inspired to write Epidemic. Thanks to Michael Lee of A Style Concierge for the talk. I will channel all of my artistry through SSD. So check it out...

Epidemic

Inspired and career motivated, she often spends late nights alone. No man is on the same level and it seems to be easier being alone…or so she thinks. After a long day, she sips some pinot while reading a great book, when suddenly the tingle sneaks up. Aroused, she’s ready to touch the sacred erogenous zone.

Thinking no one is around, she quickly takes a second look. That sweet spot she searches to find holds the key to the exit called ecstasy, but wait, its taboo and too private to discuss here, but just for a moment I want to.

Knowing that no one is home, all too often a woman’s desire goes unfulfilled and it’s a shame. The female body is a crown jewel that needs to be cherished. Every curve, every nerve and every inch of her body should be caressed by someone that genuinely cares. But being vulnerable, she ends up settling for something that’s usually 1 and done.

This epidemic in her life causes pandemonium and at the very first sense of triumph she pounces before she thoroughly researches her prey. Like a tigress in heat, she claws, rips and tears, lusting of the flesh. She finds herself hungry for more, unsatisfied because the emotional soul attachment wasn’t there.

I must say, a woman not finding true passion is an epidemic and the art of multiple orgasms her girlfriends have bragged about is a challenge that most men have not been able to conquer.

Even though she’d rather go backwards then to put a new notch on the belt, she still wonders, why settle? She remembers a happier time with him. But there was no inner peace while waiting patiently, wondering when he would turn up.

That last guy is why she chose to be single, at least that’s what she tells herself. “That’s what this book, my secret friend hidden in the dresser and my favorite wine is for, right?”

After all the games played in the past, she decided no mans touch was good enough…or so she believes. Most guys don’t appreciate it, but to her it’s an honor for any man to touch her. For her, it’s not about just 1 time, mind blowing excitement, and surely the headache of dealing with another too-good-gone-bad relationship is not an option either.

So a deeper thought takes her into women’s liberation. She wants to release the day’s tension. It’s dark and late, so why can’t she express her love for self?
She has a lust for life, seeking more, needing more, wanting more, but who can give it to her?

Where can she turn to fulfill her desires? This great book, her secret friend hidden in the dresser and favorite wine always appear to come in handy. Looks can be deceiving and nothing compares to that of actual great company, true intellectual stimulation and a good stiff…drink.

So how does she cure this epidemic because eventually late nights alone with the book become redundant? The answer is within soul searching after certain fulfilled self-indulged pleasure.

Settling for less is what got her here in the first place, so she spends long nights alone. After so long, the nights eventually become longer, her favorite wine finishes quicker and the book’s pleasant ending comes faster.

Although the thought of self pleasure brings out the affectionate face, the face of relief, the face of climax, the same face finally determines “I don’t want to do THIS alone anymore.”

So to deal, she stays busy, stays active and keeps a clear, focused mindset. That is until that lonely instant again when the new guy walks by giving her a second notice. Lonesome, she questions whether to strike or fall back?

Smarter from the last acquaintance, she has the will power, time, and knowledge to do the right thing by figuring out her new found options first before digressing to tigress mode.

She figures the key to solving her epidemic this time around is to not play games, be aware of her feelings and decipher whether the new guy is a reliable source of emotional stability for her.

She has to make sure this new guy has had his play time before her and is now ready to put in work with a true partner.

To be honest, the perfect cure to the epidemic is for her to take things slow with someone new, and realize her worth before she just gets it in with any ole particular guy. She finally learns that there are no substitutes and that her book is not a good look, because ultimately she is STILL settling.

- ISH

My Fix...

Okay, so I have found a song that I really like so I decided to write some spoken word style to it, not really rapping just kinda vibing with the song. I know this isn't what a typically write about on SSD, but I'd be selling dreams if I said I don't like figurative songs, writing and poetry. I actually am working on a book full of my "Perspective". But thats a never ending story. Anyway...

Lloyd has a new song called "Pusha" and I was inspired to write "My Fix". So here it goes...

I have posted the songs from youtube.com so you can go check them out!

Lloyd - Pusha ft Lil Wayne

Lloyd - Pusha ft Juelz Santana

My Fix…

Sometimes things happen beyond your point of reach, meaning you have no sense of true certainty about the future which leaves you with but only a vague perception of the predetermined destiny you originally had planned for yourself while slowly beginning to realize that your sense of judgment has been warped, shielded and misdirected by a dimension solely to be recognized as your subconscious reality.

In trying to find focus because of all the world’s many distractions, I find myself looking for that dope, the opium that controls my soul, that pure cocoa leaf that knows I like it to assertively take control… its true, I’m an addict, I can’t get on with my life, until I get a hit than everything feels alright. She understands my needs and supplies me with no restrictions; keeps me warm when I’m cold. I’m free to use her with no convictions.

She’s Outside Checking for me before I even make that call, on the corner at all times she knows exactly when I need a hit, always in the right place at the right time for me to get my fix, could it be I keep coming back for more, maybe it’s great like the first time, I remember she let me get a little bit of that taste which is comparable only to an ageless beauty processed over time, she’s fine like wine…which becomes another personality trait sort of like an addiction…

…inhaling deep breaths of her like it’s a line of the white girl, my pusher has diplomatic immunity; safe from harm along any coast in the world. It could be a tropical hurricane full of flavor or devastation, but I’ll take the risk and pay the penalty to cross the border just to get that shot I need.

As time flies and the mental state freezes in complete utopia, it’s time to go back to work early, but before I go, I take a hit of this coke bottle shape ready to be devoured, I want, or more so, yearn to savor this injection straight to the heart to last throughout the rest of the day…and if I get a second taste, I’ll be floating on cloud nine.

One minute you can be minding your business and the next thing you’re caught up in a web of harmony, or so you think, with no escape. That controlled substance can be a monster or the one thing missing to make your life complete. The Substance is my addiction; she is my pusher. Quite frankly, I’m NOT talking about a prescription or medical drugs…The substance I’m referring to is love…Love is My drug.

© - I.$.H. for www.stopsellingdreams.com