Challenges & Lessons

“Everyone has challenges and lessons to learn – we wouldn’t be who we are without them.”

~ Sean Combs,
Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Record Executive, Actor, Entrepreneur,
Grammy Awards (3X), MTV Video Music Awards (2X), Philanthropist,
Founder – Sean John, Founder – Daddy’s House Social Programs,
Council of Fashion Designers of America Award (2004) & NAACP Image Awards (2009),

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This is When You Lose

“Really, you don’t lose until you stop trying.”

~ Laurence ‘Mr. T’ Tureaud,
Actor, Bodyguard, Television Personality & Retired Professional Wrestler

Crises: Motivation for Innovation

“Crises provides the motivation for innovation. It is a call to change the way you do life.
The most important challenge will be to change yourself as well as to reinvent yourself in the process!
Go ahead! Make the change! Your future self will thank you!”

~ Juanita Bynum,
Singer, Author & Pastor

Standing Adversity

“Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man;
but for one man who can stand prosperity,
there are a hundred that will stand adversity.”

~ Elvis Aaron Presley,
Musician, Singer & Actor

Life is a Gift

“To me, life is a gift, and it’s a blessing to just be alive.
And each person should learn what a gift it is to be alive no matter how tough things get.”

~ Tony Bennett
a.k.a Anthony Dominick Benedetto,
Singer, Artist/Painter &
Founder, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts

A Sense of Humor Can Save You

“It’s good to be able to laugh at yourself
and the problems you face in life. Sense of humor can save you.”

~ Margaret Cho,
Stand-Up Comedian, Actress, Fashion Designer, Author & Singer-Songwriter.

People Who Say It

“People who say it cannot be done
should not interrupt those who are doing it.”

~ Author Unknown,

~ Image via NAME HERE

Crying is Feeling

“I suppose I’ve always done my share of crying, especially when there’s no other way to contain my feelings.
I know that men ain’t supposed to cry, but I think that’s wrong.
Crying has always been a way for me to get things out which are buried deep, deep down.
When I sing, I often cry. Crying is feeling, and feeling is being human. Oh yes, I cry.”

~ Ray Charles,
Singer-Songwriter, Musician & Composer

Concentrate on the Solutions

“I think, at some level, if we concentrate on problems
as opposed to solutions, then you just create more problems.”

~ Suzanne de Passe,
Emmy Awards (2x), NAACP Image Awards, Golden Globe Award, Peabody Award, Syracuse University George Arents Award (2010),
Essence’s Hollywood Women of Power Visionary Award (2008), Savannah Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award (2008),
Black Enterprise Top 50 Hollywood Power Brokers (2007),
Center for The Advancement of Women Changing the Landscape for Women Honoree (2007), Jackie Robinson Foundation Trailblazer Award (2006),
Ebony Magazine Madame C. J. Walker Award (2004), Los Angeles Urban League Whitney M. Young Award (2003),
American Women in Radio and Television Silver Satellite Award (1999),
Revlon Business Woman of the Year Award (1994), Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (1990), Essence Award (1989),
Women in Film Crystal Award (1988), Candace Award, National Coalition of 100 Black Women (1983, 1989)

How You Wait

“Patience is not just about waiting for something…
it’s about how you wait, or your attitude while waiting.”

~ Joyce Meyer,
Author, Speaker & Philanthropist

Sneaky Sin

“Sin is SNEAKY, because sin promises to please and to satisfy,
but it only serves to enslave and to dominate.
It’s sort of like the Pandora’s Box: just get a sample and you’re hooked!”

~ Dale C. Bronner,
Founder & Pastor – Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral
Author, Co-Author, Writer, Co-Owner – Bronner Brothers Manufacturing Company
Conference Speaker & Leadership Trainer

Sometimes Life Hits You

“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick.
Don’t lose faith.”

~ Steve Jobs,
Entrepreneur, Marketer, Inventor, &
Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of Apple, Inc.
Founder & CEO of  NeXT, Disney Legend (2013, posthumously)
Grammy Trustees Award (2012), California Hall of Fame (2007)

A Battle with Our Name On It

“We all have a battle with our name on it, and until
we embrace the reality of the battle, we will miss the beauty of the victory.”

~ John Gray,
Comedian, Author, Speaker, Actor, Singer,
Associate Pastor – Lakewood Church, Playwright &
Senior Pastor – Redemption Church

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To Make it Through Challenges

“In life we face challenges and
oftentimes we need one another to make it through.”

~ Priscilla Marie ‘Cece’ Winans Love,
Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Talk Show Host, Speaker,
Author, Dove Awards (23X) Stellar Awards (15X) & Grammy Awards (12X)

Life: A Lot of Colors & Situations

” Life is an awful lot of colors and situations to be handled.”

~ Diahann Carroll,
Actor, Advocate, Dancer, Model, Singer, Author, Philanthropist,
Tony Award (1962), Golden Globe Award (1969) & Television Academy Hall of Fame (2011)

A Beautiful Challenge

“Life is a beautiful struggle, but life is worth living.”

~ Jaeson Ma,
Entrepreneur, Producer, Writer, Musician, Missionary,
Media Executive, Music Artist, Inspirational Speaker & Author.

A Crisis, A Miracle

“Your crisis is God’s opportunity for a miracle.”

~ Marilyn Hickey,
Founder – Marilyn Hickey Ministries International
& Today with Marilyn & Sarah

Something Beyond What You’ve Mastered

“Unless you try to do something beyond what
you have already mastered, you will never grow.”

~ Author Unknown,

Knowing You Are Loved

“If you enter this world knowing you are loved
and you leave this world knowing the same,
then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.”

~ Michael Jackson,
Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Dancer & Actor.

You Can Still Have Victory in Your Life

“You can go through turbulent times and still have victory in your life.”

~ Natalie Cole,
Singer, Songwriter & Actress

An Appreciation for the Downs & the Ups

“I’ve had 60 years of ups and downs, and all of the downs that I’ve had, I’m happy that I’ve had them because it’s taught me to appreciate all the ups.”

~ Patti LaBelle,
Singer, Songwriter, & Actress

~ Image via NAME HERE

You Don’t Have to Settle for It

“… if you don’t like the situation you’re in,
you don’t have to settle for it.”

~ Macy Gray,
Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Record Producer, Actress, Black Reel Award (2011),
Brit Award (2x), Grammy Award (2001), MTV Video Music Award (2x)
& Pollstar Concert Industry Award (2001)

Thriving in the Middle of the Pain

“It was such a blessing to find myself thriving
in the middle of the pain. Unless you find a way to do that,
there’s always going to be this fake illusion that once you get there–
wherever “there” is for you–you’ll be happy.
But that’s just not life. If you can’t find happiness in the ugliness,
you’re not going to find it in beauty, either.”

~ Joanna Gaines,
Co-Owner, Co-Founder & Lead Designer – Magnolia Homes,
& Co-Star – Fixer Upper

Thinkers Reap the Greatest Rewards

“The people who think — the people who solve problems
or entertain or inform — in a creative fashion
are the ones who reap the greatest rewards.”

~ Anthony R. Michalski,
Publisher & Curator

If We Would Just Hang on Long Enough

” God has promised to every single one of us that
even in our hardest times,
if we would just hang on long enough,
the blessing will come.”

~ Beth Moore,
Evangelist, Author, Bible Teacher
& Founder – Living Proof Ministries