In the future, February 2012, should be noted as the time there was a definite shift in the momentum in my generation and my life...
Whitney Houston has passed away, the days of obtaining a "good" job and retiring with "the girl, the gold watch, and everything" is a distant memory, unmasked racism seems to be rampant DUE to the FACT that we have a Black President of the United States, and I have seriously decided to switch gears when it comes to moving forward. How so? Well, the first thing I am doing is becoming less inflammatory and more inclusionary; and when I say that, it just means that I am going back to the old way of doing things. A good example of this is THE MARCH AGAINST VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS / A STAND AGAINST POVERTY ( www.5minutes2shine.blogspot.com ); it's a project that a couple of colleagues and myself are orchestrating and to the "naked eye" seems to be a positive community event that would bring awareness to two of the top ailments of the city that I inhabit. Unfortunately, many, also, feel this is a liberal and divisive action that brings negativity to the area and is just a waste of time. In fact, actual persons blogged the following: "Alfonso Todd is a waste.... he against anything that the populous supports. Hence the "activist" title. He hates rich white people as he declares himself as "a black man that is against the white power". This man is the definition of reverse racism.." and "Yet another foolish bleeding heart liberal demonstration. If it wasn't so sad it would be a great joke. Victims are only victims because they choose to be."
Well, these comments illustrate that I am guilty of doing two things: apparently, I have given the impression that I am against white people and I have, somehow, excluded many people (at least these two bloggers) from my ideas, thought processes, and events. I really have to stop doing this! Seriously.
In the larger scope of things, it's really good to see the critics are alive and well. I mean we can agree to disagree, and I LOVE that I can still get responses regarding the events I create, but I guess I am at a point in life where I could care less about being argumentative and am more about "making things happen" for the GOOD of EVERYONE in our community and beyond.
Secondly, I am breaking away from the norm completely this year! I have ALWAYS gone "against the groove", but lately (for the last 3 years), I have quietly grown my business, experienced successes and failures, and am now moving onward into something that I feel will take me to the NEXT level. (if there is such a thing).
I have to move fast, though, because according to my calculations I only have twenty good years left to DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE and then after that, well, it just gets HARDER and MORE DIFFICULT. So, the clock is ticking and FAILURE is not an option; the question is what can I do ? In reality, the only thing I can do is what MANY should do: "Keep it moving forward, network like crazy, be selective about the projects you choose to place your time/effort into, and stay true to others but most importantly, yourself..."
BE WELL and Remember, Business IS Business, so treat it as such,
- Alfonso
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
WHAT HAPPENED TO ALFONSO TODD ???
It's 6:00am in the morning and as I sit here pondering and writing this new blog (it has been a while) I am contemplating my future movements / plans in 2012. A lot of milestones have occurred since the last time I wrote: the birth of my beautiful daughter, Tallis; the growth of my company ALFONSO TODD AND ASSOCIATES / PROLIFICK MEDIA; and the influx of credibility / clientele for my internet radio station PROLIFICK / www.prolifick.com .
I have worked hard to obtain a reputation of being a professional and credible business man. It took years for me to create "something out of nothing" and to make that "nothing" valuable to the public. It often, seems surreal that my life has taken "the turn" that it has, yet, I can appreciate all that is now available to me even though, at times, I feel I am unworthy.
Unfortunately, I, also, feel like I have slacked off a bit in 2011. Yes, I have a daughter and I enjoy her moments of happiness, sadness, discovery, and growth; in fact, it is because of her, I now KNOW what I must do in the near future in order to continue on this journey we call Life.
It's hard to describe my emotional, physical, and spiritual state at the moment. I am unsure if it is because I have a birthday coming up in 2 days, the growth of my company/clientele is occurring faster than I expected, or maybe it's just me second guessing my thoughts, either way, I find myself looking in the mirror and asking, "What happened to Alfonso Todd?" Now, I am not saying this to be funny or quirky, but I am, definitely, going through some changes that I like and don't like when it comes to me, myself, and I. Let me see if I can explain:
FIRST: My "fire" seems to be waning. Years ago, when I moved to the Lehigh Valley from Miami, FL, I was a "hustler" and a "new jack" that blogged and stood up for those who were in need no matter what! I, was actually, called an "activist" and "innovator". Today, I, quietly, do my business, create projects, write CD reviews, and have meetings in the comfort of my office. (Say it ain't so, Joe!) I am unsure if I am just older or what, but this definitely has to stop! It has taken me a year to get my "bearings" back together, but this morning is proof that these "older" bones can still rise in the early morning and enjoy the peace/tranquility of silence.
SECOND: My "get up and go has got up and went". Physically, I feel okay but I have noticed certain aches and pains whenever I walk down or up stairs. (These are the old "war wounds" from a life of dance and constant walking.) Believe it or not, these ailments don't bother me, though. I am more nervous about the mindset which has me reasoning about physically moving less and less. I used to go out almost every night in Miami and dance until 5:00 am, now I am regulated to one night a week and even then, sometimes I don't "feel" like it. (Yeah, I see those FACEBOOK posts talking about clubs and maturity and family, and I, ALSO, see those FACEBOOK men and women who are but shadows of their former selves.) Weight gain, apathetic attitudes, reminiscing about the "good old days", and saying their families are why they changed; (They don't look or sound too happy to me.) I am a believer that family should enhance your life, not be the reason you stop living it. You are now a mother/father, NOT dead. If you don't take time for self (ME time), then it's your fault for looking and feeling the way you do. I am, currently, "making moves" to truly start my 5:00 am exercise regime, in addition,to my weekly club night so that I can lose this 10 or 20 pounds that has snuck up on me. I, not only, need to take this time for myself to create a better/healthier lifestyle, but, also, for my daughter. I want to be a part of her future: kindergarten - high school - college graduation, wedding, grandchildren, etc; and I can't do that if I am six feet under due to high blood pressure and hyper tension.
THIRD: My "WORK FLOW has gone to SLO MO". I have to admit that when you reach a certain amount of success, you tend to want to sit back and just look over the horizon at all that you have accomplished, but in reality, I haven't accomplished a damn thing. Yes, I have a better caliber of paying clients but, clientele comes and goes; there are no guarantees. Unfortunately, I have started keeping "bankers hours" and I can tell because my goals/projects have been a "little light". Yes, I KNOW I have a daughter now and she needs my time and she will STILL get it. I will have to just organize my work/life schedule more; because in reality, if I want to leave her with the legacy she deserves I should actually be working harder AND smarter. I am now starting to branch / reach out more, because I know I can't do it all by myself. I have still am, somewhat, hesitant about accepting assistance, but I am getting better. The reality is if I want continued growth and PROFITS, I will need to let go of some of the reins and learn to trust others.
So, I guess ALFONSO TODD is still in there somewhere, along with J. BLACK, (my alter ego, but THAT'S another story) and all he wants to do is get back to where he used to be, mentally, physically and spiritually. He is not as carefree as he once was, but maybe that's a good thing. I am unsure what the future may bring, but I know LIFE is STILL an adventure and I plan to continue exploring the possibilities....
CARPE DIEM
I have worked hard to obtain a reputation of being a professional and credible business man. It took years for me to create "something out of nothing" and to make that "nothing" valuable to the public. It often, seems surreal that my life has taken "the turn" that it has, yet, I can appreciate all that is now available to me even though, at times, I feel I am unworthy.
Unfortunately, I, also, feel like I have slacked off a bit in 2011. Yes, I have a daughter and I enjoy her moments of happiness, sadness, discovery, and growth; in fact, it is because of her, I now KNOW what I must do in the near future in order to continue on this journey we call Life.
It's hard to describe my emotional, physical, and spiritual state at the moment. I am unsure if it is because I have a birthday coming up in 2 days, the growth of my company/clientele is occurring faster than I expected, or maybe it's just me second guessing my thoughts, either way, I find myself looking in the mirror and asking, "What happened to Alfonso Todd?" Now, I am not saying this to be funny or quirky, but I am, definitely, going through some changes that I like and don't like when it comes to me, myself, and I. Let me see if I can explain:
FIRST: My "fire" seems to be waning. Years ago, when I moved to the Lehigh Valley from Miami, FL, I was a "hustler" and a "new jack" that blogged and stood up for those who were in need no matter what! I, was actually, called an "activist" and "innovator". Today, I, quietly, do my business, create projects, write CD reviews, and have meetings in the comfort of my office. (Say it ain't so, Joe!) I am unsure if I am just older or what, but this definitely has to stop! It has taken me a year to get my "bearings" back together, but this morning is proof that these "older" bones can still rise in the early morning and enjoy the peace/tranquility of silence.
SECOND: My "get up and go has got up and went". Physically, I feel okay but I have noticed certain aches and pains whenever I walk down or up stairs. (These are the old "war wounds" from a life of dance and constant walking.) Believe it or not, these ailments don't bother me, though. I am more nervous about the mindset which has me reasoning about physically moving less and less. I used to go out almost every night in Miami and dance until 5:00 am, now I am regulated to one night a week and even then, sometimes I don't "feel" like it. (Yeah, I see those FACEBOOK posts talking about clubs and maturity and family, and I, ALSO, see those FACEBOOK men and women who are but shadows of their former selves.) Weight gain, apathetic attitudes, reminiscing about the "good old days", and saying their families are why they changed; (They don't look or sound too happy to me.) I am a believer that family should enhance your life, not be the reason you stop living it. You are now a mother/father, NOT dead. If you don't take time for self (ME time), then it's your fault for looking and feeling the way you do. I am, currently, "making moves" to truly start my 5:00 am exercise regime, in addition,to my weekly club night so that I can lose this 10 or 20 pounds that has snuck up on me. I, not only, need to take this time for myself to create a better/healthier lifestyle, but, also, for my daughter. I want to be a part of her future: kindergarten - high school - college graduation, wedding, grandchildren, etc; and I can't do that if I am six feet under due to high blood pressure and hyper tension.
THIRD: My "WORK FLOW has gone to SLO MO". I have to admit that when you reach a certain amount of success, you tend to want to sit back and just look over the horizon at all that you have accomplished, but in reality, I haven't accomplished a damn thing. Yes, I have a better caliber of paying clients but, clientele comes and goes; there are no guarantees. Unfortunately, I have started keeping "bankers hours" and I can tell because my goals/projects have been a "little light". Yes, I KNOW I have a daughter now and she needs my time and she will STILL get it. I will have to just organize my work/life schedule more; because in reality, if I want to leave her with the legacy she deserves I should actually be working harder AND smarter. I am now starting to branch / reach out more, because I know I can't do it all by myself. I have still am, somewhat, hesitant about accepting assistance, but I am getting better. The reality is if I want continued growth and PROFITS, I will need to let go of some of the reins and learn to trust others.
So, I guess ALFONSO TODD is still in there somewhere, along with J. BLACK, (my alter ego, but THAT'S another story) and all he wants to do is get back to where he used to be, mentally, physically and spiritually. He is not as carefree as he once was, but maybe that's a good thing. I am unsure what the future may bring, but I know LIFE is STILL an adventure and I plan to continue exploring the possibilities....
CARPE DIEM
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