I am always interested in what makes people successful at what they do. Many of them say they experience the same thing that I experience. Lil Wayne said, “Sleep is the cousin of death”. Diddy said he might get 4 or 5 hours of sleep a day. I can go on and on with quotes from pop and business icons with the same grind. Obviously, there is a difference between us: fame, fortune, the ability to globetrot.  But, the more I observe and read about people’s journey to becoming successful, I learn we are on the same paths.

Today, I worked three of my jobs. Yes, three. I laid down for a few hours and I’m back at it again. When I think of my gifts, I think of my ability to think and perform at high levels; being innovative, compassionate, analytical, savvy, and relentless. When I think of my curses, I think of my ability to think and perform at high levels; being innovative, compassionate, analytical, savvy, and relentless. I guess we have to take the bitter with the sweet.

Light of Chance has given me unbelievable experiences. People have shown the organization and I so much love. After all these years, it still amazes me how people jump in and are down for the cause. Some people don’t know me or the organization from a can of paint but are still willing to donate their time and at times, money to support the vision.

Earlier I watched Oprah. Oprah was in Australia and took 302 of her fans along for her trip. But, that wasn’t the amazing part. I was in awe of how the Australian people received her. Here she is, a black woman from humble beginnings, on the other side of the world and the entire country is literally rolling out the red carpet for her and showing her the utmost respect and regards. Not only that, Oprah is showing them the same love. When I think of all the stories of people who met Oprah, they say she is the same way no matter where she goes. One of the parts that stuck out to me the most was when she and the rest of the 300 plus people were climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  On her way to the top, she begins to quote Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son”:

Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare. But all the time  I’se been a-climbin’ on, And reachin’ landin’s, And turnin’ corners, And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no light. So, boy, don’t you turn back. Don’t you set down on the steps. ‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard. Don’t you fall now—For I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still climbin’, And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

As I begin to listen and think about the words, I started to think of my professional journey through life and this venture I call Light of Chance. You see, it ain’t been no crystal stair but, it’s been beautiful in its own way.

During the trip, Oprah told her guest, “You are here by divine intervention. It is not [because] of me. It is because of you and something greater than all of us. That is what this trip represents. It says that great things can happen in your life. I want you to take that energy, hold it in your heart and when you return … release that into the world as it was given to you.”

Oprah’s words epitomize how I feel about Light of Chance.  It [Light of Chance] is not here by divine intervention and not because of me. It is greater than I am. It says that great things are happening in my life, I hold it in my heart; now, I am releasing it into the world as it has been given to me.

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