On 26 October 2008, I will begin my 46th Yr. of existence on the planet earth. And as I enter another age, I reflect on “what have I done?” And then, I contemplate “what more can I do to better ‘myself’ and the world around me?”
Last year, 26 October 2007, I chose to better myself by challenging my “fear of heights.” So, I went rock climbing at Mission Cliffs. And although, ascending the rock was easy – descending from the top of the rock was painful, scary, and caused me to experience a loss of breath. I found myself frozen like a deer staring into headlights. Five minutes later, somehow, my friend convinced me to release my grasp on the rope & trust him to guide me down the rock. As my feet touched the earth, I began to laugh …. .. . .
Since then, I have become more “in tune” with my “fears of heights”. So this year, I’m going to challenge “the fear of success.” I’m going to celebrate my birthday by committing myself to engaging in social causes which I believe in ……..
How do you know if you’re afraid of success?
1. “Partying” the night before the big presentation. This can be literal partying (drinking too much, experimenting with drugs, staying out until the wee hours) or metaphorical partying (cleaning your house until 3 a.m., drinking too much coffee or soda pop so you can’t sleep). You may be flirting with self-sabotage if you somehow always ruin a good night’s rest before a big presentation, exam, or job interview.
2. Procrastination. Putting projects, assignments, or duties off while you take care of non-essential fluff or “make-work” chores can be a sign of fear of success. If you putter around instead of taking care of business, you may be subconsciously sabotaging yourself.
3. All talk, no action. Sometimes certain behaviors look like laziness, but they reveal a fear of success. For instance, you may talk about your life dreams and goals all the time, but you watch TV every night and surf the Internet for hours every day. You never actually take practical steps or exert self-discipline to move in the direction of your goals.
4. Negative, pessimistic thoughts and behaviors. Fear of success can involve an extremely negative perspective of life. “What’s the point of dressing up for the job interview? I probably won’t get it anyway.” Not trying – and focusing on all the things that can go wrong – is self-sabotaging behavior.
What’s the benefit of these self-sabotaging behaviors? They provide an escape hatch. That is, if you party the night before or put your project off to the last minute, you can then shrug off your performance. You have an excuse for not doing well. Instead of facing the fear that you’re not good or smart enough, you chalk it up to too many beers.” – Suite101.com
Barrack Obama
Sometimes, we wonder – “What if?” And then, we say “nah, that would never happen . . ” And we continue our daily existence by accepting what is offered rather than taking responsibility and going after what we desire . . . . We take the route that requires the best combination of minimal intellect & minimal effort . . . We desire to whip up a Bella Lux style meal. Yet, when it’s all “said & done,” we settle for eating a frozen pizza.
I’m not eating any more frozen pizza. I support Barack Obama in his endeavors to become the next President of the United States.
Suzanne Africa Engo
In one’s life, there are moments which touch the heart. There are moments which inspire us to continue with our paths, dreams, goals, and intentions. And there are moments which confirm our “humane actions.” And these moments are seldom acted upon – but instead, they are put in “the archives of the seldom remembered.”
Beginning September 15th, online media personality and AIDS Activist Suzanne Africa Engo, joined by trainers, celebrity friends and community leaders launched the Africa 101 project run – 858 miles beginning at the United Nations in New York to HARPO Studios in Chicago, Illinois.
“Every morning I wake up at 5:30 am and say I’ll do one thing to contribute to the fight against AIDS and then I’ll go back to bed. I haven’t gone back to bed in 17 years” –Engo
Today, Mayor Richard Hickman of Angola, Indiana proclaimed today, October 24th, 2008, Suzanne Africa Engo Day for the city of Angola, Indiana. And, “Mayor Hickman urges all citizens to recognize & appreciate the important contributions that have been made by this outstanding activist to the region, the nation, and the world.”
From my involvement with the AIDSLifecycle Events, I remembered: the sense of completion; the feeling of exhaustion; the questions of “where do I go from here;” and the thoughts of “how to explain what one has experienced physically, and emotionally?” . . . And most importantly, I remembered the importance of letting participants of charity events know that:
- You understand and support what they are doing.
- They are not alone.
Sending Suzanne Africa a pair of Asics shoes was not enough (that was a deluxe frozen pizza)” So as part of my birthday celebration, on 17 November 2008, I plan to be sitting at Harpo Productions. Why? Well – “ynot?”
IF – Suzanne Africa Engo can give up her flat & selflessly run marathon after marathon; live 2 months in an traveling Rv, practice yoga daily; and walk with good intentions . … . ..
THEN – I can grab my cowbell and join the hundreds of supporters cheering on Suzanne Africa Engo as she completes her 848 mile run from New York to Harpo Studios. You wanna come /or/ do you want to have the frozen pizza?
Product Red
With the end of the year creeping upon us, mankind begins to by gifts for all the individuals within an arm’s reach . .. . in the 80″ it was the “Walk Man,” in the 90’s it was “beenie babies,” in the 2000’s it’s all about “Jordan’s,” “Iphones,” and “GREEN.”
Each year, millions of Americans make a shopping list and run out to various boutiques & department stores buying gifts for various holidays. So why not shop ““RED?”
“Product Red, styled as (PRODUCT)RED, is a brand licensed to partner companies such as American Express, Apple Inc., Converse, Motorola, Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark, Microsoft, and Dell. It is an initiative begun by U2‘s frontman, Bono, and Bobby Shriver of DATA to raise money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Bobby Shriver has been announced as the CEO of Product Red, whilst Bono is currently an active public spokesperson for the brand.
Each partner company creates a product with the Product Red logo. In return for the opportunity to increase their own revenue through the Product Red products they sell, a percentage of the profit is given to the Global Fund.“
Related Links:
- Suzanne Africa Engo – Part 4
- Oprah & Suzanne – Part 3
- Oprah Winfrey & Suzanne Africa Engo – Part I
- Oprah Winfrey & Suzanne Africa Engo – Part 2
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SUZANNE AFRICA ENGO ON NBC
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SUZANNE AFRICA SHORT FILM
- The Goree Challenge
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- San Francisco speaks to Oprah Winfrey
- An Invitation to Oprah Winfrey
