Thanks for Rocking with us in 2011

Thank you for hanging with us in 2011.  After a daily message challenge in 2010, we’ve taken it a bit slower on the Hip Hop Affirmation front.  Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t stop the party, we just took a break from dancing every song the DJ played.  Instead we hit the dance floor when we heard our favorite tracks.

With that being said we did have a couple of cool things take place in 2011 and we are grateful to be able to share them with you.

• We added a partner to the mix. I’m working with my home girl Tonya Rapley to bring you the freshest, dopest and most motivating lyrics and affirmations
• We Mashed it up. We introduced the Lyrical Mash-up which places a traditional motivational quote with a hip hop lyric that has the same meaning.
• We continued to speak. We hit up a couple of colleges in 2011 to spread “7 Hip Hop Affirmations to Change Your College Life” and “7 Hip Hop Affirmations to Kick-Start Your College Life.” My full speaker kit can be found at: Bruny’s Speaker Kit
• We started a Tumblr site: HipHopAffirmations.Tumblr.Com.  This is much more of an artistic look at the lyrics and affirmations you love.  Visit and leave us a comment here
• We created a limited number of “Thank you” cards (there are a few left): What a great way to say thank you to the hip hop appreciator in your life.  Anyone can grab a thank you card from the local drug store, but this is going to be a collectors item.  Let us know what you think.  Grab one here.
• We connected with some cool people: That includes Daymond John from FUBU and now Shark Tank, Russell Simmons and we had a chance to interview Wyclef Jean (see the article here: Wyclef Article)

Thanks for Allowing us to Rock with you in 2012

In 2012 you can expect to get more post focused on Albums as they drop.  We can’t promise that all of the hits will have awesome affirmations, but you know if anyone can find an affirmation in a song, it’s the hip hop affirmations crew.  There a couple of of things we would like to change in 2012.  We would like to hear more from you.  We want to know what is working for you and what isn’t.  How can we make hip hop affirmations work for you and what you are doing in your life.  Our goal is to be a source of motivation so you can do all kinds of things that you potentially didn’t think you had in ya.  We are hear to serve. With that I leave you with this last question:

What would you like to see in 2012?

We wish you and your family a Happy and Hip Hop filled Christmas.

signing off,

Your Ambassador,

Mike Bruny

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The Ultimate Lyrical Mash-up: Traditional quotes meet Hip Hop Lyrics with the same meaning

We are not victims, we are creators. ~Ralph W. Emerson

&

We are hip hop; you, me, everybody; we are hip hop. So hip hop is going wherever we going.   So the next time you ask yourself, ‘where is hip hop going?’ ask yourself, ‘where am I going?’, ‘how am I doing.’ ~Dante Terrell Smith

 

Ambassador Bruny and The Ultimate Lyrical Mash up

 

With graduation only a month away, Ambassador Bruny wanted to send a special message to the seniors getting ready to hit the real world.

How many times have you heard, “You are the future?”  It’s true, but you are not alone on the journey.  Last week I had a chance to swing by Queens College to share my latest presentation, “7 Hip Hop Affirmations to Change Your Life After College.” It was so well received I have to share some of the tips with you.  Of course you’ll have to contact me for the full presentation if you want the rest of the story.

To book a presentation before graduation send an email to info@runthepoint.com.

Here are 5 areas to focus on so you can hit the real world running.

1. Your Net-work

Affirmation: “I build powerful relationships”

Lyric: “First of All I want to thank my connect, the most important person with all due respect.” by Jay-Z (Song: Roc Boys)

Moves to Make:

1. List the places you would like to work and find a connection: Go to their website in search of some kind of connection whether it be an alma mater, a club or a hometown. It can turn a cold connection into a warm one. I have leveraged my undergrad and graduate schools to do all kinds of wacky things from getting front row seats at a Jay-Z concert to getting an ESPN clip that was no longer available on the web. men’s.
2. Know that it is never too late to reconnect. Leverage Holidays and birthdays to reconnect with people you haven’t spoken to in a long time.
3. Join and be active on networking groups like Linkedin and Brazen Careerist (one of the most unique and interactive networks I have ever been a part of).

2. Your Passion

Affirmation: “I pay attention to my instincts”
Lyric: “Umi said, shine your light on the world, shine your light for the world to see.” by Mos Def (Song: Umi Said)

Moves to Make:

1. Take formal and informal assessments to help you get in touch with what you are passionate about.
2. Pay attention to the subjects and activities that excite / excited you during your college years.
3. Increase your exposure by being involved in a diverse list of things.

3. Your Money

Affirmation: “I understand how money works”
Lyric: “Being broke is a joke, I never found it funny. That’s why I count my blessings as much as I count my money” by Fabolous (song: Change Up)

Moves to Make: (courtesy of Kennedy Financial Group Online)

1. Understand your debt.
2. Set up a budget immediately
3. Don’t wait to talk with a professional

4. Your Mentors

Affirmation: “I learn from those who have already done it”
Lyric: “I took him from coal to diamond; I molded his mind; enter the most phenomenal artist of any and all time.” ~Diddy (Song: It’s Been Said by The Notorious B.I.G)

Moves to Make:

1. List 2 people you would like to learn from and ask for assistance
2. Get a virtual mentor
3. Complete the circle by finding someone else to mentor

5. Your Support

Affirmation: “I am energized by the company I keep”
Lyric: “I want to talk to GOD but I’m afraid because we ain’t spoke in so long.” ~ Kanye West (Song: Jesus Walks)

Moves to Make:

That is a good list to get you going as your prepare for life after graduation.  Remember, no one else can make moves for you.  Now go out there and make something happen.

Mike “Ambassador” Bruny is a speaker, author and certified life coach helping his clients reach their biggest goals in life and business.  He is the author of ” Move the Crowd: 30 Days of Hip Hop Affirmations to Change Your Life.” and can be found on Twitter: @ambassadorbruny.  Order the book here

The Ultimate Lyrical Mash Up: Traditional quotes meet hip hop lyrics with the same meaning…

We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life, or you can focus on what’s right. ~Marianne Williamson

&

I’m focused man. ~Shawn Carter

The Ultimate Lyrical Mash-up: Traditional quotes meet Hip Hop lyrics with the same meaning….

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

&

If you admire someone you should go ahead and tell ‘em. People never get the flowers while they can still smell ‘em. ~Kanye West

from QuotableCards.com

While I’m Here I’d Like to Thank…

I had a crazy thought the other day; what if you started way back from the day you were born and created a list of all the people that you should say, “Thank you” to.  How long would your list be?

I’ve seen the power of “Thank you” expressed in person, electronically and in writing.  I am a personal fan of the “Thank you” in writing sense it tends to have a longer self-life and can be revisited from time to time by the recipient as needed.  Nothing feels better than walking into someones office or home and seeing a card you sent them over a year ago.

How To Create a Sincere Thank You Note

1. Grab a piece of scrap paper for brainstorming or use a program like Evernote to digitally capture your thoughts.
2. Picture the person you want to send the card to and list what you are thankful for when you think of them.
3. Get a card with a meaningful picture or quote. (I prefer Quotable Cards and buy them by the box)
4. Write your message in the card, make it personal and deliver the card.

A Real Life Example…

Dear Leo,

Thank you for the hospitality and sharing your family with me.  I enjoyed the time we got to spend together while I was in Atlanta.  I thought the conversation was great and very real.  I must say going to a conference with you was great.  Never would I have thought such a thing would be possible when we meet back in 1999 and you taught me how to play golf by having me learn on a 3-iron.  I am glad you are a mentor, friend and brother.  I look forward to all the great things that we are going to create in the future.

Appreciatively,

Mike B.

The Point

Don’t wait until something really extraordinary happens to say, “Thank you.”  Instead look for the extra in the ordinary of everyday life.

What’s your experience with, “Thank you,” both as a giver and a receiver?  What’s your most memorable Thank You?

Can you use an ambassador on your journey? Your goals become easier to accomplish when you have the support, push or pull of a non-biased (ok I’m biased towards you gaining clarity, succeeding, growing and learning) third party to tell you the hard truth. I’m only an email away.

Do you have a question you would like Ambassador Bruny to address? Send an email to ambassadorbruny@gmail.com with the Subject: Question for Ambassador Bruny.

Bruny

Coaching, Speaking, Consulting website: www.runthepoint.com

Blog: www.hiphopaffirmations.com

Become a Fan – Video: www.youtube.com/ambassadorbruny

Become a Friend – Facebook: www.facebook.com/mikebruny

Follow me – Twitter: @hiphopaffirms

Tumble with me: www.ambassadorbruny.tumblr.com

The Ultimate Lyrical Mash-Up: Traditional quotes meet hip hop lyrics that have the same meaning…

The heart has its reasons which reason does not understand. ~Blaise Pascal

or

I never knew a luh, luh-luh, love like this, Gotta be somethin for me to write this. ~Lonnie Rachid Lynn

picture from Harvard University Hip Archive

A Hip Hop Laced Love Letter

(Want to listen to the soundtrack while you read?  The jukebox is at the bottom of the post.  Don’t forget to leave a quarter *smile*)

Happy Valentine’s Day,

I had been through a teenage love before that left me feeling that love ain’t real.  I was hurt and said, “quick I need a girl.”  Forget believing in one love; I’m not trying to get my feelings hurt again.  I’ll give lots of lovin’, then I’m gone.

Then one day I spotted this beautiful woman, but she just kept passin’ me by.  She said, “I need someone who is sincere so you better love me or leave me alone.  So I left her alone, my first reaction was, “whatever.”

But she stayed on my mind.  Could it be that i’ve seen the light and have come to realize I need love?  Man, you got me; should I give in?  Getting kicked in the butt by love twice, now that is a sin.  So I stepped to her and told her, before I jump all in I want to know what’s on your mind, so I’ll ask you 21 questions (it’s an open book test so you can you use your text); before we get physical let’s try mind sex.  It’s official, you are the best I ever had.

I did the math and your love is all I need in any weather.  It’s plain to see that you make me better.

This game I’ve played way too long, the course has been run and the results are in.  You deserve, over a threshold, to be carried.  So I close with not a question but a statement,”let’s get married!”

Sincerely,

Ambassador Bruny

Do you want the Play list? Here it is:

The Ultimate Lyrical Mash-up: Traditional quotes meet Hip Hop lyrics with the same meaning….

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. ~Robert Frost

or

Just know I chose my own fate, I drove by the fork in the road and went straight. ~Shawn Carter (Renegade)

We all have to make decisions

So you have a decision to make.

Should I go to this school or that school.  Should I take this job or that job, should I marry this person or that person.  Whatever the decision you have to make and no matter how tough that decision may be, know that you are not alone; you are not the first to have to make a tough decision.  I just faced one the other day.

Acknowledge you have a decision to make

I was taking my wife to Ballston Spa, NY to visit some friends to work on a project.  Half way through the trip, the oil light and the check engine light start flashing.  It’s cold and a little snowy, but I get out of the car, pop the hood and first check the oil level before deciding to put a little bit more in hopes that this would take care of our oil problem.

It didn’t work.

Instead of just moving forward we got off at the next exit and found a garage who could hopefully help us diagnose the problem.  The local grocery store pointed us to the local garage shop.  There the mechanic looked at our engine and wasn’t too sure what the problem was, but thought it might be that the oil is just not getting to where it needs to go.

His recommendation, “I wouldn’t drive it any further if I were you.”

We kept driving a little bit more and our engine continued to get louder.  we finally decided to tow the car so we wouldn’t damage it further.  Deciding to tow the car was the easy part (we have “AAA plus” which gives us 100 free miles of towing).  The tough decision; should me move forward to Ballston Spa, NY or should we just head back home?

We were in a position where we had no choice but to acknowledge there was a decision that needed to be made.  That is not always the case in our everyday lives.  We find ourselves in positions where we can ignore things until the check engine of our lives come on.  Acknowledging that there is a decision to be made, let’s your subconscious work on it even if you are not ready to. Note that not making a decision is actually a decision.

Weigh your pros and cons and then act

We could go back home and be comfortable knowing that we have a mechanic that could work on the car or we could move forward onto Ballston Spa, NY where we knew nothing about the local mechanics.  We decided to move forward to Ballston Spa, NY because, no matter what happened, at least my wife would have been able to complete her project with her friends.  I would take care of the rest.

Start by writing down all your options and then list all the pros and cons of each option.  Weigh the options and take action.

Be where you are

I ended up being in Ballston Spa, NY for four days when I only planned for one (yes, I had clean underwear; my wife packed extra just in case).

Things I could have focused on:

• the fact that I was stuck in a place I did not plan to be or
• that I was watching the Super Bowl on a small T.V. (we still had the pizza and wings) or
• that my MacBook did not want to connect to the WiFi at our friends home (I know it’s unimaginable but I did not have access to the internet at their house–it’s okay to feel bad for me–that’s not totally true since I had my iPhone with me) or
• that my wife took the bus back home the next day and I was stuck with finding a mechanic and working through this ordeal.

But I didn’t

Instead I focused on:

• enjoying the company of my host, Jess and Matt, who I went to college with and their energetic and brilliant 3 year old, Tumi,  who reminded me, “Okay, now let’s go upstairs and play.”
• I focused on the non-internet having time to catch up on some reading for my virtual Seth Godin Book Club.
• I focused on connecting with friends I have in the area who I have not seen in ages (shout out to Amy Johnson and Ken Mossman)
• and making new friends at my temporary virtual office aka Coffee Planet.

Your mindset after you make a decision will make or break your experience.  Guess what, whatever decision you make has been made and you are where you are.  Sounds confusing; let me simplify it for you, “You can’t go back so stop focusing on the past.”

Instead I would offer that you take a breath and you look for the good right where you are.  You aren’t happy and want to make another move? THE DECISION IS YOURS.

On day #4 my car was fixed and ready to go.

What would you have done differently if you were faced with my decision?  What are some of your best decision making tips?

The Point

Once you make a decision, be prepared to live with the good and bad of that decision.  Looking back and wishing you had made another choice is not going to help your current situation.

Moves to Make

1. Focus on what you have on hand, both the beauty and the challenge
2. Trust that everything happens for a reason and the story is still being written so hesitate to label something as good or bad just yet.
3. Change your mind and make a different decision if that is what you want to do.  You have that right.

You don’t have to go at it alone. If you have not already done so, you can subscribe to this blog so we can stay connected.

Can you use an ambassador on your journey? Your goals become easier to accomplish when you have the support, push or pull of a non-biased (ok I’m biased towards you gaining clarity, succeeding, growing and learning) third party to tell you the hard truth. I’m only an email away.

Do you have a question you would like Ambassador Bruny to address? Send an email to ambassadorbruny@gmail.com with the Subject: Question for Ambassador Bruny.

Bruny

Coaching, Speaking, Consulting website: www.runthepoint.com

Blog: www.hiphopaffirmations.com

Become a Fan – Video: www.youtube.com/ambassadorbruny

Become a Friend – Facebook: www.facebook.com/mikebruny

Follow me – Twitter: @hiphopaffirms

Tumble with me: www.ambassadorbruny.tumblr.com

The Ultimate Lyrical Mash-up: Traditional quotes meet Hip Hop lyrics with the same meaning….

Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world. -Arthur Schopenhauer

or

If you can’t see what I can see, you blind baby, you blind from the fact you blind. -Dwight Errington Myers (You Can’t See What I Can See)

The Story of the Two Technicians

There were two technicians; one supplied the other with work.  Technician A brought work to Technician B.  This happened by Technician A putting the work in what’s known as a stocker (an automated storage and retrieval system).  There were several three stockers along the factory floor:  one stocker was very close to Technician A, so when he completed his work he could quickly store it for Technician B to pick up, one stocker on the other side of the factory, which happened to be closest to Technician B and other stocker in the middle, equidistant from both technicians.

Technician B asked Technician A to please put the work in the stocker that was closest to her, after all she was the customer and the work should be delivered to her–right?  Technician A agreed and for several weeks he delivered the work to the stocker that is the furthers from him, but closest to his customer, Technician B.

All of a Sudden Something Changed

A few weeks go by and Technician A stops delivering the work closets to Technician B and Technician B notices that the work is now being stored at the stocker closest to Technician A.

Technician B thinks to herself, “what a jerk, I’ve told him to deliver the work to the stocker closest to me, he agreed and now he is back to his old ways of just doing what is most easiest and convenient for himself.” Technician B waits a few more weeks and then finally decides that she is sick and tired of Technician A.  She pulls in a manager.

Pulling in a Third Party

Technician B pulls in a manager to assist with getting Technician A to comply with the original agreement.  The manager pulls both technicians together to get a better understanding of the situation.  Here is what it sounded like:

Manager: Hey Technician A, Technician B tells me that the system of delivery you originally set up is no longer working so well.

Technician A: Yeah, the first couple of weeks things were working just fine, but then the stocker we originally agreed on for delivery was getting filled very quickly so I then had to use the one closest to me.  After the 1st hour of deliveries the stocker would be filled.

Technician B: I did not know that.  You never said anything to me.  I thought you just decided to go back to the old way.

Manager: Technician A, do you have an issue with delivering the work to the stocker closest to Technician B.

Technician A: No.  That’s not a problem at all; I just don’t want to take unnecessary trips when the stocker is filled.

Manager: Technician B can you communicate to Technician A when your stocker is filled?

Technician B: Sure can. and I would like to make a suggestions; if the stocker closest to me is filled, can we use the middle stocker instead of the one that is at the opposite side of the factory from me.  I never have to walk down that way and you have other deliveries that have you going right pass the middle stocker.

Technician A: Deal!

The Point:

It’s all about communication.  The story above is based on a true situation from a few years ago and I was actually the manager pulled into the situation.  What I found and you probably have seen the same thing, is that neither side took the time to communicate so it left a lot of run for assumptions and unnecessary ill feelings.

Moves to Make:

1. Communicate and don’t assume the other party knows what you want them to know.
2. Pull in a neutral third party when things are just not clear
3. Be the bigger person who is willing to defuse situations by focusing on the facts of the current case (leave the past in the past).

What would you have done differently to handle the situation above?

You don’t have to go at it alone. If you have not already done so, you can subscribe to this blog so we can stay connected.

Can you use an ambassador on your journey? Your goals become easier to accomplish when you have the support, push or pull of a non-biased (ok I’m biased towards you gaining clarity, succeeding, growing and learning) third party to tell you the hard truth. I’m only an email away.

Do you have a question you would like Ambassador Bruny to address? Send an email to ambassadorbruny@gmail.com with the Subject: Question for Ambassador Bruny.

Bruny

Coaching, Speaking, Consulting website: www.runthepoint.com

Blog: www.hiphopaffirmations.com

Become a Fan – Video: www.youtube.com/ambassadorbruny

Become a Friend – Facebook: www.facebook.com/mikebruny

Follow me – Twitter: @hiphopaffirms

Tumble with me: www.ambassadorbruny.tumblr.com

The motivation for me is them telling me what I could not be. ~Shawn Carter (So Ambitious)

Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree, it will spend it’s whole life believing that it is stupid. ~Albert Einstein

Are You a Rap Genius?

I’ve got a treat for all my hip hop generation peeps.  How would you like the opportunity to express your genius-ness?

I recently found a site that allows you to do just that.  Rap Genius is a unique interactive site that allows you to discover and define the meaning behind the rap lyrics you listen to.  Sure you can find plenty of sites with lyrics, but what about the meaning behind the lyrics?

You know they caught my attention on their blog with their claim to have all the songs in Reasonable Doubt Decoded.  Since then they have also completely  decoded Kanye West’s Graduation Album.  Be sure to check on their website and start showing off your Rap Genius.

No Compass Comes with this life, So to Map it Out You Must Look Inside

If that weren’t enough, they also have what is known as The Rap Map.  The Rap Map is a Google Map for the hip hop fan.  Do you want to see where the Notorious B.I.G  grew up or the location of Jay-Z’s “stash spot” on State Street that he mentions in, Empire State of Mind?; then visit Rap Genius and check out The Rap Map.

Needless to say I think Rap Genius is pretty cool.  Cool is ok, but more importantly the good folks at Rap Genius saw an opportunity to express their genius.  They had many friends who kept asking them to explain what the lyrics in some of the popular rap songs meant.  It dawned on them that they could use their genius to create a platform to educate the world while allowing other geniuses (that’s you and me) to shine.  Very Smif-n-Wessun of them, “I shine, you shine“

The Point:

• Go for what you know
• Believe that you will find your genius

Moves to Make:

1. Listen to what people are coming to you for
2. Allow others to be part of what you are creating

You don’t have to go at it alone. If you have not already done it, you can subscribe to this blog so we can stay connected.

Can you use an ambassador on your journey? Your goals become easier to accomplish when you have the support, push or pull of a non-biased (ok I’m biased towards you gaining clarity, succeeding, growing and learning) third party to tell you the hard truth. I’m only an email away.

Do you have a question you would like Ambassador Bruny to address? Send an email to ambassadorbruny@gmail.com with the Subject: Question for Ambassador Bruny.

Bruny

Coaching, Speaking, Consulting website: www.runthepoint.com

Blog: www.hiphopaffirmations.com

Become a Fan – Video: www.youtube.com/ambassadorbruny

Become a Friend – Facebook: www.facebook.com/mikebruny

Follow me – Twitter: @hiphopaffirms

Tumble with me: www.ambassadorbruny.tumblr.com