…talk about chemistry! Between Jennifer Aniston. And Gerard Butler. Co-stars in movies. Relationships are key. On the big screen or pro team. Creates magical performances. Special moments. And crowning achievements. Finding success in relationships.

In how people relate. On or off the job. Feels like family. A sense you belong. Flows like poetry. Not trying to control someone. Sounds like symphony. More good notes than bad. A lot like intimacy. Letting go makes you sad. Connection feels strong. As a good hug or handshake.

See it at work. On the Undercover Boss. The new reality TV hit. The CEO rolls up his sleeve. Doing the tasks of the staff. Wanting to see. What makes them tick. Staying in budget hotels. Walking in their shoes. Learning about the business. As well as himself. Experiencing the intangibles.

See it at play. During March Madness hoops. Teams begin in October. Through the dog-days of winter. Arriving in spring. Looking to do their thing. Building a bond. Shows up in teamwork. Knowing the role-players to call on. So when the game’s on the line. Experiencing the unbelievable.

See it everyday. Great groups and fun people. Tight families and close friends. Almost becoming inseparable. A longing to work, play and grow together. Learning from each other. Making a difference. Serving an audience. Attracting clients and fans. Being loved for their style and brand.

Hip Tip: You don’t have to know a lot of people to be rich, but if you serve a lot of people you can be famous.

Blog Talkback: Tyler and Oprah, Jen and Gerard: how can a close relationship be an advantage (or disadvantage) when working in a professional setting?

 Sandra Bullock said it best. Academy’s winning actress. Relationships provide meaning. To personal success. Thanking her hubby and mother. For being closer than a brother. Says celebrate your strengths. Comes from above. As Big G sends some love. Look within. Tap the inner-self rhythm.

Pals and peers alike. Wanna see you strike. Gold, if that’s your game. Money, if business is your road to fame. A close friend indeed. Helps you manage your weaknesses to succeed. A little in everyone. Shouldn’t spoil the fun. Blood’s thicker than water. A real friend might point you to the altar.

Big Brotha to brotha. Sista to sista. Lover to lover. Father to kin. Relationships help you win. As you share vulnerabilities. Not to everyone. But to him or her. Who inspire you to run. A mentor’s good people. Showing how to go deeper. When others say no. They help you grow in the flow.

A loved one calls you up. Invites you to supp. Family friend extends a hand. In order to lend a grand. That new mate shows you the cookie jar. A sign that the intimacy could go far? Closeness is… things feel so freeing. Relationships are all we’ve got. When life begins. Or comes to a full stop.

So Hollywood’s still buzzin’. Now that the Oscars have been awarded. No Kanyé West sightings. But who knows what baby-girl was thinking. Quite a few firsts. So much to quench your gossip thirst. Who’s zoomin’ who. In the open relationship of Monique. A matter of the freak or the weak?

Hip Tip: Relationships have their ups and downs but lasts over time when there’s enough love to go around.

Blog Talkback: How has a biz associate, family member or close friend contributed to your success?

 Lil Wayne set to go in. T.I. set to come out. Prison is the place. Both given a taste. Hip Hop heroes. Counting their zeros. All that money not enough. To keep them from the handcuff. What have they learned? After digits they’ve earned. Gotta straighten out that attitude.

Even Plaxico Burress. NFL star put under arrest. Serving time. For doing the crime. He’s already seen the light. Hopes to put career back in flight. Apologized to Giants team. For bad press they received. Now asking the question. From this day forward. How do I want to be perceived?

A matter of acceptance. Live in the moment. Can’t change what was. Or even what is. Can make a difference. In how you live. And the way you give. Your time from sun-up to sundown. Bring a smile. Bump the frown. Not always ’bout the money. How do you contribute stuff, honey?

Become engaged. In the game of life. Avoid road rage. Nothing but strife. Put your heart and soul. Into what makes you whole. Life can be routine. But get out the rut. Time to be spontaneous. Listen to your gut. At work or at play. How do you have fun? Got a feelin’. Make it a good day.

Lil Wayne raps. He’d rather be “selling flowers. Than be in the pen sharing showers.” T.I. skips the traps. “No more stress. Now I’m straight. I get it now. Take time to think. Before I make a mistake. Just for my family stake. No regrets I’m blessed to say. The old me dead and gone away.” 

Hip Tip: A bad-boy attitude might be good for the ratings but can affect your record for doing great things.

Blog Talkback: Why does prison seem to help some people (but not others) iron-out their attitude?

 Make a new career start. And mend a broken heart. Tiger Woods calling on his Buddhist faith. As well as family and friends. To help him live straight. Demons to exorcise. Timeless truths to realize. His spirit has been broken. Attitude shaken. No longer treated by media. As a prized token.

Hopes and dreams suspended. Til his personal life is mended. Gotta go through something. For success to be appreciated. Don’t get hung up on emotion. Focus on attitude. To keep your sanity. If you must, blurt out some profanity. Avoid taking things personal. But growing personally.

No need to be selfish. Thinking only for #1. Enough to go around. Under the rising sun. A scarcity mentality. Puts a limit on ability. An abundance mentality. Much better for notoriety. Join the legends and stars. Who overcame the lure. Chasing women with bling bling. And nice looking cars.

How does attitude get out of hand? From a false sense of superiority. Acting on impulse. Drinking your own kool-aid. Rules don’t apply. No one can stop you. Even if they try. Fame and fortune makes you exempt. You think you’ve got it made. Do what you want. Life’s good in the shade.

Success needs balance. Personal and professional. Spiritual and material. Sometimes people get lost. Then put back on track. Set your life in order. Clear the air. Face your fear. Be the best. Year after year. Take the next step to victory. Make a leap into history. 

Hip Tip: Life is like a potato. Best served when twice-baked personally and professionally with all the fixins.

Blog Talkback: How important is a balanced life in getting to the top and staying there?

 Lastname Ever. Firstname Greatest. Better known as Greatest Ever. Who’s the most def? Ali or Frazier. Lebron or Kobe. That’s the buzz. From back in the day. And even today. Drake raps about it. In the latest Sprite commercial. Talking about himself? He’s not there yet. But don’t fret.

Success has an attitude. So does living your dreams. Not about being cocky. But showing confidence.  Without a chip on your shoulder. Watchout for too edgy. Might make you look crazy. Talk is cheap. Positive action brings satisfaction. Just be cool. Without acting the fool.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Can’t change things out of your control. Fly like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. Words to live by from Ali. Be content. Accept what is. Enjoy the ride. Sizzle with pride. Stay in the running. Persist in the race. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. For sunning and funning.

Soak-up the view. Step into the true you. Maybe even smell the roses. Long after Valentine’s Day closes. Ditch stinkin’ thinkin’. That’s bad funk. Which carries over. As an emotional roller-coaster. Bring sexy back. Makes for a hot track. Get past rejection. Set yourself apart. From the competition.

The Gap Band sings. “Say oops upside your head. The bigger the headache. The bigger the pill. The bigger the doctor. The bigger the bill.” Well, the nastier the attitude. The harder the fall. Like Humpty Dumpty. Tough to put back together again. Attitude is everything. Especially for just coolin’.

Hip Tip: Leave home with a good attitude, live with a sense of gratitude and watch your star status reach a higher altitude.

Blog Talkback: Which one limits a person’s success more: bad attitude or bad breath?

 How ’bout them Saints…who dat! Getting to the Superbowl. The first time. Winning in primetime. The team has a story to tell. So do the Bayou. Having gone through hell. No longer sin city. But Saints city. Drew Brees, you’ve been named MVP. What are you going to do next? Visit the 9th Ward…again!

Katie Couric interviews Brees. Took first visit to New Orleans. After Katrina he saw despair and destruction. This fueled his motivation. Going from injury to victory. Credits his coach. For having faith in him. Funny how that relates. To living your dreams. And becoming a star.

Someone believes in you. You believe in yourself. Even if you don’t have a cheering squad. You gotta believe Big G (o-d). Looking out for you. This releases fear. And increases focus. On what you can do. To make a living. In your daily grind. And live your best life. The success you find.

A few key wins. Along the way. In the regular season. And the playoffs. Beating New England. Coming out ahead. Against the Vikings. Some point to destiny. It was their time. Others think it was gutsy. The coach made brash calls. Whatever it was. The Saints took home the spoils.

The thrill of victory. The agony of defeat. Not just in sports. But also in life. Keep it simple. Keep it moving. Make it fun. Or fun-ready. It’s like the sticker. On the salad dressing bottle. Says “delicious on fresh peaches.” Success, you can taste it. There goes a parade. The fun has just begun.

Hip Tip: Some people freeze when they stumble or fall, while others seize the moment, knowing they can win it all!

Blog Talkback: What do you like most about ‘rags to riches’ or ‘setback to comeback’ stories?

 The stars come out at night! In the sky. And on the Grammy stage. Who knew? That women’s bosoms would look so ripe. Or that Pink would deliver on the hype. Beyoncé was in the building. Honor of the night came from Jackson’s children. Musical talent in 3-D. Made the good times roll.

Stars from all genres. Putting on a show. Talent comes alive. In finding your voice. Everybody can sing. But not everybody can belt a tune. Know what you’re good at. It’s the one thing you own. Do the work. That produces private victories. Where you learn in ways. Before the glory days.

Make it funky. Put your stamp on it. More than just doing the work. Deliver added value. Don’t be a jerk. Some artists have longevity. Because of their talent’s purity. They’re just that good. Others have a signature. In how they roll the words. Or sing the note. From the gut or deep throat.

Fame rises from different star points. Some play guitar. Blow the horn. Pound the drums. They play-out as band members. Others as background singers. Then a shift occurs. Personality goes centerstage. Taking the lead. Going from opening act. To being the main attract. 

Developing talent into living your dreams. A lot like growing a fruit. There’s a seed in the core. Another part that has the juice. And the peel that glows in the dark. Seeds of success. Found in a vision within a vision. Talent gives the juice. Where results rock. And personality shines.

Hip Tip: Before your success can have its big night, a star is born out of freeing the light.

Blog Talkback: What makes a star’s performance memorable? Vision, talent or personality?

 Is Barbara Walters going ga-ga? Over Lady Ga Ga. After a one-on-one interview. Walters’ got a new view. People think Ga Ga is about “shock value.” But Walters saw the other side. For how Ga Ga makes her crazy ride. She parades as a free spirit. Using her talent as a free agent.

It’s seen in pro sports. Players get drafted. Sometimes off-season traded. Finding a better spot. On another roster. Happens in the real world. After a layoff. Or before the next gig. Everybody’s got game. But stars express talent. With spiritual ease. Selfish gain last. Coming in first.

Dreams on ice? Where you’re going through changes. Turn yourself loose. Live your dreams, go places. Be an agent of smiles. Keep the boss and clients happy. Grow as a person of substance. Get movin’ and shakin’. Wanna do freelance? Give quality service. Maybe your best chance.

The evidence for going far. Starts out as a believer. Seeing yourself in magazines. Or having a career makeover. Getting your name in lights. Working at it day and night. Joining the top ten. Before winning again. Passion into a revenue stream. Making money thick like honey and cream.

Ga Ga remembers as a child. Wanting to sing her way to stardom. Admits she’s sometimes over the edge. It’s her way to push boundaries. But not every passion is about hard crashing. Just ask the Grammy nominated artist named Ledesi. Her songs tell a story. Going from heartache to glory.

Hip Tip: You have to be pumped before you jump, to go from where you are into becoming a star.

Blog Talkback: Why do some stars need “shock value” to make a name for themselves?

 So many stars. So little time. Come dressed in their finest. Hoping for praise that’s highest. Fans wanting to see. Their favorite celebs for free. Meryl Streep made some weep. Monique accepted without a bleep. Who’s got next? For a breakthrough release. As fast rising actor or artist.

Felt like a dream. Being named best supporting actress. Takes a lot of inspiration. Some call on heaven. Or play the number seven. Others look within. Drawing on life’s blues and rhythm. Become an observer. Of what makes you tick. Work harder and harder. Until things begin to stick.

Read whatever you can. Learn everything and have a plan. Get some more knowledge. Before and after college. Believe in yourself. Though you’ll have doubts. Have faith in your abilities. As well as the possibilities. We’re in the information age. Take some classes. Reach the next stage.

How do you practice? Or improve your game? It’s not what you do. As much as how you do you. Turn inspiration. Into a call to action. Find the motivation. To raise your satisfaction. Go from a spark. To a breakout star. Or even a mega superstar.

Turn your skills loose. Quitting is not an option. Not used as an excuse. The more you believe. The higher you achieve. Do whatever it takes. To live up to your name. Promote your work. Watch for a rise in acclaim. Then the rewards will come. With the awards you receive.

Hip Tip: Every success has a build-up, sometimes a breakdown and most times a breakthrough.

Blog Talkback: What do you love most about the success of Mariah, Monique or Mary J. in becoming stars?

 A star is born. From the Golden Globes to the Grammys. Red carpet to after parties. Mariah Carey is up for a nomination. Hopefully she’ll be sober on this occasion. What do the Grammys and Golden Globes have in common? A few fashion firsts. And a glimpse of the American spirit.

How’d they get there? Looking up for inspiration. Within for motivation. Creating a shift in consciousness. Working with a sense of purpose. Soon they dominate. In living the dream. Studying their field. Like there’s no tomorrow. Moving away from drama. And yesterday’s past sorrow.

Who’s hot? Who’s not? Seen in the winners. Best new artist. Or supporting actress. In Hip Hop, R&B or reality TV. Sharing their story. Of new found glory. Success was a winding road. But they made it.  Achieving their goal. Thanking family and friends. Supporting to the end.

What might go unsaid. Are the times of frustration. Sometimes crying in bed. No one came knocking. Or the money wasn’t in the hustling. Then a wake-up call or aha moment. When the only way forward was up. And the only time to act. Was now not never. Starting over fresh as ever.

Brings out the hero in you. Dreamers don’t quit. Even if they lose some. They go from wishing to winning. From stuck to star. Finding themselves. Saying yes. To less stress and more happiness. Seen as first-class. Becoming top-grade. Accepting that coveted award. On the world stage.

Hip Tip: Some people succeed out of nothingness but most dreams are conceived out of consciousness.

Blog Talkback: Do you find acceptance speeches inspiring or see them as moments of celebrity rants?