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Drew Brees Retired, Justin Fields ‘Bout to Get Hired; How Career Moves Can Involve a Leap of Faith

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It’s been a different kind of NFL off-season as Covid-19 is still on many minds. Since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first Superbowl ever, eyes have been on Brady and whether he’s up for another season. It’s something Drew Brees had hoped to pull-off as he leaves the game after 20 seasons.

With Brees retired, the rumor mill had folks thinking Russell Wilson was about to get hired. Well, the jury is still out as NFL Draft buzz picks up. Lot’s of QBs on the list of choices, including Ohio’s Justin Fields. Some sports junkies think he’ll be in the top 5 while others see him further down in the top 10.

No matter where Fields ends up, he’s sure to get hired. Teams often have eyes on the QB spot because it’s so central to a well-run offense. Fields isn’t losing any sleep for now, while Brees hopes to get more zees and maybe time at home with the fam. As he likes to say, “it’s not the end but a new beginning.”

That’s because he’s already been locked-in by NBC as a commentator in the primetime booth. For him, It’s a shift from playing on the gridiron to being an analyst around plays, passes and points. He was on a winning Superbowl team during his time with the Saints, so he’s got the goods and receipts as well.

Fields and Brees find themselves at the start and end of their pro football playing days. But both have to approach things like taking a leap of faith. This means moving forward as if it’s a done deal while looking around knowing your chances for success are for real. How they move through this phase comes with:

  • Revelation

It’s not clear what was the ‘writing on the wall’ that made Brees throw-in the towel. Was it the 20 years, or the offer from NBC or the mid-season injury? Sometimes there’re are clues going into a decision and cues in the process that give you a picture of what’s possible or a feeling of peace whether win or lose.  

  • Promotion

At first when Brees got traded from the Chargers to the Saints, he probably wasn’t sure how things would play out. He became starting QB for the Saints and as the saying goes, the rest is history. This wasn’t a decision he controlled but was a career move that led to promotion and Superbowl XLIV MVP.            

  • Coronation

Fields has seen his college career go from contender to coronation. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist, even after having to transfer schools to land the starting spot at Ohio. Now he’s hoping that being drafted in the first round would be one more feather in his cap as another elite player headed to the pros.        

  • Validation

A leap of faith is sometimes preceded by validation. This is when you’re fairly certain about the next move to make. But other times the validation happens after when what you envisioned for yourself comes to past. Fields is working with some of this from his college days and hoping for more of it in his NFL days.

Soon, fans will know where Fields will go. Then in a few months we’ll hear Brees breaking down his game. Brees has to kinda reinvent himself from player to announcer while Fields has to up-level his game from college to the pros. For both, it’s just a matter of stepping-into the moment.                

Tip: A leap of faith requires stepping-into the moment that presents itself and living in the moment that elevates yourself.  

Talkback: Is Fields a top 5 or top 10 pick or does it even matter?

Tracks: Lupe Fiasco Ft Matthew Santos – Superstar – https://youtu.be/hVkBlsgthLg

Common – Don’t Forget Who You Are – https://youtu.be/mp2681a91NM

Michael B Jordan & Tracee Ellis Ross Bring Sexy Back for Career Sake as a Signature in Showbiz

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The Grammys are coming! Yet, as Awards season rolls-on there’s another casualty due to Covid-19. The Red Carpet before the live show has been quarantined. So far, that’s the case for the People’s Choice and American Music Awards; no cat walks, celeb interviews or fashion slip-ups to set social media abuzz.

With the holidays also a good time for family and friends to gather, this year it feels like 2020 can’t end fast enough. So for some, they’re happy to feast their eyes on Michael B Jordan being named as People Magazine’s sexiest man alive, or to celebrate Tracee Ellis Ross as People’s Choice Fashion Icon.

As if on cue, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson joked that he’s not ready to concede the ‘sexiest man’ title. It’s something he won a few years ago. But People magazine editors say going into each year’s final selection they give thought to what the world wants and needs at that point and who’s bringing sexy back.

Jordan and Ross add style, looks and mojo to showbiz like the king and queen they are. Their pre-Hollywood careers helped set them up for making waves today. At first, Ross worked in the fashion magazine industry and credits her mom, Diana Ross a fashion icon herself, in forging her dreams.

But maybe it’s also the way they engage the consciousness of fans that adds to their mainstream appeal. Whether it’s with the diversity rider in hiring talent at his production company, or supporting #MeToo initiatives in her off-screen roles, they inspire us to strive and arrive with:  

  • Clout

Ross has her own, even though she could have gotten some from mom. It’s a matter of how she builds-up reputation which takes time to turn into clout. In the early part of your career, reputation follows you. But in later years when reputation goes before you, that means it’s been built up with its own track record.        

  • Chops

Jordan and Ross have developed their acting chops for primetime in a way that attracts large audiences. It’s in how they bring to life a character and bring character to life. That’s also been true for their career success. It’s about bringing to work a skillset and bringing a skillset to their life’s work.        

  • Calling

Clearly, the acting and biz side of things aren’t all that they’re about. They are often very vocal when it comes to social justice issues. Calling for them is seen not as a call to self-service but to higher service. While for some Calling might have a religious feel, it’s really about connecting with humanitarian zeal.   

  • Culture

Some might drool, swoon or even lust for their presence, but their impact is in what they do for the culture. They seem to cause a wake-up, level-up, serve-up, rise-up effect on people. Some celebs might impact us in one or two of these areas. But they don’t let things go to their heads as they keep it real.     

It’s hard to imagine that the Red Carpet will be back for the Grammys. Plus, word is that the holidays are going to be much different this year with Covid-19 taking its toll on gatherings. But if we can hold on a bit longer while using time wisely, we can come out on the other side shining a little brighter.        

Tip: The ladder of success has rungs that take you from skillset to your best yet.

Talkback: For the Grammy nominations, who got snubbed and whose fans feel a little rubbed?

Tracks: Common – The Light – https://youtu.be/OjHX7jf-znA

Brand Nubian – Don’t Let it Go to Your Head – https://youtu.be/500F9W1qku8

Cedric the Entertainer & Regina Hall Move from Past Standing to Main Street Rep Appeal #BigTimeUniversity

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine with Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (Old-School Flava)

The Golden State Warriors have met a higher standing for their team single-season record. Now they’re getting ready for the playoffs just as others look forward to the Barbershop 3 movie. So Cedric the Entertainer and Regina Hall hope to move things from a past standing to higher main street rep appeal.

According to Cinema Blend, Ced said “I’m one to believe that you just can’t do sequels, just because they’re doing them. That was key for me, is to see, where was the story or where were these people 10 years later.” That’s impact visioning for raising the bottom line from an old standard to a higher box score.

It’s been over a decade since the last movie release. After lower than expected sales, there were some doubts about next steps. That’s why a message from the movie and Cedric is when life knocks us down we need to get back up stronger. A ‘next cut’ can help get us past personal lows and performance woes.

The producer shared how he ditched the fears by looking at the success of other urban-styled movies like The Best Man. So he figure-out how to convince Hollywood execs on taking things to the next level. At the barbershop or salon, that’s like seeing someone leave with a fresh look and wanting the same feeling.

Hall can relate, with many key roles since graduating from NYU. About her 20-year acting career and role in Barbershop, she told the Source “It’s just always wonderful to see people with a lot of talent do great work and expand what they do as artists.” Surely, their success has some next generation street value.

Groove-Track: Soul II Soul – Back to Life – https://youtu.be/TB54dZkzZOY

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine With Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (New-School Flava)

Golden State Warriors show what’s good. Meeting higher standing than others could. Single-season team record for the taking. Getting ready for the playoffs shaking. As folks look to new Barbershop movie. Lots of laughs to have life groovy. Cedric & Hall keeping things real. From old standing to higher rep appeal.

Word from Cinema Blend the other day. Cedric says sequels you don’t do for play. Just because it can mean more fame. That’s not how he sees the game. Key for him is in where story falls. For these people 10 years later calls. Bottom line between old-time reasoning. And higher box score from impact visioning.

Been over a decade since last pic. After low sales from last flick. Some doubts about next steps on the rung. So that future success was not unsung. A message for when life knocks us down. Get back up then wear the crown. Take the ‘next cut’ past personal lows. And flush those stubborn performance woes.

Producer shared how he ditched the fears. Over those up and down years. By looking at folks who had it made. Urban-styled movies were getting paid. Convincing Hollywood execs after a while. Turning things up on next level dial. A barbershop or salon’s good-look feeling. Wanting the same in fresher revealing.

Hall can relate on coming through. With some key roles after leaving NYU. A 20-year acting career since then. Looking back as if to remember when. Cool to work with lots of talent and artist skill. Doing great work to expand the thrill. Ready for the next-gen in street value. With more success on showbiz menu.

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Tip: Doing great work and spreading the thrill brings higher street value and more success up the hill.

Talkback: Which Barbershop character has the most hilarious role in the movie series or your own shop?

Groove-Tracks: Mali Music ft Jhené Aiko – Contradiction – https://youtu.be/hZ67E2R77Uw

 

Birdy – Keeping Your Head Up – https://youtu.be/m8AXUq5uA0Y

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

 

Dr. King’s Legacy Bigger than a Local March and Defined by a Larger Message

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!”

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (Old-School Flava)

“One dream can change the world!” That caption comes from the new ‘Selma’ movie. Executive Produced by Oprah and others, it relives the moments surrounding the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama. However, Dr. King’s legacy is bigger than a local march and is defined by a larger message.

In one respect the march was a wake-up call to America regarding social conditions of the time. King and others wanted the ‘powers that be’ to see that all was not well with the soul of America. Maybe today’s wake-up call is to address some of the ongoing social, structural and self-starter issues that persist.

During the 60s movement, many events were demonstrations of solidarity. People from different walks of life would come together, sometimes holding hands and singing ‘we shall overcome.’ But a larger point was in how they’d link-up hearts and minds across friends and family. That was their ‘social media.’

They also had to deal with different motives and motivations of those on the frontlines as well as behind the scenes. Some would turn-up looking for confrontation while others were focused on mobilization. So the question each person had to answer then and what we must consider today is “Turn up for what?”

Mark Twain once said “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why!” Well, there are many other important days of our lives. So Dr. King would want us to truly wake-up to a larger sense of purpose, so that when we link-up it’s a matter of turning-up for good.

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (New-School Flava)

Change the world with one dream! That’s a snapshot of the ‘Selma’ movie theme. Executive Produced by Oprah and other high rollers. It relives the ’65 march among the Alabama crimson tiders. Well, Dr. King’s legacy bigger than a local march. Defined by a larger message and conviction like blue-jeans starch.

A wake-up call for America to say the least. Social conditions at the time weren’t always a feast. King and others wanted ‘powers that be’ to see. Some people were still fighting to be free. Not all was well with the American soul. So the ‘urgency of now’ became his goal. Searching for solutions to let the good times roll.

At times the 60s movement was a show of solidarity. Also a time for building civil rights clarity. People from different walks of life coming together. Walking hand-in-hand as sister and brother. Singing songs of hope to help them overcome. They’d link-up hearts and minds like a social-media spectrum.

With different motives and motivations along the way. On the frontlines or behind-the-scenes ‘plug and play.’ Some would turn-up looking for confrontation. Others there more focused on mobilization. So the question each had to ask then and even now. “Turn-up for what?” in order to endure anyhow.

“Two most important days” Mark Twain once said. “Day you are born and day you know why” before dead. Many other important days when all’s said and done. Even as you squeeze-in some R&R fun. King’s dream is that to a larger purpose we wake-up. So that for a greater good we’re linked and turn-up.

Legend

Tip: When we wake-up to a larger sense of purpose we experience more important days of our lives.
Talkback: How has the Selma movie or other social issue caused you to see the bigger picture?
Groove-Track: John Legend: Let’s Get Lifted (‘Live’ on David Letterman) – http://youtu.be/MSpPpLDYZeQ

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by ‘Douette Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!”