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What Would Joel Osteen Do or Terrence Howard Say To Shake Things Up on Empire? – #WUWECAST

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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 ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (Old-School Flava)

Who’s going to be on Empire next season? Rumor has it Denzel Washington and Oprah are waiting in the wings. The show has taken-off and averages around 15 million weekly viewers. Joel Osteen isn’t looking to join the cast. So what would Osteen do or Howard say to shake things up in their empires?

Osteen’s no stranger to big numbers. His 30,000-member church broadcast is seen in millions of households. They both had to overcome initial doubts on their breakout journeys. Osteen wasn’t sure he’d be able to step into his father’s shoes. Howard didn’t think America was ready for Empire.

Some people feel Osteen has expanded his territory by “softening the Message.” Others say Empire’s success is in how the show handles pop culture themes even if they’re eyebrow-raising. Plus, the mix of music and celebrity guests helps too. In either case, they’ve both been able to tap into people’s interests.

They’ve taken different paths in shaking things up. Osteen’s path has been to build on a legacy. Howard’s path has been to push the envelope. As modern-day trailblazers there’re both making waves and getting raves. They’ve seen their share of controversy and experienced the backlash of jealousy.

In entertainment it’s usually “1 for the money, 2 for the show and 3 for the hook” to shake things up. Ratings drive revenue from advertising. With Osteen it‘s less vain and on another plane. In either case they’ve turned a project into a production that has staying power. That’s true in showbiz and ministry.

Groove-Track: Mary J. Blige – ‘Doubt’ –   

 

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

Who’ll be on Empire next season? Word is Denzel and Oprah have a reason. Said to be waiting in the wings. Let’s see if the fat lady sings. Serving 15 million weekly viewers. #1 spot with young-adults and some teenagers. Osteen and Howard on the media wires. For what they’d do to shake-up their empires.

To big numbers Osteen’s no stranger. In the pulpit Howard’s no danger. 30,000-member broadcast in the millions. Hollywood actor and man of opinions. Both overcame initial doubts on the way. Before landing a bigger payday. Osteen stepping into father’s shoes. Howard flirting with rhythm and blues.

Some feel Osteen became soft on Message. Expanding his territory not the Passage. Others say Empire’s success is in the bag. In how show avoids n-word and fag. Pop culture themes seem eyebrow-raising. Music stars and celebs in the making. The heart of people’s interests is what they’re tapping.

Taking different paths to the big house. Shaking things up like cat and mouse. Osteen builds on his legacy heels. Howard pushes the envelope wheels. Modern-day trailblazers making waves. Growing followers and getting raves. Having had their share of controversy. And the backlash of people’s jealousy.

Entertainment usually “1 for the money, 2 for the show. 3 for the hook, let the good times flow.” Where ratings drive revenue from the ads. To shake things up beyond the fads. With Osteen it’s less vain. He’s working on another plane. Production projects with staying power. True for showbiz and the ministry hour.

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Tip: 1 for the money, 2 for the show and 3 for the hook in turning doubts into shouts.
Talkback: Why has Empire become such a hit? Would a famous preacher be a good fit?
Groove-Track: Fall Out Boy – ‘Centuries’ –

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

President Obama Gave Props to Rock Climbers for Reaching the Mountaintop

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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

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

This week the nation’s eyes were on Washington DC and President Obama’s State of the Union address. Last week many eyes including the President’s were focused on El Capitan’s Dawn Wall in the Yosemite National Park. Obama gave props to Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson for reaching the mountaintop.

These friends have been working on a lifelong dream of free-climbing this 3000-ft peak. It’s something they’ve worked towards from childhood. Things took-on greater focus and preparation for Caldwell in 2007. Then in 2009 Jorgenson asked to join him. As they say the rest is history, squashing the mystery.

During the 19-day climb there were twists and slips. Jorgeson had 10 failed attempts to cross a certain part of the rock climb. But it was perseverance and their commitment to lifelong learning that brought success. Jorgeson even studied video of his 10 slip-ups and realized the adjustment he had to make.

That was a game-changer leading to a breakthrough. As Jorgeson made headway, Caldwell waited so they would reach the top together. That’s a sign of a lifelong bond they’ve developed. It’s a friendship that has matured over time just like a savings bond. Even through upturns and downturns their bond paid off.

When asked why they did this project one said “I love to dream big” while the other said “I wanted to know what I’m capable of.”  These were two of the many factors they shared for getting to the next level. Not everybody has to be a daredevil to get there. But getting there does take a level of dare.

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

This week the nation has eyes on Washington DC. It’s President Obama as State of the Union MC. Last week many eyes focused on El Capitan mountain climbers. They held our attention as daredevil show-stoppers. To them the President’s tweet gave much props. For reaching the Yosemite Park mountaintop.

Friends who’ve been working on a lifelong dream. Of climbing the 3000-ft peak with the help of their team. Something that captured them in early childhood. Maybe even as a feat that challenged their manhood. Greater focus for Caldwell in making history. Then for Jorgeson in squashing the mystery.

A 19-day climb with twists and slips. It was the climax of many previous trips. Jorgeson with 10 failed attempts in getting across. Part of the rock that could have been a loss. With perseverance and commitment to lifelong learning. Studying video of his 10 slip-ups moved him closer to his yearning.

That was a game-changer kind of breakthrough. Making headway past his fingers being black and blue. Caldwell was out-front in their daily trek. So he waited for Jorgeson thinking “what the heck!” A friendship that matured through upturns and downturns. A dream coming to fruition like a savings bond’s returns.

In being asked why they did this together. “A love to dream” and self-awareness” couldn’t say it better. Two of many thoughts they shared as next level factors. Means a lot coming from them since they’re not actors. Don’t have to be a daredevil in order to get there. But getting to the top does take a level of dare.

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Tip: You don’t have to be a daredevil to get to the next level. But getting there does take a level of dare.
Talkback: What factor(s) have helped you or someone in reaching the next level and closer to the top?
Groove-Tracks: Imagine Dragons ‘On Top of the World’ – http://youtu.be/w5tWYmIOWGk and Brandy featuring Mase ‘Top of the World’ – http://dai.ly/x12rws (Daily Motion)

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

Steve Harvey’s Story Shows How to Keep Your Dream Alive by Any Means Necessary

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Remember the game ‘Simon Says’ we played as kids? We listened and responded to instructions that began with those words. Let’s imagine that Steve Harvey’s new book ‘Act Like a Success’ represents Simon’s voice. Then Harvey’s story shows how to keep your dream alive by any means necessary.

He makes clear that we show-up in life with a gift and related talents. In computer lingo, our gift is similar to a computer chip. It’s like our ‘intel inside.’ It’s our unique intellect or God-given success factor. That gift allows us to go from nothing to something or from zero to sixty in whatever area we focus our passion.

The book reminds us that the gift is freely given and cannot be bought, sold or stolen. It represents something we do almost effortlessly that can bring lasting value. When we put our gift to work like Oprah, Steve Jobs and Harvey, at home, in the marketplace or community, it leaves a ‘gift mark’ as our legacy.

It’s one thing to discover our gifts but we also have to develop our goals. This becomes the vehicle for getting from here to there in our dreams or career. Harvey talks about S.M.A.R.T. goals that take us out of our comfort zone but not cause us undue harm. It’s a way to stretch towards the horizon of our dreams.

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Goals guide our growth personally and professionally. So if folks had a choice which would be preferred, a half-baked potato or a twice-baked one with all the fixings? Based on Harvey’s success we should consider the same thing. Would we prefer a half-baked life or a twice-baked one with all the blessings?

Life has a way of taking us down roads we didn’t see coming. Sometimes we have a choice of taking the road less travelled. Keeping the dream alive by any means necessary involves driving confidently towards our greatness. We have to let the onboard navigation get us there using the gift as our GPS for success.

The GPS in our cars works by having a chip in the device that sends/receives signals with the satellite. This way we can get to our destination because the device can handle east, west, north and south at the same time. When we use our gift as GPS for success it moves us in the direction of our greatness.

Our human greatness varies from person to person just as the houses on a block aren’t the same. They might have different colors or windows or sizes. In living up to our full potential or keeping our dream alive we’re not distracted if we remain committed to the gift and goals for getting to our ultimate destination.

Footnote: If life is a song worth singing then our God-given gift brings out the best ever in us.

Nelson Mandela’s Journey Comes Close to Being the Ultimate in Sacrifice

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Theme:– Operation C.R.U.S.H. Against Gun Violence, Bias and Clouded Vision

Almost immediately kind words began pouring in from world leaders. One said we lost a giant. Another talked about him as a model of forgiveness and reconciliation. Oprah said Mandela will always be her hero. Rewind a few decades and we see a journey that comes close to being the ultimate in sacrifice.

As a young boy his life was on a typical track but as a young man Mandela chose an atypical path. He began to challenge his country’s track-record of social injustice. This landed him in prison for 27 years. There were many who joined the chorus to free Mandela. As fate would have it, he changed the nation.

His story is one of taking a stand. He stood on the side of ‘right’ even when it wasn’t convenient. He stood for a set of principles even when it rattled his popularity. Some see Mandela as a mash-up of Washington, Lincoln and Dr. King. He brought revolution, emancipation and inspiration in his lifetime.

But he’s also a mash-up of more distant heroes. While in prison he may have used an ‘Ezekiel eye’ to see his people in the ‘valley of dry bones’ oppressed by Apartheid. Later, his ‘Joseph journey’ took him from prison to the Palace. Along the way he had his ‘Moses moments’ in leading the country to higher ground.

So back to today’s reflections and we see a man who was once hated but now immensely loved. He was treated like scum of the earth but is now revered as statesman of the ages. Mandela didn’t allow his life to be crushed by social injustice but instead used conviction and convincing to crush social injustice.

Footnote: We can easily say that Nelson Mandela’s life was more than a blip on the radar. It was like a shining star that trail-blazed across the open sky for the whole world to see and love.