“I know I got it made while the masses of black people are catchin’ hell, but as long as they ain’t free, I ain’t free.”

-Muhammad Ali

I must admit, LeBron James is my favorite athlete period. Never mind the fact that I have a strong dislike for the Miami Heat and I root against them every chance I get! This brother is the epitome of what a twenty-first century athlete should be. He handles his business both on and off the court. He’s a family man, never doing anything to jeopardize his legacy or his wealth.

Come to think about it, can anybody name a time where LeBron has been in the news for anything remotely negative. Disregard “The Decision” in 2010, the Deonte West-Gloria James fiasco and the false Rashad Lewis-Savannah Brinson rumors. This brother   truly has a spotless reputation! He’s an athlete that young people very well should  look up to.

LeBron is also a social activist of sorts. In 2012, he made headlines for showing  support for the memory of Trayvon Martin. Now, he’s drawn the eye of the world  media again with his strong stance on the Donald Sterling issue. First, he let his  feelings on the fate of Clippers owner be known. He believes that Donald Sterling  shouldn’t be a part of the league in any way, shape or form.

 

“Obviously, if the rumors are true, it’s unacceptable. It’s unacceptable in our league. It doesn’t matter if you’re white, black,
Hispanic, whatever, all across the races. It’s unacceptable. And as a commissioner of our league, you have to make a stand and you have to be very aggressive with it. I don’t know what it’s gonna be, but you just can’t have that in our league.”

-LeBron James, April 26, 2014

His comments on the issue spoke volumes. Now, to add fuel to the fire, he’s ready to sit out next season if Sterling is still a part of the NBA. When I saw the headline for the article on Facebook, I was amazed. Then I thought about it. What if it was one of those parody articles? Those things are the perfect example of a joke gone too far!

Then, I took to Google to research on information about this momentous move. He actually did expound that he’d lead a boycott on the NBA if the Sterling drama isn’t resolved. Reading his statements on the situation made me gain more respect for LeBron as a man and noted public figure. With his stance on his situation, he’s picking up where athletes such as Muhammad Ali. Not only were they legendary in the sport they chose to make a career out of, they used their platform to take stand on issues. LeBron, during this strenuous time for the NBA, is showing us what greatness truly is.

 

 

 

“As players, we want what’s right and we don’t feel like no one in his family should be able to own the team. At the end of the day, this is going to be a long litigation when it comes to that. This guy who’s owned the team since the ’80s is not going to just give the team up in a day. So we understand it’s going to be long, but we want what’s right.”

-LeBron James to the Associated Press, Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets

Being great is not just conquering the artistic craft, field or career that you’re in. The mark of a true legend is being authentic. An Icon is the highest level that a BMB (Business Minded Brother), SRT (Sister Running Things) or boss can achieve. Once you reach Icon status, your work has eternal longevity. Proverbially, you’re seen as a God in this devilish society! Not only have you accumulated spiritual and financial wealth, you’ve become a figure of admiration. People take your words as the gospel. You have total mass appeal. Just spouting your simple views on an issue can shift public opinion and cause worldwide reaction.

 An Icon is a man or woman of virtue. They’re noble and regal. That’s what  made  them Icons in the first place. No matter what, we all should aim to  become Icons  in our own right. Ingratiate these qualities into your life to  start your journey to  true greatness and prosperity!

I applaud LeBron for taking letting his voice be heard in such a strong way.      There’s no doubt that the NBA are finding ways to get Donald Sterling to relinquish control of the Los Angeles Clippers! However, I expect for LeBron  to  follow through with his threats if the situation is still playing out  this October. Be an Icon LeBron! Don’t go out like the prematurely  proclaimed “best  basketball player ever” Michael Jordan! That’s a topic for an entirely different article though…….

 

 

Arleen “Nawlinz” Robinson

Often times we find ourselves living in fear… fear of stepping outside of our comfort zone, taking a risk and trying new things because we are too afraid of failing. However, failing and making mistakes are inevitable because we are all human.  Making mistakes are great lessons learned. In fact, one way to increase success is to increase your failure rate. For each so-called failure to overcome is a step forward towards reaching your greatness.

 

The most successful people in the world are not those have never failed, but those who have bent down to a challenge, those who no matter how many times things may have gone wrong, did not give up but kept going, those who stepped outside of their comfort zone and took a risk.  Successful people are those who are most persistent, who will try something repeatedly until they get it done.  Think about it, where would we be if Albert Einstein gave up, if Thomas Edison gave up, if Benjamin Franklin gave up, if Benjamin Banneker gave up, if Frederick Douglas gave up, if George Washington Carver gave up, if Martin Luther King gave up, or if Malcom X gave up. The list could go on and on. 

However, the point is, some of the greatest advances in history and science were because at some point, someone tried something and it didn’t work but yet they kept going, kept pushing, kept moving until it did. Life is short and fragile.  Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. There is no time for regrets. 

Unleashing your greatness begins with you and it begins now.Trust your dream.  Stop putting limits on yourself, unleash your greatness, and grow. Greatness comes in many sizes. Growth can only come from being fluid and susceptible to change, not from being stagnant. Every time you try something new, you have the opportunity to expose yourself to a completely new world of feelings, desires and challenges. Greatness does not mean that you need to do huge things. It means that whatever you do, you give it your all.

 

Gear up with passion. Passion is what gives you the strength to follow your dreams. Passion exemplifies your purpose. This powerhouse can uncover your hidden greatness. Because passion drives us forward and allows us to overcome setbacks and obstacles, it can inspire and motivate you in unleashing your greatness.  

Count your blessings. Sometimes we tend to focus more on our difficulties instead of what is going well. That can get us down, instead of lifting us up. Therefore, focus on the good because if you had to stop, sit back and analyze your situation, you would realize that your good outweighs your bad.  Remember, blessings come in all shapes, forms and fashions. Sometimes it is the smallest notion that makes the biggest impact.  Be thankful and grateful.

Do not listen to the knockers and the blockers. Many people are quite negative because they feel bad about themselves. We all know that misery loves company. They want to pull down achievers to their own level. Remember that their criticism of you is just an expression of their own self-doubts and fears. Walk boldly and stride confidently as you unleash your greatness.  Believe  in yourself and your abilities. 

Put your heart, soul, and sweat into your dreams. Success without work is not reality. Great    people work incredibly hard – success does not come by accident, it does not come easy and you  cannot stay on top without hard work. It takes just as much hard work and dedication to remain  successful just as it takes to become successful.

  Greatness exists in every one of us.  To tap into it and unleash it is up to you. Everything you will    have and achieve in your future  will be a consequence of the steps you take today. The most    powerful moment of your life, is the moment of now. One of the first starting points to following    your dreams is to stop dreaming. Stop dreaming about what you would love to do or who you    would love to be and start taking small steps towards unleashing your greatness.

Connect with Nawlinz on Facebook and receive daily morning motivation:

https://www.facebook.com/nawlinz.robinson

Do you have any questions or comments for me? Is there a topic you’d like us to discuss? I would love to hear from you! Contact me directly at:

Email: [email protected]

Kik: @AuthorRandallB

Ask.Fm: @YoungandGiftedBooks

Twitter: @AuthorRandallB & @TeamYGB25

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randall.barnes.501

Check out my of “The Diary of Aaliyah Anderson” on Wattpad. It’s coming soon!

http://www.wattpad.com/story/6314747-the-diary-of-aaliyah-anderson