It’s difficult to keep pushing forward, when money is tight, and all these uncontrollable factors bombard you from staying focused on your goals, and it’s easy to burn out.

I’ve been there, I’m there every few weeks, lol!  It’s a constant checks and balances to keep yourself in a healthy space that will nurture a positive environment to stay focused and motivated.

some things I do, that may help you:

1. Eat Healthy – I cook as many meals as I can, or eat home cooked meals provided by family and friends.  Eating out is NOT healthy! even if it is organic.  The actual act of choosing ingredients, washing, prepping, cooking, AND cleaning up after, has become a soothing exercise to get out of the work space. Having time to reflect, and just clear your head, and fill your stomach with good energy, keeps me happy, and sane. (Plus, you save hella money making your own meals.)

2. Run/Walk – Spending time outside, breathing, heart beat racing, is necessary for your body to maintain itself. If you don’t like to run, at least go for a walk (preferably surrounded by nature).  Your body is connected to your brain (duh!), so don’t just focus on one area too much, find balance in physical activities, that gives your brain a rest from thinking about everything on your to do list. Sometimes clarity comes along after a good running session…

3. Dream Big! – Ruby and I constantly daydream about what our future will look, smell, taste, and feel like… ”Thoughts become reality!” (Ruby wanted me to tell you that), so think about what it is you’re going after, envision your ideal life.  From your career, how much money you make, your family life, where you plan on traveling, all the little details, and big ideas, matter.  Once you think about something, it can manifest to reality! Your thought process is the fuel that the universe needs to create those opportunities for you.

Yup, Ruby is ready to get back on the road! She’s settled into NYC, and now we’re gonna bring it worldwide! We’re focusing on workshops, event hosting, and key note speaking engagements, as well as re-publishing her book “Miss Universe”!

Quick update – I’ve taken on the role as not just her Publicist, but her Booking Manager too! (I quit my day job for a reason folks, lol)  I got to spend some time with Ruby in NY a few weeks ago, which helped us get into work mode and plan out 2010, we’re very excited, can you tell?

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT BOOKING RUBY CHECK HERE

Aug 21, 2009

Whew! I stayed up till 3am last night, (haven’t had one of those in a while…)! Finalizing the promo material for PapaLoDown, and now I want YOU to be filled in on all the exciting projects and adventures coming ahead as we end the year of “shine in 09″!

Just to fill you in, I quit my day job and legally licensed my business, it’s official! I’ll forreals be an independent hustler now, and I’m excited to finally let go of my security blanket of a steady paycheck to maximize my full potential as an entrepreneur.

If you’re in The Bay tonight, begin the celebrations with me, and support the Beats, Rhymes, and Life Film Project at Club 6!

I’m currently setting up meetings with potential clients, please contact me at paloma@papalodown.com for your first steps in mastering the independent hustle

Ruby left for New York today… (yay!)

All this moving to New York preparation with Ruby the past few months, has given me the chance to revisit the process I had went through six years ago I when moved to New York.  A few days ago, I found an essay I wrote shortly after I had moved there, below is an excerpt from that writing:

…Growing up in the Bay Area (Northern California), I have been exposed to many cultures, sounds, and experiences, but I truly believe that my decision to move to New York is the deciding factor in my future.  My passion for retail and the fashion industry has led  me to the fashion capitol of the world – New York, to pursue my education and career.  This will be one of the most significant experiences in my life…  - winter 2003

Six years after I wrote that I find myself back in the Bay Area, right where I started, full circle!  Being able to reflect is a trip…  I guess you can say that’s what I’ve been doing lately – A spring cleaning of the soul, an emotional cleanse, and a detox from the computer! (although I have an iphone, which is technically a computer, right?)

Soooo, I guess it’s time for me to formally say – I’m NOT moving to Los Angeles after all! (siiiike! LOL)

While  in the process of making moves to get to LA, I ended up realizing that I can have everything I want right here, in the Bay – my home area, right where I started!  That’s not to say, Los Angeles isn’t in the cards for the future, but now is not the right time, and I’m glad I was able to recognize that before it was too late.

Lesson to learn – It’s all about timing, and knowing when it’s the right time to make your move, literally and figuratively.  Part of that is navigating yourself through the process of making the right decisions (ie. listen to your instincts), and everything else will fall into place.

The rest of the iLL-Literacy crew  - Adriel, Nico, and Dahlak will also be moving to New York this year!  I’m excited to see what moves are made while they experience the “city that never sleeps”.  I’ll be holding down homebase in the meantime…

SAVE THE DATE  - MONDAY JUNE 1st:  
iLL-LITERACY site relaunch!
www.ill-literacy.com

ps. wouldn’t it be dope if we had a Devil’s Pie NY edition…?! hmmm…

www.devilspiesoul.com

MISS Crew is hosting a poetry contest for Ruby’s Miss Universe book – prizes include a copy of Miss Universe and a pair of MADE Jewelry’s Miss Universe earring.

All you have to do is submit your own poem for a copy to win Miss Universe and the earrings.  The only requirement is that the poem cannot be longer than 1 page in length.  Ruby herself will read all the poems and choose the lucky winner.  Put those thinking caps on and get to writing!   All entries must be in by Sunday, December 21st, midnight PST.  Send your entries to misscrewcontest@gmail.com.  May the best poem win! – misscrew.com

When you produce a contest, make sure it’s worth every one’s time, and that there is value in it for everyone involved, these things can be more trouble than they’re worth if you don’t really think it through.  Common sense – but some folks don’t have that.  And you probably don’t want to invest in this kind of promo if you don’t have a fan base yet (FYI).

looking forward to the winning poem… I should submit one anonymously and see if Ruby likes it, haha!

www.misscrew.com
www.madejewelry.com
www.rubyisill.com

Yes yes ya’ll, and you don’t stop… iLL-Literacy touches down in NY tomorrow night!  How I wish I was back at my (other) home joining in the funkadelic voyage that iLL-Lit has embarked on.  (I miss my friends!)

Check out the flicks and review on Oh Dang! Magazine from the SF show a few weeks ago: CLICK HERE  

So NY, don’t miss out! Get your tickets here before the show tomorrow night!

ps. Check out Ruby’s Interview on Oh Dang! HERE

www.ohdangmag.com
www.ill-literacy.com

Check it out!! The Natural Electricity Tour hits SF this Sunday along with the release of Ruby’s book “Miss Universe”.  Listen in to the interview with iLL-Literacy to get a sneak preview as to what Miss Universe and the tour is all about and all the projects the crew has coming in the near future:

LISTEN HERE on HARD KNOCK RADIO

www.ill-literacy.com
www.hardknockradio.com
Hard Kock Radio Archives on KPFA - http://kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=29013

The Natural Electricity Tour lands in San Francisco Sunday, October 26, 2008 – Featuring iLL-Literacy with the Hi-Life’s and The Getback.  As the Bay Area’s very own intergalactic Hip Hop, spoken word, funk band – iLL-Literacy will take you on a journey through the Milky Way evoking the spirits of James Brown, Parliament, and Janelle Monae, are you ready to ride…?!  

Beautiful feature on imeem‘s home page today of iLL-Literacy! Great way for them to start their Fall Tour!  As I write this, they’re on their way to Fresno… and it gets oh so naturally electrifying! 

To find out the rest of the “Natural Electricty” tour dates check HERE

www.imeem.com
www.ill-literacy.com