Monday Morning Motivation 4/25/11

An excellent Monday Morning to you and the people you care about...

Each journey in your life will begin with a first step. And this first step could signify the first time you study, the first time your write a lyric, the first time you catch a ball. It could be anything. But the point is, it is your first step, not your fifteenth step.

Anything worth accomplishing deserves a fresh start, a first step. In order to conquer a world, you must first conquer your neighbor, then your city, then your county, then your state, then your region, then your country, then your continent and so on. Many times, we fail because we decide that we want it all at once, like wanting the wedding ring but forgetting to build the friendship or trying to conquer the world but starting with your region instead of your neighborhood. We put pressure on ourselves and certain failure by not prioritizing our steps.

This morning, take the opportunity to prioritize your steps. Ask yourself, "Did I skip an important step to save time?" This morning is about positive progression and it is ALWAYS about "Passion Work".

Have an excellent Monday Morning, and you will have an excellent WEEK!

Monday Morning Motivation (3/7/11)

An Excellent Monday Morning is YOURS!

Personally, I must say that last Monday Morning was a changing point in my life. I not only write these letters, I live these letters. And last week, I was hit by a shot of motivation. Those that believe in me, still believe after all these years.

In a society driven by proving people wrong or accepting jealousy as a right of passage, I choose my friends, colleagues and family as my motivation. I've stayed so far away from the "hate", dodging it whenever I could. Why would I want for someone to continue telling me that I am not capable? Why would I want to keep my enemy closer? I don't see the point in either option. There is more to life. And that MORE can be achieved through one way, support.

So on this Monday Morning, use the process of elimination to shine a light on the people which without a shadow of a doubt, bring worth to your life. And to create a circle of motivation, "Support your Supporters."

Have an excellent Monday Morning, and you'll have an excellent week.

NBA Star Jason Maxiell and Wife Brandi, Stands up to Cancer

On September 10, “Stand Up to Cancer” returned to primetime television with its groundbreaking initiative aimed at raising funds to accelerate innovated cancer research bringing new therapies to cancer patients to save as many lives as possible. And two participants of that event were NBA Detroit Piston Jason Maxiell and his beautiful wife Brandi.

Jason and Brandi celebrated their one year anniversary this past August. But it was back in 2007, while dating that Brandi was unexpectedly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy resulted in Brandi losing her hair. One day she turned on a Detroit Piston’s game to find that her boyfriend shaved off his hair in a show of solidarity and endless support for his high school sweetheart. Four cycles of chemotherapy later, Brandi’s cancer has gone into remission.

The Maxiell’s sat down with Deshair to talk about their involvement with “SU2C”, survivors’ guilt, and the love which binds them together.

Deshair: Brandi, can you talk to our readers about what Stand Up 2 Cancer focuses on compared to other foundations, and the energy of the people involved.

Brandi Maxiell: I can’t really compare it to any other organization. I do know that 100% of donations go directly towards research. Stand Up 2 Cancer wants to find a cure to every cancer, not just a particular one. I really love how this foundation explains what it does in detail. I’ve met so many people through being a part of this. But I must say I really enjoyed my time spent with Kelly Osbourne. I can’t forget Ryan Seacrest; they both were great to be around, very genuine people.

Deshair: Going through such a high level of adversity, from which parts of your life did you draw the strength to carry on and how hard was it to maintain your focus on that strength?

Brandi Maxiell: It was so hard, from beginning to end. When I first went into surgery, my doctors didn’t know it was cancer. They knew something was wrong with my health, just not to what extents. Honestly, in the beginning, I went through so many tests and so much pain that I looked for the worst. I was in denial of it. And the first thing I thought about was losing my hair. I had long beautiful hair, halfway down my back and I didn’t want to lose it. I know that may sound childish, but I’m just being real about this. I was devastated. But once I lost my hair, one of the few things I cherished, I’ve gained true perspective about life. I felt that I could do anything after that. My strength came from that, but ultimately my family. I know I wasn’t the best person to deal with during those times, yet they stuck with me, encouraged me. Traveling with my now husband, fiancé at the time, really helped. By doctor’s orders, I wasn’t supposed to be traveling at the time. It wasn’t until they saw me recovering faster and feeling better about myself that they said, “Whatever she’s doing, let her do it.”

Deshair: Jason, you play very hard and efficiently on the court for the Pistons. What parts of your game has Brandi written all over it?

Jason Maxiell: Her strength is… she is so strong, a fighter, she can make it through anything. When I practiced or played, there was no such thing as adversity.

Deshair: Brandi, to survive anything, sometimes a person feels guilty being a survivor when so many others didn't... have you ever found yourself feeling survivors’ guilt and if not what did your survival bring you on an emotional level?

Brandi Maxiell: One of the reasons why I didn’t want to talk about my survival so soon was because I was still personally and emotionally going through it. I can talk about my survival now, although I still have emotional moments, I’m not crying as much as I had in the past. I had Stage 1, so I was cured. However, there was still a part of me that felt like I didn’t have the right to talk about it because I was conscious of what so many other people are still going through. I felt so bad because I was going to the Chemotherapy offices and witnessed first hand, the suffering of other women. But I had to learn and pray that this was my blessing. And I pray for others to survive this as well. My best friend’s mother just passed away from ovarian cancer. It’s hard for me to find the words to say to my best friend now that I have survived the very cancer her mother passed because of.

Deshair: Talk about your current involvement with Stand Up to Cancer?

Brandi Maxiell: I am just now getting my feet wet with it. You may have to ask me that in a few months. But I do have a walk that’s coming up. And I am hoping to be at my best for that. I want to be more involved in helping as many people as I can by telling my story and spreading hope.

Deshair: Jason, the Eastern Conference is pretty stacked this season. I’m not going to ask you about Miami… talk to us about what the Pistons will bring to the table this season.

Jason Maxiell: Well first, we will return with Tracy McGrady; he is a talented all-star caliber player that will bring a lot of experience to our team. We have a mixture of young talent and old heads (veterans) on our team. We are going to play hard Detroit Piston basketball for 48 minutes.

Deshair: It is very easy to see how much love you have for each other. I want to know from each of you, what makes your relationship work and what do you find yourselves working on to keep your connection strong?

Jason Maxiell: Brandi and I have each other’s back. We’ve been through a lot together and we are stronger than ever because of it. She is my inspiration. How could I not give all that I have on the basketball when I have a wife as strong as mine. We want to spend more time together. And she wants to get away from the cold in Detroit. So we’ll travel to places like Miami and L.A. to enjoy ourselves. Being an only child, I didn’t have someone to speak to about things. Now I can speak to Brandi about anything and everything.

Brandi Maxiell: Adding on to Jason’s statements, I had siblings, but I was older than them by 13 years, so in a way I felt like to only child socially. Jason and I are used to having our private time. When we come together, we can be ourselves. We know how to communicate. Communication is the heart and key to our relationship. We bond so well. Also, a part of our relationship was long distance. That helped us to respect each other’s space. Not to toot our own horn, but we do a great job together. Jason is my best friend. I can’t do anything without him.

The Race To Nowhere: A Poem for our First Lady

You are… our future’s present,

I salute… your presence.

You are… the sweetest shade of our history, which you wear so proudly,

With a smile born from the galaxy, and a heart large enough to warm the coldest of souls.

You are… the quintessential woman,

You are gifted; just the mere glimpse of your energy is enlightening, and no one should miss it.

You are the walking, talking story of triumph over all things

You are the blueprint for the woman that will someday become my wife.

You are the ‘rock’ for so many,

Not just our Commander-In-Chief,

You’ve broken the mold by being yourself,

Leaving your doubters imprisoned in disbelief.

You are… the most influential,

And thoroughly respected,

You are… the reason why a woman will finally become elected as President.