Hey Friend,

This morning in the gym I was listening to a little old school rap.

Recently I discovered that 2pac (a famous rapper who was gunned down in Las Vegas) had produced a song with Elton John called 'Ghetto Gospel'.

Sometimes I feel like artists are humanities best visionaries and preachers, and It seems, I'm always finding principles and success lessons scattered throughout some of the music I listen to.

Here are a few success lessons from this song (and beyond the grave) that resonate with me...

The bold lines are from the song, and the other text will be my highlights and commentary...

'It ain't about black or white, cause we're human

I hope we see the light before it's ruined...'

#Unity #OneHumanFamily

'Tell me do you see that old lady ain't it sad, Living out a bag, but she's glad for the little things she has.'

#Gratitude

"I refuse to be a role model, I set goals, take control, drink out my own bottles.'

#SelfDirection #ThinkForYourself

'I make mistakes, I learn from everyone, And when it's said and done I bet this Brother bet a better one'

#Humility

'If I upset you don't stress, Never forget, that God hasn't finished me with yet.'

#Faith

'I feel his hand on my brain, when I write Rhymes, I go blind, and the lord do his thang.'

#DivineInspiration

"But am I less holy cause I choose to puff a blunt and drink a beer with my homies?'

- The good book says 'let he who is without sin cast the first stone.'

A part of my story that I haven't talked about much is the struggle with drug and alcohol addition I had back in High school and college.

This was one of the catalysts that led me to an upward reach.

So who are we, really, ever to condemn others for some of the things that so many use to condemn?

I personally found, for me, that drugs and alcohol are much less useful in helping me to be the best version of myself, but that's my journey and I don't look down on anyone for having a different one.

My dad struggled with these things and it led him to some choices that I'm sure he regrets now, like leaving my mom, younger sister and I, and dying young.

If these things are a problem for you currently, and are preventing you from shining your light in the world as bright as it can shine, I'd love to encourage you to reach out to my friend Benjamin Sorensen, who has also faced and overcome some of these challenges, and does an amazing job sharing his story and holding his hand out for others who might want to grab it.

To everyone else, carry on and keep loving those around you, especially the ones who might be making choices that you perceive as 'less than holy.'

And now, for what might be my favorite line in the whole song...

'Lord, can you hear me SPEAK?'

To me, there's just something so special about hearing 2pac sing out that line.

Someone most people would picture as being the polar opposite of faith, and goodness, crying out to God...

But doesn't that, to some degree, describe us all?

Where we are now, is not where we can be in the future.

Who we are now, is not yet, who we can become.

What we've done in the past, is not a full picture, of what can be done throughout the entirety of our lives.

And don't we all, deep down, want to sing out with 2pac, asking for help from above and beyond, to help us get to where we're supposed to go?

I know I do. 

All the best to you today Friend, and may we all continue to step efficiently into freedom and beyond. ;-)

Paul