following your dreams | Tiffany M. Arnold

Yesterday I was in Barnes & Nobles and I was searching the magazine aisle as I do normally and I came across this guy and his wife. He was saying he wanted to be a writer and I thought about the advice I received, so be one! We talked for a good twenty minutes before him and his wife had to go, but I got so many ideas from his conversation and I hope I gave him enough encouragement to get those books out. He has soo many fresh ideas, that I believe would be a great face for his ministry.

“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.”

– E.L. Doctrow

But I thought about it, so many times we have amazing ideas, and we don’t do it because we think things have to be done a certain way, or like everyone else has done. I look at Chance the Rapper and I know thats not true. Here is a guy who loves hip hop and made it, several awards and he has NEVER been signed. He did it the way he chose to and not the way everyone has and he also has reached back and helped others.

I am a writer, I have been writing a little over 10 years now and I never asked others how they did it. Its like half the time people act like its a secret to the success of it, but its nothing more than sitting in front of my computer daily and typing words, even when they don’t make any sense.

So I say to all those out there with a dream to do something, DO IT! Write that book, direct that film, run that marathon… you can do anything and as so many greats have said the greatest things are on the other side of fear. So why let an emotion or the unknown block you. Because why should we all be one paycheck away from homelessness with a job we hate when we can create what jobs we want and reach back and give a hand to someone and lift them up along the way. Imagine if we all had the job we wanted and we were all happy. Imagine a world with no chaos. I dream of it…. I think it can happen.

So… one of the things I have been thinking of starting is Feminist Friday! I saw Ellevest do it on Linkedin and I thought it was a wonderful idea, except theres is Feminist Financial Friday and I want mine to be a little more relatable. Mr John Smith Jr, no lie he had the most common name ever, a pastor at Mt Zion Baptist Church, was telling me about his cousin a fashion designer and she will be my very first Feminist Friday. I would like to encourage women by the struggles and accomplishments of others and her story is unlike so many but yet sooo immensely encouraging.

So stay tuned… I have a Friday theme!!!

If no one has told you – I love you!

A review unlike the rest… for one unlike anyone else.

There is nothing I love more that reading a new book or old, doesn’t matter, except listening to an Audible in the authors voice. I’m not one for the actors or voiceovers of others, because sometimes hearing the words as they were meant to be heard – it stirs something. It makes you feel what the author felt while reading it, and while thinking it before putting in paper.

My recent Audible credit went to Taraji P Hensons book, read by her, called “Around The Way Girl: A Memoir”. I know everyone knows Taraji as Cookie Lyons on Empire, or as Katherine on Hidden Figures as I also did, but now I know her from her soul. As she read the words she wrote about her life as a single mother coming to Hollywood via DC at an age where everyone said she wouldn’t make it, it hit home. It spoke volumes because here I am, a 35 year old single mother of 4 girls, starting over and trying to start right.

Taraji talks about being typecast because of her infamous role of Yvette in Baby Boy, which, I have to say was still an amazing movie. She played the hell out of that role – no one can deny that, but to hear the frustrations of trying to break away from the role that made her name a household name, at least I thought so. From the first time I saw that movie, I knew she was a star, and I knew that where she is today, would happen. But as a fan, I didn’t know that she was fighting hard to become this person now.

This book, breaks down Taraji, as a bad ass black queen who never accepted no, or she can’t as an option. She broke down doors and borders that was suppose to stop her. As she has said, if she listened to them, where would she be now? Definitely not a Golden Globe winner and an Academy Award nominee. She wouldn’t be gracing our television and memes as the woman who is proud and uplifter of other women, especially WOC in films.

There are so many stories of cattiness and pettiness that everyone seems to think is the way to be, but Taraji, is anything but. She believes in lifting her sisters, her friends, her peers in their achievements and accomplishments. Taraji was meme’d as #Squadgoals because she is the true definition of a friend. She made me realize, that many of us from the DC area are. We are brought up on Go-Go and uplifting others and being a friend to many but not naive to a thing. She reminded me of my roots, and how I have in me the same determination to make it.

So I say Dammit Taraji, only to say, that while listening to this book, I laughed, cried and rejoiced with you every step of the way. I can only hope to be the type of friend, sister and woman that you are. Taraji is not afraid to be loud, to laugh, to be silly and definitely not afraid to stand out. Keep making moves, the world was waiting and always ready for you. I can’t wait to see what Taraji does next!!! Buy this book here it’s a definite must read!!!!

Tiffany M. Arnold

Tag Archives: following your dreams

Just Write and Just Be….

Dammit Taraji!

A review unlike the rest… for one unlike anyone else.

I said what I said.