DAY 36 - I GOT THE BLUES - AND I COULDN'T BE ANY HAPPIER!

I arrived at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans(The host hotel for our Conclave) around 10:00 a.m. and it was Blue and White EVERYWHERE! I quickly made my way to the first registration post - A - something... (I don't remember, but that's where the "B"''s where located.) I showed my ID and registration letter and received all of my "sigma stuff". With two members of my DREAM TEAM in tow, I mingled and mixed, always finding a way to talk about ONE MILLION BOOKS ACROSS AMERICA (Hey, a Brotha is on a mission!). I started promoting my mission and my book - EASIER SAID THAN DONE! within 2 minutes of my arrival(And it only took me that long, because I had to get out of the car and go inside - I'M ON IT! ) I located my vendors table, unloaded the boxes of books and CDs, did a quick walk through of the ballroom in which I would be performing on Tuesday night(I had to put my energy in the room early), grabbed me some Arby's, networked a little more and hit the sack early(Who new having the Blues could be so exhausting.) ...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

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DAY 28 - I'M A DREAMER! - THERE'S ONE IN EVERY FAMILY!

PICTURED ABOVE: Shirley Murdock & brburns.com

Tonight as I sat backstage at The Sanger Theater in Mobile, Alabama, waiting on my cue to take the stage in the stage play - THERE'S ONE IN EVERY FAMILY(Heaven Ain't That Hard To Find!), I started thinking about how much I LOVE THE THEATER! Thanks to Curtis Von, for allowing me to be a part of his production. And thanks to all of the wonderful people that I had the opportunity to work with on the play: Shirley Murdock, George Ukomadu, Bobbi Faye Yarbrough, Eve L. Wills Tate, Derrick Keener, Drew Williams, Cydni, Bri, Portia, Quincy, Will, Rob and anybody else that I failed to mention.

It has always been my dream to take MY STAGE PLAYS on tours around the world. As I walked around the theater earlier that day, I saw the sold-out crowd sitting there patiently waiting on MY PLAY to start. I heard the thunderous rounds of applause as MY PLAY ended. I saw the long lines of fans standing patiently to get the autographs of the cast of MY PLAY. I've always been a dreamer and because I know God has given me the ability to make those dreams come true - I DREAM IN COLOR! "We create our future by what we dream today!" ...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

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DAY 20 - THE BOOK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF! People Are Talking!

Today I did some backtracking. After I signed books at a Garage Sale(Yes I will sign books anywhere! - Big ups to my girl RAE at Front Cover.), I went back to a Beauty Salon that I had previously sold books to. When I got to the shop, a couple of the people that I had tried to sell books to on my original visit, were excitedly anxious to purchase their copy of my book.

REWIND A WEEK EARLIER... "I don't want the book!" - "No Thank You!" - "I'm not interested!" But today, they couldn't get their copies fast enough. I had to know why they had changed their minds. One of them told me - Plain and Simple - "IT WAS THE BOOK!". They informed me that the other people that I had sold the books to in the Salon, were carrying on and on about the book: "Ooo girl, this book is good!" - "I can't put it down!" - "You gotta get you a copy!" - Etc. etc. etc. Note to self: WORD OF MOUTH is the best form of advertisement. So THANK YOU to all of the "Believers" who have become "Advertising Executives" for EASIER SAID THAN DONE! Please keep talking about and promoting the book and I know we will sell ONE MILLION BOOKS ACROSS AMERICA! "One person lights the fire - The other person fans it!"...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

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DAY 19 - BUILDING A DREAM - STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF OTHERS!

Today as I take time to celebrate - JUNETEENTH(The day that the slaves were notified of their freedom in Texas.) I can't help but reflect on how mentally enslaved a lot of people that I know still are. Although, the physical chains of slavery no longer exist, so many people are still living in slavery. Whether they are a slave to a job they hate. A slave to a bad relationship that they refuse to end. Or a slave to a dream that they are afraid to go after. The chains that bind the mind and heart, still exist. "Are you still a slave?" I THANK GOD EVERYDAY THAT - I HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO EMANCIPATE MYSELF AND PURSUE MY PASSION AND FOLLOW MY DREAM!!! ...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

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DAY 17 - READ A BOOK - EXPAND YOUR MIND - LIVE YOUR DREAM!

Tonight I had the pleasure of doing a Book Signing at a place that had a much younger crowd than I was accustomed to. There were a lot of young people in attendance, but very few were interested in "reading" or in buying a book. I became a little discouraged, not because I wasn't selling a lot of books, but because of the number of times I heard from Young Brothers and Sisters - "I DON'T READ"... hmmm

So that started me to thinking about our mission to sell ONE MILLION BOOKS ACROSS AMERICA. The goal was never just about selling 1,000,000 books, it has always been about INSPIRING OTHERS TO FIND THEIR PASSION AND LIVE THEIR DREAM! Now, because of my experience at the Book Signing tonight, I am adding a new layer to our goal - TO GET MY PEOPLE TO PLEASE PICK UP A BOOK AND READ! Reading is not only fundamental, but it is fascinating. It broadens your horizons and builds your vocabulary. It keeps you entertained and engaged. I THANK GOD for my Grandmother & Mother - for insisting that I turn the television off and pick up a book and to "The Book Mobile" that parked at the Mt. Calm Baptist Church in Simsboro, La once a month, every Summer - bringing all those BEAUTIFUL BOOKS! Reading changed my way of thinking, showed me the possibilities and is allowing me to live my dream! ...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

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DAY 15 - WORK - WHEN YOU'RE WORKING

Today was a very interesting day. Although I had to put my mission on pause for a second to help a friend move, I still found myself working my plan, while I was working. "The best way to solve your own problem is to help someone else solve his." Do you remember the line from the song - "Your body is here with me, but your mind is on the other side of town"? That's literally what I was experiencing. With each piece of furniture that I picked up with my hands, my mind grabbed hold of a new angle, by which I could work my plan to sell ONE MILLION BOOKS ACROSS AMERICA. When I would stop to catch my breath, I would make follow up phone calls to set-up new signings. During the walk from the apartment to the moving truck, I would practice my presentation and my poetry. And although the numbers don't reflect it - TODAY WAS A VERY PRODUCTIVE DAY! ...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

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DAY 13 - I'M GOING TO MAKE EVERYDAY A SATURDAY!

PICTURED ABOVE: Priscilla, brburns.com, Chana and The Booksssss

SATURDAY WAS PHENOMENAL!!! I had the honor of being hosted by Priscilla at her beautiful home(THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!). The ambiance was immaculate. The crowd was accomplished, intelligent and interesting. The wine was chilled, the hors d'oeuvres were delicious and the books were flying out of the trunk!(Okay, I had the books in the house with me, but you get my point - lol.) The connections that were made - were priceless. Thanks again Priscilla and Chana for an event that was "networking at its finest".

The day started with a couple of Beauty Shop & Barber Shop Drop-ins(Shouts out to IN GOD'S HANDS SALON and SALONS IN THE PARK) - Thanks for the love! From there we were invited to make our pitch at the Staff Meeting of BIG DREAMS & LIL' WONDERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY - Thanks to JoAnne and her Staff for allowing me and my Team to come to your meeting. Your generosity and support will never be forgotten.

PICTURED BELOW: brburns.com, The Staff of Big Dreams & Lil' Wonders Christian Academy, The Booksssss and a CD

Saturday was so full of positivity and promise. Of course there were a lot of "No's" in between the "Yes's", but the encouragement from the "Yes's" made us forget about the "No's" - What No's? "A rejected opportunity to give is a lost opportunity to receive!"

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DAY 12 - I AM BURSTING WITH ENTHUSIASM!

Today I enthusiastically continued my impromptu Beauty Shop and Barber Shop visits(Is it still impromptu, if this is the second day that I'm doing it?). During one of my Barber Shop drop-ins, I ran into a guy(Roy) that I went to Texas College with. He was surprised and so was the Barber(Tyrone) that I could remember his first and last name, since I had not seen or communicated with him since 1985. Roy enthusiastically said "Of course I want to buy your book - you went to Texas College - I gotta support what your doing!" His enthusiasm and excitement generated a sale from Tyrone as well. Just as I remembered a Classmate that I had not seen in over 20 years - I WILL NEVER FORGET THE PEOPLE WHO HAS - HAVE - AND IS, SUPPORTING ME! "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

PICTURED BELOW: Ms. Vasha, P.T., brburns.com and THE BOOK!

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DAY 10 - I WON'T COMPLAIN!

"I've had some good days and I've had some bad days, but my good days, outweigh my bad days - SO I WON'T COMPLAIN!" "Whines" are the products of sour grapes. ...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

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DAY 9 - TODAY IS EARLY ENOUGH! Just Shake Off Yesterday!

This is what I do know - I am 9 days into my 90 day mission and I've only sold 12 books.
This is what I do know - I have 999,988 to go in order reach my goal of 1,000,000.

This is what I don't know - What tomorrow holds!

When you're pursuing your passion and following your dreams, things seldom go as planned. Your plan for the plan, does not go as you've planned. Events get cancelled, people stop calling and emails aren't returned - "What do you do?" You shake off the disappointments of yesterday and start again.

There's a Gospel song by Donnie McClurkin that says "We fall down, but we get up!". The thing to "try" when all else fails is - to "try" again! There is an old African Proverb that says: TODAY IS EARLY ENOUGH! ...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

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DAY 6 - WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU A LEMON...

The second scheduled event on my "grass-roots" book tour around America was abruptly cancelled(I'm still not clear on exactly why...). Was I dissapointed? - yes, but am I discouraged? - NO! When I started this journey 6 days ago(selling 1,000,000 Books in 90 days), I did not expect it to be easy or without some hiccups. However, the bumps in the road that you travel to your destiny, are not there to kick you off your course, but they are there to give you a quick jolt, a much needed moment to adjust your hands on the wheel, hold on tighter and keep going. Adversity causes some men to break and others to BREAK RECORDS!...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

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DAY 4 - ONE BOOK AT A TIME! One Day At A Time!

As I was signing a book for one of my Fraternity brothers this evening, he said something to me and asked me a very interesting question: "Frat, this is only one book, I wish I could buy a million but I can't. With numbers like this, how do you realistically plan to sell a 1,000,000 books?" I sat there for a second - inhaled, exhaled and then inhaled again before I confidently replied: "ONE BOOK AT A TIME - ONE DAY AT A TIME!"

I know that some men succeed because they are destined to, but most men succeed because they are determined to! I am DETERMINED to SUCCEED! Mentally I am viewing my goal(To sell 1,000,000 books in 90 day!) as a giant ladder. With each book I sell, I get to climb a little higher. So thank you to the Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity - Alpha Beta Sigma Chapter for your support. You've helped me to continue my climb!"...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

ONE MILLION BOOKS ACROSS AMERICA! - I AM DETERMINED!
Order A Copy Today! - www.onemillionbooksacrossamerica.com

DAY 3 - HOLDING MY HOPE! "Keeping Hope Alive!"

How do you stay excited about your goals and keep from slowly slipping into a slump? How do you "stay motivated" to "stay motivated" when you're "not feeling motivated"?

YOU LOOK UP AND PRAY - STEP BACK AND BREATHE... And then - You reflect back on the excitement that you had at the moment that you gave birth to your goal! You remember how hopeful you were that it would "come to pass"! You pick up the pieces and rearrange the plan!

"Hope is the feeling that you will succeed tomorrow in what you failed at today!" And finally, in the words of my Pastor V.M. Robertson - in East Texas - "Hold Your Hope!"...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

ONE MILLION BOOKS ACROSS AMERICA! - I BELIEVE I CAN!
Order A Copy Today! - www.onemillionbooksacrossamerica.com

DAY 2 - BE GRATEFUL!

I am EXCITED and feeling GREAT right now. No, not because the sells of my book have not gone through the roof yet, but I am still rejoicing. Why? Because I am so grateful to have a vision. I am grateful to have a goal. I have had so many conversations with people who don't have goals. People who lack passion. I know a lot of people who just exist. I COULDN'T BREATHE WITHOUT HAVING SOMETHING TO WORK TOWARDS!.

"The right angle for approaching a difficult task, is the "try-angle!" So even if you are not where you would like to be at this moment in the puruit of your passion, you can still BE GRATEFUL because unlike many, you have found your PURPOSE!...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me

DAY 1 - ENCOURAGE YOURSELF! - Celebrate The Small Steps!

Today is the first day of my New Mission(ONE MILLION BOOKS ACROSS AMERICA in 90 Days). I woke up this morning eager to check my website, to see how much closer I was to my goal. My excitement was quickly diminished as I realized that I only received 3 Book Orders(*SIGH* 3 Books down and 999,997 MORE TO GO!). As I sat here slowly slipping into the dimensions of discouragement, something that my Co-Host Dee Spencer has often said, came to mind: "Never frown at SMALL BEGINNINGS, because you never know what may become of them!" So instead of looking at the glass as virtually EMPTY, I got excited about it being 3 Books Closer to being FULL!

"The secret to success is to start from scratch and keep on scratching!" When things don't immediately work-out the way that we plan, we have to ENCOURAGE OURSELVES. Every step towards your goal is worthy of celebrating, because you can't get to your destination without every single one. SO HIP HIP HORRAY FOR DAY 1 and I CAN'T WAIT to see what DAY 2 has instore - deserving of a celebration!...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

FROM THE HEAD TO THE HAND, PART 1: Making your dreams a reality!

As I begin the NEXT stage of my journey - to the NEXT level of my life, initial thoughts of - "Can I really do this?", begin to surface. I quickly reflect back to the day that I got the idea to write a book - the day that it was just a "thought" in my HEAD. And then I fast-forward to the day that the book came and I held it in my HANDS - WOW, what an awesome feeling! It was that feeling, caused by a single idea, that I had to let sink-in. The idea of actually holding something in my hands that was just an idea in my head a little less than a year earlier, was something that would reshape my thinking and ultimately change my life forever. "So how did I make my dream a reality?" To Be Continued...

“It is our imagination that allows us to imagine the unimaginable, but it is our belief in God and our own will power that enables us to obtain it!” ...AND THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT... But Who knows - Maybe it's just me!

Please Tune In to the show on: TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2009 @ 7:30 PM CT. I HAVE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! We also will have THE LATEST NEWS, ISSUES, HARCIE'S HEADLINES, DAMN MOMENT and HOT NEW MUSIC!

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"Everybody Has Issues!"

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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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