Donald Trump Aint New to This

"This" being racism, that is. Some people are calling it "coded racism." I say, no, not so much. Mom and I were talking today, and we were reminded of an incident that blew our minds wayyy back on "The Apprentice" Season 4 when Randall Pinkett won. Randall is the only black person to win "The Apprentice," and believe me, it was a victory that was painful for Trump to award.

In the final episode, in the boardroom, ON LIVE TELEVISION, he went so far as to ask Randall if he should hire the second runner up (Rebecca Jarvis) as well. This was after she had clearly lost and was badly beaten by Randal in a fund raising task where the numbers usually speak for themselves. NOW WHEN HAS HE EVER OPENED HIS MOUTH TO EVEN SUGGEST SUCH A THING?

That's like it coming down to the final rose ceremony on The Bachelor and Brad getting on one knee, proposing to one chick, then saying, "Don't you think I should propose to her too?"

Everyone would agree that this would be ludicrous, but in Randall's case, he answered, "Mr. Trump this show is the Apprentice, not the Apprenti," to which Mr. Trump was shocked, like he couldn't believe this black man wouldn't share his hard-earned victory with someone else! He then said something to the effect of, he would never forget that Randall said that. While he didn't get to Randall to consent to discredit his own win, he did vilify the man in the process. Websites the next day were calling Randall a "jerk" and many other names that were befuddling to me, given the circumstances. I would have been furious at Trump for cheapening my big moment in that way, but Randall handled it with class.

However, correct me if I'm wrong on this - but I doubt I am - Randall has gone on to write books and do speaking engagements around the country, but not once have I heard him talk about actually working for "Mr. Trump," which I thought was the prize for winning the show...

Jennifer Lopez

Y'all might not agree with me on this, but that Jennifer Lopez is a user.

She used Diddy, right when he was starting Sean John, then dumped him and launched her clothing line and perfumes. (not to mention I guess she wanted some street cred to market that awful "J.Lo" moniker.)

Now, she's on "American Idol," and after being ducked off for years, has ALL kinda endorsements and commercials. But most important, she and husband Marc Anthony are launching a Latin singing competition show.

You can argue that she's a smart business woman if you want. Maybe. But it looks like she leaches onto situations for knowledge right when she's looking to make her own version of it.

(With that said, the show is still a great idea, as the Hispanic audience is where the money's at right now.)

Do What You Love

Sorry to tell you, YOU didn't make this phrase up. Self-hep gurus didn't create this idea. It's ripped straight from the handbook for daily living, the instruction maunal, the bread of life - The Holy Bible.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 ¶ There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.


Ecclesiastes 3:22 ¶ Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Simply put, "Do what you love." Enjoy your work; there's nothing better than that! Enjoy life and the fruits of your labor; be happy.

But a lot of people feel stuck. Some of us feel our passions are too illogical, too lofty, too unachievable to actually leave our "stable" gigs in search of the satisfying. What if we never reach those goals? What if they take years and years....how will the bills get paid in the meantime? What will people think if you quit that "good" job (in pursuit of that great one?) How do I explain to the interviewier that I've never worked for someone else for more than a year?

Hey, I understand. I feel you. I'm speaking for both of us. But a friend told me the other day, "God wouldn't put a vision in you that you weren't supposed to accomplish."

Mom told me if you don't work you don't eat. God tells me I should enjoy that work, whatever it is.

Motivation

An object in motion tends to stay in motion, and an object at rest tends to stay at rest until an outside force acts upon it.

That's true of things...but what about people? Sometimes we hit the ground running, then just lose steam for no apparent reason at all.

Internal motivation is hard to regain once it's fizzled. You can talk to people, seek advice, receive counsel as to why you should care about a certain thing, person or task. But once the thrill is gone...it's just gone.

Or maybe it's just me.