“Ideas are not truly alive if they remain locked in a single mind. Our need to transfer them to others focuses us to consider why and where we want them to go, and how we want them to get there.” — Henry M. Boettinger

Are you someone who has a brilliant idea, a vision, but still doesn’t know how to effectively present your “intellectual property” to the millions of fallen, imperfect people you hope and pray will benefit from your “Big Dream?” Are you an “introvert?” Does the thought of public speaking buckle your knees? Here’s something to think about. Why not sit down and write a book?  Gee, why not? Think about it.

C’mon Manchild! You’re kidding right? Me, write a book. I’m not qualified to write a book worth reading. I don’t have a Ph.D, nor do I have a Masters degree. Why I didn’t even go to college. I barely graduated from high school. Besides, I don’t even know where to begin writing a book that anybody would honestly believe is worth reading.

I hear you.  But despite the excuses you’ve raised, do it anyway. Difficult? Most definitely! Impossible? Not!

Why not start writing your book, your daily column, your magazine article, your screen play, or your stage play today, right here, right now?  Writer’s block huh? Fear of Failure huh? Maybe you’re not hungry enough yet.  Maybe you still don’t think you have what it takes to excel and succeed as a writer, huh?  That’s okay.  I’ll still love you anyway.  In the meantime, here’s something to think about that, hopefully, will challenge you to overcome your Moses complex.

Remember what Moses told God when the Most High called him into a position of leadership and challenged him to confront Pharoh? Did you hear his fear of Failure? How do you respond to the challenges that show up to test your faith in God and yourself?  How will you ever know what’s possible if you never try to do the impossible? Hmmmm. You have nothing to lose but your fears and inhibitions and everything to gain. Besides, who told you that you couldn’t write a book worth reading? probably the same people who told me to give up and walk away from my Big Dream.

Had I listened to the skeptics, cynics, and pundits who kept telling me “no, never, impossible, and can’t,” I’d still be singing the “woulda, coulda, shoulda blues.” My faith in God and myself would have never been tested. But I refused to let those to whom much appears given tie me up in the “nots.” Are you still tied up in the “nots” because you simple refuse to honestly believe you can achieve your Big Dream(s)?

If I could beat impossible odds with God’s help and finish writing the vision that has evolved over the past 10+ years into Come Morning, you can do the same. But you must honestly believe it’s possible for a humbled beginner like you to do so. Because my faith in God and myself has been severely tested over the past 10 years, I can honestly say that I can trust God today absent any reservations whatsoever. I honestly believe that nothing is impossible to God. Do you? Gee, why not?

After the great fall I survived, I refused to believe “the greatest lie ever told and sold.”  Ridicule and Rejection haunted me daily.   Setbacks and Failure stalked me relentlessly.  Nevertheless, I kept getting up, showing up, and doing what it would take to make my Big Dream come true.

Why? I believed in me because God created me to do something nobody else would choose to do.  I refused to remain hopelessly lost in a deceptive spiritual darkness so thick that it makes one too many talented people too sick to care whether they lived or died.  It’s what Adversity taught me, not what Success bought me, that inspired me write Come Morning.

Okay. Okay.  I got it Manchild.  Look, I’m a busy person.  Gotta chase that cheese before it moves again.  I’ve got places to go and people to see despite all the frozen snow that’s still covering the city.  So what’s  the real reason why writers write?

“Love.”  Surprised? Don’t be. How many of you still think “Money” is the real reason why successful writers write the books voracious readers read?  Not!  Love inspires writers to write the books that choose us because we honestly believe we do have an idea to share that will improve the human condition and make the world a better, and hopefully, a safer place to live.  God’s love inspires writers to pen the books the next generation of leaders believe are worth reading.  Love is the reason why “Talent Alone Is Not Enough™” to achieve “Greatness.”

Successfully writing the ever evolving book that chose me challenged me to share in the light what I learned in the dark about achieving Greatness has changed my life forever.  God always does the unexpected when we least expect it.  Why? Our Father loves fallen, imperfect people like us with good intentions, bad habits, and great weaknesses like ours.

In closing, do you know what Greatness is and where it begins? How would you choose to define Greatness if given the opportunity to so for the next generation of servant leaders? For those of you who don’t know, please check out “Can Greatness Be Measured.”

Copyright © 2008-2011 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

When was the last time you picked up a book containing an idea so powerful that it challenged you to think differently, to see yourself differently, to live differently, to love differently, to lead differently? Do you still find yourself repeating the same self-defeating habits this year that you developed last year to justify your fear of Failure and Success?  As Dr. Phil McGraw would say, “How’s that working for ya?” If the truth be told, probably not very well.

Facing your fears and embracing Change will challenge you to replace your old habits with new ones.  I’ve heard Mr. Steve Harvey and others say, “If you want something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done.”  Reading thought-provoking books that challenge you to pick up a dictionary will present divergent thinkers with ample opportunities to encounter ideas so powerful they can move mountains. Imagine that!

When time permits, I will post a series of brief excerpts from Come Morning for you to explore.  In case you don’t have a dictionary handy, just click on the links provided.  Don’t be afraid to dig deep. Ask questions. Take notes.  Start a journal if you’d like.  Yes, “reflective reading” is required. So please take your time and enjoy the journey. Doing so will reward you and enrich your reading of Come Morning in ways you’ve never anticipated.  Hopefully, you’ll discover the “novel idea whose time and season has finally come.” Since there’s always a first time for everything, expect the unexpected to happen when least expected.

By opening this book, your hands will unleash the catalyst that produces the paradigm shift responsible for setting a force in motion that can move mountains. Upon first glance, what may appear to be nothing but “creative chaos” will give you a reason to hope. Reading the text will challenge you to raise your level of thinking. Your heightened awareness will unearth the “forgotten dreams” buried beneath the “abandoned visions” still cluttering the “valley of sun-dried bones.” Your new perspective will bless your gifted soul with meaningful access to what can enable you to decode the source of your deepest fears – the truth. — Excerpt from “The Prologue”

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 KJV

Copyright © 2007-2010 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

Quick question.  Now that you’ve finally finished celebrating the beginning of yet another new year, what’s next on your agenda? Do you have a plan for 2010?  Think about it.  Maybe 2009 wasn’t a good year for you.  If not, what will you choose to do differently in 2010?  For the first time in you life, will you choose to see yourself differently, to think differently, to live differently, to love differently? Imagine the parade of possibilities that will appear when you challenge yourself to do something you’ve never done.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.“  Ecclesiastes 1:1-9 KJV

For reasons only you and God know, did you discover that you lacked the courage to “let go and live” your “Big Dream(s)” in 2009? Did you fail to dig deep enough inside the place where you hid your secrets to discover why you chose to remain fearful instead of becoming powerful enough to conquer your biggest and deepest fears?  Why?  What are you still afraid you’ll find during your introspective search for the truth that will inspire you to “let go and live” your “Big Dream(s)” in 2010? Think about it.

I challenge you to seize this opportunity for personal growth to take time, to make time, to sit down in your secret place and have a quiet talk with God and yourself.  Humbling, isn’t it?  While on bended knees, ask God to give you the inner strength to face the truth about yourself.  Yes, it will hurt to accurately identify in plain and simple terms the main reason(s) why you repeatedly failed to exceed the self-imposed limitations your own eidetic imagination erected in 2009.

What “bad habits” must you let go of and replace with “good habits” before you can boldly and courageously live your life like never before?” Think about it. What “bad choices” did you make in 2009 that you cannot afford to make in 2010? Have you failed to forgive yourself for what you did, or didn’t do, in 2009 to sabotage your own success? If not,  don’t you think it’s time you did? Think about it.  Like unconditional love, the gift of “Forgiveness” is one of those priceless, eternal gifts that never stops giving.

Do you finally “know yourself” well enough to feel safe and secure within the comfort of your own skin to begin “living without limits , loving without conditions, and leading like Jesus Christ did – by example?” If not now, when? Think about it.  Do you honestly believe that you have the courage to let go of what’s still weighing you down or holding you back long enough to live “for the first time” in your life? If not, don’t you think it’s time you finally started making a difference in your own life before too soon becomes too late to do so? If not you, who? Think about it.

What, or who, are you still anxiously holding on to right now that you need to let go of by faith before you can honestly expect to excel, succeed, and achieve your “Big Dream(s)”  in 2010?  If you don’t own a journal to write introspective, empowering notes to yourself, do yourself a huge favor.  Get up, go out, and get one.  If you’re a creative person like me, create your own.  Imagine that!   Because Change is inevitable, you’ll definitely need one to track your journey during such an unpredictable season as this.  Remember, some things are just too personal to share with anybody else except God.

Before we part ways this day, please take a few minutes to define “Greatness.”  What does Greatness look like? If Greatness walked by you right now, would you recognize it?  “Can Greatness Be Measured?“  Think about it.  As always, the choice to love yourself enough to “let go and live your Big Dream(s) in 2010″ is yours alone to make.  Enjoy the journey.

Copyright (c) 2010 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness is no longer available for purchase.

Here’s a thumbs up from North Carolina about Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness.

“It has been years since a piece of literature has evoked such thought and inspiration in me so to you…I am grateful. After completing the book, I was eager to share this with everyone I know. I let one of my family’s long term friends (a pastor) read the book. She was so moved that she decided to focus a few of her bible study and sunday school lessons around your work. This is truly a labor of love that has been well worth it.” –Ms. Dywanna Sheridan

Copyright © 2007-2009 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

“Somewhere between the yawn of yesterday and the early morning dew that signals the dawn of a new day, …” — Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness

Quick question. As the creative, imaginative person that you are, how would you choose to write the familiar phrase “Once upon a time, …” in order to leave a lasting impression on the minds of your readers?

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

“Congratulations, Solomon! This is a phenomenal story that people of all ages, races, creeds, and colors can relate. Your insight in uplifting each person through their struggle to achieve all goals in life is real.

I am currently reading it a 2nd time and finding new meaning in addition to my spiritual walk and appreciating all of my daily miracles. Keep up the great work.

May GOD continue to bless you and the words from your heart to the paper it is written on.”

– Ms. Petra Parker

If you live in or near Atlanta, Georgia, please come out to meet Manchild this Saturday, August 30th, 2008 at the 3rd Annual AJC Decatur Book Festival. Manchild, whose real name is Roderick O. Solomon, is scheduled to begin reading from Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness at 3:00 p.m.

Immediately after leaving the Pavilion Stage, Solomon is also scheduled to start signing this introspective, inspirational story about “personal leadership” at 3:20 p.m. Click on Atlanta Journal Constitution for driving directions and additional information about the Decatur Book Festival 2008.

Approximately 75,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Labor Day Weekend event.  If you’re an Atlanta-based blogger, please stop by and introduce yourself.

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon.  All Rights Reserved.

“I am unwritten. Can’t read my mind. I’m undefined. I’m just beginning. The pen is in my hand. Ending unplanned. Staring at the blank page before you.” — Natasha Bedingfield

Click on the highlighted word “Unwritten” to watch Ms. Natasha Bedingfield’s video. I hope you will enjoy this visual masterpiece as much as I have and still do.  May this inspiring song cure your writer’s block.

“Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten” — Natasha Bedingfield

This “revised” post now only contains the Prologue to Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness, “When Good People Become Great.” As time permits, I will begin posting brief excerpts from this introspective, inspirational story about “personal leadership” to inspire you to “face your fears and embrace Change.” Only then will you choose to take the next step necessary to make your “Big Dream” come true.

In the meantime, please feel free to peruse “The Archives” to see how far this humbled beginner has come by faith since January 1, 2007.  As many of you know, I didn’t “choose to write this book.” Over 10 years ago, this thought-provoking, 272 page book chose me.   If I can beat the odds with God’s help and choose to “keep risin’ to my feet after every fall I survived,” you can do the same.  The choice to do so will always be yours alone to make. So choose wisely.

“But by grace still go I.”

The Prologue — “Always Expect The Unexpected”

Quick question. Did reading the Prologue to Steppin’ Out Of the Darkness inspire you to sit up in your seat and say “Hmmmm” upon first glance?  Hopefully, what you found has peaked your curiosity about what else you’ll find beneath this book’s cover.

When time permits, post a comment to let me know if you felt inspired you to “finish writing the vision” you prematurely abandoned in the “valley of sun-dried bones” sometime “after the fall” you survived.

Copyright © 2007-2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

Last year, my wife, KWiz, and I watched the movie “Freedom Writers.” This year, we watched “The Great Debaters.” Both are unforgettable films. If you’re an aspiring writer who needs a reason to finish writing your book, please don’t wait to see either of these films. Both are amazing examples of the art of story-telling.

It’s true! Everybody has a story to tell. Some of you are extremely talented, gifted writers who can effortlessly employ the power of the written word to tell your stories. For me, writing is a struggle, which is why I started blogging last year. Have you ever wondered if there’s some secret formula or writing technique that will make one book sell better than another?

Can “talent alone” ensure the success of the books that authors allegedly choose to write? Who or what enables prolific writers to repeat the meticulous process behind the creative chaos that made your book a success? Does the timing of a book’s release play a significant part in its author’s ability to emotionally connect with one generation and not another? Do you believe that book sales, or the lack thereof, are an accurate indication of the perceived success or the failure of a book?

According to prolific author Paulo Coelho’s profile, “Slow initial sales [of The Alchemist] convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian books of all time.

Have any of you ever pondered the possibility that the part you played did little to determine the success of your book? Did God’s sovereign will and perfect plan have anything to do with the success of your book? If yes, does it really matter whether or not an author chooses to employ “urban street teams” or “main stream” marketeers to promote a book that’s destined to become a national best seller? As writers, what part do we play in the books we author?

Do books choose their writers or do writers choose the books they pen? I had no desire to write a book before I began to pen Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness. I believe the book that I birthed chose me. I can still recall waking up in the middle of the night to write the first page of my big dream. Once I began writing it, I couldn’t stop. Whenever I felt inspired to write, I didn’t sleep much. I didn’t eat. I didn’t talk. Since I didn’t have anything to distract me, I just wrote. I constantly canceled or rescheduled appointments until the words stopped flowing from somewhere deep within the heart of my soul.

Am I crazy or has this ever happened to any of you? What did you do initially? Did you look around the room to see if you were all alone? Did you ignore the words you heard or did you heed the still, small voice that inspired you to believe that you could achieve something bigger than yourself? Did people laugh at you, ridicule you, and reject you when they heard about the genesis of your big dream? My mother and my wife stood by me at a time when I needed their love and support the most.

Writing Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness was an act of faith for me. I wrote on anything and everything I could get my hands on as evidenced by all the cardboard boxes still stuffed with the hastily scribbled notes that I stockpiled over the years. During those difficult days when I had no place to lay my head, I didn’t have time to feel sorry for myself. For reasons that still escape me, I refused to give up after the fall I survived.

Nevertheless, trusting God when nothing made sense wasn’t easy. To challenge myself to keep getting up and showing up for my street fight with Adversity, I started writing poetic essays. Writing literally saved my life after my business failed and I was forced to file bankruptcy. Because of the vision that God gifted to me, I had a plan that I could believe in. God’s unchanging love gave me hope during my darkest days. It’s true! Without a vision, people with no reason to hope will perish.

For reasons now known, “But by grace still go I” is not just some empty Christian phrase that I casually toss around to sound spiritual. If you’re a published writer, did your book choose you or did you choose your book? I hope this post has encouraged somebody to rise to your feet and inspired you to honestly believe that you can beat impossible odds with God’s help. If so, please let me know.

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.