People my people,
So, I have come to another revelation. Like always, this one came as a series of events that led up to the final smack over the head and I think I’m finally starting to get it. So I won’t be upset if you glaze over this and months later it finally hits you as well.
Tonight I went to Benihana’s. I pity the fool who hasn’t signed up for their $30.00 free birthday meal cause the “ish” is scrumptious. If you don’t know what goes on here is a quick synopsis. You sit like eight to a table around a metal slab (or grill or whatever the call it), while a chef slices and dices and flips knives and shrimp as he cooks the food in minutes right in front of you. The place is so popular that it was completely packed on a Monday night. As a promoter all night I’m thinking of reasons that it stays so packed. Short story long, the manager comes at the end of evening and asks, “How did you enjoy the show?” And it hit me, it wasn’t just the food or nice atmosphere, it really was a show. And that is what they label it after every meal. Even while you sit in the lobby there is a picture of their sign that reads “America’s Favorite Restaurant”. At Train of Thought we call our open mic an “Experience”. So my revelation came two fold:
1) How we really see ourselves is what the world will know and experience us. So if we dress fancy, talk fancy, and smell fancy, but really hate ourselves, then good people will tend to think you’re a bit of a tool and other people who hate themselves will cling around, hoping to learn how to fake it like you. That being said I feel it’s important to define our own story. Write it how we want it to be told. Is your life a long journey or an experience? Are the people close to you your friends or are they your family? Is it a job or your career? How you internally define things/people will determine how you interact with them.
2) Sweat the small stuff. I’m sure you have all heard the saving or have read the book, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.” I have come to realize that it is really our everyday decisions that make up the whole of our lives. The 15 min of practice you got in. The stairs instead of the elevator, the office sweets you pass, the writing a blog not knowing who will actually read it when all you want to do is watch reruns of the Cosby Show. Every percent we improve…we improve, and they can never take that away from you.
More Happenings
We still need volunteers of all walks and talents for Fiesta Del Sol (San Diego’s Largest Latino Family Festival) over 75,000 in over a weekend in August last year, this year we are getting bigger and better. Next meeting Thursday, April 14th. Let me know if you’re down.
I am very excited to announce that I will be playing the House of Blues this Wednesday. In my 30+ years I have not even been in a House of Blues before so to sing and do some spoken word man, I’m geeked! I’ll be playing a set with the phenomenal Summer Mencher.
Also in the works, I may be joining an amazing Latin fusion band that plays all over Diego. If our schedules work out right it’s a go. That’s right your boy is going to be singing and rapping in English AND Spanish! It will be a great opportunity and learning experience. I’ll keep you posted.
This Weeks Challenge:
I’ve said a lot today so this one will be short and sweet. In the low part of one of your days this week, find a mirror and wink at yourself. That’s it. It’s weird but it works. It kinda lifts things. If that doesn’t work do it twice. It’s nearly impossible to wink at yourself and not feel a little more confident, or at least the good kind of silly. Try it, hit me back, and tell me what happens.
These next few weeks features at TOT are some of the best we have ever had. Please don’t miss out, I feel sorry for anyone who does.
Until then,
Be now
Remember The Light
Gill Sotu
www.trainofthoughtsd.com
www.gillsotu.com
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
How to stop crime and other revelations
People my people,
I’m so glad to be out from being buried in business. So far since we have last spoke we have had some great shows at TOT and our numbers are growing. I had the privilege of hearing some of the greatest minds/speakers this world has to offer. From Colin Powell (he was good) to Rudy Giovanni (kind of a tool), to Bill Cosby (he was great), to Joe Montana (better at football then motivational speaking) as well as some other speakers you probably have and have not heard of. One guy said something pretty profound, he said, “We will not solve the crime problem until we solve the father problem” I could write an entire blog on that alone.
What was sad was that it only cost 2.00 dollars to hear these speakers and I hardly could get anyone to go with me. It’s amazing how much stock we put in knowing the stats, bios, discography of so many people, and so little into our own lives. In fact I can tell you who starred in pretty much any movie in the last 30 years but can’t tell you what the current interest on my credit card. Sad, I know. But I have a feeling I’m not alone. But we G.R.I.N.D (Get Ready It’s A New Day) and start again. That’s the beauty of world that was created for us.
I also was able to run a very successful day at Indie Fest. Train of Thought had it’s own stage! What an honor. It’s supposed to be the largest independent music festival in California. Just 3 years here in San Diego and I’ve met so many wonderful and talented people. We met a lot of up and coming artists and promoters, we are gonna connect SD arts and music if it kills me.
More Happenings
Don’t know if I told you this but I am part of the Executive Team (aka the A Team) for Fiesta Del Sol, San Diego’s largest Latino Family Festival. I’m proudly hosting the community stage and overseeing all of the entertainment of the festival. Last year over 2 days we had over 75,000 people. We are looking for all types of volunteers. Hit me up if you are interested. Be a part of something bigger than you. Be a part of community.
On A Personal Note:
Recently I went through one of my feeling sorry for myself spells that we all get. I know enough about myself to get my head out of that space. So I sang, took a shower, prayed, meditated, and what came of it was this week’s challenge:
Often when we are drowning, there are no visible life preservers, no director to yell cut. Some have their faith (which I lean on), others feel they have no one. Regardless, this is what helped me this time. Don’t hesitate. Make a list of all of your achievements, large and small. If it was baking your first cake or winning a high school race. You are not in competition with anyone else’s achievements but yourselves. Email it to yourself, place it where you can pull it out on quick notice to remind you of how beautiful you are. Because you are. And if you are really brave, send it to me and ill return the favor, and if ever we get down we can remind one another.
Until then ,
Be now
Remember The Light
Gill Sotu
www.trainofthoughtsd.com
www.gillsotu.com
I’m so glad to be out from being buried in business. So far since we have last spoke we have had some great shows at TOT and our numbers are growing. I had the privilege of hearing some of the greatest minds/speakers this world has to offer. From Colin Powell (he was good) to Rudy Giovanni (kind of a tool), to Bill Cosby (he was great), to Joe Montana (better at football then motivational speaking) as well as some other speakers you probably have and have not heard of. One guy said something pretty profound, he said, “We will not solve the crime problem until we solve the father problem” I could write an entire blog on that alone.
What was sad was that it only cost 2.00 dollars to hear these speakers and I hardly could get anyone to go with me. It’s amazing how much stock we put in knowing the stats, bios, discography of so many people, and so little into our own lives. In fact I can tell you who starred in pretty much any movie in the last 30 years but can’t tell you what the current interest on my credit card. Sad, I know. But I have a feeling I’m not alone. But we G.R.I.N.D (Get Ready It’s A New Day) and start again. That’s the beauty of world that was created for us.
I also was able to run a very successful day at Indie Fest. Train of Thought had it’s own stage! What an honor. It’s supposed to be the largest independent music festival in California. Just 3 years here in San Diego and I’ve met so many wonderful and talented people. We met a lot of up and coming artists and promoters, we are gonna connect SD arts and music if it kills me.
More Happenings
Don’t know if I told you this but I am part of the Executive Team (aka the A Team) for Fiesta Del Sol, San Diego’s largest Latino Family Festival. I’m proudly hosting the community stage and overseeing all of the entertainment of the festival. Last year over 2 days we had over 75,000 people. We are looking for all types of volunteers. Hit me up if you are interested. Be a part of something bigger than you. Be a part of community.
On A Personal Note:
Recently I went through one of my feeling sorry for myself spells that we all get. I know enough about myself to get my head out of that space. So I sang, took a shower, prayed, meditated, and what came of it was this week’s challenge:
Often when we are drowning, there are no visible life preservers, no director to yell cut. Some have their faith (which I lean on), others feel they have no one. Regardless, this is what helped me this time. Don’t hesitate. Make a list of all of your achievements, large and small. If it was baking your first cake or winning a high school race. You are not in competition with anyone else’s achievements but yourselves. Email it to yourself, place it where you can pull it out on quick notice to remind you of how beautiful you are. Because you are. And if you are really brave, send it to me and ill return the favor, and if ever we get down we can remind one another.
Until then ,
Be now
Remember The Light
Gill Sotu
www.trainofthoughtsd.com
www.gillsotu.com
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
One step closer to Cosby...
It’s been a long time; I shouldn’t have left you…
Hello family, sorry for the hiatus, black history month combined with my birthday festivities kept a brotha busy. But you were never forgotten. Like a beautiful song hook you can’t get out of your head I think of all of you often. I love to sing you off key. I think of how WE can come together to create an US so that we can realize we were always just one I multiplied. There are many people on this same path. A great deal I have come to know and work with. A lot of you showed up for either the birthday dinner or party or both. Most sent birthday wishes. I want to take this time to tell you all how bright it is; my world with you in it. Sounds corny I know. But I have no other way to say it. I check my Facebook, look around TOT, see you dancing to what I’m spinning at Elevated, performing at my parties, sending me letters of appreciation…Man, you make this place brighter for me.
Well some of you are interested in what’s been happening. Well I’m being offered to host some new shows other than TOT. Debating on how much energy I really have. Don’t know if I told you but we have our own stage at Indie Fest on March 12. It’s going to be giant, and I am so proud TOT will be a part of it. Likewise we are at Fiesta Del Sol, the largest Latino family festival in San Diego. Why they have a black man on the board and one of the chairmen of a committee is beyond me…BUT it’s such a fun gig and we made it happen last year so I’m down. Speaking of dope Latin happenings I am playing with Todo Mundo (a fresh Latin fusion band). I’m jumping in on their set again. Catch us this Weds. March 12th for details for this and other shows I’m playing click here.
CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:
A few things happened these last few weeks that prompted this challenge. A poetic mentor of mine recently said he has been reading my blog and was very proud of what I was doing and the openness and honesty of what I write. I was honored. This was combined with the fact that recently Netflix put the Cosby Show on their streamed inventory and my girl and I have been having a Cosby-thon, and I’m going to see him speak live. It got me thinking about mentors. Used to be a boy/gal would take an apprenticeship or learn a trade from father/mother or some type of master. But now fathers are coming up missing, and mothers are working too hard to mentor anything. So now we back to Cosby. His character, one of America’s role models. But is he the only one?
I challenge you this week to discover someone who inspires you in some way and ask him/her this: What is the most important lesson you have learned that makes you so good at… (Fill in the blank).
There are masters and mentors in all of us, in some way shape or form. That is the way the divinity inside of us works. Don’t be afraid. It will grow you.
Back to singing off key…
Until then, Be now
Remember the Light
Gill
Hello family, sorry for the hiatus, black history month combined with my birthday festivities kept a brotha busy. But you were never forgotten. Like a beautiful song hook you can’t get out of your head I think of all of you often. I love to sing you off key. I think of how WE can come together to create an US so that we can realize we were always just one I multiplied. There are many people on this same path. A great deal I have come to know and work with. A lot of you showed up for either the birthday dinner or party or both. Most sent birthday wishes. I want to take this time to tell you all how bright it is; my world with you in it. Sounds corny I know. But I have no other way to say it. I check my Facebook, look around TOT, see you dancing to what I’m spinning at Elevated, performing at my parties, sending me letters of appreciation…Man, you make this place brighter for me.
Well some of you are interested in what’s been happening. Well I’m being offered to host some new shows other than TOT. Debating on how much energy I really have. Don’t know if I told you but we have our own stage at Indie Fest on March 12. It’s going to be giant, and I am so proud TOT will be a part of it. Likewise we are at Fiesta Del Sol, the largest Latino family festival in San Diego. Why they have a black man on the board and one of the chairmen of a committee is beyond me…BUT it’s such a fun gig and we made it happen last year so I’m down. Speaking of dope Latin happenings I am playing with Todo Mundo (a fresh Latin fusion band). I’m jumping in on their set again. Catch us this Weds. March 12th for details for this and other shows I’m playing click here.
CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:
A few things happened these last few weeks that prompted this challenge. A poetic mentor of mine recently said he has been reading my blog and was very proud of what I was doing and the openness and honesty of what I write. I was honored. This was combined with the fact that recently Netflix put the Cosby Show on their streamed inventory and my girl and I have been having a Cosby-thon, and I’m going to see him speak live. It got me thinking about mentors. Used to be a boy/gal would take an apprenticeship or learn a trade from father/mother or some type of master. But now fathers are coming up missing, and mothers are working too hard to mentor anything. So now we back to Cosby. His character, one of America’s role models. But is he the only one?
I challenge you this week to discover someone who inspires you in some way and ask him/her this: What is the most important lesson you have learned that makes you so good at… (Fill in the blank).
There are masters and mentors in all of us, in some way shape or form. That is the way the divinity inside of us works. Don’t be afraid. It will grow you.
Back to singing off key…
Until then, Be now
Remember the Light
Gill
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