Tag Archives: To Truly Succeed

[2016 TEDx VIDEO] To Truly Succeed, Black Women Need to Wear Their Natural Hair! -Verbatim Text Transcript of presentation by Cheyenne Cochrane, an Ambassador for the Natural Hair Movement

In a time of racial and social tension, embracing this movement, and others like this, help us to rise above the confines of the status quo. So when you see a woman with braids or locks, draping down her back, or you notice your colleague who has stopped straightening her hair to work, do not simply approach her and admire and ask her if you can touch it. Really appreciate her! Applaud her. Heck you can high-five her if that’s what you feel so inclined to do. Because this…this is more than about a hair style. It’s about self-love and self-worth. It’s about being brave enough, not to fold under the pressure of others expectations. And about know that making the decision to stray from the norm, does not define who we are, but it simply reveals who we are. And finally, being brave is easier, when we can count on the compassion of others. So, after today, I certainly hope that we can count on YOU. Thank you.” – Cheyenne Cochrane, an ambassador for the natural hair movement.

Verbatim transcript excerpts from Cheyenne Cochrane’s November 2016 TEDx presentation titled “A Celebration of Natural Hair” 

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This PDF was created as part of Tayo’s Proud African™ public education series. Download FREE HERE – or by clicking the cover below…  

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Below: Large versions of some images used in this FREE PDF…

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To Truly Succeed, Help Others UNCONDITIONALLY

[Tip: The quote below, credited to the Dalai Lama inspired me to write this article] No matter the individual wealth we accumulate or personal achievements we record, as long as we fail to help others struggling/suffering around us find their own places in life (NOT necessarily by giving them money), we WILL ALL be failures – ultimately.

“Each one of us is responsible for the whole of human kind. We need to think of each other really as brothers and sisters and to be concerned for each other’s welfare. Rather than working solely to acquire wealth, we need to do something meaningful, something directed seriously towards the welfare of humanity as a whole.” – Dalai Lama

Why so many people fail to understand this truth beats me…especially when many claim to be SPIRITUAL?

How can you be spiritual, when you lack the ability to feel EMPATHY.

When you lack EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE?

Too many people love to feel big and accomplished when they see others looking up to them in envy and begging for help. What they fail to realise is that what they have which they allow their egos to get bloated over, has been given to then in TRUST.

The right thing to do, is to SHARE it with others, so as to complete the circle.

We must understand that we are not here to compete, but to create, and improve the lives of one another.

Do you know that if we – in Africa especially – were to start living our lives guided by the words of the Dalai Lama, we would TOTALLY eradicate backwardness, poverty, suffering and wars from our continent?

Check yourself – look around your neighbourhood, and social groups.

What do you see? Is there something you can TEACH someone, to equip him/her to become self-dependent and more fulfilled TODAY?

As always, I walk my talk. I do not ask people to do what I cannot or will not do.

I’m already doing my bit. And you know what I’ve discovered?

You really won’t need a grant from the Ford Foundation or World Bank, to make a lasting poitive impact in the lives of people who need your help!

Just share what you know – teach others how to succeed the way you have.

Give of yourself – unconditionally.

Open doors of opportunities.

Create a level playing field for aspirants to a position.

If you are in a position of influence or authority, give everyone a fair and impartial opportunity to get what they want, based on merit and competence.

And one more thing: Don’t tell people you wish to help that they must first give up their religious beliefs

For instance, asking a Muslim to become born again, as a pre-condition for helping him/her.

Doing this would defeat your purpose.

Let your deeds speak volumes for your religious convictions.

Those who are touched will on their own get converted.

Otherwise, you’ll end up with “phony” converts who only join you because they want what you are offering – and NOT because they truly believe.

Sooner than later, they will cause you major embarrassment!

Once again, let me ask you to read the wise words of the Dalai Lama:

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“Each one of us is responsible for the whole of humankind. We need to think of each other really as brothers and sisters and to be concerned for each other’s welfare. Rather than working solely to acquire wealth, we need to do something meaningful, something directed seriously towards the welfare of humanity as a whole.” – Dalai Lama

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