You See a Persons True Colour When You Are no longer Beneficial to there Life

 —  Unknown

Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cents is the Executive Director of the brilliant Crime series Power, which I happened to be watching on Netflix this week. It immediately reminded me that I haven't read his collaboration Non-Fiction bestseller the 50th Law in about seven months. In my reading schedule, there are a group of Non-Fiction Books that I read every year. I have them mostly featured in my Urban Fantastic Book Club, so go have a look at what kind of books have influenced me.

Just thinking about reading it again, gets me excited because this book reminds me of the type of thinking, I grew up with in Jamaica. A profound way of looking at the world, that I only realized I was exhibiting when I read the 50th Law. I didn't know what I was in store for, I just saw the combination of Curtis Jackson & Robert Greene is a match made in heaven. A mastermind street hustler, entrepreneur, rapper and a historian, classicist, author who speaks five languages. The reality of the contemporary world and the knowledge of the old world clash when these two minds collide. And out of this mixture came the principle of Intense Realism.

Seeing things for what they are and not what they should be in your head has shifted my perspective on life dramatically.

It was a second nature perspective that the hardships of Jamaica drummed into me and I only put a term to it when reading the 50th Law.
What does Intense Reality mean to me as a writer?

It means, I face the daily challenges of new authors getting into the market with creative stories, larger budgets and more resources than I have. It means, facing the reality that I'm a niche writer and my audience will never fit into the popular book categories. It means, facing the reality that it is all down to me and no one can do the writing for me. It means, facing the reality that not everyone has your best interests at heart and that some people will actively try to derail you.​​​​​​​

I say all this not to discourage or deflate myself but to set me free. Intense Reality allowed me to take my writing career by the scruff of the neck and wrangle it into submission. When my first book failed, I was gutted, blaming the world and not accepting the reality of the world and my unique place in it. I was wishing it was all different, instead of accepting these circumstances, even embracing them. After awhile when my upbringing kicked in and  I made a mental shift. I began to understand that I needed to control the things I can control and learn from everything else.

Concentrate my God given power on the only things I have ultimate control over which are my thoughts and actions. Once I began doing that then there was a noticeable shift in my results and a lightness of soul, which dissolved my stress and worry. 

I have nothing to lose and everything to gain

• Pay Attention because the devil is in the detail.
• Never Become Complacent even with success.
• Look at the worst case scenario and plan with that in mind.
• Question all of your cherished ideas and see if they stand up to harsh scrutiny.
• Respect your experience because only with it can you see the reality behind appearances.
• Your ego is dangerous when you have to make important decisions. Stifle its insistent squawking and deal with the facts with a level head.
• You're going to die anyway, so fear nothing.

Do not trade in the power of Intense Reality by projecting optimism or fear on a situation without first looking beyond the facade. Get truly honest with everything and everyone and use that knowledge to your advantage.

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I hope it helps? Let me know.

Peace, Love and Power

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