Due to another day of record heat, I spent more time than usual reading the Wall Street Journal. While always full of “Gee, I didn’t know that” articles on Saturdays, today’s paper made me an even bigger fan of Usher, the R&B superstar with one of the most versatile voices in music.
Besides learning about his morning routine (meditation/yoga), juice preference (celery), occasional coffee martini and Wednesday fasting, the interviewer asked Usher: “What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that’s been important to you?”
He had a great response that is worth sharing beyond WSJ readers: “I’ll tell you one. It’s a bit long, but you will really enjoy it, I promise you.” Usher’s advice:
A: Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and bad habits.
B: Believe in yourself.
C: Consider things from every angle.
D: Don’t give up, don’t give in and don’t let a damn thing get you down.
E: Enjoy life today. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow will never come.
F: Family and friends are hidden treasures. Talk to them and enjoy their riches.
G: Give more than you plan to give every day.
H: Hang onto your dreams.
I: Ignore the bullshit.
J: Just do it.
K: Keep on trying. No matter how hard it may seem, it will always get easier.
L: Love yourself first, and most importantly, love God always.
M: Make it happen.
N: Never let them see you sweat.
O: Open your eyes, and see everything around you.
P: Practice makes perfect.
Q: Quitters never win, and winners never quit.
R: Read, learn, study about everything important in your life.
S: Stop procrastinating.
T: Take control of your own destiny.
U: Understand yourself first so that you can better understand others.
V: Visualize it.
W: Want it more than any-thing.
X: You’ve already made your spot on Earth. X marks it.
Y: You’re unique in God’s grace and no one can replace you.
Z: Zero in on your target and go forward.
That’s my alphabet that I’ve been reading every day.