Month: July 2017

This past weekend, Girls Trip set box office records and had female groups of all ages flooding the theaters. No Netflix or Firestick for these women. Now I loved it as a male because it embodies what I talk about frequently. It’s so important for groups of friends to get together more often. 

I have yet to see the movie but I know the basic idea is that the women needed a trip together away from work, mates, life, etc. Sometimes we need to mentally recharge and be around our friends and core circle. I plan on a couple of trips with my fellas of different circles and I’m here to tell you, it’s a great thing. 

Summertime is perfect for vacationing together, or just having a fun weekend. Who cares if it took a movie to get certain women together? The point is it got them together and let them know where they were as friends, and where they needed to be. 

I like how my running group does, collectively or as a whole. They make time off of the pavement to go out to eat, coordinating races around all of this, and simply hanging out. They realize it’s more than the pavement (possible slogan Janice if you’re reading?). And we have to realize that these friends are more than coworkers, school friends, connections, etc. They are like medicine or water, necessary. And we can’t let a moment or opportunity to be around them pass by. 

I have a busy couple of months with friends, family and such, my calendar is full. It’s not all guys trips, but I plan to take advantage of every opportunity to hang with friends and family. It’s energetic, refreshing, and simply nothing like it. 

So take your friends and go see Girl’s Trip, any of the upcoming fights or events and have fun! Summer is almost over. 

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine 

My #imjustdrew movement resumes after a couple of weeks off from posting and the reveal for my upcoming book “From Dark To Sunshine: Making Unlimited Friends And Connections.” However, I have been experiencing something I experience a lot mid summer: social exclusion. 

I really had to do my research for this subject as it has a lot of depth to it and ties to childhood. You see, we all get left out of parties, gatherings, group runs, vacations, reunions, etc for the pettiest reasons. What many do not realize  (and I didn’t either) is that all of this is a form of bullying. Many of you know how I feel about that. 

I do not like even feeling like I’m being excluded and now it’s coming full circle. Many people did this to others as children and are continuing the behavior as adults. It’s more subtle bullying, which can be way worse than physical or picking at someone. You are basically saying although they seem loyal to you, they’re only good sometimes or not at all. It’s the syndrome from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, you may be different, and you’re not invited to participate in any reindeer games. 

This goes further. It seems many people try to also exclude others from associating with you for other reasons also. They don’t you want you around because you’re too opinionated, not “woke enough” or you’re simply a threat. The latter comes into play on romantic relationships. 

These friendships can often be toxic as that person or people may have you trapped. You think they are your friends but in reality they control you, tell you who you can and cannot talk to, get angry and jealous when they see you having other friends. 

Now remember one of the big purposes of #imjustdrew is to have multiple and diverse connections. Social exclusion is in direct contradiction to this. It’s simple, you should only hang around those that enjoy your company, wouldn’t intentionally and repeatedly exclude you, and would not worry if you had different friends. They accept you for you, and trust you. Anything less is unacceptable. 

Therefore, find these people, hold on to them, and don’t stress the rest. Let’s end social exclusion and all forms of bullying. 

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine