What the 2003 BET Awards taught me about shooting your shot
[A quick rant] That “honorary” Oscar they gave queen Angela Bassett at the 14th Annual Governors Awards was bullshit. This woman has NEVER given us honorary performances, so this award feels very “The Academy has never truly acknowledged and respected the impeccable body of work of Angela Bassett so we just gon’ give her this bullshit ass consolation prize.” 😒 Anywho…
Remember in 2003 at the BET Music Awards when 50 Cent won Best New Artist? The highlight of his acceptance speech was when he proceeded to shoot his shot with Vivica A. Fox. Her reaction was priceless! 😄 (I kinda want them to do another go ‘round a la Nelly and Ashanti)
50 taught us at that moment that sometimes you just have to shoot your shot, win, lose, or draw. Even if Vivica chose not to respond, 50 created an amazing moment in pop culture for all the world to see. I often think about that which often leads me to ponder on all the shots I shied away from or flat-out ran away from. They may not have been pop culture worthy but could’ve had an amazing impact on my life nonetheless. 🤷🏾♀️
And you know what often happens during the fresh first fruits of the new year? We proclaim all of these wonderful, adventurous, heart-pounding, soul-stirring, satisfying things that we’re going to do. By the time mid to late January rolls around a lot of us have lost that fire and have slumped back into the abyss of oblivion. Couple that with navigating midlife and the sense of urgency starts to constantly pound in your head.
At 55 I know it’s pertinent that I start shooting my shots because my goal is to leave an amazing legacy for my future generations. A legacy of power, strength, stick-to-it-iveness, philanthropy, opulence, service, and wealth. I want to become the first millionaire in my family who will beget a legacy of millionaires. Yes at 55 that’s possible! I want to be a flourishing green leaf on my ancestry tree.
We’ve heard too many stories of people coming to the end of their lives regretting all the shots they didn’t take. Playing it safe. Allowing the possibility of rejection or failure to keep them small. And let’s be honest, once you become a woman of a certain age society rarely entertains any goals or aspirations we may have, and often support and encouragement are few and far between. Well if you feel like that, that stops now.
Let’s start shooting these shots. Let’s start showing up and showing out for ourselves. Let’s honor ourselves by using our gifts and talents and seizing opportunities no matter how big or small. Let’s show these shots that we all got a little 50 Cent circa 2003 at the BET Awards in us and we’re willing to go all out in front of the world!
What shots are you shooting for? I really want to know so I can encourage you! 🥰
Alright now Shot Shooter; I’m going to hold you to it! I’m eager to read all about the shots you shot! What’s the 1st shot you’re shooting?
Love you being the 1st millionaire in your family (can I get a dollar? 😛)Reading your blog is inspiring! I’m a habitual risk taker, not realizing I’m taking shots I’m doing what “feel” right at the time which isn’t always the correct way; at least I can say I did something. Listened to Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday (I’m sooo not a fan of hers but I digress) and this particular episode a woman who was a Hospice nurse was discussing her book about her patients and their regrets. Can’t remember if the title of her book was 100 or 1,000 regret’s; any hither many of her dying patients regurgitated their regrets which got her thinking about her own life and purpose etc. I’m always re-evaluating my life and the choices I made or didn’t make. I don’t want any regrets considering “regrets are unprofessional” (from 007 Mum) 😜 There’s always an excuse, reason, situation etc. as to why we didn’t shoot our shot; but the real reason(s) are we’re scared and we don’t want to be 🙅🏾 🙅🏾 none of those are good reasons not to shoot our shot yet it’s understood. Life be living and it’s time for us to ride the wave and dunk onits candy ass per The Rock!
I shot my shot at an investment for one of my businesses and it’s paying off, I shot another shot on a job offer I received by countering their offer, that shit was blocked yet it’s all good and will workout so back on defense I go!