Move Forward

WELCOME

It’s the last day of the month. I hope you each had a productive one and that you’ve been able to move closer to the goals that help foster your growth.

A little writer’s block kept me from writing for a few weeks, but I’m back 😃.

I’m still settling into a good template that would be the most entertaining for you. I believe I’m one step closer. Once I lock in a template, I should be able to get you an issue once per week. Thanks for your patience.

Hope you enjoy today’s issue!

TODAY’S LINEUP

Short Story
Playlist Of The Week
What I’m Reading
Reflections

SHORT STORY

The Rise of Jay

In the heart of New York City, where the skyscrapers pierce the heavens and the streets pulse with the relentless rhythm of urban life, a new kind of hero emerged. His name was Jack Lawson, but to the people he helped, he was known as Jay.

Jack grew up in the rough neighborhoods of the Bronx, where poverty was a constant companion and dreams were often deferred. He witnessed firsthand the stark divide between the wealthy elite who resided in penthouses overlooking Central Park and the struggling families living paycheck to paycheck. Determined to make a difference, Jack used his talents in hacking and his deep-seated sense of justice to become a modern-day vigilante.

By day, Jack was a mild-mannered IT consultant for a mid-sized tech firm, blending seamlessly into the fabric of the city. But by night, he transformed into Jay, a digital vigilante who infiltrated the financial systems of the city’s wealthiest and most corrupt. He siphoned their ill-gotten gains and redistributed the money to those in need through untraceable cryptocurrencies and anonymous donations.

One evening, as Jack sat in his modest apartment, the glow of his multiple monitors casting an eerie light across his face, he received a tip from an informant known only as Little John. Little John was a former investment banker turned whistleblower, who had grown disillusioned with the rampant greed and corruption in the financial sector. Together, they formed a formidable team, with Little John providing insider information and Jack executing the digital heists.

Their latest target was a billionaire real estate tycoon named Richard “Rick” Masters, who had a reputation for exploiting tenants and using underhanded tactics to amass his fortune. Little John had uncovered evidence of Masters’ involvement in a scheme to evict low-income families from their homes to make way for luxury condos. Fueled by anger and a sense of justice, Jack prepared for his most ambitious heist yet.

As midnight approached, Jack donned his black hoodie and mask, the modern-day equivalent of Jay’s green cloak and feathered cap. He activated his encryption software, ensuring his digital footprints would be untraceable. With deft fingers, he breached Masters’ encrypted servers, bypassing layers of security designed to keep out even the most skilled hackers.

Sweat beaded on Jack’s forehead as he navigated through the labyrinth of financial records. Finally, he found what he was looking for: offshore accounts brimming with millions of dollars, hidden from tax authorities and untouched by legal scrutiny. With a few keystrokes, Jack transferred the funds to accounts set up to benefit struggling families, community centers, and non-profit organizations dedicated to helping the city’s most vulnerable.

Satisfied with his work, Jack leaned back in his chair, a sense of triumph washing over him. He knew his actions were illegal, but he believed in the greater good. The system was rigged, and the only way to level the playing field was to take matters into his own hands.

As dawn broke over the city, news of the mysterious donations spread like wildfire. Families who had been on the brink of eviction found their rent paid in full, community centers received much-needed funding, and non-profits could continue their vital work. The media was abuzz with speculation about the identity of the benefactor, and the name “Jay” was whispered with awe and gratitude.

Jack knew he had to stay vigilant. His actions had undoubtedly drawn the attention of law enforcement and those he had targeted. But as long as there were people in need and a corrupt system to fight against, Jay would continue his mission. New York City had a new hero, and he was just getting started.

Part 2 coming next week…

Santana

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

The Rise of Jay

A combination of some NYC & Southern Hip Hop for ya. Get your two step ready and give this week’s playlist a listen here.

WHAT I’M READING

• How to Increase Your Disposable Income.

• The illusion of unlimited choices on dating apps.

• Exploring the benefits of Meditation for Anxiety.

REFLECTIONS

Move Forward

July was an interesting month for me. In retrospect, it went by way quicker than I thought it would. I feel like this whole year has gone by quickly.

I’ve learned a few things that I want to share with you all:

1. Choose Yourself & Choose Wisely - There are a lot of distractions out there that can stray you away from your goals. I feel like I fell into the trap of some distractions this past month. Whether it was random late nights that didn’t add to my growth, random dating, agreeing to work with clients that weren’t a good fit, etc. July reminded me that there isn’t anything better than choosing yourself first. Making sure that you are diligent in your goals is so important. People come and go, and fun times come and go, but at the end of the day - when you look at yourself in the mirror, you want to say that you did your best to choose what was best for you. I’m still learning and growing, but I know that August will be much better.

2. Know Your Worth - I had a lot of conversations with individuals who simply undervalued their impact simply because they’ve been comfortable with the job and/or situation their in. This has happened to me before, but I made a very conscious effort after leaving Yelp to make sure I’m always benchmarking what my skills are worth in the market. Since I’ve made that decision, I’ve increased my overall income each year. While money doesn’t equal happiness, I’ve been able to increase my overall self-confidence because I know that I’m doing what’s best for me.

3. Solid Communication Is Rare To Find - July was ripe with poor communication for me. Not only poor communication from people I spoke with but also poor communication from myself. As I continue to grow older, I’m learning that it is so important to communicate well and manage expectations. I think I’ve even gotten to a point where I’m a cynic. I don’t expect much from anyone else, but I do my best to expect the best from myself. Let’s see how August goes.

With that, remember to do your best. Have compassion, respect, and patience with others. But do not overextend yourself to a point where you are negatively impacting your mental health.

You have no idea what people are going through, and why they do the things that they do. Most of the time, it’s not even your business. When you feel like you’re wronged, keep moving forward. Holding onto a grudge and ill thoughts only hurts you. Sometimes, it hurts you more than the person you’re upset with.

Hope you all were able to have a reflective moment for yourselves at this month. Now we move forward to August.

See you all next week!