The Network Expands

Habitual Behavior

I Do This For My Culture

WELCOME

It’s a gloomy day here in Brooklyn. I’m happy for the rain since it’s been so hot and humid recently.

In today’s issue, Jay expands his network and I reflect on my habits.

Enjoy!

TODAY’S LINEUP

SHORT STORY

The Network Expands

Jack’s successes as Jay didn’t go unnoticed. Stories of his exploits and the mysterious benefactor known only as Jay began circulating through the city’s underworld. Word spread from the Bronx to Brooklyn, and from Queens to Harlem, inspiring hope among the city’s most downtrodden and earning the ire of its wealthiest residents.

Meanwhile, Jack’s day job at the tech firm perfectly covered his nocturnal activities. His colleagues saw him as a quiet, diligent worker, never suspecting he was the brain behind the audacious digital heists. But Jack knew he couldn’t do it alone forever. The risks were growing, and he needed allies.

One evening, while attending a charity gala under the guise of work, Jack met Marian Cortez, a brilliant lawyer with a passion for social justice. Marian was known for taking on pro bono cases and fighting for the rights of the underprivileged. As they talked, Jack realized that Marian could be a valuable ally in his mission.

“Marian, have you ever felt that the system is so rigged that the only way to make a real difference is to work outside of it?” Jack asked, testing the waters.

Marian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Are you suggesting something illegal, Jack?”

“Let’s just say I have a unique way of helping those in need. But I need someone with your skills and connections to take it to the next level.”

Over the next few weeks, Jack revealed his secret to Marian. She was initially skeptical but quickly saw the potential to make a real impact. Together, they formed a network of like-minded individuals who shared their vision of a more just and equitable city.

Marian introduced Jack to Friar Tuck, a former cop turned community organizer who had grown disillusioned with the corruption in the NYPD. Tuck had deep ties to various grassroots organizations and knew the city’s streets better than anyone. With his help, Jay’s network expanded, gaining access to vital information and resources.

The trio devised a plan to target an even more dangerous adversary: the New York banking cartel. This shadowy group of financiers had their hands in everything from predatory lending to money laundering, profiting off the suffering of countless New Yorkers. Little John provided intel on their operations, and Jack began planning his most complex heist yet.

As Jay’s network grew, so did the stakes. They knew they were playing a dangerous game, but the potential rewards were too great to ignore. Jack spent countless hours in his apartment, surrounded by screens, meticulously plotting every move. Marian and Tuck worked tirelessly to gather intelligence and ensure that their actions would have the maximum impact.

One night, as they prepared for the heist, Jack gathered his team in a dimly lit warehouse in Brooklyn. The air was thick with tension and anticipation.

“Tonight, we strike at the heart of the beast,” Jack said, his voice steady and resolute. “We take back what they’ve stolen and give it to those who need it most. This is for every family evicted, every community torn apart, every dream crushed by their greed.”

With their plan in place, they moved quickly and efficiently. Jack hacked into the cartel’s financial systems, transferring vast sums of money to accounts set up to benefit the city’s poor. Marian ensured that legal protections were in place to prevent the funds from being traced back to them, and Tuck coordinated with local organizations to distribute the money where it was needed most.

As the heist unfolded, news of the mysterious windfall spread through the city. Homeless shelters received unprecedented donations, schools in underserved neighborhoods were able to fund essential programs, and struggling families found themselves lifted out of poverty.

The media was in a frenzy, and the city’s elite were in a panic. They knew they were being targeted by a cunning and resourceful adversary, but they had no idea who Jay was or how to stop him.

Amid the chaos, Jack, Marian, and Tuck watched from the shadows, knowing they had made a real difference. But they also knew that their fight was far from over. The city was vast, and the forces of greed and corruption were deeply entrenched.

As they looked out over the city skyline, they made a silent vow to continue their mission. New York City had a new kind of hero, and Jay and his band of modern-day Merry Men were just getting started.

Read Part 1 here

Part 3 coming next week…

Santana

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

The Network Expands

From Fivio, to Jadakiss, to Eminem. Sit back and give this week’s playlist a listen here.

WHAT I’M READING

Source: Charles Duhigg

  • The Power of Habit is a great book that explains the habit loop and “Keystone Habits”. I’ve decided to pick this book back up, with some substantial goals over the next year. If you want to break and build some habits, I strongly encourage you to pick this book up.

  • I lost my iPhone a few months ago. The other day somebody reached out to me trying to get me to remove the phone from my account so that they could use it, threatening to steal my data if I didn't. Truth is that they can’t still my data, they’re just carrying around a brick phone that can’t be used. On that note, check out these 7 simple ways to shield yourself from cybersecurity threats.

  • Is the stock market crashing? I don’t know bruh, but check out this article that explains why everyone is freaking out.

REFLECTIONS

Habitual Behavior

This pic is over 10 years old, but I’m growing my hair out again. I’ll share a pic eventually.

3 Thoughts:

  1. Don’t Matter How Much You Make, How Much Can You Save? - Within the first 3 months of this year, I made close to $70k. Before you come through asking me to loan you a dollar, read this one through fully. April time came around and I noticed something alarming. All that money evaporated. That’s because I was so stuck in a habitual process that drained my bank account without even realizing it. In April things started to click for me. I realized that if I’m ever going to get to financial freedom, I need to make small changes in my life that lead to drastic changes long-term. I’m doing better now. Small things like not eating out, cutting back on memberships, and staying out of the ridiculously expensive bars in NYC have helped.

  2. Power of Habit - I’ve been getting myself ready to accomplish some significant goals. I won’t list them all, but one of them is running my first marathon on November 3rd. I’ve decided to go back into my library and grab a book that has helped as a change agent for me in the past: The Power of Habit. If you too are looking to make changes in your life, I strongly recommend grabbing this book. Another favorite of mine is Switch: How To Change Things When Change Is Hard.

  3. Vacation Time - Taking time away from your daily grind is so important for your mental health. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to disappear and take my mind off of the grind. I’m looking forward to my upcoming trip to Trinidad and Tobago. Haven’t been to my second home in over 17 years. I’m long due for a visit.

See you all next week!

FEEDBACK

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