Drink Up! I Hope It's Good.

I’m feeling nothing but gratitude.  I have made many mistakes; yet God still loves me.  I have gone left when I should have gone right; yet God still walks with me.  I have made unfulfilled promises; yet God still believes in me.  I am far from perfect (talk to me for five minutes, you’ll see) yet I am so incredibly blessed.

I come from a single-parent home.  I was a latch-key kid.  For the longest I thought “we can’t afford that” was our last name.  I was picked on for being the only Black person in class.  I was picked on because I had a bubble-butt.  I was picked on because I had no street smarts.  I was picked on because I held on to my virginity longer than others.  I was picked on because my clothes weren’t trendy.  And as a result of it all I hated myself and wanted to take my life.

But God had other plans.

For whatever reason He has chosen to use me in a way that I never imagined possible.  I have been tapped on the shoulder and asked to speak for those that feel they have no voice – so that’s what I do.

My messages are always simple.  Survival.  Belief.  And triumph.  That’s it.  You have to figure out a way to believe in yourself when no one else will.  When no one else wants to.  Even when your friends change on you.  Even then you must still believe.

For those that follow me on social media, you know that I was given the gift of this amazing promotional VIDEO from dear friends and fans.  I didn’t ask for it.  It was given to me as a thank you for what my book has done and continues to do for them.  And as I continue to receive this and other small (and large) blessings, it’s always the same.  Some share my excitement as if it is their own, while others turn their noses up with jealousy and envy.  For years I’ve not addressed it head-on, because there really is no need to feed negative energy.  But today I’m feeling a little different.  Today I want to speak to the haters as I quote me from my new book, Still Standing.  For those that have a copy, you can follow along with me.  I’ll be starting at the bottom of page 51…

I’m only talking about those special few whose colors seemed to change over the course of time. Here’s the deal: they’re excited for you as long as you’re not doing better than they are. There – I said it. They will high-five you, pat you on the back and congratulate you as long as you’ve not eclipsed them too badly in this marathon of life. They’ll even throw you a party if you surpass them a bit; as long as your coattails are still within arm’s reach. But the moment you turn a lap, get your second wind and start sprinting like there’s no tomorrow you can almost kiss your buddy goodbye. You’ve left them; they feel like they’ll never be able to catch up and now they want nothing to do with you. Your success, no matter how large or small, holds a mirror to their face showing them who they could be and what they could have if only they worked hard enough…were dedicated enough…were focused enough…were determined enough…were disciplined enough… All of a sudden you’ve proven the impossible to be possible and though it appears so, they’re not actually upset with you – they’re angry with themselves. These were hurdles they assumed you’d be jumping together, but you got ants in your pants and jumped the gun on a few of them, leaving them behind. And what they fail to realize is that even though you’re a few laps ahead, you’ve still got their back; you’re still cheering them on; you still want to see them succeed, but they’re too busy pouting to even see that. It’s such a sad situation. Every year thousands drink haterade and scores of friendships dissolve because of it. My advice to those who have lost a buddy or two along the way? Never stop making new friends. As you climb new towers and reach new heights introduce yourself to the new bunch around you. They’ll be excited to hear how you got there and they’ll be ready to cheer you on to your next stepping stone, because they’re headed in the same direction.

In spite of you – I go.

In spite of you – I do.

In spite of you – I succeed.

In spite of you – I am.

A sincere “thank you” to all that have my back, that love me unconditionally, and that root for me even when I can’t seem to root for myself.  I love you all dearly.  To everyone else…I hope you don’t choke on your haterade.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES. 

Interested in getting a copy of the book?

Go to AMAZON for hard-copy and Kindle versions or click HERE to purchase an autographed copy.

Won’t You Join Me?

Now that the dust has settled a bit, I’ve had a minute or two to reflect and process the events of this past weekend and I’m still blown away – and for so many different reasons.  First off…I’ve PUBLISHED MY FIRST BOOK.  What?!?  Who in the world do I think I am??  What in the world do I think I’m doing??  My goodness.  I think perhaps I’ve surprised myself with this one.  This was not in the plans.  It was never a goal of mine.  Even still, a manuscript was written and Still Standing is the result.  Wow.  Note to all reading this post:  believe you me…ANYTHING is possible.  Even those things that you haven’t completely thought out yet – even those things are possible.  Even the things that you keep getting ready to get ready to do.  Yep.  Even those things are possible – if you’re willing to work.  Make no mistake about it, none of it comes easily and every bit of it is the result of focus, determination, dedication, and boatloads of drive.  But that’s not what I wanted to write about today so let’s just stick a pin in that for the moment.

Not only have I published my first book, I had my official book release in a Manhattan bookstore and the house was packed.  Ok, those are all good things, but what I’m most excited about is the reception.  Still Standing was received with open arms, hearts, and minds.  After the show I was greeted with far more warmth, kindness, and adoration that I ever expected.  An extremely humbling experience, indeed.  It really was.  And to take it a step further than that…I had family drive up from North Carolina to attend the event.  I had a cousin drive in from DC to attend the event.  And I had a North Carolina Facebook friend attend so that we could finally put faces to names.  It was super incredible and a totally jaw-dropping experience for me.  I had supporters come that I’d only met and seen one time before, and then there were many dear friends who wouldn’t miss it for the world.  For sure it’s one of those things that I will never forget.  That – I’m certain of.

I’ll close with this:  that will not be my last book reading/signing event and Still Standing will not be my last book.  This is just the beginning.  I have no idea where this ride will take me, but I am strapped in and ready to go, because I’ve got a feeling that this one is gonna’ be good.  I hope you come with me.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Noelle Ryan

Phone:  323/347-8554

Email:  info@iamstillstanding.com

A Lesson in Resilience:  Still Standing with Jasmynne Shaye

Sexually Abused and Emotionally Defeated, Yet She Still Stands—with a Smile on Her Face

NEW YORK, NY – February 17, 2014 – Tasty Chuckle Publications announces the release of Jasmynne Shaye’s debut title, Still Standing.  The book release event will be held at Manhattan’s Bluestockings on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 7:00pm.  Bluestockings is located at 172 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002.  Please contact them for further event details (212.777.6028).    

With so many left emotionally crippled by the long-term scars of abuse, Jasmynne aims to open a dialogue on subjects that most would rather shy away from.  Raw, honest, and bold, Still Standing is an intimate collection of original poems and essays written by Jasmynne.  The poems read like private diary entries as they recount some of the most painful events in the writer’s life.  Each poem is then followed by an encouraging, thought-provoking essay inspired by the poem it stands with.  It’s an easy read that’s filled with emotion, gratitude, pain, and triumph. Jasmynne's message is simple: you may get knocked down, but what matters most is that you’re still standing at the end of the day.

“Jasmynne Shaye follows each of her diversely lyrical poems with plainspoken essays motivating discussion on such universal topics as love, friendship, the death of a loved one, self-esteem, and the everyday ups and downs of life.

“Her writing is, at turns, graceful, streetwise, sharp, and humorous, but always insightful and inspiring.

“Read this book alone for comfort, or read it with friends for hot debates. Just read it.”

~Michael Dale, theater critic for BroadwayWorld.com

Currently based in NYC, Jasmynne Shaye is a North Carolina native and graduate of NC State University.  She’s an author, activist, business owner, and a NAACP nominated actress.  A member of New York’s WOW Theatre Company, Shaye has been performing on stage since age five.  She is most known for telling her personal story of survival in her award-winning one-woman show, “Stepping On a Few Toes.”  You have but to meet her once to know that there is something different about Jasmynne.  Though she has lived through many difficulties and hardships she hasn’t let them slow her down for not even a second.  She is a fighter, a winner, and a force to be reckoned with, and she hopes her story of triumph inspires others to also overcome.

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LINKS

Still Standing – www.iamstillstanding.com

Jasmynne Shaye – www.jasmynneshaye.com

Stepping On a Few Toes – www.steppingontoes.com 

This title is now available at Amazon.com. 

I Have Landed In Opportunity

Hey, gang!  Today is February 1^st!  Wow!  We’ve got a full month under our 2013 belt, and I’m still way excited.  Since about June of last year I’ve been looking at 2013 with wide eyes and an eager determination that I don’t believe I’ve ever had.  Say what you want, but I feel in my bones that there is something different about this year.  I have absolutely no clue what it is, but 13 can definitely be your lucky number if you want it to be.

So I’m here.  I’ve clawed my way back to the east coast, and I’ve landed in the Empire State… Jay Z’s hometown… the Big Apple... the city that never sleeps… however you wish to refer to her, her name is New York, and she has welcomed me with opened arms.  I honestly could not be more grateful at how seamless this transition has been for me.  Not a single bump in the road, not a single hiccup along the way.  God has definitely been guiding this ship (thank goodness).

Many of you have been sending me words of encouragement and/or have been asking how I’m getting along, and I thank you so much for thinking of me.   In a sentence:  Things are good.  Seriously, they are.  It will still be a while before I’m able to breathe a sigh a relief saying, “I’m settled,” but I’m ok with that.  It’s much more important for me to begin making some real headway with my show at this point.  Making certain everything is unpacked and ‘just so’ at home has been placed on the back burner, and it can wait.  I’ve put my hands on the essentials, and I don’t have a problem digging through a box or two when necessary.  Point is:  I’m here.  Can you believe it?!?!?  I’m actually here.  Whoo-hoo!!

Of course I’m feeling like there is so much to do with so little time.  I know no one here and I have no contacts; which means I’ve got to get my hiney in gear.  And I am!  I’m making a real effort to sharpen my networking tools and put all my awesome people skills to good use.  And I believe it’s paying off.  There are a few things that have happened over the past week that are in the works and I hope to be able to report on them very soon.  Until then, please, please, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers, and don’t be shy about sending me a note every once in a while – even if only a one-liner to say “What’s up!”  Trust me, it helps and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

As for accomplishing one thing each month… here’s what I’ve got so far…

JANUARY

I received the final version and accompanying products for my STILL STANDING logo.  STILL STANDING is my personal message of survival that will be the final bit of punctuation necessary to round out my brand.  Items aren’t yet available for purchase, but they soon will be.  I want to thank Spencer Owens and his wonderful team at 1Six5 Designs for making my dream a reality.

That’s all for today, gang.  Thanks so much for reading.

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.

photo:  www.stockfreeimages.com