Beyonce Performing at Coachella. Making history as the first Black female artist to headline the festival.

There was a time when society deemed having a two parent household decided who you are, being low middle and high class factor every bit of success you would claim, that your sexuality determined your masculinity, being black already stamped you as ghetto, unfit, uneducated and the inability to rise about the standards of what the white man placed before mankind. The stress of the standard of who we should be, how we should be and how we built walls beyond what Donald Trump could depict in our own perceptions of life. A very good friend of mine told me that “THERE ARE NO RULES TO SUCCESS BUT DON’T STOP” and with those wise words I couldn’t help but think about it, so much that I find myself typing these very words to encourage someone else along their journey in this thing we call life. for the past five years I’ve had those ” what if’s” in my life. I know I’ve had my fair share with Love, Friendships, Careers, Family you name it. I found myself contemplating over the thoughts of everyone else, the me caring so much, investing as well as sacrificing to still be stuck in limbo. Afraid to hold on, afraid to let go, too scared to venture into the unknown. I conditioned myself to be comfortable with possibility but placed rules in front of me.

Beyonce didn’t let the fall of Destinys Child, her father and the peoples opinions stop her from being a survivor, Barack Obama didn’t allow the ignorance of this country stop him from not only running for Presidency but winning. He didn’t even let a million turn downs from our forever FLOTUS Michelle discourage him from shooting his shot. Chris Gardner didn’t allow the struggle and competitor stop his Pursuit of Happiness. So what is Success? What does it even look like? Everyday I find myself growing in ways I couldn’t see fit for me. I’m not perfect, I make mistakes, I struggle, hurt some feelings and even cry. The one thing I’ve always found myself doing is making the next day better than yesterday, being vibrant, transparent, understanding, spreading love and positive energy no matter where I am or may go. Not because I feel like everyone is telling me to but because that’s what makes Markell happy. This journey of self discovery is worth the daggers being thrown my way but the impact that motivate and inspires the ones near or far is far beyond anything I could’ve prayed for and I thank God for that. Oh those opinions and made up rules from someone who finally gets a position of power to tell you no is fuel to keep building and growing within who you are. So don’t stop being a work of art, turn those a thousand no’s into yes I can, yes I will because THERE ARE NO RULES TO SUCCESS. Go for everything you want in life. Be sure to comment below your thoughts and experiences when it comes to limitations and rules that measures our success. Hashtag #markellcreativeLN

The 44th President of the USA Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

Chris Gardner and Will Smith The Pursuit of Happiness