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From the first pilgrims who came to practice their “reinvented” religion free from persecution to the undocumented immigrants who now wander like Moses across the desert of opportunity in search of an economic Promised Land, Americans of all ages have always believed in the prospect -alas, the right - to reinvent their lives in whatever idiosyncratic ways they choose, a trait that, ironically, has come to define the core of our celebrities and icons.

When it comes to controversy and pushing the envelope, no two people measure up more than the “Material Girl” Madonna and Janet Jackson. Their fans have argued for years over which one sends more shock waves and which is the more valid artist. The truth is, neither one has the singing chops of Barbra Streisand or the dance moves of Fred Astaire, but their ability to reinvent themselves has made them permanent fixtures in the music industry. With energy, hard work, and the ability to drop jaws, these provocative powerhouses have already become entertainment icons and it’s anyone’s guess as to what else they have up their sleeves.

So what is it that makes it possible for some “celebs” to be the rubber that everything bounces off of and others the glue that ends up tarring and feathering them. Why hasn’t the Crow known as Russell fallen from grace for his violent outburst (allegedly throwing a telephone at the head of a hotel clerk) while others end up being one-hit wonders on Bravo doing reality TV with wife and child.

Almost all celebrities express a feeling of invincibility and the ability to compose their lives, to reinvent the person they were to that which they feel they now need or want to be, and some achieve it several times over.

It is an ethic the Founding Fathers embedded in the Constitution, where before they declared our right to pray and say what we like (they had to amend it to do that), ensured that we could declare bankruptcy and start anew without fear of going to debtors’ prison. To be sure, while we like to boast that ours is the land of opportunity; it’s probably more accurate to call it the land of reinvention.

But in the rush to reinvent, many celebrities may lose perspective on where they have come from - sometimes rewriting history itself. This is where I think we can separate the winners from the losers in this game of illusion and disillusion.

No mater how many times celebrities nip, tuck, lift, or flatten, despite admissions of child abuse, multiple personalities, tirades against psychology, and conversations with aliens, the gems in the rough that always seem to sparkle are those who stay grounded in a sense of who they are.

Take for instance Paula Abdul of 80s MTV video fame. It might have taken a decade or two, but she is back and she continues to be the powerhouse she was as a dancer, but now she takes on the likes of the press and “Simon” with the grace she showed on the dance floor.

One of the newest and most delightful reinventions is Teri Hatcher, of Desperate Housewife fame. As Lois Lane in the “New Superman” she was strong but vulnerable, quirky, but smart and on Wisteria Lane she has aged with grace and allowed herself to be the clumsy mom who is not afraid to call herself a “dork” publicly.

From Martha Stewart who would not know a good thing if it bit her in the ankle (above her house arrest bracelet) to “J Lo” who was and never will be “Jenny from the Block” with her Prada this and Gucci that, one must also admit with enough money, a thick skin, and PR machine behind, anything is possible.

In fact, you can even be a debutante of high society who made a porn movie, sued the man who taped it and then was photographed buying multiple copies in a sleazy adult book bookstore and still end up smelling like roses, or in this case like “Paris.”

Tinsel town has come along way since Plymouth Rock, but the natives are still restless and waiting for the next mythical Phoenix to rise from the ashes of the red carpet.

As seen on CNN, FOX, E!, The WB and Good Morning America as well as featured in The NY TIMES, SELF, MORE, LATINA, INC and Entrepreneur - Joshua Estrin holds a dual MS in Psychotherapy and Human Human Behavior from Columthe University and is CEO of Concepts In Success, a natioanally recognized PR/Marketing firm for Fortune 500 Companies. He is also the author of the acclaimed Anti Self Help Books, Shut Up! and Listen to Yourself! He may be reached at jestrin@conceptsinsuccess.com or http://www.conceptsinsuccess.com and http://www.planetjosh.net

Tags: branding, business, marketingbranding, business, marketing

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DK: I read the other day that pound for pound, or maybe it was volume for volume, ants occupy around the same biomass as humans.

They’ll be around a lot longer, too.

DK: Are you saying we’re on our way out?

Of course. Everything is, isn’t it? I’m just saying ants are more consistent and resilient, like trees. There’s a reason. They’re in the business of relating to what is while humans are all about altering what is, and not particularly to the benefit of the other beings around them, themselves included.

DK: Pretty sad isn’t it?

Not particularly. Kind of funny to watch, though.

DK: That doesn’t seem so friendly.

Are you kidding? Is it not an act of love to enjoy the fullness of a creature’s actions, even if it means its self-destruction?

DK: That’s pretty dark. I mean, it’s kind of true, but still, you sound like you don’t care.

Just as much as you.

DK: Maybe that is a little scary. Sometimes, to be honest, I don’t. I mean we humans are into the most ridiculous things.

Ever check out stupidvideos.com?

DK: Sure.

Picture yourself watching that 24/7 for a couple hundred-thousand years and you’ll get an idea of what it’s like for the likes of me to watch the likes of you.

DK: Point well taken. Why do you let that sort of thing go on? Never mind. You don’t let or not let anything. I read the first three books.

You must consider yourself an expert by now.

DK: Must you be snotty?

My bad. When I apologize, I usually shower riches upon someone. In your case let’s just see if we can get you maybe fifty new readers.

DK: Hey, Coolthat’s awesome!

I knew you’d like that.

DK: Of course you did. You know everything.

Not quite. Knowing has nothing to do with it. If I knew like you guys knew then I’d be like you guys are, and I can’t be that, I have to have a much more broad experience: All of it, as a matter of fact. If I occupied my time thinking, like you do, the whole shebang would be a whole lot more miserable than it is. While you’re down there looking up here as if I were creating the whole mess, I’m up here looking down at what an exquisite mess you’ve created.

DK: Blamer!

I said exquisite, didn’t I? It’s good to listen, too, Drew instead of flying off the handle, just like a human.

DK: Hey, I’m proud of being a humansometimes. You sound like you don’t like us very much.

Not trueI love you entirely as much as you will let me.

DK: Now that’s scary!

Scared is not part of my picture. This is a big Cosmos, if you’ve noticed. The only attention I give you is when you call on me. You’re doing that all the time, but in the larger scheme of things, you’re the only (and extremely miniscule) part of the Universe that’s trying to get my attention.

DK: And, basically what you’re saying is we’re just going about trying to get the attention of ourselves.

If you would turn to each other like you turn to me, I could get some rest.

DK: Hah! You don’t need restGotcha!

When you get a chance, look up the word metaphor in that Funkin Wagnells dictionary you talk about. Basically, everything else, and I mean everything is cool just being what it is.

DK: I noticed that the other day. I was watching a spider spin its web. Just kept on doing the work. It was amazing!

They have no need to think about what they’re doing or how they’re being used unfairly by the wind. No need to unionize so they can get paid by the web-inch. Everything else doesn’t even need to know what it’s about. It just is, from the smallest to the largest part of it.

. DK: We’re high maintenance, aren’t we?

Valley Girls pale in comparison. But considering the small part of the whole that you occupy, it’s not an issue with me. Proportionately - and especially in terms of time - most of what you’d call my energy is focused on different things of which you are but one, very small part.

DK: You mean we’re not the crown of creation?

Spread the Word!

Up until a little while ago, Drew thought he was just a hack. But then he tuned into http://mauihealingartist.com and learned that his only job is to be the fullest Drew that he can possibly be. There, he learned, there are things that can come through him that cannot be matched by anyone. This is true with you, too. Enjoy the Journey!

Tags: business, celestine, channel, communication, conversation, entrepreneur, expert, god, health, pro, rich, wealthbusiness, celestine, channel, communication, conversation, entrepreneur, expert, god, health, pro, rich, wealth

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Sure, “art for art’s sake” is cool… but what if you’re pursuing a career as a
songwriter? This article is full of suggestions for how you can tailor your songs to
suit the requirements of music business professionals.

Many of us bemoan the state of commercial music today, but what are you doing to
improve things in your own microcosmic corner of the universe? Are you working to
create the next wave of great material songs that have a lifespan of more than a
few weeks or months? How can you use your talents to actually make a powerful
contribution… and make a living while you’re at it?

The first step is to take a good look inside and explore what you as a unique
individual have to say, lyrically and musically. What do you think about, believe in,
stand for? What makes you tick? These precious truths that bubble up from the soul
provide the driving force behind great songwriting. These sparks of inspiration,
these “aha! moments,” are what listeners crave when they play a song. They’re also
what People Behind Desks are desparate to find. Do you have the courage to lay
bare your personal truth in public? I firmly believe that’s what it takes to achieve
success with your songs.

The cynical among us will say, “no, you just need the right equipment, a catchy
hook and a whole lot of money behind you.” Sure, those things help, but if you’re
trying to break into the business, your song has to simultaneously grab people by
the guts, tickle their ears, and slam them over the head like a 2-by-4. Strive to write
songs that take risks, tap into the universal via the personal, and motivate people to
laugh, cry, feel, dance or take action. Make an effort to innovate, not imitate what’s
already out there. In other words, write your passion. Songs miraculously translate
to listeners the exact emotion you felt while you were writing them. Do your best to
work that magic!

Another quality that professionals look for in a song is strong dynamic flow. Skillful
use of the many conventions of songwriting can manipulate listeners in the most
enjoyable way. Don’t be afraid to push those emotional buttons! Here are some
ways to go about it:

Suck listeners in with lyrical, melodic and chordal tension.
Create a question in their minds: how will this turn out in the end?
Throw their bodies off balance with chords or melodies that are unexpected or
quirky.
Take a strong point of view that’s boldly provocative, unique or intensely
felt.
Paint a vivid picture in the mind’s eye.
Set a palpable mood.
Construct an entire sonic and/or lyrical environment.

Once you have piqued people’s interest, crank up their involvement using all the
techniques in your lyrical toolbox, i.e. rhyme, meter, imagery, metaphor,
alliteration… you name it. Avoid clich

Tags: AlexForbes, composers, creativesongwriter.com, lyrics, music, music business, song writing, songwritingAlexForbes, composers, creativesongwriter.com, lyrics, music, music business, song writing, songwriting

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