Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Becoming Legit

Life is funny sometimes, and God always seems to have an uncanny way of getting a job done through you when you have missed the mark, or have been too stubborn or afraid to get it done. There manages to be the smallest nudge that undeniably forces you to the next stage in life.

I received that nudge about a week ago. It came in the form of a W-9 tax form. I have been successfully selling jewelry items in Elle Bee. It hasn’t been a smash hit, but definitely keeps me receiving a check in the mail every month, which means that my creations are being worn on ears, arms and necks outside of my circle of family and friends.

So, I received this W-9 form, which I have never had to fill out before for doing consignment. I am actually very familiar with the form as I have to get those that do contract work with my job to fill them out in order to get paid. Although familiar, I never really took the time to get familiar with the forms for my own purposes. As a matter of fact, subconsciously I didn’t want to be involved with them, although I knew sooner or later I would need to in order to properly fill out tax forms for my businesses. Notice I said businesses with an s (but that is for a different blog).

The section that got me sweating said sole proprietor, LLC, and some other options besides other, that I cannot recall off the top of my noggin. I was sure that I could pass with checking other until I read exactly what other entailed (nothing that I could subscribe to).

I consulted a great lawyer friend at that moment and asked if it was possible that I would get penalized if I just checked other without an explanation. Of course, she said sooner or later it would catch up with me, and that I should just register as soon as possible. The law may be slow to cash in their monetary reward, but when they do, they manage to try and take you for all you are worth in addition to the pair of draws on your behind.

I took the plunge and did so the next evening. With the assistance of my friend, the process was almost painless and as a result, my business is birthed:

Exo 31 Art LLC

I am blessed to be in such company that can give me advice on how to get these matters straightened out. She did so effortlessly, as if she did it in her sleep daily, and without looking for compensation. The saying “you reap what you sow” is indeed correct. Lord knows that I have been diligent in sowing wonderful seeds, not because I have the intuition to do so on my own, but because the Christ in me demands me to do so. So, I say thank you to all those that sow good for the sake of sowing for the greater good.

Pearls of Wisdom:
Your little hands in the big hands of GOD always equals success, even if that success is not immediately tangible.

Be blessed!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I Rocked My Vote...and You?

People I did it…I have successfully cast my vote for our next President. As a matter of fact, as I pulled up to the polls, I cried as Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” played on the radio. A barrage of memories came to the forefront of my memory…the strongest one being a story shared by my pastor this past Sunday. He shared the story of his great grandmother, and how she walked just to cast her vote. It went something like she walked 12 miles to where she was to vote for them to tell her that she was not from that district. She walked to the next district she was sent…another 15 miles or so. She arrived to her destination for them to tell her, “Nigger, you are too late to vote.” She didn’t get to vote that year, but was sure to be the first in line to vote the next year.

When I think about voting, I think about the above and much more. I think about my ancestors who had to go through so much, just so that I could have this right. I think about their unselfish act of being sprayed with fire hoses, bitten by dogs, beaten by the masses (physically, mentally, and spiritually), lynched, and killed in all sorts of despicable fashions; all for the benefit of me.This was actually the first time casting my vote for a President. One may call it sad, and some may say that I should be ashamed, but I am not. I have come to understand that we all have our downfalls, and I am not at all left out from that category. However, I am thankful that I have understood the error of my ways, and have made the change. This is what life is about….change! A change for the better, and a change for the good.

You may have figured from the paragraph above concerning “change” that I voted for Barack Obama…and yes, you would be right. However, I didn’t vote for him because he is a black man that shares white blood (like most of us), but simply because he has a better regime. He has a better plan to pick America out of the muck and mire that we are presently sinking in. As I listened to the Steve Harvey show this morning, a guest had a good point. We vote for a better America…period. We all must coexist and aside from Barack being black, he is still an American. An American that I believe would make drastic changes for the better if elected into office. Despite all of this, win, lose or draw, this is a big step for America period!

I thank God that I have been able to take part in this smidgen of history. I am grateful that I have not continued to take for granted that which my ancestors sweat, bled and died for. I am thankful for being able to understand the importance of praying for the will of God to be done over my own with this election, and continuing to pray regardless the outcome.

Be blessed!