What's In A Name? (For his Grandchildren)

This post is dedicated to my 29+ first cousins...

Today, our grandfather Tally Adams, Jr. is listed in #TheState newspaper under the article "REMEMBERING 2011." This makes me proud!! We have a legacy to continue and a STRONG, INFLUENTIAL "name" to uphold!! I'm extremely thankful to have you guys, and I love you dearly. As we continue to grow by adding spouses and children to this legacy, I pray our bonds are strengthened and even more priceless memories are created together.

Although we may not all have the ADAMS last name (and some of us will eventually drop it upon marriage), we are obviously linked as first cousins. So when I used the term "name", what I really mean is the character and reputation that has been created through our grandparents and passed down to us through the examples set by our parents.

I've been labeled as Baby Adams, following in the steps of Mama Adams (Grandma) through singing and ministering in church. I thought it was cute when I was younger, having overlooked the weight behind it. I never really knew how much that "name" meant until after she passed. Singing took on a whole new meaning for me, and many of you know that for a time, I completely STOPPED!! You didn't hear a peep out of me unless someone was getting married or we were playing around at "the house".  As time moved on, I learned to embrace the gifts I have and to carry on the legacy she established. It's a privilege to be offered the torch, but we don't have to accept it. Nor do we have to keep it lit... Ultimately it's our individual choice.

I'm choosing to take the torch, and with it, I am runniiiiin' (Forrest Gump voice)!! With the passing of both grandparents, the generations have been shifted. WE ARE OUR PARENTS!!! Scary?? I know. BUT we have each other, and what better time to bond and build legacies for the next generation than now?? This is OUR family. If we don't step up, there's no one else who will.

I'm teary-eyed writing this because I'm grateful. I realize just how blessed I am to have FAMILY that I'm not just related to but with which I have RELATIONSHIP!! I can't explain how honored I am to have you ALL in my life.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR:

brutal honesty, tough love, rug burns, encouragement, bullying, speeding tickets, butt whoopins, smiles, arguments, babies, near death experiences, phone calls, hugs, car accidents, opinions, rubber band bruises, food, deep conversations, support, fights, clothes, cards, advice, a plethora of incriminated unmentioned happenings, etc. I could go on all day...  

There's no better group of people for me to laugh, cry or cut a fool with, and I wouldn't trade you for the world. Despite how far apart we are spread across the WORLD, we always manage to bring it back to good ol' South Carolina, where we can escape and find strength in each other. :)

Don't forget to check out the article!!
http://m.thestate.com/state/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=8N2xPrA7

Be you, be true...

     'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
      Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
      What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
      Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
      Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
      What's in a name? that which we call a rose
      By any other name would smell as sweet;
      So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
      Retain that dear perfection which he owes
      Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
      And for that name which is no part of thee
      Take all myself.

                         --William Shakespeare via Juliet Montague

HAPPY NEW YEAR from Orlando

Believe me, it gets even BETTER!!

Bare Naked Truth

Mommy has been encouraging me to become more transparent. Says it's freeing O_o I already don't like wearing clothes. How much more naked can I be???????

There's so much things to say right now. (Yes. You read that correctly. I typed it that way intentionally.) I'm almost uncertain as of where to start. The beginning you say?  Uuuuugh...NO!! It's not that simple. To sum it all up, I'd say, "OK, LORD!!!!! I GET IT!!!! Geez!!"  Get what, you ask.  The fact that I need to show honest emotion. Ok, it's out... *rolls eyes and sighs* :) Aside from smaller spiritual nuggets (conversational confirmations), the issue at hand was brought to my attention on three (3) separate occasions.

 

Lauryn Hill - Bob Marley So Much Things to Say (Cover)

Every morning, when I speak to the Twitter Nation, I send an encouraging word or food for thought (that I usually post to my wall on the Book of Faces as well). These brief statements are really personal reminders for me that I have chosen to share with others. (1) This morning, I read Friday's devotional, which was titled Showing Honest Emotion.  (2) Yesterday I picked up The Power of a Praying Woman (after having put it down earlier this year), and the chapter that was next in my reading was titled, "Lord Set Me Free From Negative Emotions". (3) Last night, I had a heart to heart with Mommy about how much of a talker I AM NOT!! Surprised?? Allow me to clarify:

I TALK...about the entertainment industry, things people can see (the tangible), debatable issues such as politics and scientific theories, reality shows, comedic references and anything that doesn't make me appear vulnerable. Many know that I have quite the presence in social media; and though strong, it doesn't scratch the surface of who I am inside. It's simply my stage. (After all, I am an entertainer.) Many actors fear exposing themselves before audiences. I don't. It brings about a sense of indirect emotional release for me, because I know the character I'm playing, although believable, is not my reality. Instead, it's my excuse to cut a fool and get away with it. LOL Method actors, on the other hand.......I'll save this for another blog post.  ;)

I'm VERY sociable and outgoing.  I LOVE PEOPLE, and I LOVE TO TALK WITH PEOPLE. However, when it comes down to how I really feel inside (that mushy gushy stuff, being hurt in the past or struggling to "do it right"), I rarely ever share. I don't deny my feelings. Nor am I one to say all is well when it's not. I simply repel inquiries by saying: "I'll be okay" or "I don't wanna talk about it," and retreat with hope that whatever it is blows over and eventually vanishes. A friend described it perfectly by saying I'm good at having long, surface conversations. :)

In so few words, Mommy told me I had a serious problem with appearing like I have it together all the time. Said I need to see a therapist and get rid of the facade. Otherwise, when I do choose to open up to someone, they may not realize just how much I hurt or need their help.

o_O   *chirping crickets*

Ok, it wasn't THAT harsh, and she made no mention of a therapist.  Actually it wasn't harsh at all, BUT because it's something I've been struggling with, it slapped me in the face rather hard. Her honesty was much needed, and I certainly appreciate it. I would not have received that information had I not opened up to her and been honest with my feelings. Lesson learned.
(Please don't read deeply into my above dramatization. I was a theatre major...remember?)

Moving right along...
We all get emotional. Anyone that believes he/she doesn't is not being honest with him/herself. Now THAT's a book for another lifetime. We all have feelings. Contrary to popular belief, we can't control them. However, we can control the way we REACT or RESPOND because of them. I'm learning to talk and express myself without being concerned about the reaction or response of the person with whom I am sharing. It's not fair for me to hinder the developmental process between me and another person, because I'm so concerned about saying "safe". I will admit that I'm guarded, because I want to be careful not be get burned (again). But let's be real. We're bound to get hurt. But I'm at a point in my life were I'd rather get hurt and move on than to have never had the opportunity to share my life with the closest friends I have yet to learn or meet. Bob Marley said it best:  

“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. 

You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.”

I've said all this to liberate myself and perhaps help someone else struggling with expression. This post is not to start exposing myself or to become vulnerable to the world. It's the start of an extraction exercise to rid myself of negative emotions. If one can't accept you for you, count is as lost for them and a bullet you dodged. Think about it.

This is simply the Gospel According to Rhyan, which to some means nothing at all!! :D
Ok, sooooooo, yeah. I feel more NAKED now than I felt the time I went streaking in Central Park!! JUST KIDDING!!!  (Grams: I have NEVER been streaking, ok?! PROMISE)

Be you; be true; 

Carefree, not careless;

Laugh yourself to LIFE;

Listen with your heart. Love fearlessly

Pray about EVERYTHING

Live Deliberately

--RhyanMichele

NEWs ova Heah!!

WHOA!!! I'm slacking on my posts!!! **YIKES**

On November 1, 2011 I announced the publication of my new company:

Cineman Shots, Inc was developed to meet the developmental needs of entrepreneurs, playwrights and screenwriters. My daddy always said to me, "If no one will hire you, hire yourself." So that's what I did. I look forward to providing services to upcoming companies and writers. It brings me great pleasure to aid in making other people's business dreams a successful reality. For more information "LIKE" Cineman Shots on Facebook. www.facebook.com/cinemanshots

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In other NEWs:
I'm proud to announce that BOBBY LEE BLOOD was a success ---> so much that we have been asked to present and encore performance next weekend. Soooo, having come off of a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving break with the family, back to the theatre I go. If you missed it the first time or loved it and want to see it again, join the cast at The Experience Christian Center in Orlando, FL for a FREE, yes FREE Admission performance at 6pm!!  You won't want to miss the dynamic cast of 6, who never leave the stage and portray 15 different roles. For more information, visit www.sparkylentertainment.com

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I've created an INSTAGRAM account!!! 

Check it out. I've managed to capture some amazing shots during my day to day view of life...as I know it!! Join me!! Here are a few pictures that have been added.

Under water? or GAS?! O_o

The Staring Game

Good ol' SC Eats!!

“This was left on my car! Made my whole freakin' day :D”