Rest in Peace Shane

I needed somewhere to write so I'ma write you on here.  I know you wouldn't want me to cry but I can't help it bro I really can't the fact your no longer here and we can't even share a laugh anymore kills me.  You had an impact on everybody you met that will last forever, and you were and always will be my brother.  You and Sam used to call me Uncle Rob because we used to joke if you ever had a kid I would be the uncle because we were brothers.  In the short time that we became close I swear we had a friendship that people don't even have and they've known each other their whole lives.  You will always be my family bro and I remember you telling me, how you were gonna be doing big things on Wall Street and I was gonna be doing my thing and we would still be close still share memories.  Even though that will never happen your memory will live on through me I'ma make sure I make it for you cuz if one of us makes it we all do that's just how family is.  I know your at peace now though kicking it with Mama Madeline and God reunited in heaven.  The dream won't stop bro I swear I got us I love you fam forever and a day Rest in Paradise Shane McCullough a true friend and brother to the end

Love,
Uncle Rob

Road to Riches

I stay up late thinking of success.  As a human its only natural for me to worry about making it and will I ever be successful. Although a lot of my daily thoughts are those that scream positive feelings at nighttime I become human.  My homeboy Marley told me the other day God has a plan and he will take you where he wants you to be.  I believe that man, that was the juice I needed at the moment.  Sometimes I don't know where to begin with my thoughts my mind works in a mysterious manner, I swear I might be crazy, but I know I'm just motivated.  I used to worry about what people thought about me and what not but I guess since I'm going to ramble I might as well have my moment of clarity.  If you have nothing to bring that's positive to my life I have no time for your thoughts, if your not lining my pockets, my shorty or my family then your opinion doesn't really matter.  I needed to get that off my chest my bro Brian Cade told me to write my thoughts down so I figure I might as well keep spitting what's coming to the brain right now.  Lord knows I'ma make it and I know everyday that I struggle it's just for a cause a cause that's bigger than me. I'm FFB certified forever and until I drop in a grave them plus the teams that Marley and my bro Millz Mula are combining for the movement is what I do it for, we're all gonna live that penthouse life, that Californication/Entourage life that Moet/Ace of Spades looking down on the city life. When I make it I'm giving back to everyone I can, not everybody has been given what I have been blessed with and I want those who are disenfranchised to have the chances I have. Robert Halliman Foundation is going to be real I promise that. I promise to God and put it on my life it's gonna happen I promise to God my Great Aunt and Grandma are going to see me graduate from Lehigh, I promise to God I'm going to pay my sister's way through college, I promise to God I'm going to make life easier for my mom and pops and allow them to retire early.  They worked so hard and I think about the stuff they went through to get where they are all the trials and tribulations and BS my family has seen just to get me to this point in my life I thank God everyday for this life man.  I didn't appreciate it when I was younger but lord knows I've never wanted for anything and I'm going to give my family that same feeling.  Music has helped my evolution as a man and this Nipsey Hussle Road to Riches inspired this post. I love those who support me and take the time out of their day to read my blogs, I'm just a young man trying to find his place in this world and those who support me will get nothing but support from me.  Real Rap if your reading this thank you I appreciate you and were gonna get this money together we're all gonna shine.  Like they said in Hustle and Flow every human being has a verse to contribute to society this blog is my book of rhymes

Currently Jamming for the 15th time in a row Nipsey Hussle-Road to Riches

Positive Thoughts

This may seem outlandish but I don't remember the last time I've had a bad day.  My outlook on life has changed dramatically over the course of the year, and I've learned that part of growing up is learning how to take the good with the bad.  One thing I've learned about life, is that within each individuals personal experiences there's always something positive to take from it even if the outcome is deemed negative.  This belief comes from the fact that in each situation we put ourselves in we are given options and the outcome of our choices are in fact pre-determined by the man above and i'll say this, God doesn't put you through anything you can't handle no matter the circumstance.  I'm by no means the most religious person in the world but I do believe that a higher power is looking out for me and by working hard and working smart he will help me achieve the goals I've set for myself. In closing i'll say this our time on this earth is too short to have bad days, and even though life might throw us Mike Tyson 92' heavyweight title punches, we must stand in its face with a smile and continue to dream, and achieve.  Keep your head up and your ambition limitless.

Currently Jamming:  Wale ft. Meek Mill &Ricky Rozay-Ambition

Motivation is the fuel to my fire

Motivation is self-examination of why you wake up every day and do what you do.  This word means so much to me because in essence, motivation is hunger.  What is hunger?  Hunger is what drives one to wake up every day and strive to be better.  Without hunger we tend to coast and we tend to go through the motions, we forget what motivates us and we lose sight of our goals.  It took me 19 years to figure out what motivates me, but this summer I finally figured it out.  Personally when I get out of college I want to be the one of the most successful Sports Agent's to ever grace the planet, not only that I want to eventually start my own sports based magazine and have my own radio show.  When I tell people my plan they look at me in two ways, either they say damn, this dude's serious he might just pull this off or they look at me in bewilderment and think I'm crazy.  I'ma tell you from the jump, I'm not crazy, I'm hungry and it's going to take a million buffets to feed my appetite.  

I figured since I told you my plan I might as well tell you what drives me to make this happen.  My father and my great aunt are the two most influential people in my life without them I don't know where I'd be.  My father for one has gone through hell and back to provide for me and my sister, he's made it through tragedies and adverse circumstances I couldn't even fathom.  I've never wanted for anything, never not had or been without so for me repaying him with success and being a good human being is the least I can do, because even though I may not always show it I know what he's done for me hasn't been easy so sooner than later I'm going to make it easy for him.  Secondly, my Great Aunt Corinne McGhee is the most important person in the world to me.  How she held my family together through times of tragedy and loss is the most amazing thing one human being could ever do, she is the matriarch of my family.  Me attending a top ranked school like Lehigh University has made her so proud, every time I visit her she wants me to wear my University sweatshirt or something with my University on it so she can show me off, and when she picks me up from the airport she always has Lehigh stuff on. For her to see me walk across that stage with a degree would be the biggest accomplishment I think I will ever have in my life.  She means that much to me that I can't fail I have to succeed,  I love that woman to death and I'm not even gonna lie I got tears touching this keyboard just writing about her impact.  

With this being said about my family I also want to tell you about my other family, my brothers, FFB is what we call ourselves.  We’re a not just best friend, that’s my family blood couldn't make us any closer and for those of you who don't know who’s in FFB; FFB is comprised of Hysom Zarroug, Kacy Rodgers, Brett Maxie, Tim Munson and Mosab Zarroug. They've been there for me through some of my darkest hours and their families have been a big part of my growth as a man.  If you've ever seen the show Entourage that's what we're going to be, brothers who through thick and thin strive for a common goal.  Ya, we're going to do it real big I promise you that and I'll die before I see the goals of my team not reached.

At the end of the day I just wanted to let people know what keeps me motivated and hungry, I can't let these people down, they mean to much to me ,and with them in my mind  I won't fail.  Every morning I wake up I have these people’s names written on my sticky notes, along with the saying "be better every day," this motivates me to make it. I encourage you reading this if you haven't already found what motivates you to look deep and find it and think about it every day when you wake up, success is a mentality, so when you think about the pain it takes to succeed think about the factors that motivate you to do it.

Currently Jamming:  J. Cole- Dollar and a Dream III

Dreamchasers

Meek Mill's mixtape Dreamchasers is one of the more inspiring collections of music I've ever heard. Just like in Big Krit's Return of 4eva mixtape, I learned valuable lessons that I feel will be a part of me for the rest of my life.  While analyzing the content of the lyrics in Dreamchasers I discovered that there are two different types of dreamers, there are active dreamers, and there are those who dream for the hell of it.  Being an active dreamer is what drives many to succeed.  An active dreamer visualizes his/her goals and believes that one day that dream will be their reality. Although, there are various components that turn an active dreamer into a successful human being, I feel that the world belief is the most important component to the formula of success.  When you believe something you train your brain to obtain.  More simply said, when you believe you will be successful you train yourself to ultimately become successful.  To me failure is an unfamiliar word, because at this stage in my life I couldn't even imagine what failure looks like, I wake up to get my cake up in my best Lil Boosie impression(for those who don't understand the reference listen to Out here Grinding by Dj Khaled).  My goals for this blog are to inspire people through the way I see life and to inspire dreamers just like me to be active and go ahead and get what you want, there’s no shame in success like Young Jeezy says, "Scared money don't make no money", so while you get to enjoy the opportunity to live, go out there and turn your dreams into reality.  With this being said, don't be afraid of a chance and don't be afraid to take risks one quote that will always be with me is one by Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus, "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy."

Currently Jamming: Drake-Club Paradise

No Days Off

"No Days Off" is the anthem. This quote, the motto of one of my favorite rappers, the poet, Wale Folarin otherwise known as Wale, Wale Ovechkin etc. is one that I'm learning to live by. When living a life filled with ambition you can't afford to take any days off. You can relax your mind and rest your body, but everyday must be one of production. Even if there's little to do one should focus on finding a way to better themselves. Life is a process, in which every day we are given a chance to better ourselves and take a step in the direction of our goals. We must understand that our ambition is driven by dreams and in order to turn these dreams into reality we must take advantage of everyday. Not one single day can be wasted. This world is competitive and if you’re not going to choose to grind and take the necessary steps you need to take to achieve your goal somebody else will. This saying I'm about to use is rather cliché but very true, "Every day is a gift and that’s why it’s called the present." So while we are allowed to live in the present and receive the gift of life lets choose to make everyday a day in which we grow and stimulate not only our minds but our bodies. The future is amongst us let’s go moonwalking on the stars.

Currently Jamming Meek Mill-Middle of Da Summer

Sacrifice

Through each stage of our personal journey we pick up a new piece to solve the puzzle of life. This piece no matter what it may mean helps us try and complete our personal puzzle for success. Although this puzzle may seem complex, we must understand that as long as we are living, it is impossible for us to complete our puzzle because mental growth never ends. This summer, 2 weeks ago to be exact I discovered a huge piece of my personal puzzle. Like most nights I was kicking it with my boy Hysom Z otherwise known as Freako Suave listening to music cruising, when Dom Kennedy and Currensy's Song "Hennesy Beach" came on, during Dom's verse he spit the line, "going to the pros I'm tired of playing d1.". Now to you this may be nothing more than a simple rhyme but, the way I see it this rhyme means one word, "sacrifice." In order to make the next jump in life toward our goals, we must make sacrifices and rid ourselves of habits that may weigh us down. Not only must we rid ourselves of bad habits, we must learn to work smarter. As many see it hard work is the remedy to success and this is true, but working smart is what separates the good from the great. In a society that places emphasis on being "cool" we must understand cool is not going to make you any money, because at the end of the day were not being judged on how cool we are, we're judged off our performance. In closing make the sacrifices that allow you to perform on a higher level, it may not always feel like the coolest thing to do but in the end your mind should be solely focused on obtaining your goals. Currently jamming The Weeknd-Loft Music

What makes comfort an enemy

As human beings we are taught that being comfortable is ok.  Not saying that it's not ok but while you're young being comfortable and complacent is not the most ideal way to live.  We all have dreams that we strive for and many of us have big dreams, dreams that don't fit in a box, world changing, and lifesaving dreams. But, for many of us being comfortable is more acceptable than putting in the effort of pursuing our dreams. We live in a society where it’s ok to be average, its ok not to dare to be different, and it’s ok not to challenge things that have already been done. In my eyes that mindset is not real life we were placed on this earth for a reason and while we have the blessing of being able to live why don't we seek the most out of life.  The concept of life allows us to explore our inner greatness because everyone has a sense of greatness within them, even with our talents and our gifts all varying why don't we take the opportunity to be great at whatever we do.  Why don't we use the motto Dream Big Achieve Bigger and apply it to whatever we decide to do in our lives.  The world is ours it’s our oyster and the goal of this life is to Hustle, Hustle, Hustle, Hard.

Currently Jamming Meek Mill-Middle of the Summer, if you haven't copped or checked out Meek Mills new mixtape Dreamchasers go check it out

The Value of Women

So everybody that personally knows Robby but isn't close close with Robby is going to think I'm going to write about how women are worth nothing more than to cook, clean or have sex or some bs like that. On the contrary though, I feel like women are the most amazing creatures on this planet and their value is unmeasured.  Men need women for survival, and when I say need I mean NEED.  Women are our back bone, our support system and a special woman is worth just as much as a bestfriend if not more to an individual.  The caring, loving, compassionate qualities that are part of a womans mental makeup could possibly be the most valuable assest a man can have.  The strange thing about it is I don't think most women see it, especially women who allow themselves to be treated unfairly by a man. As a woman you have to understand your worth, you must understand that you are a gift bestowed upon men  and your worth is more than you will ever know.  One thing I truely hate is to see a good woman who allows herself to be taken advantage of not only physically but mentally, because your worth so much more. The future mother of my children and woman that I decide to spend my life with will always be reminded that she is a queen and the attributes that make her a queen will never be taken for granted.  I'm going to keep it short so you guys can read because even though I have a lot to say about this topic I'm sure you get the gist of it and in closing I want women to know you are appreciated.

Currently Jamming Frank Ocean-Swim Good

Commandments of Success

Success is a mindstate.  In order to achieve success you must believe that it's going to happen, you must envision yourself achieving what in your mind is success. As cliche as it may sound, one must understand that in order to achieve your goals you have to learn how to accept the good with the bad.  This meaning, you can't worry about what someone else says, you can't stress over criticisms, or take a compliment straight to the head, you have to stay levelheaded.  A level head is the healthiest mind, why do I say this? I'll explain a level head allows you to believe that you have room for growth, it allows you to be able to accept critiques and use them for your own personal gain.  The personal gain I'm talking about only you can define though, becasue only you can figure a way to apply different critiques to your life.  As a 19 year old man I understand that I've gotta grind, because by the age of 26 I wanna stunt, and I wanna stunt hard.  In order for me to stunt though I have to stay on track and realize that in order to achieve what I want, I have to stay focsued and I have to rid myself of things that could possibly keep me from getting to where I want to be.  With this all being said all I want for my readers to understand is whatever goal you may have, its obtainable no matter the circumstances, you have to go out and get it.  In the famous words of Outkast featuring Goodie Mob in the 1994 classic  "Git up, Git out" "You got to get up, get out and get something don't let the days of your life pass by.............cuz you and I got to do for you and I."

Currently Jamming Big Krit-Rise and Shine

My views on the value of life

People that know me well know that I live life for the stories that come with it.  Whether its a ratchet, wild tale or a laid back cool story on the events of a day in my life I enjoy doing things so I can sit back and say damn... I/We really did that. Even though the event that took place may not always have been the most ideal option or outcome I'm proud to say I took the time to understand the experience.  The way I see it that's what life's all about, because in retrospect your life is a book and each page may be a suprise or a new thing that helps define who you really are and each chapter is a new beginning from the growth of a toddler to your last dying days.  It's not about living life wrecklessly or doing things that you know will put a strain on the outcome of your life but enjoying the twist and turns that living a fulfilling life gives you, because every thing that you experience in the long run has some sort of  impact on who you become whether its good or bad all your experiences tie together to make up the finish product of you.  A well traveled and experienced finished product is a satisfied finished product and the main goal of life is to be happy with what you have accomplished during the time the higher power that you may believe in has given you to cherish the earth.  Understand that you are here for a reason and while you are here you might as well try and understand as much as you can because knowledge and experience is power and like Forrest Gump's mama  once said, "Life is like a box of chocolates you never know what your going to get. 

Currently listening to The Weeknd-Wicked Games

The Impact of Music

 Sanity is controlled by a plethora of things.  We all have certain things that keep us from going crazy during times in which we feel most vulnerable or things that make us smile when life is throwing its 12 rounds worth of punches, for me and I feel like probably for most of you all its music.   Music has impacted me in ways that I'll never really grasp and understand,  all I will be able to fully comprehend is the fact that a beat, a melody and worthy lyrical content can help me overcome the obstacles I face in everyday life no matter how severe or high each hurdle is.  Not every artist has the ability to extract emotion from us but the special ones have a song for every possible feeling that may be holding us down. Relationships, Money, Struggle, Violence, Family etc. are all things we can relate to so when a musical figure touches one of those subjects and their lyrical content pertains to something that one of us have gone through the music tends to resonate and hit us in a way that tells us keep going, the race is not over there may be a detour to the finish line but the detour only makes the tale of our life much greater.  The fact that someone is born with the gift to help people and change lives through song may be one of the more powerful instruments the world has given us.  I'll share with you some of the artist who help me through and keep me motivated to achieve the goals that I one day hope to obtain hopefully some of  these artist will have the same impact on you as they did me and even though some of these artist I will name haven't exactly been in the industry long or have been out of the game for awhile I hope that you can find the message that they try to convey in their music.  Drake, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Jay-z, Little Brother, The Foreign Exchange, Adele, Lauryn Hill, The Fugees, J. Cole, Wale, Kanye West, Common, Dilatated Peoples, Curren$y, Big Krit, A Tribe Called Quest , Lil Boosie, Kid Cudi, Tupac, Biggie and Lil B the BasedGod ya I said it Lil B are all artist whose messages have spoken to me in times of need and I hope that you do the research so they can possibly do the same for you.

Currently Listening to The Weeknd-Material Girl