Granted my sister has been running track for over a decade, Track & Field has practically become my favorite sport to watch. Additionally, Usain Bolt has become a staple in Track & Field and pop culture–sports and pop culture being an intersection of topics that intrigue me when it comes to documentaries. Thus, Usain Bolt’s “I Am Bolt” documentary piqued my interest.

Once ready to watch, I realized the documentary was close to TWO HOURS LONG, so I knew I was in for a decent watch. When it comes to documentaries, I tend to gravitate towards films that capture an icon or icon -in-the-making “Making good, GRAYT!” I love watching legends or GRAYTS work, while I work. The film does a great job of assembling the arrangement of various perspectives from Usain, his coaching & conditioning team, other greats like Michael Johnson and Serena, paralleled with a reflection of who Bolt is as an individual.

Through the film’s account of Usain’s upbringing, the beginning of his track career, his historic 2008 Olympic showing, and his most recent Rio showings, “I Am Bolt” ultimately unveils five things to consider when walking into your God-given [graytness]:

1. Remain true to yourself in your rise: The film depicts Usain Bolt as the same around the way guy who valued humor and good times, from his childhood to currently. Seemingly instrumental to the fulfillment of his graytness, authenticity is depicted as Bolt’s underlying force.
2. Remain true to yourself at your pinnacle: Capturing his emotions during the 2008. 2012, and 2016 Olympics, “I Am Bolt” showcases the importance of authenticity during Bolt’s reign as iconic sprinter–that authenticity being his hard work paralleled with his lighthearted approach to competitive environments.
3. Have Fun fulfilling your God-given gift: Above anything else, “I Am Bolt” showcases the value of having fun while fulfilling your God-given gift. Your gift isn’t only limited to bringing joy to others, it should bring joy to you, as well.
4. Be Cognizant of Your Behavior: Bolt’s ankle injury is a major feature of this documentary, which was allegedly caused by a mishap at a club. Although not addressed in the documentary, one can assume reckless behavior could have brought this unwarranted behavior. Who knows? Nevertheless, being cognizant of your behavior when fulfilling your graytness is vital to your optimal performance.
5. Be Self-Aware in Fulfilling Your Graytness: An over-arching theme of the docuemtary, is Bolt’s declining motivation for Track & Field, as a competitor. Bolt demonstrates the importance of being self-aware in fulfilling our gratyness, that way we can maximize happiness and be in tune with the seasons of our lives!

The post Five Tips on Fulfilling Graytness from @UsainBolt’s “I Am Bolt” Documentary first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Whilst watching a few videos on YouTube, this Jame’s Harden Adidas Commercial caught my attention and I didn’t click “Skip Ad.” The commercial authentically intrigued me because it merged a few favorites of mine (when combined) sports, branding, and design. The commercial positions James Harden as the narrator of various scenarios that depict the void that a lack of creativity would create. Watch the commercial, below:

Transcending the importance of creativity in sports, this commercial (one of several commercial in Adidas “Needs Creators” campaign) implicitly expounds upon the importance of our individual creativity. Here’s five things you can learn about your creativity:

1. Creativity separates you from the usual, the expected, or the normal.
2. Creativity breathes life into your style; style (whether it’s what you wear, what you do, or how you exhibit your purpose) is how you fulfill your greatness.
3. Creativity is what makes you hot; your God-given ingenuity is what produces God-given [graytness].
4. Creativity unboxes the gifts, talents, and skills to the world.
5. Creativity allows you to live a life that is beyond basic; allows you to operate above basic.

The world needs your God-given creativity, use it in exhibiting your God-given [graytness].

The post Five Things to Learn About Your Creativity from @JamesHarden’s #Adidas “Basketball Needs Creators” Commercial first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

“Fake Love” by Drake is all the rave right now (and admittedly I’m a fan of a few covers of the song currently!) Interpersonally, we all may have dealt with fake love from fake friends who we thought were real friends showing real love straight up in our face. Or, we admittedly have been that fake friend showing fake love to get something we love? Nonetheless, the greatest man to walk the Earth dealt with “fake love” too–Jesus Christ.

What I’m starting to love about Jesus Christ are the major keys he often times exemplified–one of those times, exemplifying the major keys in dealing with “fake love”. Two considerable instances, once when the Pharisees plotted on how to trap Jesus to provoke him to offer illegal advice (Matthew 22:15-17) and Judas Iscariot’s kiss of betrayal for about $21.60 ( about 30 pieces of silver), (Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:47-48 ). Considering these two instances, he showed us three valuable things when dealing with fake love:

1. Assess Your Squad & Know Their Heart: When it came to Judas, Jesus recognized what what was going on. Hypothetically, he could suspected/discerned/knew that the love was fake (John 6:70, John 13:21) and that something wasn’t right when they were talking! In your life, assess your squad, assess your circle, strive to know your team & know their heart; be cognizant of how they affect your spirit! 
2. Address Fake Love in Hopes of Moving Forward in Peace: When it came to the Pharisees in the aforementioned Matthew 22:15-19, Christ recognized the Pharisee’s sweet talking all in attempt to trap him; he RECOGNIZED the fake love and addressed the fake love, in hopes of moving forward in peace–which was achieved, when Matthew 22:22 attests to the “hypocrites” departing from Jesus amazed! Recognize the fake love and address the fake love, in hopes of moving forward in peace!
3. Continue to Extend God’s Love: When it comes to Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 disciples, from early on, Jesus knew that he would be the one to exhibit “fake love.” From earlier on, Christ knew that “Something ain’t right when [they were] talking!” Amidst his service to Judas (washing his disciples feet, John 13:5) to Christ’s fellowship with Judas (John 13:26), he continuously extended Godly love to the one he could “tell that the love [was] fake.” If capable and equipped with God within you, continue extending his love despite those smiling straight up in your face, whilst stabbing you in your heart.

The post 3 Things #Jesus Can Teach Us About @Drake’s #FakeLove first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

On Monday, I had the opportunity to welcome the new and returning students at Matt Kelly Elementary School with over 150 men in the Las Vegas community and dignitaries (Can you spot me in the picture above?). Here’s three insights on why its important to impact and support tomorrow’s generation, if you need a reminder:

1. Your Presence is Meaningful: Day to day, week to week, our career commitment and pursuits of personal advancement can cause us to forget that we are indeed someone’s inspiration and that our stories of failure and success can motivate someone to succeed. In our presence at this event, over 150 life experiences converged to welcome and support the students of Matt Kelly on their first day.
2. You May be Someone’s Void Occupant: Per the Nevada Youth Network, “over 50% of the heads of households of Matt Kelly students are women. In the Sherman Gardens neighborhood complex right across the street, 91% of the heads of household are women.” On this morning, for some of these students we occupied the void of a father encouraging them on their first day of school. Your presence and your support may positively fill a void in tomorrow’s generation fueling them to succeed today.
3. You are Someone’s Catalyst: Someone somewhere is looking for your success story to ignite their dreams and begin pursuing their goals. Who better to be catalyst for, than tomorrow’s generation? 

Truly, the opportunity to ignite belief and confidence in Matt Kelly’s students was inspiring.

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#SHARETHEGRAYT is a collective initiative that strives to share what’s [GRAYT] and inspirational in viewer’s lives, in our communities, and in the world. What’s GRAYT in your life? Let us know, share@thejoshuagray.com

The post SHARE THE GRAYT: Matt Kelly Elementary School & Three Reasons to Uplift Tomorrow’s Generation first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

If you haven’t ascertained what this post is encouraging you to do yet, possibly watching Derek Minor’s “Reflection” motivational short will drive home the notion of what is encouraged everyday: Reflect Greatness. When my sister showed me Derek Minor’s “Reflection” yesterday,  I KNEWWW that I had share this dope #graytness. Watch it below and be encouraged in some of the key takeaways:

• “Your potential is not limited to other’s very small imagination.”
• “You have a purpose, everything that is made is made for a reason.”
• “You have value and it was given to you by the Creator, Himself.”
• When using your gift and God-given talents, in alignment with His will for your life, you reflect his beauty!

The motivational short propels Minor’s “Reflection” Album campaign, set for an October 14, 2016. Nevertheless, if you’re interested in some of his recent music, stream his “1014” EP on Apple Music or Spotify. Also visit, his official website: HERE.

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#SHARETHEGRAYT is a collective initiative that strives to share what’s [GRAYT] and inspirational in viewer’s lives, in our communities, and in the world. What’s GRAYT in your life? Let us know, share@thejoshuagray.com

The post SHARE THE GRAYT: Watch @TheDerekMinor’s “Reflection” Motivational Short + Four Key Takeaways first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

The 2016 Olympic Season is in full effect. Today’s top athletes are starring in commercial after commercial. One of my favorite commercials from the 2016 Olympic Season is Gatorade’s “Never Lose the Love” commercial. The commercial chronicles Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, April Ross, and Paul george as proponents of the perspective that “Inside every athlete there is a kid who fell in love with sports and never looked back”

Inspirational indeed, the commercial underscores FOUR life lessons applicable to our everyday life and pursuit of our dreams:

1. Start Early: Whether it be in age, experience, or time of day, starting early is shown to be an integral foundation for success.
2. Push Your Limits: Throughout the commercial, all of the athletes are shown to push their limits during their difficult times
3. Surround yourself with those who believe in you, push you, and celebrate with you: The kids in the commercial depicted the importance of well-rounded support systems that believe in your calling, push you towards your calling, and celebrate with you when you walk into your calling.
4. Never lose the love: The essence of the commercial shows how the consistency of love for your passion sustains the early stages of your journey, difficult times, and the configuration of your support system.

Check out the commercial, below:

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#SHARETHEGRAYT is a collective initiative that strives to share what’s [GRAYT] and inspirational in viewer’s lives, in our communities, and in the world. What’s GRAYT in your life? Let us know, share@thejoshuagray.com

The post SHARE THE GRAYT: Four Life Lessons from @Gatorade’s “Never Lose the Love” Commercial first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Unexpectedness is a part of life. Today was not promised, but you’re here; yet, tomorrow is not promised, again. There are several practices and insights we can start applying to our lives to make tomorrow better! Here are 20 diverse insights and inspirations to start applying to YOUR LIFE NOW!

1. Time can be the ultimate test of authenticity and sincerity
2. Get all of your necessities for trips 48 hours prior to departure
3. Surround  yourself with people and places that enrich your RIGHT NOW during moments of loneliness and longing.
4. Open your eyes, see the city, see your surroundings, and see your culture!
5. Never be afraid to seek insight on the necessary elements of your life when transitioning to a new place in a city or even in life.
6. There is value in finding out what’s close to you and making it close to you! Explore!
7. Some things you simply can’t control; and even if you could control some aspect of some things, everything you can’t control in its entirety. Do your part, make your mark!
8. Express your gratitude more and value more interaction with those you cherish.
9. BE OPEN TO CULTURAL FOODS (if you’re not allergic), even if its similar to something you don’t mess with in your normal diet.
10. Find specialty foods that connect you with the  particular destination you reside or visit.
11. Universally, the meaning behind cultural activities or cultural expressions at home don’t hold the same significance abroad.
12. Strategically test your limits, you’ll reap valuable experiences; some expected and some unexpected.
13. You’ll never know what you will encounter, but LEARN FROM EVERY EXPERIENCE.
14. Greatness can be found in your own culture, if you reach down deep to find it and communicate it!
15. “Simply try. If you succeed, try to succeed again. If you fail, try to succeed the next time. Try.”.
16. There is value in going through a process, whilst knowing there is a purpose.
17. Full control only belongs to God
18. Make a mark in this world for those you cherish to see & strive after.
19. Find something new, learn something new, go somewhere new!
20. You will experience the manifestation of your destiny at God’s timing when we work hard, commit ourselves, and remain diligent.

Want to know how I came to these insights, visit my top 20 moments before midyear here: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four!

The post 20 Diverse Insights & Inspirations to Shift Your Life! first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

One universal action simply gives you access to fatherhood, yet a repetition of authentic actions makes you a father. As an observant man and grateful son for my father, this Father’s Day here are several things dads do that we can do too:

1. Anchor yourself to something higher, wiser, and more progressive than you yourself: Good fathers, even in their superhero capabilities, recognize their humanness leading them to anchor their lives to that of something higher. In our lives and pursuit of success, anchoring our everyday to a power from up above, can lead to sanity and success.
2. Dedicate time for the things you love & want to see flourish: Fathers prioritize their time, their 24 hours in a day or their 7 days in their week, for those things they love and ultimately want to see flourish. What do you love and what do you want to see flourish? Take time out–whether it be through prayer, fellowship, loving, coaching, or training–to allocate towards the things you love.
3. Work hard for the things you love & want to see flourish: At the end of the day, engaged fathers will work endlessly to manifest the best in the lives of those they love, in hopes that they are a resource for strength and inspiration in the flourishing of those they love. Work hard and dedicate diligence towards the success of your dreams and goals–work until you see that you are at the core of what you need to succeed.
4. Work on yourself: Good fathers seek time to work on their inner selves and outer selves, in order to be the best for their children. Take time out to work on your health, your mentality, and your spirit, that way you may be equipped to manifest success in your goals, dreams, and aspirations.
5. Protect what is yours & cherish what is yours: Engaged fathers protect what is theirs & foster a sense of safety & security. Aim to protect the relationships you hold dear to your heart, the dreams you hold dear to your heart, and the goals you hold dear to your heart.

Fatherhood appears in different forms–what you need in a father may be different than what I need in a father. What I need to reach my dreams may be different from what you need to reach your dreams; nevertheless, continue seeking what you need to manifest success in your dreams or even fatherhood. What are some things your father does that you can do too?

The post Happy Father’s Day: Five Things Dads Do that We Can Do Too! first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

A few weeks ago Donovan Livingston eloquently and soulfully broke the internet with his Harvard Graduate School of Education Student speech, entitled “Lift Off.” As a declarative moment for himself and his fellow graduates, this speech reached millions of people all over the world, including myself.

Harvard Graduate School of Education is a viable post-graduate institution for myself, therefore, it was beyond inspiring to hear Livingston’s words and the messages behind his engaging flow. After you watch or rewatch his speech, take these poignant points from “Lift Off” with you in your daily life:

1. Don’t let doubter’s determine YOUR destiny. Donovan mentioned his encounter with his High School teacher; nevertheless, he let her threats fuel his tenacity and, now, look at where he’s speaking!
2. It is alright if you are “the strange fruit that grew too ripe for the poplar tree.” In your diverse attributes, you are who you are & that is what matters. 
3. “Light up the world with your illuminous alore”
4. “If you take time to connect the dots, you can plot the true shape of [your] genius” Passion, patience, & perseverance are integral in pulling potential to fulfill purpose.
5. “None of us were meant to be common, we were born to be comets” Don’t let the world fool you into believing that conforming to what is common is what will catapult you into the stars; you were born with a unique gift that will catapult you into success.
6. “A crater is evidence that something amazing happened”: Crash into the world & shake up the world with your embedded gifts, skills, and capabilities.
7. “Lift your voices until you’ve patched every hole in a child’s broken sky. Wake up every child so they know of their celestial potential.” Generations are watching, awaken their potential!
8. Let Your Light Shine: Use whatever success you’ve attained as a means of pushing someone towards fulfilling their purpose for a greater good!
9. Know Your Impact: With potential comes, influence (whether small or large), use it to “inspire galaxies of greatness.”
10. “Lift off,” The trajectory of your potential is upward.

The post SHARE THE GRAYT: 10 Life Lessons from Donovan Livingston’s @Harvard “Lift Off” Speech first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

When it comes to sports, the man or woman behind the achievements intrigues me more than their actual display of skills or actual achievements. The behind the scenes work ethic, the workouts, the regimens, the branding, the endorsements, the photo shoots, the day to day of athletes intrigue me more than their achievements on the court or on whatever platform they exercise their sport. Therefore, Kobe Bryant’s Muse documentary thoroughly entertained and inspired me.

Although feelings toward “Black Mamba” vary,  this documentary chronicles Kobe Bryant’s affinity for basketball, the work he dedicated to perfecting his craft, his personal life and the trials he endured, and his tenure with the Lakers; all accounts in retrospect to his 2013 Achilles injury & recovery.  For this generation Bryant’s name is arguably one of the names synonymous with the sport of Basketball; so it was definitely inspiring to explore the journey traveled by an individual who manifested his personal greatness through his gift.

MUSE Takeaway: Turning your gift into greatness requires dedication, determination, and diligence, in spite of the chastisement of your gift, challenges against your gift, and/or the celebrations for your gift.

For more information on Muse, CLICK HERE. 

The post SHARE THE GRAYT: @KobeBryant x Muse Documentary first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to travel to Seattle, Washington for the Pac-12 Championships. While in Seattle, I unexpectedly took an evening trip to gates of Xanadu 2.0. Unfamiliar with Xanadu 2.0, as was I, it is Bill Gates Medina, Washington mansion.

Albeit somewhat creepy, I’m learning the importance of understanding the lifestyle of those who impact your life. As a Gates Millennium Scholar, with hundreds of thousands of dollars contributed towards my education, it was a great moment to get a glimpse of the surroundings that influence Bill Gates and the Gates family. Here’s some interesting highlights about Xanadu 2.0 thanks to MyFirstClassLife.com:

The post SHARE THE GRAYT #Seattle: Bill Gates’ Xanadu 2.0 first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

How do you explain the distinct opportunities given to a select few—to advance in life—from a impoverished village? That’s what God Grew Tired of Us set out to do, sharing the stories of a few gentleman given the opportunity of a lifetime to come to America and build a living. I’m always enthused to see individuals embrace opportunities to advance themselves. Nevertheless, I’m glad I watch God Grew Tired of Us for the perspectives the documentary showed through some poignant moments:

1. Move forward and advance, but do so to the benefit of where you come from

As the five gentlemen prepared to leave their village, their interactions with their people were somewhat heartbreaking because they were given an opportunity that the other boys in their village was not given. There was an element of confusion in their calling, but their insistence to move forward and advance to the benefit of their village is what remedied the heartbreak of their departure.

2. Our way isn’t everyone’s way and that’s a reality we have to understand

Arriving to America was definitely a cultural  shock for the gentlemen–from the technology, to the living amenities, to the typical American foods–their assimilation attempts revealed the differences among cultures throughout the world. Although some of the American ways of operation were seemingly more efficient—shower system or modes of transportation—the gentlemen in the documentary revealed that our way isn’t everyone’s way and that’s a reality we have to respect.

3. Sometimes we don’t need to look at the opposite, we just need to look at what is in front of us.

One pivotal moment in the documentary dealt with stereotyping and the fear of Black men, or unity among black men. Frequently, the men would shop in their local grocery store, but at one point their frequent visits frightened the locals. The rhetoric underlying the grocers and locals perceptions is that unity among black men equates to danger. Their actions clearly showed the opposite, sometimes we don’t need to look at the opposite, we just need to look at what is in front of us.

4. In our different ways of processing things, we need to be prayerful to the completion of our respective processing of situations.

In the midst of all of the transitioning, one of the guys went missing. Heartbreaking indeed, his missing attests to the fact that we all don’t process experiences similarly and it’s not our duty to do so. However, in our different ways of processing things, we need to be prayerful to the completion of our respective processing of situations.

5. We all express our emotions differently; the expression of our emotions is an extension of our culture

Another touching moment was the reunion of John Dau, a main character, and his mother after years of separation. The most touching aspect of their reunion was not the actual reunion, but the tribal sounds and manners in which the mother expressed her joy. We all express our emotions differently; the expression of our emotions is an extension of our culture.

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#SHARETHEGRAYT is a collective initiative that strives to share what’s [GRAYT] and inspirational in viewer’s lives, in our communities, and in the world. What’s GRAYT in your life? Let us know, share@thejoshuagray.com

The post Share the Grayt: Five Reasons I’m Glad I Watched “God Grew Tired of Us” first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Ray Allen and his wife, Shannon Allen, are opening a fast food restaurant called a “Grown” in Miami, next month. What’s so convenient and intriguing about Grown is its focus on fast, convenient, healthy & nourishing foods.

A photo posted by grown (@grownmiami) on Feb 26, 2016 at 5:25am PST

The idea for the restaurant comes from the problems Ray and his wife had with finding quick and accessible food options for their Type 1 diabetic son. After detailing Allen’s busy schedule during the season, QSR Magazine details Shannon Allen’s obstacle with finding quick, accessible food that was nourishing to her son, “Shannon, pregnant with their fifth child, was driving to the grocery store when son Walker, who has Type 1 diabetes, needed food immediately to help with low blood sugar.” The Allens set out to “reinvent fast food.” Definitely a GRAYT idea, as The Allens demonstrate the power of transforming your obstacles into opportunities. When we face obstacles, we can either see opportunity or see oppression. Value and victory stems from seeing the opportunity.

When I saw the Allen story on Entrepreneur Magazine, I knew I had to share the story. Learn more about Ray Allen’s Grown on their Instagram, @grownmiami

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#SHARETHEGRAYT is a collective initiative that strives to share what’s [GRAYT] and inspirational in viewer’s lives, in our communities, and in the world. What’s GRAYT in your life? Let us know, share@thejoshuagray.com

The post Share the Grayt: #RayAllen turns Obstacle into Opportunity with His “Grown” Restaurant first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.