Lea Embraces Friends and Ignores Enemies

The Gift of Giving

I have found that my life is better when I make it about something bigger than and outside of myself.

Throughout my business life -- it has been about empowering people to do things they never dreamed possible. With my product lines it is always about affordable, practical products that produce clinical results and treating the customers the way I would want to be treated.

When it comes to a "cause" and raising money, it’s been about if I can make someone else's life better, easier, or more fulfilled -- then I have a responsibility to do it, because I am blessed and because I can. When I started raising money for "at risk teens" 19 years ago, it was because I saw how devastating it is to a family when someone goes to jail and recognizing that when kids who have no support and live a life based on their circumstances rather than possibilities, they sometimes have no chance of success, and good kids can resort to doing bad things. So second chances became a mission, and between me, Jason, and a hand full of volunteers (almost 20 years later) we've been able to keep thousands of kids out of jail and in school and offer opportunities that these kids never dreamed possible or even knew existed.

So when it comes to relationships and friendships, I sort of see it like this. If you appreciate me and are good to me, you can count on me, even if sometimes you misbehave. But if you're simply up to no good or you won't take responsibility for your actions and then blame me for your problems, I will defend myself. And there lies the problem. Don't expect me to condone or enable your bad behavior at my expense and then be surprised when I expose the facts and underlying truth in defense of myself. And if that has you joining the Hate Lea Club, then you've made my point. You've joined the club of  “always blame others,” never take responsibility, and hate the one that held the mirror up to your face.

I love my life, I love my friends, I love my family, I love my business, I love my charity, I love the kids that need and deserve a second chance, and I love people that are up to good things and up to something bigger than themselves. And for the rest of the world, well, they're simply there. What you do speaks louder than what you say. And to you, my friends, that have supported the Gala, you did a good thing and supported a great cause and I thank you for it on behalf of the hundreds of kids who benefited from your generosity.  We had a blast, it was fun and fabulous and a party with a purpose. Thank you: Flo Rida, Taylor Hicks, DJ Whi5kers, Lance Bass, Michael Turchin, Dennis Rodman, Elaine Lancaster, Frankie Grandie, Bernard Hopkins, Sammy Sosa, Lisa Pliner, Jonathan Cheban, Jeffrey Rackover, Inez Rivero, Fabio, Hernan, and Joulian, DJ Trouble, Dirty Pop Radio, Jason, and all the endless volunteers and donors for your support of the Gala, the generosity of your time and spirit, and for who you are in the world. And especially thanks to Joanna, Romain, Lisa, Lenny, and Karent for your friendship and for all you do to enrich my life when sometimes it’s not the most popular thing to do. I want to also thank all the performers from the previous years who have supported our cause and gala:

      Prior years -
-     QUEEN LATIFAH – 2012 Gala
-     TONY BENNETT – 2012 Gala
-     DEBORAH COX – 2012 Gala
-     PITBULL – 2011 Gala
-     PHARRELL WILLIAMS – 2011 Gala
-     DIONNE WARWICK – 2011 Gala
-     DJ ENTICE - 2011 Gala
-     DJ IRIE - 2012 to 2007 Gala
-     NATALIE COLE – 2010 Gala
-     PAULINA RUBIO – 2010 Gala
-     RICK ROSS – 2010 Gala
-     ALTO REED – 2010 to 2009 Gala
-     DJ TRACY YOUNG – 2009 to 2006 Gala
-     LIL WAYNE – 2009 Gala
-     PATTI LABELLE – 2009 TO 2008 Gala
-     CRAIG DAVID – 2009 Gala
-     MARIA CONCHITA ALONSO –2009 Gala
-     JENCARLOS CANELA – 2009 Gala
-     HEATHER MCDONALD – 2009 Gala
-     SCOTT WEILAND – 2008 Gala
-     TOMMY DAVIDSON – 2008 Gala
-     VINCE NEIL – 2006 Gala
-     JON SECADA – 2005 Gala
-     ADAM GAYNOR (Matchbox 20) - 2005 Gala
-     BARRY GIBB (Bee Gees) – 2004 Gala

Let's empower the youth of today to make the future of tomorrow better for the next generation. We get to choose how we think and what we spend our time, energy, and money on. Let's rise above the ridiculousness of pettiness and hatred and make our lives count for something bigger and outside of ourselves. Who's up for that challenge? Embrace your friends and ignore your enemies -- they know not what they do. Shameless plug, did you see my handbag, the Lea Grande in black, and Lisa's bag, the Dazzle All, from the gala? Those are both available through my website, www.theworldofleablack.com. And I LOVE them! Hope you do too.

Spread the love and keep the peace!
Love, Lea

Please comment on my blog below.
#dont deal with stupid
#live like everything matters
#dontpeeonmybootsandtellmeitsraining

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