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Editorial from J.Brim 3

Stories of HOPE 5

THE COVER

Comics 13

Hope # 3

On November 19, 2009, it was time for my Performance Evaluation (PE) as a Graphic Designer with a Fortune 200 company. I was confident my results would be phenomenal. I met deadlines, completed images, and managed relationships. I was on my game! The phone rings and I answer while simulta-neously opening the soft copy of my results. DOWNLOAD IN PROGRESS... and the voice of my manager begins to recognize my good work. DOWNLOAD COMPLETED... but for some rea-son his voice begins to fade away in the back-ground. I couldn’t believe it... A 3!!! By reflex, I interrupt the conversation by asking, “Why did I get a 3 (Successful Contributor)?” ((INTERNAL DIALOGUE)) “I understand why I wouldn’t receive a 5 (Outstanding Contributor), I mean I was good but not that good. Thank goodness it wasn’t a 1 or 2 (Unsuccessful and Basic Contributor) but man... based on my work and his remarks, a 4 (High Contributor) is warranted.” As his voice grows stronger and I begin to listen,

Editorial from J.Brim

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something he says stood out. “...everything we asked you to do, you went above and beyond to complete it. You did all those things well. But that’s all you did...” I sat back in agreement, asking myself, why didn’t I offer more? Process changing ideas? What told me that success is only doing what is asked of me? I realized that somehow I created a mentality to never cross boundaries even though they didn’t exist. I, subconsciously, boxed myself in. The epipha-ny: CHANGE WHAT I BELIEVE!I will no longer:Find reasons that will prevent me from doing what I dreamShut my mouth when my ideas could better livesAsk for more resources when I have misman-aged the innate qualities that make me an asset Be a mannequin of other agendas.I’ve decided, I’ll wear what I believe not only in fashion but in every situation I find myself in. WE ARE LEADERS and WE ACTION to make CHANGE! Wear what you believe!

Hope # 5

When I am asked to wear what I believe, I take the call extremely seriously. Like most of us, I wear clothes by J.Brim to show that I support an artist who is a close friend, not to mention that it’s all some of the freshest designs available. These clothes express my soul and remind me of what I’ve come to understand in my life as well as what the man J Brim has taught me in the short time I’ve known him. I feel good when I get a chance to speak to the man and encourage my friends and family to learn the lesson as well. Matter of fact, my Brother and Nephew in Amsterdam rock it on the strength of my belief in Below The Brim. He is officially worldwide! But what about us? What makes us, us? Do we re-ally wear what we believe? The answer for me is emphatically “YES!” On my right arm, I wear memorial ink for my best friend on this earth, Mikey Pietrzak, who took his own life in 2000. He and I had grown to-gether and grown up by acting up. We liked the drinks we drank and we loved the life we led. As we tried to piece it all together, we had to go down our own paths to learn what we believed and what we couldn’t believe. We maintained close contact in spite of miles and lives that split down the center like

Bobby RunemWearing What I Believe

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twins and called each other kin. When the time came for him, he drew the line and crossed it. I know loss and still make a cross on his name on my shoulder every now and then. He is on my arm and I still believe in him. Three months ago, my other best friend went home to Heaven, my Dad. My Dad brought me to Christ and so I have two fathers I believe in. I wear what I believe when I look on my left arm too now. In a dream I had a few weeks ago, my little Brother and I met up in the fog of a train station. We found an old red box car set on tracks facing east marked with Dad’s initials, “J.R.D.” They were carved and painted on a golden wood plank set on the side. In my dream, the train- car was parked in the clouds, next to another still shin-ing for my Mom. I knew when I awoke that it was all there to encourage me of his homecoming to our Eternal Father, in whom he and I believe all is possible.. I wear what I believe, with my Father and Mikey on my arms, J. Brim on my chest, and Our Father in my heart. Wearing what you believe is not an easy decision. It requires dedication, sacrifice, and hope in the grace of memory, mankind and the promise from our Father. Are YOU up to the challenge?

Hope # 7

After a life-altering event, I began a process to rebuild "me." Hurt people -hurt people; therefore, I cannot be of any service or good to anyone until I build me to stand on a Positive plat-form. And since I took action in June 2008, I've committed to a workout regime and picked-up a Life-coach to help propel me to the next level in this journey called Life. I'm eating better, resting more, and learning how to say "no." I'm a member of Columbus Council of PTAs and enjoy networking, volunteering, tutoring and counseling. To help keep our conscious people alert, I also disseminate information to my friends, family and associates to keep abreast of items concerning our community. Thank you for inspiring me, I hope all will find their creativity, let go and grow. Genia

"Offering others understanding and compassion changes how we perceive the world around us on a daily basis. Our acts of love inspire love from others. What we send out to the people who share our path changes, ever so subtly, the complexion of each life we touch. In fact, the whole world is changed by even the tiniest of acts. The simple truth is, our own attitudes often determine what kind of experi-ences we'll have. Anger and resentment won't bring us peace. Suspicion and accusation will backfire. Most of us have tried to control all the people and all the experiences in our lives. And we have failed. Now we are realizing that the love that comes back to us is the love that we express." May the Spirit of this Season carry on throughout the coming year. Be Blessed.

Genia

Thank you for inspiring me...

Hope # 8

I want to share with others something that has blessed me tremendously-CHANGE. With every New Year come New Year’s resolutions, but for whatever the reason peo-ple never follow through with them. I want to submit to you 5 steps that will help you accomplish any and every-thing you have set your will to do or desire to CHANGE. Trust me it worked for me in the area of weight loss and it will work for you in any area of life. This includes financ-es, overcoming bad habits, making a difference in your community, and more.

5 Steps to True Change1. You must want to change or makre a difference. True CHANGE starts with a decision.2. Stop making excuses. Excuses are barriets that keep people from moving forward.3. Take immediate action. Be proactive! Mean I will to change. (Key word - WORK). Work is never easy but the results are worth it!4. CHANGE your self perception. If you see yourself as a failure then you will fail, but if you see yourself as an overcomer then you will overcome. “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.” Proverbs 23:75. Never go back. I challenge everyone reading this to make a decision- CHANGE! Together, we can CHANGE the world! “One can chase a thousand, two can put ten thousand into flight...” Deuteronomy 32:30 Submitted by Tashara Gaddy Melton - A Believer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

CHANGE-Don’t Talk About It, Be About It

Hope # 9

My name is Laurie Sims, screenwriter and producer of “Somewhere in the Middle”, an inspiring suspenseful drama, illustrating good and bad choices of a young African American woman. The story takes you on an emotional roller coaster as the main character struggles to figure out her place in life. Family values, real life issues and

strong Christian themes are represented in this story.

In 1999 I had a vivid dream that I could not forget, in 2003 I started writing it as a screenplay. Over the years tribulations and very supportive people would keep me motivated to write. By 2005 I had

a complete script that got a lot of positive feedback from readers. This story is a testament about life

breaking you down for GOD to build you up. It was therapeutic for me to write it and now it’s hope.

I asked the LORD if I could make this movie and HE answered…..with the efforts of many people coming together for the making of “Somewhere in the Mid-dle”. This movie is composed of talented individuals from the Midwest who want to share a special story with you. All of us in many ways lead ordinary lives but what’s extraordinary is our vision and determi-

nation to make this independent movie. The picture above is me sitting in Times Square after

a meeting with potential investors for the movie.

Cincinnati OH. Screenwriter/Producer Laurie Sims in NYC December 2009

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For the Believers out there please PRAY for us…and Text the word Film to the number 41513. This is a free poll that lets investors know that we can generate a supportive

audience, so tell your friends and family to text also.

For future updates about this exciting movie go to

www.somewhereinthemiddlemovie.com

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Anonymous R

Part I

The power of action, The power of voice, The power of selflessness, The power to uplift, The power to inspire, The power to build one on top of one to reach the highest goals possible, The power to love, The power of forgive-ness… No I am not a superhero, but I was born with simple powers that can transcend a generation. I just received the call – training seasons have been completed. It is time to use our powers to help a world in need. Continue to walk the path not taken, Continue to keep your head up during times of turmoil, Con-tinue to help others – Wear What they Believe…

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Part II

I carry bags of inspiration that keep my shoulders tired and my arms wearyI discover ideas of hope to keep my eyes active and my vision everlastingI challenge the status quo in times of need to keep my mind strong and fullI voice for those who believe so we all can look from the mountain tops Anonymous R

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COMICS

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Visit www.BelowtheBrim.com

A magazine about HOPE from people who aspire to CHANGE the world.

Whatever action you are taking to make HOPE happen, share by sending us writings, drawings, or

photos : info@belowthebrim.com

“Next issue is set to come out around April 2010... so get your articles in by March 31, 2010.”

“We Are What We Believe Because We Wear What

We Believe”

www.belowthebrim.com

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www.belowthebrim.blogspot.com

Become a Believer

WEAR WHAT YOU BELIEVE