We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Epstein. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.
One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level-up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Absolutely. First, I work hard and dedicate to my crafts. Whether it be pouring over legal details as an attorney, researching music to enrich my deejaying, or expanding my divination discipline as a spiritualist… I put in the time to excel. If I have high quality “offerings,” I am reminded that I have high quality abilities… then, by extension, I feel like a high-quality individual. I treat personal practices similarly. I stay well-groomed, keep my surroundings clean, remain active and am constantly learning and challenging my mind. I maintain standards, which means that I don’t attend to everything… instead, I attend to the “right” things, even if it means abstaining, refraining or delaying gratification. This reinforces an air of excellence which reinforces self-love.
And that, again, leads to confidence. We become our practices if devotion is wholehearted… even if we start from a less confident place. I am also constantly “putting myself out there,” socially and professionally, regardless of my fears. We have to take risks in order to be eligible for positive results, and our desire to manifest has to be greater than our social anxiety. If we seek opportunity constantly *regardless* of doubt, we begin to realize that success is a numbers game and that doors will open. The practice not only reminds us that we can, but more importantly, that we will.
Finally, I have a small circle of good friends and elders ready to provide honest feedback, positive reinforcement, and collaboration where able. The energy from the outside mirrors the inner work to complete the circle. And with consistent cultivation, we become the garden.
Please tell our readers about what you do, what you feel is most exciting about it, as well as anything you’d like folks to know about your brand. Please also advise of any news!
I am a deejay/event producer representing ReggaeBoyz Sound (@DjMixx305), trained and sharpened by King Waggy Tee. I am an entertainment attorney with much of my practice focused on music law. I am also a spiritualist specializing in divination (spiritual readings) within the Ifa Orisa tradition. What’s most exciting about all of these, is that they are great ways to give and receive love while enriching and building community. As a lawyer, I advocate and champion causes to protect and empower. As a deejay, I bring people enjoyment, recollection, and release. As a spiritualist, I offer guidance and insight. While serving, without fail, I learn from my clients, as well. And after, we share in growth and gratitude.
Most recently as a deejay, I have been called to perform at the NOLA Reggae Festival this October (S/O Joel and the team) both on the Festival Grounds and at the Pre-Party with reggae artist, Yeza! I also just finished playing for the opening night of “Haiti Through Two Eyes,” at Florida International University’s Green School Gallery, and, the Kosanba Colloquium at Nova Southeastern University… a great variety of offerings. I also look to continue my “Member’s Only” series with the Soho House teams (s/o Zak, Deveon and the crew!). On the legal and spiritual fronts, I have worked with @TheJamLot to curate and design new websites. For more information on my work as an entertainment lawyer, I encourage everyone to visit www.AttorneyEpstein.com. There you will find client reviews, professional background, press and a means to get in touch. For Ifa-related services, please visit www.Sangogbemi.com. That site is just as rich!
What would you advise: going all in on your strengths or investing in areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well- rounded?
I would focus on my strengths in the foreground while working on “weaknesses” in the background. If we are aware of our
“blind-spots” we have an obligation to address them. And if we aim to be confident and full of self-love as mentioned in the first question, our duty to ourself is not only to reaffirm our greatness…. it is also to strengthen areas that need improvement so that we can multiply our greatness. We owe it to ourselves to limit “handicaps,” as much as we can, insofar as it’s possible. Because again: we are worth it. And we must dig into our discomfort enough to be resilient regardless of resistance. With the right work, all improves.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities I would develop are integrity, resourcefulness, and courage. Integrity ensures decent treatment of self and others. To me, in the positive sense, it’s an umbrella term containing virtues like honesty, kindness, patience, and diplomacy. It allows us to “show up” the right way and enrich our contexts. While integrity will get us through the door, however, resourcefulness will keep us inside. Resourcefulness includes the vision, know-how, and wisdom to spot issues and solve them creatively. It includes the self-reliance to know when to step-up, and the social intelligence to know when to recruit or delegate to others. This is an essential for the self-starter. Finally, all greatness requires courage. On our paths toward success, we will have
Contact Info:
Website: www.Sangogbemi.com
Instagram: @DjMixx305
Other: www.AttorneyEpstein.com
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