Earlier this week, I put together a few outfits in preparation for all the holiday festivities with family and friends. But that was for the men. Grunt. Grunt. #TimAllenVoice. For the ladies, I contacted our good friend, Tess Theisen, to style both a casual and upscale option. She knows what she’s doing.

Kid at Kiwanis Book Drive – Detroit, MI
Every day. Someone. Smiles. Somewhere.

“The Pursuit” will be a bi-weekly feature on Goodness Determined, written by my brother, Hayes Grooms IV. He’s extremely intelligent and talented, so make sure to check back often for more. You can also follow Hayes on Twitter – @H_Grooms

Synergy is one of those words. There’s something about it; but what’s truly amazing about such a great word is how it comes to life. Good ole’ Webster claims that synergy is when two forces come together and do something much greater than they can individually. We all see high levels of achievement. We read the stories of Oprah and Steve Jobs. And naturally we wonder about ourselves and if it’s possible for us too? Regardless of who you are or whose story you identify with, here’s the blunt truth—they didn’t do it alone. This is no mystery; it’s absolute fact. No one can make it out here alone. Alliances are necessary; in fact, they’re crucial.

The same rules apply in the animal kingdom. I have a deep respect for animals. Their world is tough, even brutal, yet they all have tactics, skills, strengths to survive, which I admire. Recently, two of the most powerful and dynamic animals on the planet, revealed an important lesson to me on the use of synergy—the Carcharodon carcharias and Orcinus orca, or the Great White Shark and the Killer Whale, respectively.

Mother Theresa – Humanitarian
This is where you’ll find wisdom. Click “Read More.”

Lorne Bowman II – Bloomfield Hills, MI
Every day. Someone. Smiles. Somewhere.

Last week, it was time for boots. This week, we’re going to get our hook-up right for all the holiday festivities with family and friends. I’ve put together two versatile ensembles, one classy and the other casual. These selections will do you good beyond the holidays and remain wearable throughout the year. I’m not the ugly Christmas sweater wearer with all of the loud colors, however, I do keep it cool. Especially with the shoes yo!

Avery Mcintyre – Detroit, MI
Every day. Someone. Smiles. Somewhere.

Oprah Winfrey- Media Mogul
This is where you’ll find wisdom. Click “Read More.”

Matt Haarer, Emma Share, Avery Brann, Christopher Lemon – Detroit, MI
Every day. Someone. Smiles. Somewhere.

…Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:24

We have to Jump.

There’s way too many of us that view life through a single lens; our own. We see our daily decisions and actions as ones that shape our own path, at the most possibly affecting family and friends. That’s as far as some of us go. We’re closed off. Our vision is too narrow. It’s too personal. It’s too focused on our own individual destiny.

Self-dependence. And it’s not the thinking that I depend on myself, it’s the thinking that no one is depending on me.