...work, play, and my ever-evolving life (the silly, the serious, and all that's inbetween). Sharing info. that will enlighten, inspire, motivate, and humor -- this is who I am!
So often, people take the easy route...the route most commonly traveled. Today, I challenge you to be different, not average. Corky and shameless, not typical. That's too boring, and life's just too short for that. I challenge you to be the absolute best YOU for the rest of your life...no matter what obstacles come your way.
After scouring Target and local drug stores for the perfect Mother's Day card for my main girl (aka Ma), I came up with nothing. The initial idea was to get a Mahogany Hallmark card (they're my fave). But given my geographic location, that was not even an option this year.
I couldn't force a card on myself. Nothing seemed to impress me or nail my feelings down. So I decided to grab some markers, paint/brushes, crayons, and poster board to make Ma's card. It was the only way I could be sure that the card said exactly what I meant. Besides, Ma has always taught me that sometimes you gotta do things yourself, in order to get things done right.
I can't remember the last time, I made a homemade card...let alone colored with crayons. But it felt good.
So in addition to the gifted bracelets I bought to add to her arm candy, I presented this to my mama:
It's like you're looking through a telescope; you see where you gon' be. Growing, getting better - you're not the person they see. Can't be mad at the things you've been through, cuz' they built your muscle. Now you're stronger than you've ever been. They can't stop your hustle. Your faith ain't never small; that's what brought you this far. See you got your dreams and you got your prayers and you got your God. He gone take you there. See everybody has a season, and I believe this one's yours. Cuz' you been working, waiting, this is what you've been prayin' for. Go get it, Go get it, Go get it, Go get it, Go get it. Go get your blessing. Go get it, Go get it, Go get it, Go get it, Go get it. It's your time, it's your time, it's your time, it's your time. You were made to live a good life, and that's what I believe. So hit the floor, say a prayer, start working, you got to do something. It's alright to crawl before you walk. It's alright to walk before you run. But if you wanna get what you never got, gotta do something that you've never done. You've been qualified. But his mercy multiplied. You cannot be denied. Cuz' you're finally certified. It's official. Go ahead and testify. He's gon' bless you. You gon' bless him. Now God be glorified.
The lyrics in this song are absolutely how I feel about my life these days.
My life has done a 180 twirl, and I'm forever grateful. Within a month, I've quit my job, sold all of my furniture, and headed South. I never guessed I'd voluntarily leave NYC, and if you've ever read any of my old posts, you'd understand why.
But three weeks ago, I packed up my things, left my Harlem studio, bought a cool sporty coupe, and drove to Texas for an awesome, perfectly timed opportunity - one that I couldn't resist. I'm now working for a global company.
This post is not about my new life in Texas (I can assure you there will be time for all of that in the coming months). For now, know that on my first day, I drove to work on a beautiful sunny day. The sunrise was beaming just for me, as I listened to Mary Mary's Go Get It track in full blast. Singing to the top of my lungs, with the black girl shoulder bop and goosebumps on my arms. I couldn't help it (and didn't want to apologize for it) but with every word sang, I knew this was for me -- this opportunity. There I was, driving my new car, a resident of a cool townhouse, with the big girl office..God knew I was grateful, like that humble, jump-for-joy, tears-in-your-eyes, I-don't-care-who-sees kind of grateful...and for that the sunrise was mine that day.
In December 2012, I declared that I would be in a new situation (i.e., job, city, etc.) by March 2013. I had no idea how I would get there. I just knew that I would be switching things up, upgrading in a major way. Blessings started overflowing by February. The hard work + faith (fearlessness) + patience worked. I went and got it (my blessing).
To say I am breathing easy, and emerged with new lungs and wings is the best way I can describe it. I am a true testament that if you have faith, when people think you're nuts, AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHMMMMAAAZZZZZZIIIIIIIIIIING things happen. Y'all should know that there's a method to all of my madness...so brace yourselves for what's to come.
Disclaimer: All criticisms aside. This post does not reflect my thoughts of Bey's new Bow Down track, of which I am not a fan.
Leave it to my girl, Shelby and her blog, Eat, Drink, and Be Married..., to inspire and move me with this video. Yup, by the end of the video, I was emotional (i.e., with watery eyes) [pathetic, I know]. Tears not because of Bey, but because of the lyrics. The reality of the tracks lyrics.
Specifically...
I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of timeKnow there was something that, and something that I left behindWhen I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets, toLeave something to rememeber, so they won't forget I was hereI lived, I lovedI was hereI did, I've done, everything that I wantedAnd it was more than I thought it would beI will leave my mark so everyone will knowI was here I want to say I lived each day, until I dieAnd know that I meant something in, somebody's lifeThe hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leaveThat I made a difference, and this world will see I was here
Powerful lyrics.
As I embark on a new chapter in my life (it's time to turn the page), and take flight to travel to the other side of the country, I can say I'm living to make footprints. To date, I've done everything I've ever set my mind to... Thinking about the footprints that I've made, and those imprints that have shaped my own life, it's pretty amazing. My life's journey has been so much more than I knew it would be, and I'm forever grateful and humbled by the experiences.
This truly is living - taking moments head on and enjoying the ride while it lasts. When it's all said and done, I want to look back at my life and smile over my memories, experiences, and footprints with no regrets - all the while knowing that I've made a difference, whether it's going against the grain, shaking some stuff up, causing a little raucous, stirring up some thinking...some inspiration, staying unpredictable, but always maintaining true to myself.
