I believe my best days are not behind me, but ahead of me, and I’m living and moving accordingly
It’s Monday, and I’m actually in a pretty good mood this morning! Tired as ever, but I’m good. Hope y’all are too! If not, here’s some #MondayMotivation to help shake off those blues a little bit!
This was a major one for me, because I’ve been just going through the motions over the past few years. Every day is pretty much the same, especially when it comes to my 9-5. Because of all I have going on, I get tired REAL quick and shut myself in the house to decompress. I’ve spent more time with Netflix and Hulu rather than some of my actual friends, sad to say. Don’t get me wrong. I need that time alone to re-energize. I believe we all do. But often we get so caught up in our regular routines that we forget to actually enjoy the lives we have!
In 2017, I was determined that, for me, that would end. I would make more time to spend with family and friends, or do simple things for myself. I decided that I would get out of my house more and away from typing behind a computer screen, and make the most out of each day! I went to LA earlier in the year, and have quite a few more travel plans this year, and more events to go to. I’ve been picking up new skills. I’ve been trying to meet and connect with more people, and it’s all to get out of this “same old, same old” routine. It’s truly a choice to make the rest of your life great. I believe my best days are not behind me, but ahead of me, and I’m living and moving accordingly. I hope you do the same!
“Everything that you’re going through is preparing you for what you asked for.”
Today marks five years since I graduated from Loyola University Maryland. Facebook had all the pictures and videos waiting for me in “On This Day.” Definitely one of the proudest moments of my life. However, my high expectations that day in regards to my career and life were no where near what I got.
A part of what I’ve been through during these past five years, and am still going through, are seasons of delay. I mean, SERIOUS delays, or at least, I think so. There are so many things I want to accomplish and have been working at for quite a while, personally and professionally. After I graduated, I was unemployed for almost a year. When I got a job, it had nothing to do with media. It was literally taken out of desperation. The fact that I’m not writing full time yet still bothers me. I’m grateful for my accomplishments so far, but I still have a ways to go, and would be lying if I said I didn’t get discouraged. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t compare myself to people I went to school with, the opportunities they’ve received versus my own (Sidenote: comparison is the devil ugh. That’s another post coming soon). These periods of delay have had me questioning a lot, like if I’m truly meant to be a writer, or if I’m supposed to have and do other things.
You might be experiencing this too. You don’t understand why your blog hasn’t blown up, or why you haven’t been able to snag another job that fits what you’re passionate about. You might still be living at home while you see people buying houses and all that jazz (serious
So what’s probably the reason behind all these delays? You’re not ready. That might be a hard pill to swallow, but it’s true. That’s what I’ve found. Case in point, my freelance writing. I’m blessed to at least have writing as a side hustle now, with quite a few websites under my belt. But that’s now at 26. There’s no way I would’ve been able to manage all that I do at 21 when I first left Loyola. Why? I wasn’t disciplined enough. I wasn’t productive enough. I wasn’t hungry enough. I thought I was, but, looking back, mentally I wasn’t ready. I would’ve let stuff fall to the wayside. It wasn’t until I went without writing jobs for a while and couldn’t find other good opportunities, that I went for my goal even harder. Now that I have other opportunities, I make sure I work my tail off to keep them!
Me in my dorm about to go out for my 21st birthday…before selfie sticks
Another delay? My starting Imperfectly B. See, I tried my hand at this on the side when I was younger, while I was running my entertainment site, The Spotlight. I called myself attempting to give life lessons, but I hadn’t truly experienced life (good and bad) yet. I wasn’t disciplined and consistent enough with posting. I still had to become a stronger writer and more confident in my voice. If I had started this site instead of Spotlight when I was 18 or even 21, I KNOW I would’ve failed at it. Well, let me not be so negative. I don’t think I would’ve done as well. In fact, I tried my hand at writing a few personal blog posts for my portfolio website, and had to say, “Brittany girl, let’s not.” I wasn’t ready.
Let’s be real. For those who’ve experienced successes or new chances, whether it be at work, in love, or whatever, can you say that you would have done well at it a few years back? Were you ready then? Are you really ready now for all that you want? A lot of times, these delays are to help you grow and learn some hard lessons. That way when you do receive what you’re asking for, you’re actually ready to handle it! That way, you maybe even appreciate it more!
I know that now. I have learned to truly trust in the timing of my life. Your delay is not a denial. Your current circumstance is not your forever circumstance. Not if you don’t make it so with your own negativity! So, until the time comes for your purpose to be fulfilled, be comforted and stand strong in the fact, that all that you’re going through is simply to prepare you for what you wanted in the first place. Keep grinding!
A Philly photographer uses his passion of photography to take free graduation pics for kids who can’t afford them!
Last year around this time, Philly photographer Richard Wah saw a few high school graduates on the bus, rocking their caps and gowns. Even though it was their special day, no one else was around to support them.
It sparked an idea for Richard: he would take free graduation photos for any student in Philly that couldn’t afford them. Last year, only two took him up on his offer. However, a Facebook post the photographer shared about the offer just this Monday has gotten over 16,000 shares and close to 20,000 likes. Now, he has 12 kids lined up for free pics this year!
Richard even has a team of four barbers and three makeup artists to have the kids looking amazing for the photos! “They’re memories; they’re priceless,” he said to Philly Voice. For Richard, not being able to afford pictures to celebrate this special day is something he knows all too well. He didn’t have graduation pics himself because of it. Now that he’s made a career out of photography, he’s able to give back to the youth of his city using his gift! “I don’t know who they are or what their stories are. I just want them to know somebody’s there,” Richard added.
So, if you’re in Philadelphia, the photo session for 2017 grads will take place June 17. For details, contact Richard Wah Photography at 215-800-3529 or by email at rwahphoto@yahoo.com.
Richard is also accepting clothing donations for graduates to get their pictures taken in.
Graduation pics can definitely hit your pockets hard, but it’s nice for families to have those memories to look back on. Glad that he is using his talent to help these kids who wouldn’t otherwise be able to swing it!
Swiss trip hop / indie rock band, mellowtone, brings our inspirational jam of the week with their track, “keep your head up high!”
“Don’t be shy…don’t be afraid to go your own, to go your own way.”
–Mellowtone
Today’s inspirational jam is a submission from Swiss trip hop / indie rock band, mellowtone! (Sidebar: if you are an artist with some great, inspirational music of your own, feel free to reach out.)
This track from mellowtone, “keep your head up high,” is calm and soothing, but motivating at the same time. Featured on their 2017 album, broken rooms, the song inspires me to hold my head up high in spite of what may come my way. No matter what you’re going through or feel as you move through life, be proud of what you’re doing and continue to head down the path to your destiny! Everything isn’t going to be peaches and cream 100% of the time, but keep your head up, all right? We’re going to make it.
Idris Elba opens up about the importance of breaking through boundaries to achieve your goals!
Words of wisdom today from the great Idris Elba! Besides his being devilishly handsome, Idris is actually very wise, and I appreciate him dropping this specific gem. In this video from Goalcast, the actor opens up about shooting your shot in life, and being courageous and bold enough to go after what you desire!
Too often, I know I put restrictions on myself unconsciously. I don’t go for different opportunities because I don’t feel “good enough” or “qualified enough.” I seriously sometimes wonder how many things I missed out because of that. But this year, I’ve decided to erase that negative thinking for life!
If you want something, you’ve got to at least try. You may not get it, but if you don’t at least attempt, you’ll never know. Like Idris says in this video, “lose the boundaries, lose the conformity, and go for it!”
Imperfectly B 