Tuesday, December 13, 2011

2011 Life Lessons

The year is coming to a fast close...I can't believe how 2011 flew by. Seems like just yesterday I was fiending over some boiled crawfish, corn and potatoes....oh wait, that was yesterday lol. Well, you get the point. :-)

I have a lot to say, so let's cut right to the chase. Here is what I've learned in 2011:
Life is made up various experiences, some good some bad, some okay. I count it all joy regardless. I may get knocked down, but I cannot stay down by any means. God did not put us here to be a victim of circumstances, but rather to overcome defeat, learn from it and continue to live victoriously in every area of our life.

The reason I started TheNaturalistglam is because I wanted to share my life with the world and the things that make me what I consider Naturally Glam. Let me break it down: Basically, NaturalistaGlam is about being confident and bold; Feeling good about your natural self the way God created you to be, and enjoying all of what life has to offer. It starts from within. If you feel good, you'll look good. Last but not least, enjoying the journey. My brother teases me, he says I'm always going to some "party" or going out. My answer to that is I need to enjoy this life and as long as I am living, I plan to have as much fun as I can. Life is meant to be lived happily...and not just exist. Merely breathing is not enough.

As far as the blog goes, initially I didn't know exactly what direction I wanted to go in. But after several posts, I realized that I didn't want it to be centered around one specific thing (i.e. fashion blog). I didn't necessarily want to share every single nook and cranny of my life experiences either, but just my lifestyle as a whole and what makes it awesome. The Naturally Glam life blog is comprised of my experiences (good and bad), thoughts, my style, obsessions, the fabulous and fun...all of which makes my life amazing. This keeps me humbled and gracious as I take you, as well as myself, on a journey.

The Lessons:
*When people show you who they are...believe them. I can't stress this enough. I had to stop making excuses for people and giving them them the benefit of the doubt. Words are meaningless until there is action behind it. Believing what you see is far more important than believing what you hear. I just recently had to put this into action. Once I did this, I gained more clarity on the situation and I felt free as a result.

*Patience. My patience has been tested and retested over and over again in 2011 (thanks to my mom). I had to learn that if I want people to be patient with me, I must be patient with them. I think that's why God put me through that experience with my mom. Although she at times, work the shit out of my nerves this summer, I didn't lose my cool and I endured.

*There are people who will not be excited about your new ventures/projects/opportunities. You cannot tell everyone your dreams. This was a HUGE eye opener for me. I encountered this for the first time ever, earlier this month: I told a friend about a new opportunity, where I could possibly earn some extra money on the side, something I enjoyed. I was so excited about it! But she on the other hand was like, oh, okay...in a very nonchalant tone. It was as if I told her I chipped a nail. It totally deflated my "excitement balloon". All I could think was, 'WOW. Really? Hmmm...okay, got it.' I couldn't even say she was in bad mood because it was not the first time she's did that. I expect others to be happy for me, share my joy and bask in my excitement, because that's what I do for all of my friends/associates when they share their good news with me. But guess what? Moving forward, I will not be sharing projects or opportunities with her anymore. Point taken.

Thanks to Oprah's Life Classes (via webcast, I don't have the OWN channel lol), I have learned many more things, and have been enlightened about who I am as a spiritual being. Also I learned a different way of processing past hurt and pain from childhood verbal, physical and sexual abuse. I thank God for Oprah and Iyanlah Vanzant and the Life Classes. It really opened my heart and mind up on various things that I have been battling throughout life. The bottom line is, I have to change my beliefs, and affirm what I want from the universe.
Here are some random things I wrote down while watching the class (hope this makes sense):

  • You've got to get still. Quiet yourself
  • Awareness is stillness--You are awareness
  • You become what you believe.
  • Aha! Moment...I'm already serving my purpose. Look for the thread that connects the pattern of my life's work.
  • Honor that space where I am right now.
  • A belief is formed when a message meets an emotional moment.
  • Abundance flows into my life in surprising and miraculous ways.
  • Affirmation: What used to be my ceiling is now my floor.
  • Keep developing what I love to do.
  • Aha! Moment...Love people enough to tell them the truth, and respect them enough to know they can handle it.
Oprah's Life Class was an absolute AMAZING experience. It laid the groundwork for living your best life. I'll never forget what I've learned and it will only manifest if I practice it and do the work.

This year has been an emotional and mental roller coaster, full of twists and turns, especially as it pertained to my health and the hysterectomy. I still get a little emotional when someone ask me about having a baby. I don't think I'm 100% over, not being able to get pregnant. It's what I've always wanted. I'm okay with the idea of adoption and have accepted that motherhood doesn't necessarily mean birthing a baby. It's my truth and I will embrace it wholeheartedly.

May 6, 2011, I was laid off of my job of seven years. Anyone who knows me, knows I hated my job...with a passion. I was miserable. The following days, I felt SO free and at peace! I was in shock when they delivered the news, but at the same time, I felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. It was liberating. May 18th, was the day I was scheduled to have the hysterectomy, so I had to mentally prepare for that. I was not angry or resentful towards Corinthian Colleges Inc., whatsoever. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to learn a lot, and make connections.

I'm excited about 2012 as I am every year. I love the unknown of what the year is going to bring. I love that God is a faithful, forgiving God and he wants to see our dreams come to pass every year. I don't do new year resolutions. Instead, I write down what I want to happen and what I want for myself in the new year: Personally, spiritually and financially. If it doesn't happen, oh well. If it does, great. No feelings of defeat or failure. Life goes on. Whatever I didn't accomplish in the previous year, I will carry over to the new year. I have no one to answer to but God anyway, and that's all that matters.


Peace & Love,
NaturalistGlam



2 comments:

  1. No particular comment, just thought the whole thing was an interesting read. Equal parts entertaining and eye-opening.

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  2. AH! Thank you! I try to entertain as much as I can. Thanks for taking the time to check it out.

    ReplyDelete