Inspirational Sources May Vary

 As I sit here watching MasterChef and I think about how much I love competition shows like this. This one is only one of my favorites. I'm also a big fan of Top Chef, Project Runway, Chopped, Great Food Truck Race, and so many others. I love television programs that showcase people working so hard to achieve or gain better access to their life goals and dreams. I think these shows are so inspirational. They can be such a big source of motivation as well. A lot of times, we see people drop so much to go to where these shows are filmed and stay there for weeks at a time because they so strongly believe in following their dreams. It's perfect example of putting "faith over fear." 

I think we should aspire to chase our dreams. In a perfect world, wouldn't it be great if we were all able to drop everything to chase our dreams. In a perfect world, we probably wouldn't have anything standing in our way. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world. However, there is so much beauty in the process of baby steps and slowly turning our dreams into reality. Sometimes beautiful and amazing things take time. We cannot make things happen overnight, but we cannot let the size of our dreams deter us from taking that first brave step.

So I watch these shows because I think it's so cool to see hard work turn into something beautiful and see people proud of what they've made. It's cool to watch people overcome failures and work through losses and challenges. They're people like us. We can identify with their stories and they motivate us to chase our own dreams. It's all very cool!

May They Stay Rising

This week I had a lot of reasons to smile and be happy. This week started off with a bang. My little brother graduated from the 5th grade! It's so cool to see him grow up. It really shows you how fast life goes by. This is the little baby who bumped me up from an only child to a big sister and now he's on his way to middle school! He looked so handsome in his little suit and I just loved seeing him so excited and proud of himself. I loved that so much!! It was a very exciting day and I can't wait to share more graduation days together! I love him so much!!!

This week I also got to attend the graduation ceremony of my former students! I met the majority of these kids on February 6, 2014. So while I haven't known them their whole lives, they hold a special place in my heart. I worked with them during after school and during summer camp. I began working with them in 4th grade and I was able to move up with them which is a reason I think I was able to create such a special bond with them. It was also exciting that they were the same age as my brother so it was really cool being able to get a glimpse firsthand to what my brother may be experiencing in school because it's so different from when I was in 4th and 5th grade.

For a year and some change, I was able to see them grow. Unfortunately, I had to leave them to focus on finishing my master's degree and I missed them immensely but they are part of the reason that I am pushing myself to finish school strong. I started working there hoping to encourage and empower these beautiful students and they've taught me so much. They encourage me to be better and do better. They are reality and they are the future. I'll be honest, some days were really hard but I wouldn't trade the chaos, hours of long division, research projects, and all the noise for anything! I value the time I spent with them. 

Their successes and the success of all classes of 2015 would be impossible without the incredible support systems that these students have. A special shout out to all the people who support these students especially to my former coworker, Jay, who I am so glad I got to share my time with. We really worked hard to make sure our kids felt loved and empowered. We did our best. Their support system is so vital, their teachers, their school staff, afterschool teachers, their families, and especially their parents. I got to meet so many loving and wonderful parents! So many people got these kids to where they are today and that's so special and important. A part of the reason I consider my students an inspiration for me to do so well in school is that they are proof of what a good support system can do and one day I want to be a licensed professional so I can be better equipped for larger support systems that allow people to thrive in life. 

I'm just so happy that I got the chance to be a part of this milestone in their life and may their life paths be filled of so many more happy moments and accomplishments!

---

Quote of the week:

"Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise."

-Maya Angelou 

May they stay rising!!

Summertime Smiles

Things are starting to heat up which means summertime and the heat that comes along with it is here. I used to have very difficult summers. The transition from living on a the schedule that comes with school to an overwhelming amount of free time used to lead to bouts of depression sometimes because I often had a lot more time t be alone with my thoughts. Being alone with your thoughts for too long leads to over-thinking things and reliving old moments which is never really the best thing to do. Sometimes I also miss sleeping in my own room and bed so although I love vacation, I miss the comfort of the safe space that is my bed.

The last two summers have been pretty good. I stayed where the air conditioning was if there was any, I surrounded myself with good people, I kept busy, and I treated myself well. Each year I learn more about myself and how to love myself better so that I can feel better and be better. I have a lot of things to keep me busy this summer. I have class and I've been working on just generally keeping myself more organized and on task so I'm looking forward to this summer.


It's very important to stay healthy in the summer so here are some helpful summer reminders:

• Drink your water! Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated please
• Don't feel bad about dropping toxic people. It's too damn hot for toxic or unhealthy relationships. Why should you stay around a rain cloud when you are destined for the sun? You are destined for the sun!!
• Keep busy as to not over-think but relax when need be. It's hot so need be comes often
• Eat seasonal produce. Summer produce is some of the most delicious all year. Cherries, apricots, peaches, watermelon, okra, mangoes, eggplant, plums, nectarines, and so much more!!
• Do the things that make you happy. Do them often, if you can. 
• If you have the time to do so, read! There is something really special about reading in the summer. I can say that about every season but summer reading brings me right back to my childhood summers and that's pretty cool.
• Most importantly, stay cool, protect yourself from the sun, and stay hydrated.

Happy (almost) Summer!

Motivation Monday

A few days ago I got another tattoo. It reads, "I am mine. before I am ever anyone else's." It's a poem by an artist I love named Nayyirah Waheed. I've been a big fan of her work for some time now. So much of her writing just speaks to my soul and I feel so special whenever I read her work. Look her up!

I decided to get this tattoo to remind myself that self love is important. I am deserving of my own love. I need to love and support myself in my triumphs and in my lows. I am mine. I am constantly learning about myself. Every day I continue to grow with myself. Some days I grow stronger than I was the day before. I'm on this incredible journey with myself and it's important that I love, respect, and support the one person on this journey with me---myself.

---

i am mine.

before i am ever anyone else's.

-Nayyirah Waheed

Vision Binder

I made a vision binder to put some of my goals and inspirations in one place. My inspiration for my vision binder was a vision board. I've wanted to make a vision board for a long time but I've just never had the space or materials that I wanted for the vision board that I was envisioning. I happened to see this beautiful binder in Target and stood in front of it for a few minutes because I know I didn't need it but I wanted it so I just needed to give it a purpose before I bought it.

I wanted to make sure that my vision binder was a true reflection of me. I've been working on it for about a month and the cool thing about it is that I can keep adding as I go along. It's kind of structured. I put pages as they fit into categories I made but there isn't a table of contents or anything.

The first section is where I put inspirational quotes that I love, affirmations, pictures of people who inspire me, and general self-care reminders. This section really makes me smile. It really brightens my spirits and reminds me to protect my spirit. The next section is my travel section. In that section I have pictures of places that I WILL travel to. I also have pictures of things to do while traveling like skiing, boat rides, and what landmarks I really want to see. The section after that focuses on body health. I have a few recipes and workout routines. I also made sure to put reminders to drink water and nourish my hair as well as my body. The last section I like to call "Motivation & Me." In this section, I put my goals, I put reminders of who I am and what my life journey means to me. I made sure to include pictures of my accomplishments and some of the moments in my life that really push me forward. I have a picture of me working on a campaign and I have a picture from the day I graduated. I also have a long lists of the books I'll be reading in the future and a few magazine articles that really inspired me. This section keeps me focused on my long term life goals. This section motivates me to stick to my goals and to remain true to myself.

My goal is to have a few quiet minutes to myself every day to look through the binder as a form of daily motivation and inspiration. Unfortunately it doesn't happen every day but I do really love looking through it. It's hard work that reminds me of all the hard work and beautiful results that I've already accomplished and all the hard work and beautiful results that my future holds.


Here's what it looks like!

Be Inspired: Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Photo Credit: Eunique Jones

"Although I grew up in very modest and challenging circumstances, I consider my life to be immeasurably rich."

-Justice Sonia Sotomayor

NPR: Sotomayor on Love, Health, And Family

"Don't mistake politeness for lack of strength."

-Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Celebrating Me: September 6th

I took my selfie yesterday on the 6th but I never got the chance to upload it! I had a great day. I went to a family potluck and really enjoyed myself. There was great company and great food so no complaints.

So yesterday, and this past month has been very interesting. I feel as though now I'm becoming a lot more comfortable with myself. I finally feel like I'm settling after having moved from Florida to New York last December. I'm really getting the hang of things.

I also have been experimenting more with bright colors and accessories that I feel compliment my personality more. So I really wanted to make sure my new favorite lip color made my September selfie!

This month I've been making sure I edit myself less. As I'm growing, a daily process, I realize the importance of being my authentic self and loving my authentic self as much as I can. I think it's really important to be myself. I can't edit myself for anyone. Take me as I am!

I started grad school last week and while I am a bit nervous, I couldn't be more excited to be going back to school and furthering my education. I would say 60% excitement and 40% nervousness. I'm only in my second week though so I believe that will change.

I go back to work tomorrow so that's one major thing I'm looking forward to. I missed my students so I'll be happy to see them again.!

I'm happy to be alive and I'm ready to see what this month brings me.

Goals for the this month:

• Stay focused
• Spread happiness and positivity
• Avoid procrastination

Celebrating Me: August 6th/7th

August Selfie = Birthday Selfie!!

I'm 22 years old! I really tried to post on my birthday but I got in after midnight and went straight to bed. So my selfie post is a day late but who says celebrations have to end?

I did the very stereotypical playing of Taylor Swift's 22 as I got ready for work. I actually only heard it once before on the day before my birthday because I wanted to see if I liked it before I made it the first song I listened to on my birthday. It is a very cute song and I'm glad one of my best friends, Mia, reminded me about it.

I started the self care presents by treating myself to a delicious bodega breakfast sandwich with a cup of coffee. Then I went to work and I made sure that I had on the beautiful skirt that I got for my birthday. I wore it all day even though I had time to change before going out after work but I wanted to feel special and it's my special day to celebrate me so I really tried not to feel guilty about anything."Treat yo self."

I got so many wonderful birthday wishes. Some of the students even sang happy birthday to me. It was great and so cute!! After work, I went out with my momma and two of my aunts to dinner and a movie all of which was wonderful as well. I think I fell asleep in the car on the way home. I was so tired. This was my birthday outfit.

 

Overall, I had a phenomenal birthday. I was a little apprehensive at first about working on my birthday but I'm glad I went to work. All the beautiful faces I got to see at work and the well wishes made my day so much more special. 22 feels different. I can't really explain it. I looked in the mirror after I woke up and I felt that I looked different--older. However, I'm not sure if I trust what my mind is really thinking at 5 in the morning. 

Most importantly, on my birthday I was in love with the skin I'm in. 

I'm happy to be here and to be alive.

21 brought me graduation, my Bachelor's degree and a move to New York.

I'm thankful for another year of life. I'm excited to see what 22 will bring!



---

Post birthday(today):

Today was an okay day. I was so tired from the night before and I think my lack of sleep gave me a headache that is only just now going away. Besides the headache and some overwhelming moments at work today, I had a good day. I'm happy that tomorrow is finally Friday. The weekend is near!

I've been  reading Pearl Cleage's latest book and I really can't put it down. I love it so far. There was something she wrote about writing and how creativity and laziness really battle it out all of the time. I strongly identified with that entire page. I'll write more about the book when I finish it. Every page is another piece of her life and that's just so cool to me!

---

Leaving you with a special quote. I hope you have an amazing and safe weekend!!

♥

Celebrating Me: July 6th

 

I am so proud of myself today. I was very productive. I cleaned my room. Did laundry.  Moisturized my hair and put my mini twists in flexirods (see scarf). Washed my sister's hair. Got my lunch ready for tomorrow. Refilled my metrocard. It was a good day. I did everything I set out to do this weekend. However, I planned to go to be at 10 and as I type this it is 10:04 so that didn't work out but it's okay. My bed isn't going anywhere and in the morning there will be coffee.

My job has transitioned from afterschool to summer camp so now my work day starts at 8. I secretly love mornings. I like sleeping in too but I really don't mind if I have to get up early. I think mornings are wonderful. A lot of times they're quiet. There's coffee and breakfast food!! It's usually cooler in the morning time. I'm a fan of mornings. To make my morning go smoothly, I do as much as I can the night before. I even instagrammed a little video of me making my salad and iced coffee. See it here.

Today, I'm so thankful for my family and all of the time I get to spend with them.

My selfie day today reminds me that my birthday is one month away! It also reminds me that half of the year has already flown by. I'm not sure about you but it feels like this year is going by so quickly! I'm honestly ready for the cold months to come back.

I'm currently reading The Other Side of Paradise by Staceyann Chin. I really love it. I'm almost finished. Finishing books can be so bittersweet sometimes. I'm really enjoying reading this story. With it being summer time, I've been seeing a lot of summer reading lists and my book wishlist is just getting longer and longer. I'm going to be excited to finish this book and then sad that it's over but then excited to start the next book. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to read next but I have plenty of good titles to choose from.

My productive day has left me tired but feeling accomplished. This heat has me miserable but I'm about to go moisturize with some lavender oil and drink some refreshing ice cold water.

Today, only after a refreshing and exfoliating shower, I felt wonderful and calm in my own skin. I'm happy to be where I am today and I'm excited to see what this month beings. 

Feel Good Friday

Happy Friday!! The weekend is here and we've made it through another week! This was a pretty good week for me. It was a slow week but it gave me a chance to relax at home. I spent a lot of time playing The Sims 3 and marathoning some good TV. The summer camp I'll be working at this starts next week so I'm making sure I get some rest now.

This Friday morning, I'm starting my day off drinking a good cup of coffee and listening to some beautiful music. I just played "Put Your Records On" by Corrine Bailey Rae. Here, listen:

♥

Here's some more inspiration for your Friday, a quote that I love.

"Just because someone desires you, it does not mean that they value you. 
Read it over. 
Again. 
Let those words resonate in your mind."

- Nayyirah Waheed

I hope you have a wonderful day and a beautiful weekend.

You are loved.

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf

Just finished reading something special. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf is a choreopoem by Ntozake Shange. I read this and it made me feel special. It makes me feel powerful in my own skin. I was finishing it on the bus and holding back tears. Right before I finished reading this, I took the time to read an article called Black Girls and Suicide. It was a really emotional commute for me. It's definitely something I would recommend. I also highly recommend the Black Girls and Suicide article.

Here are some of my favorite parts and quotes:

"& this is for colored girls who have considered suicide / but are moving to the ends of their own rainbows"

♥

“my love is too delicate to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too beautiful to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too sanctified to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too magic to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too saturday nite to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too complicated to have thrown back on my face.
my love is too music to have thrown back on my face.”

♥  

I just love this part to pieces. These words, like so many others in the book touched me so much. My love is too delicate to have thrown back in my face. I cannot trust it with just anyone. It is very important to me to give my love and my self only to those who I think deserve it. I've decided that I don't want to be stepped on. I don't want to put something do important to me in the hands of someone who doesn't value it. One of biggest battles and one thing that I try so hard to change is my feeling guilty about being selfish about my own self. I am priceless. You are priceless. We don't have to share any part of ourselves with anyone else. What you want to share is up to you. What I share is up to me. The decision is mine. Through recovery, self discovery, self realizations, triumphs, sadnesses and successes, my magical love has held me when no one else could and I'm not in any position to just throw it around.

♥

"this is mine/ this ain't yr stuff/
now why don't you put me back & let me hang out in my own self"

"wontchu put me back/

"stealing my shit from me/ don't make it yrs / makes it stolen/"

"if it's really my stuff/ ya gotta give it to me / if ya really want it / i'm the only one / can handle it"

My experiences are mine and they are valid. My life is my own and not to be compared with anyone else's.  I refuse to have my accomplishments shared while I drown in my losses alone.

Protect yourself from people that only want to be there for the highs. Watch out for those who are only around when you're up. Some people only want to share your successes but are no where to be found when you need help or when you're down.

Be careful not to compare your life and your "stuff" to other people's. You are living one life and one life only and it is yours. There is no competition. We were not put on this planet to race or compete with anyone. Live your life to the best of your ability. It's the only one you have so don't waste it focusing on someone else's.

You belong to you. I belong to me! I am my own woman.

♥

"one thing i don't need

is any more apologies

i got sorry greetin me at my front door

you can keep yrs

i dont know what to do wit em

they dont open doors

or bring the sun back

they dont make me happy

or get a morning paper

didnt nobody stop usin my tears to wash cars

cuz a sorry

i am simply tired  of collectin"

It's hard to hear sorry sometimes. It's almost like a reflex to some people. Sometimes it doesn't have any meaning behind it. Sometimes I get sick of that word "sorry." I want to hear someone take responsibility. I think apologies should mean something. Don't even get me started on those super fake apologies that sound like, "I'm sorry that you think I did something wrong." What does that even mean? When you apologize, you should take responsibility instead of placing the blame on the person you've wronged. Sometimes I just don't know how to feel about "I'm sorry." Most times I appreciate the effort but "sorry" doesn't always fix anything and sometimes people don't even mean it.

"let sorry soothe yr soul / i'm gonna soothe mine"

♥

"but bein alive & bein a woman & being colored is a metaphysical dilemma / i havent conquered yet / do you see the point my spirit is too ancient to understand the separation of soul & gender / my love is too delicate to have thrown back on my face"

♥

"i found god in myself
& I loved her / i loved her fiercely"

Monday Morning Yoga

Good morning beautiful! It's the beginning of a new week! Before you start your week off. How about starting your week off by setting a few minutes aside to focus on yourself. Take deep breaths and just think about whatever your heart desires. My suggestion this morning is yoga. Yoga is great because it's relaxing and it's good for your body. It can help increase flexibility, improve balance, reduce anxiety, and lower stress levels. Here is a cute routine I found on pinterest that I love. While you do your yoga, I would suggest playing music that you like and find soothing. I'll add some recommendations below the yoga poses.

Recommended Music/Noise:

• RainyMood.com
• Private Party
• He Mele No Lilo
• Thinkin Bout You
• The World's Greatest
• We Are Young
• We Are the World
• Ain't No Mountain High Enough
• Stronger
• Don't Stop Me Now
• What a Wonderful World

I hope you have a beautiful day and a wonderful week! ♥

Dear Dr. Maya Angelou

Rest in Peace Maya Angelou.

Maya Angelou was a precious gift to us all. She was truly a phenomenal woman and an inspiration to all. I find comfort in knowing that her words will live on forever. Her voice, like her words, were magical. I delighted in listening to her speak, watching her interviews and speeches, listening to her recitals, and using that as motivation to work harder and to do better.

In 11th grade I kept her words and her pictures on my English binder to remind myself that I was beautiful, unique, and phenomenal. Her words reminded me that even though I felt sad and lonely,  I was definitely worth something and I deserved to feel good about myself. In those moments during my freshman year of college when I felt defeated and alone, her words on my room wall were a daily reminder that I was going to make it through this and that I had the power in my to stand strong and rise against what I thought were my biggest challenges. When I graduated, her words decorated my cap and my graduation announcements. He words have helped me as I learned to accept and love myself. Her words allowed me to be okay with celebrating me and I know that her words and her legacy will continue to nourish my soul for the rest of my life.

 Dear Dr. Maya Angelou,

I'm so thankful for your words. Thank you for inspiring me and being a constant source of motivation in my life. Your precious words have helped me get to where I am today. You have helped me learn to love and appreciate myself. I'm glad that your words will live forever. I will continue to live by your words. To rise against my fears and stand strong. Thank you for sharing your spirit, your stories, your smile, your knowledge, and your words.  May you always be celebrated and may you rest in peace.

Mid-week Motivation

"I deserve to take time to enjoy the little things that make me happy."

Like:

• Getting to the bus stop just in time to catch the bus
• Enjoying a cup of something hot and delicious at the end of the day
• Hearing a song I love on the radio
• When a favorite episode of a show I like comes on
• When a movie I love comes on TV
• When I don't get caught in the rain
• When my hair comes out the way I wanted it to
• Smiles with hellos and goodbyes 
• and hugs
• :)  ♥

Celebrating Me: May 6th

Today I'm finally starting to feel like I'm connected to Spring. I took a long walk today and it actually felt great. Between work and my walk, I spent a lot of time outside today and it was very nice. However my feet hurt from standing up all day.

I'm also so glad that I'm finally feeling better. Up until about three days ago I still couldn't stomach real food. My life was tea, toast, crackers, and bananas. I think I'm back to normal now. I really missed normal foods.

I'm so sleepy today. I stayed up late last night playing the sims knowing that I had to wake up to go in to work early for a staff meeting. It's okay because I can sleep in tomorrow!

I feel so comfortable because I redecorated my room this past weekend. I'm now surrounded in a room full of purples and other pastel spring colors and I love it!

I'm currently, in this moment, excited for the mini Grey's Anatomy Marathon I'm going to have while I play the sims.

Lastly, I'm still slightly crying with happiness and joy for all of my friends who graduated within the past week! The world just welcomed some very beautiful college graduates!


Quote of the day:

 Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

-Maya Angelou

I hope you  enjoy the rest of your week! ♥ 

 

Take A Break

Sometimes during our day we forget to stop and take breaks. We get busy. We want to get as much done as we can. We think that we'll fail if we stop. However, it's okay to take breaks. Sometimes we need to let ourselves rest a little. It's important not to overwork ourselves. That's not good four our emotional, physical, and mental health. So when you're taking care of yourself, remember to take breaks.

Depending on your schedule, what you do to take a break may look very different. Here are some examples of what we can do to take breaks.

• Take a nap. If you're working on a schedule or have a deadline, make sure you set an alarm.
• Color. You can find coloring pages by searching through google. Most local dollar stores also have coloring books.
• Watch YouTube videos. Again, if you have a deadline, try not to get lost on the internet.
• Timed visits to your favorite websites. 
• Make a cup of tea or coffee and then sit down and enjoy it
• Blend your favorite ingredients together for a great smoothie or milkshake and then sit down and enjoy it
• Lay down and listen to music for a while
• Play your music as loud as you want and have a personal dance party
• If you find cleaning relaxing and it's not the thing you need to take a break from, then take some time out and clean up a little bit
• Watch your favorite show or movie
• Yoga
• Some gym/workout time
• Take a walk
• Go to the bathroom
• Light your favorite scented candles and take a nice bubble bath or hot shower
• Paint your nails
• Have something sweet. Ice cream, cake, peanut m&ms, etc.
• Have a healthy snack. Maybe turkey bacon wrapped avocados? 
• Call someone special to you and talk to them for a while
• Do something productive that doesn't hold so much pressure. Meaning that it's something you do for yourself, not for a deadline or assignment, and you feel accomplished when it's done. Some examples are making cupcakes/cookies, cleaning/organizing, cooking, or creating a family on the Sims. 
• Write your feelings down
• Visit these cool websites:
• The Quiet Place
• Rainy Mood
• The Nicest Place on the Internet
• Cute Roulette
• The Thoughts Room
• Watch these videos/Listen to these Songs:
• Everything's Gonna Be Okay
• Beautiful Flower
• Private Party
• A Pep Talk from Kid President
• Still I Rise
• Make Positive Affirmations
• Look in the mirror and tell yourself good things. You're going to make it. Believe in you!

Hopefully some of these can help you. Don't forget to take care of yourself today. 

Happy Motivation Monday!!

 

Hey! It's Monday again! I hope you have a wonderful week. This week, don't forget to take care of yourself. Studying for major exams? Don't forget to take breaks every now and then so you don't stress yourself out too much. Take breaks in general when you need to and when you can. Do little things to treat yourself during the day. Please take care of yourself. Do your best. You can get through this day and this week. I believe in you!

♥

"You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!” 

-Dr. Seuss

Celebrating Me: April 6th

 I'm sick and I feel sick. I've had a sore throat and a slight stomach ache since last night so today I consumed a lot of ginger ale, hot tea, and hot coffee. I'm probably going to make myself another cup of tea when I'm finished writing this.

I felt like today was a really long day. I spent most of it procrastinating. I did very little of what was on my to-do list today. Hopefully I can finish off my list in the morning. There's nothing that needs to be done tonight so I'll be okay if I don't stay up all night to complete my list. I need my rest! :)

I'm excited about the ton of Shea Moisture products I bought over the weekend. They were bogo at Walgreens so I treated myself. I used some of the skin products today and I loved them! I think my favorite from my little product haul is the Coconut and Hibiscus body wash. It smells amazing!

It's Sunday so I'm thinking about my upcoming week. I hope this sore throat does not turn into anything more. I don't want to be to sick this week, especially with the weather getting warmer. I'm excited for some new smoothie recipes that I'm going to try this week. I even got some fresh and beautiful ingredients today!

I'm currently reading Sister Citizen by Melissa Harris-Perry and I love it! I'm going to write more about it when I finish but I love it so much right now.

I caught up on a lot of my shows today while I was procrastinating! I watched Grey's Anatomy, Parenthood, Bob's Burgers, and Law & Order SVU. I don't regret my moments of lazy TV time today.

Today I love the skin I'm in and I'm glad that it's very moisturized and smells like coconut and hibiscus!!



♥

9, 10, Do it Again

9. If it feels wrong, don't do it.

If it feels wrong, it probably goes against your best interests. You know what works for you and what's best for you. Stick to that. If everything in you is telling you that this thing is wrong, then don't do it.

10. Say "exactly" what you mean.

The truth is important. Being honest with others means you are being honest with yourself. Don't worry about hiding how you truly feel to protect someone else. That's only going to hurt you. Don't worry about how someone else may feel about things that pertain to your life. Say exactly what you want to say because you deserve that right to be honest with yourself. 

----

♥

Wonderful Reminders: Quote of the Day

"Comparison is the thief of joy, thus I will not compare my work to others. We are all special and unique and important in our own ways."

-Lauren at YourPersonalCheerleader

♥

Today, don't forget that your life is not a competition with anyone else. Don't compare yourself with others. It distracts from your own journey. Comparing ourselves to others does more harm than good. You are enough and you are wonderful just the way you are. Like the quote above, we are all special, unique, and important in our own ways. Don't forget how special and important you are.