SheSpeakz

If you need a sign to start a new business, make a career change, book a trip or try something new, this is it!

Today is the day!

Remember…

You are worthy!

You are enough!

You are allowed to make changes in your life.

You are allowed to show up as yourself every day!

Happy Monday!

Have you even been at a point in your life where you were tired? You know, like you are filling all of the roles that you and others have placed you in and some days you don’t know if you are coming or going. You can’t remember if you have eaten or not. You made it through, yet another week and you don’t know how you did it, but you can remember the moments that brought you pure joy. You know that moment when you were able to help someone with a task at work. You complimented someone and it made their day. Maybe you were just being you and someone appreciated it. Despite how you felt physically, mentally and emotionally you were still able to plant seeds in or water the lives of others. That Sis, is you doing your part to restore hope in humanity. Even when you feel like you are on life support and barely making it, you are still speaking and giving life. Don’t give up. There is so much work to do. On those days that you may feel like you can’t go on any longer, God will send someone to speak and give life to you in that moment or moments of need. How do I know you may ask? Oh sis, I have been there and most days I am right there with you. Just when I don’t think I have anything else left to give due to physical fatigue my mind and spirit kick into overdrive and I keep going. There are a few things that I do to keep myself mentally strong.

1. I read. I purchased a daily devotion to read when I wake in the morning before I start my day. It helps me mentally prepare for the day ahead.

2. I listen to music. I like to think that music is food for the brain. Have you ever listened to a song and it took you down memory lane? Music can also help change your mood.

3. I pray. I pray every morning and ask God for guidance and clarity to say and do the right things. You never know what impact your words and thoughts may have on the people you interact with during the day.

I get it sis. Some days are better, and some days are worse than others but at the end of it all you are still here, doing what you do and being a light for others. Thank you for speaking life into others even when you don’t have the energy. Someone needs you and your ability to speak life.

While on a personal digital detox from a few social media platforms and my summer hiatus from the SheSpeakz podcast, I decided to be more intentional about about reading. I have a few books I will complete by August and decided to start with this read, Rule Your Day: 6 Keys to Maximizing Your Success and Accelerating Your Dreams by Joel Osteen.

It was an easy, lighthearted and positive read. For me the book was a reminder to think positive in the midst of what may seem like a rollercoaster ride. There are also references to God and the Bible as it is Christian based. However, if you are open to reading books from all walks of life, I think you will enjoy it.

What are you reading?

*Disclaimer: This a personal book review with no association with Joel Osteen Ministries. This is not a paid endorsement.*

#shespeakz#shereadz#adultsummerreadinglist#bookworm#belovebelightjustbe

Self care looks different for everyone. What does it look like for you?

Whatever it is do more of it. You are worth it!

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A few years ago, I was on the go. I was traveling often for work. When I was not traveling for work, I was traveling for leisure, hanging out with friends and if you saw me or my pictures online, you would say I was living my best life! To be honest I was. It was amazing, I was shaking and moving at work, my team was good, my family was good and for the most part life was good. Then in 2020 that all came to a halt and like many others, I was forced to sit down within the four walls of my home and be in the presence of my beautiful family. Not only that, I was forced to face the noise of my thoughts and experiences I tried to forget. It is easy to “forget” when you are distracted, but what do you do when there are no more distractions? What do you do when the noise stops?

Sometimes your thoughts are louder than the words that are spoken. Sometimes your life experiences that come to memory are BIGGER than Mt. Kilimanjaro. Whatever the case, they show up and may not have plans to leave anytime soon. So what do you do when it looks like they are here to stay? Some of us choose to ignore what is before us and find other ways to be distracted. We put our all energy into helping others, we are on all the social media platforms and events, in some cases we are even hosting events. What do you do when no one needs your help? You are burned out by social media and you don’t have the energy to host another zoom call?

Eventually you have to be hospitable to your unwanted guest(s) and have a conversation. This will require putting in the work to heal your broken pieces, giving your insecurities a pep talk, and embracing the cacti, you know the things that hurt in order to move on with your life. In a world where the “hustle and bustle” or the “hustle and grind” was life, it is time to embrace what last year forced us to do. Sit in silence and make the best out what life decides or has decided to hand us.

What will you do when the noise stops?

A moment of vulnerability.

I hate what I have done and allowed others to do to my body a couple of years ago. Mentally and physically I gave up due to unrealistic expectations and by pushing through the pain. The others, I let them tell me I wasn’t the right size or look which made me hate my body and the features I was always taught to love.

After what I believe was moderate neglect on my end, I am in healing and repair mode. Some days I feel it is too late and some days I feel like it is okay where I am. It took years for me to get here and it will take time but one day I will fall in real love with her all over again.

Right now I have a love hate relationship with her. Some days I look at her and see triumph. Some days I see pain, neglect and the impossible. But I do see her. She is there. Waiting to be welcomed unconditionally. Some days I walk full speed towards her ready to embrace her and catch up like the old friends that we are. I am ready to talk about the journeys we have taken, and some days I stop in my tracks and turn around and run, in hopes that she didn’t see me. I always think, I will be back when I am ready, the commitment is more
than I can handle. Will she forgive me? How will she treat me?

Then I think about the times where I left her and came back. She has always been there with me. She has always been there to greet me. It’s not
her. It’s me. One day I will get the courage and give my body, her most deserving apology.