Expectations are bound to lead to disappointments

Never expect anyone to look out for you the way you look out for you. Expecting people to be there when it counts can be the rudest awakening one may receive. Pay attention to the people you give the privilege of being in your life, some may have ulterior motives.

Speaking from experience, you will find out who's really down for you in times of hardship. There is nothing worse than finding out someone you once considered a friend or more isn't supportive when it really matters. It could be anything: an event, a show, ill family members, or a dream. Pay close attention, the ones that really care will be there no matter what.

Don't expect anything from anyone, it'll save you a lot of heart ache. Man will fail you every time, but God will always be your clutch player. Depend on yourself, you won't ever let yourself down or disappoint yourself... and if you do, there is no one else to blame. God won't ever leave you hanging but you have to want more for yourself first.

Expectations are just like potential. Often times we see the potential in someone rather than what they really are, which leads us to expect certain things that aren't realistic because the person has been idealized to be something they aren't.

Just live your life and all of the surprises and spontaneity will be the cherry on top. You deserve to be happy, and expectations only create a hindrance. Save yourself the pain and free yourself of expectations, potential and possibilities... What's meant to be will be. 

An expert is just a novice that never gave up

It is my belief that if you keep working at anything, over time you will become an expert. Just think of your parents, they've more than likely cooked for you for over two decades or more; And if they are anything like my mom, they are quite the expert, often times eyeballing (without measuring cups) ingredients; but everyone has a beginning stage where they had no idea what they were doing, everyone has to start somewhere.

Often times it is easy to get discouraged because of what you don't know, or by the strenuous amount of time it takes to accomplish a goal. Anything worth having is worth the wait, and if it's worth it, it won't come easy; you have to work for what you want.

I know it can be tough at times to keep going when you feel like you aren't getting anywhere or going at the rate you feel you should, but never give up. If you keep working at something and stay dedicated you will eventually get where you need to be.

We are all novices at every stage of our lives, it is impossible to know everything. There will always be something new to learn, that's the beauty about life. No matter how hard it gets, or how discouraging things may seem, keep going... your dreams are worth it.

5 reasons...

I miss College

5. Group Projects. I despised group projects my entire collegiate career until my senior year. Being that I was a Mass Communications major we had a lot of video production/news package group related work. I will never forget the fun we had bringing our creative ideas together, although trying at time lol. What really made the group projects worth while were the ones done with friends, those memories will forever be embedded in my brain.

*** Here is one of my favorite group projects we did for our favorite professor. We made a song out of all of her sayings and teachings throughout the semester.
Needless to say she had no idea we were doing it in-between
 our actual projects, and brought tears to her eyes.

4.

Class. When friends are in your classes, it just makes the class worth while, even if you don't like it lol. My senior year was filled with friends and people I knew so let's just say there were no dull moments lol. I remember there not being an attendance policy in Media Law class, and me and two of my best buds skipped class to go eat lol. Sometime we would even walk in super late, but we all passed and graduated so no worries lol.

3.

Naps. I don't know what it is about college that makes naps so amazing; maybe it's the utter appreciation for them because of the lack of sleep in college. I had a federal work study job from morning to noon and all afternoon classes so everyday after work I would rush to my apartment to get a quick hour and a half- two hour (if I pushed it to the limit lol) power nap before class. I miss those coma naps more than anything.

2.

Food stamps. A lot of people don't know this, but if you're a full time student in college and have a federal work study job, working at least 20 hours a week you are eligible for food stamps. And for a broke college student such as myself that was music to my ears lol. I'm proud to say my roommates and I never ate ramen noodles or pb&j sandwiches, we ate good ! Shout out to all the Georgia taxpayers that contributed to my academic success through nutrition lol.

1.

 Refund checks. If you've ever attended college this is a no-brainer, well unless you paid out of pocket for your education, at which I commend you for; but for everyone else, those refunds were EVERYTHING ! Refund checks use that to float - J. Cole. You could always tell when the refund dropped before you even received a notification because twitter would be buzzing about the "Refund parties" lol. Plus there's nothing like a big lump sum of money to save, splurge on food or clothes, or all three like I did lol.

*** Guess what Ryders:
Today marks our 100th post !!! Thanks so much for all of the continued support, I really love you guys ! Here's to a million more !

Never Lose Sight of Your Worth

This pertains to every aspect of your life. Your worth is the main ingredient in how people perceive and treat you, so if you don't recognize it neither will anyone else. The worst thing you can do is give someone an open door to mistreat you, especially guys/girls. People only treat you the way you allow them to, so set parameters early and get the respect you deserve.

If someone you are dating isn't showing you that you are of importance or playing by your rules speak up. Growing up I was the timid kid that didn't like conflict and never took up for myself. And while I still don't like conflict I refuse to let someone disrespect me or treat me less than I deserve. Stand up for what you believe in and if that person can't get with it, let them go.

Jobs are another place where you have to teach people how to treat you. If you've ever worked in retail or customer service you are constantly told that "the customer is always right" but there's nothing right about rude people. It's okay to tell someone not to talk to you in a condescending way, even if it's your boss. Lol that's right I said your boss; people will continuously walk over someone that just takes the verbal abuse and never says anything; but people will respect someone that stands up for themselves, even if they don't like them.

Know your worth. Never let someone belittle you or defame your character. There will always be a rude person or someone that will test you, but once the test is given it's up to you to correct the failed attempt. Teaching someone how to treat you can be very draining, especially when you have to do it repetitively, but it's worth it. Put that confidence on and wear it. You are amazing and you deserve to be treated as such. I love and respect every last one of you all, thank you for rockin' with me.

There's no going back

Just keep going and don't look back

and look forward from where ya at

there's some jealousy in your rear view 

wave hello hello hello

That's right, you have no other option but to keep moving forward. The past is obsolete, all that matters is now. Concern yourself with today and there after. Each day given is an opportunity to grow and progress.

It can be so easy to consume yourself with issues from the past, but why not redirect your energy for the better? Stand up, be proud, and go towards what's yours; you are the only one that can make your dreams manifest.

On the days that you feel like giving up, or just want an off day, keep going. It may not seem like it at the time, but it will be worth it in the end. There will be no greater prize than the day you have accomplished your dream...just wait and see.

Whenever you feel discouraged or overlooked, remember one thing; you were placed on this earth to complete your purpose, don't stop until you have finished your mission. So what you're not getting recognition right now, be patient and work harder.

Today is yours, make the hours in this day mean something. Start the ground work. Remain focused. Fuel your own fire. There's no greater victory than winning when everyone counted you out, be exceptionally magnificent !

*** RIP Trayvon Martin, he would've been 19 today.

Restriction are for Cowards

Yes restrictions are inevitable life, from the time you are born until you die; but are you one that abides by all rules to play it safe, or do you go against the grain to get what you want.

“Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

I'm not saying go rebel against the world, and break all the rules, but what I do condone is standing up for what you believe in... even if it is only yourself. Actually, standing up for yourself is the best thing you can possibly do. Don't allow people to put you in a box, dictate your potential, or downplay your talent. It's your talent you know what you are worth so show the world what you already know.

Only a coward would let restrictions stifle them from being great. Your future depends on what you will accept now. If you will let people belittle you and deter you now, your future will reflect as so; But if you choose to take a stand and work hard for what you believe in, your future will represent all that you are.

 Nothing is given in this life, you have to go after everything you want. Someone said you aren't good enough? Prove them wrong. Some said you would never make it? Prove them wrong. Someone you once admired tried to deter you from your dream. Prove them wrong !

If you believe everything someone tells you, then you should believe the positive over the negative; After all, there is always a positive in a negative. Did it ever occur to you that the people casting negativity once has a dream that was killed by someone else? Or didn't believe in themselves enough to go for it, which only made them resent you more for going after your dreams? They want you to fail because they believe you can succeed. Hurt people hurt people, it's not fair but such is life. Forget the restrictions and be brave ! You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain, go make that dream a reality !

The universe only reflects what it see's

Have you ever thought of what may have happened if you did something differently? That once instance in life that changed you forever, or altered your perspective? Or maybe something beyond your control that brought about the same outcome?

You know that "every action has an equal and opposite reaction" bit. Yeah... Newton was definitely on to something with that theory, in more ways than one. Everything you do has a consequence, be it good or bad. Karma, believed to be life's boomerang, can attest to that.

A recent incident in my life caused me to step back and evaluate exactly what I am putting out into the universe. This is essential in how people perceive me to be, as well as treat me. Long story short, I ended a friendship with someone I thought would be in my life forever. It's kind of like mourning the death of a relationship, but worse... because the person is still alive lol. Not sure if that came out as intended but, it's been rough letting go of a connection with someone I once had.

Music has been the key ingredient in my healing process, but in search of more peace I stumbled upon the eightfold path, thanks to one of my favorite songstress Jhené Aiko. It's a classic Buddhist teaching, but even if you don't practice it (like me), it's quite fascinating.

You can find more in dept details here, but I'll give you a quick synopsis from what I gathered. Basically, everything you think, say, and do equates to happiness when in harmony. This theory is reminiscent of the Laws of Attraction, and makes perfect sense if you ask me.

I encourage you to join me on this journey of finding complete happiness.We all want to acquire it, but in doing so we have to focus and work for it, in every aspect of our lives. Positivity is essentially the foundation, so eliminate all things negative and get started on your happy !