It's not your time... be patient

Yes, this is something easier said than done, but it's true so you must hold up on your end to get the reward you desire. Today's post stemmed from my favorite entertainment blogger known as NecoleBitchie; she has a personal blog now, and this post in particular spoke to me. I've clipped my favorite parts below (if you would like to read the entire blog post click here).

I needed to receive those words more than ever. It can be so discouraging to know what you want out of life and go for it, only to be rejected. There have been countless rejection letters from companies I would love to be apart of, with jobs I thought (while making God laugh) would be perfect for me; I now realize, it's not my time, I have to be patient.

It's funny how we can envision something but God's vision is greater in magnitude. I'm sure Brian Action had no idea he would be a billionaire this year, all he wanted five years ago was a development job. Be still, you never know what God is preparing you for. So to you all applying and constantly being denied, or wondering why things are happening for others and not you... wait your turn, it's coming; I just hope you're ready for what you will receive, because it's gonna be better than your wildest dreams !

*** P.S. There is this book 'Ask and it is given: learning to manifest your desires' by Esther and Jerry Hicks that I heard about on the finale of Being Mary Jane. The following quote sums up what the book is supposed to be about: "Everything that you're going through is preparing you for what you asked for". The universe already knows what we want, so every obstacle, setback and experience is supposed to lead you to your desires. I've already requested it at my local library and intend to dig in as soon as it's available for me. For those like me, seeking guidance on life's operatives, I think that this will be a good read. I'll keep you guys posted. Until next time my friends... Be Safe, Happy, & Prosperous.

Love the person you are now before you love the person you are becoming

Whitney once said: "learning to love yourself, is the greatest love of all". Aww what the hell, you need to hear it for yourself ! lol And if you know nothing of this legend of a vocalist, here's your introduction... you're welcome.

  

   

That song really just look me back to my childhood; I can remember being a brownie in Girl Scouts and it was my favorite at the time. I understood the words, but couldn't really feel them until now. It saddens me that children in this generation don't have positive music such as this to listen to; everything is either sex, drugs, or materialistically driven.

I could easily preach about loving yourself, but the truth is it has to be something you come to. I know because I had to learn how to love myself, and it did not happen overnight. More often than not, we are our worst critics in life. It wasn't until I took a deep look in the mirror that I started to love what I saw; and I must say it took some convincing. There's always that voice in your head second guessing everything because of others opinions combined with our belief of other's opinions, but you have to fight through that.

You are beautiful. You are intelligent. You are worthy. All it takes is for you to actually believe it, that's the first step. It's great to love the person you are becoming, there is so much potential in what you can be, but love who you are now, it starts on the inside. Work on the you now, so that the you later will be even more spectacular. Shut off the phone, TV, tablet, and anything else that distracts you and start working on loving yourself; look in the mirror, write the things you love about yourself, and the things you don't and can improve on, spend time alone; whatever it takes put in the work... you are worth it.

Just as everything else, chances have expiration dates

Ration out the chances you give to people, otherwise they will take advantage and keep using them up. It's okay to give people second chances, and in extenuating circumstances, three can be allowed... but that's it. Take it from me, once you've given out more than three, that person will get comfortable and will continue the behavior you don't approve, because they know you aren't going to do anything about it.

My never ending 'chance snatcher' is my father. I should have given up on him a long time ago, but the little small percentage that still wants to hold on to what little relationship we have won't let me. I've given him so many chances I can't even count; In my 24 years of life I've experienced more disappointment from one person than one can bare. Endless broken promises, and circular talks about nothing.

When my father showed me who he really was at the age of 16, I should have believed it; But I refused to abandon him as all of his family did, not that I blame them (due to his own warped sense of reality). I carried the burden of being there for him despite the horrible father he'd been to me. While in college I did cut all ties from him, and as you Ryders know, we just recently came back into contact with one another a few months ago (click here for a refresher). I'm in constant battle with myself when it comes to him. I don't want him in my life, yet I do. I know he will never be able to 'father' me the way I want, or give me solid advice on life.

Talking to him is like talking to a teenager in a 50-somethings body. Due to his excessive drug intake my entire life, his mentality ended when he began using. He doesn't know me. He can't relate to me. We only have DNA in common. Funny he still wants to take credit for my accomplishments, one's he had no input in; I am the woman I am today only because of God and my Mom, he won't ever get recognition for something he never did.

I find myself mad at myself for giving him chance after chance, feeding into what becomes broken promises, and letting him in. So my message to you is, pay attention. When you see who someone really is believe it, and if you can't deal with it leave them alone...even if they are family. Save yourself pain and heartache, you deserve peace and happiness. Start putting expiration dates on your chances, and if they can't get with it, shut them out. No one deserves to be in your life if they aren't enriching it.

Embrace the stage you're at

Everybody's gotta start somewhere. Stop comparing your life to others, your steps will be at your pace; just as your story will. Often times we look at others to pinpoint where we should be, but all it really does is magnify what we don't have. No one ever got to the top without passing the necessary levels, embrace the stage you're at.

So-what, you don't have everything you want or desire, let that motivate you. Whatever you want out of this life ask, believe and receive. But nothing comes without hard work, so don't expect any handouts. It's solely up to you to get back what you put out into the universe, so make sure it's positive.

Whether you are at the beginning, middle, almost-can-taste-it, or the top never forget the stages it took to get there. Everything in life has stages, and if you aren't where you want to be, it's never too late to start anew; And if you are where you want to be, appreciate it and enjoy it, because there is someone wishing they had your position.

Make the most of your days and don't take anything for granted. Embrace all that makes your story an original, all the good, bad and in between. What are you waiting for? Get started on your success story, there's an unborn generation that will need to hear what you've got to say. Go ahead... you've got to inspire the masses !

5 reasons...

These songs are my All time favorite

5.

Jay-Z- Lost One. This is the realest song I've ever heard. When you break down the dichotomy of relationships, and still know your worth, that's some amazing shit! lol. Let go to get one, lose some to win some... Story of a champion, sorry I'm a champion. The beauty about this song is that it applies to everything: professional, personal, & everything in-between. Jay-Z is one of those transparent artist that will give you the real whether it's good or bad, to me that's what makes him such a success. Moral of this classic is, know your worth or no one else will.

4.

Bobby Womack-If you think you're lonely now. This is an oldy but goody. There's something so great about a guy doing right and standing up for himself. It's a story: She's always complaining about me never being at home, but when I'm there I'm broke... I can't be in two places at one time. You have to hear it if you haven't, for all you women that don't appreciate a hardworking man, if you think you're lonely now... wait until tonight girl !

3.

Jesse Powell- You. I fell in love with this song at the age of 10. I've always said I wanted this song to be played at me wedding. This is one of those real love songs, that makes you feel like meeting someone that loves everything about you is attainable. The way you walk, the way you talk, the way you say my name your smile... I just wanna be yours from this day forward.

2.

Prince- Adore. Until the end of time I'll be there for you, you own my heart and mind... I truly adore you. What girl wouldn't want to hear those words from someone they love? It's a classic that will live on forever. I'm a sucker for sappy storytelling love songs, it's like taking the journey and living vicariously through the words lol. P.S. I had to stop myself from typing all the lyrics, because they are THAT good !

1.

Maxwell- This Woman's Work. If you're like me, your introduction to this song came from the movie Love and Basketball, which happens to be my favorite movie. I should be cryin' but I just can't let it show, should be hoping but I can't stop thinking... All the things we should have said that we never said, all the things we should have done that we never did. Although this is a remake from British singer Kate Bush, he makes it his own and in doing so, makes you drawn to the emotion behind it. Maxwell plus a falsetto is audible gold.

Your time as a Caterpillar has expired, your Wings are READY

The time is now to break out of that cocoon and show the world your beauty. You've hidden for long enough, it's time for your talent to breathe.

Break free and face your fears head on because they won't leave any other way. Fears are good for driving you towards your dream, they make you feel like that dream isn't attainable, but if you fight the fear instead of let it defeat you, you'll work even harder to get where you want to be.

Success is the difference between courage and coward, which are you? Take a stand for what you believe in, you have to believe it before anyone else will. Stop being your worst critic you are worthy of all the things you desire, never forget that.

So get started now, here's the push you've been waiting for. Put a smile on and roll those sleeves up, make a vision board, create a blueprint. No more excuses or apologies, just do it ! Go ahead and begin the path of your success story, we're traveling different routes but I can't wait to meet you at the top ! 

Don't Rush Your Progression, Drive Slow Homie

This one's for you, young teenage 'I think I know everything the world has to offer' you. The 'You can't tell me what I already know' you. The 'Fast money is all I know' you. And the 'It's my way or no way' you. 

Drive Slow Homie, Ya Never Know Homie You Need To 

 Pump Ya Breaks and Drive Slow Homie

Here's a news flash you don't know everything, you can't do it by yourself, fast money won't last, and your way isn't always the best way. Whatever you're doing in the fast lane with eventually catch up to you, and trust it won't be pretty. Stop rushing your progression and take your time, a home built without a solid foundation will crumble.

Teenagers, listen to your parent's and elders that give you advice, they aren't telling you anything that will harm you, it's for your own good because they love you; Don't rush to be grown, it's not at all what you envision it to be. Twenty-somethings just because you're out of your teens doesn't mean you are grown, there's still so much to learn in this life, take your time and do it right. Stubborn Thirties, yes you may be more established than your twenties but you don't quite have it all together either, you too can benefit from advice, even if it comes from an unexpected person.

The moral of this post is that no one person can survive alone, and no one knows everything. Everyone needs help and guidance, don't be too egotistical or prideful and miss out on that. Yes the fast life is enticing and seems fun and effortless, but at some point your pace will slow down, and then stop; Let your stop be in your hands and not someone else's, you can change your life, it's never too late. It's better to have a lifetime of gradual blessings than a temporary spurt of 'whatnot's' in the fast lane.