Stand In It!

Now is the time to live in the moment. Now is the time to stand in your truth.

I've been reflecting all week on things from my past and I must say, some thing I wish I would have appreciated more. Whether it's staying longer at my junior and senior proms, down to ultimately enjoying the college life. As I look back, the only constant in all of my endeavors was time. Rushing time.

I was always focused on the next thing instead of what the present had for me. I'm a forward thinker and I can tell you from experience that it's an up-hill battle. Which is probably another reason people think I'm a great writer, because I can move on from the next thing like it never happened.

In saying all of this, I wish to inspire you all to live in your truth, in every moment. Don't rush it, just revel in it. The present isn't meant to be overlooked, it's just as important as your past and future.

Stand in it. Breathe it. Feel it. Smell it. These are instances you can't get back. The present is setting you up for your future. Enjoy the ride: good, bad & ugly. Don't miss out on opportunities, don't hold yourself back, just be great.

Who Are You Living For?

And I don't mean this in a bland or rhetorical way, really think about it...

I'm not saying your answer has to be deep and prophetic, but it does have to mean something or at least have purpose.

 So what is it exactly that gives your energy an extra boost every morning, or for the nocs, at night? Who is the underlying driving force within your heart? For me it's my passion, writing. I'm living to leave a legacy for my children's children. I'm living to leave my mark on this Earth that says I was here. I'm living to be legendary, but shouldn't we all be?

When asked this question, some people said they live for: their kids, family, spouse, or even pressing issues that mean something to them. There's nothing wrong with that, but where do you, yourself come into play? Who's living for you?

Some people live for everyone but themselves. They spend an entire lifetime making sure everybody is okay except themselves. Don't live a life of drab and turn around years later to live in regret. Take the opportunity now to change your life for the better. Start doing things that make you happy. Live for you, as selfish as that may sound.

 What are you gonna do today for yourself? Who are you gonna impress? Hopefully yourself. Living in the now, loving on you, focusing on you, being happy from you. Let your soul smile, be free. Be everything you were meant to be.

Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy

If you've wanted to know what your classmates have been up to, or how they're living, you'll know that social media is the devil. And I say that because it gives you a false positive. You see, most people on social media like to flex; so here you are all down and out because you feel you aren't living up to the standard of your fellow classmates, while most of them are frontin' and flexin' on the daily.

I used to beat myself up in college, because I graduated a year later than I was "projected" to. And when I sat down, I realized it only mattered to me, and everyone in my life that supported me was just happy that I was graduating at all.

Don't let someone else's perspective interfere with your own. Nobody's life is better than the next, no matter what you see on social media. Take the time to focus on your own growth, and just simply live.

The only competition you should be in is with yourself. Stop worrying about the next man and get with your best plan, at your future. This life is a one-shot opportunity, don't waste it consumed with the lives of others that ultimately have nothing to do with your personal growth and prosperity.

Keep your joy. Live your life. Compare your new self to your old self.

5 Reasons...

Why You Need To TRAP

(Take Risks And Prosper)

5. Legendary. When I think of uber greatness I think of brilliance. Who doesn't wanna make history and be talked about for centuries to come? Taking risks is all about doing what they said can't be done, proving a point, and living surpassing your wildest dreams. It's never too late to be legendary, everyone has greatness in them, they just have to tap into it.

4. You Are Custom-Made. No one is like you and that's powerful. No one can do what you do, so milk it for all you've got. Don't let people try to restrain you, if you wanna be a quadruple threat, by all means let your light shine. Use your uniqueness to separate you from all the rest.

3. Your Future's At Stake. Your future life depends on your current. If you set your sights low that's all you're gonna get. But if you dream of a better life and seek it with every fiber of your being, destiny's gonna set you up right where you belong.

2. Nothing To Lose. What do you seriously have to lose? Besides regret if you don't go for it. You have two choices: 1. Risk it all to gain it all or 2. Dwell on the shoulda-coulda-woulda's the rest of your life.

1. Major Key. Shout out to DJ Khaled! lol but seriously, if you wanna be successful, the only option is to jump out of your comfort zone. Yes it's gonna be scary but it's also gonna be well worth it, believe in yourself.

NOMO FOMO

Do you sometimes wish you could be in two places at once? Do you get anxiety about missing things/events? Do you get jealous when your friends go out and you can't make it? Chances are you have a fear of missing out. You'd be surprised how many people have it, so many people want to create memories, and the thought of missing out on them can be overwhelming.

In college I struggled a lot with F.O.M.O. I'm a city girl so moving to a small town was a big adjustment. I remember looking at friends and cousin's Instagram hating that I couldn't make it to a club, dinner, or where ever because it was almost two hours away, and I had a paper due or school commitment the next day. I was in a rush to graduate because I was tired of missing out on the fun, or so I thought.

I'm here to tell you that, looking back, I didn't miss out on anything that wasn't destined for me to experience. Enjoy life. You aren't missing anything. You are exactly where you need to be, don't second guess it. And please know that things aren't always as they seem. Sure those pics on Insta look like people are having the time of their lives, when in reality that smile could fade just as quickly as the flash on their cameras.

I hate to keep mentioning J Cole but you've truly gotta Love Yourz. There's no such thing as a life that's better than yours. Stop comparing your life to peers, everyone's journey is different for a reason. Just enjoy life, don't force it. Everything that is meant for you will come, just have a little faith.

5 Reasons...

To Bet On You

5. You Are EVERYTHING. Don't you ever go second guessing yourself. You have what it takes to be great. Let go of whatever is holding you back and go for it. Your dreams are only as believable as you are.

4. You Are Dependable. If you can't depend on anyone else, who is that guaranteed support? That's right yourself. Like Beyonce said:"I know that I will never disappoint myself." Count on you and your dreams will come true!

3. You Are Worthy. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to shine. Bet on you and you'll never get left behind.

2. You Are Custom. There is no one like you in this world. Some may have similarities but you are a rare gem custom-made by God himself. Don't let anyone try to diminish your unique, you were born this way.

1. You Are Brilliant. Your ideas matter. Your gift matters. And it's only right that you showcase that to the world. Don't second guess yourself, you have it in you, all you've gotta do is use it.

Tomorrow IS Promised

It boggles my mind when people say:"tomorrow isn't promised" when the reality of it is that tomorrow in fact IS promised. No matter what happens today, the sun will rise and shine tomorrow with or without you.

That may seem harsh, but reality is in most cases. As kids we're told to live every day to the fullest, but also prepare and focus for tomorrow. But if tomorrow isn't promised what exactly are we preparing for?

Stop making excuses, putting it off until tomorrow. Procrastinating and doing everything but what you need to be doing. Make today the first day that you start working towards your destiny. Now is all you have. Now is all you need.

When it comes to dreams either you're gonna risk it all and leap, or give up and sleep. No one is gonna hand you a dream; nor will you ever experience true fulfillment if you don't go after it. What exactly do you have to lose? And more importantly what do you have to gain if you actually go for it?

Save yourself some regret later on in life by just doing it. Set aside all the reasons you shouldn't and do it for you. Make yourself proud and lay the foundation to the beginning of your success. Now is all you need, time is of the essence and there's no time like the present.