I made a comment to my mom that one of my friends said I walk as if I’m in my own world.
Mom: You are in your own world
Me: Mom, do I walk to the beat of my own drum?
Mom: *lookin at me and shakin her head* If you don’t know that you’re an individuatl by now, then something is wrong!” *insert big momma laugh*
That got me to thinking about what an individual is.
You know, sometimes we get bogged down in everyday life and don’t realize our own individual awesomeness.
Some are so concerned with fitting in and not rocking the boat, they don’t realize just what an awesome person they are…just as they are.
*raising hand* I’m one of those people.
Sometimes I get so caught up in my own insecurities, I forget to praise, no….validate my own doggone self.
I’m worthy and I rock!
Who realized that self realization is an important thing? On the real, we all have issues and to ignore them is a disasterous thing. They begin to affect all aspects of our lives and then we begin to wonder why our world is out of control. Acknowledge your issues and then go get some assistance. Group therapy is not a bad thing and if that’s not your cup of tea, see a threapist. Whatever helps.
Who didn’t hesitate to pay her way through school? Hope dropped me, then I had to drop below fulltime b/c I didn’t want to take out alot of loans. I took 2-3 classes a semester for awhile, hence my 6 1/2 yrs to graduate! Fall 2008! Whoop whoop!
Who has a love and gift for photography? It’s one of those things that you can’t quite pinpoint when it began. I bought myself a digital camera and really only used it to take pics at family functions or out with friends. Then my interest grew to taking pics of my environment. Then my mother saw something in my photography and bought me a fancier camera for christmas one year. I admit I haven’t had all the time in the world to shoot b/c of school but by golly it’ll be used this summer. I just want to take a day and go to all the beautiful scenic places. I have two projects that must be completed this year: 1) I’m doing a photo shoot for a pregnant coworker. She has the smoothest dark chocolate skin that would look great in white. She want pics of her big belly and in August she’ll 8months. I’mma have fun with this! 2.) I attend school in a very urban area and deal with the homeless on a regular basis. I want to shoot a ‘photo documentary’ of the people I encounter. I haven’t decided if I want to shoot from a far or ask if I can follow them for a day and buy them food etc etc. I would definitely need a travel partner for the latter, preferrably a dude.
Who set herself free from the perm when everyone was looking at her crazy? I had long hair and decided after witnessing my aunt and my mom’s transition to locs, that I wanted that experience too. I also was tired of the description “she’s light skinnededed with long hair”….ummm you can’t see anything other than that? Why is that your first description…why not, she’s nice, loyal, kind, strong…etc etc. I don’t think I’ll be locing anytime soon though. I like to change it up too much!
Who had the courage to forgive her father? This goes back to realizing some of your issues. You can’t carry around anger and unforgiveness. It will work away at you something awful. Now we aren’t anywhere near “come on dad, lets go grab dinner” but we’re talking and he keeps my car in good shape. The key for me was to realize how he was raised and step into his shoes. Wasn’t pretty, still ain’t. I pray for him.
Who has the courage to leave home this summer and work in a new environment? As ya’ll know, I’m headed to Arkansas. This is a totally new experience for me and I hope I can be present for it all.
Who has been a leader among her friends? Hmmmm, I was the ‘mature’ one, the one people turned to for advice. I hadn’t neccessarily been through some of the situations my friends had but I’m one to learn from observation. Don’t get me wrong, some stuff you have to experience to fully KNOW but I find life to be much easier if you talk to people who have been through it.
Who has never been overly concerned with fitting in? You see when my friends would get all “we gotta do this cause it’s popular”, I’d throw them the ‘peace’ sign and just be to myself. When they came back to reality, I’d join back up with them. Didn’t bother me a bit.
Who had the courage to love and the strength to pick herself up when that love ended? Whew. Man. This man did a number. It wasn’t necessarily all his fault. I just know that it was an interesting experience and I do beleive I was in love with him. It’s taken awhile to process exactly what it was and sometimes, like now as I’m writing this, I’m still unsure.
Who is a beautiful and strong black woman? No explanation needed! lol
You know that was kinda great. We should all do this. Take a positive self inventory. Sometimes we get bogged down in the comparison game and we do indeed forget those things that make us unique.
What’s your positive self inventory?
Serenity
