Day 1 of 21

I've realized that I spend much of my time fantasizing about what I want and envying people who already have it, where truthfully, I just need to work on reaching that destination myself. I need to be persistent with my goals reminding myself that in due time, I will be where I need to be.

This mindset can go for both things that are in your control, like your health, hair, running a 5k and just overall personal goals as well as goals that that may not be in your own control like finding love, getting a raise, promotion or anything you cannot fully make happen yourself. All you can do is consistently make sure that everyday you are working towards what you want and knowing that you are putting your all into reaching your goals So with time, by knowing that you've truly invested in yourself and you are showing the world the best form of yourself, all will yours.

Just like the bible says, in James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him"

So on that note, I've started a 21 day plan. Why 21? Well sometime ago in some book I read that it takes 21 days to form a habit. What I'm trying to form is the consistent progress of bettering myself...if that makes sense. Every day I will be physically writing down in my notebook an affirmation for myself reminding me of where I want to be as well performing at least one task in reaching a goal. (btw - I got this idea from one of my favorite writers/inspirational speakers, Alex Elle) On that note, for day 1 of 21, I affirmed:

I will not let my emotions get the best of me.

I wont lie, this may be one I have to read over and over everyday. As for my task, I put the energy into writing a blog post. So here is to reaching my goals and persevering.

Happy New Year - Rose

Love, Life, & Light

Happy Sunday,

The other day, after having a conversation with an old friend, it made me really reflect to where I was at the beginning of the year, a couple of years ago and how I am now. I can say that I am proud of my growth but there is more to where I am currently at. I’m ready to elevate myself, and not really physically, but mentally and spiritually. I want to really learn and understand what it means to love and to live. I want to become someone who exudes light wherever I go. I want to be completely comfortable with who I am, as well as proud. I want to understand my worth without having approval from anyone else. I want to be me.

I had three posts set up for the next 3 weeks detailing my plans and my goals, but realizing what I want this blog to mean to me, I minimized it all down to one simple post. I will:

• Make sure I take the time to write and reflect to promote positive growth
• Read new books and my Bible – at least per month
• Live a more simplistic life – understanding what/who is important to me
• Focus on my health and all that I am bringing into my body
• Remember that everything great takes time

I can’t fully say I know how I will do everything, but I do know that by taking it day by day, manifesting my goals and consciously making the effort, I can only receive light in return.

This all comes with the journey.

Hello December - 2016 in Perspective

Hello? 2016? Where have you gone?

 It's already December and this year has entirely flown by in a snap of a finger. Like many people, so much has happened this year that I'm in awe with all that I've grown from January 2016 to now. It has almost been a year since I graduated from Georgia Tech and taken a full step into real time adulthood. No more beach filled spring breaks or any of that empty bank account syndrome that most college students suffer through.

I started my new job a month after graduation in a city without my family and the little group of friends I had, moved away to start their new jobs while exploring their new cities. This left me alone in the amazing city of Atlanta with no one to explore with - and no, I'm not the type to easily make friends. I decided that despite my lack of company, I will try to make the best of my situation. So to speed up this reflective moment, here are a couple of pictures that represent a glimpse of the many positives of 2016:

1. Girls trip to visit me in ATL. 2. First Braves game. 3. Cabbagetown wall mural for Forward Warrior. 4. Trip to to cute town of Gatlinburg. 5. My brother's confirmation. 6. Sweetwater Creek hike. 7. Tubing down the Chatahoochee. 8. Handling my first concrete pour at work. 9. First (but not last) taste of Korean BBQ. 10. Bought my dream car. 11. Hiking the Appalachian Trail in the Smokey Mountains. 12. Hosting my first Thanksgiving at my apartment for my family.

Along with the positives, there were some downsides, but instead of reflecting on those, I have decided to leave those memories in the past and just learn from the actions that placed me in those situations.

On that note, I'm taking this month of December to gear up for 2017. This year I tasted the bests and the worst of what we call adulthood. Now that I know what to expect, I plan to take the reigns of 2017 and gallop straight to my goals. For the month of December, every Friday - or hopefully no later than Sunday - I will share some of my goals and how I plan to accomplish them.

 - Rose H.

***************************UPDATE***************************

It's been a week since the end of my relationship. I was able to follow my 4-Step Guide, but like any human being, I did have a day where I reverted back to a crying confused mess. I resorted to praying and writing, which helped immensely. It all reminded me that God has a plan. Everything that happens is for a reason and God will bring all the best to you. Just pray and continue to have faith.

Black Friday - The Break Up

This past Friday was truly a 'Black Friday' in my books. No, I didn't wake up early to go shopping and score on those amazing deals, but I did wake up early anticipating a phone call.

My boyfriend, now EX-boyfriend, called to let me know that this relationship just wasn't working for him. It created such a large shift in emotions for me after celebrating a day filled with gratitude and happiness with my family the day prior and now moving onto a great sense of sadness.

I cried. I laid in bed under my sheets. I let a majority of the day go by just doing nothing.

I can only imagine how many girls go through this every day of the year. But we always get through it and keep on going. With the amount of break ups I've been through, I have gotten a hang of the post breakup routine to help jump back into my life with a force like no other.

        1. Take a Day

• Take a half of a day to a full day to cry, be a bum, stay under your sheets, vent to a friend, eat some ice cream and just binge watch your favorite show or movies.
• This gives you that 'mourning time' to cry it all out and let that sadness out of your whole system
• Half of a day to a full day: Keep this time frame strict - nothing more. Don't dwell on the break up for so long. The longer you dwell, the more likely you can fall into a depression or overthink as to why he ended the relationship. 

        2. GET OUT OF BED - GO WORKOUT - SHOWER

• The caps were necessary because this is a must do. Working out gets your blood flowing and helps release these endorphins that create a sense of positivity. Read more here.
• Do some yoga, go running, dance to your favorite playlist - Just get that body moving. All in all, you get something out of it: a boost of self esteem and a good workout
• After getting your sweat on, take a nice, steamy, hot shower or soak yourself in a bath with your favorite soap and oils - I recommend indulging in some jasmine essential oil. I keep a bottle of this in my bathroom for some sweet aromatherapy.

        3. Read

• Something that always makes me feel better is reading a passage from the Bible. I can't say I have a favorite passage specifically for this, but I can say that I focus on passages that remind me of my faith in God. This helps provide a calm reminding me that all that happens, happens for a reason and that God just has and will always have my back in all that happens. Start off with Romans 8. Any recommended scriptures?
• Drink some tea while doing so - it'll help calm your mind

         4. Make a List

• Take a piece of paper and start listing everything that makes you happy - from hobbies, food, outcomes - LIST IT
• Take that list and incorporate as much of your items into a daily to do list. This helps you stay focused throughout the week to keep your mind off of lingering sad thoughts.
• My list included:
• 30 min of yoga a day - health, clarity, and meditation
• Water my vegetables and flowers - brings happiness to see my plants flourishing
• Read for 30 min - 1 hr
• No fast food, only home cooked meals

The goal of this 4-point list is to keep us going - to help us maintain that positive mindset after going through a rough break up. If you go through a break up, let me know how this 4-step process helps you.