Sorry I have been gone for a while. The past few months have been a whirlwind to say the least. When I set my intention for this year was to "Elevate" every area of my life, I should have remembered the be-careful-what-you-ask-for fine print that comes with setting life-changing intentions. More about the power of intention in a latter post.
My mother and I had the pleasure of visiting the land of smiles- Thailand for an overdue vacation. Besides the sweltering heat, we went during the Thai New Year and Songkran festivities. The history, the calm energy in the environment, food, and people of Thailand made our time in their home a wonderful memory. With almost 800 pictures, thought I'd give a glimpse of what we enjoyed! Sawadee Ka! Love+Live.Life
Peace in every step
Moi, Mom, and our Thai friend Mr. Mana
Weaving village demonstration
Tuk Tuk
Thailand, the land of my favorite flower- Orchids
The soaking wet fun of Songkran in Bangkok
Our Bangkok guides--Mr. Mana and Leah
Saturday Buddha in Chiang Mai. Yep, I was born on a Saturday.
March 8 is International Women's Day around the world.
This year's theme is Inspiring Change.
I believe that women are the foundation of life and the world. Each of us came through the labor pains of a woman, yet around the world, we continuously fight and push forsignificant change and attitudinal shift in society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Have we come a long way from the 1900's suffrage movement? Yes. However, women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally education, health and the violence against women is worse than that of men. In certain regions of the world, a woman is not permitted to receive an education, cannot own property, and many are still dying during childbirth due to the lack of skilled healthcare during childbirth. Amidst these systematic forms of oppression, we are educators, medical professionals, CEO's, homemakers, Nobel Prize Laureates, presidents of nations, athletes, architects, activists/advocates, changemakers, journalists, writers, poets, religious leaders, legislators, serve in the military, entertainers, artists, community leaders, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. We continue to break gender barriers or glass ceilings! In the US, the rate of women enrolled in college immediately after high school rose to 71% in 2012, compared to 61% for young men. African American enrollment for women rose to 69%, leaving a 12% gap between them and their male counterparts. In the words of Beyoncé, Who run the World? Well, women are making it happen.
So, it's your turn. What are YOU doing to inspire change?
Hey, women aren't perfect. Sometimes, an N goes missing ;-)
Celebrate the accomplishments on women around the world on March 8 and everyday! love+live.life
Hands up, if you are over winter! The white stuff on the ground and the endless amount of time spent shoveling, my arms are getting toned this winter period. Hang in there folks, we're more than half way through.
The view from my front door
It's Valentine's Day around the world!!! Love is in the air for many as they prepare to spend the day with their significant others. Those of us in the single life lane don't need to fret. Be happy for those commemorating this day. Besides, Netflix has just released Season 2 of House of Cards (Woo Hoo!!). What better antidote is there for all the mushy stuff, than the twisted marriage of Francis and Claire.
For those celebrating V-Day, here's a mini soundtrack from me to you:
Outkast- Happy Valentine's Day
John Mayer ft. Katy Perry - Who You Love
Daft Punk ft. Pharell Williams & Niles Rodgers - Get Lucky
Salt N Pepa - Let's Talk About Sex
Heavy D & the Boyz - Nuthin' but Love
Gregory Porter - Our Love
Bruno Mars- Just the Way You Are
Chante Moore & Keith Washington - Candlelight & You
My 2014 theme created in Illustrator with Pantone 2014 colors: Radiant Orchid, Freesia, and Hemlock
It's that time of the year and I couldn't be more excited! To everyone that read, commented, or shared my blog posts, THANK YOU for your support in 2013!
If you're like me, you have probably spent days reflecting on 2013 (an amazing year), while prepping for 2014. I can't wait for what the new year will bring. No, it is not a passive "anything-that-comes-my-way-will-be-great" approach either. I have spent time to design the life I love to live in 2014, so much so that my theme for the year is... ELEVATE!
Elevate! It's time to go higher in every area of my life-- physical, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional. Yes, that includes blogging more often :-) I even sketched out a metaphor of how I intend to approach 2014 (see below). The way I see it, life is too darn short and we were designed to live it fully! So, it's time to go higher, step up, (insert the verb of your choice). Basically, it's time for more action. I even have my ELEVATE playlist for my iPhone ready. I LOVE MUSIC, so this journey wouldn't be complete without its own soundtrack.
My 2014 life metaphor is a Free-Standing Glass Elevator
Have you thought about how you want to BE in 2014? What would happen if you lived 2014 unchained? Unchained and unbound from the "I'm not sure's", "It's not me's", "I'm not ready's", and other self-limiting thoughts and behaviors that keep us stuck, unfulfilled, longing, and potentially settling for less than we deserve.
What if you "designed" 2014 for the perfect end-user? You!
You are the designer and end-user of your life. You are the Steve Jobs to your very own personalized and one of a kind, iPhone. If your iPhone/iPad/iPod/MacBook (pick one) doesn't meet your standards, then redesign it. Hold on to that visual in your mind, let your imagination run free on what to change! PS: If you don't own an Apple product, there's no excuse. Substitute whatever product you enjoy and it's creator into this metaphor. If you don't know the design origin of the product (s), engage your curiosity.
What would happen if you let go of the old stories, people, behaviors, actions, and thoughts that don't serve you well in 2014?
Challenge yourself! Act on those "I wonder's", "What if's", "Who's" and the other curious thoughts or ideas you've had ruminating for a while. Life is NOW! Stop waiting for all your ducks to line up perfectly before taking the first step to the life you desire. What have you got to lose?
"Allow events to change you. You
have to be willing to grow. Growth is different from something that
happens to you. You produce it. You live it. The prerequisites for
growth: the openness to experience events and the willingness to be
changed by them...
Love your experiments (as you would an ugly child). Joy
is the engine of growth. Exploit the liberty in casting your work as
beautiful experiments, iterations, attempts, trials, and errors. Take
the long view and allow yourself the fun of failure every day. Go deep. The deeper you go the more likely you will discover something of value...
Begin anywhere. John Cage tells us that not knowing where to begin is a common form of paralysis. His advice: begin anywhere...
Collaborate. The
space between people working together is filled with conflict,
friction, strife, exhilaration, delight, and vast creative potential.
____________________. Intentionally left blank. Allow space for the ideas you haven’t had yet, and for the ideas of others..."
What is your theme for 2014? What are you willing to do to live that theme in 2014? Don't leave it to other people or circumstances to design or define your 2014.
Make it yours and MAKE IT FUN!
Thanks to Ayse Birsel for her awesome Design the Life You Love workshop and all that inspired this post.
"Elevate" - St. Lucia
"New Day"- Alicia Keys
Here's to a well designed and elevated life in 2014! love+live.life!
I wrote this on Dec 5, 2013, the day my beloved Tata Madiba, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela went home to heaven. "I sit in shock and joy
hearing the news of Nelson Mandela’s transition to heaven.
Shock, because he has played
a critical role in who I am today. Growing up in Nigeria,
witnessing the day he walked out of prison as a child, to the transformative
leader he was.
Joy, because we Africans
celebrate the passing of an elder who LIVED! He changed this world for so
many beyond the continent of Africa."
What can I say about Madiba's influence in my life? I wrote a list of 40 things (No, I am not sharing the entire list) and I can say that because he lived, I am (Ubuntu):
1. "I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death." — Nelson Mandela (Long Walk to Freedom: Autobiography of Nelson Mandela)
2. Forgiveness is a prerequisite for complete freedom. If you are not free emotionally or spiritually, you close the door to the best of what life has to offer you.
3. I was not created to live small. Small is for the birds, so live FULLY!
4. Certain challenges seem insurmountable, until you chisel (or sledgehammer) away bit by bit, to the other side.
5. We are all called to serve. Your form of service is tied to your passion. Serve your community, family, friends, etc. It is a key ingredient to a fulfilled life and legacy.
6. Fear and Courage go hand in hand. Everything worth doing comes with a healthy dose of fear. Victory, in part, comes with the knowledge that you conquered your fear. Be BRAVE!
7. You will fail at certain things. (trust me) You have a choice--give up and stay down, or dust yourself off and get back in the game. It's your decision and ... your life!
8. Living is not just about doing for yourself, but what you do for others as well.
9. Seek goodness daily! Start your day with gratitude and positivity. When was the last time you performed a random act of kindness? If you are stuck, Bat Boy is a good reminder.
10. Enduring love is a healthy relationship with the right partner, who loves you flaws and all and vice versa. It is a connection, partnership, friendship, and it is worth the wait.
It's the season of giving, sharing, loving, living. Actually, this season should be everyday.
I went to the U Street Music Hall with a friend of mine last night for Daley's first DC concert. It was AMAZING. The evening turned out to be a melody of spontaneous fun in many ways. First, if you've never heard of Daley, you should check him out. One of my favorite songs of his is "Those Who Wait". Check out the video below.
Here's an idea of how the evening went:
Yep, Daley and I after the concert
The concert wasn't the only highlight of the evening. In fact, the fun really got started while we waited to meet Daley outside the Lincoln Theatre. Enter José and Amber. We stood behind the best friends, but a conversation about Daley being from Manchester (Britain) sparked a new found friendship.
Our time together last night generated a great list of 10 Things That Can Happen In Line at a Daley Concert:
Random connection with strangers over traveling in Europe
Discovery that you and new acquaintances have similar taste in music, hobbies, and concert experiences
Nonstop laughter WHILE FREEZING!!!! (It was cold outside)
Networking opportunity and Instagram following
Random couple kisses on the street, followed by other Daley Fans cheering them on :-)
Finding out that new acquaintances live in the same section of Germantown as my friend
Complete loss of battery power on 3 smartphones just standing in line and 10 feet away from Daley (Curse you, iOS7! Thank you for the save Ozzy)
Finally meeting Daley, who was very sweet and smelled good too :-)
Spontaneous breaking bread with new friends to thaw out!
A GREAT evening to remember! #GRATITUDE love+live.life!
