ELEVATE...

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..."

 - from Bruce Mau's Incomplete Manifesto For Growth

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!

Thank You, Madiba!

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. 

 Nelson Mandela once said his wife, Graca Machel, made him "bloom like a flower." 

:-)

Thank you, Madiba! love+live.life

Giving Thanks in 2013: Things that can happen in line at a Daley Concert

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!
  

50th Anniversary of March on Washington

On the eve of my birthday,  I have spent quite some time reflecting on where I have come from and where I am headed.  Flipping through pictures on my Nikon D5200,  I realized how great an honor it was to be the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington.  Talk about a powerful event!  I even got to meet Kid President!!!!

Thank you to all the nameless activists and other individuals, who fought for Civil and Equal Rights.  They dedicated (sometimes, gave) their lives to a cause, so that millions of people who look like me can be free today in the USA.  We have opportunities to doors that would have remained closed.  That being said, the work is not done!  

 

 

The King Family

What's worth doing even if you fail?

Courtesy of Brene Brown's website

I saw this image on the blog of one of my favorite authors, Brene Brown.  If you have not read "The Gifts of Imperfection" or any of her other books, Amazon Prime them STAT!

At first glance, I cringed at the word 'fail'.  The thought of failing challenged my inner pseudo-perfectionist, who was quick to say, "I don't understand what that word means".  My initial reaction subsided, then I pondered the question.  It is September and 2013 has been a year of considerable highs and unsuspecting lows, and I have ABSOLUTELY no regrets.  Hindsight, there's always something to learn when I fall short.  For this reason, my response is YES.  Everything is worth doing!  To set limits in my life based on fear is a great disservice to what life has to offer. Besides, failing or falling short encourages me to slow down, pause, and pay attention to what is going on inside.  In these moments, self-care, self-awareness,  and self-compassion become my priority.

Caution: Moments of falling short may open the door to shame, but there is good news.  You are normal!  The important thing is to keep those feelings of shame from sending you into a trance of unworthiness.  Shame thrives when three things in our lives get out of control: secrecy, silence, and judgement.  When something shaming, like failure occurs and we keep it locked up, it festers and grows.  Talk to someone about how you feel.  Someone who will listen, withhold judgement, and you trust.   If you do not have anyone or do not feel comfortable opening up to those closest, please see a counselor, psychologist, or someone at your place of worship (if you practice).  DON'T LET THE FEELINGS OF SHAME FESTER!

(PS: I have no degree in psychology, so I offer my thoughts based on my personal experience and knowledge of behavioral sciences)

Ultimately, the key is perspective.  You could look at those moments of falling short as failure, or you could think of them as part of the journey to a deeper understanding of how courageous you are.  Knowing that nothing in life is guaranteed or certain, it takes courage, not fear, to show up and take part.  Isn't that how we get to really know our authentic self?

I have amended the question and I encourage you to consider, "What do you consider worth doing, but are afraid to fail?" Love+Live.Life

happiness vs. Happiness

Found this on Positively Positive and had to share.

happiness vs. Happiness

happiness is the big smiles

Happiness is the little things

happiness is your outward mood

Happiness is your silent disposition

happiness is the raise you get

Happiness is the impact you have

happiness is an on/off switch

Happiness is on a dimmer switch

happiness is the found acorn the squirrel eats in the fall

Happiness is the stored acorn the squirrel eats in the winter

happiness is the nice things people say about you to your face

Happiness is the nice things people say about you when you’re not there

happiness is when you get what you expect

Happiness is when you get respect

happiness is what takes your breath away

Happiness is what no one can ever take away from you

happiness is the moment

Happiness is the story

You don’t need to feel happy to be Happy.

You don’t need to be Happy to feel happy.

It's a New Day

I'm baaaaaack!!!!

Sorry that I have been gone for a while.  Life has brought an abundance of wonderful my way in the last few months.  Even though it has been great, one requires a period of adjustment when in transition.
So, where do I start?  The biggest change, I AM DONE WITH GRAD SCHOOL!!  Woo Hoo!  Yes, after 25 months, I graduate this Saturday with my Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) Degree.

Next, I HAVE A JOB!! After 19 months of being unemployed, I work at a great organization that offers skills-based pro bono consulting services to nonprofit organizations.  Check it out: Taproot Foundation.  (Shameless plug: If you have skills in the areas of IT, Design, Strategy Management, Leadership Development, HR, or Marketing, consider becoming one of our pro bono consultants)

Celebrate Good Times!

Did I say school was the biggest change?  My mistake.  After 7 years of living in limbo, my permanent residency in the US finally came through!  Phew!  Still processing this one, and don't get me started on the often inefficient and very slow immigration process here (woosah!)

A lot has gone on in the world and my thoughts and prayers are with families, who have lost loved ones.  I am filled with joy to know that faith in humanity is not lost.  Somewhere or the other, we have Samaritans like Charles Ramsey  among us.  Heroes that would risk their lives to save strangers.  Thank you, Mr. Ramsey!

Stay tuned for more.  In the meantime, no matter what you do, make it matter!  love+live.life!