A New Chapter

Today I started a new chapter in my life. After 5 years with my previous employer it was time to move on and pursue my interests in the non-profit world. There were times when I felt lost, stuck, and unsure of my next steps, but I just kept going. I remained patient and faithful that God would lead me where He wanted me to go. I'm very grateful for the challenges, growth, and favor I've experienced so far. I believe that things happen right when they are supposed to, and everything comes full circle eventually. The moment you feel like everything is falling apart, something great will happen. So whatever you've been patiently waiting on, pray on it, work hard, and watch what happens.  I've had so many crazy things happen recently, and all I can say is that I'm truly blessed.  Before I left, one of my former colleagues brought me a beautiful silk scarf from her trip home to India. I was so elated that she even thought enough of me to bring me something back.  Her gift was a reminder that you will never know the effect you will have on another person, and I'll always cherish the friends and colleagues I've made along the way. I'm excited about this new chapter and what the rest of 2016 has in store!

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strangers on a plane

She kept laughing out loud as she was reading her book and I just looked at her and she paid me no mind. I went back to reading and she laughs again. And I kept thinking what is she reading that's SO funny? I wanna laugh too. The flight attendant walks by and she asks for a ginger ale and she lifts her hands in the air and prays over her beverage. Then she pulls out her lunchbox! Who is this chick packing lunch for a flight? She prays over her snacks too, then goes back to reading with more sporadic bursts of laughter. I tried to keep reading, a little irritated by her high pitched laugh, but before I dozed off, I turned to her and asked, "can you say a prayer for me too?" 

Clarity

I woke up extra early today to take a friend to the airport and surprisingly I wasn't moody or groggy. I hate early mornings, but I'm actually a lot more productive in the morning. I took a few moments to enjoy the quiet and the stillness of a new morning. A lot of times I'm distracted by the TV or I scroll through my phone when I first wake up. But today I started off a little differently. I opened some mail I had laying around, and found a couple of Thank You cards. I love receiving little notes of gratitude from friends so it was the perfect reminder that I needed to be grateful for all of God's blessings. Even when things don't go as I planned I still have a reason to be grateful. No matter how small or big, God continues to bless me in spite of my flaws and shortcomings. I read my devotional and prayed. I continued to meditate to help clear my mind, and I felt refreshed. After a stressful week of migraines this change in routine was definitely needed. I wrote down a few personal goals and I was equipped to take on the day. I know that some of us hate getting up early or we're in such a rush that we forget to just stop and take a moment for clarity,  but making a few changes in your daily routine can do a lot more for you than you think. How do you start off your day? I hope each day brings you peace.

xoxo,

Victoria 

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Courage

The lies you tell yourself hurt the most so do not sacrifice your destiny to make someone else emotionally happy. Accept that they are who they are and you are who you are. Be completely honest with yourself, and never allow desperation for a dream make you settle on a path that God has not destined for you. We easily become comfortable living in medicority because it takes courage to live a phenomenal life. You are the determining factor of your own happiness. Be strong and courageous.

Birthday Highlights

Last weekend I celebrated my 26th birthday with close friends. I truly enjoyed spending time with my AMAZING friends. We ate, we drank, and we even had a tea party. Our fascinator hats received lots of attention. So now that I've gone to tea a couple of times, I now have to go more often. (And I need a reason to wear my new fascinator.) Whether it's just to catch up with girlfriends or to just enjoy a hot cup of tea alone with my thoughts and books. I think i'll begin a new ritual. :)

"When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment?" Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog 











26

Today I am 26! I am very blessed to have made it this far and I am happy to share with you a few things that I have learned along the way as I reflect on my path to 26.


  1. Don’t be afraid to let go. Be confident that God is leading you and giving you favor.
  2. Pray and/or mediate. Often. You will need it for daily living. It will bring you peace.
  3. Keep genuine honest friends by your side. Life brings more relationships than we can nurture. Very few people are ordained to be permanent fixtures in your life, but those that are meant to stick around will always be there.
  4. Do whatever YOU want. Just do it.  People will talk about you no matter what you do so just do what you want. You will be much happier.
  5. Love hard and keep an open mind.
  6. Tell your mom and dad that you love them every chance you get. They are getting older and won't live forever. 
  7. You will most likely hate your current job and/or not even know what type of job you want and that’s normal.  It’s just a stepping-stone, and you will figure out your next step in due time. Just continue to actively work towards the job that you really want.
  8. Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. It's exhausting.
  9. Travel A LOT. Get out of your comfort zone and enjoy everything this world has to offer. It’s really quite beautiful. I can now say that I’ve visited four other countries. (Canada, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, and Mexico) Next stop: Europe.
  10. Make time for the things you love to do.
  11. Expand your palate and try/cook different foods.  Chinese food doesn’t count. 
  12. You deserve someone that believes the sun shines out of your mouth. Nothing less. Repeat this to yourself.
  13. Boston has the best lobster rolls and clam chowder.
  14. Be friendly to everyone. You never know if the person sitting next to you will change your life.
  15. Go to a therapist. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. 
  16. Buy yourself some fresh flowers every now and then.
  17. Don’t take it personal.
  18. Be vulnerable. The world wants to see the real you. Some will love you and some may hate you but you will finally be able to live freely.
  19. Wear lipstick to the grocery store.
  20. Don't let your desire to be with someone cloud the reality of incompatibility.
  21. Don’t assume. Clarify.
  22. Embrace your natural beauty. I've learned to wake up in the morning, pick out my fro and go, and I still feel fabulous. You do not need straight hair to feel beautiful. No matter what your hair looks like if you feel confident everyone around you will feel that energy too.
  23. Drink more tea. Add honey instead of sugar.
  24. The ones that hurt you can't always heal you, and they most likely can't recognize or reciprocate what's valuable to you.
  25. Ladies let's Lean In. Don't let fear stop us from reaching higher goals and embracing leadership. Let's support each other. Climb that ladder.
  26. Let it be.


Indulge

"You binge on everything." A friend of mine said. I never thought about it before, but now I realize maybe I do "binge" on a lot of things. But in a good way. I do not have an eating disorder or a drinking problem LOL. I have a joy of eating guacamole every night for a week (Avocado fiend), shopping outside of my budget, or watching a season of one of my favorite shows in two days (Downton Abbey, Luther, Orange is the New Black...and now House of Cards). And then there's those days when I work late everyday because I can't leave a project unfinished, or having so much to say or write for a few days and then I go weeks without writing anything at all. Or how about those days when I just want to be around someone special all the time even if it's doing nothing? Saying goodbye is always the hardest. When I love something I just can't get enough and I want it all the time. I'm obsessed. Is that so bad? I can be a bit of a glutton when it comes to certain foods so thank God for high metabolism. But I'm not ashamed to love hard and enjoy the goodness that life has to offer while I can. So I didn't take offense to my friend's observation. Indulge on life. Enjoy. :)

Weekend Highlights

Last week at work was a bit stressful. I don't like to talk much about my job because it's you know...work. Not very exciting, but it pays the bills for now. The recent acquisition has everyone in a frenzy. The most difficult part of the week was losing a colleague in the midst of the madness. Tragic events like this always send a reminder that those little things that stress you out really aren't as bad as they seem because you are still here to live another day, and you have another chance to enjoy life to the fullest.

On a brighter note, the weekend was a great opportunity to get away to get my mind off things. I attended a wedding and it was so great seeing my big sisters. The wedding ceremony was simply beautiful.....annnnd I attended a bacon festival! Those of you that know me know that I LOVE BACON! I was in bacon heaven.

Me with the Bride and Groom, Rasheda & Randy


Stuffing my face at the Richmond Bacon Festival
Pork belly stuffed avocado


one foot

I'll put one foot in front of the other one
I don't need a new love, a new life
Just a better place to die. -Fun

I don't know where I'll be when I'm dead, but it has to be better than my current location. I have a lot more living and loving to do, Lord willing!

But I hope my last destination on this planet is somewhere warm and near the ocean which is somewhat of an oxymoron since I have a fear of drowning. However, the beach is still my favorite place. I hope those special people will all be in the same place with me sharing my last laughs and eating good food. Can't leave on an empty stomach :)