Leaning In.

Writing is definitely something I’ve had a heart’s desire to do more of. I don’t fancy myself a bestselling author or to have a blog garnering millions of views. Heck, I’m not all that great at writing. However, I appreciate the opportunity to express and share in different ways and really wanted to do more blogs in 2024. I wanted to engage with readers and extend the conversations to my podcast. Welp…we can see how that has turned out. But yet here I am. And I thank my friend Dr. Christi Culpepper-Walker for the inspiration to LEAN INTO MY MAGIC. At the end, I’ll tell you how you can learn more about this, too.

I stopped promising myself that I would lose weight in the new year.
Traveling is always a desire, but life be life’n.
Since I use paper towels like I move bricks (sell drugs), saving money is always on the list.

If you are like me, you probably have goals or intentions you want to achieve in 2024. If you are also like me, things happen and you may have lost focus of your goals. What this year has taught me so far is that it is okay to fail. Now I don’t want the overachievers to attack so let me share my thought process.
My faith tells me Jesus was the only perfect being ever to walk the face of the earth. As such, that lets me know that I am destined to have imperfections and, thus, failures. That may not mean much to you, but this thought set me all the way free! Friend, I want you to be free, also. Whatever you set out to do in 2024 is not totally off the table. There are 4 good months to take a step forward towards completion. 
I think sometimes we (myself included) get too caught up in the desire to reach a goal within a specific timeframe or not wanting other people to think ill of us for not getting it done by a certain time or age. I recall very vividly a former acquaintance scoffing because I had not completed my bachelors degree in the time they felt was needed. I mean like rolled her eyes and all! In the moment, I felt small and behind schedule. When I think back on the matter today my thought is more like: ma’am… are YOU paying for these classes and studying for these exams?? I digress. Whatever you set out to do, will be done whenever you finish it. Because at the end of the day, the day’s gotta end. All I’m saying here is to not give up on achieving your goal even if it does not come to completion until 2026. 
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Something else I have leaned into more in 2024 - and am continuing to learn and practice - is freedom in authenticity. I’d be a bold-faced liar if I had you to believe I have lived my whole adult life in authenticity. If you’ve ever code-switched, you, too, would be a bold-faced liar. Working in corporate business, it’s not always inviting for Black-American women to show up as our authentic selves. From our hair to our facial expressions, EVERYTHING gets analyzed and criticized. This reality is not limited to the work environment and extends to relationships, online personas, and so much more. What I want to focus on here is the freedom to be authentically wrong. You’re probably wondering what the heck I mean. Don’t overthink this (as I typically would do).  In my world, lots of people come to me for answers, resources, and guidance. Most of the time I have a solution. But I had to allow myself permission and space to be wrong or not have an answer. There was a time I was ashamed for not knowing or for even being incorrect. Baby, again, I am not Jesus THE Christ! So why would I put so much pressure on myself? Childhood trauma? Possibly. But now that I know better, I strive to do better in that area of my life. 
If this feels like a random rant, I can’t say you’re wrong. How-be-thee-ever, ever-thee-be how… what can you lean into for the rest of the year? What can you give yourself permission to be free from eternally? As for me, I’m going to eat my snacks, swing my locs, and be authentic.  
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If you want to know more about the MAGIC I’m learning from Dr. CC, visit her website HERE and consider joining us in Baltimore for the 2025 Free Before 40 Conference. This conference is open to ALL women of ALL ages. Virtual options are available and I do not think you’ll regret it! Check out my IG page for the 2024 recap video HERE.

Photo cred: Hunter Scott Images