Say Less.

Every day should be lived like there’s no tomorrow, because there isn’t. Yesterday is no more but it lasts forever.

Don’t immediately dismiss the opportunities that show themselves. Choose the path you’re willing to walk on. Life is long, but short in one breath; one blink of an eye.

Love. Love like it’s the first time every time. Don’t be afraid to sacrifice. Losing creates an opening for change. Cherish that limbo; be humble.

Starting over does not exist. Moving forward is essential.

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GOOD ViBES

I rarely post videos of myself or even pictures for that matter. But the one thing guaranteed to make me forget my insecurities/problems for a while is music. 

I watched August Rush recently [definitely a must watch] and I realized that I can hear the music everywhere, all the time. I just had to listen. 

So I figured I would share what I hear because you never know who’s listening…or reading.

#likeit #loveit #shareit #gottahaveit 

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“Simple Things” | Miguel
“Everything is coming up Waters.” – Augustus Waters 

20’s Blues.

First off, Happy New Years! With that being said..they say that the 20’s are supposed to be the best years of your life; living young, wild, and free. Well they LIED!

No one prepared me for the highs and lows of being 20 something. And to think that I thought teenagers were bad.

I close in on myself which makes it a bit more difficult when I get these blues. I just want to lock myself in a room for at least a week and not come out.

I’ve been trying to figure out who I am for 10 years now. I think that I have a general idea now. 22 years old and I’m still trying to get the hang of this thing we call life.

I’ve encountered some great people along the way. I’m thankful for my “followers” and I wish I possessed witty lines that would have you holding your stomach deep in tear jerking laughter.

I look around on the little social media that I do have and I see a lot of my high school classmates are doing really well. These 20’s blues causes me to throw a pity party.

Then I have to realize that it’s ok. I’m ok. I’m on a path to greatness and I don’t care how long it takes me to get there, as long as I get there.

I read a quote earlier today. It was in Spanish. It said “No podemos dirigir el viento, pero podemos ajustar las velas.” “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” This is exactly what I intend to.

Anyone else ever have a serious case of the 20’s blues? Share with your fellow introvert.

“Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.” – Hans Margolius

Fairy Tales.

I don’t necessarily believe I’m a cynic, but does true love even exist outside of fairy tales? Did it really exist in fairy tales?

They don’t ever show what happens after the official marriage. Are we honestly supposed to believe that Cinderella and Prince Charming didn’t argue?

This is why I’m thankful for movies like Shrek. Their relationship showed ups and downs as time progressed.

What about The Little (not so) Mermaid? She left her family behind and you expect us to believe that there wasn’t an argument or two about that? I’m sure she threw it in Prince Eric’s face at least twice!

They put these unrealistic depictions of love on the big screen for us and that’s what some women (and men) expect.

I don’t believe love is like a fairytale. I do believe that when you find the person you’re supposed to be with there will be an undeniable connection; sizzling chemistry or whatever.

Love isn’t the part that consist of a lot of work. Falling in love is easy. It’s the other things that make up the relationship that take work.

When I fall in love, I want that chemistry that I only feel with him. We’ll work on our relationship but our love will be strong and real.

Is anyone else looking for that kind of love? Tired of the fake fairy tales? Tell me about it.

“The highest form of love is to be the protector of another person’s solitude.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

“People let me tell you ’bout my best friend…”

This is NOT a rom. com. so please do not anticipate a cliche ending where the best friends discover that they’ve been in love with each other for years; way too sappy for my taste. But I do want to clue you in on who my closest friend is. Blood couldn’t making us any closer. <– Totes cliche! lol

I met Darion Vaughn Quick my freshman year in college when I joined the Gospel choir. He was introverted and sarcastic and I immediately knew we’d get along. We didn’t care too much for people, we spoke the truth, and silence was golden! We have been inseparable ever since.

We usually tend to avoid the heavy emotion unless it’s necessary but I’m calling shenanigans on this one. If he reads this he will totally say (excuse the phrase), “This is really gay.” Don’t get me wrong, I love gay people, but they do tend to be pretty emotional, which is the point of this phrase.

We live an hour and a half away from each other now so we don’t see each other as much as we’d like. He came to visit this weekend and I really needed this best friend time. I’m just naturally more happier when he’s around. We make fun of each other (and sometimes other people), we laugh hysterically, we may or may not do illegal activities, and we have more fun than any other pair of best friends.

We create our own orbit of fun by just being with each other and we don’t really need to be doing anything. I know that doesn’t make too much sense but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. We, as introverts, can be having the time of our lives by just existing in the same space together. He may be a total donkey (we all know what goes there), but what more can I say? I love the guy! What about you guys? Any awesome best friend-ness happening out there? Share them with me!

“I want to be alone… with someone else who wants to be alone.” – Dimitri Zaik.

Hope for Tomorrow.

I met a woman today. Her name was Ava and I’m not sure if she realized how much her inspirational talk touched me today.

I was at work and she walked over to my stand (kiosk). After striking up a conversation, she began to ask me about my education and career pursuit. Now I don’t usually go out of my way to speak to people, me being introverted and all, but I couldn’t turn away from this sweet older lady.

When I mentioned that I was delayed a year in studies because I switched my major and that I was going to be an editor at my school newspaper, she said something that I’ll never forget.
“If you’re walking on a road with no diversity and no obstacles then you’re probably not going anywhere.” – Ava

It was at that moment that I knew there was a reason I met her today. She reminded me that my struggles aren’t for nothing. I saw so much faith in her eyes that I would succeed that there was no way I couldn’t believe her. And she was a total stranger! I guess they aren’t so bad after all. It brought a tear to my eye.

A little of my faith was restored in humanity because of Ava. I realized that being introverted doesn’t mean that I hate people (I just generally feel better when they aren’t around). If you’re reading this Ava, I just want to tell you that our talk meant a lot to me and I will always remember it. You and my family made my birthday so much more than just a regular day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy birthday to me!

“Everyone shines, given the right lighting.” ~Susan Cain

It’s a Family Affair.

Friends come and go but family…ok, we all knew that was going to be cliché. Not my style. This post is clearly going to be about my loving family. Let’s do a quick family tree first since this is a peek into my life.

Grandpa (pops)

Rochelle (Great Aunt) one child: Amira

Derk (Uncle 1) married to Karen with three children: James, Sydney, & Christina.

Yvette (Aunt 1) one child: Olden

Yvonne (Mom) Four children: Olando (O.J.), Del, Marquis, & Me

Anita (Aunt 2)  Three children: Malik, Destiny, & Aniyah

Adriane (Aunt 3) Two children: Avery & Ava-Marie

Daryl (Uncle 2) married to Keta with two children: Domini & Dorian

Now that the technicalities are out of the way, let’s talk about the never ending fun fest that is my family. Last weekend Sydney graduated from high school from Potomac High School in VA. We screamed the loudest. Of course the weekend turned into almost a week and family time quickly got overwhelming. I love my family to the ends of the Earth, but sometimes they’re a bit much.

Anyway, we did this all over again when Malik graduated from Eastern High School in Greensboro, NC and it was a blast. We probably screamed the loudest at both graduations considering this happens at all of the graduations we attend. When I was graduating from high school, my family screamed so loud that the people on stage asked me if I brought my fan club.

It seems like every time we come together we eat ALL DAY! But, what college kid doesn’t want to eat as much as possible. It was two very exciting weekends but now I need to recuperate. I have to store up my energies so that I’ll be prepared for the Fourth of July extravaganza. Anyone else have crazy but loving families that drain all your energy in the best way?

“I’m very picky with whom I give my energy to. I prefer to reserve my time, intensity and spirit exclusively to those who reflect sincerity.” ~ Dau Voire

Good Morning? Yeah, right.

Would you wake up a bear during hibernation? I highly doubt it because it would probably rip you to shreds. This is the equivalent to waking up most “innies.” We most definitely tend not to be morning people. If we have to get up in the morning, it’s usually out of obligation. “I have class, I should get up” or “I have to work so it’s time to get up!” Now that I’ve shared this with you, I’m going to rant about the woman who totally disregards my love of sleep…my mother.

It’s 9:15 AM and I’m awake to write this. NOT OK! I love that woman but at times like this I can truly say that she’s evil. She tries my patience and pushes all those buttons that clearly say “Do Not Push” above them. She called me this morning to talk about movie times. MOVIE TIMES! This couldn’t wait until after 12PM!? Now, I know there are a few “outies” who love their sleep too, but this show isn’t about you.

I am content to lay in my bed until after 12 PM. Even then, I will need a definite pick me up i.e. coffee or food. I can definitely relate us “innies” to Sandy Cheeks on the episode of Spongebob where she’s hibernating (if you have not seen this then you have no childhood). You really have to hate someone to wake them out of their sleep. What have they done to you to make you be so cruel!? If you wake me then someone better be on their deathbed requesting my presence! Now that I’ve said my peace I’m going back to sleep. How do you guys feel about this? Share your story.

A MUST WATCH!

“I really like to stay in my nest and not move. I travel in my mind, and that’s a rigorous state of journeying for me. My body isn’t that interested in moving from place to place.” ~ Bell Hooks

Life, Introverted.

If you are reading this and expecting a bubbly, happy go lucky, type of person then you are on the wrong site. This blog will pertain to the life of an introvert. If you do not know what that means then I suggest you look it up. Now, before you get all judge-y on me, being introverted is NOT a negative thing. Society tends to frown upon those who are “innies” because we do not follow what is deemed as normal (if there is such a thing). This blog is to exclusively let you in on the life of an introvert. For starters, I’ll clue you in on some of the most common characteristics of an introvert.

1. We don’t like overstimulating environments.

2. We tend to be very creative and/or imaginative (not saying that extroverts, “outies,” aren’t).

3. We like to be ALONE!

4. We are quiet and tend to think a lot; most people see this as mysterious, aloof, or calm.

5. We speak to be heard, not to be seen; we listen more than we talk.

6. Casual acquaintances are not friends.

7. We become grouchy if we are around people or activities for too long.

8. We feel drained after social situations, even if we are enjoying ourselves.

9. We don’t like feeling rushed.

10. We rebuild our energy by doing things that we deeply enjoy i.e. reading, listening to music, going for a walk, or just being alone.

If you read these characteristics and had several Aha! moments then you are most likely an “innie” or you know someone who is. Those were just a few traits to ponder on and as this blog progresses you will began to see what life is really like for an introvert vs. an extrovert. I’m not downing any “outies” but maybe this will help you better to understand some of your friends or a significant other who is a fellow introvert. Obviously, I’m an “innie” and I hope you enjoy my uncharacteristic and unorthodox method of letting you all in.

“Introverts are word economists in a society suffering from verbal diarrhea.” ~ Michaela Chung