We’re taught to dream and imagine a life of abundance, told we’re capable of being whomever we choose and in most cases invested in through time and attention to ensure the reality is in close reach. Some are not so lucky and may have parents, family or educators who aren’t as convinced the value or possibilities will be in favor. I’ve experienced both ends like I’m sure many have. Fortunately, spending most of my life being told” I CAN: and believing I could has outweighed and overpowered a lot of those disbeliefs that were in truth a depiction of someone else’s reality only to be transferred out of envy and fear on to me.
Sadly, a lot of those transferred beliefs of incapability didn’t come from my own blood line, instead they were from people I’d dated or oddly and unwelcome, the opinions of others. I was told my illuminating independence and veil of strength would either lead me into situations I’d never measure up to be successful in, alone because I was too determined or ambitious or that my success would only attract a less ambitious version of myself rather than a equal. Thankfully, I found the strength to not allow these opinions to influence my plans of achieving the life I knew not only was available to me but that I was capable of having.
Going through this time was a true test of my faith and personal strength, and beyond that I learned so much. It was a true awakening that although people may in fact believe their advice comes from a place of good intent, their influence and opinions most often reflect their own personal self doubt and lack of support they may have experienced. It exposes the regrets they may be harboring for their missed attempts at fulfilling some of the dreams they had for themselves. They don’t realize how transparent they become when offering advice on what they themselves were too fearful or discouraged to find out for themselves.
Just because they have become content and accepting of the way they’ve chosen to live their life, does not mean your dreams of wanting more than what you have or taking a chance at what may seem like the inevitable are any less possible. So often, people are trapped in disbelief that they’ve convinced themselves with so many reasons why a situation won’t work out.
Personally, the way I see things is that I only have one life to live and a short time to live it out so I’m gonna do it to the standard I know is available to me. I’ve always taken the approach and had a mindset that I could either accept the standards given to me or create my own. I understood that while having a dream and a plan was a start, execution would take much more than just action alone. However, I have always been willing to take the risk, put in the work and experience whatever the results good or bad that come along.
I’ve watched many people both young and old, seek work, establish a routine and become content with consistency too afraid to compromise their sense of security to fulfill their dreams and chances at more just because someone else said they could’t or they’d watched another person fail. This is exactly what sets the successful apart from the not so successful. What I value the most is the journey; experiencing the ebbs and flows of each milestone as well as discovering and testing my truest potential instead of being trapped by thoughts of “What Ifs” and Regrets, wondering what could have been if I’d taken a risk and tried because I knew I deserved much more. Knowing what I deserve and settling for nothing less isn’t being stuck up, conceited, greedy, ungrateful or my favorite, bougie. I list these because they are the exact words spoken to me by people who envied my confidence and tenacity and who were threatened by my desires. Knowing what I deserve and settling for nothing less means that I have standards.
Never apologize or feel self conscious for having standards no matter how extreme they may seem or come across to other people. Those who want to be in your presence will either reciprocate or respect them as they’ve been presented.
Shop The Look
I am so in love with the fit of these Lucky Brand raw hem jeans. I cannot get over it. For a petite figure, they fit in all the right places. Theres no gapping in my my waist and they hit my ankle in the perfect place. I don’t at all feel insecure about having pulling them up all day. I am so amazed that I don’t have to wear a belt. Something I normally do find a necessity with some of the other brands I own. If they fit in the hip area, they lack the snug in my waist, or are too long. I will be wearing these Lucky Brand Jeans in AVA Mid Rise Fit all summer long.