Tuesday, December 15, 2009

A "Precious" Attitude

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace from that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing that we can do is play on the one string that we have and this string is, Attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. And so it is with you....We are in charge of our Attitudes.

-- Charles Swindoll

Have you ever had one of those days where it seems like everything is falling into place and all the signs that you've prayed for seem to be flashing so bright, that you would have to be blind not to notice them? It seems like I have been having those a lot lately.

Not too long ago, I purchased an audio book (I have a long commute, so I figured this would help the drive as well as help me gain some insight) called Steering by Starlight by Martha Beck. When I first listened to the Cd's, it was more of a slight shake in terms of wanting to find my true destiny. The second time I listened to them, it was like an elephant standing in the room who kept staring at me wondering when I was going to make a move. I am currently listening to them now and it has now become the slap in the face when you realize that something that you've been looking for has been right there in front of you all along.

While the Cd's have been helpful in terms of slapping me around a bit, it's been other things along the way that have also helped me to find that inner voice that I seem to have gotten so good at ignoring. After seeing the movie "Precious" a couple of weeks ago, I started to feel guilty for every moment of self-pity I have ever had. While I know we're all entitled to our moments of "woe is me", seeing that movie made me realize that it's up to me whether or not I want to be a victim or a victor.

It's easy to let your thoughts get the best of you and let fear take center stage. It's funny to me when I realize how many things I've missed out on because I was too scared to take a chance or worried about failing. The sad thing is that I've failed simply by not doing them. I'm not saying I'm about to jump out of airplanes or buying a snake as a pet to prove I'm strong, just that I'm learning to let go of fearing the unknown.

I recently attended an event and usually I'm always looking for someone to go and for the first time, I just purchased the tickets and went by myself. Now, I wasn't completely fearless since a friend of mine ended up attending the second portion of the event, but it was still different for me to just drive, park and show up by myself. I even got up the nerve to talk to people I didn't know :-) All joking aside, it's little things like this that add up to me shaking things up and not letting fear take control.

Now my next task is to release the fear of putting myself out there and starting my clothing line. With the help of a friend, I came up with a great name for the first collection which goes along perfectly with where I am right now. I just need to take the time to let the ideas out of my head and put them on paper so I can start having them made.

I know once I change my attitude about myself and my abilities, that the possibilities are endless. Maybe I need to get an attitude with myself for not having a fearless attitude...or maybe I'll just remember the movie "Precious" and how my attitude was before I saw the movie and how it was after. Having a "Precious" Attitude towards life will definitely keep me focused on what's important and learning to let the other stuff fall to the side instead of blocking my path.

Sincerely,

Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time...and with a new attitude to boot)