"Do not wait; the time will never be "just right". Start where you are and work with whatever tools you may have in your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."
~Napoleon Hill
So once again, it has been awhile since I have posted to my blog and rather than give my usual apologies and fall into the trap of possibly not posting again for awhile, I will instead say that I have seen the errors of my ways and will work to be more diligent about posting.
It's amazing how powerful words can be in helping you to overcome obstacles, refocus on what's important, or see something that you weren't able to see while you were living your life. I have always been a fond believer of writing down how you feel which is why I started this blog in the first place. I wanted this to be my place of refuge where I could write down the fears that I have when it comes to pursuing my dreams, the accomplishments I make when I let go of that fear and take a chance, and the setbacks that I might experience along the way.
That being said, I always felt that whatever I wrote had to be perfect. It had to have this profound feeling to it in order for me to feel that the message had been conveyed the way I thought it should be. Having the mentality that it had to be "perfect" has prevented me from posting some stuff that I now realize is amazing just because it came from my thoughts and how I feel about certain things. Waiting around for things to be perfect and for me to have accomplished a certain thing only leads to these long gaps between my posts. I can't expect people to support and encourage me when I'm not giving them insight as to where I'm at in the process.
While looking to purchase my home, one of my main requests was to have a space that I could solely dedicate as an office/sewing space. While I would have loved a large space, the space in the house I ended up purchasing wasn't big, but I knew that it had potential. Unfortunately, it became the catch all room for when other rooms were being utilized or when company was coming over and I could just close the door and pretend it didn't exist.
Yesterday I sat in that room and saw that not only was I cluttering up a room with unnecessary items, I was also blocking the one place where my creativity was supposed to be allowed to explore and not be held back. I've been debating on what paint color to choose to the point that there is no paint on the wall. I've been deciding on the perfect desk to get to the point that my sewing machine is still in it's carrying case and the folding table has become a second make shift catch all space. I went to Ikea yesterday in an attempt to purchase a desk and while I saw a couple of nice ones, my mind kept going back to the clutter that was already in the office, which made it harder to imagine anything in there.
So the plan for this week is to tackle the office head on. A place for everything and everything in it's place. Once that is done, I will decide on a paint color, purchase the paint and put it on the walls rather than having it sit in the can staring back at me whenever I walk by. After that, I'll be able to see how much space I have to work with so I can take measurements and decide what I need to purchase in order to make the space more efficient. Instead of waiting around for me to have the perfect office, I will create a space that works perfect for what I need it to do now to get me started back at designing, sewing and writing.
I'm also going to revamp my vision board to reflect more of who I am and where I want to be. The first one was great in helping me get started in thinking about how I wanted my life to be, but the new one will be more focused on enjoying what I currently have while building up to the other things I want. I also need to make sure it is put in a proper place on the wall so I can see it everyday and internalize what it represents.
The power of your words helps you remember the power that you possess within as well. They remind you that while you may lose focus sometimes, you can always find your way back and be stronger and more determined than you were before. The power of my words along with the strength of my actions will help me get to where I am meant to be.
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Perception of Passion
"Passion - There are qualities which one must possess to
win...definiteness of purpose, knowledge of what one wants, and a
burning desire to posses it.
I recently received a housewarming gift that had these words at the bottom. Without knowing it, the person who gave it to me struck a chord. The picture combined with the words proved to be quite overwhelming to me. It affirmed that the passion I have both spoken and unspoken is exuding out of me to the point that others are able to see it and believe in it. It's one thing to find your passion and pursue it, but to have those around you feel the passion and encourage it is saying something.
To me it says that you not only have to have passion, but you must believe in it to the point that when others see you, they see the aura of your passion as well. The sheer mention of your passion delights you to the point that people you encounter begin searching for what their passion is in order to reach that same feeling.
To have passion is to view the world as an adventure rather than a chore. You wake up with a renewed spirit ready to seize the day, not just the moment. Passion helps you recover quicker when you're sick in fear that you're missing out on doing something that you love. Passion makes sure that you're never alone. It is the invisible partner that will stand beside you to coach you, take your hand to help you move forward, and stand behind you to help you when you feel like standing
still.
Once you let your passion have a voice, it will not let you stifle it without putting up a fight. Ignoring your passion is equivalent to losing a piece of what makes up who you are. Little by little, not having passion begins to eat away at your core and you find yourself at battle trying to figure out why you're not happy.
Passion may not at first pay you financially, but the emotional rewards you reap far exceed any monetary value you place on it. Passion in its truest form will not expect anything more than what it knows you need, want and are capable of doing. While doubt and fear may try to overcome your thoughts, staying true to your passion will help you see the fear and doubt, acknowledge it for what it is and move on.
Find your passion, change your thoughts and your perception of life will amaze you. The perception of passion, what a great and wonderful thing to view in all it's glory.
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
win...definiteness of purpose, knowledge of what one wants, and a
burning desire to posses it.
I recently received a housewarming gift that had these words at the bottom. Without knowing it, the person who gave it to me struck a chord. The picture combined with the words proved to be quite overwhelming to me. It affirmed that the passion I have both spoken and unspoken is exuding out of me to the point that others are able to see it and believe in it. It's one thing to find your passion and pursue it, but to have those around you feel the passion and encourage it is saying something.
To me it says that you not only have to have passion, but you must believe in it to the point that when others see you, they see the aura of your passion as well. The sheer mention of your passion delights you to the point that people you encounter begin searching for what their passion is in order to reach that same feeling.
To have passion is to view the world as an adventure rather than a chore. You wake up with a renewed spirit ready to seize the day, not just the moment. Passion helps you recover quicker when you're sick in fear that you're missing out on doing something that you love. Passion makes sure that you're never alone. It is the invisible partner that will stand beside you to coach you, take your hand to help you move forward, and stand behind you to help you when you feel like standing
still.
Once you let your passion have a voice, it will not let you stifle it without putting up a fight. Ignoring your passion is equivalent to losing a piece of what makes up who you are. Little by little, not having passion begins to eat away at your core and you find yourself at battle trying to figure out why you're not happy.
Passion may not at first pay you financially, but the emotional rewards you reap far exceed any monetary value you place on it. Passion in its truest form will not expect anything more than what it knows you need, want and are capable of doing. While doubt and fear may try to overcome your thoughts, staying true to your passion will help you see the fear and doubt, acknowledge it for what it is and move on.
Find your passion, change your thoughts and your perception of life will amaze you. The perception of passion, what a great and wonderful thing to view in all it's glory.
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Imagine That
"We always attract into our lives whatever we think about most, believe most strongly, expect on the deepest level, and imagine most vividly"
-Shakti Gawain
As far back as I can remember, one of the things that I use to think about most was growing up to become a fashion designer. I believed it to be true with every fiber of my being and expected to be successful. What I didn't imagine, was that life would somehow find a way to intervene and put obstacles in my way. What I believed to be obstacles at the time, I now view as things that happened to prepare me for the skills it would take to not only dream, but to be able to take action.
Not too long ago, I put together a vision board. I had been hearing the term for quite some time and thought it would be fun to try. It's amazing what you go through trying to figure out what truly matters to you most and what makes you happy. My vision board included both pictures and words to describe what makes me move, have passion and take pause. Completing the vision board allowed me to say out loud who I am now and where I want to be in the future. I have left some open space on the board since I know that I am always finding new things that excite me and would like to add them to the board.
One of the first things that came to fruition after completing the board, was the purchase of my first home. The home I have on the board was of my dream home, which while it may not look like the house I'm in now, it is the beginning of what is to come. I can look at the board every day and know that if I continue to work hard and stay focused, that someday, the house on the board, will be the house that I build. The board also gave me the freedom to say that no matter how hard people say it's going to be or how scared I get, that I have to follow my dream of becoming a fashion designer and to someday own my own boutique. I know that life will find a way to intervene, but I will find a way to overcome.
I've started attending fashion events and making connections that help to invigorate me and find my way back to the creativity I pushed aside. I now eagerly await the arrival of every fashion magazine that I've subscribed to so that I can flip through the pages and marvel at what fashion is truly all about. To me, fashion is about expressing yourself through the use of fabric formed together to create pieces that are a reflection of what art is to you. It's a way of letting your creative ideas wander around like like walking pieces of art.
My passion lies in designing dresses. While I can draw other things, my hand naturally wants to create a stunning masterpiece that wows the crowd. I've tried to fight it telling myself that dresses are too hard of a market, but I can't deny that it's where my natural talent lies. So intead of working against it, I will find a way to work with it. If there are no events that warrant someone to wear my dresses, then I will create an event. No longer will I tell myself no when I haven't fully exhausted all other options.
I feel like I did when I was younger. Letting my imagination run wild and not setting limits has opened up the floodgates of creativity for me and the sheer excitement alone is enough to have me floating on a cloud. The thought of being able to draw and sew has made the days more joyful than they already were. My sons love to watch as I take a blank piece of paper and add life to it. I love to see their eyes sparkle with admiration to see their Mother doing something that she loves. It's an indescribable feeling.
In order to attract what I want, I now think it, believe it, expect it and imagine it as often as I want and need to. Imagine that!
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
-Shakti Gawain
As far back as I can remember, one of the things that I use to think about most was growing up to become a fashion designer. I believed it to be true with every fiber of my being and expected to be successful. What I didn't imagine, was that life would somehow find a way to intervene and put obstacles in my way. What I believed to be obstacles at the time, I now view as things that happened to prepare me for the skills it would take to not only dream, but to be able to take action.
Not too long ago, I put together a vision board. I had been hearing the term for quite some time and thought it would be fun to try. It's amazing what you go through trying to figure out what truly matters to you most and what makes you happy. My vision board included both pictures and words to describe what makes me move, have passion and take pause. Completing the vision board allowed me to say out loud who I am now and where I want to be in the future. I have left some open space on the board since I know that I am always finding new things that excite me and would like to add them to the board.
One of the first things that came to fruition after completing the board, was the purchase of my first home. The home I have on the board was of my dream home, which while it may not look like the house I'm in now, it is the beginning of what is to come. I can look at the board every day and know that if I continue to work hard and stay focused, that someday, the house on the board, will be the house that I build. The board also gave me the freedom to say that no matter how hard people say it's going to be or how scared I get, that I have to follow my dream of becoming a fashion designer and to someday own my own boutique. I know that life will find a way to intervene, but I will find a way to overcome.
I've started attending fashion events and making connections that help to invigorate me and find my way back to the creativity I pushed aside. I now eagerly await the arrival of every fashion magazine that I've subscribed to so that I can flip through the pages and marvel at what fashion is truly all about. To me, fashion is about expressing yourself through the use of fabric formed together to create pieces that are a reflection of what art is to you. It's a way of letting your creative ideas wander around like like walking pieces of art.
My passion lies in designing dresses. While I can draw other things, my hand naturally wants to create a stunning masterpiece that wows the crowd. I've tried to fight it telling myself that dresses are too hard of a market, but I can't deny that it's where my natural talent lies. So intead of working against it, I will find a way to work with it. If there are no events that warrant someone to wear my dresses, then I will create an event. No longer will I tell myself no when I haven't fully exhausted all other options.
I feel like I did when I was younger. Letting my imagination run wild and not setting limits has opened up the floodgates of creativity for me and the sheer excitement alone is enough to have me floating on a cloud. The thought of being able to draw and sew has made the days more joyful than they already were. My sons love to watch as I take a blank piece of paper and add life to it. I love to see their eyes sparkle with admiration to see their Mother doing something that she loves. It's an indescribable feeling.
In order to attract what I want, I now think it, believe it, expect it and imagine it as often as I want and need to. Imagine that!
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
"If I should die before I wake"...
I pray that I will have lived a life filled with love, happiness and passion. I pray that I will not have wasted precious time worrying about what if and more time asking why not.
The best gift other than life itself, is to enjoy it. There will always be bills that need to be paid, people who are negative and want to bring you to their level and obstacles that test your strength and will. But with that also comes the ability to live within your means and still have abundance, positive people who always lift you out of the darkness and paths that appear once you've climbed, jumped and hurdled your way past things that stand in your way.
I want to live a life that causes the deepest wrinkles when I'm older. They will be the sign of all the laughs that I have shared and all the times I said yes without letting fear get the best of me.
I haven't experienced the loss of someone since I was 13. That changed this week with the passing of my Father's wife. It was an experience that has rocked me to the core. For the longest time, I have lived in fear of death. It is a finale that I could never come to terms with...until now. With her passing, I saw firsthand how each day is not promised to you. You can't put things off in hopes that you will get to it another time.
I want my sons to be able to miss me, but also smile at the thought that I lived the life that made me wake up and go to sleep with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. I tell them to reach for the stars and yet I myself have stopped reaching. I've put up this imaginary hand that taps me everytime I begin to attempt to reach. It sounds silly, but it's true.
I have become paralyzed by fear and it is slowly crushing my spirit. I am slowly forgetting what it feels like to be so passionate about something, that you only see your goal and no one can penetrate that feeling. That is not how I want to be remembered.
I want to experience as much as I can and enjoy the little things just as much as the big things. I don't want to stand aside and let others take the stage. It's up to me to set, follow and determine my destiny.
The best gift other than life itself, is to enjoy it. There will always be bills that need to be paid, people who are negative and want to bring you to their level and obstacles that test your strength and will. But with that also comes the ability to live within your means and still have abundance, positive people who always lift you out of the darkness and paths that appear once you've climbed, jumped and hurdled your way past things that stand in your way.
I want to live a life that causes the deepest wrinkles when I'm older. They will be the sign of all the laughs that I have shared and all the times I said yes without letting fear get the best of me.
I haven't experienced the loss of someone since I was 13. That changed this week with the passing of my Father's wife. It was an experience that has rocked me to the core. For the longest time, I have lived in fear of death. It is a finale that I could never come to terms with...until now. With her passing, I saw firsthand how each day is not promised to you. You can't put things off in hopes that you will get to it another time.
I want my sons to be able to miss me, but also smile at the thought that I lived the life that made me wake up and go to sleep with a smile on my face and joy in my heart. I tell them to reach for the stars and yet I myself have stopped reaching. I've put up this imaginary hand that taps me everytime I begin to attempt to reach. It sounds silly, but it's true.
I have become paralyzed by fear and it is slowly crushing my spirit. I am slowly forgetting what it feels like to be so passionate about something, that you only see your goal and no one can penetrate that feeling. That is not how I want to be remembered.
I want to experience as much as I can and enjoy the little things just as much as the big things. I don't want to stand aside and let others take the stage. It's up to me to set, follow and determine my destiny.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Me, Myself and the House
"We always attract into our lives whatever we think about most, believe most strongly, expect on the deepest level, and imagine most vividly"
-Shakti Gawain
Of all the quotes I read on a daily basis, this one would be the one to have burned into my heart and mind during this period of my life. While this blog is supposed to chronicle my ups and downs with launching a clothing line, I feel that it also needs to chronicle the personal struggles I overcome aside from that passion.
Currently, my energy has been focused on purchasing my first home. It has been a dream of mine to own a home for quite some time and up until recently, it always seemed out of my reach. While I thought I planned everything out and worked every possible angle (the control freak in me loves doing this part), I didn't plan for the "what if none of your planning and preparation works out" alternative.
I found a house that I like. I can't say love since saying that means it's the house that I have posted on my vision board and this house is just a couple of thousand feet off to meet that requirement. I like the house because it's in a great location and mostly because my sons love it. It's just enough house for the three of us and has extra space for me to sew and for them to have a game room outside of their bedroom.
For the first time ever, I would actually have a dining room that could fit a large table for my friends and family since I do like to entertain...spaciously if possible. The yard is a great size and has so much potential, that I have to stop myself from committing every landscape picture I see to memory before I run out of mental space.
The whole house has been renovated which means I can just paint certain walls, move in and start living in our new home. I thought I wanted a house that needed renovations until I took a long look at the way our current schedules are and realized that I just wouldn't have the time or the patience to fix up a house.
I'm posting this because in the process of pursuiing my passion for owning a home, I have suspended the passion for fashion design and it concerns me. I worry that I'll move in and may be consumed with fixing up the house the way I want and will somehow never find time to stop and focus on the other things I love. I have this tendency to become so focused on something that I block out other things in order to see that one task to completion with the best possible result. The problem with that is that I somehow lose myself in the process. I back away from something that brings me joy in order to fix and get rid of what's bringing me pain at the time.
I'm not sure how to find the balance of tackling projects as they come while staying focused on a long term goal. I love the satisfaction that comes with getting things done right away, but I know I need to learn that things take time. I didn't just start wanting a house a month ago. I've wanted one since I was younger and it has taken quite some time for me to get to this point. I need to find a way to make sure I make time for things that may not give me instant satisfaction, but will provide me with the happiness I need to just enjoy life in general.
My first step in cleaning my mind of all the chaos is to clean my house. I've watched enough episdes of Clean House and HGTV to know that when your house is cluttered, your mind is cluttered. So, I'm going to do something that I've always thought about doing but wasn't sure how to make it work. It's time for me to have a "Mama Needs a New House" yard sale. Just the thought of all the things I could sell or give away excites me because I know that it will result in less clutter in my house.
These next couple of months are going to continue to be a roller-coaster ride of emotions for me, but for the first time, I'm actually looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to beating myself up about getting things multiple things done and not letting one sole project consume all of my time and energy. This house represents a lot of accomplishments for me, but I can't let it be the sole one for this year. This is the year that I will look back on and just say "Wow"...that was amazing!
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
-Shakti Gawain
Of all the quotes I read on a daily basis, this one would be the one to have burned into my heart and mind during this period of my life. While this blog is supposed to chronicle my ups and downs with launching a clothing line, I feel that it also needs to chronicle the personal struggles I overcome aside from that passion.
Currently, my energy has been focused on purchasing my first home. It has been a dream of mine to own a home for quite some time and up until recently, it always seemed out of my reach. While I thought I planned everything out and worked every possible angle (the control freak in me loves doing this part), I didn't plan for the "what if none of your planning and preparation works out" alternative.
I found a house that I like. I can't say love since saying that means it's the house that I have posted on my vision board and this house is just a couple of thousand feet off to meet that requirement. I like the house because it's in a great location and mostly because my sons love it. It's just enough house for the three of us and has extra space for me to sew and for them to have a game room outside of their bedroom.
For the first time ever, I would actually have a dining room that could fit a large table for my friends and family since I do like to entertain...spaciously if possible. The yard is a great size and has so much potential, that I have to stop myself from committing every landscape picture I see to memory before I run out of mental space.
The whole house has been renovated which means I can just paint certain walls, move in and start living in our new home. I thought I wanted a house that needed renovations until I took a long look at the way our current schedules are and realized that I just wouldn't have the time or the patience to fix up a house.
I'm posting this because in the process of pursuiing my passion for owning a home, I have suspended the passion for fashion design and it concerns me. I worry that I'll move in and may be consumed with fixing up the house the way I want and will somehow never find time to stop and focus on the other things I love. I have this tendency to become so focused on something that I block out other things in order to see that one task to completion with the best possible result. The problem with that is that I somehow lose myself in the process. I back away from something that brings me joy in order to fix and get rid of what's bringing me pain at the time.
I'm not sure how to find the balance of tackling projects as they come while staying focused on a long term goal. I love the satisfaction that comes with getting things done right away, but I know I need to learn that things take time. I didn't just start wanting a house a month ago. I've wanted one since I was younger and it has taken quite some time for me to get to this point. I need to find a way to make sure I make time for things that may not give me instant satisfaction, but will provide me with the happiness I need to just enjoy life in general.
My first step in cleaning my mind of all the chaos is to clean my house. I've watched enough episdes of Clean House and HGTV to know that when your house is cluttered, your mind is cluttered. So, I'm going to do something that I've always thought about doing but wasn't sure how to make it work. It's time for me to have a "Mama Needs a New House" yard sale. Just the thought of all the things I could sell or give away excites me because I know that it will result in less clutter in my house.
These next couple of months are going to continue to be a roller-coaster ride of emotions for me, but for the first time, I'm actually looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to beating myself up about getting things multiple things done and not letting one sole project consume all of my time and energy. This house represents a lot of accomplishments for me, but I can't let it be the sole one for this year. This is the year that I will look back on and just say "Wow"...that was amazing!
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Learning to Live in the Present
First, I'd like to apologize for those people who loyally follow me on this blog and to those who stop by to read. I am disappointed that I never even took the time to post at least once during the month of May. That goes to show how much this post is really needed.
In a quest to keep a promise to my boys of buying a house of our own this year, I have become somewhat obsessed about it, which has caused me to lose focus on other things of importance. I have let other things go with the mindset that once we move into our house, that I would be able to focus on them again. I now realize how silly that train of thought has been given that there will always be other things that will come up and I have to learn to just make it fit around my other priorities.
One of my main priorities regardless of when I purchase a home, is to get our current home organized. Everything that I have read always seems to point back to the fact that a cluttered house equals a cluttered mind and I couldn't agree with that more. If I don't get things organized now and implement a regular system of keeping things organized, then I will ultimately bring this same clutter to our next place, which would start the viscious cycle over again.
I use to think that being a procrastinator was okay as long as I was able to get things done and produce the same results as if I had done it right away. Unfortunately, procrastination gives room for the unexpected things that always come up, to have a field day and wreck even more havoc on an otherwise simple situation.
I went to a first-time homebuyer's class yesterday and they also had people who were trying to save their home in attendance. It was heartbreaking to hear the stories of people who worked hard to attain the American Dream, only to find out that they had been misled and now might lose their home. But as heartbreaking as it was, not one of them seemed to have the outlook that this was the end for them. They knew where they went wrong and just wanted someone to point them in the right direction so they could keep moving forward. I found it both eye-opening and inspirational. These people tried something and it didn't work out, but yet they didn't let it beat them or define who they are. They made my pity-parties I've been having lately seem more pathetic than what I suspected they already were.
All my life I've been waiting for things to be as close to perfect for me to try new things. No matter what the situation, I have always managed to convince myself why that particular moment wasn't the right one in order for me to move ahead. Well, it's a new day and I'm tired of hoping that the future will bring better results in order to make the present more liveable. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, so living as if tomorrow will come around and be better, only makes you comfortable in the present which means you will never take risks that are sometimes necessary to move you closer to where you are meant to be.
This all being said, I will not only start living in the present, I will now do things that make the present day what I want it to be. Besides my passion for designing, I have always had a love for dance. When I was younger, I had my heart set on taking dance lessons, but the costs couldn't be justified. Over the years, I would fondly remember the times that my sister and I would make up dances to songs and brush it off as just something we did to pass the time away. It has only been recently that I have realized how much I really want to pursue dancing, but again, I let my own fears and doubts creep in and prevent me from pursuing it.
Yesterday, I got over that fear and picked up the phone to set up a dance lesson. They'll teach me a variety of ballroom dances and then my instructor and I will figure out where my true passion is. I already have an idea, but we'll see if his insight matches my vision. I've also decided to stop depending on whether or not I'm able to make it to my sewing lesson as the determining factor of whether or not I sew on a regular basis. I took lessons starting in Jr. High through High Shcool and always had a love for it. I know I'm a little rusty, but that's what practice is for.
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
In a quest to keep a promise to my boys of buying a house of our own this year, I have become somewhat obsessed about it, which has caused me to lose focus on other things of importance. I have let other things go with the mindset that once we move into our house, that I would be able to focus on them again. I now realize how silly that train of thought has been given that there will always be other things that will come up and I have to learn to just make it fit around my other priorities.
One of my main priorities regardless of when I purchase a home, is to get our current home organized. Everything that I have read always seems to point back to the fact that a cluttered house equals a cluttered mind and I couldn't agree with that more. If I don't get things organized now and implement a regular system of keeping things organized, then I will ultimately bring this same clutter to our next place, which would start the viscious cycle over again.
I use to think that being a procrastinator was okay as long as I was able to get things done and produce the same results as if I had done it right away. Unfortunately, procrastination gives room for the unexpected things that always come up, to have a field day and wreck even more havoc on an otherwise simple situation.
I went to a first-time homebuyer's class yesterday and they also had people who were trying to save their home in attendance. It was heartbreaking to hear the stories of people who worked hard to attain the American Dream, only to find out that they had been misled and now might lose their home. But as heartbreaking as it was, not one of them seemed to have the outlook that this was the end for them. They knew where they went wrong and just wanted someone to point them in the right direction so they could keep moving forward. I found it both eye-opening and inspirational. These people tried something and it didn't work out, but yet they didn't let it beat them or define who they are. They made my pity-parties I've been having lately seem more pathetic than what I suspected they already were.
All my life I've been waiting for things to be as close to perfect for me to try new things. No matter what the situation, I have always managed to convince myself why that particular moment wasn't the right one in order for me to move ahead. Well, it's a new day and I'm tired of hoping that the future will bring better results in order to make the present more liveable. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, so living as if tomorrow will come around and be better, only makes you comfortable in the present which means you will never take risks that are sometimes necessary to move you closer to where you are meant to be.
This all being said, I will not only start living in the present, I will now do things that make the present day what I want it to be. Besides my passion for designing, I have always had a love for dance. When I was younger, I had my heart set on taking dance lessons, but the costs couldn't be justified. Over the years, I would fondly remember the times that my sister and I would make up dances to songs and brush it off as just something we did to pass the time away. It has only been recently that I have realized how much I really want to pursue dancing, but again, I let my own fears and doubts creep in and prevent me from pursuing it.
Yesterday, I got over that fear and picked up the phone to set up a dance lesson. They'll teach me a variety of ballroom dances and then my instructor and I will figure out where my true passion is. I already have an idea, but we'll see if his insight matches my vision. I've also decided to stop depending on whether or not I'm able to make it to my sewing lesson as the determining factor of whether or not I sew on a regular basis. I took lessons starting in Jr. High through High Shcool and always had a love for it. I know I'm a little rusty, but that's what practice is for.
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
A game of Tug and War
I started this blog as a means to expressing my journey to launching a successful clothing line while working a full time job and raising two intelligent and loving boys that I am proud to call my sons.
It has now become an accountability that my friends and family have begun to hold me to. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me when I'm going to make my next post. I have been in a creative funk lately which has led to me putting off a lot of things, my blog being one of them.
This past Saturday I took a sewing lesson with someone I admire and am aspiring to mimick talent-wise. It was a great lesson in that it reminded me of how much I love to sew and how relaxing it is for me (even if my attempts at following the circular lines were a bit off). The hours flew by like minutes and before I knew it, I had been there for 4 hours. This lesson reaffirmed the saying of "Do what you love, and the money will come". My current problem is that I have so many ideas, that my own brain has somewhat paralyzed me from being able to do just do something. I spend too much time thinking about what should be the first product, that I now find myself with no product at all. this is far from what I envisioned when I decided to pursue the clothing line with all the passion that I have been suppressing for some time now.
So now I'm left with the task of trying to ignore the part of me that likes to plan every single detail and give the creative side of me the chance to prove that it has everything under control. How do you find a balance of being creative while sensible and sensible but flexible? This lack of balance has begun to affect my sleep, so I know I need to figure it out and soon before I'm too exhausted to think or be creative.
Who knew that being creative would be both a gift and a curse? I know I'm not the first person to go through this and that wallowing in pity only delays the process even further. Somewhere inside me lies the answer, I just have to figure out whether or not my creative or sensible side will be the one to find it.
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
It has now become an accountability that my friends and family have begun to hold me to. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me when I'm going to make my next post. I have been in a creative funk lately which has led to me putting off a lot of things, my blog being one of them.
This past Saturday I took a sewing lesson with someone I admire and am aspiring to mimick talent-wise. It was a great lesson in that it reminded me of how much I love to sew and how relaxing it is for me (even if my attempts at following the circular lines were a bit off). The hours flew by like minutes and before I knew it, I had been there for 4 hours. This lesson reaffirmed the saying of "Do what you love, and the money will come". My current problem is that I have so many ideas, that my own brain has somewhat paralyzed me from being able to do just do something. I spend too much time thinking about what should be the first product, that I now find myself with no product at all. this is far from what I envisioned when I decided to pursue the clothing line with all the passion that I have been suppressing for some time now.
So now I'm left with the task of trying to ignore the part of me that likes to plan every single detail and give the creative side of me the chance to prove that it has everything under control. How do you find a balance of being creative while sensible and sensible but flexible? This lack of balance has begun to affect my sleep, so I know I need to figure it out and soon before I'm too exhausted to think or be creative.
Who knew that being creative would be both a gift and a curse? I know I'm not the first person to go through this and that wallowing in pity only delays the process even further. Somewhere inside me lies the answer, I just have to figure out whether or not my creative or sensible side will be the one to find it.
Sincerely,
Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)
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