What’s the first impression you want to give people?

I think it’s hard for people to form an opinion of me at first meet. I don’t really fit the description of any particular “type” of person.

But since we are here, why not explore this a little more. As I wonder around my workplace on a Saturday evening asking my coworkers what their first impressions of me were they vary but for the most part they’re fairly consistent.

One coworker says, “I don’t know, I was just showing you sh*t, my opinion came later”

Fair. He’s not a man that thinks very hard or deeply about things and he’s indifferent about most people so I believe him.

Another coworker says “I just thought you were really tall”, she proceeds to go into more detail about the vibe I gave her and she says “you had a very “young” vibe; you were nice and seemed shy.”

Also fair- we met around the time I was still practically new to the company.

I asked another coworker who I am somewhat more close to than others and she says “I thought you were really friendly and sweet, I can tell when people are b*tches and you were NOT that.” 😂

Well, Im glad no one thinks Im a -itch to say the least and the impressions I give are rather favorable.

Ironically some of my closest friends today have told me that they thought I was unapproachable, intimidating and even seemed mean when first meeting me. I’m inclined to believe my friends are being the honest ones haha.

To be honest though, I’m not sure I care what impression I give people. It’s not mine to give. It’s theirs to form.

Tell me yours.

What was your favorite subject in school?

English and Science.

Perhaps that was the earliest sign of my path as today by profession I’m a QC Scientist and by passion-I’m a writer.

What does it mean to be a kid at heart?

No matter the circumstances she still laughs hard and loudly when the opportunity presents itself. What others think never crosses her mind.

No matter the place (yes, even in aisle 5 of the grocery store) if her favorite song comes on she’ll impulsively dance the way she did with her family when she was small. She can’t really help it. Muscle memory maybe?

No matter the aches and pains she will excitedly attempt to do those things she used to be able to do with ease, like jump out of a swing, do a cartwheel, or skateboard because for a second it connects her back to a time where her worries weren’t so abundant or heavy. Her ONLY worry at that time was if her friends could come join her.

No matter how old she gets, her inner child will occasionally make appearances to remind her that fun and play will ALWAYS be essential for her well being.

When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?

No one person in particular comes to mind because let’s be honest, it’s subjective.

BUT,

There are mindset and/or lifestyles if you will that I would consider a good indicator that someone is “successful.”

Some examples would include people who do what they said they would; The people who intentionally create the lives they desire to live; someone who isn’t forced to trade their time or moral values for money, instead they live freely doing whatever is joyous to them. Also, the people who have guided happy and healthy children. You know (or maybe you don’t) the ones whose adult children love and admire them. These are the kinds of people I would deem to be successful. At the end of the day, just because I’d view them as successful doesn’t mean they’d consider themselves as that.

In a world that’s fixed in the reality of everyone else’s but their own. It’s admirable and in a way refreshing to see the people who intentionally and proudly create their own.

Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

In the middle of November 2019, I jumped on a plane heading to Zurich, Switzerland from Chicago, IL.

I was excited to see a longtime friend who not too long before that, made the move there for a new job with her husband.

It was the furthest I had traveled from home, alone. I wasn’t scared but I was nervous because I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was my first international flight. I wasn’t used to navigating on my own but I love a challenge so…

Upon arrival in Switzerland I was in awe thinking about being 4,000 miles+ away from home and utterly confused all at the same time. I hesitantly aimed for customs because all of a sudden the people started to not look much like me and I’ve never been one to like the attention. I stood there with my very BLACK features with my very BLACK attire and just as I was next in line to be welcomed into the country.

Whomp whomp…

I wasn’t. Well, at first at least.

I was interrogated fiercely about my reasons for visiting, how much money I had, and my plans of returning to the USA. It was odd but I did my best to understand their reasons for singling me out.

They patted through my Afro and they wondered if I was there to meet a man and I sarcastically asked if they knew anyone but they didn’t like that. I digressed.

After what felt like at least an hour of interrogation I was asked to identify the person I was there to meet. According to them there was only two people in the country with the name I gave them so I again I sarcastically told them it was likely the person closest in age to me. They laughed and eventually handed me off to my friend. We giddily greeted each other, hugged for at least a minute and we caught up as I followed her home.

It was a great time (minus the subtle violation of my body) as I got to visit not only Switzerland on that trip but also Germany and Italy.

All of which places I hope to visit again.

What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

A few things:

He said “I lub you mommy” and he goes to kiss my lips.

I briefly worried about his ability to speak at twenty-months but there he was ensuring me he had no problems speaking rather he chooses not to sometimes. What an interesting kid I think to myself.

My seven year old is having a ball with life. He’s excelling in school, and has joined an activity he loves (jujitsu) . It’s warm out and he’s outside running, jumping, climbing trees, playing in the mud and he couldn’t be any happier. His dad is his best friend and he has a mama that’s deeply invested in his journey. He’s a happy kid and that makes my heart smile.

I sometimes cross paths with my favorite kind of people and they’re the people who are thriving in their authenticity. I can sense it in their energy and it’s so beautiful.

What are you curious about?

Do you ever think about the ocean and all its vastness or space and all its worlds beyond?

I do, in fact, all the time.

I’m not sure if my mind or any other humans mind can conceptualize the complexities of any of it.

Or can it ?🧐

I’m curious about the God I grew up believing in. Now that I’m thinking about it, how odd of me to believe of all the amazing things and places it has created that it’s biggest concern is little ol” me believing in it or not and how I should be “punished” if I don’t.

I’m sure I’m the least of its worries and I think I’m loved way more than that.

Speaking of, I’m curious about love and how it could wrap you tightly in its embrace, comforting your soul to its depths but be the very thing that could make your heart physically change shape from the pain it can cause.

It’s so cruel and beautiful at the same time. But why does it have to be?

This makes me think about the Law of Polarity. The law that states everything has an equal opposite. Basically, both must exist simultaneously in order for us to understand the other.

Perhaps loving truly is the bravest thing a person could do.

What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?

I hope my thoughts read here illicit good feelings, ignite imaginations, spark curiosity and offer unique and hopefully interesting perspectives.

My sole purpose here is to indulge in something I enjoy doing (reading and writing) and attract people who I’m meant to attract for whatever reason.

My hope is that me being committed to my own personal development is changing not only me but, the world at the same time.

Imagine if we ALL joined in.

List 30 things that make you happy.

1. Me

2. Other Good People

3. Babies 👶

4. Gaining knowledge and understanding

5. Baby Yoda

6. Quiet Mornings

7. Shopping for my home

8. Cleaning and Organizing

9. Cooking a toddler approved meal and my youngest confirms his satisfaction by dancing or sayin “yummy” 🍱

10. A day without minor inconveniences.

11. Sleep 🛌

12. A good movie/book 📚 🎥

13. Passionate s*x 💦

14. When my tests pass at work

15. Meeting new and interesting people. 🫂

16. Clean sheets after a long hot shower. 🚿

17. Trees/Nature 🌲

18. Music made my Naomi Sharon and Aurora 🎶

19. Working out 🏋️‍♂️

20. Unlearning bad habits/behaviors

21. Reading some of your posts 🗒️

22. Driving Fast 🚙

23. Goofy Dogs 🐶

24. The jerk that happens when the plane starts down the runway

25. Watching my kids learn new things

26. Listening to people talk about their passions.

27. Dancing

28. Writing ✍️

29. Swimming

30. Exploring a new place

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

At my very large age of 30. I still suck my thumb and I have no intentions of stopping.

I suppose I won’t be stopping anytime soon because it’s the only thing that seems to calm my nervous system in times of need.

My time of need is all the time.