10 Things I've Learned in 20 Years!

First off, I miss you guys so much! I know it's been about two weeks since I've posted a blog, but I've just been extremely busy.  Let me catch you up...
~ I was blessed to attend the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference two weeks ago. The African American Student Alliance at my university invited me to go with them and it was an amazing experience. There is nothing like being around so many other smart, beautiful, and gifted sistas and brothas.

~ I've been applying for a Summer Communication internship. THAT has been taking up so much of my time, but I am working hard to do what I have to do in order to be where I want to be. You feel me?! :)
~ I had the amazing opportunity to hear the one and only Dr. Angela Davis speak and I met Hill Harper!

~ Oh, I had a birthday. A very big one if you ask me. I turned 21 years old! It's crazy right! I had an amazing birthday. I celebrated with everyone I love- my family and friends! I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL. My parents worked so hard to spend this monumental moment with me. I can't express how amazing that day was!

NOW let's get on to the good stuff- this week's blog is in honor of my 21 years on this beautiful earth. Lol. I want to share with you guys 10 Things I've Learned in 20 Years. Please remember, this is MY story and MY journey so these things are what's relevant to me. :)

1. PRAY. God's love is so real. Did you wake up this morning? Do you have food to eat? Clothes to wear? You are blessed beyond the imaginable. Recognize that you would be nowhere without him. Give him praise; you didn't do anything alone.

2. TREAT PEOPLE BETTER THAN YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. Being a bully has never been cute. Be kind and like they say, If you don't have anything nice to say keep your mouth shut! Your words and actions should be encouraging. Understand though, that you are human. If you feel yourself slipping up, apologize and refer back to number one.

3. READ. Every intelligent person I have ever met is an avid reader. Read..about your community, about your people, about your heritage. Read every book you can and soak up all it's information. Spend your money on great books. Save for a bookshelf and store away.

4. BE PRESENT. Trust me. I know there is a lot to do, people to see, tasks to complete, but be present in everything you do! Life is so beautiful and it's all about the journey. Be present. Have sincere conversations. Develop real relationships. When you are in a room, absorb all of the knowledge and keep it in your arsenal!

5. BUDGET. Do what you can. Sacrifice. I am STILL struggling with this one! Stop spending like a CEO on a secretary's salary.

6. TRAVEL. It sounds like I'm contradicting myself, huh? I'm not. Budget so that you CAN travel. It doesn't have to be far and it surely doesn't have to be expensive. Go on day trips, with friends, by yourself. Just get out there. The world has so much to offer!

7. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Health and Happiness go hand in hand. Stay healthy. Stay happy.

8. TAKE A LOAD OFF. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your empire. Relax. Make a to-do list and conquer things as they come! You can do it, but you have to take a load off every now and then.

9. DREAM AS BIG AS YOU CAN. And then dream bigger. No goals are too big. It's not too far-fetched. Understand that there is a difference between short term and long term goals. Never stop dreaming! Little girls with dreams become women of goals and ambition. (Same for my brothas.)

10. BE YOU. Unapologetically. Be so you that it both scares and empowers you! Be you, please. I cannot stress that enough. You are who you are. Be proud and bold and strong. Be you.

That's all folks! Here are some pictures from the last two weeks and I promise to be back next Friday with another naturallykbiggie blog post. As always, thank you for reading and allowing me to openly share my journey.