4/5/24 Running on Empty

 Yesterday I had the best intentions of writing. I'm trying to develop a routine to write something every day that is not work related. So, I had my ideas together for my topic and was playing around with the words that I wanted to put on canvas. But-umm guess what? I NEVER GOT OUT OF MY HEAD! 🤦🏽‍♀️

Today is a new day. New intentions and expectations have been set.  I wanted to put something down about friendships and how they evolve over time. The COVID pandemic of 2020 was a trying time for everyone. Relationships were formed while others dissolved. People had to come to harsh realities about their lives and how they were living them. We had to grapple with sickness, loneliness, and death. But, what a lot of us didn't expect, at least I didn't, was that many of our friendships/relationships were conditional or that they were just not as solid as we thought they were. 

Well that was yesterday (4/4) and I still didn't publish what I wrote! 🤦🏽‍♀️  At least I did write something! PROGRESS! Today my goal is to hit publish before the day ends! 🌞

Well it’s 11:43 pm and I am exhausted! Today was hectic at work, but I made it through thanks to my office mate, Kat.  Tomorrow will be just as busy. I will start the day at the high school for test prep;  after that I’m headed to sale some candles at PQC, my Alma mater. This weekend will kick off Founders Week. Tomorrow is the HS stepshow, and our step team will compete. Later in the evening is the National Pan-Hellenic Council Stepshow. Haven’t done that since undergrad. Wayyy too many people and too loud for me. 🤦🏽‍♀️ I’ve been an old lady for a long time! 😆 I’m rambling, so let me hit publish! Stay tuned and #SpeakLife 💋 

It's Not My Job... Oh, But It Is!

 It's Not My Job...

I'm kind of ashamed to say that I had this habit of saying, "That's not my job!" when it came to doing stuff that I just didn't want to do as a teacher. 

Like teaching stuff from the previous year or several years prior.

You know you've said it a time or two yourself!😜 We all do it. Well, guess what? It is our job to teach📚 whatever the babies need to know. It doesn't really matter if the previous teacher failed to do it. That is on them. It is up to you to pick up the slack where others left off. I know that it is unfair, but how else can you teach what you need to teach? This doesn't just apply to education and educators either. As you know, a lot slip through the cracks and these are the co-workers that you complain about. Show them grace... 💝

Yesterday was Easter Sunday and we celebrated my son's 29th birthday. Today is what most consider April Fool's Day. It is a day filled with jokes and pranks. I hope that everyone enjoys their day and will take everything in stride. Remember to #ShowGrace #SpeakLife. 

Hopefully, today I will be better about getting out of my own head and putting it down in writing. Being consistent is not easy.  It has to be intentional.  Set a goal and develop a routine... 

This was taken at the Great Wall of China in 2019 just about 7 months before the COVID shut down. 

 Develop a routine. Eat right. Enjoy life is what they tell you. Ha! Easier said than done right? 😂

The hardest thing for me to do lately is to decide how and what I want to do when I grow up?  I don't know if it is because I am getting close to retirement, yet I am still fairly young, or do I feel like I haven't tapped into my purpose yet. 

I have been doing this thing called education for so long that I am sure that I don't know anything else to do. To be quite honest, do I really want to do something brand new? Hell no! Why would I? I have put a lot of time and effort into my career.  Now, I am ready to do it my way. I have been afraid since I began this journey to do it on my own as an entrepreneur.  What I should have realized a long time ago is that I am a risk taker naturally and I am also resilient as hell! So, why has it taken me so long to make this decision? I don't know.  But, lately I have been hearing this one particular phrase in my head, GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD! That's a sign right? I need to stop over thinking and underperforming, and start standing on business! I started the year feeling a shift in the atmosphere. IT IS TIME TO MAKE ANOTHER LEAP OF FAITH. Let's see where this leap will land us. I'm super excited that you are here to talk it through and hash it out with me. It won't all be easy, in fact, I'm sure it will be quite challenging. Change is never easy. I am built for it though, so let's goooo! 

Why did I post this particular quote today? I posted it to concentrate on the last four words, "...that will support you." It's good to surround yourself with people that are positive, because good vibes are contagious.  I wanted to concentrate on the last four words because it is important that your circle genuinely supports you.  When I say genuinely, I mean like for real for real... like they aren't afraid to have difficult and hard conversations with you. I mean that they won't talk to everyone else about you except you. I mean the type of people that will hold you accountable. You know, those ride or die type people that want the best for all of you, they believe that iron sharpens iron, that we are stronger together. Not those fake ass friends that just want to be around you to see what you will do next... you know those folk that spy and despise, waiting on your demise.  Be very careful of those that smile in your face, but secretly mock and ridicule you with others when you aren't around. Be careful of the "Mean Girl" silliness that can come from these type relationships. 

At the beginning of this year, I chose a new theme for the year.  It's a simple formula, DISCIPLINE + FOCUS = INCREASE! This year I want to scale my candle business, Custom Candles by Daphne LLC, and add at least another stream of income by speaking and writing.  I have been talking about writing and publishing a book for years. Lawd knows I have enough material and experiences to write volumes! However, starting has been the biggest obstacle.  Call it procrastination of call it lack of focus... whatever it is, I've got to get out of my head and over it.  One of my late friends, Korey Davis, once told me to write something every day. Well, I am trying to honor your memory, Scoob, and do just that.  Develop a routine they say...