OPRAH SAYS CELEBRATE *BDAY VIBES*
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah
So, Godmother Oprah - what it sounds like you’re telling me is since TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY “WHOOP WHOOP” I HAVE FULL LICENSE TO ROUND UP ALL MY GIRLS, GET IN FORMATION, DROP IT LIKE
IT’S HOT, PARTY LIKE ITS 1999, SHAKE IT LIKE A SALT SHAKER - FROM THE WINDOW TO THE WALL, ALL WEEK…ALL SKEET SKEET…LEFT CHEEK RIGHT CHEEK…
Ok let me stop doing my BDay dance in front of the mirror. Gotta remind myself I’m writing a blog and
not a club anthem choreography for Cardi B.
As you can tell my energy is on high, as it should! Birthdays are a celebration of life. Knowing you made
it another year revolving around the sun is the ultimate blessing.
As I turn 33 today, I get goose bumps thinking about how special this year is for me, and how far I’ve
come. There our certain years that change your life. For me that was 23…exactly 10 years ago.
I became a mother giving birth to my first son, and experienced a heart attack 6 days later. That year
I made a commitment to LIVE! I began a workout regimen of 5 days a week, changing the trajectory of my entire life.
The number 10 symbolizes new beginnings. As I celebrate this 10 year rebirth, re-awakening and
reinvention of myself, self-reflection is also on the menu…along with some rewind the clock celebratory twerkage lol.
I want you to walk down memory lane with me – as I think we all share common life lessons at various intervals during this crazy roller coaster ride we call LIFE.
18-20
Ohh I thought I was grown! Graduating from HS, you think the world revolves around you. During this time you couldn’t tell me nothin! Sound familiar??? Lol. #ActinGrown
20-22
During these years I learned how to GRIND. For me I had a decision to make. I had to decide if I wanted to join the in-crowd and live the “party all the time” life – or decide if I wanted more? I had enjoyed the college party girl experience, but it was not fulfilling nor lasting. I decided I wanted more.
I wanted purpose and impact because I knew that God and the universe had more for me. So, while I was in college I worked 2 jobs at a retail store and gas station. #Grindin
22-23
For me this is when my life forever changed. I moved, became a wife, and a Mom all in 12 months.
I EXPERIENCED THE ULTIMATE HIGH & ULTIMATE LOW AT THIS AGE.
I knew something could be wrong with my child, so my only focus was how can I do ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING for my child to give him the best life possible.
Plus, I had the biggest health scare of my life…a heart attack. My main coping mechanism was LOVING my child a billion %. I had to LIVE for my son.
I BECAME THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
In addition, I committed to supporting my high profile husband at the beginning of his pro football career in every way possible. But in the process my identity became him. And when you have a spouse that is so successful people forget you exist.
This all took a toll on me. Little did I know how draining this was, as I also experienced postpartum
depression, and didn’t even know it – as I’ve just come to realize this 10 years afterwards. I had no idea how to even navigate in that space. #Sacrificin
26-27
Now ladies this is when I found MY SEXY! I began gaining an ultra-sense of self, my independence, and my grown woman voluptuous curvaceousness #Yonce lol. I felt sexier at this point, more than I had ever felt before. I had lost 50lbs from having my kids, and was feeling really good in my own body and skin.
I began tapping into my identity as well. In addition to being a proud mother & wife, I became a professional makeup stylist. I blended a passion with a skillset and discipline – being makeup & fitness. I became competent at EXCELLENCE and applying a “5th gear” work ethic where I knew how to give my all to pursue accomplishing a result. #Crushin
29-30
I went into panic mode at this transition…like “Ohh Sh*t.” I looked back at my twenties and said “Whooaaa - did I live?” The answer was “Yes.” I lived a whole life at this age, 2 kids and a husband – BUT as for me… as for… Sara Hood, I wondered “What did I accomplish independently?” I wasn’t satisfied. “Was I living in my full purpose?” My answer was “No.”
Sometimes I would think “God can you like write my purpose on a billboard so I can see it and walk in it.” Looking back now, I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t prepared like I am now. #Doubtin
Dem Early 30s
Tons of challenges and growing pains. Every year during my early 30s (30-32) there would be a monumental shift in my life, and the life of my family or friendships - that all would happen at once. When it rained it poured! My family and I relocated 3 times in less than 3 years. I was forced to be in survival mode.
30 required me to find strength in boundaries. I learned how to say “NO.” I learned that it’s ok to be selfish and take care of you first. I had to become selfish in becoming self-aware. It’s lonely because everyone can’t come on a journey that’s meant for you.
This Will Smith video says it all!:
At 30 I UNAPOLOGETICALLY CHOSE ME!!!
I became ready to do my own thing and create my own brand! I set a 2 year goal to DEVOTE EVERYTHING I GOT TO BUILDING A BRAND & BUSINESS OF MY OWN TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD!
IT’S 1 OF THE TOP 3 DECISIONS I’VE EVER MADE!
It took one year of laying the groundwork, and it took off from there.
Everything that I set out to accomplish by 2020 with my team, we manifested!
I wanted a blog, and I launched it!
I wanted to do a e-cookbook, and I did 2!
I wanted to do a Fine Dining Pop Up, and I did 3!
I wanted to have a voice, and I DO!
32 gave me a taste of what I’m capable of, and gave me absolute certainty that I’m living on purpose. God
has shown up and showed out for me every time I was unsure. Everything that was unimaginable became attainable. Things that used to seem out of reach aren’t.
When I removed the clutter in my head, I could hear God’s voice because I was still.
32 taught me about teamwork & collaboration. I also learned I could lose a lot and still have EVERYTHING!
So, hear me when I tell you…from straight up hardcore life experience:
NO ONE HAS POWER OVER YOU.
If you walk in your purpose, and in your power and follow your instincts within your faith…THERE’S NOTHING THAT CAN’T BE ACCOMPLISHED!
And it’s not just faith or a dream, it’s tangible.
“Every birthday you decide whether to mark it the end of your greatest days or the beginning of
your finest hour” - Oprah
Ok Godmother Oprah, you have put the battery in my back. Here it is, I’m claiming it now…
33 IS ABOUT TO BE A STRAIGHT TAKEOVER!!!
At 33…
Walter Nisson rode across the U.S. on an 8ft unicycle.
Alexander the Great had conquered almost the entire world.
Beyonce grossed $110MM after completing her “On The Run Tour.”
And at 33 years old…
JESUS ROSE!
Now you won’t see me pedaling on a unicycle across Nebraska, dancing on stage for 3 hours in 6 inch
stilettos, or riding through Jerusalem on a donkey anytime soon. But like I said:
33 IS ABOUT TO BE A STRAIGHT TAKEOVER!!!
For me…and for YOU. Yes, whether you’re younger or older than 33, I want you to share this 33 epiphany
age with me in spirit. THE TIME TO RISE AND ASCEND IS NOW! Regardless of what you are dealing with, you won’t just be ok, YOU will be better.
Everything in the past 10 years brought me to the powerful woman I am meant to be, and the same applies to you. Look at where you were at 10 years ago and how far you have come. You are an entirely different person. Now just imagine how successful and powerful you will be in another 10 years.
Yaaaas Oprah I’m going to celebrate this birthday, because I know without a doubt it’s going to be the best year of my freakin life! This year will be the execution of everything I’ve ever dreamed of…and the scariest part is I’m just getting started. And guess what? So are YOU!
I wanna share my birthday today with YOU! You deserve to celebrate. You deserve to make this the best year of your life! So, pop some champagne and do your money dance with ya BDay girl…because it’s #GoTime!
