Fear/Break Loose/

In about three weeks, I will be turning 29….yes I’m knocking on 30 lol. This birthday is going to be special to me….why you may ask? My dream of being an author will come true. ❤️ After the procrastination, somewhat writer’s block, and fear, I am going to finally give birth to my book. Unfortunately, that’s not what this post is about. Marketing is not one of my strong suits neither celebrating myself. I spent a lot of my years comparing myself and distracted by what others were doing. When it came time to putting my book together, I was lost. Of course, I would love it if someone could tell me step by step on how to publish a book or have a team in place to push it out. In reality, I am putting all the work into this book on my own while I am stressed out and discouraged. The truth is that my focus was off which led me to be discouraged. When I got discouraged, I got unorganized and downing myself. Now I have to refocus myself. I said that because when you take on a new project or embark on a new journey, make yourself a priority. I am not talking about health wise, (which that is very important), but honor your worth. Do not tell yourself that you are too stupid to get a degree. Do not tell yourself that you have to do it the way this person does it or you will never sell a book, CD, etc. Do not tell yourself that it’s too late for you to achieve anything or get over a bad habit. Spending a lot of time focusing on someone else’s journey or being negative about yourself can lead to discouragement and abandonment of your own dreams. March 4 is my birthday and the day I want to release my book and have my poetry event. I was asked why I chose that date because I don’t have a lot of time to market. First, I wanted to give myself a present I will never forget. I spent a lot of time in self hate and I want to show ShuCora that she can achieve anything. Second, I rather celebrate my birthday encouraging other women to celebrate their stories and showing love to them. Third, I am more than a writer but called to use my gift to help others. When celebrating yourself, celebrate all of you. No, I may not have what someone else have but I have Me. I designed and formatted my own book all while being in grad school and parenting my son. That is worth being proud of it. If you have the money to get a designer, editor, and a whole publicity team, then go for it. That is worth being proud of too because you have the money to do more with your talent. What I am saying is that we need to learn how to appreciate our gifting, our value, and our ability. Do what you can do and be proud of it! Yes, I am investing into a photo shoot to show myself how much I have grown. Yes, I am going to organize a poetry event because I care about seeing women being set free and taking the courage to share their testimony. Depending on my timeline, the event maybe a little late in March but I want to make it a memorable event for all in attendance. I want to learn how to love ShuCora and appreciate the type of person she is. Why I am forcing her to model exactly after someone else and not tell her she is enough by herself? Why are you holding yourself back because of what people said you couldn’t do or claiming you doing something “out the norm”? Jealousy and comparison are killers. They ruin lives, homes, friendships, your perception of others and anything you allow them to put their hands on. The world does not need another “Corey”, “Sally” or whoever we are envying after. They need You. So be you. Yes, I am going to give the biggest smile in my photo shoot because I overcame some things. Yes, I am going to flood my social media about my book’s release on my birthday because my testimony is worth exclaiming to the world. God has really kept me because I am not suppose to be here. Yes, I am going to allow ShuCora to be herself and share her gift even if that means saving up money to fund various events to reach them. I want to celebrate my achievement of becoming an author because it’s more than writing a book to me. I am giving the world what God gave me and having the pleasure to see the things He is going to do in their lives through me.

One last thing, it is not a sin to celebrate you. Do not feel bad about your accomplishments. We all have one life and that’s it. We have to give God an account of what we did with our own lives not someone’s else. So if you have to get off Facebook, turn off the phone, or whatever it takes to get you focus, then do it. You are worth investing into. Reorganize your schedule so you can have the time to pursue that dream. Change your habits so you can have the energy to fulfill that dream. Shut out all jealousy, envy, and comparison so you can stay committed to that dream. God wants us to enjoy our lives and He has great plans for Everyone! So explore the plan He has for you and walk it out!

Thank y’all for reading my little ramble on tonight lol. I hope it encourages you to be all God wants you to be. Yes I am still a little late on writing Chapter 3 for Parris’s Hope but tomorrow it will be up. I promise :). (That’s why I need to focus lol.)

Mark Your Calendar: Testimonies Of A Young Woman- March 4