Resolutions.
Like jumping from one stone to another we have made it to a new year. Classically so, we all try and make resolutions and we must remember to try and make changes to our lives but not try and change ourselves completely because we are who we are and we all contribute- any time you try and change yourself it never works. Here's to bettering what we already know and have, to improve our mind, body and soul. Resolution means a firm decision to do or not do something, and the quality of being determined or resolute. I have made my decisions:
1. Continue To Love and Appreciate Myself. i have grown drastically in confidence since cutting my hair off, i suddenly see my beauty and want to tackle life with the belief i actually can. I still have a little ways to go though trusting in my ability, thinking i'm pretty and knowing i'm good enough. This in no way means i think I'm above anyone it's simply knowing MY worth and value on this planet (the hippy is back) as there will be only one of me so lets make my time fantastic.
2. Do not Let negative thoughts In/Think everyone thinks badly of you. I have a TERRIBLE habit of thinking people don't like me for whatever weird reason and generally thinking badly about myself, it has lessened as my confidence improves but i really need to stop going over and over bad things in my mind (especially before bed, am i right?) first of all i'm going with the age old phrase 'what people think of me is none of my business' its very true, if they aren't worried about you, why are you worried about them- this is not to confuse that 'cut people out of my life' thing people do i'm not into that i believe i can get on with everyone, some closer than others. Some i don't talk to, but if i don't, i'm not talking about them either. Positive thoughts and less self doubt will always put a smile on your face.
3. Save Money. I always have enough to pay for whatever it is that needs paying for i seldom miss out on big events however i do sometimes miss out on the little ones. I'm 23 this year and i really need to have a couple different savings accounts; one for rainy day problems (like my washing machine that broke down) one that allows me to go out to dinner/pub/club with friends because i love sitting down to coffee with my loved ones and having a chat; i cherish quality time but cant always do it and one for the future future (house anyone?)
3 Eat Better. This is like an every month thing let alone every year! seriously though its important to take care of yourself and i'll also be doing the 30 day yoga challenge at some point this year. Socrates said it right:“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” i want to look back at all the amazing things i did.
4 Read More. fiction/non fiction. the odd encyclopedia and hopefully this Christmas i'll win all the quiz games.
5 Make Steps Towards My Life and What I Actually Want To Do With It/Be More Organised. This really should be number 1. I haven't fully pushed myself into the career i truly enjoy (acting and play writing) so i need to focus on jobs in my field and taking more risks, I had many opportunities last year that i didn't go for because i was scared. That is no longer good enough. I would like to get to 30 and feel i can openly call myself an actor and writer. I will be more organised in taking directed steps forward, be determined and take risks, as although you never know whats written out for you, you can always change the text.
I look forward to using my Daily Greatness Journal as a guide to creativity and positivity.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, 1 January 2015
Saturday, 14 June 2014
g.
Self acceptance is full acceptance.
A good month ago now i decided to cut my hair off, down to about 4 inches of hair. Although this happens all over the world all the time for many women ever since miss farrow way back when, i was returning to a state of hair i hadn't seen in over a decade. To some reading this it holds no significance what-soever but as a woman of colour it holds alot. On a regular basis i would use a sodium hydroxide based formula which strips my afro hair of protein to get it to fall 'straight'. This chemical is referred to as a 'relaxer' or 'perm'. The relaxer is alkaline and can seriously burn the scalp- i know because i've suffered many a burn to the point that i was going bald. I then decided- but what am i doing this for? WHO am i doing this for?
Much like we try to combat the stigma of certain body types in the media i have come to realise i thought straighter hair was 'prettier' for a similar reason. Take a certain frizz serum advert: it has a lovely model with soft loose curls talking about 'taming her unruly hair' using said serum and battling frizz. The beginning shot is often of a comb struggling its way through her hair or her hair in a big state. So what was i to do with my hair that for the most part grows only skyward? and is so tightly coiled it always looks frizzy? i don't think ive ever seen a woman with an afro in a hair care commercial talking about products that helps define her curls, soften and aid in retaining length; and they do exist.
I'm not protesting as i'm aware the world i live in has an unattainable standard for even the woman modelling said standard, i don't need to. I am simply accepting myself now. A true self. There is a power in acceptance that leads to confidence, happiness and the dove commercials i've come to enjoy. When one can find it in themselves to say "roll your eyes at my stupid laugh" or "you can think i'm awkward all you want" and "tell me to diet but i'm just not going to" you gain a power. We are different, and thank God we are. Yes the hippy is back again but its true. I think your blue eyes are gorgeous, i think your short stature is adorable i think your big boobs are amazing and i think your religion is fascinating, how wonderful is your laugh and peculiar your outlook on life. You want to be a doctor? thank you. You want to be a painter? Thank you too. Relax or weave, whatever your want, so long as you're healthy and happy.
I am truly learning to accept all of myself and now i have this power to really attack anything i want. I had an audition and had to send a new picture to the director as they had only seen one with straight hair i said i should let you know in case this isn't what you're looking for. She said my hair was fantastic and i had a really good audition. Funny how we always think we're changing ourselves to seem better to others.
Thankfully im learning this young. I am fantastically made, not conceited, everything from my outside to my inside has something special and something i can bring to the world. The commercials will still be there but we dont live in a TV set so lets accept that. I have accepted i am 5'5, black, afro haired and english and that i am beautiful. There are 7 billion people and counting why shouldn't you, as you are, fully accepted, not be beautiful too?
A good month ago now i decided to cut my hair off, down to about 4 inches of hair. Although this happens all over the world all the time for many women ever since miss farrow way back when, i was returning to a state of hair i hadn't seen in over a decade. To some reading this it holds no significance what-soever but as a woman of colour it holds alot. On a regular basis i would use a sodium hydroxide based formula which strips my afro hair of protein to get it to fall 'straight'. This chemical is referred to as a 'relaxer' or 'perm'. The relaxer is alkaline and can seriously burn the scalp- i know because i've suffered many a burn to the point that i was going bald. I then decided- but what am i doing this for? WHO am i doing this for?
Much like we try to combat the stigma of certain body types in the media i have come to realise i thought straighter hair was 'prettier' for a similar reason. Take a certain frizz serum advert: it has a lovely model with soft loose curls talking about 'taming her unruly hair' using said serum and battling frizz. The beginning shot is often of a comb struggling its way through her hair or her hair in a big state. So what was i to do with my hair that for the most part grows only skyward? and is so tightly coiled it always looks frizzy? i don't think ive ever seen a woman with an afro in a hair care commercial talking about products that helps define her curls, soften and aid in retaining length; and they do exist.
I'm not protesting as i'm aware the world i live in has an unattainable standard for even the woman modelling said standard, i don't need to. I am simply accepting myself now. A true self. There is a power in acceptance that leads to confidence, happiness and the dove commercials i've come to enjoy. When one can find it in themselves to say "roll your eyes at my stupid laugh" or "you can think i'm awkward all you want" and "tell me to diet but i'm just not going to" you gain a power. We are different, and thank God we are. Yes the hippy is back again but its true. I think your blue eyes are gorgeous, i think your short stature is adorable i think your big boobs are amazing and i think your religion is fascinating, how wonderful is your laugh and peculiar your outlook on life. You want to be a doctor? thank you. You want to be a painter? Thank you too. Relax or weave, whatever your want, so long as you're healthy and happy.
I am truly learning to accept all of myself and now i have this power to really attack anything i want. I had an audition and had to send a new picture to the director as they had only seen one with straight hair i said i should let you know in case this isn't what you're looking for. She said my hair was fantastic and i had a really good audition. Funny how we always think we're changing ourselves to seem better to others.
Thankfully im learning this young. I am fantastically made, not conceited, everything from my outside to my inside has something special and something i can bring to the world. The commercials will still be there but we dont live in a TV set so lets accept that. I have accepted i am 5'5, black, afro haired and english and that i am beautiful. There are 7 billion people and counting why shouldn't you, as you are, fully accepted, not be beautiful too?
Thursday, 1 May 2014
f.
The honour of an early rise.
I got to work way earlier than i should have and it gave me time to wander the high street and grab some breakfast. (Time. What a wondrous word in 21st century western society.) When it did finally come for me to start work i was incredibly refreshed, my mind was active not day dreaming and from this i was more efficient and for lack of a better word, happy. I'm usually rushed off my feet and exhausted before i start. What i came to realise is you don't need to stress over something you already have but fail to take. We all have time.
This clear sense of self and efficiency will in turn give time to you for other things as well : family, friends, that thing you've been meaning to do."I'm too busy! i lead a hectic life!" Of course you are busy, though perhaps your hectic life could be solved through a clear mindset and efficient action, the 'busyness' can subdue and your day will feel more fulfilled- and how can you gain such a thing? by taking time.
Do you ever find yourself laying in bed after your alarm has gone off wishing away the day and when you finally rise are you rushing? tired at work/with other tasks? you don't need a retreat because what you're seeking there is time. On holiday we often rise with the sun, happily go out early for breakfast or a town walk- why do we not do the same at home? Life, to me, is about fulfillment. Yes we all have to endure or do things we don't necessarily want to do but you can always find a way to make it fulfilling: reaching and breaking targets, networking that leads to other projects, using one path to clear another. I implore you to stop wasting time, have a great nights sleep and wake up exactly when you're supposed to and start your day. Do not rush. If you feel like you run out of time for example before you have to leave the house; wake earlier the next day. This will soon settle in and so will a calm, aware mind and body.
I got to work way earlier than i should have and it gave me time to wander the high street and grab some breakfast. (Time. What a wondrous word in 21st century western society.) When it did finally come for me to start work i was incredibly refreshed, my mind was active not day dreaming and from this i was more efficient and for lack of a better word, happy. I'm usually rushed off my feet and exhausted before i start. What i came to realise is you don't need to stress over something you already have but fail to take. We all have time.
This clear sense of self and efficiency will in turn give time to you for other things as well : family, friends, that thing you've been meaning to do."I'm too busy! i lead a hectic life!" Of course you are busy, though perhaps your hectic life could be solved through a clear mindset and efficient action, the 'busyness' can subdue and your day will feel more fulfilled- and how can you gain such a thing? by taking time.
Do you ever find yourself laying in bed after your alarm has gone off wishing away the day and when you finally rise are you rushing? tired at work/with other tasks? you don't need a retreat because what you're seeking there is time. On holiday we often rise with the sun, happily go out early for breakfast or a town walk- why do we not do the same at home? Life, to me, is about fulfillment. Yes we all have to endure or do things we don't necessarily want to do but you can always find a way to make it fulfilling: reaching and breaking targets, networking that leads to other projects, using one path to clear another. I implore you to stop wasting time, have a great nights sleep and wake up exactly when you're supposed to and start your day. Do not rush. If you feel like you run out of time for example before you have to leave the house; wake earlier the next day. This will soon settle in and so will a calm, aware mind and body.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
©
ZigandStuff | All rights reserved.