Be Good To Yourself

Lately I have been working on so many different things: projects for 2 school organizations I am actively involved with, on top of lab experiments, on top of my business planning. Not to mention the basic chores of living on my own: cooking, cleaning, laundry, 2 dogs, exercising. I find it difficult to find time to get everything done. As a matter of fact, I DON’T get everything done. It takes something like 2 weeks to touch on all of these things. I basically picked up speed overnight now that the school year has begun, and my body is having a tantrum. I have had 2 nightmares in the past week and slept through alarms twice. But I can honestly say I love my life.

My secret is: *drumroll please* I am good to myself. What does that mean? It means I make sure to reward myself and allow myself to breathe. I take time to relax myself, do things by myself, take mini vacations . . .etc. Recently I celebrated my 24^th birthday in Atlanta. I went knowing a single person and came back with many new friends. I love that human connection. It is very refreshing and reinvigorating. Also, just yesterday, I went to a Jazz and Blues festival. It was so relaxing to be around happy people and music that feeds the soul.

To counter the latest body tantrums, I am taking a mini vacation home to see my closest family and friends. Can’t wait!

I. AM. HAPPY.

I came to a revelation today: a relationship would detract from my happiness. I am so happy doing what I want, when I want (translation= when I am able). It’s so easy for me to just pick up and go. I try new things, meet new people, visit new places, relish in the new sights, sounds, flavors, and smells that I probably could not appreciate otherwise, being distracted by another body, voice, thought, or concern that is not my own. Sure it would be nice to have a travel buddy, someone to make sleeping in unfamiliar places more comfortable, someone to share in the moments where regular life turns into a scene straight out of a Will Ferrell comedy. But how many moments would I miss out on because two schedules now have to become one, two people now have to agree on things, two people now have to explain why they do or don’t want to do something together? In the event that *he* wouldn’t want to come with me, I would have to consider *his* feelings if I decided to do it anyway (minus happy points). And if I do decide to go on my own, I would have that nagging thought of “*he’s* not here with me” (minus more happy points).

If a special man comes along and fits into my puzzle, I certainly won’t turn him away! But he must be AMAZING, SPECTACULAR, and INCREDIBLE to make me feel like he can replace some of my happy with his happy. But I have faith that he exists and I will meet him somewhere in the world. . .who knows, I may have already met him! (I have many friends *insider*)

Until then, I am in a relationship with Adventure.

Look Good <~~~~> Feel Good

I have always been a thinker and planner. I try to make sure my plans reach the action phase but sometimes you can't do everything on your own. Right now I have two plans in the works: obtain this PhD and travel the world. Currently the PhD is in the action phase, so traveling often takes a backseat. But that doesn't mean I can't work on the plan!

I know I have said it before, but my brief immersion into the Dominican Republic culture was a life changer. My soul yearns to be out in the world, but I don't think my body would appreciate being in the world with no sustenance. This is where my brilliant mind comes in. I am in a constant state of brainstorming ideas to create a business opportunity that I can take abroad. Health, beauty, and nutrition as it pertains to women is the theme I can't pull myself away from. These are the 3 topics that I believe are the foundation of empowering women. When you look good (in your eyes), you feel good (in your skin). And when you feel good (in your body), you look good (&radiate to the world). It's a positive feedback system. And positive outlooks attract positive things. I would like to spread this message to the world and change the view of beauty and self, one woman at a time.