LEAP

A year ago I took a life changing decision to relocate to a different city and province. It was a scary experience, having grown up and lived in one town all my life I had no idea what I was doing or even if I was making the right decision. The hardest part of the entire process was leaving my child behind and wondering whether we would both cope with being away from each other. All I knew was that life often calls on us to make a leap despite the fear and the thoughts that aim to hold us back. I had to trust that I would develop the courage needed along the way if only I was brave enough to trust what lay before me and not what was familiar to me.

A few times in this process, I have wanted to pack my bags and head back home because I was wrestling with myself regarding the decision that I made and because sometimes life gives us what we ask for but not in a packaging that we recognise so we miss that our prayers have been answered because the response doesn't match up to the image that we had conceived in our heads. It was a constant battle.

However it was also in my time of doubt that I learned that God always speaks to us and gives us signs if we seek Him in our moment of doubts. Everytime that I got ready to hand in that letter of resignation, someone would come with a word totally oblivious to the thoughts that raced in my head but what they said would be the assurance that I was looking for. And it was in those moments that I learned that God had orchestrated this move and I was called to bloom where I was planted.

There were countless tears shed and just as many laughs that came. In a few months I was promoted to Senior Social Worker, heading a Department that just months prior I knew nothing about. Again I saw the hand of God upon my life and I learned again that when you function within your purpose, He opens doors for you that you didn't even knock on.

I am gaining invaluable experience in this journey and I have become a better person and professional because I was offered opportunities to grow and surrounded by people who believed in me as a professional despite my shortcomings. This process has also caused me to honestly reflect on myself and to become more aware of character flaws that I need to work on in order to make this a success and to also become an overall better person. I fail dismally at times but I am thankful for those around me who are patient with me and who daily allow me the space to grow, evolve and make the necessary changes.

I could have denied myself the beauty of all that I have seen around me if I had let fear and emotions control my decisions. You see sometimes you don't need to know all the answers, you just need to be prepared to take that famous leap of faith and trust that it will all work out as it should.

I reckon that we often need to discard our thoughts of how it's supposed to be and make it work with the cards that we are dealt with. And often the only thing standing between you and realising your dreams is the need to be in control and figure it out. Your willingness to step out of the security of what is familiar could be the gateway to living your best life thus far.

Take the plunge. You have no idea what is waiting for you on the other side of fear. I know for certain that as difficult as it was a year ago to make this decision, it remains to this day the best thing I ever did for myself as an individual and a Social Worker.

DARE TO LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT

Most of us if not all of us want to be successful right? I assume you shouted yes. I'm by no means an expert on how to make money so when I say success don't limit it to having ching in your account. We all have individual definitions of what success is and that determines what we pursue and the choices we make.

Irrespective of how you define success, I believe there are a few principles that are universal. In the quest to transition from where you are to where you want to be or from who you are to who you want to be - there are a few things you need to check and put into place. 

1. What do you believe? Before you see any changes in your life, it needs to start with what you believe. Do you believe that you can go where you want to and be the person that you want to be or are you are a prisoner of your own thoughts, believing that possibilities only exist for certain people and only a privileged few. You have to do more than envision yourself going somewhere, you actually have to believe that it's not only possible but you are capable of achieving it. Until you change your thoughts about yourself and your ability to do what you want, you won't go anywhere, nothing in your life will change. Whilst it's a boost to the ego to have people believe in you and see your potential, that's not going to do much for you until you can look in the mirror and see your own greatness. 

2. What are you willing to risk? If you are not prepared to risk anything, chances are great that you won't get anything in return. Often we become loyal to things and people that are a hindrance to where we are trying to go and for as long as you choose that loyalty over where you see yourself being or going, you risk the possibility of staying in the same place and being stagnant. Success comes with taking risks, knowing that things are not written in stone and that sometimes without knowing what's on the other side of your comfort zone, you must take that leap of faith and hope for the best. If you are scared to take risks, you will never know what could have come from your faith. A single jump could be all that stands between you and reaching your goals. 

3. What do you need to sacrifice? It could be a few hours of sleep because you need to put in extra work towards what you want. It could be missing a few social gatherings because there are other pressing matters to attend to. It could be walking around in the same pair of jeans for a year because you saving up to start that business or attend that course that will make you eligible for a promotion. Whatever it is you aspire to, there are sacrifices that you need to make along the way to eventually get what you want. "Temporary sacrifice, long term gain" that's the motto one of my friends used when she left the comfort of her job to pursue her studies. Do what you must, discard what you can, make the sacrifice today so you can have what you want tomorrow. 

4. How badly do you want it? We all have dreams but what separates those who achieve and those who don't is how badly they want their dreams to become a reality. How they treat their dreams and the amount of work they put towards realising those dreams. You cannot dream of a slim body and overlook the need to exercise and eat right,  your actions and decisions need to be aligned to what you hope to achieve. It's not a by the way affair, it's not a when I have the time activity. Every day you wake up, you have to be conscious of what it is you want and take steps that will lead you there. It's commitment and discipline, it's what you think, what you risk and what you are willing to sacrifice - all these elements, everyday, consistently, without growing weary. It's giving all you have, all you can and not stopping till you have what you want. 

"Dreams don't work unless we do" 

You are #BornToConquer, don't get stuck where you are. #Evolve

#RLG

PLUG INTO THE RIGHT POWER

It's the worst thing ever, well that is what it feels like in that moment. When you are expecting an important call, having that needed chat with a loved one or simply scrolling your timeline and then your phone makes that beeping sound. GOSH!!!! Battery low! The slight panic that sets in and you realise you don't have a charger. You will try every charger there is available even the ones you know don't work. You just hoping for a miracle at this point. You willing to plug into anything. Are you doing that in your life? Our desire to make it can tempt us to plug into anything and anyone, discarding our values and even forgetting what it was we intially wanted to do. You are racing against time and competing with people you shouldn't be competing with. You make alliances with people who don't stand for what you stand for because you are told they are the people with the connections and they can help you win at this life thing. But at what expense??? A USB cord may charge my Samsung but it will never charge it as quickly as what the original charger would have, so I have power but it won't last half as long as it would have with the original charger. So the connections you think you have, the ones that cause you to turn a blind eye to things that matter. They may give you power now but is it sustainable? Trust God to plug you into the correct places and people, at His appointed time and don't be tempted by fleeting promises. Let Him who Has called you finish the work that He has started in you. Refuse to plug into things that drain your power, things that aren't genuine. Wait on God and let Him choose where you should be plugged in in order to go where He wants you to go.