Earlier this month, I finally turned twenty-one. This is supposed to be the age that characterizes you as a “legal adult”, but truth be told I feel no different. Maybe this is because I hold the same goals and aspirations that I did when I was eighteen and started this blog. I knew then exactly who I wanted to be, and with this site I have been able to be just that for the past two and a half years.
At this age we’re supposed to have everything figured out. While it may seem like I do, in reality I know nothing at all and I’m still learning. The more I write, the more I learn about myself, the person I want to become, and the person I am capable of becoming.
While most people can’t wait to turn twenty-one so they can take their first legal sip of alcohol, I eagerly awaited turning twenty-one because it meant that I was able to see another year with the same amazing people in my life.
My favorite thing about my birthday isn’t receiving anything, it’s getting to spend time with my family and friends. On the night of May 3rd, I decided to get dressed up nice and dine at a fancy local restaurant alongside family.
Post-dinner photo shoot!
I have the most loyal, kind-hearted friends who always make time to see me although we live miles apart. Even when my best friend Temora wasn’t able to make it home in time for my birthday, she still surprised me and sent a beautiful bouquet of flowers! When we were finally able to get together, we had the greatest time catching up with one another until the sun went down.
the bouquet included my favorite flowers: roses!
Its never too late to celebrate!
I had previously gotten the chance to celebrate with my great friend, Suzy. What started as a random silly idea turned into a actual party for two. My favorite feeling in the world is nostalgia, so we held an early 2000s themed movie and music night-in to reminisce on the classic films and hits from our childhood. We even dressed for the occasion!
Though we were just babies in the early 2000s, I think we did a great job capturing the fashion trends of this era.
Actual footage of us two.
I never intended on making a month-long spectacle out of my birthday, but I would never pass up any time I can get with my friends when they can visit home. The friends that I have are some of the most important people to me and are the reason I look forward to special occasions such as birthdays. While one keeps me grounded and provides me a sense of refreshing familiarity, the other keeps the happy-go-lucky child in me alive. I can’t imagine my life without either one of them.
So here’s to reaching twenty-one years of life, a milestone to some, yet to me just another chapter in my book of many more cherished stories to come.
This article is a collaboration with Erica Adugwo, my friend and fellow Houstonian who is a certified transformational life and leadership coach. To differentiate our insights, each section includes the initial of the respective contributor.
If you’ve been following my blog for some time, then you know about my fascination with manifestation. This is the idea that we have the power to transform our thoughts into reality, positively and even negatively. I live by this philosophy, which motivates me to approach each day with optimism. I think that there is meaning in everything, so when I stumbled upon quotes that share a common message I knew it was no coincidence. With the help of words from various philosophers and writers, we will be discussing the power of believing. — F
The concept for this article came when I found the first quote by author Neville Goddard. I had been feeling discouraged due to not yet having reached my goals as far as views on this blog, and his words made me come to a realization. I cannot expect something to come to fruition simply because I want it. I have to believe in my potential and the possibility of what’s meant for me. Author Jack Canfield’s quote from Rhonda Byrne’s novel The Secret, offered me a different perspective. I can manifest anything I want, only if I believe. That is why I will continue to approach life with a positive attitude. I no longer define my blog’s success in numbers because I have the belief that the best is yet to come. — F
I believe in a benevolent Universe. I am inspired to always see the good, even in the bad. This does not mean I won’t experience hard times, but I know that everything ends up working out for my own good. It was my near-death experience thatmade me realize we are always being guided in the right direction to our destiny. As Goddard explained, we attract what we believe to be true, so if I believe in a benevolent Universe, then I can experience a life where despite trials and difficulties, a sense of joy, peace and fulfillment can still be found. Just as Canfield stated, we first have to decide what we want for ourselves. I believed I deserved to be healthy and that it was possible for me. If I could have it, then it is possible for another. Whatever it is, you must believe. — E
Belief is a mindset, a state of acceptance. Gandhi describes how just the mere belief that you can achieve something will give you the ability to do so. When you learn to acknowledge your own capabilities, you can accomplish anything you set your heart on; the very title of my blog supports this philosophy. To “Faith It ‘til You Make It” is to believe in one’s self, to carry confidence and optimism enough to reach your own idea of success. The effectiveness of both manifesting and praying depends on one key element: intention. In manifesting you might create affirmations, or encouraging statements, to repeat to one’s self that will help you focus on your desired outcome. Praying should be perpetual, with strong conviction and a clear purpose. You must believe that what’s meant for you is waiting for you because the Universe holds our fate. You must believe that in God’s time, prayers will be answered. It’s not as simple as asking for and immediately obtaining whatever you want. However you seek guidance, you can not expect results without patience, sustained faith, and sincere intentions. — F
Belief is powerful, when you believe in the power of your word and in God’s word anything is possible. I have learned that in the process of holding on to certain beliefs I might make mistakes, but if my beliefs match my everyday actions and my spiritual practice, then I am being congruent. If I believe that every action I take no matter how small will lead me to something bigger than myself, then I am on the right path. Say what you believe and believe what you say. Let your words and your actions align, and when you speak something into existence eventually it will take form as your reality. If someone says “I am poor, sick, weak”, their situation will remain so because our thoughts control our feelings and experiences. We must eliminate limiting beliefs that hinder our perception of the world around us. A higher sense of truth will transform into a greater reality, the reality you accept is what will manifest. — E
When we make the choice to believe something, we can either feel uplifted and inspired, or drained and disempowered. So the question we must ask ourselves is, “What do I choose to believe about myself, my neighbors, and the world in general?”. A belief is the individual truth of man. We can not change what may happen to us, but we can choose our attitude towards any given circumstance. This idea was originally provided by Viktor Frankel, whose exact point I brought up two years ago in my very first blog post. There is no denying the simple truth that our thoughts have an impact on our experiences, this is the Law of Attraction. So while manifestation is highly disregarded as nothing more than a fad, I stand firm in my belief of its magic. The wonderful things in life are ever-present, you just have to believe it to see it. — E & F
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I have been intrigued by philosophy for many years now, so getting to discuss manifestation was exciting! As a life coach, Erica posts analyses on life and mentality as well as motivational quotes on her social media. One day I had stumbled upon her Instagram page and one of her posts read “Faith it until you make it”. This was just months after I had started this blog site, and I let her know this. Soon after I learned that we are both from Houston! Her account is one of my favorite pages to find positivity and words of encouragement. If you want to check out her content yourself, visit her Instagram @/erica.k.inc or Twitter @/KellechieSpeaks. Thanks again to Erica for providing her insights for my blog!
》 Faith It ‘til You Make It 《 