Life lessons from everyday experiences
Since my conscious effort to live boldly in my Blackness, despite all other negatively perceived factors, I have felt more like myself. I have been comfortable. I live boldly and I don't apologise for it.
I'm grateful for the negative, badmine and grudgeful people out in the world. It is because of them that I know how NOT to live my life. It is because of them that I know how I should live and treat others. If these people didn't exist, I would've been much more lost than I am. They've taught me lessons that bring my gratitude list together. It is through my experience with these people that I recognise the importance of being grateful, practicing great discernment and loving on my friends and family. It is because of the negative, badmine and grudgeful that I burnt some bridges and repaired others. I'm pretty sure it was an experience with these people that prompted my ability to laugh and laugh heartily according to situations. I have to tell them thanks!
We fail to forget that people carry the weight of their world on their backs without people knowing. Right? There's a meme I see quite often that says something like: "people carry their load and baggage well - well enough for you to not know what's really going on."
I love the fact that you get to benefit, in general terms, from my misdeeds and misfortunes through my writing. Why do I say this? Well, you know those life lessons you get taught? Those lessons come from real life situations that have happened to me or in my life. It's the fact that I can use my sense of humor in the silly things to teach simple but life changing lessons.
Though my laughter isn't always loud, it gets the message across. You know how facial expressions and body language depicts a message? Well, my laughter and its variations have their own language and its easily understood. I say this because the laughter, facial expressions and body language work together in unison. Its a sight to behold, actually.
I used to have a list of people who inspired me. However, little by little, I noticed characteristics that I didn't like. Little by little, I would've gotten into disagreements with them and based on how they handled the situations, my mindset towards them changed.
That's how the world works, though. Not everyone can sew but we all can appreciate fashion. Not everyone can write a decent story or shoot a decent video, but we all appreciate a well written story and a properly shot and produced production. In all of that, there are the few gifted ones who actually do what we like to consume.
We really ought not to judge a book by its cover. The cover may be torn, worn or stained because it hasn't been through proper maintenance through no fault of its own. That doesn't mean that the book's contents will look as unkempt as its cover. Give people a chance if you're the reader. Give yourself a chance if you're the book and stop worrying about your readers will think about you. With or without maintenance, some people will like you and others will not.
Despite our political and economic woes, Jamaica is an absolute treasure. She (Jamaica) is beautiful and her flora and fauna never ceases to amaze me. So, to see her in all her glory on road trips is a blessing.
Speaking of those who tease and pick at you: people like them show up at every stage of your life. Yep, even as an adult, you'll come face to face with them. But guess what, you'll be secure enough to know how to navigate them and their messy ways. Truth be told, somewhere along their journey, they were hurt and they project their hurt onto you. Love them, give them grace...but don't allow them close to your heart.
Though it's nice to know that there are people in your corner and having those people boost you just as much as you root for them, you cheering for you is also nice. You cheering for your wins and moments of greatness or moments when you need a push is also amazing.
The Suburban Girl JA® 