Happy New Year!! *2014*

New Year's Eve! 🎊🎉

I'm not celebrating tonight but I'll definitely be reflecting on the year I've had. Its amazing comparing last New Years to today. I've realized there's a time where you have to become a little less selfish and a lot more selfLESS. Less is more! This year I've learned a lot about myself, dealing with love, friends, family and just overcoming obstacles in general. I was able to overcome a really dark time in my life, I became closer with the other half of my family, repaired some friendships and am starting a new career. I have worked hard in 2013 and will continue to work hard into 2014. I feel like I'm in such a good place in my life. Although there are still a few things missing I will continue to work until they are restored. 

This past year I was getting over a rough patch. I tried several times to find myself and get out of the dark hole I was in. I was figuring out my life and analyzing all of my situations bit by bit. I was deciding on my next career move. Should I go to school or should I pursue other options?! I was undecided and stressing myself out because of the expectation that is had on people my age. My friends were well into their careers making good money and being able to enjoy vacations and simple pleasures. I felt left behind in a way and was desperate for a break. During this time I was also getting over heartache and lost love. This combination of adversity really had me down. 2012 was rough and going into 2013 was rocky. I took two months to myself to figure out what I wanted in life. What was my purpose? I finally made a decision, set in stone my goals and pursued them. I applied to the job I was just offered back in March. It took 10 long months to get hired. Hard work and persistence really pays off. I also have been trying to get reacquainted with some friends who I had pushed away last year. I have a whole new attitude. I know not everything is always going to be about me and that's ok. It's life. I'm still working at being a better friend. Although I'm still not included in some things I try not to take it personal. I just sit back and tell myself to be patient and in due time they will come around again. I still pray everyday for certain friendships to turn around and I just have to have faith that they will. Life moves on with or without you and I have come to accept that fully. I'm just trying to hop back on the train at this point. I can see the handle, I'm just running for it as fast as I can so I can jump on! But I'm there, it's like that last mile in a race you just need that one good stride to get you there. 

ℒℴѵℯ. 

Relationships, whether they are family, friends or significant others, have a huge impact on a person. This year I have had people come into my life and leave my life who have influenced me greatly. I can honestly say though that you should never start something new until you have completely forgiven your past. It's difficult to start up new relationships if you are still trapped in old unhealthy ones. I met someone but the timing was all off. It sucks to sit back and know you let go of something so great because you didn't want to keep the past in the past. You have to let that shit burn. That someone told me you have to communicate and let your feelings be known. Don't hold them in because you are scared or hurt from a past relationship, let your guard down. So many people miss out on opportunities to love simply because of lack of communication and fear of rejection. How do you know that person doesn't feel the same?! Talk, open your mouth, one day you will say it to the right person and they will be receptive. I learned my lesson. I loved, lost, loved again and lost once more this year. Sounds crazy huh?! Seems like a lot for one person in one year lol. Ok technically I was getting over love at the beginning and found it again but it wasn't the right time. I'm leaving this in 2013. The next time I love will be for eternity. Sorry I'm a hopeless romantic. It will happen. Pray and be patient. 

Family.

I come from a single family household. I grew up with my moms side of the family and was never really around my dad or my siblings much. I have always talked to them from time to time but I never really felt that close with anyone because I never really got to do family activities with any of them. This year I was able to go on a 7 day cruise with my dad, brother, sister, aunt etc and it was probably one of the best experiences I could have had. I got to actually spend a whole week with everyone and learn things about my family. It gave me a better appreciation for the word and what family really means. I really do love them and was fortunate to get to spend the time with them. It's nice being able to relate to both sides of your parents. Cherish them. You only get one. 

Friends. 

I touched on my friends a bit earlier but I just want to reiterate how important they are to me. Even though some of them may not look at me the same now I still hold them in very high places in my heart. I wouldn't be where I am today without them. Encouragement and tough love was everything I needed. 

The perfect ending to this year was finding out I was hired into a new position. It was a long process but I'm here. I am pleased to share that I start my new job at the end of January. 2014 has a lot in store for me. A new year, a new journey. I'm going into the new year with a positive outlook. Not looking back! Only good things can come from here on out right? After all, I've already been through the worst! This time I'm gonna take the crown without fallin down!

Happy New Year!!!! 

~Andy 💋

Guilty Pleasures

Giving up something can be difficult. Whether it be a bad habit, a bad relationship or just something you love that you over indulge in, it requires major self-control and discipline. Last month I participated in a religious observance known as Lent which is a time where we fast for forty days prior to Easter. Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter. You are to sacrifice something during this time that you take pleasure in. This year I was going through a tough time in my life. I was partaking in a lot of activities that involved partying and alcohol in hopes of comfort. I decided that for Lent I would give up drinking. This included liquor, beer, wine, wine coolers etc. Any types of spirited beverages would be forbidden! It takes 30 days to break a habit, was I able to do it?

The Semicolon Project - You are the Author

Happy Tuesday loves! Hope everyone's week is off to a great start. I recently became aware of a movement called "The Semicolon Project" which was inspiring to me. It doesn't seem to be very popular yet but the word is spreading. The idea is to promote public awareness in the support of the fight against suicides and self harm in teens. My younger cousin, who is in her teens, posted a picture of her wrist on a popular social network called Instagram with the ; symbol drawn on it in support of this cause so I decided to look into it. This is quickly spreading on other social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr from what I have seen. Many have taken it to the extreme to get the symbol tattooed on their body. The mission states that "April 16th, all who self harm, are suicidal, depressed, unhappy, have anxiety, has a broken heart, or have lost a loved one, draw a semicolon on your wrist. Semicolons represent a sentence the author could have ended but chose not to. You're the author, the sentence is your life." It's a mark, Lewis Thomas has said, that offers "a pleasant little feeling of expectancy; there is more to come."

A Woman On A Mission

Reflection is a very soothing concept and with some extra time on my hands I’ve been able to do a lot of this lately. I have been able to analyze certain situations and come up with ways to resolve issues. Sometimes in order to correct something you have to humble yourself by putting your pride aside and admitting your own faults. You have to realize that everything in life is not about you and being selfish will only leave you with the first part of that word, “self”. There may be things that you still need to work on and accomplish but you cannot neglect everything else in your life at the same time. Life goes on whether you are ready or not and the last thing you want to do is be left behind.

Don't Block Your Blessings

Let’s think about all the stressors in our lives. What brings on stress and how is it controlled? When I sit and think about this, the answer is simple. We, ourselves bring on most of our own stress. Dont blame your boss for your bad day because work was pilling up or the traffic for making you late. You control the outcome of your life and your feelings. How you deal with what is handed to you can be the difference between a horrible day and a happy one.

Chapter 2

Wow, two weeks has passed since my last post! A lot can happen in that time and trust me it has. I can FINALLY say I’ve made it to chapter 2! It’s crazy; I never saw my mood changing this quickly at all. I have finally rid myself of most of the negativity that was sucking the life out of me. I’m back!!! Well, almost lol. I’m not going to lie and say I am totally on to my next level but I am definitely on my way to happiness. Everyone has already seen a change. “That’s the Andy we know!” I can honestly say I feel good.

2/9 - A Year in Review

Today is a special day to me. No need to explain but the one who knows shares this day as well. It’s been a long year, lots of ups, plenty of downs. I made new friends, found love and lost myself a little on the way. No regrets though because at one time everything I experienced was something that made me happy at one point in time. Like my tattoo says, “Never a failure, always a lesson”. The past is where you learn the lesson, the future is where you apply it.

Aspire to Inspire

Happy Tuesday loves!!! Its February, which happens to be one of my favorite months other than June, for obvious reasons if you know me personally lol! Black History and Valentines Day!! Whoop! In some cases that could be a good or a bad thing lol but this year its positive. Lots of good things happened to me in the month of February. I met someone new a year ago that changed my life, its definitely been a roller coaster ride I must say. I’m excited about this month and this year actually. Lots of changes and opportunities ahead!!

Wants vs. Needs

I know I’m mad late but I just recently really got on the Weeknds album. I’ve had it sitting in my Dropbox for a few months but haven’t really listened to it lol. I absolutely love it and listen to it everyday. It’s so chill and it’s great to vibe to. My friends think its depressing but I still rock with it.

Chapter 1

First of all I would like to wish all of my lovely Soror’s a Happy Founder’s Day!!! 105 years of greatness and service to all mankind. I love my sisters with all my heart. From the outside looking in you will never understand and from the inside looking out, it can never be explained. They have helped me in so many ways.

Beginning My Healing Process

In reading my horoscopes the past two days they have pretty much been dead on. I’m not big on these, never have been, but I read them and was like damn! So just to kind of share my feelings, I’ve posted them below….

All We Got Is Right Now

So it’s been a week since I first started this blog. I was working on another post but some thing’s have happened recently and I decided to save that for another day. I’ve been going through a lot of tests in my life lately and have been kind of down. Yesterday, someone I knew passed away. He had a fiancé and was supposed to be married this upcoming May. Come to find out she is expecting as well. This really put things into perspective for me.

12-12-12

Happy 12-12-12 guys. What a better day to start a blog than today right!?! Some of you who know me, like really know me, know that I’m the worst at expressing my feelings vocally and I like to write them out. A close friend suggested this tumblr thing to me and said it may help me get some relief in a few current situations that I’m in.