Individuality is important to me. It’s one thing I privately celebrate about myself. I know I can be very different in the way that I express, love, sense/see things, educate, parent, beautify, and praise God. My different approaches also peak when I am leading and building my legacy.

The creative capacity of God is so amazing because he created us all with different hopes, dreams, talents, capabilities, personalities, and stories. We should celebrate our unique selves more. We should think about and even write down the positive aspects of our selves.

What things are you doing daily or every other day to ensure your impact?

For example.

When it comes to how I approach and navigate my personal life, there are certain practices I have– a certain level of awareness at work– ensuring that I am (fill in your own blanks):

#1, being grateful for every living, breathing moment (not taking anything for granted). 

#2, not trying to morph into or appease whomever I may be around (physically or virtually).

#3, being patient, remembering that not all journeys are the same.

#4, seeing opportunities when others see obstacles.

#5, choosing to radically love myself without becoming so self-absorbed that my desires are placed above everything else; and 

#6, voicing my concerns even if it’s not the most popular thing to do. 

These things make me great. While there are areas of my life I would like to improve, I genuinely love my unique self and my strength areas. I am learning to love myself enough to check in on myself more. I am having more praise fests and fewer pity parties. Obsessing less. Reflective living is a huge part of my daily practice and is propelling me to re-write my narrative in a way that is transforming my artistry and my heart.

Today, I want to encourage all of my family, friends, and readers to make time for self-reflection. Choose to not be stressed, overwhelmed, or distracted by things you cannot really control. There’s a lot to complain about. There are a lot of people to blame for how messed up our world is. There are a lot of people out there who see you as “the competition”, maybe even “the threat”. Maybe it’s you with the competitive and stalking eye.

Instead of spending hours in this day coming up with tactics that will put you ahead, make you more relevant, expand your audience, or make you more money, just calm down and love who you are right now.

The grind. The fight. The navigating. The momentum. — will all regain itself on Monday morning.

Allow this day to unfold in the most organic, beautiful, and disheveled way (there’s magic in the madness).

Reflect.

Cherish the moment.

And celebrate who God is creating you to be.

 

Clinnesha is a writer, wife, mom, meta-artist, and social entrepreneur who feels most accountable to southern, black citizen-artists, elders, children, and families. Her work is at the intersection of arts, culture, innovation, and community.