…Wait On It

I’m going to be completely honest, I am writing to you all in an emotional state, I’m tired and frustrated and have been so for a few days now. In the midst of my frustration I’ve been staying strong by implementing “lifestyle” changes. I say “lifestyle” because I want to keep these practices for the rest of my life. Some of y’all are just on a health kick, which is temporary and that is between you and God. In my new lifestyle I am more intentional about my eating, exercising, energy, and spirituality. And trust me it is not easy, so do not let those instagram photos fool you!

Something I’ve learned recently is that once you declare that you are going to change for the better you open yourself up for attack.

Now I don’t want to scare you into fearing change but I wanted to let you know that there are going to be outside forces that make YOUR struggle that much harder and make  temptation look THAT much more delicious. Yes it is going to be a tough battle to win, but the most important part is that you CAN win.

That was for y’all but also for me.

But anywho I have a funny story:

One day I was on a mission while meal prepping. I decided that I wanted sauteed chicken with onions, mixed veggies and rice. While cooking you always start with the item that is going to take the longest (tip from Tati’s Granny) so I started with the chicken. I had ALL the spices going I was in the kitchen with my music and this crazy flick of the wrist,  you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t the Black Rachel Ray.

Sidebar But very important to the story: I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO MAKE RICE

After putting it off long enough I get to the rice and I am just ready to tackle it. I’m too bad and boujee for bag rice so I had no choice but to figure this out. I’m going to take y’all through this cause I just need y’all to get a visual.

1. I lined up my ingredients and my measuring cups
2. I boiled the water…Good I’m in the clear nothing can really go wrong with boiling water right?!
3. Then I added the salt ! I’m doing well right ?… I started getting cocky
4. Then once the water boiled I threw the rice in and stirred.
5. Super eager to eat I put the lid on the pot and turned the stove off and let the rice sit about 15 minutes without taking the top off.

For those of you who do not know how to make rice (Which is probably 77% of you) I missed a huge part of the process.

I DIDN’T EVEN LET THE RICE COOK ! Once I put the rice in the pot I was so eager to eat the whole meal that I didn’t even have the patience to let the rice cook fully. It wasn’t until I sat down to eat that I realized, hard rice is NOT promising. Just think, if I didn’t let my anxiousness force me to speed up this process I might have actually been able to enjoy my WHOLE meal once it was DONE and not just a fraction of it.

I’m not sure if you’ve guessed it by now but this passage is going to be about PATIENCE…

Throughout my life I have always had the mindset of the “glass half empty”. When I started dancing with the company of my dreams in high school I criticized myself so much. Looking back I know it was probably sickening for my dance teachers because all they saw was beauty, passion, and someone who was fierce ! Meanwhile I only saw myself as a sloppy jumper and a weak turner and . I could not enjoy myself because  I could only focus on what I LACKED. I put so much pressure on myself that I ended up injuring myself on numerous occasions being over zealous.

Having the ability to push yourself is a gift, but knowing when to be patient is also a gift too. Who knows how much I could’ve blossomed as a dancer during that time if I was patient with myself and my body? I may not have injured myself and I probably would have enjoyed my overall time at that dance school so much more!

As people sometimes we will prevent ourselves from enjoying what we have because we don’t have ALL of what we want. Unfortunately technology encourages this instantaneous mindset but that is not how life works.

Hopefully you noticed earlier that I was only able to enjoyed a fraction of the meal. If you wait for what’s yours and trust me God knows the desires of your heart he will answer your prayers in abundance, but in due time and on his time not yours.

I am one of the most impatient people I know (which is contributing to my current frustration). My impatience is why I messed up the rice and my impatience is why sometimes I sabotage good things because it is not fully what I want. Not to invalidate my wants or any of yours but it’s important to relax and wait on it!  

I like many of you have big dreams and big goals. You cannot expect God to answer big prayers on microwaveable popcorn time. When you lose patience you also lower your standards and you settle an in 2018 we are not settling ! NOPE.

Today I will sweeten my tea with : Trust and Patience