“If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”
Masaru Emoto
I cannot believe how much time has passed since my last post. A lot has happened, good and bad. You know when I come back from a hiatus, I have all the tea of what has been going on in my life. Clearly, I have been hiding under a rock for the past few months. Do you have time? Lol.
2020 was one hell of a year.
In all transparency, it was one of my toughest years. I refuse to lie and say otherwise or try to find some forced silver lining that preaches how 2020 was actually my best year. Was it necessary? ABSOLUTELY. Was it enjoyable? It was sprinkled with joy, but the foundation was a lot of pain and loss. Am I okay with this? Yes and no. I’m still grieving and processing the relationships I have lost this past year with people I would have never expected. I’m currently dealing with some deep-rooted abandonment issues because of this. I’m angry and confused on how certain things escalated and ended. I’m resentful that I lost so much all at once. I had to let go of people I love deeply for the sake of my own peace and boundaries. And that, can be heartbreaking, as I was forced to make that difficult choice. But I am at a stage in my life where I must truly honor and love myself. Where I only tolerate what I deserve and nothing less. I have to choose me. So out of all the pain and lessons, came a further understanding of self.
You know how they say, “Check on your strong friend.” Well, I am that strong friend. That person who puts aside their own feelings, issues, and fears to make compromises for the people they love. I show up, time and time again. But I started to feel like my energy was not matched with several people in my life. I began to feel used and unimportant. It began to feel like I was surrounded by energy vampires. I got tired of feeling overlooked, my issues and subtle cries for help ignored because of the assumption that I was okay. Because I always get through it.
Let me tell you, you do not know pain until you are uncontrollably sobbing and the only person there to comfort you in that moment is your own reflection.
However, I have been gifted with the superpower of putting broken pieces of myself back together as if I am brand new and shiny again. I pride myself on that kind of resilience. So here I am, not exactly doing bad, but struggling. And that’s okay. Just another level of healing in my life. If this year taught me anything, it has taught me to realize that lessons do not always come before blessings. Sometimes, the lesson IS the blessing.
I do not care to disclose the individuals I fell out with. I have no intention of bashing anyone or painting those individuals as bad people. This is my truth, and I am sharing it with you all, while protecting the identity of those individuals. At the end of the day, none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes. We all grow and evolve and sometimes, certain individuals can no longer be a part of our journey. Just another chapter ended in the story of your life. I am learning to accept this because it hurts, still.
These past few months have not been all bad. Even with the heartaches, I can wholeheartedly say that overall, 2020 was a prosperous year. So, let’s shift the perspective, shall we?
Here’s a recap ❤
My Blog
2020 was a great year for Ang Meets Soul, even with the lack of consistency. I am so grateful for the support I continue to receive despite this and hope you all continue to support me as I learn and grow throughout this process! A few noteworthy accomplishments were:
I completely revamped my site and created a logo to brand my blog.
Learned a bit about Google Analytics.
Found a way to monetize my blog through ads and have made my first dollar…baby steps lol.
Created a Facebook page for my blog.
Achieved my first 500 subscribers on my blog.
Grew my following and engagement on Instagram and Twitter (shoutout to achieving my first 1k on IG).
Participated in several podcast interviews with the opportunity to talk about my blog.
Participated in my first collaboration post with a fellow blogger. One of my more popular posts found here.
Participated in several brand ambassador programs. I have learned my lesson since lol.
Launched my first giveaway! I’m still in shock over how successful it was- thank you guys so much!
It’s been such a crazy and amazing learning experience and I am so pumped to see how much further I can push the envelope on growing my brand.
Travel
2020 was such a great year for travel! I never had the opportunity to travel so much within one year before. Because of the pandemic, flights were very affordable, so I took full advantage. Plus, my job provides a generous vacation package and encourages us to take time off for a healthy work/life balance. But don’t worry, I traveled safely and within travel restrictions. In 2020, I was able to explore:
Gatlinburg, TN
Austin, TX
Denver, CO
New Orleans, LA
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Charleston, SC
Savannah, GA
Traveling truly makes my heart and soul so happy. I am looking forward to more wanderlusting in 2021.
Work
Speaking of work, the levels unlocked in my position within one year was INSANE. I am blessed to have a supervisor who encourages me to have confidence within myself, who does not believe in micromanaging, and pushes me to step out of my comfort zone for personal growth. But this is not just my supervisor, all my colleagues are so encouraging and supportive. I’ve never worked for a company that saw so much potential in me before, and 2020 gifted me that. I even received a promotion with a generous raise only 8 months after starting with the company!
Personal life
2020 taught me the importance of slowing down and listening to what my mind and body needed. I began cooking more. I started painting. I read more and journaled. I even developed the habit of yoga and meditation. I spent more time outside soaking up the sun and breathing in the fresh air. I grounded. I remained active.
However, I fell off my routine towards the last few months of 2020. Because of all the obstacles I was facing in my life, I took less and less off my plate. My only concern during this time was survival. But besides this, I was in the middle of planning a wedding during a pandemic. Very stressful! Which leads me to my biggest blessing in 2020…I AM OFFICIALLY A MARRIED WOMAN!
On December 19, 2020, I married my best friend; on the 6-year anniversary of our very first date. The wedding planning process was difficult for me, heartbreaking to say the least. It was not what I hoped for during a time that should have been the happiest time in my life. Even leading up to the days before the wedding, I was faced with obstacle after obstacle. But the moment I walked down that aisle and saw him waiting for me at the altar, none of this mattered. NONE OF IT. I’ve never felt so happy, terrified, relieved, inspired, and hopeful all at once. In that moment, everything I had went through up to that point was worth it. I am beyond grateful that I was able to end a trying year on such a positive note, with the man who continues to stay by my side to weather any storm that may come our way. To step into a new year with so much love and support from our family and friends. For the first time in this whole process, I felt loved and celebrated. It was an amazing and unmatched feeling.
So that’s it! That’s what I have been up to. I am happy to be back, focused and rejuvenated. Happy to be inspired again to share with all of you. Thank you for catching up with me. But mostly, thank you for continuing to support me throughout my growing pains. For acknowledging that I am human and granting me the patience and grace to find my way back. I love ya’ll, for real! All of you, this blog, it saves me in ways I could never properly explain. So, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU.
What have you all been up to? Any reflections of 2020 you would like to share? I love hearing from you. Sending all of you lots of love. Until next time!
We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.
Unknown
Well…that was a longer break than I anticipated.
But you can’t fight it, you know? When you need to get realigned, your soul and energy will let you know. You don’t feel inspired or motivated… so in other words, a bih was just NOT feeling it! But we can save the story behind this for another blog post.
Let’s focus on the reason I am here today after my long absence. DENVER.
And Denver is everything your imagination can ever dream and more! At least in my opinion. I took a long weekend trip there with my fiancé and best friend a few weeks ago and I came home with all of this inspiration. A drive filled with the need to share my trip with all of you. 🙂
So before I jump into all the details of Denver, let’s address the elephant in the room.
Yes. I traveled during this pandemic. Yes. I practiced all safety precautions. Yes. I value the lives of others.
I understand there are mixed views regarding the pandemic and the level of severity. I respect the opinions of all. I believe it comes down to a matter of choice.
If you do not feel comfortable traveling, that is more than understandable. However, if you would like to travel, my advice is to ALWAYS wear your mask, regularly wash or sanitize your hands, practice social distancing, and always make your best judgement from circumstance to circumstance.
OK, moving on…
Denver, Colorado aka The Mile High City is located on the west coast of America and offers breathtaking views of over 200 mountain peaks. The city earned its nickname because its official elevation is exactly one mile above sea level. But Denver doesn’t only offer scenic routes throughout the city, Denver also offers a thriving art scene along with an abundance of bars and restaurants to satisfy a foodie’s wildest dreams. And as if all of that was not enough, Denver’s weather during the summer is amazing. Cool in the mornings, hotter in the afternoons, and barely any humidity!
Hear are few fun facts about Denver:
There are currently more marijuana dispensaries than Starbucks and McDonald’s combined. holy sheeet
The very first Chipotle restaurant is located in Denver.
Denver has 300 sunny days a year. That’s more than Florida!
The Denver International Airport has been the subject of conspiracy theories since the finalization of construction in 1995.
Speaking of the Denver International Airport…
Some say the airport was built by the New World Order. Others say that it houses the Illuminati Headquarters underground. Conspiracy or not, you cannot overlook the strange murals and sculptures that are assumed to tell stories of the apocalypse.
We attempted to locate one of the infamous statues, The Blue Mustang, which is a 32-foot horse sculpture with glowing red eyes. Many people refer to the sculpture as Blucifer, an acknowledgment to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful due to lack of time and lack of information offered by the employees at the airport. Coincidence? Maybe. But it seems that the affiliates of this airport are poking fun at us all. Just check out the message here. TOTALLY normal, I’m sure.
While at the airport, we picked up our car rental and was more than ready to hit the open road. So originally, I had a whole itinerary because in my mind we only had three days to explore the f**k out of this city. But you know life doesn’t work out like that. Needless to say, by the time we left the airport with our rental, we had already wasted 2.5 hours. *throw the itinerary out of the window* Seriously, just do it. Definitely research dope places to go but don’t become a slave to the itinerary. As ironic as it sounds, time and travel really don’t go together. Time never seems to be on your side and there’s always delays. I never seem to learn! But I digress. Who cares when you have the opportunity to explore a place you have never been before?? And so, Day 1 was freestyled and nothing but great vibes.
DAY 1:
Pike’s Peak
After the airport, we headed to Colorado Springs, which is about 1.5 hour away from Denver. Our first major destination was Pike’s Peak, the highest summit on the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains that offers views from 14,111 feet above ground. Read more on how to explore ‘America’s Mountain’ at https://www.pikes-peak.com/.
To enter, it’s a $15 ticket but the experience itself is worth it. You have the option of driving to the top on your own, driving mid way and taking a shuttle to the top, or hiking it. We opted for the combo of driving and shuttle because honestly going up an altitude that high not only messes with your car, but it messes with your lungs too! If you ever make it to Denver, make sure that you adjust to the change in altitude before you do any physical activity. I had such a tight heaviness in my chest and felt a bit winded until my lungs adjusted. Most importantly, listen to your body. Unfortunately, several people needed medical attention at Pike’s Peak.
The most amazing part of this experience wasn’t the views, surprisingly. Don’t get me wrong, the views are breathtaking and looks like pages ripped from a nature and wilderness magazine. But my absolute favorite part about this experience was the weather change as we went higher up the mountain. On ground level, the temperature was about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. By the time we reached the very peak, the temperature was recorded to be 41 degrees Fahrenheit and began to flurry. Insane! Snowing in July! Definitely a first for us and such a happy moment. The amazement in our eyes and voices as we realized it was snowing. My true inner child came out in that moment and my heart adored every minute of it.
Pike’s Peak is a recommended must see attraction while in Denver but I do have a few tips for you:
Give yourself plenty of time to experience Pike’s Peak. As I mentioned earlier, it’s about an 1.5 hour drive from Denver. Once you are there, you want to give yourself plenty of time to drive and stop along the way before the part closes at sunset. We ended up spending 5 hours there.
Get all of your footage of the views on the way up to the top. Once you are at the top, there is not much of a view due to construction currently taking place.
Layer up for the temperature change. I didn’t properly plan for this at all lol. All I had was a jean jacket and I suffered.
Get the donuts. There’s a café and a gift shop at the very top. Seriously, get the donuts. I still don’t understand how their old fashioned donuts tasted so delectable. I mean, it’s old fashioned donuts. I just don’t get it. BUT GET THE DONUTS.
Truly soak up the experience. How often do you get to be over 14,00o feet above ground with those kind of views? Be present and grateful.
DAY 2:
Denver Biscuit Company
We had a full, action packed day planned! Did we have enough time? Lol barely. But it was my fiancé’s birthday and I was determined. Our first stop was Denver Biscuit Company located in the Stanley Marketplace. For my fellow 813 peeps, the Stanley Marketplace is kind of like Armature Works. For those who still don’t know what I am talking about, the easiest way I can describe it is as a really dope flea market of local restaurants and shops.
The Denver Biscuit Company has many great reviews and is often referred to Top 10 best in the area for serving size and taste. The restaurant claims that the secret to their biscuits is love…and LOTS of butter. And they did not disappoint! Definitely come hungry. Beyond worth it and highly recommended. I ordered the shrimp and grits in a biscuit bowl [enter drooling emoji here].
After one of the best breakfast experiences of our life, we headed to another highly anticipated attraction, The International Church of Cannabis. No pun intended. After a bit of research, I quickly realized why this is such a popular tourist attraction and it’s not the obvious reason. This church is aesthetically and visually appealing as its décor focuses on the power of color theory and color therapy. While visiting, we were told that the artist, Okuda San Miguel painted the gorgeous murals inside of the church in 5 days!!! I can’t even imagine that level of dedication!
In addition to the many displays of art inspo, the church offers a guided meditation and laser light show that was really cool to experience. The meditation and light show costs $25 and gives you a full power hour of awesomeness. Feel free to check out more details at https://elevationists.org/.
The International Church of Cannabis have stated that an individual’s spiritual journey, and search for meaning, is one of self-discovery accelerated by the way of ritual and mindful cannabis use. The members of this church are known as Elevationists. Because Elevationism claims no divine law or authoritarian structure, all backgrounds and religions are welcomed with open arms. At your visit, you will not be given anything for cannabis use. The church likes to remain as family friendly as possible so the kiddos can join in on the fun of the meditation and light show as well.
Denver Selfie Museum
After our visit at the International Church of Cannabis, we headed to the Airbnb to freshen up before we went to our next attraction on the list, the Denver Selfie Museum. This was definitely the highlight of the day! As the first and only Instagram pop up museum in Denver, this place offers a selfie adventure like one never experienced before. For a $29 dollar ticket, you can access every corner of the museum that is covered in art, murals, and props for the ultimate selfie. Such a dope concept! 10/10, strongly recommended to visit if you’re ever in the Denver area.
After the selfie museum, we were way overdue to grab a bite and after a bit of google searching, we came across this gem of a restaurant. Punch Bowl Social offers a scratch-kitchen menu and pairs with a fun zone of entertainment options such as bowling, life size Jenga, pool, karaoke, and old school arcade games. Due to COVID-19, they current offer outside seating only. In my humble opinion, their menu is limited. But then again, I am a pescatarian so that limits the options for me regardless. However, I opted for the shrimp tacos and they were pretty delicious. But my absolute favorite thing I tried on their menu was their Buffalo fries!
There is ALWAYS room for dessert. If you have a sweet tooth like my best friend and I, there is an ice cream shop a couple of blocks from Punch Bowl Social called Sweet Action Ice Cream. We decided to walk there after our meal. The staff are extremely sweet…again, no pun intended…and vegan options are available. With flavors varying from Stranahan’s Whiskey Brickle to Vietnamese Coffee, there is a flavor to satisfy the most eccentric taste buds. Beware of the double scoop though, it’s A LOT more to take on than you think. See what other flavors that may satisfy your cravings at https://sweetaction.com/. No pictures for this one…I was too busy stuffing my face.
DAY 3:
And so, we are on our final day in Denver! Are you guys still with me? Good. The goal for Day 3 was really about visiting as many establishments as we could, mainly to kill time. We checked out of our Airbnb around 10am but our flight was not until midnight. A full day with an ample amount of opportunities to explore. *swoon*
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
The Mecca of Breakfast. And to think we almost didn’t make it here. We were running a little behind schedule and after finding Snooze as a breakfast option, we quickly found out just how popular this restaurant is. Please anticipate a minimum of an hour wait if you ever come here. I think the main reason for such a long wait is because they are ensuring they do not reach maximum capacity for proper social distancing (which honestly, kudos to them) and the fact that they do not allow reservations. First come, first serve basis.
We put our names on the waiting list and debated if we should actually wait. We decided no. We found another restaurant 7 minutes down the road called Syrup and placed our names on their waiting list. We were told that it was a wait of about 25 minutes. We ordered coffee and mimosas in the meantime. But 25 minutes turned into 40 minutes and before we knew it, we were receiving a text from Snooze saying that our table was ready. It was a no brainer. We ran to the car and drove straight there as we received threats of losing our spot. But we made it! And OMG, how disappointing would it have been if we did? Cause the food is BOMB.
The bestie and I always like to eat off of each other’s plates, so we strategized what we would order. We decided she would get the OMG! French Toast and I would get the Smashed Avocado Benny, along wit Abri-ca-lav-ra Mimosas to wash it all down. The most satisfying. Delicious. Scrumptious. Love of a meal that I have ever tasted, I could cry. Don’t believe me? Check out the menu here at https://www.snoozeeatery.com/food-menu/. You’re welcome.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Located in Morrison, a city just 30 minutes outside of Denver, lies a concert venue and a park wrapped in one! Here, you can see the celebrity stars and the physical ones with views surrounding you, enhancing your experience all at once. You can either purchase event tickets or you can take the cheap route (like I did) and visit the venue during daylight hours before concert operations commence. And it won’t cost you a penny, only your time. 738 acres of land and an elevation of 6,450 ft. above ground, be sure to fully immerse yourself in the rich, reddish tint of the naturally formed statues that fills the park throughout. It truly is beautiful and a great attraction to add to your field trip while in Denver.
After Red Rocks, we headed to the downtown area of Denver to dive into some much needed art and culture by visiting MCA Denver. By the way, they offer free weekend access to all guests. Helloooo. Again, a no brainer. Nari Ward, a New York based artist and whose work is featured in the museum, creates his art composed of found objects from his neighborhood. With these, he highlights issues related to consumer culture, poverty, and race. We encountered so many deep and meaningful installations as we wandered the museum for 2 hours, digesting what our eyes have set upon.
If you’re ever in the downtown area, be sure to swing by their website and grab a few weekend access tickets at https://mcadenver.org/visit/tickets.
RiNo Art District
After the museum, we headed to the thriving art district of Denver. Listen…So. Much. Art. EVERYWHERE. And along with the colorful, eccentric art splashed across the walls of the buildings and streets, you will find the trendiest restaurants, breweries, and bars. It’s hard not to fall in love with this lively area that offers an escape from reality along with encountering the friendliest people you will ever meet.
Here are a few honorable mentions in the area:
The Preservery
We briefly passed by this establishment as we further explored the art district, mainly because they were closed by the time we arrived. However, the staff was so incredibly friendly and offered suggestions of bars and restaurants to visit in the area. Also, they allowed us to hang out and grab a few pictures of the urban aesthetics that seemed to cover every inch of their walls.
Ici tout est bon. “Here, everything is good.” Definitely one of our favorite bars in the area! It’s seriously a whole vibe. From the aesthetics to the drink selection, to the music that blasts into the street, to the laid back and conversational staff, it’s pretty hard not to have a good time here. We enjoyed our time so much here that as the day started to wrap up before our departure, we came back to soak up the good energy before our long flight. We didn’t eat there but I made sure to load up on the Asher Skye drinks; yum.
You guyssss. I have never tasted pasta so good. I’m not even exaggerating. It was cooked al dente and everything! And I think what shocks me the most about this place, is that you wouldn’t expect a counter service pasta restaurant to be that good. BUT IT IS. Dio Mio offers a relaxed atmosphere paired with traditional pasta meals that are explosive with fresh ingredients. The portions are huge as well so you get plenty of bang for your buck. I ordered corn fritters for an appetizer and Cacio e Pepe for the main course, which is basically an alfredo pasta dish. My takeaway? Pasta heaven.
But the experiences I shared with my fiancé and best friend in this beautiful city, will forever be cherished in my heart. So many laughs, epiphanies, and great conversations, all shared while basking in the aura Denver shares with its local residents and tourists.
If I could summarize this trip in a single moment, it would be the moment as we were driving up Pike’s Peak. Teyana Taylor’s song, “We Got Love” was playing in the background and as the song began to finish, an audio clip started playing…
A lot of people define success differently
You know, for me, you can have everything
You can have all the money in the world
But if it’s not enjoyable, if it’s not sustainable, know what I mean?
If you can’t be a person of integrity while having all of these things
What does it matter? What does it mean?
The value is internal
Your value is internal
Ms. Lauryn Hill
And for a brief moment, I teared up, filled with the upmost gratitude for where I was at the moment, with two of the most important and meaningful people in my life. I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip! It’s good to be back writing for you all and can’t wait to hear your thoughts ❤
My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.
Jim Valvano
You know, it is truly difficult to put into words how appreciative I am of you.
I will never have enough words. Enough gratitude. Enough love to truly express how valued and respected you are.
Papi…I know I don’t always tell you. I know I don’t keep in touch as often as I should. Or visit more. I know I should do more. You are allotted a certain amount of time on this Earth and it seems like life is constantly moving way too fast. I promise I will work on that.
I know I don’t always tell you, but you are on my mind at least once a day. I know I don’t always tell you, but I pray for your safety and health. I know I don’t always tell you, but I beam when I tell others the story of how my father, a single father, raised one hell of a daughter since the age of 13. I know I don’t always tell you, but you are my hero. You truly are. I am not sure how I would have turned out if you did not play such a critical part in my upbringing. I should tell you more.
Not many people know this story…
but it is the story of our lives and I find myself replaying certain events when I reminisce. I don’t think anyone will truly understand the weight of your sacrifices to raise me on your own. All that we went through together. It was you and me, against the world. I can’t help but tear up as I write this. I owe you everything plus so much more.
Some people may hear this story and feel pity and sympathy. But at my current age, as I reflect on what has taken place decades ago, I do not feel pity nor sympathy. Because I feel this is a story of triumph. And although the story saddens me from time to time, I truly feel it has built me into the person I am today; a reflection of you, a reflection of everlasting resilience. And I pride myself on that every single day.
Nothing could have prepared us for my mother falling ill. Nothing could have prepared us for the very core of the person we previously knew her to be would change. Those years you stuck around when she was probably the most difficult person on Earth to deal with. The years I watched you pull the sleeping cot out of the closet and set it up in the living room every night. She really tried to make your life hell…our lives, I should say. She was not the same mother or wife. For years, I was terrified of her. She continuously pushed you away and you still stayed…until she left.
We were forced to pick up the broken pieces and revise the version of life we have become accustomed to.
I know that was not easy for you. I know that some days you wondered how you can provide for me. Nights you stayed awake racking your brain. The tears spilt from trying to repair a broken home. We moved into a one-bedroom apartment and you gave me the bedroom. You worked full time, yet your presence in the household never lacked. Your guidance never lacked. Your love never lacked. I never went without, ever. Every morning and evening, breakfast and dinner was made. Every homecoming and prom, you provided. You kept a close eye on me, to keep me safe. And although I felt you were overbearing during my teenage years, you never stopped me from having a social life. I just had to abide by your rules. Too many gestures over the years to name. But I remember it all vividly and because of that, I will always be thankful for being blessed with a father such as yourself. You are truly a God sent man.
Not many people know this, but I am positive that my skill of writing came from you.
I am not even sure if you know that I am a writer because I have never directly told you. This is probably the first piece of mine you have ever read…NO PRESSURE, right? I remember the time you would spend on your poems. I still question how you were able to fill up pages; I struggle filling even one page of poetry. I remember you would translate them into Spanish and English.
But writing is not the only trait I have inherited from you. I have inherited your strength. Your common sense, a term I heard frequently throughout the years. I pride myself on being resilient, but I am sure that comes from you as well. I have DEFINITELY inherited your ‘no bullshit’ attitude and mouth LOL. I question everything because you taught me to. I stand up for what I believe in because you taught me to. I do not back down. I stand my ground because you taught me to. I am honest about the good, bad, and the ugly…because you taught me to. You taught me the importance of humility and humanity. You taught me the importance of hard work, that nothingcomes in this life easy or free. You taught me that the concept of gender norms is ridiculous because not only women should hold the responsibility of cooking and household chores. You taught me that the worship of God can take place in your very home, a difference between religion and spirituality. But most importantly, you taught me the importance of maneuvering through life with love, dignity, and morale. My level of respect and standards are placed on a pedestal because you taught me from a very young age that I deserved nothing less of that.
So, you see, I turned out pretty great and it is because of you. You did an amazing job and you have very big shoes to fill for fathers to come. I love you, forever and always. I can never repay you. Thank you. Happy Father’s Day. ❤
Author’s Note:
I feel fathers get a bad rep. Many people expect a father to be dead beat, absent, or clueless when it comes to parenting. Maybe the majority of broken homes have shown this. But in my case, it was far different. My mother left and my father handled this ‘single father’ thing like a champ. I felt it was important to shine light on this. For the fathers that are active and present in the parenting of their children, whether it’s co-parenting, in a happy home, or single, I see you. You are appreciated. Enjoy this day, King. You deserve the love and recognition as well.
This is my first collaboration post with fellow blogger, Harumi!
It’s been such a cool and easy going experience working with her, as we bounced ideas around to create this post about manifesting your goals. We truly hope you enjoy it!
Intro: Power of Manifestations
Angie:
So what is manifestation, you ask? The Webster dictionary defines manifestation as “one of the forms that something has when it appears or occurs” or “a perceptible, outward, or visible expression.” However, speaking from personal experience, to manifest is to create. Therefore, a manifestation is your creation. Something that you bring to your physical life by the power of your beliefs, thoughts, and feelings. I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Every person has the magical ability and power to manifest.
Harumi:
Manifestation. This used to be a big and scary word to me. Probably because as a high schooler, I had very little idea of what I wanted to do next. Graduate, get a job, get married? Was that the narrative I was supposed to follow? I had no clue. But in came new experiences, new environments, new people and with that the concept of manifestation became much more clear. A fellow blogger and friend of mine, Angie, defined manifestation as “something that you bring to your physical life by the power of your beliefs, thoughts, and feelings.” Today Angie and I will be describing our personal experiences with manifestation and our tips on how to manifest your goals!
Personal Experiences
Harumi:
When I was in college, I had a lot of anxiety surrounding what my future was going to look like. What kind of job would I do? Would I be motivated to maintain a job? What would I be doing in 5 years? I knew that I wanted to work in the special needs, but with the little work experience I had under my belt and lack of education in special education, would I even be able to land a job??
Once I was done with schooling, I said to myself that I was done with being afraid of my future. I was going to manifest a job in special needs!
I started with extensive research, worked on my resume, checked the common qualifications and took opportunities that would make me more qualified, filled out multiple applications a day, and then I waited. Suddenly, there was a pouring of e-mails and phone calls. People actually wanted to interview me! From there, I had back to back interviews and soon it was time for me to make a decision between four companies. And though the decision was difficult, I was astounded that I did what I set out to do. I manifested a job! Fast Forward to a few years later, I am still working in ABA therapy and I am so grateful for everything I’ve learned and experienced.
Angie:
Never did I picture myself landing a career in Human Resources…I have a BA in Psychology. During college, I worked for a small medical clinic as an Administrative Assistant. Fast forward 4 years later and I am the sole person in the Human Resources Department. Please know that I use the term ‘department’ VERY loosely because before me, there was no Human Resources! And although I loved my job and the clinic, I was underpaid with very limited benefits.
I began to feel that I have outgrown my position. Upon discovering that I would never progress with the clinic, I decided it was time to spread my wings. It was time to apply to positions that challenged me and offered room for growth.
I still have the notebook entry. I specifically wrote “Between July-August, I will get a higher paying job with better benefits.” Job hunting mode in full force! I landed an interview with The Women’s Tennis Association and got the job. An increase in annual salary by $7,000. A very generous vacation and sick time package and affordable and comprehensive benefits. My start date was August 27, 2018.
Although I no longer work for the company, I am grateful for the experience because it has led me to my current position and company, in which I have an even higher salary and more generous benefits. To know that I created this opportunity for myself, makes it even more gratifying. UPDATE: I just received a promotion!!
How to Manifest Your Goals:
WRITE IT DOWN
When you write a goal down, it becomes more tangible! I’ve written goals in a journal and put little notes in my hopes/dreams box, but if writing isn’t your thing, you can always create a vision board too!
BE VERY SPECIFIC
When writing your manifestation, you want to ensure that you are writing clear and detailed specifics about your manifestation. What exactly do you want? Is there a timeframe? Vague manifestations can turn into a reality you did not really desire.
RESEARCH
Put any uncertainties to rest. By researching, you’ll gain a better understanding of what steps you need to take toward your goal.
TIME
Time plays a major part in the journey. It’s important to recognize that sometimes things don’t come instantaneously. This concept can easily be applied to anything we try to manifest, whether that be a job, saving up for a vacation, graduating from school, etc.
PUT YOUR BACK IN IT
Making dreams happen takes a lot of heavy lifting. It means putting in the effort and work, even when challenges arise.
BREAK IT DOWN INTO STEPS
I find that whenever I look at an entire project or a task with multiple steps, I become overwhelmed. Try breaking down your manifestation and recognizing that each step matters no matter how small.
DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP
We all know how critical we can be when it comes to ourselves. I’ve bullied myself plenty of times. But that’s not mentally healthy or productive. Acknowledge that what you’re doing now is enough!
INTENT IS EVERYTHING
I am a firm believer that whatever you put into the universe, you get back tenfold. ENERGY. Believe that this manifestation will happen! If you have any feelings of failure, failure is what is presented. I’ve been guilty of this and quickly recognized I needed to change my intent.
Conclusion
Harumi:
Those were some of our experiences and tips on manifestation. It’s an optimistic perspective and yes, there may be hardships while trying to achieve a major goal. So acknowledge the challenges, ask yourself if this is really what you want, and put down those stepping stones towards your aspirations.
Angie:
Further to what Harumi stated above, the power of your manifestation is truly in your hands. Think about it. Feel it. Believe it. Then watch it come to life!
Still not a believer of manifestations? Well there’s only one way to find out…give it a try and be sure to let us know the outcome. And if you are familiar with manifestations, what additional tips would you offer to those who are not familiar? Any personal experiences you would like to share? We would love to hear from you all!
A lifestyle and mental health blogger, Harumi has only been blogging for a month and a half. In such a short amount of time, she has made amazing strides in growing her audience, enhancing her site, and connecting with other bloggers. I see great things happening in her blogging future! When I asked what was the purpose of her blog, she stated, “My mission with my blog is to talk about hardships I’ve faced, heal and let go, share guidance to anyone who has gone through similar circumstances, and create a discussion.” Don’t be a stranger and make sure you show some love to her site at https://lifelivedcandidly.com/!
