The Single Women's 30 Day Blog Challenge Days 6 & 7

Day 6: Sound off on the quote “Every woman has the exact love life she wants”

I haven't heard this quote before the challenge but I have heard similar things like:

"Women set the standards for how you want to be treated" or "You get the respect you want"

Something like that

But in thinking about "Every woman has the exact love she wants"

Mmmmm never really thought about it. 

What is the exact love I want? 

- I want a love that involves God. I have to be comfortable about talking to God with my partner. This includes being able to share all of my thoughts about faith, being able to pray with that person, going to bible study, someone who will wake me up to go to church, and someone who wants us both to be closer to Christ.

- I want a love that can deal with my "artist" persona. I tweet about it. I talk about it all the time. I am an artist. And when I say that, it is more than just the art I create but how I view the world. I want a love that understands it even if they don't. A love that will ask questions about what I love about being an artist and want to be a partner in creating art. I want a love that will go to plays with me, listen to me recite poetry and be my audience when I am trying out new pieces.

- I want a love who won't judge me because I watch Disney and will watch it with me. (seriously) Real talk, it is a happy moment in my life when I can watch Good Luck Charlie.

- I want a love that loves being around family. I love my family. Everyone is welcome to my home and I think it is a point of pride that my family will treat you as if they raised you. If you get to know us, we will spoil you. I want a love who wants that and respects my family.

- I want a love who will answer the phone at 4am if I call because I can't sleep.

- I want a love that will listen to music with me and analyze it with me.

- I want a love that will inspire me.

- I want a love who will be adventerous with me. Where one Saturday if we have nothing else to do, we will just randomly go somewhere and take whacky pictures of our fun. 

- I want a love that will be patient, because I can be stubborn. A love that won't give up when things get frustrating. Someone who is willing to deal with the downs and willing to make things work. 

So back to the quote "Every woman has the exact love she wants". I know what I want, and I am confident God will send that person along.

Day 7:   Where you are in your life vs. where you thought you would be at this point

I'm not that good at planning ahead. I never really did too much with thinking where my life would be at 24. The closet thing I did was create a 5 year plan in my last year of college. I took a Senior Seminar class and our final project included laying out what the next 5 years would be. I created mine and was pretty satisfied with it. Now as I think about it, I really don't remember the details but the highlights were:

- Get a fellowship with a theatre company in DC

- Go to graduate school 

Mmm that's all I remember lol

I know in general that I really wanted to go to DC.

Well in reality, I never made it there. Actually right after I graduated, I went to Chicago. And then out of all places, I returned to Athens and began working at my alma mater. 

I have no regrets though. And when I think about it, sometimes it is better not to have so many plans. God always sees bigger and better things for you.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Join the conversation! Interested in joining the 30 day blog challenge?? Find out more here.

30 Day Blogger Challenge Day 5

Day 5
The biggest misconception you think people have about single life

There is not one blueprint for being single. I think that is the biggest misconception.

Everyone is different. You have to find your own groove. And I remember when I became single, I was searching to definite answers on what to do, how to act or where to go. 
Like there was a handbook listed. (Silly little rabbit)

I have come to realize that being single is me being single and no one else. I can share my stories with others and others can do the same, but at the end of the day, some things work for me and only me.

I am a social person but I am not out here partying every weekend. I like social hours and movie nights and dinners. 

I like browsing the local magazine for random events to go to and make a decision to go alone. Or some nights like tonight, I will have tickets to an event and I text to see who wants to come. 

Some days the best thing I do is listen to my "Get Me Through" playlist and all is well with the world.

Certain rhythms I have developed on my own and others I have picked up from others but I'm not searching for one detailed outline on the single life.

That's freedom.

Make your own blueprint folks!

#TheSW30
Interested in joining the 30 Day Single Woman Blogging Challenge? Find out more information here.

The Single Women's 30 Day Blogger Challenge

So on Twitter and Instagram, I follow Mandy Hale, author of The Single Woman. I have not read the book just yet but for over a year, I have followed her on Twitter and she has just had the right things to say. I can truly say, it has been a blessing to read her blog and tweets. 

Find more about her here

This month she issued a 30 day blogging challenge and today's post really just hit home and I decided to join in. Besides with the exception of Tumblr, I have not done too much blogging on this site.

I need to catch up on the first few days which I will do here. If you want to join in, see more details here:

Day 1:
1)      Your response to everyone’s favorite question: “And why are YOU still single?”

- I have been single for about 2 years now. And the easiest answer is that I was still holding on to my ex. We were together for 5 years. At this present time, he has moved on and I wish him the best of luck. That chapter is now closed and I need to learn to be ok with being by myself and developing my relationship with God. 
Note: This is probably the first time I have truly been able to admit that...progress folks. progress.

Day 2:
2)      Describe a moment or a day when being single really sucked.
- Oh wow.... I say in general I am an open book. I like to share so much of my life with others. I have come to terms that I am a communal person. But in terms of being single, there is just something about having a companion. Moments when being single really suck is when I want to call a guy late at night and talk for hours about my life. Or wanting to go out to the movies, listen to a new cd with a guy, read my poetry. 
The moments where I realize the absence of a companion in my life is when single life sucks.

Day 3:
3)      Describe a moment or a day when being single was really awesome.
- When I lived in Chicago and celebrated my 23rd birthday was probably the best day where single was awesome. I brought in my birthday at this bar where there was a James Brown cover band. I found myself dancing with all of these artists (some I knew but others I just met) and them passing the word around the bar that it was my birthday. The entire day I was on my own schedule and hung out with whoever I wanted. I walked from my job at Steppenwolf to the beach and sat along the water and wrote. It was the best feeling ever. I have had more days like that but I think that was one of the first days where I was glad that I was single. 

Day 4 (which is where the challenge is today)
4)      Your biggest fear as a single person.
-  I will miss out on someone great because I haven't truly healed from my past. I am sure that I am not the only one who may feel this way. It is a constant thought. Can I truly be with someone? I did have a great relationship at one point and it didn't work. Is there something wrong with me? Could I have another great relationship in the future? It all gets overwhelming. Sometimes it's better to block it all out. I try to stay busy and not think at all about my fears. 

I loved what Mandy had to say today about fears on her blog:
Lean into your fears. Don’t run from them. Feel them. Sit with them. Validate them. Then let them go and trust that God’s plan is best, however much it might line up with or deviate from your plans. How do I know this? Because as He says in one of my very favorite scriptures: “For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I have always ran from my fears and maybe it's time to stop. Accept them and give them to God.

This is a crazy month for me at work but I am committed to finishing this challenge. Hold me accountable readers and spread the word. God always reveals the right opportunities to me and I think this challenge will bring out some great things!

#THESW30

New Poem 7/1/13

I cry out for justice

Yelling until my voice cracks

Pounding my chest until my knuckles bleed

The blood

It streams down my body

Mixing in with my tears

Creating a pool underneath me

I cry out for justice

While they try and silence me

Try and frighten me

Try and discourage me

Try and keep me from my destiny

I cry out for justice

Hoping to ignite

Someone

everyone

Where is your fight?

Where is your passion?

Where. is. justice?

I'm searching for you

You've left the courtrooms

The Supreme Court needed you

I can't find you in the legislative sessions

10 hours I spent standing with Wendy

and I didn't see your face

Have you not upgraded your technology?

Cuz social media is running rampant

with hashtag lynchings

and Instagram strange fruits

I cry out for justice

Don't you hear me?

Don't you hear us?

Do you need more from us?

More protests? I'll get the picket signs

More calling lawmakers? I'll upgrade to 4G

Moe marches? My shoes will go to Selma , Alabama again or create a new route to Sanford, Florida

Just tell me what needs to happen for you to come back

I'm crying out for justice

Every day

Every night

Until there are no more tears left

Until there are no sounds that can come out of my mouth

and even then I won't be silent

No silence, never silence

I just need justice

7/1/13

New Poem: Pointless Living in a Memory

So I stopped sharing pieces on here because I want you all to get excited about my upcoming book but I have been writing pieces here and there. I already have 2 more books in mind with titles. (Thankful for the inspiration and visions that are placed on my heart)

So here is a piece I finished today, enjoy:

Pointless living in a memory

Planting myself in soil that no longer harvests

Clothing myself in remnants of what were

Conjuring up specific images in my mind

And replaying them

Adding a few ingredients here and there to make the remembrance spell stronger

Reciting the sacred to bring it all back

Pointless living in a memory

Creating visual scrapbooks

With the highlights of us

That I flip through occasionally 

Calling like I used to 

Texting liked I used to 

Expecting like we are in the same space

we were...then

But it's pointless living in a memory

Our memory

it was amazing

No regrets

But it's just that...a memory

A recollection of the past

And in the present

I can't keep retrieving stored information

Time to create and live

Time to accept what it is

Cuz what I need and deserve now

Can't be fulfilled in the 

"back then when we"

or the "remember how we"

So now I sit still in peace

Content with the what and where things are

Unsure of what the future holds for me

But I know that for now

It's just pointless living in a memory

6/19/13

Final 365 Days, 365 poems Sneak Peek

So on December 28, 2012 at 11:58 p.m. I finished my year long project of writing at least one poem everyday of the year of 2012. It was such a rewarding experience. I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me. I am thankful  for the experiences and the lessons learned throughout the year and I still have more to learn. This project has been amazing and I am excited to begin the process of editing it and publishing it. December 2013 be on the lookout for the release!

As a final sneak peek of the project, I wanted to share with you the 1st poem of the project and the last poem. Enjoy and if you want to see any more of the sneak peeks, take a look through my blog for more!!

January 1, 2012
He said I had a beautiful spirit
And then began to speak volumes of gracious words about me
I stood by in awe
Never knew our interactions made such an impact
Never knew that year afters seeing one another we could fall back into our communication as if time stood still
He said that we vibed on such a high level
And in that moment I stood speechless
He said I had a beautiful spirit
And as I reflect
I realize I have not fully seen what he sees in me
Have I gotten so far from myself
That the person he sees I can't find
Why can't I see her, feel her, know her
He said I had a beautiful spirit
And soon I hope once again to connect with her


December 31, 2012
10 minutes til
Til
A new chapter
Another 365
And I
Wanted to reflect
On so much
All the experiences
The risks
The highs
The lows
I had thought
Of clever descriptions
And word metaphors
But at
9 minutes til
None of those things came to mind
Overwhelmed I am
By it all
And the only description I can put
Is
"In spite of"
For this all began 
With His vision
His grace
His mercy
His "in spite of"
My insecurities
My flesh
My doubts
His "in spite of"
The times I turned my back on Him
7 minutes til
He is still there
Providing
Protecting
Loving
And as tears stream down my face
Onto this page
I know that 
"In spite of"
A new year
He will continue
To show me the way
"In spite of"
The challenges I will face
He will guide
I began this journey
To find her
And even at
4 minutes til
I am not sure
If I fully know her
But she's there
In Him
And as I get closer to Him
I will find her
In spite of  it all
2 minutes til....

365 poems, 365 Days (HOT OFF THE PRESS) 11/8/12

Saw the above picture today and it really hurt my heart. I also saw some die hard Romney supporters just completely do and say some off the wall things. It really made me sit back and think what kind of world are we in? When people say this re-election is the worst for America, it is not because of President Obama, it is because of the hatred of those who are not willing to see beyond themselves and their closed minds.

11/8/12

It's scary
to see
How deep the poison seeps
through the fabric of this Union
A poison so immune
That it no longer
diguises itself
No
it plasters its identity in the social media realm
claiming to be patriotic
But its not
Its
pure
hatred
KKK hoods
replaced with Twitter handles and hashtags
Burnt crosses of retweets
Lynching in the forms of groups "mobilizing" and creating campaigns to reverse
the "horrible" state of society
At 23 in 2012
I am supposed to be hopeful for the future
But no
I'm scared