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This photoshoot took place at the Tree Runner Adventure Park in West Bloomfield, Michigan. It's an aerial park made up of 12 aerial trails varying in difficulty, length, and height. Climbers must demonstrate their ability to conquer a beginner trail before moving on to intermediate courses, an intermediate trail before moving on to the more advanced trails, and a more advanced trail before moving on to expert trails.
As I went on my adventure in this photoshoot, each level was difficult. It took more upper body strength than I imagined, but I could not go back; I had to keep going to the end. There were a few obstacles I attempted, and I had to rethink my strategy before I continued. It was an example for me to remember that as I continue my journey, not to be thrown off when the unexpected happens. If the first try doesn't work, make the necessary adjustments but sustain momentum and keep it moving.
The past ten months have indeed been a journey for me. A journey filled with emotions, tears, fear, and victories. When this project came to my heart, I thought it was more for the reader, but it has blessed me in areas I never imagined. That confident, courageous, faith-filled, gorgeous (yes, I said it!) woman of God I once remembered is no longer a memory. I stand as her, with my head high and more determined to fulfill my purpose on the earth more than ever before.
This point of self-awareness was not easy to be discerned. I had to confront areas of my life that tried to make me a coward in the shadow of fear, self-hatred, and others' negative options. Dare not say I've arrived, but I'm indeed not where I started. That's why I use the hashtag "the journey never ends" (#thejourneyneverends). I continue to "become" daily as I push myself to go beyond the limitations I once set for myself.
Think about it! Who told you that you couldn't? Who told you that you weren't good enough? Who told you that you didn't have what you needed to step out and go after your dreams? Where did your limitations come from? You may say you tried, and it didn't work. Well, maybe what you tried wasn't your purpose. But you didn't know it until you stepped out and tried, right? Stepping out helps build endurance so that when you walk into your whole purpose, you would have endured enough "no's" that you won't give up or back down when it gets hard as you walk in your destiny.
We are daily confronted with obstacles or hurdles that come to take us off course of truly living our best life! If you think about it, the most common excuses are, it's too hard, or you're not sure if it's what you are supposed to do. Well, I have an excellent example!
My nephew Sam (aka James) changed his life from running the streets. He got married and now the proud father of three boys, all before the age of 25! Not sure what direction he wanted to go in, he went into heating and cooling, following his Uncle Bernard's steps. Realizing that wasn't it, he started a lawn care business. That venture worked for a while, but he still felt a void that he could accomplish more. Well, today, he's the successful owner and CEO of Sam Davis Studios! One could argue that the first two ventures were a waste of time, but no! Each journey he took established perseverance that only "leaping" can create! Had he given up after the heating and cooling didn't pan out the way he envisioned, he could have easily given up and forfeited the opportunity to stand on the platform he has today!
DISAPPOINTMENT ISN'T A REASON TO GIVE UP!
Sometimes the things we vision for our life can be scary as hell, but that doesn't mean it's not possible! The level of difficulty doesn't negate the fact that your vision can not manifest. Any woman who prepares to give birth to their first child has an idea of the pain she will endure. She knows it may not be easy, and in rare cases, it may even cost her life, but the focus must be on the result to push through the pain. This should be a life lesson for us all!
YOU ARE SO MUCH STRONGER THAN YOU THINK!
Having said all that, I mentioned to the ladies at my "My Sister's Keeper" photoshoot in June, there is a phase two to my "12to50" journey, which includes everyone! I will launch a platform for everyone willing to take their journey to document your progress from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. You can post pictures, journal entries, or links to videos. Please share your personal story to encourage others who were like me, afraid to move out of the comfort zone of life.
Let's come together and embark on our 2020 journey together!
“Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 AMP)