#hello2014

A belated, but completely still relevant list of things I learned in 2013, and the lessons I plan to take into 2014. Beware… she’s long…

Dear 2013..

**Social Media is NOT real life. Don’t confuse FB friends with actual friendship. Instagram likes with people actually liking you, or Twitter followers with people actually caring what you have to say in 140 characters.  The small print of social media sites reads; they just want to be all in your business. 
#2014: Time to trim the fat. Delete delete delete.

**There will never be brown tights. Like, ever. I’ve come to terms with it. Somethings will never change.
#2014#blackgirlproblems

**Girls are crazy. No, seriously. The moment you walk in the door, they love you or they hate you. They want to be you, they like your pictures but hate your guts, talk about each other over wine, steal boyfriends, walk pass you in the hall without speaking,  give advice they’d never adhere to, vow to never speak to each other again, then go out to dinner or the club. Fight, with no reason to, and often keep are fueled off of drama that doesn’t exist or they would never confront each other about. We call each other every name in the book, and then are best friends on Tuesday and enemies Friday. So, until we find a pill for the female races craziness, let’s try and act like ladies. Ladies.
#2014: Women aren’t natural enemies, we’ve just been taught to believe that. Keep it classy ladies.

**Count Your Blessings. I tried a bunch of new things last year, and each time got very close but always came up short. And as I looked around, I’d wonder why or how other seemed to get things that I thought I deserved. I quickly realized how wrong I was. How easy it is to lose sight of our many blessings, worried about what the next person has. If it’s meant for you, you’ll know it.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful.” #2014

**Value each moment, because death is real, and can come out of nowhere. Some absolutely wonderful people were called home to glory this year, each time it was more and more unexpected. Value the moments you have folks, because this is a precious life we are given.
#2014: Care more, laugh more, love more…

**There are still super awesome people in this world. Like seriously. I had my doubts, but I managed to meet people I completely adore in 2013. To every single new person I’ve met this year, thanks for opening your heart and mind up to me, all of me. If you’re still here in 2014, I   promise not to eff it up.

**Have I told you lately, that I love you? Mom and Dad, why  thank goodness there is just one of me right? Love you both. Family, near and far. I love you all. Friends, my main girls (and guys) since the CSUSB days, I haven’t seen you in a while, but I think of you often. I owe you. Everlasting friendships since college, time can never break. I’m a thug, and don’t party in my feelings, but I owe it to folks to say I love you a little more. And I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.  To the strangers that turned into cowrokers, and to the nights that made those cowrokers my friends and people I love forever. Thank you. And where the party at tho?

**That blouse still doesn’t go with those shoes. I mean, that won’t change in 2014 either, boo.
#2014 Remember: Color Pattern Texture & Shine.

**Dance is still everything. I renewed my love affair with dance this year. Moving through five different shows. Teaching when I can.  Left one team, joined two. Kept dancing.  Auditioned and auditioned and auditioned. Kept growing. Still growing.  Still dancing.
#2014 They say dance like no one is watching. No dance like everyone is watching. And kill it. Weeerk.

**Sometimes you got to pat yourself on the back. Don’t hold your breath waiting for your job or the world  to acknowledge you with a gold sticker and a high five. Most of the time it’ll never happen. Trust me. Believe in yourself, know that you are giving 100%, and reward yourself.
#2014 “Some times you, have to encourage, yourself.”

**Things change. And that’s ok. I spent quite a bit of last year, trying to figure out why things weren’t exactly how I wanted, or rather, how it had been in the past. Little did I know that change is inevitable. Change is good. But growth is even better. There is so much awesome out there, and it may not be what you’re used to, but it can be just what you need.

**Do you. Simply stated. There is never going to be a better version of you. I’ve learned that stepping away from the crowd sometimes gives you a clearer vision of reality.  It’s so easy to get lost in what other people are doing, that you lose sight of yourself, and the person God called you to be. I’m slowly allowing myself to appreciate all that am. Good, bad and in between. And I’m kinda dope. I’m still very much a hot mess, but I’m working on that it lol.
#2014  “Auditions are being held for you to be yourself, apply within.” “A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.” – Oscar Wilde

Last but not least, its 2014, and you are here, reading this. So you have a reason to celebrate.

XO

-kb