Maya Angelous once said
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution."
I've been reflecting on the power of choice.
Choice is just like breathing, most of us can't remember the last time (if ever) that choice was removed from our table. It's literally part of our everyday life.
I think about the highs and lows that I've experienced in this lifetime and I realised that the underlying message in all of these experiences was that no matter how negative or positive I've perceived the experience to be, I knew that I always had control over how I chose to perceive and respond to each experience. Even in moments of deep darkness, where my life seemed to be surrounded by depression, I decided to see light, to see the opportunity hidden amongst the bushes and mist.
If you feel like there are blocks and limitations standing in your light, just understand that you can simply choose to take your power back. Take back your power to choose how you perceive or respond to an experience or your current circumstances. Understanding this power gave me the courage to choose that I can align beauty with kindness even when many questioned why I won't just take an easier route, a quicker route. I've had people ask and say:
"Why should I care about how women are treated in another part of the world?"
"It's their problem, not mine"
"Girl, I'll stick to buying cheaper hair extensions" and so on.
My WHY stands in my desire to choose to be part of an endeavour that leaves a positive social impact in this world. To choose to put my integrity over the pressure to make quick money. To choose to celebrate kindness + empowerment in ALL spaces. To choose to continue to follow my passion even if it involves struggle.
I choose to embrace this journey that will inevitably present opportunities (what many of us call "challenges") to evolve + grow because that is a part of my truth and it is also a part of yours.
Celebrate the power of choice + live the abundant life that you deserve.