Lessons Learned from 2012 [Part I]

I've never done this but I felt compelled to write about the lessons I've learned this year. It's going to be a 2 part series because expanding on each lesson could be an entry within itself. And I don't want you all to read essays for an entry. Here's my list:

• Pour (Invest) into your life what you want to come out - I learned that if you continue to pour/feed/invest into your dreams, they will come true. This year I received my FIRST (of many) jobs in social media. It felt so good, and still feels good, to finally start my career in my passion. My dream of a career in social media started way before I got this job. Actually, I finally realized it in June 2011. Actually I realized it before but in June is when I actually said I would be serious about it. I worked hard. Connected with people who wanted to meet with me. Had informational interviews with people I admired. READ and READ and READ until I fell asleep on my computer about social media and how it's used for business practices. Went to social media events (even by myself) to meet people and network. Shadowed some social media professionals while they worked. I wanted it THAT bad. Finally a year later my dream came true. When you work hard, you will be rewarded. Not necessarily immediately but in due time. A career in social media is what I wanted so I poured into my life the things that would help me get there. Where do you want to go? What do you want to achieve? What are you pouring into your life to get THE life you want?
• Be careful of WHO you allow in your space - Some people are just not good for you. Not that they are a bad person but not right for you.  Develop a discerning spirit. You are indirectly affected by the company you keep. The results of their actions could change your life forever. Know what your boundaries are and what lines you cannot cross. Don't be afraid to end a toxic friendship/relationship because of future's unknown. The future may hold something much better if you just release that person is not for you. Remember zero is greater than negative one (0 > -1). 
• LISTEN to God - I learned this lesson the hard way recently. When He speaks (if He speaks to you), PLEASE listen. Don't ever think you can convince God after He's made His decision. Remember He created heaven and earth. I'm pretty sure He knows what He's talking about. Doing the opposite of what He says is blatant disrespect. He speaks to us all, believe or not. People call it your intuition, I (and most Christians) call it Him speaking the through the Holy Spirit. (If you have questions about God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, let me know.) Take heed to that funny/uncomfortable you get. That is your protection. When you ignore it, that's when emotional pain comes, because you were ignored the protection. Most situations that cause the most pain are emotional but there are ALWAYS warning signs. We tend to ignore them though. Save yourself the pain because like my friend said, "it is ALWAYS the things you can't touch that can hurt you the most and the hardest to heal". And if you can make the decision, difficult as it may be, to be protected, why not make the right choice? 

I kinda lied about it being an essay. I hope you made it through. Woo those were some intense lessons to learn this year but I know that it's all a part of my process to be great and be the best me for me. What lessons have you all learned this year?

♥ A.Erika ♥  

my scare

I had scare recently and made me evaluate my whole life.

My mom called me one day saying her mammogram results came back irregular and had to get further testing. Waittt whatttt? Messed me up for the whole day. I couldn't focus for the rest of the day. See my mom is my ROCK. But to be real, I don't always treat her the way I should. Because you know mom is ALWAYS going to be here. Or at least that's my thought process. But the thought of her developing a life-threatening disease got my attention loud and clear. This past Monday she had her follow-up testing so I made sure that I was there for her. I couldn't allow her to face something like that alone. Because she is ALWAYS there for me.

And thank God, everything is fine but it made me realize that you cannot take people for granted. Let people know how you feel while they are still here. Good or bad. Because you NEVER know when it will be time for them to check out. You don't want to hold in/back feelings that should have been said weeks, months, years ago. Say what you have to say and release it.

Even though she gets on my nerves, that's still my mom and I'm glad she's still with me.

♥ A.Erika ♥ 

What do you want?

A question I have been asked very often as of recently. Sometimes its the most difficult question to answer. Like I struggle with answering it. Especially when it comes to expressing my feelings while in a relationship/situationship/dating. The fear of admitting what I want. Because in my mind, if I admit what I want and doesn't meet my expectation, I feel disappointed. So I suppress what I want. It's weird.

But I'm working to change that. Because a) if I do not truly admit what I want, I dont think I will truly be happy; b)knowing what you want helps you to set standards.

♥ A.Erika ♥ 

but God.

Talking about speaking it into existence.*Second paragraph, first couple sentences* I felt a shift coming in my life, not exactly sure when but I knew it was coming. It started with a call from my mom saying that one of her co-workers' husband was looking for a social media coordinator. ^_^. That was sign that I knew something was up. I sent in my application. That same day I scheduled an interview. First interview went well and was called back for a second interview. The Monday before the second interview I was tipped off that I would be laid off from my then current job. Didnt let that distract me from my second interview.

My second interview came with great difficulty. I left my house 1.5 hr before my interview. Traffic was EVERYWHERE! Interstates, backroads, side streets. I broke down because I thought I was late for my interview at 9. I had to call mama lindo so she could soothe and calm me down. Finally get to the interview, thinking I was late. Only to realize my interview was scheduled for 30 minutes later than the original appointment. But God. I even double checked my e-mail, the interview was supposed to be a 9am, instead of 9:30a. But God. Second interview went well and I waited to hear back from them.

The Monday after the second interview, I got laid off from the job I talked about here. I cried because it hurt my feelings. The next day I decided I was going to go to Digital Atlanta so I could learn more about my passion, social media. That same day, my dream came true and I got a call that I would be the new social media coordinator for the company I interviewed for.

When I tell you God is good!! I have been grindin at this thang for about 2 years and never gave up. Even when I was about to. Even when I was about to sign up for the military and the police academy. My spirit could take that decision. First time I experienced the Holy Spirit like that night I was completing my application to police academy. I told God that I was trusting Him with my dream and that I hoped what He wanted is what I wanted. That my plans aligned with His plans. So its said, so its done. I just completed my first week and what an amazing experience it's been. I saw this on twitter and it pretty much sums up how I feel: They say once you love what you do, you'll never work another day in your life. One of the highlights...seeing Esperanza Spalding and Terri Lyne Carrington play live! These are the leading ladies of jazz and I got to see them for free in an amazing venue, that I happen to work for. Talk about blessings that I dont have enough room to store. God is that great!

Just believe and He got you!

♥ A.Erika ♥

Hello October.

Happy October to you all! It is officially autumn. I love saying autumn instead of fall. Fall sounds so...regular. Lol. Anyways, I am really looking forward to this change in seasons. Literally and figuratively. I feel a shift on its way and I am highly anticipating it.

Tuesday night/Wednesday early morning, I couldnt sleep. I was just up, reading my timeline. My TL has been very inspirational lately and it's definitely great because I will take that over excessive ratchetness.  One of my favorite writers/bloggers was reflecting on her journey to entrepreneurship, I was feeling inspired and decided to do the same. So this is straight from my TL...

 After the talk with @DANiBANANii_, journaling, now catching up with my TL, I am feeling inspired and ready for whatever is next. I'm learning its okay to expect GREAT things especially when I've been working hard the past 2 years. Networking, reading, studying, doing whatever is necessary to become the best ME I can. Proud to say that everything has worked together for my good. Even when I couldn't see the light, even when things didnt go according to MY plan, even when I questioned if I was going down the right path. I still knew something great is in store. Just keep grinding and the fruits of your labor will soon blossom. That's what I kept telling myself and now I see sweet fruit slowly blossoming. Now looking back I wouldn't change my journey because it built my character, forced me to take inventory and most of all love myself, flaws and all. Content? Yes. Comfortable? Not quite. But I'm slowly getting THERE and that's what matters. Life is a cross country race. Highs, lows, but persistence and endurance get you through.

I really had to stop and be thankful for where I am and where I'm going. Celebrate small victories while you conquer the war. That is my new motto. So to the last quarter of the 2012. I am so ready and I'm trying to go out of 2012 with a bang. Who is with me?

♥ A.Erika ♥

deadlines

As a designer, adhering to deadlines comes with the territory so one would think, my personal life would follow suit. But that's definitely not the case. Whenever I set deadlines for something, it seems I hardly get it done. Then I get upset and disappointed. But I fail to realize how busy I really am. With work, church, AIGA, family, friends, freelance work, etc, time seems to slip away. My day starts between 7a-7:30a and I often don't get home until 9:30 (ish)pm. Then I HAVE to entertain my family. If I dont, it's a "subtle" issue. Sometimes I really don't feel like talking to anyone when I get home, but I take my moment in the car to get my energy together and walk in. Yes, gather energy, because if you follow me on twitter, you already know how LIVE my house is on a regular basis. Then foolin with my family means midnight comes around quicker than I can blink my eye. I say that all, not as an excuse, but realizing that while I have these ambitious goals for my blog, I have to be realistic. So my blog launch date is TBA. Launching sooner than later.

But GUESS WHAT?! www.ashleelindo.com is LIVE! Y'all check out. It just hosts my portfolio for now but as I'm learning HTML and CSS, I hope to create my site that reflects my brand and my portfolio will be one of the menu options on my site. Next step: get Google Analytics because my site comes up on the SECOND page of google search when I search my name. Other than that, I have a few projects that I can't wait to share so I'm working and staying busy!

Much love,

♥ A.Erika ♥

expectations

I think one of my biggest problems is that I expect too much from people. I expect and forget people are human. Humans disappoint. We cant help it. There is something you will or will not do that fall short of that expectation. 

Or maybe the problem is my feelings get really hurt when people do not meet my expectations. 

Or maybe the problem is my expectations are too high for people who CANT meet my them. 

Either way it goes, I am learning to deal with my reactions to the unmet expectations. Not become as affected. It's difficult because I dont want to become numb to people. So I'm realizing there is a fine line to not caring and not being affected. I want to learn that latter because that comes with accepting the situation for what it is and not let it consume my thoughts. Responding rather than reacting. Difficult task but I know I can do it. Just time and prayer.

♥ A.Erika ♥