Two years ago I was in a church on my hands and knees as I prayed for a stable living environment and acceptance into a university. Last Sunday, as I returned to that same church, I realized I had become the person I had prayed to become two years prior. This transformation didn't come easy; it was achieved through stepping into spaces where I felt undeserving.
Life often presents moments where we feel unprepared for what lies ahead. You may not have the skills or enough knowledge prior to going through that experience. But you have to explore in this world. That is what living is. Learning as you go. So today I want to talk more about the process of entering new spaces with an open mindset.
Internal Feelings Show Externally
“Know there is a reason you are there even if you don’t feel you deserve it.”
How you show up is what differentiates you from other people. Enter a space looking physically good. Make sure that your outfit fits the style of event you are attending. Push the envelope with your outfit. Make it stand out from others with color, texture or accessories.
Moreover, thriving in unfamiliar territories takes mental strength. Recognize your worth and leverage strengths to make up for shortcomings. For example you may not be good at small talk but you are good at telling jokes. So focus on telling jokes! And demonstrate your love for professional advancement. Show people in the room you are there to develop and are forward thinking. Whether it is creating new relationships or pitching a new product idea.
Focus on Writing Your Own Story
Crafting one's narrative often involves forging paths untraveled by those around us. We have all been in the position where we are the first person in our circle to do something. For me that is going to college. Sometimes when you share with others your plan for the life you want to live it may seem like they don’t support you. They may even tell you to go about life in another way. Maybe they try to discourage you from doing the things you would like to do. The best advice I’ve ever gotten however is to block out the “noise.”
Noise is anything that distracts you from creating the life you want. It can be the opinions of others or comparing yourself to others. I feel as though this is common especially in transitional phases of life. My journey, notably non-traditional, led me to pursue a college education despite voices urging otherwise. I was unhappy living the life they chose for me to live. So I chose to live my own life and write my own story. I’ve been happier since.
But I was not able to just achieve a happier life without the help of others. Acknowledging the role of community, I learned the importance of seeking assistance when needed. Building a life involves a community effort. Overcoming pride, I sought guidance from mentors and supportive peers, recognizing that collective efforts catapult us towards our goals. I was not able to make it to the end of my college experience without the help of a minimum of 10 staff members at my college.
Get comfortable with life not feeling complete. Life is a journey. You will go through things but you will also be a different person by the time the journey is done. While embracing a constant state of learning, I've come to appreciate life. A commitment to continuous growth ensures resilience in the face of uncertainty. I've embraced the transformative power of experience.
In navigating life, my journey demonstrates how far resilience and self-belief can change everything. Through sharing my narrative, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own story of self-discovery and fulfillment despite feeling undeserving.
