" Everything I dream, motherfuckers, I'm watching it take shape. While to you I'm just a young rich nigga that lacks faith." - Pusha T
I must be honest: I have created several vision boards. Never have I ever had one of those “everything came true” testimonies. Originally, I thought that I was too general. So, the year before last, I got very specific and still nothing. Not wanting to give up on the idea- I decided to take a different route. So, instead of creating a vision board, I created a mood board of how I wanted my year to feel. And the results were- shocking.
Last year showed me that I have the power to call in anything I need (or want) into my life. But, before your side-eye me, I’ll let you see for yourself- through the results of my mood board.
Remember how excited I was for 2018? I still can’t explain it- it just felt like it was my year to step into my power. It was my year of going from “wanting” to be a writer to being a fucking writer. So, I picked quotes, images and people that symbolize exactly that! I didn’t realize it then, but my mood board created my definition of power. The first thing it says is the “Path to Power- (is)Activate Your Within- (and) Unflinching Honestly”. While on the other side it says: “Make Money Moves.” On January 23rd- I did just that.
Three years ago, when Necole Kane shut down her gossip website, she posted a very honest YouTube video. I can clearly recall watching the video and saying to myself I would do anything to work with her. Two years later, I pitched myself to the website and they didn’t respond. I didn’t dwell on it. I kept pushing and began working on Honestly Sis. This not only gave me writing experience, but it helped me find my voice. Acting like an “Overconfident Man”, near the end of the year, I gave it another shot. This time I pitched Honestly Sis and they picked up the “Men Are Trash!” article.
When I submitted my writer’s bio, the managing editor, encouraged me to pen some opt-end pieces for the site. After telling her she made my whole year, she told me that she loved my “perspective” (I didn’t even know I had that!). Giving me further confidence, to pitch again- this time it was about Mo’Nique and Netflix. On January 23rd, my first article “Why Rotting for Everybody Black Includes Mo’Nique”,was posted. It was a personal victory for me and my writing career.
I would then go on to write three additional articles. But it didn’t come without plenty of awkward question (how to receive payment), improper social media posting (Will Packer mailing address) and so much other silly shit (like not following up on a whole article). But, I wasn’t afraid to be “new” in my new industry. I realized quickly, that me having two degrees, didn’t mean shit in this world. I was new. All of this was new and I had to be patience with myself. Last year gave me a taste of the writer’s life and I'm grateful for it! I didn’t think it was possible to make money off writing, but I did - multiple times. This year, I’m going to try to triple it!
Though I love the progress I’m making in my writing career, yoga is one of the biggest things that I called into my life. In the past, I’ve done a couple of classes at the Y and Midtown Bikram. But nothing that I would call a “regular practice”. I enjoyed both classes, but it wasn’t anything to write home about! In February, I received an email from my building saying that they will be offering yoga classes, with a special rate for building tenants. Excited, I quickly formed my little yoga group at work. Then the “event” happen, before I could start a single class! When I finally returned to work, I started attending classes- and was instantly hooked. I began practicing at least four days a week and I can honestly say that for the first time in my life- I love my body.
It’s not that I’ve had this dramatic weight loss, it just that this past year gave me a deeper appreciation for my body. Yoga has also helped me deepen my connection to it. Week after week- I go from barely able to do a posture- to holding it with ease. Like, I love it so much, that being a yoga teacher is officially on my bucket list. AND, - I’ve been losing weight without even trying! Along with drinking warm water, lemon and honey religiously every morning. (My Dad swears lost over 20 pounds just drinking that and not changing his diet!) Over the summer, during one of my classes, my teacher began talking about how the universe works and how it will provide opportunities to you, when you aren’t even looking for it. She then goes into the story of how someone randomly called her one day and asked, “Are you interested in opening a studio in the Guardian Building?”
You know how important it is for me to find my tribe. On my mood board, I picked the type of women that I would love to a part of my tribe. Two of those women were Issa Rae and Ava. (Because – they are Issa Rae and Ava fucking DuVernay!) This past summer, at some bar in New York, in some random basement- I not only danced shoulder to shoulder with Issa. I (more like my boyfriend sister) had a drunken conversation with Issa and her manager. (I was too overwhelmed to form words). The whole time, I was in the basement my only thought was “That’s Issa FUCKING Rae!!”
A few weeks ago, it was announced that Ava signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Warner Brother Studios. I saw the post and just became emotional. What a lot of people don’t know, is that back in my public accounting days- when Ava became the first black woman to win Best Director at Sundance. I went into a rabbit hole- finding any information I could about her and discovered she didn’t pick up a camera until 30. She instantly became one of those people I kept an eye on- because she represented possibility to me. I would track her process and think- well hell- maybe one day. When the news of the deal came out, I felt genuine joy! When I mentioned all this (in a summarize) version on my post; never in a million years- would I think she would actually REPLY (not just like). It wasn’t until I started re-viewing my board, that I even remember her and Issa was on it!
I started 2018, feeling as though it was my year and in a lot of ways it was- just not how I imagined it. I had many firsts, took plenty of L’s and lost people along the way. This year I had to get comfortable with the idea of abundance, walking in my truth and not worrying about the outcomes. If you don’t have a vision for your life. Just create a mood. Think about how you want to feel, the places you want to explore and don’t worry about how it’s going to happen. Allow yourself a moment to dream like a reckless, naive child.
After such amazing results- I realize what was missing from my vision board days: (1) I was in a “hoping” mindset instead of a “knowing” mindset. (2) I wasn’t in a good mood; and the key is to be in a good-care-free mood. So, before the end of February is over, crack open a bottle of wine, flip through your magazines and create your mood for the year. When you finish don’t think about it- don’t check your broad every month. Just live your life and watch how the universe work on your behalf. Then send me the story- so we can all celebrate your results.
-AM
Until next time:
“Dream them dreams. Then man-up and live them dreams, because a life without dreams is black and white. And the universe flows in technicolor and surround-sound.”- The Late Great Combat Jack!
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