2015 End of Year Wrap Up

If someone asked me my favorite moment of 2015 I would have a really hard time deciding. This year has been great to me. I stepped out of my comfort zone and had my first art show before I was even prepared for it. I created over thirty pieces in less than a month and made a bigger profit than I could have imagined, but more importantly connections. I undervalued my work by setting low prices for myself because I wasn't sure how I would be received; I wasn't sure what to charge because putting a price on my artwork was new to me. At the very least I just wanted to break even. I was humbled by the number of people that actually paid more than the ticketed price because they saw something in me... in my art/ vision, and I'll never forget it. I followed that up with another equally successful show five months later.

This was a year of gains, as every loss only increased the value of what was to come. I can truly say that the positives far outnumbered the negatives. I reconnected with old friends, made amends with people that may have caused pain in the past and built stronger relationships overall.

I start(ed) a new job in 2015... something I'd been wanting to do for a while now, and I know that it's only up from here. 

The biggest surprise of all is the love that has found me and rounded out my year beautifully.

Here's to pushing ourselves to new limits in the new year. Taking what we learned in the last and capitalizing off of it.

The time is now. Life is here.

Show up. Show out.

Peace, Love and Blessings in the new year!

xoxo,

Shari

2014: End of Year Recap

The year is winding down, and it's only right to reflect on all that has taken place; the highs and lows, ups, downs and plateaus.
(Will update through the end of the year.)

In 2014:

I allowed myself to be vulnerable.
I jumped.
I experimented.
 I lived.
I loved, man did I love...
I fell.
I made mistakes, again and again... but most importantly, I got back up.
I experienced more growth this year than I have in my entire adult life.
I conquered fears.
I found my voice, and used it.
I gained new friendships,
made amends and said goodbyes.
Hit refresh on my creativity.
Nearly doubled my blog posts from the previous year.
Stepped outside of my comfort zone, and found myself in my solitude.
I relinquished control and in turn regained a greater focus.
Saw my brand grow, and connected with the TRIBE in person.
Loyalties were tested, some thrived and some shriveled.
 I found balance on my own two feet.
And most importantly, I became comfortable in my own skin.


Lessons Learned/ Observed:

Comfort zones are cool and all, but nothing ever grows there.
Trying new foods will make you feel like you haven't truly been alive until you discovered them.
Wine is the answer. (.. the question doesn't matter.)
Go to as many concerts as humanly possible.. even if it means sometimes going alone. ( 2014 line up- KING, Snoop, Outkast, Damien Marley, Janelle Monae, The Roots, The Foreign Exchange, Pharoahe Monch, SZA, TV on the Radio, Bahamadia, Rihanna, Metallica..etc.)
Nothing great can manifest if the timing isn't right.
Avoid "ego" at all costs.
You should enjoy the people you choose to be around. People don't realize the control they have over who they allow to be in their lives.
Laugh.. find people who make you laugh.
Trust God to deliver.
"What I know for sure is this: You are built not to shrink down but to blossom into more. To be more splendid. To be more extraordinary. To use every moment to fill yourself up." -Oprah
Actions outweigh words. Period. (.. a hard one when you're a sucker for convo/ "sweet nothings.")
NOBODY can take your blessing!
Take the time to truly get to know who people are, and not who they portray themselves to be.
Listen!!
Value the good people around you.
When someone shows you who they are, believe them.
Travel, and often.
People will run in and out of your life if you leave the door open.
...and while on the subject of doors, it's impossible to enter a new one if your foot is still stuck in the old.
For every purchase made with credit, pay it off, or a portion right then and there.
And you don't owe anyone anything... not even the benefit of the doubt 

Stay woke.