#WATTBA
Today marks the day that I finally reach 21 years of life!
My life has been absolutely amazing to this point and I thank God that I can wake up in celebration! I've grown in so many ways, and even the worst of times can be seen as lessons to prepare me for future victories to come. Not everyone can wake up on their birthday and feel more joy than regret when they reflect on their years. So here are the first twenty one things that come to mind when I think about all the great things that I've obtained and experienced in my twenty one years of living.
1. Of course, family and friends.
2. But, I really mean it though. I'm grateful to have my siblings as wonderful role models and support systems. I'm beyond blessed with parents who can discern when people and things aren't in my best interest sometimes before I can. While they have two totally different parenting methods, their two types of love combined was an excellent recipe that plays such a huge part in who I am today.
3. I feel so liberated because somewhere along the years I learned that moving on without closure is not always a horrible thing. Not everyone is going to give you closure, and it's not always fair, but it isn't the end of the world. Some people were placed into your life for specific purposes, and once they've served that purpose there's no need for them in your life anymore. I may not always understand it, but I have faith that everything occurs for a reason. I thank God that I'm not stuck in a victim role, or throwing myself twenty one years worth of pity parties.
4. Im thankful that I still have friends the next day after nights filled with Jose Cuervo because I genuinely don't understand how they deal with me.
5. Chappelle's Show Season Two.
6. Coffee.
7. Not everyone gets to attend amazing shows. Some people have never been to a concert in their whole life. I'm grateful for every single show I've been able to experience. From being a child yelling "WE WANT BOWWOW" at The Scream Tour, to being a lit young adult vibing at Trillectro.
8. God could have given me any talent, yet he chose to make me a Taboo champion.. I'm so blessed.
9. I'm grateful that I live in a time where I got to see things go out of style and come all the way back. I love a good comeback story.
Skorts came back.
Chokers came back.
WildN'Out came back.
Juicy J came back
... and I have been a witness to it all. What a Time to Be Alive.
10. Also, living in a time where black people continue to flourish. I was able to vote for our first black president when he attempted and succeeded at running for reelection which is a huge deal. Black representation in general is getting stronger and stronger; from Zendaya getting her own Barbie, to shows like Empire and Scandal with black lead actors/actresses gaining popularity.
11. I thank God for the GLO. And continuous GLO. Exceedingly, abundantly, above, Pressed down, shaken together, and running over GLO.
12. And I´m happy that I picked writing back up and created this blog. And for everyone who supports and reads it!
13. There are so many things that I said that I would NEVER do. I would look at other people's situations and say "That could never be me." But here's the thing, life has a way of humbling you all the way down. Doing things that I thought I would never do, good or bad, taught me to be slow to speak because YOU JUST DON'T KNOW what turn your life may take. I'm happy that I learned that lesson early.
14. Baby carrots.
15. I'm thankful that my mom refused to let me wear "cool" stuff like Apple Bottoms and RocaWear when I was in middle school, because a lot of those people are still wearing Apple Bottoms and RocaWear.......... that was mean I'm sorry. (No I'm not.)
16. Drake´s beard.
17. Coconut Oil
18. Im actually SO HAPPY to be from the 804. It's the hub for a lot of amazing art, talent, and festivals. Y'all know I love a good festival, and Richmond has so many: The Folk Festival, Strawberry Street Festival, Watermelon Festival, Bacon Festival, Two Street Festival, Shamrock the Block (a St. Patrick's Day Festival). In the summertime, just being able to go to the River and catch a breeze, or walk around at the rocks and see amazing murals makes for a great day. I'm so proud of where I come from.
19. I thank God for the fact that I didn't have cable and internet as a child because:
I accredit me and my siblings having a tight bond with the fact that we had no cable or internet. We had no choice but to play with each other.
I also accredit my creativity level to that because I had to create my own fun, and think of new ways to keep myself entertained.
I even started writing out of boredom. And now I write for fun. :)
Lastly, my snapchat artwork is always on fleek because all I did was play on the Paint application all day.
20. I NO LONGER HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE COLD SWEAT PANIC OF USING A FAKE I.D.
21. So, every birthday people ask me if I feel different. Even if I'm merely two minutes into my birthday, people ask if I feel a difference yet. If it's an old person, I'll act super excited and say "YES, it feels great to be another year older." If it's someone in my age group I'm like "Now why would I feel different... why?! It's literally just a new day. I did not get sprinkled in fairy dust."
