Destination Peach

Where Reality and Inspiration Meet

I Choose Courage

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Photo from Courage Works

One of the new year gifts I brought myself was a virtual seat in the online classroom of author/scholar Brene Brown. After seeing Brown’s SuperSoul Session on OWN and reading the book Daring Greatly I was extremely moved. I believe it was the universe’s way of motivating and inspiring me to take more risks. #Truthmoment…I am literally the type of person that will walk to the edge of a cliff and not jump or at least wait for the right moment to jump (and the right moment never comes).

So far, I’m about three weeks into the course and loving every minute of it. There are a variety of courses to choose from on the Courage Works website. I decided to take the Daring Leadership course, considering my life journey and the changes I’m determined to make.

The course concepts around vulnerability, marble jars, and permissions slips have me feeling encouraged. In a short time span, I feel like I have made growth in the personal/professional arenas of my life (I’ll talk more about this in a different post).

If you have the opportunity to take a Brene Brown course I highly recommend it. Once I complete the course, I will write a final review on my overall thoughts.

Until next time…

-Peach

A day in the life of Peach

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When I first saw the quote years ago, “you have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyonce” I laughed partially because I’m not Beyonce, and the quote spoke the truth. I said to myself… if Beyonce has 24 hours in a day and she is the world’s best entertainer, a mother, a wife, and the ultimate queen of slaying its time for me to #BOSSUP. So slowly but surely I started maximizing every moment of my time. I maximized my time to the point where now I am literally running out of time.

This is what a typical day is like for me…

Thursday- January 21st

5:15 am: Alarm goes off and I repeatedly hit snooze.

6:15 am: I am officially awake. I say my prayers, and then dash to the bathroom.

6:20 am: I get ready for work while listening to The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1 FM.

7:00-7:10 am: I am out the door driving to work.

7:30-7:40 am: I arrive at work and check emails.

7:45-10:45 am: Teach classes.

10:50-11:20 am: Take a mini lunch break while writing a blog post.

11:20-12:30 am/pm: Teach classes.

12:35-1:15 pm: I catch up on emails and then meditate.

1:20-2:45 pm: Teach classes.

2:45-3:30 pm: Meetings.

3:30-3:40 pm: Teach my final class of the day.

3:40-4:00 pm: Clean up my desk and respond to emails.

4:00-4:05 pm: Post my blog for the day.

4:05-6:00 pm: Travel from one job to the next…(on days when I don’t have to travel, I take a nap).

6:00-10:00 pm: Teach class…(on days when I don’t have to teach in the evening, I do homework).

10:30-10:50 pm: Reflection and journal time.

10:50-12:00 pm/am: Read and watch YouTube videos.

12:00 am: Bed time.

Just looking at my schedule makes me wonder how I get everything done on my to-do list. My weekly schedule is always busy. I am for sure a weekend warrior!  2016 is the year where I am committed to finding a work/life balance (speaking it into existence).

If you have busy/hectic days and have any work/life balance tips be sure to share them below.

Until next time…

-Peach

Quotes and Notes #3

great debaters

This week has been one hell of a week. I haven’t been feeling like doing much of anything except staying in bed and avoiding my responsibilities. It always interesting how the universe works… the moments when I have to show up and be accountable is usually when I don’t feel like it. When I feel like this, the quote from the film The Great Debaters, “we must do what we have to do in order to do what we want to do” is what I rely on to keep me focused. Literally, when I wake up after saying my prayers…especially when I am tempted to press the snooze button I say to myself , “I must do what I have to do in order to do what I want to do” and then I start my day.

It’s crazy how words have so much power.  I constantly say this quote out loud and silently! By doing so, I find myself making it through hectic days. The quote reminds me that eventually all of my hard work will pay off, and believe me when it does I can guarantee that I will be doing what I want when I want to.

As for now… I definitely need a vacation.

Until next time…

-Peach

Get to know me

25 Questions

I always wanted to do an online tag. So, I figured what better way to share more of who I am then by doing the 25 Questions tag. Here’s more about me…

1. What is your middle name? Essie…just like the nail polish.

2. What was your favorite subject in school? Journalism!!!

3. What’s your favorite drink? Simply lemonade with raspberry, so addicting.

4. What’s your favorite song at the moment? Jeezy- Sweet life.

5. What would you name your future child? IDK…something epic!

6. Do you participate in any sport? Nope, in the past I played basketball and volleyball.

7. What’s your favorite book? Thank You And Your Welcome by Kanye West. The book is very short, simple, and effective.

8. What’s your favorite color? Any color that is bright.

9. What’s your favorite animal? I don’t have one.

10. What’s your favorite perfume? Guilty by Gucci.

11. What your favorite holiday? Christmas and my birthday.

12. Have you graduated from high school? Yes! I graduated a long time ago and I’m still in school #professionalstudent.

13. Have you been out the country? I traveled to Rome and Greece, can’t wait to do more traveling.

14. Do you speak any other languages? A little Spanish.

15. Do you have any siblings? I have two older brothers.

16. What’s your favorite store? Target!!!

17. What’s your favorite restaurant? Depends on what I’m craving.

18. Do you like school? Absolutely.

19. Who are some of your favorite YouTubers? I have a lot of favorites too many to list.

20. What’s your favorite movie? I don’t have a favorite movie.

22. PC or Mac? Both.

23. What phone do you have? I have an iPhone  6.

24. How tall are you? I’m 5’2 and a quarter, emphasis in “quarter”.

25. Do you have pets? No pets.

Until next time…

-Peach

New Year Essentials

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2016 is officially here! For this year I am expecting great things to manifest. To help manifest the great things I want to accomplish, I felt it was only right to to grab a few essential items to start the new year with a bang.

Here’s what I picked up during my holiday festivities:

Journals

  • The gratitude journal keeps me mindful of all the blessings I receive.
  • A new writing journal is always necessary or maybe I just have an obsession with journals. Anywho, out with the old and in with the new! Every year is different, and stifling energy from the previous year’s journal shouldn’t be carried over into the new year.

Candles

  • Chakra candles are perfect for meditation and speaking what I need into existence.

Bracelets

  • The gemstone healing bracelets help with keeping my anxiety down and defending off negative energy.

Lotion

  • The aromatherapy lotion Energy from Bath and Body Works not only smells good but is great for boosting energy, which is something I need when I get physically and mentally fatigue at times.

If there are any new year essentials you use comment below.

Until next time…

-Peach

2015 Teachable Moments

FullSizeRender (10)2015 has been the year of teachable moments. Every situation I encountered not only made me wiser but, made me very selective of what I dedicate my time/energy to. When 2015 started my goals were simple just…peace and prosperity. However, the more I started to gain peace and a “little” prosperity, the more bullshit came along the way. When reflecting back on the year, I now understand that peace is not obtainable without struggle. If it were not for my moments of struggle, I wouldn’t have reached my destination of mental clarity… and I for sure wouldn’t be in a self-reflective mind state.

2015 taught me:

  1. I matter!!!
  2. Always choose myself first.
  3. Trust my struggle.
  4. I do what I want.
  5. The law of attraction is real.
  6. Hard work does pay off.
  7. Embrace newness.
  8. Slow down and be still.
  9. Certain things can wait to be completed.
  10. Death is not avoidable.
  11. People do and say the craziest things.
  12. Sometimes I’m prone to having rants like Kanye..what would Yeezy do?

2015 was a #yearofgrowth for me. Cheers to 2016 and what is to come in the #yearofpeach.

Until next time…

– Peach

All I Want For Christmas Is…

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It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year (cue Andy Williams voice). Christmas is one of my favorite holidays! As a kid and still till this day, Christmas has always been a magical time for me. The older I get, giving to others and spending quality time with my loved ones means everything to me. Not to mention receiving a gift or two is always nice. Since I was a kid I have always made a Christmas wishlist and haven’t stopped yet. Whether I personally buy everything on my list (sometimes you gotta treat yourself)…or my family buys everything on my list; creating a wishlist brings back great childhood memories.

Here’s my 2015 Christmas wishlist…

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  1. You Got This: Mantra Coloring Book
  2. Enrollment in Courage Works Class by Brene Brown
  3. Sonia Kashuk Makeup Brushes
  4. Yeezy Boosts 350
  5. Candles
  6. The Original Contour Kit
  7. Ikea Gift Card

If there is something on your wishlist you want or a favorite holiday memory you have…be sure to share it below in the comment section.

Until next time…

-Peach

Chi-City

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Photo by Chris Knight

This past weekend  I went to see the movie Chi-Raq by Spike Lee. On the faith of being a Chicago native and the allure of the movie title, I felt it was only right to see a movie about the city I love so much. When it comes to creative expression I am all about supporting independent artists. Lee has been known for independently creating his own lane in the film industry. Keeping that in mind, I knew that Lee wouldn’t disappoint and would over deliver on the issues currently plaguing a beautiful city.

Now, if I could visually describe the movie…it would be a modern day version of Do The Right Thing with a hint of School Daze. There were parts of the movie that were authentically impactful, while there were parts of the movie that made me say really?

Lee was right on target with addressing the gang and gun violence in Chicago. Lets be honest, too many innocent lives in Chicago are being taken by random acts of violence. Solutions are needed!!! However, understanding the day-to-day reality of most people living in Chicago, unfortunately the movie (for me) did not capture what the Chicago culture truly embodies. I was expecting more. WAKE UP was the whole premise of the movie, as it is in most of Lee’s films. Hopefully the movie will WAKE UP and inspire other people to make films about Chicago that truly represents.

Until next time…

-Peach

Success…How bad do you want it?

successSuccess. Most people want success but don’t want to work for it. Time and time again I hear people talking about success and how to become successful but they’re not successful. I always attribute limited success to a person’s mind state. When you have the right mind state you are able to accomplish the impossible. For those that know me, know that I have the Sean “Diddy” Combs mind state the…can’t stop…won’t stop….hustle to there’s not a second left.

For me, success consists of sleepless nights and early mornings. People always assume that things are so sweet for me and extremely easy. However, what people don’t see is me working two jobs; which consists of me taking work home, and working on the weekends.

What people don’t see is me working on my doctoral degree, which consists of sifting/reading through scholarly journals and writing papers (I wish my dissertation was completed by now). What people don’t see is my struggle with feeling exhausted, and relying on faith to push me through when I have no more to give. What people don’t see is my anxiety becoming overwhelming, and trying to carry on with day to day life when I’m not okay.

It is easy for people to say when things get overwhelming to just quit, but what does quitting do for you besides… make you unsuccessful and make you hate on people whose ambition led them to greatness. Success it what you make it, and when you’re not successful the only person you can blame is yourself (not your mom, not your dad, not your childhood, not your circumstances).

To create and maintain success here are a few tips:

  1. Set goals-Whether your goals are yearly, monthly, weekly, or daily it helps you understand your vision clearly.
  2. Prioritize your time- When your time is limited don’t waste time on insignificant things or insignificant people.
  3. Growth mindset- Use your talents to maximize your potential through hard work and positive thinking.
  4. Inner circle- Be surrounded with people that support and uplift you.
  5. Believe- Believe in my vision, most importantly believe in yourself.

Success is possible you just have to want it bad enough!

Until next time…

– Peach

Thanksgiving 2015

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The holiday season is always my favorite, I promise you it’s not because of the food…alright maybe the food has a little to do with it but, ultimately it is the time I get to spend with friends and family. Also for me, the holidays symbolize the closing of the year, and gives me the chance to reflect on things I need to improve on in the New Year. For this year’s Thanksgiving my family came together to celebrate life. Let me tell you…getting 30+ people in one space at one time was a massive undertaking, not to mention that only a small fraction of the family actually came. Being in such great energy and positive spirits yesterday night inspired me to create a list of what I am thankful for.

Here is my thankful list in no particular order:

  1. Everyday I wake up
  2. My parents
  3. My siblings (nieces & nephew)
  4. My relationship
  5. Being loved and loving others
  6. Having a strong support system around me
  7. My family and friends
  8. My courage and strength
  9. Being able to help others
  10. Alone time
  11. A roof over my head
  12. Google
  13. Employment
  14. Traveling
  15. All the blessings that I receive

If you have things that you are thankful for share them below in the comment section.

Until next time…

-Peach