Positive People Have Negative Moments

It happens.  Positive people aren't always optimistic.  We are humans, and all humans experience doubt at times.  I had an overwhelming moment the other day.  I tried my best to hide it, but it seeped through my pores and came bursting out through my emotions.  I couldn't hold it in any longer.  After my vulnerable episode, I thought about what my mother once said to me when I was young and in the middle of performing one of my Oscar-worthy, crying fits that I was infamous for.  There I was sprawled out on the floor like someone had attempted to take my last breath and my mother came in the room, casually leaned on the door and said, "I'm going to let you have your moment, but after the moment, get yourself together."  I was astonished.  I only have a moment to throw my fit???  Okay....so I got the fit out of my system, then went on like the day was never interrupted by my childish antics. And to this day, that is my method.  Throw the fit (privately), get it out of my system, then get myself together.  

Yes, we positive people get in our heads and feelings at times, but the difference between us and negative people is - WE DON'T WALLOW IN IT.  We have our moments and in the midst of our moments, something in us says, "wait a minute, this is not how we operate."  And then we immediately correct our thoughts and redirect energy.  Being a positive person doesn't mean life won't catch you off guard.  However, when positivity is your mode of operation,  you will always go back to that place.  Think about it, you can put clothes on a dog and he or she will wear them for a while, but at some point, most dogs begin to roll around in the clothing in an attempt to get out of them.  That's because their default setting is that of a dog.  This should be the same with a positive mindset.  Life can throw us things that will make us go absolutely crazy, but if positivity is our default setting then we will eventually bounce back into that mode. 

So whatever negative moment you are having or have had, let it be.  Just make sure you get yourself together after that moment.  Get back to your default setting. 

Peace and Blessings,

- Samjah Iman

Outfit Details: Vintage Floral Jumper // Heels

Photo Credit: @brukavin.visuals

With A Child's Heart

When I got my first apartment sans roommates, my friend and godson (who was about 3 years old at the time) came to visit me.  They slept on an air mattress in my living room because I didn't have all the necessary decor/furniture to fill my new space.  I had one couch, a small table, some kitchen equipment, and no curtains.  It didn't bother me that I only had enough furniture for a college dorm room, but what did irk me was that I had no way of blocking the glaring sun in the morning.  Although I am a person who loves natural light, I am also a person who likes to sleep late from time to time and having no curtains prevented this daily.  When my friend came to visit, I apologized profusely for not having curtains because I knew her morning rest would be cut short as soon as the sun peeked its head over the horizon.

When the inevitable morning came, as usual, I rose with the sun.  While furiously pulling the cover over my eyes to block the harsh rays, I heard a small eager voice yell - "Mommy, somebody turned the light on outside!"  I couldn't contain the huge smile that swept across my face.  That was about 11 years ago, and I have never forgotten that profound observation made by my godson.  While I was dreading the morning because I had no curtains to block its contents, my godson had a different perspective.  From that day on, I made peace with my no-curtain situation because I allowed myself to view it as my godson had.  The sun coming up didn't mean less sleep, it simply meant somebody (God) had turned the light on outside.  

Every now and then I feel that it's best to take on some of life's matters with a child's heart.  Children are uninhibited, imaginative, and carefree.  They view the world through the most simplistic, yet philosophical lens.  They don't care what anyone thinks of them as they dance their little hearts out in public.  They don't limit their thinking - they imagine themselves being anything they want to be in this world.  They see and appreciate the beauty in everything around them.  This, my friends, is how adults should handle life as well. 

Let's get back to taking on this world with a child's heart.  Let's dance like no one is watching, use our wildest imaginations, and be grateful when God turns the light on outside.  

Have an awesome weekend love bugs!  Talk to you soon!

- Samjah Iman              

Shut Up

Have you ever had a wonderful idea, exciting news, or new companion that you were super stoked about and as a result you decided to share your enthusiasm with someone, and they killed your vibe on the spot?  Yup, that has happened to me too - a number of times, and then I finally decided to apply some advice my grandmother gave me several years ago....shut up.   

“Don’t tell the dishwasher what you did with ya dishes.”

— Jeezy

My grandmother once told me that you can't tell everyone what you're doing.  Boy was she so right.  You see....everyone has an opinion.  Everyone will tell you what they would do if they were you, but the key factor is - THEY ARE NOT YOU!  I've learned over the years that it's okay to talk to a chosen few but not everyone because some people only want you to live a certain way that makes THEM feel comfortable.  They don't want you to do too much, go too far, or be too great because it makes them feel bad about their circumstances.  Everyone doesn't need to know your every move or your next move because not everyone has your best interest at heart, not everyone is satisfied with themselves so they project their negative vibes on you (misery loves company) and, most importantly, not everyone understands YOUR destiny/journey. 

“Never let ‘em know your next move - don’t you know bad boys move in silence? ”

— Notorious B.I.G. (Ten Crack Commandments)

I once heard Bishop TD Jakes say that we need to stop receiving counsel (from people) that doesn't line up with our purpose.   You could have a brilliant idea or new interest, but you let your idea die or interest fall by the wayside because of how someone reacted when you told them about it. And now that person who reacted negatively to your idea is living his or her life while you are stuck not pursuing your goals or living your life.  Just SHUT UP!  Bring to fruition whatever feels good in your soul and then share it with the world.  Just remember to guard some of your passions and goals before you birth them because not everyone needs to put their energy on your dreams, and not everyone can see your vision like you can see it.

Get your purpose, keep it to yourself, and carry it out.    

- Samjah Iman

How to Face Failure, Obstacles and Detours With Grace by Chela Mitchell

Life will have its challenges, and there's nothing we can do to prevent them.  However, we can decide how we approach and deal with those challenges.  I was reading my girl's blog (chelamitchell.com), and I came across an article she wrote on how to face failure in a more positive way.  Click here to check the article out and take heed.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

— Charles R. Swindoll

Happy Hump Day!

- Samjah Iman

Enjoy the Journey

Sometimes in life, we get so preoccupied with our ultimate goals and success that we forget to enjoy the process that leads us to achieving these goals and success.  Think about it like this. Say you and your loved ones are taking a road trip somewhere. On the way to the destination you pass a lot of great scenery, restaurants, and popular landmarks, but you don't take the time to stop and enjoy these things because you are so focused on getting to your destination.  Yes you eventually make it to your destination, but you've also missed a lot of potentially fun, everlasting memories along the way because you were only concentrating on one part of the trip, not the trip as a whole.

“Life is a journey, not a destination.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oftentimes we treat life and our goals just like the trip described above.  We don't take the time to enjoy other things that are happening around us because we are only concentrating on the bigger picture.  We are so busy running through life trying to make something happen that we are missing precious moments. 

I hear people talk all the time about what they are going to do when they finally accomplish a goal or reach a certain status.  My question to them is, "What are you doing in the meantime?"  Life shouldn't be on hold until you reach a desired point.  Life is a road that is meant to be traveled and lived at all stages because you never know when that road will change or end. 

Don't wait for the perfect moment to live.  Enjoy the scenery on the way to that perfect moment.  Living on the way to your perfect moment will make your perfect moment that much better.

On another note, I am helping out a family that lost everything during the flood in Baton Rouge.  The family consists of a mother and a daughter who is in the 9th grade.  If you would like to join me in assisting this family, please email me at samjahiman@styleandenergy.com for more information.  Your help and prayers are greatly appreciated.   

I'm enjoying the journey.  Are you?

- Samjah Iman

One Reason Why You aren't Elevating

You haven't transformed your mind.  Simple as that.  YOU ARE NOT ELEVATING BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T TRANSFORMED YOUR MIND.  I could drop the mic and end this post right here, but I dig y'all too much for that.  So I'm going to elaborate a little.   

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.”

— Henry Ford

At one point in my life, negative thoughts began to take up space in my head.  Once I noticed this, I began reading different books that preached about how powerful the mind is and how your thoughts can control your existence.  As I researched this topic more I found that what these scholars were saying about how positive thinking can transform your life, aligned with what the bible teaches on thinking.    

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

— Proverbs 23:7

I began to apply the techniques I was learning about positive thinking to my life, and it made me view the world different.  I wasn't as stressed any more and every situation worked out in my favor because I always found the blessing in it, not the negative.  I started believing I could achieve certain things and acting as if I could achieve them, and I actually started to achieve them!  It's crazy how something as simple as your thoughts can hold you back.  Your attitude definitely determines your altitude. 

Not only is thinking negative detrimental to your well-being, holding on to grudges or having a strong hate for something or someone also affects your energy and in most cases your health as well.  Be careful about wishing bad thoughts on others, these thoughts can easily affect your life instead of theirs.  Remember, forgiveness is not for the person who wronged you, forgiveness is for you so that you won't have that burden weighing YOU down.  

It's all about keeping a healthy spirit and sound mind.  It's also about believing that you are destined for greatness and acting on those beliefs.  It's not easy blocking negative things out of your mental space, it takes daily practice (this I know for sure).  Below are four small things you can do to make sure you keep your mind and spirit in a positive realm. 

1.  As soon as you find yourself thinking negative or having hateful thoughts, quickly replace those thoughts with something positive.

2.  Surround yourself with positive people and put yourself in places that give off positive vibes.

3.  Make a gratitude list and add to it each day or when you're feeling low.  You can write something as big as "I'm grateful for my health," or something as small as "I'm grateful that I ate red beans and rice today."  Gratitude lists remind you of how blessed you are and keeps you looking forward to more blessings.

4.  Whenever something challenging occurs, look for the lesson and the blessing in that challenge instead of concentrating on the challenge itself.  

Your mind is a tool that can liberate you or limit you if you let it.  Thoughts really do become things.  What you have going on in your heart and mind will show on the outside so keep your thoughts cute and positive.  Think love and spread love and watch it come back to you tenfold.

May positive thoughts and vibes be with you all!

- Samjah Iman