I Quit

I walked in my house and slammed the door behind me.  My shoulders immediately dropped from exhaustion, yet relief.  I was finally done with another lengthy day of drawn out meetings, chatty co-workers, and repetitive emails.  After eight tedious years of being employed at this place and finding my passion within that time frame, work was starting to feel severely unfamiliar.  It felt like I had been invited to a sophisticated all white soiree, and I showed up late - clad in black from head to toe.  I was out of place.  I didn't belong.  Although the work day was behind me, I cringed at the thought of returning to the same old routine the next day.  Something had to shake.  I began drawing the blueprint to my escape plan from my job.  I eventually settled on a six month strategy that would give me enough time to seek out employment elsewhere.  Unbeknownst to me, while I was sketching my plan out, the Universe had its own plan already set in stone.  I was gone from my job two weeks later. 

Before leaving my job, my mother and I fasted and prayed for guidance.  Towards the end of our fasting and praying journey, I received some insight from my spirit.  It felt like a pound of courage had been strategically placed in my gut.  I experienced an "ah-ha" moment.  I thought to myself, "If I'm miserable, no one else can change that but me.  I am in control of my life." On that following work day - with no full-time job to go to, a part time writing gig, unshakable faith and a little money in my savings to hold me down - I walked into my job with my head held high and gracefully submitted my two weeks notice.  If I've never felt proud of myself before, I was damn sure bursting with pride on this day.  For I had my big girl panties on, and I was twirling my destiny in my hand ever so stylishly.  It was a day I will never forget.  

It's been two weeks since I've turned the page to my next journey, and I'm admiring my new found bravery.  I've been writing more for my other gig and exploring other promising opportunities as well.  I'm not sure if this will be my full entrepreneurial sprint, but if I do get another job it will definitely be one that encourages and enhances my talents.  I will no longer work a job just to get a paycheck.  Life is too short for mediocrity.  

By no means am I telling any of you to quit your jobs and follow your passions.  This is my faith walk.  You have to run your own race and do what is in your spirit.  However, what I am telling you is to act like you know and understand that you are in control of your destiny.  You have the power to change any situation in your life that isn't nourishing.  The ball is in your court.  What's your next play?

Peace and Blessings,

- Samjah Iman

Dress by Candiedgirlboutique.com

Stay Out of Your Head!

Have you ever feared something then decided to go ahead and face that fear only to find out it wasn't as bad as you thought?  That's because you were tripping off of what was in your head versus what was reality.  A lot of our stress comes from the "what ifs" we have swimming around in our brains.  What if I can't pay the bill, what if he/she doesn't like me, what if it doesn't work, what if I mess up....etc.  We think ourselves into failure and then act accordingly.

I'm willing to bet that 90% of the things we are currently stressing over right now are in our heads only and haven't even occurred yet.  The mind is super powerful.  Thoughts become feelings.  We have to be careful what we think and feed our mind because it definitely absorbs what we give it.  So let's release the "what ifs" that are in our minds and focus on what is and the positive visions that we want to come to pass.  If we change our mindset, we change our worlds.

 Side Note:  Before I jump back into my day, let me give a quick review on the organic mask I introduced here - three words, IT IS FANTASTIC!  It consists of bentonite clay and everlasting essential oil, and it works (see benefits of bentonite clay here)!  It is good for oily, acne prone skin.  You can also do it as many times as you need to without over processing your skin.  I'm in love with it!  Check it out here.

Have a wonderful rest of the week my loves, and let's stay out of our heads!

Peace and Blessings,

- Samjah Iman

For Us...

To all the women who wake up before sunrise and work until night falls

To all the women who carry the world on their shoulders and feel like they are alone

To all the women who've been told they were too skinny or too fat - too dark or too light

To all the women who feel uneducated, stuck, and unworthy

To all the women who look in the mirror and struggle with the person looking back at them

To all the women who make a dollar out of a dime

To all the women who feed the kids, do homework, cook the meals, and still manage to polish their nails

To all the women who cry when no one is looking

To all the women who give everything to an undeserving idiot

To all the women who make this challenging life look so easy

To all the women who aren't valued

To all the women who keep it cute even when shit ain't

THIS DAY and EVERY DAMN DAY IS FOR US!!! SALUTE!!!

Happy Women's Day!!!

- 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