2017 In Review (Things I Learned)

There were so many lessoned learned in 2017 in my life that I am happy to give testimony to. So let me just jump right into it.

Be yourself, no matter how flamboyant or quiet, nice or mean, bougie or conceited, smart or geeky, adventurous or thrill seeker, extravagant or laid back just be happy to be the real you! Let no one make you feel bad for saying or speaking your truth, no husband, wife, friend, neighbor, parent, boss or relative. Know that it is OK to change and grow to want more than you did when you were 20 years younger. I've learned that there are people that complain about their life, their job, their relationship, their kids, their family and these people complain and complain about everything thing around them and when placed in another situation that they thought would be better they still complain about the same things they complained about in the old situation. I now know without a unequivocal doubt that happiness is a choice, you either choose happiness or you choose pity.

And I am so proud of myself for choosing happiness at every stage in my life. I chose happiness in my marriage(during both of our infidelities)I chose happiness (during our divorce, I never shed a tear, I didn't stop my life, I didn't beg, I didn't do evil malicious things, I grew, I learned, I had much needed fun, I took time for me, I took a break from drama and was for once in over 17 years totally drama free, I volunteered with (2)great organizations in Atlanta that I used my skills from college that I had not used since giving up my career becoming a stay a home mom. I understand that not everyone wants to listen to you say things like "Invest some money" "Buy stock" "Put 200 dollars of your check to the side each pay period" "Buy real estate and stop renting" "Save, Save, Save" and what last year taught me is that even though some people don't value what you bring to the table, there are people that will listen, appreciate and believe in you, that will not doubt what you say or second guess your advice but will invest in you and want you on their team because they respect you and value your intellect.

And this was electrifying to me. This was sexy and I found another side of myself that I did not know existed. I learned that I enjoy when men take my advice to make big financial decisions, I found it intense and powerful when someone invested in Bitcoins and made a huge return on their investment all because I told them to invest into cryptocurrency and they did not second guess me or ask million people about it first but, just took my advice and broke me off a few coins because they appreciated my advice. I saw that I enjoyed telling someone to purchase an empty lot near their home because it was listed as $38,000 and I jokingly said place an oversized shed on it as an attachment to increase the value and they actually took that commentary to heart and bought the land and attached a 6,900 shed to the property and was able to list the lot for $68,000.(the shed only added 3500.00)(plus the increase in the property value helped).

But having someone tell me that, "Because of you" "Did x, y, z" and making coins because they believe in the knowledge I that attained from Metro Broker's Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate classes or because they knew that I am a nerd and enjoy researching investments, coding or technology they placed their bets on ME and they were very appreciative and thankful. This was a new feeling for me and I found it bad ass, powerful that these two already successful guys trusted my knowledge and it was like a high for me. Mind you, I tell everyone in my circle things like this however no one ever listened until I was going through my divorce two people in my life changed me forever.

These people gave me my confidence back, they let me be as fiesty, quirky, silly, nerdy and hot headed as I want to be. They DID Not RUSH me when going to an event or lounge yet they wanted me to look great and take whatever time I needed(whether we were late or not did not matter).

They showed me how important it is to always hold my head up high when I walk in the room on a man's arm because my knowledge, my happy personality and charm can hold me down in a room with influential people. These guys let me know that I am enough and that even being a stay at home mom for years that I am more valuable than what I gave credit to myself for. They showed me that just because you have a big family that there are educated, successful men that still want you in their lives to be on their team, to cook them a nice meal, to travel with them. They showed me not to worry about money as Long as I took care of my kids that we would be alright.

There are guys and women out there that find you sexy, that find you relevant, that find you compelling, that are intrigued by your smile, that are intrigued by your language, that are intrigued by the way you move. That aroused by your intelligence or quirkiness, that are totally into you being no one other than yourself.

The most valuable thing last year showed me is that sometimes you have to step back and take a long glance to appreciate what you are giving up because eventhough I learned allot about myself I also learned about my husband and the things he was going through as well. And had I not took a moment to talk to him I would not have realized how much I missed him. Yes, I changed and I'm more confident, self assured, self motivated and know my worth. I know that I would Leave the wealthiest man in the world for my family.

We have a dope bond! But now where I held my tongue before, or considered my husband's feelings over my own....my feelings come first and I will never bite my tongue for anyone ever again. 2017 matured me and showed me strength, power and happiness. I look forward to the future of my family and even more to renewing our vows. #family1st