Yesterday!

…Yesterday was different for me, but I loved every minute of it!

…Yesterday, I stayed in bed!  

...Yesterday, I ate snacks, and I watched TV until it watched me a few times  

...Yesterday, I opened the curtains and let all of the sunshine in  

…Yesterday, I kept my wine glass full to the brim, and my airplane loaded and never came down  

…Yesterday, I felt no remorse for taking MY time  

…Yesterday required no special clothes, so the bare minimum was what yesterday got  

…Yesterday, there was no laptop in site  

…Yesterday, music filled my veins and told all of my stories  

…Yesterday, music filled my home really loud as I sang as loud and harmonized as best I could  

…Yesterday, I felt no pressure to be and/or do anything that did not feel good to me 

…Yesterday, I decided that I loved the space that I was in, and I recognized just how much I’ve been missing out on by not sitting still

…Yesterday, I enjoyed the peace and happiness of my own company and comfort

…Yesterday was a turning point for me, just as this whole year has been  

…Yesterday, I decided that TODAY and any other day following would be consumed with deciding for myself about what life looks like for me  

…Yesterday was different, but yesterday was well-needed and deserved 

Harlem Fashion Row's 15th Anniversary in Memphis, TN

 “If there is an opportunity that you want and do not see it, Create it.”  

-Brandice Daniels

…A woman of integrity, of fullness, of complete FAITH! A woman who had a dream and is helping others fulfill their own. A resource, a vessel. Living proof that if you see a need and want to make a difference, it CAN happen ❤️…

What is Harlem Fashion Row, and why?

The only New York agency that exclusively represents designers of color!

https://hfrandco.com

This time last week, I was gearing up in my Nike sweater dress and black boots to attend HARLEM FASHION ROW’s 15th-anniversary show in collaboration with Nike here in Memphis. The day before, I went into the Nike store to pick out something “Cute and Nike” because that was the attire for the night. 

I walked in and was greeted by some of the most helpful people at an event I’ve encountered.

Me: I can’t find my QR code

The person checking me in: it’s ok (with a smile). What’s your full name? 

Me: Natosha Harris

Her: Found you; enjoy the show!

I walked in and saw people taking pictures, networking, smiling, and finding their seats. Finally, one of my friends (over 20+) years arrived, so I was free from seat-holding to make my way to the bar area for a bit of champagne and popcorn. When I made it back to my seat, the announcement that the show was starting. I was excited! …Did I mention this was my FIRST EVER FASHION SHOW that I have attended in life ☺️

First, Mrs. Daniels, CEO and the owner comes up to give a warm welcome, followed by Robert Shorty, Director, Global Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN & SUSTAINABILITY for Nike smiling and giving thanks for the fantastic collaboration, and then the SHOW began! 

-First up… COTTE D'ARMES'

https://www.cottedarmesnyc.com

Stylish, Unique, Creative Imagination 

-Next was… Nichole Lynel 

https://nlthelabel.com

Colors, Materials/Fabrics, Feminine, Motherhood

-Third was… Kimberly Goodson

https://kimberlygoldson.com

Patterns, Designs, Boldness

-Last but not least (Memphis’ own)… Prep Curry

https://prepcurry.com

Comfortable, Stitched, Colorful, Floral

SHOP WITH THESE BLACK DESIGNERS 🖤 

The show ended with awards, announcements, and accolades given by Deondra Guy. This 15th-anniversary celebration by HFR was one for the books. It was my first, but it won’t be my last! This show was way more than just fashion…this show gave “Dreams can come true,” “All avenues are worth exploring,” and “People of color do climb and will reach back to pull others up.” I left inspired and in full belief that all things are possible! 

Choose Your Hard

I’ve been wondering about life…😏

You know, just how does it really work?

I’ve come up with almost 50 variations of how something could go in my head.

And then I took a step back and realized that I didn’t really have all the answers after all.

Just some made-up crap that maybe I’ve heard or read about that “logically” makes sense to me.

Yet still, know that neither of those variations could very well be it.

Going off the deep end, feelings all the feels, and letting things flow as they really should 💆

Human error…thinking that I am in control of my life and what takes place in it

True enough, I know I can manifest some shit, but what’s that like without genuine authenticity of the purpose to be served 

11:11 hit, and here I am writing about being lost and yearning to be found

My wish, you ask? …what exactly did I wish for?👀

A few things, so allow me to enlighten you.👍

Life has been hard mentally, so I wish for a whole lot of peace and a sound mind.

Love has been a roller coaster for me, so I wish for love to lock in and make me his forever. 

The business has been forever shifting and changing, so I wish for more guidance and the ability to maneuver with the changes. 

Being a single mom has reminded me of the struggles I saw my mom face growing up, so I wish for a much better life for my child.

And did I mention that life has been life-ing 

So I wish to learn to embrace it more rather than trying to run away from the unpleasant moments.👍

Life is hard, but you know what’s the hardest for me

…being stuck in the same position that I was in yesterday 

Tomorrow is a brand new day, so I’m choosing my hard

The hard to propel me, my love, my life, my child, and my business to new heights because you haven’t figured it out yet…😑

You’ll never catch me in the same position I was in the day prior 

I’m reaching new heights and choosing my hard😚

 

I'm Grateful

 What a privilege it is to wake up each and every day stayed in my right mind…

What a miracle it is for me to realize the actualization of me making it to my bed each and every night…

…A roof, a refrigerator full of food of many choices, a pantry with some of our favorite snacks, a/c blowing good air, a few dollars in my bank account, and the breathe still left in our lungs

Thankful for the grace and for the mercy that is held up for me somewhere protecting me from all the things that I could not see

I am amazed at where life is headed even though I can’t seem to see past the smoke…

Knowing that it’s only there because some shit is popping off

And when shit is letting loose like that I can either crash and burn or learn to adjust my breathing and walk through it

…Not letting the fear capture me and definitely not holding any prisoners who have chosen to abandon ship and jump head first into the water knowing that they can’t really swim, choosing to drown instead

I’m thankful nonetheless for all the lessons and all the blessings that I have been led to and even the ones that may have gotten away

I'm thankful nonetheless to have been in the presence of what could have possibly been but just couldn’t seem to make due with it

The tears have dried up and the only thing I’ve been thinking about this week is staying in peace

Staying in a place that is safe for me and that could possibly bring me more clarity and understanding 

Dreams becoming stronger showed me exactly how things are to happen so I brace myself ready for the turbulence that was shown to me. I appreciate the warnings more so now, than ever 

The chaos, I don’t need

So I’m opting for the love and the peace that I’ve found tucked deep down inside of me and I’m sticking with that

I’m appreciating every single move I’ve made forward and grateful for the lessons I’ve learned taking steps back

I am allowing life to flow as it needs to and I’m trying not to be in control but instead cherish the moments that we’ll never get back

What a privilege it has been to feel, see, and apply the new me that has been birthed, and what an honor it has been not so much enjoying the process but pushing through it even when I didn’t have the guts to see it through

I’m grateful 🙌🏽

Mind Over Matter

 The mind is the most powerful source and tool that we could possibly possess 🧠

Funny how people can sit around and discuss physical health all day long or mention how someone may not be getting the exercise or enough physical activities...Always wondering about what someone sees externally but almost never about how someone can present themselves to be the most attractive because their mental could be just as sexy...

What you consume orally is important but what you consume mentally is just as important. If you tell your brain that you are going to work out and eat healthier, then the body will follow when that person is determined. However, if someone is telling their self that they are not going to work out and that it is ok to eat unhealthy foods everyday then 9 times out 10 that's what's going to happen.

What you feed your brain is very important and could be detrimental to someone's physical health!!!

...This is when this thing called "self care" begins to take place. A lot of people see self care as visiting the beauty shop or may be even going to get their nails done at the salon as self care, which is true to an intent. However, self care is put in place to replenish someone's mental health when they have become or are reaching the point of emptiness. Self care is used to prevent exhaustion and the feeling of being overwhelmed. 

What does self care really look like?....Telling your friend no when you really do not want to go somewhere, deciding to read 30 minutes to a hour (or more) during any time of the day, and again it could look like taking a 20-30 minute walk while you are on a lunch break or once you have made it home from a long day of work.

When you tell your brain something and/or meditate on something constantly it tends to become your reality. If you tend to think negatively about life and situations and goals then it is a huge possibility that negative will come from those things...BUT, if all day long, from the time you open your eyes, you are saying and thinking positivity then positivity will grow from those thoughts. 

Nothing is too hard no matter what you may be currently thinking. It is always mind over matter. What you think is a seed to what your world could potentially grow into. 

Mind over matter!💪

Lemonade Outta Lemons

One thing I am always going to choose is solution over revisiting the problem.

I try my best not to wallow in problems that may come about.

I feel what I feel and then I move on.

Sometimes I think I may move on too fast without feeling all the feels but I also feel like I don't have the time or space to be in a mood or be in a mindset that could possibly hinder my progress in life. 

More so than ever, I just try not to be in a space too long that does not serve any purpose in my life. I've always been the type to turn pain into opportunity. When I am upset, I take my time to process it but then minutes later I'm thinking of something different to do. I use that negative energy that I may have felt and I look for creative adventures to take myself on to create opportunities for myself and others.

It is so easy to get caught up in feelings such as sadness, hurt, depression, and all these other things that take us into these deep dark holes.

Sometimes these deep dark holes can take us under more than we may know. 

For me it has always been cry it out, write it out, scream it out...

...But definitely get it out so that the new could flow in easily 

When someone tells me no, when I am faced with incidents that try to deter me 

...I make lemonade out of lemons 😊

My point for this blog is to remind everyone that its ok to move past the pain, its ok to cry it out, its ok to scream to the top of your lungs but make sure you are turning your pain into opportunities 💅

 

Finally, I was done letting it all out

For 2 weeks now, I've faulted myself tooth and nails to give up my business and my writing company. I have applied to over 100 jobs, had maybe 4-5 interviews from those, and have yet to land something that I know I'd love.😓

For almost a month now I've been house shopping and every time I finish looking I go home more stressed out and depressed than when I began. 🏡

Last night, on Valentine's Day, I went home sad and depressed. Hoping that what I chose to do would be the best decision for me. I drank my wine and cried in his arms as he rubbed my back reclaiming and reaffirming to me that everything would be ok. 💗

Finally, I was done letting it all out!

He stood in front of me, a shot of whiskey in hand, stating "This is for you. This season you're in is humbling you and teaching you patience. You cannot do everything on your own."👅

" Repeat after me...Walk by faith and not by sight"👏

I took a deep breath and repeated it back as I felt the world slowly release from my shoulders. I decided some things and I decided that I would give my business my all just as I have done in the past and that I would not give up on myself. What was given to me from God would be fully nurtured again!💪

I came to my office this morning ready to tackle whatever came my way and I have yet to break today which I'm very proud of. I found a solution to a project that is almost nearing the deadline which I'm super glad about. 👍

So to anyone that is going through a storm, for anyone that wants to give up, I'd tell you to reevaluate, pray, and keep going. It is hard to fight through the processes but you'll come out much stronger and a much better healed person with so much experience about life. I want anyone looking at me or watching me to know that it is ok to keep going. Keep fighting, keep living, keep breathing...it is only a test! You got this!💅