College Tips

August 9, 2018 - Janna

Hello my lovely readers!

Since it is August, that means school is beginning or has already started. Embarking on the college journey can be pretty exciting, yet scary at the same time. The summer before I began college, I asked so many questions to all the kids I knew were in college. And now that I am a senior in college, I feel that I have some tips of my own to share that would be helpful to anyone beginning college. And remember, these tips are just a few of many that could be useful.

1. Get Involved (But you don’t have to be in EVERYTHING)
In high school, I know that I tried to be involved with everything so I could put activities on my resume so I would look appealing to colleges. College is totally different. And honestly, you’ll run yourself crazy trying to go to every event for every organization all the time. It’s okay to attend different events to see what sparks your interests. But don’t fully commit to too many things, unless you know that you’re capable of handling everything. Because not only will you have those obligations to fulfill, but also obligations to your course load. I feel I am pretty involved on campus and while it can be stressful at times, I also love it! I have met so many people because of the leadership positions I have held or because of where I work at on campus. My freshmen year I wasn’t as involved, but I was researching organizations I heard about and seeing what interested me so that I could attend general body meetings to get a feel for things and then decide whether or not I wanted to join. Being involved has definitely made my college experience ten times more better.

2. Make friends in your classes
Having friends in your classes can be a life saver. Make sure that you introduce yourself to at least ONE person in your class and exchange numbers. If you get sick one day or have some sort of emergency, then you can always reach out to this person OR people. You all can form study groups or they may be able to help you understand a subject that you didn’t quite get in class. All of my classes have created Groupme’s, so if someone in your class creates one, join it! It is so helpful to communicate with classmates. You all can share reminders of due dates and ask questions and receive instant answers. Still reach out and communicate with your professor, but also have friends in class who can help you too!

3. Introduce Yourselves to Professors
College isn’t like high school. Just because your professor reads your name off a roll (if they even do that, most professors pass a sheet around to track attendance), doesn’t mean that they know or will even remember you. On the first day after class, take time to introduce yourself. If you don’t introduce yourself then, utilize your professor’s office hours to introduce yourself and possibly talk about the coursework. If your professors don’t know you, then they are less likely to help you if you ever need it. It’s one thing to come to class, but it’s another to be engaged and the students who go the extra mile are always the ones who professors are willing to go the extra mile for too. I had a phenomenal IS professor my sophomore year and now he is aiding me in completing an Honor’s Capstone. I reached out to him and he actually remembered me because I use to talk to him after class. Build relationships with professors, especially those in your major or those who have had experience in your desired career field, when opportunities arise they will have no problem to share with you because they are aware of your interest. It’s all about initiative, and in college you have to take the initiative to connect with your professors. You’ll be surprised with how it helps.

4. BUDGET so you can manage your money
This may not apply to you all your freshmen year. Your parents may continue to supply you with funds, but if they do still budget! It can be so easy to go to the mall with friends and splurge. But managing money is important, because if you don’t you will be broke, or close to it. And I know you’ve heard people refer to college students as broke, that’s cause we are! Our parents have no obligation to spend money cooking for us, cause we aren’t home (unless you’re fortunate enough to live at home and go to school). So managing the money you spend on food, school related items, and personal items matter. I wait until the first week of school before I purchase textbooks, even though I use my scholarship money for this. I don’t want to purchase a book & then get to class and a teacher say we don’t need it. That money could have been used somewhere else. And with that being said, manage your refund wisely! You never know when an emergency will occur and when you may need to use your own cash because you can’t get to your parents or whatever circumstance could occur. Always keep a little cash in your wallet too (but not too much), because you never know what could happen to your card. This is really food for thought as you continue your college career and become more and more independent.

5. Enjoy the social scene (BUT don’t get carried away)
We all know what the social scene entails, parties! It’s okay to hang out, bond and make new friends, and it’s even okay to party. But please do not get carried away! I have known so many people who come to college and get so caught up in partying, that they forget that they are a student first. Partying can affect grades. I know you’ve heard your parents say this and let it go in one ear & out the other, but REALLY partying can. If you aren’t disciplined enough to manage your time to complete work, study, and be able to enjoy yourself then.

6. BE SAFE
PLEASE BE SAFE, especially my females! People love to prey on college students, especially college women. Therefore, it’s important that we are extra careful of who we trust. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially at night. Travel with friends! Don’t go to a stranger’s house alone, no matter how sweet they make the invitation sound. Don’t walk around at night alone. If needed, share your location with a friend. You know how on movies they talk about guys putting pills in girls drinks? That actually happens. So if you ever put your cup down at a party, just get a new one. This tip doesn’t require too much of an explanation, but I just want you all to be aware that your parents aren’t around to defend you from some guy messing with. And that guys will bother you or try to. Being aware is key to staying safe.

7. GO TO CLASS
It’s college and you finally have the decision to go to class or not go, and of course it sounds appealing to skip. Don’t skip class. Cause 9 times out of 10, it’ll become a habit. While some classes include attendance in the grade, all courses don’t. The classes that don’t normally rely on in-class lectures for class material. Even if you feel the teacher is trash, still attend. That’s so your teacher will see your face and then teach yourself on your own time or seek help to ensure that you do your best. Trust me, I know how appealing skipping class seems. But attending classes help you more than you think. Sometimes, when I take tests I am able to recognize answers solely because I remember our teaching discussing it in class and saying that it would be on the test. If you don’t attend, then you’ll never know what the teacher is saying to help. Also, some teachers offer bonus points or extra credit, but only those actually in the class room can receive it!

8. SEEK HELP WHEN NEEDED
Closed mouths don’t get fed, right? If you need help, please do not be afraid to ask for it. Whether it be with your studies or even just advice in personal matters. It could be something as simple as needing help staying organized, still ask! Campuses offer plenty of resources for studies that will be able to aid them in all sorts of matters. And if you feel uncertain of where to go for help, ask a friend that you trust or a professor or employee that you feel close to.

9. Take advantage of what your campus has to offer
At my university, students traveling abroad can receive a $1,000 scholarship. And all you have to do is complete a simple “application,” literally you fill out your name, all your credentials, where you are traveling, when, and if it’s for class credit etc. It is that easy! (I STRONGLY RECOMMEND STUDENTS TO TRAVEL ABROAD IN COLLEGE!) I’ve been blessed to study abroad to Italy & Costa Rica and paid little to nothing for these trips! And by little I mean, $300. This is because I was in an honor’s cohort that focused on globalization and we received grants to pay for our plane ticket and living. Explore your college! Get on your school’s website and see what is available to you, that’s how I heard about the program. And I am so glad I did! Who knows when I’ll be able to travel abroad again? And for such a low price? Make sure you are aware of what’s available to you so that you can take advantage of all that you want!

10. Your Studies Matter
The grades you make your freshmen year in your classes will follow you forever. And what I mean by this is, how you perform in your classes your freshmen year will affect you throughout your college career. Do not slack off! I am blessed that my high school prepared me beyond measure for the college course load, so when I began taking college courses I was surprised with how easy they were. I maintained a 4.0 until my sophomore year when I made my first B. But since I started off strong my freshmen year, that B only affected me a little. And because of my strong foundation, I have been able to maintain a my GPA. If you fail even one class, it can greatly affect your GPA. And once your GPA drops, it’s not always easy to bring it back up. Making A’s will boost it, but not as much as you think they would. GPA’s aren’t everything, but you are paying for your education (or someone is) and therefore, it’s important for you to give your best. If someone does look at your transcript for a potential scholarship, internship, or job opportunity, they do not want to see a bunch of F’s. Failing classes because you simply don’t care is not cool, but giving your all and failing a class because it was hard is another story. All I am saying is while you’re trying to navigate all the other areas of your life, make sure you focus on your studies, too. I mean that is why you’re there.

No matter what, make sure that you enjoy yourself! College is so great and many people say it’s the best time of your lives. So make it count! And feel free to reach out to me for any advice or questions you may have, I feel I’m a veteran now haha.

Push Through

July 11, 2018July 11, 2018 - Janna

Hello, my love readers & Happy Wednesday!
Today’s blog is heavily inspired by my personal feelings, especially the way that I have been feeling lately. But I feel like my feelings are very relatable. I think everyone experiences these feelings from time to time, no matter who you are. What a yucky way to feel, but I am grateful for the inspiration for this blog. So at least they were good for something. I hope you all enjoy this post!

Feeling burned out? Unmotivated? Drained? Well, me too! Are you working hard this summer while your friends seem to be enjoying themselves every day? Me, too! First, I want to let you know that we can’t compare what we’re doing to what our friends are. We all have different things going on in our lives, different goals, different desires. But most importantly, there is one thing we can do when these overwhelming feelings overtake us and make us feel completely lazy and lost, we can keep pushing. We can work through these feelings and accomplish what we need to for that day, that week, that month. We must keep going, despite how we feel. Always.

It’s the summer and I feel like I haven’t been doing activities that you’re “supposed” to do in the summer. I haven’t really traveled, I haven’t really hung out with friends and documented our activities with photos, and I most definitely haven’t just slept all day. I work an internship from 9 am until 5 pm Monday – Friday. And this internship isn’t down the street, it’s a smooth 50-minute drive with some traffic, but I am so thankful and blessed to have this opportunity. But, I would be lying if I said I am filled with energy every day, because that is not the case. I am not a morning person, at all. I like to stay up late, sleep in, the works. But this summer I have been going to bed earlier, waking up early, commuting, and working. And not to mention I am also enrolled in summer classes. Along with maintaining my blog and all the other responsibilities I have on my plate. All things I am more than happy to be involved with. Now this paragraph wasn’t written to complain, but just to give you all a little background for today’s blog and my feelings.

Some days I am tired. Some days I am exhausted. And recently I have been feeling completely drained. I just want to sleep, sleep, and sleep. I see my friends living their best summer lives and I’m like, “I wish.” I was listening to a song the other day & one of the lyrics really stood out to me, “My feelings can’t control my destiny.” And this really hit me. Because even though I may be tired temporarily, I may be sad temporarily, upset or however I am feeling now, that doesn’t change my pursuit of my goals. I may be a little discouraged, but I still have things I want to accomplish. I have places I want to go. And being sad for a moment, can’t stop me, shouldn’t stop me, from achieving everything I plan on achieving.

We can’t always control our lives. We can’t always control how situations will make us feel or how every situation will go. But we can control how we push through. Your goals don’t care how you feel. They will always be there, regardless of your temporary feelings. And you can’t let what’s temporary stop you from living your best life. Your goals are your goals for a reason. They hold a significance to you, otherwise you wouldn’t have made them your goals. For instance, I really wanted this internship because I feel it is a stepping stone to beginning my professional career after college. So, my internship has a purpose, honestly, any internship serves a purpose and you must see that as an opportunity to network! I had to put my feelings aside and look at my life, goals, wants, and desires. Having some solitude and time to think really helped me to drown the loudness of my feelings and focus on productivity. I just want you all to know that I am feeling very renewed.

When I was at work yesterday, I became inspired to write this post. I haven’t been feeling like myself. But I couldn’t let that stop me from blogging on Sunday, turning in my first article to the paper, going to work, or even writing this blog today. I may be tired, but my tiredness is for a reason. I have so much that I want to accomplish, and this season of tiredness has inspired me to keep going. Even if I don’t feel the best, that shouldn’t stop me from doing my best. Trust me, I get how easy it can be to become consumed with your feelings. This consumption will have you wanting to throw you’re a pity party. And maybe you can do that for a second, literally a second, but then you must see how you can use these feelings to motivate you. What’s making you sad and how can this feeling make you more determined than ever to accomplish your goal? Or prove your doubters wrong? Or even prove to yourself that you refuse to let your feelings dictate your life.

Everyone gets lazy. Everyone gets drained. So, take a moment to gather yourself. Do what you must get refreshed, renewed, and restored. And once you get over that little bump in the road called emotions, come back stronger than before. Yes, I am still tired. Yes, I still want to nap. BUT, I want to accomplish some things before I nap. I want to do my work before I begin to chill for the day. Don’t let laziness win! Even when you feel sad, remember that your goals are still there. And they do not care if you’re sad, upset, or hurt. Think of ways to overcome your feelings and be productive, even if things aren’t going your way. Because I guarantee you that you will look back thinking of all the ways you could’ve been productive while you were letting your feelings win. Today I challenge you to keep pushing in productivity and not to be immersed by how you feel!

The Power is Yours

June 27, 2018 - Janna

Hello readers & Happy Hump Day!

I hope that this week has been going well for you. And if it hasn’t been going the way that you want it to, why not start today to turn everything around? Acknowledge the good experiences you have had so far & make an effort to turn those bad moments into great moments. And if you’re waiting for the week to be over, good news is that you made it halfway through the week. Keep pushing and it’ll be Friday before you know it.

In the midst of all the challenges you face in life, sometimes it can seem hard to stay positive, to see the good and not focus so much on the bad. But in allowing negative energy to plague us, we can never truly experience happiness. Negativity can consume you into an endless sea. It’ll have you only seeing the bad in situations & never accounting for the good. And sometimes, your sea of negativity is brought by the company you keep.

So, I’m going to tell you a story about one of my friend’s and her experiences. And yes she’s fine with me sharing this. I have a friend who is very uplifting, encouraging and all around a girl you’d want to be friends with. But recently she shared with me that she altered herself in order to fit in with some friends. Some friends she later realized were contributing to her sea of negativity. These friends started off being so good to her. She and her friends were so inseparable. However, one day she thought about how their friendship worked. She realized that she had begun feeling left out and had to take an extra two steps to catch up, to feel included, to make them pay attention to her. They constantly talked about people & she found herself doing the same, in order for them to laugh at her statements and make her feel like one of them. But one day the negative comments they made toward others, also began being made towards her. Making her question who she was, how she looked, and ultimately feeling bad about herself. She continued on being friends with them but started saying less and just observing. But there was a feeling eating at her soul that she couldn’t shake, something telling her these relationships weren’t for her. That feeling that made her feel so unsettled, that was the negative energy associated with the friendship, the energy she had adapted as well.

Once she realized that these friendships weren’t healthy for her, she began to slowly weed herself away. This was a process in itself. Getting rid of negativity is not easy. Especially if that is how you’re used to thinking, whenever something occurs you automatically think of something negative to say or a negative emotion to feel. But she overcame this all because she didn’t want to continue being sad or worried because she allowed her negativity to navigate her life. Her story inspired me, and I felt that is was appropriate to share. We all have moments when our thoughts aren’t always positive, where everything seems to be falling apart and we choose to dwell in these unfavorable circumstances. Being unhappy, always seeing the bad, and succumbing to negativity is a choice. You may not see that, but I promise it is. Just how you choose to speak negativity, you can choose to speak positivity. Instead of saying, “I’ll never get the job I want,” say, “I will work hard to make it where I want to be.” How can you expect good things to happen when all you speak about are negative things?

Life and death lie in the power of the tongue. Have you heard this saying before? Well I promise that it holds true. When I want something but doubt my chances of accomplishing it, then it seems things always turn out bad. But, when I want something, pray on it, and speak life over the potential of my victory, it seems that things always work out. You have to positively speak what you want for your life. Say it out loud! You can accomplish any and everything that you put your mind to. The road may be bumpy and unappealing, but it can happen. Nothing can be accomplished without consistency and hard work and hard work is not always pretty. And this is when you feel like giving up but keep pushing on. Do not let negativity win! You have control over your life and how you think/feel about certain situations definitely impact your life.

In life, it’s so easy to speak negativity, to focus on the bad, and dwell on these things. But you have to make a choice. You must decide if you want to be bitter or if you want to be happy. And you cannot have true happiness while being bitter. You will never appreciate your accomplishments because you’ll always think of the negative things that could occur. Today, choose to speak powerfully over your life with positivity. Let go of those negative thoughts, they are only trying to get you down and keep you down. Choose to move forward, choose to be happy, the choice is yours.

Pressing through the rest of 2018

June 6, 2018 - Janna

Hello my loves!
It is officially June, well it’s been June for a couple of days, but you know what I mean. June marks the halfway mark in the year, meaning the year is halfway over. And boy I swear it feels like time has flown! So since we’re reaching this midway point in 2018 I thought it would fit to check-in and maybe refocus.

Maybe you made some goals when the new year began that you hoped to accomplish. Or maybe you want to make some goals to complete before 2018 is over. I’m just letting you know that, IT IS NOT TOO LATE! You still have half a year worth of journeys and memories to experience and make. Take full advantage of this time. And instead of saying, “I wish I would do this, that, and the third.” Actually, go out and do all those things you hoped and dreamed of accomplishing!

I’ve always wanted to blog. I reached out on faith last year and finally achieved my goal. However, I would post whenever I wanted, which was not consistent at all. But I have made a personal goal of being more consistent and intentional this year with my blog. If you haven’t noticed, you see my blogs twice EVERY week now. Don’t you just love it? (lol) Anyways, I didn’t start with this goal at the beginning of 2018, but I do plan to carry it out throughout the rest of the year. I am also stepping out of my comfort zone and participating in endeavors that I never thought I could accomplish. Recently, I submitted samples of my blogs and writing to see if I would be selected as a content creator. And, to my great surprise, I got accepted. I’ll be serving as a content creator for a women’s weekend coming up in November, so of course I will fill you all in soon.

For the rest of the year, and years to come, I am dedicated to being more intentional. More intentional with my relationships with people, my actions, and most importantly with my relationship with God. I think school may have drained me this year, but I feel rejuvenated and restored. And with this new-found energy, I plan to do better and be better, continuously. So I’m tasking you all with helping hold me accountable. When it’s getting late in the day on a Sunday & Wednesday and you don’t see a blog, message me, check me lol. Trust me, I will know that is coming from a place of love.

Sometimes to achieve our goals, we must have accountability partners, especially when we feel like giving up. I have an outstanding accountability partner who always pushes me, even when I feel lazy or discouraged, he’s always there. And his determination and personal goals are motivation enough, check out his website (lucasfrinktbe.com) or catch him on Youtube, Instagram, or Facebook @LucasFrinkTheBossExponent. I promise he will leave you inspired. I also have an amazing friend who is a fellow blogger and such a woman of power, check out her blog A Journey with Jordan (ajournerywithjordan.wixsite.com/ajwj). And I have an incredible support system filled with wonderful friends who always encourage and push me. I know that I can achieve what I set my mind too, but when I get disheartened a little reinforcement never hurts. Who can you trust to hold you accountable on your journey to your dreams?

Anything can be possible once you set your mind on achieving something. The goal may not be reached overnight, it may take a while. But the fruits of your labor will be rewarded once you’ve obtained you heart’s desires. So make sure you set some long-term and short-term goals, even if you don’t plan on accomplishing them this year. Then find someone or more than one person to hold you accountable and be there when you feel you can’t go on. Set your goals so that they will continuously push you each day, just as your accountability partners will as well. Make the rest of the year, the best year for you!

Focus

May 16, 2018May 17, 2018 - Janna

Last week I had a come to Jesus meeting, with Jesus & myself. The prayer & conversation that I had with the Lord, which lasted over the course of a few days was well needed, refreshing, and so rejuvenating. I feel like a new woman.
I hiked up Kennesaw mountain early one morning by myself because I wanted to see the sun rise, talk to God, and read my daily devotional book. When I tell you that scene was so breathtaking and beautiful. Seeing the sun rise over those mountains, over the city of Kennesaw, made me feel so small. And I was instantly reminded of the magnitude of the Lord and how he has blessed me, in spite of me.

See I have been struggling with my flesh. The desires of my flesh and all those feelings associated with it, such as jealousy, anger, pettiness, greed, etc. When I say I have been struggling, I mean I have literally been fighting against selfish thoughts and acts. However, this doesn’t mean that I haven’t given in to these things. Because I have. But, in those moments when I let my flesh win, I have felt so conflicted and not at peace. Saturday I told my boyfriend we were going to church no matter what. He overslept, I tried to wake him up, and when he finally woke up there was only about 30 minutes left before church ended. & I hate being late, so once again I succumbed to my flesh and just said I would stay home. However, he went to get dressed and came back to pick me up. And we went to church, late and all. But the message we received was well needed and for me, it further explained the feelings and emotions I had been dealing with. The message clarified everything for me in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own.

The guest speaker preached from two very powerful scriptures. However, the one that stood out most to me was Ephesians 4:31-32
³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
And these verses deeply touched me because I have been holding onto bitterness and rage, all those emotions and feelings of my flesh. I’ve been choosing to hold onto these emotions and not be forgiving or not letting go. But Christ has forgiven me, he continues to forgive me. So why can’t I?
It was there at church, listening to these words, listening to the speaker share her story and how she has forgiven, that I realized I had been holding onto my flesh and that I had to and needed to let go and forgive because if I didn’t, I would continue to feel conflicted and bothered.

See, the thing I have been lacking is focus. I have been focused on every other thing but the Lord. And these emotions have weighted me down. However, since last week, and especially since Sunday, I have been making a conscious effort to talk to the Lord. I have been praying daily, multiple times a day, and I praise him. I talk to him in the morning in my bed, on the way to work, in the shower, and when I get ready to go to bed. Things I could have been doing before, but because I felt so “busy,” I didn’t. I lost my focus. And even though I’m doing better, I can still do more. Focus more.

But I have been feeling so amazing lately. I am actively making an effort to be obedient to God, in spite of what my flesh wants. He has comforted me and eased all worry, doubt, anxiety, etc. It is not easy, but I am willing to sacrifice and grow. I know that God will strengthen me and encourage me.
What are you focused on? Have you lost your focus? The good news is, God loves us regardless of when we fall short of him. So begin anew today, and each day. Talk to the Lord and thank him, watch how he uplifts you and moves in your life. I guarantee you will see a change, I have.

Self-Love Sunday

May 6, 2018May 6, 2018 - Janna

My mind has been wandering all week about what I should write about, so much so that when I was studying for one of my finals, I wanted to stop and write a blog. I had a topic in mind, but I didn’t want to “go there.” But here I am going there. And if you know me, like really know me, you know that this going there isn’t easy for me. It’s scary to share but I hope that it helps any of you reading this.

I’ve never been one to not be in tune with my feelings. Unless it means sharing with others, that’s something I don’t do. I don’t want to appear weak. But being in tune with your feelings, expressing them and not pushing them aside is actually a sign of strength and not weakness. So here goes, here’s my story.

I have never been one to “fit in” with the “in” crowd. And I am about to tell you why. I was always bullied, beginning in elementary school. I was natural back before natural became a part of popular culture. Meaning, I was one of few natural girls in school, meaning I only got my hair straightened once a month if that. Now, imagine if all of the girls have perms (or relaxers, whichever term you prefer) and you’re the one rocking that puffy pony tail which was considered “nappy.” I’ll never forget one day on the bus when it was raining and I was sitting in the last seat on the bus next to the window, next to one of the baddest boys in my third grade class. He told me to put the window up, but this was my first time on the bus, I didn’t know how to, and didn’t want to try & fail. So I sat there. Even though he was about to get off, even though it wasn’t raining hard, even though he was bald, he said, “Well it doesn’t matter cause your head is nappy anyways so get wet.” I was in the third grade and those words stung so bad and stayed with me longer than I knew.

In middle school, I got picked on for being “too light,” which made me self-conscious about my skin and myself in general. My skin color was compared to packets of mustard and my “blackness” was questioned. It shouldn’t have bothered me, because I know that I am black, but those words hurt and I always felt the need to prove myself. In high school, my mom let me decide what I wanted to do with my hair, trying to be like everyone else, trying to fit in, I decided to get a perm. Then got a little too carried away and started curling my hair almost every other day. People always saw me as a saint, miss do-good, so I also tried to let go of those perceptions as well in any way that I could, dressing like others and using languages that others did. Because being different bothered me to my core.

Last month, I finally shared an original spoken word about my battle with finding myself. It didn’t go into detail, barely touched the surface, but that was a step for me. And recognizing how these past situations have affected me are also a part of my journey. However, I have never been so in love with myself. I am different. I am not like anyone else, and that is fine. I have natural hair again, praise God. I wear what I want and I LOVE the complexion of my skin. I also voice MY OPINION in MY OWN WAY, regardless of what others believe or how they feel. I am not perfect, in any way. And most importantly, I am still growing, every day. Still getting better and becoming more accepting. But no matter what, I am so proud of the woman I am and the woman I am growing to be.

This was super long, but I have shared all of this for a purpose. Some people think i have everything figured out, that I just have everything and have always had things my way. But that is not my reality. It’s what you perceive. Like I said before, people’s opinions do not matter. Because if we try to please them or care about what they say/think, that would be a lifelong process.

Hopefully this post impacted you, even in the slightest way. Stop, take a moment and love yourself today. Be kind and patient with yourself. Don’t listen to what others say. One of my favorite authors stated, “What matters most is how you see yourself.” And this statement is so true, because we are all beautiful in our own way. But YOU, yourself, have to see this beauty.

It may be Skincare Sunday, but also remember, it’s Self-Love Sunday, as well. So love yourself a little harder today.

Hello, Black Excellence.

January 24, 2018January 25, 2018 - Janna

Hello my beautiful people.
This weekend, I had the distinct honor and privilege to attend the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference (SBSLC) in College Station, Texas on the campus of Texas A&M University. This was my first time traveling to Texas and my first time attending this conference. And I only have one word to describe this experience: outstanding.

This conference has expanded my horizons as a leader, through various workshops and keynote speakers. I attended workshops entitled, “Getting in Our Own Way: The Degradation of Student Organizations,” ‘Leaving Your Mark: Empowering & Mentoring Others,” a writing workshop, and so much more. During this conference, I examined myself as a leader and my organization as a whole. And I brought back a mental list of improvements I want to make.

This year, I charge to be better than I was last year. And I want you all to do the same. I have never been surrounded by so many black leaders dressed in business professional attire. And I must say, it was a sight to see. But you don’t have to be considered a leader to be classified as black excellence. Black excellence is you starting your own business, following your dreams, participating in an organization, continuing on even when the odds are against you. Black excellence comes in many shapes and sizes. But I want you to know that it is out there. There are black people who are doing some amazing things. They give younger generations something to aspire towards, something to hope for. Even if you don’t always receive recognition, just know that I see you, someone sees you, and most importantly YOU see what you’re trying to accomplish.

So today challenge yourself. First, challenge yourself to get out of your way. Stop being your biggest critic, it’s okay to not always succeed. However, when you fail, the key is to continue on. Secondly, keep pursuing your goals and desires, even if everyone and everything seems to be against you. Oprah didn’t always have it easy (and is she not an example we look to for black excellence), so why should you? And most importantly, find a way to leave your mark in this world, doing what you love and are passionate about, and ultimately showcase your black excellence.

Love,
Janna Alane

The Month of Elevation

January 6, 2018January 6, 2018 - Janna

Hello all and Happy Saturday!

In honor of the new year and this newfound motivation, I have totally revamped my blog & its look. I am soo excited about this and hopefully you all enjoy this new look.

The word of the month is elevation.

In my last blog I reflected on my year in 2017 and listed some goals that I wish to achieve in 2018. On my list, I mentioned how I wanted to better my relationship with God, grow, and also step out of my comfort zone. And the other day I began to ponder on this new year, new month, and what I wanted to do this month. One word summed up everything I wanted to accomplish and the end result of these goals: elevation.

The other day, my sister-in-law was talking about how her church was doing the Daniel Fast and so I talked to my boyfriend about it. He mentioned that he had done it before and how it was such a phenomenal experience for him because he really grew closer to God through this fast. So this encouraged me to research the fast a little more. And as a result, tomorrow I will begin the Daniel Fast. I will keep you all updated at the end of the month once it is over. I know that by participating in this fast, I am definitely stepping out my comfort zone (Doing something I have never done before, but always wanted to), making an effort to better my relationship with God, and allowing myself to elevate mentally and spiritually.

So my challenge to you all this month is: to think about what you can do to elevate yourself. To elevate means to be raised to a higher level. What is something you have always wanted to do, but never had the courage to? What step(s) can you take to begin the pursuit of a goal you have? How can you better yourself?

There is no time better than the present. So begin to elevate yourselves spiritually, mentally, physically, however you see fit. And remember, this year we aren’t just talking about our goals, but seeing how we can bring them into fruition. This is only the beginning of my fruition and elevation. How will you elevate this month & this year?

Love,
Janna Alane

Farewell 2017

December 31, 2017 - Janna

Hello all my lovely readers. I am so sorry for my hiatus, but I AM BACK for good & I promise to be more consistent with these posts going into the new year.

2017 has definitely been a year of growth. I have had various ups and downs, but through it all I MADE IT through. And you all did too, so congratulations!

Today, in church the sermon focused on my absolute favorite scripture in the Bible.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” –Phillipians 3:13-14

This scripture is so relevant because in life we have to let go of the past, the past hurt, pain, ugliness, etc. in order to move forward and grow. Everyone has a past and has been through pain, however, the past and pain do not have to define who you are or who you become. Use your past and pain purposefully. Do not let it consume you, but let it challenge you to keep pushing and to be better. Today in church the pastor asked, “Where can you go walking back? All you can do is stumble.” So the next time you get so consumed in the past that you forget to move forward, remember that you can not look behind you and in front of you at the same time and that it’s okay to let go and grow.

2017 taught me:
– To love myself unconditionally
– To leave the past in the past
– It’s okay to fumble, as long as you get back up
– I am not perfect AND will never be. And that’s okay
And a long list of other things.

In 2018 I am:
– BLOGGING MORE
– Becoming a mentor
– Traveling more
– Loving myself MORE
– Stepping out of my comfort zone
– Loving courageously
– Stop caring about what others think
– Growing
– Bettering my relationship with God AND myself
– Embracing my natural self

So my charge to you all is to reflect on your 2017, the highs and lows, and then reflect on how you will actively BE better and strive for more in 2018.
Thank you all for encouraging me to write and sticking by my side through this journey. I AM SOO excited for what this new year has in store.

Love,
Janna Alane

Back to Life, Back to Reality

August 27, 2017August 27, 2017 - Janna

Happy Sunday my lovely people!

I really want to apologize for my inconsistency these last two weeks, but I promise it’s only because school has begun. Now that I am all settled in, I will definitely do better. And I have so many ideas for topics that deal with college coming up soon.

Today’s post is about coming back to reality. For some of us, depending on our title or occupation, summer is a time of relaxation and recuperation. And I promise that is exactly what this summer was for me. I worked at Forever21, but I was also able to enjoy time off from school. But I can not lie to you, I missed being at school. I’m not saying I missed the schoolwork, but I missed being busy and always on the go, I know yall may be like “What is she talking about,” but in my hometown there’s really not much to do, but I did enjoy being around my family.

These past two weeks have been filled with plans, events, and lots of schoolwork. I haven’t been stressed yet so I’m praying in advance for that moment when it comes.

I just wanted to write this post to welcome all of you back to the real world. For those of you who have freshly graduated and now are embarking on the real world, good luck to you. For those of you who are starting college, coming back to college, or even beginning any level of education, good luck to you. Remember that you can accomplish anything that you put your mind to. When situations seem tough and you feel that you can not make it, pray. I promise God will never put more on you than bare. Things you thought you couldn’t handle, God will make it possible for you to leap over these things with ease (I promise!). No matter what you go through, I promise you can and will make it out of the situation! And if you ever need a little extra encouragement, I promise I will be here with my posts to try and make your day a little easier. I’m praying this new season is wonderful for you all!

Love,

Janna Alane

Unveiling Janna Alane

Inspiration to be true to yourself.

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