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Realist post I’ve ever wrote.

It’s crazy when and where inspiration comes from. I posted a quote on instagram that prompted my best friend to email me the Business Insider article it came from. “21 Ways Rich People Think Differently” by Mandi Woodruff. Despite being broke, relatively “homeless”, and heavily reliant on CSP supporters (family, friends, HU alum, strangers), it’s one of those articles that makes a young dreamer feel good and warm inside because they’ve chosen to step out on faith and follow their dreams. I wanted all the post I wrote on my blog to be about traveling, but I said eff it. I want to share what’s real. What it’s truly like following your dreams and working to create something out of nothing.

Here are a few of my favorite excerpts from the article that spoke to my soul!

Number 19. Average people love to be comfortable. Rich people find comfort in uncertainty.

2013 has been nothing but constant uncertainty. I wasn’t certain of anything until it happened! I hustled to travel to as many places internationally and nationally to build the Can’t Stay Put™ brand and start the movement, many times traveling through airport security knowing I only had $5 to my name. (Make no mistake, I am not poor. I have parents (who aren’t rich) that are going to be upset when they read this because they would have thrown me $20 bucks for just in case money. But who wants to ask their parents, unless you absolutely have too. I guess in a twisted weird way you can say I’m “choosing” to struggle to follow my dreams. I could move to the south, live with my mom and get what some would call a “real job” to “get back on my feet,” but I would be selling myself short.) I have no CLUE the next time I’ll live in my own apartment. I’ve slept on many couches. I have clothes and belongings in over 5 different cities. I’m now the temporary roommate (lol) of my two guy friends I use to work with at Pican. When you manage a restaurant, the people you work with become family because you practically LIVE at the restaurant. I consider them my brothers! When I broke my lease in February, I moved all my stuff to their house and told them, “I don’t know when I’ll need to crash, but I’m going out to travel the world and when I’m in town I’ll cook and sometimes wash dishes.” I’m here now and they hold me down and keep me fed, but they also know I’ll be sitting at the computer all day working on something. They’re investing in my dreams. That’s love! (along with all the other CSP believers & supporters love you!)

5. Average people long for the good old days. Rich people dream of the future.

“Self-made millionaires get rich because they’re willing to bet on themselves and project their dreams, goals, and ideas into an unknown future”

My dreams keep me up at night! Sometimes I sleep with my notebook and Uni-Ball Vision pen (I gave the brand because I only write with these pens. Yeah- I’m fake stuck up lol). I want Can’t Stay Put™ group trips to be the vessel that gets young creatives traveling abroad collaborating, learning, inspiring and changing the world. When I first started Can’t Stay Put™, I was solely concerned about sharing my traveling experiences, but along my journey I dug deeper inside of myself and realized that it represented much much more than that. (There is A LOT of self-discovery that comes with traveling, especially by yourself.) Can’t Stay Put™ is about not being complacent, not sitting still, not staying put, not letting life defeat you, always learning, following your dreams, always seeking to gain a new experience, always growing, always evolving. My dreams are not just to inspire young people to travel the world but to travel to a new museum, travel to their neighboring city or state, travel to a bookstore or library to read a new book. I challenge everyone not to stay put!

7. Average people earn money doing things they don’t love. Rich people follow their passion.

I am the HAPPIEST I’ve ever been. To walk and talk with a purpose. It ain’t nothing like it. Collabing with young creatives, writing proposals, campaigning for CSP, receiving emails from supporters inspired by my story, fleshing out project ideas, networking with other travel lovers, learning how to do things you don’t have the money to pay for, seeking advice from successful business people, being motivated by other young creatives following their dreams and just figuring out how to navigate this road to success. Whenever I look down at my nails and say “I WANT a manicure” or when I see the latest collection from my favorite designer (Thank GOD I was a shop-aholic before I quit my job. I got clothes for days.) or when I wish to be driving instead of riding the bus or train or when I don’t have enough money to get my ancient computer fixed and Apple decides not to charge me, I sit back and chuckle and say “Lo it’s all about the journey. This way of life is only temporary. Be happy that God blessed you with your purpose and the ability to believe in yourself.” From competing in the whiteboard challenge at the National Black MBA Conference in Houston this summer to having a CSP supporter sponsor my travel agent certification to HU alum working for me pro-bono to having CSP supporters spread the word about my movement to having CSP supporters anticipating my first group trip, to receiving pictures of friends first passports, this JOURNEY has been nothing short of amazing and I can’t wait to see what else it has in store! This is truly what life is about. LIVING!

When I finished reading the article this morning, it brought me to tears because I needed to receive that message at that EXACT moment. I needed that reassurance that this sacrifice would be all worth it in the end. God be right on time! And in this instance, his message came via my friend. Thanks V!

I had been going back and forth with myself on what I would write my next post about. My experience in North Carolina while on my Civil Rights tour and why I decided to postpone the rest of the tour or my experience at my family’s farm or an update on why I’ve been ghost or a combination of both. I just knew I needed to post something! For one, life happened and I needed to be home in Atlanta for my family. As far as the tour is concerned I made a HUGE mistake thinking I could travel to various cities for a few hours and learn about my history. I want to make a bigger fuss about my Civil Rights Tour project because I want it to truly empower others to be great, which takes a bit more planning than I originally anticipated. I will pick it back up in 2014. I also realized that I needed to sit still for the rest of 2013. I want 2014 to be an even bigger year for me and CSP. In order for that to happen, I have a lot of planning and pitching to do:) I tend to share more of my everyday journey through my instagram account, but I’m going to start sharing more on my blog.

I’m cooking up some exciting things! Stay posted:)

Oh! Pharrell’s new 24-hour interactive “Happy” music video also inspired this post. I listened to it the entire time I was writing this. He is a genius. I’m going to make my own 3-minute happy video.