I was asked to share some of the things I talked about on the most recent vlog episode, and I thought it could serve as a blog post.
◦ Normalize celebrating each other.
◦ Normalize not investing energy in those you expect to celebrate you but don’t.
◦ Normalize allowing people to be honest about their feelings when you ask how they’re doing, while not adding your opinion, unless asked, and/or disclosing to others what they share.
◦ Let’s also normalize not telling people your business unless they invite you to share because sometimes it’s too heavy, and sometimes it’s light, but they still may not have the capacity to listen.
◦ Speaking of telling business…normalize being a safe space, and being honest if you know you have loose lips and safe spaces ain’t your ministry.
◦ Normalize not being offended with people not being excited and/or supportive when you tell them your 1,327 to the 10th power idea, or those who may not support your vision. Sometimes you gotta stop telling people…write the vision and make it plain for YOU, not them.
◦ Now, let’s also normalize being supportive and asking people what support for them looks like, because you may think it’s sharing your 1,327 to the 10th power reasons why their idea won’t work. You may have the experience and the expertise, but normalize asking people if they want you to share your opinion, experience and/or expertise. Otherwise, nod, smile and go on about your business.
◦ Normalize not getting mad when you ask for someone’s opinion, experience and expertise and you happen to not like. They didn’t kill your dream, they answered your question.
◦ In essence, normalize healthy communication by defining what that looks for you to someone or ‘someones’ willing to listen and be willing to compromise when needed.
◦ Normalize not taking things personally or internalizing so much. Despite what your Momma, Daddy, Grandma, your kindergarten teacher and ‘nem told you…EVERYTHING AIN’T ABOUT YOU!
◦ Normalize LISTENING…so many frustrations occur from people feeling unheard.
◦ Normalize not expecting ‘you’ from people who aren’t you, and also being honest with people about who YOU REALLY ARE!
◦ Normalize mindfulness. Sometimes it really isn’t them, and it really is you, but you won’t know that if you don’t know who you are.
◦ I’ll add some other things to normalize as time passes, but I’ll end with how I started, normalize celebrating each other. And if you can’t, don’t know how or simply don’t want to celebrate…float on, scroll on or go on somewhere.
◦ It’s okay to compliment people. It’s also okay not to like people, even for the pettiest of reasons, but keep that to yourself. It’s okay to not like this platform and it’s sure as hell okay to not like me as the hostess. But don’t let that stop others from being lifted. This platform is about lifting US, showcasing US, and celebrating US.
◦ I only signed a contract to host this platform with the understanding I could be myself and speak freely. In doing so, it is never my intention to tear down or harm the greater work being done on all the accompanying platforms, because this isn’t about me, this is about US; I’m just the current face. We will continue to use this as an avenue to wind or wine 🍷 down (whichever you choose 😉), and celebrate US!