Collierville- Comfort Zone
I’ve lived a great life. I grew up in a loving family with 2 present parents and close relatives who helped raise me as well. I’m from the suburbs and I went to very good public schools in a small town. I don’t say that to brag, but to show that I’m blessed. I never had to struggle growing up, because if my parents didn’t have it, me and my sister never knew it. A very soft, cushioned life from birth to age 33…for the most part. So you can imagine when I went to California for the first time, on my first plane ride, and swam in the ocean at 29, I was overwhelmingly excited. Not that we didn’t travel, but it was then that I realized more existed outside of my comfort zone. It was also then when I realized that I needed to escape the comfort zone to enjoy all the world had to offer.
Los Angeles- Starting Point
California dreaming took over my entire existence from 2015 to 2019. San Diego was the introduction, but Los Angeles was the destination. I knew it the first time I went to the city in 2018 that I had to move there. By 2019, my only goal in life was to move to the city of angels, and it happened. I was a small town girl who went 1833 miles (ALONE) to finally see who she could be outside of the comfort zone. I heard a preacher say that distance from your comfort zone will show your true self. It was a literal dream come true! And I loved that city with all of my heart, even when the people weren’t as loving to me.
Atlanta- Life Lessons
After leaving the city of my dreams, I made the hard decisions to move to a more “practical” and what I thought would be a more affordable city. Boy was I wrong! I was the brokest I’ve ever been in my life. Atlanta turned me every which way but loose. I learned lessons a comfort zone could never teach about friendship, finances, depression, loneliness, and relationships. And even through all the bad stuff, I realized that I have some fight in me that I was proud of. I was a hustler and never even knew it with my sheltered up bringing. Lol. I even realized that letting God be God was the key to success. He doesn’t need my help and trying to even help God is preposterous! Even though I left that city feeling defeated, months later, I realized I WON. Nothing AND NOBODY in that city broke me!
Houston- Growth
With a feeling of winning, I decided to start over in another big and exciting city. It hasn’t all been peachy, but the growth and lessons I’ve learned have made me a better person. My theme for my Houston living has now become, “God don’t play about me.” Through my first layoff and being hated on by my coworkers, I realized He will prepare that table before me in the presence of my enemies. It’s between you and God if you’re the enemy. I feel good about Houston. Is this my last stop? Who knows. But for now, I’m going to stick around. This is the longest I’ve stayed anywhere outside of Collierville. I’ve realized that God uses distance to help you grow. When you’re by yourself, you have no choice but to depend on God. And God is more than enough.
Be Sweet 