Peace, Love, and Abundant Blessings.
Olamide and Aminata
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Jill Scott spoke to us today....
We just want to have her on speed dial, so when we have an issue...Auntie Jill can solve it. If you haven't listened to this interview, please do so now.
Monday, July 27, 2015
The definition of...
fear
ˈfir/
noun
- 1.an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Above is the standard definition of fear (thanks Google!). So I'm ready to take the next step in my career and my life and I am just now realizing that I'm afraid of taking the next step because I actually don't know where to start or what to do. My interest change every year and my skill set is admirable but it's also comparably similar to skill sets held by other young professionals. The thought of entering another realm knowing that you are expected to have a certain level of understanding based on your "resume" is quite frightening because what if I fall flat on my face as I walk through the "door".
Another harsh reality that I've faced upon exiting school is...it really does help to know the right people. Which is something that I have always been annoyed with because I wholeheartedly don't really believe in kissing someone's derriere and that you should get ahead in life by your work ethic. So for a brief stint, I tried my best to be sweet and coy...and quickly realized that I was being foolish because it wasn't genuine.
So what do I do...
After a brief discussion with living prophets a.k.a. my parents, I gathered the following:
1. It's ok to be nervous about the next step in life and in fact, it is inevitable that you will fall flat on your face a few times...you're not perfect...because you're not God.
2. The goal isn't to befriend everyone you come in contact with to get ahead...the goal is to leave a positive lasting impression on everyone you meet instead. Your work ethic will speak volumes and when you respect yourself and others, there is nowhere for you to go but up.
3. Humans are supposed to change mentally and physically overtime, so it isn't a crime to change your interest. Just make sure that you are always honest with yourself about why your interests have changed and whether or not they are changing for pure reasons.
4. Be confident...not cocky and ask questions when you need help.
5. You're our daughter, complete and total failure really isn't an option...we actually don't have time for that at all.
~Olamide
Monday, July 20, 2015
REFLECTION
Today's post visits an old journal entry that I stumbled across last night. I think it is a healthy to look back on the past to learn from your mistakes and see how much you have grown. The tricky part in doing so is remembering not to dwell in the past. Do not get caught in the "Should've, could've, would've", but use your past as a tool to become a stronger individual.
Just a back story... The day I wrote the post below, I was working as a hostess part-time at El-Centro for 2-3 months to save up for my trip to Spain & Italy, in addition to working full-time as a Financial Analyst at a company that I was starting to despise. Literally 2 months later I accepted a position to work at one of the top consulting firms that I claimed for months. Lesson Learned: Be aware of the Power within your Word/Affirmation and be thankful for the now. You might not be where you want to be now but continue to work towards your end goal.
March 4, 2013
I normally don't write... Haven't done so in a very long time but I feel like I should write more often. As I write these few lines, I feel lighter, like I can finally seek refuge and clear my thoughts. As I stand here on this Monday night at El-Centro, my mind wanders to how Blessed I am. Although I do not have everything I want, I do have everything I need. I am truly Blessed and Highly Favored. I'm also realizing more and more that when I speak things into existence with passion, the universe answers. I need to keep this in mind Always!
Love, Peace & Blessings,
Aminata B. Sow
Just a back story... The day I wrote the post below, I was working as a hostess part-time at El-Centro for 2-3 months to save up for my trip to Spain & Italy, in addition to working full-time as a Financial Analyst at a company that I was starting to despise. Literally 2 months later I accepted a position to work at one of the top consulting firms that I claimed for months. Lesson Learned: Be aware of the Power within your Word/Affirmation and be thankful for the now. You might not be where you want to be now but continue to work towards your end goal.
March 4, 2013
I normally don't write... Haven't done so in a very long time but I feel like I should write more often. As I write these few lines, I feel lighter, like I can finally seek refuge and clear my thoughts. As I stand here on this Monday night at El-Centro, my mind wanders to how Blessed I am. Although I do not have everything I want, I do have everything I need. I am truly Blessed and Highly Favored. I'm also realizing more and more that when I speak things into existence with passion, the universe answers. I need to keep this in mind Always!
Love, Peace & Blessings,
Aminata B. Sow
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
The Intellect Collective Book Circle: The Four Agreements
Do you ever go through life feeling like something is missing? Do you ever feel off balance and want to change your current situation but do not know how to do so? In the best selling book The Four Agreements Don Miguel Ruiz provides four principles to practice in order to create a more balanced fulfilled life full of joy and happiness. Committing to the agreements is VERY challenging, however, once you consciously adopt the principles into your everyday life you will notice a change. Take a leap of faith and prepare yourself for a life changing journey!
The Four Agreements are:
1. Be Impeccable with your Word Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
P.S. I typed out the principles and have them posted on my wall and written in my journal. The perfect morning Affirmation!
Peace, Love & Blessings,
The Four Agreements are:
1. Be Impeccable with your Word Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
P.S. I typed out the principles and have them posted on my wall and written in my journal. The perfect morning Affirmation!
Peace, Love & Blessings,
Monday, July 13, 2015
Eclectic Vibes
You might want to check out this playlist I made...just because...please and thank you.
Hopefully you'll like it just as much as I do.
You're Welcome.
Hopefully you'll like it just as much as I do.
You're Welcome.
The Internet...Ego Death
The Internet is not only a place to find the answers to homework questions, purchase new released sneakers, and troll the internet to stalk celebrities we'll never meet...but it's also a super dope group affiliated with Odd Future. Every summer I search for an anthem, usually something with a ridiculously heavy baseline and slightly obnoxious lyrics...but as I mature, so does my listening ear. The Internet gave me just what I needed this summer...an intense, yet light and refreshing mixture of musicality and smooth vocals. Not to mention they have features from a few of my favorites such as Vic Mensa, James Fauntleroy, and Kaytranada (click here).
"Better act like you know who I am"...something that I frequently want to say to a few people, but never do...is a line from my favorite song on the album called 'Special Affair'.
Thank you Syd tha Kyd for your smooth vocals...I appreciate ya.
Click Here for a Live Stream of the album: Ego Death.
"Better act like you know who I am"...something that I frequently want to say to a few people, but never do...is a line from my favorite song on the album called 'Special Affair'.
Thank you Syd tha Kyd for your smooth vocals...I appreciate ya.
Click Here for a Live Stream of the album: Ego Death.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Nicknames are only for...
...my close friends and family. Therefore, when I introduce myself to you...please don't ask me if I have a nickname because you are too lazy to pronounce my name properly. Here are a few things you must know about me and a few questions that must be answered before you are ALLOWED to use a nickname for me.
1. Umm....do you know my last name yet? Why are you so eager to already give me a nickname?
2. Do you know where I'm from?
3. My parents chose my name for a reason...I promise, it wasn't on a whim.
4. Nicknames are personal...I JUST met you...less than 5 minutes ago...don't rush this relationship because rushed relationships rarely last.
5. If I wanted you to use a nickname, I would have picked another name to introduce myself as...but I didn't...weren't you listening.
There are very few things that people actually own in this world so the last thing I need you to do is disrespect me by insinuating that my name is not worth remembering or too hard for you to pronounce. There are a list of names you can pronounce that are actually more difficult than my name (i.e. Schwarzenegger, polawski, etc.)
So the next time someone decides to ask me if I have a nickname, after I have introduced myself with the name I want to be called...i'll literally say "bye Felicia"...and i'm pretty sure you're name isn't Felicia either...but it could be your nickname!
1. Umm....do you know my last name yet? Why are you so eager to already give me a nickname?
2. Do you know where I'm from?
3. My parents chose my name for a reason...I promise, it wasn't on a whim.
4. Nicknames are personal...I JUST met you...less than 5 minutes ago...don't rush this relationship because rushed relationships rarely last.
5. If I wanted you to use a nickname, I would have picked another name to introduce myself as...but I didn't...weren't you listening.
There are very few things that people actually own in this world so the last thing I need you to do is disrespect me by insinuating that my name is not worth remembering or too hard for you to pronounce. There are a list of names you can pronounce that are actually more difficult than my name (i.e. Schwarzenegger, polawski, etc.)
So the next time someone decides to ask me if I have a nickname, after I have introduced myself with the name I want to be called...i'll literally say "bye Felicia"...and i'm pretty sure you're name isn't Felicia either...but it could be your nickname!
Monday, July 6, 2015
You Owe the World Your Gifts
Hi, my name is Aminata B. Sow and today I decided that I will contribute to the "The Intellect Collective" blog. My friend Olamide called me on Saturday to ask if I would write, and my initial reaction was "maybe". Honestly, I have not written consistently since AP English 12th grade (almost 10 years ago). The more she explained the purpose of the blog, the more excited I became. I ALWAYS have something to discuss (ex. The State of the Black Community, Black Owned Businesses, Gentrification, Financial Literacy, Relationships, etc.), but those conversations, thoughts, and rants are only shared amongst family and friends.
We all have a talent that we use to be good at but stopped doing for whatever reason. We become conditioned to work a 9-5, pay bills and repeat. When did we stop feeding our creative energy? Why do we stop doing the things that we love to do?
TODAY I challenge you to tap into your creative space and start doing something that you use to be good at or something you love to do. The time to do it is now. You owe the world YOUR gifts.
Peace, Love & Blessings,
Aminata B.
We all have a talent that we use to be good at but stopped doing for whatever reason. We become conditioned to work a 9-5, pay bills and repeat. When did we stop feeding our creative energy? Why do we stop doing the things that we love to do?
TODAY I challenge you to tap into your creative space and start doing something that you use to be good at or something you love to do. The time to do it is now. You owe the world YOUR gifts.
Peace, Love & Blessings,
Aminata B.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
It's my birthday...
A letter to the reader...
So my birthday has actually passed already...but I celebrate in the month of July as well. Anyway, I decided to tell everyone that I have a blog and I'm petrified of what the response will be. I'll have to accept...that my blog probably isn't that good...yet. It's definitely a work in progress...just like me of course...but one day it'll be something cool. If you know me personally then you'll know that a lot of the things already posted are definitely things I'm interested in and love to discuss. I really enjoy introducing people to cool places, cool tattoos, cool items to purchase, and new music to listen to...all of this is opinion based of course. I plan to incorporate more thought provoking pieces on here...but right now I'm just trying this thing called blogging out.
Since it is my birthday/pseudo-birthday month I just have a few favors to ask of you all...
1. Read all the posts...pretty please!!!!
2. Comment on at least one post.
3. If you have my number...text me and give me constructive criticism.
4. If you need me to put together an outfit for you or find an item for "the low"...let me know.
5. Suggestions on new topics are welcome.
Thanks for reading in advance.
So my birthday has actually passed already...but I celebrate in the month of July as well. Anyway, I decided to tell everyone that I have a blog and I'm petrified of what the response will be. I'll have to accept...that my blog probably isn't that good...yet. It's definitely a work in progress...just like me of course...but one day it'll be something cool. If you know me personally then you'll know that a lot of the things already posted are definitely things I'm interested in and love to discuss. I really enjoy introducing people to cool places, cool tattoos, cool items to purchase, and new music to listen to...all of this is opinion based of course. I plan to incorporate more thought provoking pieces on here...but right now I'm just trying this thing called blogging out.
Since it is my birthday/pseudo-birthday month I just have a few favors to ask of you all...
1. Read all the posts...pretty please!!!!
2. Comment on at least one post.
3. If you have my number...text me and give me constructive criticism.
4. If you need me to put together an outfit for you or find an item for "the low"...let me know.
5. Suggestions on new topics are welcome.
Thanks for reading in advance.
Adidas Gazelle OG
I ordered these for my partner and I...and we both agreed that this might not be the shoe for us because our feet are narrow...and for some reason, they make our feet look ridiculously long. I've always been a fan of a classic shoe so it is quite unfortunate that I can't rock these for the general public. Regardless of how they fit me...I still think these are the bomb!!!
So today I bring to you the Adidas Gazelle OG.
Price: $95 (Night Indigo/Running White/Metallic Gold)
$85 (Core Black)
Description: Created in 1968, and now a true icon, the men's Gazelle OG shoes feature a full-suede upper. The textured detail on the outsole adds to the vintage look.
So today I bring to you the Adidas Gazelle OG.
Price: $95 (Night Indigo/Running White/Metallic Gold)
$85 (Core Black)
Description: Created in 1968, and now a true icon, the men's Gazelle OG shoes feature a full-suede upper. The textured detail on the outsole adds to the vintage look.
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