Chapter Endings (Goodbye 2016)

For many years, I have known that time is the greatest gift one can give. However, I have chronically and selfishly hoarded my time more and more until it was neither invested in myself or other people. And because of this, I have become more distant and more unsettled in my spirit.  

See, I've spent quite a few years feeling guilty for things I have no control over and avoiding the things I could control; talk about time and energy drains. And as I reflect on all these things, I can't help but to think of all the people who have made a positive impact to this life journey of mine; I sincerely hope that I have, in return, positively impacted their lives as well.

But this year proved to be quite the challenging year for me (and a great many other people as well). And my lack of meaningful time investments have led me to live an unhealthy lifestyle. So I am now actively endeavoring to take my control back for those things I have the ability to control.

And as we embark on the coming year, if this has been your struggle as well, I encourage you to do the same. So that together, in 2017, we can truly be fearlessly bold, amazingly beautiful, empatheticlly kind, sincerely compassionate, incredibly productive, unapologetically forgiving and intentionally courageous.

Love & Peace

Niki B.

To new beginnings...

Dear reader:

I am hopeful that the journey in which we are about to embark upon will empower us to be better human beings. But before we begin, there are a few things that I need for you to understand:

1. You are beautiful. And not just some of you - all of you. Regardless to whether you are male, female or working openly/discreetly to sort it all out. Regardless to whether you are heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, asexual, transsexual, transgender, queer and any other label you have given yourself or any label that society has given you. Regardless to your faith, political opinions, race, ethnicity, nationality and upbringing.
2. You are capable. And not just some of you - all of you. You are capable of being a good person. You are capable of being successful. You are capable of righting your wrongs. You are a capable of being loved. You are capable of loving someone. You are capable of admitting when you've messed up. You are capable of accepting praise. You are capable of learning. You are capable of being right. You are capable of giving. You are capable of achieving. You are capable of changing. You are capable of forgiving. You are capable of accomplishing. You are capable of overcoming. You are capable of loving yourself. You are capable of helping. You are capable of receiving. And you are capable of defining what all of the above looks like. 
3. You are human. And not just some of you - all of you. You are flawed and imperfect…and you are beautiful and you are capable.

Now, please don't get the wrong impression. I'm no expert on life and I don't have all the answers. I'm just familiar with some of life's ups and downs. And not unlike you, I am beautiful, capable and human. And I've tried my best to be hateful and spiteful, however, I wasn't very good at it. And despite my efforts at being completely consumed with bitterness, I discovered that I'm much better at being uplifting and encouraging. So, let's be bold, beautiful, courageous and kind!

Love & Peace

Niki B.