27 candles

On my 26th birthday, I hung this ceramic plaque over my computer desk.

And I thought to myself, I’d travel to places as long as my means allowed it… I’d do the things I’ve always wanted to do… And I’d continually find things on my bucket list that needed to be crossed off.

Because Ron’s school load placed a heavy demand on him, I did alot of this by myself. I made a couple of trips on my own, one of which, included a nursing delegation to China. It was during that trip where I learned that a village in Guilin was suffering from a water shortage and that the Chinese military was rationing out clean water for the community. From then on, I made a conscious effort to recycle and be more green when it came to resources, especially water. I began to read up on newspapers like the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times because my dad always told me that I had to be aware of what went on around me. I followed up on important policies and bills. I refined, rebranded, and refocused the direction of my photography. I achieved a Master’s degree from a school that I never thought I’d be good enough to ever attend. And most importantly after the passing of my Lola Nene, I gave out *i love yous*, *hugs* and made visits more frequently to those around me.

As i laid in bed this morning thanking the Lord for blessing me with another year, I thought about what I could change to make my 27th year different. I didn’t have to think hard because I knew that come November, me and Ron’s lives would be forever changed once we welcomed our baby girl into the world. And for that, I thought I’d take my 27th year adventures a little bit slower, although I’m sure parenthood is an adventure in it’s own right. This year however, I’m going to stop readjusting the bar that I’m continually trying to climb, and I’m going to refocus my energy on being content with knowing that for now, everything is the way it’s supposed to be.

These next 2 images were taken a few days ago in Chicago… Enjoying the view from the 103rd floor Sky Deck of Willis Tower (formally known as Sears Tower).

Enough Already

If you always wish for more, you will never know the peace and satisfaction of having enough. Realizing that you already have enough is one of the most profoundly empowering thoughts you can think.

Fully enjoying the first piece of cake does not prevent you from having a second. Yet obsessing over whether or not you’ll get another piece will always prevent you from the position of power that comes with having enough.

It’s great to be ambitious and to create new value. Yet that is best done from the position of power that comes with having enough.

Being satisfied does not mean you must be complacent. Being satisfied enables you to draw strenght from your desires instead of letting them enslave you.

Discipline, integrity, commitment and effectiveness flow naturally from a strong sense of having enough. When you’re truly accepting of where you are, your eyes are fully open to the best possibilities.

Understand that you already have enough. And you’ll tap into the power of peaceful purpose.

– Ralph Marston