Prayer Changes Things.

So a weird thing just happened to me. I say weird because I really don't know how I feel about it. I was knee-deep in a prayer. I haven't had a core-shaking prayer in such a long time. In my prayer, I asked for the strength to pull through life and make it into what I know it can be.



God had blessed me in so many ways and there is no reason for me not to be able to achieve my wildest dreams. No reason, but myself. I believe there's a grey, misty massive grey cloud of fear over my head and the sad part is, I don't even know what I am afraid of.


I'm not one of those people afraid to succeed. In fact, that's what I welcome. But I block myself. I ground myself and surround myself with things that weigh me down. At times I feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. I've fallen in & out of depression & I intend to beat it. In fact..that's what my prayer summed up to.

I was praying aloud. I ended up standing, closing my eyes, tilting my head back & fists balled up. I was in a moment. It felt as if I was performing a poem. When that dawned on me, I broke my prayer and got my pen & pad. There was a split second where I felt guilty for stunting my prayer because it sounded like a good poem that I wanted to write down.

When it came down to it, I didn't even remember a significant enough amount to make sense of anything & I couldn't even get back in the groove to complete my prayer. Two fails for the price of one. Hmph! But I needed a jumpstart to the more poetic writer side of myself because she's been silenced for a while.

Prayer really does change things & sometimes those things aren't even what you're asking about at the time. God knows us so well, He's able to give us the things we need before we can even anticipate or even know that we even want those things.



Even Ghandi said, "If you don't ask, you don't get." What I am going to be asking for.?The strength to go through the bad with grace. And the power to live my purpose. I was put here for a reason & the cool thing about life is--we get to spend our lives finding out what that purpose is. That's beautiful. I don't want to crumble at the thought of being able to live an amazing life. I'm gonna live...fully.

Amen.

Yeah...and another one.

I complain a lot about my life. From the outside, looking in, I bet it looks charming. I am unattached, young, no kids & basically no responsibilities. What the heck do I ever have to be down about? I wish I knew, so that I could stop it from happening. But since it's going to, I have to figure out how to handle it better--how to cope with it.

I am taking this time right now to say, I am strong. I am stronger than this depression that has been trying to take me hostage for the last couple of years. God has surrounded me lately with some amazing people and those people have helped to rejuvenate my ambition & desire.

I have quite a few ideas for some new ventures as well as some peopel that want to work with me--how effin' cool is that?! Being sought out because of my work makes me feel like I am on the right path. Life is a beautiful thing & it's time to start living like I realize the kind of gift I've been giving.

That's not to say that I won't complain anymore. Lol. come on! I'm human! But I will handle it best I can if/when the sadness returns. I'm about to be 25. No more whining like a baby. It's time to handle eveything like a woman.

Day One-It All Starts With God

"Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life" The Message- Romans 8:6

I thought about how I have been living my life currently, in a bubble where only things directly related to me mattered. I closed out so much of the things in my life because I didn't feel lie dealing with them. In order to take charge of my life, I need to not focus so much on self. Being selfish does nothing for self help.


The crazy thing is, the first chapter explains how this isn't even a self help book. It is not about finding the right career, achieving your dreams or planning your life…the book preaches. I can completely understand that. What I am looking for is to take charge of my life and live the purpose that I was put here for. You can choose so many parts and aspects to your life, but you cannot choose your purpose. God's designed purpose in all our lives and it's up to us to develop and nurture a relationship with Him in order to gain that purpose.


Day one, I am told to think about my purpose and know that it's not about me; it's much bigger than myself. There is something that I find comforting about the book--it gives me a question to consider after every chapter. Today's question was: In spite of [everything] around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?


It's one thing to say that I believe in God. But it's quite another to say that I actually worship. Growing up, I was always taught Christianity and it's what I base my beliefs on. However, once I was on my own, I would go to church here and there, I might even spout of a popular verse or two--but I was never a true worshipper through and through. I never really created that relationship with God that I needed to. I guess this is really my chance to. I have to remind myself that I am living for God. For real this time.


How can I do this everyday? Praying. I can thank the Lord for waking me up, I can say small prayers and thank you's throughout the day to show my gratitude for life. It's funny because one year ago, I got a tattoo on my right wrist that says Faith. It was a physical reminder that everyday, I need to not only have faith in God, but remember my faith--my God. Even though I see that tattoo everyday, sometimes I forget. I need not forget, anymore.

A Life With Purpose

In 40 days, my life will be transformed. Today, I am making a committment to having a Purpose Driven Life. I was given The Purpose Driven life almost three years ago by a friend of mine that I was in a show with. I didn't commit to it back then and over these years, I let it collect dust on my bookshelf. I was looking at it the other day, thinking, I wonder if I gave this book a chance, would I be able to transform the direction of my life?

From the outside looking in, people would think that my life isn't that out of order. I'm living in the city I dreamed of as a kid, I am writing for a living and I'm young. However, I know my own ambition and what goes on with me when no one is watching and I know that my life isn't in the best place it could be right now. I have absolutely no reason to complain about life, because I can fix it myself. This is my first attempt at REAL self help.

Raise your glasses. Here's to Danielle Lacole Young, taking 40 life changing days to discover the purpose of her life! Cheers!

Postively Written

You know, I may not be a movie star or as funky fresh as I wish I was, but I've met a lot of amazing people in my life, through my writing. Christina K, being one of them.

When I was a little girl, scribbling stories of teenage angst in my journal every night, I had no idea that I would be interviewing people like Lumidee (first interview EVER), Regina King, Iman, Styles P, Russell Simmons, Fonzworth Bentley or Jadakiss. It all feels so natural and organic that sometimes it doesn't even seem like my life.

I realize that I complain about my life more times than not and it's human nature, but in taking a look at the positive things in my life--I've learned that they can outweigh the bad--if you let it.

Are you happy, now?

I woke up in a horrible mood this morning and I continually got more irritated on my commute to work. So, I am going to write about what I'm loving right now in my life to make me feel better. I hope this works. I am going to try to come up with 10.

1. Going to Puerto Rico next month!!!!!
2. I'm eating healthier than ever.
3. I'm writing for my life, DAILY.
4. I look in the mirror and smile because I'm pretty. (nothing wrong with confidence, besides, this is making me feel better!)
5. I've been able to hold on to my abstinence with little to no effort.
6. I'm getting a sort of new laptop.
7. My hair looks awesome today.
8. I'm going to see my mary jane man tonight. (*sings like Ne-Yo, I just can't stopppp)
9. I'm still young and have my whole life ahead of me.
   
10. I collected three phone numbers thus far this week with no intention on calling these fools. Pimp on!

IT WORKED!!!

The First Night of the Rest of My Life.

Last night was one of the most incredible nights of my life. A few weeks ago, I interviewed Terrie Williams and she and I hit it off really well. We exchanged information and kept in touch. She's written for Essence back when Essence was a baby. There was a job at Essence that I wanted and she sent over all my information to personal friends of hers at Essence, including the President!

She also added me to her foundation's PR Committee. I will get to do some administrative tasks for her, as well as be hands on and mentor kids. This is an amazing opportunity for me because not only will I get to meet so many people and learn so many things, but I get to change lives. That's so powerful!

So, back to yesterday being one of the most incredible nights of my life...

Terrie invited me out to a book signing event with her. I was super excited because it was for this author Asha Bandele, who is phenomenal. But when we arrive, I realize that we're at Susan L. Taylor's penthouse! Well I didn't realize that, I just knew that the gorgeous building in front of me wasn't Barnes & Nobel's like I expected.

Upon walking in, we were greeted by many friendly faces, which--after several introductions by Terrie as a "young, talented and gifted writer"--I came to know as prolific writers. Everyone there was someone impressive, someone that could change my future with a push of a button.

StacyAnn Chin

People like StacyAnn Chin who connected with me on poetry. Who also shared her newest book with me and signed it. Who also gave me her email address. Man, I felt so...perfect. Perfect time, place, view, book, interaction. It was all right.

Michaela Angela Davis

Then Michaela Angela Davis waltzes in with a glide that only she can master. I interviewed her at last year's Black Girls Rock. I had no delusions of grandeur thinking she would remember me. So when Terrie went to introduce us, I politely shook her hand and smiled and said my name. She stops and says, "We've met before." I mean looking dead into my eyes, matching my glare. I told her we had and when and where and she goes, "So good to see you again sister." Wow. No words. None.

Then, I met the woman herself. A woman that I have followed since I learned to stalk--professionally, of course. We've also met once before, at Black Girls Rock. Her husband remembered, but she didn't react like she did. But she was still warm with me. Calm. Stunning. Serene. Her energy is insane. She just makes you feel comfortable, instead of like a babbling fool. We spoke briefly about my passion for writing and her incredible, inspiring career.

And just as quickly as the night started, it was over. I took in my surroundings once more--the view, wow. Even the air up there felt different. Penthouse air. I could get used to that. I said goodbye to everyone I met and I was out the door behind my mentor.

After she and I said our goodbyes, I walked to the train in tears. I had to stop, catch my breath and hold myself together, physically. I could feel myself going in about 50 different ways with excitement. I am currently living my dream and I cannot believe how delicious it feels.