Tell Me What They Taught YOU... HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

 Tell Me What They Taught YOU

The way YOU treat people will give THEM a life of lessons…

And they might remember your name... just saying...

Move accordingly! 😉

HAPPY NEW YEAR/ HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH/ HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY Y’ALL!!! I wanted to end the year with this post, but I let time get away from me…I admit! However, we’ll start the year (new month, sorta) off with some food for thought. While it may not bring you luck like collard greens, black-eyed peas and a rabbit's foot…Mmmmhmmm HA! 

I hope it engages YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

 

I want this post to seem sensitive…

because it is…

but also self-reflective…

because it is…

but also, to help strengthen our level of compassion…

because we all need more.

Tell Me what they taught you…I wanna know!

Girl, first of all… WHO ARE ‘THEY’? what are WE talking about?

Is this a group, parent(s), 1^st grade teacher, friends…WHO?

They are the ones that raised you, grew you, expanded you and/or made a turning point in your life …so whoever/whomever, they are…

What did they teach YOU?

 I won’t get into the specifics of the “they” in my life but some specific things ‘they’ taught me…I want YOU to know for yourself and teach them to someone else.

Remember how I told y’all that I’m privy to some ‘interesting’ conversations…well they are still going on and it has me wondering…

what have some people been taught? Like… have you directly been taught this, or did someone’s actions (or lack thereof) teach you this…why is this a part of your conversation, thought process, values, etc.?

Maybe I should change this to ‘everything a daughter should know’ ???? Hmm?

IDK but I want this information out in the world on one page…

 

IT HAS TO BE SAID.

                                  

1. YOU don’t beg anyone to care about YOU. Either they do or they don’t… just let them know what is important to you.

2. You’re no one’s savior even if you've helped them. Making yourself feel obligated to someone when you’re not a licensed professional to deal with their situation(s) is dangerous. Pray and keep it moving.

3. You’re loved and filled with Purpose…nothing will EVER change that.

 

4. No one’s beauty compares to yours…I don’t care what anybody says…GIRL, NO ONE IS YOU.  

        I NEED YOU to understand that you’re beautiful without looking outside the mirror. My mother taught me that I am who I am without any other opinion, it is instilled in me from childhood. I met someone that tried to mar my thoughts of self…I no longer know that person. Trying to make me feel the same size as you will never keep me in the same room with you…no, thank you. Go. Vai.

 

But seriously…once YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT YOURSELF…STOP looking for outside confirmation of YOUR BEAUTY.

5. Your choices are yours. Don’t be (a)shamed for putting you first. There will always be someone ready to blame YOU…so own what you do, the good and bad. And keep it pushing.

 

6. Protecting your peace reflects valuing your peace. I’ll be the first to admit that there are parts of the day when I love drama and being a drama queen… BAYBAY but for comedy reasons! The drama I bring tends to be for hilarious or educational purposes. I am not about to start a conversation with someone about something that I know is going to stress me out and not provide any solutions. No, thank you. This does not mean that I don’t let people vent to me, I do, I listen. BUT you listen to my thoughts after, PHAHAHa!

7. The appearance of power will never replace actual power. Take a deep breath and think on that.

 8.  If you change your mind, it’s changed. Learning not to say sorry WILL be a HARD lesson, and I mean hard but necessary. Especially because we say sorry and don’t mean it, way too often.

 

9.   Ignoring warning signs can cost you your life. If they had pre-stalker behavior in the beginning…it will only increase. For example, in the beginning you decided this wasn’t for you, blocked their number because it was done…but soon after, they purchased a new number to get in contact with you. Seems harmless to some but the reality is that this individual is not going to keep getting a new number but find other ways to track you down. The same goes with people you first meet, especially at your job or similar environments. If you think it's something 'off' about them...KEEP YOUR DISTANCE, don't get up close trying to figure them out...TRUST ME, LEAVE THEM ALONE---I've been taught this lesson more than once. Cheers to me actually learning it!

10.  Don’t waste too many people’s time…one or two but don’t make it a habit! This could be dangerous like #9… Some people really think you’re ‘the one’ and wasting their time will hurt.

11.   Everybody does not need to know where and how you live. Stop inviting everybody over and giving out the access code. Protect your space and you’ll know the people and things/habits drilling a hole in your “boat.”

 

 

12. Set up boundaries…they will literally save your life one day whether it is mental or physical.

13.  Lastly, YOU ARE God’s gift. To quote Aaliyah, ‘I’m not just anybody.’ People should know that it is a privilege to know YOU because… well, it is! --More on this later!!

Hey, I hope this was helpful, insightful, and encouraging for the next phase of life! Cheers to a great 2022!!

See you around the world somewhere,

Ms GYC Girl YOU Crazy, Lauren Alicia 

So you're ready to travel solo?! Female SOLO Travel Mindset Checklist

Hello y’all!! Did you get something out of the last post? 

Did it add to your faith? 

Well, I hope it did!!

I was going to post another one on the same theme (kinda)…BUT I’m going to let that one marinate a bit, penetrate the soul and allow you to checkout some of my OLD but ever so RELEVANT POSTS. Rethink giving up and keep on PUSHING!! 

YOU ARE THE ANSWER TO SOMEONE’S PRAYER.

GYC Girl YOU Crazy’s blog is going to be intentional with its posts…but if you want something weekly, subscribe to the YouTube channel!!

 

So… YOU are ready for solo travel? Or you’ve already been and want to make your next trip better?

In this new GYC, I’m going to talk about a little bit of everything. As I mentioned in the last post I’ve been traveling a lot. Since 2016 until now, I’ve traveled ALONE every year (excluding 2017) to multiple foreign countries. So, I’m an expert (international) solo traveler with lots of tips! 

YOU can READ or WATCH BELOW!!

https://youtu.be/e0jxwZdC6T0

1. YOU are the Customer, unless something becomes free don’t let anyone treat you differently.

2. If you are uncomfortable, it’s not right. If you don’t like it, it’s not right.

3. If you don’t like how your tour guide is treating you or behaving, reset the tone. How? Change your seat. This circles back to #1, you are a customer the entire trip. If the guide becomes too comfortable while you are in the front seat, move to the backseat and vice versa.

4.   Be flexible but do what makes you comfortable. If you have a relaxing plan that turns chaotic. Trust me, take a beat and adjust because if you mentally prepared for a relaxing day and the day becomes full of events/ activities…you can easily throw off the vibe and plans of the following day.

5.   YOU are in CHARGE. THIS is YOUR trip. YOUR Journey. If it doesn’t benefit you and you don’t feel like volunteering it, don’t do it. NO will be your best friend on this trip. BE selfish. On solo trips you do not want to feel like things are uneven, like people you don’t know are getting more out of your presence than you are.

6.    Give someone you trust access to your bank account. YOU never want to be in a foreign country and NEED more money and/or not be able to access it.

---------------------------------------- Okay, this is the only one that I need you to figure out; if you don’t have someone…I discourage solo travel. This is the only thing that would make me say don’t do it. 

Quick GYC story, I lived in Japan for 2 years (stories and advice, coming soon…I PROMISE). I had a bank account and because I travel, I had a debit card. Having a debit card or using a debit card isn’t common in Japan because cash is king and there are ATMs everywhere for you to use your cash card or international card… Anyway, unlike banks in the USA, when you ask for a debit card, you write down your pin number for the bank staff member to enter…you don’t punch it into the calculator for accuracy… The staff member thought I wrote some numbers that I did NOT and activated my card with the numbers she thought I wrote. I was able to use this card everywhere that didn’t ask for a pin (not knowing that I have the wrong pin) and like I said…it is more common to use cash. Fast forward, I’m visiting Hong Kong at the Nike store, I’ve ran out of currency, I needed these FLY sneakers…I pull out my debit card, they need my pin (there’s no way around it) and it declines (wrong pin)…WHAT THE #$#$%%, YOOO!!! Anyway, I pulled out my credit card and bought the sneaks. I call the bank to complain/fix it but they only speak Japanese (more on this in another post)… I NEED MY MONEY, the trip is not over and now, my American bank card isn’t working (but I don’t need to be locked out of that, so I leave that alone). I can’t access my money. 

LAUREN, What did YOU do?! I called my trusted person and asked to borrow money where we both have secure access. Done. 

Please do not NEED to do something strange for a piece of change abroad, including scamming. **please pay back your trusted person ASAP so they can remain your trusted person…thanks!! 

I need you to survive, YOU could be the answer to my prayer!! ;-)

***One more thing about your trusted person...especially if it comes down to borrowing, which isn't always the case...BUT make sure this is a person that understands that you need to wait until you are using a trusted internet connection to make the transaction because you don't want to check your sensitive info on every countries internet 👀. Alright, I'm done with that.

7.   Never keep all your money in one place. It is perfectly fine to dig for your money because if you must dig, that makes it harder for a thief to quickly grab, and possibly might decrease the price of what you are buying (specifically in bargaining situations, ex. markets)…win-win.

-------------------I do this all the time for more than one reason but it is extremely helpful to take your time. LET NO ONE RUSH YOU, seriously. 

8.   Know your limits. From alcohol to your bedtime. This will also assist in how you bargain shop. You must know when to walk away. For example, in bargaining situations I have specific things that I always buy on vacation anything else is impulse buying, I know this about myself. If the price isn’t what I’m thinking… respectfully, I am walking away. I rarely come back from vacation with random things, or overpriced stuff that I don’t need or wish I didn’t buy.

9.    While you want to be respectful of different cultures, do NOT be afraid to offend people when you are spending your money. Why? When you are solo traveling with or without a local tour guide, the reality is that you are by yourself (plus the God you serve). Everyone that you meet and pay on your trip has a limited obligation to you… only your opinion matters. Only you know the value of item to YOU. Remember, this trip is about you. DO WHAT YOU WANT and give yourself some grace!

10.    Leave room for change. From hotels to activities to tour guides. Only you matter on this trip.

11.   This is a bonus but probably the most important. Know who you are. If you are passive-aggressive, know that. If you are a flirt, know that. If you are a confident person, don’t forget that. When you are alone in a foreign country, all these things will be tested. However, when you return home or a familiar place, you’ll reflect on the time you had, and realize that all the things you experienced will reform and re-shape the things you already know about yourself (this will make more sense after you return). One of my best examples of this is… NOT needing anybody to confirm the joy of what I experienced. Many people that know/knew me…strongly dislike this about me, BUT I DON’T PROVE NOTHING (NOT A THING) TO NO ONE. Solo travel did that.

Get your mind in check before you travel (alone).

See you around the world somewhere,

xx Lauren Alicia, GYC Girl YOU Crazy (the one and ONLY)

P.S. I have more rules for myself than this…but y’all might actually think that I’m crazy ;-) !! Plus, I’m interested in your tips. Tell me below!!

P.S.S. I know this post might seem mean and self-centered BUT... I want YOU to BE SAFE AND have the best time.

CHECKOUT MY DUBAI VIDEOS!!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from GYC-GirlYOUCrazy.com

I’m not ready to commit… | I’m Ready To Commit!

“The power of our story could be the key to someone’s healing.”-Dear Divorce, Thank You (even though I HATE you) Sincerely, My Parents' Grown Kid: A Journey of Hate, Healing and Understanding, By Lauren Alicia

Yes…I know it is a long title.

“If I commit, I can’t quit.”-YOU

“You never know who is waiting to be influenced on the other side of your commitment.”-Life

Well…here it is beautiful people…my moment of honesty that cant/wont be filtered (no worries, I don’t cuss, I have other words…truth)…nor can/will I take it back.

Breathe Lauren, Breathe.

My official commitment to my 1st Rough Dream becoming reality… aka this post will be like a ceremony with a little bit of everything!

*key music…

I wrote a book, THE BOOK that I’ve been referring to since the beginning of 2013 (or maybe even earlier…hmm…), and now I am sharing it with the world…officially, Tuesday, August 19th!!!

HERE IS THE COVER!!!!!!

Let me just say that I am proud!

Okay, back to the GYC Girl YOU Crazy Commitment Ceremony…

First off… Girl, what is a rough dream??? (because I know you were thinking it…)

Rough Dreams Definition

GYC SideNote Rant (you know miss these)… Rough Dreams will make you say, “Where Is My Success?” , “Let me get on the elevator,” “The surface is the only thing that matters to me, forget substance,” “I’ll just wear my shower shoes,” “You’re right, I am all over the place,” “If I keep knocking they’ll answer” and the 2 classics, “I don’t have to reap what I sow if I just keep doing good deeds” and “yeah I know ‘What is for me is for me’ but I also want what’s his and/or hers too”…you get the idea…GYC is FULL of posts about YOU/ME/WE getting this thing together!!

I call them Rough Dreams because …

+They’re not glamorous and you’re not sure if it will ever appear to be glamorous

+They’re not what you expected

+They might be hard for those around you to accept

+They’ll make you find 50 (or more) reasons…really good reasons to quit

+ They’re dreams because you know deep down that even though the route is rough, the destination is a dream, it’s beautiful, amazing, ____(insert your favorite description here), and you know that you need to commit!

“When we commit, it’s like that 1 thing Purpose is asking for hits the surface while the rest of you is still marinating in the substance waiting for Purpose to call it too.”

What does it mean to commit?

These following 4 points were my struggle as emotions made me say maybe I don’t publish this, which is the main reason I self-published…yep so that I can have a way out… Can I be real?

**I won’t write GYC Commentary after the points…I’ll just let your thoughts be enough.

1. See the vision, Hear the directions, Take the steps

++ GYC Note To MYSelf (and you too if you need it) // Make it plain… Do NOT overcomplicate this thing Lauren, please stop…RIGHT NOW! Whew!!

Breathe Lauren, Breathe.

2. Take steps until the vision is complete!!

++ You’re not done until the vision is an image YOU can hold!

3. Let passion be present and refreshed!

++ Give it your all so you can be re-filled with greater!!

4. Minimize (or cut off) communication with what distracts you from where (and who) Purpose asks you to commit.

++ Know your priorities beyond the surface.

>>>Tell me what points you would add!!<<<

So…

This is ME taking the next step, commitment.

When I commit, I get quiet…

Focusing on the less to create the greater

Muting the noise that attempts to override the voice of Purpose and direction

Choosing to be guided by what already lies within

It’s been nurtured to maturity

         Although I do have my moments…

But this is The Moment that I shall take

Hustle it until the vision of victory is part of my history

and stepping stones for my future

I’ve let the pain of the past not be told because all I wanted to do was hate it

Now it’s time to turn the page

And welcome you to this part of my story…

A Journey of Hate, Healing And Understanding

More completely Dear Divorce, Thank You (even though I HATE you) Sincerely, My Parents’ Grown Kid: A Journey of Hate, Healing And Understanding

This is only the beginning.

HERE IS THE BACK COVER!!!

Now Available for Pre-order on Amazon.com to be released Tuesday, August 19, 2014, the day before the reason this journey began (my parents’ wedding day)!

Stay tuned by following DearDivorceThankYou.com!!! Watch out for interviews, articles, journal videos, posts & posters, and how you can join and help me promote!!

“ I can’t stop until I see the win, you’ve felt achievement before so can you be patient enough to wait, dedicate and commit until you feel it again? Your answer better be YES.”-My Note to Self

GYC (unnecessary) SideNote // I’m loving adding in these gifs…!

Thank you everyone for your support, patience and blessings!!

Last Note (and I’m done…)

What if GYC-GirlYOUCrazy.com was unintentionally intentionally created to bring me to this point and keep me going? What if the thing(s) you’re doing right now that you might think no one is listening or everybody is watching me not be who I WANT to be, or ______(you tell me…) is unintentionally intentionally paving the way to your dreams into reality… Honestly, that “What-if” is actually (or probably) “What IS.” One day we’ll see and be able to feel the vision of how each step was a puzzle piece designed to create a masterpiece…that looks like the most amazing version of the person in the mirror!

What if just might be what is…

I appreciate you all soooooooooooooooooooooo much!!

Defeating Crazy with Courage…watch me commit and hold me to it,

Lauren Alicia, GYCGirl…Getting her Author on!

P.S. Here’s a preview of the posts you’ll see on DearDivorceThankYou.com

How Creative Would YOU Be…?

Come on down and welcome to HOW-CREATIVE-WOULD-YOU-BE-? *Key Music…

In this post (or maybe even a C H A L L E N G E…)…I’m asking that YOU limit your outside resources, as in whatever is not in your house/building…do not use.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to limit our abilities when we think we are without certain resources…

causing us to possibly unnecessarily outsource.

In my thoughts, I had to realize that I when I do this…I put a cap on who I am, how I’m designed and what my design is prepared to fulfill, and as a result…I personally use it as an excuse to procrastinate…so I wait and wait and make more plans to wait!!!

…Girl, it was time to put an end to that crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we know we’re worthy…YOU/Me/We need to walk in our worth!!! HELLO!!!

So if you can relate… this is for YOU!

Here is the CHALLENGE, below is a list for you to put to use:

How Creative Would You Be If YOU…

1.    Read all the books in your house that you just had to buy/borrow/read?

2.    Got your cookbooks dirty instead of dusty? :-)

3.   Learned and used all the programs downloaded on your computer?

4.    Try it yourself…before commissioning someone?

5.    Made yourself wear everything in your closet?

How Creative Would You Be If…

6.    Every outfit you wore outside expressed an opportunity of (YOUR) worth and more?

How Creative Would You Be If YOU…

7.    Took a camera and captured whatever/everything you see (inside and out)?

8.    Looked in the mirror and decided to see more than a reflection?

9.    Visualized what you dreamed of becoming or owning, then went to visit it and/or made the blueprint for it?

10.   Looked up at the sky and wondered?

11.   Decided to fix, re-create or give new perspective to what is broken?

12.   Really took time to think about the story that you live?

13.  Thought about why the person you admire or the person whom gets on your nerves the most has a special place in your thoughts?

How Creative Would You Be If…

14.  Without hesitation… you knew where your biggest inspiration resided and the depths of the places your inspiration takes you? And how to stir it up every time you need/want it?

How Creative Would You Be If YOU…

15. Wrote down and thought about everything you ever wanted to be and WHY, starting from your first childhood memory?

16.  Immediately gave plans to the things you refuse to throw away? ... Putting aside “some day I’ll use it for something,” and give it some REAL GENUINE PLANS for this current month…

17.  Decided with action that TODAY is the day that I begin what I always wanted to start and imagined it being amazing when it is completed?

18. Realized that shoestrings are not just for shoes, cameras are not just for capturing memories, belts are not only for pants, olive oil isn’t just for cooking, stories aren’t just for telling? How creative would you be if you gave the things you use an opportunity to be useful for something else?

19.  How creative would you be if someone noticed the depths of your capabilities that you have yet to see? Would you ignore them or take time to explore in yourself what they see?

20.   Owned Your Lemons?

21.  Allowed this month’s Question for Thought to help you think of the NEXT BIG THING?

Well…How Creative Would YOU Be? How Creative Can YOU Be?

Oh…I apologize if this wasn’t as exciting as the lady in the GIF made it seem but…

When I was typing the scenarios, I thought about making up some extravagant, over-the-top, crazy courageous type tasks…then, I remembered…there is nothing like being in a scenario you already live called, YOUR LIFE!

What task(s) are you facing today? Add it to the “How creative would YOU be…” list and put your design to the test.

I am!!

My point for all of that is… Know your design…IT IS, YOU ARE A GREAT RESOURCE!!!

Think about all of the “AMAZING” YOU/Me/WE are already equipped/designed/capable to create before we even leave our mind, swipe our card, call someone up…ETC…YOU get the picture!

Last Thing…

Do you watch Extreme Cheapskates??? I know I’ve mentioned it a couple times on social media…ASIDE from some of their eating and bathing habits… There is something WE can all learn about being cheap… that money isn’t our greatest resource…WE ARE!!!

Mmmhmm!!!

Our creativity lies in what we are willing to create (with what we have).  

How creative would/can YOU be?

Defeating the Crazy with Courage…

Lauren Alicia

P.S. this process can be a struggle but We Are designed to come out on top…that’s a promise!

Happy Monday!!

The Last Drop (audio version) from Framed Stanzas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDGO9zNqAuA&feature=youtu.be

Read "The Last Drop" at Issuu.com

Confused? (the audio version) from Framed Stanzas

“Never take on other's confusion as your own.”-Peace

"Keep other's confusion away from your direction."-Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nws8tl8XZ10

Read "Confused?" at Issuu.com ...or:


Confused?

They say I’m going in the wrong direction

Confusion.

They said I was falling but didn’t help me

Rejection.

So I stopped

Reflected

Found Peace

or better yet it found me

said keep going

a plan that is for you may look confused

to others

may make you want a new perspective to stay

may make you want to go their way

But if you go with them

ya’ll get there

and are at the wrong place

You’ll find

Confusion never knew you

Until you showed it your face

When you rejected

Your destined

for what pleased sideliners

Confusion isn’t to be followed

because it doesn’t know where it’s going

it just doesn’t want you to get there

before it knows itself

Permission slip to slip

Miss what you’ll forget

Never meeting the path,

which knew your whole bio

Confusion?

Nope, I’ll trade that for Peace

even if I lose old friends and gain enemies

Clearly there are new people to meet

Who still want to be there

and encourage

when I agree to disagree

Sometimes your peace is their confusion, and your confusion is their peace

Go where you’re called and let the rest

GO.