Long story short… I own lemons.

“Life gave me lemons, so I’m drinking, cooking, eating, blogging, vlogging, creating products, traveling around the world photographing…LEMONS, and when I’m done, I’ll write a book and a movie about it. Long story short…I own lemons.”-The unofficial bio of the GYC Girl (YOU Crazy)

We have all heard the phrase, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” If not…well…HELLO!

In the middle of August, I was randomly stacking books in my room and came across Virginia Euwer Wolff’s Make Lemonade, which I read in middle school…I’m not sure if I fully understood why the book had that title… then, but now, I don’t care that’s not the point of this post…just how we arrived here! Okay? Okay *wink & smile.

So, when I saw this book…

I was reminded of the entire phrase and its meaning of perspective (which, I LOVE because perspective changes EVERYTHING!!!)… And from there, my thoughts started to create…

A 2013 GYC Girl YOU Crazy version of

“When life gives you lemons.”

…Welcome!!!

“Own your talent, employ your entire self.”-How to release the broke mindset because broke is not a circumstance

...HELLO SOMEBODY!!!

“If YOU were told that YOU are more talented than you know…would YOU allow that talent to breathe?”-Talent

Do YOU recall “Positioned to Succeed”??? Well, let’s take always having a direction to go… to another level…

Life gave me lemons so, I AM Making…

+ Lemonade

+ Lemon Meringue Pie and/or Lemon Bars (I’m interested in both)

+ Blogging about it

+ Then… Making a video about it/Vlog

+ Concocting a Lemon scented citrus perfume and/or Lemon scented cleanser

+ Traveling around the world capturing photos of Lemons; calling the photo collection “Lemons of the World”

+ Writing a book about my Lemon journey

+ Later… Selling the rights or obtaining a grant to produce the book turned movie based on my Lemon Journey

“Girl YOU Crazy”…ONLY if YOU don’t!!!

Note To Self:

Open your mind to see and Use your talent for your purpose filled vision, or your talent will be used to fulfill another’s vision… and that just might keep you from accessing your yet to be birthed talents (that’s right, talent on talent!!!). GYC Side Note: Remember, “I got a voice and I use it.”

 ............................

Standing in a moment of non-nosey

Opening each door of yet to be birthed

Opportunity

Life gave me lemons…

So walk with me on my journey!

Life gave YOU talent, OWN IT and WORK EVERY BIT OF IT!!!

 Long story short…

I own lemons.

Hello You! Yes, YOU…

We meet every morning

like it’s the 1st time

forgetting that I was

there

as your personal commentator

at your

best and worst times

from your brightest smile

to the forced moment

when you faced me

admitting

you were hurt

tears filled your eyes

bloodshot red

cold rag to the face

then looked at me

to confirm if others could tell

I was there

with nothing to say

but everything

of your perspective

Mimicking whatever

precious emotions desired

Not your definition

but this time I bet your wondering

what voice is this you’re hearing?

not an imitating

self-degrading

voice that only follows

A voice that has decided to

replace follow

with lead

Before you stop me

to say

 I don’t know

what I’m talking about...

I’ve had enough of you

Looking at me

And not seeing what I see

Don’t tell me your lie

Before I tell you my truth

Which happens to be yours

One of purpose

promise

passion

determination

humility

and beauty

That whatever is for you

is for you

And will be found

You think because I look like you

I am your reflective truth

Well I’m not

I am not a reflection

You have distorted me

into an ever-growing scrapbook

of your moments on a rollercoaster

So let me tell you what I am

I am a sign that

YOU Are Still Here

While many wish their

Loved ones could make the

Same sign re-appear

I am a reminder

of the truth

that there is a rainbow

after rain

and as long as

we can see each other

Your focus shall

know and remain

far, far, far, FAR

away

from

The peddling of many hustles

in a struggle

that surely has no gain

integrity

dignity

only a route where

Your name will be known

But YOU won’t recognize your name

THEN… 

 we’ll have this same discussion

AND...

You would never believe me

So I am serving you

notice

Right NOW

I will no longer be your

"Magic Mirror on The Wall"

That’s in a movie

Your purpose goes beyond

The writings

directing

of a man-made script

Not fit 

for the already written script

of your dreams you were

Meant to live

You’ve

Picked it up

Put it down

Imagined

read it

forgot that it was around

Now pick it up again

to see

what I attempt

to declare and define

every morning when we

meet like it’s the 1st time

the beauty of being YOU

which no one but YOU

can experience

perspective of design

with a sign for every reason

why your purpose is still

alive and well

So when you see me

I see you

I am not a reflection

I am the definition of your truth

Beyond aluminum

silver

And glass

No longer will you ask me to

mimic you

help rehearse things from the past

But allow me

 to remind YOU of who you are

A definition created with 

promise & truth!

Hello You! YES, YOU…

 Checkout What Is Beauty? Campaign Promo click here

Oooo…Why Are YOU Over There???

“Versatility is YOUR friend… don’t be a 1 trick pony.”-Exciting talking to Boring, yep! (By the way, I’m really liking this “1 trick pony” phrase these days…*smile*)

-Oxford American Dictionaries

Whether you know me, don’t know me, or think you know me…(sometimes this is the same person), I tend to appear/look as though I am all over the place…

But in reality, I’m just ready for What-&-Who-Ever!!!---And I love to keep people guessing! 

Why?

Looking back on BlowThough the Stop Sign…s, I’m reminded of how our dreams and ideas get stopped by the things that life throws at us, or what we throw at ourselves.

  

Sometimes we take challenges/opposition/negativity, as signs set in place to hurt and stop us…instead of building us stronger to endure/keep on when things get tough.

But where does versatility come in…?

Learning to be versatile, adapting to different situations will allow you understand things…& people…which will make you that much closer to your dreams and ideas being in your reality!

……………..Now wait let me back up just a little bit to the reason why/how being versatile helps our dreams and ideas…

Remember Defeating Crazy with Courageous and questioning your ideas???

Well… one of the biggest reasons you question your own ideas is to think beyond what everyone else is thinking--- this is where versatility lives just in case you were wondering…so wipe your feet & come on in!

Where do I start???

Simple Ways to be Versatile-

1.     Learn about another subject/topic/industry that may or may not be related to your dream or idea…Realize the bigger picture.

Ex: I want to be an AMAZINGLY AWESOME boss & owner…So I studied Life Insurance.---*If YOU are wondering what this means…YOU should probably learn about life insurance on more than a customer/owner of LI level.*-and that's all I'm going to say, okay? Okay.

2.     When people ask questions about stuff YOU don’t know…whether they are asking/talking to you or someone else…Research it, Look it up!

3.    Go to places that normally would not interest you…and Look around! Introduce yourself to new things and places (I know YOU have heard that before!).

4.    *YOU might not like this but…* Take a friend that hates something you love & loves you to one of your favorite/most loved places …and ask, “why they hate it?”

5.     Stay focused on YOUR dreams and goals by connecting/relating every new thing you learn…to YOU! (Make a full circle, so you don’t get sidetracked.)

GYC WARNING: People will think that you’re not focused or confused and all over the place...

“Oooo… Why are YOU over there???”

Respond with silence or better yet, when it matters (as in not trying to impress anybody just to prove a point not relevant/important/significant to you), be patient and let your finished work do all the talking!

Let Me Say This…PLEASE DEPOSIT THESE GYC Girl YOU Crazy QUOTES into YOUR Thinking:

YOUR ideas & dreams are as close as the actions you put towards them…as amazing as the people you envision being changed by them…and as BOLD as the confidence YOU have when you present/pitch them.

YOU have the ability to change the world… Don’t disable it with fear.

-GYC Girl YOU Crazy

Questions, comments, novels…Leave them below Please!

Blow Through The Stop Sign…s!

You’re taught to stop at all stop signs, look around, and proceed when it’s clear…in driving. But…In life, when a “stop sign” comes, we don’t always proceed when it’s clear…instead we take it as a sign to STOP and not move forward.

“I don’t know what stopped or is stopping you but every dream you envisioned is on the other side of that lil stop sign.” –Success Winner Risk-Taker (yep, that’s my full name)

Remember that moment when you started something that you didn’t realize you would soon love but then something opposing/challenging/conflicting happened and you thought…

            +Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be

            +I didn’t like it in the beginning anyway…anyhow

            +I didn’t want to do it from the start

            +Maybe I learned all that I needed to learn and now it’s time to move on

            +Well…at least I didn’t get too into it

            +You know “so and so” told me not to do this…that’s why they didn’t do it

                        And the list goes on!

            By the way, some of those were thoughts of mine these last 2 weeks…"life is a process…WE must commit!"

Personal Story (this is a recent story…so there will be gaps…I’ll let your imagination fill them!):

So recently, I was offered the opportunity to do something professionally that I said I would never do…and at a time when the things I do love just started to pick up/progress/step up/move forward in the direction of my liking (you still following? Yes, okay good). But because it was offered, I entertained the thought with a little bit of attitude (does this sound like “Questionable Closed Door” or what?!?---Note to self: Take My Own Advice…I think! Keep reading).

Please note, that this opportunity has different steps…just because it was offered doesn’t mean that you can climb the steps…you have to study and commit in order to climb the steps.

However, in studying, I became very interested and excited about this opportunity that I said I would never do, and realized the bigger picture as to why it was offered to me. Even though I realized why it was offered to me, I still semi-secretly did not want to do it…especially since there were tests attached to the studying!!!---I also, don’t like tests!

I passed the 1st set of tests…then I had to pass the last and final test/examination to fully accept the offered opportunity…I went in to take the exam…and I FAILED by 4 points!!!!!!! STOP SIGN…STOP SIGN!!!!!!

I wasn’t upset about failing, I actually was relieved with a smile on my face… as the lady who gave me my score seemed a bit upset for me… as I smirked a little. I went home and said, “I AM NOT TAKING THAT TEST AGAIN…THAT WAS SIGN!!!”

But in the midst of all the stop signs… I put up myself, I was reminded of that bigger picture…so I studied harder and smarter to retake the exam 2 days later with a much better attitude of “I’M PASSING THIS TEST”…and I PASSED…I PASSED…I WAS SOoo happy and grateful that I PASSED!---I really wanted it this time…I Blew right through the Stop Signs…even the ones I put up myself!

             **Note about this story: It’s really interesting how things/opportunities are set up for us to receive…but not forced upon us. You/We have to be willing to receive…to receive!**

Sometimes “Stop Signs” appear in our life because:

+We… put them there

+Other people… put them there

+Stuff or lack of stuff… put them there

+Doubt, Mistakes, Lack of Confidence, Lack of Vision-BigPicture Vision…put them there

+Lack of Knowledge or too much Knowledge… put them there

Sometimes stop signs will come one after another but some are meant for you to proceed when clear or when your vision is clear…or simply blow through! You’ll know what to do when you recognize it’s a stop sign.

Just like on the road, stop signs will always appear in your, mine, and our life too…but just like on the road, you look around, and proceed when it’s clear…sometimes you’ll just have to make it clear with your confidence, boldness and spunk! A Stop Sign is but a Stop Sign, not a dead end…proceed when clear or better yet…BLOW THROUGH IT!!!

GYC Last Thought Commentary:

Take a trip down memory lane…remember all the other stop signs you went through (people said you shouldn’t, couldn’t, wouldn’t make it, you’re not smart, tall, pretty, cool, etc. enough…and everything else)??? So why stop at this one? BLOW THROUGH THE STOP SIGN…S!

Only YOU Can STOP YOU!

Is the Door really closed?: “questionable closed door” Part 1

“Just because it looks like the door is closed, doesn’t mean that it’s actually closed”…what does that mean?!?

----Perception is Powerful because Truth doesn’t always appear to be True!

(…Now that’s deep…)

GYC Commentary: Have you been knocking on a door and it was already open? Does it seem like you keep knocking and no one is answering? The topic of the “questionable closed door” can go in many directions, as do my thoughts, so this post is written accordingly… and it just wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t discuss the many, right? Right.

No matter how we look at it,

A door gives you access…

                 Whether you want or need access is determined by you…

&

 Whether or not you have access (where you want or need it) is determined by (your) purpose or the reason you're there.

Hmm…

Then, there are times when we decide our own purpose, and want (not need) access because:

1. We are good at something...

2. Everyone is joining/doing ___________(Fill-in-the-blank)!

            a. “If they can do it, so can I”!

3. It’s popular...

4. We’ll make a lot $$$...

5. ___________(Fill-in-the-blank) will be proud or impressed by me...

6. So what if its not my passion or desire right now, it will be!

…The list goes on!

 *I’ve definitely been a participant to some of those but I’m probably by myself…, … Anyway, I’ll leave that alone.*

However, I’m talking about where the “questionable closed door” lives. Those who are going after their passion/desire, the building blocks for purpose, and are not fully sure if the door where they’re trying to gain access is the right door…they are looking at the “questionable closed door.” There are so many reasons, questions, and phrases to think about when you need to figure out if the door is really closed (as in “do not enter,” “come back later” or “right place, wrong door”)!

Lets talk about it:

+The perception of winning- You believe that you are on the right track, headed in the right direction, laying down a strong foundation but when it’s time to build and actually walk through the door…you begin to question if this is really what you should be doing. Holding the doorknob (it’s unlocked) but letting thoughts of doubt decide if you have been given access. There have been many times that I started stuff (that’s the best way to put it) that I was sure of, then in the process, I would doubt that it could happen…letting the outcome decide my access (denied or granted).
The point of all that is: Winning isn’t determined by the outcome but a decision that you make before you start, and commit to until it’s over.

+++If you want to win then don’t give up- winning is a mental decision before the act is even done!

+Persistence-Just because you tried once doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try again! Sometimes it may look like the door is closed but its really not you just need to try again. Allow confidence to develop into boldness, and turn determination up on HIGH!

+++Re-approach the situation differently- You have all the knowledge but you didn’t ___________(fill-in-the-blank). Revisit “Picture Everybody in Their Underwear & You'll be Fine” and make a new game plan.

+Don’t be afraid to demand an answer-a clear yes or no will do! Sometimes the door is open but we start to guess if we can come in or not…"maybe the person before us forgot to close it behind them or maybe I should close it then knock just to be sure?" When you know that you know that you are walking in your purpose, confidence and boldness follows. “If not this one, the next one”…move on after you check to see if the door is fully closed!

+Know that it’s okay to want the door closed- Sometimes when you get there, you look around and realize “this is NOT for me.” It is okay because life goes on! Trust me, you don’t want to succeed at the wrong thing!

+What is for me is for me! Simple…I’m not going to wonder if the door is closed or not, if I have been working on this “thing” that I’m passionate about for a long time. I know what I know, and I’m not backing down, THIS DOOR WILL OPEN BECAUSE I HAVE ACCESS…Step aside, I'm coming through!

+Know what you came for and where it is- Example: Don’t go to the ice cream spot/place/parlor, whatever, that only sells ice cream and you want a sandwich! Sometimes the door isn’t closed; you are just at the wrong door!

You don’t want to be sitting, waiting, wondering if you should do something when you’ve been given access all along…Is it a “Questionable Closed Door”…GO LOOK!

Read my “Questionable Closed Door” Story in Part 2…check back this Friday Monday...It will be worth the wait!

Preview:

“Have you ever made a mistake, started to live the mistake, and then finally admitted you were wrong…so you could start over??? I know I’m not by myself!”

In the mean time, follow @GYCGirlYOUCrazy on Twitter, tell your mom, friend, cousin, aunt, niece and everybody else to do the same! *Smile & Thank You*

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