I realized over the last few days that as a writer/new blogger I refuse to post space fillers. I haven’t blogged for almost 3 days, but I think that’s okay because you would rather read something that I truly wanted to share versus something I was just using to pass time.

Well to the “juicy” stuff! I’ve finished Hill Harper’s Letters to A Young Sister: DeFine Your Destiny. Why it took me until this morning to get through it after I’ve owned it for over a month is beyond me! The funny thing is that I’m pretty sure I finished it at the right time, and as I explained in “No Experience”, the book probably delivered a well needed message for my ongoing journey in Europe. Hill Harper has an excellent message for all young women. Although I’ve already grown through some of the stages he touches on, it was nice to reflect on the streams I have managed to cross and the rivers/oceans that lie in front of me. Moreover, as I read through the last 90 pages this morning (yes I’m a “G” when it comes to reading lol), I immediately started to reconcoct my recent thoughts about where I wanted to take my career. Like Hill, I feel so fulfilled when I empower people, but I realized that specifically working with young women and inspiring them to be and attain whatever dreams they put their mind to, gives me more satisfaction.

I spoke to my little sister Amber last night (Isn’t she beautiful!!! I LOVE YOU SIS!) and to hear the excitement in her voice about starting her new school in Somerset, NJ and the new friends that she made, truly made me feel even more excited for her future experiences. My mom shot me an email this morning saying how much it truly meant that I called her for her first day of school all the way from London.  What I think most older sisters don’t realize is that your first opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young women starts in your familial circle. My sister has expressed repeated times her desires to be a singer, an actor, a fashion designer, etc. I have made it very clear and I will say it a THOUSAND times if necessary that I will support ANY and ALL of her positive aspirations as the women in my family have done for me despite of what anyone else (family members included!) has to say about my decisions.

I appreciate you being there and I also thank my male supporters because I haven’t forgotten about you!

Peace & Blessings!

Ari

It’s amazing how you think you know it all. God never ceases to amaze me when he literally presents a new chapter of experiences in my life. Primarily, I decided to start this blog as a space for communication between myself and my loved ones. However, I hope I’ll some day be able to reflect on all that I have wrote and perhaps finally write my first book, which I have been talking about doing for ages! Upon arriving in London, after massive personal struggles that I won’t air out just yet (gotta save some stuff for my book readers!), I recognized that my definition of life was purely wrong. In every way that I had assumed I had life figured out, I hadn’t. The definition of my career, what & who meant the world to me, living freely, and most importantly walking on faith… ALL WRONG. For one, I managed to make my flight to London after picking up my UK student visa an hour & a half before my plane boarded. Just imagine driving through NY rush hour traffic in a town car with 4 suitcases and a panicked driver who is trying his best to have you make an international plane that is scheduled to leave in 2 hours. Chaos! However, after a few words of inspiration from some close friends and speaking to all my relatives before fastening my seatbelt on Air India, I realized that this entire experience was a blessing and an opportunity for redefinition. The final sign before leaving the U.S. that my trip to London had a purpose was when I opened up Letters to a Young Sister: DeFine Your Destiny by Hill Harper. I had started the book a month ago and never finished, but the words of Marianne Williamson jumped off the first page I opened up to.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask oursleves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? And as long as we let our own light sine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

So if our goal in life should be to liberate others, taking care of ourselves becomes our first step to success. If we must first liberate ourselves, then stages of redefinition must continuously occur until we get it right. It’s a continuous process since none of us are perfect, but not redefining your purpose at all puts a repugnant hold on those you were put on earth to bless. In the mind of this young 19 year old writer, I see the fufillment of my purpose as beyond destined. In the words of Alfre Woodard, it is my heritage to stride bodly through this world, living my dreams, and comforting others; to inspire, to laugh, and to dance. We are descendents of women who have built and suckled generations, so nothing but strength and tenacity should flow through my heart and veins. With love and inspiration, this is only the beginning.