Читать книгу Badass Black Girl - M.J. Fievre - Страница 24

Dear Badass Black Girl,

Despite my time partying as a teenager, I’ve always played by the rules. While I spent hours reading Victor Hugo and writing short stories—and brought home the good grades my parents expected—my friends Lola and Estelle snuck into nightclubs and smoked cigarettes on forbidden road trips. They smoked pot together and wore black lace under their school uniforms. I was too boring—a girl who kissed and told. I even sinned and told. We left a store once with Twix bars that hadn’t been paid for. I was the one to hike back into the supermarket in the pouring rain, plunk my buck down on the counter, and tell the cashier, “I don’t think I paid for this.” I had an innocent look about me too. Wide-eyed and sweet.

Now, as a badass Black woman running her own company, these values hold up the foundation of my business: my clients trust me because I am dedicated and honest. It’s important to remember that it’s never too late to change if you’ve resorted to cheating in the past. You can make things right for yourself by shifting directions and doing things honestly.

Reconnect with the child in you. Think for a moment about what you liked to do as a child: What games did you like to play? Which activities gave you pleasure? This exercise may seem futile, but it will help you figure out your deepest likes and dislikes. Close your eyes and imagine some scenes from your everyday life, back when you were in elementary school. What gave you the most pleasure? What did you find the most fun? Did you enjoy group activities or prefer to work alone?

These memories are valuable because they help you become aware of your talents and the activities that appeal to you most today. What makes us vibrate as a child is not so far from what captivates us in our teenage years or adulthood. The strengths and talents that underlie these activities are the same, but are simply used in different environments. Next, identify that one element that most likely brings you joy during your current activities.

Kenbe,

MJ