20 Days & 20 Lessons

When I had 20 days until graduation, I began to reflect on how much I learned in the last four years. We often get so caught up in the fun that we fail to realize how much life is really teaching us. Not just academically but socially, emotionally, spiritually. You know, as a person. So, I thought, what better way to reflect on my experience than with a countdown? 20 days and 20 lesson. I shared the lessons on Instagram and Twitter and now I'm sharing them here. 

#DearKiaImani, It's Probably Not That Serious - 90% of the things I was worrying about in 2012 are so irrelevant now. And I'm quite sure the things I'm stressing over now, will have little to no relevance in 5 years. So whatever it is, 9 times out of 10, it's probably not that serious.

#DearKiaImani, Just Ask! I can't tell you how many opportunities I've missed out on because, "Well, why didn't you ask?" Subsequently, I can give you a laundry list of blessings that have come my way because I simply and literally asked for them (Mark 11:24).

 #DearKiaImani, Know your role and act accordingly. I've been there. I've acted like a girlfriend to guys I was just talking to. This often led me to a state of confusion and frustration when things didn't go as planned in my head. If that's NOT your man, stop expecting him to do things "my man" would do. If you're not the girlfriend, know your role and save yourself the stress. When all else fails, ask yourself, "Is that my man?"

#DearKiaImani, True Life: I don't have it all together. Somewhere along the way I was tricked into believing I had to have it all together. It's stressful & it's draining pretending like I do. No one ever truly has it all together and if they do...they still probably don't.

#DearKiaImani, the answer is not in the textbook. I've spent a great deal of money on textbooks these last 4 years and very few of my college lessons have come from them. Experience is one hell of a teacher and that's where most of my lessons came from.

#DearKiaImani, "one friend is not going to satisfy all your needs." I'm BIG on friendships. Always have been. But college has certainly taught me that each friend serves a different purpose in my life. Shout out to my dearest friend@simplylovebri for this life long lesson

#DearKiaImani, Being black is litt! It's just that simple and you can't tell me otherwise.

DearKiaImani , understand there is a blessing in every, "No". Sometimes what seems like rejection is actually God just looking out.

#DearKiaImani , "Comparison is the thief of joy." Stop comparing your chapter 3 to someone else's chapter 7. Enjoy YOUR journey to the top and focus on being the best at what YOU do.

#DearKiaImani , soulmates aren't always romantic. If you don't leave Hampton with anything else, you'll definitely leave with a couple soulmates.

#DearKiaImani , you good! Please tell me I'm not the only one that needs a little gassin' sometimes. Like, sometimes I just need someone to say, "Kia, you lit! You've always been lit. You'll forever be lit.

#DearKiaImani, silence . We talk so much that we often can't even hear God when he's trying to answer our prayers. Literally, silence yourself every now and then and listen. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen more than you speak.

#DearKiaImani , Walmart prides itself on providing low prices, NOT customer service. So I don't know why I get upset when I go in Walmart and there are only 3 registers open...every time as if I expected something different from Walmart. Lesson: Stop expecting new outcomes from the same situations.

2. #DearKiaImani , Enjoy The Now. I often spend so much time worrying about "what's next?" that I fail to thoroughly enjoy the moment at hand. My faith has grown to a point where I am wholeheartedly confident that God will provide the "what's next?" in any situation. He always does.

#DearKiaImani , stop letting things that have no relevance to you ruffle your feathers. Stop giving energy to petty situations. If it don't apply, let it fly. If the shoe don't fit, don't wear it. If it's not directed, it's not respected. Your energy is precious. Spend it on more important things.

#DearKiaImani , support your friends . There's nothing more heartwarming than a friend that supports your passion/s. Equally, I loveeeee watching my friends do what they love. Show them you love them.

#DearKiaImani, your wealth extends far beyond your bank account. I don't come from money. That's just the reality of my life but the components and elements of my life make me feel like the wealthiest girl in the world! Make me feel like gold.

#DearKiaImani , It is not your duty to wake people up if they're sleeping on you!!!!!! Stop trying to force people to recognize your greatness. Just be great. They'll catch on soon enough and if they don't, THEIR LOSS, not yours.

#DearKiaImani, Allowance . This allowance has nothing to do with money but has everything to do with being human. Allow yourself to feel every feeling that comes about. Allow yourself to be angry, sad, happy, frustrated, excited. Allow it. And for the sake of God, allow yourself to cry if need be. It is not a sign of weakness!

1. #DearKiaImani, your story is already written and it was written way before your first breath. Your steps are ordered and everything is according to a divine purpose and plan. This entire college experience happened exactly the way it was supposed to. Every high and Every low. It was all intentional. 💙⚓️