Hello Dolls, I woke up today to read my daily devotional and prepare a cup of tea when I realized its my Anniversary. Actually I missed it. I have been sick for the last two weeks, ugggh, last week it was horrible sinus pressure, allergy related sickness.....was better for about three days and now its body aches, sore throat can't swallow, my throat and sinus are on fire kinda sickness. Gross. In the midst of my sick drama, yes drama because I'm rarely sick so when I am I am, admittedly, extremely needy and dramatic with all things. *shrugs* So anyway as I was saying. This time last year I was going through one of the hardest times in my life, on March 20th my apartment burned downed and I lost everything. This time last year I was looking for a place to live, visiting various organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Goodwill and other organizations that helped people get through emergencies like the one I experienced. It was a very difficult and humbling time for me because I was in a new, unfamiliar place with no family and to be honest I just thought I was all that and a bag of chips, this strong, beautiful, independent, successful, educated black woman on top of it all that needed nothing or nobody (SMH, what a silly little girl I was) and now look at me. I was depressed, I felt sorry for myself and angry that GOD could let this happen to me. I remember thinking, "Oh my God, how am I going to do this by myself?""How am I going to start over from scratch?" "Damn it man I just bought those SHOES!!!" Yes, my material items i.e. Clothes and shoes where probably number 1 on my list of things to worry about. SMH. Sad.
Once I stopped feeling sorry for MYSELF and only thinking I, I, I and me, me, me, I went into survivor mode *cue Destiny's Child here* lol. I had a chance to recall just how blessed I truly was and to see that I wasn't in this alone. There was 5 other families that were affected by this tragedy. Not to mention, for starters I was alive. Thank you Jesus. This fire happened on a Sunday morning around 11am a time when I would have most likely been sleep and recovering from a crazy Saturday night with friends. Instead I was on a plane recovering from a crazy weekend in Atlanta partying with some friends. Second, I did have renters insurance. The young couple above me with a new baby did NOT. Last but not least, I was NOT alone but had some really great friends, co-workers and community that loved me and really pulled together and was there for me like no other. Nothing like that southern hospitality! In less than a month, I had a new (better) home, new furniture, closer relationships with my true friends and a stronger faith in GOD then ever. I cannot even express how thankful and blessed I am each day dolls.
Here are my top 5 lessons learned from this life experience.
1. God will NEVER EVER leave me or put more on me then he knows I can handle.
2. Family and Friends are EVERYTHING and yes you do NEED them Naja!
3. If anyone ever tells you that you DON'T need renters insurance.....SLAP THEM....HARD.
4. Know your neighbors....at least their names for goodness sake. Saying HELLO never killed anyone!
5. Stuff is just Stuff.... no matter what the Label says.
Each one of these folks play a very special role in my life and I LOVE them all!!
Anyway dolls I share this story with you all with the hopes that my lessons I had to learn the hard way helps someone in some way. Anyway. I originally started this blog because I was reconstituting my wardrobe and I thought it would be therapeutic to blog about it. It has been and I love coming on my blog and taking you Diamond Dolls on this journey with me. I will continue to do outfit posts but I also plan to get back to what this blog was created for. To help build an amazing wardrobe, redefine personal style and share positivity! So be on the lookout for a slight change of pace lovelies. Thank you again for following me and supporting my blog, I love you dolls to life!! Not sure who this quote is by but I love it and live by it always.
xoxo,
Naja
"Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it, if it changes your life, let it!"-Unknown