LIVING THE GONEGIRLGO LIFE: LATORIA

I started Cleveland State University’s Diversity Management Program back in 2000 with DMP 3. Needless to say, I didn’t finish until 2007. I was distracted a little by life. I got the urge to go back so I ended up taking my last class with DMP 10. That’s when I met Tori. She was and still is a firecracker. Her energy, enthusiasm, and love for God, makes me smile. I wanna be like Tori when I grow up.  Enough said. Here’s her story:

In 2007, Cultivating Pearl, LLC was just a vision to a young lady in her early 20’s. I could literally see communities of women looking to live a life free from their past, who were ready and relentless to pursue authenticity. Although my vision lived inside of me, it never seemed to actually come forward. It took me years after my first attempt to launch Cultivating Pearl.

My first proposal was to my ministry leader at the church I attended at the time. She passed my proposal to our First Lady which I just knew was a good sign. That meeting left me very discouraged. I was told I wasn’t ready to take on something so big, and to be honest, at that time they were right.

I went on years after, steady writing and planning to someday see my burning passion birthed. It seemed that every time I attempted to move forward in what I knew was purposed to do, I ran into brick wall after brick wall. I was told everything from my vision was too big to we’re not going to be able to help you.

One day it hit me! I was looking for validation from people and organizations that had absolutely nothing to do with what I was responsible for contributing to the world. It wasn’t until I realized that my vision was just that….MINE. No one else would be able to see it quite the way I do because it belonged to me. I had to sit down and have a heart to heart with myself. It went something like this:

“Alright Tori listen, not only do you have the credentials to do this but you have the experience, your heart is in the right place, and you are passionate about what you do. Tori you can do this! Stop looking for people to validate you.”

No one can permit you to do what you were born to do. As of June 2012 Cultivating Pearl, LLC is no longer kicking me in the middle of the night. It is alive and well. If you are reading this knowing that you have something inside of you that has passed its due date, do the world a favor and GoneGirlGo! We are all waiting to receive what only you have to offer.

Latoria Polite, MA, CDP

Check out Cultivating Pearl at http://cultivatingpearls.onsugar.com/. Tori offers fresh perspective and insight into relationships, pursuing your purpose, esteem, style, and much more. Follow Cultivating Pearl on Twitter @P_E_A_R_Life . She does these Twitter chats that focus on relevant topics (even though I’m Twitter challenged, I try to participate!) Like her on Facebook too at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cultivating-Pearl-llc/186286648078110.

Peace.

TAKE STOCK OFTEN

I’m not sure how often it should be done, but taking stock of your life regularly is a good thing to do. It’s like taking inventory of your life. It includes examining the goods that are in abundant supply, and the goods that need replenishing. Taking stock also involves looking back to see how far you have come (your position), and recognizing where you are now so that you can create a vision of where you want to go (direction).



Reading past journal entries helps me
to take stock



Let’s start with examining those goods. By goods, I don’t necessarily mean material possessions, but those assets and resources that dwell within your soul and spirit. Some of us refer to them as the fruits of the spirit – love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self–control. Lately, I have been thinking about how these “goods” are displayed in my life.Since I have been pushing forward this movement, I have been more like Martha than Mary. I realize that if gonegirlgo is going to make impact, I need to go back to cultivating these goods or tending to these fruit in my garden.

This makes me recall a previous post when I said, “My experience has taught me that a person who desires to push their ideas and dreams forward can’t if they are living by default.” So I am taking stock in this area of my life, right now and I have to ask myself this question, “Am I living by default?”

  

I have held onto this thought for years.



For those of you who work or have worked in environments where goods are bought and sold, what would you say about taking inventory?  Is it fun? Does it require time? How much time does it take to complete the process? Do you need some type of checklist to use as a guide? What does it feel like as you’re doing it? What does it feel like when it is done? Asking yourself these questions will help you make sense of taking stock in this area of your life.  



This one is a great reminder
of how I used to think.



Now let’s look at taking stock of your position and direction. When I look back at my position as a big ideas thinker a few years ago, I appreciate the progress that I have made. I absolutely love the fact that I am no longer a dreamer afraid that my dreams will turn into nightmares and haunt me or that my ideas would be duds. Executing my ideas has been liberating and exciting. The energy, vibrancy, and wherewithal that I had when I was a little girl are back! Looking back at my past “then” helps me look forward to my future “then”. Looking back also helps me to regroup, refocus, and rewind. I have a better sense of where I want to go (direction). And to top it off, there’s a sweetness in my soul knowing that I am pushing forward in my purpose and that my ideas are encouraging others.

  

Here are a few questions that you can ask yourself to help you make sense of taking stock of your position and direction: Am I okay with where I have landed in life? What feelings get invoked when I recall where I was? What feelings get invoked when I think about where I am now? Are those feelings different? Has my thinking changed at all? What does it feel like now that I am living my purpose?

 

I was so fearful about sharing my
writing back then.



Writing this was good for me. I hope reading it is good for you. Remember to take stock often. And of course, push forward and go.

Peace