#and eventually my journey of learning to be a nail tech and nail artist

[bobapplesimblr]

Hey do any of yall listen to podcasts?

And if so what kind of podcasts do yall listen to? I’m looking for topic/genre suggestions

[masterjedilenawrites]

The Batch Family: The Costume

Part of my Bad Batch AU: "The Batch Family." Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Echo, and Crosshair are children being raised by single mom Beth in a modern Earth setting. This will be a collection of short stories spanning a few different age groups and posted in a random order. [Collection Masterlist]

Word count: 2.7k | Bad Batch ages: Child (11 y/o)

The Costume | Tensions are high when Hunter and Crosshair want to be the same thing for Halloween.

* * * For the Batch boys, October 30th was just as fun and important a date as the 31st. As had been tradition for several years now, this was the day they got to show off the Halloween costumes they'd spent most of the month secretly making for themselves.

Beth was always so impressed by what they came up with, she wasn't sure how they did it. For one, it wasn't easy keeping a project under wraps in such a small, cramped house, especially when they were limited to what they could get with a ten dollar allowance or things they already owned. And for another, the amount of creativity and care they each put in often rivaled her own. She was grateful her inability to afford new trendy costumes like other parents didn't seem to matter, not when compared to the thrill of sneaking around and getting awed reactions from everyone.

This year promised to be another impressive showcase. They all had been practically bouncing with eagerness all week as they made finishing touches. So Beth sat eagerly on the couch, a Halloween playlist going in the background, and a bowl of candy in her lap to help pass the time while her sons got changed. They were each holed up in a different room of the house, and since Tech had said his would take the longest, he'd be the first to kick off the fashion show.

"Ready!" his excited shout eventually came. The other four echoed they were all set, too, and Beth held up her phone to start recording.

"Okay, Tech, let's see it!" she called for him.

Within seconds, Tech had made his way from the bathroom and struck a pose in front of her. Beth's face lit up with a wide smile. The boy had not only painted the jacket and hat he was wearing, but also his face. He held up an empty picture frame to complete the look.

"Ah, Van Gogh!" she laughed. "Tech, dear, that's so good!"

She motioned for him to come closer so she could further look over his handiwork, all the careful brushstrokes to make himself look like the self-portrait the artist was known for.

"We're learning about him in school," Tech beamed.

"And you look just like his painting." Beth gave him a little squeeze and then made room for him to join her on the couch.

"Okay, Wreck is next, right?" she called out.

Wrecker had insisted he needed to change outside. The slider to the back was already open, and she expected him to immediately come through, but apparently his journey had to be in character.

"Ooh, a zombie!" she smiled as Wrecker eventually made his way inside. He had his body contorted and was dragging one foot as he stumbled dramatically forward.

"Why are you covered in dirt?" Tech asked.

"Because," Wrecker slurred in what was seemingly his zombie voice, "I just crawled out of my grave..."

Beth tried not to wince at the dirt he was tracking in, or the clothes he had torn up.

"Well you definitely nailed the undead look." She raised a hand for him to high-five, and giggled as he swung a limp arm up to clap it. But she stopped him before he took a seat on the couch next to her and Tech. "I think maybe zombies shouldn't sit down."

Wrecker just shrugged and took to slowly pacing around the room instead.

"Alright. Echo? You ready?"

The third boy marched out from one of the bedrooms, decked out in a very dandy get-up. Fake buckles on his dress shoes, a ruffled napkin as a cravat, a wig repurposed from a previous costume, and a hat with a large feather. But perhaps the best part was the spray-painted hook that was duct-taped onto his stump of a right arm.

"Wow! Captain Hook!" Beth stood to get some better angles on the video she was taking. Even Wrecker stopped his method acting to admire Echo.

"Hey, that's pretty accurate," Tech agreed.

Echo blushed a little, trying to shrug off the compliments but still enjoying them. "I wanted to get that crocodile stuffed animal we saw at Target, but I spent everything on the quill instead."

"Yeah, good call. The hook, too, that's perfect...."

Beth reached out to inspect the hook on his arm, discovering it was the dough hook from her stand mixer that she'd been missing for the past week. Echo gave her a sheepish look, but she just made a teasing tsk-tsk and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"Okay, shall we call for Hunter now?"

They reconvened on the sofa as they waited for the next brother to make his way out.

Hunter usually went for some kind of adventurous hero, like an astronaut or army man, so it was no surprise to see him come out as Robin Hood. He had kept elements from his Indiana Jones costume from last year, and added a green vest and the signature green cap.

"Very nice," Beth clapped while the other boys gave him a thumbs up. Hunter posed with his slingshot, an old Christmas gift Beth could've sworn she'd tried to get rid of once.

"And look," he said, jiggling the pouches that hung at his hips, the sound of coins rustling through. "It's all the money I stole from the rich."

"Clever!"

"You can give it to me," Wrecker garbled, returning to character and starting to chase Hunter. "I'm poor. A poor, sad corpse..."

"Stand back, fearsome beast!" Hunter poised his slingshot in front of him. "You are no match for the merry men!"

"Did someone say beast? En garde!" Echo joined in, waving his hook about. Wrecker started hissing and growling while they pretended to fight each other. Beth snapped her fingers to get their attention.

"Timeout on the acting, boys. Let's not make Crosshair wait any longer."

The three of them rushed to the couch, including Wrecker, but at this point he'd deposited enough dirt around the living room that Beth gave up on trying to contain him.

"Okay, last but not least... Cross!"

The last of the brothers made his way from her bedroom at the end of the hall and proudly turned the corner to make his entrance for them. Unfortunately, Beth was only treated to his pleasant smile for a few seconds. As soon as he caught sight of Hunter, his face immediately contorted into a scowl.

"No," he whined in protest. "Whyyy?"

Hunter laughed as he stood up to stand by his brother. "No way, you picked Robin Hood too? That's hilarious."

Crosshair's rendition of the heroic outlaw wasn't as ostentatious as Hunter's, but perhaps more practical. He had a hooded cape and robes in more muted, woodsy colors. And strapped across his back was a quiver of homemade arrows, and a crude bow to match.

"Aw, Cross, I love it." Beth tried to give some reassurance before he could get too grumpy. Sadly, it was too late.

"No! It's not fair. We can't be the same thing."

"Why not?"

"Because," he said, as if that word alone was reason enough. He set his hands on his hips and glared at his brother. "Take it off, Hunter."

"What? No. You take yours off."

"I've been working on this for months." Crosshair held up his bow, which looked like some kind of stick he'd sanded down and painted. "You don't even have it right. Robin Hood doesn't use a slingshot."

"Says who?" Hunter retorted. "He can use whatever weapon he wants. There's no rules. Besides, you aren't wearing his hat."

"Mom, make him take it off!"

"Cross..." she said in an all-too-familiar tone. The one she used whenever any of them were being unreasonable.

"But he always gets his way!"

Beth stood up, setting her gaze sharply as another warning. "There's nothing wrong with you both wearing the same costume."

"Yeah," Echo said from beside her. "Maybe you could be one of the merry men?"

His suggestion was meant to be helpful, but the death glare Crosshair set on him made Echo immediately back off.

"If Hunter won't change, then I quit."

"Quit?" Tech asked.

"Halloween!" Crosshair practically growled before storming off down the hall.

"You can't quit Halloween," Tech scoffed, even though Cross wasn't there to hear him. But then Tech looked up their mom with a worried look. "Can he?"

Beth had her lips pursed in annoyance. It hadn't felt like that long ago that she'd had a serious talk with them all about their attitudes, how the teasing and arguments between them had to stop, how they needed to act like brothers who loved each other dammit. Maybe they'd been too young for the message to really settle in.

She started gathering up her candy wrappers, not looking at any of them as she calmly explained, "We're a family. We celebrate together. If one of you isn't going to participate, then no one does."

As expected, there were some very vocal reactions to that plan.

"Huh?"

"No..."

"That's not fair."

"Mom, please!"

She paused before heading into the kitchen to start dinner. "Then you'd all better figure out how to get along."

That was really the intent behind her decision. She never wanted to be the parent that "canceled" holidays or special events just because she got upset at her kids. That really wasn't fair, and it really wasn't about her own feelings. She wasn't oblivious to the tension that had been developing between Hunter and Crosshair lately. But it was something she knew the two of them would need to rectify between themselves. There was only so much coddling and lecturing she could do before it was up to them to decide how to treat each other. Perhaps this was finally the moment they needed.

* * *

Crosshair sat on the edge of his bed, willing himself not to cry. Crying was stupid, and the situation was already stupid enough. His bow and quiver and cloak lay abandoned in the far corner of the room, thrown there in a huff as soon as he'd locked himself in. He looked over at the heap forlorn. All that hard work... for nothing.

Echo, Tech, and Wrecker all pounded on the door, calling out different reasons why he needed to stop being ridiculous. Ha, Crosshair frowned, so he was the ridiculous one? Figured. They always took Hunter's side. They agreed with Hunter's ideas and backed him up in disagreements and never gave Crosshair the benefit of any doubt. He was tired of not getting his way for once.

A noise came from behind him, and he turned to find Hunter jimmying open the window from the outside. Only the two of them knew how to get that window to open from the outside, not even their other roommate Echo knew about it. Crosshair turned back to continue sulking as Hunter clambered through.

"Hey," Hunter said as he awkwardly sat on the bed opposite him. "So... Mom said if you're not celebrating Halloween, then none of us are."

Crosshair remained silent, though he was surprised. Their mom didn't usually do such things. He wondered if she was serious or would change her mind later. He knew how much she loved seeing their costumes and taking them trick-or-treating, how she beamed whenever they got compliments.

"So..." Hunter tried again. "I was thinking... you can be Robin Hood. And I'll be Little John."

Crosshair finally looked up at his brother. "No one will know the difference."

"Sure they will. You have the bow and everything. You can even have my hat."

Hunter took off the cap and tried to hand it over.

"I don't want your hat."

"Come on, Cross. I'm trying to help. You know Mom doesn't like it when we fight."

Crosshair returned to staring at the floor.

"And the others have such good costumes. They worked so hard. It's not fair if they can't wear them, either."

"I worked hard on mine too," Crosshair said quietly, feeling that lump return to his throat and forcing it back down. "But it doesn't matter because you did the exact same thing so it's not special."

"Well it's not like I copied you." Hunter couldn't help but get defensive. It was frustrating how stubborn his brother could be. "So we had the same idea. So what. That just means we're the cool ones."

Crosshair rolled his eyes, though he supposed he did feel a little better about Hunter admitting he was cool. And the idea of him being the sidekick to his Robin Hood was starting to grow on him....

"Fine," he finally rasped out. "But you have to make sure everyone knows you're Little John and I'm Robin Hood."

It was Hunter's turn to give an eye roll, but he did it with a playful smirk. "Okay, sure. I'll wear a name tag, how's that?"

Crosshair chuckled with him. He watched as Hunter went to the corner to help pick up the cape and arrows. He was glad he was getting to wear his costume, but he did feel a little embarrassed about the scene he had made. It didn't quite feel as good, like he hadn't really earned it. And there were still all those unspoken things between him and Hunter.

But in the true nature of a juvenile boy, those deeper things were pushed aside in favor of moving on with the moment. Crosshair quickly reassembled his ensemble and led Hunter out of their room to be met with cheers from the other brothers in the hall.

"Yes!" Wrecker hollered. "Mom! Halloween's back on!"

"Thank god..." Echo muttered, while eyeing Crosshair and Hunter suspiciously.

"That wasn't cool," Tech stated plainly before picking up his picture frame and walking away.

Crosshair ignored them all and sought out his mom, who was filing a pot with water at the kitchen sink. He noticed her shoulders were sunken and the frown lines at her mouth more prominent. He quickly wrapped his arms around her just as she looked over at him with questioning eyes.

"I'm sorry, Momma," he whispered into her shoulder.

She sighed and slung her free arm around him in return, awkwardly tapping the quiver of arrows on his back.

"Please stop fighting with your brothers, sweetheart," she whispered back to him, knowing he didn't like the others to hear her nickname for him. "You know not everything is a competition, right?"

He pulled away and nodded up at her. "Yeah...."

She looked at him for a moment, knowing there was more that could be said but not asking for it. Eventually she just smiled before booping his nose and turning back to turn off the faucet.

And then a sudden pair of hands grasped her from behind, causing her to jump with a shriek and almost spill the pot of water. Crosshair was laughing beside her, not the culprit. She spun to find Wrecker was the one who had snuck up.

"Must... eat... your brains..." he droned, holding his arms in front of him in classic zombie fashion.

"Have no fear, fair maiden!" Hunter exclaimed as he jumped into the room. He handed Crosshair his bow. "We will rescue you!"

"Not so fast, Robin Hood," came Echo from behind. He held himself like a fencer, only with his hooked arm held out instead of a sword. "You and your merry men stole one of my precious paintings. Release the Van Gogh back to me, thieves!"

There was a faint objection from Tech in the next room about how he didn't want to be stolen, but the others didn't seem to hear. Crosshair knocked an arrow onto the string of his bow; Beth was relieved to see that he couldn't actually draw it back, but she did make a mental note to have the arrow tips flattened a bit more before they went trick-or-treating the next night.

"Never! That art belongs to the people!" Crosshair declared as he and Hunter chased Echo out of the kitchen, and Wrecker slowly followed after them groaning and gurgling.

Beth merely shook her head, glad that things were as they ought to be between her boys once more.

At least for now. Who knew what petty squabbles would start up during their other Halloween tradition, the Great Candy Exchange....

[cynthiadshaw]

What’s the Most Important Lesson You’ve Learned Along Your Journey?

Every twist in our story, challenge we face, and obstacle we overcome is an important part of our story.  These difficulties make us stronger and wiser and prepare us for what’s ahead.  As we grow and succeed we may imagine that soon the challenges will fade away, but in our conversations with business owners, artists, creatives, academics, and others we have learned that the most common experience is that challenges never go away – instead they get more complex as we grow and succeed.  Our ability to to thrive therefore depends heavily on our ability to learn from our experiences and so we are asking some of the city’s best and brightest: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?

Alexcia Mombo | Nail Technician & Lash Artist

I would have to say the most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey so far is Patience. A lot of the time things won’t go the way you want but I’ve learned to be patient and accept things that I can’t control. Being patient helps you evaluate the situation more and it makes you look at it from a different light, I’ve also learned that it’s okay to fail as long as you keep trying. Never give up, you learn from your failures and it only makes you better and go harder!

@shelashes_ @SheLashesStudio shoplexilashes.bigcartel.com

Shamineke | Entrepreneur & Accounting Clerk

The most important lesson that I have learned in my journey so far is to pray and keep God first in everything. When you keep God first, everything will fall into place. I humble myself and admit that God is the CEO and I’m just the President. He calls the play and I execute them. I’ve learned to be patient and not rush the process. Moving too fast, sometimes, can cause a number of issues within your business which is why I will choose to follow the path that the Lord has for me and my business. Having a business is tough and can get discouraging at times but I try to stay as positive as I can and continue to keep the faith knowing that all of my hard work will pay off and it’ll all be worth it in the end. Networking is very important and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some awesome entrepreneurs who have inspired, motivated and encouraged me to keep pushing for success. I’ve also had to learn my customers, I pride myself in providing the best customer service and making sure that my customers are pleased with my products. Customers want good products but they also want great customer service and I strive to provide them both each and every day.

lushhairbundlez.com  @LushHairBundlez @Lushhairbundlez_llc

The Taste of Mardi Gras Foods | Authentic New Orleans Cuisine and Desserts

What is the most important lesson we have learned throughout our journey so far is that we all need each other to be successful! Without God, our customers, employees, family, friends, business consultants etc. Our success would be non existent. Love is key, our love lies deep in our Food and Cooking. Just to see our customers smile and enjoying our food is the why we do this.

ttmgfoods.com @thetasteofmardigrasfoods @tasteofmardigrasfoods

Jeanette the Writer | blogger | editor | speaker | scuba instructor | cat Instagrammer

taraarseven.com

The most important lesson I’ve learned on my journey—take the risk. Story-time: I was staying over at a friend’s house and couldn’t get to sleep, so I was perusing their bookshelf, where I saw a book titled Who Moved My Cheese? Being an avid cheese-lover, I thought “perfect!” Of course, the book was not about cheese at all but rather used cheese as a metaphor for happiness. The characters have to wander through a scary maze to find new cheese. Some characters embrace this challenge while others are more hesitant. Finally, one of the hesitant characters asks, “what would you do if you weren’t afraid?” This struck me deeply. At the time, I was unhappy in my job and looking for something new. I had contemplated starting my own writing and editing business, but I had told myself that the risk was too great. When I read this line, I realized that there wasn’t something intrinsically risky about following my dreams, it was simply my own fear holding me back. Everything can be scary if we let it be, but there are certain risks we are willing to take because the cheese (happiness) we get is more important. I decided then and there to put my happiness before my fear and go after what I wanted. Two years later, I still ask myself that same question—what would you do if you weren’t afraid—all the time. Taking risks doesn’t necessarily get easier the more you do it, but as you see the good results piling up you’ll realize that many “risky” things are just a product of your own mind making them so. Take the risk. If you fall, get back up and take another risk. Stop letting fear rule you, and go after what you want in life. You’ll be amazed at what you get in return.

@jeanettethewriter  @goldenruleediting  eepurl.com/dLuuDY 

Blake Bishop | Videographer & Director

One thing I have learned is to just go out and do what you love, and not worry about the money. Eventually everything falls into place.

@blbp1x

Ali Mirza | Growth Marketer & Entrepreneur

Ali Mirza

Teaching is the new marketing. If you want to grow your business, create content to educate your audience. Sharing what you know is the fastest way to build your brand so don’t hold anything back. This is how you become an authority in your niche and start building strong relationship with your potential customers. So pick any channel that you like (Blogging, Video, Podcast or In-person events) and start educating consistently.

isocialyou.com @alimirza2k

Tiffany Lord | Founder of Love & Asana | Private Yoga Coach, & Resident Instructor at The International Headache Center

@beez.photos

To let go of expectations! Its hard to do as a hyper-planner, but there are so many ways to achieve goals. Every unexpected path has yielded huge learning opportunities and growth so far, both personally and professionally. Be open and enjoy the ride!

loveandasana.com  @loveandasana

Devon Duncan | Permanent Makeup Artist

Thus far in my journey I have learned that above all making a client feel comfortable with me as a person is the most important thing. Creating a positive relationship makes for an enjoyable experience for all of us. Having anything permanent done can be extremely intimidating but treating people with grace and compassion can help subside those fears, this mindset could and should be carried over into every other aspect of life.

@dev.ink.brows

Aisha Nicole | Blogger and Skincare Naturalista

The most important lesson I have learned on my journey so far is to trust the process through patience and persistence. Starting a business is exciting and scary at the same time, but by remaining positive and seeing that every obstacle encountered is an opportunity has helped to keep my passion alive. “Remember, failure is only a comma, not a period”.

sweetnectarbeauty.com  @sweetnectarbeauty @sweetnectarbeauty

Natalie Wolfe | Founder & CEO of StudioHop

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey so far is that you’re never going to please everyone and not everyone is going to like what you have to offer. For this reason, you should always go with your gut and make decisions you think are right for you and your business.

studiohopfitness.com @studiohopfit

Mae Rushing | Beauty Influencer and Boutique Owner

The most important lesson I’ve learned is to stay patient and trust the timing. Everything happens for a reason for sure. If things aren’t going your way it’s because it’s not supposed to at the time, but never lose faith and never lose hope. Always hold the vision that you had in your mind and keep going.

@naturalmae_

Amanda Talley, MA, LPC | Therapist & Outdoor Enthusiast

After mulling this over for a few days, I think the lesson is that our journey in this life can’t be boiled down to a “most important” thing. We are complex, ever changing, evolving; lessons build and add on to previous lessons and experiences. It is a cumulative effect and far greater than we can understand in this lifetime, but occasionally we have a “mountaintop” experience that let’s us see how it all comes together at that point. For me, all of this gives hope… and that’s what I aim to provide in sessions with folks on and off the trails.

amandatalleylpc.com @amandatalleylpc @amandatalleylpc @amandatalleylpc linkedin.com/in/amanda-talley-89a23a59

  Rosie M | Aspiring Nail Tech

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey, is that practice and patience are key to keep moving forward.

@rosienailedit

Brianne Leeson | Artist and Business Owner

I’ve learned how important it is to be willing to work with other small businesses. Even if it isn’t someone with the same kind of business, you could have a lot of great things to offer each other. The one thing you’ll always have in common with another business owner, no matter how disparate your businesses may seem, is that you both care enough about something make that your life’s work.

bellonaarts.com  @bellonaarts   @bellonaarts

Kopis Music | Dallas DJ

@_maribelmorales_

Everyday I need to make sure to ask myself the question:

Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? & What habits have I created without noticing that I need to burn off?

Moving from California to Texas in June of 2018 has helped me focus and of what I love; finding the perfect songs for the perfect moment and putting a love of music in people’s hearts.

soundcloud.com/kopis-music  @kopismusic

Tamisa Hunter | CEO | Life Speaker | Servant- Leader

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey is you must “OWN YOUR TRUTH” and know “Your WORTH” A lot of times people will allow the world and other people to define them; however, you are unique and with that, you must “Be You’ No one can do you better than you. Stop hating yourself for everything you’re not and start loving yourself for everything you are.

Be you. Be Audacious Be Fearless

@tamisahunter  womenoftruthinc.org  tamisa@tamisahunter.com

Alexis Woods | Pre-Medicine Student & Blogger

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey so far is to never give up. Even after failed classes and life challenging experiences; if you have a dream never give up on it. Every obstacle that comes into my life is now taken as an opportunity to build a better and stronger version of myself. Without the obstacles placed in my life, I wouldn’t organically cherish where God is taking me. Like my mother used to say “Anything easy isn’t worth having”. My journey is unique and in the future, I hope to give many others the courage to keep pushing through the challenges they face to get to where they want to be in life.

thedealwithlex.com  @thedealwithlex  @thedealwithlex

Faith Peralta | Technical Writer & Photographer

The most important lesson I’ve learned on my journey so far is acceptance. I’ve spent a lot of time running from things that have happened in my life that I couldn’t control. As well as running toward things or people not meant for me. I’ve also spent a great deal of time beating myself up for the feelings of failure that trail this kind of stuff. So, at 41 – almost 42 – I’ve begun to just accept everything: wins, failures, talents, flaws, stresses, joys, love, loss. No matter what life brings, I’m still me. So I started a part-time photography business recently because it’s something I love! And when I start to worry I just remind myself that I got born here, that God loves me right now, and that I have things to do! There is so much richness and fun in life, despite all of the hard things that can’t be changed.

margotphotography.com

Mi Nguyen & Ales Vlasak | Global Nomads | Home Renovation & DIY Enthusiasts

We are global nomads who have lived in a few places on planet Earth including Vietnam, Czech Republic, New Zealand, China, and a few cities in the U.S. We have chosen Dallas as our permanent home and we have been loving our journey here. We love all things home and garden and have renovated two old homes so far. Like many other millennials, we enjoy finding ways to bring new looks to old homes on a very tight budget. This often means learning a lot of DIY methods ourselves, applying and taking risks, making mistakes, and improving along the way.

@thekiwihome  thekiwihome.com

Heath Farr | Rock Musician & Music Teacher

@emmanuelkharisma

The most important lesson I have learned in my journey is to collaborate far and wide. In everything you do, include as many people as possible. That does not mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars immediately. Find small ways to make other people a part of your work. There are seventeen music videos for the Edgeface album, Guardian. It was a fascinating journey full of different people, locations, and experiences. The visual album took more than two years to record and eleven months to shoot. The life experience gained from a year-long visual album has been extraordinary. My advice to any artist is to make other people a part of your work. Remember that your creativity is outstanding and unique. Run with it for the rest of your life!

youtube.com/channel/UCnzqE4YT3U_veRrGTDpORbA @Edgeface @edgefacemusic Apple Music- Edgeface Spotify- Edgeface

Sayo Sokari | REALTOR | songwriter | blogger | Event Architect and a multifaceted creative with a gift for connecting people with opportunities

The most important lesson I’ve learned so far on my journey is no matter what industry or aspect of life, the recipe to success includes a few very important ingredients.

One ingredient serves a similar purpose to what yeast does for bread, it causes everything to rise. That ingredient is consistency. Whether in music, finding the next deal to work, or more, consistent activities produce results and improvement.

Mix consistency with time management, accountability, and a divinely grounded purpose and this the recipe for some tasty success soup, rice, or pasta whichever tastes better to you!

youtube.com/channel/UCYwJL2IvF_1r3oHfyEvCiEA @sayotherealtor @sayo.sokari youtu.be/SxXSdzWoTag

Mike López | Sr Art Director | Creative and Illustrator

The most important lesson I’ve learned so far is: “be patient”.

mikeink.net @mike.ink  @mike.ink74  @mikeink.creative

Ninnapha Khamphoumy | Fitness Professional & Powerlifter

@infraredvisual

Find work that lights your heart. If you’re going to spend 40+ hours a week of your life working it might as well be something you’re passionate about and puts a smile on your face. I refuse to look back at my life and complain I worked too much or hated my job. Stop following the money, status, or other people’s opinions of what your life should look like. In the end, you have to live with every decision you make. So dream big, always believe in yourself and no matter how many times you get kicked down get back up and try again.

@notesfromninna @notesfromninna

Carol Lander | Home Decor and DIY blogger | Cooking instructor | Maker with A Makers’ Studio paint and DIY products

Most important thing I’ve learned in my blogging journey: don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need information and support and don’t hesitate to offer help to others.

blueskyathome.com Pinterest.com/blueskyathome @createatblueskyathome @blueskyathome bit.ly/blueskyathome

Dr. Guy Earle | Psychologist and Life Coach

I now live in Dallas Texas, I was raised in the DC and the Maryland area. When I was barely 20 I journeyed to Dallas with $400 dollars in my pocket, not knowing where I would live nor how I would pay for school. I jumped out into the unknown full of fears and uncertainties. However, what I can say is that I too this day do not know how I made it through school debt free, making $400 a month with a $267 car note, $50 apartment rent (yes, it was not in the best part of town) a student loan of approx. $200 that offset my scholarship. and not to mention the cost of gas and food. My expenses was over $500 dollars a month and I made $400 dollars a month. But, I learned that when you learn to trust and follow your heart that there is a greater force at work. Life will guide and direct you if we learn to trust its promptings.

Trusting the promptings of the heart is like jumping of the cliff for the first time. It is a matter of faith. Neville Goddard said it this way, “”You must assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled until your assumption has all the sensory vividness of reality. You must imagine that you are already experiencing what you desire. That is, you must assume the feelings of the fulfillment until you are possessed by it and this feeling crowds all other ideas out or your consciousness.””

When I trusted the voice inside of me, it pushed me against my greatest fear. Like, I was pushed into a challenging situation as a kid in a new neighborhood. I was not accepted and a product of major bullying. Don’t feel bad for me, it was the best thing that could of happen for me. My Father gave me a gift, he gave me the ability to look at my fears and to deal with my baggage of insecurity. He did not come to my rescue, in fact he pushed me into the battles by telling me that you must stand up. When I faced my greatest fear at that time it was truly a giant. But I must say the day I saw my Giant slayed by my courageous heart, as I defeated the kid who had beat up nearly everyday. Side note, I never had to fight again in that neighborhood.

On my journey the greatest gift that I have learned so far is FAITH. Napoleon Hill says, that “”faith is a state of mind which may be induced, or created, by affirmation or repeated instructions to the subconscious mind, through the principle of auto-suggestion.

It was said about Emile Coue’ the French psychologist that he was able to see people healed as they repeatedly spoke these words…””Everyday in every way I’m getting better and better.””

So, what am I saying, set your intentions on what it is that you want and then let go and trust that Life is able to serve you. But greater than that, life is wanting to serve you. Have Faith…jump and spread your wings and soar like an Eagle.

@dr.guyearle @Drguyearle drguyearle.com

Malkeet Saini | Whirly Cones business owner

In our journey so far we learned the best way to make a business successful is always working our hardest and making sure we always try to exceed our goals every day. The most important lesson is to always persevere! No matter how many issues might have come up in our journey we kept going and working as a team to always go past our limits.

Whirlycones.com @whirlycones @WhirlyCones @whirlycones

Kimberly Davis | Owner of Billionaire Beauties |  mother and nursing student

Latisha Davis

Let you passion drive your success wild. Stay genuine, keep it real, and never give up on your dreams. You never know who’s watching.

@kim_billionairebeauties18 @billionairebeauties18 Billionairebeauties18@gmail.com  Business # (214)735-6354

  Jantae Jackson | Marketing Specialist

What I have learned is that there is no room for fear in business. You have to overcome it to succeed 💛.

@MorphMarketing forevermodish19@gmail.com

Kennedy Dendy | Broadcast Journalism Student/CBS News Intern

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey stems from a piece of advice that my mother gave me many years ago. “If you want something, go get it.” I have truly learned the importance of chasing after my dreams and passions, despite what the world may throw. I learned to have a “go-getter” mindset when it comes to what I want for my life. It is important to understand that nothing is going to be simply handed to you. Getting to the place you wish to be requires a great deal of dedication, diligence and discipline. Twists and turns may come your way, but you must fix your eyes on the end goal.

@kennedy_dendy  KennedyDendy.com

DJ SEAN ANTHONY | DJ | ENTERTAINER

It would have to be to trust myself and my creative sound. Someone is always going to critique your work or offer feedback that you could’ve done without. In my beginning stages that would eat me up. I would work so hard on trying to accommodate that one person that said enough to cause this displacement in my style. That I would literally drive myself crazy until I got it right. But now I’m so much better than that. I’ve managed to accept that my style of DJ’ing is different and that’s what makes me stand out.

@djsean.anthony

B. Whitcomb | Travel Advisor for Travel with B (Travel Services)

I’m new to Dallas, I recently relocated from Omaha, Nebraska. I have a passion for traveling, so I figured why not do what you love?! It’s my goal to make travel affordable for everyone regardless who they are or what they do. I graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha as a dual major in Psychology and Communication. There I focused on mental health and leadership. Self-care is so important on the journey! The road to success is hard but its supposed to be…or everyone would be traveling in the same lane. The most important thing I’ve learned is to trust the process. You must learn from your mistakes, do everything with a purpose and prioritize God in your life. There is no wrong route to one’s destiny, but various roads one could take on their journey. Just remember why you started and never give up!

@travelwithb2day

Cesar Huesca | session guitarist | solo artist from Mexico

@alvarrockgarcia_fotografia

Well, my main lesson on my musical journey conveys to a life lesson which is not judging anyone’s path since we all have different processes throughout existence. We should understand that we live in the same place and we need to take care of our minds, bodies, spirits and emotions, and art is a great way to develop such things to higher levels. Music can be healing in many ways and we must be able to look through the eyes of spirit, calmly and no hurried, one step at a time, with love to everyone and everything.

youtube.com/user/CesarHuescaMusic @huescaguitar

Gabi Kelley | Mom | Writer & Personal Development Coach

God is always good, and we are all created for a purpose!

@gabiruth

Max | a seasoned professional Urban Glamour | Fitness | Cosplay and Event Photographer in the DFW area

Portrait photography must be greater than the sum of its parts. Careful planning, preparation and the ability to adapt to ever changing conditions in near real-time are critical to a successful photo shoot on location. Guiding and communicating with your client is essential. Event photography, on the other hand, is about timing and story telling. Find a story to tell and wait for the perfect millisecond to capture it.

@themeshootspage

Sammi Luna| Health & Wellness Coach

The most important lesson I have learned in my journey so far is that it’s not just about working out your body, it’s 100% completely also about working out your mind. Personal development and mind growth have been a side effect I didn’t know I would have but definitely something I needed! When you start your journey to weight loss and getting healthy, you’re not thinking about anything else but losing the weight. Losing the pounds and the inches and gaining the muscles. You don’t think about the mental toll it will take on you. All your interested in is losing, but my oh my did I gain so much more! Mental health, personal health, and mind growth are just as important as losing the weight. And that has been the best and most important lesson I have learned so far. Every morning I start it off with personal development, set the tone for the day! It really is the only way to start every single day, to live it to the fullest!

@sammi_getsfit  Sammiluna.goherbalife.com

Nathan Clark | Founder: Health & Wellness CBD (H&W CBD)

The most important lesson I have learned in my journey so far is to never doubt yourself. Starting something you truly believe in can be difficult and when you feel like quitting you just have to think about why you started in the first place. I started H&W to help people through similar struggles that I have experienced myself, because I know first hand what it feels like to be in pain.

Creating H&W has been a dream of mine after I experienced how much CBD helped me recover and regulates my pain after a motorcycle wreck back in 2012. It is now my job to reach out to people in need and provide them the purest pharmaceutical grade CBD products on the market. For more information about myself and my company you can visit the about us tab on the website.

hw-cbd.com @hwcbd @hwcbdoil

Aviisway | Creative Director & Filmmaker

The most important thing that I have learned along my journey is that we are all destined to fulfill our desires and everybody should be equally loved and supported. I feel connected to the thrill of life, and being able to capture those moments on a device and share it with the world allows me to tell a story that can’t be explained in words.

@aviisway_ youtube.com/channel/UCy_5KwDj_AX0hTUDrYLyNTg

Brigitte Buckholtz VerHagen | founder of EastsideGems

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your journey so far? To celebrate the small achievements, while setting goals for the future. As a momtrepreneur, I have to balance my family and business life and during time of growth that can be difficult. I started with only $200 and continued to reinvest the money into the company so I could obviously grow and offer my followers nicer pieces and sometimes more rare mid century modern designed furniture. And it really took off! We’re primarily an Insta shop, people can come view any item by appointment but we don’t have a retail space or showroom just yet. With the growth we’ve had that can be frustrating! But when I look back to 6 months ago when the company began and see how far we’ve come, I just want to jump with joy! We’ve surpassed all our goals already and those small achievements are BIG! We have future goals and plans in the works but the biggest lesson was to just celebrate how far we’ve come! It’s been a fun ride.

@EastsideGems

Samantha Johnson | Feel Good Artist & Mom

In this journey of, my so far, young life, I have become a mother, but I was an artist first, it was my first baby. In this industry your style is not necessarily everyone else’s style; your feelings, your inspirations. I could spend two minutes on a piece of art and someone think it’s amazing, whereas I may see disappointment. Or I could spend a week on a project and see greatness, where somebody else might see and feel nothing. It’s all about your own journey, your own love, your own aspirations/inspirations, we’re not here to please everyone. And though that will always be understood, making it a reality is different. We like to please others, we want them to see what we see, and that’s life in most aspects. There’s beauty and pride to be had, when you grow and become less worried about everyone else; what they think/have and what you don’t. Instead you invest more in yourself and your craft, no matter what that may be. How I see it…there’s art to be seen in almost everything, and that is what I live by. Art is love, its happiness, hope, and it doesn’t always have to be something you can physically touch. It’s a feeling. And for me, if I can give someone a feeling, something unexplainable, yet so pleasant through my work or personality, I’ve accomplished way more than just a small piece of green paper.

artssoulpurpose.com  @ArtsSoulPurpose  @isthatsammiej

Bo Priest | Key Accounts Manager at Purus Labs

If you want your business to grow, you can’t be too good to do the little things.

@puruslabs @puruslabs  Youtube.com/puruslabsvids

Zach Harris | Producer at RocketBrand

@gorocketbrand

The most important lesson I have learned in my journey so far is that if something can go wrong, it will go wrong; it’s all about how you respond that defines the difference between success and failure.

@harriszach

The post What’s the Most Important Lesson You’ve Learned Along Your Journey? appeared first on Voyage Dallas Magazine | Dallas City Guide.

source http://voyagedallas.com/2019/08/09/whats-important-lesson-youve-learned-along-journey/