Ordered Steps: Guided by The Divine

Confusion has GOT to be the Devil's greatest weapon.

There have been many times in my life when I've felt confused, torn between two decisions, or just downright lost. I'm grateful that my Faith has kept me sane - and kept my steps ordered. When it seems like I have no clue what to do, He always seems to guide my feet.

In 2001, nearly 10 years ago now, I ventured away from my close-knit family and the comforts of my home in California, which was all I ever knew, and experienced higher education - and, let's face it, LIFE - at Howard University in Washington, DC. No blog post could ever sum up this experience. It was life-changing and I'm convinced that I would have never grown as much had I stayed home and attended UCLA, which was a very real possibility for me. Moving away and attending Howard was a really good decision.

I stayed in DC after finishing school and took a job in line with my Political Science major, working as a Writer-Editor for a DC government agency. I'll never forget how difficult this decision was for me - Take the job that was already on the table for me, or move back to LA and try my luck at home? I remember making a list of "pros and cons" with one of my best friends right after graduation to decide what I should do. I'd be lying if I said that the relationship I was in at the time didn't have huge bearing on my decision-making. I was in love and I was also afraid that, by moving back in with either of my parents, I would lose the independence I'd become so accustomed to. So I took the job. And as a consequence,I was undervalued, bored at work and under-paid. Sound like I made a bad choice? Not at all.

Those were probably two of the most exciting and carefree years of my life. I traveled a lot (just because) and my crew and I were quite the DC Socialites. I dated plenty and learned more and more about myself. I wasn't bogged down by huge responsibilities fresh out of college, but instead I was able to truly enjoy being extremely young and, well, free. So in the end, it was a good decision.

Fast forward to 2007. At this point, I was actually ready for the responsibilities I once relished not having in my current position at the time. I was stagnant at the Department and I knew it. I needed a challenge and I wouldn't be being true to myself if I limited myself to a government job (Not knocking government employees, but it was NOT for me). So I began my job search and stumbled upon an exciting ad for a start-up software company looking for talent to help expand the Norwegian-born company's US operations. And the field? Media, communications, sales - right up my alley! And so came another life-changing decision - pack up and move to Atlanta for this new career opportunity, or continue my job search in the DC area, where I was already comfy cozy?

You probably guessed it - I went for it. And as a result, I actually established an amazing career, one that has taught me skills I would have otherwise paid a business school a hundred grand to teach me. One that has taken me from all over the United States to Norway, to Jamaica, to London and back. One that has been rough at times, but all for the purpose of my own growth and development. And now I have the privilege of being senior with the company, having been here nearly since its inception in the US and making a name for myself among top executives. So it's safe to say that my time in Atlanta brought out the business woman in me. (I had a blast as well). Most importantly, tapped into my music more than ever before and truly developed as an artist. So yea, Atlanta was a good decision.

And then came New York. Even in all its grandeur and worldwide appeal, this was yet again a very difficult choice for me. Conquering the Big City was intimidating. Leaving my best friend and confidante and a very comfortable lifestyle in Atlanta for the struggles that awaited in me in the Capital of the World, was not an abrupt decision. But when presented with the opportunity to enter a new role, more money, and a burgeoning division in the company, I prayed about it, as I've done with every major life decision. And God spoke to me in various ways to show me that he was giving me the green light. I had a sneaking suspicion that greatness would be at my fingertips in New York, far beyond the career I was moving for. And it has come to pass. Doors have been swinging open musically and God has shown me that my job may very well have been merely the vessel by which I would arrive at the place that would carry me to my destiny as a Songstress. Because everybody knows...I just wannna sing. :)

I knew in my heart that New York was a good decision. So here I am now. And so far, yep...So good :)