Monday, monday, monday.

I read something today that I found very interesting.

You don’t hate Monday, you hate your job.

This is something I think not many people think of. Everyone hates that the weekend is over, like they didn’t get what they wanted done. But, I’m sorry to be so blunt, whose fault is that? Um, yours. You’re the one stopping yourself from enjoying your “free time.” And those who say “I would like to do things I want, but I have to work.” Again, it’s your fault you’re “work” isn’t something you love. If you don’t see yourself doing this job for the rest of your life, why are you there? Why are you wasting what precious time you have in this life somewhere you’re miserable? Yes, you may be getting your career figured out by going to school, but thankfully for us we live in a world of opportunity: internships and the power of marketing. Market what you do in your free time to make it your career so you can finally quit your job and solely focus on that one thing you love. Take an internship to whatever you plan on doing in the future, the opportunities are there, you’re just not looking hard enough. Be someone who’s Monday is their Friday. Hell, be someone who doesn’t even know what day of the week it is because life is just that good.

VDAY 2k16

This years Valentines Day photos definitely have to be one of my favorite shoots so far. As a freelance photographer, I’m always looking for DIY projects and anything to capture. Thank to both my sister and my sister-in-law for the beautiful models, my niece and nephew. Also thank you to everyone who puts up with my crazy ideas, helps me do whatever it takes to get the perfect pictures, and supports me no matter what. Little by little, I love my work and what I do more and more; and it’s all because I have a great support system. Ready for more DIY projects and 2016 photoshoots!

Be proud of you. 

Be proud of yourself, who you are, and how far you’ve come. Life isn’t a race, and it sure as hell isn’t easy. Some people just get it right the first time, and then some people don’t. I don’t know about most, but I’m speaking for myself- sometimes it’s discouraging looking at the long journey ahead to get to where you wanna be. But having those thoughts, and continuing to think of everything and what needs to be done, means you see a future for yourself. Yeah, it’s hard, and sometimes you think to yourself, “shit, am I ever going to finish?” But you know what? You will. It may seem like forever and it may seem like too much time is being wasted… but you need to be proud of who you are, in addition to your mistakes. We all make mistakes and we all regret them once they’re done, but we have to push forward and own up to them. I coulda done this different and I should’ve done that better. I should’ve planned my life more thoroughly and gone through the motions- but I didn’t, and I’ve learned to accept it. Because in the end, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. To others it may seem like I’m still caught up in the same spot from 2 years ago, but I know how far I’ve gotten in those 2 years, and I’m damn f*cking proud. You know who I do it for? I do it for the people I love, and most importantly, myself. I love me and I’m proud of me- and I won’t let anyone take that away from me, no matter how many rocks are thrown and how many bumps in the road I hit… I will keep pushing myself, and I will continue to be my #1 fan. 

New Week- I Appreciate You

I never really tell you that I appreciate you. So here it is:

I appreciate that you support me
I appreciate that you believe in me
I appreciate the smiles you bring me
I appreciate that even though life gets tough and our roads begin to go their separate ways you always stick by my side and bring us back together
I appreciate the love that’s given to me
I appreciate the strength you give me
I appreciate the knowledge I gain from having you around
I appreciate the friendship we’ve created
I appreciate your loyalty
And most of all, I appreciate you

There are people we come across in our lives that we don’t really show appreciation for. That’s because they’re part of us, and we don’t naturally applaud and appreciate things about ourselves and things within our lives. Appreciate the people who deserve it, appreciate them because they’re the reason you’re happy right now. Find that person, and cherish them forever.

New Week- Love Yourself

To allow an open door for someone to love you, you need to love yourself first. Sometimes it’s easier said than done. It’s easier for us to find flaws within ourselves that make us feel less attractive, less worthy, less talented. Yet so difficult to love ourselves with open arms. We’re all built differently, and that’s okay. But we have to be the ones to determine when it’s time for a change. Believe that if you don’t like something about yourself, that YOU have to be the one to change it and that you can. Have faith in yourself and have faith in others. Because the day you learn to love yourself is the day you’ll be able to see how many other people love you, too. You’re stronger than you think you are, and even smarter than you think you are. Use all of your capabilities in life to show yourself the love it deserves.

New Week- Opportunity

There comes a point in your life where you say to yourself, “enough with the bull, I gotta pick it up.” I know I always rant about how being young shouldn’t mean anything, but it’s always a subject of conversation because it’s the truth. The most irritating thing in life is not getting the same opportunity as someone half way through life already. It’s not your fault you were born in the year that you were born. Opportunities and motivation in life shouldn’t be based on age, but rather on your willingness to put in the work that is needed. You can’t have “experience” if no one is willing to give you the chance to GAIN the experience that so many businesses require. Life is a never ending battle of inequality. African Americans had to fight for their rights. Women had to fight for their rights. And it seem as though in today’s society, the youth is constantly fighting for their rights. How is it fair that someone at the age of 23 who’s willing and able to be successful and push themselves loses in the battle for a position over someone who’s let’s say 42. And why would they lose the battle? Because companies see someone who’s older and think “they probably have more experience, they could probably do more for us.” Sure, that could SOMETIMES be the case.. But not always. Wouldn’t companies want to bring in someone fresh and young, to continue on with the company? I guess not. My point is, is that it shouldn’t be this difficult for young people to get their foot through the door in this big world. Hello, land of opportunity.. Give us that opportunity to prove ourselves worthy.

New Week- My Family

Life is beautiful no matter which way you look at it; when things are tough and when things are great. And sure, you’re probably thinking “why the hell would life be beautiful if it’s tough?” I’ll tell you why it’s beautiful; the most rewarding and magical moments are the ones that fall after the struggle. I’ve been fortunate enough to experience life to the fullest. The hard times, the good times, the confusing times, and the times where I couldn’t be more grateful to be alive; today was one of those days, a blessing.

Life is hardly ever the walk in the park that’s dreamt, especially when dealing with family. Family is there to get in the way, to complicate things, make your life harder, but they’re also there to make you feel the love… Which is probably why they drive you nuts. Family loves, and they love hard. They drive you crazy because they test your limits… but that’s what love is; pushing you to be all you can be. I can honestly say that’s what I grew up with, being tested. As I’m growing up I’m grateful for a not so perfect family. Growing up has been challenging, but it’s made it fun. My family has changed, and I don’t mean in their actions, I literally mean changed. I’ve created my own family, because family to me means something different than it does to other people. Blood doesn’t make you MY family. My family are the people who show me they want me to be successful and accomplish my goals, and vice versa. I promise to myself and the people that I call my family, that I will ALWAYS stand by them and push them to success, through the good and the bad times.

I will do better for my family, for my nieces and nephews, my brother and sisters, my moms and dads, and for the person who’s always giving me the tough love I’ve always needed. Thank you to the new addition to our family, Benjamin Patrick Gomez, born March 2, 2015, for the little reminder that we all have a little extra motivation to keep us moving along this year. Happy birthday, Ben!

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New Week- Busy Days

Keep yourself busy, it makes you stronger. I know when life gets tough being busy is the last thing you want. You want time to yourself; time to relax. But it’s the busiest times that make you realize how strong you are, how brave and powerful you are. No one will make your dreams come true, except for you. YOU have to be the one to work for it! YOU have to be the one to push yourself! YOU have to be the provider for your own life. The tired days become the most rewarding. The hard days become the greatest life lessons. Through the bad, there is something greater- push yourself to find that something greater; I promise you it’s there. Good things happen to good people, and the best things happen to those who deserve it, those who work for it.

New Week- Do’s and Don’t’s

Do it because you love it.
Don’t let anyone tell you “no.”
Do things carelessly and fearlessly.
Don’t be afraid to be you.
Do what makes you happy.
Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
Do right to those around you.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

There are so many do’s and don’t’s in this world; but who’s to tell you what’s right and what’s wrong? Well, some of the things in life are simple, yet people like to complicate them because they’re bored and tired. Don’t let someone tell you how to live your life and what YOU should be doing. Let people speak. But choose wisely on what advice you’d like to take away from it all. Not everyone is built and functions the same way, so not everyone’s rules are the same. Be the creator of your own rules and don’t be afraid to stray away from what everyone else is doing and trying something new.

New Week- 2015

Happy New Years everyone! As we’ve entered the new year, everyone’s mentality is “new year, new me;” however, let’s not forget about the old you either. People look for any excuse to change who they are, and that’s good, change and motivation is good- but change isn’t everything. That job you hated and quit because you thought it was a waste of time, lesson learned.. It helped you realize that’s not the field you want your career in. That boyfriend or girlfriend you broke up with because it was a waste of time, showed you what not to do in your next relationship. The body you so desperately want to leave behind in 2014, is the reason you’re pushing for a healthier lifestyle. Just because things seem bad, or seem like a waste of time, doesn’t mean they are. Most of the things we hate most in life are our most valuable lessons. Stay motivated, but remember who you are- the old, and the new.