Goals. 

Life goals, couple goals, financial goals, wardrobe goals, investing goals, and aimless goals. There are so many goals that we can achieve within our short life spans. I believe in the 21st century, the word ‘goals’ has become a sort of buzzword that people use when they want to attain a certain measure of success. So, then it would be safe to assume that all human beings have a goal or two. 

Furthermore, whether that thing is good or bad, objectively speaking, it is the responsibility of the goals setter to complete it. I can categorically state that humans have a purpose, so much so, that we all can have individual goals that we yearn to achieve. If you’re like me, I’m sure you have an ultimate goal. It is your sole intention to attain this goal before your time elapsed on earth. My question to you is what is your ultimate goal?

There are approximately 8 billion people in this world.  I know that you may not think about it much, but similar to you, every person counted wakes up and goes about their day just like you. While they may have different objectives, live in different environments, and work in different time zones, they are people just like you and me. At the foundation of being an individual, there are basic needs that all people have. The primary needs keep us alive but the secondary needs encourage our innate desire for connection. As we journey through life, I implore you to find and keep wholesome people. Those that nourish your soul, those that build you up, and those that catch you when you fall.

There is a peace at sunrise that surpasses all understanding. It's a renewal. A feeling that anything is possible. I’d like to say I drag myself from the comfort of my bed every day to enjoy sunrise’s splendor, but you wouldn’t believe me and I would be lying. What is true is I was there that day and so was she.

After the torrential rainfall, the sun burst upon the effervescent earth with beauty and grace. The sun, in its usual fashion, promptly forgot that the clouds rained violently and proceeded to shine with little to no care. The earth, however, remembered, she remembered the ravages of the piercing raindrops upon her foliage. She paused, took a breath, and found the courage to move forward. She surveyed the damage, all of it, and sighed deeply. The earth looked up into the sky as if asking for deliverance, while the light of the sun warmed her entirely subtly reminding her that she was not alone. 

With renewed hope and comfort, she continued along her way. 

Life, like nature, is a beautiful mix of light and dark, warm and cold, seasons and fillers, complexity and simplicity, truth and falsehood, optimism and pessimism, purpose and stagnation. Life is a perpetual condition of growth, function, movement, vitality, reproduction, and change. Life defines its own parameters and is no respecter of mankind or any kind for that matter. As the earth learned, life happens. As far as we know, life on earth ends when your time has elapsed.

Once upon a time I wanted to be a lawyer, I was convinced that my above-par use of standard English, my ability to reason effectively and find creative ways out of sticky situations, and my ability to argue was a clear indication that I was fit to be a lawyer.  Contrary to my belief, I also wanted to be a nurse, my father made that abundantly clear; but somehow Rashala, attorney at law, stuck with me. I was of the view that my conversation style was so persuasive I would be able to win any case given the fact that I had concrete evidence. 

I believed this so diligently that I applied to study law at the university of West Indies. Along with a bunch of other courses I put that one as my first choice. I was excited, even though I knew that I didn’t have every single grade mandatory, to be admitted into that program, the excitement overwhelmed me.  After the application process was complete and all my papers submitted, I waited and waited. The results returned, and with eager anticipation, I opened my acceptance envelope. It said, congratulations, you’ve been admitted to the International Relations Special Programme. 

Sigh.

MO or modus operandi indicates a set standard of behaviours that are observed by and practiced by an individual or a group, usually those involved in nefarious activities. For the purposes of this discussion, we won’t observe criminal behaviours. However, for the most part, the behaviours of law-abiding citizens can be distinguished by named groups in society. Starting in primary school, then secondary school, and maybe even tertiary education, people find themselves in categories that can be easily identified. 

Whether we notice it or not we tend to fall into one group or another and of course, we know these groups, we're all too familiar with the academics and the athletes, and we are aware of the book club and those that love chess. We recognize the popular crew and those that love theatre, but somehow today's society has changed the way in which we can view each other.

Life is constantly moving, shifting with the times, and bringing back old styles we wish we could have left buried in the past. 

Studies have found that as you get up in age moving and keeping active assists in the longevity of life. In the same way, I believe that moving forward regardless of what has just transpired is our only option. Remaining stagnant is dangerous, not only does it induce boredom but it ensures that you have no growth, no development, and your perspectives remain the same. 

Have you ever felt like the world was moving around you but you weren't moving with it? It seems like everyone is progressing towards goals they have set and your goals are always further out in the distance. Life can be equated with movement, things that have life, people that have life, animals, and plants that grow and develop over time, they move and they breathe and they change. 

Recognizing that staying where you are because of loyalty or because there is no one else that you believe can take the load that you bear or any other reason that we planned in our own minds for security can be dangerous. In most cases you are limiting your own elevation, you are limiting your growth and your development and sometimes you need to get up and leave, that's all it takes.

Newness.

The concept of new isn’t foreign, we’ve been conditioned to want, even crave new. After we’ve experienced life’s monotony for too long, we search for anything else that may be in store. Usually, dwelling in familiar territory induces boredom, thus propelling us to add something of worth and new to our standard lives. For others, they experience contentment, but I digress. In my journey, new is all around me. I am forever a student in a field that is ever-changing. Every day, I can behold the stalwarts in voiceover, those that are renowned, and those that are upcoming. 

The voiceover artists have gone before paved streets that I am hesitant to walk on. In some respects, I know that I am not ready to traverse such paths, it looks glamorous from my vantage point but I know that attaining that level of success did not come without challenges. Putting aside my hesitation, I must walk this road, it’s been a long time coming, but I can finally say I’m fully invested. I know where I want to be, I know who I need to be, and what I must do. This is my journey to voiceover where my altitude in vo is determined by God’s plan for my life.

Social Media. 

Do you remember when social media was only used for fun? If your answer is ‘no', you’re like me. I have vague recollections of social media platforms that just existed to provide a pseudo-form of connection. It must be stated that I still receive many laughs and at times unwarranted conversations on social media but it is now mixed with business and government and health and conspiracy theories. This list goes on indefinitely, it seems like every day a new trend or issue pops up and sways the user's ability to focus on what just transpired. I’ve come to a conclusion, like many others, that social media has its perks which we all love, and its dangers which we all try to avoid. Now, here’s the problem, how do we utilize the platforms in our separate journeys? How do I maximize my reach on social media to reach my target audience and achieve my goals? Social Media is hard work, a full-time job for many, and an avenue to release for the rest. 

Let’s discuss social media!

The traffic ticket was the last straw.

For the most part, Casey loved her little bungalow. It was the perfect size for her, and walking distance from the train, a small locally owned supermarket, and a great Mom & Pop breakfast diner. The only problem was that a string of previous tenants had left their mark on the DIY projects of dubious quality, and the buckets of mail they still received at Casey's address.