LET'S GET INTENTIONAL, INTENTIONAL

Happy last week of January! Wow! Where did the start of the new year go? I know that the start of the new year has been difficult and challenging for many people. I am also aware that last week was both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day.

A lot has happened in a week. I took time off last week from blogging because, quite honestly, I was going through some changes that impacted me emotionally and I decided to listen to my body, which told me that I need to rest and go with the flow. 

I have been writing my blog for a year now! I’m proud of the work that I have done and continue to do. When I made the decision to resume my blog, I knew that I wanted to write about empowerment and especially, women empowerment to help women of all ages to forge their own path and to OWN that PATH. 

On a hot, humid day in  July of 2024, I had some time to reflect and asked myself what I truly wanted for myself. In the winter of 2022, when I first had thoughts about starting my own business, I had visions of having a nice, cute, office with fabulous furniture to see clients one on one working Monday through Thursday seeing 6 clients a day with at least 5 weeks of vacation; to me, at that time, I would have been winning and successful to have that wonderful life. 

In the summer of 2024, after doing therapy for 3 years, and giving up a major source of income, I decided that my heart was no longer in therapy. This decision had nothing to do with my client and rather, how limiting and at times, how toxic the mental health field is. 

I saw how as Psychotherapists, we have been trained to have scarcity, fear, and judged other Therapists for their decisions to choose themselves, make an income, and be different than continue the limiting beliefs that continue to hold us back in the field and yet, become angry when other professions found a way to incentivize our field because they found a way to put themselves as “specialist” and found ways to monetize; in the most simple terms, other professions/people know how to play the game and we, as Psychotherapists,  got angry that they found a way to play the game. 

For those who have read my blog since the beginning, you are aware that in July 2024, I also went to Bali. That trip was a life changing experience for me; I saw the good and unfortunately, I saw a lot of the unhealed wounds that people mask their unhealed traumas with.

 Before going on the trip, I did seek spiritual guidance and they informed me that the trip to Bali would be “life-changing.”  It was during that trip, that I made the decision to stop seeing therapy clients. When? I wasn’t sure but I knew that if I wanted to follow my destiny, do more, and create my reality, I had to close some doors in order for new and bigger doors to be opened for me. 

I finally made the decision to cease seeing my therapy clients at the end of January of 2025. I had so many emotions to include grief, loss, fear, scarcity, and also excitement about the new path I would be embarking on. When I told a few people close to me about my decision, most asked why I would take such risks and most importantly, how would I make an income, and I answered that my intention is to focus on Empowerment Life Coaching, Organizational Leadership Consulting, and creating content by educating people about my work as a Psychotherapist. 

After making this declaration, most people would give me this look of disbelief and would question why I would make such illogical decisions that could potentially lead me to financial downfall; in a sense, they questioned my sanity in taking such a leap of faith. I know that they  didn’t say it out loud, but I could see them wanting to shout “ARE YOU CRAZY?!!!” 

AM I CRAZY? Yes. I am crazy. I am crazy enough to follow my dreams, to chase my destiny, and to create my reality. I am crazy enough to bet on myself, believe in me, have faith, and trust in the universe. I am crazy to believe that the work I do will change the world, will have a positive impact, and will be life changing for the right people. YES. I AM CRAZY! 

As someone who has always been very logical, focused on the evidence based, and who relied on numbers to make a case, the notion of throwing caution and logic in the wind was not easy; instead of listening to my head, I knew that I had to listen to my heart and follow my soul, which told me that this is the right path for me. 

Are people who decide to risk it all crazy, irresponsible, and just plain delusional? Sometimes, you gotta be crazy and delusional to believe that you can make it happen as long as you are putting in the work and the actions to make it happen. 

For anyone who is reading this, who is ready to forge their own path, and is questioning their sanity about chasing their dreams and  taking risks, I assure you, other people may think that YOU ARE CRAZY but you know intuitively, that this is what you have to do. It doesn’t make you crazy, instead, you are courageous and a BADASS. Here are reasons why this makes you such a BADASS: 

You’re Following Your Heart:  Pursuing your dreams means you’re prioritizing what truly matters to you. It’s a brave choice to live authentically and not settle for a life that doesn’t align with your passions and values. Not everyone is brave enough to follow their heart and would rather settle for the status quo than to go after what they want. 

 Risk-Taking Is How Growth Occurs:  Every great accomplishment involves some level of risk. Innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders have all taken bold steps that seemed "crazy" and many have doubted them and advised them “it’s not possible or it’s not going to work.” Risks are necessary to break free from the ordinary. As you persevere and when you finally do create something extraordinary, the same people will  now be asking you “How did you do it?” Nope; don’t allow the naysayers to have access to you. 

 Dreamers Shape the World:  Many people who were labeled “crazy” for chasing their dreams—like inventors, visionaries, and trailblazers—ended up changing the world. Think of people like Oprah Winfrey, Malala Yousafzai, and other amazing ass women who didn’t take “NO” for an answer and still forged their own path despite protest from others. Their willingness to take risks led to groundbreaking success and inspiration that it doesn't matter where you come from, when you believe, you can make it happen! 

Others’ Doubts Reflect Their Limitations:  When people call you crazy, it often says more about their fear or inability to see your vision than it does about your choices. They might project their insecurities onto you because they’re afraid of stepping out of their comfort zones, have limited mindsets, and unhealed wounds. One thing that I have learned in my journey is to stop asking people who ARE NOT doing it but love to give their feedback. Stop asking armchair advice from people who aren't doing SHIT! 

 Playing It Safe Isn’t Always Safer:  Avoiding risks may feel safe, but it often leads to regret. When I was a Palliative Care Social Worker, I met with patients who have been diagnosed with a chronic health condition that limited their functioning. Many had regrets about the life that they lived because they felt that they weren’t brave enough to chase and live the life that they truly wanted. Instead; they settled for a life that wasn’t theirs because it was safe or what others wanted for them. Hearing these stories, I made a vow there and then that I would never regret my life simply because I was too afraid to go after what I want. Yes, chasing your dreams and taking risks might be challenging, but it’s far more fulfilling than wondering “what if?” for the rest of your life. 

Passion Fuels Resilience:  Your dreams give you purpose and motivation. It makes you want to get up each morning, be full of gratitude, and thankful that you have chosen this life for yourself.  This type of passion will keep you going, even when things get tough. Being driven by something meaningful isn’t crazy—it’s powerful and BEAUTIFUL. 

Risks Lead to Rewards:  Most people are not willing to take risks because they believe that it won’t work. They already failed before they even started. When my clients have this mindset, I counter,  “But what if it does work?” That gets them thinking, going, and having belief in themselves. While risks don’t always guarantee success, they create opportunities for growth, learning, and unexpected rewards. The people who take risks are often the ones who achieve the most fulfilling outcomes and live life on their terms. 

You're Living Fully:  Taking risks and chasing dreams means you’re truly living, thriving, and not just surviving. It demonstrates that you’re willing to embrace life’s uncertainties to create a reality that excites and fulfills you. Remember, YOU ARE the AUTHOR of your life. So pick up that pen or laptop and start writing! 

When you dare to have the audacity to follow your dreams, others will think that you are crazy for having audacity and be resentful when you succeed. A prime example of this is the recent fires in Los Angeles (L.A) County, CA. Many people were expressing their glee and lack of empathy that celebrities and “woke” people in California have lost everything they built and worked for and unfortunately, deserve their misfortunes. 

Many people pointed it out that the people who were rejoicing in the lost were “bitter” as  L.A is called the “city of dreams” because many people come there to chase their dreams; of course, not everyone makes it and a small percentage do but nonetheless, it is a city where people leave their small towns, same old same old, the lack of diversity,  and are now surrounded by people from various backgrounds and experiences. This challenges and can open up people’s perspectives to new things that give them life. Not everyone will be happy and joyous when you find this and unfortunately,  wait for your downfall.

My dear Darlings, to dream, believe, fly, jump, and let go of logic is hella scary but in the words of Steve Jobs,  "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." If you are “crazy” enough to believe it, you will do it. THESE ARE MY FINAL WORDS AS SOMEONE WHO IS CRAZY ENOUGH TO BELIEVE IN THEIR PATH BY TAKING RISKS AND BELIEVES THAT HER SOUL HAS WINGS AS  IT WILL FLY; SO BE CRAZY! 🪽