Got your attention, eh! Let me explain....
This weekend I went to a lakefront/beach area in Union Pier, Michigan to celebrate one of my girlfriend's birthday with friends. While I was only able to stay one night, this one night was enough to open my eyes to yet another "a-ha" moment in my life. I was intending to stay the entire weekend, but my life has been so busy I don't know if I'm coming or going. I literally haven't been home for the weekend in almost a month and will be gone every weekend in August except for the last one. To say the least....I'm pooped!!
When I arrived in Michigan, we were scheduled to go to a get together that included a bonfire on the beach. I was very excited to hit the beach in the evening and see an actual bonfire in addition to meeting new people. I had planned to wear something simple; white linen pants and a tank top with sandals. Nothing major. But, one of my friends was trying on the cutest sundresses and jumpers. She had one particular jumper that was to die for! So cute!! I made her aware of my excitement and she offered to let me wear it that evening. I was like, "Really?....great!" And so, I went to my hotel room, changed out of my shorts and top, put on my strapless bra because the jumper had spaghetti straps, and put on the jumper. I admit...I loved it, but that dang black bra kept showing. Well, my creative self managed to pin here and there to create a sort of halter with the straps so you couldn't see the bra. Ta-da! All ready!
I returned to my girlfriends' room and they all applauded the outfit, but one friend said, "What did you do? Did you pin it or something?" I answered, "Yeah, because my bra keeps showing." My friend then said, "Why are you wearing a bra? Just go braless!" I then looked at her like she had lost her mind and said, "Look, these 'girls' can't go braless!" Then, all of my other girlfriends chimed in and said, "Yes you can!! You totally can!" Of course, I continued to look like, "whaaa...?" But, then I thought about it....
I've been on a serious healthy transformation changing my workout and diet (for life) and have managed to lose 17lbs so far, so I did admit, I suppose my "girls" are slightly smaller; I suppose I may be able to get away with it. Then, I thought, I've NEVER gone braless public EVER!!! And especially not for a social function where people are actually going to be talking to me all night. Smh...nope. This won't work. But, my friends continued to push me and I removed my bra. To my surprise, it actually looked good. Like...really good. Like...I absolutely shouldn't wear this bra that I now have in my hand. Like...I'm for real going to do this?!? (cue dramatic music....)
This is now where my a-ha moment comes into existence. While I'm definitely not a conservative person, I do consider myself a bit more on the reserved side. I am liberal in my thinking, but I am just now beginning to accept parts of myself and personality that simply don't fit in these perfect boxes society quickly creates for each of us. Choosing to do music full time and leave my very established PAYING career in health care and education was my first major move toward being more of myself. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made and ever since, I have constantly had to get "uncomfortable." I feel like I've had to start my life over in so many ways. I am overwhelmed with the level of positive change that has happened to me and just when I feel like, "Okay, that's enough change Kenya" BOOM! Some more change comes my way!
This is a very vulnerable life season for me both professionally and personally. I have entered into so many new things that I feel like my learning curve is insane! Owning my own business, being an independent artist, moving up and through a music industry that is so complex that I can't begin to gather all of my words and thoughts, meeting new people that I would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet, being the parent of a pre-teen, watching and taking care of aging parents, navigating relationships and deciding which ones to hold on to and which ones to let go. These are all incredibly challenging tasks, but they are a must as I continue to journey and be me.
I am having to do things that I thought I would NEVER do...both positive and negative. I am having to get so uncomfortable that sometimes I don't even know who this person is. But, the moment I grab the discomfort by it's throat, it reveals a newness that not only makes me stronger, but it also makes me more whole and more of who I am meant to be in this lifetime.
Going braless was a first, and not only was I completely fine, I actually felt very comfortable and relaxed...and that outfit was HOT! My femininity felt uplifted, I stood taller, I felt free. Free to be exactly who I am.
I continue to face a lot of shifts in front of me. Some of them I'm really looking forward to; others, not so much. I am trying to keep fear at bay...but, realize its okay to feel fear. I simply can't surrender to or act in response to fear. In this day and age of social media and it being a literal function of my career as an artist, so much can be misinterpreted from the outside. Of course, I'm in promotional mode as an artist, and branding is crucial. I want to be authentic, but I also must retain a sense of privacy. I simply want to be me. And me has and will continue to create specific boundaries so I can feel free within my privacy.
But, going braless has taught me that when it comes to me doing the things I need to do for me, I simply must go. I must keep edging myself closer to that authentic space that is going to ultimately provide the peace, joy and Divinity that is purposed for me. I'm thankful for God working in these very quiet and subtle ways to remind us that we have power. However small or big, we have it. He grants it to us, and we must use it to become more of who we're designed to be.
When's the last time you went "braless"? Or do you keep making yourself constrained to ideals that have nothing to do with your truth? Take a minute and reflect...you'd be surprised at the level of freedom that awaits you!
Love & light,
Kenya
This weekend I went to a lakefront/beach area in Union Pier, Michigan to celebrate one of my girlfriend's birthday with friends. While I was only able to stay one night, this one night was enough to open my eyes to yet another "a-ha" moment in my life. I was intending to stay the entire weekend, but my life has been so busy I don't know if I'm coming or going. I literally haven't been home for the weekend in almost a month and will be gone every weekend in August except for the last one. To say the least....I'm pooped!!
When I arrived in Michigan, we were scheduled to go to a get together that included a bonfire on the beach. I was very excited to hit the beach in the evening and see an actual bonfire in addition to meeting new people. I had planned to wear something simple; white linen pants and a tank top with sandals. Nothing major. But, one of my friends was trying on the cutest sundresses and jumpers. She had one particular jumper that was to die for! So cute!! I made her aware of my excitement and she offered to let me wear it that evening. I was like, "Really?....great!" And so, I went to my hotel room, changed out of my shorts and top, put on my strapless bra because the jumper had spaghetti straps, and put on the jumper. I admit...I loved it, but that dang black bra kept showing. Well, my creative self managed to pin here and there to create a sort of halter with the straps so you couldn't see the bra. Ta-da! All ready!
I returned to my girlfriends' room and they all applauded the outfit, but one friend said, "What did you do? Did you pin it or something?" I answered, "Yeah, because my bra keeps showing." My friend then said, "Why are you wearing a bra? Just go braless!" I then looked at her like she had lost her mind and said, "Look, these 'girls' can't go braless!" Then, all of my other girlfriends chimed in and said, "Yes you can!! You totally can!" Of course, I continued to look like, "whaaa...?" But, then I thought about it....
I've been on a serious healthy transformation changing my workout and diet (for life) and have managed to lose 17lbs so far, so I did admit, I suppose my "girls" are slightly smaller; I suppose I may be able to get away with it. Then, I thought, I've NEVER gone braless public EVER!!! And especially not for a social function where people are actually going to be talking to me all night. Smh...nope. This won't work. But, my friends continued to push me and I removed my bra. To my surprise, it actually looked good. Like...really good. Like...I absolutely shouldn't wear this bra that I now have in my hand. Like...I'm for real going to do this?!? (cue dramatic music....)
This is now where my a-ha moment comes into existence. While I'm definitely not a conservative person, I do consider myself a bit more on the reserved side. I am liberal in my thinking, but I am just now beginning to accept parts of myself and personality that simply don't fit in these perfect boxes society quickly creates for each of us. Choosing to do music full time and leave my very established PAYING career in health care and education was my first major move toward being more of myself. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made and ever since, I have constantly had to get "uncomfortable." I feel like I've had to start my life over in so many ways. I am overwhelmed with the level of positive change that has happened to me and just when I feel like, "Okay, that's enough change Kenya" BOOM! Some more change comes my way!
This is a very vulnerable life season for me both professionally and personally. I have entered into so many new things that I feel like my learning curve is insane! Owning my own business, being an independent artist, moving up and through a music industry that is so complex that I can't begin to gather all of my words and thoughts, meeting new people that I would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet, being the parent of a pre-teen, watching and taking care of aging parents, navigating relationships and deciding which ones to hold on to and which ones to let go. These are all incredibly challenging tasks, but they are a must as I continue to journey and be me.
I am having to do things that I thought I would NEVER do...both positive and negative. I am having to get so uncomfortable that sometimes I don't even know who this person is. But, the moment I grab the discomfort by it's throat, it reveals a newness that not only makes me stronger, but it also makes me more whole and more of who I am meant to be in this lifetime.
Going braless was a first, and not only was I completely fine, I actually felt very comfortable and relaxed...and that outfit was HOT! My femininity felt uplifted, I stood taller, I felt free. Free to be exactly who I am.
I continue to face a lot of shifts in front of me. Some of them I'm really looking forward to; others, not so much. I am trying to keep fear at bay...but, realize its okay to feel fear. I simply can't surrender to or act in response to fear. In this day and age of social media and it being a literal function of my career as an artist, so much can be misinterpreted from the outside. Of course, I'm in promotional mode as an artist, and branding is crucial. I want to be authentic, but I also must retain a sense of privacy. I simply want to be me. And me has and will continue to create specific boundaries so I can feel free within my privacy.
But, going braless has taught me that when it comes to me doing the things I need to do for me, I simply must go. I must keep edging myself closer to that authentic space that is going to ultimately provide the peace, joy and Divinity that is purposed for me. I'm thankful for God working in these very quiet and subtle ways to remind us that we have power. However small or big, we have it. He grants it to us, and we must use it to become more of who we're designed to be.
When's the last time you went "braless"? Or do you keep making yourself constrained to ideals that have nothing to do with your truth? Take a minute and reflect...you'd be surprised at the level of freedom that awaits you!
Love & light,
Kenya