The Road to Freedom

"On the other side of fear, is freedom"

Man, isn't that the truth! As I posted in a previous post, I planned and put together a cute little women's empowerment event, The Road to Freedom"

I have NEVER done anything like that! I stepped completely out of my comfort zone(and out on FAITH) with this one, guys! I actually asked people for help and advice, something I NEVER do.

When I started planning this event, I kept getting little signs from everywhere that THIS is what I am supposed to be doing. A random man at church said to me, "I want to encourage you sister, to keep using your voice to encourage others". They way everything fell together and ended up being exactly what I prayed for(and more) though...nothing but GOD!

My beautiful speakers and myself

I had women come and share their unique stories(as well as myself). Each of these women have inspired me with their stories and  KNEW  that they would inspire they ladies that attended. I had goal planning exercises and activities to prepare to have a better 2017. I'm still getting great feedback from the attendees as well as the speakers a whole week later! The ladies realized things about themselves, they were able to set personal goals and plans to better themselves. Shoot, one of my speakers was so liberated by speaking, she cut her hair off and began her natural hair journey! All of the women that attended enjoyed themselves and came away with SOMETHING new! The fact that we could all be transparent and help one another was awesome.  We laughed, cried, shared and

bonded. Exactly what I wanted! What an awesome way to end one year and go into another!

One of the attendees, posted an activity we did

When I initially, started planning the event, I said that if I had 15 women attend, I'd be ok. Then I said 20. Well, I ended up with almost 30 women that registered! Look at GOD! Every thing I normally would have worried about, God worked it out! From the venue down to my handouts. I had no idea that the ladies would take so much from a handout (I wasn't going to do one) and one of my coworkers suggested that I do. We had yummy Jambalaya from Shawnie of HouOrleans Cuisine, and other light bites including some tasty cupcakes ....and a little cocktail! LaTai of Honey Shoots was in the building capturing some great shots!

Look out Iyanla!!! lol

Surprisingly, I wasn't nervous or scared putting it together. I thought about what I would say and it literally came to me RIGHT as I was speaking to the ladies. I knew that God would give me the words to say and of course he did!
I am SO thankful and overjoyed that my event came out the way that it did. Even though this is something that has been on my mind, I never imagined myself actually putting together a whole event alone AND speaking and being transparent in front of a full room of women! There is something about being free and fearless that is actually CALMING.

The ladies are asking for a part 2. Of course there will be a part 2! I'm definitely not stopping now! This is JUST the beginning, baby!

I've had men ask for an event too! Who knew!
I found my purpose in this. To Encourage. Inspire. and Empower.
Yes, I still love fashion. Yes, I will still be a stylist. But what's a beautiful lady in a bad outfit, if she's ugly, bruised, bitter, angry and/or broken on the inside?
I will definitely keep you posted on upcoming events!
Make sure you're following me on Instagram here as well as
Facebook here

Have a Marvelous Monday!
Crysy

The ladies and I. My heart is SO full!!



The Fatherless Daughter

Is there a sale going on today?? Can I get some free food or snacks somewhere??

The fact that I haven't celebrated Father's Day since I was 8 y.o.... That was my mom and I last year living with my grandparents and my family would celebrate my wonderful grandfather. After that, there was no reason to celebrate it! I mean, I still send him cards and call him every year, but it's not the same!

See...my dad was one of those "pop up" dads. He and my mom split when I was a baby, and he's been in and out of my life ever since. He'd send a big box of gifts at Christmas and my birthday, and call every now and then but we have NEVER really had a relationship. That was something I'd always longed for, I wanted to know what it felt like and experience being a "Daddy's girl"! Nope...Just my mom and I.
SN: Thank GOD for her, I don't know where I would be without her.

When we moved back to Houston, I was excited because my dad lived here and I just figured that

we'd have that daddy/daughter relationship I had always wanted....NOT!

He came around when it was convenient, made promises he didn't keep....U know regular deadbeat ish. He did that for a few years after we moved back and one day he just went MIA. I mean nothing, when I was 14 years old until I was in my early 20's! Don't ask me where he went....I concluded that he went back to Africa(where he is from).
During that time, I had a hard time in my relationships with men. Looking for some kind of love and attention, from men. I dealt with some grade-A losers, u hear me!!??! Giving them chance after chance, accepting inconsistency, putting up with unnecessary bs. Just because I was trying to fill THAT void, you know? I wanted love and attention from a man! That went on for my teen years and well into my early 20's. I had a baby at 15 and was a rebellious and promiscuous teen. As I got older, I masked the hurt and pain with being "independent", putting an imaginary wall up, acting hard, crass and overly sarcastic. Back then I had no idea what was going on with me, but now I can look back and see what it was! Thank GOD for self  discovery and acceptance!

So, I'm 20 something... and this man actually contacted my cousin I grew up with, in order to reach me! Go figure!

So, here he comes again with this BS.....by this time in life, I'm over it. But now, I have a son and he starts doing the same bs to him! No sir, you will NOT!!! So, I stopped letting him interact with him period. He is still popping in and out, random phone calls, and weird visits. Currently, he's MIA yet again. I don't know if he's dead or alive.
What I DO know is that, I suffered for many years because of the broken relationship with my dad. See, I was broken myself on the inside...which caused me to do a variety of things that I can now see were caused by what I was lacking and seeking to fill that void with. I am grateful that I can now see the error in my ways and do better. I am grateful that I can move forward with my life and be a better mother, daughter and mate.
What I am MOST grateful for is that my MESS is now a MESSAGE and I can hopefully help a young girl that is going through what I went through as a teen/young adult or that young woman van take my story and now realize the error in her ways and do better!

Keep pushing fatherless daughters.... It gets greater, later!!!

XoXo

- Crysy