The Change...

Hey guys!
It has totally been on my heart to update you guys on my journey. What journey you ask? Well, my journey on the road to freedom, of course! The event that I put together last December was REALLY just the beginning!
To be able to let go of things...accept things...and change things for the betterment of CRYSY, has been a life changing experience to say the least. The things I used to  do, places I used to go, a few of the people I used to associate with...No longer appeal to me! Honey, Crysy used to be in the club 4 nights out of the week! Now..IF I go out, I'm like, "Where's the food?"
Let's go eat or let's go to church! Feed my body or my soul! LOL
Wednesday night was a party night for me. Now, you can catch me at Lakewood!(You're welcome to join me)
At the end of every service at Lakewood church, they say "Give us 1 year of your life, you'll never be the same." Last night, when John Gray said that...I realized IT'S TRUE! Last year this time, I was NOT the person I am. Granted, 2016 was definitely a year of transformation for me, attending Lakewood over the years has definitely changed me.

Oh, and he's NOT done with me yet! (insert praise break)

I've come to realize that, as a result of  a variety of happenings throughout my life, I have subconsciously conditioned myself to think, act and do certain things.
The bitter single woman that used to go IN on the "losers" she met, has been in a relationship for a minute now! Only AFTER, I was able to look at MYSELF and realize, It was ME! 

Stinkin' thinkin' as Pastor Remus Wright says. As the saying goes though, "When you know better, you do better". I'm thankful that I can make adjustments where needed. I'm thankful that God has chosen me to share my journey with you all and inspire you in ways that I've never even imagined. Most of all, I am thankful that I am walking into my purpose and being who God called me to be.

There is a quote that says, "When you stop chasing the wrong things, you give the right things a chance to catch you." As I go through this transformation, I've met some awesome people and done some great things. Most of which, I have never imagined myself doing. That is because my mind and heart were in the wrong places!  When I tell you things have worked out for me in ways, I've never even thought of! God has blessed me all of my life, but I look at things differently now that I am more so seeking to do things in God's will.

To be totally honest, changing is NOT easy! But, it's necessary!  Some days I get discouraged and distracted. I've lost friends and don't even know why! I'm not invited to participate in certain business related things. Out with "friends". Things don't work out how I want them to. For whatever reason. Hey, it bothers me, but I can't let any of that get me off track! The enemy uses those things to take your focus off of the bigger picture. I'm exactly where I am supposed to be, doing what I should, with who I should. Seasons change! I just have to be ready when they do!

 I can't give up. I've come too far. Seriously. I'm not supposed to be here. The devil has had it in for me for awhile. God has kept me on more than one occasion, do you hear me!? Like, Held.It.DOWN POP style! LOL

 There are people that probably look at the things I post and say on social media in disbelief...how can SHE post all that stuff about church and God?
Shoot, why NOT me?
If he can do it for me... if he can pull ME out of such a dark place... he can definitely do it for YOU!
The struggle is real, but so is God! Ok!!!??

Until next time,

Walk in faith, live in victory.

-Crysy

Working Woman Wednesday- Kim Harris

Hey guys!

It's #WWW or Working Woman Wednesday again! I am SO glad that my 1st #WWW blog post received SO much love!! Thank you!!! I just thought that it was time that someone recognize women that are actually making a positive mark in today's society. There are so many female business owners, philanthropist, advocates etc. that we know nothing about! Why not be that someone to bring attention to them! 
I definitely plan to keep #WWW posts going. Let's support each other! Hopefully, I can help inform people of all the wonderful women doing various things in our communities as well as make some connections! Not only do I want to inform, but I really want to inspire! Everybody has a STORY! By me sharing the stories of various women, I hope that at least one woman can read this and decide not to give up, to give something new a try or to keep on pushing!
This weeks #WWW is Kim Harris, owner of Sheas of Essence. Sheas of Essence is a budding handcrafted body products company that includes items such as bath bombs, sugar scrubs and body butters that are creatively infused with shea butter, mango butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil.
When asked how she decided to start her business, Kim stated, "I come from a family of entrepreneurs and as successful as my family’s businesses  have become I have to be honest that I never imagined having the torch being passed to me. Before Sheas of Essence was even birthed I always had this way of trying to recreate something. My husband and I could be at dinner and I would say “You know I can make this right?”  Even though I love to cook I knew that I had no desire to going into the catering business. As long as I can I can remember I’ve always had sensitive skin. There were very few products that I could use that wouldn’t irritate me. After noticing that I ran out of my skin moisturizer and didn’t have time to go to the store to purchase more I decided to make my own. I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be but I was up for the challenge." She went on to say that after making her first batch of body butter, she knew immediately that is what she wanted to do. Kim went into researching various natural butters, oils and other ingredients and how to create some of her favorite body products.  A year and a half later, Sheas of Essence is well on it's way to becoming a staple body product line! 

All the products have a special way of pampering and moisturizing your skin, leaving it feeling and smelling amazing. The bath bombs that are offered in a variety of yummy smelling scents are seemingly the line's best selling product. 
Kim said, "It makes me laugh when customers come up to smell them and then inquire what is the purpose of them. Most of the responses are “I don’t take baths.” I understand where they were coming from because of our daily tasks and all the hats that we may wear throughout the week rarely gives the average person just to take time to relax. You may not have time or the finances to go to the spa or get a weekly massage, but that is when our products come in to play. I challenge all customers to take time after a busy day, draw them a warm bath, light a candle (Soon I will be introducing a candle line), drop a bath bomb in and allow Sheas of Essence to go to work. I promise you will be coming back for more."

Kim gets excited when sharing her love for God and how her faith has helped her, especially with her business. Kim shared, "I find great joy when I’m allowed to be used to be a blessing to others in any capacity. When I think about each of my new and returning customers I thank God that something that he has gifted me to do has given them a chance to experience a way to relax and feel pampered after using one of Sheas of Essence products. My motto is that each product is “made with love and a prayer.” All throughout the process of preparing the products I’m praying that all of my customers needs are being met and that are able to experience and see Christ within me and their experience with Sheas of Essence."
Kim concluded by saying, "As a child of God I know that he has equipped each one of us with a gift and assignment to share with others. I had no idea that this moment of creativity would blossom into such an amazing journey. I know that everyone isn’t meant to be an entrepreneur or a small business owner but after being laid off and giving someone the power to interrupt the finances of our household I was determined to never be put in that state again."
SOE is definitely a budding business! You can can find Kim sharing her faith and her awesome products at various events all over the Houston and surrounding areas.

Keep up with Kim and all things Sheas of Essence here by following her on Instagram! 

Shop Sheas of Essence here

 

SOE owner and Creator, Kim Harris

 

Bath bombs from SOE

Fearless!!!!

Man!!!

Let me tell u guys something.....FEAR is a silent killer!! It will kill your hopes, dreams, plans, your overall energy...EVERYTHING!

I have been letting fear rule my life for WAY too long!
What am I afraid of you ask? Just fear in general...fear of the unknown, fear of being broke, rejection(various forms), wasting time/money,fear that my products/inventory wont sell....fear, fear, fear...Ugh...
Some times, fear is ruling and I don't even know it. It's like I conditioned myself to act and think a certain way!
Past experiences can definitely have a long lasting affect on your life....IF YOU ALLOW THEM TO.

Unfortunately fear has had a dramatic affect on my business and personal lives. I wouldn't do certain things, go certain places, create certain things, collaborate on certain projects, or attend events...just because I was AFRAID . This has happened over the course of a few years.

People have been encouraging me and pushing me to be greater for years. You know its great when people see things in you and for you that you don't see yourself?! I am forever grateful for that. But as someone told me, You have to be in a place to receive what God has for you. SO true! I wasn't readyyyyy (Kevin Hart voice)

BUT....At some point I had to tell myself, "GOD has this under control!". Like there is nothing in this world that ANYONE can prevent or take from me. They don't have that power...because anything that is meant for me, will be. Point blank.  Regardless of who I collab with, what event I go to, what products I make or don't...what is meant for Crysy will be! I can't talk faith and not practice it! No way! How will I ever prosper that way? How can I be afraid to be GREAT?

I have been on a quest for a closer relationship with God and I can't proceed if I don't trust him fully.

I recently had the pleasure of going on a Spring break trip to Destin, FL. Totally relaxing and great trip. Anyway, a friend suggested jet skiing.....Uh....jet skiing? Who me?? Was what I was thinking. Going jet skiing is the furthest thing from my mind. Seriously! All these things went thru my mind: "What if I flip over"...."Fall off"....all kinds of things. Just scared for no reason. Fear of the unknown, because I had no idea of what would happen!

BUT GOD....he spoke to me...
And it hit me....GO! Get your ass on that jet ski! For all the things that have held you back...for all the moves you didn't make and things you were scared to do! F^&* Fear!! (excuse my French). So I went. When he speaks, YOU MOVE.
To say that it was the most exhilarating experience would be an understatement!

I literally rode that thing yelling, "F&*% Fear" as loud as I could!

I was alone, in the huge body of water not knowing what would happen next....Just me and GOD...I prayed...I sang(Tasha Cobbs "Fill Me Up" and "Break Every Chain")...I talked to GOD. I have never felt more at peace, to be honest.

As I revved that jet ski up to 7mph...(don't laugh! It seemed to be going pretty fast!) I have never felt more sure about myself ...EVER.

Like all the things that people have been telling me for years finally registered in my OWN mind.

I GOT THIS! Finally!

I felt that I needed this experience. I had to go. Like I couldn't wait for another moment of declaration. This was it. I'm so glad I went though, it was over due!

One night at bible study at The Lighthouse Church, Pastor Keion Henderson made a point that basically said that you can be all over social media posting quotes and scriptures when YOU really need the encouragement. Ya'll know I love a good quote and scripture! But I was more so posting it for myself! I needed the encouragement! Sure I wanted to share, but how can I preach if I need the word??? This day, I had to really encourage myself and trust in God for the outcome. Not to say that I've never trusted in God before....that is a must! There have been plenty of times where I have trusted in God for the outcome of a situation and everything worked out.🙌 But to give something to God and have no control of the process or the outcome.... To not have a backup plan... To be in the unknown with no worries...that was a first! I had no idea what would happen when I got on that jet skii. I just knew God had his hand on me and all would be well. And it was. Because I had no fear.
💋

Before jet skiing

See, I came back in one piece!

Off she goes!

The Sky Is the Limit

 

My name is Crysy. I am a Fashion Stylist. I also make accessories and many other things. I actually went to school and became certified in 2012.… I've had various projects here and there since then, done events and vendor set ups etc. BUT...over time, I've fallen off....I became very discouraged because things weren't moving as fast as I thought they should, peo...ple wouldn't collaborate on projects, people I thought would support me WEREN'T, people I though were genuine were FAKE; etc. This discouragement caused me to become STAGNANT. Not in a happy place at all.

Fast fwd to 2015; my faith and praying INCREASED...A few months ago, I began to pray DAILY for things that I wrote down that I wanted to improve about myself, my life and things around me. I prayed for a new work schedule kept speaking of my "new hours" and what business related things I would do once I got this change. Baby when, I tell u I got my new schedule! I had put in for it several times before and THIS time it was MINE! I pray for my negative thinking, my damaged heart and for renewal and repair. I've been meeting people and repairing situations/thoughts for the better. People have fallen off and that's OK! Everybody is not for ME and I'm FINALLY OK with that!
I pray for increase in my business .... I've been busy since my schedule changed!! Events & business! Positive and uplifting supporters! A venture I was waiting on someone to collab on....IM DOING IT MYSELF! A friend from high school contacted me to make some items for her. We hadn't spoken in years because of petty girl bs. She called me, no bad blood. Just love and laughs. And she referred people! Every week there is some business related event. Yesterday I had 3 events. GOOD THINGS COME IN 3'S!!!
A huge photo shoot in the morning, an event where a possible client was performing, then a fashion show to support an associate and network a lil(which is something I shy away from). I was tired as heck after the first event, and wanted a nap. 1 of my biggest supporters told me, " I can only encourage you to go, I can't convince you." I'm like, ," Wait! This is what I asked for!!!" I kept pushing because how dare I ask for something, it be given to me, then I don't act on it!!! I was a tad overwhelmed but....GRATEFUL!!!!
I know this is long but I want to tell someone out there DONT GIVE UP!!! BE FAITHFUL! BE PRAYERFUL! Patience is not that you wait, its HOW YOU WAIT!!! Keep on praying and praising!!!!Your time is coming!!!!
Until that door is open, praise him in the hallway!!!! Life and death REALLY does lie in the power of your tounge!! SPEAK LIFE INTO YOURSELF AND YOUR SITUATION(S).....A negative outlook leads to nothing but negativity. And do know that OUT OF PAIN, COMES PURPOSE!!!
I pray blessings for ALL that read this and hope it touches you....