Allow me to formally introduce myself,
I am Aerial Gem, the 1 and only Fitravelista Mommypreneur! After receiving my bachelor's in communications from ;university of Illinois 5 years ago, I thought I had done everything right to start my life as an entrepreneur, when I got into the real world, I soon discovered that my "formal education" had only prepared be to land a salary paying job with possibility of benefits, instead of being my own boss in pursuit of "The American Dream". Little did I know the dream career, I envisioned for myself, I'd have to create it. I came across this quote 4 yrs after working 3 part-time jobs, a marriage and divorce, to a single mom trying to make it from 1 paycheck to the next. "Formal education will make you a living, self education will make you a fortune."-unknown. Since obtaining my self-proclaimed master in self- development, I only look back just to reflect on just how far I've come! Taking charge of own my life was best decision I ever made!
Back story:
Far too long have I let, what I perceived as my own personal flaws, or other peoples ability to really see me, hold me back from pursuing certain goals, or ideas I've had in the past during my quest to successful entrepreneurship. Specifically referring to my physical appearance, since I was a child I never been happy with my wondering eye, & crooked teeth. I'd either quit or avoid doing anything that involved public speaking. Fear of people reactions, that my physical flaws would be too much of a distraction to hear or see what I had to offer, I made those things excuses for not pursuing or continuing in past opportunities. Not to mention I was also teased about those things as a child so much that I later developed a complex. For that reason I found an outlet in writing. I kept a journal and used as way to say what I couldn't, to who I wanted to and how I wanted to say it. When I would journal, I had no fear because as a teenager I had no voice but with writing I wasn't voiceless. I could say whatever I wanted without repercussions. Why does anyone journal, "write!" See what I just did there? Lol
Anyway writing became my way of speaking without having to physically open my mouth. Sometimes we do more damaging things to ourselves while experiencing temporary emotion that it ends up having long lasting even permanent results. I remember posing for senior high school pictures and being content with the fact that I had learned how to simile in a way that hid & concealed the gaps in my mouth. My father, who attempted to get me braces that I refused managed to convince me to walk around like a pirate in the evenings to strengthen the muscle in my "bad" eye. I didn't want braces, fear that they would make me look like a geek. Funny thing is, my so called "bad" (wondering) eye had better vision then my "straight" eye. Almost like I had a special supervision because I could literally see all around me, while seeing straight at the exact same time. Once I learned I could strengthen the muscles around my wondering eye, exercising it with my eye patch became routine. The day I learned to control it, I became unstoppable. From that point on I decided. When it came to the things I didn't like about myself I had two choices. I could change them, or I could learn to love them. I vowed never to let my flaws stop me from pursuing my goals again. I had found strength in my weaknesses by doing just that strengthening my weaknesses. I made a #ClearChoice to now invest in my over all well-being and my complete health. Eye sight, hearing and dental and mental health are things people often over look & sometimes neglect. Our entire bodies are meant to last a lifetime, we tend to take it for granted until there's a problem. So often concerned with outside appearance that we don't even pay attention to what's happening inside. Then we end up spending our life savings trying to pay for a lifetime of bad habits. Clearly I didn't get surgery to fix my problems. Nope. I decided not to mask my issues but to fix them by working on them daily. Not only could I not afford it but also because I wanted to see if I could achieve my goals without going that route! I am now disciplined in a simple yet empowering daily routine.
The Aerial Gem