Letting It Go

How many times have you tried to let something go? It could've been emotionally, physically, or even mentally. We've all played witness to this process. We spend time trying to find ways to let issues and problems go, instead of simply just letting it go. I know I'm a firm believer of this battle. The idea of just letting go is extremely difficult for me because I'm a thinker. I have to process everything that I do especially any major decisions.

For instance, right now I'm in the process of finding my own place. Yes, at 27-years-old I've never lived by myself. I grew up in a family of five. I'm used to someone being around me so this idea of moving on my own is a little scary. It has nothing to do with the bills, amenities, or distance. I'm just a little scared of letting go of my comfort zone. However, I know for 1- I can't let me being "scared" stop me and 2- I know God's got it. So needless to say, I've put on my grown woman pants and made some moves today. I'm letting it go and opening the doors to a new opportunity.

When I think of letting go, I'm reminded of a poem I read by Jennifer Eckert Bernau called "She Let It Go." "She Let It Go" is a profound poem about a woman who let something go, but she didn't rely on anything to help her "letting go" process. She just let it go. Sometimes it's really just that simple to just dust it off and move on. Bernau's words moved me so much that I had to share it with you. I hope "She Let It Go" moves you like it did for me.

She Let It Go by Jennifer Eckert Bernau
Without a thought or a word, she let go.
She let go of fear.
She let go of judgments.
She let go of confluence of opinions swarming around her head.
She let go of the committee of indecision within her.
She let go of all the 'right' reasons.
Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.
She didn't ask anyone for advice.
She didn't read a book on how to let go.
She just let go.
She let go of all the memories that held her back.
She let go of all the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.
She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.
She didn't promise to let go.
She didn't journal about it.
She didn't write the projected date in her Day-Timer.
She made no public announcement.
She didn't check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.
She just let go.
She didn't analyze whether she should let go.
She didn't call her friends to disuss the matter.
She didn't utter one word.
She just let go.
No one was around when it happened.
There was no applause or congratulations.
No one thanked her or praised her.
No one noticed a thing.
Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.
There was no effort.
There was no struggle.
It wasn't good. It wasn't bad.
It was what it was, and it is just that.
In the space of letting go, she let it all be.
A small smile came over her face.
A light breeze blew through her.
And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.
Here's to giving ourselves the gift of letting....
There's only one guru-- you.

<3 Starkey

Dear Graduate

Dear Graduate,

As you prepare to walk across the stage and receive your degree, I am reminded of a quote by Ralph Emerson that says, "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail." You spent years preparing for this moment. You took courses in sociology, biology, ethics, economics- micro and macro, quantitative methods, or my personal favorite-media law. I am sure you wondered while sitting in these courses especially if it is not your major, why are you taking this? I definitely did. I could not fathom why I needed to take these courses if I just wanted to write. However, I realized college was a gigantic sponge with so much information for me to soak up to use in my future. Therefore, as you take your last walk around campus, receive guidance from your favorite professors or advisor, or hang out with your college friends, remember life outside is an even larger sponge waiting for you to add your experience and knowledge to it.

Crystal - Class of 2007

When I graduated in 2007, I was not sure what the path led for me, but I knew I wanted to leave a trail. I knew that whatever I did I was going to make a difference in the lives of others. I went home after college, and it was the best decision ever made after looking at everything now. My daddy said if you do not have a job then you are off to Summerville. Needless to say, after less than two hours and four packed to the max cars later, I left Winthrop University after receiving my degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism. The following year, I learned about strength and faith in God. I helped my mom, aunt, and cousins aid my ailing grandmother up to her passing. I knew I made a difference because Granny always smiled at me. I knew all I experienced and learned at Winthrop did not go in vain because she was proud of me. However, the following year when I lost my mother, I felt so empty and hopeless inside. I felt like I lost everything in the blink of an eye. I remember a few months before she passed, we talked about me moving back to Rock Hill. She told me to do what makes me happy. When she passed, it was the hardest thing ever, but after praying to God and thinking about that conversation she and I shared, I knew it was time to spread my wings because that is what she would have wanted.

For the past three years since I have been back to Rock Hill, I created a longer trail to my purpose. It had its curves, jagged edges, falls, and mountains. However, I realized it was my own trail. It was important for me to learn that. So today, I am telling you that your tomorrow may not go as you hoped it would, but remember that if you are creating a trail then you will reach those endless possibilities at the right time. Enjoy every moment because all of your hopes and dreams will unfold when you least expect it! It did for me, and I pray it does for you!

<3 Starkey

P.S. Special shoutout to the Class of 2012 graduates receiving either undergraduate or graduate degrees especially Kyvia Crisco, Devon Perry, Aisha Yates, Ashley Weston, Lisa Orumm, Laurenn Chambers, Lolita Gayden, Amber Brown, and Kayauna Wiggins. I hope I didn’t miss anybody!!! Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!

It's been a long time...

I can't believe this is my first official post on my own blog, Always PHREA! It's been a long time coming, but I'm so excited about the endless possibilities of this journey that I am about to embark on as I rediscover and fall back in love with PHREA. I'm sure all of my Twitter followers wonder what is PHREA? It's actually pronounced free. It's an acronym which means Passion, Hope, Respect, Empowerment and Ambition. I actually detailed my journey in the About PHREA tab for those who want to know more about it.

This past week, I've experienced changes and opportunities in my life that will shape and mold my future to something beyond amazing. I knew those changes and opportunities came from God. I felt that it was His way of telling me to take that leap of faith and follow my purpose which is PHREA. So on this early Thursday morning, I'm doing just that. I'm letting you all into my world of PHREA. I want to encourage you to become a PHREAdom member and follow my blog. I pray that while reading about my endless possibilities, you will in return be able to do the same. Discover your endless possibility.

I want to thank my PHREAdom believers. You all kept pushing and encouraging me to get back to my PURPOSE of writing. I'm so thankful to have individuals like you in my life. Therefore, this is for you, you and especially YOU!