Shorty is Forty - Second 20 Jewels

Please be sure to read part one of this two part series. Here are my second 20 jewels in celebration of my 40th birthday.

Oh The Places She’ll Go

21. Nile River Cruise - I want to take a cruise down the Nile River and visit the pyramids.

22. Anywhere in Italy - At the top of my list is Venice, Rome and the Amalfi Coast.

23. Ghana - Accra is at the top of my list. I had a brief layover in Accra, on my way to South Africa. I’d really like to explore Accra.

24. Victoria Falls - Zambia/Zimbabwe - I want to go here and get an iconic photo hanging over Devil’s Pool.

25. Bali - I want to go here mainly to visit the temples!

5 New Habits

26. Biweekly therapy sessions w/ licensed therapist - I am proud to share that I recently had my first ever therapy session and look forward to making this a biweekly practice.

27. Monthly massages- I consider this to be a part of my self-care. In the past this has been a special occasion, every blue moon thing. I’m working it in to my monthy self-care rituals.

28. Monthly digital space cleanup (including backing up files) - I’m pretty good about cleaning my physical space. My digital spaces? A hot mess.

29. Annual appointment with financial planner - Now that I’m 40 all roads lead to retirement and to doing whatever I can to support my baby girl’s dreams whether she decides to go to college or do something else.

30. Morning stretching - My joints and muscles are so tight. Need to work this in to my routine.

The Year - 2034

31. Furthered my education & certifications - Looking into multiple certifications and graduate programs. Hoping to have one (or all of it) knocked out of the park. Dr. Donnie Belcher loading!

32. My healthiest self in every way (spiritual, mental, emotional and physical) - This will be the healthiest and best decade of my life.

33. Significantly reduced debt and more assets - Getting rid of the car notes and the other debt this decade.

34. Being an amazing mother and life partner - I look forward to continuing to mother Amelia and loving on my babe, Camron. This year will mark 5 years since we reunited and I really am hoping for a couple of forevers :).

35. A stunning art, jewelry and perfume collection - I am so excited to officially retire my “young tender” jersey and pick up my mature ma’am crown. I will be investing in art, jewelry and stepping up my fragrance game!

5 Quotes that Inspire Me

36. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” - Dr. Maya Angelou - I adapted this quote as my personal mission statement during my thirties. Dr. Maya Angelou captures how I hope to show up in every facet of my life.

37. “Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week.” - Jay-Z - I am a girl who loves hip-hop and Hov is my favorite. This quote inspires me to pursue and do hard things and to remember there is always an other side. I enjoy solving problems and I enjoy accomplishing things that seem impossible.

38. “A teacher is "one who makes himself progressively unnecessary" - Thomas Carruthers - I adapted this quote when I first started teaching, but it is how I look at any opportunity to mentor, guide or teach someone. This is also an important quote now that I’m a mother as I really see my job as helping to prepare my daughter for life and especially life beyond me. I want her to be able to depend on me, but I don’t want her to be codependent.

39. “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” - Psalm 46:5 - The prayers of my great grandmother, and my grandmother and my mother are still blessing me. God’s presence in my life, my entire life, has made all of the difference.

40. “You are your best thing.” - Toni Morrison - You ARE the prize. The relationship with self informs all of the other relationships. Treat yourself like you are the best thing that ever happened to you or to anyone else.