believe: believe in the strength of you and that your wants and desires matter

hope: never stop hoping … hope is everything

do: do what you can to achieve that which is important to you

venture: life is a journey that is worth enjoying… travel and experience

solo: sometimes you have to go at it with just you and create memories that will last a life time

 

hmmmmm?????? 

When someone ask you to write a post about a specific thing …. you find the time to share your thoughts on it.

I was asked to write a post about venturing solo … 

Here is what I think about venturing solo ….

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Do It!!!!!

 

If you are able.

If you are healthy.

If your finances will allow it.

If your life will allow it. Do it.

 

I can totally understand having reservations and being concerned with traveling solo. I remember taking my first solo domestic trip and I was a little nervous. I went from Dallas to New Orleans… That flight was less than 3 hours and the drive is somewhere between 8-10 (maybe a little less or more depending on how you drive). I was extremely nervous. I made sure multiple people had my flight information and hotel information. I was super cautious and anxious. Then something magical happened … probably because I’m a Black girl and we’re magical ya know … I just felt at peace while there.

What was unfortunate is that I was sick the entire time in NOLA but I enjoyed myself. I walked the French Quarters, ate yummy food, bought all the cookies at Loretta’s (if you havent been you need to go), and went to a concert. I was so happy that I made the decision to venture solo. I couldn’t find anyone who could travel at the same time as me, who wanted to attend the concert I was going to, so – I booked the flight and took the trip on my own.

It. Was. Great.

You always want to be safe. I am not going to encourage you to travel into war-torn countries that are in the middle of political unrest. That’s just not smart. Do your research about the place that you are traveling to and learn as much as you can before you go. If it is a new country learn some basics with the language and a little about the culture so that everything doesn’t take you by surprise. Exchange your money before you go at the bank – you can exchange in airports – higher fees – and you can often use ATMs in the country you’re traveling to, but there will be a cost to that, so if you have time add it to the to do list of things to get done before you leave. Even if you want to venture out solo to other parts of the state that you live in (if you’re in America reading this) do it. When I lived in Atlanta, I remember meeting people who had never been past Birmingham (yes – – its a different state but only about 2 hours away)… the world is big and becomes small at the same time. Life is an adventure…. so – – if you want to travel and you can … do it… life is a risk! Be a risk taker. 

Do not live in a world of

“What If’s”  …. nope.

Don’t do it. 

 

I want to share a story about a friend …. I hope she reads this because my conversation with her allowed many good things to happen … and she didn’t remain living in a world of “What If’s”.

I have this great friend … I’m gonna call her Jayne (Her name is not Jayne – nor does it start with a “J” but if she reads this she will know its about her) and Jayne wanted to make a big purchase. She wanted to buy a new car. And BABY- when I say Jayne wanted a new car- she didn’t want any car… we talking top of the line. Jayne could afford the car. Jayne works hard. Everyday. Jayne saves her money. Jayne plans and does her research.  -clearly we need to be like Jayne- and Jayne really wanted this car but Jayne can be practical at times and she knew that this car was a WANT and not a NEED. So she didn’t get it. The car she was currently driving was in good condition and was paid off – so there really was no need for a new car.

Yes no NEED for a new car but WANTS are okay. So we had a long conversation about living in a world of “What If’s” … she made it clear to me that all of her What If’s were very real and valid … (Facts – they are all real and valid – but I wasn’t having it)

WHAT IF I lose my job

WHAT IF I get sick

WHAT IF something happens in my home and we have a big expense for repairs

WHAT IF there is a medical emergency

WHAT IF

WHAT IF

WHAT IF

WHAT IF

WHAT IF

WHAT IF

yes …. WhAt If?????

… do you know we can make the list of WHAT IF’s continue on and on …. I gave my thoughts on her buying her car and not living in the land of WHAT IF … GET THE CAR ….

IF you have saved the money for this car you have definitely been thinking about this purchase. If your job (to the best of your knowledge) is not in any danger of being taken from you – go for it. Life is a gamble and nothing is guaranteed but, what I wanted to get across to her was … WHAT IF none of the WHAT IF’s on your list never happened and you never got your car that you wanted? That would be so unfortunate. It is more than okay to fulfill our WANTS… I think it’s pretty fantastic if our wants can be fulfilled. 

I encouraged her to go for the purchase …. you know what … she did it! She bought the car. And she loves the car… and she was able to gift the car she owned that was paid for to someone – look at that another blessing. She has greatly enjoyed her car. Her life hasn’t fallen apart. Her job is still safe. She has been healthy. None of things on her WHAT IF happened (could they happen? sure – did they – no).

She shared this conversation with someone very close to her -we shall call them Person C-  … and it was encouraging to Person C – Person C decided to not live in a world of WHAT IF’s and make a purchase that they wanted. I smiled as Jayne told me about Person C and their purchase.

You never know the impact your words are having on someone. I was honest and shared how I felt. Jayne didn’t have to listen to me. Nope. Jayne really wanted this car but seemed really nervous to make the purchase. I cant make guarantees but, I felt super confident with telling Jayne to go for it.

And just like with Jayne I share with you … GO FOR ADVENTURE…. venture out solo if you can. I PROMISE ….

You will not regret it …. if you do regret it I would love for you to share with me about it!

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If I didn’t take the chance to venture solo you wouldn’t be reading this blog right now. I would never have considered blogging if it wasn’t for me coming to Shanghai to work for Disney English. I never would have come to Shanghai and had this experience of living abroad. If I didn’t venture solo I never would have came to Shanghai and I never (I’m pretty sure) would have made it to Thailand to have the experience of riding elephants and eating Thai food in Thailand. if I didn’t venture solo I never would have made it to Seoul, South Korea (for a great solo international trip – because I had to first venture solo to China). If I didn’t venture solo I never would have come to Shanghai, which means I wouldn’t have met the folks in the picture below.  …. and let me tell you … these #melanatedladies ARE PRETTY AFROTASTICALLY AMAZING.

I could keep going with the … If I didn’t venture solo list … so I will stop it there…

I am all for venturing solo and experiencing all that life has to offer! GO for it. 

 

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#blackgirlmagic #melanatedshanghaimoments #spreadthebagel

Location: Spread The Bagel

Nearest Metro: South Shaanxi Road – Exit 7- Lines 10/12

Address: 611 Nanchang Rd, Xuhui Qu, Shanghai Shi, China

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…. so to the one who is wondering about venturing solo i say this…. go for all that life has to offer for you. Treat yourself to a great lunch with just you. Take your Kindle and read your book. Take your journal and write a couple of pages. OR just people watch. But learn to avoid the hustle and bustle of life and have a break from it all…. it will not be as bad as you think ….

I have traveled to some pretty amazing places… one of my favorites being South Africa … and yeah … Cape of Good Hope left me absolutely speechless … but now I have so many stories to tell about the places i have been, the food i have tried, the planes i have been on, all of the airports that I have walked through, customs and immigration stories, language barriers and struggles, the people i have met, the laughs that i have had, the history i have encountered …

….the everything that is everything that I have done while traveling ….

and no one can take the everything that is everything that you have done while traveling away from you… not one person!

 

yup … do it…. go! venture out solo …. and tell me about it! 

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I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY!

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’ 

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4-Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*