So I hit the big 30 today. Let me tell you how I feel. I feel no different than I did yesterday. I woke up the same, I got dressed the same, and I curled my hair the same. I’m just blessed and grateful for the things that I have now and the people that I have in my life. And of course I’m blessed with the fact that I don’t even look 30. Traditionally, I started my birthday with a great night around the town on Friday night, then my house party on Saturday night with all of my friends & loved ones. But when Sunday hit, I got a bit melancholy and said “I need to do something different this year.” I told myself “When my 30th birthday arrives, it’ll be a new beginning for my life!”. Walking into my 30′s as a brand new woman, yet leaving a lot of things (and people) behind. The weird thing about it is, I feel good. There are so many secret ways in the world to find out who we truly are. Everything that we experience, everything we think, feel and do is in divine order. It’s part of the universal flow that helps us discover who we are. If our thoughts and emotions didn’t play out towards our actions, how else would we see who we are? If our thoughts and emotions didn’t play out towards your actions, how else would I see who you are? The world isn’t happening to us. We’re happening to it. We’re molding it, shaping it, creating the good and the bad that occurs in our life. And like clockwork, we’ll get tired of what we’re doing & will strive to do something else. As usual, we will always move on.
There are so many ways people can hurt you, deceive you, lead you on, make you feel like shit, use you, violate you. The list goes on and on. What I’ve learned out of my many experiences in my life is to not expect much out of people anymore. When you expect too much, you end up being disappointed. It’s very disheartening when you learn that there are people out there who only think of themselves. Who only want to tarnish your name. Who only want to see you cry. Who only want to see you fail. I must say, when I got into a car accident last year & totaled my car (I’ll speak more on that in a future blog post), it was during a turning point in my life. That’s when I’ve decided to discontinue falling prey to a lot of the bullshit people have given me. I’ve endured a lot of disappointment from people in my life and I am so glad that I’m at a point where I have a solid, healthy control over that never happening again. Because I simply do not care anymore.
It’s imperative to have a strong overlook at your success in anything you try to achieve. No matter what people say, you will try your best. And let’s just say you do happen to fail, you were still given a chance to discover your strengths, your weaknesses, your passions and yourself in that journey. No one can take from you. NO ONE. There will be rough times, difficult situations, things to fall into & out of, major obstacles and forks in the road all through your mission. My mission is to allow people to feel how I am feeling by providing my story, followed up with my personal suggestive solution. The power I have to make people open their eyes and see what they couldn’t see before makes me happy on levels beyond my normal reach. I do it because I believe I can do it. I’m not ashamed to tell my stories about my past experiences, shortcomings & failed relationships. I’m not scared to voice my opinions about the strains of our society, parenting and love. Flaws and all, as long as I am honest about who I am and where I’m going. Are you?
Pictures of Me:
PS – I am so proud of one of the best friends someone could ever have. Her name is Shay Dechelle and her website is mindofablackgirl.com. She’s been there with me through thick and thin the past 7 years and I am blessed to have her in my life. So many people hated on her (matter of fact, they still do) and questioned her success as a model. Well, she just signed to Ford Models and is also won a trip to Paris from the Karl Kani Ladies competition. She will be their new model for their 2009 Fall line. I’m so excited for her! Go to her site and show your support. Love you yamp!
By Tara, February 10, 2009 at 7:51 am
Happy Birthday, Chanel! I hope today goes well for you!
By alexis b. ™, February 10, 2009 at 9:28 am
Happy 30th Birthday Chanel :blog00:
By Tanyesha, February 10, 2009 at 9:39 am
It’s weird that I kind of feel the same way as I’m approaching my 22nd birthday. I don’t know. I’ve always felt like I have an old soul, but now I feel like I’ve been here before. :/ I already said Happy Birthday, but I wish you the best in your future! :love:
By Kay, February 10, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I think that it’s great that you’re growing with age. That’s what I always say about myself. I don’t think 30 is suppose to feel any different. You’re just even more mature than yesterday. I do agree that certain things should be left behind. If there is certain person in your life serving no purpose…then why let them take up space. Always watch your “friends” and your back. You’re smart enough to know who they are.
Happy 30th. “30 is the new 20.” – Jay-z
By Linda Princess Dominique Grosvenor, February 10, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Have the Happiest Birthday Chanel. I saw your notice online and had to reply. I love the delicate look of your site too. Congrats to your friend.
By Tiffany, February 10, 2009 at 2:32 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GORGEOUS ! You don’t at all look your age, that’s awesomeness. I hope you have a awesome day, enjoy it && party like its 1999 8-) haha
By Katy, February 10, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Happy birthday Chanel!
And I agree, Shay is beautiful (and so are you of course)! :blogee:
By Aoki, February 10, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Happy BIRTHDAY!!! You look BEAUTIFUL in those pictures!!
I also didn’t feel any different when I woke up last year on my 16th birthday. I felt the same. I just went to the outlets and continued to just live.
By Nat Marie, February 10, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Happy birthday! Why did I think you were younger than 30? Wow. But you don’t look your age. You look gorgeous. :blogyyy:
By chanel, February 11, 2009 at 4:37 pm
That’s why I am able to pull those sexy young men, lol. :blogpp:
By lovy, February 10, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Happy Birthday Doll :blog00:
By Karyn, February 11, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Happy Birthday!
By Ivy, February 11, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Happy Birthday, Chanel!
I’d like to share my experiences with people too but more knowledge-based instead of my emotions and life experiences. But I do think that we’re similar in that we’d like to share a piece of ourselves to the world. :)
By Mara, February 11, 2009 at 10:54 pm
You’re such a wonderful person! I’m glad you had the most blessed 30th birthday that you could possibly have :) It’s a wonderful thing that people can grow older and wiser and life and still have a positive outlook without tripping out, getting depressed, and totally b*tch fitting for no reason. I hope many more b-days are to come your way :D Keep up that attitude and I’m sure it will.
Your friend is gorgeous! She definitely deserved to win this contest. If she’s any friend of yours I know she’s very kind-hearted and intelligent
By Monique, February 12, 2009 at 3:49 am
happy birthday. its scary to think I am closer to 30 then to 20 but I would rather be the age I am now then be like this idiot teenagers!
By Nadine, February 12, 2009 at 5:11 am
happy birthday! (:
I guess there will always be a point in
time in life where we will change some major
things, won’t do the same things the same way
and, like you said, not take the bs anymore (:
By Olivia, February 12, 2009 at 9:05 am
Happy birthday! Yeah, you definitely don’t look 30.
I am glad you had a good day, enjoy where you are, and have such a good friend.
P.S. Is that a corset or a bustier :D
By chanel, February 16, 2009 at 11:33 am
It’s a corset and may I warn you, don’t get it too tight when you get fitted for it!
By Julie, February 12, 2009 at 10:06 pm
That’s very deep and beautiful. You really have a good outlook on life and are approaching each day positively! Happy birthday!
By Karamelteaze, February 13, 2009 at 12:52 am
Happy belated birthday and may God bless you with many more!
By Jasmine, February 14, 2009 at 1:01 am
you don’t look any bit of 30 .
Happy belated birthday !
:woot:
By Cari, February 14, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Hope you had a great birthday!
You really don’t even look thirty! You could probably be mistaken for my age, and I’m only seventeen!
By chanel, February 16, 2009 at 11:34 am
girl stop, lol. but thanks. :blogiii:
By alexis b. ™, February 15, 2009 at 9:23 am
hi chanel, i forwarded this suspicious email i got concerning you to xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com. looks like it was sent to every reader of your blog. sounds likes you have a stalker on your hands. be safe girl, seriously.
By chanel, February 16, 2009 at 11:35 am
thanks again for your help doll. a LOT of people fwd it to me.
By Tara J, February 15, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I just happened to fall upon your blog one day while I was surfing the net and havent stopped reading yet. I thank you for your words of encouragement and the like. I jst wanted to know also do you have any advice or whatever for a young women going through an ugly divorce from an abusive man and he not signing the papers or helping financially to take care of the child?
By chanel, February 15, 2009 at 8:35 pm
To be honest with you, I have never endured an experience like that before, but I can say that ignoring his ignorance will always win. Make yourself a better person financially so that you do not depend on child support. File a restraining order against him is the abuse is physical. If the abuse is verbal, change your phone number. If he doesn’t sign the papers, fine…eventually he will be summoned to sign them.
By Shannon, February 16, 2009 at 12:57 am
Happy Belated Birthday! :love:
By LD, February 16, 2009 at 2:41 am
what a lovely blog!
I think you have another reader!
And happy belated. Visit me sometime!
-LDx0x
By Brandy, February 16, 2009 at 3:04 am
Happy Belated! :)
By Rathy, February 16, 2009 at 2:32 pm
:blog222: So sorry I was so late!! But Happy Belated Birthday nonetheless! I’m only 4 months behind you! I’m reaching that milestone as well, and in the past two years I’ve changed my outlook on life completely. I couldn’t keep going the way I was because I didn’t want to settle for the things that fell upon me. I wanted to do things, make my own decisions, and live my life the way I wanted to. I didn’t want to let the world happen to me.
So yay for us, born in ’79 and walking into our 30′s stronger and better than we used to be.