Last year there was an opportunity to submit a promo video as to the reasons and benefits of continued funding of the J. William Fulbright scholars program. Although our entry was not selected, I enjoyed having the opportunity to share a snippet of my experience. As any Fulbrighter can attest, we absolutely LOVE sharing our experience with any and everyone who will listen (lol!).
When I first viewed this video, I began to critique myself:
· My eyebrows were too emphasized
· The camera needed to be at another angle because I am looking up
· Sheesh, I was much bigger (weight) then
· My curls were not popping
· My face was too shiny…where was my blot cloth?
I am sure I am not the only one who engages in this seemingly default learned behavior. I wonder if this is more prevalent among women than men. Nonetheless, I quickly caught myself and said, ‘Move pass the external and listen to the context, your story, what do you hear? What message are you sharing with the world? Does it reflect your heart?’
Earlier today on social media, I posted the picture above with the following caption…
”Contrast, not conflict. I will never be anti-me.”
This is a beautiful opportunity to practice this philosophy. Although I am 20 lbs down from my weight in the video, my natural hair technique continues to improve, I know how I prefer my make up for camera and know my angles; the ‘me’ in the 2015 video was me and she deserves to be loved in retrospect as well.
There are enough people in the world who will not and do not like you for whatever reason and there is not anything you can do about them. However, you have the ultimate power to determine the relationship you will have with yourself throughout all of the phases of your journey.
As we continue to experience this adventure called life, there inevitably will be many changes; physical, emotional, social, financial, spiritual and changes within our various relationships. Everything, absolutely all experiences are an opportunity to evolve into the next phase of self. At any given moment, we are all doing the best we can utilizing the tools we have; so be gentle…with others and especially with yourself. As you continue to practice kindness, grace, forgiveness, love, patience and vulnerability with yourself you will easily extend it to others.
Check out my video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f1509oFvlc from last year which gives a snapshot of one of my favorite experiences…my year in Barbados as a Fulbrighter. – Misha N. Granado, MPH, MS