*My thoughts*

Life is forever changing and I’m just here for the ride. This year I have been focusing on reading, trying new recipes, new restaurants, and new habits. I’m surprised that my habits are actually consistent for the most part. I have increased my water intake to 1.5 liters daily. I picked up the habit of flossing before bed. I didn’t realize how negligent I was with that in the past. Things for me are changing...I even make up my bed almost every morning. I’m loving 🥰 how I’m treating myself so far in 2020. I’m trying to do more things this my down time that I have too. I submitted my passport renewal and started my Roth IRA! Look at this new woman making moves. I also took a class last month and will get my license for that soon. I’m currently reading The Millionaire Next Door book. This will be book number 4 for me this year. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every book I have read this year. My goals was to read 5 books so I almost hit that goal as well. 

Even though so many things are being done. I still have PLENTY of other things on my plate. I just have to knock them out one by one. I also have a trip planned at the end of this month too. I haven’t been anywhere this entire year...so I’m really looking forward to getting on a ✈️ plane. Travel is my love language. Well that is all I want to share for now. Until next time stay sweet my 🍭 canes.

*Debt Free, Now What?*

I'm so excited to announce I am debt free! Last week I paid off my last student loan 🙌! That was one of the best feelings 2018 could have given me. I told myself this year I would be more selfish and accomplish all the goals I set out for myself. This was one of my biggest because I was working on this for 4 years. And next month will be 10 years since I graduated from college. It was very imperative to me that I completed it.

Even though it took me four years. I believe it could of been completed sooner. However, I was busy doing things for others, and didn't forcus 100% on myself. Let me tell y'all when I did everything changed for me. 

After I became debt free, I immediately started looking at my "WHY" that I wrote  prior to getting out of debt. I had a long list of reasons that gave me something to focus on afterwards. So, now I am gonna list the things I will focus on after debt freedom.

• Get my emergency savings fund fully funded by end of 2018. I'm already halfway there.
• Start a car fund to get another car. My car now is on her last leg. And I need to find a new one soon.
• Increase my retirement savings funds to get that free match 💰! My retirement is automatic by I have to increase my contribution.
• Take more trips and vacations I love traveling. It is my number one passion.
• Save up to start a business. I know in my heart entrepreneur is in my blood. After all I went to school for business. And I love creating and this mixes my two loves together.
• Start an investment fund for my niece and nephew. That will be one of my ways of giving back.
• Start my own charity/non profit for teenagers to find their passion!
• Write a book based on my life and motivation inspiration. This is very long over do this is something I wanted to do in my early 20s.
• Move to another state...I need a change of scenery.
• Invest in my Robo advising account I opened this year. 
• Retire early
• Build my net worth
• Possible purchase a home or rental properties.
• Give, give, give....I am a philanthropist at ❤

If you can live like no one else for a little while. You can live like no one else later. Debt free is the way to be😘

*Quick Update 2018*

I told myself this year that this will be my selfish year. The reason I can do this is because I am single with no children. I have no other responsibilities besides myself. I just 

 grown tired of helping other people and not helping myself first. 

So yeah pretty much this year is about ME! I cut my hair in a blunt bob on the 1st. This was a symbol of a fresh start for me. I started working out too wooh wooh😄! I absolutely love the gym right now. My body of course loves it too. I started investing this year with a robo investment company. Something new that I wanted to explore. And my #1 goal this year is to be debt free. Pay off the rest of my student loans! I am so tired of them on my back. I have 3 more left in the snowball method. One of which will be paid off this week🙌. So slowing but surely I will have my life back. I've been on this debt free journey for 4 years now. In unless you have too you will never know how hard it is. I also want to do some traveling as well. I love traveling it is one of my passions. 

Each month I set monthly goals to keep me focused. Whatever I don't complete will be rolled over to the next month. I've been a little reclusive too. Staying to myself and limiting my phone conversations etc. Now we are in month 2 of 2018. My motto for the year is "Just do it" and that is exactly what I plan to do!

Until next time, stay sweet my Candycanes 🍬

*Acting Background Extra*

It's so much fun being on set as an extra. It takes a lot of hard work being on your feet for 16 hours. We only had a 30 min lunch break. It was so worth it to me though. I had a fitting for this movie because it was 80s time frame. We had make up artists and hair stylists too...how cool! I was in two scenes for this movie like I was my last time. This one I had to travel to Cleveland, OH in May of this year. They're coming up in the entertainment world Cleveland rocks lol. 

I can't wait to do more movies and acting period. This is one of my passions that I love so much. Whatever you want to do in life do it, follow your dreams. This movie is entitled White Boy Rich. It's based on a true story. It's gonna be a really good movie. The director was very creative and he was amazing to work with. After we finished shooting I said thank you so much, he said oh you are welcome sweetheart😀. 

Knowing who you are will make you happier in life. You're happy when you do stuff you love. I love acting and I will continue to act. I know there are other passions that I love too. This is just one of them. If you love acting you can start with being an extra. It will give you experience being on set. It will show you that this is hard work. 

Find a casting agency, talent manager, and find free resouces like youtube videos or blogs. It will get you in the right steps to acting. Hopefully, this will help someone😀

~Subject Bird~

This bird flew by me on my break three times. The third time I snapped this photo before he flew away.  The quality of this photo does the bird no justice. I really enjoyed watching him today. It was almost symbolic to me. The message I received was this job is only temporary. One day Candace you will be set free. You will live your dreams and fly just like me. The closer I connect with nature, the better I understand myself and my destiny. 

Smile at a bird today, and he may just teach you how to fly. -Aja Monet

~The Mind Set of Entrepreneur~

This is my mind set while working a day job. I constantly am visioning a way out of the rat race. I know I have super high expectations for myself. An entrepreneur mind is always going. Creating and connecting the pieces of the puzzle. The mind set protects the dream and vision from distractions. The mind set is strong and clearly focused. The mind set is me. 

I am an entrepreneur! If that is your goal you can say it too. 

~Ten Minute Conversation~

It's amazing how when you meet someone they spark something into you. It only took ten minutes for that to happen to me. This lady here is a master mind and I love it. Her story and determination gave me some drive. 

I met her at Les Brown's speaker training seminar. I had a blast there as well. I will blog about that later. I just wanted to let you know that people cross paths for a reason. And sometime all it takes is 10 mintues as it did with me. It was all in divide purpose! There was greatness in her and her husband as well. Good times with good people.  

~Lesson from the Wise~

Some times we may think we have it all in order. However, our plans do not have to be perfect. Sometimes we don't even have to have a plan in place at all. Our journey sometimes may just take a big leap of faith. 

This is something I struggle with often. I think it's more due to how society make us look crazy if we think outside the box. I tell people all the time I can't work a 9-5 forever. And they look at me like I'm about to jump off a bridge or something. They follow up with questions like how are you gonna do that. 

There is one thing that I know. What is possible for one is possible for all. Success leaves clues and I will pick them up. My path is already set because I'm following the direction of God. My plan was already in place before I came to this earth. In the words of Ms. Lauren Hill. It could all be so simple but you rather make it hard! I need to lighten up a little bit and take it easy. The Lord is driving let me sit back and enjoy the ride to success. 

~Don't Be The whale, Be The Ocean~

I  heard the above title at a poetry night a month ago. It was so profound that I had to save it to my phone.(I wish I remembered the poets name). When we think of a whale, a massive animal comes to our mind. Now compare that huge whale to the ocean. It doesn't even compare in size. In fact, the whale merely become a very small ant in my eyes. The same metaphor can be applied towards our lives. Why settle for whale dreams, when your can have ocean dreams. Why settle for whale gifts, when you have ocean gifts. Why settle for a whale man, when can have an ocean man. Why settle for that whale job, when there awaits an ocean job out there for you. Why, why, why do we limit ourselves when the world is so much bigger.

So today I challenge you to becoming one with the ocean. Think BIG because we have greatness within us!!! We are Oceans!!!

My night time motivation 😊

~Meeting My Favorite Motivational Speaker Les Brown~

I got to meet my favorite Motivational Speaker on Thursday with my cousin in pic too. It was sad I had to meet him at a funeral though. You can tell by his smile...that he just has a joyful heart all the time. It just shows my dream are real...what you attract to life will come! You can believe that! I didn't know I would meet him that day. Some how God made our paths cross...Thanks Les Brown for being such a friendly spirited person. You definitely made my day on Thursday God Bless!!!

 

~The Steps in the Journey~

I finally completed my "Bridges Out of Poverty" class. It was a 10 week process but I made it through! Last week we had our graduation. I was grateful to work with an awesome group of ladies, some of which I work with now! We all are on different paths to success. I was bless to be touch by each one of these ladies. I hope our light shines as we continue on our journey.......

~It Begins with Baby Steps~

I sent out my application for the MISS BLACK OHIO 2013 pageant a few weeks ago. And I just got the great news yesterday that I was accepted!!!! I am so excited. I know it's going to be a lot of work, but I am up for the challenge. I made it a goal for myself to accomplish something major every year. This pageant is my major 2012 goal for myself.

It all started with me making a decision first. I decided to do this pageant sometime last year, and I wrote it down on my goal list. You know I keep a goal list....and you should too. Next, I search for information on the pageant and got an application form and completed it. Now I can say I'm in the running to compete. I know these next couple of months are going to be ridiculously busy. Well I hope it is because I am up for the challenge. I took my 1st baby step and now I have grown into a toddler in the process. I can't wait to experience the highs, the lows, and all that is in-between. Also, if you would like to sponsor me let me know. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I will keep updating you all on my progress...so until next time folks :)

~Miss Black Ohio~

image: http://www.missblackohio.org/

One of my major goals this year is to be crowned Miss Black Ohio. I'm so excited and eager for this experience. I'm going to take things one day at a time though. This pageant will take place in August of 2012. I know I have a lot of preparing to do. If anybody has any suggestions please leave them below. I am willing to listen to any and all advice as it relates to this pageant. Also, since I'm writing about it a few months in advance, I will keep you guys posted!

~You Win Some, You Lose Some~

So I am finally able to give you guys an update on my trip from DC. I had two interview within the last few weeks, so I flew to the east-coast twice. The first interview I had went very well, but I decided after interviewing it was not the job for me. That was due to a number of circumstances out of my control.

The second interview I had was last week and that's the job I wanted the most. It was my 2nd interview, the 1st one was over the phone. I was told I had to prepare a 10 minute presentation for the 2nd interview too. The morning of my interview I walked to the bus stop so I could get to the Metro train. I got on the Green Line and got off at L'Enfant Plaza. I walked about 5-10 minutes to my destination. I looked at this massive building and admired the architectural structure. I entered and checked in with the security guards. I was given a temporary ID and some young lady signed me in. The young lady that would of been my co-worker she had a very pleasant attitude. She greeted me by saying my full government name, the school I graduated from, and the name of my sorority. Than she said "yeah I look over your resume." As we talked I realize we had so much in common. We both graduated from HBCU's, we both had natural hair, and we both were from neighboring states.

During the 15 minutes of down time I decided to walk around the building exploring. I came to my interview early so I had to kill some time. After my self-tour was over we were given the Q to go up stairs for my interview. When I arrived I meet the team that would interview me we shook hands and I sat down. The main lady told me okay Candace you can start with your presentation. I was like okay and I started but my words did not come out right. My mouth was so dry and I was so nervous. I looked at the Dasani water on the table wishing it was mine at that moment. Than I looked at the team of women across from me they had smiles on their faces. I wanted to shake my head like a 2 year old that didn't want to go to sleep. Yes, I was that nervous.

After about 2 minutes of the presentation I pulled myself together. I was breathing regularly and my mouth was not dry anymore. I didn't know were that FEAR came from....all I know was that never happen to me before. Yes, the girl who wants to be a motivational speaker choked up lol. I'm so happy I can laugh at it now since it's all over. After the presentation I had my interview and that part went very well. After it was all over I felt a big relief....and I thanked everyone. They told me I would be hearing the results the next day. There were a total of 4 in the running and only one spot.

The next morning I was sent an email stating basically I didn't get the job. Although, I wanted that job I knew this was only a test. I was tested on my FEAR and my determination. I believe the next couple of months I will be tested on my perseverance. So the next couple of months I am going to focus on only me. That right "ME PHI ME." I believe it's okay to be selfish in current circumstances and this is one of them. Yes, I will try my best to help other in between but my main focus is going to be ______ (you guessed it).

The things I learned from my experience in DC :

• You win some, you lose some
• Failure is a part of life
• I am really, really, really close to success
• I have people in my corner who truly love me
  
• Life is to short celebrate it now....(exploring the sights of the city/Happy Hour for my sorority sister's early b-day)
• Everything that glitter isn't GOLD
• To live in a fast paced city, you have to have a fast paced mind
• Nobody acknowledges the behind the scenes, they only recognize you when the camera is rolling
• Sometimes you have to pick up the pieces, and learn from it and keep on going
  
• I won't stop, and I can't stop, because I love DC!!!
  

At first I wanted to name this post "Every Lesson is a Blessing." Than I said to myself no I want to acknowledge failure. Micheal Jordan once said "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." That is by far one of my favorite quotes.

Failure is a major part of life whether we accept it or not. In order to get to our road of success, we have to bump into failure a couple of times. I know one thing I will treat this experience as a hurdle to make me stronger for the next!

~Decisions~

Which pill red or green?

In life we are faced with making decisions everyday. The decisions one makes today will affect that person tomorrow.

If you want to make a change in your life start today. Begin by writing down were you are right now on paper. And on the other side write were you plan to be. If you plan to transition to the other side of that paper, you have to start making the right decisions now. You will have to do something everyday to get to the goal side. You will have to break bad habits, disconnect from a few people, and look at your goal paper ever single day.

Steve Jobs use to ask himself this every morning "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" I want you to ask yourself the same thing everyday too, it will stop you from making the wrong decisions.

Only YOU can decide the life you want to live, and that begins by make decisions.

What will you decide to do?

Which pill will you take?

What is stopping you?

"Success is not determined by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them. And if you look at them obstacles as a containing fence, they become your excuse for failure. If you look at them as hurdles, each one strengthens you for the next. And nothing can stop you."

-Dr. Ben Carson

If you have not seen this movie, I suggest you got out and rent it. This movie is just total inspiration at its finest. Dr. Ben Carson truly manifested his dreams into reality and is very successful today. Gifted Hands is a movie based on the life and struggles of Dr. Ben Carson journey of becoming a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. He literally came from nothing and blossomed into the best.

You have the same potential to be the best too, so what is stopping you? Go out there and make it happen, share your gifts with the world. Just keep your mind focused on the results and you too can win. Spring has sprung and it is time for you to blossom too!

© Copyright 2011 SimplyCandycane.blogspot.com

Go-Getter

Who said you can only make a resolution at the beginning of the year? Well you all know it's March right? Lets get in our "go-getter" mindset and start today...on this wonderful Friday evening March the 4th (or whenever you decide to read this). It is never to late to start a new beginning, let me say that again "It is never to late to start a new beginning." Today is the day you need to put an end to your procrastination and start something new. As a matter a fact I want you to make a list...that's right that is going to be your homework assignment! You need to complete this list today before you turn out the lights and go nighty night. This list should consist of things you want to accomplish this month, and if you want to take it a step further plan your goals for the year.

You know what you want and now is the time that you quit wasting valuable time and get it together. Lets call ourselves "Go-Getters" because we are going to get what we want whenever we want it. We will not fly like birds do; instead we will soar above the sky like eagles. You want to be an eagle don't you? Well you should because there are to many birds flying around (pooping on my car too lol) , not everybody can be an eagle but you can...yes you can!

~Soar high my eagles friends

p.s. I will post my list next month and update you all on my achievements. Don't be shy post a goal in the comment section!