I often read about visioning and how important it is to see yourself in different phases in life. When I was a young girl, I would envision myself living in Atlanta, in a loft in the city, and launching my own business. This vision started occurring around my senior year of college, at 21.
Fast forward to 2017 and here I am: living in Atlanta, in a loft in the city, working for my own business.
I am truly grateful for how far I’ve come, but I know I have a loooooong way to go. I know that God is not done with me yet, in fact, he’s just getting started. But, there are times when I grow frustrated simply because THIS STUFF IS HARD!!!
I read a book titled The Female Power Within and learned how important it is to heal from your past, so you can truly move ahead in life. As I continue on the soul-searching journey to clearly define Who is Giselle, I’ve become extremely intentional about healing my chakras. The Root Chakra represents our sense of security and safety in life, and as such, this is where we store our childhood trauma. As we get older we either let the trauma go, or store it within the Root Chakra.
Whether dark childhood memories or a bright future ahead, that still seems to be dim and uncertain— self-healing is the only way to truly let it go—and glow up.
A meaningful conversation with both your past, and your future is a great healing exercise, and I’d like to share this soul-hack (I just made that up)– with you!
I’ll share this exercise by speaking to my younger self, but you should write your own note to your 6-year-old self:
A Conversation with Your Past
Hey Gigi! Look at you, six years young; so happy and bubbly–as if the world is yours. I love to hear your laugh, it’s almost your signature move! I have never met a kid so full of life; always smiling with cheerful countenance, and joy in your heart. Gigi, you are such a rock star! I know you wonder where you come from, and I’m here to tell you: God made you to complete an assignment that ONLY YOU CAN DO! I mean, a very important assignment, even bigger than your biggest dreams. I know sometimes things get hard, not having your mommy and daddy around but trust me when I tell you this: that will make you the most amazing person ever as you grow up.
Your grandmother is a wonderful woman. She has been here for you since day one, she’s the bestest friend you have, but guess what? You are going to make more friends as you grow up, and they will be just as loving, nurturing, smart, beautiful, and as proud of you as she is. Trust me! Now, I know this is kind of hard to imagine, but one day, grandma will have to go back home to heaven. But God is going to comfort you during the times that you miss her. God will replace the love she gave you everyday with a different kind of love. You will start loving yourself even more, and God will send you an amazing man who will love you and help you evolve into an amazing woman. So, just know that there is Sunshine, after life’s storms.
One last thing before I sign off, you’re going to be rejected, a lot. Rejection is when someone tells you no, even though you thought they would for sure say yes and accept you. This happens a lot in life. Friends will reject you. Certain groups will reject you. Schools will reject you. Sadly, your own family may even reject you. But guess what? Sometimes, a “No” can be the best thing that happens to you!
See, everything happens according to God’s perfect timing. So when they say no, God is actually saying: No, I have something even better for you!
P.S. Your name is Giselle, even though people call you Gigi–people actually looooove your birth name and you will too!
Now try this exercise speaking to yourself, ten years from where you are today.
A Conversation with Your Future
WOW. That’s the first thing that comes to mind—WOW! Look at you, here you are, 39 & KILLING IT! I mean, I would have never guess you’d be a beautiful wife, loving mother of two, and a world-renowned author, speaker, owner of a multi-million dollar communication firm, and tech superstar, by now– but then again, your ARE GISELLE! It’s funny how life works. We literally have no idea what we’re doing, but we somehow figure out how to do it. I remember when you were in your 20s, you’d always fret about likes on social networks that don’t even exist nowadays. Silly girl. You used to try to beg people to support your business, and accept your corky, hella energetic self, and it looks like you finally decided to do you. You do you well sis.
I caught your Ted Talk and I was yet again, blown away, at how open you are about your story. It isn’t easy being a Nigerian-American girl, or growing up without a traditional family structure but that’s the best part of your story. Then, when you met your match made in heaven and fell in love for the first and last time: yassss. I saw your husband won another Grammy Award for his latest work, congratulations! There’s nothing like a strong family unit and seeing a black couple build something out of nothing. You two are rocking out!
This level of life goals doesn’t come without paying a price. Sometimes, that price is paid in the form of a small inner circle, or growing such a large fan base, that most people don’t even view you as a human–they only see you as a brand or as the help. But I’m glad you’ve learned how to let it go. You’re not perfect, and you’re not trying to be. You’re simply being intentional about the life you want–and there is no reason to apologize for it!
I’m so inspired by the fact that you haven’t let the world dim your light. The same light I saw in you when you were six, shines bright even today. Keeping God first, and keeping the inner-child in you alive has served you well. I’m so happy you decided to take that leap of faith at 22 by moving to Atlanta and following your dreams. Thank you for trusting yourself enough to go for it, and sticking with plan A.
Best part of this story: God STILL isn’t done with you!
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Giselle Avenue 