I Confess...I Missed Me!

Well if you haven't noticed, I haven't updated my blog since August! I returned to work (I am a full-time teacher) and immediately got thrown into a different world. I had to move to a new school and it was indeed a challenge in the beginning, however, I have conquered bigger challenges before, this one was no different. This was only a minor bridge to cross compared to others. So for the past few weeks, I have been getting myself and my children back into school mode. I am also a part-time graduate student, and I must admit that the classes ain't gettin' no easier! My "Motivation Tank" is half empty and I need me to get myself motivated!!!

Sounds cocky, huh? Not at all!

See, as I share my personal thoughts, dreams, goals, trials, and challenges with you, I also become empowered, inspired, and motivated by my words. In my attempt to help you Get Optimistic About Life (G.O.A.L.), I have to remind myself that I also need to Get Optimistic About Life. I have to read my own posts for encouragement. I have to reflect on my own words and empower myself in order to continue on my journey to empower other women.

So I need Me to stay focused on my vision. I need Me to stay dedicated to this blog. I missed Me! But I'm glad I'm back!

I Confess...I Missed Me!

WANTED: ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER

When I sit back and think of words that describe who I am, I always come up with the same set of words. Motivation. Inspiration. Encourager. My natural talents include motivating, inspiring, encouraging, as well as giving advice and my personal opinion based on my life experiences. More recently, I realized that I needed to add life coaching to my list of natural talents because according to several different definitions of what a life coach is, I definitely fall into that category as well.

Now that I have a basic understanding of who I am and what I love to naturally do, my goal or vision is to create my own lane in this Universe doing exactly what God has given me the talent to do. The next step in this process will be for me to set goals for myself and actually start writing out the details for how my vision will become a reality.

This step is a challenge for me because I have an extremely difficult time focusing on one thing. I start with an idea, I get excited about it, and nothing happens. I get unmotivated. I become uninspired. I lose all self-encouragement. I push the idea to the back of my mind and go back to my comfortable little space of reality. But when I get texts, phone calls, emails from friends and family needing that extra push, I'm there full speed ahead. I do an excellent job at getting people to keep it moving. I just need someone to return the favor every now and then...

So I am seriously looking for an accountability partner. I need someone to motivate me. I need someone to inspire me. I need some one to keep me encouraged. I need those text messages, emails, and occasional phone calls to ask where I am in my journey. I can handle reality. I don't need sugar-coated words of wisdom. I need somebody who will be dedicated to holding me accountable for making my vision a reality.

Is it you???

WANTED: ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER

Who is G.O.A.L. Model Metra?

I confess... I have 3 children by 3 different men. Blessifully, (I think I just made that word up) God placed a man in my life that is able to bring a healthy balance to my crazy, dysfunctional, unorganized life. I, like many other women, have a story. My testimony. Please allow me to share.

I became a mom at the age of 20. It was my junior year of college. I managed to beat the odds and graduated a semester later than my expected graduation date. My relationship was not healthy at all. My boyfriend was a drug addict and a drug dealer with a very bad temper. I knew (like most women) that if I showed him that I loved him, then he would change. Didn't happen. He went in and out of jail. The relationship got worse, I had finally reached my breaking point, and decided that I didn't need him. It was me and my baby against the world. (On a Hardee's budget)!

My next boyfriend was different. Very attentive to me and my daughter. But he lacked one major characteristic...the desire to WORK!!! And on top of that, he was a serial burglar. So again, another one that stayed in and out of jail. Oh, I forgot, to mention, that one month after I graduated, I became pregnant with baby number two! I also got my first apartment in the projects, so of course he's got to change now right? We have a baby on the way and our own apartment, so he has to get a job now. Didn't happen. He went to jail when I was three months pregnant and was sentenced to two years in prison. Great. I'm a "ride or die chick" so I don't mind traveling to the prison to see my baby daddy. And then reality kicks me in the head.
I got tired of being alone. So I moved on. With two kids and two fathers in jail.

Then came "Mr. Man". He was a drug dealer with a nice car! He paid my $100 rent and even let me drive his car! I've hit the jackpot now!!! Nope! Long story short, I got pregnant, had an abortion (don't judge me), and got out of that sad, so-called relationship too! Lonely again. With two kids and a wounded soul.

At this point, I didn't know what to do. I always felt as if I needed a man to complete me. I remember a co-worker asking me what I wanted in a man. I couldn't answer that because I was cool with just having a man. She told me to write down all the characteristics that I wanted in a man. Then write a letter to God telling him what I wanted. Put both papers in the Bible, pray, and be patient. I did it. What did I have to lose?

After writing to God, I dated for two years but refused to force myself into a relationship until God sent me the man that he wanted me to be with. And he did! I have been with my husband, Kenny for 6 years. We have been married for 3 years and God blessed us with our last child one month after the wedding! So we have 2 beautiful daughters and a handsome son!

Through all of my obstacles, I learned that I didn't need a man to complete me. I had to complete myself first. Then God would send someone who would be a healthy balance in my life. And I balance my husband's life as well. We are a team striving to be a happy, healthy, and wealthy family.

I confess... I'm not an expert at getting optimistic about life. In fact, I'm still a work in progress. I am on a journey to "figure out what I want to be when I grow up". I am thinking, speaking, claiming, and working on achieving my happy space in the Universe... But there's more to me than this blog. I am a wife that is striving to be the best wife that I can be. I am a mother of 3 that is striving to be the best mother that I can be. I'm designing my own lane in the Universe because I just don't fit into any other lanes that have already been created. I'm being the best me that I can be. And I'm dedicated to helping you be the best you that you can be.

So, let's go on this journey together. Allow me to empower you. Allow me to motivate you. Allow me to inspire you. And I will allow you to do the same for me. That is what being a G.O.A.L. Model is all about! Getting Optimistic About Life and modeling for others how life is supposed to be.

Who is G.O.A.L. Model Metra?

Let the journey begin...

December 24, 2009. My 30th birthday to be exact. Weeks before my birthday, I cried, looked for answers, harrassed my friends and family about what to do, and almost gave up. What was wrong? I realized that I, Sharmetra, had never set any goals. Yep! Outside of the routine goals of graduate from high school and college,  I had not a clue of what I really wanted to be when I grew up.  I became a mother at the age of 20, and then again at 22, so basically everything I did was to take care of my girls. But I was still getting a feeling of being lost in the world.  I would listen to my husband talk about his dreams and goals and I could never join in because I didn't have any. My Bishop talked about having dreams and goals. Everybody is talking about dreams and goals. Except me. 
But!!!! There is a God!  It was like magic! On my 30th birthday, I woke up feeling new. Energetic! Motivated! Inspired! Why? Because there were little goals swimming around in my head just waiting to be accomplished!  On that day, I knew what I wanted to be. I knew that the one thing that I was absolutely great at doing and loved doing, was what I was destined to be. And that would be my goal.  I motivate people.  I empower people. I inspire people.  My testimony has to be shared so that others can know that there is life after mistakes. My goal is to be a mentor.  And that's what I'm gonna do!

Let the journey begin...