April’s Advance

Hey 👋🏾 Hope all is well in your world. It’s been a few weeks since I have tapped in and this particular post is going to cover a bit of why. In a world filled with chaos and debauchery we must pause and give ourselves grace. Life be life-ing at times and if your surroundings aren’t giving you the proper applause, you gotta look in he mirror and give it to yourself. That will keep you going, and keep you from seeking external validation constantly. We wish that our people would catch on to all of the things that we are putting out, all of the work we are putting in, and all of the content that we feed into the web. That’s tends to put a lot on our people though. It ignores their individuality and their lives. We pour into our creative endeavors and lives so heavily sometimes we overlook that our peers are often doing the same, or simply doing something completely different. We, as a whole, have to learn to give ourselves and our surroundings grace. Everyone is trying. Even your very chipper and supportive friend may need a little grace to be down and absent from time to time without repercussion.

   April is usually a month filled with formals, celebrations, festival, and quarter wrap ups. It was totally different this year for me. I enjoyed the weather bringing about some growth and a little warmth for spring, but in my area, this month was plagued with numerous days requiring hoodies. The number of mornings I arose expecting a sunny jog only to be greeted by a chilly cool front was surprising (I’m sporting a Southern U. sweatshirt as my fingertips tap away at these keys). I bounce between Louisiana and Texas frequently and in both places, depending on what time of the day you drop a pin in, you may land in an alternate season. Now usually I am focused on getting my formal clients and myself ready for prom and various events going on in the area, not so much this year. I cancelled my attendance to the formal event for self and I was very art focused this year meaning, very few formal babes to prepare. I understand the why completely. I also understood the ramifications. I actually ended up doing an art focused event on the first Saturday of this month named Coffee and Conversation where my latest exhibition is being housed. If you haven’t seen it yet it will be coming down from Parc Village in Lafayette in June, please check it out if interested.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5bWzzarvFc/?igsh=MWMwczRkNnFkNGJjaA==

The celebrations of finishing up the actual first quarter of the year don’t end there, one of my favorite unofficial holidays lie tucked away towards the end of the month; 420. It’s not a day that everyone is aware of and you generally won’t get approved for days off of work, but if you are in the community of people who enjoy the spoils of ganja you tend to at least acknowledge the day. I have been throwing an annual gathering for years and this year came with a few personal hurdles that caught me by surprise, but did not hinder the celebration at all. I actually was able to expand my products. I know of the results of continuously inhaling marijuana over an extended amount of time, so I tend to stray away ever so often. I opt to eat and drink my THC and share it with other like minded individuals in a safe space on that particular day and others; but especially on that day. If you are interested in learning a bit more about the origins simply click the following link from the previous year: https://www.afancyvibe.com/post/let-s-get-into-april-20th

In the heart of a Cajun county known as Lafayette, an annual free festival that takes over the downtown area known as Festival International falls right at the end of April. It’s a beautiful exhibition of not only Creole and Cajun heritage, but many other cultures that travel internationally to participate and appreciate all that is to be offered. Music fills the air and some of the best cuisine you hope that is still available after the 4 day affair is packed up is very prevalent. It’s lovely to say the least, and its all literally right up the street from home. It’s bittersweet as I get the phone calls and texts from people I rarely ever hear from simply to obtain parking, but its as annual as the event itself. I no longer take offense. This year I decided to only partake in one of the four days, again my personal life is weighing a little heavy on me this particular year. I enjoyed my remaining friends and all of the love they have been pouring into this rather dingy cup. I gave myself the grace to get out and enjoy what I can, but I knew I didn’t want to be out there raining on any parades. And I didn’t. I did what I could.

   This wrap up entails so much more than it normally does simply because so much has happened in this little month here. An overview of what the past 4 months has really meant for me mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially is what is usually done before the absolute last day. But grace, right? Grief has a strong hold on me at this point in my life and I can say that honestly. I’m mourning people that will never come back and people that I will never allow back. Its all the same to me internally. As I go from day to day missing the ones I truly never imagined being without it gets to be heavy. I miss those people so deeply its almost insane. Some other worldly individuals are having a difficult time dealing with the decision brought by their undeserving actions, and that’s their journey as I deal with mourning their absence, nothing more. In understanding how things around me are changing I have to understand that my feelings are natural, and perfectly fine. It’s okay not to be okay. I have to tell myself that so much its almost scary, but its true.

Amongst all of the rigamarole of this month I want to take time and celebrate me and a few things I did get accomplished.

I put myself out there and confirmed my very first live painting event. Im very nervous but its something I’ve always wanted to do. Im really proud of this one. Ill be amongst some amazing talent. Hope to see you there if you are in the area.

After outsourcing many of my shirt products I took initiative and cracked open the cricut I’ve been having for years. Yay self sufficiency.

I set a weight goal and beat it along with dominating a 21 day challenge, visuals below. I was actually hoping a few of you guys would want to start a May challenge with me. I’ve also included the workout chart I tend to follow, I choose 2 body parts per day and adjust my sets accordingly. I just included that if anyone may be curious about some of the exercises Im doing, no pressure to follow along.

I expanded my menu for self and customers with great feedback after being left high and dry last minute by the “chef” of years for my event. Again Yay self sufficiency.

As I look around at all of the changes and prepare to launch myself into a better space as best I can, the main word that keeps playing in my head is Grace. I need to give myself some and I need to spread it to the people around me because ill never know the depths of the battles they are fighting. This month has given me some pretty hard lessons and some pretty amazing times, im grateful for them all. Im ready to begin the healing in the morning. Until May. Peace to all eyes that land on this blog.