Y.O.L.O. Re-Defined

One can hear it on college campuses nationwide, see it on thousands of facebook statuses and boldly #hashtagged all throughout the birdy world. Yes. Twitter. (Sometimes I think that cute little bird is singing some ugly messages, but I'll reserve that for a later post).

Pop culture star Drake created the 'hip' acronym Y.O.L.O, but its concept is way before his time, much less my own.

"Live every day like it's your last" originally written by who knows but recognized by just about everyone who reaches the developmental level to understand that really, life in this world is SHORT.

This is my only problem with society’s definition of YOLO: Much of contemporary society has excepted the definition as 'since we do only have one life to live, be as selfish or reckless as you can'.

Don't get your panties in a bunch. Allow me to keep it authentic without getting you hype.

Yes, I agree that part of life is about self-discovery and that some of us really needed to get lost in order to be found. I completely advocate having clean fun and I think that laughing is an essential part of living, almost to the point of breathing. The true issue lies in how the term is being interpreted...accepted...and now embraced.

People are behaving utterly selfish, reckless and egotistical because....they only live once. Some have accepted the business suit as a free pass and go to lose morals they were raised with at home. Some have given their precious bodies freely to the social media world...only that 'bad' once right? I can go on and on.

I am not here to judge or condemn, but I do hope to inspire people to begin thinking of this acronym differently. When one passes from this world they leave a mark. They leave a memory. They may leave a legacy.

Don't allow yourself to live this short life only centered around yourself. Help another. Reach out. Live your dreams without having to backstab anyone. Smile. Laugh. Cry. Thank GOD!

Since you do only live in this world ONCE, WHAT YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?



Just imagine being the only one in this only once world
#LetsKeepItAuthentic

  IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO FORGIVE AND CHANGE. LIKE...NOW.

Mayweather Vision

Before I go in, this message is not an analysis to Floyd Mayweather's entire character, but a particular characteristic he embodies that's commendable.

May 1, 2010 the undefeated Floyd Mayweather was scheduled to go against "Sugar" Shane Mosley. This fight was said to be one of the most anticipated fights in history. "Boxing purists had called for the fight for over ten years," an ESPN article released a week prior said.

Before the infamous fight took place there was a short video clip of Mayweather's coach and friends talking about his preparation methods before a big fight. Of course, they all spoke about the athleticism that must take place prior to these extremely physical events.

What stood out the most was when they said that MAYWEATHER  NEVER WATCHES HIS OPPONENTS BEFORE HAND. LIKE NEVER.

Mayweather went on to saying that watching them could cause doubt or insecurities (in looser terms). He simply would just over train and not mind who or how the opponent was, regardless of who was in his ear talking about "you've got to watch him!"

This concept hasn't left my mind since that day. Too many of us are concerned with what the other is doing, letting ourselves become weighed down by doubt because we don't quite measure up to what we think  we're already supposed to be like.

Was that too much to catch? STOP looking to your left or your right! Be encouraged because NO ONE is like YOU. Whatever dreams you may have, commit to the process of making them come true no matter who is in your view. Don't let anyone or anything deter you. NO ONE can compete with you BUT your own self doubts!

Close your eyes and ears to the doubts, the judgement, the hate, AND GO! Mayweather Vision. And if by chance what you do requires you to be attentive to what others are doing, then show them PURE LOVE. Show them love because they're pushing and believing too! They're not quite like you and you're not quite like them. REJOICE!!!

Speak LIFE!!!!

What does that mean?

When we are in the moment, possibly negative circumstances, many of us have a tendency to complain.

This complaining is called speaking DEATH upon your situation. I don't mean to sound like the utter drama queen, but maybe I do need to collect my crown on this topic because the power of words needs to be stressed.

When we speak negatively we send out a message to the enemy and God. We tell the enemy he's in control and we tell God that when we can't clearly see the future because of the clouds, that we don't have faith.

If unpleasant things happen we must speak LIFE! We must learn to say

"okay things aren't looking so hot right now, but God, I trust that it's all a part of the process. What do I need to take away from this situation? What are you trying to strengthen within me? What are you trying to strip away from me?"

We must learn to thank God all the way through. Speak life and surround yourself with those who only speak life as well. In those seldom moments where it's hard to see the positive side, it's important that we have positive people to speak LIFE over us and pray for us as well.

With love,

Paloma 'gorgeousINSIDE' Duran

Proverbs 18:21

NKJV

“Death and

LIFE

are in the power of the tongue...”

American Autumn - Ode To MLK Day #SpokenWord

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In an effort to wake us all up, I offer a dose of authenticity at it's finest. This video was not intended to offend anyone but inspire everyone to push for their dreams. After all, MLK didn't have a structured plan, just a definitive mission. No dream is too large!

Take A Minute

What other words are needed in this post? I guess I just wanted each of us to reflect. Reflecting is sometimes just silence and sitting still. But in this past year, many times I've reflected, there's an out pour of tears and 'thank yous' for my Father.

There was once these young men at church standing behind me. They were laughing. I felt kind of offended because my usually funny pastor was being quite serious at the time. They were laughing because there was this woman at the alter whaling and crying out to God in conviction.

When this happened it kind of made me think about all the people who have laughed at me for my choices to break away and start trying to live in accordance with the Word. Then I felt comforted again, because no can judge anyone if they haven't walked in their shoes.

Maybe one can better understand my love for Jesus now when they hear about His love for me then and now and about how He saved my life countless times. 

There's days I ask Him for nothing because I know in my heart He's done more than enough for me. So I just wanted to take this minute to remind you of all that He's done for you!!!

Where Did 'Gorgeous Inside' Come From???

Actual sign

 

I always get asked “where did gorgeous inside come from?” Besides the obvious reason of its representation, I’ll tell you how it came about for me.

Like many of us, when I was an adolescent I was lost. I will say I was a bit beyond though. I did things I never was supposed to do at a young age and influenced others to do the same. Not something I am proud of but lessons I am grateful for.

In all of my craziness, and outlandish behavior, I never quite fit in. I was popular but still felt very alone. My friends would give me the side eye when I would want to talk intellectually and they wanted to talk about cute boys. It’s like God injected me with wisdom at birth because sometimes the things that would come out of my mouth even surprised me. I admit, I ‘dumbed myself down’ at times not to be quite an alien (because that’s what I felt like at the time).

So in accordance with my blog title, I can’t lie to yall: One day when I was fourteen, I was smoking weed with some kids in the neighborhood and walking around. On our journey we walked by this house which was for sale. It had a for sale sign and an “I’m gorgeous inside” sign. Where I grew up, at the time, the houses were rag-it-ty. So I guess the sign was the perfect cope out, or else no one would step foot into that house.

(Something like this)

The sign called out to me in my heightened stupor. I wanted to take it but I knew that it was wrong. Just as I touched it and looked up, there was a woman in a suit at the window smiling at me and nodding her head. As if she was saying “take it, it’s yours.” So I did, running like the cops were coming after me.

When I turned fifteen and started driving, that sign boldly sat in my back window. Anyone I grew up with can tell you that’s how they recognized my Honda. One day this man was honking at me at a light and as I’m ready to curse him out he smiled and said “it’s so nice to see that sign. There are too many people that just care about their outer and don’t worry about their inner.”

His words never left my heart. At that point I understood my calling a little bit more, although throughout the years, I still got lost along the way. I knew that I didn’t fully fit in for a reason. And the nights where I cried alone because someone called me naïve for being so forgiving or ‘too emotional’, God would tap me on my shoulder and say “You’re gorgeous inside. Don’t worry about them.”  

Gorgeous inside isn’t a pretty picture. It’s a calling. It’s those intangible moments only created by God. And it’s the overcoming of conflict within to walk on purpose and not for others. Gorgeous inside is truth embedded in substance. Gorgeous inside is not a flashy mob, but sometimes it’s just walking alone with God and truly listening to your heart.

Gorgeous inside means ‘I don’t care about your attire, whose flyer, or who can pay the highest bill’. Gorgeous inside is vulnerability and transparency at its finest, admitting that at times we come short but when we give our 100, God does the rest. Gorgeous inside is more blessed than a woman with a double D chest because gorgeous inside understands that it is our inner light and our outer deeds that truly make us beautiful!

I am gorgeous inside. Are you?

Broken Bible

I was sitting in a coffee shop the other day reading the Word, utterly lost in the zone and this young lady walks up to me. I smiled and said "wussup?"

"That's a pretty bible," she said. "I like the color." 

"Thank you," I responded with a smile.

"But why is it broken, do you not take care of it?"

I asked her if she wanted to take a seat.

She did.

This bible is broken because I used to be....It's torn from the many nights I would fall asleep in it. 

Flipped some pages....

You see those water marks? Those are tears of pain, joy and conviction. The highlights represent scriptures I hope to remember forever. 

Can you believe I've only had this bible for less than a year? I'm not the same person who opened it....So while this bible got weak in adhesive, the Lord strengthened me in spirit more than I could have even imagined.   

 The young lady just took a moment to stare at me....."I WANT ONE!" 

So on kindle we went.....&lt;3

Spread Your Wings Butterfly

A butterfly will never crawl again. It might take a rest depending on the seasons, but its wings will not fall off unless pulled by an inanimate object.  Stay clear and do not fear what’s in front or behind. Just FLY as much as you can and never trip over a small ripple, they are only thrown in to amp up your momentum! 

If something or someone today tried to knock you off your path just praise God for them and keep flying. No one ever said the path would be easy, but there's no feeling greater than flying with purpose. Which way are you going today? You are not the 'caterpillar' you once were! All those legs before and all along you just needed two wings. Fly butterfly, FLY.  

Matching Myself

This quote on quote ‘swag’ was never intended to be a copied version of everyone else, but a blueprint of an individual’s authentic self. 

A woman who I kinda sorta know told me I "didn't match" the other day in an unpleasant way. I withheld old Paloma and said “thanks for letting me know,” smiled, and walked away. 

I knew when I awoke that morning that I was happy. I knew when I awoke that morning that I was healthy. And I also know what I know each and every morning, which is that God didn’t create us to be a copy of another. He created us unique with our specially crafted purposes. 

Back in the day I matched precisely. Now that I’m older I don’t pay as much attention nor money for such things. I’m not here to dress for anyone else just as much as I am not here to live for anyone else. 

I am confident enough to be me beyond the societal norms.

And for the record, I’m fly. Paloma fly though. But what would you expect, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, Paloma’s fly….

 STAND TALL IN WHO YOU ARE. YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF.