Milestones, hair shows, and burlesque have a particular thing in common…

Happy Wednesday!

Over the past year I have been singularly focused on enjoying my life as much or more than I do my work. Initially it was a real challenge because I genuinely love people and helping others, and I have an opportunity to enjoy both in my careers. So finding something that was purely for the fun of it, really joy without any networking or financial windfall was difficult. 

But I found something:  line dancing! 

I absolutely loved the dips and the sways and the steps! But then my right knee started bothering me, a little leftover gift from a vigorous running session as I was preparing for the Silver Comet Marathon in 2020. So I stopped going to class every week and I was a little bummed because I had not found anything else that would be a replacement. 

Once the year turned over and it was suddenly 2026, I realized that in a couple of months I was going to be 50! I sat down in earnest with a commitment to get back to my goal of having fun every week, doing something that was not attached to work. And I found it! 

I started getting out more, went to a premiere, and a sound bath, and a concert! And there was something at the back of my mind that said that although these activities were really cool, the magic was not the activity that attributed to the coolness -  itself was something else. 

As I was figuring it out, I was determined to continue moving forward in my quest for fun. And this past weekend brought it home for me exactly what the magic bullet, the secret in the sauce was:  friendship. 

Sunday I went to the Taliahah Waajidh natural hair show and was absolutely amazed at the creativity of The Stylists and the fashion designers, and the incredible energy that flowed through the entire convention center. There were thousands of people there! 

Then on Monday I went to my first burlesque class at the public library. The way we were able to sway and move so easily with such passion and sensuality was so liberating.  There are only two of us in that room. 

Both of these experiences had one thing in common: I was with a really good friend at both events. 

At the hair show was my god sister Beatrice who I have known my entire life. And at the library was my good friend Ebony who I have known for a little over a decade and has become one of my most treasured friends. And that's what it comes down to is friendship. Someone to enjoy a good time with. Someone who appreciates the quirky and the weird, is willing to put herself out there and try something new, a person who just wants to have fun and leave everything at the office or at least in the car for just a couple of hours. 

Each day we get up with the thought of ensuring that it is better than the day before. But I don't know how many of us actually take the time to put in place not just activities but the support system of family and friends who can ensure that this actually comes to pass. So I would encourage you to do the thing and to cultivate relationships that help you to not just be successful at work but to be successful in your own life, your personal life. 

Have a happy hump day!