The Best You
Tender Words From Glori Abreu
When I received a message from Cat inviting me to be a contributor to her blog, I felt incredibly honored. She is a friend who I am in awe with due to her strong personality, her views on life, and her passion for spreading positivity in this society. Cat, thank you again for believing in my lifestyle and allowing me to use your platform to show it! My name is Glori, a young woman born and raised in Miami but currently living in Manchester, England. Living in a city that is polar opposite of where I grew up, to pursue my dreams. Dreams which I never envisioned for myself. With that being said, I want to tell you today that life is unpredictable and we have to chase what we are here for and the only way this can ever happen is if you stop looking at your surroundings and wishing you were part of that “squad”.You have to look at your path, your vision, your passion.
You're probably reading this and saying, "What is she talking about? My dream is to be the next Beyoncé, Marc Zuckerberg, or President Obama." Why is it that our dreams usually consist of trying to be the next BEST thing and comparing our lives to others? Don’t get me wrong, I'm not here to tell you not to reach for the stars and become the next best thing…I'm here to tell you push to become the next best you!I grew up in a middle class home with amazing parents and siblings. My mom and I always spoke about how one day I would start my own accounting company and buy my house on the beach and live a luxurious life. All my mom asked me to gift her with once I “made it” was a yacht (in her words a yashhh), so she could sunbathe in the middle of the ocean worry free. Having this mindset growing up, I naturally pursued business as my undergrad degree. To put my entire four years into one phrase, 'lost and confused'. As expected, throughout those four years we grow, we reflect on life, and begin to choose what we want our lives to look like.
This entire life that I was building “the next best business woman with a luxurious life” is not what I felt like I was here for. I got lost in the whole superficialness of life and forgot about the true meaning of it, which was living my truest version of it, the one I was created for.I will be transparent here and say that I am human and there are days I sit on social media or walk down the street thinking what it would be like if I had a life like a travel blogger or the life of a celebrity or even a one of a business woman. But I always go back and think, that bloggers, businesswoman's, and celebrity's life brought out their best self and I know for certain my best self will be just as beautiful. I now know that if we keep living life constantly comparing ourselves to others we will go down the path of feeling purposeless.I started reflecting on life and thinking about what I could do in this world that could be meaningful and fulfilling to my soul. Through this reflection I realized I was here to love on others and help reduce the injustice in the lives of the less privileged. This means possibly working for an NGO in a foreign country, which is the complete opposite of what my “dream life” was for so long. Figure that…I went from the luxurious life that I once dreamed of to working in the field possibly somewhere in Africa.
Never in a million years did I think that my actual dream would be to work in less developed countries serving others. Now that I know, every day I take tiny steps to reach where I want to be in the complex, yet rewarding development industry.I feel like this is where I am meant to be and this brings out the best me.I am currently completing a masters in International Development and have had the privilege of having multiple opportunities to work in developing nations. As a result of my experiences I can sit here today and say working in an environment that submerges me in the daily lives of the less privileged truly fills my soul with direction. Some may not understand, but I agree to look past what individuals think life should be like and follow my own definition of it. This is the best me and I will work everyday for this passion I have discovered, regardless of what others think is best for me.
Are you willing to look past what society thinks life should be? Are you willing to dig deep into your deepest self and discover what you’re truly meant for? Are you willing to take a couple of months to reflect on life to unearth that passion?I hope today this sparked something inside of you. I hope it motivated you to chase the best YOU. This could mean you becoming the best janitor or the next superstar so long as it is your dream, your life, and your journey. I urge you to look at the individualized path ahead and stop looking around and comparing your life to others!I will end by what I love telling others, “Your story is WAY different than my story. Be confident in yours, it’s quite special”.Hearts and Kissy faces,Glori You can follow me on social media, I would love to get to know you and hear your stories!
Get to know Gloria more on her blog Glorissoul.com and Instagram at glori_abreu.