My Vicarious Life

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3.1 Phillip Lim April 18, 2011

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Friend Friday: Thank You, to Infinity

Friend Friday April 15, 2011

By Katrice

Thanks to Modly Chic, this is the official one-year anniversary of FBFF! And in celebration, she has given us the great opportunity to say thank you to the people around us and in our audience who have helped us to get to this place. "It’s time to shine the spotlight on them and give credit where credit is due."

1. Personally, I owe a lot of who I am to:
My mom, of course, because she not only instilled the fundamentals of who I am and cultivated every nuance of my drive by encouraging me to be spiritual, focused, ambitious, consistent, inquisitive, loving, concerned ...

The pastor and first lady of my home church bred in me a complete love for knowledge, respect for education and commitment to community building.

My grandfather -- for my work ethic.

Not too long ago, friend Fajr Muhammad {of StylishThought.com} did a post called "Council of She" in which she discussed the four women who in her words: "have inspired me and shaped me to be who I am and guide me to who I aspire to be." I was so inspired by that post. And it led me to identify my own Council: my mom, Audrey Lorde, Oprah Winfrey, Jo-Ann Lipford Sanders, Celie/Shug/Sophia {as one profoundly resilient inertia of black womanhood in "The Color Purple"}.

2. Professionally, I owe a lot of who I am to: Everyone who has ever given me an opportunity to prove myself more than capable -- from the manager at the YMCA in Sandusky, Ohio, who hired me as a part-time desk clerk right after I received my Master's degree {right place/right time} to publisher Pat Lottier who launched me into my dream of being an editor.

3. When it comes to the art of blogging, I’m grateful to these people for helping me through some rough spots: My good friends Kamille, Cyndi and Katrice H. for encouraging me to just plain be ME {and reassuring me that that alone would be enough}. Blogger Fajr for being a sensational inspiration with sound research, creativity, integrity and consistency. And Aunt Phyllis, Toni, Uncle Ernest, Shaneika, Paulina and Tawanna for being amazing MVL ambassadors.

4. One blogging challenge I’m grateful happened because it made me stronger was …
One time, I did an interview for an MVL Exclusive and was recording it. When the interview ended, I went to review the tape and realized that I had connected the recorder to phone incorrectly. I was devastated -- believing that the opportunity was a wash -- and almost walked away because I was afraid to go back to the subject and explain what happened. My thought: MVL is a fledgling blog and that it would be a bother. But, my friend Myleik encouraged me to send a note explaining what happened. I did that and the individual was more than accommodating. Not only did she agree to re-answer my questions, she sent her responses via video message. The lesson for me was that my blog is of value to someone other than me, and that if I don't believe in my "product" no one else will.

5. To my readers, I’d like to say …
You have literally catapulted me into my destiny. It sounds cliché, I know. But, it is so so true. I become more of myself with each and every post, and you being here makes it even more affirming and rewarding an experience.

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Friend Friday: Thank You, to Infinity

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