The NEXT chapter…
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
At the end of last month I turned 30!!! Reflecting on my 20′s is quite something, you realize how much you have grown and changed and wonder if you were actually aware of the changes you were making or just going with the flow. Either way your exactly where your supposed to be. Life happens but what you do, say and think shapes your experience so today I choose!
Here are the lyrics to a song that I have chosen for the next chapter in my life… my thirties!!!
“I Choose” – By India Arie
Because you never know where life is gonna take you
and you can’t change where you’ve been.
But today, I have the opportunity to choose.
[Verse 1:]
Here am I now looking at 30 and I got so much to say.
I gotta get this off of my chest, I gotta let it go today.
I was always too concerned about what everybody would think.
But I can’t live for everybody, I gotta live my life for me.(Yeah)
I pitched a fork in the road of my life and ain’t nothing gonna happen unless I decide.
[Chorus:]
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be authentic in everything I do.
My past don’t dictate who I am. I choose. (Yeah)
[Verse 2:]
I done been through some painful things I thought that I would never make it through.
Filled up with shame from the top of my head to the soles of my shoes.
I put myself in so many chaotic circumstances, but by the grace of God I’ve been given so many second chances.
But today I decided to let it all go. I’m dropping these bags, I’m making room for my joy.
[Chorus:]
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be authentic in everything I do.
My past don’t dictate who I am. I choose.
[Bridge:]
Because you never know where life is gonna take you and you can’t change where you’ve been.
But today, I have the opportunity to choose. (Hey ey)
I used to have guilt about why things happen they way they did cuz life is gone do what it do.
And everyday, I have the opportunity to choose.
[Verse 3:]
From this day forward I’m going to be exactly who I am.
I don’t need to change the way that I live just to get a man. (NO!)
I even had a talk with my mama and I told her the day I’m grown,
“from this day forward, every decision I make will be my own.” And hey!
[Chorus:]
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be courageous in everything I do.
My past don’t dictate who I am. I choose.
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be authentic in everything I do.
My past don’t dictate who I am. I choose.
[Bridge:]
Because you never know where life is gonna take you and you can’t change where you’ve been.
But today, I have the opportunity to choose. (Hey ey)
I used to have guilt about why things happen they way they did cuz life is gone do what it do.
And everyday, I have the opportunity to choose.