By: C. Michelle Bryant
As “Focus on Fabulous” magazine reaches its first year in publication, I have been doing a lot of reflecting. I’ve been reflecting its beginnings from a mere dream and a whim to its current development and the pains that growing often carries.
Through this year, I have been blessed with many supporters in vision, resources and opportunities. I have met ordinary people with extraordinary stories, shared, laughed and cried with them over many cups of coffee and have witnessed greatness in all ages, sizes and walks of life. I have learned things about myself, my business, others and the world around mi that I would by no other means have ever learned. I have greatly been surrounded by the magnitude of truly fabulous individuals and have been able to share and showcase through the publications pages the value of all persons, that everyone has a gift or talent, everyone has a story, pasts don’t make realities, victims become victorious and every life has special meaning. Truly, the excitement has far outweighed the disappointments, and things have become possible that I never thought would.
The struggle and the growth have been hard, and I’m sure they will only get harder and I will continue to incur more disappointments and growing pains. The doubt will continue to come as I continue to climb to produce the greatness that was in my original vision. People will continue to tell mi “you can count on mi” and not come through. Obstacles will come in my way. But I am tenacious and an overcomer. I am determined, one who does not give up easily when fighting for something I believe. Afraid of failure? Yes. Afraid I can’t handle things if the magazine becomes a huge success? Most definitely. But the dream must go on. Lives must be enriched, empowered and inspired. Tons of people must be touched and lives changed around the world as a result of the contents of these pages. It is my calling and a risk I must take.
I have spent time this past year investing in this venture, in the people it is destined to aspire, in myself. I have witnessed firsthand a need for “mi time” away from the screens of laptops, computers, cell phones and televisions, the desire for a chance to escape, to reflect, to find ourselves. The urge to continue to showcase the beauty that surrounds us each and every day despite all the sham and drudgery we are bombarded with continuously. In our second year, as we continue to grow, we set our sights high, our dreams higher and our determination infinite.
To all the women who have shared this first year with us, we salute you. We love you and we appreciate you. Some of you have stepped out of your comfort zones; others have shared and been vulnerable knowing that someone somewhere needed to hear what you had to say. Others offered recipes, insight for children and more. Each of you is as unique as your personal fingerprints, and we are thrilled to have you be a part of our first year. Here’s to another year of boundless blessings, great tributes and changing the world together—one fabulous story at a time.
stay beautiful, stay you,
“mi”