welcome to beyond the smoke & mirrors
From December 31, 2019…
Okay, so this time I AM NOT GOING AWAY this time! LIAR…
A few years ago (2015), I launched a blog that was supposed to be about faith, fashion and fitness and I called it #toocutetobefat. While that was a good idea and I truly meant well, I wasn’t in a place where I could sustain it. There were tons of reasons, many of which I am sure I we will chat about here. However, I went away for a while and got myself together. By together I mean I focused on God and not on me. I wasn’t perfect, I’m still not, but I fixed my gaze on him. That allowed me to get clear about my path - well in this season anyway, and really understand my voice.
Did that whole intro sound familiar? That is because it is… On March 4, 2019, I relaunched this blog with a new name (love yourself during), the same intentions and what I thought was a different mindset, but ended up lying again. 2019 was a whirlwind. To keep it brief - new job, mega responsibilities and TONS of life happened; but the time away was good for me. It made me realize that I had been looking at this journey ALL WRONG.
Do I crave greater FAITH and a deeper connection with God? Yes! Do I have a thing for FASHION, and like to ball on a budget? YES, YES! Do I intend to continue my FITNESS journey and lose the 100 lbs? Yes, yes; my soul CRIES yes! However, in this last year, I have been asking myself some serious questions. These contemplations have been primarily centered around my purpose in life, ANNNNNNDDDD what I convey across my social media channels.
Am I really my AUTHENTIC SELF?
To what end and for what reason is my page even public?
Lord, am I missing the point of digital discipleship and ministry?
Listen, I like most of you, LOVE social media. It is a tool, it can be super inspiring and genuinely I believe I have a great community there. Especially on Instagram (BIG LOVE YALL)!
I currently have 7K photos in my ANDROID camera roll. Yet, less than 300 posts in feed on social and I post even less on le Facebook (say it with a french accent). Why is that, you ask? Well, it is because I DO NOT WANT TO STUNT for the ‘gram; and there are sooooooo many stories behind every trip pic, dinner post, and even my Nike shoes, fam.
Instead of me sharing the whole story, I just chose not to share. And before you be like “it is nobody’s business,” let me stop you. I believe this is part of my calling, my conviction and part of my purpose in the internet world. From now on, I will go Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors to share with you God’s grace and mercy that is over my life - and all the pitfalls along the way. I am talking faith and the lack thereof, dumb financial mistakes, struggling with lack of discipline, debt, race relations, entrepreneurial struggles - chilllee, ALL THE THINGS.
I am happy to do life with ya’ll! Here is the original blog post for the launch in March of 2019. I kind of chuckled reading the post and watching the video…ha ha ha.
Ps…I really DO NOT like this picture of me. This was me in Nov 2019 at a super large corp event, dirty dog tired; but loving every single minute of it. I am starting the transparency…NOW.
Love you,
T-Money
