Hello ladies! Welcome back, and thanks for stopping by my blog. Wow! I cannot believe we are two days away from a new decade. Lately, I've been reflecting over the past ten years, and I am incredibly thankful for the past decade. I'm grateful for the lessons learned, the relationships that came and went, and the experiences that shaped me into the woman I am today. I'm excited for the next decade, confidently believing that I can follow my dreams, knowing that the plans God has for me are for good and not evil, to give me a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

During my time of reflection, I was encouraged to share one lesson I learned over the past ten years that has influenced how I think, behave, and act forever. It is the ability to stop allowing other peoples' fears and insecurities to determine my destiny. Many things have happened in this decade that I am incredibly blessed (i.e., getting married, graduating from college and law school, my family and friends, my health, etc.) Over the past couple of months, one of my biggest blessings was beginning my first "big girl" job at Reed Smith. It is so important to me because so many people told me I would not be in the position that I am today, and to make matters worse, I believed them.

As an aspiring law student, people consistently told me that I could not get a job at a big law firm because I was not in the top 10% of my class or I did not go to a top 15 school (i.e., Harvard Law School or Stanford Law School). People told me that it was incredibly difficult for a woman of color with my background to work for a firm like Reed Smith. I believed their lies. I thought that I wasn't good enough because of the qualities I was "lacking" based on their opinions and experiences. I decided to change my dream, thinking that I could never be the lawyer I truly wanted to be or work for a great company. I allowed other people to project their fears and insecurities onto my destiny and future. I regret giving those people so much power and influence over my life. I regret not trusting in God's plans and allowing other peoples' opinions to define who I am. Fast forward to today, I'm working for an excellent firm practicing civil litigation (which I love), surround by people who are investing in me as a young attorney and genuinely want to see me succeed, and growing and learning every day.

In 2020, I'm never allowing anyone to tell me what I can and cannot do. This journey has taught me four lessons: (1) I must believe in myself, (2) I am a child of God, trust that he will provide me with the tools I need to be successful, (3) surround myself with people who support me wholeheartedly, and (4) GO FOR IT! The worst that can happen is you fail, which is one step closer towards achieving your dreams.

Thank you, 2019, for the lessons, laughs, and tears. 2020 I am ready for you!

Sincerely,

Taylor