It has been quite awhile since I posted on this Blog site, but as pageant season comes in full swing it's time! I would first like to say that I am overly joyed over the new friendships I have developed over the past year that have helped guide me to become a better competitor, mentor, titleholder and volunteer. As I watch Facebook and Twitter as the ladies are checking in for Miss Tennessee USA and Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2013 today I am reminded of the friendships/sisterhoods I gained while competing. I am trilled for the contestants to embark on this journey, whether it's the first or final curtain for them. I encourage them and all of my fellow pageant sisters competing this season to embrace this moment and leave your mark on not only each stage you walk in your heels but also on the people that you meet along the way. I have always been a strong believer that life is truly what you make it and how you take it. In my absence I competed in the MRS world of pageantry! Mrs. Tennessee America 2012(4th runner up) and Mrs.Tennessee United States 2012(2nd runner up to my MAO and MUO pageant sister Tiffany Love). I had the best time and challenged myself in ways that I thought I may have forgotten over time, yes I'm aging! I could not have done it without the love and support of those who have supported me in all of my endeavours. I'm a firm believer that you should NEVER forget where you came from, what it took to get there and the people who have helped you along the way. Oftentimes when we reach what we believe is our full potential it's easy to hop on a high horse and not humble yourselves to those who believed in you before you believed in yourself. Through growth and wisdom I have learned to look back, reflect on how to become better, remember who was there to lend a friendly hand or kind word but most of all to continue to build my personal legacy. Ladies, it's so easy to hop from coach to coach, system to system, gown to gown, hair color to hair color, photographer to photographer, friend to friend, clique to clique and that is understandable in some cases. This however must be done gracefully and without making those who stood by you when you walked around with your head down and unsure if you were "worthy" as some of those who took the stage beside you. To you I say that it is always best to be humble and take the high road. Pageantry can be gossip filled and mean(what true sport isn't) but it is up to you to define your legacy. Will you be remembered as the girl who became too good for everyone? A fake who uses others until they are used up and then toss them into the dust? The choice is up to you... One woman wins the sparkly hat, but there are so many who wear it in their heart. Challenge yourself everyday to become the best you can be. Don't try to emulate others just be yourself as no one can be better at it that you. I am currently on hiatus as Durran and I have been Blessed with another boy due in early 2013, but I will be blogging here until the day I deliver. As you know, I consider pageantry a sport. I read consistently on how players and coaches train to be the best. I'm still and always will be striving to climb the hill to greatness. I'm excited about that and I thank God for the Blessing of determination. I have always been told that I wasn't tall enough, talented enough and I won't bore you with negatives that I have managed to with one small line turn into a plus sign. Positive thinking is imperative and striving to put your all in everything you do will help you climb every mountain. As I close I will leave you with one of the greatest motivational speeches for this season in my life that was brought into my and my husband's life with the purchase of a game. Open your mind, reflect on your own personal journey and I hope it may inspire you as well! Until next time, Bling and Blessings! Good luck ladies!
