I took a little break from the routine this past weekend to celebrate my sister Nikki’s 30th birthday. A much anticipated celebration was planned (or so I thought) way before the birth of GoneGirlGo. While I was excited about my first trip to Vegas, I struggled with stepping away because the movement was gaining momentum. I really didn’t want to step away, but then again, I wanted to celebrate with my family. Those of you who know us know that we love to have lots of fun! Anyway, Niyia, a wise young woman made my decision easy by telling me that GoneGirlGo was not like a “backpack” that I just put on and take off. It is me and it goes where I go. So despite all of the activity around me, I thought a lot and learned some valuable lessons relative to this movement while celebrating in Vegas.

• Life can be fun but hard at the same time. Experience has taught me that fun doesn’t challenge me to grow. Hard does. I can make the fun part last as long as I want, but at some point I am going to have to do the hard part too, especially if I want to grow (this is not intended to be a joke, but it is funny). Unfortunately, folks give up on life because of the hard part, but would rather push forward to always have fun. They are missing an opportunity for growth and balance. (My speculation is that these people love places like Vegas. As for this lil’ mama, enough was enough. I’m good with my fun but hard life!) 
• Some folks have a difficult time accepting the hand that they have been dealt. I wonder what would happen if they didn’t get hung up on how “bad” their hand was. What would happen if they pushed forward with that “bad” hand and decided to go make impact with it anyway? What would happen if they stopped gambling away their time because they felt that they didn’t have what it takes to win? What if they changed their minds and realized that the hand that they have been dealt was given to them for a reason?
• I couldn’t pound the pavement in my high heels that long in Vegas. I hated abdicating my super powers, but I had to for the sake of my feet.
• People from around the world push forward to live in the United States so that they can go. And we are mad at them, but won’t push forward and go ourselves.

Who told my mother to throw up deuces?

Believe it or not, despite all my thinking, I had lots of fun celebrating with my family. (And that part will stay in Vegas.) I would not have missed this trip for anything in the world. It’s just hard for me to put on and take off gonegirlgo™. It is me. It goes where I go.

Peace

And I can’t forget…Happy Birthday Nikki!!!!!