The World Is Waiting For Your Vision

Imagine for once YOU had the "winning idea." Imagine you had the "solution" to change the world. Without action or voicing it, your idea would merely drift away from your thoughts like a wave in the sea.  Without planting your idea and nourishing it, your idea would never blossom. However, if you were to share that idea with others and were able to make that idea into reality - imagine the impact you would make.

Capturing the sunrise in Wyoming during my road trip to California.

Four years ago I journeyed 3,000 miles away from the comfort of my Philadelphia home to an unfamiliar city in Northern California because I had a dream. A dream to eradicate poverty by closing the opportunity gap and work with tech companies to share high-quality resources to underprivileged communities (pretty specific, right?). I had a dream that I could make a difference. I didn't know how I would do it, but I wanted to make the world a better place by making it more equitable.

I shared this radical idea with numerous of strangers I met through random conversations in coffee shops and during networking events until one day I connected with someone who shared a similar vision as mine. After years of hard work, preparation and execution I was able to help a nonprofit educate over 3,000 girls in computer programming in the United States and co-founded a computer technology program in a rural village in South India. Often I sit and wonder, "What would have happened to the lives I have impacted (and to my life which has drastically changed) if I never shared my vision with the world and trusted the universe to connect me to others?"

Teaching a student how to type during my stay in South India.

Blessed and humbled, I thank God every day for allowing me to go on this adventure but I know this is just the beginning of my journey. The universe is listening and waiting to conspire like-minded individuals to go out and do great in the world. This journey is not easy, it is not clear but one day the dots will connect. You just need to have faith in your work. 

What is your vision?  What idea are you holding on to? I know it is hard to imagine that you, yes you, have the next big idea the world is waiting for - but you really do. By giving your all and sharing your vision with others, the world will be able to benefit and connect you to others that will help bring your idea to life. You just have to believe in it and work towards it. As stated best by Helen Keller, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." 

A group picture celebrating the finale of Startup Weekend Oakland - Black Male Achievement.

The world is waiting for your vision. We all have something to contribute to the world…I wholeheartedly believe that to be true. 


Peace and Blessings.

Love,
Abby

When all doors seem to be closed

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when it seems as though nothing I mean nothing is favoring you? You have the desire to grow but it seems as though there are no opportunities, there is no one lending you a hand, all seems hopeless.

Often I struggle with this feeling. I feel as though I have so much to offer but there are no doors that are opened for me. It’s like I’m in a dark hallway yelling for an opportunity and no one hears me. Then in some strange way I get discouraged and I start being bitter. I look around and notice how many other people are getting blessed with things and I question “Why not me? Am I not good enough?”

One thing I learned is that patience is a virtue. The silence may be a test, a test in your character and in your faith. How can you be a true believer if you are quick to question why things are not working in your favor? Why be selfish of others, because although we do not see a person’s struggle, they may be deserving of that opportunity and that opportunity may come to a blessing to help another person. Silence is the worst thing you can give a person but try to stay positive during these times when it seems all doors are closed. Believe that things will come when you are ready to receive them. 

Unfortunately some of us are not presented with a hallway filled with opened doors of opportunities.

Sometimes we have to WALK down that hall of closed doors and really humble ourselves and stay focus on our characteristics and on our goals.  We have to WALK and focus and strengthen our faith and ourselves. As Carlos Castenada once stated, "We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."

Although it may seem difficult to stay positive during these times, I wholeheartedly believe that we need to use this time to self reflect. Take time to improve our skill sets and listen to the world because although no doors are opening up, there just might be someone knocking softly behind one of the doors and all you have to do is OPEN the door.