I am blessed and fortunate enough to be surrounded by individuals who turn their dreams into reality. These individuals go against the grain, and decide to pursue their passions regardless of what anyone else may say. I salute them, because to me, these individuals are my heroes, wether they know it or not. Sometimes it's their bravery that inspires me. Sometimes it's their resilience that inspires me.
Meet my very dear friend, Aja. Her passion is what inspires me. She's a dreamer. She's a doer.
Personally, I've known her for over a decade, and I still don't know how she does what she does. Mother. Wife. Entrepreneur. On top of all that, she still has to time to provide therapy and constructive criticism to people like me. God bless her.
“Most people don’t think about the ingredients that are going into and on their bodies.”
Since my grandfather passed away, one of her favorite quotes in college was, "Live every passing moment as a chance to turn it all around.". Now, it rings in my head like those annoying dismissal bells from high school. Only, I can't dismiss it from my head. I don't want to dismiss it.
I'm lucky enough to have watched her grow and mature over the past decade. Over the past five years, I was able to witness the start of her company, Aja Naturals, in which she sells organic skin care products, to a company that has sold internationally. She puts her heart and soul into her products. And when I state heart and soul, I mean, SHE MAKES THESE PRODUCTS BY HAND! <-----That's dedication.
Plus, she practices what she preaches. I use her soap products, but don't let her know that I'm unable to bring myself to go vegetarian, or vegan, for that matter. I love meat. I'm just not ready for that yet. The mere thought of not eating meat makes me want to break down and cry. But I digress.
She saw a lot of potential in my photography. Even when I had so much self-doubt. She saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. She's the one that gave me that extra kick-in-the-butt. I'll always appreciate her for that.
Remember, if there is someone you know that has helped or inspired you in some way, shape, or form -- TELL THEM. Or, in my case, write a blog about it.
Make sure to visit her website and Facebook page where you just might find some pretty awesome stuff.
“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and the thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.”