Changing the Narrative: I AM MORE!

Changing the narrative usually alludes to something unsettling or misleading, even a past instance that needs readdressing. And with that, the answer is YES.

Always using myself as an example.

For those who aren’t aware, I’ve had a really rough past three years, and I’m finally getting back to ME! I’ve been deeply practicing both manifestation and meditation. This practice has led to a true awakening of my spirit and a keen awareness of my emotions. What sparked this realization was going back to Korea, after previously being a resident and delving into the education system.

Before moving forward, I’d like to attribute this to Mindvalley and Regan Hillyer.

First and foremost, I’d like to change the narrative and reframe who I am. I’m not looking for your external validation, but more so, your openness to just read and understand.

In both my field of dance and the education sector, I’ve felt stifled in my choices to speak up and speak my truth. As I get older, I understand that my spirit and soul were screaming at me to leave certain situations and spaces before they ended negatively, but I never listened. I was always a people-pleaser and needed external validation because I felt my work was enough and I was owed support and empathy that I never truly received in the workplaces I ended up in.

I had to accept and I’m still trying to understand all the rejection I’ve faced in the workplace, after applying for jobs, reaching out to connections I thought I had, and past friends. But being in this new space of deep reflection and manifestation is helping me find peace.

This is the main reason why moveDIPR LLC exists. I wanted to create a world and a family where artists and students felt supported and gained knowledge and experience, in the process. Before experiencing injustice and a lack of accountability and transparency in most workplaces, I successfully paved ways with moveDIPR, enjoying five years of success and two years of accepting change. Now, moveDIPR has had to make a huge shift because I, myself, have changed.

When changing a narrative or reframing how we view ourselves, let me tell you, it takes A LOT of work! You have to consciously CHOOSE to let go of the people or companies who don’t and will never see you, how you view yourself. You also have to discern who you call “friend” or a connection. The older you get, the tougher it becomes. Most, won’t admit it. They’ll just choose to ignore, dismiss, or not engage in uncomfortable conversations that might make them feel insecure.

Nevertheless, changing a narrative or reframing is the toughest thing I’ve had to do in my life. Honestly, I never thought I had to because I was DIONNA! My view was that I was independent, talented, valuable, worthy… a great a** teacher, who could do anything creatively! I worked at that. But in some people’s eyes and certainly in the eyes of institutions or company leaders, I grew to realize that I was DIONNA: talented, BUT disposable, a problem because I chose to start speaking up for myself. This part of my story has hurt the most. As I’m still healing, but I offer you this:

Nothing that you decide to do, that comes from your SOUL or that your spirit leads you to do, is wrong! Society and its constructs, those in power, have made us feel that we are less than who we are. That’s what happened to me.

BUT!

When I reflect on the enormous number of lives I’ve touched, the inspiration I’ve given, the opportunities I’ve provided others, and even the ideas I offered bosses who took from me, instead of honoring me, I know for damn sure I AM MORE!

And not only have I worked in the Arts/Education field, but I AM MORE because I do more than people may realize. Being an entrepreneur, running a business, and raising my skill sets while mostly being homeless, running away, always moving, living in my car, sleeping at the dance studio, living in shelters, sleeping on the street, staying in hostels, being deep in poverty, losing jobs, family, and friends, etc., ALL of this has made me who I am — I AM MORE!

And YOU ARE MORE too! If you take just a day, half a day, or a couple of hours to look back at all you’ve accomplished and made it through, you would begin to say I AM MORE because you are! It takes those honest moments of crying, isolating, connecting with others (outside your perceived circle), writing, getting some vitamin D, and NOT doing what others say you should be doing or what you should have done. It’s literally about staying connected to your Soul space, however you feel comfortable. You may not be ready now, BUT the time will come. Trust me!

YOU ARE MORE!

I AM MORE!

WE ARE MORE!

P.S. Let me tell you a secret… the BEST decision I ever made was NOT getting on my flight back to New York — I stayed in South Korea to dive deep within myself. I asked others what I should do, I didn’t sleep the night before my flight (out of fear), but the decision to stay in Korea came from my spirit!

How can you CHANGE YOUR NARRATIVE?

Still learning, still connecting, still healing…

~ deeply

written May 28, 2024

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Inspired by the advice from Charlene Masona to revisit and share past posts, I wanted to reshare a piece I wrote in May, this year.

I invite you to read it and, if it resonates, consider subscribing to my newsletter. :)

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