Caught you by surprise there ehh?! March is upon us! How time flies(I should probably absolutely stop saying this). Since I have just turned 20, I thought it would be nice to really put down my view of living out loud on paper here. I have been incredibly blessed and inspired by all the amazing people who have taken up this challenge and I am sure you too have one way or another. Its time to let you in on my view. Hi! My name is Sophia Musoki (I’m sure you already know!) and so far I am in my senior year of college/university taking  a BBA in Entrepreneurship. I like singing loudly (really loud because I am trying to improve my vocals ha!) at home, and listening to music and trying to sing along. Writing is my sanity, I love food– making it actually, photography, shift dresses, a good book is a must, oh and I like (love) brainstorming just for the sake of it. I don’t like feeling restless, procrastinating(which I do a lot!), afternoon sun (it burns!), having classes at 2 pm (the horror of dozing!) and having to pretend. Living out loud to me means learning to embrace the imperfections in life, Learning to love your self and appreciating the people and little things in life, the journeys taken and having complete trust in God to take charge. It means living without constraints but wisely, and not following the norm because everybody else is. I would like to live a life that I will look back some 60 years later and smile and laugh at all the things I did knowing it was all worth it. One thing that really opened my eyes to the way that I was living was when I had to change my major (Hotel and Restaurant Management) in my pursuit of being a chef someday to taking business (something I always despised when I was younger ha!). I realized that life is not guaranteed and the only way is to make the most of it. I have lived in communities where you have to put on a good-girl image because that’s what everyone wants to see and in a way it has shaped my mind to think that going with the norm is the most appropriate way to live. One thing is for sure though, I have failed. I have terribly failed at being perfect and being what the society wants me to be. The other day I was reading my journal written when I was thirteen and I realized I was so harsh to myself. I never fit in with the kids at school, at church and almost anywhere and I would blame myself for being such a ‘loser’ because I don’t fit in with the cool kids. It saddened my heart to realize I thought of myself this way. But with the realization that I have always failed, failed at being what people want me to be or following the norm has brought a sense of calmness in me, a sense of satisfaction and realization that it is ok not to be like everybody else. That it ok has to be the odd one out because after all, all my life I have always been the odd one.  When I changed my major, I thought my ultimate dream of being a chef was shattered, but in a way a brand new door was opened for me and a lot of blessings, learning and growth have come along with being an entrepreneur. With this realization, I am determined to take life as it is, aspire to be what God wants me to be, appreciate the little(and big) things that life has to offer, embrace who I am and wait on God, always! I am inspired by people who are honest, carefree and have strong relationships with God.  People who strive to live extraordinary lives and are artistic in nature. People who are not afraid to share themselves(I am a reserved person naturally but I’m trying to open up in this space) because in one way or another they realize that we are all human, go though the same problems and we all seek healing through genuine friendships and relationships. I believe in a good story and a story to be cutting edge, it has to have ups and downs, highs and lows. It has to have flaws in it; it has to have sad/unhappy moments in it for the happy moments to be significant. You don’t have to follow the norm because everybody else is doing so. When you branch out, that is when you truly realize what your true potential, strengths and weaknesses. You get to know yourself better. Well that is all I have to say. I would like to thank all you lovely people who have contributed to this series. To read more LOL stories, click on the LOL page above.