In this 21st episode we visit the year 2000 for an entry called "Not Chains, Change". This entry is the final entry in my last 1990's journal and it appropriately revolves around my goals for 2000.

The air was buzzing, change was alive, and we could feel it. It didn't feel like just another year or decade, it was a new millennium, and we embraced the change and wanted it to change us too.

Not Chains but Change when it comes to perspective is the power we all have to use this as a catalyst to become who we are created to be and honor and ENJOY who are right now. Because right now we are already so much, so blessed and so incredibly beautiful and part of that beauty is knowing we are becoming so much more. . .by choice. We have to let go of the chains, real and imaginary, societal and self-inflicted and become more free than we have ever been, regardless of circumstances. There are two things I am feeling wholeheartedly right now; one is getting back to the basics, and the other is freedom over illusion.

Key themes from reflection on this entry:

· Get way closer to God and improve my lifestyle accordingly. Then and now, then it was more about changing behavior, now it's about shifting my mindset.

· Get my niceness back to when it was at its peak. As I read this now, the irony is now and in recently years I feel I am too nice, especially when it comes to business and especially when it comes to my time.

· Don't let people put limits on you and don't you put limits on what God has for you.

· Only eat healthy. . .who isn't trying for this right now. This is one of the key components to getting back to the basics.

· Never put myself or anyone else down, this goes with the nice piece above. And words have so much power.

· Stay away from people who don't make me feel good and can't add to me.

· Present myself the way I want to be seen at all times.

· Learn from my mistakes quickly, yup I was doing this before corporate America made it OK.

· Qualify for every one of my '95 goals. Yup crazy sexy cool is in full effect, 30 years later!!

A queen isn't bound by anything but herself. . .make any and every change necessary to make that your reality.

- What are the goals you have for yourself now?

- Which one(s) of your goals are lifelong goals for an ever evolving and continuously elevation you?

- How will you adjust your language once you understand that words have power?

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995. Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation. Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here. Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift. Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next.

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1