I don't like T-shirts,...but this one inspired me.

Ok… I have a confession. “I don’t like T-shirts!” It is not my clothing of choice or really my style.  After all, I’m one of the original girlfriends – the Classy Professional – of My Girlfriend’s Closet boutique in St. Croix, USVI. Do Classy Professionals wear t-shirts, anyway? Not me! Sorry, I digress…the long and short of it is, for me to wear a t-shirt means that it has moved me in some profound way. So, when my friend, Dwight Dillon, told me about his idea for a t-shirt, my visceral response (in my mind, of course) was “Who the hell needs another t-shirt?” My actual response to him was, “Oooh, that’s cute.”

Then, it happened. He sent me an unexpected gift, the “SUCCESS IS A CHOICE” t-shirt. After leaving it in the bag for a couple of weeks, over the Memorial Day weekend as I was cleaning my room, I unpacked the shirt and read the quote. Having spent most of the weekend, quietly at home self-reflecting and considering what I want the next chapter of my life to be, the words “SUCCESS – IS – A – CHOICE” were like a soft whisper in my head that fluttered in my heart and created a rippling vibration in my hara (aka gut). It made a head-heart-hara connection! 

Still unsure of the whole t-shirt bit, I decided to wear it to an event where people tend to be more open minded, creative and eclectic…The Orlando Fringe Festival. Having grown up with my Dad, (El’Roy Simmonds), who is an artist, I’ve found that they tend to see the world and success from a different perspective, which does not always conform to the stereotypical “American Dream.” Success is found in the fluid expression of their talent in an art form that brings them personal fulfillment, while being vulnerable enough to share it with the world, knowing that it will make some people beam with joy and others become critics with unfiltered opinions. But, they do it anyway! They chose to do it their way and to define success on their terms.

So, while some people may see the words “SUCCESS IS A CHOICE” and object to it, I hope the reactions sparks profound pondering. For me, this t-shirt challenged my thinking particularly since as I reflect on where I am and where I was expecting myself to be does not always seem to align. However, after deeper exploration, I wonder – “Is it possible that in that misalignment or cognitive dissonance between what I thought I wanted and what is, that when explored through a fluid and unrestrictive lens, there is success there? Or, is it possible that in my ability to define “Success” for myself and not society’s standards, I can manifest the images of my success that I see in my mind’s eye to align with the reality I live every day? So, if success is a choice – What does my success look like, sound like…feel like? What am I choosing today? And, how does it move me closer to my definition of success the one that I see for myself in the future? Four simple words have sparked such a profound internal dialogue and insightful conversations with others.

Honestly, I still don’t like t-shirts. But the authenticity of Dwight’s intent with this t-shirt has truly resonated with me and others. It served as a little spark that jolted me out of my everyday ‘going through the motions’, challenging me to rethink my definition of success and the choices that I make. So, while I’m not one to pour out my inner reflections, I felt moved by this darn t-shirt (Thanks, Dwight!!!) to share my experience. I truly believe that if you are reading this and you are feeling a head-heart-hara connection, then you were to be reminded - YOU have the POWER to CHOOSE - your circumstances and your destiny. Because, “SUCCESS IS A CHOICE.”

All the best,

Xaulanda