The Art of Negotiation: Choosing Peace, Growth, and the Life You Deserve

I’ve always wanted to be a reader. I envied those that could sit and read for hours. I was always intrigued by people who could set a goal to read a book a month every year, and meet it. I always had trouble reading and retaining what I read. I didn’t know exactly what to tell my parents as I was such a good student. Instead of reading, I became a talker. I would ask questions about the work, during class, until it was ingrained in my memory. I learned how best I learned. 

In tenth grade, however, my system no longer worked. I ended up being diagnosed with a learning deficiency called convergence insufficiency. In short, it means that my eyes do not converge to read the same words at the same time on the page; this resulting in a garbled understanding and lack of retention of the work. I began extensive therapy for this during my junior year of high school. It allowed me the opportunity to negotiate my educational plans through the completion of my degree. 

Current day, I have made it a goal to read a little bit every day. I have been able to stick to this and learn a lot about a little. My current obsession is the art of negotiation. 

In life, we negotiate everything. We may not consider conversations negotiations; but, they often are. 

As I continue to heal and navigate my grief journey, also known as my new life, I am paying more attention to what brings me peace and joy. As a business owner, I enjoy teaching. I enjoy learning. I enjoy being creative. I enjoy lending a helping hand. I have begun to negotiate more in my space: renting to other creatives and makers, teaching more classes, hosting more classes that others teach. I have negotiated my way into new cohorts that are allowing me to build my business in a new way and new direction. I have begin to negotiate the life I want. 

This does not come without static. 

There are still a multitude of people that challenge me daily trying to convince me to grow in the ways that they think I should. I read a quote recently talking about how at 40 we begin to live the life we always wanted instead of the life people told us we should live. Though I am not 40 yet, I see myself choosing me more. I see myself talking less than I ever have. I see myself allowing people to believe the stories they tell themselves. I see myself choosing peace over everything. 

As you continue on your journey, whatever it may be; negotiate more with yourself. Negotiate with your heart to consider what brings you peace and create a life that reflects that. Negotiate with your soul to find where your joy truly sits. Negotiate with your mind to insure security (financially and otherwise) for your future. 

Whatever you do, stop negotiating yourself out of the equation. You deserve the life you dream of. 

Thank you for reading Sunday Morning Laundry.

See you next Sunday!

Written by Garnet Terri — honoring legacy, embracing purpose, and finding peace in the process.

———————

If this reflection spoke to you, I invite you to continue your own journey of becoming — in community. At Terri’s Detroit, we create spaces to learn, connect, and grow through creativity and care.

Join us for one of our upcoming classes or vendor events and take your next step toward joy.

(Upcoming calendar below — reserve your spot today.)

Oct. 12: Cake Decorating Class (Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan)

Oct. 18: Cake Decorating Class (Jack and Jill of America, Inc.)

Oct. 19: Butter & Bliss Lotion Making Class Reserve Your Spot

Oct. 20: DWSD Resiliency Study - Open to the Public

Oct. 25: Small Business Saturday Become a Vendor

Oct. 26: Flavors & Friendships Reserve Your Spot

Nov. 15: Small Business Saturday Become a Vendor

Nov. 22: For the Sake of Cake - Decorating Class Reserve Your Spot

Nov. 29: Small Business Saturday Become a Vendor