Harmony Through Conflict

When I was three years old, my adoptive motherconstant intention daily is the vision of leading just
was holding me as we stood in line at the groceryone person to change and help them learn to love
store. A gentleman in front of us turned and saidthemselves without judgment or guilt, shame or
what a pretty little girl I was...I then replied with, "nohumiliation. If I can inspire myself through love, faith,
I'm not...I'm adopted."integrity and laughter why can't I do that for others?
Being adopted weighed on my shoulders for decades.We were all brought here to give something back in
Rejection and Abandonment coursed through myone way or another and I want to leave this earth
veins. My adopted father rejected me...and the wordsbetter than when I arrived.
"if you don't behave yourself, we'll take you backAs the consciousness of people change, folks like Life
and get another baby..." haunted my core being.Coaches, Professional Motivators, and Lifestyle
Searching for my birthparents began when I was 14Coordinators are in need. Currently, I am designing A
and ended when I was 25. My birthmother, due toLEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR TEENS to reach High
her own issues, rejected me once again. After beingSchool youth nationwide. It is my belief we should
raped, wrestling with my suicidal demons, and facingoperate on the theory that every child has the
cellular rejection for the second time, I decided Icapacity for leadership in one way or another. Young
would no longer play the victim in my own story. Iindividuals resist being told what to do. They love to
chose life, to take responsibility for myself and bebe inspired and motivated; in other words, they love
accountable. At that time, it became incredibly clearto be led. The statistics of troubled teens is on the
my birthmother was just the vessel to get me here;rise. The need for compassion, understanding and
God had a much bigger plan for me, even before Iinspiration is desired among young individuals. All they
arrived into this world.want is to be heard, loved, and told "you rock!," at
So began the pursuit to create the foundation I amthe same time providing an atmosphere of safety.
built on. Truly believing in my heart of hearts that ifSurviving life because of my sense of humor and
you change the negative mind patterns set byability to deal with what is in front of me; that
circumstances and individuals in the past, a shift willstrength gives me the ability to talk and listen to
occur. Deciding people and experiences don't define apeople from a real place and a patient perspective.
person; I began to mold, transform and listen to myWith sincere gratitude for my trials and challenges,
inner personal power and pulled my head out of theevery moment has led me to where I stand right
dark cellular abyss and started to believe I was anow. Because of those moments my foundation of
woman of worth. Granted, my resistance and"who am I" was created. Through MAJOR
horoscope stubbornness continues to be tested andforgiveness...I am able to give an honest approach of
constantly will as the cycle of life moves forward.compassion and empathy to those I encounter daily.
As a firm believer of street smarts vs. book smarts,And with a chameleon-like perception, I am able to
I pounded the pavement searching for answers toreach people on their ground.
my personal healing. Before I could lead anyone toEveryday is an experience and a choice. Everyday
themselves, I needed to lead myself first. Afterbrings up issues for us to look at. Once you are
massive consumption of information it all led back to:aware of those issues, you can identify them, bless
Trust, Forgiveness, Compassion, Integrity, and Love.them and let them go. There is a much higher power
After years of informally coaching and being athat protects us, if we let it. We are all blessed with
professional sounding board for others, I decided toa story - a beginning and an ending - how will you
put my years of crazy life experiences, of which mywrite your story? What will your legacy be?
friends titled "My Life Is a Chick Flick," into action. My