Beautiful Spirited Women recently gave me the opportunity to present a live virtual workshop entitled “Love Doesn’t Hurt.” I was able to share insights regarding forms of abuse, how to recognize the signs and how/where to get support. I also had the opportunity to answer questions. While this workshop was geared towards the young ladies BSW provides services for, parents, caregivers, and those responsible for young ladies were able to gain information they will be able to share and use within their circles of influence.
About Beautiful Spirited Women: Beautiful Spirited Women is a non- profit organization that was founded in Memphis TN by Crystal Clark -Chatman. BSW is a support group of who support young ladies with providing volunteer work, mentoring, tutoring, and other opportunities that will help put a smile on their face.
In 2008, I made a life changing decision. I left an abusive marriage. I was extremely uncertain about where my journey would take me. I only knew that I could not continue down the path I was on, especially with my children. I was a very sad, broken individual. I was embarrassed and ashamed. I was financially challenged. It would prove to be one of the best decisions. I could have ever made.
The photo doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of my holistic success. But, it’s a great collage of one photo for every year since I rediscovered myself. Over the past ten years, I’ve started a business, a non-profit, gotten remarried, raised my children, became a proud MiMi, reconnected on my spiritual journey, became a 2x Amazon best selling author, have spoken and presented on some amazing stages, met some of the most interesting people in the fields I love, and most of all, learned how to love myself. One of the most amazing things I came to terms with while putting together these series of photos was recognizing that I am holistically beautiful. You cannot look at the photos and instantly tell which one is from the beginning of my journey and which one is the most current. I didn’t see myself and aesthetically or emotionally attractive.
As we enter into 2019, I am extremely excited about the direction of my life. I have s.m.a.r.t. goals. I have a great support system. I believe in myself. I have definitely experienced some major setbacks. I have disappointed others. I’ve been disappointed. The valley moments have given me the tools and courage I needed to accomplish the peaks and fully appreciate the process it took to get to them. I thank you for reading, and for being part of my journey. Sign up for my newsletter if you haven’t already. I’ll be sharing more news, events, prizes, and surprizes.
Did you know that October is National Book Month? During the month of October, you can purchase an autographed copy of my book, Restoring the Whole in My Soul, for $10, knowing that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Walking Into A New Life, Inc. The mission is to provide tangible resources to individuals affected by domestic violence. WIANL is a nonprofit that’s been in existence since 2010 and can be found online at www.wianl.org as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. I am proud to say this year, I am celebrating 10 years as a survivor. Each year, I strive to do something different, fun, reflective, and/or engaging as I continue to live my best life. For me, my best life is one of peace, hope, love, joy, and impact.
When you purchase a copy of my book, you will be supporting a survivor who has fulfilled one of her life’s goals. It can also be used as a journal and is an excellent choice for a book club or women’s group discussion. A 20% discount applies to bulk orders of 15 or more.
To receive your autographed copy along with a special ‘thank you’ from me, you must make your purchase directly from my website. I am humbled and honored to have your support and encouragement. Both ebooks are each available for $2.99.
Greater Faith Tabernacle has been hosting the Daddy’s Girls Conference for the past 14 years. It has been an honor to work with and support the GFT family over the years for such an important event, as the event and the members of the congregation are dear to me. It was especially gratifying to be asked to serve as the Keynote speaker for their annual Kick Off Brunch.
I spoke about the importance of walking in faith, working through fear and trusting yourself and others. I shared my own experiences of abuse and what it means to be an overcomer. I shared about my earthly father and the relationship we had. We talked a lot about walking which was a big part of their theme for this year. Ironically, my organization is called Walking Into A New Life, Inc. And, as I always say, I do not believe in coincidences, so everything said and done that day was as it was intended to be.
The following is quoted directly from Greater Faith’s website to better provide the history of Daddy’s Girls and why it’s so important. I do encourage you to visit GFT if you’re living in Memphis or there visiting. Pastor and 1st Lady Johnson are beautiful souls and so is their entire congregation.
“Getting Families Together (GFT) is the nonprofit arm of Greater Faith Tabernacle Ministries, an edifice established for the community by the community. GFT is housed in the Institute for Success Center, a 15,000 square foot multipurpose community family life center, that opened its doors in 2004.
During the construction of the IS Center and approximately one year prior to its completion GFT’s founder, Pastor Orlester Johnson, received numerous women bearing similar experiences during altar call. Although their ages and nationalities varied, each woman spoke of the need to break free of the secret bondage holding them. These women shared similar stories of enduring sexual molestation as children, intimate partner violence (IPV), various other forms of domestic violence (DV), and other abusive situations. They spoke freely about the abuse they had suffered as a child and some confessed that they continued to suffer from violent situations in adulthood. Each of these individuals had grown up in households that did not include their biological father. Several spoke of being subjected to abusive stituations with men who were a relative, teacher, coach, pastor, or other person holding a supposedly “respectful” leadership role in their lives and that of their family.
As a direct result of receiving numerous disturbing accounts of this nature, the first annual Daddy’s Girls Conference convened in 2005. “
