Unlocking Your True Potential
I’ve always known my primary goal in life was to help people. I didn’t have a surefire way of wanting to do so. I just knew that’s what I wanted to do. I would tell people that I wanted to be a social worker and get the typical response telling me the career field I wanted to do “made no money.”Upon coming to college, my vision for what I wanted to do in life was clouded by the opinions of others. They said I should major in business. I should go to law school. I should do everything but what I wanted to do. So, I decided I’d major in Criminal Justice and later go to law school because maybe that was the best route to take for a financially stable future. But that proved to be miserable for me because I wasn’t passionate about the justice system and law.A pivotal point for me was studying abroad. People say studying abroad is a life-changing experience, I can attest to that. I’m so thankful l I was afforded that opportunity because it allowed me to fully live in my truth and walk a path better fit for me. I studied abroad in Trinidad and Tobago, and while there I realized having a greater understanding of the criminal justice system was great. But, that just simply wasn’t what I wanted to do. We visited an orphanage, St. Madeleine’s Secondary School, and Finbar Ryan Geriatric Home; all which heightened my desire to focus on social welfare. I knew I had to change my major to social work upon returning.Furthermore, I’ve been reading “The Purpose Room” by my beautiful Pinky Promise founder Heather Lindsey. The book is essentially about living out your purpose in Christ. It has soooooo many gems! Totally recommend reading it for those of you who struggle with unlocking your greatness. One of my favorite quotes from the book states “Many times we can know what God called us to do, we just don’t have the character to sustain us in our purpose.”[gallery ids="443,442" type="rectangular"] Over the past couple of years, here’s what I had to learn and hopefully, it will help you.
- Be steadfast in what you feel your calling is. Do NOT waiver to please others. It is your life. You must live it for you.
- It’s not all about the money. Yes, financial stability is important. But being somewhere where you have no peace of mind, dread being there, and where your spirit is drained, is so much worse.
- Don’t stay in a position of unhappiness because it is the safe thing to do.
“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” -Margaret Shepard
- Always consult with God before you decide. This should be number 1. But y’all get it. If something in your spirit is unsettled; it may be because you haven’t been given that assignment. Pray. Pray. Pray. Listen to the voice of God and then act.
- Find something you love. & It will never feel like work. That’s a famous quote or something, but it’s accurate.
I say this a lot, but the relevance remains the same: TRUST YOUR JOURNEY. Do what feels right to and for you. There are always going to be naysayers and those who don't understand why you do what you do. It is not your job to make them understand. No one can define what your purpose is for you BUT you!Love always,Latressa