3rd Edition, Spring Quarterly
March, 2015
Life’s Poetry News “The challenges and journeys through life help form and compose who we are” Life’s Poetry Pg. 11
Q U A R T E R L Y N E W S L E T T E R S P E C I A L S P R I N G E D I T I O N INSIDE THIS EDITION _________
Sasha Blessed
Sasha Blessed embraces dance!
“Dance gives you a voice, but your Words speak louder than Dance. Open your mouth, share your story, become vulnerable because it gives others permission to heal.” —Sasha Blessed
Introduction Sasha Blessed JA Nursing Poetry By Vanassa RichardsThompson
JA Nursing
Sponsors Contributors Josephine Casey Life’s Poetry
JA Nursing your social healthcare advocate!
“I'm the voice of Toronto, your Health Be Inspired! and Social Advocate. I am here to
change the face of KNOWLEDGE. The
Feel Goal is to increase Health and Social Inspired! Literacy.” —JA Nursing Stay Inspired! This is your time Just Shine!
I n s p i r a t i o n a l WELCOME! Life’s Poetry News is a quarterly newsletter, which showcases inspirational individuals within our community who have overcome obstacles and achieved
p e o p l e
positive outcomes despite challenging circumstances. Sasha Blessed and JA Nursing share their journey within these pages to inspire and motivate you to pursue your dreams.
“Showing ambition when obstacles arise on difficult missions, that’s a tremendous decision.” Josephine Casey, Author of Life’s Poetry Pg. 12
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Writes from the heart...
Be Inspired! Feel Inspired! Stay Inspired! This is your time Just Shine!
Sasha Blessed (Sasha Farquharson) Since the day I became born again, I’ve received visions of the woman I would become, never knowing how it would all play out. I acknowledged this as the new chapter of my life, and embraced it with faith as small as a mustard seed. I’m so humbled about this journey, because I understand that with great trials comes greatness. “Faith is the substance of things not seen, but the evidence of things hoped for.” Every one of us has stories that we can rejoice over, and we also have testimonies that can bring healing to others. I’ve been asked to share how I have come from being a Dance Hall Queen, to one of the most impactful dancers today. I can talk about how much I enjoyed the attention as one of the “baddest” Dance Hall Queens in Brampton, or the not-so-pleasant experiences of encountering sexual relations with a female at a young age, which eventually lead me down a path of promiscuity, but I’ll keep that hidden for a book. Many don’t know this, but most of my middle school years were spent in defense.
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Sexual child abuse from a woman is something I never had control over, especially when it was coming from someone I loved; in 2012 I faced my giant by telling her that I forgave and loved her regardless of what she had done. Eventually, I told my mom that I wanted to leave Rexdale for reasons I couldn’t explain. All I knew was that I wanted out! She worked two jobs, and purchased our first home in Brampton, Ontario in 2003. Two years later, my worst nightmare reappeared, and I found myself defending an unspoken cause that only I had the right to fight for. Being in the spotlight as Dance Hall Queen, and having others amazed at how I can move my body was the perfect mask that kept my demons hidden. Behind closed doors, I was as messed up as anyone can be, or so I thought. Each day I woke up realizing that I was still alive, and that I had to face this day stronger than I did yesterday. I spent an extra-humiliating year in high school completing alternative education courses, struggling to stay focused and out of trouble while life kept tearing me apart inside. I was determined to build a name for myself, and I did; I earned a trophy, sex, and emptiness at the end of the day. In 2009, God met me face-to-face, and asked if I was ready for a clean slate. I accepted. I’m not where I need to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be. I no longer dance to protect an image, but I dance because I want others to see that if I can make it, they can too, and that the Lord is willing to give them a clean slate. Blessed & Company really is a reflection of my final destination that God revealed to me in His Word as I cried out to Him about discovering my purpose. He told me that He will bless me to be a blessing to others; I never saw how; I just had faith. Out of that promise, I’ve been able to provide services, products, and resources that add value to the lives of others, and for me that is a blessing. I call it the Blessed & Co Studio Café, where you can find more information about dance classes, and a variety of beverages to choose from.
Blessed & Co StudioCafe "The King Lives in You"
Sasha “Blessed” Blessed & Co Studio Café www.blessedstudiocafe.weebly.com Facebook: Blessed & Co Studio Café Twitter/Instagram: SashaBlessedCo SashaBlessedCo@gmail.com
Be Inspired! Feel Inspired! Stay Inspired! This is your time Just Shine!
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Writes from the heart...
Be Inspired! Feel Inspired! Stay Inspired! This is your time Just Shine!
JA Nursing (Michelle Smith) I became a warrior for success at the age of 17 when I became a young mother. Three months into what was supposed to be a joyous time for any woman, I found myself as a single mother balancing both a newborn daughter, and school. At the age of twenty-three, I was preparing to finish my nursing program, when I found out that I was pregnant again. Due to complications, I was kicked out of nursing school and found my two children and myself living off of government assistance. It wasn’t until one day someone approached me and said, “You don’t look like you should be sitting here doing nothing,” that I found the motivation to continue to push myself. I FOUGHT MY WAY BACK INTO NURSING SCHOOL WITH THE HELP OF THE VERY PERSON WHO MOTIVATED ME, AND I GRADUATED FROM GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE. Unfortunately, my registered nursing program transitioned into a degree program and I was faced with another obstacle, but I was determined to figure out a way to push through. With the help of my sister, I passed the Nursing Diploma exam. Shortly after I graduated, my sister was diagnosed with cancer and passed away several months later. I was devastated by this loss. I had dedicated my life to helping others, and yet I couldn’t save my sister. Lost in disbelief, I didn’t know where to go from there, but even in my darkest hour, I was determined to turn my grief into something positive.
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Proudly, in 2011, I launched JA Smith Consulting and Nursing Services, with the pleasure of having my children's initials be a part of my company: The J is for my daughter, Jessica and the A is for my son, Anthony. The goal of JA Smith Consulting and Nursing Services is to increase the health and social literacy of individuals within the community and to ensure that people of all ages have healthcare awareness, resources and knowledge to navigate our healthcare and social system. As a proclaimed community advocate, my program aims to empower all individuals, regardless of age, to fully access their health and social benefits. My program provides information, education and assists groups in the community by intervening to resolve issues and produce results. I also participated in various health, social and mentoring initiatives within the community such as: Know; Your Rights 2014, with Chief Bill Blair, Bullying segment on G98.7fm, If I Ruled Toronto, and many others.
Be Inspired! Feel Inspired! Stay Inspired! This is your time Just Shine!
Twitter: JANURSING Facebook: JA Smith Consulting and Nursing Services Instagram: JANURSING_ Fb: JA Nursing http://janursing.blogspot.com/ www.janursingservices.com
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You Spoke to Me You spoke to me and now I see, The purpose for which you created me. You spoke to me, through the power of Your word Now, I am focused, guided and fulfilled Lord. You spoke to me, and now I can stand Humbled, yet anchored in Your immeasurable hand
Be Inspired! Feel Inspired! Stay Inspired! This is your time Just Shine!
You spoke to me, and I will never forget The word you spoke, for my benefit. You spoke to me and it transformed me totally Your word said I was called, I was chosen, I was holy You spoke to me, so that when I call Your name. That circumstance, that situation cannot remain the same. You spoke to me and it just reached into my soul That word from you, that day, made me whole You spoke to me, so that I might teach, Others, many others, that nothing is beyond our reach. By: Vanassa Richards-Thompson
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Be Inspired! Feel Inspired! Stay Inspired! This is your time Just Shine!
Josephine Casey, Founder and Creator of Life’s Poetry News Hope Hope for all Never should you fall Never should you give up Conquer all Have hope, faith, trust and believe For you will receive All life’s blessings Learning everyday lessons Believing that you will soar up high Even with doubts and why’s Yes you should hail Even if you fail For there will always be hope for you to sail In what you do and choose to pursue It’s an element in you Hope By: Josephine
Josephine Casey is the author of Life’s Poetry, which is a collection of poems written by her that expresses freedom of speech in everyday challenges through life’s journey. It is a balance of our emotions and a combination of inspirational messages throughout the good and bad times. Life’s Poetry is realistic and portrays our human nature in what we feel and do. For all readers who experience life’s struggles, this collection will inspire you. Life’s Poetry is available at: Kobobooks.com, Knowledge Bookstore, Amazon.com, Accents Bookstore, barnesandnoble.com, and the Gospel Café.
Life’s Poetry @Lifes_Poetry @lifespoetry
For Inquires or further information please contact: Josephine Casey josephines.poetry@gmail.com Tel: 416-668-4511