Issue 38 Tribute Magazine

Editor’s Note As we are in the winter months, do not let the cold and dreary keep down! Get up and out! Start a new routine! Get moving! You have dreams and goals! So, start making them happen! The magic is in the action!!

Make a list and plan and getting started! Don’t look at the difficulties! Look at the Possibilities!

Teresa Hawley-Howard CEO of WOM Enterprises Publisher, Author and Writing Coach

Teresa Hawley Howard is a best-selling author, blogger, empowerment coach, and radio host. She lives in Murchison Texas with her husband Rickey. She is a mom and a Mimi. www.WOMEnterprises.com

Coming 2021

Cover Spotlight Demetria Buie

Demetria Buie Author / Publisher / Mentor / International Transformation Speaker / Divorce Mentor & Relationship Coach Demetria Buie is an Author, Publisher, Mentor, and an International Transformation Speaker. She’s a 34year-old Mother of one and the CEO/Founder of women’s empowerment magazine called “Empowering Women To Speak Out.” A media that was created to help women learn to love themselves and let go of yesterday’s pains.

Demetria grew up in a small town in Louisiana, at eighteen. She moved to Richmond, Virginia, seeking a chance to better her life. She was a junior high drop-out, but this never stopped her—she always kept pushing on. At 23, she earned her GED and began attending John Tyler Community College, studying acting. Buie is an international speaker who has demonstrated a unique approach of sharing her true-life experience in a way that transforms women and individuals with lessons that can reignite individual’s mindset and potentials.

Being a two-time divorcee and a single mom, Demetria has experienced a wide and harsh variety of hardships, having been at one time or another homeless, unforgiving, depressed, and suicidal. All along, she has had to cope with the realities of her extremely dysfunctional family. All of this was accomplished in the midst of hurt caused by fake family and friends, resulting in a forced move to a group home. It was

these trying circumstances that fueled her passion to write her first book, an autobiography called “Refuse To Lose” The relentless pursuit of her God given purpose, dreams, despite the odds, has inspired others who crossed her path. Demetria believes that our past life journey does not dictate our destiny, we cannot change the events that have occurred in our past – in some instances, we may not have had much choice in them but we do have the power to create our future. Demetria now works as a life coach, as well as teaching praise dancing to young girls. She was honored 2018 Female Entrepreneur of the year. She had her first 2018 Empowerment Brunch June 1st 2018. Demetria walked off her job in 2013 and started her publishing company in 2015 called DBPUBLICATIONS and have written 5 Anthologies with women around the world.

She owns a Christian gift shop, and a ministry where she Host Conferences and Retreats to help women overcome their past Adversities and starting up a business. Buie’s fusion of real-life stories helps with her audience at an intimate, intense and individual level.

As an Author, she has 37 books under her belt and currently has a new project, a Christian novel titled “The Day I Said Hello I Should’ve Said Goodbye.” In addition, she has two newly released books, “We Pray & God Moves.” The Power of Reconnecting To God-Collection of Stories. Also, the book, “From Struggle To Success.” The true meaning of Success Collection of Stories. Demetria’s #1 desire is to open a Women’s Group Home of giving Women hope, and to know that God is A God of many changes.

Demetria Buie will ‘Win’ Millions Of souls through her Gifts. She’s committed to helping create a world of radiant human beings that are actively manifesting their dreams and gifts into reality though human culture, love and believe.

Author Spotlights Women in Business

Aida Cirino-Lee

Movers & Shakers Aida’s Story Aida Cirino-Lee is a RMA, MLT, Board Certified in Holistic Health, AADP I Empower women to become the CEO of their health and lifestyle by Bio-hacking their cells, body, mind and, spirit with the tools and nourishment it needs to activate their highest healing potential, addressing the root cause of disease.

Social Media & Contact Info www.rx4everhealth.com info@rx4everhealth.com instagram: @rx4everhealth www.facebook.com/rx4everlastinghealth

Dr. Kimberly Schehrer

Movers & Shakers Spotlight Helping Teens Explore Their Purpose

Dr. Kimberly Schehrer is a Teen Breakthrough Expert and Founder of Academy for Independence. She specializes in leadership, education, and personal development, focused on teens who she feels are a misunderstood group; brimming with potential and promise. Through individual counseling, group programs, and various international media platforms, Dr. Kimberly nurtures teens to lead their lives according to their values and with an unstoppable mindset, so they stand in their voice and confidently achieve their dreams.

Dr. Kimberly is a podcast host of the show, Raising Unstoppable Teens. She is an International Best-Selling Author of her newest book, Unstoppable Teens: A Parent and Teen Guide to Teen Empowerment, Fulfillment, and Achievement. She has over 20 years of experience working with parents and teens as a Teen Breakthrough Expert, counselor, and an education specialist at schools, private institutions, and within the community in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Dr. Kimberly guided two daughters into thriving adulthood and lives in California with her fiancé, Robert, her beloved cat, Alice, and her faithful pup, ‘Summer;’ She is passionate about our next generation of leaders and inspiring them to become Unstoppable! Dr. Kimberly Schehrer Teen Breakthrough Expert Unstoppable Teens, Unstoppable Dreams!

Academy for Independence

AFI4ME.com Top Professional Quoted on: ABC, CBS, NBC & Fox #1 International Best Selling Author and Speaker Award Winning Education Consultant for 2019!

FREE Parent Support Face book Community – Raising Unstoppable Teens https://www.facebook.com/groups/RaisingUnstoppableTeenswithDrKimberlySchehrer/ Business Face book – Academy for Independence https://www.facebook.com/academyforindependence/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teen-breakthrough-expert/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AFI_LifeCoaches Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyschehrer/?hl=en

Estela Kelly

Movers & Shakers Spotlight This is my journey

I’m also known as the #headbandbandit. I have been nudged by GOD to create, give, & share our Share The Flippin Fun Headbands. Our headbands are manufactured in house, inspected, & tested before shipping out. We take pride in our product & 100% crafted by this Texas Mom. We have restocks from time to time so make sure & watch out for the next box launch! You can visit me at sharetheflippinfun.com. You can also find me on the blog & internet airwaves where I incorporate FAITH, experience, and shared knowledge.

www.sharetheflippinfun.com is an online accessory boutique in the USA. Celebrate your spirit and wear what makes your soul happy! Walk in confidence. We are putting you altogether.

The Estela Kelley Podcast show at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-estela-kelleyshow/id1490332651

https://sharetheflippinfun.com/ info@sharetheflippinfun.com https://facebook.com/sharetheflippinfun

HARRIETT DEBORAH LONEY

Movers & Shakers Spotlight It takes hunger, discipline, and grit!

My goal in life is to ignite purpose in others and add value to lives to make a difference in the world. I desire to leave a legacy for my two daughters. Positive lessons I’ve learned can prove to be essential life lessons for my girls and the mistakes I’ve made can be positive stepping stones and learning points for their journey. There is greatness in these girls and I want them to walk in their calling too.

Social Media and Contact info www.isparktransformation.com, Harriett@isparktranformation.com

Karen Tants

Movers & Shakers Spotlight Expressions of the Spirit

Karen Tants is an editor, ghost-writer, and author at Healing Pen Publishing, where she offers editing, formatting, cover design and social media graphics for self-publishers of personal books and anthologies.

She has helped to support many bestselling authors and compilers to get published. Karen loves her dream job of helping others to share their own voice, get their books to print-ready, and to successfully navigate the publishing world.

Karen has so far co-authored in eight anthologies and has plans to write her own fifth book in the not-toodistant future. Karen has a background in healing and is a Usui Reiki and Seichim master practitioner/teacher (since 2006). You can find Karen Tants at the Links below.

www.heavenawakenings.onangelswingsreiki www.facebook.com/karen.tants www.facebook.com/intuitiveediting/ www.facebook.com/The-Wisdom-Portalwww.facebook.com/templeofpeaceangels/

Madeline Deguilio

Movers & Shakers Spotlight Owning The Powerful Women You Are Today My name is Madeline Deguilio and I’m 36 years old. I’m a mother of 3 kids, a psychic medium of 5 generations, spiritual teacher, and author of 4 books, Reiki Master, life coach, Hot Stone Therapist and a public speaker. I enjoy helping others transform their lives.

Listen to Madeline Deguilio’s Interview on BlogTalk radio https://www.blogtalkradio.com/angelicrealms/2018/01/28/insights-with-maddy-medium-madeline

Norma McLauchlin

Movers & Shakers Spotlight PREDESTINED

First Lady’s humility for God’s Word and His people are beyond reproach. As she organizes, guides, coordinates, and executes behind the scenes, one could categorize her as a profound minister, teacher, visionary, exhorter, and leader.

Her spirit embraces the experiences, gifts, and talents of New Life members and the surrounding communities that leave breathtaking messages of faithfulness, dedication, and commitment to the Kingdom of God. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Business from Fayetteville State University, Master of Leadership from Central Michigan University, Master of Business Administration from Virginia Technical and State University, and Doctor of Education from North Carolina State University, First Lady embarked on a career in higher education where she was highly successful in impacting the lives of her students academically and spiritually.

In 1986, First Lady entered professional ministry at New Life Bible Church of America, Inc., where she currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer with her husband and partner in ministry, Pastor Allen S. McLauchlin. Since that time, First Lady further developed spiritually through biblical courses and study.

She continues a path of success, achievement, and faith-based empowerment.

Facebook: @chosenpublishing Twitter: @NormaMcLauchlin Instagram: #normamclauchlin firstladynorma@chosepen.com Website: chosenpen.com

Rachael Polskin

Movers & Shakers Spotlight We are All the Entrepreneurs of our Own Lives Rachael Polskin is a 32-year-old multi-talented, multi-faceted being with a passion for people, words, and general good vibes. She is an entrepreneur from New Jersey- working on her many crafts which include roasting coffee, painting, writing, and whatever else inspires her in the moment.

She loves anything with heart and soul! Check out her business at www.feelgoodcoffeehouse.com and also on Instagram @feelgoodcoffeehouse Contact her through email at FeelGoodCoffeeHouse@gmail.com

Rebecca Hall Gruyter

Movers & Shakers Spotlight Leading a Mission-Driven Business to Global Influence

Rebecca Hall Gruyter is a Global Influencer, #1 International Best-Selling and Award-Winning Author and Compiler, in-demand Publisher, Empowering Radio Show Host (reaching over 1 million listeners on 8 networks), and an Empowerment leader that wants to help you reach more people. She has built multiple platforms to help experts reach more people. These platforms include: Radio, TV, books, magazines, the Speaker Talent Search, and Live Events …Creating a powerful promotional reach of over 10 million!

Rebecca is the CEO of RHG Media Productions (which includes the RHG TV Network-with over 30 weekly programs and Publishing Arm—that has helped 200+ authors become best sellers!).

She is the Owner of Your Purpose Driven Practice and the Creator of the Speaker Talent Search. ‘RHG Media productions’ is an, in-demand publisher that specializes in launching books as best sellers while creating great visibility both for the author and their book. She helps the author be powerfully positioned and the star of their best-selling campaign to reach as many people as possible around the world.

Rebecca has personally contributed to 20+ published books, multiple magazines, and has been quoted in Major Media, The Huffington Post, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and Thrive Global. She has been recognized as one of the top 10 working women in America by AWWIN, Inc. And now helps Experts get quoted in major media too.

Today, she wants you to have impact! Be Seen, Heard and SHINE!

http://www.YourPurposeDrivenPractice.com http://www.RHGTVNetwork.com http://www.SpeakerTalentSearch.com Rebecca@YourPurposeDrivenPractice.com CEO of RHG Media Productions Owner of www.RHGTVNetwork.com Top Professional Quoted on: ABC, CBS, NBC & Fox #1 International Best Selling Author, Speaker, Publisher, TV & Radio Show Host/Producer, Empowerment Leader and Global Influencer www.facebook.com/rhallgruyter www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-Hall-Gruyter/442052769207010 www.linkedin.com/pub/rebecca-hall-gruyter/9/266/280 www.twitter.com/Rebeccahgruyter www.SpeakerTalentSearch.com www.EmpoweringWomenTransformingLives.com www.RHGTVNetwork.com

Sherry Wurgler

Movers & Shakers Spotlight What has 2020 taught us?

Sherry Wurgler is the Founder of Transformational Leadership, coaching people to engage in personal development and grow their leadership style.

Learn how Sherry uses insights from her nursing experiences to coach leaders and help people – especially women – feel inspired and empowered to accomplish their goals. Top Skills for Leadership Success

Social Media https://www.womleadmag.com/discussion-with-sherry-wurgler-top-skills-for-leadership-success/ https://www.instagram.com/sherrywurgler https://facebook.com/sherrywurgler https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrywurgler-496165b 64

Contact Info Email: transformationallifeleadership@gmail.com Website: http://transformationallifeleadership.com Face book link: http://www.facebook.com/sherry.wurgler Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-Wurgler-496165b/

Sharon Gulley

Movers & Shakers Spotlight The Entrepreneurial Self

Sharon Gulley is the Founder of ‘Beautiful Expectations of Faith’ (BE’OF) where she is an active ANULP Certified Life Coach, UCLM Minister of Faith, Spiritual Coach and Motivational Speaker, Freelance Photographer, Marketer, a Podcast Host and Magazine Publisher. Sharon assists women in and with moving forward into their dreams at any stage of their personal or entrepreneurial life. Sharon coaches from a place of love and compassion as well as a half a lifetime of experience as a domestic violence survivor twice over.

She is a great encourager of sharing your story to help others. Sharon ministers online to clients privately and coaches from a spiritual core about life, love, grief and writing to heal, and the entrepreneurial life style. She is a 16 time Bestselling Co-Author in the US and Internationally. She has been featured by Penstra in ‘Every Author Has a Story’ and by Tribute Magazine, and Poetrysoup.com for her Multi talented ways of writing poetry. Sharon continues to write and share her Spiritual and Entrepreneurial magazine articles to date’ that can be found on her website- SharonGulley.weebly.com and at Tribute Magazine.com

You can find Sharon Gulley at the links below.

Blogs https://wordpress.com/home/beautifulexpectationsoffaith.wordpress.com and at LinkedIn.com

Contact Info Sharon Gulley Beautiful Expectations Of Faith Jacksonville, Florida 32219 Email: beautifulexpectationsoffaith@gmail.com Webistes https://www.sharongulley.weebly.com/ Social Media www.Amazon.com www.sharongulley.weebly.com www.Facebook.com/BeautifulExpectationsOfFaith Twitter @greenilygulley https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-gulley-584167121

www.anchor.fm/sharon-kay gulley

Spotlight Karolee Kernes BE’OF Podcast heard about Karolee through an Amazing Lady (Julia Stubbe) who has worked with, knows and loves Karolee Kerns; as we spoke about her Amazing Entrepreneurial friend, she shared a little about Karolees’ Journey with me. We here at BE’OF Podcast want to give Love by Publicly Supporting Karolee Kernes’ Healing Journey.

Karolee’s journey has taken a new and unexpected path. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2018. Following her guidance, she was able to heal it using natural treatments and remedies.

This past July, her cancer returned and has spread to various parts outside the breast, particularly her vertebrae. She has spent the last 4 months, on her own, doing an intensive plant-based keto intermittent fasting diet, herbs, nutraceuticals, and various therapies and practices, particularly Transformational Breath and meditation. The cancer has continued to grow and spread to her spine. It became too painful for Karolee to walk. Two weeks ago, she was hospitalized and had a procedure to stabilize the spine, which was a success. The chemotherapy and hormone treatments the doctors wanted to use on this cancer have very serious side effects that damage the heart. Her guidance was clear in that she should not follow this protocol.

Karolee is extremely courageous and she is at a critical juncture in her treatment. After much meditation and prayer and love from her family and friends, she decided to go to an Integrative Cancer Hospital outside the US. She arrived there December 2nd and will remain there for at least six weeks, maybe longer. This

is a state-of-the-art facility that will provide the next level of necessary overarching care that she needs.

The therapies they use strengthen the immune system as well as kill the cancer. The chemotherapy is administered in a way that limits its damage to healthy cells. Many of the treatments are not used in the US due to Big Pharma and the FDA. Unfortunately, facilities such as this DO NOT accept health insurance. As you can imagine, additional stress was added to her and her family that is certainly not needed! Karolee and her family should be able to solely focus on her healing. To assist in this support a GoFundMe account has been set up in her name.

Please visit the link below for more information and to offer support.

How Can You Help?

Energetically, financially, and by sharing! Send her all of the positive healing vibes you can muster. No act is too small.

And to all those who help either energetically or financially - THANK YOU With your support, and Karolee’s strength and treatment, she will continue to THRIVE. Thank you and on behalf of Karolee, Ed, Eddie, Kali, and Keri, thank you so much for your love and generosity.

Much Love to All. Marcy Stone has created a Go Fund Me account for Karolee Kernes’ costs and expenses. If you can help in any way, the link is listed below. God Bless & Thank you GoFundMe Link: https://www.gofundme.com/.../support-for-karolee-kearns...

Spiritually Healing the Mind, Body & Spirit Sharon Gulley

"And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." ~Matthew 8:13, KJV

One of the major precepts of healing we are taught is that the only person we can heal is ourselves and this is achieved through a change in perception and through the acquisition and application of knowledge and understanding and acceptance. Without it there can be no healing, be it of mind, body or spirit. In healing oneself we are given the opportunity to learn the lessons necessary that enable us to help others to heal themselves. In truth, every Spiritual practitioner is a facilitator of knowledge and understanding regardless of the degree of expertise they have achieved, for self-healing it is much more about changing our perception which in return changes a physical condition, for one is a prerequisite for the other. As co-creators we give meaning to the experiences we live through; this is why there is no standard response to any given situation or experience. People feel and deal with things differently and a change in perception leads to a change of values, and a growing understanding of what’s happening and why.

The healing process may still be physically or emotionally painful but it becomes a pain with purpose and meaning as through this change in perspective we recognize it for what it is, working through it in order for it to be healed, released, and let go of. On this personal journey, fear and regret are often our travelling companions. Regret is the one who is always lagging behind; it tries to get us to turn back, to turn around

and focus on the past. It constantly reminds us of whom and what we once were, regret like a scornful parent is ever dismissive of what we have achieved, how far we have travelled, the changes we have made and the person we have become. Regret tells us that the Success and Happiness we seek has to be earned and we do not deserve it because of who we are and the mistakes we have made and therefore hinders our healing process. Fear unrestrained runs ahead of us, it lays in wait ready to jump out and sabotage our progress when we least expect it. Fear creates the illusion of barriers where none exist in the spirit realm and leads us to believe that our path is fraught with hazards and pitfalls, with every concealing danger ready to bring any progress to a premature end.

Happiness can only be experienced in the moment; the present moment, for this is all the time we have, but if we continually focus on the past or the future, we deny ourselves the opportunity to create the happiness and healing we desire in the here and now. Problems arise when we link our happiness and healing progress to the achievement of goals instead of focusing on the creation of happiness and healing in itself’ In doing so we convince ourselves that happiness and healing is the result or byproduct of an external experience instead of an internal, powerful, spiritual process. Happiness is a state of mind; a thought process that elicits an emotional response which then creates a physical sensation and ultimately an external experience. Through the power of our thoughts our psychology becomes our biology and directly affects our health and well-being. Every thought will find a way to express itself; thoughts that if sustained will go on to create our beliefs and eventually the reality we experience in our healing.

When happiness is linked to attainment, we are sending out the message that we can’t be happy in the here and now, in the present moment because our happiness and healing has to be earned and will only be achievable if we are talented, able gifted or worthy enough to receive it. All of these thoughts are negative based self-judgments that promote the idea that happiness and healing is ‘out there’ somewhere waiting to be discovered, instead of an internal experience waiting to be created. By attaching happiness and healing to the acquisition of things or the achievement of goals we are saying that our happiness and healing has to be put on hold until the achievement of those goals bring about the happiness and sense of healing we desire. Any delay or even failure to achieve those goals can result in disappointment and a sense of failure which can then trigger feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and delayed healing. In some extreme cases the onset of depression and over time illness and disease through the suppression of our immune system takes control.

Many people already know from personal experience that getting upset or angry can raise their blood

pressure and some have found to their cost that if anger or aggression has become their ‘default response’ their immune system is suppressed to such an extent it can over time, result in the onset of ill health, heart disease and strokes. If negative thoughts and emotions have an adverse effect on our happiness and wellbeing then so it is correct in the same through self-healing; positive thoughts and emotions such as joy and happiness can provide a measurable antidote that effectively boosts our immune system, lowers our blood pressure and drastically reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease.

Our thoughts and the emotions they create have far reaching consequences; our gene pool, our DNA the very fabric of our being is influenced, enhanced or adversely affected when our psychology becomes our biology through the quality of our thoughts and the attitudes and beliefs they create.

While the adverse effects of negative thoughts and emotions are well documented there are a growing number of studies that now confirm that success doesn’t lead to happiness, happiness actually leads to success and has measurable benefits to our health and wellbeing. Pioneering work in this field of medicine provides growing evidence that when people who are in a distressed state of mind are able to create or induce a feeling of, contentment, joy or happiness it has a positive and measurable effect to their health and wellbeing and leads to amongst other things a quicker recovery of normal heart function. It is also noted that the simple act of smiling also has the power to lower blood pressure and induce a more rapid heart rate recovery. So, while some say there is no evidence to show that Spiritual healing works; other studies have shown that something as simple as a compassionate or loving touch has a measurable positive life affirming effect, so maybe it’s now time to reevaluate the evidence available to us or simply change our perception of what Spiritual Healing is and the way it works. When we say that we can help to heal ourselves we are using a powerful, positive Faith in action statement to inform ourselves of the power that lies within us, that gift of spiritual knowledge and understanding of who we are at a core level, through Self-Awareness.

I feel as a Spiritual practitioner I have a responsibility and a duty of care to empower people to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing when it’s right and appropriate for them to do so and healing should never be shrouded in mystery or hidden by rituals and tradition.

Healing is more about education than it is about changing a physical condition, through knowledge and understanding there is nothing stopping us from spiritually healing and in return our body just miraculously follows. Healing like any concept spiritual or otherwise must transcend theoretical discussion and become a real-life experience to be lived and learnt from. Positive thoughts and the

emotions create the power to heal and transform, happiness as part of that process has the ability to improve our quality of life, protect our health, healing and wellbeing, and enhance many aspects of our lives including work, health, relationships, creativity, and self-confidence, whilst generally raising our energy levels. All of which is available to us without prescription, and it falls squarely within the realms of healing one self, which is after all what spirit is asking us to do. By healing ourselves, we are opening up the healing pathway to all as we teach and share the knowledge of true Spiritual healing that every person on this planet inherited from the day of their birth.

Sharon Gulley is the Founder of Beautiful Expectations of Faith where she is an ANULP Certified Life Coach and a ULC Ordained Minister of Faith, Spiritual Healer, Motivational Speaker, Podcast Host of BE’OF Podcast & Magazine Publisher where she Celebrates Amazing Women & Men who strive to make the lives of others better. She is also a Multi-Time US & International Bestselling CoAuthor, Bestselling Author, Editor, Creative Writer, Motivational Speaker, Storyteller, Photographer and Soul Healing - Light Worker. www.weebly.com/sharongulley https://wordpress.com/home/beautifulexpectationsoffaith.wordpress.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-gulley-584167121 www.issuu.com/BE’OFMagazine My books and co-authored books can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Gulley/ or www.weebly.com/sharongulley You can find me at: www.facebook.com/pg/BeautifulExpectationOfFaith/ https://twitter.com/GreenilyGulley and https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-gulley, https://www.poetrysoup.com/me/greenbutterfly Podcast – BE’OF Podcast can be found at www.anchor.fm.com/BE’OFPodcast, www.spotify.com

Finding your Mission Teresa Hawley Howard Our lives are made up of lots of ups and downs. We go through pain and turmoil. We walk through lots of situations. Each of us has a purpose to fulfill on this Earth. We have a role to play. We have a mission to complete. The problem is that we may not always know what that mission is or how to complete it.

Some of us find our purpose right away; this was not my path. I did not know my purpose or mission for a lot of years.

I endured over twenty years of emotional, physical, and verbal abuse at the hands of a man who claimed to love me. I was completely in love and tried so hard to make him happy. That is an impossible task.

No matter what you do you cannot make another person happy. No matter what you do, how clean you keep the house, how many good meals you cook, how much money you make, you cannot make a miserable person happy. You can never do enough to make it okay. You cannot change someone else.

You are not responsible for their happiness. But my young naĂŻve heart and mind did not know these facts. So, I stayed and tried to change him. Tried to please him. Tried to be good enough, quiet enough, pretty enough, smart enough and a good wife so he would be happy and love me. But it does not work that way. I endured and survived the abuse. I made excuses for his behavior. I blamed myself for the problems and the abuse. I would tell myself if only I was better, thinner, smarter, more loving, more submissive, if I kept a better house or I made more money! But nothing worked! By the time I got the courage to leave; my self-esteem and my dignity were gone. I was just a shell of the girl I had been. I was degraded, bruised, deflated and defeated. I had no voice, no purpose, no direction and no idea how to change that fact.

It was a slow process. And it started with pen and paper. I wrote my dreams, my fears, my needs, my wants, and my healing in that journal. I found my purpose through putting my words on paper. It was the beginning of my healing. It was the start of my transformation. It was the start of my journey. I did not know it then but it was the start of my new life. I was just getting the pain out. Letting the words flow. Letting the healing start and completely changing my future. By the end of that journal, I knew it was my purpose to tell others that writing will help you heal. Not only that it will help you but sharing your pain and your story will help others to heal. I knew I was on to something! I had to share it with the world. I just did not know how or if anyone would listen to me. After all I had been silent for over

twenty years. My courage was shaking and my gumption to just go for it was almost nonexistent. I was just one woman could I tell others. Could I take that leap? Could just do it? Could I be heard? Could I make a difference? Was I strong enough?

I was about to find out. The writing of my story had changed my life. It had taken me from victim to survivor. It had given me my voice back. It had lifted my self-esteem and my dignity. It was helping me to get my life back. I was learning to use my voice. I knew I had to share what I learned. I had to share how writing had changed the course of my life. I could now hold my head up and I knew now I was worthy. I had to tell others. I knew that my trial and my breakthrough would inspire, uplift and help another. I just had to be brave enough to speak up and follow my destiny. I had to step up and fulfill my mission. I knew God was going to use me to help women heal! I just was not sure I was strong enough for the task.

I did not know if I could actually do it. Could I share my past? Could I share my shame? Could I let the world in to see my scars? Could I be that strong? I truly did not know the answers to these questions. I was not sure I could do it. I knew it was my mission but I did not know if could complete it. But I was willing to give it a shot. I was willing to fail. I was willing to put it all out there. I was willing to be vulnerable and share my story. I was will to take a chance. I would follow my heart and let God do the rest.

So, I started to share my story. The first time I wrote it out, my hands shook and I held my breath for the reaction. I was braced for the worst. For people to shame me and reject my story and my life. But that is not what happened. People embraced my healing! They were touched by my story. They heard my soul not just my words. They listened with their hearts not just their ears. I spoke to a place deep inside of them. My words touched their hearts and gave them hope. I knew then this was my life mission.

I was meant to help others share their stories! I was destined to help others write! It was my path to walk! My joy to help! I knew it was what I was born to do! I was created to uplift and empower others.

I was meant to be a light in the darkness! A voice for the voiceless and a champion for the victims! I was on the path of life now! I felt it in every cell of my body! I know that I blessed to be able to do this for a living and help others! My life was changed by writing and I want to be able to others! I know sharing your story makes a difference! It creates a ripple effect in the pond of life. It touches others and

changes them forever! Words have power and our stories are important! Thank you for taking this journey with me and helping to empower and change the world with our stories! Thank you for being a part of my mission and my life!

Desiree Williams Christian Chic

The building of a brand takes dedication and hard work And I do just that. While trying to help others do the same thing. As a life coach I imparted into my sessions business coaching.

As a stylist I am an empowerment image coach coaching my clients and guest to feel comfortable with thinning hair and hair loss. It is my desire to see everyone win in life was life and this I know is a part of purpose as a coach.

Spotlight Karreecha T. Newby

If you are not well, you will not excel” ~Karreecha Newby

Tell me about yourself.

My name is Karreecha T. Newby What would you like to spotlight?

My Book ‘The Call’ This book is a compilation of journal entries that stem from my thoughts and conversations I have had during prayer. I realized that we are called to do many things, but we are first called to be one with the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

Tell me something you have overcome or success you have achieved.

I have overcome the sense of being abandoned, rejected, and the idea that poverty was my portion.

What would you like to achieve in 2020?

I would like to continue to help children & families through my Coaching & Consulting business (Serve Well)

Tell me all of your social media links https://www.facebook.com/karreecha https://www.instagram.com/Karreecha/ “If you are not well, you will not excel� ~Karreecha Newby