Um, How Did We Get Here?

Have you ever just sat and asked yourself, “How did I end up in this field?” Doing what I am doing? Hmm, that is a loaded question. I am willing to bet many of us have asked that same questions at one point in our lives. Well, here’s how I ended up in the field of work I am and doing what I am doing, it was not by choice, but rather destiny by default! In order to go forward, we must first venture back into my past. I must admit, it may not be a joyful journey, but I guarantee it will validate my inspiring career today!

Growing up in Southern California was not as pretty as some imagine it to be. At least for me, it wasn’t. My childhood experiences include things NO child should ever have to experience or endure! Things like sexual assault, alcoholism, academic failure, the death of my mother, homelessness, and more! However, from the time I was eight years old, I knew what I wanted to do. I desired to open a homeless shelter for women and children so no other child would have to experience what my mother, siblings, and I did.

Fast forward many years later, I would always find myself encouraging my friends, co-workers, and those referred to me for advice. Fast forward another decade, and to my complete surprise, I am a published author of the book “I Know It Was the Blood: A Story of Overcoming,” in which I share some of those painful childhood experiences. I’m also a successful five-time playwright of stage plays that are real-life relatable, hysterically funny, compelling, ministry-made, and prayer-packed, and I’m a motivational speaker; guess of what? You guessed it, encouraging women! Oh, and I am still working towards opening those homes for women and children!

Thanks for asking! Now, share how you ended up doing the job your doing. Perhaps someone will be encouraged by our stories!

#Destiny #Purpose #LivingLife #HelpingOthers #EmpoweringWomen #Support #Faith #Beleive

Entrepreneurial Challenges

Should I Consider Entrepreneurship?

Yes, I’ll do it! I’ll start my own business! That’s right; I’ll be an entrepreneur! Most entrepreneurs begin with this level of excitement. Now, don’t get me wrong, starting and operating your own business is very exciting and comes with some pretty great rewards! However, sometimes with the excitement of being an entrepreneur, the reality of what is required if often overlooked. One such requirement that may never even be considered as a challenge is perseverance!

Yes, I know, this doesn’t seem like a likely challenge, but it is. Starting your own business will take time to research, plan, develop, and implement to operate successfully. These are all areas where perseverance will be required! When opportunities explored are not favorable, you must persevere! When plans don’t go “as planned,” you must continue! Perseverance is necessary to achieve your goals and objectives!

Being an entrepreneur is not easy and requires a lot of hard work, sacrifice, discipline, dedication, faith, and more. If the person daring to travel the road of entrepreneurship does not understand or view perseverance as a potential challenge, it can be a game-changer regarding the possible success of the business venture! Perseverance as a challenge to the entrepreneur, different I know, but it really can be! Here’s to your successful entrepreneurship!

#Entrepreneur #Business #BusinessOwner #Success #WomanOwned #LetsDoBusiness #Startup #Faith #WorkHard #Focused #Determined #Win

Advice for the New Writers & Authors

Many may think writing a book is easy. Just jot down your ideas, edit, format, and voila, you’re a published author! Not so quick there, new authors! While the love of writing and the art of storytelling sounds exhilarating and rewarding, it’s work and will require a few things more than what I mentioned above! Let me expound a bit more through some sound advice. As a new author, I can’t express how important it is for you first to define who you are as an author, what’s your genre, who’s your audience, what’s your style of writing, and more. This aspect of new authorship does not include the cutesy stuff like cover design and color choice, black and white print, hardcover vs. paperback, etc. Those elements come later on in new authorship, sorry.

Another essential bit of advice I would like to share is the importance of research. I can’t express how important this is. I know, why is research necessary in new authorship? Here’s why, if you’re not being picked up by a traditional author, you will need to carefully and diligently research your publishing options, including self-publishing. Your research should also include the legal aspects of publishing a book. Trust me, there are many legal factors to consider, and you should not only be informed but have a good understanding of them all.

The last bit of advice I would like to offer is in creating a plan of action (POA). As a new author, your POA should include everything; your thought processes, publishing goals, timelines, marketing strategy, and sales goals to start. I hope I didn’t scare you into another career choice. Writing and publishing your new book will be well worth your efforts and hard work, and adequately preparing for your authorship will ensure greater appreciation and your book’s (notice I said books) success! Now go, start writing!

Ceola J.

#Writer #NewWriter #Blogger #LoveWriting #Author

I Know God Loves Me

John 3:16 KJV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Do you know God loves you? Will you choose to believe He loves you? God does not love you because of anything you have done to make you worthy of His love. He loves you because you are unique to Him. We do not have to earn the love of God; He freely gives it.

A mothers love for her child is automatic the moment she learns she is with child. There is no grading process based on performance, achievement, or anything else for that matter. The love is unconditional from the start. That mother will go to the ends of the earth for her child, laying down her own life for her child to live.

The Word of God states in Romans 8:38-39 KJV “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God did the same thing for us when He gave up His only begotten Son for us (John 3:16). God desires to love you, unconditionally. Will you allow Him to love you?

Prayer: Father, thank you for loving me, unconditionally. I believe you love me, and I receive your love for me. In Jesus Name! Amen.

Blessings!

Ceola J.

I KNOW I Can Do All That God Says I Can Do

Philippians 4:13 KJV “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

We are all familiar with Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu. Mother Teresa was an ordinary woman who went on to do extraordinary things. She had a passion for helping the poorest of the poor and for tending the needs of the sick. If you have read her biography or any of the many books written about Saint Teresa of Calcutta, you will learn of her accomplishments uncommon in her time. How was she able to accomplish the many things she did? Was it faith? Trust? Determination? Endurance? Or, was it all the above and then some? Like Mother Teresa, we were all created for greatness.

Our greatness may not have us as the recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize or establishing homes for people dying worldwide, but that does not mean what we were purposed to do in this life is any less significant or meaningful. Whatever our purpose is in this life, it’s of value, importance, and the utmost significance because God gave it to us. He gave it to us, and He equipped us to carry it out successfully. That does not mean it will be easy, but most certainly worth it, and He will not leave us nor fail us.

Be it a mother, a wife, an entrepreneur of the next invention, or a successful business venture, a nurse or a schoolteacher, our purpose and life has relevance. Seek to be who God created you to be, to do what God has predestined you to do, and to accomplish everything He has placed in your heart. You never know who is waiting on your God-given abilities!

Prayer:

Father God, I come before you to thank you for giving me the ability to accomplish all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. I acknowledge I am here to do great work. It is my honor to walk in greatness and to have the grace to do so successfully. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

Prayer:

Father God, I come before you to thank you for giving me the ability to accomplish all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. I acknowledge that I was created to do a great work. I’m honored to walk in greatness and to have been given the grace to do so successfully. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

Blessings!

Ceola J.