“Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t stop believing in yourself. Press past the pain and failure to know that all things work together for your good.”
At 15 years old, I found out I was pregnant. I’m from a small town, and when the news of my pregnancy started to spread, I was looked down upon and talked about. Many people said I ruined my life and I would become nothing. My father, my hero and king, distanced himself from me. As a result, I thought I was never good enough.
As I grew older, I made unwise decisions that caused me more pain and disappointment. I battled suicidal thoughts and self-loathing. I tried hard to hold on to what little faith I had left. I wanted to give up many times. I was in a hurt place and I tried to fill the void in my heart in volatile relationships.
One relationship in particular almost destroyed me. I was physically and emotionally abused and ultimately it was because of this relationship that I sought out The Lord. I used my faith to fuel my survival. It was God who helped me to see my self-worth. It was God who loved me through it all. It was because of my renewed faith in God that I was able to persevere and survive to tell my story. I was able to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. I went on to pharmacy school to obtain my Doctor of Pharmacy degree. I also have a Master’s of Business Administration degree.
I consistently told myself “Quitting is not an option.” I had to keep going. I knew that if I didn’t stop, then God would be sure to show Himself strong in my life. I would get up early and stay up late when I needed to study. I encouraged myself after every failure. I knew that failing was only my opportunity to try again in a better way to reach my goals.
I worked two jobs to make sure my daughter and I had a roof over our heads even though it was hard most days. I knew I wanted us to have a good life and to not suffer in poverty or be a product of statistics. My daughter was my motivation. I had to live for her. I had to push myself for her. I had to keep going for her. As time went on, I knew I had to do all of these things for myself, as well.
I practiced resilience by first believing in myself. I knew that my life would be only what I made it. I had to first believe that I could achieve anything I put my mind to even though others said I couldn’t. Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t stop believing in yourself. Press past the pain and failure to know that all things work together for your good.
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