From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Empowerment and Resilience

In 2004, my life took a dramatic turn. After enduring five years of an abusive marriage with a man who seemed to have a split personality – Dr. Jekyll one moment and Mr. Hyde the next – I made the courageous decision to break free from the grip of fear and pain. Like many others, I held onto the hope that he would change, especially for the sake of our children.

The weight of shame prevented me from confiding in my family and friends about the struggles I faced. In silence, the challenges I encountered eroded my spirit. I reached a breaking point, and the darkest corners of my mind whispered thoughts of escaping the pain permanently, so I attempted suicide. Ironically, even after leaving the marriage, challenges persisted. I became a target – stalked, with my house broken into, my clothes cut to shreds, and my car vandalized.

But within that darkness, a flicker of clarity emerged. With every ounce of courage I could muster, I began reclaiming my life, my freedom. Overcoming adversity, I embarked on self-discovery and empowerment, transforming my pain into purpose. Through personal development, coaching, and spiritual growth, I found the strength to rewrite my story and my first book.

As I navigated through the challenges of financial strain, low self-esteem, self-doubt, and thoughts of self-destruction, I nurtured my passion for writing and coaching. Drawing from my own experiences, I sought to inspire and empower others. Persistence became my ally as I refused to let setbacks define me. Gradually, my contributions began to receive recognition. I was honored with prestigious awards and accolades, even receiving one from the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth herself.

Today, I stand as a testament to resilience and faith, living a purposeful life guided by the grace of God. I aim to serve and uplift others, sharing my story to ignite hope and inspire transformation. I want to demonstrate that with dedication and support, anyone can conquer obstacles, achieve greatness, and leave a legacy that empowers and lights the path for others.

On this journey, I have learned valuable lessons I would like to share with you:

“Success does not define you, but you define success,” Hazel Breen; you can determine your success. Your worth as an individual is not merely measured by external achievements but also by who you are and who you become. Resisting the urge to let others define what success means for you is essential. You may not even realize your own strengths until you face challenges that test them.

Secondly, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to achieve greatness,” Zig Ziglar. No one starts off as a great person. Every extraordinary individual had to persevere through difficult times on their journey. We all begin at the starting point, so stop telling yourself you are not excellent or knowledgeable enough. Take one step at a time and gather the necessary resources as you go along.

Lastly, be authentic, not the version of yourself that you want others to see, but the version that feels joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment in what you do. Now is the time to share yourself with the world. Keep pushing forward, believe in yourself, and remember that your story can inspire and uplift others. Together, we can rise above adversity, rewrite our stories, and create a brighter future for ourselves and those around us.

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of CHOICES Magazine