The Inspiration Next Door
This is how the story went… I had just finished being featured on the Rosie O’ Donnell Show as a Superkid. Basically, I was being recognized for overcoming many obstacles, and all the while, maintaining an excellence in education. I had been awarded so many scholarships, not to mention an Education Trust Fund from Kelloggs. Can you say Determined? Man, oh man! I had my problems and hurdles, but I was focused, making me unaware how POWERFUL my story could be for someone else. I had never thought of anyone else being involved with my story besides the participants of the scholarships. What came next was such a gaping, jaw dropper for me!! As I walked into my family apartment, my landline rang. Now, I was hustling little jobs, filling out applications, very proactive in my future. I had to make it better than my past. Thus, the phone was listed in the Yellow Pages under my name. The phone rings again and I pick it up. “Hello, can I speak to Sandra?” She even said my last name, making me really curious who was on the other end. ” This is Sandra,” I said. She went on, pleading for me not to hang up and that I did not know her, and she had found me in the Yellow Pages, and she needed to talk to me. She spoke with such an urgency; my ear was glued to the phone. She said she woke up so OVER everything- her child’s father had walked out on her so she was a 21-year-old, struggling, single mother. She went on to say she was so overwhelmed with 2 jobs and school added to that list. AND THEN, her car broke down that morning and that was the cherry on top!!! However, she said she saw my story on the Rosie O’Donnell show while she waited for her car, and she wanted to personally thank me for the motivation and inspiration I gave her that morning. She had a different sense of determination to strive, all ‘community’- inspired. I say all of this to say- You never know if you are the inspiration right next door to an aching soul… A story could help feel like a camaraderie, a sense of sisterhood. Because we are all connected! And as life keeps life-ing, it is good to know that this is one big journey filled with a bunch of personal journeys. You can inspire someone that is going through something similar or experiencing a similar emotion. You can give them ideas how to breakthrough because you’ve been there. Share a story/speak your testimony, as there is a weeping soul that thinks they are by themselves and the cross they are carrying is one of a kind; that there is no way out/the way out is too difficult. Be the inspiration and/or find an inspiration… and it could literally be right next door:) I am thankful I was able to reset another queen’s crown and motivate her to get back at it! Let’s do it separate, but together!
