Staying the Course

Growing up in America, I was constantly told that when I grew up that I could be anything that I wanted to be. You know, the good ol' "American dream." For some, that means securing a house with a white picket fence that comes with a spouse, 2.5 kids, and Fido. I've always believed that there are different strokes for different folks. And that, well, I was a little different.

As a kid growing up, I would change my mind every other day about what I wanted to be when I grew up. It ranged from an opera singer to a medical researcher to the first female president to author to teacher and I'm sure other things that I can't even remember. The common themes of these aspirations were to make a difference in the world and to leave a lasting legacy. But it wasn't until I was fifteen that I felt like I was being nudged towards something that I was meant to do with my life.

I went to Tanzania and Kenya with my church when I was fifteen and I haven't been the same since. It was a trip that I believe was divinely appointed. 

I felt God's hand on me heavily through that time which led me to graduate from high school when I was sixteen. God prepared the way and I was accepted into Hope International University with scholarships! While at Hope, I got involved in tutoring for a local after-school program within an organization called Solidarity. I loved working with the kids and it was first time that I learned of the term "at risk kids." 

Because of my love of working with kids, especially ones deemed as "at risk," my academic adviser recommended that I check out going to Fuller Theological Seminary for grad work. Logically, I ended up going into the school of Intercultural Studies and graduated from there with a Master's in Cross-Cultural Studies with an emphasis in "Children at Risk." It was there that I was really introduced to the reality of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).

The fight against CSEC is something that I am truly passionate about. I want to be involved in advocacy and prevention, which includes research and teaching. It will require a lot of hard work and travel. One day, I will go back to school to earn my doctorate. My focus will most likely be related to the "Girl Child." My goal is publish articles and books on related issues. Another goal is to work closely with a network of non-profit organizations and churches. At this point, it is unclear if I will create my own organization or partner with various organizations through research and teaching. 

But let's get real. Most likely, that is not what is going to pay the bills. The idealist in me, says, "Who cares?" The realist responds, "I do." And the optimist says, "Why can't it?"

Although I do believe that there are jobs out there that can help pay the bills, I want the freedom to not rely on that money and to feel free to give my time as resources without limit. Someone once said, "You can help far more people as a millionaire than you can when you're a pauper." 

So when I had the opportunity to start my own business three years ago, my inner entrepreneur was overjoyed. What I love about it is that I get to help people with their health and to help them build their own businesses.

I have decided that 2012 is the year that I'm really going to put in the needed effort to get to a place where I can replace my current income. Because I know that if I put my mind to anything, it WILL get done. Plain and simple.

My fortitude to go my own way and to carve out my own path is not without its struggles though. The whole impetus for this post stems out of the irony that as I get older, the more people try to talk me out of following my dreams.

The louder that some people say that I can't. The louder I counter that I CAN. And, I WILL.

I refuse to believe that God placed certain dreams in my heart without providing a way to make it happen. My business is that way. It is the way out of no way. Giving up is not an option, because there are far too many children out there who do not have a say in what happens to them. Any resistance I encounter in my life is minor compared to the life and death struggle of far too many children and women.

They are why I continue to fight. The thought of them fuels the fire within my heart to keep fighting. I will NEVER give up and I will NEVER surrender. This is my resolve. May God give me the strength to stay the course. Amen.