The Gains are

Coming

Sista-Girl,

the Gains are

Coming

Growing up Haitian, in severe poverty, the only girl, without her mother, my journey was interesting. You might have expected me to say it was hard, and it was, but it was also so much more. As a child, I was lonely, as a teenager I was sad, and as a young adult, I was heavily weighed down with responsibilities and little to no support.

For most of my life, I was told what to do but never guided. Then, I

was abandoned. I stood at a crossroads, unsure of whether to

continue on the struggle path or forge my own, with the fear that I

might make things worse.

Testimony

My journey has been marked by countless mistakes, challenges, heartaches,

disappointments, betrayals, and setbacks. Yet, somehow, I managed to graduate high school with a 2.4 GPA and awarded a four-years scholarship from the George Snow Scholarship Fund.

I found myself walking away from nursing thinking I would never get it right. After six years in community college, I finally obtained my bachelor's in operational management.

I was given offered opportunities in places where I initially felt like I didn't belong, and found favor with people I couldn’t even make eye contact with (due to lack of confidence and fear).

I became a social worker, without a social work degree.

I worked at a bank for less than a year as a part-time teller, that offered to pay for me to become a licensed investor.

I applied to go to law school, with a low GPA and low LSAT score, and rejected by every school I applied for.

I finally got accepted to a law school; Appalachian School of Law, 3 days after I applied.

I drove 16 hours to Grundy, Virginia, in the middle of the mountains to go to law school.

I petitioned my school to let me stay my first semester and every semester thereafter because my student loans for my tuition kept being denied.

Today, when I woke up this morning and before writing this post, I saw a full-time licensed attorney in West Palm Beach Florida, where it all began, more hopeful than ever.

Lessons

Life presents us with choices and decisions every day, regardless of our past

experiences. Each decision we make has the power to steer us either

towards success and growth or towards negative consequences. It is crucial

to consider who we want to become and where we wish to be when making

decisions. Seeking the counsel whether it be God, mentors, family, or close

friends, can provide valuable guidance. It is important to take action, even

when fear tries to hold us back, as fear is often a natural part of personal

growth. Finally, perseverance is key. Personal growth may feel challenging

and frustrating, but continuing to push forward ultimately leads to significant

gains.

Practical Steps:

1. Reflect on your desired end goal before making decisions.

2. Seek guidance from trusted individuals and consider their advice in

conjunction with your own thoughts.

3. Embrace fear as a catalyst for growth and take action despite its

presence.

4. Stay committed and resilient, even when faced with hardships and

setbacks. Consistent effort will eventually lead to substantial

gains.

Conclusion

Keep moving forward, despite the challenges that may arise.

Embrace the opportunity for growth and know that the gains

you have yet to imagine are on their way. You have the power to overcome

obstacles and achieve success, no matter your starting point.

Elencia,

Me 19 yrs old, at my George Snow Scholarship recipient dinner celebration

5

Free Ways to

Age Backwards

Sista-Girl,

Here are five free ways I am aging backwards:

Before I begin please note that when it comes to the aging process, our lifestyle often plays a more significant role than the specific products we use.

That said, what is lifestyle? Lifestyle refers to the way in which we live and make

choices regarding our behaviors, activities, and preferences.

Now, let's get into these steps!

Bonus Tip

I protect my skin by using sunscreen daily, which is a cost-effective way to prevent premature aging.

By incorporating these free practices into my lifestyle, I am able to defy the aging process and maintain a

more youthful appearance.

Here are list of things I do regularly to manage my stress and help me age backwards:

1. Pray/Meditate

7. Romanticize my life

2. Worry less- control what i can and let go of what i can’t

8. Have Faith

9. Laugh More

3. Eat and drink better

10. Buy flowers, light candles, take baths

4. Move my body/exercise

5. Live drama-free, Mind my business

6. Create and maintain morning/evening skincare routine

11. Create a soft/peaceful environment

12. Have an outlet - God and/or therapy

You are the

Ultimate Goal

Sista Girl,

Loving yourself is crucial for a healthy and fulfilling relationship. Prioritizing your own needs, wants, and desires ensures that you won't neglect them for the sake of love. By understanding your own worth and setting standards, you create a blueprint for others to follow. Just as someone needs to meet certain criteria to obtain a car or a job, a partner should meet the requirements to access your love and commitment. If someone is not putting in the effort to meet those criteria, it may be necessary to walk away. Remember, it's never too late to start over and protect yourself from those who don't deserve you. Focus on self-love, rely on God for support, and surround yourself with people who truly see and appreciate you.

Remember you are the ultimate life goal!

You’re not too old to start over. Even if you are married, there is a way to limit access to people who have not earn their place in your life and do not deserve you.

Life Lesson

Practical Steps

1. Get to know yourself for real, don’t work on anything else before working on you.

2. Prioritize learning to love yourself TODAY

3. Lean on God for your needs and trust that He has a beautiful plan for your life that doesn’t include ugly

(i.e that person who mishandled you)

4. Connect regularly with people who sees you

Email: c.elenluxxe@gmail.com

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