Posts Tagged
‘self-worth’

I was recently asked if I was happy with my decision to leave my career. For 35 years, I dedicated my life, time, and money to an industry I loved. It was all about pure creativity, expression, and the joy of helping people see themselves in a new, beautiful way. From working with celebrities to nurses and global brands, I built not only my life but also contributed to the lives of others.

As time passed, I began to feel a deep calling that, while at the core of what I was doing, was bigger than I understood. When I was young, God spoke to me during a seemingly mundane moment at the shampoo bowl. It felt like I slipped into another portal, and I heard the voice loud and clear, calling me to preach. I brushed it off as a strange moment and went back to work.

Nearly 20 years later, the question arose: What’s next? I always asked myself if I was where I wanted to be in five years, and for the first time, the answer was no. It shook me to my core. Through deep prayer and meditation, I knew it was time to move on and elevate to the realm God called me into—the space of helping women heal and see their divinity within.

Honestly, I was scared. The pandemic shifted something inside of me, cracking the cloud of comfort I was in. One day, an interaction with a client—the first of its kind in 35 years—broke the bubble, and I knew it was time to move forward. I had no idea what I was going to do. Black Women Amplified was in its infant stage, and I was still refining its mission, but it spoke to my heart.

The thread running through my life is my advocacy for women, specifically Black women. From fighting against domestic violence to cancer and social justice, speaking for the voiceless has been at my core—not because I have a deep need to be a hero, but because I didn’t have someone to stand in the gap for me. Through abuse, low self-worth, poverty, and other traumas, I built a shell of protection to feel safe.

I knew that part of my new journey was to heal and unravel the programs of society, my inner thoughts, and family expectations. This version of self-discovery has been monumental. There were so many lies I believed about myself, many misconceptions from what the world told me I was as a fat, weird, female. Why weird? Because I see life through a unique lens, shaped by my specific experiences, and it’s on the fringe of societal norms. But it’s this point of view that draws people in.

People want to hear my perspective and advice on life’s issues. I have a magnet within that opens people up, and they share their realities with me. It can be daunting, but I’ve finally accepted it as my gift. I couldn’t have reached this point without taking the step forward that God had for me—the steps I avoided for decades because I didn’t believe I was worthy until now. Evidence of my life led me to believe it for so long.

In a trigger moment, my dear friend Susan called and recognized my mood. She talked me off the ledge, helping me see my truth along with the miracles and blessings God shared with me. Evidence of all the good surrounding my life. So, when my friend asked if I still felt good about my decision, the answer was a resounding yes. I am grateful for the opportunity to explore and create the dreams God has for my life and to build Black Women Amplified into a space where Black women can heal and see the divine gift they are.

We matter! Now it is time for us to know it fully in our hearts. God is calling us home to ourselves, but like me, it requires us to heal our hearts and shift our minds to fully see our purpose and hear our calling. Because we are tired, y’all. If you are ready to make that journey within, I created a great journal called Self-Love Renaissance, and you can purchase it on Amazon here.

Have a blessed day,

Monica Wisdom

Chief Mentor

Hello Queens,

I hope you are well and thriving. Another memoir is heading our way and I wonder if I am interested in reading it.

Jada Pinkett Smith is a complex tapestry of experiences, a multi-layered persona that never fails to astound. Her recent revelation about her seven-year separation from Will Smith, while still being married, has ignited a flurry of discussions. Some may say, “Who cares?” as we’ve seemingly heard so much about their relationship. Yet, beneath the surface, there’s something that feels unspoken as if there’s more to the story.

At first glance, you might wonder why she’s sharing this deeply personal tale with the world. It’s a fair question. After all, what drives someone to reveal such intimate details? But let’s be honest; most of us haven’t yet delved into the pages of her book to find the answer.

Having briefly crossed paths with Will and Jada and knowing people who’ve worked with them, I can vouch for their character. They are good people. However, like many of us, their lives are not without complexities. The key difference is that they live under the constant scrutiny of the public eye, navigating their personal lives and careers on a grand stage.

When you observe their dynamic, you can’t help but notice a pattern. We often hear about their relationship from Jada’s perspective, while Will remains guarded. He rarely speaks about her outside of family or work contexts. There’s a protective shield he puts around her, and vice versa, well, most of the time.

This raises questions. Does Jada ever feel that her voice won’t be heard unless it’s intertwined with Will’s? It’s crucial to remember that she’s a talented actress. In the past, she was the “it girl.” She was the leading lady. But when she became Mrs. Will Smith, her career seemed to take a backseat. Is there an underlying resentment?

I’m not here to gossip, but I’m examining this situation from the perspective of countless women who have relinquished some of their autonomy in pursuit of a traditional marriage, driven by ideals rather than reality.

In the world of relationships, we find couples leading separate lives, inhabiting different corners of the house or even different cities. Some are best friends rather than romantic partners. Marriages are forged for reasons ranging from convenience, and security, to power. Love, while paramount, is not without its struggles. Even Michelle Obama once confessed that she couldn’t stand her husband for the first ten years of their marriage.

While I might still find myself in the midst of not caring, I believe that Jada is contributing to the broader conversation initiated by Michelle Obama. It’s a call for honesty in relationships. The romanticized notions of “couple goals” and “black love” have pushed us farther away from the raw, unfiltered truth of what marriage truly entails. It’s a pact, a promise shared by two people. Disney’s magic has painted it as a fairytale.

The truth is that relationships can be arduous when the chemistry is off. The question that lingers is whether Jada is contemplating her identity outside of the shadow of Will Smith. She sacrificed so much to be with him, to live within his concept of marriage. Perhaps this book marks her journey towards personal freedom, truth, and inner justice. It could be her way of feeling worthy enough to have her voice heard. And maybe, it’s her exploration of who she is when she’s not defined by someone else’s identity. Especially someone as powerful as a Hollywood icon. Somewhere along the way, the castle he built for her might have started to resemble a prison.

These thoughts are not merely gossip or idle musings; they reflect the broader reality that many of us lead dual lives. The one the world sees and the one that stares back at us in the mirror.

So, when I wonder why Jada is sharing her story, it’s not because I don’t care about her marriage stories. Instead, I’m genuinely curious about what she’s freeing as she unveils her truth and journey. I hope she wholeheartedly embraces herself and recognizes the audacity to be fully Jada Pinkett, without the Smith.”

If you are interested in reading Worthy by Jada you can check it out HERE.

Chat Soon,

Monica Wisdom