A few months ago, I was having a conversation with my mother and she said something that spoke volumes to me. My mother said, “life does not come with rules or a handbook we have to be prepared at all times to make our next best move.” I am not sure if she knows just how much of an impact those words had on me. It was powerful not only because of what she said, but because I have lived my entire life watching her make her next best move without hesitation. My mother had me at the age 18 years old as a high school student, she later had to decide to stop attending while living at home with her parents. My father and her were "the" couple in school but of course like most of those stories it was short lived shortly after I was conceived.  Unfortunately, that was her story and her reality, but my mother knew how to make a dollar out of fifty cents.

The most amazing thing that I learned from my mother was how to not be a victim. I cannot recall a moment growing up where my mother chose to become a victim of her circumstances or depended on anyone to make life happen for us. There was a nine-year gap between my younger brother and I so in the most trying moments of my mother’s life I had front row seats to her story. If she had to be sales rep, a cook, a painter, a care giver, she was proud to switch hats at any moment or where them all if it was necessary in the moment without complaining. I like to call her the Jill of all trades the amazing part about my mother’s story is that she never obtained a degree in either field.my mother was present to her circumstances and she had the choice to either sink or swim and she chose to swim. Life as a single mother was not a walk in the park, but she was committed to making the best with the hand she was dealt.

My mother taught herself everything she knows, there was nothing too hard for her once she made up her mind. I say this to say sometimes it’s not all about what you have on paper that determines your skills and ability to become successful in life. Sometimes all you need is a why that is connected to your heart with determination and the commitment to make It happen no matter what. My mother’s experience as a single mother was confirmation that there is absolutely nothing that is too hard or too big for God to handle. You can be as tiny as a mouse but with the heart of a lion and the courage to fight for the life you deserve. In the beginning there will be moments of uncertainty you do not have to have it all figured out or perfect to begin but you do have to start to get better. I can say I am grateful for the journey my mother had because it taught me to never limit my mind and never underestimate my ability to excel in anything, I set my mind to.

 t also taught me how to adjust to changes, I have learned to understand that sometimes what you want to do may not come right away but that does not mean they will never manifest. Life can and will take us on a ride there will be moments when a detour is necessary before getting to the place we are aiming for. I challenge everyone to choose to become a master of our minds to control how we react to life. Complaining changes nothing in our life, and there is no crime or rule that says you cannot have more than one skill or trade in the process the goal is to never lose sight of your vision. Still to this day my mother continues to wear many hats if I can be half the mother or woman, she is to me to my daughter I would be grateful for just that. My mother is one of the strongest women I know and one person that will have a lasting impact on my life. What she did for me was show me the true meaning   of leading by example with strength and resilience never letting nothing or no one hold her back.