Embrace and Celebrate Success

My journey with Hope for Women Magazine has spanned eight fruitful years now. I will admit, it hasn’t been an easy journey. Not by far. I have had to make many sacrifices, but I have steadfastly marched forward toward the goal of building this magazine from the ground up, with the help and assistance of some wonderful and supportive staff members and advisors along the way. My family has also held fast to their faith in me and my ability to take this magazine to the next level. Through their unconditional love and everlasting support, they have been there for me through the toughest of times when I’d considered giving up.

While this is still a journey for me, these days, things are looking brighter and brighter. I have had a second, third and fourth chance to shape this magazine into the vision I have planned for it since day one—to speak to the hearts, minds and spirits of women everywhere who need a dose of inspiration and hope to help them move along in their own life journeys.

Through everything, I have remained optimistic, committed and prayerful. These days, advertisers are calling, new readers are coming in and the energy I have dedicated toward the magazine seems to be gaining more momentum than I have seen since I published the very first issue.

So, why has my stomach started to do those little butterfly flips? You know—the ones that give you that fluttery feeling you felt the first time you realized you had a crush. Then, my mind begins swirling with all those questions you ask yourself to confirm with your inner voice that you are actually making the right decision. That it is okay to move into the realm of the unknown—the realm of success.

Have you ever felt unsure about whether you were prepared for success? Whether you deserve it? Yes, the thought has crossed my mind. But lately, I have been speaking over those thoughts of uncertainty, stopping them in their tracks because I know that I am ready for the next chapter of Hope to begin. I am ready to face the unknown. I am ready to experience that thrilling feeling of reaching the top of the mountain and planting my flag. The feeling of success.

South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was once quoted as saying: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.”

When I heard this quote, I realized it was meant for me and you. I’ve come to realize that the purpose of hard work is the reaping of the reward at the end of the journey. My inner power and my inner voice have spoken to me like never before. They have ensured me that it is perfectly okay for me to celebrate and embrace my success. After all, my success is a divine manifestation of the gifts, talent, love and favor God has set aside just for me.

Every day, I become more comfortable with the idea that it is okay for me to be the best I can be, seek the best God has for me, and yes, embrace my success.

My challenge for you this week ladies is to embrace your success. What have you been shying away from? What dreams have you always dreamed, but never taken the first step toward reaching out to achieve? Don’t allow your light to be dimmed by the haters, the naysayers, the negative encounters nor the stumbling blocks this world might hurl your way. Let your light shine and let it shine bright! Name and claim the reward of your success. You’ve earned it and it belongs to you!