Last July, I received an email from an online magazine called Shoutout Atlanta. They reached out wanting to interview me about Dealing to Healing. At first, I was skeptical and thought it might be a scam, but I did a little research—as I normally do—and realized it was a real magazine. I replied and agreed to the interview.
They sent a list of questions, giving me ample time to think about what I wanted to say. During that timeframe, I tried to answer from my most authentic place: my heart. I was so thankful for the time they gave me to be in a space where I felt my words were guided by the divine.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
That moment boosted my confidence and motivated me to start writing again. More importantly, it pushed me to find a new avenue to share daily. I guess you could say imposter syndrome reared its ugly head, making me think I wasn’t really worthy of the moment—so I felt an urgency to write again and find a social media outlet to post on.
I took to posting on the Nextdoor app every morning after my devotion, sharing whatever inspired me that day. It was generally a quick quote I’d read—a 10-second post before moving on with my morning. But it took that interview to nudge me down another path and get me writing again.
An Unexpected Connection
Fast forward to about two months ago: I was contacted by a volunteer at a local library who asked to meet and hear my story. The volunteer and library officials wanted to learn more about Dealing to Healing to see if I would come speak. They felt my story had deep roots in grief, and they wanted me to speak on that topic.
It was an eye-opening moment. I had never considered myself knowledgeable enough about grief to speak on it, but when she said, “Grief is the root of your story,” I knew she wasn’t wrong. Though I’d never viewed it that way before, it became another major “aha” moment in my life.
The Realization and the Release
During all this time, the article still hadn’t been published by Shoutout Atlanta. I had actually given up, thinking it was a hoax, that I’d been catfished, or that my story just wasn’t worthy enough to print. I accepted that even if it never came out, it served its purpose as the spark I needed to move down a new avenue on Nextdoor, help others, and ultimately open the door to speak at the library.
Even though I didn’t understand it, I tried to accept this moment as if I had chosen it. I was deeply thankful for that nudge because it was much needed.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9
Full Circle
Then, just this past week, I received an email notification from Shoutout Atlanta: my article had been published.
My world stopped spinning as I pulled my vehicle over to read the words that had flowed from my heart months ago. I don’t even have the words to express how excited I am that a single notification from a year ago changed the direction of my path again—from grabbing local attention on Nextdoor to being asked to speak at a library. I can see and feel that my vision is becoming real, with nothing lost in translation.
I am so honored to be featured in Shoutout Atlanta. I want to share the article with you because Dealing to Healing wouldn’t be where it is today without my supporters. I appreciate every single one of you who has been on this journey with me for five years.
Yes, Dealing to Healing is five years old!
Please help me celebrate by reading the article and sharing it with anyone you think might enjoy it.
The link is below!
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