13/03/2023
Storytime!
After careful thought, I decided to speak bravely about some of my past rejections and embarrassing moments. I hope this encourages mommas to never lose sight of their goals. The world can be cruel and will not see your greatness. But one person, one company, or one client can change EVERYTHING. How you see yourself, how you define your own success, and how you set things in motion in your favor.
I experienced a lot of bullying and stereotyping in school, at work, and in my personal life.
In high school - I wasn’t included in either of the basketball team for our PE class. I was the ONLY substitute. (Anyone who’s 4’11 here? 🙋‍♀️LOL)
In my work, managers thought I'm not aggressive or loud enough to carry out the job and told me upfront I will not succeed there.
I applied to a banking institution and the HR interviewer bluntly asked me how was I able to do my job when I'm so small (Note: I was not applying to be a model, an artista or for a job with a height requirement nor my past job/s required for me to be tall). I was stunned.
I was asked by an officemate who thought it was an amusing question why I’m so small, and everyone laughed. Again, I was stunned.
Today.. I still get the same questions (although fewer) and disbelief from people - how was I able to give birth to 2 big babies, how was I able to excel and carry out my work and small business, how was I able to drive a manual transmission car, etc.
The difference is I'm not the same person anymore who takes offense from everything. I grew.
I brush off criticisms that are obviously meant to belittle me. I take all those that would help me grow. And I believe I'm already validated. By my husband and kids. By my family. By God who has wonderfully created me.
I found my circle where I'm respected, accepted, and guided. I found the career path where I can express myself best and my contribution is never questioned but only valued. I found my core and the purpose I need to fulfill.
But, I was not passive and waited for these to come to me. I initiated, I worked hard, and I prayed harder.
You are not who others tell you you are.
You are the person you tell yourself you are and the person God created you to be.