Reflecting on My life Choices

My Life Choices

Her Voice Her Story is a podcast to motivate and inspire women of color over age 40 to find their voices and pursue the dreams. Every woman has a story; those stories deliver truth and promote self-worth and once shared have the power to bring about positive changes. It was a blessing to be invited as a guest to share my story as well as reflect on my life choices and I started by giving a brief intro on myself.

I have 14 siblings, I was adopted at 6 by my paternal aunt. My older sister and I were separated and I remained with my aunt and her husband. I spoke about my misdiagnosis and my past with PTSD. Till today I struggle with processing information and I have learned to accept it. Helping others is my nature and today I assist the state with helping people get the services they need.

I was always very intrigued with what makes people the way they are. That Is why I chose to get into Human Growth & Development. I always wanted to assist people who were cast out and less fortunate.

The Turning Point in My Life

The host asked about my journey of my misdiagnosis and asked what my biggest challenge was.

First it was the rejection and abandonment. I had to go through those painful experiences. This made me get to a point in my life that I had to accept that I was a gift and would always be a gift. I had to overcome a low self esteem and deal with finding my self worth after going through mental, physical and spiritual abuses. I had to acknowledge and appreciate the beautiful way that God created me, inside and out.

The host asked what was the turning point in my life when I decided it was time for a change.

I have always been determined to get the best out of life and that was taught by my adopted dad who taught me to not hate and always love. He was my first hero who would fight for me. I remember him having conversations with my biological father who had forgotten about me as his daughter. My adopted dad would tell him to stop making false promises to me. He would say ‘Do not tell her that you are coming back to get her.’ He would tell him to stop making false promises. I remember him praying. He taught me that there was a God who sees what I am going through, created me, sees what I am going through and would help me. I always wanted to heal. Yes I always wanted a relationship with my biological parents but I had to accept that the ending may not always be what i want.

I never gave up on myself, I always had that drive. For a long time I always knew that my story should come out and I believed that by releasing The Epitome of Kimmy, I would see a whole new chapter of my life.

“Don’t hide your smile, Smile, the world needs it'”

~ Daddy Bill

I spoke about the people who helped me get to where I am today. My adopted dad was a mentor in my life and I admired his wisdom. He thought me that if you can’t stand for something you will fall for anything. He taught me to smile that the world needs it. I spoke about becoming pregnant at 15 and how my adopted dad shut down after the news got to him. I believe he was so hurt that he did not know how to respond. In the era they were in, they did the best they could to raise me.

I remember my resource teacher who put me under her wing and would not let me go. She would just keep working with me. Without my resource teacher and my adopted parents who helped me through these phases I would not be where I am now. My adopted mom came into my life for a reason. My God mom was also placed into my life for a reason. I believe that God brought many people into my life who cultivated my journey and helped me be where I am at now. Everyone was created to receive love, unconditionally.

The host asked what keeps me going.

ME! I am my biggest critic and I just want to bring out the best of me. I can only be the best that I can be. I want my children to see the layers of how I was able to evolve and deal with situations. I am still learning. I wake up every morning with self-care and I put God first. I am a huge advocate for mental health and would seek my therapist. When writing the book I had my therapist present to help me truly reflect on my life choices as well as the things that were beyond my control.

My first greatest accomplishment was finishing high school as a mom. I first wanted to leave school and get a job to look after my child but I had to come back. I had to finish school.

The second greatest accomplishment was getting my college degree. After I received my associates in theology, I felt like the sky was the limit. I felt a calling in my life to pursue this degree. I always wanted to feed my mind with the scriptures and that motivated me. My godmom was also there at the graduation and she was so proud. I still got my bachelors in psychology and counseling. I did not stop until I got it.

The last accomplishment was releasing my memoir and it was the greatest feeling.

Towards the end, The host asked what my message would be if I could speak with my younger self. My message to little Kimmy is: