" The Power of Storytelling: Past mistakes

 Happy Saturday to all, including kings, queens, sons, daughters, and every aspect of life. Today, we will explore the powerful art of storytelling, particularly in the context of the Randstad Hire Hope program. In our Friday class, we were fortunate to have a certified coach who enlightened us on the profound impact of storytelling on our lives and the lives of others. In the context of the Randstad Hire Hope program, storytelling plays a vital role in empowering individuals to find meaningful employment and overcome obstacles. By sharing their personal narratives, participants can convey their skills, strengths, and resilience to potential employers. Through storytelling, they can demonstrate their unique value and stand out in a competitive job market. The coach captivated our attention by using a metaphor centered around butterflies. He highlighted how the world may perceive a caterpillar, but individuals who embrace storytelling see themselves as beautiful butterflies. This analogy beautifully encapsulates the transformative power of storytelling. I love butterflies. I have them all over my apartment, outside of my door, and my screensaver on my phone.  Storytelling has the ability to shape our identity and how others perceive us. When we share our own stories, we paint a vivid picture of who we are, our experiences, and our aspirations. Through storytelling, we can inspire, motivate, and connect with others on a deeper level. It is a way to convey our thoughts, emotions, and values in a manner that resonates with people from all walks of life. Furthermore, storytelling can also create a sense of empathy and understanding. When we listen to the stories of others, we gain insight into their lives, struggles, and triumphs. It allows us to step into their shoes and view the world from their perspective. In doing so, we foster a sense of compassion and unity, breaking down barriers and building bridges between diverse individuals. I was taken aback by the suddenness of the Holy Spirit's prompting, but I could feel the power of the message. I had been struggling to find a topic for my Saturday blog post, and here the Holy Spirit my best friend was providing me with the perfect one. At that very moment He spoke to me he said Father wants you to write and share all of your story telling. I said I will. I knew that I had to write about the power of storytelling and how it had impacted my life. I thought about the importance of finding the courage to speak your truth and how it can be a powerful tool for transformation and healing. I knew I had to write my blog post about the power of my story telling. 

In our lives, each of us carries a multitude of stories and scenarios in our minds. We often find ourselves overthinking, seeking ways to mediate our thoughts, and documenting our experiences in journals. Today, I want to delve into a significant factor that has shaped my life—a past tainted by a felony conviction and three misdemeanor offenses. This document serves as a reflection on my journey and the lessons I have learned along the way. The Impact of My Past:

My past as a felon and three-time misdemeanor offender has had a profound influence on various aspects of my life. The consequences of my actions have extended far beyond the initial legal repercussions. Society's perception of individuals with a criminal record can be harsh and unforgiving, often leading to social stigma, limited employment opportunities, and strained personal relationships.

All of the events and experiences I am about to describe in this document occurred before the birth of Christ. During that period, I must admit that I had knowledge of Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit. However, it is important to note that my understanding of them was limited, and I did not have a personal relationship with Trinity. Instead, I was merely going through the motions, putting on a facade and acting as if I had a connection with them. There was no genuine desire in my heart to truly know and experience their presence.

But now, things have changed. Our relationship has transformed into something much deeper and meaningful. I can confidently say that I have a close bond with Trinity, a bond that I had never experienced before. The transformation that has taken place within me is truly remarkable.

During the time before Christ, I was merely going through the motions, performing rituals and religious practices without truly understanding their significance. I lacked a genuine desire to seek a personal connection with Trinity. However, through a series of transformative experiences, I have come to know Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit in a profound way.

Now, I can say with certainty that my relationship with the Trinity is no longer superficial or based on empty acts. It is a personal and intimate bond that has brought immense joy and fulfillment into my life. My heart's desire is to continue nurturing and deepening this connection, allowing it to guide and shape my actions. I was plagued with fear and anxiety. I was weighed down by the guilt and humiliation and my thoughts were a constant reminder of what I could have done differently. Despite my past, I was determined to apply for a good paying job with benefits. I had people in my life who told me to stop, saying that no one would want to hire someone like me with a criminal record like mine, with theft and violence on my record. But I refused to give up and kept applying. Despite feeling discouraged, I still remain hopeful and determined to find the right opportunity. I will continue to show up to interviews, confident that I am the best candidate for the job. I am determined to put in the effort and not give up until I find success. I was feeling defeated and discouraged after I had applied for several jobs and been rejected each time. I even tried to volunteer at the YMCA, but was rejected for that as well. It was disheartening to be turned away so many times and I was starting to lose hope. Despite my efforts to find a better job, I was unable to find a job that paid more than minimum wage. As a result, I had to settle for fast food jobs that paid the minimum wage. This meant I had to settle for a lower salary than I was hoping for. I felt stuck as I watched my family, friends, and social media with good-paying careers, jobs, vacations, benefits, PTO time, movies, hair, nails and feet done, travel, etc., while I was struggling. It seemed like everyone else was living the dream, while I felt like I was stuck in a rut. Can I keep it real with you? I felt jealous and envious of them, wishing that I could have the same opportunities and the same level of success. I felt stuck in my current situation, unable to move forward and make the changes I wanted to make in my life. I tried to ignore the negative voice in my head, but it kept repeating the same message: " Muriel, you will never have a bright future.

Muriel's subconscious mind radio kept repeating these words: I am not good enough, I am a failure, I will never travel, I have to continue to settle and accept that I will always have to settle for less than I want. "I knew they were lies but I chose to give in. I had been content living in Florida for my whole life, and while the familiarity was comforting, I felt the need for something more. I needed something different. I had been feeling stagnant and needed to challenge myself. I decided to take a leap of faith and move to Atlanta in 2019. I was nervous, but I knew the change would be growth for me. In 2014, I was convicted of a felony, and in 2015, 2017, and 2018 I was convicted of various misdemeanors.

I moved to Atlanta with the hopes of pursuing a career in my desired field. Unfortunately, I have yet to find the job of my dreams, but this has not deterred me. My father's words of wisdom remain firmly at the front of my mind, motivating me to keep pushing forward and stay focused on my vision and purpose. 

In conclusion, Muriel's story telling is a reminder that even amidst mistakes and a past, it is not the end but the beginning. With God as my father our farther, He has a purpose for each of us that we must strive to magnify and fulfill. It is our duty to recognize and pursue our purpose so that we may reach our ultimate goal. Despite my past mistakes, she is preparing to fulfill her purpose in life and create a better future for not only for herself for future kingdom friendships, future kingdom spouse, and future kingdom children. Although the road may be difficult, she is determined to make her dreams come true. 

We all have stories to tell, whether good or bad. Let's make sure that we are sharing stories of God's promises with one another, rather than stories of negativity. By doing this, we can spread hope and love, and help to encourage those around us. Let us be an example of positivity and hope for those around us. We can combat the negative stories that are often told. May we all have a wonderful weekend full of love and blessings. Love always, Chosen Princess💜