By: C. Michelle Bryant
I’m am not an ordinary woman. I simply think and see things differently than most. I have all my life. My mother always said I viewed the world through rose-colored glasses and had a refreshingly unique, corny sense of humor. I am one of a long line of creative intellects and givers. As an adult I have been dubbed a transformation artist, mentor, teacher, leader and motivator by my peers and clients.
I have overcome a life of physical, mental, sexual and emotional abuse to become an advocate offering healing and hope to those I encounter. The words “focus” and “fabulous” are the cornerstone in which I not only build my business but live my life showing the world the value and beauty of seeking the silver lining.
I am an artist in every aspect of the word; a multi award-winning published photographer, sought after motivational speaker, author of six books, and a proud contributing writer to the book, If She Can, which offers inspiring stories such as mine, of grit, hope and courage. I am a paradox. A dreamer and a searcher, tough but tender, passionate yet reserved, cautious but also spontaneous, simple yet complex, strong yet fragile, outgoing but shy, intelligent but naive.
I am a very passionate and creative person. These characteristics, I believe, are not something you turn on or off. You either have them or you don’t. If you do – they are applied to all phases of your life… parenting, working, relationships, etc. For mi, much of my creativity is derived from pain and my sadness is as much a part of my life as is my laughter. I am often found sharing and collaborating opportunities, ideas and talents with others. I speak my mind, stand tall, give hope to the hopeless, motivation to the hopeful and encouragement to the everyday individual by showing the world the value and beauty of the overlooked, misunderstood or underappreciated. I bark at the breeze, creating a thunder of determination in rooting for the underdog because feeling invisible, unheard or unnoticed is a journey I know well and a path in which unites us. I willingly and openly share my moments, flaws and light with a transparent and passionate purpose in my messages, my business and my encounters that all shall feel worthy, wanted and revered.
I embrace each day, even those with dark clouds, with an attitude and mindset that although there’s a storm coming soon, I will kick off my shoes and dance in the puddles, embracing each moment until the sun comes. I choose to look for rainbows in the rain and the silver lining in all circumstances. I aim to bring a little bit of sunshine to my corner of the world.
It is through my life and my businesses that I build. I set free, expose…myself and others. I toot the horn of the shy, the oppressed or forgotten, shine light on the strength behind the scars and reveal the unseen beauty. Bringing that light to the outside, I liberate, loosen and challenge others to step out of their comfort zones and awaken themselves to the possibilities of what lies within thus shining their light to the world. I’m at a point in my life where I refuse to listen to the voice in my head, the naysayers and haters. But choose every day to take the past, learn from it, wipe the dirt from the wounds, and keep moving toward the prize.. to the greater things that lie in store for mi. I shall change the world one relationship at a time, one story at a time because through my own transformation I am an extraordinary woman living a fabulous life.
What’s YOUR story? I’d love to hear it. Always willing to tell my story for speaking engagements or one on one, I am only an email away. mnawethr@gmail.com