LadyE’s Journey into Social Entrepreneurship (part 1): Profit is Not a Bad Word

Affirmation and Declaration: It is possible to make money doing exactly what I love and cherish.

Whew…I just had to get that out!  It is amazing what speaking things aloud can do to a person’s mindset, heart, and spirit.  You see, when I started Precious Gems Foundation for Young Women back in 2009, I naturally assumed it would be best structured as a nonprofit organization. I developed this notion based on the services I would provide and my personal core values.  Back then, I had not yet fully grasped the concept of social entrepreneurship, and I didn’t have a clue what a triple bottom line was.  Fast forward to 2014, I am empowered and motivated to explore the possibility of re-launching Precious Gems Foundation as a socially responsible for-profit enterprise.  But what does that mean exactly?

This morning, I ran across an e-book written by Ryan Eliason, a prominent visionary entrepreneur who I learned about a few years ago via online webinars and trainings.  His latest e-book, “The 10 Best Ways to Get Paid for Changing the World” is deeply inspiring and immediately spoke to me in areas where I had been stuck for a very long time.  In my mind, translating what I love to do, how I love to serve, and ways I love to contribute to others into a profitable business or lucrative career has always been a foreign and daunting concept. Mr. Eliason’s powerful statement truly opened my eyes: I don’t have to choose between making a living and making a difference. That assurance has given me a new level of energy, momentum, and confidence.  Precious Gems Foundation for Young Women is a vision that God gave me nearly 10 years ago. No longer do I have to question or second-guess that my responsibility is to be obedient to the assignment that God has given me, while God’s responsibility is to supply the provision for the vision. Running a nonprofit organization is not my only option in terms of operating a business that has positive social impact, and I can proudly embrace that truth!

I invite you to walk with me on this path as I embark upon the most exciting phase of life I have ever encountered.  Each step is covered in prayer and faith is I seek to fulfill my purpose. I pray that you will be empowered to do the same – be unapologetically bold about doing what God has called you to do, exactly the way God has called you to do it!  Whether you are an entrepreneur or not, you have important work to accomplish.  May you be equipped for the journey and go forth in power!

LadyE

From Intense Frustration to Radical Focus: Quick Tips for Sustaining Peace of Mind

As the saying goes, and as life will demonstrate at one point or another:  the mind is truly a battlefield.

I recently had one of “those” weeks – the kind where I could barely think straight and my discernment was severely compromised.  To say that I wanted to give up is an understatement because I almost succeeded in doing so.  Admittedly, the negative thoughts and reminders of past failures and disappointments continually interrupted my daily flow like a flash flood, and I was overwhelmed with anxiety and feelings of hopelessness.  It seems I cried more tears in one week than I had in an entire year.  If you are like me, it is easy to linger in spaces like these for a while – even knowing full well that it doesn’t have to be this way.  Even after investing time in encouraging others.  Even after prayer, study, and meditation.  Even after living a Spirit-filled life.  Even after celebrated victories and blessings.  Yes indeed – it is possible to experience temporary breakdowns with seemingly no clarity in sight.

I offer the following strategies to help you and I overcome the illusion of despair when faced with mental and emotional challenges:

1.  Feel, Acknowledge, Create.

It is a healthy practice to feel emotions as they come up and acknowledge what you are experiencing, but it is completely unhealthy to wallow in denial, shame, or self-criticism.  Unfortunately, I have a tendency to repeatedly beat myself up for my unwise decisions and missteps – resulting in an act of self-punishment that is almost just as damaging as the mistakes in and of themselves.  Some patterns must be dismantled in order to have true breakthrough, and for me this is definitely one of them!  Instead, I am much better off and empowered by creating a space and a clearing for joy, contentment, and spiritual direction to be restored in my life.  This clearing gives God leeway and permission to address the question, “Where do I go from here?”

2.  Unplug

Whenever possible, shut off as much outside “noise” and as many distractions as possible in order to hear from God and be reminded of His love and presence.  Do this as often as needed – whether it takes disconnecting from social media, emails, phone calls, or television.   I would go as far as saying that unplugging is not an option; it serves as critical intervention – especially when the enemy comes in the manner in which I have described in my personal story above.

3. Think on “these things”. 

The time spent focusing on failure is time taken away from dwelling on the goodness and mercies of God.  A scripture in the Bible found in Philippians 4:8 reminds us to direct our attention toward things that are “true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise.”  This is a powerful way to combat the onslaught of any emotional or mental attack.

4.  Keep every thought under God’s lock and key.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Whenever we continually speak or think about something that does not align with the will and mind of God, it immediately puts us in a danger zone.  The passage above suggests that our every thought must be held in God’s custody and gentle care in order for our minds to be regulated.  Applying this principle on a regular basis keeps us from being subjugated to an overflow of chaos, lies, and confusion that will send us into an emotional collapse.

Allow me to encourage you as I encourage myself:  temporary defeats lead to permanent victories.  The lessons we learn from our setbacks, whether great or small, will determine how successful we are with our forward progress. And it is so!