Watch Out World Pt 2

“Poverty should never be a reason for you not to achieve your goals, it should be the catalyst that propels you along” These were the words that my mentor, Mr. McDonald, once said to me. He always encouraged me to do my best and to pursue my goals regardless of what life threw at me. There is a certain element of hunger and drive that you get from growing up in difficult situations. Life as a child in Jamaica was not easy. I faced poverty, crime, domestic violence, periods of extreme apathy, sadness and pain.  Looking back, I am thankful for these experiences as it was through my pain that my love for poetry as well as serving others in similar vulnerable situations was birthed.

Immigrating to Canada at the age of 19 was a relief for me. I remembered my experience on the flight.  I prayed and poured out my heart to God. I knew I had to make something of myself, but I also knew I could not leave my family behind. I promised myself that my point of focus would be to work with women and children as well as to give back to my community.

I embarked on a long journey through the education system and after several years of studies, I earned my master's degree in social work. I also had the privilege of working as a front-line counsellor for abused women and children for several years. It was during these years that my passion and love for advocacy developed. Not only was I able to sympathize with these women and children, I was also able to empathize with them because of what I had gone through.

I resolved that my purpose was to not allow my pain cycle to prevent me for being a beacon of light to someone else. In his book, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren spoke about purpose being a much-focused way of living your life.  He mentions that, “It concentrates your effort and energy on what’s important. You become effective by being selective” (Warren, 2002, p. 35). This is what I did; I became selective in my goals. I pursued the field of social work, I worked with women in various settings, I worked collaboratively with families in the child welfare sector, I gave back to my community, and finally, I used the gifting of poetry and words to impact the lives of those around me. .

I have also realized that purpose does not have to be one specific thing. Living your purpose should be what makes you feel good and what gives you feelings of satisfaction after you are done. My feelings of satisfaction came from poetry, advocacy, and social work.

As well, I now know that I started fully living my purpose when I submitted all my will to God. During life’s darkest moments, I often asked God, "Why me?". Jesus had to carry His cross and die so that His purpose could be fulfilled. This opened my eyes to see that my potential has been wrapped up in all of my experiences, and that I needed to carry my cross with grace.  The highs and lows of my life, the experiences of domestic violence, single parenting, divorce, and even the achievement of my higher educational goals pruned me to live with this perspective.

It is also paramount to note that vision carriers are needed for the goals you have in life; Enter Tam. This project could not be possible without her. Petoree and Sandrine are my best friends and vision carriers with the work I do in giving back to my community. Who can you identify as your vision carrier? 

Watch Out World, because my story does not end there. I am thankful for all I went through. It has made me who I am and has given me the motivation to push forward.

You knew me before I was born, before I knew who Shanique was, You knew me

Before I knew where I belonged, You knew me

When I was in my mess, You knew me

When I was lost, You knew me

When I hated my life, You knew me

When I cried and wanted to die, You knew me

When I faltered, stumbled and made mistakes, You knew me

Your love never wavered, Your love never failed

He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ, Your word says

You began a work in me and now I am changed

This journey often seems lonely, the things I did before no longer feel the same

I have lost people because I have found You

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers

nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus

To live is Christ and to die is gain, so I promise to die daily because one day I want to see Your face. Submit to the cross, deny my needs, surrender to your will, because again when I did not know who I was, You knew me.

~Shan~