Aaliyah
Shalene

Entrepreneur, author, mom and motivational speaker

As a little girl, my world was a vibrant tapestry woven with stories, imagination, and a fierce desire to connect with others. I filled notebooks with tales, orchestrated elaborate plays, and found immense joy in the simple act of creating. This innate passion—to write, to build, to engage—was the very core of who I was.

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Yet, as the years whisked by, that youthful zeal began to fade, subtly at first, then more profoundly. I found myself chasing the allure of financial success and external validation, believing these would bring fulfillment. In the relentless pursuit of what I thought I "should" be doing, I inadvertently drifted from my true purpose. The vibrant colors of my childhood dreams dulled, replaced by the muted tones of obligation and ambition. I was creating, yes, but the heart and soul I once poured into it were conspicuously absent.

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Then came a pivotal night. Seated in church, wrestling with an unshakeable sense of disquiet, my apostle called me out. The words he spoke, a divine revelation, pierced through the fog that had settled over my spirit. It was a moment of profound clarity, a sudden illumination that rearranged my entire perspective. This "word" wasn't just advice; it was a compass reset, guiding me back to the path I was always meant to walk.

In that instant, my decision-making framework irrevocably shifted. I began to see myself not through the lens of societal expectations or material gain, but through the eyes of my authentic self and God's divine plan. The very next step was clear: I resigned from my job, taking a leap of faith into the unknown.

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With renewed purpose and an unyielding sense of calling, I poured my rediscovered passion into writing. Four books emerged from that crucible of transformation, each a testament to the journey back to myself. Publishing them felt like a rebirth, the culmination of a promise kept to that little girl who loved to create. And in many ways, the rest truly is history—a history of reclaiming my narrative.

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Even amidst the exhilarating risks and the demanding journey of self-reinvention, I never once lost sight of my bedrock commitments. Motherhood remained my sacred priority, a guiding star in every decision. My faith as a Christian and my duty to my family were unwavering anchors, grounding me even as I soared.

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Years have indeed passed since that transformative night, but with each rising sun, I am more convinced than ever: it is never too late to embrace your true calling. I stand here today, not just as an author or a creator, but as someone who has navigated the wilderness of lost purpose and emerged with an unshakeable conviction. I know, with every fiber of my being, that I am exactly where I belong.