What are you going to do with what you have been given?
12:40 PM
"What are you going to do with what you have been given?" ~TDJakes, Instinct: The power to unleash your inborn Drive~
If you know me you know that I struggle with fear, public speaking, insecurity and being an introvert. You also know that I can do many things but prefer to do them for my close knit circle. My journey this year 2017 has been to push out of my comfort zone and share the talents I have been given because really your gifts are meant to be shared.
In my journey to do this, I had the opportunity to serve and pour into some beautiful young ladies this weekend. A fish out of water, and totally out of my comfort zone I made the decision to be a part of this amazing vision by Danielle Latoya Williams and Nikki Woods who created and founded the Queen Bee Inc initiative. One of the goals of this initiative is to be a positive influence to our young girls when the media seems to have a stronger pull on them. Exposing these young ladies to alternatives, more positive situations.
To be honest, I didn't think I could offer much but then I remembered I am where I am because someone planted a seed in me, I was fortunate enough to have alot of exposure and so what better way to pay it forward than to teach what I know. Sewing
✂️✂️✂️.The Plan
The plan of the camp involved helping the young ladies create vision boards teaching them to have a vision for their lives. An etiquette session, a much-needed session in today's world where manners seem optional. Christ-centered living, career selection and goals, health, and wellness, Fine dining, Mansion tour, financial literacy, Saving and personal care. Where did I come in? I figured sewing was a great skill to have when you had an emergency (clothes rip) or if you wanted to make a living out of it (prom dresses) and also to plant the seed that with many things we pay others but if we learned the skill, they could be paid doing what they love. The plan was to teach the basics of a sewing machine and how to use it, make a tote bag and decorate it with glitter.
Actual Day
I had to analyze time and space factors and realized there was not enough time and not enough room and so plan B was to teach hand sewing, do 80% of the work and let the ladies finish off the totes and that was that. We had a great time learning the running stitch and the back stitch and the ladies completed their totes and had somewhere to put all the goodies they received from the camp.
Lessons Learned
I would be remiss if I did not experience something and learn from it to give a better experience next time, so these were some lessons I learned.
- You can never do enough planning so plan for success
- Simplicity wins so plan a simple project
- Don't underestimate the power of your story. This one hit me hard because I realized I was so scared and shy that all I did was introduce myself. I didn't tell the ladies of my journey and why I chose sewing and so I wonder if they really got the why behind it all.
- Stay calm and breath
- Accept help when it is offered
- Ask for Help
- Help where you can
- Be patient
- Have fun
- Enjoy the process
- Remember it not about you
I had so many other lessons learned and I will continue to marinate in that but the fulfillment from the experience was the best reward ever. I look forward to seeing the growth of the Queen Bees and see where Danielle and Nikki's vision leads. I am also extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to pour into these young ladies.
Do you have any tips that I can use for the future? Please let me know in the comments.
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