Growing Through Challenges

By Debora Laizer

My name is Debora Laizer. I am from Tanzania. I came to the U.S. to pursue my Masters in Business Administration at John Carroll University.

What empowers me is believing the fact that, every human being in this world, has a part to play and purpose to fulfill. It takes a long time for many people to identify their inner self or their strengths.

As a matter of fact , it took me a while to discover my inner strength and to be able to accept myself. There is a saying that “You cannot make an omelet without breaking some eggs”. The reason I am stating this is due to what I have experienced in life. Nothing comes without a cost. It takes constant courage, faith, patience, hope and being able to accept the reality that failings and problems are a part of success.

My dream is to become the biggest and most successful entrepreneur. I have a plan to start my own Food Truck Business here in Cleveland, Ohio. Let me briefly talk about my history. I was born in Tanzania, in Arusha. I will never forget the year 2004, when I lost my best friend and the only person who knew me better than anyone. That person was my mom. It was a tragic event, and it took my whole family to a place that was full of pain and family drama. My dad was hurt by what happened and became very distracted. It took him many years to stabilize since his wife left him with very young children. This resulted in a huge set back as a family. There was a huge attack from my mother’s family towards my dad. Her family started accusing him for the cause of my mother’s death.

The attack made the situation even worse to the extent that they started going for his wealth. Sadly, they took advantage of the situation, and the fact that my dad was still grieving from what happened. When this happened, we were still young and my youngest brother was still breastfeeding. We lost everything and basically had to start over again. This resulted in us losing the whole year at school by staying home, since my dad had to look for other options to be able to take us back to school.  

This made me realize that no matter how much life knocks you down, you have to choose to get back up. If my dad gave up to the fact that he lost everything they fought for with his wife, then I probably wouldn’t even be here in U.S pursuing my masters. Based on this situation, my dad services as a role model to me. He helped me to believe that in no matter the hardship I experience there will always be an exit plan. This reminder keeps me believing, hoping, and having faith that there is nothing in life that can hold me down. Having to lose my mother at a very young age was one of the biggest, roughest, and most heartbreaking moments in my life. However, I was able to overcome the hardship I experienced.

Generally, any heartbreaking moments that we experience in life should not determine our fate. As Bradley Whitford said that, “Infuse your life with action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen... yourself, right now, right down here on Earth.” So, always try to be optimistic in life. There is no problem in life that has no answer. My advice to everyone is, always try to look for the good things in the bad things. Always opt to win or learn in life and erase a mindset of losing. Your mindset shapes how you react towards most problems you face. Remember that life is 10% of what happens to you and the 90% remaining, is how you react to it.

Jim Rohn said that, “Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins.'' As I said before, problems are always a platform to grow. Great things always come from great challenges.

Empowered & Poised

Leah B., CEO of Empowered & Poised, Seeking to empower young girls & women to be their truest self

https://www.empoweredandpoised.com/
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