My purpose is to come alongside you and help you live the life of your dreams–a life that is not by default, but one that you’ve designed. I can’t think of a better way to do this than by sharing the lessons I’ve learned from the person who’s changed my life the most.
This woman has spoken life into me, prayed over me, and helped me make some of the most important decisions at critical times in my life.
The lessons she’s taught me have shaped my life, my business, the adventures I’ve had, and even this podcast. They are:
1. Give back
Show up for your community and volunteer, no matter what. Year in and year out, JaJa has shown up for her community in all different ways. Take her example and make a decision that your time is the most valuable asset you’ve got. Then, find a way to use it and your other giftings and resources to help people.
2. Tithe
Sow good seeds by giving back and tithing. JaJa Con was a single mom of 8 and she still tithed. She taught me that, no matter how little or how much I have, someone in the world needs what I can give. Truly, attachment is the key to all suffering. So, let go of your attachments. Take a little and make it much by sowing it into fertile ground, where it’s needed most.
3. Be grateful
No matter what you’re going through, you can be grateful for what you have. No matter where you’re at in life, you can choose joy. Ask yourself what you are choosing to surround yourself with. If you choose a grateful heart, adopting an attitude of gratitude, you will experience compounded joy as a result.
4. Do the things that scare you
When you do something every day that’s out of your comfort zone and break through that wall of “scared,” you will find beauty and an incredible life on the other side. This is JaJa’s attitude. She always did scary things, whether it ended up good or bad. You need to do the same because you don’t want to look back at the end of your life and have regrets.
5. Keep learning and growing
JaJa went back to college much later in life. She taught me to continue to learn about other cultures and study what’s around me.
6. Protect your young and always see the best in them
Protect your young by inspiring and encouraging them. Never give up on them. Love them for who they are, no matter where they are. Love them through the good, bad, and ugly. Put a protective shield of love around them. If one of them is struggling, encourage them that they can be anything they want to be. Teach them, as JaJa taught me, that you can be a victim or you can be victorious. This is your job, opportunity, gift, and give-back.
7. Never let your past define you
Let your past refine you, but not define you. JaJa went through terrible domestic abuse, but never let that define her. She volunteered at domestic violence crisis centers and shared her story. She never let her past become a prison. Instead, she moved on and figured out what to do next.
If you didn’t have someone who was your biggest cheerleader and taught you how to thrive through struggle, take these 7 lessons for yourself. Apply them to your life and go live your amazing adventure.
If you want to learn more about the amazing adventures of my mom, JaJa Con, check out Episode 034: The Amazing Adventures Of JaJa Con.
