HOW I MADE IT OUT OF THE HOOD

Ooh I am about to ruffle some feathers!!

Before I start let me give some clarity on certain words that I use. Generally speaking, when we use the word "hood," we think of thugs on the street corner slinging drugs, ladies of the night working the block and pimps scouting the city for their prey.

Most often, all of the above are components of the "hood" but realistically it mostly entails poverty stricken, uneducated recipients of the state.

Statistics on every end of the spectrum resulting in the census that compiles the "haves" and the "have nots."

Born and raised in this environment is what caused me to flourish in dysfunction by getting pregnant at the early age of 15 and dropping out of high school - destined to become a welfare recipient for the rest of my life and ensuring my children and my children's children become the same.

Single, drug addicted mothers, absent fathers leaving the elder son to handle the responsibilities of the siblings result in thievery and illegal activity to put food on the table. The end result of this is a felony on their record and an elementary school education level. Teenage girls getting pregnant multiple times by different fathers repeating the cycle of their mother.

Take me anywhere in the United States and I can show this same scenario over and over again.

If (and that is a big "if") someone tries to escape, just like crabs in a bucket, he gets almost to the top somebody will pull him back.

What shook me to the core is when I was getting dressed for my first born son's funeral. (He was not alive when I gave birth to him but he was old enough to give him a proper burial.)

I remember my best friend helping me pull my panty hose up because my I literally had no strength to do so. I was in a twilight zone. But my loudest thought was I have to change my life.

That decision is what changed the trajectory of my entire existence.

(Here's an embarrassing fun fact about me - two of my exes appeared on the Jerry Springer show. I swear if anyone ever confronts me with this information I will flat out deny it hahaha!!!)

Every aspect of my life changed but nothing was different. My vision was different, my thinking was no longer the same, my thought process was the opposite of what it once was and I moved contrasting to the way I moved prior.

However, staying in the same environment that handicaps you is not a wise decision. It is only a matter of time for you fall back in the old thought patterns and habits. Staying with a good purpose inevitably will result in the same.

I opened a ministry headquarters in the area I grew up in hoping to help others in various aspects.

What I learned from that harsh experience is so many people love the misery they are in. In fact, they love it so much they want others to cozy up next to them and bask in the wretchedness and affliction.

They constantly have a hand out expecting others to give, give and give more. They will take everything they can and when the well runs dry they will find another one.

Very rarely do you find someone who genuinely wants to change and is willing to do whatever it takes to escape poverty. Poverty as in mindsets, bank accounts and relationships.

So I left. And I never looked back.

There is a story in the Bible when God rained down fire on a city but He allowed a man named Lot and his family to first escape. God told them to leave and not look back, however, Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.

"Remember Lot's wife" is inspiration for us all.

I say I never looked back but that is only in reference to the mentality of living in the "hood." I care deeply about my friends, family and life lessons that I gained from my childhood.

I care little about the comments that I "think I'm better than everyone" I grew up with. That is the furthest thing from the truth actually.

I know all too well - IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, THERE GO I...

Escaping the "hood" can apply to any situation. Fear, self doubt, lack, all of this and more can be what's keeping you held hostage.

Leaving your comfort zone is a challenge for most of us. Running the risk of others criticizing and ridiculing you simply because you are bettering yourself is difficult.

True friends will be supportive. The rest will fall off and although it will be painful, staying the same is excruciating.

YOU ARE DESIGNED TO REIGN IN LIFE

To access more content and exclusive perks, make sure to subscribe to my email newsletter. By doing so, you will receive a complimentary ebook as a token of my appreciation. This ebook is packed with valuable information and insights that will enhance your knowledge and understanding in various areas of interest. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your horizons and stay updated. Simply provide your email address to start your journey for my free ebook "Do Words Teach?" (be sure to check your spam folder, move the email to your inbox upon delivery and add me to your contacts)