How does a little girl who grew up in extreme poverty in Granada become a successful CEO in North America? To understand this achievement, one has to go back in time to my little village and meet a youngster with the faith of a mustard seed.
While growing up in my impoverished surroundings, it didn’t matter how much adversity I faced because I believed in myself. I knew the people in my community and some family members were not supportive of me, but I didn’t care about their negative opinion. I always believed that I was destined for something big and beyond their expectations.
The extreme poverty I grew up in didn’t hinder my ability to set goals or dreams. On the contrary, desperation gave me a determination to forge ahead to escape from my poverty-stricken life.
There were days when we had no human food to eat and substituted dog food for nutrition. Often we would have to remove live cockroaches from the can of condensed milk and drink it later. Or, remove the mouse bites off the bread for breakfast. We would fight over the dirty pile of clothes that we would lay on the floor as a bed. Yet, even under these deplorable living conditions, I had faith and confidence where my destiny would lead me one day.
My greatest joy is the memories of my grandmother, Elizabeth Antoine. This remarkable woman was everything I wanted to become as an adult. She was strong, brave, and a pillar of pride. She was the most generous soul you will ever meet.
Her house and indomitable presence were a haven for me growing up. I spent countless days cooking, combing her hair, washing her clothes, running errands, and just keeping her company.
She would always tell me that God was going to bless and watch over me. At the time, I didn’t believe her. I thought it was her job as a grandmother to boost my ego and make me feel worthwhile.
However, if my grandmother had confidence in me I sure as hell didn’t want to disappoint her. Unfortunately, she’s since passed on, but I’m sure she’s looking down on me beaming with a sense of pride, knowing her intuition about me was correct.
Most of the hardships I faced in North America were tiny in comparison to my childhood in Grenada. Nevertheless, I am grateful for my life’s challenges and the blessings that brought me to where I am today.
I stay humble because not only was I lucky, I was truly blessed. If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, anything is possible is a true testament. I have lived with these inspiring words my whole life.
“She would always tell me that God was going to bless and watch over me. At the time, I didn’t believe her. I thought it was her job as a grandmother to boost my ego and make me feel worthwhile.“
If life has taught me one thing, it’s that people are bigger than their circumstances, so never let circumstances defeat your destiny. I had both belief and faith in myself, including an incredible work ethic, which was the driving force behind my success. Remember, you attract what you think!