Dear Iyanla Vanzant and India Arie…. oh how your wisdom, words and walk in your purpose SAVED me so many times in MY life… India, your sweet melody and courageous lyrics, for many nights soothed me and gave me understanding. Iyanla, your writing of your sometimes painful experience but determination and triumphs, said to me… Tanesha you better get up RIGHT now and fight back!!!!
In Middle school and Highschool life was rough, although I was a genius at portraying otherwise. I was confused, suicidal, bullied, manipulated, used and even disrepected my own being in so many ways. I hid behind cheerleading and dance with girls who disengaged, spread rumors and truly were not my cheer-dance sisters, BUT I was determined to be in the “it” crowd. I later asked myself was it worth it? Dance was the ONLY thing I had, that would allow me to give myself a voice besides writing. So, I guess I would say it came with the territory.
Your writings Iyanla, allowed me to see the light at the end of the tunnel and attempt to pull myself through. I was introduced to the book “Don’t Give it Away” at a young girls program. The self-awareness and self-affirmations journal truly helped me see how I portrayed my image, what I thought about life and introduced me to meditation. I was so grateful for it although at times I was afraid to share my true thoughts.
I can remember walking around singing your “Video” song India at the top of my lungs…. “I’m not the average girl from your video, and I ain’t built like a supermodel, but I learned to love myself unconditionally, because I am a QUEEN. I’m not the average girl from your video, my worth is not determined by the price of my clothes, no matter what I’m wearing I will always be, India Arie”.
These two testimonials were like lifeboats, to my everyday drowning in sorrow. I did not live in a world of authenticity but you two women gave me peace of mind.
In college, I was deemed majorly depressed but refused to let THEM diagnose me. I would still “show up & show out” as the captain of the cheer squad and member of the dance team. Your song India, “I am not my hair” helped me gain self-worth. I neglected the essence of my true worth and let THEM tell me I was worthless. THEY used me, and I began to hide the amazing spirit God blessed me with.
But then Iyanla, I was gifted with your books “Faith in the valley” and “Yesterday, I cried”. I realized that I had to begin to take ownership and take MY life back. It was then that I began to use my experiences in life as a way to reach other young women living and going through this toxic cycle of life. As a means to save their souls from the torture of self sabotage, I had to begin to tell MY truths. Sitting in group with some of those young ladies I would hold back tears because it was saddening what they were going through at only 11-15 years of age…it was all too familiar.
When going through a rough patch in my adult life, having the experience of being a “mother” snatched from my soul, laid off from making an amazing salary with an amazing position in Corporate America and questioned the mere existence of “God”, my best friend gifted me with your book Iyanla, “One day my soul just opened up”. I thought oh my you had did it again, you had become my LIFE vest at now 25 years old and I thank you.
I found myself depressed again two years ago. At a time when I was preparing to turn 30, engaged to marry the woman that had truly come into my life as a blessing and grow tremendously in the world of Entrepreneurship and expand my girls dance program. This time THEY had diagnosed me with alopecia, bursitis of the hip, two cyst in left ankle, Mood disorder, anxiety and scheduled to see the Psych.
As I left that appointment your song India “strength, courage and wisdom”, played. I then knew that God was speaking to me through you to say… this is just the beginning Tanesha, it is time for a CHANGE, it is time for a CHALLENGE and it is time for you to be COURAGEOUS!
I stand before the world today, as a professional woman still learning to deal with the snakes hissing from my past. Loving my ability to build up other women taking control of their lives and uplifting young girls whose story is merely just beginning. I then look to you two beautiful women, whose melanin exudes greatness, humility and wisdom for guidance.. Two women who never have and don’t plan on giving up their fight… It is as if you always have one MORE punch in you!
I am proud to say that TODAY and EVERYDAY, I am proud of the young girl I was, and the woman I am and will become! I utilize and share all the spiritual strength and personal growth I received from your books Iyanla. I share it with my friends, family, clients, colleagues and even strangers…because everyone needs a daily dose of Hope and Faith. I know that your books “Trust” and “Forgiveness” are saving many more souls, TODAY!
India, when my wife gifted me tickets to see you in concent, it was truly a confirmation that my life is forever evolving. To sit and witness your greatness, minister through your song and be a part of your life journey was truly remarkable. You peeled away your headscarf to reveal the true essence of who YOU are rocking a completely shaved head and allowed a same sex couple to propose on your stage. I sat and admired how you proclaimed to us all in those moments, that we MUST do what makes US happy. Your song “Just Do You” from your album SongVersation, aligns with who I am today. It’s brilliant, I can now sing “I heard a voice that told me I’m essential, how all my fears are limitimg my potential, said it’s time to step into the light and use every bit of the power I have inside…Just do you somebody’s got to be a star, Just do you somebody’s got to raise the bar”.
You two have taught me that we have the power to make our OWN rules, set our OWN boundaries and ultimately can become who and what we DESIRE.
It truly speaks to my spirit.
I have to remind myself, my friends, family, colleagues, clients, associates and everyone I am in contact with that we must WALK IN OUR PURPOSE!
Thank you for being YOU and telling YOUR story. I am still working on telling mine.
Be Empowered,
Tanesha “Mrs. TEE” Welch
@TEAwithTEEWelch
http://www.TaneshaWelch.com