The Power of Encouragement: Determinations That Define Your Destiny

By Deborah A. Hill

"Give yourself permission to internally acknowledge, affirm, and validate your blessings, talents, service, contributions, skills, and experiences as you step into your destiny. Always know that you are good enough, you are worthwhile, and you have value."
Deborah A. Hill

Dreaming is as natural as breathing. At one time or another, the majority of us have harbored a dream. In The Power of Encouragement, author Deborah A. Hill presents the ten keys to achieving your dreams, including: activating, defining, prioritizing, optimizing, embracing, releasing, launching, believing, owning, and empowering.

Hill offers encouragement to those who feel life has placed limitations—such as self-doubt, fear, adversity, obstacles, and hurdles—on their future. She teaches that you must be your own cheerleader, your own drum major, if you want true success. In The Power of Encouragement, she discusses that you can no longer accept the negative narrative that’s been written for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jul 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483452494

Book preview

THE Power OF

Encouragement

Determinations that Define Your Destiny

36876.png

DEBORAH A. HILL

Copyright © 2016 Deborah A. Hill.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5250-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5249-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016908541

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 05/20/2016

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1 Destined to Dream

Chapter 2 Believe in yourself

Chapter 3 Fierce Determination

Chapter 4 A Joyous Journey

Chapter 5 A Magnificent Movement

Chapter 6 Adversities and Obstacles

About the Author

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I will be forever grateful to my late parents, Mr. Mack Hill and Mrs. Mattie C. Hill who loved me unconditionally, nurtured my dreams, built a foundation that encouraged my self-esteem and self-confidence, and insisted that I focus on my possibilities and not my limitations.

The love they poured into my life at an early age continues to sustain me.

I am thankful for their love, I am thankful for their sacrifice, I am thankful for their empowering me, I am thankful for their belief in me, and I am thankful for their support and engagement in my life, but most of all they were my best role models and cheerleaders. They provided me with a moral compass that has carried me throughout life. Those memories will forever be etched in my mind.

I will forever be indebted to family members who always applauded my efforts with a standing ovation, a thumbs-up, a warm embrace, love, and a reminder that I am the beneficiary of a strong family with tradition, pride, and an enduring legacy.

Many members of my faith never failed to let me know they were always praying and thinking of me. From this, I always gained strength.

To the young people who always reminded me that I was their role model, a remarkable leader, and someone they looked up to—and how I was making a meaningful difference in their lives—I can never fully express what your words meant to me.

To all the great women of my amazing sisterhood, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the first sorority of college-educated black women celebrating over one hundred years of sisterhood and service, who pushed me, lifted me, and inspired me and always prepared me for leadership. Thank you could never be enough.

INTRODUCTION

I trust that this book will encourage, inspire, and uplift your life’s journey.

You must know by now that you are created in the image of God; you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are God’s most prized creation. You were not created to be like anyone else; you were not mass-produced like an automobile or household appliances. You were created in God’s image; there is no one else on the planet with your DNA, which stands for divine natural ability. You are unique, awesome, and amazing.

You were created to succeed, to win, to achieve, and to overcome obstacles and adversity. My hope is that you are empowered to accomplish that goal. Stop using the excuse that it is too late for your dreams and ambitions to be realized.

As long as you have breath in your body, it is never too late. The longer you live, the more embedded your vision and your life becomes. It never goes away.

Each new day gives you a new opportunity to aspire higher and to realize your purpose.

This book is also for the women and girls who have the courage, the will, and the fierce determination to step into their own strength. Never let anyone rob, cheat, or, steal your self-esteem, your joy, your self-respect, and your authentic self. Make your own path; chart your own course in life. You don’t have to be like everyone else or to be accepted by anyone other than yourself.

Give yourself permission to dream the impossible dream, and work hard to make it come true.

Failure is never an option, because when you fail, your community fails, and ultimately society fails, because we never had the opportunity to appreciate your talents, gifts, skills, and abilities.

Starting today, get off of the sidelines of life, and become a full participant.

I have always said that there are three kinds of people in life. There are those who make things happen, those who let things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Which one will you choose to be?

In the twenty-first century, women are going into combat alongside men. We are race car drivers. There are no longer traditional roles for men and women in the world we live in. A woman is now running for President of the United States. Harriet Tubman, a former slave, the new face on currency, the twenty dollar bill.

If you truly want your life to change, you must take the first step. Wishing and dreaming alone will never make it happen.

You must be your own cheerleader and drum major. This is not the time to be a member of the band; you must take the initiative to be the leader and make your own music as you march through life.

This book will also highlight the lives of people who had less than nothing, and yet they succeeded in spite of the adversity and limited possibilities in their lives. Many did not even have role models, but they were left with no choice but to become the first in their race, age, and gender. They refused to become slaves to fear. They refused to believe the negative talk and the chatter of who they would become. These individuals gave positive self-talks daily. Just like King David, I am sure that they had to encourage themselves.

You will begin to take action when you become sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Everyone has to overcome fear; you must not let it paralyze you or stop you.

The great Zig Ziglar said that fear is:

False

Evidence

Appearing

Real

Former president Franklin D. Roosevelt said, The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Psalms 23:4 reads, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Do not settle for less than your absolute best. Your protection is right beside you at all times.

Remember, a setback is only a setup for a comeback. My ancestors came through slavery, segregation, and unjust Jim Crow laws. They refused to give up, give in, or give out. So quitting was never an option for me.

My daily mantra comes from Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

To my former colleagues in politics, women in municipal government and who serve on city councils, county councils, state government, and federal government services across this great nation, you taught me to stand up, look up, and speak up and always advocate on behalf of all the people. You helped me give to give power to my voice.

I am so proud of my years of elected public service. I know that I made a meaningful difference in my community, my city, and my state. I have a sincere and deep appreciation for all the nonprofit organizations that I have been and continue to be affiliated with. They challenged me to explore larger horizons and begin to think globally.

To all my wonderful friends who have been with me through thick and thin, I thank you and will forever value your honesty, love, and years of an unshakable friendship. You have stood with me in my trials and my triumphs.

The love, nurturing, and belief in me that so many people invested into my early childhood and later into adulthood helped me to finally see my authentic self. I was always blessed to have intelligent, bold, bright, and beautiful women who shared their time, wisdom, and support. They were always encouraging me to do my best, give my best, and be my best in all my endeavors.

There are so many people from all walks of life who pushed me into the realization that success can be accomplished by staying focused and taking one step at a time. After all my speaking engagements, people would come up and ask me where they could purchase my books and my videos and DVDs, constantly reminding me that my words had made a difference in their lives. I began to seriously think that it would not only be a shame but a tragedy to leave this earth and not share what I know and have experienced with others.

There are not enough pages to share the names of the men and women who have been a tremendous source of strength on my journey, who inspired and encouraged me at each new opportunity. So many of you allowed me to walk, talk, and serve with distinction, purpose, and humility as a servant leader. Your life not only has purpose but meaning and value. Live it with intention.

Ten Keys to Your Dreams

1. Activate Your Dreams

2. Define Your Dreams

3. Prioritize Your Dreams

4. Optimize Your Dreams

5. Embrace Your Dreams

6. Release Your Dreams

7. Launch Your Dreams

8. Believe Your Dreams

9. Own Your Dreams

10. Empower Your Dreams

CHAPTER 1

Destined to Dream

I would like to think that we are all born dreamers. I have never met or talked to anyone who didn’t have a dream at one time or another.

Dreaming is as natural as breathing. I strongly believe that the ability to dream is etched in our DNA, which is an acronym for divine natural ability. Great kings in biblical times struggled with wanting to have their dreams interpreted. Great leaders of the twentieth and twenty-first century had dreams.

We all remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous I Have a Dream speech that was so eloquently recited on the Mall at the March on Washington, D.C., in August of 1963. His speech resonated across the world, and it continues to be recited by young people and adults alike who still aspire to equality, liberty, freedom, and equal rights for everyone in America.

Dreams gives us a heightened awareness of how far we can go with determination and hard work. We all have the ability to see that life is filled with infinite possibilities.

Dreams have the potential to take you from your history into your destiny.

I have always believed that if your mind can conceive it and your heart can believe it, then you can achieve it, so go out and receive it.

Many of our dreams tend to manifest themselves during the quietest period in our sleep. They help to clarify that we have everything deep inside of us, the skill, talent, drive, ability, energy, and enthusiasm to take our lives to the next level. Many people are going to dead-end jobs each and every day with pent-up dreams that they believe can provide them with better lives and in most instances can provide them the independence that have always been seeking.

Dreaming can seemingly make the impossible possible. Dreams tend to transform our minds through our thoughts.

Everything in life begins with a dream, a thought, or a vision. I have always shared with my audiences that if you dream, don’t be afraid to dream big dreams. Dream in high definition. Dream the impossible dreams.

Whether it is a new home, a job promotion, starting your own business, going back to school to get your college degree, starting a new career, launching your own clothing line, or selling hot dogs from a cart in a big city anywhere in America, whatever your dream is, start associating with people who have similar aspirations and who are successful. I always say success breeds success.

Our dreams let us know continually that we have more to offer the universe. Your dreams and ambitions will take your mind places that your body will eventually catch up to.

It seems like yesterday when I was watching Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color on television, I can still remember the words to the song: When you wish upon a star, it makes no difference who you are … When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true. I am told that, as a child, Walt Disney was told that he was not creative and that he did not have any imagination. Look at the empire that he created in Disneyland in California and also Disney World in Orlando, Florida. I am so glad that Walt Disney followed his own dream. You cannot let labels that people want to put on you stick in your mind. You must believe and have faith that you can live your dreams. Your detractors, haters, and naysayers will always try and keep you in a box. That is because they see your ambitions, your dreams, and your talents clearer than you do. Oftentimes, teachers, parents, professionals, and communities have unintentionally mislabeled young people without realizing the devastating effects and consequences on their future.

Children’s minds are like sponges soaking up the negative as well as the positive. It is so important for parents to be completely engaged and involved in their children’s learning in the home as well as the school.

Children are continuously growing and evolving into what they can become. Imagination sometimes can be more powerful than knowledge.

I believe that far too many of our children, especially African American males and females in urban communities, continue to be mislabeled and misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, these labels begin to stick, and our children begin to give up and start to act out because they do not see futures for themselves.

Parents have an obligation to tell their children never to let anyone but God determine their futures and their destinies. Parents also have a responsibility to encourage them at every level in their precious development. Children must be taught techniques to protect their minds from the influences of their negative peers and negative people who try to pollute them with toxic ideas and negative thoughts about themselves.

The Bible teaches us that Satan, the devil, is like a roaring lion, walking the earth seeking whom he can devour. He will start with the minds of our children. If we don’t teach them how they are to guard their minds daily, they too will fall prey and victim to the negative influences of society.

In the world we live in, it has become far too easy to stereotype, stigmatize, minimize, marginalize, and criticize one’s dreams, ambitions, and talents, as well as one’s accomplishments. We should encourage young children to maximize their optimal potential.

Everything that was ever started began with a dream, a thought, or an idea. It takes hard work, determination, persistence, and focus to make your dream become your reality.

Many people have let their dreams simply die due to neglect and fear. Someone said, When I come to the end of my journey, instead of saying, ‘I wish I had,’ I can say, ‘I am glad I did.’ It is sad to live a life of regret and fear, dwelling on could-haves and should-haves. Many outstanding dreams have been buried in cemeteries across this great nation. It is even sadder that the world missed out on the opportunity to witness your genius that only you were endowed with.

It is always important to remember that you were created in God’s own image, you were born to win, you were born to succeed, and you were designed for greatness. You were created to be a champion; from the moment of conception, you were called to win. Your birth was God’s gift to the universe.

Your dream may require more effort than you are willing to invest. There will also be times that friends, family, or significant others will not be able to appreciate or understand what it is that is so deep inside of