Living Your Extreme Destiny: A Guide to Defining, Understanding, and Living Your Passion

By Angela Carr Patterson and Toni C. Hughes

Live the life you deserve…

Are you wondering what you were placed on this earth to do? Do you sit and wish you were living your best life to the fullest? Do you ever think about what it would be like to know exactly why God placed you on this earth? Are you feeling lack and incomplete in your current job? Would you like to know how to learn the ways you can reach your extreme destiny?

This essential guide will help you learn how to find your true purpose and passion in life. You’ll learn different strategies to finding the true meaning of why you were placed on this earth. Rather than staying stuck in a career that brings resentment and void, you will learn to live your passion and live your life to the full.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664211407

Angela Carr Patterson

Toni C Hughes is a native of Nashville, TN currently residing in Summerville, Sc. She is an actor, author, and entrepreneur who has worked as a Computer Scientist for the Department of Defense. She is a living example of what it’s like to live in your purpose and live a life lead by passion and love for her craft. Her motto is to “inspire, impact, and change lives.” Her desire in life is to help others achieve and live a life of authenticity while pursuing their passion. She also holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Tennessee State University and a M.S., M.G in Science Management with an emphasis in Project Management from Strayer University. She has two children Malik and Malayia. She is driven by her faith in God and love for her craft of being a creative.

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Copyright © 2020 Toni C. Hughes.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by

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without the written permission of the author except in the case of

brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author

and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of

the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of

people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Cover photo credit: Michelle Bryant Griffin

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1138-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1139-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1140-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020921656

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/17/2020

Is This Book for You?

If you are open-minded and in need of guidance on how to find your true worth and value, this book is for you. If you are in a rut or stuck in a place of fear, not knowing what you were placed on this earth to do, this book is for you. If you have found your passion but don’t know your purpose, then this book is for you. If you are confused or lost in the world and don’t know why you were created, this book is for you. If you are working a dead-end job and want to know your calling, this book is for you. You are in good company. If you are someone who knows what your passion is and want to bless someone else with direction and guidance on how to discover and live their passion and just don’t know how to say it or approach them, this book is for you and them. Be someone who not only gets fed by the words of this book but share this book with others. If you find you have all the answers to living your passion and having a completely fulfilled life, use this book for reference. If this book is for you, I encourage you to read it and tell someone else about it, to help them find their true calling and purpose on this earth. By doing this, you will be helping someone grow as an individual, which will ultimately help improve your life as well.

To those who are

in search of why they were created.

For the person who has doubts and uncertainties about themselves and their gifts.

You have the tools inside of you to reach your extreme destiny and have the life you deserve.

You can do this. I believe in you!

To my daughter, Malayia, and my son, Malik. Live your passion to the full. I value you.

Most importantly, to that young person who desires to become all that God has created them to be. You are loved.

CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Are You Ready?

Chapter 1 Uncovering Your Unique You

Chapter 2 Defining and Understanding Your Purpose

Chapter 3 Knowing What You are Passionate About

Chapter 4 Finding Your Why and Being an Influence

Chapter 5 Sticking to the Script

Chapter 6 Living Your Extreme Destiny

Chapter 7 Passion Fulfilled: What’s Next?

FOREWORD

It takes a whole lot of courage to look deep into your life and discover what has worked and what hasn’t worked. It takes even more courage, or shall I say a whole lot of moxie, to then turn around and share your life’s story with others.

This is exactly what Toni Hughes has done in her book, Living Your Extreme Destiny. In this writing, Toni holds nothing back. She shares her journey to discovering her unique, authentic self and how she was able to pull together the broken pieces of her life and allow God to heal her heart. Because only then can you truly experience the radical transformation that Toni shares about her life.

Written with a lot of honesty, courage, and inspiration, Toni, step-by-step, shows the readers how they, too, can move beyond their old stories and rewrite a new story that reflects who they really are.

The truth is we all have had our share of pain, disappointments, and betrayals. It’s a part of all of our stories. But what makes our stories unique is how we find the strength, the courage, and the fight to keep going and never give up. This is what Toni has done and clearly demonstrates in this book.

Toni reveals how we all have the power to change our lives as she reveals her own struggles and the processes she used to find her truth and her passion. And speaking of passion, Toni has found hers. Now she’s on a mission to help others do the same.

This is exactly what she’s done in Living Your Extreme Destiny. I encourage you to delve deeply into the pages of this powerful book and use it as a guide to propel you into your true passion and destiny.

We all are born with a divine plan and purpose for our lives. When we discover this plan and purpose, our lives take on new meaning of infinite possibility. Toni has stepped into her divine plan, and now she’s living out her purpose and passion through her gifts, talents, and amazing body of work.

As you read each page, understand that not only is it possible to live your extreme destiny, it’s inevitable with the right kind of support.

Toni has become your support through the pages of this phenomenal book.

I salute you, Toni, for your courage, your strength, and your inspiration to help others live their dreams and passion.

—Angela Carr Patterson, Global Life and Success Strategist

PREFACE

It was what seemed like a long day at McKissack Middle School. I was about eleven or twelve years old. Thankfully, I made it to school, even though just that morning I had thrown up, and feeling my forehead told me that I was burning up. I was only alert enough to get out of bed and force myself to get dressed that morning so that I wouldn’t miss anything that the school could teach me and keep my perfect attendance record. I wanted to learn it all, even in the midst of feeling ill and down. I had never missed a day of middle school and loved to learn as much as possible. I was eager to get to school that day, just as I was any other day of the school week. My mom had no clue what I was up to, as she was still asleep. As I made it to school and sat in my chair, I could barely answer the teacher as I heard my name being called to roll call to see who was in attendance. My teacher promptly got out of her chair and approached me, as she didn’t hear me answer, Here, when she called my name. I was out of it. But that feeling of knowing that I was present had me so determined that I was going to stay at school that day. To my surprise, the teacher walked me to the principal’s office only to call my mom and send me home. I was devastated and cried all the way home, resisting my mom as she pulled me out of school that day.

Till this day, I remember that day at school, and I remember going to the school board of education with my complaint when I didn’t receive my award for perfect attendance because of missing that day of school. That is just how determined I was to learn and to receive the honor of perfect attendance. I was a little determined young lady and wanted to be great. Would you like to know why I was so determined? Let me explain.

When I was a young child, I experienced growing up in the projects, better known as government-funded housing, on the welfare system in Nashville, Tennessee. My parents never married and didn’t live together. I had four brothers and one sister. Two of my older brothers lived with my dad. I lived with my mother, younger sister, younger brother, and an older brother. My mother suffered from a drug addiction, and as a result, my brothers, my sister, and I were neglected. I can remember being in elementary school and missing a lot of days because my mom wasn’t in her right mind to make sure we got to school. It was in the first grade when I got left behind due to too many missed days.

As I got older, I took on the primary role of mother, sister, and guardian of my younger brother and sister for some time while living with our mom. I can remember not being able to get in the house and having to climb in a window just to get inside. I watched my mom being physically abused and taken advantage of by men. I also remember seeing needles lying around in her bedroom the times I snuck in to see what I could learn about her. There were times we didn’t have food, and I went to school feeling ashamed of our living situation. Also, there were times in school when I would just keep to myself to avoid talking about what went on in my home. I even heard helicopters and gunfire some nights while I was up trying to do homework. One day, I saw a man get shot in broad daylight. It was terrifying, and I knew that I didn’t want to live like that. I used to dance with my cousin as my little brother would make jokes, just to keep our minds off the pain and things that went on at home. That feeling, that environment, and that living situation made me determined to live a different life than what my mom lived. I wanted something better.

When my mother could no longer care for us, we moved in with my dad, which is when my relationship with God became a part of who I am to this day. My dad was a minister and a truck driver. He drove his truck for twenty-two years, accident-free. This accomplishment made me proud. This was the beginning of a new start for me, and I was excited. Can you imagine?

While in high school, I made a decision that I would do the opposite of the negative things I saw my mom do and lead a life that represents what God wants for me. I wanted to reach the highest degree of success as possible. I wanted to live my extreme destiny. Here is where my motivation began.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would first like to acknowledge God and thank him for everything inspired by his Word that helped me write this book. I would like to thank my mom, Betty, for teaching me about respect. I have learned that you should speak before entering someone’s home. This is one of the traits about me that I admire and love. This is an important trait to have and receive if you want to live your best life. I would like to thank my bonus mom, Gail, for helping me go beyond the norm and move so that I could grow as an individual. If we stay within a box, we will not be able to develop into the person God created us to be. I would like to thank my grandmother for inspiring me to be happy. She taught me what strength is and how to endure as a woman. I would like to thank my father for instilling wisdom and God in my life. I don’t know what I would have done without my father. Thanks, Dad, for treating me like I am the prettiest girl in the world and for teaching me that I can be anything I want to be. I would like to thank my best friend, Vanessa, for inspiring and encouraging me. Your words mean so much, and you are dynamic. I am grateful to call you friend. I would like to thank George McCarter. You helped me identify the areas of my life that I needed help with. You gave me resources and guidance in my journey throughout my senior year of high school. Your support helped shape me into the person I am. I would like to thank Barry Scott. You taught me that I had what it takes to be an actor. You made me believe in myself because you believed in me. Without you guys, there would be no me, and for that I am grateful to you all.

For those who supported me in the development of this book, I am eternally grateful to the following:

• Langley Watts Cornell, for encouraging me to open up and talk about the hard topics that once had me in bondage

• The Rough Writers, for helping with your constructive critique for the writings of this book

• WestBow Press for believing in me

To my readers, thank you!

INTRODUCTION

ARE YOU READY?

Greatness exists in all of us.

—Will Smith

Have you ever wondered what the meaning of your life was? Have you ever reached a certain milestone only to realize that you haven’t figured out who you are or why you were placed on this earth? Or have you thought that maybe it’s too late? Have you given up on life? Have you ever thought about what you do that gives you extreme happiness? Do you know what your gift is? Could you imagine what it would be like to have all the answers to the questions about your purpose in your life? Have you had any thoughts about who you are and what God had in mind when you were created?

All of these questions are things that you or someone you know has thought about. These are definitely questions that I once had and wanted answered. I wanted to know the meaning of my life and why I was created. There is a reason for everything, and you better believe I was curious to know. I wanted answers. I wanted to know who I was. I wanted to know my purpose and meaning in life. This would be the answer to my life’s purpose, and I could breathe and relax once my questions were answered.

Don’t you want to know why you were born? So what are you waiting for? Buckle up and enjoy the ride. Let’s get started with this journey of discovery!

My Motivation

The world we live in today is consumed with crime, bitterness, anger, resentment, and suicide. Living Your Extreme Destiny was written as I was in pursuit of my purpose in life. I had just had a birthday and was living an unfulfilled life. I was desperate to know what my reason for being put here on earth was, and I’m sure some of you have had the same thought or know someone who has. I knew that God had something better for my life, and I wanted to know what that was. I believe if people live within their purpose, the hate, crime, and suicide rates will decrease. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live at a capacity where you had complete happiness and self-worth? Where you were valued at the highest? Where your life had meaning? Where you had a reason for living? When you can identify your purpose and meaning in life, you have an advantage that most don’t have. You become extreme in existence. You become.

The world we live in is full of hate, unhappiness, chaos, and pain. Just imagine if there was peace, love, and happiness—and people had fulfilled lives that they enjoyed. When you have the tools and resources to grab hold of what and who you are, you can soar.

This guide will open up ways to find out what and who you are destined to be and what you can become on an extreme level.

As you navigate the pages of this book, keep an open mind and view on why you exist. With wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, you will get out of this book what you are open and willing to receive. God will not give you what you ask for, only what you can manage and what you deserve. Think about it. When you pray, does God always give you what you ask for? No, he doesn’t because he knows what we can handle and what we are ready for. He has all the answers and is our creator, so he knows what’s best for us. In this book, you will learn tips on how