The Belief That Changed My Life: Ending 2025 With Purpose

As we close out 2025, I want to leave you with a story and a message that shifted how I view myself, my decisions, and the spaces I choose to occupy. It’s connected to a short speech that opened my eyes to how often we dim our light because of someone else’s perspective.

The Dream I Almost Walked Away From

For those who don’t know, teaching was my lifelong dream. I fought for it with everything I had.

The fight for my dream happened after being removed from my university’s Financial Aid program due to failing my classes. Work became my priority, and school was just there. I transferred to community college to keep myself moving toward that degree. (Go Housi!!!) By 2016, I had finally reached my final semester—with an 8-month-old baby, three night classes, and a teaching internship.

I made it to 20 hours—halfway there—when I was pulled into a room and told:

“We don’t believe teaching is for you.”

They removed me from the program. And I believed them. Literally. Just ... believed them.

I dropped my class and settled for a general education degree. I accepted a future that someone else decided for me. Someone who didn’t even know me.

The Power of Community

My community reminded me: One person should never decide your future.

So I returned for one last semester. One class. One more try.

And one week into my internship… I was hired as a teacher.

The feedback, the support, the parents, the children, everything affirmed what I already knew deep down: teaching was meant for me.

I often think about what I would have lost if I had accepted someone else’s opinion as truth. I think about the opportunities teaching gave me, and how I was able to serve my very own community.

Like they say: “Fall 7, get up 8.”

A Lesson for Anyone Who Thinks Their Opinion Is “Just an Opinion”

There’s also a lesson here for anyone who freely gives their opinions about another person’s personality, potential, or future. Words are powerful. They can plant doubt, freeze dreams, or reroute someone’s entire life. The person who removed me from my program probably didn’t think twice about what they said, but I carried that sentence for years, and it still hurts until today even though I've achieved so much.

So next time you feel the urge to tell someone who they are or what they’re capable of, pause. Ask yourself: “Is this coming from care, or from my own assumptions, or even my own projections? “Will my words lift them or limit them?”

Your voice might be louder in someone’s life than you realize.

A Question for You as We Enter 2026

If I had let someone define my path based on 10 hours of observation, my entire life would look different. So as we close out the year, I want to leave you with this:

What’s one belief about yourself that you’re ready to rewrite in 2026?

I’m attaching a video from Lisa Nichols—the message that inspired this reflection.

She reminds us NEVER to dim our light for the comfort of others and to step fully into who we are, regardless of what the world thinks.

Watch Here: How To Let Your Light Shine Bright — Lisa Nichols

Take a moment with it—you deserve that clarity and affirmation.

Share Your Story With Her Hour

Every month, we’ll feature a story from one of our women—a win, a lesson, a moment of healing, or a breakthrough.

If you feel called, we invite you to share yours. You can share anonymously or with your name—whatever feels safe.

✨ Your story might be the one that gives another woman the courage to keep going. Click here to share your story.

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