DreamStyle Collective Volume.2

Welcome Welcome Welcome

FROM EBONIE, CREATOR OF DREAMSTYLE COLLECTIVE

Thank you for being a part of my journey!

Take a listen to why this magazine was birthed, my intentions for our future next steps together, and a funny childhood story of mine regarding my embarrassing experience with banana pudding...

With Love, Ebonie

I clearly remember sitting at my cubicle desk one Friday afternoon around 3pm, munching on my butter popcorn at my great paying job, with some really cool colleagues and being unfulfilled Sure my schedule was pretty flexible It needed to be that way in order to accommodate my lifestyle of parenting children who were under the age of five at the time I needed to be there for their developmental years and my flexible schedule afforded me that opportunity

Sounds great, right? Wrong. I was at a job that's sole purpose in my life was to basically serve as a paycheck, when what I really needed was vibrancy and life This position gave me very little satisfaction in those areas How could it? I was stuck in a holding pattern of going to my job day after day, and "can't waiting" my life away You know what I'm taking about "I can't wait for the holidays," "I can't wait for my vacation," or" I can't wait for the weekend" I found myself saying those things all to often, because anything involving NOT being at my job was what I looked forward to

That's the norm for so many ladies, but I knew I needed to change that for myself I wanted to LIVE And not just for the weekend, but for every day, every second, every moment. I wanted to enjoy every single part of my life. Little did I know that enjoyment would derive from being an international wellness-based career and lifestyle coach and consultant

Once I identified that I wanted to impact lives as a wellness-based career and lifestyle coach and help women to love themselves inside and out, while also pursuing their life purpose I became excited about life! I made a career change to becoming an entrepreneur I no longer met the social norm of going to my safe 9-5 job just so that I could buy cute outfits and material things that lacked real meaning to me Instead, my desire was to live a life I loved, and this became one of my sources of strength I steadily created a ripple effect of passion to women in my local community and across the seas These women that I helped inspire, began to also embrace the notion that meaning and purpose is necessary if we are to give love, understanding and attention to the people who need it the most

Can you relate to how I felt working that boring 9-5 job? Does it feel like your job is slowly sucking the energy out of you? Maybe you would love to escape, but you don't know where to turn, and you don't know how to get started You may be wondering if you need to return to school to earn another degree, certificate, or continuing education credits. You may be thinking, "How on Earth will I even find time to make the sacrifice to further my education?" and perhaps thinking "Who will take care of my children while I study?"

There are so many factors that run through our heads when it's time to transition to living a better and more meaningful life Most of us get stuck at the fear stage That fear sometimes stems from the thought that things may not turn out the way we would like them to be after having given our time, money and energy to what we are pursuing

But what if I told you that "fear" actually stands for False Evidence Appearing Real and fear is holding you back from living a life you were meant to fulfill? What if there are people who need your exact gifts, talents, personality and presence in order to leave the darkness they are living in and propel them into the Marvelous light of living meaningfully on their own?

Many of us are stuck in fear of the unknown and it's slowly killing our spirits Not only is it killing our spirits, but it's also affecting our health, relationships, and sense of joy We can't possibly be the best version of ourselves if we are barely making it through the day I invite you to walk with me as I share more about about my journey of leaving an unfulfilling, mundane corporate job and becoming a world change agent through the realm of health, wellness and career purpose Sharing my success as a wellness-based career and lifestyle coach has afforded me the opportunity of transforming young, modern women's lives and I want to do the same with you. I'll share many of my BEST kept secrets to maintaining a low-stress lifestyle that I love, my joys, my disappointments and how you and I can continue to identify the things that raise our vibration on this earth so that we can discover our passions and live meaningfully and purposefully

Who do you know that would LOVE to transform their lives and join my "from Mundane to Marvelous" lifestyle moment? Share this magazine with a friend or family member A fulfilling lifestyle isn't just for a few select women It's for ALL of us!

* Press play to learn more!

ConfidenceUnleashed

Dear Melissa,

Do you remember that in your younger days before you turned 12, you were both bold and courageous yet also significantly lacked confidence?

You were never the first person to volunteer for a challenge but once you got into one you never backed down until you won Youalwaysstoodupforwhatwasright including sticking up for other people who couldn’tdothesameforthemselves Yeton the inside you deeply felt any unkind thing that was done or said to you although you wouldn’t communicate the things that botheredyou Backthenyoudidn’trealizeit but you always persevered; continuing on despitetheodds,doingthebestyoucan Do you remember conquering your fears for somethingthatyouloved?Likeyourlovefor the ocean and swimming, yet your fear of deep blue waters that seemingly have no end?Well,youdidit-yougotyourfirstdive certification!

Can you believe that you actually went off to college despite wanting to drop out of high school? At the age of 21 you would graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science and bytheageof22you’dcontinueontogetan incredible first job as a Project Manager on an important environmental project in your home country, The Bahamas, that you love sodearly You’veworkedwithandledteams of incredible experts, stakeholders and volunteers both for your job but also on a voluntarily based environmental project, all at the same time You did so much overthinking and questioning yourself internally, yet you continued to grow, accomplished so many achievements and had unlimited love and support externally Andguesswhat,nowyou’veevenattained2 higher levels of your dive certification that allows you to dive even deeper and to face moreofyourfearsasyoualwaysdo.Imean, can you really believe it? That strong-willed perseverance that you hold on reserve all the time has slowly but surely grown into a self-reassured confidence. I know it may be hardtobelievebutyouwillcontinueon,one footaftertheother

"Ourdeepest fearisnotthat weare inadequate.Our deepestfearis thatweare powerful beyond measure "unknown

To date, you have recently received a fully funded scholarship that has taken you across the world to Ireland to study for your Master’s degree One day you will be a wellknown and impactful environmental and social activist, not just for your country but for the world - highlighting various issues that are near and dear to your heart You hope to live in The Bahamas for as long as possibleinabeautifulhome,onanelevated plot of land with a great view of the island However, you'll be open to options to go whereverlifetakesyouandwhereyoufeelis in your best interest! You’ll be happily married, maybe with a kid or two, but definitely with a whole bunch of cats!! You will continue to lead important causes, becausedespiteanynegativefeelingsabout yourselfyourmindmaymakeyouthink,you know that you have a voice and you know how to be heard You are passionate about raising awareness and taking action while also,doingtherightthing

So... no matter what, keep going. You’ve made it incredibly far - even further than you’ve ever imagined going You are incredibly intelligent and you can do whatever you put your mind to. You’ve always been a go with the flow kind of person and I know you’ll get to where you are meant to be at your own pace and in your own time, as you should I’m proud of you and all that you have accomplished I know that with your determination, perseveranceandever-growingconfidence, thatyouwillbeapowerfulforceinwhatever pathyoutake.

Love always and forever, Mel

Fun facts!

1. I'm a huge cat lover

2 I dance salsa

3. I have a close family friend that is considered a sister, as well as a sister-in-law, both by the name of Melissa, making me 1 of 3 Mels in my family.

4. I linked up with DreamStyle creator Ebonie while she was visiting my home country of the Bahamas!

Melissa Ingraham

Dear Gabrielle,

Can you imagine that at age eight, you would have gone through multiple life-changing experiences?

EmbracingChange Gabrielle

You went from adopting your first pet to moving to a different city with your family. You had always dreamed of living in a spacious townhome with a backyard, and yourdreamsfinallycametruethatyear You began your education at a new elementary school and met new people who would eventually become your lifelong friends Although exciting, this transition was nervewracking because you moved away from the home you grew up in and created wonderfulchildhoodmemoriesthere Itwas already difficult for you to feel comfortable around others in social situations It interfered with activities at school and forming relationships Now that you lived in a different city, it became tougher to feel at ease Fortunately, you were surrounded by andmetpeoplewhohelpedyougrowasan individual Additionally, this experience taughtyoumanythingsaboutyourself You learned you could overcome challenges, no matter how large they appeared. You learned to be more open-minded, which helped you embrace new experiences You also realized it was important to rely on others for help in certain situations While self-relianceandindependencearevaluable qualities, there are times when you need otherpeople’ssupport Overall,Iamgrateful that these changes have shaped you into thestrongwomanyouaretoday.

Currently, you love traveling in order to learnaboutvariouslanguages,cuisines,and cultures around the globe You have traveledoutsidetheUnitedStateswithyour family to South America and Europe Recently, you traveled to Colorado during the white winter Although you have seen snow, this was the first time you touched it with your bare fingers Living in South Florida, you are used to hot and humid weather where the lowest temperatures reach 60 degrees. It is rare for you to be exposed to icy-cold climates You were requiredtoweartheessentials,likethermal layers, heavy snow gear, and waterproof boots You went snowboarding on the highest peaks in Breckenridge, Colorado Youfeltthedryairhityourskinasyousped down the slopes, where all you were surroundedbyweretall,

hunter-greenpinetrees Atthesametime,it became harder to breathe as you approached higher altitudes That did not stop you from enthusiastically hiking up the Rocky Mountains the following days You joyously watched the clumps of snow fall from above and closely observed each snowflake's unique shape This trip made you wonder about other people’s lifestyles and the advantages/disadvantages that snow offers It served as a reminder to appreciate the nature and wildlife surrounding you and to make the most of eachday

Moran

importantly, your very successful career in technology gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and allows you to spend qualitytimewithyourfamily

TheadviceIwouldgivetosomeonewhois seriousaboutpursuingtheirdreamsistoset small, realistic, and specific goals with the steps needed to achieve them and a timeline(makingsuretocheckinfromtime to time) They can be daily, monthly, or yearly Yourgoalsshouldbechallengingbut also attainable, so you do not lose motivation Achieving these small goals adds up and helps your overall dream become a reality. This has personally helped mestayontrack

In the near future, I envision you living in a beautiful modern home built with industrial elements in South Florida You will wake up to a view of the sun rising along the ocean and to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks You will feel the softness of the mulberry silk sheets you’re lying on and sensetranquility Youwillbesurroundedbya loving husband, two healthy children, and twopetswhileyoursupportiveparentslivein the general vicinity Your weekly routine consists of attending morning yoga classes before you head to work, eating nutritious meals throughout the day to fuel your mind and body, and ending the night with a stroll atanearbypark Inyoursparetime,Iseeyou taking up new hobbies such as horseback riding, pottery, and cooking On the weekends, I envision you attending plays at theperformingartstheaterortryingaspecial dish at the latest restaurant During the occasional vacation, you will travel to tropical islands where you snorkel in their crystalclear waters or travel to snowy mountains thatarewaitingtobehikedon Most

Furthermore, one of my favorite inspirational quotes would be: “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection” Sometimes striving towards perfection creates obstacles This quote motivates me to try new things and take advantage of opportunities, even if I make mistakesalongtheway Itismoreaboutthe effort you put into something, and when youimplementthateffortintoyourlifeevery single day, that’s where transformation happens

Love Always, Gabrielle

Here are some fun facts about me:

4.

I

I started college as a nursing student but later switched to technology.

I love skincare and yoga. I am Ecuadorian and Colombian

am interested in personal finance, the stock market, and technology.

FindingYourVoice

Dear Amalia,

Can you imagine that at 18 years old you would overcome your stage fright and truly enjoy the essence of letting yourself go in a soloperformance?

Youalwaysknewyoulovedmusic,especially singing it Your parents put you in choir when you were very little because they noticedyourtalentandwantedtomakeyou feelmoreconfidentwiththistalent Oneday inthethirdgrade,youweresingingasongin your small elementary school in Camaguey (Cuba); your voice was quiet and shaky Ten years later, in your freshmen year of college, you proudly and engagingly sang two solo pieces at the Broward Center for the PerformingArts

Singinginachoirforyearspreparedyoufor this moment, but it was so much different, andyoufeltsomuchmoreconnectedtothe audience that your aspirations to become a full-timemusicteacherimmediatelyshifted You want to dedicate more of your life to performing as a soloist instead. There is just something so magical about using your voice to connect with the audience and make an impact on people’s souls; this is a gift you are so blessed to have and will cherishfortherestofyourlife

The last time you were in a theater so big was when your choir sang Carmina Burana at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Performing this piece felt so powerful; its intense harmonies and extravagant range made all of you feel so immensely connected to the music and each other, and the audience perceivedthat Ihopeyoucontinuouslyleave that shockingly beautiful memory on people’s minds You want to evoke different emotions with your interpretations of different songs throughout your life as a performer

When I envision you five or ten years from now, I see a version of you who is no longer afraid to be authentic with everyone you meet Youwillbeabraveandsmartwoman who knows how to stand up for yourself, establish boundaries with others and stay true to your values and goals You will keep enriching the qualities that make you successful and work on the skills and traits outside of your comfort zone You will be constantly evolving into a spontaneous, joyful,andwell-versedversionofyourself You will keep connecting with nature and those around you; You will find peace within yourself. You will master the skill of selfcompassionandbethereforyourinnerchild wheneversheneedsyou

Your future career will not only consist of performing, however, because you enjoy other subjects too. You will work as a real estate agent, as you already do, and hopefully, have your own business as a private vocal coach as well You dream of being a music professor later in your life. You have many ambitions and will let the future decide which paths make sense for you at the time But most importantly, you dreamofacozyhousewhereyoucanfit

Don’t

a beautiful grand piano with two pets that you will care for with a partner or a close friend Yourhousewillfeellikeyouwhilealso feeling welcoming to guests: it will have warm lighting, big windows, beautiful curtains, unique furniture, and a backyard withbigtreesandapool Thefutureofyour dreams can only be fulfilled once you have acquiredaspacethattrulyfeelslikeyouand yourlifestyle

A piece of advice I would give anyone pursuing their dreams is to invest time in themselves: to really get to know who they are and persevere in their passions Ultimately, we need to find a balance between self-acceptance and the desire for self-improvement The self-improvement journey is a long and difficult one, but with therightmentalityandproperdiscipline,we can achieve our biggest dreams As a performer myself, I base my life challenges andgoalsonamantrathatIlearnedfroma musical mentor This quote helps me strive for the best version of myself in every field I putmytimeinto Love

Taking Risks

Can you imagine that at 21 you will be proud of what youhavedone?

You left all the worries and uncertainties aboutthefuturetomakethebigdecisionby yourself: studying abroad You believed that not only you, but many other peers in your countryfeelpressurethatataveryearlyage, they need to think and decide about the future and whether they want to go to a completely new country and live independently from their family You are strong, and you have made it because you believed if you were not willing to take risks, youcouldnotachievebigthings Youwillbe able to overcome the culture shock, the language barriers, and be ready to be challengedandbecomeyourbetterversion So that, at the age of 21, you feel the risk you madeisworthit

California to broaden your horizons, which gave you great experiences due to their diversity in cultural characteristics and awesome culinary You attended campaigns to meet new international students, shared experiences and learned from them You enjoyed learning a new language alongside English, which is Spanish, and expanded your relationship network. The more you experienced, the more you realized that opportunities are everywhere The only thing that matters is whetheryouarereadyforit

Whenyearspass,youareeagertofindout the picture of your future. At the age of 21, you are looking forward to achieving your life ambitions For your career, you believe you can achieve your dream job and do it withallyourpassion.Whenthetimecomes, you will own a training company that trains unemployedpeopleandbeaconnectionto the potential company For relationships, you will have true friends and amazing ll make your life colorful will have an amazing thwillsupporteach X u a n T h a o N g u y e n

other And no matter what your life becomes, your target will always be to live happilyandbringvalues

Intermsofexperiences,Iwouldgiveadvice to Vietnamese people, as well as other young people, who are still afraid or can’t make up their mind when deciding the environment they want to grow up in Studying abroad, although it is very challenging and scary, is worth it, because if you love the culture, are willing to take the risk,andcantakecareofyourselves,whynot give it a try? Maybe it will be the best decisionyouhaveevermade

Always making changes, Xuan

Funfactsaboutme:

1. Iwanttoownasuccessfulnonprofitcompanyinthefuture.

2. Ienjoylearningnewskillsand oftenshareinterestingstories comparingdailylifeinVietnam vs.theU.S.

3. Ilovesoccerandwatching gamematches.

“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it”

- George Bernard Shaw

Work-Life Balance

Achieve a positive and healthy lifestyle by prioritizing work-life balance and transforming your work-home routine

What is work-life balance ?

Work-life balance means cultivating a wellrounded identity beyond your job title and embracing your skills, hobbies, and personal well-being to enable a professional and personal life.

Benefits of having work-life balance

Prevents burn-out: Having healthy work-life balance will keep you energized and motivated!

Having a life beyond work: Participating in volunteer work, family/friends reunions or obtaining a hobby will fill your life with satisfaction and an enhanced sense of importance.

Having multiple skills: Having different and multiple skills within and outside of work creates better opportunities in your life. It could create relationships or even gain greater recognition at work

Work-Life Balance VS. Burnt-Out Life

How to obtain work-life balance

Rest!

Make sure to recharge your battery! It's essential for performing your best work and you won't be able to do so with a low or dead battery.

Working out!

25%

90% of employees agree that flexibility increases morale.

57%

Happy employee = Productive Employee *Zippia

Working out not only makes you physically stronger and healthier but also improves your mental health. Exercising boosts your energy and motivation.

Get a mentor! Polish your skills with some help! This will increase your chances of better opportunities in your life

Interested in my team helping you to create better work-life balance? Contact us at ebonie@simplicityhealthstyle.com

of surveyed employees say a poor work-life balance is a dealbreaker when considering a job

employees who don't have work-life balance due to their job demands look for a new job within 2 years.

Why you and your company should be thinking about "work-life balance".

TheLifeofYourDreams

Dear Andrea ,

Every night before bed, you and your parents would say your nightly prayers to end the day This night was different By this time, you remembered the routine, take yourshower,getdressedinyournightgown, andcallyourparentssoyoucankneelbythe bedtotalktotheLord Aftertheprayers,your parents would pick you up and tuck you in the bed What you loved most was when your mom kissed you goodnight; she made surethecoverswereextratight,surrounding your body like a cocoon Then your dad would give you a kiss on the forehead and double check mamma’s work. Then somethingchanged:insteadofbothof

your parents leaving you to attend to your magical dreams, your dad stayed in the room He stood next to your bed and told youhehadsomethingimportanttotellyou He was getting deployed and wouldn’t be able to see you for six months You were confused,butoverall,youwerejustsad You don’t remember much of the conversation after that, but you remember that was the very first time you silently cried yourself to sleep Youwouldmissnotbeingabletosee yourdadeveryday

Fog covered the streets and the gray clouds moved slowly as the sun questioned if it was coming out today That day was beachday,butitwasstillearlysoyouhoped the weather would turn around You and your friends piled in two cars to drive an hourandahalftogotothebeach Youwere all instructed by your roommate to bring lunch, Andrea

Forney

Psalms27:14

some water, a towel, and snacks if you wanted to eat on the road You arrived at the beach and started setting up your section and once you were finished, you finally got to have fun You ran into the water as soon as you got the chance and started jumping the waves. You’ve always loved the water, but you didn’t like when thesaltgotinyoureyesatthebeach,soyou were careful not to go too deep Once the wavesstartedtofeelliketheywerehurtling towards you with more strength than you had, you figured it was time to eat your lunch: a chicken tender sub with cheddar cheese and lettuce covered in ranch Well, that’s what you wanted but you had to get it so early in the morning that they didn’t haveanytenders So,yougotsomeofthose premade turkey and cheddar sliders with a lemonade on the side. The weather was great there, the sun was shining in the sky, watchingeveryoneenjoyitslight Youdidso much stuff after you got done with your food. All of you split into teams and played tons of volleyball games, then one of your friendsconvincedeveryonetobuyarideon the banana boat It sounded so fun, but no one was really prepared for the adventure you were about to have All strapped up, you helped carry the boat out to the ocean where someone on a jet ski was going to attach it You were sitting close to the back, but you made sure someone was behind youincaseyouslipped Youwerenottrying to fall off He started going slow and you were able to feel the wind glide across the water droplets on your skin. Gripping the ropesnearyou,youstartedtofeelthedriver increase speed and that’s when things got complicated The water started splashing everywhere, feeling like nerf darts hitting youreyeseverytimeyoutriedtolookatthe view;it’ssafetosayyoureyesstayedclosed Hitting the waves forced your hands to tighten on the ropes to keep you on the boatinsteadofinthewater Althoughthere were a ton of obstacles, you all stayed laughingnon-stopaseveryonestruggledin their own way Some of your friends fell off, making the laughs deepen and everyone’s stomachs start to hurt The ride ended and you all jumped off the boat to go back to your things The sun was starting to disappear in the night giving you a sign to start packing up You love beach days You finally got back and washed all the sand off of you, then crawled into bed to let sleep consumeyourbody.

You were around 8 years old when you understood that life is an unexpected journey.

"WaitontheLord,beofgood courage,andheshallstrengthen thyheart.Wait,IsayontheLord."

Light consumes your vision while you struggle to open your eyes The bed is still holdingontightandsinksyoudeeperasyou shift your weight around You finally get up and open the curtains to embrace the sun and let it start its dance around the room You go into the bathroom to start getting readytoconquertheday.Youaregreetedby a beautiful young woman in the mirror who has a bright smile on her face and soft, messy curls going in every direction You glanceattheclockonyourphonetoseeyou have 45 minutes to leave, today’s a very big day Someone requested a tour of all the beautiful sceneries around the state in your helicopter Nowthisisn’tjustanytour,you’re usedtodoingscenerytripsclosetothearea, or sometimes traveling long distances to commute people This person allows you to pick the places to go based on your experience so they can propose to their significant other To start off, you take them flying over the beautiful streams and then when you notice it’s almost sunrise, you find anicespottolandonthemountain.Thento endoffthetrip,youtakethembyariverwith a waterfall that has crystal blue water You canseethewaterhittherocksandcrash

intoitselfasitflowsdown,abeautifulviewof nature You like days like this when you get to do a helicopter ride before going into the office. You’ll have a few clients to talk to, so you make sure you stop by your favorite lunch spot You’ll enter and be greeted with familiar faces Your friends beat you here, so they are able to get everyone a table with your favorite waitress You usually get the same thing every time you go so your waitress brings you your drinks, knowing you want extra ice in your cup and tells you the food is almost out Once you’ve finished yourouting,yougointotheofficetotalkto

your clients to discuss a very big deal they areplanningtodevelopandwantyoutobe the front runner You always work your magic, bringing in more and more money for you, your client, and the company Glad to end the day on a good note so you can getbacktothehousetoplaywithyourdog and struggle with what you will cook for dinner that night That always seems to stump you, but you know whatever you make will be good You taught your gog howtosayhisprayers,soattheendofevery day you kneel by the bed to talk to the Lord Justlikeyouusedtodowhenyouwereakid

Here are some fun facts about me:

1. I enjoy arts and crafts

2. I like eating ice and watching the lights at the airport when its dark

3. I like flying helicopters because it gives me a sense of freedom

Love Always, Andrea

" If you are serious about your dreams then don't stop for anyone. A lot of people will tell you that you can't do it, but that should only encourage you to grind harder. You will be your biggest obstacle when trying to accomplish your goals. Lean on God and keep putting one foot in front of the other. "

God,Family,and Self-Assurance

Dear Whitney,

Athirteen-year-oldfeelingallalone,tearsfelltoyourkneesandlife shiftedwithnonotice Abrokenfamily,abrokenheartbutyourspirit neverstoppedbelievinginthepossibilitiesthatlifehadinstore The woman that you have grown to be, chooses to dance in the rain. Youarebrilliant,vibrant,andfilledwithpassion Everydayyouwake upknowingthatabetterdayisonlyasmileaway

Right now, everything is not what you imagined but God is putting the pieces together That means there will be peace together.Ienvisionalifewithafewchildrenandofcourseahubby you’lladore Afuturewiththe“mom“and“mama”beingcalledout and you can’t forget the “baby I love you” from my husband You willbedeeplyrootedinyourfaithwithJesusasyourultimateway I seemultiplebusinesses,maybeevenabookortwoandourhome having a beautiful view of the city As you can see, I want you to haveamarriagethatemulatesenteringGod’sheavenlygatesasa pieceofheavenonearth

Lookatthebirdsoftheair;theydonotsow orreaporstoreawayinbarns,andyetyour heavenlyFatherfeedsthem.Areyounot muchmorevaluablethanthey?Cananyone ofyoubyworryingaddasinglehourtoyour life?-Matthew6:26-27

Timeforthefamilyisamust,withthebusinessthatyouwillacquire, workwillbeflexible Inyourfuture,youwillbehealthyandwealthyin all the ways it matters; spiritually, mentally, and physically You will own a childcare agency with the goal to have them pour out positive You will teach the youth core values of being kind and doing good deeds, because there is always someone in need With yoursundresson,fourccurlspoppingandthefeelingofthekissesof Florida'ssun;you’llbelivingyourdreams Yourbestfriendsandyour family will surround you as you laugh and enjoy the view of the ocean’swavesasyouelevateintowhoWhitneyisdestinedtobe

Iwantyoutospeaklifeintoyourselfandmakeyourwordsactions

The dreams that you have are not a distraction. Your dreams are hopes and visions of a powerful future that you can create You just needtokeepgoinganditwillallcometoitsrightfulplace Iwantyou to be able to believe it because that is the first step Once you have thatdown,youcouldhandletherest.Makesurethatyoualwaysadd fuel to your fire, so it doesn’t die out Work hard so you can always play harder If things look difficult at the moment, remember that it alwaysgetsbetter

Love Always, Whitney

Some fun facts about me:

1. I love to rollerblade.

2.

3. I know how to climb a rope.

I sing better than Whitney Houston in my head.

There was a time that your mind couldn’t have peace. Every inch of your soul wanted toleavetheplaceyoucalledhome.

BelievinginYourself

Dear Victoria,

If you could see how your resilience has manifested into a driven college student that beat depression, anxiety and transformed her academic life completely, you would be so proud You, a gifted child, pressuredtobesomethingyouwerenotby yourpeers,shouldseehowmuchthereisto love about life when you blossom into who youtrulyare

Despite rough patches, like prioritizing the wrong things over your love for school, you persevered Nowlookatyou:yougotintothe Honors College and have maintained a 40 GPA, and you are consistently pushing yourself to reach your lifelong dream of getting into an Ivy League institution Your love for psychology has helped you flourish, and your aspirations to help children have allowed you to make an impact on many kidsthroughworkingandvolunteeringwith elementaryschools

Whenever Mami, Papi, or your inspiring teachers tell you that you are going to do great things with your life, please believe them,andpleasebelieveinyourself Itisthat beliefwhichgotusheretoday,andwhatwill get us to an unimaginably beautiful tomorrow You’dbesoproudofus

It is difficult to imagine where your ambitionswilltakeyou,butI’dliketopicture your next step to be transferring to a prestigiousuniversity,hopefullyintheupper eastcoast Long-term,Icanenvisionyouasa psychologist and writer, blending your love for both subjects, and helping people through those sources of communication I hope you see as much of the world as you possibly can, gaining knowledge that you can apply to my profession for the sake of helpingothers Youhavealwaystoldyourself that above the complexities of our stars and our oceans, there are people To heal a person would be to firstly understand them, and you cannot imagine a more fulfilling dreamtostriveforthanthat

Love Always, Victoria

Funfactsaboutme:

1.Iplayedvolleyballfor7years.

2. Ilovemoviesandbooks

3 Ispendmyfreetimewritingpoetry

“Your heart is where your power comes from”unknown

Victoria Martinez

You always had a largerthan-life ambition and a smilethatoutshinedeventhe darkestobstacles.

One piece of advice I’d give someone who is serious about pursuing their dreams is to not be so scared of failureor“whatifs”.Youhave to decide to step out of your shelloneday.

Imagination,Resilience,&a MerakiLife

DearMahogony Jules,

Mahogony, did you know that you would be getting told by your mother with a very cute and funny Haitian-American accent, "Money doesn't grow on trees" while turning off the T.V before you fell asleep countless school nights? You were often up late, binge watching the Hannah Montana show way pastyourbedtime.

You would always practice how to sing while playing your Hannah Montana Guitar, always being gifted books, blank journals, and workbooks. Did you know your grandmotherbroughtyoutochurchwith her on Saturdays and Sundays, where you couldsingonstageinfrontofallthechurch

congregation? Did you know that you and your best friends down the block from your grandmother's house would be experts at crafting out the coziest houses, and incredibly detailed hand-sketched dolls out of shoe boxes, pen and paper, using strictly imagination. Did you know you and friends looked to apply with Disney to be an actor , so you guys could meet the other children we would see on TV and work with them! Thiswasafarcryfromreality,butyouknew and understood the importance of imagination and creativity Oh how fun it was to dream, create, and believe All your childhood self wanted to do was love and showcreativitytoeveryone! M a h o g o n y J u l e s

Mahogony, would you believe you went awayforschoolandendedupgettingcloser toGod,anddecidedtoliveoutyourlifehow you desire and not how the world’s stereotypespaintyououttobe Youendup looking up your name and finally begin to understand the meaning of your name spiritually, as it is your given name that representswhoyouare Thisthenhelpsyou

to begin understanding your purpose “Mahogany is a straight-grained, reddishbrown timber of three tropical hardwood species of the genus Swietenia, indigenous to the Americas and part of the pantropical chinaberry family, Meliaceae Mahogany is used commercially for a wide variety of goods, due to its coloring and durable nature" You finally begin understanding yourself and respecting the journey of change and evolution You learn to love yourself unapologetically, therefore only attracting unapologetic genuine love Mahogony you end up residing in Florida, andyou’regrantedtheopportunitytotravel back and forth from home and school when you’re on break This helps you becauseyouareonyourjourneyofgrowing your audience for who knows you as the creativeperformingartistyouare

Mahogony did you know that you currently work with children in areas of creativity; such as dancing, writing, singing It has always been a passion of yours to promote the ideas of imagination and creativity, because that’s essentially what makes us who we are, how we are so able to think freely and do what we want, because we want to as long as it’s not hurtingthewellbeingofanyone Youareno longer concerned with hours of searching forwhoyouareandwhatyourpurposeisto do,youseewhoyouareloudandclear,and that’sexactlywhoyousayyouaretobe You promote the idea of living a Meraki Life, full of love, soul and creativity leading ideally to an "Meraki Experience." You formulated yourbusinessMerakiWayyLLC,withyouas the face of your brand! You faithfully enter sweepstakes that others would consider silly and you end up winning big gifts! You always pay it forward by investing into the community, and host clothing drives and food drives with different organizations regularly in effort to expand different community involvement, because you understand the importance of community You value the idea that if one thing doesn't workoutit'sokay;becauseyoufunctionina mindset that comforts you in the understanding that you will get the next! You study with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific where you are able to do what you love daily, which is moon gaze! Observingthemoonmeanssomuchto

you, and you learned to accept that your feelings of connectivity with the moon becauseyoutoo,gothroughmanydifferent cycles,(asyouarefemalelol)andyouaccept every phase of you; Therefore allowing infinite creativity, doing what you love, and loving who you are, and leaving room for constantprogression.

Mahogony the future is bright! You are aware of the light, you walk in You know your future entails you constantly revealing thetruththatthekeytofreedomisopening the self inflicting cell that one imposes on oneself; that captivates dreams turning them into nightmares You spread the truth that it is possible to break this glass ceiling! You will have successfully gone onto law schoolandobtainedyourJurisDoctoratesin Entertainment Law, and you will have lived your career as a successful performer You will own many schools across America and in different parts of the world; creating a Performing Arts school named “The Stargazing Academy” where kids can continue to get an education, all the while nurturing their creativity You will begin developing many writing scholarship opportunities for children to further their educationalloverthecountry,andoverseas. In addition to this you plan to invest in nonprofit organizations with the intent to create a flow of stable housing in the Caribbean

On a sunny Sunday morning, while in your beachhouseinCalifornia,thatoverlooksthe city of Los Angeles, your family greets you with a kiss on the forehead, smiling as you drink your morning coffee You visit your family homes in Texas and Upstate NY from time to time, hosting family events You occasionally stop by your Paris penthouse overlooking the city in your Pink furry robe You go to your king size bed covered in white sheets, drafting your third book, as your husband and child walk in, and embrace you with love, you rest aside your work and take note later on to schedule time to finish your book Family being your most valuable asset, you develop a passion forcreatingopportunitiesforpeopletoshine andsharetheirstory

You know life is full of twists and turns but you are destined to put people in positions to win In "The Stargazing Academy" students will learn from the best of the best intheirperformingartsfield;makinglifelong friendshipswithpeersinavastnetwork

1 I learned how to cornrow my hair in 3rd grade

2 I love to read, write, rap, dance and sing

3 I grew up in Queens, NYC and first took the train when I was 13 years old, but got lost and rained on; I eventually found my way

Youhaveahappysupportivefamily,andyou give them back love because that is the vibrationalfunctionofyourlife.Thislifeisthe life you so desire the rest of the world to investinachieving Whenyouloveyoursand you're grateful for all you have, God continuestopushmoreblessingstoyou,

and you must pay it forward I do so by leaving my lyrical footprints, having been a successful author, and philanthropist; Leaving grace and creativity with everyone youencounter;Inspiringmanyotherstobe the best versions of themselves because in theend,we’reallinthistogether <3

Thank you Ebonie and Dreamstyle Collective Team for presenting such an amazing opportunity to share my story of my Meraki journey; Turning my "Dreams into Reality" while working to achieve MerakiExperience!

Fun facts about me:

With Love, Mahogony Jules

“Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.”

- Mary McLeod Bethune

I didn't get the job! Now What?!

Rejection can be discouraging, but you must remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE! The average job search in the U.S. lasts about 5 months, according to national studies And about 75% of resumes are turned away before they even reach a hiring manager. In the aftermath of rejection when you're reeling from disappointment, turn lemon into lemonade. Here are 5 tips how you can turn interview rejection into an opportunities:

Make adjustments

After you have reviewed your interviews and feedbacks, it's important to turn your notes into actionable steps. Identify what needs improvement and make them your primary focus for your next interview. This will help identify your weaknesses and build on your strengths.

Review & Reflect

After your interview, reflect and evaluate your performance Take a moment to review your actions during the interview and identify any areas for improvement By doing so, you'll be prepared for future interviews and increase your chances of success.

Ask for Feedback

After a job rejection, request feedback from the hiring manager via email or phone. While the decision does not change, feedback can be valuable for improving your interview skills. Discern areas that need improvement to increase your chances in following interviews.

Review your Strengths

To make a strong impression during a job interview, it's crucial to identify your strengths beforehand. Hiring managers want to see how your strengths can benefit their company. Aligning your strengths their needs and values can help you stand out from other candidates.

*Press play to see more tips

TheRippleEffect

Aliana,

Justlikethebutterflyeffect,whichsuggests that a small change can lead to significant consequences, you believe that everything happens for the best and that even the smallest actions can lead to large positive outcomes.Youadmitthatthisoutlookisnot always easy to maintain, especially during difficulttimes Butinhindsight,youfindthat therippleeffectisalwayspresent

Whenyouwerejusttenyearsold,youwere presented with an opportunity to skip a grade Itwasascaryprospect,asyouwould be in a new environment surrounded by older children and a higher level of academicrigor However,itturnedouttobe one of the best decisions you’ve ever made All throughout your childhood, you were timid,shy,andsoft-spoken.Youstruggledto make friends and felt as though you didn’t fit in with any group When you transferred, your circumstances allowed you to start anew Nooneatyournewschoolknewyou – or at least the version of yourself you thought you were – so you decided to take advantageofthesituationandpretendedto be outgoing Over time, you stopped pretendingandgainedgenuineconfidence,

Aliana Canizares

now these new qualities define you. Outgoing,extroverted,andoutspokenareall qualities that people would associate with youtoday

This optimistic approach to life, grounded in the ripple effect, fuels the overwhelming gratitudeyoufeeldaily,evenwhenlifetakes unexpected turns I challenge you to reflect on circumstances in your life that have stemmed from uncertainty Approaching circumstances with a positive attitude and an open mind allows for the opportunity of growthandlearning.Withthismindset,you maybesurprisedbythepositiveimpactyou can have on your own life and the world aroundyou

This experience, although seemingly unrelated, is also the reason behind the pathwayyouchoseformyjourneyinhigher education. Being that you graduated high schoolat16,youfeltthatyouweretooyoung tomoveaway Youbattledwiththethought that this choice would cap your personal development, as you would be staying in yourcomfortzone Ultimately,youchosethe HonorsCollegeatMiamiDade,whichwould allow you to stay home for another two years Your experience so far has been beyond incredible for your personal, professional, and academic development Recently, through the Honors College, you had the opportunity to travel to Austria to participate in a seminar about global citizenship, which reinforced the idea of what you wanted your future to look like Youaspiretohaveacareerthatallowsyouto travel the world and expand your perspectives, learn about diverse cultures, and push beyond your own assumptions through conversations with people from all walksoflife.Ienvisionafuturewhereyouare surrounded by a diverse group of people, exploring new places, and challenging yourselfonadailybasis

With love, Aliana Funfactsaboutme:

1.Itakegreatprideinmy Cubanheritageandculture!

2.I’vebeenweightlifting sinceIwas15.

3.Myfavoritefoodissushi!

A concept that has shaped your life and your approach istheoptimisticrippleeffect.

Dear

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept”

Advice : "Pushing your boundaries is scary, but the rewards are always worth it. Don't be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone, because that's where growth and fulfillment lie."

ALifeofAdventure

Dear Felisse,

the worse thing a

Could you imagine that at the age of four, you would start to viewlifeasanadventurefullof endlessgoals?

You would crawl under the pews of your home church with your older sister, small bodies sliding across the velvet carpet Making it your goal to reach the pulpit first, freezing every so often when people would walk by Getting caught was out of the question,althoughithappenedmanytimes This would be your earliest memory of adventure At seven, you took it a step further The smell of the sea would be a prominentfeatureinyourlife Asyouclingto your grandfather in the waters of Cramer's Park on the beautiful island of St Croix, he would all of a sudden let go of you, with the waters lapping at his shoulders His instructionswouldbesimple,followmeback to the shore Little legs would tread the crystal-clear water for a few seconds in hesitation;youknewhowtoswim,butbeing this deep in water scared you You would gaze at your surroundings and realize then youronlygoalwastoreachyourgrandfather. The time that it took to reach him would makeMichaelPhelpsjealous(justkidding)

You would continue to view life this way as you’recurrentlystridingtowardtheendofan era You have now graduated with your Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering Thejourneywaslong,fullofcontinuousall-

nighters and the occasional thought of droppingout.Butyouhaveagoalthatmust be accomplished Throughout your collegiate career, you have had; three internships, one co-op, a year-and-a-halflong research position, and many more things You have made lifelong friends with whom you have gone on numerous latenight trips with to Sonic, Waffle House, and Wingstop Countless times of leaving the movietheateronarandomdayoftheweek andhavingrandomdiscussionsinthecarin the middle of an empty parking lot Having gospel/old-school concerts on the second floorofthelibrary,whiledoinganythingand everything but studying These memories and new experiences are what got you through it A new journey is around the corner,andyou'reexcitedtomakeit.

Inthefuture,yourmaingoalistosimplybe happy Whether that be through the family that you will have, being married with possibly four kids, or the places that you will go Hopefully,yourpassportwillbefullof

stamps Yourdreamhasalwaysbeentovisit theislandofGrenada,whereyourDadgrew up Your list of places include, but is not limited to, Japan, Africa, Brazil, Mexico, and Bosnia You will be living your best life, having unlocked your full potential Hopefully, by this time, you will have finally completedabungeejump.Yourknowledge and experience will help guide the next generationthroughtheirownjourney

Love Always, Felisse

Funfactsaboutme:

1. Ihavebeenplayingtheviolin foralmost13years

2. Ican’tfallasleeptoanytype ofmusic

3. Icangethypedupby classicalmusic

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.Psalm 30:5

Myadvicewouldbe,don'tbe afraid to ask questions or for help;

personcandoissayno.

OvercomingShyness

Dear Samantha,

Can you imagine that at 10 years old you would have skipped 5th grade and be launched into middle school, being shy, quiet and afraid to sayanythingtoanyoneatall?

Youcould’vebeencalledanintrovert These days, you can say that that person has certainly evolved Can you imagine being so shy to now being able to stand in front of a room of over 100 people while being able to speakclearly,withouthesitationandbeable to get your point across; also, while guiding and directing others and being the leader, you set out to be! This has allowed you to make so many more connections with likemindedindividuals,

seekingabetterqualityoflifeforthemselves and their loved ones. In the future, I can see youdoingsomanynewthings Discovering the world by traveling on beautiful ships, speedingairplanesoranicedrop-topsports caryourentedfortheweekend,justtodrive up the coast I can see you owning many properties, renting them out on a long- or short-term basis I can see you teaching othershowtoachieveandlivethelifeyou’ve achieved. You can do this by running large seminarsandmasterclassesdemonstrating thatanyonecanreachtheirgoalsiftheyset them and follow through No more shy, quiet, naïve little girl. “Issa grown woman now!” This will push you to get what you have always dreamed of That life of luxury, relaxing vacations and leisure time That is oneofyourultimategoalsinlife.

For advice, I’d say this: if you are looking to pursue a life that you’ve always wanted, don’tbeafraidtojumpinheadfirst Don’tlet

others deter you from your thoughts or ideas Allow your imagination to flow Don’t letdistractionsruinyourgoals Youdothese things, and I am sure you will find yourself living the ultimate life that you may have neverthoughtwaspossible!

Love Always, Samantha

Fun facts about me:

1. I'm super shy, but still outgoing

2. I love to travel!

3. I cherish my family and friends

Remember, “If you don't see a clear path for what you want, sometimes you have to make it yourself.” –Mindy Kaling.

AchievingYourDreams

Dear Brianna,

Couldyouimaginethatat23youwouldhaveleft home, become a first-generation graduate, and movedacrossthecountry?

Everytimeyougetonaplanetogobackandvisithome,thereisa renewedsenseofwantingmoreforyourself Newexpectations,new ideas, new personal goals, etc You become obsessed with the idea of building a better version of yourself both personally and professionally Itmakesyoulayawakeatnight,consistentlythinking ofhowyou’regoingtoachieveyourdreams.Howbadlyyouwantto notonlymakeyourselfproud,butyourfamilytoo Toletthemknow that all their sacrifices were worth it, you don’t see failure as an option

OnepieceofadviceI’dgivesomeonewhois seriousaboutpursuingtheirdreamsistonot besoscaredoffailureor“whatifs”.Youhave todecidetostepoutofyourshelloneday.

Brianna Torres

Inthefuture,Ienvisionyouwakingupinabeautifulhomenearthe sunny coast of Barcelona You’ve married the love of your life and hadthefamilyyou’vealwaystalkedabout You’veopenedyourown successful practice working with notable professional athletes and workasyouplease Aregulardaylookslikedraggingyourselfoutof bed in the early mornings, checking in with clients and hopping on Then, going about your day with a workout in your shomegym.Throwingonalongbabybluesundressafter to run a few errands around the busy city Lastly, coming rowing on comfy sweats and an oversized hoodie, and nnerwithyourfamily Toppingthenightwithamovieand kets.Somethingthat’simportanttoyouisthebalanceyou weenworkandyourpersonallife Yougettoplayanactive our family’s life and still do the work you want With nts in real estate, your family will have multiple streams of eatinggenerationalwealth

are some fun facts about me:

first dream job was to be an astronaut had to only eat one type of food for the my life, it would be sushi

ce had 6 dogs at the same time

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. ” -

UnbreakableBonds&Endless Dreams

Dear Veronica,

Canyouimaginethatatthreeyearsold,you would have been the most annoying little person in your sister’s life, but the one born to bring her joy also? It was not only with yoursisterbutwithyourwholefamily Afew yearslater,youstartedtodo“theshows,”the termyouusedtorefertothoseparadesyou lead with your cousins Do you remember howyoumadetherestofthefamilygather atnightandsitdowntowatchyou?Youdid notknowhowtosing,dance,oract,butyou did not care about that You were having funandwantedtheotherstohavefunwith you You have always enjoyed family reunions and spending time with them. Creating something to make your family laugh was a big thing for you One way or another,youhavealwaysbeenthecenterof attention, and you loved it Most kids want that because they need affection You did not only want to feel your family’s love, but also you wanted them to be proud of you somehow

You'renotalittlekidanymore Youhavenot prepared any more shows, but still, you want your family united again You are an immigrant who wants to have the chance to enjoy family reunions as in the old times Nobody told you how hard it was going to be Starting over, getting used to a new environment, creating new connections, and not having most of your family members with you have not been easy tasks Growing up in a country like Cuba prepared you to be even stronger than you would have been otherwise. Religious people say that God gives his best warriors themostdifficulttasks Youarenonreligious but think about it How was the transition fromCubatotheUnitedStates?

You had spent ten years away from your father admiring how your mom raised you andyoursisterandgaveyouthebest,butit

wasnoteasy In2020youreceivedthenews of your consular appointment for the family reunification process with your dad in the U.S. Crazy thing that the U.S. embassy in Cuba was closed by then, and you needed to go to Guyana instead It was even crazier thataglobalpandemicstartedin2020,and you could not attend your appointment. When the situation with the pandemic got abitmorecontrolledanddifferentcountries began to open their borders in 2021, you needed to reschedule your appointment

The tickets from Cuba to Guyana were sold for up to 3,000 dollars when their original price ranged from 300 – 400 dollars, and your dad could not afford to pay that price for two tickets for you and your mom. After lookingfordifferentwaystotravelto

Guyana, you found an opportunity, and even though it was the most illogical itinerary, you were left with no other option than to travel from Havana to Madrid, to take a plane from Madrid to Tucuman, Panama, and then from there to Georgetown in Guyana You were willing to do that, but then you needed a transit visa, another process that was not part of the plan and required time You were so stressed out with all the paperwork and preparations for the trip that you could not saygoodbyetoyourfriends Thatbrokeyour heart,Iknow,butyouhadfewoptions

You are a grown-up now You have been put through complicated situations and excelled.Youhavebeenseparatedfrom

Veronica Calzadilla-Sosa

Can you imagine that at three yearsold,youwouldhavebeen themostannoyinglittleperson in your sister’s life, but the one borntobringherjoyalso?

that has not stopped you from following yourpathwaytogreatness Eventhoughyou will never forget the pillars that made you the woman you are today, appreciate your reality now Who would have thought you would be doing scientific research as an undergraduate student? Determining the concentration of iron in food or using mathematical models to understand the propagation of infectious diseases are just some examples of those studies Have you ever pictured yourself traveling to Austria after being selected from your school to attend a Global seminar? Have you ever imagined yourself being chosen from a Governmentalinstitutionwithsuchprestige astheUS FoodandDrugAdministrationto work for the summer as an intern? All this seems unreal, and the question is, how did you do it? Haven’t you been in the US for only two years? How can a Cuban immigrant adapt so quickly to a system differentfromherhomeland?

The hardships you have experienced have onlyhelpedyoubecomethestrongwoman you are today You are capable of anything, and you know it You have the skills, the attitude,andthepersistencetoachieve

1.

Fun facts about me:

enthusiasm because you will find yourself passionate about the work you do You will give your parents the house they are workingsohardtoafford,andtheywillhave abigbackyardwheretheycangrowvarious fruits and vegetables and be happy and healthy You will gather your family and friends more frequently and enjoy your vacations with them Your partner will always be by your side, supporting you, following your crazy adventures, and, more importantly, loving you so much in a way that only happens in movies. You will never believe it You will ask yourself, is this true? Doyoudeserveallthis?Andtheanswerwill be easy, yes, you do You have worked so hard all these years and will be collecting gratitude Welldone!Yourstoryhasno

2.

In my group of friends, I am the coordinator and love planning our events! I learned how to bake during COVID season.

3. I love animals, but I could not have pets at home as a hild. Although, I taught my brother-in-law's puppy how o sit by using just my hand.

dpoint This is just a realization of your hievements, but you are on an uphill hway You'll keep growing and learning, t always remember where you came m,begrateful,andofferyourbestself

Each of us has dreams Some people think those dreams are impossible. But I can assure you that you can do it even better if I have done it so well Most of the time is a matter of attitude because regardless of whathappens,youareinchargeofyourlife, and if the boat’s captain is not in a good mood, the cruise won’t reach the destination A piece of advice: even in the darkest days, look for the light, and if you cannot see it, close your eyes, and find it becauseitiswithinyou

With all my love, Veronica

“Elquepersevera triunfa.”Never giveup!

Ebonie's Ebonie's Workspace Workspace Workspace

"Is this really my job?" As a wellness-based career consultant and international women's retreat host, I often find myself contemplating whether to write or produce a video about my previous and current life experiences. I thoroughly enjoy connecting with others who have similar stories to share

For example, when I recently considered what to share with my community and the lessons I have learned, I was unsure whether to talk about:

The time I almost died in a truck accident after driving home from my boyfriend's house smoking weed.

How one summer I traveled to Cali and could've easily gotten arrested for having one of the best times of my life in a parked car at the Golden Gate Bridge. Imagine that.... me in a Cali jail cell.

The time that I won money for twerking on stage like Beyonce in Jamaica .

or or or or or or or or or

The time I totaled my friend's mom's car, and the dope experience I had at a local swinger's club.

"Take a listen to this video and email me at ebonie@simplicityhealthstyle.com if you have stories to share that may help others realize they're not alone in experiencing the highs and lows, good and bad lessons along their unique personal path. Life is amazing if we take the time to appreciate its fullness!"

Persevering through Adversity

Somelifeexperiencesimpactusforlife!Somepeopleappearinour livestoteachusalesson!Theyearwas2017;youweretold:"Goback toyourcountry,"andtheypretendedeverythingwasalright!So,you, too,pretendedeverythingwasalright! You smiled at them, hoping togetasmileback Buttheydidn'twantto!

Each day things got farther than anyone should ever have to endure Youfeltlikeyourwholelifespiraledoutofcontrol;youwere hurt But wounds heal in time There came the point that you let your pain guide you in the right direction. You had dreams before that gloomy experience, so you pressed into those dreams and aimedtoreachyourgoals

You accelerated academically, emotionally, and socially You were on the path of experiencing a new chapter in your academic journey You explored the world of emotional maturity, found friends that became family, and experienced valuable moments thatwaivedyesterday'spain Yougotinvolvedinyourcommunity

As the She the People Association President at the Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, you are honored to declare that you and yourdedicatedSTPteammembersconstantlyeducatedyourselves and your surroundings to confront stereotypes and misunderstandings Your mission is to empower everyone to help eliminate exclusion, isolation, and discrimination through advocacy andeducation

Fun facts about me:

1. I am a First generation Iranian/American; I speak, read, and write in Farsi and English.

2. I love singing and am a proud member of Miami Children Choir, I call Miami Dade College my home away from home! I have many wonderful memories with my choir family!

3. I am a Harry Potter enthusiast!

You still have a long journey to learn and achieve your goals. Your biggestgoalistoservehumankind,makeyourworldabetterplace, and be a force for good You firmly believe that by serving your fellow beings, you will know yourself better and feel content and complete. We all have our own story, unique and special in its way. We cannot compare our journey with others We can inspire each other, listen to each other, and learn from each other I want to thankyou,thosewhostoodbyyouinyourdifficulttimes,andthose who contributed to your difficult times I am thankful for how you have supported yourself and can rely on yourself I am thankful for youstayingstrongwhenitfeltlikegivinguponeverythingwasthe onlyoption

To the special people in your life, they have your sincerest thanks for all the kindness, unconditional love, and support they showed you during that challenging time And a very special thanks to those who created some of your life's darkest moments and contributed to your most significant gift!! You thank them for helping you become a strong person! They made you choose kindness toward others and yourself You wish them all the best and hope they no longer need to put others down to feel good aboutthemselves Asyoureflectontheexperiencesthatledyouto where you are now, you feel humbled. You are inspired by those whofeelenthusiasticaboutwhattheydo "SheBelievedSheCould, So She Did" is your mantra! For those who are hurt, hang in there! Your greatness will shine soon, and there's so much happiness on theotherside!

Your name is Dorsa, the product of two immigrants, who is uniquely and very deeply American You identify as one of the voices in American society, a country where a mix of hundreds of voices with different cultures becomes one nation. "This is my country!"yousay

Love ,

There is a time and a place when a story is readytobetold.

DearDorsa,

RemainingDedicated& Passionate

Dear Angelica,

Canyouimaginethatat21,youwouldhave finished your bachelor’s degree at The Honors College at Florida International University to prepare and apply for medicalschool?

You used to always dream of becoming a physician as a child Remember that nursing home you volunteered at since you were 16, which sparked your interest in learning more about neuroscience?Youstillvolunteerthere!It’sbeenyears,andyour passionformedicineandhelpingpeopleneverwentaway At21, you have worked with many professors, physicians, and scientists who have helped you develop into a better student and researcher Your dedication to yourself has inspired many otherstopursuetheirdreams

Angelica McCalla

Ienvisionthatinthefuture,youwillworkinapremierpracticeina hospital as a physician in Internal Medicine, sub-specializing in Endocrinology You will receive training in Women’s Health where you can help and educate women of all ages regarding important topics varying from hormonal imbalance, menstrual cycle, and pregnancy; similar to how you have been through your initiative called Female Friendly You will be surrounded by supportive and incredible staff whom you will also encourage to achieve greatness. You will create a happy and healthy work environment for the peoplearoundyousoyourpatientscanreceiveoutstandingpatient care I envision that after a long day of work, you will go home to a housewhereyourkidswillbewaitingforyoualongwithyourloving husband who encourages you both to support each other to reach yourdreamsandachieveevenmoregreatness

With love always, Angelica

Fun facts about me:

1. I was born and raised in the Philippines.

2. I enjoy writing poems during my free time.

3. I created an initiative called Female Friendly (ig:@femalefriendlyyy) to educate others about women ’ s health issues

McCalla

Continue to chase your dreams and remain dedicated to your passions.

ThePathto YourDreams

Dear Safiya,

How crazy is it that at ages 10 and 11, your biggestfearwasnotbeingabletoattendthe secondary school you dreamt about for a while?

Even after securing your spot there, you were still crippled by impostor syndrome Let me tell you now girl, those thoughts were insane! You graced those hallways every day for seven years and excelled at everything you did You sang in the junior and senior choirs, played in volleyball tournaments, took part in multiple math challenges,dancedyourlifeawayonSports’Dayandeventraveled allthewaytoLatviatorepresentyourcountryandyourregionwith yourbeautifulvoice

At 19 years old, you packed up your things and moved to the US to further your education College helped you to take a step back and realize that you are not alone You gained so much perspective and before graduation day rolled around, imposter syndrome was no more This Safiya knew she was capable of ANYTHING After three fulfilling years, you had worked through a global pandemic and graduated from a preeminent research universitywhereyouhadmanyachievements.Canyoubelieveit?

Safiya Joseph

Now at 23, you have exceeded your own expectations and you began to truly embrace yourself You’ve settled into a job that you love despite the difficulties of securing gainful employment after college and you’re able to take care of yourself and your French bulldog, Kaash You’ve come to understand and appreciate the insurmountable value of community because you wouldn’t be whereyouaretodaywithoutyours

Inthefuture,youhopetolivealifefilledwithhappiness,loveand blessingsallaround.Youwillsettleintoyourdreamhomewiththe love of your life and you will be an amazing wife and a dedicated mother to beautiful children and show them how to live in the moment without worries about what was or what is to come Family will continue to be of utmost importance to you as you grow

Over the years, I have gotten peace of mind from reminding myselfthatmybestiswhatisrequired Ibelieveitisagreatwayto lookatthings.Puttingyourbestfootforwardnomatterwhattask is at hand and regardless of the outcome ensures that you can findsomelevelofpeaceknowingthatyougaveityourall

PS By the way, you are no longer the two-year-old who ran, jumped, skipped and cried because of her own shadow. You’ve comealongwaybabygirl!

Three fun facts about me:

1 Self-care above all! I absolutely love face masks

2. My innate ability to help others understand Math helped me shine as a tutor and middle school teacher.

3. I've really grown to love cooking since living on my own.

“Breathe.Letgo.Andremindyourselfthat thisverymomentistheonlyoneyouknow youhaveforsure.”-OprahWinfrey

SoaringintotheFuture

Dear Gabrielle,

Can you imagine that at the age of 23 you would have visited over 15 states and two countriesflyingasaco-pilotonaprivatejet?

Itissurrealtobelievehowmanythingsyouhaveseenandlearned insuchashortspanofyourlifetime Beinginvariousenvironments andgainingexperiencefromflyinghasgrownyourloveforaviation evenmoreandhasopenedyoureyestothepossibilitiesoftravelling tomorecountries

Ienvisionafavorablefutureforyou Afuturewhereyouwillflourish in your career and accomplish all the things you aspire to do in aviation while paying your knowledge forward to the aspiring aviators to come. A future spending time and making memories withyourfriendsandfamilyandcherishingeverymoment

Some advice I would give to someone who is serious about pursuing their dreams is to know that not every day will be same You will go through great days and there is a possibility that you mightgothroughsomechallengingonesaswell Itisimportantto learn from your mistakes and how you can improve from them When I started to learn how to fly, I had trouble with my landings, and it would frustrate me because I always wanted them to be perfect Ilovedflying,soIkepttryingandIpracticedmoreuntilIgot it I am glad I continued my path because I would have not experienced all that I did if I did not stay on track With that being said,anditisdefinitelyeasiersaidthandonebutalwayskeeptrying evenwhenitseemsasifyou’reatacrossroads.

Love Always, Gabrielle

Fun facts about me:

1. I was born and raised in Jamaica

2. I love dancing 3. I have been skydiving

“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all “ Simone Biles

Gabrielle McCallum

PushingTowardsSuccess

DearJ’Mya,

Youhavebeennaturallygiftedfromthevery beginning Atonly8yearsold,youbecamea competitive gymnast and went on to win many competitions and collect dozens of medals and trophies All the while, you always strived to be at the top of your class, constantly finding yourself with all A’s on your report card and congratulations from familyandfriendsforschoolandsportsalike Being an amazing gymnast and smart kid seemedgreatontheoutside,butitwas

J'Mya Brooks

lonely, and we were the only ones who understoodtheinnerturmoilyoustruggled witheveryday

Growingupasablackgirlwasnoteasy You wereconstantlysurroundedbypeoplewho didn’tlooklikeyou,soyouneverfeltlikeyou fitin Youdealtwithmicro-aggressionsfrom your classmates and teammates on top of society telling you that because of the color of your skin, you had no value That’s why youworkedsohardtobethebest,toprove themwrong,butittookthebiggestmental tollonyouthatyou’restilllearningtorecover fromtothisday

When you quit gymnastics at 14 to find a newpathforyourself,youbecamemorelost than you had ever been before. All that successfromchildhoodputsthousandsof

pounds of pressure on your shoulders and constantly made you feel like if you weren’t the best, you didn’t deserve anything Growing up in a family with a huge generation gap, no one was around your age,soyoufeltlikeyouhadnoonetotalkto, you isolated yourself, and felt like no one understood you even when you did manage to open up to others This caused you to struggle with chronic depression throughout high school and college, and it fedthatanxietyinyouthatexistedfromthe start.Youlostfriendsandhobbiesyouused to love, but little did you know, life was just abouttostartfeelingworthlivingverysoon

As a high school graduation present, you were graced with the opportunity to travel to London and Paris for a week with your mom It was your first time outside of the UnitedStatesandyoulovedeverysecondof it Experiencing new cultures, new foods, new scenery, and new languages sparked something in you that you hadn’t felt in a long time From that experience on, you knew that you couldn’t shackle yourself to one place forever; you developed a passion for travel and to see everything the world hastooffer

When you entered college as a freshman, you still hadn’t discovered a major that fit quite right and that made you anxious about your future You learned about many different career paths over the years, but none of them sparked a passion in you like travel did However, you did discover one thing about yourself while in college: you knewyouwantedtohelppeople Whetherit was helping classmates with projects and assignments, or helping your mom recover from COVID-19, you knew that helping peoplefedyoursoul Thatledyoutodiscover the field of public health and not long after that, you were blessed with the chance to have your first remote working job From there, the future became something that madeyoualittlelessanxiousandalotmore excited.

Foranyonewantingtopursuetheirdreams,knowthatyouaremorethan capableofachievinganythingyouwantinthislife.Itisnevertoolatetopursue yourdreams.Iknowthatyourjourneymaybelong,confusing,andfrustrating, butthat’sdoesn’tmeanyourpathisanylessvaluableorlegitimatethananyone else’s.Rememberthatcomparisonisthethiefofjoy;don’tcompareyour journeytoothersbecauseeveryonehastheirownexperiences,dreams,values, andpersonalities.Wearealldifferentpeople,sowewillallhavedifferentpaths. AslongasyoudowhatfeelsrightforYOUandupholdyourownvalues,you willalwaysbeontherightpath.

Despiteallyouradversity,youhavesomuch to be proud of At 21 years old, you have graduated high school with a GPA over 40 andgraduatedcollegeSummaCumLaude with your Bachelor of Science in Public Health You picked up crocheting again (after giving up learning in elementary school)andnowrunasmallcrochet

You wouldn’t believe me if I told you persevered through yearsofchildhooddepression and anxiety and graduated college with the highest honor.

businessallbyyourself Youbecamecertified in two different computer programming languages You’ve put yourself out there socially and strengthened the friendships you treasure most Most important of all though, you love yourself more than you ever have before I am so proud of you for never giving up and for all your hard work throughouttheyears;nowyoucanbuildthe foundation for a future you’re no longer scared of There is so much in store for you my love, don’t be afraid to go after whatever youwantto

Ienvisionthatinthefuture,youwillworkasa senior-level Data Analyst for a health and wellness organization/company that offers hybrid and remote flexibility I also see you having fun, supportive, easy-going coworkers you can connect with This work lifestyle will give you the freedom to travel theworldandworkfromanywherewithinit whilestillhelpingothersinanadministrative position While traveling, you will bring your polaroid and video camera to capture memories for scrapbooking and editing videos that you may post on YouTube (a childhooddreamofyours)

IseeyoumovingoutofFloridaandlivingina colorful two-story home filled with plants. You will have a big backyard that has a fireplace, garden, and an outdoor kitchen You will be married to a loving partner with at least 2 cats or dogs and a leopard gecko In your free-time, you will play video games on a PC that you built yourself (in your own game room), invite friends over and have cookouts, tend to your garden, visit family, and exercise. While travelling with friends, family, or by yourself, you will wear halter tops,buckethats,sweaters,andlongskirts

that you personally crocheted and seek out newandfunadventuresinothercountries I also see you exploring spirituality and creating a work-life balance that gives you plenty of time for people and hobbies you love

I love you so much, J’Mya Thank you for hanging in there, we have so many wonderfulmemoriestomake

I have a growing crochet business on Instagram (@jmyascrochetcorner). I love video games and cartoons.

Fun facts about me: 1. 2

3. I can play the violin. With all my love, J’Mya

“I think there’s no need to live your life based on the standards of others. Everyone says ‘dream big’ but I don’t think you have to live so fiercely like that all the time.”

– Kim Namjoon

EBONIE'S EBONIE'S EBONIE'S WORKSPACE WORKSPACE WORKSPACE FUN FACTS

YOU CAN SOMETIMES FIND ME IN THE BATHROOM DANCING TO CARIBBEAN MUSIC WHILE GETTING DRESSED TO GO OUT 01 01 01

FASHION, FITNESS, AND FUN MAKE ME FEEL GOOD! 02 02 02

I'M ONE OF THE ONLY ADULTS THAT YOU CAN FIND JUMPING ON THE TRAMPOLINE OR SWINGING AT THE PARK WITH MY CHILDREN I PREFER NOT TO BE A STUFFY ADULT. 03 03 03

04 04 04

I WILL STAND IN A LONG LINE TO RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A ROLLER COASTER BECAUSE I ENJOY THRILLS AND ADVENTURE, BUT IM NOT SURE IF PARASAILING IN HAWAII WITH A SMALL HARNESS WITHOUT KNOWING HOW TO SWIM WAS SUCH A GREAT IDEA!

LACK OF LIFE VARIETY AND WORKAHOLICS THAT DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO CHILL BORE ME 05 05

YOU CAN SOMETIMES FIND ME IN THE BATHROOM DANCING TO CARIBBEAN MUSIC WHILE GETTING DRESSED TO GO OUT 06 06 06

SUNSHINE, PALM TREES, WHITE SANDS AND WARMTH IS WHERE I FEEL THE MOST AT HOME AND THRIVE! 07 07 07

DID I MENTION THAT CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE, RED VELVET CAKE, AND STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE ARE ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS? 08 08 08

I COOK BECAUSE MY FAMILY AND I NEED TO EAT, NOT BECAUSE IT'S A HOBBY. BUT ONCE I'M IN THE KITCHEN BE ASSURED MY FOOD WILL TURN OUT FLAVORFUL AND YOU'LL BE FULL 09 09 09

SWEET MOSCATO WITH A FANCY DINNER, PLEASE! BUT I DEFINITELY ENJOY A NICE, SIMPLE PICNIC ON THE BEACH WHILE ENJOYING THE SUNSET!

TheJoyofTravel

that will challenge and help you grow as a person has increased That situation, as insignificant, funny or little it may seem to some, has helped you throughout your career and personal life to be better prepared for any adversity that may present itself Needless to say it was all worth it, for thattripandothersalike Imean,witnessing theTajMahalinIndiaandtheIguazuFallsin ArgentinaandBrazilhasgottobeoneofthe most shocking and moving things you’ve everexperiencedwhileabroad

Dear Myrna del Mar,

Wouldyouhaveimaginedat the age of 7, or perhaps 10, that you, a little Puerto Rican girl, would have traveled to over 27 countries by the age of23?

You now have 3 more destinations that willbeaddedtothelistbeforetheyear2022 comes to an end However, traveling hasn’t always been just for fun and pleasure, for example, you’ve been to Argentina and India for educational purposes Those trips have definitely come with a lot of unexpected situations and new experiences that have helped you grow and develop into the amazing young woman you are today One of those situations, actually a really funny one, was thelackofpreparationregardingclothesfor cold weather. When you signed up for the program in India they mentioned the weatherwas“chilly”duringthemonthsyou were going to travel Innocently you thought “chilly” weather was around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, coming from a Caribbean island and all To your surprise the temperature didn’t go above 45 degrees. You immediately had to come up with a plan, try to find warmer clothes and overall use 4 or 5 layers of clothes while looking like a walking stuffed teddy bear Thanks to that experience, now you not only travel with a thorough understanding of the country you will visit, but (ironically) yourinterestindiscoveringmoreplaces

Thislovefortravelingisnotasurpriseasyou have always loved to connect with others from different cultures and backgrounds andare(abit)obsessedwithhistory Youare fluent in two languages that you’re always trying to perfect and learn others. You’re always saying how you want to “travel the world while working and helping others” Your passion for science, health and public relations has always been the key and motivationtomostofyoursuccesses

1In the future I can see you, without a doubt, doing a whole lot of traveling while working and volunteering for different causes I also see you having a place to go back to and call home (perhaps someplace in Europe or South America) I envision that youwillhave

yourownNGOtofavordifferentcauses,you will write a book or two, continue your education, DEFINITELY have at least 6 dogs (allrescued),andhaveafamilyof3or4kids Most importantly, you will be healthy and happy doing the things you love with the onesyoulovewhilestillstrivingtodoandbe more

I cannot finish without emphasizing and advising everyone who is serious about pursuing their dreams that they must be persistent with the things that will take them a step closer to their goal in order to achieve what they truly want We must all think like Carolina Herrera when she says that the impossible does not exist for a woman,itjusttakeshertimetoachieveit

With Love Always, Myrna del Mar

Funfactsaboutme:

1. Ioncehad17turtlesaspets.

2. Oneofmyhiddentalentsisimitating voices,soundsandaccents.

3. Iwonalljumpingsackcompetitionsat fielddaysfrom2ndto12thgrade!

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver” Mahatma Gandhi

Myrna del Mar González Montalvo

TheJourneyAhead

Dear Victoree,

Can you imagine that at 17 years old, you graduated high school with an Associate’s degree, then at 20 years old, you graduated college for the second time with a Bachelor’s degreeinBusinessAdministration?!

Your journey will be full of many challenges, losses, and unexpected traumatic events However, you also have plenty of momentsfullofhappiness,excitement,andcelebratoryvictoriesto look forward to! There is a reason that this journey was built specifically for you, as you are far more resilient, strong-willed, and courageous than you may know While your journey is far from over, you have already grown to embody such a beautiful and impressiveyoungwoman Ienvisionthatinthefutureyouwillhave all that you could ever hope for plus the unfathomable, as your determination,persistence,andfaithwilltakeyoualltheway

The future will consist of you growing within your field to reach financialfreedomandgenuinehappinesswithwhatyoudo Youwill create a family founded on love, support, trust, and happiness that willkeepyoubusyandbeyourpowerhousethroughlife.Lastly,you will continue evolving as an individual to become your most confident,content,grateful,andGod-fearingself Youwillexperience so much joy as you travel the world, live in your mansion in Texas alongwithyourfuturehusbandandthreekids,pursueacareerthat you are in love with, and spend lots of your time with your amazing familyandfriends

Love, Victoree Norris

Fun facts about me:

One piece of advice that I would give someone who is serious about pursuing their dreams is to eliminate the fear of all outsideopinionsandjudgements!

1. My favorite color is yellow

2. I have five siblings

3. My favorite type of food is Italian food

“I never lose. I either win or learn”

–Nelson Mandela

FromShyStudent toFutureEducator

Can you believe a shy, quiet first grader diagnosed with a learning disabilitymadeitthroughcollege?

Since you were little, you've bought workbooks related to your favorite school subjects from a local bookstore nearby. You alwaysaskedyourmothertotakeyoutothe store to purchase school supplies and decorations for your imaginary classroom You lined the five stuffed animals you got from the carnival in a single file and treated them as your students to teach a lesson aboutthealphabetandcountingbackward fromten

Suddenly, things changed when you stepped foot into an actual classroom at John Clancy Elementary School of the Arts, where you met a delightful first-grade teacher and playful students sitting at their desks, chatting about what they did during the summer break; you mistakenly thought itwouldbelikeawalkinthepark Areserved and timid first grader had been placed in special education classes and took speech therapy, where you were diagnosed with a learningdisability Youwentonapathwhere yourclassmatesbulliedyoudaily,tellingyou, "You will never be anything in life" It was challenging during your elementary years when the cruel bullying brought down your self-esteem, and your confidence was thrownintothetrash

Dear Leeza, Leeza Bland

You have pushed through difficult challenges where you lost that sense of purpose. You almost gave up on everything youlovedandhaddoubtsabouttryingnew things you might’ve liked Deep inside, you were afraid of embarrassment, failure, and repeated bullying; things that had traumatized you until you enrolled in high school Transitioning to high school was a new challenge Riverdale High quickly earned the name "Riverjail High School,” while you called it the "Nightmare on Riverdale Street" However, you met an Air Force sergeant who talked like Angela Bassett, an advanced math and physics teacher who reminded you of Robin Williamswithouttheglasses,andatall,look-

a-like NBA player nicknamed Mr "Get Your Mind Right." Uncertain of how they'd treat you and judging from body language, you were nervous and terrified for your coming yearsasastudent

You’d take the nightmare title back Those three teachers gave you a life-changing impact, inspiring positivity, discipline, and motivation into your life, where you found clarityonwhatlifeisallabout Thepurposeof life is to live, learn and grow mentally, spiritually, and in terms of our relationships with others Life is not perfect, and neither areyou,butthoseteachersencouragedyou to keep moving forward and succeed, especially Mr "Get Your Mind Right" Your confidence rocketed secondary to their insight, leading you to disassociate yourself fromthefearoffailure Youjoinedclubsand organizations, attended college at the University of New Orleans, and experienced freedomandadventuretravelingtodifferent cities You were selected to participate in Pathway Camp, where you have further built amazing friendships with people whom you call family and discovered who youtrulywanttobeasahumanbeing

beautiful friendships with new people and explore different places. You will live in a modern-style condo with your two buddies, a golden retriever and a corgi You will continue my education by earning your Master's in Educational Leadership with dreams of becoming a school principal You will meet and marry the love of my life and move into your dream house with two children, where you can build a vegetable and herb garden in the backyard You will continue the following steps by continuing to develop a closer relationship with God, financial stability, and starting a non-profit organization to help first-generation and low-incomestudentsonthepathtosuccess

One piece of advice I would give someone who is pursuing their dreams and have a learning disability is do not allow your learning disability to consume you Do not let a learning disability stop you from achieving your goals Realize that your learning disability is a part of who you are, but it does not define you Focus on your strengths and talents and learn to work around your weaknesses It takes courage and determination to pursue your goals despitechallenges

YouhaverealizedthatGodhasplansandwill fulfill His purpose for you You’ve learned if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it He will be there when you need Him and help you overcome your struggles In less than six months, you will graduate withyourBachelor'sinPsychologyandwork your way up to enroll in teacher preparation to become an upper elementary/middle schoolteacher

Ienvisionthatinthefuture,youwillbeliving inanewcity,eitherHouston,Texas,or

Love Always, Leeza

Fun facts about me:

1. I am my own personal foodie chef.

2. The first concert I attended was The Jonas Brothers in 2019.

3. I can speak four languages (English, Spanish, French, and Italian).

2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

FromStarstoNebulae

Dear Simone,

Can you imagine that at age seven, your first career day at elementary school would change youforever?

When career day was announced, you weren’tparticularlyexcitedaboutit Thiswas because you already knew exactly what you wanted to be: a zoologist You thought animals were the most fascinating things in life Youwantedtotravelwiththepurposeof documenting and treating animals all around the world You even dreamed of havingaspeciesnamedafteryou!Youwere certain you wanted to help animals for the rest of your life, so you didn’t give career day much thought The day finally arrived, and you’re guided in a straight line to the cafeteria while your classmates whisper around you in excitement You didn’t know what to expect You’re excited at the thoughtofspeakingwithareal-lifezoologist or veterinarian. Your head suddenly swam with fantasies of seeing Steve Irwin or Jane Goodall outside of a TV screen When you finally arrived, you found that the usual boring lunch tables are replaced with an arrayofexcitingboothsalongeverywall You walked past their invitations to become a fireman,apoliceofficer,adoctor Yousighed NoSteveorJane Peeringaround,therewas no sign of animals and your interest faded

As you continued to walk along the booths, somethingcaughtyoureye–speakersfrom the NASA Langley Research Center are there, and you walked over. You overheard detailsontheHubbletelescopebeforethey handed you some small cards with photos on them Photos of bright, colorful, and sparkling nebulae, and of the spiral Milky Way galaxy You had never seen anything like it before Standing there, completely transfixed by these tiny cards in your hands; youcouldn’tstopstaringatthem Nextthing you knew, you were asking a million questions about the telescope, and what nebulaeare,andeverythingthatNASAdoes

Before you had even realized, you had a brand-new fascination that would take you very far Your universe suddenly became larger These small, printed photo cards stayed with you for years and become the basisforyourloveforallthingsSTEM.

Can you imagine that at age 22, you would survive one of the worst things to ever happen to you; and that it wouldn’t even happentoyou?Amidstthepandemic,the

world was already struggling with fear, discord, and tragedy. But despite this, you were at home, exploring your hobbies now that you finally had the time Your classes were online, your job was temporarily shut down,lifewassurprisinglycalm.Afteralong night of video games, you got a call from yourgrandmotherintheearlymorning You groggily answered it, dismissing the unusual nature of the call There had been an accident and your mom was hurt Your world stopped on its axis Without even thinking, you rushed out of the door and sped to the hospital When you arrived, you were shaking with a fear you had never experienced Whenyouwerefinallyallowed to see your mom, the doctor told you she had a traumatic brain injury: a life-changing event. You had to wait a few more days to seeifshesurvives Miraculously,shedid And more miraculously, over the following days she had started talking, answering questions, and learning to walk again. She amazedeverydoctorandnurse,andleftthe hospitalafter7days However,herjourney

sprinted into your master’s degree with a headstartandthenewfoundresolve.Thatis what this taught you: that you are more than capable of anything Just like your mom

Simone Stephen

was far from over, and she's still relearning aspects of life that many take for granted Thankfully,yourgrandmotherisabletocare for her, and you’re there to help In the aftermath, you took classes at half-time so you could be with your mom and process this event It was difficult There are times when you and your family can’t help but break down. But thinking of your mom reminds you to keep going She’s become even more of an inspiration to you than before; the person who was strong enough to survive the worst thing imaginable and kept going Her blood in your veins motivates you, and Her blood in your veins motivatesyou,andsuddenlyyouknowthat youcansurvivethistoo.Youkeptpushingto finish your bachelor's degree: one of your greatestaccomplishmentssofar You

Canyouimaginethatatage30,you’reliving the life of your dreams? There you are, traveling the world, gaining priceless experiences, and thriving in a career that you love. By now, you have your bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and pilot’s license You’re working for an amazing Aerospace company You’re publishing new research papers, attending conferences, and furthering your knowledge while also enjoying your personal life You continue your language-learning journey as you master French, Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin You get to improve your fluency while you absorb cultural experience by traveling the world with your significant other Your family is happy and thriving alongside you You’re able to send them on their own vacations or invite them on your own You have a gorgeous, spacious, and colorful house Your bedroom is decorated in white with a canopy cradling your fluffy king-sizedbed Yourlibraryisequippedwith a growing collection of all your favorite books Your office looks out onto the beautifulgardeninyourbackyard.Youhave allthespaceyouneedforfamilyandfriends to visit whenever they’d like But of all these lovely places, your favorite room is the one resting atop the entire house – your very own in-home observatory You can gaze at theexpansive,starryskyandberemindedof that one fateful career day in elementary school You’re reminded of how far you’ve come, of how capable you truly are, and of howmanywonderfulthingsstilllieaheadof you

With love, Simone

“You are far more powerful than you realize.”

Dear Marie-Ange,

Would you believe me if I told you your surprise pregnancy would push you to being a successful fulltimeartist?

Lunamar

psychiatrist,butthosesciencesubjectswere perpetuating Then, you tried to be a psychologist; less science, but the bore of it remained Maybe an English teacher would be a cool idea, and everyone would still respect your stability of a job This went on until you only had two years left of college Until one day, it was like a switch had just turned on, you decided you were going to try art one more time You changed your degree to art, and it was like you found yourself again. That dream the little girl in you once had didn't seem so far-fetched anymore

ed doing classes, your art got etter, and schoolwork became amazing friends that you still ay;youfoundyourtribe Asyou oywhatyoudid,itshowed You g Magazines reached out to atured, you were selling art at ws all over Tampa and even ally, you were living your true eday,lifeasyouknewitwould orever.

and a life that she deserved You rebranded yourself using your name and your daughter’s as she was part of all of your creativeprocesses Shewasthere24/7while you painted, while you designed, and more Art by Lunamar was born. In January 2023, you took the biggest leap of your life and quit your corporate job to pursue being a full-timeartist Andhereyouare

When you were a young girl, your mum made sure you tried everything you had even the slightest interest in Coming from the little island Trinidad and Tobago, she wanted to make sure if you ever decided to leavetostudyabroad,noonecouldeversay youwerelessoforlackinganything Youdid drumming, steelpan, guitar, piano, karate, taekwondo, swimming, football, ballet, tap dancing, and the list goes on But the one thing that always stayed with you throughout the years was always your artistic abilities From making Christmas decorations in the oven to smashing tiles youfoundinthebackyard,youmeddledinit all I remember each and every art project you took part in; your mum would sit down with you to sketch the idea until it was completely finished Most times, that would be until 3am because you always did things lastminuteanditwasduethenextday

WhenyougottocollegeattheUniversityof Tampa,youweren'tassureofyourselfasyou once were That bubbly little girl that knew she wanted to be the biggest artist in the world was lost in society's standards of “a goodprofession”Youchangedyourdegree major5times Atfirst,youwantedtobea

As you finished college, your baby girl decided to surprise you five months after she was hiding in your belly You were left with four months to prepare to be a mommy physically and mentally At first, it was such an emotional rollercoaster, your career had to come to a halt because this new life you were about to bring into the worldinstantlycamefirst,noquestionabout it Youtookayearoffyourcareerandpoured love into your angel that you didn't realize you could love so much Once she was old enough, you had a newfound drive and reason to succeed in life You had to pave yourwayforyourbabygirltohaveafuture

My advice to you is to keep going, keep pushing and creating because you love it and let the positives push you through it all Some months are going to be easier than the others and that's okay It's all part of the process. The moment you fall in love with each step you take is when your career becomesyourhappinessandnotajob Your future is already written and it's full of success. Surrounded by all the right connections in the art and professional world You are creating art in your studio space on your free days when it’s family time, and being booked to paint murals all over the world, getting to travel with your family while you do what you love Your future is endless, full of success and ever growing

Marie-Ange Pollonais

Love always, Marie-Ange

“Fall in love with the process, not just the end result”

Weebly

Why you should have an E-portfolio?

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FromShynesstoSuccess

Dear Courtney,

You were very shy growing up and so soft spoken that people wouldoftentellyouthatyousoundedlikeacartooncharacter You never really showed too much emotion when others made those sillyremarksbecauseyouwereyounganddidn’tthinktoomuchof it It wasn’t until you began to cheer for the Martin Luther King Center, Freedom Riders, at the age six that you began to find that voice and passion inside of your little body You were one of the smallest on the team therefore you were chosen to be a flier for a stunt group Of course, you were nervous at first but being a brave little six-year-old you challenged yourself to new heights, literally. Beforeyouknewityouwerebeingtossedintheairformanyyears to come as you continued to push yourself to new heights to becomewhowearetoday

Who knew learning how to ride a bike could be so hard? Around your 8th birthday, mommy took you to Target, which was walking distance from your home to pick out a pink and purple bi-cycle full offlowers Afterpickingoutyourbike,youwobbledallthewayback home where you kept trying to gain your balance on two wheels Youexpressedtomommythatyouwantedtogiveupandtryagain tomorrow But being the awesome mom she is of course she encouraged you to keep going Mommy began to get tired, so she wentinthehousewhileyoucontinuedtomastertheskillofridinga bike Thereisahillthatyoudecidedyouwantedtotryandrideyour bike down because you realized it sort of helped with your balance as you gained momentum going down the hill By this point, you finallymasteredhowtorideyourtwo-wheelbike,soyouinsistedon going down the hill You began to gear up, and as you went down the hill, you realized you made a big mistake because you didn’t knowhowtoproperlybrakeforastop Beingthesmarteightyearold that you were, you took a sharp left turn and ran into the curb causing you to nearly fly off your bike You were pretty banged up fromtheincident Courtney,Iremindedyouofthatstorybecauseit mimics some of the things you’ve endured in this lifetime Sometimes you would fall hard, but you always got back up and triedagain

In the year 2019, you took a big leap of faith and moved six hours away from your hometown, Atlanta, GA to Daytona Beach, FL to attend Bethune-Cookman University Despite your internal fears, YOU DID IT Here at the age of 21 years old, you’ve accomplished so much that it’s almost frightening because of what you are truly capable of At this age, you still struggle with your confidence and ability to be who you truly desire, but you did it before and you can doitathousandtimesmore.

Inthefuture,youwillhaveobtainedyourmaster’sdegreein

me a weird feeling.

3. Lastly, my zodiac sign is a Leo even though I believe I’m the exact opposite of what typical Leos are described as.

Industrial/ Organizational Psychology, where you will discover ways toimprovetheworkforcethroughwaysofengagingtheworkplace to fit the needs of the employees This is important to you because you want people to find long-time joy in whatever career field they may choose. Additionally, you’ll be living in a condo in either Charlotte, North Carolina or Atlanta, GA with your black or gray cat named Stormi Also, you will be enrolled in therapy as you have trouble navigating your emotions and you want to encourage otherstotakecareoftheirmentalhealth.Lastly,youwillbeonyour fitnessjourney

With love,

Courtney

Her 1 I my licen on the

2. I don’t eat Macaroni and Cheese although it is a fan favorite. The taste is not very pleasant and the concept of just melted cheese and noodles kind of gives

Can you imagine around the early age of your life, relatively age five, that you would’ve been the first person in your immediate family to beat the odds and obtain your Bachelor of ScienceinPsychology.Letmebethefirsttotell you,YOUDIDITCourtney!

ConqueringAdversityand EmbracingYourDreams

Dear Kylah,

Can you imagine that at age 23, you would have graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration? And on top of that you would have got your letters as a member of FACES.Crazyright?

You were in the 4th grade when you faced oneofyourfirstencounterswithadversity It was recess time and you and your friend were jump-roping After a jump, you felt a pullinyourknee Notthinkinganythingofit, you decided to continue jump-roping until youfeltapullagainandthistimeithurtbad You thought maybe you had pulled a muscle,orthatmaybeitwasaCharleyHorse ofsomesort Butthemoreyoukeptwalking on it, the more painful it was The next day, you went to the hospital where they did some tests and told you you would need a cast and you would have to get surgery It turnedoutthatyouhadtornyourmeniscus andaligamentinyourknee.Youhadtoget afulllegcastthatstartedfromyourthighall the way down to your foot During this process,youstartedtofeelawaveofsadness comeoveryoubecauseyouwerenotableto do anything without assistance You also had a goal of wanting to do cheer, and this made it feel like that dream would not be possible After your surgery, you followed your rehab and gave yourself time to heal You did not let this injury stop you from pursuingyourgoalofdoingcheerandsoon enough,youwereabletocheer

Whowouldhaveknownyourlifewouldtake a drastic turn when on your 13th birthday, you discovered your Dad was murdered You didn’t quite understand where life was headed for you at this point. It all happened so fast and made your life very confusing at the time All you knew was that you loved your Dad and it did not make sense that he wastakenfromyou Whowould’vethought that you would be reliving this moment again in the present day After you graduated from Bethune Cookman University, you started to lose your granddad You and your granddad were reallyclose,andyoustilldon’tunderstand

and haven’t even grasped the fact that he’s no longer here Your granddad always gave you a chance and loved you for who you wereandyoulovedhimverymuch

Fun facts about me: 1 2

My favorite color is green. I am not a big fan of sweets.

3. I am a Sagittarius like my mom and my sister.

Irememberwhenyouwentonagirlstripto Turks and Caicos and seeing how clear and pure the water was, and how vibrant and beautiful the scenery was It really opened your eyes to how beautiful this world is and how much there is to explore I envision a futurewhereyougettotraveltheworldand continue the passion that you started as a kidbyshowcasingyourtalentsmodelingfor some of the most iconic clothing brands on the planet You will eat the tastiest foods from places like the Caribbean Islands, or you’ll stride runways in Paris for Louis Vuitton I can see you just being free and happywitheverythingthatGodhasblessed and just living in the moment of each day You will live the life you have always felt you deserved,andyouwillbeatpeace.

My advice to anyone who is serious about chasing their dreams is to not get too high ortoolow,lifeisfullofupsanddownsandit ishowyouweatheritallthatmoldsyouinto whoyouare.Haveastrongfaithandbeliefin God that he will get your there and believe that it will happen My favorite inspirational quote is from Romans 8:18 which says “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with theglorywhichshallberevealedinus”Keep on striding into the life that is destined for youKylah.

Love always, Kylah

Kylah Johnson

FromTragedytoTriumph

Dear Sabrina,

Little did you know this would light a fire within your soul to be a changeforgoodandputyouonapathtopursuehighereducation Youfoughtthroughyourinsecuritiesandself-doubtandpavedyour own way to have the life you always wanted While the road has been long working to put yourself through school, at 31 you have reached your goal and showed what incredible potential you have to make a difference in this ever-changing world Throughout the experienceofobtaininganengineeringdegreeyouhaveshednew lightonwhatyoucanaccomplishandcontinuetopushyourselfto be the best version of yourself while finding incredible people to supportyourgrowth Youhavefoundthemostincrediblemanwho supports and loves you and you get to call him your husband Imagine the beautiful family you and your husband will create and the magnificent adventures you will get to experience with them Fromcruisingaroundvastoceansexploringnewcountriestohiking through the mountains in search of the most glorious waterfalls, youwillbeabletoshowthemallthesimplepleasuresthisbeautiful worldhastooffer

Love Always, Sabrina

Can you imagine that at 12 your parents wouldbedivorced,andyourmotherwould abandon you, or that at 20 you would suddenly lose your father in a car accident leadinghimtodrowninacanal?

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game ” – Babe Ruth

Sabrina Catron

The Keys to Networking The Keys to Networking

What is Networking?

Follow-Up & Follow Through

Dear Mia,

Success

ourcollegeeducation,fueledbythedesireto challenge yourself and follow your beliefs, you continue to grow and inspire others, proving that life's surprises can lead to remarkableachievements Despitetheinitial fearsanddoubts,aprofoundtransformation occurs within you, giving rise to an incomparable sense of joy and self-love that exceedsallexpectations

communities for individuals worldwide Through your initiatives, you aim to break down barriers of higher education, empower underserved populations, and foster a global landscape where education becomesafundamentalrightforall.Youwill be happily married to the love of your life, with three children, and your own business inpublicservice

Could you have envisioned that at the age of 20, you would become thefirstmemberofyourfamilyto attendcollege,receiveaprestigious full-ride scholarship and embark onyourjourneytowardsearninga collegedegree?

Since you were little, you have always been taught about the value of education by your parents. Growing up, you witnessed your parents making countless sacrifices for your well-being and future Their dedication and selflessness when coming to the United States Left a lasting impression on you As younavigatedthepathofattendingcollege, you carried the weight of their sacrifices in your heart Their relentless support and commitment have instilled in you a deep appreciation for the opportunities that educationcanprovide

Although you may not have initially envisioned yourself pursuing higher education, the sacrifices your parents made have inspired you to seize this chance and create a better future for yourself and your family Their unwavering belief in your potential motivates you to overcome challenges and strive for success With gratitude for their sacrifices, you embark on this college journey, determined to honor theirefforts,andmakethemproud

The realization of attending college has opened your eyes to new possibilities and thepotentialtoinspireothers Inthisjourney, you carry the memory of your grandmother andthesignificantrolesheplayedinyourlife Each achievement you attain serves as a tribute to her, as you recognize that without her influence and support, you might have neverconsideredthispath Asyoupursue

In the future, you will be returning to your homeland of Ethiopia, immersing yourself initsvibrantculture,andhelpingchildrenin your country receive education and solve theproblemofpoverty.Yourmissionwillbe to ensure that children in your country receive access to quality education, addressing the pervasive issue of poverty By actively working towards this goal, you aim to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of individuals, empowering them with the tools they need to thrive and creating a brighter futureforthemselves

When you return to the United States, you hope to establish your non-profit organization that works towards providing accessibleeducationandcreatingsecure

Now, this of course is the dream. Who knowshowmanymoretwistsandturnslife will take? You have already gone through a whirlwindthisfar Youknowthatattheend of the day, big accomplishments take persistenceandresilience;butevenondays youdon'tfeelaccomplishedatall,don'tbeat yourself up for it and know that you are enough Growandlearnfromyourmistakes but don't ever let them make you doubt yourself Ittakesalotofself-compassionand acceptancetomovepastyourmistakesand self-doubts But no matter what, keep pursuingyourdreams

“Everyone has a bridge. You’ll cross it when it comes to you.

”

Shattered Plans,Found Dreams

DearSahmyja ,

What is it that you imagined years ago? A person so in control and particular about timeandpacing;wouldyoueverbelieveitif Itoldyouthatthingshavechanged?

Allyourplansarenomore,butdonotfearthisrevelation Beproud, becausewhatisnowinmotionissomethingfargreaterthanwhat you could have ever anticipated. The painful tragedy of finding yourselfhasledyouonapaththatistrulyyours

oved you in a way that the family you had growing up did not A familythatlovedyou,butnevertrulyshowedthatloveinawaythat madeyoufeelprotectedinahousewithyourworstenemy.Afamily is what you wanted, one that soothed you like a warm blanket at night and stood up for you in times when you were too naive or tiredtostandupforyourself Youwanttowork,butmostlyyouwant tolive.Youwanttobeataplaceinyourlifewhereworkandfamily are equally fulfilling And you want to achieve this, with the aid of a plan A plan that did indeed help you succeed However, I am here totellyouthatplanisnolongerlikethedoll Becauseyoudestroyed it But! But! But! Do not worry, because it better aligns with your dream, which, in your opinion, is far more important than the plan Thedreamofhavingabighouse,oneyoualwayswantedinthecity yougrewupin Withacresofbeautifulgreenlandthatispeppered with smaller houses for your mother and father, decorated with patches offlowersthatresembletheproduceatafarmer’smarket. Withapartnerthatlovesandunderstandsyoujustasmuchasyou dothem Withchildrenthatyoucanprotectandstandupforwhen they cannot stand up for themselves And with yourself, as you continuetofindyourselfasyougrowinlife.

After that, you became obsessed with planning out the future, not wantingtobeblindsided Ultimatelyusingthisasawaytostandup for yourself by making your choices known You would settle for nothinglessbutanetworthofmillionsandacareerattheheadof

Fun facts about me:

1. I am an aspiring author, baker, and realtor as well. Multiple incomes are important!

2. I can listen to any song and guess correctly who sings it.

3. I like heights but have a fear of deep water.

the table in health and law Running your own charity while amendingthelawsthathurtyouorcreatingnewones Afamilythat loved you in a way that the family you had growing up did not A familythatlovedyou,butnevertrulyshowedthatloveinawaythat madeyoufeelprotectedinahousewithyourworstenemy Afamily is what you wanted, one that soothed you like a warm blanket at night and stood up for you in times when you were too naive or tiredtostandupforyourself Youwanttowork,butmostlyyouwant tolive Youwanttobeataplaceinyourlifewhereworkandfamily are equally fulfilling. And you want to achieve this, with the aid of a plan A plan that did indeed help you succeed However, I am here totellyouthatplanisnolongerlikethedoll Becauseyoudestroyed it But! But! But! Do not worry, because it better aligns with your dream, which, in your opinion, is far more important than the plan. Thedreamofhavingabighouse,oneyoualwayswantedinthecity yougrewupin Withacresofbeautifulgreenlandthatispeppered with smaller houses for your mother and father, decorated with patchesofflowersthatresembletheproduceatafarmer’smarket Withapartnerthatlovesandunderstandsyoujustasmuchasyou dothem Withchildrenthatyoucanprotectandstandupforwhen they cannot stand up for themselves And with yourself, as you continuetofindyourselfasyougrowinlife

TochangeitupabitandgiveyourelieffromtheheavinessofwhatI justtoldyou,herearesomedetailsaboutyou Youwillbehappyto seethatmanythingshavestayedthesame

So,endingonthewordsofTHEAudreLorde,Iamgoingtoendthis here.Youknowwhatyoumustdonow.

Forever, with love and understanding,

Sahmyja

“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.”- Audre Lorde, The Black Unicorn: Poems.

Delay onset Dementia

PursuingD

Dear Jocelyn,

Can you imagine that at 18 you would be proudofwhoyouarebecoming?

You’releavingtheinsecuritiesbehind,ormoreso,notlettingthem define you. You are finally learning that it isn't others’ opinions that defineyou Itwasahardlesson,butnowyoucanfinallysaythatyour opinion about yourself is above all Although this may seem minor, to you, this is everything Loving yourself was a goal you hadn’t thought about too much until you looked back and realized just how much time you spent seeking external validation Now you haverealizedyouareenoughandthatismorethanenough

Traveling more this year and interacting with new people has made you realize that there is so much in life you want to explore. GoingtoMexicoandseeingyourfamilycontentwithasimplemeal and a roof over their heads made you appreciate the simple things in life They have no modern technology including: stoves, laptops, heaters, AC, Wi-Fi etc They depend on one another for entertainment and help each other out with everything This, most ofall,madeyourealizethat,forthemostpart,wemakelifesomuch harder than it needs to be This experience made you think about the opportunities you have access to versus that of your family Yet, theyseemedsomuchmorefulfilledwithlife.Theytaughtyoumany things That’s why you live everyday with the sole intent of appreciating the small things and most importantly finding joy in them The bad things are not worth focusing on when there is so muchgoodaroundus.

I envision that in the future I will travel to many places, including Spain which has been my dream destination to visit I will almost always be dressed in flowy, easy going attire when I'm not working Sundressesandlongflowyskirtswillbemygo-to Iwillhopefullybe a Marketing Manager for a company where I am able work both remotely and in-person when needed I will continue on my fitness journey and always fill my free time doing activities such as: hiking, biking,swimmingetc Iwillalsolearnhowtosurf Ienvisionhavinga yellow Jeep, that I will primarily use for road-trips I will make it a priority to spend time with myself by doing the things that I love. When I decide to get married, I will settle down somewhere near the beach This way, when I decide to have a family I can take my kids and golden retriever down to the beach and show them just howbeautifulnatureis.Alongwiththis,wewillcontinuetotravelas afamily,bothbyflyingandroadtripping Overall,God,myfamilyand my personal improvement will be my priorities to which I hope to dedicate all my time to I know there is always going to be more to learn and work on but, I'm up for the challenge and excited to discoverwhatthefutureholds

ApieceofadviceIwouldgivetosomeonepursuingtheirdreamsis to acknowledge the milestones If we don't take time to celebrate thesmallvictorieswewillessentiallyneverachieveourgoal.Ourgoal ismerelyanexcusetodevelopnewskillsandexperiencesalongthe way As cheesy as it may sound “Success is a journey, not a destination The doing is often more important than the outcome.”

ArthurAshe

Love Always, Jocelyn

Here are some fun facts about me:

1. I am an adrenaline junky

2. I love quality time with my family and friends

3. I am Dreamstyle Collective's Senior Marketing Chair

Jocelyn Perez

From the Stage to the Business World

As I reflect back on your journey, I am filled with immense pride and admiration for the person you have become.

You were always passionate about music, and your dedication to your craft brought yougreatsuccessasasinger.Yourvoicewas agiftthatyousharedwiththeworld,andthe memories of the stage will always hold a specialplaceinourheart

But life has a way of leading you down unexpected paths, and you found yourself drawn to the field of psychology You recognized that you wanted to use your talent for empathy and connection to help others on a deeper level. And so, with courage and determination, you made the bold decision to switch your major and pursueanewdirection

Itwasnotaneasyroad,butyoupersevered. You absorbed knowledge like a sponge, learning about the complexity of the human mind and the intricate ways in which people navigate the world. You were challenged in ways you never thought possible, but you rose to the occasion with resilienceandstrength

And now, my dear, you stand at the precipiceofabrightandexcitingfuture You graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a testament to your unwavering commitment to your education You have taken that knowledge and applied it to the business world, where you have found your calling in marketing andsales

As you move forward on this journey, know that the sky is the limit You have the potential to achieve greatness, to become a Chief Marketing Officer and lead teams of talentedindividualstosuccess Yourpassion, drive, and creativity will take you far, and I cannotwaittoseewherethispathleadsyou next

As you move forward on this journey, know that the sky is the limit You have the potential to achieve greatness, to become a Chief Marketing Officer and lead teams of talentedindividualstosuccess Yourpassion, drive, and creativity will take you far, and I cannotwaittoseewherethispathleadsyou next

So go forth, my younger self, with confidence and courage Embrace the challenges that come your way, and always remember that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to The world is waiting for you to make your mark, and I know that you will do so with brillianceandgrace

Yours truly,Hannah

Hannah Guihur

Fun facts about me:

1. I have a collection of guitars back in my studio in Puerto Rico, including one from Morocco.

2. I can listen to any song and guess correctly who sings it.

3. I like heights but have a fear of deep water.

Dear Hannah,

“The secret of success in every field is redefining what success means to you. It can’t be your parent’s definition, the media’s definition, or your neighbor’s definition. Otherwise, success will never satisfy you. ”

– RuPaul

Finding Serenity

Dear Samantha,

Can you imagine at the age of 21, not beingriddledwithanxiety24/7butliving apeacefulandhappylife?

Looking back into the past you battled with fear, self-doubt and depression

Youwalkedapathwithmanycracksintheroadandfell hard due to failure or self-doubt but, despite all of that, you kept going Thatexperiencepushedyoutobecomeabeautiful,confident andhappylady.Ofcourse,youstillhavemomentswhereyoudoubt or are filled with anxiety, however when you fall it isn’t as difficult to getbackupcomparedtobefore Istillhavealottolearn,butIassure youthatyour15-year-oldselfwouldn’thavebeenabletoidentifyher 21-year-oldself

At the age of 21, you did things that you would never have imagined, such as moving out of the house and slowly becoming independent Taking the risk of not going straight into the University and entering a Design Bootcamp to become a UX Designerwhileworkingpart-timeasaBehaviorInterventionist You evenfoundthetimeandawaytoafforddanceclasses,something you have always wanted to do growing up Not only that, but you have traveled to Mexico all by yourself! This was possible with the supportandloveoffamilyandfriends Butalsoattainablebyloving and believing in yourself Learning to trust, care and love yourself is crucial when growing into the person you want to be It is true when they say your only obstacle is yourself because if you believe inyourself,thereisnothingyoucan’tdo

Keepingthatpositivementalityinmind,canyouimagineattheage of 30 you will be living your dream life? By 30, you own a beautiful apartmentwithanincredibleviewofthebayarea,whichyoushare with your partner and adorable dog Not only do you and your partnerlivetogetherbut,youalsotravelworldwidetogether.You’ve beentoKorea,JapanandSouthAmericawitheachother Youhave visited Europe numerous times, not exclusively with your partner butwithyoursisterandfriendsaswell Thoughyoutravelandwork

Samantha Padilla

Fun facts about me:

alot,youstillmanagetofindtimeforyourfamilyandfriends You’ve gotten better at reaching out to family and friends, because of that you’ve managed to create a beautiful connection with them Your lifemayseembusy,butyouwillstillworktofindtimeforonemore importantthing:lovingandtakingcareofyourself

With so much happening in your life, from maintaining your apartment,yourdog,traveling,family,friendsandworkingfulltime asaUXdesigner,itcanbeeasytooverwhelmyourselfandfallback into your awful anxious habits Sadly, anxiety will always be part of your life However, you will learn how to live with it which, can only happenbytakingtimeforyourself Practicingself-loveandself-care canbedonebypainting,dancingormeditating Inreality,itcanbe anythingaslongitwillhelpyoucenteryourself

Rememberthatbelievinginyourselfwillhelpyoureachanygoalin yourlife.AnIrishliteratureGeorgeBeinandShawoncesaid,“Lifeisn’t aboutfindingyourself Lifeisaboutcreatingyourself”Don’tjustwait and hope that one day your anxiety will go away and you’ll live a happy life Create that life Just be dedicated to loving yourself and youwillreachyourhighestpoint

1. I love to dance

2. I am the senior designer for DreamStyle Collective E-Magazine and Simplicity HealthStyle

3. I have a collection of funky earrings

Dear Dani, Embracing Diversity

order to exchange the meat for money, I knowitsoundscrazybutitwasevencrazier watching the transaction go down in person Needless to say, I was yearning for home I missed burgers, I missed my old home, I missed my old school and I missed myfamily

When I was in 6 th grade driving home fromschoolonedaymymotheraskedmeif IwouldwanttomovetoIndia Atthattime,I didn’t have any friends in school and was tired of seeing/doing the same thing every single day. That’s why in the most enthusiasticvoiceIcouldmusterIrepliedto my mom “YES!” I remember time seeming to pass very slowly in the couple months leading up to our move. When the time finally came you could not get me on the plane fast enough I was over the moon excited to get away from where I was and live in a place that doesn’t really have seasons

However, when I finally arrived and got off theplane,Iwasshocked EverythinginIndia wasdifferent,thesmells,thepeopleandthe overall way of life Even school life was vastly different, I thought moving to a new place would allow myself to make friends much easier Much to my dismay that was not the case,ifanythingitmademakingfriendsthat much more difficult I can honestly say that forthefirstyearorsoIdefinitelyexperienced a culture shock Did you know that in India trying to get cow meat is almost like trying to buy illegal substances? Since cows are consideredholyinIndiatryingtogetbeeffor a simple hamburger is no small task My mother used to meet up with a Marriot employeeinanalleybesidethehotelin

AstimepassedIbegantoadjustbitbybitto mynewhome Ibegantoappreciateallthe rich culture and beauty India had to offer WhetheritwasDiwaliandseeingthestreets filled with color or a Ganesha parade with hundreds of people in the streets celebratinganddancing Insteadoffocusing on how different India was to America, I begantofocusonallthepositivesIndiaand Indianculturehadtooffer Ialsogottoseeso much of Asia I was able to visit China, Thailand,Malaysia,Dubaiandsomanyother countries My mind and the way I view the world expanded and without that experience I do not think I would be so accepting towards people, places or things in general that are so vastly different from whatIknow Infact,ithelpedshapemeinto thepersonthatIamtoday Now,Iwelcome and even encourage differences/change and I love being around unique people and havinguniqueexperiences

In my future I envision having a lavish yet somewhat simple future for myself I have always wanted to live in a huge home However, these days I would rather live in a smaller sized home with an expensive interior such as, granite countertops, an island in my kitchen, a king-sized bed, a walk-in closet and a bathroom that has a shower and bath separately I imagine sharing this space with a loving Fiancé, a German Shepperd and a Ragdoll Cat. I also imaginetravelingandseepartsoftheworld I’ve never seen before with my significant other I want to grow my own food and live offthelandwhilesimultaneouslylivinginmy lavish home In order to sustain my lifestyle, I’llbeaContentCreatorwhomakeswellover six figures a year and become a millionaire byage40

A huge part of building relationships with others is making sure that you’ve built a relationship with yourself Without selfrespect you cannot properly set boundaries andwithoutboundariesyouwillfindyourself in uncomfortable situations where you feel disrespected, whether it’s from others or yourself Self-loveisthekeytosuccess Iknow

Fun facts about me:

1. I’m a great dancer

2. I can hear certain highpitched sounds that only animals can hear

3. I am DreamStyle Collective's Jan 2023 Senior Communication Manager & Editor

thisissomethingregurgitatedoverandover from many places however, that’s because it’s true A good way to measure your selflove is to ask yourself “would I treat/talk to my best friend this way?” If the answer is no then just try to do better moving forward, there’snoneedtobeatyourselfupaboutit If the answer is yes then great, you’re on the righttrack!Mypieceofadvicewouldbethat if you want to figure out what you’re doing on this floating ball in space the best first place to start is loving yourself, whether that be taking yourself on dates or pushing off a choreuntilthenextdaysothatyoucanrelax or even just watching the way in which you speak to yourself At the end of the day you know what’s best for you, no one else Trust yourself and your instincts but above all be kindtoyourself,we’reallhuman.

Love, Dani

Ineverthoughtthatbytheage of13Iwouldbesuchaworldly individual who’s capable of deepcomprehensionofother culturesandwaysoflife.

Danielle Johnson

“The way you treat yourself teaches others how to treat you. ”

Finding Serenity

Attendingafineartsacademythroughgradeschoolintroducedyou to a very competitive environment Being surrounded by students who excelled in art forms such as acting, singing and dancing was bothamazingandfreakishlyfrighteningallatthesametime Doyou remember performing monologues in front of peers and instructors? Oh, how daunting the critiques would sometimes be! Theeyesofthosewhowatchedasyougrazedthestagemadeyour nerves go ballistic. (They still do) Despite the nervousness, nothing else compares to the feeling of having the audience's undivided attention Youwentontowinaplethoraofregionalandstateacting competitions including best actress in show Although you sometimes questioned your own abilities due to comparison and insecurity, you always considered art to be your calling in life Being castedasJillintheStoryofRubyBridgessolidifiedyourfierypassion forstorytelling Livingthedreamsofyouradolescenceissomething that you will learn to appreciate after the fact. It is something your ancestors will prepare you for Despite the ups and downs of your continuous journey, you are beginning to bring your dreams to reality forming the framework of your profound identity and timelesslegacy That’syourpurpose

Raevyn Pritchett

Fun facts about me:

1. I love amusement parks!

2. Kendrick Lamar, J.cole and Drake are some of my favorite music artists.

3. Sweet fire is my favorite wing flavor.

Asforthefuture,Iknowthatitisbrighterthanthelightsabovethe stage.Haveyoueverheardofthesaying,“ifyouwanttomakeGod laugh,tellhimyourplans?”Thecomplexityoflifeitselfisexceedingly above human understanding I have goals, desires and visual aspirationsjustlikeanyoneelse But,Itrytoavoidconstrictingmyself tothem.IrathermyplansfitaroundtheLord’s.Aslongasmylifeis built upon love, happiness and peace during the storms, I’ll be just fine

Love Always, Raevyn

Can you imagine that at the age of 20 you would have directed two short film projects and played in your first professionalshowasahighschoolsenior?

Dear Raevyn,

“I am. And my being lets me do. And my doing lets me have.” – Georgette Norman

DreamStyleCollectiveLadiesLOVEtoTravel

As shown, this is a magazine edition that represents ladies from nearly every continent of the globe and from ALL different educational backgrounds, socioeconomic status, religions, family structures, body shape, age, popularity, goals,dreams,andworldviews.

Our goal is to support ladies all over the world by helping them share their experiences and stories, along with featuring their unique talents and gifts to helpboosttheirchancesoflandinghighqualitycareeropportunities!

One of the ways to learn more about these ladies and help them grow, is by hosting and engaging in ongoing high-quality women’s career/wellness empowerment meet-ups and retreats, both in the U.S. and internationally. The intentionbehindsuchgatheringsisforattendeestolearnfromthoseofdifferent cultural backgrounds and discover the unique ways in which we all view the worldfromeachother.

This includes luxurious spa days, creative paint & sips, and other artistic expression classes; dance; outdoor activities like jet-skiing, parasailing, zip lining, delicious and authentic food-tasting; fine art and lifestyle modeling; and shopping for unique artifacts. All while getting to know MORE about ourselves whilegrowinginacollaborativeandengagingprocess.

Ask me how you can join in on the next retreat or meet-up and also share your uniquetravelexperienceswithus!

ebonie@simplicityhealthstyle.com

DreamStyle Collective Ladies on the Go, Uniting the World!

DreamStyle Magazine Senior Photographer

Born on the beautiful island of Grenada, Anthony came to America when he was seven From an early age, family, teachers, and childhood friends encouraged his artistic talents

"I never knew what would become of my artwork so at times I just painted, took photos, and created illustrations simply because it was therapeutic for my soul." He continued to develop his artistic gifts at the University of Connecticut where he received his Bachelor of Fine Art It was there that he fell in love with photography and processing prints in the darkroom

"With the lens I'm able to capture the beauty in life and create work that explores notions of harmony, love, spiritual balance, peace, and enlightenment I believe talents should not be hoarded by the individual, but rather exhibited for humankind. We are all creatures who crave the benefits of aesthetic pursuits As a photographer, I realized that I could share my appreciation for my surroundings with those who quickly pass by and may not recognize the captivating nuance of their space With the camera we are able to reexamine our space and just maybe, ourselves" Anthony is a freelance artist, photographer and father of four who enjoys cooking Caribbean cuisine during his down time in Tampa, FL

Photo By Lucy Torres

Art by LUNA MAR

Art by LUNA MAR

MY NAME IS MARIE-ANGE, BUT I FREQUENTLY GO BY MAR.

I'M A TRINI/CARIBBEAN GIRL WHO ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA (UT), WHERE I PURSUED MY PASSION FOR ART AND DESIGN. AT UT, I EARNED BOTH MY GRAPHIC DESIGN & FINE ART DEGREES TO KICK START MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER AS AN ARTIST HOWEVER, I QUICKLY HAD TO SWITCH MY LIFE TO MOM MODE MY CREATIVE-BASED BUSINESS PROVIDES MURALS, COMMISSIONED PAINTINGS, SIP AND PAINTS AT YOUR DESTINATION OR EVENT, LIVE PAINTINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHY. I ALSO SHOWCASE UNIQUE MERCHANDISE AND PRINTS, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE ON MY INSTAGRAM (@ARTBYLUNAMAR) PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT FOR ALL YOUR ARTISTIC NEEDS

Mee iQUI t A

Quia Z Atkinson (QZdesigngallery.com)

is a contemporary mixed media artist and owner of QZ Design Gallery who lives and works in Tallahassee, Florida Atkinson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida A&M University and a minor in military science She never thought that her educational journey would lead her to a career in the art world Her luxurious, vibrant and fluid artworks are most definitely an extension of her upbringing and express a desire for constant movement Growing up in a military family and living in culturally rich places such as Oslo, Norway and Rabat, Morocco has made a deep and long-lasting impact on her art

Her creations are comprised of a spectacular mixture of mixed media embellishments including acrylic, glass, crystals and resin that offer a three-dimensional sparkling aspect boasting stunning layers and depth! Quia has an affinity for the natural and organic beauty of crystals and geodes and incorporates and materializes this into her art and home decor There is something new for the eyes at different angles and light levels which offer stimulation for the senses

Atkinson has received widespread recognition for her vibrant artwork and she was recently named as one of Tallahassee's 25 Women You Need To Know! She has been published by multiple media outlets including both the covers of Tallahassee Woman Magazine and Tallahassee Magazine Her recent solo exhibitions include the Tallahassee Int'l Airport Artport Gallery with COCA and Jefferson Arts Gallery Her art and home decor have also been featured in Travel Pulse Magazine (NJ), Bay Magazine (Tampa), Tallahassee Democrat, Greater Works TV Network and Visit Tallahassee. Atkinson's artwork was chosen as the 'cover art' for Big Bend Cares Artopia which is the l

argest charity art auction in Florida's capital She has also served as a judge for ArtsQuest in Sandestin which brings in over 5,000 people and 100 artisans

Quia explains, "I am continually learning & experimenting with new techniques and consistently challenging myself on this journey Every artwork starts as merely an idea in my mind and once the resin and paint start to flow I have no choice but to follow it wherever it leads me The ability to create is a gift from God and it is deeply rewarding to materialize my ideas into reality "

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