According to Dictionary.com, “authentic” means “not false or copied;
genuine; real.” Living an authentic life, to me, means living your life on
your terms, staying true to who you are and walking in your own, unique
purpose. And it means doing all those things even if other people don’t
seem to get it.

Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I wasn’t
exactly sure what kind, but I knew I wanted my career to have something to
do with writing. Because I received good grades in school, everyone around
me had high expectations of me; I graduated from high school with honors
and was on the Dean’s List in college every semester but one. After
graduating from college, I felt a ton of pressure to get a “good” job and
move to a larger city. My plan was to start my career at the magazine
where I interned and earn a decent income. However, as it often goes with
life, things didn’t exactly turned out how I had planned. The magazine
thing was a flop, so I began looking for media jobs while I continued
working at my part-time job. Unfortunately (at the time anyway), I
couldn’t find a job in the media. So, I decided to try freelance writing,
and I created my blog because I had to do something related to writing.

I started my copywriting business in January 2009 and quit my part-time
job that summer; not because I was making a lot of money but mainly
because I had moved back home, and with the money I was making at that job
and the price of gas, the 45 minute commute wasn’t worth it. I felt in my
heart that writing and blogging were what I was supposed to be doing with
my life, yet I continued looking for a job, any job, to make more money
(mind you, I lived in a small town, and this was when the economy was less
than great). Yes, I still had my business, but I felt an extreme amount of
pressure to get a “real” job, and sometimes, I felt really discouraged,
and I questioned whether this is what I really was supposed to be doing.
It seemed like those closest to me did not understand my vision and my
purpose, so it was (and still is sometimes) very frustrating for me. And
to be honest, for some time, I felt like a loser. Here I was, living back
at home, in my small hometown, trying to pursue my passion and feeling
like a complete failure because I wasn‘t where I wanted to be.

But, last year, I realized something very important: I have to be true to
me. And when I realized that, what people said didn’t bother me as much.
Now, coming to this realization wasn’t easy. I did a whole of crying,
praying and journaling. I asked God to help me understand why I had to
deal with all this disappointment if this was my purpose. After several
messages through sermons, articles and even TV, it dawned on me: No test,
no testimony. My overall purpose is to motivate, inspire and encourage
people to go after their dreams and goals no matter what, but I didn’t
have my own story about how I did that.

See, I didn’t have a hard life. I grew up with both of my parents in a
stable, Christian household. We were middle-class, and I never wanted for
anything. I’ve never been addicted to drugs or alcohol. So, I figured that
the difficulties I’ve endured on the journey to achieving my goals is my
test and will ultimately be my testimony. How can I tell somebody, “Yes,
you can do anything you want, no matter what obstacles stand in your way!”
if I’ve never experienced any obstacles myself?

Thankfully, things are looking up, and I’m happy to say that I’ve never
given up on my dreams, even though there were many times I felt like doing
so. Because of the struggles I‘ve faced, I can now tell you: You can do
anything you set your mind to, even if you experience setbacks,
difficulties and obstacles. Use them as stepping-stones to your greatness.
As long as you keep your eyes on the prize, you will get where you want to
go. Stay focused, walk in your purpose, and your life will more amazing
than you could have ever imagined!

Bio:

As a freelance copywriter, Jamie Fleming specializes in creating fabulous copy and content for small, women-own businesses, nonprofits and other organizations through her business Mocha Writer. Additionally, she is the founder and editor -in-chief of For Colored Gurls, a lifestyle blog with the mission of inspiring and empowering women to live their most fabulous lives. For more info about Jamie, visit her website, mochawriter.com

Be Sociable, Share!

•