it was not my choice to be born to end our money father and a French mother but
our money father and a French mother but
our money father and a French mother but it was my choice to learn the four
it was my choice to learn the four
it was my choice to learn the four languages that make up Who I am
languages that make up Who I am
languages that make up Who I am hello my name is Maya bozo from Apple
hello my name is Maya bozo from Apple
hello my name is Maya bozo from Apple Maya Salam alaikum it’s me Maya
Maya Salam alaikum it’s me Maya
Maya Salam alaikum it’s me Maya Salam alaikum Dina langu Maya it was not
Salam alaikum Dina langu Maya it was not
Salam alaikum Dina langu Maya it was not my choice to be born to a Muslim father
my choice to be born to a Muslim father
my choice to be born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother but it was my
and a Christian mother but it was my
and a Christian mother but it was my choice to wear the hijab at the age of
choice to wear the hijab at the age of
choice to wear the hijab at the age of 16 it was not my choice to join the
16 it was not my choice to join the
16 it was not my choice to join the orchestra when I was 8 as a violinist
orchestra when I was 8 as a violinist
orchestra when I was 8 as a violinist but it was my choice to be the first
but it was my choice to be the first
but it was my choice to be the first female leader to lead the orchestra in
female leader to lead the orchestra in
female leader to lead the orchestra in concert thank you it was my choice to
concert thank you it was my choice to
concert thank you it was my choice to get married at the age of 21 but it was
get married at the age of 21 but it was
get married at the age of 21 but it was also my choice to end that marriage 10
also my choice to end that marriage 10
also my choice to end that marriage 10 years later
the thing is no matter what choices we
the thing is no matter what choices we make in our life some are good some are
make in our life some are good some are
make in our life some are good some are bad but that doesn’t mean that
bad but that doesn’t mean that
bad but that doesn’t mean that determines who we are no should it stop
determines who we are no should it stop
determines who we are no should it stop us from reaching our goals no matter
us from reaching our goals no matter
us from reaching our goals no matter what they may be let me see if a girl’s
what they may be let me see if a girl’s
what they may be let me see if a girl’s okay
okay
okay so this reminds me of a quote by Ralph
so this reminds me of a quote by Ralph
so this reminds me of a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson who says life is a journey
Waldo Emerson who says life is a journey
Waldo Emerson who says life is a journey not a destination who agrees
the thing about this if we agree do we
the thing about this if we agree do we really apply it in our daily lives so we
really apply it in our daily lives so we
really apply it in our daily lives so we tend to imagine that our life will be
tend to imagine that our life will be
tend to imagine that our life will be perfect life is perfect but it also has
perfect life is perfect but it also has
perfect life is perfect but it also has imperfections that we have to accept and
imperfections that we have to accept and
imperfections that we have to accept and deal with and we seem to imagine this
deal with and we seem to imagine this
deal with and we seem to imagine this beautiful Road such as this one so
beautiful Road such as this one so
beautiful Road such as this one so there’s this beautiful road clear skies
there’s this beautiful road clear skies
there’s this beautiful road clear skies and you notice it’s a straight road who
and you notice it’s a straight road who
and you notice it’s a straight road who wouldn’t want to have this kind of
wouldn’t want to have this kind of
wouldn’t want to have this kind of scenery every day all of us because I’m
scenery every day all of us because I’m
scenery every day all of us because I’m sorry to say this is the easy way out
sorry to say this is the easy way out
sorry to say this is the easy way out it’s easy because as you can see there’s
it’s easy because as you can see there’s
it’s easy because as you can see there’s nothing stopping you from getting to
nothing stopping you from getting to
nothing stopping you from getting to your destination so you’re here this is
your destination so you’re here this is
your destination so you’re here this is a straight line
a straight line
a straight line yeah they arrived but what did I learn
yeah they arrived but what did I learn
yeah they arrived but what did I learn the thing we seem to think is bad
the thing we seem to think is bad
the thing we seem to think is bad decisions I made they’re bad choice I’m
decisions I made they’re bad choice I’m
decisions I made they’re bad choice I’m a failure but nobody says that to you
a failure but nobody says that to you
a failure but nobody says that to you this is your own thinking but I want us
this is your own thinking but I want us
this is your own thinking but I want us to imagine this you drive to come here
to imagine this you drive to come here
to imagine this you drive to come here they were no straight road so unless you
they were no straight road so unless you
they were no straight road so unless you live you don’t live here
live you don’t live here
live you don’t live here so exactly so you we don’t get to do
so exactly so you we don’t get to do
so exactly so you we don’t get to do this this picture is beautiful is
this this picture is beautiful is
this this picture is beautiful is realistic but that’s all it is because
realistic but that’s all it is because
realistic but that’s all it is because when you got into your car this morning
when you got into your car this morning
when you got into your car this morning or late this afternoon
or late this afternoon
or late this afternoon you knew your destination was Sheraton
you knew your destination was Sheraton
you knew your destination was Sheraton or month maybe some of you use Google
or month maybe some of you use Google
or month maybe some of you use Google map I don’t know maybe some of you
map I don’t know maybe some of you
map I don’t know maybe some of you called a friend to get directions to
called a friend to get directions to
called a friend to get directions to come here but the road might have been a
come here but the road might have been a
come here but the road might have been a little bit challenging because of the
little bit challenging because of the
little bit challenging because of the recent roadworks and stuff but no matter
recent roadworks and stuff but no matter
recent roadworks and stuff but no matter what you face during the the trip to
what you face during the the trip to
what you face during the the trip to come here
come here
come here left turn stop sign track
left turn stop sign track
left turn stop sign track I have to wait traffic please you know
I have to wait traffic please you know
I have to wait traffic please you know the worst kind and but you know what you
the worst kind and but you know what you
the worst kind and but you know what you still made it today you’re still here I
still made it today you’re still here I
still made it today you’re still here I hope I can see it’s nice to see you all
hope I can see it’s nice to see you all
hope I can see it’s nice to see you all here but you’re here whatever happened
here but you’re here whatever happened
here but you’re here whatever happened on your trip didn’t stop you from coming
on your trip didn’t stop you from coming
on your trip didn’t stop you from coming here but when we think about our life we
here but when we think about our life we
here but when we think about our life we seem to think that when we see the signs
seem to think that when we see the signs
seem to think that when we see the signs that it’s telling us to stop what our
that it’s telling us to stop what our
that it’s telling us to stop what our road signs for when we talk about
road signs for when we talk about
road signs for when we talk about traffic signs or traffic signals what
traffic signs or traffic signals what
traffic signs or traffic signals what are they telling us they are telling us
are they telling us they are telling us
are they telling us they are telling us they are guiding us they’re not telling
they are guiding us they’re not telling
they are guiding us they’re not telling us to stop they’re not telling us to
us to stop they’re not telling us to
us to stop they’re not telling us to give up they’re telling us ok don’t go
give up they’re telling us ok don’t go
give up they’re telling us ok don’t go here because there’s current roadworks
here because there’s current roadworks
here because there’s current roadworks please give way because there are other
please give way because there are other
please give way because there are other people to pass turn here don’t go there
people to pass turn here don’t go there
people to pass turn here don’t go there but that doesn’t tell you don’t go to
but that doesn’t tell you don’t go to
but that doesn’t tell you don’t go to whatever destination you may be you may
whatever destination you may be you may
whatever destination you may be you may want to go too but why do we think that
want to go too but why do we think that
want to go too but why do we think that in our life these signs that we see that
in our life these signs that we see that
in our life these signs that we see that I manifested in whatever you know
I manifested in whatever you know
I manifested in whatever you know situations that arise loss of someone a
situations that arise loss of someone a
situations that arise loss of someone a break up sickness that means we should
break up sickness that means we should
break up sickness that means we should stop if we’re still living and breathing
stop if we’re still living and breathing
stop if we’re still living and breathing we still have a chance so why do we not
we still have a chance so why do we not
we still have a chance so why do we not apply these rules that we use every day
apply these rules that we use every day
apply these rules that we use every day to our own lives let’s take an example
to our own lives let’s take an example
to our own lives let’s take an example of a simple road sign that we see nearly
of a simple road sign that we see nearly
of a simple road sign that we see nearly every day which is stop or give way what
every day which is stop or give way what
every day which is stop or give way what does that mean yes you have to put pee I
does that mean yes you have to put pee I
does that mean yes you have to put pee I don’t know maybe brake depends how you
don’t know maybe brake depends how you
don’t know maybe brake depends how you know how long is the cue but it says
know how long is the cue but it says
know how long is the cue but it says look to the right look to the left and
look to the right look to the left and
look to the right look to the left and if there’s anyone that’s passing that
if there’s anyone that’s passing that
if there’s anyone that’s passing that you need to stop and let them pass
you need to stop and let them pass
you need to stop and let them pass because it’s not your turn you have to
because it’s not your turn you have to
because it’s not your turn you have to give way so let’s put it in a context in
give way so let’s put it in a context in
give way so let’s put it in a context in life when you see a stop sign whatever
life when you see a stop sign whatever
life when you see a stop sign whatever it may be is just telling you wait
it may be is just telling you wait
it may be is just telling you wait somebody needs to pass might be more
somebody needs to pass might be more
somebody needs to pass might be more than one person but it’s just not your
than one person but it’s just not your
than one person but it’s just not your turn yet your turn will come just wait
turn yet your turn will come just wait
turn yet your turn will come just wait in no way is it saying give up put peace
in no way is it saying give up put peace
in no way is it saying give up put peace which the car of okay I’m done that’s
which the car of okay I’m done that’s
which the car of okay I’m done that’s not what it’s saying it’s just saying
not what it’s saying it’s just saying
not what it’s saying it’s just saying wait sometimes we don’t know what’s
wait sometimes we don’t know what’s
wait sometimes we don’t know what’s coming the future but we have to believe
coming the future but we have to believe
coming the future but we have to believe it’s something good otherwise we’re just
it’s something good otherwise we’re just
it’s something good otherwise we’re just going to park and do nothing because
going to park and do nothing because
going to park and do nothing because nothing will change there’s always a
nothing will change there’s always a
nothing will change there’s always a choice you always have a choice you have
choice you always have a choice you have
choice you always have a choice you have a choice to wait you have a choice a way
a choice to wait you have a choice a way
a choice to wait you have a choice a way to listen to music and have fun but it
to listen to music and have fun but it
to listen to music and have fun but it doesn’t mean give up so which way will
doesn’t mean give up so which way will
doesn’t mean give up so which way will you go because in life we have so many
you go because in life we have so many
you go because in life we have so many options sometimes that’s a good thing
options sometimes that’s a good thing
options sometimes that’s a good thing sometimes that’s a bad thing but how do
sometimes that’s a bad thing but how do
sometimes that’s a bad thing but how do we choose and how do we know that we’re
we choose and how do we know that we’re
we choose and how do we know that we’re making the right choice don’t think I’m
making the right choice don’t think I’m
making the right choice don’t think I’m gonna give you the answer because I
gonna give you the answer because I
gonna give you the answer because I don’t know but we seem to think we have
don’t know but we seem to think we have
don’t know but we seem to think we have to know the answers in order to make
to know the answers in order to make
to know the answers in order to make this choice we don’t because that means
this choice we don’t because that means
this choice we don’t because that means we know the future and alas life is easy
we know the future and alas life is easy
we know the future and alas life is easy metruff isn’t easy I have a question for
metruff isn’t easy I have a question for
metruff isn’t easy I have a question for you do you think that there are good
you do you think that there are good
you do you think that there are good choices and bad choices well that was
choices and bad choices well that was
choices and bad choices well that was quick but raised I just want to be I’m
quick but raised I just want to be I’m
quick but raised I just want to be I’m just curious to see what do you think
just curious to see what do you think
just curious to see what do you think are they good choices and bad choices if
are they good choices and bad choices if
are they good choices and bad choices if so just raise your hand keep them raised
so just raise your hand keep them raised
so just raise your hand keep them raised so I can see okay so that’s a quite a
so I can see okay so that’s a quite a
so I can see okay so that’s a quite a majority but I’m sorry I agree with her
majority but I’m sorry I agree with her
majority but I’m sorry I agree with her they aren’t any good choices or bad
they aren’t any good choices or bad
they aren’t any good choices or bad choices why because let’s think about it
choices why because let’s think about it
choices why because let’s think about it every choice you have made during your
every choice you have made during your
every choice you have made during your life has made you who you are today
life has made you who you are today
life has made you who you are today where the good weather bad end if you
where the good weather bad end if you
where the good weather bad end if you were to go back in time and make the
were to go back in time and make the
were to go back in time and make the same choices you will not be who you are
same choices you will not be who you are
same choices you will not be who you are you’ll not be this person the thing is
you’ll not be this person the thing is
you’ll not be this person the thing is we think that a bad choice means we are
we think that a bad choice means we are
we think that a bad choice means we are failures that we failed at this thing
failures that we failed at this thing
failures that we failed at this thing but we haven’t because don’t forget
but we haven’t because don’t forget
but we haven’t because don’t forget there is the experience that you gain
there is the experience that you gain
there is the experience that you gain from that choice and if it’s good well
from that choice and if it’s good well
from that choice and if it’s good well good for you but if it’s not I still say
good for you but if it’s not I still say
good for you but if it’s not I still say good for you because you’re learning
good for you because you’re learning
good for you because you’re learning something
so apparently we have three C’s of life
so apparently we have three C’s of life I know this sounds very technical I’m
I know this sounds very technical I’m
I know this sounds very technical I’m sorry but the three C’s of life are
sorry but the three C’s of life are
sorry but the three C’s of life are choice first thing we all have a choice
choice first thing we all have a choice
choice first thing we all have a choice good choices bad choices whatever but we
good choices bad choices whatever but we
good choices bad choices whatever but we have choices and we have a chance these
have choices and we have a chance these
have choices and we have a chance these choices present opportunities which we
choices present opportunities which we
choices present opportunities which we should take if we’re bold and brave and
should take if we’re bold and brave and
should take if we’re bold and brave and we also have change so these three
we also have change so these three
we also have change so these three things make up the three C’s of life can
things make up the three C’s of life can
things make up the three C’s of life can I get a clap see that was so amazing but
I get a clap see that was so amazing but
I get a clap see that was so amazing but you’ll want to clap for me again because
you’ll want to clap for me again because
you’ll want to clap for me again because I’m going to add another city business I
I’m going to add another city business I
I’m going to add another city business I found online this one was from my mind
found online this one was from my mind
found online this one was from my mind which is challenge okay let’s go do this
which is challenge okay let’s go do this
which is challenge okay let’s go do this again so I can show you the order of my
again so I can show you the order of my
again so I can show you the order of my new foresee in life so choice again
new foresee in life so choice again
new foresee in life so choice again chance challenge and then you change and
chance challenge and then you change and
chance challenge and then you change and many of you think ok maybe this sounds
many of you think ok maybe this sounds
many of you think ok maybe this sounds really nice you know very theoretical
really nice you know very theoretical
really nice you know very theoretical yes you make sense you managed to figure
yes you make sense you managed to figure
yes you make sense you managed to figure out there’s a fourth thing whoo-hoo for
out there’s a fourth thing whoo-hoo for
out there’s a fourth thing whoo-hoo for you but then how does it affect me how
you but then how does it affect me how
you but then how does it affect me how does it apply so I’m going to share a
does it apply so I’m going to share a
does it apply so I’m going to share a bit of a bit of me with you today
today I’m going to tell you the first
today I’m going to tell you the first time I knew I had a choice
time I knew I had a choice
time I knew I had a choice and this was in summer of 1999 I was
and this was in summer of 1999 I was
and this was in summer of 1999 I was previously a musician with the role of
previously a musician with the role of
previously a musician with the role of man Sinfonia Symphony Orchestra I was a
man Sinfonia Symphony Orchestra I was a
man Sinfonia Symphony Orchestra I was a violinist and I had amazing
violinist and I had amazing
violinist and I had amazing opportunities presented to me and one of
opportunities presented to me and one of
opportunities presented to me and one of them was to tour so we were informed
them was to tour so we were informed
them was to tour so we were informed that we were going to go to Europe and
that we were going to go to Europe and
that we were going to go to Europe and we’re all excited so we started shopping
we’re all excited so we started shopping
we’re all excited so we started shopping of course I went with my mom so I tell
of course I went with my mom so I tell
of course I went with my mom so I tell her yeah mom I wanted to tell you that I
her yeah mom I wanted to tell you that I
her yeah mom I wanted to tell you that I want to get some scarves she looked at
want to get some scarves she looked at
want to get some scarves she looked at me
me
me what what did you say I said yeah I’m
what what did you say I said yeah I’m
what what did you say I said yeah I’m gonna get scars now remember my mother’s
gonna get scars now remember my mother’s
gonna get scars now remember my mother’s French that’s this Christian so this is
French that’s this Christian so this is
French that’s this Christian so this is not going down too well so he says you
not going down too well so he says you
not going down too well so he says you want to wear a scarf I said yeah I’m not
want to wear a scarf I said yeah I’m not
want to wear a scarf I said yeah I’m not saying full-time just you know I’m gonna
saying full-time just you know I’m gonna
saying full-time just you know I’m gonna try it out it just looks nice and then
try it out it just looks nice and then
try it out it just looks nice and then she went oh okay so as you can see I was
she went oh okay so as you can see I was
she went oh okay so as you can see I was not really in fashion but it didn’t
not really in fashion but it didn’t
not really in fashion but it didn’t matter to me then because I just wanted
matter to me then because I just wanted
matter to me then because I just wanted to try this out I wanted I had a choice
to try this out I wanted I had a choice
to try this out I wanted I had a choice so I said you know let’s do this yellow
so I said you know let’s do this yellow
so I said you know let’s do this yellow black and white like an item I see her
black and white like an item I see her
black and white like an item I see her it’s okay so I went to Europe and I
it’s okay so I went to Europe and I
it’s okay so I went to Europe and I started wearing it and I started wearing
started wearing it and I started wearing
started wearing it and I started wearing it yeah I don’t know if that picture
it yeah I don’t know if that picture
it yeah I don’t know if that picture doesn’t show but I started wearing it
doesn’t show but I started wearing it
doesn’t show but I started wearing it off I would show a bit of my hair I
off I would show a bit of my hair I
off I would show a bit of my hair I can’t go from you know I can’t switch to
can’t go from you know I can’t switch to
can’t go from you know I can’t switch to this switch just from not being covered
this switch just from not being covered
this switch just from not being covered to totally being covered in just one day
to totally being covered in just one day
to totally being covered in just one day so I knew it was a gradual process and I
so I knew it was a gradual process and I
so I knew it was a gradual process and I decided to go ahead with it
decided to go ahead with it
decided to go ahead with it and I was faced with challenges because
and I was faced with challenges because
and I was faced with challenges because although to me this was easy it’s just
although to me this was easy it’s just
although to me this was easy it’s just covering my hair what’s the big deal but
covering my hair what’s the big deal but
covering my hair what’s the big deal but people didn’t see it that way people
people didn’t see it that way people
people didn’t see it that way people questioned my choice not really my body
questioned my choice not really my body
questioned my choice not really my body my hair was why are you interested or
my hair was why are you interested or
my hair was why are you interested or were you even commenting that fact you
were you even commenting that fact you
were you even commenting that fact you should be supporting me but no one would
should be supporting me but no one would
should be supporting me but no one would think that because we live in the Middle
think that because we live in the Middle
think that because we live in the Middle East that this is supposedly easy but no
East that this is supposedly easy but no
East that this is supposedly easy but no it isn’t for whatever reasons I they are
it isn’t for whatever reasons I they are
it isn’t for whatever reasons I they are but still I was challenged anyway
but still I was challenged anyway
but still I was challenged anyway I I think I was away for two two months
I I think I was away for two two months
I I think I was away for two two months then and I came back home and I told my
then and I came back home and I told my
then and I came back home and I told my mom yeah mom I have to tell you
mom yeah mom I have to tell you
mom yeah mom I have to tell you something she’s like what I said I
something she’s like what I said I
something she’s like what I said I decided to become a muhabba she said you
decided to become a muhabba she said you
decided to become a muhabba she said you decided to be a what I said I decided to
decided to be a what I said I decided to
decided to be a what I said I decided to become a mahadji but I want to wear this
become a mahadji but I want to wear this
become a mahadji but I want to wear this full-time she said are you sure I said
full-time she said are you sure I said
full-time she said are you sure I said yes I’m sure and that’s my first time
yes I’m sure and that’s my first time
yes I’m sure and that’s my first time that I realized
that I realized
that I realized that I had a choice I fought for myself
that I had a choice I fought for myself
that I had a choice I fought for myself I fought for my choice to wear this
I fought for my choice to wear this
I fought for my choice to wear this scarf and I saw the change in me thank
scarf and I saw the change in me thank
scarf and I saw the change in me thank you thank you and I saw the change in me
you thank you and I saw the change in me
you thank you and I saw the change in me so again I’m just telling you that I did
so again I’m just telling you that I did
so again I’m just telling you that I did the four C’s of chase forces of life
the four C’s of chase forces of life
the four C’s of chase forces of life sorry which is I had the choice I
sorry which is I had the choice I
sorry which is I had the choice I decided I want to wear the scarf I had
decided I want to wear the scarf I had
decided I want to wear the scarf I had the chance the opportunity to go to
the chance the opportunity to go to
the chance the opportunity to go to Europe so I had that chance
Europe so I had that chance
Europe so I had that chance I had the challenges people didn’t
I had the challenges people didn’t
I had the challenges people didn’t really understand why I had to wear it
really understand why I had to wear it
really understand why I had to wear it and stuff like that so I was challenged
and stuff like that so I was challenged
and stuff like that so I was challenged and it changed me and another incident I
and it changed me and another incident I
and it changed me and another incident I would like to share with you as well is
would like to share with you as well is
would like to share with you as well is when I got married I remember telling my
when I got married I remember telling my
when I got married I remember telling my parents that I wanted to get married at
parents that I wanted to get married at
parents that I wanted to get married at the age of 21
the age of 21
the age of 21 the thing with particularly marriage was
the thing with particularly marriage was
the thing with particularly marriage was that I come from a broken family my
that I come from a broken family my
that I come from a broken family my parents were divorced when I was 3 so I
parents were divorced when I was 3 so I
parents were divorced when I was 3 so I was my brother and I were raised by my
was my brother and I were raised by my
was my brother and I were raised by my mom and it is not easy
mom and it is not easy
mom and it is not easy any single mother would understand and I
any single mother would understand and I
any single mother would understand and I didn’t understand what my mother was
didn’t understand what my mother was
didn’t understand what my mother was going through then but I knew how it
going through then but I knew how it
going through then but I knew how it affected us as children and I vowed to
affected us as children and I vowed to
affected us as children and I vowed to myself that no matter you remember that
myself that no matter you remember that
myself that no matter you remember that picture that I showed you earlier of the
picture that I showed you earlier of the
picture that I showed you earlier of the straight path that is the picture I had
straight path that is the picture I had
straight path that is the picture I had for my marriage that that was the road I
for my marriage that that was the road I
for my marriage that that was the road I was gonna take is going to look pretty
was gonna take is going to look pretty
was gonna take is going to look pretty and start and I was not going to take a
and start and I was not going to take a
and start and I was not going to take a right turn or left turn or even stop I
right turn or left turn or even stop I
right turn or left turn or even stop I was going to make this the best marriage
was going to make this the best marriage
was going to make this the best marriage ever and I went to the point of saying I
ever and I went to the point of saying I
ever and I went to the point of saying I am never going to get a divorce you know
am never going to get a divorce you know
am never going to get a divorce you know what they say never say never so fast
what they say never say never so fast
what they say never say never so fast forward 10 years down the line I must
forward 10 years down the line I must
forward 10 years down the line I must I’m a mother to two girls
I’m a mother to two girls
I’m a mother to two girls at that point in time they were seven
at that point in time they were seven
at that point in time they were seven and four and I was a stay-at-home mom I
and four and I was a stay-at-home mom I
and four and I was a stay-at-home mom I didn’t have a job and that picture was
didn’t have a job and that picture was
didn’t have a job and that picture was taken in Malaysia now I knew I’m
taken in Malaysia now I knew I’m
taken in Malaysia now I knew I’m probably thinking oh it’s so cute and
probably thinking oh it’s so cute and
probably thinking oh it’s so cute and they are because they’re my daughters
they are because they’re my daughters
they are because they’re my daughters but anyway they’re so cute and you’re
but anyway they’re so cute and you’re
but anyway they’re so cute and you’re probably looking at my smile and you
probably looking at my smile and you
probably looking at my smile and you think Oh me it’s so happy she’s smiling
think Oh me it’s so happy she’s smiling
think Oh me it’s so happy she’s smiling but little do you know that behind that
but little do you know that behind that
but little do you know that behind that smile is a broken heart because this was
smile is a broken heart because this was
smile is a broken heart because this was the day that I decided that I no longer
the day that I decided that I no longer
the day that I decided that I no longer wanted to be married and this was the
wanted to be married and this was the
wanted to be married and this was the last photo shoot we did as a family
and when I actually told my mother and
and when I actually told my mother and father that I wanted to get a divorce I
father that I wanted to get a divorce I
father that I wanted to get a divorce I was so blessed to be supported by them
was so blessed to be supported by them
was so blessed to be supported by them and many of my friends and family but I
and many of my friends and family but I
and many of my friends and family but I knew that you know that road again I saw
knew that you know that road again I saw
knew that you know that road again I saw I keep referring to it because first of
I keep referring to it because first of
I keep referring to it because first of all it’s so pretty but first of all this
all it’s so pretty but first of all this
all it’s so pretty but first of all this is the realization we have that it’s
is the realization we have that it’s
is the realization we have that it’s going to be good I’m not talking about
going to be good I’m not talking about
going to be good I’m not talking about marriage I’m just talking about
marriage I’m just talking about
marriage I’m just talking about everything in general in life that we
everything in general in life that we
everything in general in life that we think this road is always going to be
think this road is always going to be
think this road is always going to be good so I was on this road and I saw it
good so I was on this road and I saw it
good so I was on this road and I saw it turned it said divorce and I took it
turned it said divorce and I took it
turned it said divorce and I took it because to me there were two choices
because to me there were two choices
because to me there were two choices either I continue in a marriage that
either I continue in a marriage that
either I continue in a marriage that didn’t work oh I take that turn and I
didn’t work oh I take that turn and I
didn’t work oh I take that turn and I know that turn is difficult cuz I
know that turn is difficult cuz I
know that turn is difficult cuz I already know the challenges I faced it
already know the challenges I faced it
already know the challenges I faced it as a child but I still decided to take
as a child but I still decided to take
as a child but I still decided to take it and I told myself that no matter what
it and I told myself that no matter what
it and I told myself that no matter what came up that I would stick to this
came up that I would stick to this
came up that I would stick to this because there was no roundabout for me
because there was no roundabout for me
because there was no roundabout for me to go back there was no u-turn this was
to go back there was no u-turn this was
to go back there was no u-turn this was my choice so I am going to make it
my choice so I am going to make it
my choice so I am going to make it through no matter what happened so when
through no matter what happened so when
through no matter what happened so when I did get my divorce again I had to make
I did get my divorce again I had to make
I did get my divorce again I had to make choices I had two choices again seems
choices I had two choices again seems
choices I had two choices again seems they’re always to when I’m sure they’re
they’re always to when I’m sure they’re
they’re always to when I’m sure they’re more than two but anyway in my story
more than two but anyway in my story
more than two but anyway in my story there too
there too
there too either I could
either I could
either I could cry and become depressed because my
cry and become depressed because my
cry and become depressed because my marriage has ended what do I do I’m a
marriage has ended what do I do I’m a
marriage has ended what do I do I’m a single mother to two girls or I can look
single mother to two girls or I can look
single mother to two girls or I can look the other way and say okay you aren’t
the other way and say okay you aren’t
the other way and say okay you aren’t the situation now what are you going to
the situation now what are you going to
the situation now what are you going to do about it first thing I decided to do
do about it first thing I decided to do
do about it first thing I decided to do was join the gym I know why would anyone
was join the gym I know why would anyone
was join the gym I know why would anyone want to do that especially at that point
want to do that especially at that point
want to do that especially at that point and no I wasn’t fat and wanted to lose
and no I wasn’t fat and wanted to lose
and no I wasn’t fat and wanted to lose weight it was not about the weight when
weight it was not about the weight when
weight it was not about the weight when when we worked out it’s not about the
when we worked out it’s not about the
when we worked out it’s not about the weight it’s also about how you feel
weight it’s also about how you feel
weight it’s also about how you feel mentally and that was important to me at
mentally and that was important to me at
mentally and that was important to me at the time I was trying to save myself
the time I was trying to save myself
the time I was trying to save myself either I go there or I go I would go and
either I go there or I go I would go and
either I go there or I go I would go and visit my cousin say that best matter
visit my cousin say that best matter
visit my cousin say that best matter clinic so I love her to bits but I
clinic so I love her to bits but I
clinic so I love her to bits but I wanted to do this for myself because
wanted to do this for myself because
wanted to do this for myself because this is a choice I had made so I wanted
this is a choice I had made so I wanted
this is a choice I had made so I wanted to help myself and the thing is change
to help myself and the thing is change
to help myself and the thing is change I know begins with me so even if I went
I know begins with me so even if I went
I know begins with me so even if I went to her and she would tell me or me this
to her and she would tell me or me this
to her and she would tell me or me this is what you have to do if I didn’t feel
is what you have to do if I didn’t feel
is what you have to do if I didn’t feel that in me I could go to her or anyone
that in me I could go to her or anyone
that in me I could go to her or anyone else for that matter
else for that matter
else for that matter and I wouldn’t change because it’s not
and I wouldn’t change because it’s not
and I wouldn’t change because it’s not what I wanted to do so I decided to join
what I wanted to do so I decided to join
what I wanted to do so I decided to join the gym and it helped me in so many ways
the gym and it helped me in so many ways
the gym and it helped me in so many ways I also knew okay single mom no you know
I also knew okay single mom no you know
I also knew okay single mom no you know I needed to do something else than just
I needed to do something else than just
I needed to do something else than just stay at home with my kids so I decided
stay at home with my kids so I decided
stay at home with my kids so I decided to get a job and I took the first job
to get a job and I took the first job
to get a job and I took the first job that I was I got even my mother was
that I was I got even my mother was
that I was I got even my mother was telling me you think you’re going to get
telling me you think you’re going to get
telling me you think you’re going to get a job because remember I have a musical
a job because remember I have a musical
a job because remember I have a musical background and I didn’t have any sort of
background and I didn’t have any sort of
background and I didn’t have any sort of qualifications as in I got my
qualifications as in I got my
qualifications as in I got my qualifications in a certain area but I
qualifications in a certain area but I
qualifications in a certain area but I didn’t have the experience in business
didn’t have the experience in business
didn’t have the experience in business admin but I said yes mom I am going to
admin but I said yes mom I am going to
admin but I said yes mom I am going to get it because I need it so it’s going
get it because I need it so it’s going
get it because I need it so it’s going to happen for me and it did I got a job
to happen for me and it did I got a job
to happen for me and it did I got a job which I enjoyed for about three four
which I enjoyed for about three four
which I enjoyed for about three four years when things were stable for me
years when things were stable for me
years when things were stable for me I said okay hamdullah now I’m good
I said okay hamdullah now I’m good
I said okay hamdullah now I’m good everything’s okay but there’s one thing
everything’s okay but there’s one thing
everything’s okay but there’s one thing missing
missing
missing I don’t like this job it had nothing to
I don’t like this job it had nothing to
I don’t like this job it had nothing to do with the people or the company they
do with the people or the company they
do with the people or the company they were all amazing it had to do with me in
were all amazing it had to do with me in
were all amazing it had to do with me in my heart and that point had also started
my heart and that point had also started
my heart and that point had also started my social media channels and one of them
my social media channels and one of them
my social media channels and one of them was YouTube and I used to use YouTube to
was YouTube and I used to use YouTube to
was YouTube and I used to use YouTube to inspire others I would share my stories
inspire others I would share my stories
inspire others I would share my stories to this day I do that because it it just
to this day I do that because it it just
to this day I do that because it it just means a lot to me to be able to even buy
means a lot to me to be able to even buy
means a lot to me to be able to even buy one word or even simply my smile to make
one word or even simply my smile to make
one word or even simply my smile to make you smile to impact someone in somebody
you smile to impact someone in somebody
you smile to impact someone in somebody in a positive way even if you choose
in a positive way even if you choose
in a positive way even if you choose just a single word I then called my
just a single word I then called my
just a single word I then called my cousin again she’s a very important part
cousin again she’s a very important part
cousin again she’s a very important part of my life and I called her up and I
of my life and I called her up and I
of my life and I called her up and I said look I’m really frustrated I need
said look I’m really frustrated I need
said look I’m really frustrated I need to do something I need to change
to do something I need to change
to do something I need to change so she said all right since you have
so she said all right since you have
so she said all right since you have this passion and you like to inspire
this passion and you like to inspire
this passion and you like to inspire others and you find your energy why
others and you find your energy why
others and you find your energy why don’t you become a life coach
don’t you become a life coach
don’t you become a life coach I said really what is a life coach do so
I said really what is a life coach do so
I said really what is a life coach do so a life coach helps people I said okay
a life coach helps people I said okay
a life coach helps people I said okay that’s what we were talking about that’s
that’s what we were talking about that’s
that’s what we were talking about that’s what I want to do and I took an online
what I want to do and I took an online
what I want to do and I took an online course again I’m a single mother
course again I’m a single mother
course again I’m a single mother full-time job and I need to get this
full-time job and I need to get this
full-time job and I need to get this degree in order for me to leave my job
degree in order for me to leave my job
degree in order for me to leave my job because I can’t go without income I’m
because I can’t go without income I’m
because I can’t go without income I’m still supporting my children so I do it
still supporting my children so I do it
still supporting my children so I do it I have no weekends anymore people call
I have no weekends anymore people call
I have no weekends anymore people call me up man let’s go no what are you doing
me up man let’s go no what are you doing
me up man let’s go no what are you doing studying really yeah studying and that
studying really yeah studying and that
studying really yeah studying and that was my life for the next nine months
was my life for the next nine months
was my life for the next nine months after nine months
after nine months
after nine months I called c’est de baisemeaux and I told
I called c’est de baisemeaux and I told
I called c’est de baisemeaux and I told her I graduated with distinction I know
I now work as a life coach at whispers
I now work as a life coach at whispers of serenity and it brings me so much joy
so do what you have to do until you can
so do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do and that’s
do what you want to do and that’s
do what you want to do and that’s exactly what I did remember that no
exactly what I did remember that no
exactly what I did remember that no matter what choices you make there’s
matter what choices you make there’s
matter what choices you make there’s always the roundabout if it’s good let’s
always the roundabout if it’s good let’s
always the roundabout if it’s good let’s do the straight journey if it’s not stop
do the straight journey if it’s not stop
do the straight journey if it’s not stop and just turn back nothing is stopping
and just turn back nothing is stopping
and just turn back nothing is stopping you except your own self if you need
you except your own self if you need
you except your own self if you need someone to inspire you look in the
someone to inspire you look in the
someone to inspire you look in the mirror you see yourself every day
mirror you see yourself every day
mirror you see yourself every day inspire yourself you do not need it’s
inspire yourself you do not need it’s
inspire yourself you do not need it’s nice to have somebody to look up to like
nice to have somebody to look up to like
nice to have somebody to look up to like me okay but you really need to it has to
me okay but you really need to it has to
me okay but you really need to it has to come from within one a year ago I
come from within one a year ago I
come from within one a year ago I decided to make a choice
decided to make a choice
decided to make a choice and then I saw an opportunity which came
and then I saw an opportunity which came
and then I saw an opportunity which came to me and then I found my challenges
to me and then I found my challenges
to me and then I found my challenges because I’m way out of my comfort zone
because I’m way out of my comfort zone
because I’m way out of my comfort zone but today is the change I became a TED
but today is the change I became a TED
but today is the change I became a TED speaker today
thank you finally I would like to end
thank you finally I would like to end but this is your life your choice enjoy
but this is your life your choice enjoy
but this is your life your choice enjoy the journey thank you
”
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