#authenticallyhuman

Check out our website http://authenticallyhuman.com. I am the family && relationship writer for the site and RIGHT NOW we are doing a back to school giveaway! All you gotta do is share at least three posts of ours on either Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr. Your name will be put in a random generator to choose the winner! So the more you share, the greater your chances are of winning.

So wtf do you win? A $25 visa gift card to use at the store of your choosing! Be sure to tag authenticallyhuman in your post so we can see your reblog.

Facebook Page: Authentically Human (its a mandala for the profile picture)

Twitter: _AHExperience

Persevering To the End

By Alesha Elbert

Family/Relationship Writer

    We all were put on this Earth for a purpose. We set goals and hope for the greatest outcome. However, for some people, things aren’t handed to them on a silver platter. They have to push themselves to reach for success. Sometimes we may set goals that may seem to be unrealistic, but in the end, the plan that was set for our lives will come to pass, no matter how hard we may try to fight it. To persevere means to finish strong despite the obstacles and hassles in your way. This week I spoke with a man who understands that the battle is not won until you have finished to the end.

    Clifford Larris Hunter Jr., 41, was born and raised in Wrightsville, Georgia. He graduated from Johnson County High School, where he was supposed to graduate within the top 3 of his class. Within this time period, there was discrimination that prevented him from achieving success within this area of school, but that did not stop Hunter. He furthered his academia at Heart of Georgia where he achieved his Associate’s degree in Respiratory Therapy. He also has a year of college through Andersonville Theological Seminary, where he has been educated in Ministerial Theological works. What really drew him into the medical field was the fact that it was always apart of his life. “I can remember probably remember when I was in the 6th or 7th grade people would always give me medical books. My dad would just give me books and encyclopedias and I would just read those books,” says Hunter.

    However, the original plan for Hunter was to become a physician. However, his health began to take control over his life. While he was in college, his kidneys began to fail. He was in dire need of a transplant. His sister, Latosha Elbert, blessed him with one of her own kidneys so that he could continue on his life today. Even though life became very hard for Hunter after the surgery, he knew that his time was not done on this Earth. He still pushed to be apart of the medical field thus resulting in him being a respiratory therapist. “I’ve liked the field. It is a very interesting and rewarding field at the same time.” He currently works at Putnam General Hospital in Eaton, Georgia.  

    Hunter has so many accomplishments and career paths it’s outstanding. He is a radio DJ for 107.9 FM, where he plays Gospel music every Sunday and also gives empowerment and motivation through his air time. He is also the Vice President of ManUp of Georgia. When I asked Hunter what this program does he responded with this statement: “It is an organization designed to help men and to fight fatherhood absenteeism and to help boys become men.” As you can see, Hunter has a great deal in changing the mindset of those within the communities of the middle Georgia area. Which brought us to our next topic within his career path: ministry.

    “I have been pastoring for about eight years now and this is something I have really enjoyed doing.” As a child, Hunter carried his Bible to school with him. He also loved playing church with his siblings when they were growing up, but for a while he feared being focused so much on God. He ran away from the preaching and teachings of God because he did not think that pastoring was meant to be apart of his life. However, at the age of 28 he heard a voice asking him how long would he run away from his calling. This gave him the push to turn his life around and commit to what God had always had written in his plan for him. He is currently the pastor of Heaven’s Haven Baptist Church, located in East Dublin, Georgia. As Hunter said, “God placed upon my heart to build a ministry, from scratch, and we’ve been here for two years now. It’s something that we really enjoy doing.” With this church, the members are meant to be a great representative of light, wherever they go, so that men and women are compelled to turn to God.

    Although Hunter has accomplished many goals in his life, he is still aspiring for more. “I want to go back to school. I also want to build a ministry that prepares people for life. I want to enjoy life.” He strongly believes in empowering people through kingdom living. He feels that there are so many people, even with the church, that understand what the kingdom is and where they may be going, but they aren’t empowered. As a member of Hunter’s church, I can say that he teaches a great deal, rather than preaches. Granting his members with knowledge behind the kingdom and what God has planned for your life.

The Power In You: A Discussion with Katrina Lewis

By: Alia Lewis

Empowerment Writer

  Remember that electrifying single “Power” by rap duo Snap! If you don’t remember the title, there is one hook in the song that’s sure to revoke the memory. “I’ve got the power, power!” Remember now? This one line garnered attention from all over and propelled the song to become an international #1 hit! But what about the line “I’ve got the power” was so, might I say, powerful? What made that particular song spark a flame in people that other songs just couldn’t do.

Yesterday I interviewed an extraordinary woman who proclaims the mantra “I’ve got the power” daily and lives her life by those exact words. An entrepreneur and event planner, Katrina Lewis understands that her belief in herself and in the power she possess has given her success. Previously working as a travel consultant for corporations such as Coca-Cola and American Express, she has received numerous awards and has won the attention and clientele of many. Currently Lewis is in the event planning business and is the CEO of Ravishing Awesome Weddings and Events (Raw). She’s hear to explain what exactly this inner power is, why the mere mention and acknowledgement of it is so captivating, and what we can accomplish through our inner power.

Ten years ago, Lewis heard a message that completely changed her life. The simple yet dynamic advice given to her by her pastor plainly explained “You’ve got the power.”

This was the first time someone told Lewis that she had control over her own life, over many of the situations that had, were, and are going to occur.

Lewis immediately took that advice and has clung to it ever since.

“At first, I didn’t believe it. I said I don’t have the power.” Said Lewis.

“I grew up in a very dictatorship religion. Do what I say, don’t question. Believe God, because I said it.” Because of her upbringing, Lewis didn’t know she had control over her life.

One day Lewis needed help and she couldn’t call anyone. “My grandmother was gone, aunt was gone, mother was preoccupied. “I had to go to God.” Lewis soon realized that “God wasn’t going to come down and do anything.” “He has given us the power.” Lewis said. She believes we can’t just sit around and wait, but we have to take action.

“The scripture says if you have no joy, then leap for joy.” “If you leap for joy, you have to take actions…. That is my power.” Said Lewis.

“There is always going to be something to worry about, but why not turn that into joy” said Lewis. “I have the power to make it right even if it’s not.”

By believing in herself and channeling her inner power that we all possess, she was able to successfully transition from the travel industry into event planning and start her own company.

Lewis wants everyone to understand that they possess the power to control their life and their success.

“I didn’t want a job at corporate America so I could get laid off.” “We are corporate America. We are the ones that make the economy grow!” Lewis believed that if she had the power to be successful in the corporate world, she could be just as successful starting her own business. “I might have to work harder, but I’m organized and I have it set that I can work from home.” Said Lewis.

Lewis had to continuously tell herself that she could do it, that she could start her own business and be successful. “Once I believed in myself and really became happy, contracts came in.”

Lewis hopes to inspire people that they have the power to change their life and to change their situation.

“The power that we possess is a spirit that leads, guides, and helps us to do what we're supposed to do.” Said Lewis.

She believes when we acknowledge that we have power, we subconsciously start acting on the power and ultimately accomplishing what we desire to accomplish.

Lewis believes you can accomplish anything using your inner power. “The power has no limits.” Said Lewis. She believes whatever you put your mind to and ultimately your actions to, you will accomplish. It’s up to you if you want to make up your mind to do it. You make the decision. You have the power.

Lewis holds the bible verse, Ephesians 3:20 very close to her heart because it is the foundation of her power. Lewis recently started a Facebook page entitled "Power In You" to inspire as many people as she can. She hopes that everyone will realize the power that lies in them so they can accomplish the things they desire.

You can visit Katrina Lewis on her website here.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Christal Jefferson: A Miracle in the Storm of Temptation

By Alesha Elbert

Family/Relationship Writer

 trigger warning: molestation, child abuse, drug abuse

    Life is a struggle that each individual goes through daily. We have obstacles that step into our paths consistently, even when we think we are at our best. However, many of us have found comfort in some specific being, whether it is a family member or a spiritual ideology to get us through the hard times that may come our way. This is the Christal Jefferson story.

    Christal Jefferson, 29, is a stay-at-home mother in Dublin, Georgia. However, her childhood began in Thomasville where trials and tribulations came her way. She lost her mother at the age of three and moved around from family member to family member. Finally, she found a stable home with her grandparents, where she grew up for most of her life. Unfortunately, at the age of seven, a family member, who also lived with her grandparents, began molesting her. At an age like that you are learning the difference between right and wrong, so you can imagine this was very difficult for a young girl to understand. However, going into her teenage years these acts progressed. The member continued to pressure her and used other tactics to have easier access to her. One use was by putting Vodka in her Kool-Aid while the grandparents were not home. The only thing she could turn to was her journal. That was her way of releasing the turmoil building inside of her throughout her years of struggle. All until the age of seventeen Jefferson dealt with this battle of molestation, until the truth of the situation was revealed to her father and other family members in her writings.

    At first, Jefferon’s grandmother did not believe her about being violated as a child, so she was kicked out and sent to Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute for six months, but even then she felt like she could not truly be open about the situation because of her family’s fear of her being taken away by child services. However, her grandmother told her that she could come back to stay with her if she apologized to the family member for what was said about his behavior. Her response: “I apologize for the way it came out, but the only person that knows the truth is God.” Even though the people she was close to harmed her, she was still strong in the end.

    After graduating from high school and getting herself established, she began hanging around the wrong crowds, people whom she thought were her friends. With the parties and hanging out on the weekends, Jefferson felt no wrong in doing ecstasy or pills, but this led to a stronger drug use, cocaine. “I believe everyone has a “devil” in life. My “devil” was cocaine, ” said Jefferson. The use of this drug consumed her life. “You would rather snort powder than eat. You don’t want to sleep either, only snort powder.” She lost many things, such as cars, houses, and pay checks, all because of her consumption. But she knew through it all, there was better for her.

    Jefferson has been clean for two years now. She attributes three reasons behind her recovery. First, she was staying in a motel for six months, still a slave to cocaine, but one night she had spiritual experience in her room. She could see this black figure surrounding her and felt her heart rate drop. She feels that this was a sign telling her that she was finally about to be consumed to the Devil’s hand. Then, her current boyfriend, Jeffery, took part in her change. He could see so much potential in her to be a better person, but she kept using her past as a crutch to hold onto the drugs. Third, and the biggest inspiration of all, is her son. Finding out she was three months pregnant, immediately eliminated her use. She says God spoke to her and said that if you give me what I want, I will give you what you want, and sure enough, this was her blessing. The doctors told her that what happened in her past would deprive her of having children, but she was able to have her son and, currently, has a little one on the way.

    Her plans for the future are to reach out and counsel young girls who may have the same story as hers when it comes to child molestation and to save them from the dangers that could occur further into their lives when entering their teenage years. She feels that life is too short to waste on temporary things. “It’s not worth it. The high only lasts for so long. Find something that is worth living for,” Jefferson says.

Creating Your Personal Dream Space

By: Alia Lewis

Empowerment Writer

  What is your dream? What lifestyle do you aspire to? What constant thing do you think about most often? The distractions of life such as work, school, and daily responsibilities can sometimes deter you from your dreams and visions. This is why it is extremely important that you constantly feed and replenish your mind with things that remind you of what you care about most.

"Whatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is exactly what you will experience in your life."    - Tony Robbins

This past weekend I decided to feed my mind and redecorate my room by creating my own personal dream space. I created a place where I can go to freely allow my imagination to run wild and openly express my dreams. It’s also a place I go for motivation and empowerment to fuel and act out of my visions. No, I didn’t go buy expensive furniture or knock out walls. I simply added a desk, which created a little nook that I decorated with positive quotes, inspirational people, and personal accomplishments. I wanted to feed my inner desire to excel. What better way to do that than to surround my personal space with pictures of those desires. 

This week I highly encourage you to create a dream space of your own. This can be in your office, bedroom, basement, wherever. Just create a space where you go to surround yourself with your visions, motivations, passions, dreams, and desires. We live in a world that constantly takes and drains the life out of us. Create a space that uplifts and empowers you to wholeheartedly chase after whatever you want. You are a product of your environment. Only surround yourself with things that are going to lift you higher.

-          Peace, Alia

  P.S Here are a few ideas of items to add to spruce up your personal dream space!

1.) Books: If you’re looking for things to spruce up your dream space, try to add a small bookcase to fill up with all your favorite reads. Surrounding yourself with things that you enjoy will give you more peace, and it will help you to appreciate where you are and help you to focus on where you would like to be.

2.) Accomplishments: By placing accomplishments on your wall, you encourage yourself that you already have what it takes to accomplish your dream. You are equipped to do whatever you set your mind to!

3.) Picture Frames: By adding pictures of loved ones, you create an automatic support system. This will remind you that you are loved and supported when times get rough.