Marsha L. Jeannot

I grew up as a youthful Haitian girl with a speech impediment and a scar at the focal point of her forehead. I didn’t speak much or have a voice of my own, but I was always smiling and filled with love. As you can probably assume early on in my life, I had to deal with insecurities and those insecurities grew when my parents had separated. My mother was working full-time during the day with frequent overtime, leaving my immigrant grandmother to raise me on her own.

I was overpowered, bullied, and abused many times in my life due to the lack of a backbone, motherly love, and my own naiveness. I say speak your mind and always fight back. Never be afraid to speak to someone about something that is bothering you, hurting you, or holding you back. Communication is a remedy in itself. Even if it is in a journal, DO IT! It does wonders to have a free space of mind with nothing weighing you down. Never let people control your life and take advantage. Do what is best for you and pray for guidance. It is always key to be grounded and have stability in a higher power. However, I always was a shining light. It was just in me. I believe it is my purpose.

No matter what I went through, no one could diminish my happiness and blessings. I always walked around with a smile on my face, for no other reason except for the fact that I know I was an angel put on this earth to exude my natural light. Where I am in life is still a work in progress. When I think back to a couple of years ago, I remember having great aspirations for myself. I never thought I would have accomplished the things I have today. I have traveled, volunteered, began saving money, met with great people, and became educated on various topics. I did it all with the wisdom that was gifted to me. I can honestly say where I am in life now is by not controlling things on my own. I have learned to be free and follow my intuition. Listen to my body and feel out my surroundings. I had let go of things that were distracting me, such as television, having a cellular device and social media for months at a time, until I felt I was able to take in those powerful influences. I’ve learned if you are are not strong in your own dimension/self you are left feeling weak and vulnerable to many negative attributes of this world. You begin to lose yourSELF, your unique being and that happened to me.

​For many years, I sheltered myself from many things by purposely being oblivious to what was going on. I remained in my own world and obeyed in fear. I allowed so much hurt to get passed me that I repressed it all. When we were younger, we all had plans and dreams on what we wanted to do in 5+, 10+ years but now only a few of us actually remain on one single focused path. I may not know exactly what my career will be one day, I am only 20 years young, but I do know I will continue to heal myself from any tribulation and obstacles so that I can regain my strength of being a positive light and use that to influence and uplift myself and others around me.

It makes me chuckle whenever I think of what inspires me. I’ve always been the odd one out. I have always seemed to spend time to myself and just contemplate. I feel one of the best ways to get inspired is by observing something graceful. It brings me great satisfaction to see the color of the sky change when the sun is setting, a beautiful tree, the bright stars, or a serene lake. It also brings me great happiness to watch forms of expression. Natural talent like dancing, painting or the acoustic of an instrument. One of the simplest things in life that I appreciate most is relaxation. Relaxation is key in the midst of chaos. You have to learn to desensitize from what is going on around you. Have control over it and build peace within yourself. As humans, we are put through many obstacles on a daily. It is up to us to decide on whether we will use it to make us better or let it destroy us.

We are built like machines with minds like no other. We all need time to regenerate, process our thoughts and prepare for what beholds us the next day. As I grow older, I want to work towards bringing women together. I want to be a part of the female empowerment movement. I love being an intelligent, affectionate, independent woman and I just want us ladies to become closer. Uplifting one another towards greatness. I feel too many times women rely on men to bring happiness and a sense of fulfillment. Men will never be able to fully feel what we endure. Women are like no other. We are BeYOUtiful.