28 Feb Lessons from a Homeless Woman – Part 2

Backdrop: Yesterday my wife and I stopped by the local Starbucks to get a cup of coffee. As we went to our seats, we noticed young lady sitting at the table next to us. She had her Bible out and she also had numerous bags surrounding her.

As we sat down to have a cup of coffee, we began a conversation with woman. Her name was Desiree. And, she was homeless. Now, I mention the word homeless, only because it just sets up the story and the situation.

Desiree was a lovely lady who began to share with us her story. As she shared her story, there were some very good life and business lessons that I learned. Honestly, This was one of the best breakfast times I have had in a long time. So I just wanted to share these lessons I learned from Desiree that day.

4.  Be determined to change the cycle of abuse

Desiree's back story was quite frightening. She spoke to us about being in an abusive relationship, and what she had to endure in that relationship. She spoke on the courage it took for her to walk out of that relationship. I mean the result was hard, She is Homeless. She also spoke of abuse in her family as a child. What she was determined to do was not allow that cycle of abuse to affect her children. So she courageously walked out the door, even when it was hard.

Take-home-  In business your abuse may not be a physical abuse. But you may be being abused by clients that don't pay on time or clients who pay little but demand the most. You have to have the courage to break the cycle of abuse and walk away. It may not be easy. It may be painful. But you must have courage. Desiree did.

5.  Choose to be happy

Now Desiree could've spent all of her time while talking to us, lamenting about her situation. She could have spent her time wallowing in self-pity. But she said to me,  I choose to be happy. I choose happiness over sadness. Desiree recounted a story of how other people she knew in the homeless shelter that would actually get mad at her because she had joy on the inside. She said she told him you can either be mad and sad at where you are or you can choose to be happy.

Take-home - Everything in your life is not going to be a better roses. There are going to be many days in your business with things just don't go right. There are going to be days when you can't seem to make the right decisions. And if you let that continue to only be your outlook. You're going to end up miserable and hating your business. But what you can do is in your sad times choose to be happy. It will not change the decisions. They may not even change the situation. But it will change how you process the situation.

6.  Choose liberty.

I think this one goes hand-in-hand with choosing happiness.  Desiree spoke about leaving her bad situation and moving into a good situation when post with the question as to why she would make such sacrifices why would she give up so much she said I choose to be free. Those words resonate in my spirit. I choose liberty.

Take-Home -  This one is especially for those people who are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, who are thinking about taking the leap into owning a business. The decision may be hard, the obstacles may be high, but I promise the reward is so sweet. Choose liberty.-

I so look forward to that day when I can meet Desiree again, after she's finished her process and see the transition of the transformation this journey has had on her. Desiree will have a special place in my prayers, I wish she knew how much she changed my life in those 17 minutes we sat talking  in a coffee shop.-