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THE FOUNDER
Hey! Chrishawn here. Let me tell you a little story. Grab yourself a drink and enjoy...
I am an artist, a creative. Always have been. Always will be. It took me until I got into my adult years (40s to be exact! I KNOW RIGHT! Sheesh!) to finally let go of the fears, the negative thoughts, and to quit listening to the naysayers projecting their hate onto me to step up and walk into my destiny. And here I am. In all my glory.
Honestly, I had fought my destiny for SO long it was exhausting! I enjoy all things creative: picture taking, painting, designing, crafting, doodling, and the list goes on and on. When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor. A pediatrician to be exact. Because I figured I loved kids and I'd make a lot of money. And that's what I was supposed to do, right? Because who makes money doing art? (Hence: starving artist) I was SUPPOSED to go to school. Get the degree. Make a ton of money. Live happily ever after.
So I went to college, but I didn't become a doctor, because, well, let's just say I simply didn't want it enough to do all of that math and science (what on earth was I thinking? I clearly didn't realize I had to do well in those subjects.) So I switched my major to early childhood education. Because I love kids, right? I specialized in child and family services because I figured I could do something in the social work field, too. I quickly discovered though, that while I love kids, I didn't really want to teach them in the whole classroom capacity. So, I stopped. So what was a girl supposed to do now? Like, why was this SO hard? (well, maybe cause I kept denying my calling - DUH!)
Well, I did various jobs (secretary, receptionist, office-related), but still never felt fulfilled. I got a job as a case manager to service babies and kids. And while that was an okay job, I still wasn't fulfilled. What was wrong with me, I questioned myself daily. I left that job after I had my son and stayed at home to raise him. For the next 12 years, I dibbled and dabbled in trying to start my own business, but I wasn't clear on what I wanted and frustration always ensued. And I was too busy trying to be a copy cat. "Oh, I can do that. Let me model my business/craft after her." And I was also too busy comparing myself to others. "Oh, my work isn't nearly as good as hers. No one will ever buy my stuff." It was rough. And I wasted A LOT of time. I mean a MASSIVE amount of time! And let's not even talk about the money!
However, in that time, I did write a few books. Because I like to write. And I can tell a pretty darn good story. I mean really good! (Book titles: Broken Spirit, Unkept Secrets, Transform Your Path, girl wisdom... yes, that was a plug. Go check them out at www.ChrishawnTheWriter.com) I am very proud of those books. To see blank pages evolve into a whole novel - magical! But, for some reason, I still felt unfulfilled. I went back to teaching, because I wasn't strong enough to step out on faith and just do what I love. Notice a pattern here?
So now I am teaching. Guess what I am teaching? MATH! SMH. 4th grade math to be exact. God has a funny sense of humor. I am currently going into my 3rd year (well, 1 under a master teacher and this is my second year with my own class). But still I searched...
And then I happened upon this blog site where I read an article by a lady called Elle Luna. She was telling her story about her journey to becoming an artist.
I immediately ran out and bought her book The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion. And...
It. Was. Life. Changing! I highly recommend EVERYONE to read it. That changed my perspective on a whole lot of things. It helped me to determine that there are two paths in life: should and must, and every day we get to choose which path we are going to take. (hint: always choose must!)
And then the movie Hidden Figures came out. And my life was forever changed. I began to see things more clearly. I began to realize that I can do WHATEVER I put my mind to. I just have to have a dream and the drive to make it a success. Watching Hidden Figures planted the seed for Why Can't Girls? Right there. Instantly. We all have dreams and desires, we just have to be strong enough and believe in ourselves enough to see them through fruition. We can't listen to what other people say. We can't doubt ourselves. People will tell you that you can't. The amazing actor Taraji P. Henson said it best: "If you listen to people and if you allow people to project their fears unto you, you won't live! You can't give another human being the responsibility for your happiness!" Because what if you believe those people? You won't reach YOUR destiny. If you have a passion, a dream, dive in and GO FOR IT. It all begins with you, and it all begins within you. You ARE a force to be reckoned with.
The Why Can't Girls? movement is dedicated to my gorgeous niece CaShae (future hair stylist) and great niece Ta'Miya (she's a toddler), my beautiful God daughters Anissa (artist), Terynn (future writer), Farrah (future veterinarian), and Kalynn (she wants to do it all!), my best friend's daughters Trinity (a naval officer!!!!) and Serenity (girl baller), and all of the beautiful girls out there that can! See you at the top! :)