Glenford Smith, Contributor
BEST SELLING author of 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus', John Gray, might well have been writing of Blonnie Johnson when he wrote: "All adversity is really an opportunity for our souls to grow."
The elated awardee of the JPS Co-op Credit Union Albert 'Bertie' Morris Scholarship for 2005, Blonnie demonstrates that with resilience, courage, faith in God, and support, anyone can live their dreams and succeed against the odds.
If anyone had told her just over two years ago that today, she would be pursuing her dream of earning her graduate degree in Business Administration, enjoying her work and her life, they would have been met with incredulity. This is her reality today, however, as she embraces the challenges of her studies at Northern Caribbean University (NCU), where she majors in Finance, thanks to her full scholarship award.
Hard times
Experiencing her ebullient, charming and positive personality one would never guess at the hard times that she has had to overcome.
Among her most painful experiences was the traumatic and acrimonious break-up of her relationship of six years.
A few months after giving birth to twins, Blonnie discovered that the man around whom she was building her life was no longer hers. She was devastated.
Desperate to believe that it could not be true, the situation led to a confrontation which could have had dire consequences, "but for the grace of God" said Blonnie.
There was the emotionally wrenching experience of feeling betrayed, and the hurt of loss and accompanying loneliness. Added to this was the onerous responsibility of becoming a single mom to her three children.
Blonnie recalls: "The most embarrassing part as a woman was knowing that everyone else knew your business. It was especially difficult on my family, especially my children. It got so bad, I didn't know how I would be able to live through the humiliation."
Her deep emotional scars required much inner strength, and an unrelenting faith to keep on believing in herself and her goals.
Today she encourages others who feel like giving up on life, and on their dreams because of hurt, failure, embarrassment, or depression: "Don't give up. Don't stop believing in your dreams. Continue to trust in God and keep on hoping and believing. God will help you to establish his purpose for you. Never let go."
She has earned the right to give this advice.
Two years ago, she remembers driving her car and wishing that one of the huge trucks on the Portmore road would run right into her. She had, almost completely, lost her self-esteem.
Confidence
But, today, she is full of confidence. After all, only a person of remarkable faith would have gone ahead and applied to a university without a cent of the money for tuition. As she puts it: "I applied but I knew if I got through I would have to defer it. I really wanted to do this course, but I just didn't have the money to do it now. I applied in faith anyhow."
Subsequent to this act of faith, Blonnie learned of the scholarship, and was encouraged by her supervisor at Jamaica Public Service Accounts Department to apply. She did, and was hopeful, but wasn't overly optimistic, because, she said: "I'd never won anything before. I just prayed and trusted God. I knew that if I won it, it would be an act of God."
Upon learning that she was selected, she was overwhelmed with tears of joy. Her grateful praises to her supportive colleagues at work, her credit union, her church community at Portmore Missionary, and to God are heartfelt: "People who knew of all I went through have been inspired by my experience and their own faith has been bolstered."
Blonnie reiterates the importance of not giving up in the hard times: "All the humiliation, the hurt, pain and loss can't compare with what I am experiencing now. I have so much to be thankful for. I have a peace and a comfort. I am happy."
Her life proves what Robert Schuller, best-selling author of 'Tough Times Never Last, but Tough People do!' has been teaching to millions of people for over 50 years: "There's no doubt that life can be tough and sometimes even seems downright unfair. But even when life is toughest, even when you are battling more than your share of disappointments, you can rise above adversity and find new hope and true happiness in your life."
It's a legacy that Blonnie is working to pass on to her 'three radiant rays of light'; Mario, 9 years, and twins Deidrre and Dandrre, 4 years old.
You too can summon the courage, faith, and energy to stand up for your dreams and your life regardless of the seemingly insurmountable challenges you face. Keep believing. Your dreams are for living. Live your story.
Glenford Smith is a Personal Development Consultant. Email him at glenfordsmith @yahoo.com
