Nicole D. Hayes, Creator of Voices Against the Grain

Ladies, I have encouraging words for you: You don’t have to have it all together to be successful! That is wonderful news and should automatically bring you peace. During this past Wednesday’s radio show (March 19), we talked with three fabulous women who through their respective organizations and careers, are empowering other women to live out their God-given purposes. The episode, “Empowered Women Empowering Others” is the third conversation of this month’s radio series called “March with Us, March with Her,” as we host great women every Wednesday in March, showcasing how they are helping other women. Our show guests: Dawn Bauer, founder of The Family Hope Line, Carrie B. Cook, founder of empowHERment, and Kareen Riviere, PhD, an FDA scientist and founder of The Empower Foundation, all brought great advice, authentically shared their experiences and lessons learned. As part of our conversation, we realized that sometimes in trying to please everyone, we put on a good face, push through even when our bodies are exhausted, and think we have to know how to do everything.

Carrie B. Cook, founder of empowHERment

We quickly learned from Dawn, who experienced a health scare in late February, that there is “nurturing power in the word ‘no’ and setting personal and professional boundaries.” We learned from Carrie that not everything has to be in place, and that “we benefit by sharing the lows we experience. There are blessings and lessons in sharing our failures with others.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that “Christ’s power is made perfect in our weakness.”  In pursuing our purpose, Kareen advised to “Trust in God’s timing. Know that God would not put this dream in your heart if you were not equipped to see it through.”

Here are some more good nuggets that emerged from our conversation as you learn and understand God’s purpose for you:

• Listen to and act upon the warning signs given by your body; don’t push through it; seek medical help
• Don’t let a temporary circumstance change your permanent disposition! Keep your joy, peace and know your worth!
• Your obedience is tied to somebody else’s destiny
• We all have unique giftings and skillsets; connect to who God has created you to be
• You are here and important
• God’s plan is infinitely greater than we can map for ourselves; will be more meaningful and purposeful than we can dream
• Being vulnerable is ok; it encourages others to see we’re not perfect
• In pursuing your dream, pray on it, write down your ideas, do your research, know if you need donors or investors, make achievable goals, share your ideas with those you trust, and have someone/team/support system to keep you accountable
• Be aware of the people God places in your life; they may further develop your purpose and you may help develop theirs
• Recheck your intentions and ensure your actions are motivated by a pure heart

Want to hear more nuggets? Listen here!  Please also visit the ladies’ organization websites to learn more of their work:

The Family Hope Line, founded in 2009. Family Hope Line is a cost-free placement service which assists families seeking programs to address the specific needs of their struggling teen and provide family restoration.

Founded in 2011,  empowHERment, is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based organization whose mission is “empowering a continuous network of girls and women to be leaders in their community through mentorship, talent development and advocacy.”

Founded in 2010,  The Empower Foundation, Inc., is a Maryland-based nonprofit whose mission is to empower people and communities to have a voice, take action, and better their quality of life.