Overcoming Fear and Embracing Vulnerability: A Journey to Empowerment with Souraya Christine

An Intimate Conversation with Women of Color

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Vulnerability: A Journey to Empowerment with Souraya Christine

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In this episode Souraya and I, talk about:

[00:02:06] Finding purpose through trauma.

[00:21:51] Focus on your life.

[00:27:46] Pursuing dreams and ambitions.

Transcript

Do you want more out of life? Are you ready to live boldly in pursuit of your dreams?

Today’s episode sponsor is Deneen L. Garrett LLC. Deneen, Founder & CEO, is a Passionate, Innovative, Executioner (P.I.E.) who elevates the voices of women of color and empowers them to Live a Dream Lifestyle™ through podcasting, speaking and coaching.

Deneen is a Women’s Motivational Speaker, the Creator & Host of the Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation (formerly An Intimate Conversation with Women of Color) Podcast, which she launched in 2020 and a Dream Lifestyle Coach.

Deneen specializes in helping women of color who want more out of life live boldly to create a dream life.

Hire Deneen For: Speaking Engagements (In-Person & Virtual): Leadership Development | Empowerment Speaker | Fireside Chats | Keynotes | Panels | Workshops

Signature Talks: How to Live a Dream Lifestyle™ | The Power in the Pause | Recognize Your Path and Rise Up!

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About this episode

In the podcast episode, Souraya Christine, Speaker, Consultant, Coach, Author, emphasizes the significance of forgiveness for women of color in order to tap into their power and voice. She acknowledges that women of color often carry a lot of baggage and pain from past experiences, and that holding onto this resentment and un-forgiveness can hinder their growth and empowerment.

Souraya suggests that the first action women of color can take is to show love and grace to themselves and forgive themselves for any mistakes or shortcomings they may perceive. She emphasizes the importance of letting go of self-blame and self-criticism, as these negative emotions can hold women back from realizing their full potential.

Furthermore, Souraya encourages women of color to forgive those who may have caused them harm in the past. She acknowledges that forgiving others can be challenging, especially when the pain inflicted was significant. However, she emphasizes that holding onto this anger and resentment only serves to weigh women down and prevent them from moving forward.

By practicing forgiveness, women of color can release the emotional burdens they carry and create space for personal growth and empowerment. The act of forgiveness allows them to reclaim their power and voice, as it frees them from the chains of the past and enables them to focus on their present and future.

Create

Finding purpose through trauma.

Souraya: “I spent a lot of time in trauma growing and needed to figure out who I really was in the midst of all of that. I had an intimate experience with God who told me it's not about me and that spurred something different inside of me. I realized I'm a survivor for a reason. God allows me to be the person who speaks life into other people and helps people to heal.”

Focus on your life.

Souraya: "We're trying to be all the things to all the people that we lose parts of ourselves and we lose sight of ourselves and our own health. And so we end up suffering from mental health issues, physical health issues, because of all the stress that we're enduring and continuing to endure without taking a break and taking a pause to kind of recharge and rejuvenate ourselves. We have to be selfish sometimes with ourselves. We have to learn how to say, no, we cannot take on every single thing.”

Pursuing dreams and ambitions.

Souraya: "I used to dream about owning a phlebotomy school. I've been doing phlebotomy since I was 19. I actually did get to realize that dream. It just wasn't fully successful because I wasn't able to finish getting full licensing. So I did technically realize the dream.”

Memorable Quotes

00:03:30 - "But at the core, I'm just a person who is being used by God to help other people understand that they can make it through."

00:15:35 - "But despite whatever fear it is that you're feeling, move forward anyway."

00:23:23 - "Your car cannot run continuously without putting gas in it or charging it up or whatever these electric cars do without stopping at some point and making those things happen without refueling it in some way."

About Souraya Christine

Souraya is a Lady Influencing Life Altering Change…a L.I.L.A.C! She is an author, non-profit founder, motivational speaker, life coach, ministry group leader, mother, and encourager. Her goal is to empower people to realize their greatness by releasing the stigma of past hurts and hang-ups. So oftentimes people, especially black people, remain yoked to previous painful experiences, even those we did not personally experience, thus taking on the generational trauma and stigma that is attached. Souraya has purposed herself, since walking through her own healing journey, to assist as many others as possible through their journeys as well. She has consistently done this through her books, hosting and speaking at conferences around the country, participating in panel discussions, one-on-one and group coaching, being a community staple for resources, and a listening ear for those seeking emotional refuge.

Recently, Souraya has turned her heart toward consulting with businesses on how best to place value on mental health and self-care in the workplace. She assists them with developing and implementing programs, incorporating daily or weekly activities, and she provides ongoing support through workshops and coaching. Without limit to traditional business models, she also works with sororities, nonprofits, veteran’s groups, and law enforcement.

Through her nonprofit, L.I.L.A.C. – Ladies Influencing Life Altering Change, a 501(c)(3), she also partners with schools, other nonprofits, and community organizations to enhance the quality of mental health and general well-being. Hailing from a background of 29 years in healthcare and struggling through her own past hurts and subsequent mental health challenges, she is passionate about giving back, reaching back, and teaching others how to stop looking back!

As a “fixer”, Souraya’s challenge is to refrain from the inherent desire to simply “fix” someone’s problems. She believes that fixing something for someone doesn’t empower them at all. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Creating life-altering change requires a shift in mindset, not situation. She understands that moving away, starting a new job or a new relationship, will not solve the issue that resides in your mind. To this end, creating change from the inside is the necessary and rewarding path to follow.

Souraya believes that the best way to inspire others is through the testimony of lived experience. It is in this that she champions her ability to connect with those she coaches. This gives her a deeper understanding of her clients’ needs and fosters trust and transparency within the relationship.

Connect with Souraya:

Website: https://www.sourayachristine.com

Email: [e-mail]

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sourayaspeaks?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/souraya.christine?mibextid=LQQJ4d

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sourayaspeaks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Souraya-Christine/author/B007MSCD08?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Other Episodes to Check out

• You Are Capable of Amazing Things with Nana Ize Musa
• Under My Own Terms - My Way with Jennefer Witter
• Be Courageous with Patricia Arboleda

About the Podcast

Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation (An Intimate Conversation with Women of Color) is a podcast about women empowerment stories and for Women of Color who want more out of life. This show is for women who have had enough and want change, especially those who have been waiting to choose themselves and live boldly.

In each inspiring episode, hear from women from different backgrounds, countries, and ages who have embarked on personal journeys, sharing their stories of empowerment, overcoming, and their path to living a dream life (style).

My Podcast Coaching Journey:

• Celebrate My Success
• My Dream Lifestyle: A Spontaneous Trip to NYC To Experience Black Art by Jean-Michel Basquiat
• The Power of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Deneen is committed to elevating the voices of WOC and empowering them to Live a Dream Lifestyle™ NOW!

Contact Deneen for coaching.