month as a student and living life "Happily Poor" as she calls it. He went on to explain that if she wanted the position it was hers, but the school would only be able to offer her $90,000 per year for a salary. "I hope that salary is ok." He asked her somewhat cautious and gingerly. "I immediately pulled my car over to the side of the road." She recalls. "$90,000 a year? My God! I wanted to ask him if that was in US Dollars or EC (the standard currency of the Caribbean Islands which has far less value than US currency) Dollars!" Lyttle laughs. "I just couldn't believe it... to be offered so much money. I sat on the side of the road in my car and cried for about 30 minutes. I cried, I thanked God, I probably cried 1000 times, but I have always remembered that moment. As I left the islands as a little girl I never imagined that I would end up with such an opportunity in life." Fast forward to today, Jacqueline James-Lyttle continues to carry with her that same positive energy and spirit that captured the eye of her GCA advisor and facilitated her first big break. As we sat discussing her personal philosophies, outlook on life, and achievements inside the artsy and colorful Fairwind Hotel in Miami's South Beach business district, it became apparent that positivity, kindness, and optimism are deeply engrained in her mindset and DNA. "I am a firm believer in affirmations." She explains. "It is so unfortunate that beauty is looked at first instead of ability. You have to always remind yourself that you are strong, wise, and capable. Gratitude affirmations are so powerful." She explains that it is easy sometimes to get lost if you don't maintain a healthy positive image of yourself. "I had a lot of darkness early in my life." Sheconfesses. "I suffered from domestic abuse and developed a lot of anger issues that almost destroyed one of my first relationships. But
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