Positive People Profile
Positive People Profile Jekita Williams Life Beyond Painful Circumstance Jacksonville , Florida September 2014
Life Beyond Painful Circumstances
My name is Jekita Ashford Williams and I ’ m a native Floridian of East Palatka Florida reared as an only child to Barbara Harris and birthing three children of her own , one son 31 , two daughters , 27 and 24 . Life as an only child is sometimes a bitter sweet combination that conform the mind-set of a young person . As a child I experienced sexual abuse for two and half years but never told anyone and secretly hid it for 25 years . Hopelessness rapidly captivated my mind and rampage my heart with anger , hatred , forgiveness , and melancholy . Furthermore , a desire to become a victim of circumstances that were beyond my control gradually deprived me as a young girl of chastity at an early age . My mental attitude was demolished and I suffered frequent anxiety and low self-esteem throughout child / adulthood . In addition to this , I grew-up experiencing pleasures from a sexual permissive lifestyle , alcohol and frequent drugs use as the norm . My life was bounteous of unexpected challenges that causes everlasting unpleasant memories .
Nevertheless , this was not the end of bad exposures in my life as more would continue to transpire . In 1997 my house burned completely to the ground losing everything I owned and leaving my children and me to live in
Jekita Williams a motel for two weeks . There were a few friends that helped to feed my children , assistance from the Red Cross , and monetary gifts from friends and family to help make ends meet . Soon after , I relocated to Fort Lauderdale to live with a long-time friend to start over again trying to create a better life for my children . One of the greatest misconceptions is to believe that a successful person does not experience struggles , difficulty , or calamity during advancements of life . I believe personal transparency is essential to aiding to motivate and encourage others that have accepted defeat on a silver platter because something bad happened to them .
In 1999 I gave my heart and soul to Jesus and was healed of all the effects of sexual abuse by the power of God . Although the quality of life did not instantly change but the Holy Spirt slowly changed my mentality from victim to victorious . In 2004 I began to pursue dreams of attending college at the age of 39 . It is also during this time my 14 year old daughter ran away from home causing additional pain , but I didn ’ t allow this situation to interfere with an opportunity to initiate advancements in life . Therefore I continued to pursue my passion above my pain completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from Florida Memorial University ( FMU ), and graduated Cum-Lade in 2008 . I became the first member of my family to obtain a college degree and my middle daughter followed suit as a second generation graduate from FMU .
In 2009 that I began a new journey to obtain a Master ’ s Degree in Business Administration ( MBA ) at Nova Southeastern University ( NSU ). I was over |
half way completed when during the summer |
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of 2011 , I learned that an out of |
pocket payment was due for a class that was |
“ Excelling past |
not covered under financial aid . I |
entrusted a close friend of eight years who was pay out of pocket expenses with the $ 2,800 I and six months later I received notice from the |
painful experiences is not simple but it is possible ” |
also attending school with me to mailed her . The bill never got paid university ’ s collection agency . |
I was devastated that I can no longer complete |
|
my education . On top of that my |
youngest daughter who was seven months pregnant was sent to jail for probation violation . Her child was born in jail and took full custody of the newborn . |
Sometimes life challenges will alter professional decisions . It was beginning to look like I would never obtain my MBA degree . In 2013 I travelled to NSU to see if I could pay my debts to continue my pursue of a higher education . Long story short , I was told that monies I owed would come back to the university in two weeks and they would allow me the opportunity to make it right and complete my education . Unfortunately , a new-born baby would not allow me to continue a classroom setting , so I had to move to an online environment and completed my MBA from the University of Phoenix .
I recently celebrated my 50th birthday as a momentous milestones in life . I am happy for the accomplishments but more ecstatic that God was with me through all of the pain and disappointments . Above all it is my duty to encourage others in advancing past what is wrong and see what is right . Excelling past painful experiences is not simple but it is possible .
As single mother working 40 hours a week , failed some classes , loss financial assistance for school , and raising a grandchild , I never gave of hope . Life happens to many people but never give up on dreams . It is impossible to live a life without pain but trust in God ’ s ability to restore honor without ambiguity . Don ’ t let bad beginnings consume your entire life . There is an abundant life beyond painful circumstances , and you are never too late to dream a new dream or start a new endeavor . Certainly God ’ s word is beneficial and true “ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us ”, ( Ephesians 3:20 .)