Chaundra's Inspirational Story

by Chaundra McGill
(Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Chaundra McGill

Chaundra from WritingReflections.com shares her passion for life, and for business, even though many of her life experiences have been tough ones. And whilst they may have slowed her progress somewhat, compared to others that were 'dealt a better hand', Chaundra believes these experiences have helped her to become more resourceful and enduring.

And Chaundra's business aims to help others be more resourceful and enduring by transforming life experiences via the power of words. Thank you, Chaundra, for sharing your inspirational story with us...

1) Tell us a bit about yourself

I can directly attribute all of my past experiences to me becoming the woman I am today. From the outside looking in, I think a lot of people would say that I've had many struggles in my life. In so many ways, my life has not been picture perfect. For instance, I grew up in an impoverished and violent neighborhood in Detroit, of which few of my childhood friends have been able to escape. I grew up in a single parent, fatherless home, which statistics indicates can cause a litany of social ills. I have a family history of depression and drug addiction, to which I have not succumb. And this list goes on...

As I detail my life to my friends, they are shocked by some of my life experiences and offer me accolades for getting to the point I am at now. But truthfully, I never really viewed my life as such. I was always keenly aware that my life was not easy nor will it ever be. I just didn't have a perspective of how much I had endured until I began sharing my stories with others. And though I think at times the hand that I was dealt is a lot crappier than others, it's just challenged me to be more resourceful and enduring than others with a better hand.

This strength and endurance is due to my past trials, but also the "soul food" I nurture my spirit with daily. I am a voracious reader, constantly scouring for new ideas, perspectives, but most importantly, a source of motivation. The books that have helped me tremendously are The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron; If the Buddha Dated: A Handbook for Finding Love on a Spiritual Path by Charlotte Kasl, Ph.D.; Emotional Resilience: Simple Truths for Dealing with the Unfinished Business of Your Past by David Viscott, M.D.; and The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.

It is my personal mission, based on my past experience and the motivational teachings of others, to help people use writing as a method of healing emotional wounds, then transforming those life experiences into inspirational stories.

2) Tell us what's in your happiness list

The joy in my life right now is definitely my company Writing Reflections, which teaches people how to write for emotional wealth and financial health. This is a creative and emotional outlet that is a culmination of my personal and professional experiences. I am overjoyed each day that I can help people heal their emotional wounds through writing, while helping them to become better writers.

3) Share a favourite inspirational quotation.

"When I look to the future, it's so bright, it burns my eyes." -- Oprah Winfrey

For so many years, I could not relate to this quote, but now I finally do. I am so excited about the path I am on and the future that awaits. I now know what it feels like to live passionately.

4) Share a favourite website (not your own)

Believe it or not, a website that I visit frequently for inspiration is Facebook. I love checking my Facebook page and keeping tabs on the positive and productive things my friends are doing. It keeps me motivated and striving for more.

5) Tell us about your blog/website

WritingReflections.com is a website designed to offer information on the whole writing process, not just the finished product. We see writing as a tool for self-discovery, emotional well-being, self-expression and inspiration. So we help you cultivate the stories that helped you grow.

Also, I just released a new e-book, $1 Therapy: Achieving Emotional Well-being Through Reflective Writing Therapy, which explains how journaling helps your emotional life. The e-book is also available on WritingReflections.com.

[STORY NOTES]

The questions asked above, to create this inspirational story, may seem strange but they're actually based on questions I encourage everyone to answer that appear on the Your Story page. So if you would like to share your own views on the subjects of happiness, or favourite inspirational quotation, etc. then please feel free to do so.

Thanks,
Steve

[END STORY NOTES]

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