Help Angel Turn Lemons into Lemonade

Do you remember the movie, The pursuit of Happiness? It was a movie based on the true story of a man who through adversity went through rags to Wallstreet. One of the key lines in the movie describes the parts of his pursuit and eventually he narrates that "this part is called happiness".

That movie resonated with me because I didn't get the easy button for life. And at different points in my life, I come back to that story and give a particular part of my life a descrptive word and remember that life will give you lemons and whether you make lemonade, lemon cream pie or lemoncello it can be overcome.

Life has always presented seemingly insurmountable challenges and by God's grace, the generosity and care of others and a whole lot of hardworking coupled with tremendous favor, I have overcome and progressed despite having cancer in my early 30s, career challenges and transitions and healing from toxic and discriminatory workplaces, becoming a single parent while pregnant and now being my 12 year olds only surviving parent and managing a chronic nuero-muscular autoimmune disease.

I am beyond grateful to have survived to this point and I am exhausted after the last 20 years. I dared to think that I could create my own path and thrive. Over the last 6 months I have had tremendous highs and I could so clearly see the way things could easily shape up as I put my best work and years of training, know how and care into my small businesses, but then I would experience devastating losses. One of those losses was today, when I watched my car be repossessed with my 12 year old next to me, after I just spoke to the bank in the morning to suggest a time when I could make a payment. This, after spending the last two weeks both strategizing my marketing plan and applying for jobs as backup, working my current contracts and listening to a webinar that inspired a new endeavor and service offering.

Due to the uncertainty of contract work and not receiving expected payments. I could feel a shift in my movie narrative in that moment. In my mind I said, "This part is called "lemons"". I don't expect to stay here but I have invested all of my retirement, cash earned, severance and even tax returns to stay afloat as I get past surviving to thrive. But I realize I am going to need help through these lemons and I hope you might consider making a gift to help us make lemonade.

Why should I support you to thrive, you might be asking? To be honest, I am a proud and capable person. I don't prefer to depend on others. But also being honest, I live with a serious disability. One that caused physical therapist to question if I thought I would ever work again. I have watched my physical abilities challenge my motorized and even cognitive abilities to work at the pace of my 20 and 30 year old self. And employers aren't really interested in your invisible disease that they don't understand making it hard for you to spend 12 hours representing them at an outdoor event in 90+ degree weather or your finger, eye and neck fatigue after months of grant writing when I agreed to be a relationship builder. After pushing myself to the brink, for the last 20 years. I am actually quite sure the amount of stress and push and anxiety I have maintained in life contribured to my more serious illnesses. The idea of rejoining the "rat race" is terrifying to me. But I also have a lot of knowledge and ability and capabilites and I shouldn't have to limit my opportunities. I have people relying on me and I still believe that I am capable of doing something great, but these setbacks are increasing the difficulty levels and I could really use a little water, sugar, some mint and a pitcher to get rid of these lemons, feel some relief and see the way through.

Truly anything is a blessing, an encouragement, a hug and a way forward. If you can't give monetarily but you have a referral or can make an introduction please reach out to me. I would love to talk to you about what I offer and how I can discount your own service contract and pass on a discount for your referral. When life gives you lemons sometimes you need help making lemonade.

Thank you for your thoughts prayers and, truly, any support you can offer. I trust that it will be returned to you with interest.

May peace, kindness, safety, health and prosperity be abundant in your life.

Humbly,

Angel

P.S. I believe in transparency. Here is my best estimate of how the funds will be used:

$3500- To recover our vehicle, catch up our car insurance and pay ahead for another few months while I restablish a stable income.

$3500-Towards rent; housing is also in jeopardy

$1500-To keep the lights, phones and internet on.

$1500- Medications, gas and other small necessities