Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Watkins.
Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, the black Mecca of the world. I’ve always known I was born in the right place at the right time. I watched my mom open several businesses and through her journey, her goal was to inform us where she fell short, so we didn’t run into similar problems. She constantly and consistently advised us through life. She has been my anchor, my most trusted mentor, and friend. So, true to her natural when I found myself a single mom by 22 and by 24, I hit the toughest time in my life. At that time, she began to challenge me as to what was my purpose. I pondered countless hours, but I came back with nothing I just couldn’t see her vision, but she persisted. She explained to me I wrote effortlessly and that was my talent. I went back now interesting in what she had told me but I felt I had nothing interesting to write about. I was sitting in the worst times of life and I heard Bishop T.D. Jakes sermon about the five loaves and two fishes. He explained how in the bible after Jesus asked God to bless the fish and the loaves, we lose how exactly he feeds them the only thing we know is that the blessings didn’t start until he began to break the bread. He describes it as the blessing being in the breaking of a thing. I sat and listened to that message in a broken place and I knew my blessings was hiding inside of the breaking apart of my life. I knew I must use this pain to now create purpose. I took out my pen and paper and looked over to my daughter and the ides was given to me at that moment. I was to write books for children and millennial’s. I now held a desire to create a character that reflected the beautiful attributes of my daughter and other young black girls around the world. I wanted to provide a pathway for millennial’s through the darkness and confusion, into a place where their God-given talents can shine and reflect the highest level of themselves. That was how I got to the point of beginning my journey through my purpose as an author.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path itself was quite easy, I believe the path that I am on has already been predestined and planned. It was myself that needed to come to terms with the seriousness of walking that path. I began my journey on personal development not understanding that everything I ever desired would be given unto me once I aligned my heart, thoughts, actions, and beliefs with my true self. And I could only find that “true self” once I sought the knowledge and wisdom that was required. Proverbs 3:27 reads “The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens.” Reading that reminds me that the dream is already completed and I have to continue to grow in my craft. We are all placed here with a great purpose and talent inside of us but we can only execute the goal by growing in wisdom and understanding.
It wasn’t easy because I was thinking, thoughts that went against my beliefs and the things that I desired. I presented myself daily with negative thoughts. I then followed those negative thoughts with relative actions, governed by fear. Once I realized I was the obstacle that was causing a hindrance to my success, I let go of old ways, clung to new ones and I soared. I began to establish good and joyous thoughts that has nourished me and lead me to make the right decisions in life.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I use life’s afflictions to create purpose in my life and the lives of others. In feeling aimless, confused and let down by life I was determined to understand the true power of transforming my life into a life I could be proud to live. Along the way I heard stories of others who were suffering the same fate and because of that my greatest sense of fulfillment is to help others find their way out of the perceived darkness and into the truth.
My passion project that I am working on is my new book, “Millennial’s Purpose” displaying my own journey that I am walking hand and hand with other millennial’s to transform our dreams into reality. Everyone has been birth into this earth carrying an issue that is all their own. I believe it’s your responsibility to work that issue, to understand the responsibility that has been given to you to overcome this issue and share with the countless number of people who suffer as you did. People who need the information to know how to overcome their issues. Use your pain, confusion, and aimlessness to solve the problems of others and create healing.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel the qualities that has been important to my success is perseverance and being fearless. I grew up during a time where money was not plentiful and because of that motive, I pushed forward so my daughter has better in life. I intentionally place myself in a creative space to write no matter the circumstances because I understand that it will lead me to the place where I will prosper and be able to create opportunities for others. I write every day even after a long day of work and caring for my daughter. I often push myself emotionally, physically and financially to support my dreams.
I am proud to be fearless in that I have tried many ideas that didn’t work but in its failure, it lead me in the right direction of being a writer. Those experiences has provided me not with discouragement but knowledge as to how to navigate through upcoming situations. I have been able to use my failures to my advantage by recognizing them as life’s lessons. Creating stories and informing others is what I love to do, so I embrace failure as it allows me to perfect my craft and decision-making abilities.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3013 Rainbow Drive Suite 106E Decatur, Georgia 30034
- Website: JessicaWatkinsBooks.com
- Phone: (678)900-4457
- Email: Contactjessicawatkins@gmail.com
- Instagram: Jessicawatkinsbooks
- Facebook: Jessica Watkins
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