We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Renee Youngblood a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Renee, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I know that we’re all born with a purpose and for a purpose, so I feel that I didn’t find it as it was already embedded in me. I feel that life throws you curve balls and how you dodge them and catch them filters on how your able truly tap into understanding your ordained purpose in life. I believe that our purpose in life is to be of purpose to others in whatever form that may be. I had to understand where I started from, where I am now and where I would like to be and in understanding that, is how I knew my purpose and knowing that I need to submit to that in order for me to serve my faith and to do what it is that I was created to do.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My focus in the season of life is on healing. I feel that we’re in a place where we have a lot of people that need healing. Mental healing, emotional healing, spiritual healing and more. After the loss of my mother and some years went by dealing with the grief because she was so young when she passed, I knew I wanted to heal from things and knew that I needed to focus on my healing in order for me to grow and reap certain benefits in life. I’m a true believer that emotional and mental baggage can stop you from moving forward and truly reaching your highest potential. Emotional and mental trauma is a weight that is very hard to carry especially when you’re trying to navigate through life. That’s part of the reason I wanted to help people through grief and being a life coach for the moments of trying to heal and trying to figure out how when you’re emotionally struggling.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1- A quality that I feel was important to and on my journey, was self-awareness. Being aware of what I was feeling and how I was feeling in different situations and understanding that my feelings were valid to feel so that I could work through them, good, bad or indifferent. 2nd- That I have a voice and those things I held onto internally sometimes cause more damage to me because I wasn’t releasing the hurt and needed to get it out, whether be vocally or writing or praying it out, but I knew I always needed to give what I felt or feel a voice. 3rd- That I am not my past, my hurt, my trauma, my fears, or my grief that all of those things are feelings and does not defy who I am but enhances me to see what I can be and what I was able to overcome. My advice to anyone is to first recognize, what you can and cannot deal with. Set your boundaries for your life your energy your safe space and not allow anyone to curve you from finding what makes you happy and heal and have a healthy life. Being happy doesn’t mean material gain, being happy is knowing your purpose and being happy within the person you’re created to be.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
There are a few people that I would give created to that helped me in my journey. First in foremost God and my faith in God, God has been my ultimate strength through everything and will continue to be until I depart from this world. My grandmother Marylon is so present and has given some the best support and love and her prayers. My sister Brittiny has always supported, loved and been an important piece of my very being, she’s my best friend and one that I can express openly and freely to without feeling any type of judgement. My aunt Erikka has always been an ear to listen and supported me through many storms and has been there through the good and even the bad and never wavered her love and support for me. My good friend Ke’sha as always shown what a true friend is and never changed from the moment we met, to the long talks, through the tears and so many of my high moments she has been a cheerleader, rooting for me every step of the way. This handsome man Kevin that I love dearly that has become such an instrumental piece in my life, that passed on very good wisdom and love that I will never forget and always cherish. These are just a few people that have helped me in my journey of growth, these few people are a part of my village and I’m so grateful to have a village with them included.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: ur_purple_heart
- Facebook: Nae Youngblood
Image Credits
Breanna Otey Photography- @breanaotey
