We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Theresa A Moseley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Theresa A, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I went to a masters class and went through a process to identify my gift passion and purpose.
When I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree from Georgia State University, my father was there. He had terminal lung cancer. When I handed him my diploma he told me how proud he was of me and to go live in my purpose. My dad had an 8th-grade education but the wisdom of a sage. Six months later he passed and I crashed. I could not eat, sleep, drink, work…. nothing. I laid on the floor crying for days until one day a voice within me said, “GET UP! I’m still with you. GO LIVE IN YOUR PURPOSE.” It was perhaps the voice of GOD or my dad’s spirit, but whatever it was, I got up and never stopped. I went on to earn 2 more degrees, numerous awards, and several promotions. I felt successful, but not fulfilled. When I lost my two students to violence, I went to a master’s class to reflect on some things. The teacher stated the Mark Twain quote. “There are 2 days that are important, the day you were born and the day you find out why.” On that day I said out loud, my gift is my voice, my passion is serving others, and my purpose is to make the world a more peaceful place. I went from having 2 books to 19. I went from speaking locally to internationally. I started my own business TAM Creating Ambassadors of Peace LLC. I started serving others around the world. Finally, I felt successful, and fulfilled, I am prosperous, and I have inner peace.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a 19 times published author, 14 x best selling author, international motivational speaker, and owner of TAM Creating Ambassadors of Peace LLC. I am a retired educator after 28 years of service and a veteran. I provide professional development for organizations and schools on how to create a positive climate and culture. I am a United Nations Peace Ambassador.
I lost 2 students to violence in 2013 and 2014. This changed my life. I wrote my signature book Creating Ambassadors of Peace and dedicated it to my students. I am an international motivational speaker. I spoke in Paris, London, New York, Detroit, Raliegh, Upper Marlboro, DC, and Jacksonville. I speak on world peace and inner peace.
I get excited to share with students to communicate don’t retaliate, have compassion and empathy for others, attack the problem, not the person. Know your gift, know your passion, and live in your purpose. It will lead to success, fulfillment, prosperity, and inner peace.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
My communication skills (oral and written) are excellent as well as problem-solving, and speaking. As a former high school principal, I always had to have effective communication with my parents, students, support staff, and community. Active listening is also very important when you interact with anyone. One way people can develop this skill is to practice active listening, look for non-verbal cues, ask for feedback, and be mindful of your body language when talking. A person can improve problem-solving skills by exploring different perspectives with a team or group, breaking down the problem into smaller parts, and collaborating with others.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Trust Matters by Megab Tschannen-Moran was one of the best books I’ve read on building trust in an organization. Megan wrote about 5 facets of TRUST, Benevolence, Honesty, Openness, Reliability, and Competence. All of these are important; however, honesty, telling the truth, showing integrity, and being authentic is most important to me. When I give a speech on peace, I talk about my journey in schools and how it felt to lose two students, what is needed to keep my students safe, and more importantly, what society needs to do to stop the violence. I always make the honest statement, “It starts at birth. It starts in the home. The first virtue a child learns is “hope.” (If I cry, I hope they feed me change me, or hold me) If that need is not met, the child does not learn to trust. If a child does not trust, they can not love. If a person can not love, the opposite is hate. When there is hate, there is often violence.
I read 2 to 3 books a week. I have a PHD but I am a life long learner. I won’t stop until there is Peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: creatingambassadorsofpeace.com
- Instagram: Dr, Theresa A. Moseley
- Facebook: Dr. Theresa A. Moseley
- Linkedin: Dr, Theresa A. Moseley
- Twitter: Dr. Theresa A. Moseley
- Youtube: Dr. Theresa A. Moseley
- Other: Speaker Hub – Dr. Theresa A. Moseley
