Story & Lesson Highlights with Jaslynn Gholson

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jaslynn Gholson. Check out our conversation below.

Jaslynn, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Motherhood, I have made so many mistakes in my life. To the point that there was a time that I thought anyone would make a better mother than me. I felt unworthy, and thought that I would completely ruin my child’s life and they would resent me for all my mistakes. I am now 8 months pregnant with my first child, I’m having a boy! When I first found out I was terrified, I cried and screamed because I felt I wasn’t ready and I wasn’t in the ideal situation. In the midst of my tears, I felt in my belly what could only be described as a little pat. It was like my tiny seed was trying to tell me that everything’s going to be ok, we are going to be ok. I haven’t cried about becoming a mother since. If God thought I wasn’t ready, he wouldn’t have called me to motherhood in the first place. This new journey has changed me inside and out, in the most beautiful and healing way. I not only make sure that I will be an amazing mother, I have learned to extend more grace to myself when it comes to my imperfections. When God calls us to do something, he’s not choosing us because we are perfect. He chooses us because he knows us better than we know ourselves, and his vision for us far exceeds our own.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a professional Baker/Cake Designer and have been for the last 14 years. My Business is called Jazzy Bakes, and it’s very much become apart of my identity. I’m not just baking, I’m becoming a part of people’s special days. I’m there for their milestones in life, their birthdays, their wedding day, their corporate events. It’s not just special what I do, it’s special to be considered for everything they do as well. I am also an author of two poetry books. The first being titled Silent Tears and the second as The Angry Black Woman. These two books have been instrumental to my healing process as an individual, and have encouraged my readers to heal as well. We go through a lot of things in life, sometimes good and sometimes bad. In those hard times it’s good to know that you are not alone, you are worth more than your circumstances, and that you can and will make it through your trying times. It’s not just books, it’s hope, it’s tears, it’s strength, it’s unapologetically me. Lastly, and most recently a mother. I am pregnant with my first child and he will be earth side with us very soon. He is not even here yet and I already have never felt so connected and loved by someone. He very much is the best part of me and the best thing I’ve done thus far.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I would say that every male relationship I’ve ever had negativity impacted how I see myself. In my healing process I began to be very honest with myself and came to the realization that I’ve never been loved properly by a man, and it played a huge part in me not properly loving myself. Over the course of time, I’ve been been beaten, neglected, manipulated, stalked, harassed, lied to, cheated on and been stolen from. I say this with a heavy heart because it’s been very heavy to carry that weight with me. However, the closer I’ve gotten to God the more I realize that was never my burden to bare and I did not have to carry that with me the rest of my days. I learned to surrender all of it to God and allowed myself to stand up straight from not having to carry all of that baggage with me. When I learned I would be giving birth to a child, especially as a single mother, I thought how do I raise a man, when I’ve never had a good example of what a man is? How do I heal enough to not have that “I hate men” attitude that would later turn into future poison for my son? God has a funny way of showing us that he is God and that he’s got us no matter what. So that was my example of a good man, to love my son the way that God has loved me. Accept him just as he is instead of trying to mold him into who I feel like he should be. To carry him, just as God has carried me, to honor him, just as God has honored me. The soft flutters in my belly have turned into kicks, those kicks will later turn into hugs, and those hugs will be the reward I will recieve for years to come from being the mother my child deserves, and the woman God knew I always could be.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
That I am much stronger than I use to give myself credit for, but I still deserve a soft life. That I am beautiful inside and out, and it aluminates a glow. That you could be everything to someone, but they could still treat you like you’re nothing. That the way that people negatively see you, has nothing to do with you. That there is power in our words, and we have to choose them wisely. That suffering is temporary, and that your definition of success, may look different than others.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
It depends, when I show up, I show up as me. No matter if that’s work, church or even the internet I am exactly who I chose to be. However, sometimes different energies and the way I feel when I’m around you effect the version of me that you recieve. So I could be shy, shut down, uncomfortable, guarded or even annoyed based off of the energy in the room. Or I could be goofy, free, funny, inspiring and glowing based off energy as well. Not every space is meant to experience me, and just because you experience me, doesn’t mean that you gave me the space to be the best version of me.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was here and that I mattered. That I was light in dark rooms. That I encouraged people to do great things like heal, grow, get baptized, and build a relationship with God. That my self discovery helped them to discover things about themselves. That even though my flesh is gone, my spirit, my words and my legacy remain.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: jaslynng93
• Facebook: Jaslynn Gholson