We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasmine Milledge. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasmine below.
Jasmine, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
For me, developing confidence and self-esteem has been an ever-lasting process for me. Building my confidence came at some of the most hurtful times in my life. When I was in my darkest moments and couldn’t figure out the words to tell myself, I would go back to journals that I had that I could reiterate what I could not say. Gaining the strength to speak life over me is my real flex. I used to not like my face, voice, skin, body, singing, and a lot of other things about me. In the midst of my divorce, I could hear the enemy speak to me and say “Why are you even here still? Just drive off this bridge and end it all.”
In that moment, I had to pullover and I started to pray. I was tired of being tired and decided to take me serious because I knew there was a lot that I needed to get done in the world. I cannot do that if I am not here. I used to say I am alive because of my kids and I am a mother first, but a wise person told me, Dr. Yolanda King, “No ma’am you are you first, then everything else.”
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 the CEO of The Purpose to F.L.Y, which is a self-development organization. Being an international motivational speaker has been one of the biggest joys of my company. However, what grabs and holds my heart is my coaching program called The F.L.Y. Blueprint. This is an 8 week program where we go through trials and tribulations that have been buried within to pull the weeds out and tend to the land.
I have an online show called The F.L.Y. Show that airs on Wednesdays at 8pm EST. On the show, I interview different industry professionals from all lanes. We talk about the journey they had to travel to get to where they are. Utilizing my platform that God has given me, I want to show as many people as possible that if a girl from a small town called DeSoto, Georgia can do it then so can you.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My quality and skills were so unrecognizable lol. With time and awareness I know my #1 quality or skill is the ability I have to listen to someone in order to understand their story and view point. Being able to actively listen gives me the chance to also hear what a person is not verbalizing based upon body language, silent chuckles, and other signs they give that are not noticeable.
For anyone that is early in their journey of self-development, I would start with give yourself some unimaginable grace. There will be moments when you won’t know what to do nor get it right, in those moments that is when you should give yourself grace to get back on track. Everyday is not going to go the way that you want it to go, make a list of positive things you can speak AND believe over your life. Life and death is in the tongue so me mindful of what you speak over God’s child.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The most helpful people in my life are my parents. They have equally taught and showed me the importance of loving me first with not only my words, but with actions. Not only them, but my children as well. Being a mother has showed me what I need to work on, even when I think I am the best. Having someone that can help you navigate in life is essential to your growth, applying knowledge, and blessings.
When you take inventory of the people that are genuinely there for you, you have to look at not just who is consistent, but who does not uphold you when you are wrong. Someone that does not mine telling you no. helps build mental and emotional strength in life. You cannot always be surrounded by “yes” people that want to keep you temporarily happy. Going through this thing called life is sometimes hard and will not come easy. However, when you decide to not let the woes of life still your identity and joy, doors of purpose will open for you and a new sense of peace will wash over you. Sometimes it is unexplainable, but very visible.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifetipsbyjazz
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasminedmilledge
Image Credits
Ty Davis Erica Sharber Tone Capture It – Antonio Milhouse
