We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lafaye Noel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with LaFaye below.
Hi LaFaye, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
It comes from within and above. Nothing that I do is without God, in addition from my late grandmother, Ms. Ollie Faye Sanders and my children. Each time I’m faced with challenges I lean closer to “my reasons,” not to.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My journey has been one of resilience and strength. As a mother of four, I’ve faced and overcome the challenges of homelessness, domestic abuse and sexual assault. Now, as Mrs. Petite USA 2024 and a Director of Community Engagement, I use my testimony to inspire and empower others. Through my platform “Scars2Stars, I connect with and support those who are facing their own challenges. Further highlighting my determination, courage, and belief that no matter what life throws at us, we can rise above and shine brightly. All it takes is faith, belief in yourself and determination to be better than you were yesterday.
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?
The three most impactful qualities in my journey were resilience, empathy, and effective communication.
Resilience helped me bounce back from the difficult times and keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles. Empathy allowed me to connect deeply with others, understanding their struggles and offering genuine support. Effective communication has been crucial in advocating for myself and others.
For those early in their journey, my advice would be to focus on building these qualities. Develop resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities to grow stronger. Cultivate empathy by actively listening to others and putting yourself in their shoes. Improve your communication skills by practicing clear and assertive expression in both personal and professional settings. These qualities will not only help you overcome adversity but also enable you to make a meaningful impact in your community.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
“Woman Evolve” by Sarah Jakes Roberts. One of the most valuable nuggets of wisdom from the book is the idea of embracing our past mistakes and using them as stepping stones to evolve into a better version of ourselves. Sarah emphasizes that our flaws and failures do not define us but rather refine us.
Another impactful lesson is the importance of self-compassion. She encourages women to be kind to themselves, to forgive their past, and to nurture their growth. This has taught me to be gentler with myself and to recognize my worth, regardless of my past experiences.
Lastly, the book highlights the power of vulnerability and authenticity. Sarah Jakes Roberts shares her own story with raw honesty, inspiring others to do the same. This has reinforced my belief in the strength that comes from being true to oneself and sharing our stories to connect and uplift others.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Magic Dreams Productions
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
