We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tasheika Bowen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tasheika, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
When I was younger, I used to see the glass as half empty. I was an overthinker, who always carried “what if” in the back of my mind. Most of the time when I would dread a situation, the outcome never usually turned out as badly as I thought it would. It was usually just a lesson to help me grow or do better the next time.
As became older and wiser, I began to put my faith in action. I started leaning on God more. I would see how He would change things in my life around for the better. He blessed me in so many ways, that I lost count. With the type of unconditional love He provided to me, I had to change. I had to turn my pessimistic ways into optimism.
I went through a situation recently where I chose to be optimistic and God stepped in. I received an abnormal breast MRI and was recommended to have a biopsy. I knew that I had to go to God in prayer, in fact I wrote the following poem regarding the possibility that I might have breast cancer:
“Either Way I Win!
In life there will be challenges. Sometimes I may not know where the arrow will spin.
However, I do know that God is always with me, so either way I win.
There are some days when I feel like crying. But I’ll never ask Him why me?
I’ll just focus on all of my blessings, and walk by faith even when I can’t see.
I choose to be grateful for what I have, God will bless me in the present and future, like He’s done in the past.
I try to live each day in the moment, creating beautiful memories that will forever last.
Long ago, I asked “Lord why did You choose Me?” Now as the years pass by I know more and more.
Because He loves me unconditionally, and He patiently knocked on my door.
I opened up and let Him in and at that moment my life wasn’t the same.
But He knew me when I was in my momma’s womb, way before she even gave me my name.
My destiny is determined through God’s grace and mercy, it is not given due to my value or worth.
Although Heaven is the ultimate destination, God’s favor shines down on me while on Earth.
I’ll never forget all the things He has done for me, the gift of salvation that I could never earn.
The eternal life through Jesus Christ, and all the lessons that I would eventually learn.
One lesson stands out over all the others, it’s the evidence of His everlasting love.
It gives me peace that surpasses all understanding. And it only comes from above.
See, Jesus gave up His life for me. He washed away all my sins!
So no matter what life throws at me either way I win!”
When I wrote this poem, there were many thoughts going through my mind, but I chose to be optimistic. I knew that whatever happened in my life, would be God’s will. It turns out in the end that I had taken a MRI test in 2017 that was not found until right before I was supposed to have the biopsy. The radiologist called me the day before my biopsy and said for me not to worry about showing up. My 2023 MRI test was compared to the 2017 MRI test and the results were the same. My recent test no longer appeared abnormal because they now had something to compare the test to. Everything looked stable and benign.
So you ask me where does my optimism come from? It comes from my faith in God! It comes from knowing that no matter what I go through in life, whether bad or good, He is with me every step of the way! Therefore, either way, I win!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My passion to encourage others, particularly women, to be their best selves led me to pursue my goal of becoming a lifestyle Influencer.
I love sharing content that inspires, informs, and allows me to express my creativity. I also enjoy posting about fashion, traveling, products that I have tried, and different aspects of my life.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Researching, networking, and the ability to persevere. When you are on any journey you must know what it entails. You have to do your research in order to know what roadmap you will need to take. You also need to surround yourself with others who have been where you want to go. Sometimes that means putting yourself out there and meeting new people. Also, be open to give to others and not just receive. Finally, you must not give up on your goals. When times get difficult, continue running until you cross the finish line.
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?
Although the Bible plays the most important role in my development, during the pandemic I found an awesome book called Believe Bigger: Discover the Path to Your Life Purpose by Marshawn Evans Daniels. “Believe Bigger,” is a great tool to help you stay optimistic about your life journey!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tasheikabowen.com
- Instagram: @iamtasheikabowen
- Facebook: @tasheikabowen
- Youtube: @tasheikabowen
- Other: Threads: @iamtasheikabowen
Image Credits
D. Woods Photography Zuri Stanback Photography
