We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deirdree Richards. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deirdree below.
Deirdree, 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?
Optimum is the Latin word for optimism and it means best thing. I believe I’ve always been an optimistic person because my childhood taught me at a young age. It can only get better if this is my current circumstance and as a foster kid who lived in different homes until I was adopted by my grandmother. Hope is something that has to exist when you are optimistic. Life did get better for me and I think looking back now it’s because my soul knew it would deep down inside and I have a belief that if your soul allows you to desire things and we always want better its because your soul/spirit has either already experienced it in another life or because of who our creator is you understand that he only wants your good and despite the world being an ugly place “Everything is always working out for your good even when it doesn’t look like it because God only wants the best for you, he exists within you and because he is within you that little voice that says “this isnt your final destination” or “you deserve the best” or “i know it dont look like it now but one day” and I think at a young age despite my environment because God was within me, as a kid I recognized that being optimistic meant I had a desire to not be a product of my environment and show ppl it is possible to have better, be better and do better than what you’ve seen. Now the foster kid from Bronx river projects who became a single parent at 19, beat cervical dysplasia (cancer) and an aneurysm, experienced childhood trauma that shows up in my everyday behavior or traits is thriving in life, has peace, love and stability and an even greater hope for her future because i chose to listen to the God in me and always aimed for better. I found God nurtured that relationship and i am a Mother of 2, Wife, Entrepreneur, and Servant of God showing ppl life can get better when you choose God and don’t nobody want better for you then God but he gives us a choice in that and when you know who you are and whose you are, optimism is a behavior or character you have to embody because everything os always working out for your good even when it don’t look like it cause your big is nothing compared to Gods big.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Deirdree and I am a spiritual being in a human vessel navigating life like Gods other children and my only purpose is to be of service to my fellow brothers and sisters. What does that look like? You can only know that purpose when you know your creator and what he wants for you not what you want for you.
In a world where society tells you who to be or how to be, I’ve always been someone who remained true to who my spirit said to be and in doing so ive been perceived to have a magnetic energy, a safe Aura, a great mindset and a leader that spreads light. I choose to be those things. Alot of people wouldn’t know that someone who spreads so much light does so because she saw how ugly the world could be at a young age and didn’t want to add to it.
I never wanted to work for someone so my goal was to acquire money with the talents God put in me. I just want the freedom money provides to live a great life of stability and luxury. Alot of who I am now will look nothing like who people have viewed me to be because God is healing me, bringing me closer to his will for me, showing me my purpose daily and that looks like unlearning alot of the behaviors and traits I picked up through trauma in society so that I can be and see clearly who God wants me to be.
If im being honest I could tell you how big my dreams are but the common factor in all of those different areas of desires is the transparency i give through them. I’m not ashamed of the path I walk because I learned the lessons and still learning.
I want to own businesses that have always resonated to me since childhood. A restaurant owner because even after my grandma Mary passed away when me and my sister would be left home hungry and alone, we could walk up the street to that restaurant in the bronx and they’d feed us. That restaurant showed me community and thats something I hope to give one day through my own restaurant called “Besties”. Im currently applying for grants and writing out the proposals to acquire them but i started the trademark (trademarkmylawyer) process in 2020 for my restaurant name because i know one day ill have one. I love dance despite that not being something people would attached me to cause I was trained in Ballet and contemporary dance, played 5 instruments and didn’t know it then but my love for dance and music is what God used in 2021 to help my healing journey in every way, I currentlyteach dance therapy classes at Core dance studio in Decatur Ga, check out dance therapy with bestiesonpurpose on eventbrite. I want to show people how healing and releasing dance is and own a dance studio/event space in Atlanta. I owned a studio for a yr but sold it after being placed on bedrest at 4 weeks pregnant with my second born but that’s a story for another day. I hope to have a fashion line of clothes that are figure friendly for everyone because men don’t have alot of options and as a women who struggled finding clothes that are tall girl friendly,large chest friendly I want to create a space for everyone to feel beautiful affordably. Like how Rihanna did with Fenty but my own designs.
Honestly I’m flattered to be interviewed but apart of me was stuck on this question alot because where I’m at in life is still the beginning stages becausewho i am now is who God needed me to be all along. I’m just getting started. God gave me these visions when I was 5,12,26 but is guiding my steps now to make it happen. Alot of my decisions got in the way of Gods will for me and delayed his will but I know my purpose, I know what God showed me, told me and all I can do is ask that yall follow that journey with me through my social medias because we just getting started. @Deirdree__ on IG @bestiesonpurpose on ig and tiktok @bestiesonpurpose YouTube channel.
I’m currently working after being a sahm for 2 years to manifest these visions with Gods vision but while we wait for the results of my hard work. I like to share my journey on how God shows up in everything and in everyway in my life. That’s my purpose. My transparency is my truth because God ain’t allow me to endure it for nothing. Alot of what I’ve learned is to br shared to help others on their journey.
We are all in this life thing together and my brand is being molded just like everyone else’s. I did things my way and it didn’t work out the past 2 years doing Gods work, I walk in nothing but alignment and alot of my social media shows you how I Navigate that so you can navigate yours from eating for nutrition and not craving, I lost 80lbs, to how I balance all my titles (mom,wife,sibling,friend,employee,business owner and function without burnout, how God is intentional and nothing is coincidental so I show others how he shows up for me because God can do the same for them.
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?
Awareness, Accountability and Grace.
To be aware means you have a consciousness to society that allows you to see through the lense and perspective necessary to be an obedient vessel. awareness it’s a tool and a practice that can be used anywhere, anytime, to ground yourself in the moment, realistically evaluate yourself and the situation, and help you make good choices. Self awareness says how do I impact people or influence the energy around me because once you realize life is about how you respond you realize Sometimes you having awareness allows you to see where others don’t. That’s leverage in my eyes because now I can let you exist as you are or hold you accountable.
Accountability is being able to say I’m the problem Sometimes and because I’m aware of that I aim to he better than yesterday and not Learn the same lesson twice.
Grace is necessary Sometimes you need it or you have to give it because we are human. Flawed and not perfect. Everyday brings a new energy or opportunity that can influence you if you let it fit example your coworker isn’t being as productive and you get frustrated not knowing they today are personally battling something. The car that cut you off probably didn’t mean to they were flustered and rushing and forgot to check their blindside. 2 things cam be true at the same time. God gives us grace everyday.
Those 3 keys have allowed me to become more grounded not just in who I am but how I am and how I show up in the world.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Being overwhelmed is definitely possible but if you could avoid bring overwhelmed, how would you do so. Time management and Breathwork are my keys.
Breathwork helps. I do breathwork techniques when I would feel anxious,overwhelmed or overstimulated it helps slow my heart rate, bring oxygen to my brain, reduce the stress and allows me reset my thoughts and energy with a new plan.
Being overwhelmed is an indicator of two things. Lack of time management and the ability to ask for help.
The things on your plate did you load it or God? Sometimes we do things out of alignment and say yes to things we should of passed on overloading our plates. now not only are you overwhelmed and tired but your overstimulated and spresd thin. You have so much to do and not enough time. You’ve even stated there isn’t enough time in the day.
How blasphemous is it to say “There isn’t enough time in the day, as if God ain’t create time intentionally
24 hrs in a day (1440 minutes)
How are you spending your time? Are you utilizing it effectively how God intended. Are you doom scrolling too much, talking otp and not being productive, where are you focusing your time?.
I used to be the person that was known to be late. The past year CP time is a thing of the past with me because I grew discipline in my faith and it poured into everything else I do. Before when id mismanaged my time, I’d procrastinate a task and find myself rushing becoming overstimulated that made me more irritable or anxious.
To avoid those feelings and avoid being overwhelmed I plan, prep and manage time wisely. Sometimes that looks like meal prepping for the week so I’m not in the kitchen as much, doing house work on certain days or sharing the load with my partner and son, writing out task and delegating how they can get done, it also looks like saying no to being otp whether through calls and texts or social media. It looks like saying God grow me so as my plate gets heavy I learn how to manage it all efficiently. planning ahead, being disciplined, creating routine and structure in your life, setting boundaries and being intentional where and who you give your time to.
The concept of time was created for humanity by God ( Genesis 1:14-19)
So when you think about it the more you mismanage your Time more you delay Gods good will for you.
“Procrastination is the arrogant
assumption that God owes you
another opportunity to do what you
had time to do today and who told you your tomorrow was promised”.
It’s rare I feel overwhelmed these days but having awareness has helped me to function better in all my duties with the titles I hold because being a parent and partner are jobs in itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dance-therapy-registration-704671991897?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Instagram: __Deirdree__
- Facebook: Deirdree Richards
- Twitter: UrfavBossbestie
- Youtube: Bestiesonpurpose
- Other: @Bestiesonpurpose IG @Bestiesonpurpose Tiktok
