Have you ever wondered what life is like after your fairytale love story reaches “THE END”?

A mound of debt, three kids, a black eye, and a great deal of courage later, I had to learn how to fly solo.

There were times when I felt alone and afraid, trapped in a desperate reality that I was dying to escape. The weight of life rested on my shoulders like a ton of bricks. I lost everything (my home, my business and a huge part of myself) while enduring a tumultuous divorce and trying to put the pieces of my life back together.

A dark cloud hovered over my thoughts, threatening to pull me into an abyss of deep depression. Living in that reality threatened to suffocate me. I had to kill that manifestation of myself and experience renewal.

Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over, she began to fly.

This renewal journey wasn’t easy; it resembled the beginning of a caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly. It was my catharsis and a period in which I rediscovered who I was and who I’m meant to be. Each day I focused my attention on what I wanted and each day I challenged myself to take a step that brought me closer to it.

All things are possible with faith and action. I became a successful entrepreneur, branding consultant, creative director, and the founder of a non-profit. My professional life revolves around my brands - Events by Carline, Event Pros Let’s Talk and Pajamas and a Purpose Inc. Growing professionally has also helped me become a better mother, friend, sister, and daughter. Alicia Keys’ hit song Brand New Kind of Me rings true; I was truly experiencing a brand new kind of me.

I’m now a certified event management professional, speaker, and educator who teaches women how to advocate for themselves, build an empire, and leave a legacy. Some of my most fulfilling work comes from my non-profit organization, Pajamas and a Purpose Inc.

I watched Pajamas and a Purpose Inc grow from a friends-only experience to a nationwide network of women and girls supporting each other. My love for wearing my pajamas, dancing, having fun, entertaining, and giving back to my community grew into an experience for women where we celebrate friendship, womanhood, motherhood, and sisterhood. We also provide support to those who are going through difficult life changes or celebrating an accomplishment.

Everyone deserves the chance to fly. Being a single parent is not easy, but being alone is sometimes better than being in the wrong situation. In the words of Buddah, “If you want to fly, you must give up everything that weighs you down.”

This blog is a space for me to discuss some deep experiences with you. I bare my heart and soul here for the world to see because I want to effect change. Each blog post is meant to portray the lessons I’ve learned throughout each stage of my life and empower you to make radical shifts in your own life.

I’m writing from my perspective and based on my own experiences with men who hurt me throughout my life. There are things that made me happy and there are things that made me angry, sad, indifferent and acutely aware of the lessons that needed to be learned. I hope that sharing these lessons with you will help you make better decisions along your journey.

Spirituality is also important to me and it’s what fuels my deep relationship with God. There’s no way I could’ve been where I am today without the spiritual relationship I have with God. You’ll occasionally see me quote scriptures because they connect with the storyline. The greater power you believe in doesn’t have to be the same as mine. But, this blog is my space for sharing my stories.

So, I invite you to take this journey of love, marriage, motherhood, divorce, and entrepreneurship with me. Read the articles, leave your comments, and share these articles with your network so that other women may also be inspired and empowered. I look forward to engaging with you as I unravel my renewal journey.