I have been somewhat counseling some of my friends. This was completely involuntary on my part. Don’t get me wrong, I love them dearly and will do anything I can, but I often feel very unqualified to give advice.

I haven’t experienced a lot of things or even pains that they have in regards to life, so when they come to me to vent and I feel led to speak, I’m always like…why are they listening to me?

A coworker asked me if I wanted to be a motivational speaker after I spoke with her about healing and the stigma placed on black women in regards to strength (post coming soon). I immediately said no. Motivational speaker? Me?

A close friend of mine is thinking of writing a book and made a comment about not thinking people would pay attention. I reminded her of her social media influence and how important she was in her field. It wasn’t until the next day that I realized what I said.

You are paying attention to me right now. I have followers and people who read and comment and TELL me that they’ve been blessed by my words. Is a motivational speaker so far fetched?

I don’t know if that’s something I want to do, but the point is…I have to stop thinking that I can’t because I’m not qualified. You know what qualifies any of us to speak on a topic? Going through it.

That’s all.

You know the saying that hurt people hurt people? Or misery loves company? These are only true when people don’t know how to get out of their hurt or misery. When I’m miserable, hurt or in my feelings, I have no desire for anyone else to feel that. Why? Because I know how to get out of it.

I always tell people that writers go through things in order to write other people through it. This is true for everyone. God takes us through things to be able to share that testimony once it’s all over. You may not believe that and it may seem unfair…but I promise once you are over that hurt and you see someone else get over their hurt because you got over yours…that feeling is indescribable.

Hurt people can heal people. Don’t think otherwise.