Episode 125: The Story Behind Expressions of Destiny

Well, hello everyone and welcome back to the Expressions of Destiny podcast. I'm Jen and today's

episode is a very special one for me because I want to share something that has been on my heart

for a long time. Many of you know that this podcast has always been about encouragement, purpose,

leadership, and helping people see their value. Over time these conversations began to grow into

something more, the ideas, the reflections, the lessons I kept seeing in leadership and in life,

they started forming a bigger message. And that message eventually became a book. On March 21st,

my book Expressions of Destiny, Empowering Leadership and Team Success will officially be

available on Amazon. And I am so excited you guys. I have been pouring my heart into

every page for a couple of years now and it just, it seems surreal but it's so exciting because I

can't wait for it to be a blessing to you and to every other person who picks it up and reads

every word on every page that it would encourage you over time that it would encourage you in your

current situations that it would just speak life into you and who you are and what your purpose is

on this earth. And so today I don't, I don't just want to talk about the book itself. I want to

share the heart behind it. I want to share why it exists and why I believe this message matters

so deeply. It is so needed right now. So over the years, I've observed something in leadership

and in workshops that kept coming back to me again and again. People wanted to contribute.

People, they want to do meaningful work. People want to feel that their lives matter.

But too often people walk into environments where they feel unseen. They feel like they're just

another employee number. They feel like their gifts and talents are not recognized.

And when that happens long enough, people begin to lose sight of the purpose and the value that

God placed within them. It happens all the time. The truth is every person carries something

incredibly important inside of them. Every single person, every single one of you that's listening

right now. But sometimes those things remain hidden until someone else recognizes them.

And that is where leadership becomes so powerful. One of the central ideas and expressions of destiny

is very simple, but it's very powerful. When leaders learn to see the value within people,

something extraordinary begins to happen. Teams grow stronger, culture changes,

trust deepens, and individuals begin to discover purpose they didn't even realize was there.

Leadership isn't just about direction or decision making. Leadership is about how we see people.

And when people feel seen, when they feel valued, when they're believed in,

they begin to rise in ways that are incredible to watch. I have seen so many people

just light up over the past few years. Many years actually, if I think about going all the way back to

every job that I've ever held, every position, every title, every opportunity, you guys,

my first job was a teacher. I taught straight out of high school. I had just graduated high school.

I was offered a position at one of the first charters in Texas at the time.

And it was one of the most wonderful experiences to, here I was, a young adult just graduating

high school, not very interested in going to college just yet. My heart was in ministry and so I

was kind of like, well, you know, what do I need to go to college for? And I just always saw myself

you know, working in the church and giving of myself and whatever way possible to help others.

And so when I was offered this position to be a, I believe it or not, a PE coach for

elementary level, I just jumped on it. I was so ready to have fun with the kids. I was so

ready to, you know, start writing those lesson plans and playing that kickball and teaching those

dance classes and, you know, just exercising all the fun stuff. Get out there in the field and

just have fun with these kiddos. It was the best experience ever. And the next year I became

an art teacher. I, you know, just kind of slid into that position at the same school. And for

the next five years, I taught art, elementary all the way through high school. Who would have

thought, right? Straight out of high school, a teacher. And so it was, that was the catapult to

everything. But even then I was learning things. Being the youngest one on staff, I believe,

you know, being seen as possibly someone who was too young, maybe didn't, you know, have the

experience that everybody else did. But also, you know, feeling like me personally, like people

would look at me as if I would just let the kids get away with whatever. And, and that was furthest

from the truth because I was able to really not be on the same level as the kiddos that I worked

with, especially the high schoolers, you know, 19 years old teaching, and into those early 20s,

and having, literally having, you know, 15 to 19 year old sitting in my, in my classes.

It was an opportunity to speak life into them and to remind them of their gifts and to encourage

them to pursue their dreams and, and to just flourish. And whatever it was, I got to have created

them to do. That was my passion. Even though I was teaching art, I used that place and that

position to teach them how to, to really run after that passion and that gift and that, that talent

that God had given them. And so moving from there, you know, I did so many other things that what,

I was a graphic designer. I did a lot of freelance work. I worked in retail. I've worked in

ministry. I've worked in, of hospitality. I mean, you name it. I have done it. Non-profits.

And so just going from job to job to job, it wasn't ever a feeling of, you know, not finding a

place of security. Although there were other people around me that were working these, you know,

years of, and decades in one company. And here I was, you know, every year, every three years,

or every five years, and then back down to one year and, you know, moving from place to place to

place. I could have begun to feel like I was this sort of business or not even, you know, stepping

into that entrepreneur part, even though I did freelance work. But just finding myself feeling like

a career gypsy, you know, someone that was just always on the move, always on the go. And I

didn't realize until years later that God was giving me an opportunity to move from one position

to the next to the next to the next, learning and understanding and experiencing all these

different industries. I mean, you talk about going from teaching to hospitality to owning your own

business to working in retail and to working for a grocery store and then being a nonprofit work

every single industry, you know, walking this road, but seeing the same things happening

within these organizations and these companies, as far as their employees and their leadership,

the training or the lack thereof, and the culture. The culture that was not what it was supposed

to be. And so this burning, you know, passion just started to grow inside of me to want to help people

go going back to where I started, right? Helping young people discover the purpose and their passion

and what God created them for. Now inserting that into everything that I teach and everything that

I talk about helping individuals, not just young people, but every age realize what they have

been created for. And so that is where a lot of the experiences and the lessons that are in this

book came from is seeing the people that were hurting, seeing the people that felt like they were

not valued, seeing those that were overburdened or overwhelmed burnt out, you know, seeing those that

didn't feel appreciated. But also being the one in those positions, not caring a leadership title

in some of them, but being the one to step up and to encourage those individuals day after day

and to remind them, you're doing a wonderful job. I may not be your manager. I may not be your leader.

I may not be your supervisor, you know, or the person who hired you. But I see you. And I see what

you're doing and you're doing a wonderful job. Don't give up. Remember why you're here. Remember

the customers. Remember the clients. Remember the people that we serve. And how much of a difference

you're making in their life. And when we make a difference in other people's lives, it makes us

feel good. It makes us feel like we are on purpose, like we are doing exactly what it is that we

were created for. And so this is where my heart just really jumps out of everything that I have

poured into this book to be able to to talk to you through every page and every word and

encourage you in everything that you are about to read and know that you are doing a wonderful

job in whatever place that you're at, whether you're in a leadership position or you are a team

member, you are doing a wonderful job. And there are so many things that we can do and that we

can fix and that we can change. And that's okay. It doesn't mean that we are wrong. It doesn't

mean that we're not going to get better. It just means that we need to reevaluate and we need to

look at the things that we're doing and really assess the situation and just make changes.

Make changes for the better. Not be afraid to look at ourselves in the mirror and to

really evaluate our own self before we look at other people. And this is where we begin to build

that relationship, that communication, that understanding, that reconnection with our people

in business, in ministry, in family, no matter where you're at, it applies to every area of our

life. And so let's just jump right back in here. There's a couple more things that I want to

share with you about the book. You guys, I'm so excited. I cannot tell you how much I am smiling

all the way through this episode because it is just such a blessing to be able to pour my heart out.

All right. So another reason I'm excited about this book is because it's designed differently

than most books. This isn't just something that you're going to read once and put on a shelf.

Throughout the book, you're going to find reflection questions. You're going to find a space

to write a couple of journaling pages after every lesson. They're not called chapters. They

are lessons because this is an opportunity to grow. I want readers to slow down. I want you to think

to reflect and to apply these ideas to your own lives and in your teams and in your

organizations. In many ways, it's meant to function as a leadership manual. That's actually what

it started off as. This was a legit, it was a 30 to 40 page leadership manual that just grew

and grew and grew and kept growing and there was so much more that I wanted to be able to

really share. So it grew. It kept growing and so it is still truly a leadership manual. It can

be taken and utilized as a training book or a training manual to give to your teams to work

through together or to work through individually. It can work in any situation and really help.

It's a guide that individuals and teams and even organizations, like again, like I said,

will be able to work together and just walk these lessons out because leadership growth

doesn't happen. Just by reading something, it happens by reflecting on it and applying it.

And so you're going to find those reflection questions and you're also going to find action

questions. There's going to be an opportunity to reflect uncertain things and then there are

going to be questions to answer. And sometimes we don't want to have to answer those questions,

but when we push ourselves to just really stop and think, those are the moments where the truth

comes out and that's okay. That truth may make us feel like we're in right in the right place

or sometimes it may sting. Sometimes we might be like, oh my goodness, I never thought about that

or I do operate in that way or maybe there are some things that I need to start to shift

in the way that I think or the way that I operate or function or whatever it may be. And so this

is really going to give you an opportunity to just stop and reflect and then put action behind

it. You know, put that action there. Take those steps to move forward. For me personally, faith

has always been the foundation of how I see leadership in people. And so scripture reminds us

again and again that every person has been created with intention and purpose. God does not create

individuals randomly. He places gifts, talents and abilities within people for a reason. He has

given each one of us a gift, a talent and an ability. Make that plural. He has given us gifts,

talents and abilities to do these things to create amazing, you know, opportunities to create

amazing products to create amazing ideas. We have been given the power to create. It is in his

word. He says it the same power that he has. He has given to us. And then very often those gifts

become the solution to what someone else needs. You know, we don't realize if we don't put those

ideas, those creative thoughts, those things that God has given us if we don't step out and put

them out before the people, we may never be there to help solve somebody else's problem,

to be the solution to what it is that they need. Sometimes the engineer solves a problem that

improves lives. Sometimes let's see a teacher. Inspires a student who can change the world

or they end up changing the world. But it took someone inspiring them, believing in them.

Sometimes the leader creates an environment where people flourish. But none of that happens unless

someone recognizes the value within people first. I want you to hear that. It does not happen unless

someone recognizes the value within people first. One of the things I want listeners to understand

is that this book is not just for people with leadership titles. It may be called empowering

leadership, but it also says in team success, okay? We are empowering leadership and team success.

It is not just for people with leadership titles. It's for everyone and anyone who influences others.

Because the truth is that leadership is not defined by position. I want you to understand

leadership is defined by influence, parents influence their children, co-workers influence

their teams and friends they influence one another. So every one of us has the ability to see people

to encourage them to help them recognize their potential. So in that sense, this book is for both

leaders and employees. It's for anyone who believes that people matter and that is very important

to remember. So you guys, my prayer for this book is it's very simple. I hope that when people

read it, I hope that when you read it, that you begin to see people differently. I hope leaders

begin to recognize the value within their teams. I really hope that individuals begin to recognize

the gifts and the purposes within themselves. The gifts and the purpose that is within you,

just as I have learned to recognize, the gifts and the purpose that is within me.

And I hope that organizations begin to create cultures where people feel valued and empowered.

That is a big one. The cultures are breaking down. The cultures are failing in a lot of

industries, a lot of places, a lot of businesses, corporations, even ministry. We're not going to

leave that one out. And so the culture begins to fail. We need to begin to create cultures where

people feel valued and empowered. And here's the thing. When that happens, workplaces change.

Communities change. And even greater than that, lives are changed.

So if this message resonates with you tonight, or this morning, or whenever it is that you're listening,

I would love for you to experience the book for yourself. Expressions of destiny, empowering

leadership and team success will be available on Amazon, beginning on March 21st, that is this

right, this Saturday, March 21st. So if you believe leadership should uplift people on

inspire purpose, I believe the message of this book will resonate deeply within you. I know it will.

I know it will. And they're just read it. I promise you that it will bless your life.

So I want to thank you for being part of this journey. A lot of our podcast episodes

will be relatable. Actually, there are, there is a section at the end of each lesson

that has a, if you'd like to, you know, listen more about this subject, it'll give you the

podcast episode that that goes along with it that kind of talks on the same subject.

Something that I've already recorded that is there. And so it'll guide you to that episode

if you'd like to listen to something, you know, aside from just reading, it's just going to add

more value to the whole subject. And so you will have those opportunities as well. And so I just

want to thank you all again, just for being part of this journey with me. You're supporting your

encouragement and the willingness to engage in these conversations. It just, it means just more than

you know. I am just so grateful. I really am. I can't say it enough. And I just give God all the

glory and the honor and the praise just for everything that he has been in my life, in my family's

life, in your life, you know, just the constant blessing that he is to each and every one of us,

the opportunities that he gives us, the purpose that he is placed on each one of us. You are so

special. You are so important. And you have a gift that needs to be seen. You have a talent.

You have the ability to create wonderful and amazing things and opportunities. And I just can't

wait to see and to hear every person who is able to read these words begin to rediscover who they

are and everything that God has created them for. And so as always, I want you to remember this,

when leaders see value, people discover purpose. I'm going to say that one more time. When leaders

see value, people discover purpose. So until next time, keep walking in purpose. And don't forget to

go to Amazon. This coming Saturday, March 21st, grab your copy. Leave me a little review when you're

done. Let me know how you enjoyed the book. Share it with someone. You don't know whose life you're

going to bless. And so with that, I just want to pray for you today. Father, I just thank you.

I thank you so much for every person that is listening right now. I thank you, Father, for those

who have tuned in, for those that have taken the time to hear these words. I thank you, Father,

for those that have such a calling and a purpose and a plan on their life every single individual.

You do not make us by accident. You not just throw us together with nothing in our life is random.

And so I thank you, Father, for the purpose on their lives. And I pray, Lord, that they would begin

every day to see more and more and more of you and everything that they do. I pray, Father,

that you would bless them. I pray that you would give them creative ideas. I pray, Father, that you

show them and remind them of how special and important and precious they are. No matter what it

is that is going on in their life, no matter what discouragement is happening at work or within

ministry or within their family, no matter what areas they're feeling burned out. And Father,

I pray that you would restore and revive, refresh and renew their life and that they would look to

you for everything knowing that you will always be there, that you will always lift them up,

that you will always encourage them. And I pray, Father, that the time that I have been able to share

this evening and into any of the other episodes, Father, that the words that you have given me for

the people have been a blessing to encourage and to uplift them. We just thank you, Father,

we love you and it's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you so much for joining me again

on the Expressions of Destiny podcast. Don't forget, save the date. March 21st,

marking in your calendar, go to Amazon, order the book and be blessed. Thank you guys. Have a wonderful day.