I joined World Pulse in December 2017.
Three years ago, I was an isolated, silenced, insecure stay-at-home mother without a clear direction in life. I thought pursuing personal dreams were already too late for me, and that I might be destined to be a lifetime caretaker of my son with special needs and disabilities.
As a stay-at-home mother living in a place away from my hometown, my life is like a COVID-19 lockdown. Just as how the world faces the pandemic, with mental health issues on the rise, that too was my life. Being alone at home, taking care of children, traumatic events from the past stubbornly crept in. I journaled a lot, pouring memories and reflections into writing. But journaling wasn't enough.
Those were also the times I couldn’t celebrate myself as a woman because I simply didn’t fit into society’s mold. If their image of an ideal woman/wife/mother is a competition, I was already disqualified. I didn’t graduate college in time (I was out-of-school for six years), I didn’t have the perfect body, I didn’t give birth naturally, and I failed to breastfeed. To top it all, for them, my sin was so grave for being punished to raise a child with special needs. Negligible, Uninspiring, Unimportant. In short, NOT ENOUGH.
All those societal noises didn’t help the inner mental scripts of emotional abuse growing up. Their voices became my truth.
The weight of one negative word is heavy, that's why it needs at least three positive affirmations to negate that. That is how powerful encouragement is. I found that on World Pulse.
With every story I posted on this platform, I received praises, appreciation, and empowerment. I began believing the encouragement conveyed to me. I learned to love, accept, celebrate, and encourage myself. I AM ENOUGH.
Not only that, reading stories from our World Pulse sisters inspired me. I was in awe at how women changemakers overcome their challenges; how they turn their pain into purpose, their trauma into triumph, and their afflictions into achievements. INSPIRING!
After three years in World Pulse, I am an empowered woman who finally found my voice. Although the pandemic made this year a challenging one, I can say this is my year of breakthrough.
It began with coloring my hair pink, embracing the fact that it's ok not to fit in.
The invitation from World Pulse to record a video clip for #SheTransformsTech promotion stirred the courage to be in front of a camera.
I'm camera-shy but I pushed myself a little bit by:
- co-hosting the World Pulse Philippines webinar series with Mae Ann
- conducting webinars, "The Power of Empathy", "Dealing With Depression (for AuSome Parents)", and more.
- organizing a World Pulse event in partnership with Autism Family Support Group during International Women's Day and shared about Overcoming Depression.
- being a trainer at World Pulse Ambassador's Thriving Thursdays, "Tips in Writing A Project Proposal".
- speaking at the Aspire Reinvent Conference, my first international speaking engagement, "A Revolution of Encouragers".
- sharing a message of encouragement to Autism Family Support Group, "Your Scars, Your Strength".
- hosting monthly Encourager Parties, together with Dawn and Manasa, where I share tips on encouragement.
The activities mentioned above gave me the confidence to finally start my YouTube Channel called Radiant Fields, a channel where I talk about encouragement. I was joking about it early this year, but I did it!
I call this a breakthrough because speaking is not my best skill. I would prefer chat messaging and sending emails rather than voice calls or video calls at any given time. Showing my face in videos is terrifying for me, but this is my way of leaving my comfort zone and honing my speaking skills. I want to be articulate in speaking one day.
Aside from starting my YouTube channel, I am also writing a book about Encouragement. I have always wanted to publish books, but I was somehow lost on what to write or how to start. But after the positive feedback of my Aspire Speech, I know that writing about encouragement is a good place to start.
This is only the beginning of greater things to come. Thank you, World Pulse Team and Community, for walking alongside me in my journey from brokenness to breakthrough!
Ooh my beloved Karen. What a beautiful write up.
Yes dear its truly been from brokenness to breakthrough my sister in Christ. I see it all in your write up. I also admire you for being a determined and unstoppable Karen.
I join you in thanking the World Pulse team and sisters for seeing you through and helping you emerge strong.
Dear I have confidence in your determination to excel. It is done in Jesus name .
Keep soaring dear sis. Thank you for being there for us.
Hugs to the children!!!!
Thank you, my warrior sister Regina. Your life is an inspiration and encouragement to me. I hope to be like you when I grow up, or when my children grow up, less dependent on me. I'm happy to meet you on this journey, dear sister. I learn so much from your experience. Keep it up. You have no idea how many you are inspiring. Keep your light shine!
Dear Karen,
You are phenomenal. You are beautifully blessed in wonderful ways. Sharing your vulnerabilities and needs for change in yourself is very courageous and motivational. You bare all in front of us unashamed of who you are. Kudos girl, for being so brave. And for reaching inside to find your voice and birthing your mighty ROAR!
Massive hugs...JoMarie
Hello, lovely JoMarie,
Sharing my vulnerabilities is my way of reaching out to another silenced and isolated soul who is still wrapped up in shame to speak up. I hope that my story resonates with her and will reach to connect with me, whoever that woman or girl is. It is my way of telling her "I've been there" and I can show you a way to be where I am today.
Thank you for your encouragement and energy, dear. I love that ROAR! Yes, that is how it feels like when you finally found your voice. You can ROAR! Haha.
Hugging you back! Stay AMAZING!
Dear beautiful Keren Quentin,
Thank you for sharing us your experience which gives me strength and courage.
World pulse has helped many women not to stay lonelness.
Love you my Sis
Hello, dear Fabienne,
How are you, my sister? You are among the strongest and courageous women I know. Keep up your important work, dear. That is true. Thank you for encouragers like you who help women feel heard and seen. Sending you hugs.
You are reaching for the brightness like a sunflower! Keep blooming! Hugs
Hello, dear Karin, thank you! I think we met at the Aspire Conference? I wasn't sure if it was you. Sorry about that. It was already dawn in my time with all the ceiling-falling incident. Hugs, too, my sister!
Hello again Dear Kaye :-)
Yours is a remarkable journey of going though 'hell and high water', and emerging on the other side with more joy, clarity, purpose, determination, vibrancy, presence, compassion on self and others, and a vision to perpetuate the life that now fills your heart and embodies your beautiful presence here!
I am so very proud of you for what you have accomplished, what you will accomplish, what you have helped others accomplish and the healing that will continue to flow from you into the lives of others going forward. You sparkle, and I am blessed to have met you here on this platform! The journey continues with love and grace expressed in our community :-)
Kudos sister-girl!
Hello, Nini Love,
I am grateful to meet you on this platform, you sealed a calling through your love, generosity and support. I appreciate you so much, dear KareNini. I am more blessed to meet you here, I guess, and you know why. You helped me so much in many ways, I hope you know that! THANK YOU!
Happy Anniversary, Dear! You rock!
It was disturbing how many women on the Aspire identified with not feeling enough. Clearly something needs to change. We need to continue to be the change.
Thank you for being part of my World Pulse journey from the beginning, dear Jill. If I rock, it's because you rock, too! You modeled encouragement to me, I am grateful for your leadership, kindness, empathy, and love! Yes, may all women feel enough starting 2021!
You're welcome, dear. Thanks for being a part of mine!
Aw, you're always so grateful and humble:-)
I'm grateful to you, too, dear, for those same things! XX
i had goosebumps from the first sentence to the last Karen. Thank you for sharing this amazing story of your growth the last three years - and this year especially. I absolutely LOVE hearing you speak, it makes me feel closer to you with each video I watch and I'm so grateful you've put those out for the world to hear. You are so brave and kind Karen, and I'm so grateful that three years ago you joined World Pulse!
I am humbled by your words, Dawn. I am grateful to you for all your love, care, understanding, and support. You're such a wonderful leader. You are among those who helped me fly! Thank you so much, Dawn! I appreciate you!
Awesome. I will get to your channel. Not sure how new you are on there but get to me anytime you have questions. I am ready to help in any little way.
I have had my fair share of societal pressures that landed me in depression but thank God I am out today and have been sharing my story on my youtube channel too and I got a lot of feedbacks
Hello, dear Princess, I am so new to YouTube.haha. Wow, I wonder what is your channel. I would love to subscribe, if I haven't yet. Thank you!
morning Karen,
you are an inspiration for me. my gosh, becoming a mother is courage. tending to a child with special needs is courage AND strength. you are a bright star in my opinion. thank you for being here and speaking out. love, light, laughter!!!
Wow, dear Rahmana, thank you for acknowledging and honoring my journey. I felt seen. It's not easy. Thank you!
Hi Karen,
I agree with JoMarie.. you are PHENOMENAL woman! You are a Changemaker, a trailblazer. You INSPIRE us. You are amazing.
Thank you, dear Mae Ann! You are a phenomenal and inspiring woman, too!
Dear Karen,
You truly are radiant.
ook how beautifully you have blossomed in 3 years and is now tendering to others.
You have no idea how you inspire many not just by encouraging them, being you and raising a child with special needs and still have much love to give.
That is amazing.
Keep being radiant, abundant and blooming.
Love you lots,
In love and sisterhood,
Hawwah.
Dear Karen,
You truly are radiant.
ook how beautifully you have blossomed in 3 years and is now tendering to others.
You have no idea how you inspire many not just by encouraging them, being you and raising a child with special needs and still have much love to give.
That is amazing.
Keep being radiant, abundant and blooming.
Love you lots,
In love and sisterhood,
Hawwah.
Thank you for your kind words, dear Hawwah. So are you, dear! You are radiant and amazing, too!
Dear Karen how are you?
Congratulations on reaching three years with a world pulse. I agree with you there is no forum where you are received encouraging words or encouragement like here.
Blessed to one who received this vision and worked it out for the community to find a cure for the challenges they are going through.
stay safe
Dear Karen,
I love ur writing.
U inspire us ,too.
Thanks.
Thank you, dear Wala!
Hello, dear Valem, thank you so much! I look forward to the day you reach three years on World Pulse. I'm excited about your journey, too!
Hurrey Ka if I could jump for you, and you see me I would have been very happy. Didn't I tell you that you are our town crier? Hahahah I wasn't far from the truth, because you have faught the battle and finally you've worn it. What a great zealous woman you are? From your story, what ever steps you have taken will bring down mountains. I am so so happy for you, for coming out of your shell. According to your story it has been proven to me that, never say never. Thanks Ka for the inspiration story and for the encouragement. It is a great joy to always achieve your objectives and right now those objective will finally be achieved.
Shouting another hurrey for you and may God Almighty continue to give you the wisdom and courage my dearest sis in Jesus name Amen.
Love you xx
Hugs to the princes.
Hahaha, dear Honorine, I love you, yes, I cry so easily. I feel deeply. That's why I get teased a lot. I'm used to it.
Thank you for your encouraging words, love! Yes, it's all by God's grace. I am excited about what you will become after your three years on World Pulse! Looking forward to it, dear!
Oh... Karen what an empowering and inspiring story . This gives me courage as I am also working on myself not to bother about the "Judging Society " and negative words .
Thanks for sharing your experience with us .
Keep Soaring dear sister .
Love you
Hello, dear JoOak, I certainly understand you, dear. I am here reaching out my hand to you and walk alongside you as you face courage and deaf ears to other people's judgment. Women need to face FOPO (Fear of Other People's Opinion). Soar with me, love.
Thank you ! Dear Sister
My beautiful and sweet Karen, I felt everything you said because I have experienced them too. I am rejoicing with you because without brokenness we cannot experience breakthrough. This is your season of elevation, a voice that other sisters are waiting to hear. I am so proud of you. A beacon you are. Let your light so shine as it will only keep getting brighter. Lots of love. Blessings to you and your amazing children.
Hello, dear Catherine, thank you for your empathy and for sharing your experience. I am humbled by your words. You are an amazing woman! Keep shining, too!
Thank you dear. :)
Karen
Read your story. What a great start to my day!
It's your story - that of resilience, that of strength, love and camaraderie that rises above a lot of not so nice things that at times surround us, which makes life meaningful.
It's stories like yours and others that come straight from the heart which makes World Pulse special.
You bet - I will subscribe to Radiant Fields!
Lots of love
Sujit
Hello, dear Sujit,
Oh, that's so kind of you. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement! I'm touched!
BTW - I love the way you host encourager parties. Warmth, welcoming and with style!
Wow! Thank you, dear Sujit! Hope to see you again at the next one!
My beloved Sister Karen. What an amazing story. Thank you for inspiring me more. Your title is super catchy and I loved it.
Dear sister Anum, your story amazes and inspires me. Keep on keeping on, dear!
Haha. Thanks for appreciating the title!
Dear Karen,
I heard that speech for the Aspire conference, knowing from everything you contribute here, that it was going to be great. And it was. Because you speak so beautifully and honestly from your sweet, loving heart. And because of your passion for recognizing and emboldening the strength and belief in self for others. I hope you feel the waves of love coming back to you.
Deep sisterhood,
Tam
Thank you, Mama Tam, your words always bring love and encouragement. I am humbled, truly. I'm grateful to meet you and our sisters here. May what we have on World Pulse be felt by every women.
Hooray dear sis Karen,
what a year it has been for you and the team of Global sisterhood here at World Pulse and you know what? "Big Congratulations" You've graduated and this is very beautiful post to read this story on your growing and "lovely bloom" as I would call it. Yes I will push you to write that first book, yeah write , write and write. Don't worry about the editing, details , where to start because you have to vent out all that is in your head first and get it out, it starts from there and divine will will do the rest so yes I encourage you to write. I adore writing and speaking but in my own way and on my own terms and I admire others to do the same and don't mind pushing you toward the finish line, "Go for it"! 2021 onward!
Continue to be naturally you and that's the best you to the world "you radiant"... and Congrats to the YouTube channel.
yours in support,
Mama Queen
Wow, thank you Mama Queen for your loving message and words of advice on bookwriting! I value it.
I'm humbled by your words. I'm grateful to you!
I value writing and several artistical pursuits.
My beloved mother is a published author as well.
thanks for responding dear sis . To you and family, happy blessed New year 2021 and beyond.
Mama Queen
Mama Queen
Powerful title,Powerful content....This is a beautiful write-up
Thank you, dear Katongo! I look forward to reading what you will become after three years on World Pulse! The Sky is the limit!
Dear Karen.
Thank you for sharing these with us here. I read this like three times and each time I am done, I feel a blanket of encouragement over my body untill I said yes, this is exactly what I have over me now, all the love and encouragement from World Pulse give me some invisible wings which makes me feel I can do all things I need to help the women around.
I thank you for reaching that point of "I am enough" and other women and I feel what you mean. Never easy but we shall reach there.
I am seeing a book and movie about encouragement coming out from you in the Radiant Fields :)
Sisterhood love and hugs.
Dear JB, I am so glad I met you on World Pulse! I am excited about what you will become as you write stories after stories after stories! I am glad you are beginning to find your voice. Yes, dear, there will be a lot of people who will pull us down and make us feel we are not enough, but those are lies. We are enough the moment we are born in this world.
Wow, you are one visionary, dear sister. Thank you. I see books in you, too!
good
Powerful !
Only your third year? You are such a pillar of strength for all of us
I am inspired. World pulse is indeed a nice place to be. Keep soaring like an eagle.