It's a Good Day

On the morning of Tuesday, February 18, 2015, I woke up from the best sleep I had in years. I felt so peaceful and joyful. As I opened my eyes, the first words that came out of my mouth were: "Today will be a good day.” It was a beautiful morning although it was cold outside, and snow was still on the ground. Sunlight illuminated my bedroom and danced across the walls. It felt like a morning in the springtime.

“Yes, today is going to be a good day,” I repeated as I got out of bed.  I did my usual morning routine, including praying and thanking God for a new day. I also thanked him for honoring His promise in Psalm 30:5 in the Bible, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

You see, I was experiencing terrible chest pains the night before. I went to bed early, telling myself that I will wait until the morning, and if the pain insists, I will go to the Emergency Room. I had alerted my employer and my family earlier that day. “God, help me,” I cried out as I laid on the bed.

I was reminded of Lamentations 3:22-23, “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” I closed my eyes and went to sleep despite the excruciating pain and not knowing if I’d wake up the next day. But, I trusted God that when morning came, the pain will be gone and joy will come. I looked at the time. It was only 11:23 p.m. I didn’t know what time I fell asleep, but when I awoke, I felt refreshed and ready for the new day. I am telling you – I had the best sleep I had in years! And, the pain was gone!

This morning, I was in my office writing a letter when I saw my phone light up, ringing. It was my mentor, Marie Claudine Mukamabano, an orphan survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. I had met her back in 2012 when I was going through a tough time in my life. One afternoon in August 2012, I had googled the words, “why do I exist,” and her website, www.whydoiexist.org, came up. I read her story of survival and her faith in God. I thought to myself, “If this woman could go through what she went through, and still have joy and make something positive out of her life, I could do the same!” I decided to give her a call to see how I can help promote her organization using my gift and talent in writing. I asked her if I could help her write her life story, and she agreed. We are in the midst of drafting and finalizing the manuscript.

I answered the phone. In a rushed voice, Claudine told me to come to Downtown Brooklyn ASAP. There’s a meeting about business and government, and she wanted me to write an article about it. Can I come? Yes, of course. Okay, the meeting was to start in a couple of minutes. What? I was one hour away from the site. She told me to just come, and that I should bring my book. I only had one copy, but I should just bring it anyway. She also told me that one of the moderators was from Haiti, and that I should come. I didn’t know if I would make it, but I got ready.

As I left my office, I missed the bus that would take me to the train station. I didn’t want to run after it because I was still recovering from the night before. The next bus wouldn’t arrive in another 30 minutes. So, I walked to the train station in the cold.

As usual, there were some train delays, I finally arrived at the meeting - 10 minutes before it was over. I spotted Claudine seated at the front in the second row. Councilman Robert E Cornegy, Jr. was discussing his role in assisting small businesses in the community by offering resources and pertinent information.

When Councilman Cornegy ended his presentation, Claudine turned to me and said, “Do you have a question to ask him? Well, let’s go and ask him. We also need to tell him about your book. Come on, let’s go!”

Someone (who I later learned was Damarys Y. Butler, President of Hispanic-American International Chamber of Commerce) turned to me, and asked if Claudine was my manager. “No,” I replied. “I’m her writer.” Ms. Butler said, “Well, you have a good manager.” Rather, I’d like to say that Claudine is a great mentor – a supporter who believes in my gifts.

Claudine asked me, “Where’s your book? Take it out of your bag. You need to show people your book!” She was persistent and bold. I guess that’s why she’s successful. In life, you must go after you want. Opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door!

So, the both of us approached Councilman Cornegy, and he was patient to listen to what I had to say. I told him about my book, “How to Stay Motivated: Inspiration and Advice for Everyday Living.” I also told him that I was of Haitian descent. He asked if I had his card, and told me that I should send him an email so that he could put me in touch with his Haitian colleagues to collaborate on a project where I can discuss my book. Claudine and I took a picture with him.

Left to right: Mentor Claudine and Councilman Cornegy

Then, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “I heard you are a Haitian,” a man asked me. I later found out that his name was Smith Georges, the President of Haitian-American International Chamber of Commerce. “I want to interview you on my radio show today,” he said. “Are you available?”

I was honored, and I immediately said yes. He also mentioned that he would give me the opportunity to present my book at a conference at the Chamber of Commerce. “A conference with just only you,” he said. Then, Demarys, who I mentioned previously, approached me, and said, “I’d like to also feature you on my show. Can you come tomorrow? The show will reach out to the Spanish community.”

Demarys Butler
President of Hispanic-America Chamber of Commerce

 “Is this really happening?” I thought to myself. A few days ago, I was wondering how do I get on a radio show to talk about my book, “How to Stay Motivated,” because I knew many people would benefit from it. I wrote the book for those who needed the encouragement to live their life with purpose, clarity, and vision again after facing personal situations and circumstances. I was stuck, but, actually, I was facing doubt. I wondered if I had something of value to offer the world. Then, I realized it wasn’t about me. I was on a mission.

The previous night, I came across a post on my Facebook feed by a colleague named Jamicka Edwards, an author and motivational speaker. She wrote, “We ALL have purpose and we can all support each other, learn from each other, and grow together. I'm on a mission. BIG THINGS are happening only by my Faith and Trust in God, and He will forever get the glory in my life!”

I loved the fact that Jamicka always gave all the glory to God whenever she lands a speaking engagement. I had thanked her for the reminder, and I promised myself that I will do the same in my future endeavors and whenever I have the opportunity to give the reason for the hope I have.

I did my first radio show ever today. As I sat, waiting to be interviewed, I thank God for such an awesome opportunity manifested in such a thrilling and exciting way! During the interview, I was asked, “What does faith mean to me?” I said, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith, to me, is stepping into the unknown, but being absolutely certain that someone is guiding you and will take you to the other side. That someone is God. It’s because of my faith in God, through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that I came out of life’s trials and tribulations, and although scarred and bruised, I now live life with purpose again.

First radio show ever!

What a morning! It all happened before 11am, and so very quickly. God can do in one minute what we try to do in one year. Yes, God so graciously honored my faith, and opened many doors in just one day – one radio interview, another radio interview scheduled for tomorrow, an upcoming conference about my book, and a project with the colleagues of a Councilman. I am reminded of Ephesians 3:20: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”