I was recently asked to speak to a group of disadvantage women and motivate them to better their lives. Below is what I told them:

First, I want you to know that each one of you are worth it. It doesn’t matter what you did in your past, or where you came from, because today is a new start. You are a little wiser and older than you were yesterday, today we are going to find your inner ninja and let her fly!

I have been where you are. I know what its like to feel like the world is against you, to be in love with a man who just brought me pain, I’ve had those days were I couldn’t find the strength to go on. Let me tell you, my 27th year on this planet was the worst year of my life. Here’s why: 1. I almost died 5 days before my 27th birthday. 2: I was in love with a man who felt the need to emotionally and mentally abuse me. 3. My child died, nothing hurts more than losing a child. 4. I got divorced.

Many of you are recovering from drugs, alcohol, and lets just say the motions of life. I’ve never had a problem with those things. So now your probably wondering, huh what can she offer me? Just know that we all have our struggles, for me it was breaking free from an emotionally abusive husband. I realize now that walking through my child’s death gave me the strength to walk away from the man I claimed was my husband. That if my child hadn’t died I would still be in that house where his whores were more important than his family. I know what its like to be cheated on, lied to, and what its like to be told that I am not worth the ground I walk on.

I had to leave my marriage in order to find myself again. I remember the first time someone told me I mattered. I cried right at dinner. It had been years since I felt like I mattered to someone, damn it felt good. Struggle is a word that often lands at the back of my vocabulary, I don’t like to admit that I struggled, struggled with realizing that I was worth it. I know each of you are struggling, it’s a never-ending battle. Society will knock us down, what matters is that we get back up, and ride that horse out-of-town.

I want you to know that you matter to someone in this world. No matter where you go or what happens outside of this room. Know that a big-hearted small town girl from Minnesota BELIEVES in YOU and that YOU MATTER TO HER. I believe that each of you holds the power to change, to stand for something, and make this world a better place. When I was down, my friend Lisa would send me texts that said: ” I believe in you. You matter to me. Take my faith until yours is renewed.” Little did Lisa know, I was hanging on to her every world, that she was my strength, and she got me through the darkest hours of my life. I want to do for you what Lisa did for me, I am here for you, I will be your strength as you heal, you can borrow some of my faith until yours is renewed. You will find my number, email, and twitter on the back of my card. Don’t be afraid to call on me, I am here for each and every one of you. YOU are worth it to me and know that I have mad love for all of you. I don’t know you, but know that you are loved by me, that I believe you are all ninjas!

Do you ladies know what Ninjas are? I am not talking about the guys in black suits throwing chops and kicks. I am talking about that voice deep inside of you that takes over when your mind cant and pushes you through to the next day. Each one of you has a ninja deep inside. You need to harness that power, find her, and let her fly. Trust me she will never steer you wrong, when you don’t think you can go on, rip out that suit and slip it on. Remember that you are worth it and that you matter to me!

Now go out there NINJAS and show this world your Kung Fu!!!