This week The Goldbox Spotlight is is Valerie Sworn , she was an in Galveston County Juvenile Justice & now is an attorney elsewhere because life changes.
1. WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT?
The best advice I can give to someone just starting out is to pray for God to grant wisdom over your choices. Whether it has been moving from home, a change in my career, or accepting my marriage proposal from my husband, I always pray for wisdom and direction. I recognize that I can not direct my own steps, and when I try to do what I feel is right based solely on personal preference or emotion, I did things wrong. So, whenever I begin a new venture or project I always want The Holy Spirit to guide me. So that I make good decisions, I go to the places that are beneficial for me, and I move in the direction that is within God‘s will for my life.
2. WHAT THINGS INSPIRE YOUR PROCESS?
I believe the things which inspire my process most is the will to be successful. In everything I do I want to be a success. In personal relationships I want them to grow and thrive and so I don’t want to do anything or put anything in my way that may increase my chances of failure. I also like to take advice from other people who have been successful. They really inspire my process. I like to read memoirs and listen to older people and take advice from people who’ve done what I’m trying to do and have been successful at it. I am especially inspired when those people have faced some of the similar hurdles to success that I’m facing now because it gives me hope that I can turn it around just like they have.
3. WHO ARE THREE PEOPLE YOU LOOK UP TO OR INSPIRE YOU?
The only specific people that truly inspire me are my parents and my grandparents. They have shown me what godly living is about. They have also shown me what a successful marriage and family can look like even when you go through hard times and struggles. It’s difficult for me to pinpoint individuals to look up to because it’s just not in my nature. I tend to feel like our generation idolizes individuals as opposed to their good qualities or ideals. With that in mind, I would say three types of people that I really look up to are career driven moms, genuine people in ministry, and successful peers. When I find people in these areas that really live up to the ideal that they are showing and telling people, it really encourages me that what I’m trying to accomplish is not out of the realm of possibility. I love people who are genuine and who love others more than themselves and can show me ways that I can improve. As a new mother and an attorney, I am struggling with scheduling and giving my all to every aspect of life. When I see working moms who seem to have it all together, not perfect, but have a good plan and are working that plan it is super encouraging to me. I also have several ministers and ministry leaders in my life who show me what it means to be a servant for God and still be genuine and honest and approachable. They helped me see what living for Christ really looks like in every day situations.
