Own Your Story!

Let me the first to tell you, that owning and sharing your story is going to be a huge part of your healing.

It happened. It was real. It happened and you've got to feel the emotions and share them Now!! I didn't say "dwell on them" - share them and then let it go.

Share your story with someone who deserves to hear it. Someone whom you can count on to respond with compassion. Shame hates being shared. It hates it because 'shame' cannot survive being shared. It's no longer alive when it's shared. It loves secrecy. It manifests into anger, guilt and depression when it's kept a secret. The most dangerous thing to do- is hide your story. It's crippling.

Hiding my story is what led me to make most of the negative choices I made. It's what kept me living in guilt. You've got to be brave. You've got to talk NOW!

But here is the thing about sharing and letting it out; you can't just talk to anyone and you shouldn't. You've got to reach out to someone who you KNOW 100% is filled with true compassion for life, for others and for the world. It's hard to share a 'shame' story with someone who is still living in their own 'shame' story. If you're looking to heal and get past your shame then reach out to someone who is deeply rooted. This person will be open to listen and not judge. This person should be one who will listen and then share her own vulnerability stories. This will also be a person who won't feel sorry for you, rather she will empower and uplift you. She will walk you through your emotions and ensure you that tomorrow is and will be a better day. She will not entertain a pitty party with you. That's not compassion.

You've got to be courageous. You've got to reach out and ask for help. I see courage in myself all the time. When I open up to students and women from all walks of life; willing to be vulnerable enough to share my faults and the life choices I made that held me captive in my own frame of mind.

The less you talk about - what you call and think is your 'shame story' is the more that story of yours has control over you. Shame is the fear of being 'un-lovable' - it's the complete opposite of feeling worthy and owning our story.

Shame is all about fear.

Today, I challenge you to take off the mask and be YOU. Whoever that is, dig down and find her. Let people know who you are and what your story is. Your story is your power, Embrace it. Love it and share it. The world needs YOUR story!

Do What Feels Right!

For most of us, as children, we had no idea what we wanted to be or do when we got "big" enough to do something. I know for myself I knew that there was more to my life than the pain I was living in, but I had no idea what I would end up being or doing as I got older.

Many people ask me, "Liz how do I find my purpose?"

The only way to know what to do in life is to pay attention to the life you're living right now. You can't be listening to others regarding your purpose. You've got to "BE STILL" in order to listen and hear the voice of God for direction. He will always direct you to your passion. Whatever you end up doing is going to be something you WILL be passionate about. If you believe there is something more to your life than the one you're living, than you've got to listen to your spirit and be guided by that- NOT people. Set yourself apart for some time to figure it out. How much alone time are you spending with YOU?

You deserve and are worthy to live a life filled with passion and purpose. The reason you are here-living- is to figure out what that calling, that purpose is. Everything that happens to you in life is a lesson and everyone you meet is a teacher. Even if you're partner has cheated on you, or your child is locked up in prison, maybe you're in a dead end job...whatever is happening is there to teach you something. Your job is to pay attention.

If you've already discovered what your calling is but you're struggling with receiving it or starting that first project, then you've got to start living and walking in it. Write it out, see it and than move in the direction of working towards it. It all starts with that idea and then the first step you take to bring that idea to life. You will NOT fail if it is indeed your passion. I am not saying it will be easy. But easy is not an option. Easy come- easy go. Come on, we've all heard that saying before.

What do you believe? Because you WILL manifest the life you believe. All it takes is faith the size of a mustard seed. That's all. Have you ever seen a mustard seed? Well, take a look at this mustard seed (below), study it and realize how tiny it is. Now if that's all you need to bring your visions and dreams to life, than it's time to get up and start moving.

'Life Inside of Me' With Suzie Correia Rego

 

Are You Being Used?

What I love most about what I do, is that like Martin Luther King, I get to use my pain to serve the world.

But it wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time, I couldn’t see past my pain.

Growing up in the projects in an extremely abusive household, my constant prayer was, “God, when you get me out of here, and I know you will, use me. Just use me to change the world. To bring healing to hurting girls like me. Use me God. I don’t know what my future holds but I know there’s a vision for my life that is greater than my pain. I don’t know what it is- I just ask that you use me.”

May years later, that dream, that prayer brought me to start The D.e.v.a In You Group- a self development and leadership company for women and girls at risk. At risk of what, you ask? In my eyes, all girls are at risk. At risk of dropping out of school, getting pregnant if their having sex, doing drugs, getting their heart broken, being abused mentally-emotionally or physically or just falling into the wrong crowds. Like many girls and women, as a teenager in and out of foster care; running the streets, I questioned my ability to survive. But each time I thought of giving up (for a few seconds), I reminded myself of what I knew God had in store for me, once I was able to heal. I may have struggled to see how that healing would take place, but I knew it would- one day. I was able to find resilience in my darkest moments because I had faith the size of a mustard seed.

Failure for me became a new opportunity to begin again, only each time- I became wiser. I knew that in order to be used, I needed to stop bleeding. Leading while bleeding was not an option for me. I needed to get through my own “stuff” before God could show me what He was going to use me to do. I was fighting the pain when the very pain I was fighting was bringing me to the front door of my purpose.

Through my pain, I made it my mission to ensure people everywhere have the opportunity to live up to their God given potential. I never quite understood the power of my pain. I saw it as a negative thing so I couldn’t look past it. I never imagined it would be my very weapon and tool for success one day. We all love and highly respect Martin Luther King, but are we forgetting that it was through his pain that he was able to discover and fulfill his purpose.

Once you know what you want to do and what you want to be, that’s it! That’s where it starts. It’s all about perseverance from then on. Yes you will fall. Yes you will experience hurt and failures. It’s apart of growth. It’s apart of success. But as long as you want to be used in this world to bring forth change, peace, love and healing, than YOU CAN!

I had to understand that pain was temporary and that eventually something else would take its place. For instance, purpose! But if you give up, the pain will last forever. Which do you prefer? To live life on purpose or to die with no purpose?

Dream BIG, Think BIG but start small. Start right where you are with what you have because what you have is BIG- it’s your story.

I was putting off my business idea and my movement because I was waiting to be perfect. I was scared of my own potential. I was afraid to come out of my own comfort zone; my story.

All I needed was God. It’s exactly what we all need.

Do you want to be used? Do you have a desire to do more? To give back in a bigger way? Than YOU CAN! Start right where you are.

 

My Story Is Also YOUR Story!

Join me at my Chapters Woodbridge Book Signing

 

Saturday January 17th

11:00am-4:00pm

 

3900 Highway 7 - and Weston Road #1

 

 

 

Elizabeth Correia came from a toxic 'Playground' and has arrived at a life filled with Faith, Forgiveness and Courage.

"This is my life, this is my journey and I am grateful for the opportunity to share it with you. This is my liberation; I am FREE!" - Elizabeth Correia

 

If you missed it, here is my latest TV interview with Rogers Cable 10

Listen in while Raquel and I discuss sexual violence against women and girls:

Rogers Cable 10 Television Interview With Elizabeth Correia

Healing Is A Journey

Would you agree that the world is constantly changing? And with all these changes, we've got to hold onto something greater than ourselves. For me, it's God. If you don't believe in God, well than bless you. Personally I am afraid of people who don't believe in God, but I bless them anyway and keep it moving. I am not here to judge.

No matter how much we've achieved, what we've accomplished, we haven't made it until we know God. I am so thankful I have that connection to God and I am totally God conscious. Because I tell you this, if I didn't come to know myself in Christ, I would have totally lost my mind a LONG time ago. Many times over and over again. 30 years ago, 25 years ago, 20 years ago, 10 years ago, 5 years ago and maybe even just a few years ago. Because there will always be 'something' going on. It's life. It's how we grow. And me sitting here alive and well is proof- that there is real living God.

Let's talk about healing!

One of the first things I had to do in order to heal, was to 'tell the truth' about where I was. I had to admit to myself, "I am fearful, scared, insecure, hurt BUT I am excited about my transformation."

In each of us women / girls, lays a Queen. But it's a Queen in waiting. A Queen in training. So that means growth. You gotta grow your Queen. I am a Queen. A Queen who desires to serve a King. No, not a man - God.

I am constantly searching within myself to find the pieces in me that need mending, healing, growth and then the pieces that gotta go! Yes, we all have these.

Healing is like a Sports Game. Every athlete decided on which sport he's going to play- at a pretty young age. He decides on which is going to work for him not against him. If he knows 100% he is going to loose at this sport or totally suck at it, he doesn't desire to play it. You gotta choose a game you can master and then teach others to play. There are rules to every game. You got to see this like a Sports game. Sometimes you have to really swing at something; with all your mind, body and soul, and then go get it, run after it. But there's rules. First you gotta get to first base, than 2nd base and then 3rd base and then at last home run. It's a journey. You can't keep trying to win- your way. It's a process. Football players have to get to the end of the field by playing the game and going by the rules. They don't fly there in a jet. And if they break the rules, they get taken off the field.

Our problem is, we want everything fast. We jump from one relationship to another, We want fast money, fast cars, fast life. I tell you, if I knew what I knew 10 years ago; what I know now, oh boy!

How many of us really take the time to heal? Heal from our childhood stories and beliefs or past relationships? How many of us really understand the rules to dating / courting? If we really took the time to get to know someone, I bet most of us wouldn't even end up being with that person. I mean isn't that why it's called dating? It's a time to know who that person really is. This may take months or years but it's imperative for us to really see it as a new 'friendship' not boyfriend or girlfriend.

Healing is a journey I challenge you to look within and ask yourself, "What area of my life do I need healing" and start that journey TODAY. Don't bring your baggage to someone else's house. You attract what you are. What type of people, friends and associates do you desire to have around you? Well, you've got to first become that person.

Love, Lizzy

What Is the Foundation of Your Relationship?

What is your relationship rooted in? Is it lust? Pain? Past baggage? Or is God at the center of it? 

This weekend my Pastor is teaching at his Relationship Conference on 'Healthy God Focused Relationships' for married and single men and woman. I tell you this, I am sitting here still in awww. I am going to include some of what he has been sharing with us the past couple days. 

The Kingdom of God is past, present and future.

As a single person, you're an ambassador for Christ. As a married woman or man, this is suppose to continue. You're still a single person in God.

Once we give ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we will live the lives we're supposed to live.

The world's #1 cry is justice and peace. But in the kingdom of God- it's a given.

Your relationship must be governed by the Kingdom. Please don't confuse this with Jehovah's Witness. That is not the Kingdom I am talking about. This is not religion. I am talking about The Kingdom of God.

You are not in a relationship with God. You're In God and He is in you. You can easily walk away from a relationship. You can say, "Oh I am not in love anymore and walk away. Or people cheat in relationships. God doesn't want us to be in relationship with Him because He knows humans are emotional and today you may wake up and decide you don't 'feel' like being in a relationship with God anymore or for a time...so He wants to be in us. Live IN us.

Relationship have a secret. God holds that secret and so a relationship grounded in Gods word is a healthy relationship because they've unlocked the secret.

The world is searching for something in their sex life. So they go over to the dark side to stir up excitement in their relationships and start messing around with sex toys and tools; doing all kind of sick things to bring pleasure into their relationships. This is in the church too. When God is at the center of your relationship, you don't need to go over to the dark side for excitement in the bedroom with your spouse. Everyday in the bedroom will be like a new day- when God is at the root of that relationship.

Proverbs 19:21

You can make many plans for your life, but it's Gods plan / purpose that shall prevail.

To everything there is a season.

God created sex and created it with a divine season. The season sets a platform for the purpose to manifest.

Seasons allow purpose to manifest itself. Everything has a purpose. Your relationship must have a purpose or it's no relationship at all. 

What is the purpose of the relationship you're in?

Revelation 4:11

You are worthy oh Lord to receive glory and power, for you have created all things, and for your purpose they are and were created.

Everything in your life is suppose to represent God.

In the world (outside of God), people are people and their relationships are all the same. Whether it's Tom, Jim or Jane. It's dead works. God doesn't get any glory out of these relationships. 

A child of God doesn't live from anything that's coming from the world. 

A man who masters the temptations of his body will manifests purpose in is life. Ladies, go after this kind of man. If a man lives to masturbate, he is entertaining his demons. He will struggle to live a life that glorifies God.

Our lifestyle is what displays the Kingdom of God. Not our looks or the way we dress.

Anything that God gives to us He does so to receive glory. If God gives you a man / woman- if its truly Him that gave you that person, than that relationship WILL give God glory.

Sin makes a man a coward. When sin is dominant in your life, you want to run from God.

A man who doesn't love God cannot love his wife. Nope. He doesn't even know what true love is until he finds that in God. The world's way of love and Gods way are 2 totally different loves. True love is Gods love. This is the love we need to be seeking after.

Finally,

Each individual  must know who they are coming into a relationship or it will NOT work.

I don't want to make this any longer. I just felt a deep desire to share this with some of you who won't have a chance to be there tonight for the last day of the conference.

I trust this somehow empowered you.

Love, Lizzy

My Love Letter

Have you ever written a love letter?


Ok, so maybe it's been a long time since you've written one but I am sure even if it was in grade school or high school, at some point you've written a love letter to a boyfriend or a crush. Maybe even your husband.


Now, I know this might sound frivolous or even challenging, but I am daring you to write YOURSELF a love letter. If being loving to yourself doesn't come easily, imagine a secret admirer is writing this to you. Or your mom, dad, best friend. What might they say to and about you? Something that would make you smile in return.


Loving yourself clears the way for others to love you and make you see what real love feels and looks like.


When you are finished with this letter, I invite you to post it somewhere you can see and read it everyday for 2 weeks or forever; as a reminder of who you truly are, what your purpose in life may be, what you deserve, all that you have overcome and survived, the difference you make in this world, the wonderful friends you currently have, all the things you are determined to accomplish and how much of a brave girl you were to walk away from toxic things and people in your life.




Now I will let you into my life a little and share with you:


My Love Letter:


Dear Elizabeth,


Wow it's been 39 years since I've known you and I must tell you, I think you are a pretty awesome chic! Like seriously I hope you know just how wonderful you are.


I think it's phenomenal that you enjoy spending quality time with your sons, family and friends. I just love how you spend your time on a day to day basis. I love how you got so hooked to reading from an early age and have self educated yourself on so many different aspects of life. As a young girl your favorite thing to do was read and write and although you dropped out of high school in grade 10, you never gave up those 2 things and you were always determined to go back. And you did!


I adore that you have such a youthful heart and you can be so silly at times. I also love your realness. You're bold and you've never been afraid to speak your mind. Geeze, I don't think I've ever even seen you get intimidated by anyone. Not in a boardroom or the streets.


Yes, ok, we all know how cute you are, but I must say, you have protected your mind, heart and body in the last 5 years and high five to you Lizzy. You see your body as a living temple and you know who's it is. You weren't always protective with it growing up in your adolescence and gave yourself away to the wrong men, BUT you found Christ and that all turned around. Without God, you KNOW it wouldn't be as easy to keep yourself from the wolves! I think it's so fly that you will NOT ever settle for a man (again) who doesn't KNOW God. It's absolutely so awesome that it's the FIRST thing you look for in a man / partner and if he doesn't love and serve God, you don't even look or think twice. I especially appreciate the strength of your commitment in turning every aspect of your life around in regards to choosing a lifetime partner. I love how you love yourself. Because you're simply perfect the way you are and you have so much to offer a relationship. Wisdom and knowledge- above all things. Oh by the way, remember God told you He was sending THE ONE, when you are right where He needs you to be- in your purpose :-) (told you so).


Your brain! Let's talk about how smart and wise you are. I respect that you have a strong opinion about purpose and destiny and how street smart you are as well. Because you know without that, you've would've fallen even deeper. I love that you never want to forget where you came from because it's what humbles you every day. You know who you are Lizzy. You know who's you are. You are confident with what you have to offer this world and what your calling is. And that my dear, rocks!


You are more than just a survivor. You are a leader! You are a walking testimony!


Mama I just want to thank you for letting go and forgiving. Forgiving yourself FIRST and for seeing those who have hurt you in the past as children of God. Thank you for loving them. Thank you for seeing the spirit behind their actions and not the person. It takes a courageous woman to do what you have done. To embrace them. Like how amazing of you. You're a great example to girls and women all over the world of what a free loving spirit looks like. An example to everyone that their current circumstances does NOT determine their final destination.


You've accomplished so much but I love how unsatisfied you still are. You want to do so much and yes yes you can get a little too busy at times but I've noticed you take less on your plate lately and are more focused on your true purpose; leading and empowering young women / youth. Because THAT is your calling Miss!


You've got great plans and BIG ideas and I believe that Gods Will- will come to pass in your life. After all, He called you- so He WILL prepare and provide you with all the necessary tools.


Ugggg has He failed you yet??? NOOO!!! And never will!


P.S


I love how much you love God. I love how often you speak to Him and ask Him for His guidance. I love how since the surgery, there isn't a day you wake up and praise His name. I love how you've allowed Him to do spiritual surgery on you- at the same time while the doctor's performed the brain surgery. Thank you for choosing Him as the man of your life. Thank you for seeing Him as your father, after your own earthly father abused and hurt you baddd. Because even though you've felt so unworthy of love and affection, you opened up and allowed Him to do what He does best, LOVE you. Now that you know real love, you are ready to LOVE!


I love you girl. Always and forever! You're my superstar!


Love, Elizabeth Correia

Check Your Attitude!

I totally qualify to speak or write on this topic because I tell you, I struggled for years with a bad attitude. The worst part was that I thought there were valid reasons for my attitude. But I am here to tell you that there is NEVER good enough reason for it. Never.

For years, I made up many excuses that I felt were valid- for my bad attitude. Because of it, I lived my life making very poor choices and I became a 'runner' as my sister calls it. I was quick to snap and walk away and I was even faster at cutting someone off because things didn't go MY way. I believe my teachers got it the worst.

It's evident when a woman / girl doesn't love, trust and believe in herself. It will show in her attitude. That was me.

Your attitude affects your emotions, your health and your mindset. Some of us have so much of this poor attitude that it becomes extremely challenging when we get into a situation that actually requires us to have a good attitude #foodforthought

There are adults, mentors, teachers, counselors, pastors and people in your life that want nothing but good for you. Their there to encourage you. They believe in your gifts and they want nothing more than to see you excel. But you still see them as the enemy; mostly because they correct you. Most of us have become so familiar with struggle and pain, we forget what 'love' really looks like.

This message may be for you or someone you know and in that case please forward this post to them.

Don't allow your attitude to destroy your potential in doing something great with your life. It will block your blessings and it will prevent people of purpose to want to be in your space. Attitude brings on drama. Drama is ugly!

ATTITUDE STINKS REAL BAD!

You don't even have to speak in order for others to see your attitude. Your body language says it all. Cut it out today! Bring your walls down and be vulnerable- yet use wisdom.

I am not asking you to be the best. I am asking you to be YOUR best. I am still on that journey and it feels great. I've come a long way but I've got a ways to go. I don't care what your story or background is, we all have the opportunity to kick our attitudes out the door. We will always face things we don't want to go through. Things will happen and you'll want to go back to your 'old' attitude and just quit. But quitting should NEVER be an option.

I challenge you today, to search within to the areas you have the most attitude; could be at home with your parents or partner, teachers, co-workers, church members or with your kids and really study your 'why'

Love, Lizzy