Today I\u2019m talking with Kimberly Bell, inspirational speaker, minister, and mentor. She\u2019s the author of \u201cEpitome of Kimberly: A Memoir of Finding Hope & Resilience.\u201d She has 2 degrees, in Human Development and Psychology and in Theology. Through her books and talks, she inspires others to never give up hope and inspire others to solve societal issues. Today, she is here to speak loud about having the courage to be yourself and embrace your life.\xa0
Learning to Choose Herself
Kimberly describes her background of abandonment and abuse. She experienced abandonment from her parents and all forms of abuse. The \u2018broken foundation\u2019 started for her when her parents, who were in a physically abusive relationship, left her to be raised by her aunt without explanation. As an adult, she had to accept that it happened but she was not responsible for things adults did to her.\xa0
She explains how the abandonment and abuse she went through influenced her experience with relationships in adulthood. She always put other people first and focused on what she could offer others, not vice-versa. Eventually, she learned, \u201cI had to choose me and I had to choose my healing.\u201d From there, she began to break the cycle.\xa0
Breaking Generational Cycles
Kimberly says that the process of learning love was hard and tiring. As an African American woman, she wasn\u2019t encouraged to embrace therapy for her mental health. She had a moment when, in a library, she asked God what direction to go, and looked up and saw a sign for a therapist. She called the number and broke the generational taboo in order to start her healing process.\xa0
Several years later, Kimberly is single and the mother of 4 daughters and a grandmother. She uses the life lessons she\u2019s learned to live in the moment and choose herself. By being true to herself and continuing to push through challenges, she was able to teach her children a better way and is proud to see that they have all had an easier journey.\xa0
Courageous Enough to Choose You
Kimberly shares that whenever she told others her life story, she was always met with the response, \u201cThat sounds like a book.\u201d She was receiving the signs to share her story but had to build the courage to go all the way back into her trauma to record it. She soon took the initiative, and states, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to accept or be defined by your past.\u201d Why wouldn't she share her story and try to help someone else?\xa0
Kimberly\u2019s memoir lays out the foundations of her life and the genuine truth of the lessons she\u2019s learned. She hopes that readers will see how she found her voice and be able to do the same. \u201cThrough God, nothing\u2019s impossible, but we have to go through the process." Kimberly hopes listeners feel empowered and courageous enough to put themselves first and begin their healing.
Listen in to learn about Kimberly\u2019s journey with forgiveness, how she helps her community, and how to find resources and mentoring on her website.\xa0
Resources Mentioned
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Connect with Kimberly on her website
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