The Power of Your Pain: Pushing Past from Where You Are to Where You Need to Be

By Carla Michelle

Inspired most by her mother’s survival, Carla learned to find the silver lining in the darkest moments of her life. After hearing hundreds of harrowing stories from families, friends, clients and co-workers, she was convinced that navigating pain was a topic to be explored. Blending truth-based, fictional narratives and factual accounts, Carla weaves stories of trials, trauma and transcendence. She then challenges readers to consider pain’s power through examination and personal exploring.

For many, elements of anguish are purely negative and subsequently avoided and suppressed; but, Carla analyzes pain through a lens of history, heartache and its penchant for progression. Understanding how pain can precede insight and empathy, she champions efforts to identify pain at its source and manage it effectively. The Power of Your Pain is a must read for living a life of wholeness and well-being.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796023091

Carla Michelle

About the Author Carla Michelle is an educator, speaker, writer and coach with a hunger for wholeness and a thirst for life. Enamored with language and its power to convey the human experience, she is happiest when speaking, writing or enjoying a culinary delight. Her passions are rivaled only by her love for her faith, family and friends. Rounding out her joys are sharing heartfelt experiences with her husband, four boys, colleagues and audiences around the country. Carla insists that “Life’s investments will determine life’s rewards,” and she is a #dreamcatcher who believes anything is possible. To learn more, visit www.carlambrown.com.

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Copyright © 2019 by Carla Michelle.

Library of Congress Control Number:    2019903391

ISBN:                  Hardcover                        978-1-7960-2308-4

                            Softcover                          978-1-7960-2310-7

                            eBook                               978-1-7960-2309-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 04/17/2019

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Chapter 1     Pain Sears the Soul

Chapter 2     Pain Questions Quandary

Chapter 3     Pain Demands Dialogue

Chapter 4     Pain Fuels Fervor

Chapter 5     Pain Pierces Passion

Chapter 6     Pain Motivates Masses

Chapter 7     Pain Undergirds Understanding

Chapter 8     Pain Recognizes Remnants

Chapter 9     Pain Pushes Planning

Chapter 10   Pain Can Paint Your Most Beautiful Picture

Epilogue

To my dad, Roy, who was always my Superman and my mom, Shirley, who is still my Oracle and my Muse. ~ Carla Michelle

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

W HEN I CONSIDERED who I wanted to thank for the many pieces that melded together to make this writing a tangible reality, I reminisced on the plethora of award shows where I’d see recipients rattle off countless names with a flurry of excitement and disbelief. Some had prepared lists, others went from memory, and some drew a complete blank amidst the surrealness of it all.

I feel like I get to cheat. I have time to think about who and what to say. There’s no monitor flashing a countdown in my face, limiting my comments. While I won’t be lengthy, there are a few that are near and dear to my heart who have changed my life forever. So, although I’m aware many have impacted me in various ways, these brief pages are for those who most heavily influenced my writing. Either way, I love them all!

I am thankful for my family. Life with them is at the core of who I grew up to be. My siblings, Tremaine, Roy and Sherri, kept me smiling when I felt I had little to smile about. My brothers were my best playmates. My grandmother, Lucille Walker Harris; my uncle, Bennie Harris, Jr.; and my father, Roy Lee Turner, Sr. sculpted my heart and love for those who dare to dream, don’t fit the status quo, and who persevere in spite of their pain. I extend sincerest love to the entire Turner Family, whom my father deeply cherished. Summer, my soft-spoken and cerebral sister-in-law, is a quiet inspiration. My very vocal, fierce and fearless sister-in-law, Trana, is a champion for many. My brother-in-law, Larry, is a loyalist beyond measure.

My former pastor, Frederick E. Tibbs, has been my spiritual dad for over twenty-five years, guiding me along the way since I was 16. I appreciate the many days he’s helped all of my family with his kindness and godly wisdom.

While I’ve always encountered many wonderful people, I have been blessed in unbelievable ways by a circle of the most compassionate and caring friends, particularly in my deepest heartaches: my pillars and heartfelt loves from Living Word Tabernacle Assembly of God Church, Lyma (my first cousin [because I didn’t have any cousins that lived in Texas at the time]), Etima Renee, Nancy Limberger (my beloved public speaking coach from Willowridge High School), Nichole Wilson (because Autism Moms Are Beautiful), Sharon G. and Nneka B., Aaron S. (thank you for listening), Aisha U. (thank you for sharing), April (my heart), Larry, Yolanda Houston, Deandrea (my first Ride or Die friend!), Sharon S., Kelley Kelley, Lesley, Phillip G., Sherry, Ms. Limon, Robin, Ruby, Jackie, Dr. Smith, D’Anne, Jermaine and Brandi, Chris and Fran, Derek, Deric, Novata, Telisha, Marcus Davis, Marcus D. Wiley, Nealo, Sydne St. Roix, Page (my big sister), Cheryl, Laura, Rosie, Vicki P., Vachon and VanBrackle, G. Johnson, A. Johnson, Liliana, Heather, Mr. Watson, Dr. Allen, Ms. Makey, my mentor, Malene Golding (the next literacy icon), Solo, Dr. Joyce Armstrong Caroll (literary great), my preferred chef, Chris Williams of Houston’s Lucille’s, LaJoie & LaJoie (such blessings to my family), Patrena, Jonathan B. Wilson, Chris Johnson, Garry, Joseph, Mr. Charles, Deacon Cecil (Cousin), Billy, Mr. Willie, Lucy, Bertha, Gabriel, Calvina, Nee-Nee, Stella, Afryea, Ms. Jimmie, Ms. Alicia (y su corazón del amor), Andreina, Ms. Ramirez, Ms. Jackie, Ms. Valerie, Ms. Ladrena, Ms. Jeanetta, Ms. Rosa, Ms. LeAnya, Ms. Rong, Ms. Nichols, Zhang Ling, Dana and Bridget, Chantel, Rev. Slone, Ashley, Jessica, Dr. Daymond Wilkins, Dr. Shaundra Webb, Dr. Isaac Smith and so many more.

I am endlessly and forever inspired by Dr. Mary Holt Ashley, whose flame will never burn out. I am also thankful for the kindness of Praire View proud, Jerome Washington (unofficial comedian and historian) and Dr. Chaney Ledet, my birthday twin (Leader and Lioness). You are educators extraordinaire who touched my heart the most at the service for my father. You will never know how much I treasured your presence there and beyond.

I extend a most special thanks to my fire and ice, James and Thelma – who kept me filled with ideas and supported me in ways I could never have imagined. Ms. Maydell and Ms. Hill, I will love you forever for loving my mini-mes. And Ms. Hill, thank you for agreeing to be one of my chief readers.

To my visionary (James), graphic designer (Baldemar), stylist (Sydne St. Roix), photographer (Jermaine) and make-up artist (Brandi) – thank you for making me feel like a celebrity. You made me feel prettier and fancier than I’ve ever been.

I also thank Dr. D. Z. Cofield for endless insights, personal encouragement and the many wonderful opportunities and friends that resulted from my affiliation with Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church and Barbara Jordan International Preschool.

My four boys, Michael, Christopher, Isaiah and Johnathan are constant motivation. They make me dream in new colors and write with renewed imagination. My husband, Michael Fitzgerald Brown, Sr., has taught me more about myself and my spirituality in my efforts to learn more about life. With him, I am always processing new things and learning how to better approach my most difficult challenges.

At the top of my list, the crème de la crème, the gift for whom I am most thankful next to Christ, is my mother – Shirley L. Turner, affectionately known as The Oracle. My mom is the reason I live and breathe – shaping me from beginning to end, overlaying my path with indispensable insight.

She is beauty unfiltered, strength unfeigned. If I could obtain a