The Freedom To Not Be Right by Jennifer Maggio

 Posted by Jennifer on November 17, 2010  General  2 Responses »
Nov 172010
 

(Proceed with caution. This one may hurt a bit.)

If I had to choose one area that has been an on-going struggle with me (not that there haven’t been many), this would be it.  I have strong convictions and am very opinionated.  I believe there may be one or two of you out there like me, so I offer you my thoughts.

Years ago, as I’ve mentioned, I found myself a homeless unwed teen mom who eventually landed a corporate job for a major Fortune 500 company.  I gained a great deal of knowledge and experience within that company.  I developed my public speaking skills and organization skills.  I made a great living for my family.  I enjoyed lavish vacations.  My confidence grew. 

But something else began to happen.  The larger my success, the bigger my ego grew!  With increased confidence came increased arrogance and a total lack of humility.  If a supervisor tried to give me direction, I became defensive.  If an employee didn’t agree with me, I ruled with an iron fist and brought the hammer down!  Continue reading »

 Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Isn’t Life Funny?

 Posted by Jennifer on October 20, 2010  General  1 Response »
Oct 202010
 

If you would’ve told me 15 years ago that I was going to be a successful author, speaker, and mother of three kids, AND BE HAPPILY MARRIED………I would’ve laughed in your face.  Isn’t it funny how life comes full circle and all those bumpy roads that you traveled before somehow seem worth it?  They make you who you are today.

Let’s rewind 15 years for a moment, shall we?   I was 18 years old and had just given birth to my first child.  I was homeless and helpless.  A few months later, I found myself living on government assistance and in government housing.  I was making $6.00/hour to make ends meet and support my son.  We had no furniture, only a few clothes, little food, and it was pitiful!

I had just spent the first 18 years of my life in an underground hell.  My mother was killed unexpectedly when I was a small child, so I was raised by my alcoholic father who married a total of 6 times.  The marriages didn’t include all the girlfriends and mistresses.  My home was a mess.  I started being molested at 3 years old, and for 9 years I suffered horrific acts at the hands of multiple perpetrators.   Through the years, I was beaten, choked, malnourished, forced to steal, and force to view pornography — never breathing a word of any of this to another living soul.   Desperate for attention, I started having sex at 13 and found myself pregnant twice in high school (having miscarriages both times).  By the third pregnancy my senior year, I was a walking time bomb.  This is where I found myself 15 years ago.  Continue reading »

 Tagged with: , , , , , , ,
Page 3 of 3123