I shared a story about a life-changing event in my last blog article. I didn’t mention that during this already heavy and dark time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that God had a bigger plan for me. 

I spent hours wracking my brain and figuring out what He was trying to tell me.

Was I to sell everything I own and become a Humanitarian?

I would, but that’s not what I desire. Can’t I be a Humanitarian and own stuff? I’m hoping He chuckled at my response.

Around this time, my family and I also visited Nashville, Tennessee, to celebrate my daughter’s 22nd birthday. She wanted to celebrate her 22nd in the “Country Music Capital of the World.’ We visited the Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman Auditorium, and Music Row.

My sister-in-law rented us an Airbnb in the Fisk University area. Our Airbnb was newly built. It had a security system and a high fence in the backyard. Directly across the street was a home that was run down and looked abandoned, with broken windows and a tarp on the part of the roof. However, the sign on the door said historic renovation. As I looked it up, I saw the Historic Boyd House of Fisk University. It once was the residence of Fisk’s president. A distinguished black businessman established R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation in 1896. Boyd is known for helping to form the country’s oldest operating black-owned bank, now known as Trust.

We also realized that Nashville was the home of the National Museum of African American Music, so we decided to visit this historic site. We were highly impressed with the museum, which began with a video called Roots.

Our last day in Nashville was all the family touring the original Ryman Auditorium. It was July 17, 2022, and it was HOT in Nashville. My dad having Parkinsons requires us to think ahead regarding any outing. His health can change dramatically if he is too hot, too cold, too dehydrated, too hungry, too tired or weak from walking, not having his medication on time, etc. The Ryman tour was great, and Dad did well. We then wanted good food. Walking down the music row, eating places were packed, and my dad appeared to be getting tired and needing to sit. We returned to an eating place that appeared at the time to be one of the easiest to get into, Jacks Bar-B-Que. We sat my dad at a booth, looking out at the strip as the family got in line to order food.

My family then passed through the line and came over to sit, and all I wanted was to go outside and smoke. I headed outside and lit one up. It was then that I met one of the brightest, spunkiest spirits.

She said she had seen me walking before and prayed to God I would come back around. She mentioned that she loved my jumpsuit and wanted to know where I got it. I explained that while taking a puff and turning my head to exhale, I had chosen the outfit that day because I wanted to be comfortable. Her spirit and energy intrigued me when I asked what she did.

She said she was a Humanitarian and was in Nashville for the summer. She went on to say her father was a Humanitarian, and he had taught her all she knew.

She said all she owned was what she had on a boat in Florida. She had short hair, a hip tee shirt, cute mid-length shorts, cool tennis shoes, and circled dark glasses. I could not see her eyes.

She stated that when her clothes got dirty, stores knew her and would give her more clothes. She lived on the streets with the homeless in the summers and checked in on people struggling to stay sober.

I shared with her that I had just written a book and that I had stopped smoking in the book.

“And here I am smoking again,” I jokingly added.

She asked what the book was about, and I told her Loved Just As I Am was inspired by my trauma, making different generational choices, loving yourself, and how much God loves us all.

 She then asked why I was smoking. I admitted that I was stressed attempting to figure out what else God wanted me to do and knowing how to do it. I shared that I had been attempting to market the book and how difficult that was. Trying to be a bookseller while being a wife, business owner, parent, and daughter was causing a conflict in my heart that I had never experienced before. I shared that I knew I was helping to teach people daily and was very proud.

She said, “Say that out loud.” 

Her following words were like a balm for my exhausted soul.

She said, “You must believe in yourself. I believe in myself. Do you? If yes, say it out loud.”

I said, “I believe in myself.” It felt so good, and my spirits lifted a little.

Then, this Earth Angel grabbed both my arms and turned me toward her like a parent who was about to have a loving talk with their child. 

“Say that out loud.”

By this time, I was teary-eyed because of her joy and awesomeness. I did not mind her in my personal space; it seemed natural and extremely energetic. She was a light. 

“I believe in myself.”

Have you told yourself that lately? These five words can elevate your spirit if you take the opportunity to say it daily.

Just so you know, I believe in you. 

Melissa McDaniel is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, life coach, and speaker who has spent nearly two decades helping people transform their lives. She is also the author of a 1# in New Releases book, Loved Just As I Am.

     Loved Just As I Am shares her thirty-year journey of learning from her pain and shame, letting go of judgment and control, and never losing sight of the knowledge that God loved her unconditionally. McDaniel now uses her complete understanding of compassion to help alleviate the suffering of another.

This book is available on Amazon, Kindle, and the author’s website.