I AM still on a natural high from my Linden trip. It was awesome.
My trip started as the chief judge for Happily Ever After by Miss Creative Hands which I attended with my baby sister and assistant, Denielle, who has been like my right hand lately.

Next morning, the worship with Pastor Sills and his congregation was so anointing and the leadership sermon was profound. Francine Major hosted a book signing for LIVING WITH

INTENTION
Her Worship Waneka Arrindell, Mayor of Linden, gave brief remarks and former Mayor Carwyn Holland, read an excerpt from the book and reflected on how I personally inspired him over the years.

I was anticipating a great interaction with the students for the school tour. In the morning, I met with the Grade Six students from Amelia’s Ward Primary, St Aidan’s Primary and Christianburg Primary. I instantly noticed on entrance how polite they were and was happy with how interactive they were.

I shared some of my personal stories about when I was their age and had their undivided attention. I gave them details on when I sold plantain chips, sugar cakes and other items in school. I discovered a young man in the class who sold icicles and had a similar entrepreneur spirit like I had at his age. I encouraged him to keep focused and that one day, it is possible to own his own company. I told them even if they did not get a top school they still possess greatness.

The six secondary Schools that assembled at Lichus Hall were McKenzie High, Harmony Secondary School, New Silver City Secondary, Wismar Christianburg Multilateral, Linden Foundation Secondary and the Marcy Craig Institute.

They took me back to my high school days. One of them wears the same shade of green that my school did. We spoke about ways you can give the world the best version of ourselves. I encouraged them to intentionally place a high value on themselves and the decisions they make today will affect their tomorrow. They were very receptive and asked questions. Many of them wanted one on one with me but time did not permit.

One of my special moments in Linden was interacting with this young lady. During my presentation, I was discussing failure including my personal failures. I couldn’t attend school for one term because of financial constraints in my home. She shared with me that because of her failures in school some days she doesn’t even want to go to school, but after listening to me she has decided to press the reset button and look at failure differently. I reminded the students that motivation gets you going but discipline keeps you growing.

All the sessions were truly a blessing and it really energised me. We are all in, up in the valley sometimes but moments like these help me to get out.
Sharing with you some of the thoughts of people who were there.

Her Worship the Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell
“The Linden community was privileged to be graced by the charming Ms. Sonia Noel, role model, writer and motivational speaker.
Her launch of the book Living with Intention was seen as timely and I know that it is time for us to have a mindset change in our town among the youths. This process has already begun as Ms. Noel was able to visit these schools and shared her knowledge while encouraging students to pursue their dreams.”

Councillor Eleze Benjamin Hall
“It was my humblest pleasure to feel the warmth and comfort for the most part of a day, as I was privileged to be in the company of someone who is well known to society as ‘A prestigious personality’, Ms. Sonia E. Noel, a woman with a stately, gorgeous and fashionable character who would have visited Linden schools to share her motivational thoughts with students; with her main focus of encouraging them not to give up but to go hard after their dreams which will cause them to COMMIT, CONTRIBUTE and CELEBRATE as they grow older. .

Telling one of her… stories to the pupils of two primary schools where she had them close their eyes as they listened carefully. At the end, when the pupils opened their eyes, everyone could have felt her pains as they all showed their surprise when she said, ‘THAT LITTLE GIRL I WAS TALKING ABOUT IS ME.'”

Sonia Fraser, District Education Officer
“Living With Intention motivational talk was an awesome experience for me. It gave some more strength and encouragement to continue on the journey to attain my best. From the interaction with students, I know at least a few lives were touched including mine. I trust that it finds root and blossom making those of us even better individuals. Thank you for your timely intervention.”

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