LAST week I received the Women on a Mission International (WOMI) Trailblazer Award in New York and I am thankful for such an honour.

As I was receiving this award I thought about the many people who are blazing the trails but never will be recognised. I dedicate this award to those men and women who are blazing the trails and I encourage you to continue because you are going somewhere.
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Having the label as a trailblazer sometimes can put some pressure on you because of expectations.
I realise if you are true to yourself, your authenticity shines through. While writing my books I had to be authentic to tell my story while being vulnerable.

My Living With Intention Motivation Mission and Book Tour commences in the US. All of the books will be available and I am looking forward to connecting with my coauthors from Women Across Borders. I must thank the Hon. Barbara Atherley for her support in hosting an event at the Consul General’s office. She is a phenomenal woman who I admire very much.

I do exercise my faith a lot but this mission will be pushing it to another level. Before heading to the airport I checked in with my Love and Faith family. I can feel in my core that this will be life changing for not only me but many people. God is positioning people in my life and me in theirs for a powerful movement on the horizon. The picture is taking shape daily and although I can’t yet see the picture in the entirety I am confident it is to benefit people. It always should be about the PEOPLE which is our most valuable resource.

A few days ago, I was having one of those mornings where my energy was not as high as it should be. Hilda, who is like my sister called from Mississippi to finalise the event there, and she had Gwen who is another sister on the other line. The first thing Gwen said was, “Sonia, I am proud of the difference you are making in the lives of many and we love you here in Mississippi and are praying for you.” We discussed the finishing touches for the event among other things. The reason I mentioned that is to tell you that the positive energy I received from those two Southern sisters caused mine to go up.

I am blessed to have a small circle of people I call friends and I had a delicious Italian dinner with one recently. He once held a very influential position with the UN and is now enjoying retirement. He travels intensively teaching Peace Studies. People like him remind me with their actions why we should always be humble, no matter what office we hold or held. He met Nelson Mandela a few times while Mr Mandela was president and he has some amazing stories of the great man which reminds me of why he was one of my mentors.

He is working on his book and it will be an interesting read because he has worked all over the world in some of the most adverse circumstances, and interacted with lots of head of states. He has no interest in power and maybe that is why he can sleep standing! He shared a quote with me that I will never forget: “A man who is clothed with POWER is really NAKED.”

People like him assist me on this journey more than he knows. I am asking for favour, grace, guidance and mercy as I continue my MISSION.

Thank you to everyone who assisted in any way to make this trip possible. I can assure you not even the messages you sent, encouraging messages, went unnoticed. The next time you are praying please include the Living With Intention Mission and Book Tour.

Visit our FB page or send us a message to beyondtherunway1@gmail.com as we continue to celebrate this journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY