#TheMotivatorsSeries: Recall and Embrace the Legacy by Angelia Vernon Menchan

Recall and Embrace the Legacy
by Angelia Vernon Menchan

Angelia Vernon Menchan is an author, publisher and public speaker who owns two publishing companies, MAMM Productions and Honorable Menchan Media. 


There have been times in my life when I am standing in front of a crowd where someone will always ask, "Who motivates you?"  I occasionally pause but ultimately I respond with the truth. There are times when I feel only I motivate me and am there for everyone. I feel like ATM, chauffeur, chef and counselor at times. But then I think, realize and acknowledge that life and those around me are a constant source of motivation.

My initial motivators are all gone, my mother, my aunt and my godmother. Ora Lee, Elouise and Eva Mae were their names.

My mother, Ora Lee motivated me to be fearless and to just go for it and or say it. Nothing stopped her from expressing herself or being heard. In those moments when fear grips me, I can recall her and receive a surge of courage because I have been blessed to have a life I am not sure she even dreamed of. I'm long married, successful in several careers and have traveled the world. She was never exposed to most of that. My mom had many struggles and raised my sister and I alone but that did not stop her from giving and sharing what little she had. She has been gone almost twelve years but her giving spirit continually motivates me to give and live.

My Aunt Elouise was the hardest worker I knew. She was tough, meticulous and paid attention to detail. She had very little formal education but saved and managed her money like an accountant. She never had a child of her own but helped raise her nieces. She took us swimming, fishing and taught us to clean and cook. Elouise was the prototypical "Big Mama." She motivated and motivates me still to do the same. I smile every time anyone says you are just like Elouise.

My godmother, Ms. Eva adored me. She believed in me and until she died at age 102, and today her life motivates me. As a thirteen year old in Ozark, Alabama she was impregnated by a white man she worked for, literally raped. She was run out of town at that age but she worked as a domestic and took care of herself, traveling from Alabama to Florida. She was well read and honest. Her courage motivates me daily.

I love God and my faith is strong. I stay entrenched in the Word and I enjoy church. That has not always been the case. I was always a believer but was not sure church meant anything. However, several years ago my husband and I found a wonderful church that's been led by two amazing pastors who teach and each day I'm motivated by faith and prayer. I also have several friends who pray for and with me as motivators. Often one or more will contact me unprovoked because they felt my energy. The love of my women friends is one of my main sources of inspiration. 

My forty years married to a man who I know loves me and who I love is THE motivating source, after God, daily. There are days when I'm exhausted from being a budget officer, author, publisher, mentor and hands on grandmother and his deep loving ways sustain me. He listens and advises and when necessary calls me on my nonsense. In the middle of the night I can wake him to talk or get me a coke.

More than anything he has encouraged me in my writing life by designing my covers, supporting my efforts and traveling beside me. There have been times when I thought of chucking it. He always said, "You love writing. You waited years to do it. Even if you aren't earning a lot continue what you love and in time the rest will come."

He has been right every time and having him as my motivating cheerleader is the best.

I'm a mentor and former counselor. Every time a young person says I have motivated them, I'm motivated. There are far to many kids who have no one and I feel blessed to talk to them and offer hope and encouragement. Once you reach a young person, it is amazing what can be gleaned and learned from them. I recall a young girl of fifteen telling me about the rule of three.

"Ms. A if you contact someone three times and they don't respond, leave them alone. They are telling you without telling you. That's the rule of three and after that move on."

To this day, many years later I recall and embrace those motivational and encouraging words. She spoke directly to reality and I was open to listening.

Being a writer who actually sells work to people who give support and great feedback is the ultimate. The process of writing is the best kind of therapy and allows one to be motivated by her own creation. I love the process and what God had gifted me to create. Writing is that personal expression that is unique to each writer. I call that self-motivating gifts from God.

Finally, I know how to rest, get away from it all and sometimes say NO and mean it.



About the Author
Angelia Vernon Menchan is wife, mother, nana and mentor. Since January 2006, she has published 34 printed books and an additional 130 ebooks through her small publishing company, MAMM Productions. She is also the Co-founder of Honorable MENCHAN Media, through which she has published books for 15 authors to date.

Her personal motto is, 'There is abundance through God for all of us; we simply have to be open for our blessings.'  In 2017 she decided to add her hallmark phrase "Just LOVE"  to coffee mugs and tee-shirts. This phrase has taken on a life of its own!   #JustLove

In addition, Angelia is a prolific public speaker and mentor to women of all ages. She resides in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and cover designer, Maurice Menchan. Website:  https://www.angeliavernonmenchan.com


Blog: http://angeliavernonmenchanserials.blogspot.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/angeliam
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/angelmenchan





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