Open the Mind: How One's Perception of Abuse Created a Reality of Success

by Shirley MacKay

Experiencing poverty during my childhood, I could not afford to be judgmentally biased, figuratively and literally. This is a true story. This letter to my unborn child describes the immense suffering I endured during my upbringing. My desire is that my child pursues a fulfilling life. This is a life that cannot be obtained without strength and sacrifice. Despite the most difficult challenges, my goal is to encourage every reader to go through each situation always envisioning the light even at the end of the deepest, darkest tunnel. Undoubtedly, my story will give you an internal perspective on how even a child can fight through the most gruesome of circumstances. The powerful lessons that were learned shaped the way an 8 year old little girl became courageous, determined, and passionate enough to surpass all expectations. In a world of hate, abuse, and poverty an unbelievable power emerged. Infused within it, a will to live, seek and obtain an abundant life enriched in love and success pushed me forward. At a young age, my mother was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. Suicide and running away were mere thoughts to escape my mother's wrath, but it was the easy route. I continued to push. I pushed through the pain even when there seems to be no end. My abusive and transient childhood, including being pushed from foster to foster home could not tear down my drive and determination. Today, I hold a master's degree in Computer Science from Harvard Extension University. I have pursued a successful career and run a wonderful business with my husband. Most important of all, I have opened my heart and mind to love. With the help of my family… I love deeply despite having a beginning in a very lonely place. The power of positive thinking has created ladders of greatness in the lowest of trenches that eventually allowed me to climb to the top. Reminders of my past are moments of clarity in which I acknowledge with humility what I have overcome, not endured. This began as a letter to my unborn child, but my greatest gift to the reader is the ability to reign in your power - the power that resides in positive thought, determination and strength. I want to empower you when life has appeared to give up on you. I want you to see how your way of thinking can change the dynamics of your environment. After reading this book, the hope is that your next step will be a leap into a new direction in any bleak situation and find encouragement. Hopefully, my stories will enable you to find the light in the darkest of dismal situations to help you, a child, friend, or even a stranger. Your empowerment will come through positive thinking.

123 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018