Tyler Perry’s first theatre production, I Know I’ve Been Changed failed woefully. He had put in all his savings but only 30 people showed up. There were days his car was the only home he had. It was not until the 7^th run of the production that it became a success. Today, Tyler is one of the highest paid men in entertainment.

Joyce Meyer’s dad raped her over 200 times. He raped her at least once a week till she was 18. Joyce’s first marriage lasted five years. She ended up in bars after the divorce. None of that past mattered now. She is a best-selling author. She travels in a private jet, owns several homes and her TV show is viewed worldwide and you bet, she is having a great time in her marriage.

Oprah was fired at 23. ‘Actually Oprah wasn’t fired. Let’s just say a broke 23 year old black girl was fired at 23 so she could become Oprah.’ Ursula Burns who now runs Xerox grew up in a housing project in Manhattan’s Lower East side

Odion Ighalo was born in Ajegunle. His mum sold sachet water and soft drinks.

DBanj was a security guard at Stratford. Ramsey Noah slept under the bridge in Lagos. Peter of PSquare was a supermarket attendant. Banky W sold knives door to door and used to go to church to eat free food. Don Jazzy was a security guard. Joseph Benjamin was a bus conductor. Linda Ikeji was a waitress. Patoranking was a bricklayer and a rat-poison seller. Mike Adenuga was a taxi driver.

It’s almost the case that greatness is somehow premised in tragedy and misfortune.

Can you see the message in that mess? Can you see the testimony in that test? Can you see it?

How far can you see?

Keep grinding.

Keep working.

Keep smiling.

They may be baby steps but they are steps all the same. Get on with it!

Just don’t stop. Stay in there! Stay at it. Your story is next.

Good morning. Have a fabulous week!

#MondayMorningMusings