This Inspirational Moment is brought to you by Brittany Herrera of Chatsworth, California.
What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to go through in your life?
I would have to say the most difficult thing I had to go through was seeing my father 10 years after he was imprisoned for molesting my sister and me. I was subpoenaed to testify against him when his 10-year parole hearing came up because he was claiming he was not guilty and that he was improperly defended by his attorney. As a result, he was granted a hearing with a judge where my sisters and I had to go testify against him all over again. My world fell apart after that and I started using heavy drugs. I dropped out of college in my senior year, got my car repossessed, stopped working, got an eviction and put myself in rehab for 9 months. I ended up going back to school and finishing my bachelor’s and I am now in graduate school getting my masters in psychology. In April of this year, I celebrated 4 years clean and sober.
What did you learn from it that you could pass on to someone else?
I learned that life happens on life’s terms and its okay to let people help me. I used to believe that I had to do everything on my own that it was “me against the world.” What I have learned is that I was the one running away, I was the one hiding from the world…that there were so many people ready and willing to help me.
What has been the Happiest Moment of your life?
That’s a tough one but I would have to say when I quit smoking cigarettes. I prayed for God to remove the desire out of my heart to smoke cigarettes. I so badly wanted to quit smoking. 4 years ago I was able to. I had tried and tried and tried and tried but continued to fail miserably. The day that desire was lifted was the day I knew there was a power greater than myself working in my life. Not craving or desiring a cigarette to fill the whole I was feeling inside was when I realized I am not alone and there are things God can do for me that I cannot do by myself. That is when I started to have faith that God could help me.
What is your Passion?
My passion is helping people and being in/tuning into NATURE.
What inspires you?
God, the Bible, Church, Narcotics Anonymous – As I develop an intimate relationship with God I have experienced wisdom, correction, discernment, forgiveness, integrity, surrender, acceptance, HUMILITY, kindness, LOVE, trust, respect, responsibility, and so much more. God inspires me….people, who have resiliency inspire me…NATURE inspires me (flowers, trees, sunsets, stars, the beach, the dessert…all of it). People who are willing to reach out their hand to help someone in need even when they aren’t in the “mood” but do it ANYWAY because it’s the right thing to do – THAT inspires me.
What is your favorite Inspirational Quote?
Timothy 2:17 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”
How do you try to inspire others?
Using what I went through to be an example that you can come out the other side of something like I went through and still have the ability to forgive, a happy heart and an inner peace.
One non-profit you support?
S.O.S. Standing on Stone
What is one easy thing you can do to change the world for good in the next 24 hours?
Listen with a curious and loving ear to anyone who talks to me.
This picture makes me feel HAPPY!
This pictures makes me feel STRONG!
Wow Britt, that is a very Great Story.. I know some from as long as I know you, I know that you’re a very amazing woman of God! Keep it up, and always.. God first!!