When I was three years old, my adoptive mother was holding me as we stood in line at the grocery store. A gentleman in front of us turned and said what a pretty little girl I was…I then replied with, “no I’m not…I’m adopted.”

Being adopted weighed on my shoulders for decades. Rejection and abandonment coursed through my veins. My adopted fathers’ rejection…and the words “if you don’t behave yourself, we’ll take you back and get another baby...” haunted my core being.

The searching for my birthparents began when I was 14 and ended when I was 25. My birthmother, due to her own issues, rejected me once again. After being raped, wrestling with my suicidal demons, and facing cellular rejection for the second time, I decided I would no longer play the victim in my own story. I chose life, to take responsibility for myself and be accountable. At that time, it became incredibly clear my birthmother was just the vessel to get me here; God had a much bigger plan for me, even before I arrived into this world.

So began the pursuit to create the foundation I am built on. Truly believing in my heart of hearts that if you change the negative mind patterns set by circumstances and individuals in the past, a shift will occur. Deciding people and experiences don’t define a person; I began to mold, transform and listen to my inner personal power and pulled my head out of the dark cellular abyss and started to believe I was a woman of worth. Granted, my resistance and horoscope stubbornness continues to be tested and constantly will as the cycle of life moves forward.

As a firm believer of street smarts vs. book smarts, I pounded the pavement searching for answers to my personal healing. Before I could lead anyone to themselves, I needed to lead myself first. After mass consumption of information it all led back to: Trust, Forgiveness, Compassion, Integrity, and Love.

After years of informally coaching and being a professional sounding board for others, I decided to put my years of crazy life experiences, of which my friends titled “My Life Is a Chick Flick,” into action. My daily intention is the vision of leading just one person to change and help them learn to love themselves without judgment or guilt, shame or humiliation. If I can inspire myself through love, faith, integrity and laughter I can do that for others. We were all brought here to give something back in one way or another and I want to leave this earth better than when I arrived.

Surviving life because of my sense of humor and ability to deal with what is in front of me; that strength gives me the ability to talk and listen to people from a real place and a patient perspective.

With sincere gratitude for my trials and challenges, every moment has led me to where I stand right now. Because of those moments my foundation of “who am I” was created. Through MAJOR forgiveness…I am able to give an honest approach of compassion and empathy to those I encounter daily. And with a chameleon-like perception, I am able to reach people on their ground.

Everyday is an experience and a choice. Everyday brings up issues for us to look at. Once you are aware of those issues, you can identify them, bless them and let them go. There is a much higher power that protects us, if we let it. We are all blessed with a story – a beginning and an ending – how will you write your story? What will your legacy be?

Author's Bio: 

Trish Lay is the Founder and Creator of Souls at Play Productions. She has been coaching and motivating people to make changes in their life for over 20 years and has written several articles on harmony through conflict and finding your authentic self. She created Souls at Play Productions as a multi-faceted company with continued growth in mind. Souls at Play is now a full service outlet promoting individuals in the areas of: Acting, Coaching, Writing, Public Speaking, and Teaching. She utilizes her coaching style to manage those who choose to follow their passion and seek fulfillment through their work.