The Gift and Joy of Opportunities
How a Single Message Sparked My Journey Toward Purpose and Personal Growth
The Power of Belief: How One Message Changed the Trajectory of My Life
I couldn't believe how one message changed the trajectory of my life, and yet that is exactly how I discovered my passion with my latest company.
I have had the privilege of being interviewed by Tammy Allen to be featured in Influential Women after connecting with her on LinkedIn, and at first, I couldn't believe it was real. I did my own research and realized that the opportunity seemed almost too good to be true. But when it came time for the actual interview, something happened—I began to light up all over again.
Speaking with Tammy reminded me why I chose to keep persevering through a season of my life when I wasn't quite sure I was qualified for a growth-level opportunity. Looking back, that opportunity became one of the best things that ever happened to me. I found joy, hope, and belief by pursuing something I knew had the potential to grow because of the way it helped me grow.
It may seem like I am speaking in riddles, but I believe that is exactly what it means to have a passion. It means taking a chance on something, watching it grow, and realizing it has been your calling all along.
I became the person I am today through obtaining knowledge, learning, failing, and achieving throughout my journey in a field I did not even know existed for me.
Belief
Belief is a concept that is sometimes misunderstood and not always used in the way it was intended. For me, however, it became the foundation of who I am.
I began receiving belief in waves from strangers who eventually became close friends. I witnessed how it transformed the way I saw myself, and I wanted to give that same feeling to others.
A phrase so simple to some—"I believe in you"—became a title I chose to wear like a garland when working with others. I saw how those words could shift someone's entire atmosphere and help their confidence rise to new heights simply because one person chose to see more in them than they could see in themselves at that moment.
My name is Mariah Leonard, and I am choosing to take a chance on an opportunity to hopefully reach the right people and share my personal story about how belief helped me step into the person I was always meant to become.
I have a deep passion for talent acquisition and recruiting, and I know that with the right opportunity, my next chapter will unfold. When that opportunity comes knocking, I will be ready.