Eliana Warda Powers

I attribute my success to a deep, Divine help that comes from within — an understanding that there is a Divine love for the soul and a Divine hand guiding me. I've experienced unexplainable blessings and miraculous provisions along the way, like the time several bags of groceries appeared right after I told God I was done. His Divine help showed me He hadn't given up on me even when I had given up on Him, my family, and myself. That sense of being sustained in difficulty and through trials by faith, grace, and Providential guidance has carried me through. Perseverance and the support of others during hard seasons has also been a contributing factor to further on a Divine purpose for my life in helping others.

The best advice I've received is not to take things personally — to let it roll off like water off a duck's back. I also have been challenged by the principles in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, particularly the idea of focusing on "us" rather than "me" or "you," and working as a team toward the bigger picture. Above all, I try to seek first to understand before being understood.

I would tell young women not to close themselves off to opportunities, even ones that might not pay as much at first. Find the work you love so it doesn't feel like a job, and align yourself with what you were created to do — when you do, you'll flourish like a flower planted in the right environment. Keep your heart open, and seek out roles that truly align with your gifts.

There are so many opportunities in this field right now because so many people suffer from narcissistic abuse. Counseling and nonprofit work may have some obstacles and feel limited in how much help can be offered. Coming from a workplace where narcissistic abuse is a pervasive issue, I've experienced firsthand the difficulty one can experience. In this time of my life, however, I see real opportunity in connecting people to resources and using writing and community networks to reach and help those in crisis.

Being a helpful, kind, and loyal person with integrity and faith matters most to me. I try to seek to understand before being understood, and to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before bringing my own perspective to the table. Teamwork and service guide how I show up both professionally and personally.